..::Football III::..

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Wenger issues Vermaelen challenge

Arsene Wenger has challenged Thomas Vermaelen to show his quality for Arsenal in the remaining seven games of the Premier League season.

Vermaelen started his first league game since December in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Swansea due to Laurent Koscielny being absent with a calf strain.The Belgium defender was a first-team regular last season but has struggled to displace Per Mertesacker and Koscielny at the heart of the Arsenal defence this term, and as a result has only started four league matches.

With Koscielny expected to be out for a couple of weeks Wenger has backed Vermaelen to prove his worth."We know Thomas has paid a heavy price for having Laurent and Per who worked well together," the Frenchman told Arsenal's official website.

"But he has an opportunity to show how good he is and I'm sure he will take it."
Vermaelen is expected to start against Manchester City on Saturday as Arsenal look to avenge the 6-3 defeat they suffered at the Etihad Stadium.

 

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Talking is Mourinho's style, says PSG boss Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc is looking to ignore Jose Mourinho ahead of his side's Champions League with Chelsea clash next week.

The French champions are seeking to reach the last four of the competition but face a daunting meeting with the Premier League leaders in the quarter-finals.

And, despite his respect for Mourinho's achievements throughout his career, Blanc says that big talk is a big part of the Portuguese's reportoire.

"Mourinho will talk and comment; that's how he functions," the PSG coach told a press conference.

"He's very clever and very professional. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a great coach who has won nearly everything.

"I know him very well because he was on Bobby Robson's coaching staff when I played for Barcelona.

"I know he will prepare well for this match with us because he is a very professional coach.

"We mustn't underestimate Chelsea. But like I have already said, they are no stronger or weaker than when the draw came out. They are a great side and they proved it last week with that big win over Arsenal."

Meanwhile, Blanc has confirmed that captain Thiago Silva should be fit to face Chelsea, despite fracturing his cheekbone earlier this month.

"Thiago Silva is fine," he declared. "It's up to him to decide if he wants to play with or without a mask.

"If he decides to play with a mask, we have to ask Uefa for permission to wear it against Chelsea."

 

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Digne: No regrets over PSG move

Lucas Digne insists that he is happy at Paris Saint-Germain - despite his bit-part role at the Parc des Princes.

The full-back joined the French champions from Lille last summer for a reported fee of €15 million but has been forced to serve as Maxwell's understudy this season.

However, even though he has been restricted to just nine starts in Ligue 1, the 20-year-old says he has no regrets over his decision to join one of the top teams in Europe and insists that he is developing as a player in spite of his lack of game time.

"You need to know what you want," Digne told Le Parisien. "Today, I'm part of the biggest sporting project in the world.

"So, if you do not want to play for a big club, don't come to PSG! From the moment you accept competition, it exists at all the great clubs.

"For me, the purpose of each game is to have the maximum playing time. But I enjoy every minute I have to show my qualities and prove that I work hard every day.

"Since the beginning of the season, I have still managed to show that I have progressed in some areas of my game."

 

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Klopp hits out at Uefa over Nations League

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is upset that Uefa did not consult any coaches or players over its new 'League of Nations' tournament.

The competition, which will see Europe's sides divided up into four divisions, has been created with the intention of replacing the majority of friendly fixtures with meaningful matches.

However, Klopp feels that the competitive nature of the games will only place greater physical demands on players.

"I think the decision would be have been different if the guys who made the decision [Uefa] would also have to play [the games]," the 46-year-old stated.

"We were not asked and it would have been nice if they'd included players and coaches [in the decision-making process]."

However, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says that the new tournament has their support.

"We are not against the Nations Cup," the former West Germany international told reporters.

"We understand that especially for the small and medium-sized national associations, friendly matches no longer sell [tickets].

"I'm not worried about the effect on the Champions League. It is the pinnacle of club football.

"A pleasant side side-effect of this idea is that our national team will no longer have to travel around the world for friendlies."

The 'League of Nations' is scheduled to get under way in September 2018 and will provide four qualifiers for Euro 2020.

 

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No World Cup? I'll go to the seaside - Tevez

Carlos Tevez says he will "go to the seaside" if Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella decides not to call him up for the World Cup.

Since taking the position in 2011, Sabella hasn’t selected Tevez for any of his squads, and with the World Cup in Brazil fast approaching Tevez is not worried about the coach’s next decision.

“I do my job on the pitch and after that it's up to Sabella to decide whether I go to the World Cup or not, not me,” said Tevez, speaking to Sky.

Tevez scored both goals in Juventus’ win over Parma on Wednesday, making him Serie A's top scorer with 18 goals and playing a pivotal role in a Bianconeri campaign that sees them lead the league by 14 points.

"It's not up to me to pick up the phone and convince him," he added. If I don't get picked, I'll go to the seaside with my family."

 

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Tevez Argentina World Cup team 1kata select kale nathnam aparadeTevez hodata play karanawa

 

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Tiago: Atletico are like Robin Hood

Atletico Madrid midfielder Tiago has described the club as “a sort of Robin Hood” as they lead the race for La Liga ahead of the final eight games of the campaign.

Atletico saw off Granada in a tight 1-0 victory at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday leaving them one point ahead of Barcelona in second and three points ahead of city rivals Real in third.

"Ordinary people see us as a sort of Robin Hood, taking the fight to the big and powerful,” said the 32-year-old, speaking to Marca.

The last two rounds of fixtures have seen a dramatic turn around in the league, with Barcelona and Atletico taking maximum points whilst Real have slumped to two defeats, but Tiago wants to continue to focus on his own side’s momentum.

He said: "We're not bothered by what they do; we're just going about our business as usual. We have to carry on in exactly the same vein, without changing anything.”

Spain striker Diego Costa scored the only goal in Wednesday’s win, and with an upcoming fixture away at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, Tiago is eager to grind out more wins in the campaign’s final stages.

"The remaining matches are all going to be like that, like finals,” he continued.

“We have to keep it tight at the back and try to nick goals. Athletic are our toughest opponents because we play them next. The atmosphere is going to be intimidating, like in a cup final. Every team is out to make life difficult for us.”

 

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Manchester United fans plan fly-past protest against Moyes

David Moyes's woes are likely to continue on Saturday after it emerged that a group of Manchester United fans are planning to pay for a plane to carry a 'Moyes out' banner over Old Trafford.

The Premier League holders are enduring their worst season in decades, with Goal exclusively revealing on Wednesday that the club are "evaluating all possibilities" in an attempt to arrest the side's slide.

And now, after the Red Devils were humbled by a 3-0 derby defeat on Tuesday against rivals Manchester City, supporters are plotting the most overt display of disaffection with Moyes's reign yet.

A United fans' blog, therepublikofmancunia.com, claims that a section of fans, in reaction to a controversial 'Chosen One' banner that sits inside the stadium, will send their own message during Saturday's clash with Aston Villa.

"A group of United fans have raised £840 in a day to fund a plane to fly over Old Trafford with a message reading: 'Wrong One - Moyes Out'," states the blog.

"The message is a response to the Stretford End Flags banner which reads 'The Chosen One'."

Some fans have called for said banner to be removed, with stewards gathering around it at full-time after the defeat to City to prevent it from being taken down or defaced.

United have already lost six times at home this season, their worst record in the Premier League, and patience appears to be at breaking point for Moyes, who is readying the side for a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich.

 

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Iwaseeme seemawak thiyanawaneanith 1ka onama deyak onawata wada onema nahaMama hithanne Moyes ta dunna time 1ka hodatama athi.Dan ithin teeranayak ganna welawa awith.

 

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Gomis set for Lyon exit

Bafetimbi Gomis will leave Lyon at the end of the season when his contract expires, a source close to the player has revealed.

Gomis has endured a mixed season at Lyon having been left out of the side early on in the season, but after talks of a potential contract extension in January, a French journalist has confirmed he will leave the club.

Pierre Menes, a Canal+ correspondent with close ties to Gomis, said: “Of course he will leave at the end of his contract.”

The 28-year-old has scored 11 goals in 25 Ligue 1 appearances this term, with Lyon currently sitting in 5th place. Depending on the winners of the domestic trophies it could be the first time the club fail to qualify for European competition in 16 years.

Gomis signed for Lyon in 2009, arriving from Saint-Etienne in a €13 million move, and went on to win the Coupe de France with the club in 2012.

 

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'Class of '92' agree deal to buy Salford City FC

Manchester United's 'Class of '92' have agreed a deal to buy Salford City FC subject to FA and league approval.

The group, which comprises Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, had been in negotiations with the non-league outfit for the past month before reaching an agreement on Thursday evening, with the purchase set to be complete in the summer.

Recent reports had linked the ex-United players with an astonishing move to buy the Premier League champions, though they have instead settled for a side playing in the eighth tier of English football.

Former midfielder Scholes, meanwhile, has reportedly been lined up to take over the managerial reins at the club, having turned his back on a coaching role at Old Trafford under David Moyes.

A statement read: "Salford is close to all their hearts. Manchester United nurtured and developed them but Salford is where it all began so, when the opportunity arose to acquire Salford City FC, it was one they all wished to pursue.

"They want to put back into the community of Salford and surrounding areas, they want to develop and engage especially at grass roots level."

"I had my first trial for Manchester United in Salford at age 11 and I will never forget how important that was to me," added Gary Neville. "Salford City FC, to me, represents those early years, the commitment, hunger, enthusiasm, desire and spirit of football and I am very excited about this venture."

Scholes remarked: "We know it will be tough but we will be committed to this from the start and have some very exciting plans going forward."

 

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Congratulations Class of 92!​

 

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Del Bosque silent on Valdes replacement

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque says "now isn't the time" to discuss a replacement for Victor Valdes in his World Cup squad.

Valdes tore his anterior cruciate knee ligament in Barcelona’s La Liga victory against Celta Vigo on Wednesday, and will now miss this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

"Right now I'm not going to talk about possible replacements, because now is the time to bemoan Victor's injury,” said Del Bosque, speaking to El Primer Toque.

The timing of the injury is disastrous for the 32-year-old, who has already announced his decision to leave Camp Nou when his contract expires in June, meaning he has now played his final game for the club.

Valdes has spent his entire career with Barcelona having come through their famed La Masia youth ranks. He made his debut in 2002 and has since gone on to win the Champions League three times as well as six La Liga titles.

 

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"De Gea" thamai hodama kena Valdes ge replacement 1kata


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Nice 0-1 Paris Saint-Germain: Own goal gifts Blanc's men a club-record win

Paris Saint-Germain prepared for their Champions League showdown against Chelsea with a fortuitous 1-0 Ligue 1 win at Nice on Friday that was their seventh in succession in Ligue 1 - a record for the Parc des Princes side.

Laurent Blanc's men were handed a huge boost ahead of the midweek quarter-final first leg as Thiago Silva played the full 90 minutes despite suffering a fractured cheekbone last week - although the Brazil international produced an unconvincing performance at the Allianz Riviera.

Yet the league leaders were still able to claim all three points and move 13 clear of Monaco ahead of their trip to Evian on Saturday.

Defending French champions PSG were the beneficiaries of some good fortune as Nice defender Timothee Kolodziejczak turned the ball into his own net seven minutes into the second half.

The left-back looked to have been pushed in the back by Edinson Cavani in the lead up to the goal, which was allowed to stand as PSG claimed their 23rd league win of the campaign.

Blanc's focus will now switch to Wednesday's game against Chelsea as PSG look to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1995.

PSG were the first to threaten the goal as midfielder Yohan Cabaye shot narrowly wide from long range, but it was Nice who looked to have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Dario Cvitanich nodded home from a free kick, only for the goal to be correctly disallowed for offside.

The visitors responded excellently to that scare and could have gone ahead, only for Ezequiel Lavezzi to miss the target with a glorious opportunity after being played through by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Nice did cause the PSG defence the occasional difficulty but it was Blanc's men who continued to create the better chances, Cavani drawing a fine save from David Ospina before Marquinhos headed wide from the resulting corner.

Ospina quickly became the star of the first half, producing further heroics to keep out a fierce effort from Ibrahimovic and a header from Thiago Silva - sporting a facial mask to protect his cheekbone - shortly before the interval.

But the Colombia international was finally beaten seven minutes into the second half as Ibrahimovic headed Javier Pastore's cross into the path of the unfortunate Kolodziejczak to bundle home.

Eric Bautheac did come close to equalising for Nice from a free kick, but Claude Puel's hosts were grateful to former PSG midfielder Mathieu Bodmer for keeping the deficit at one.

Bodmer showed great determination to prevent a goal-bound effort from Lucas Digne from finding the net, as Ospina lay stricken on the edge of the area after thwarting Ibrahimovic.

But those efforts proved to be in vain as Nice wasted a last-gasp free kick and PSG held on to take another step towards a second successive title.

 

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Cavani dodges Manchester United link: I'm a PSG player

Edinson Cavani has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with Manchester United, stating only that he is committed to Paris Saint-Germain.

It has been reported that the Premier League titleholders are considering a summer bid for the Uruguayan, who has not often been utilised in his preferred position in the centre of the attack since joining the French champions from Napoli last summer.

However, when asked about United's alleged interest in his services by beIN Sport on Friday evening, Cavani responded flatly: "I'm a Paris Saint-Germain player."

Cavani was speaking after playing a key role in PSG's 1-0 win over Nice, which came courtesy of a Timothee Kolodziejczak own goal.

The forward freely admitted that Laurent Blanc's men had not played well at the Allianz Riviere but he was nonetheless thrilled that they had warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie with Chelsea with a victory.

"The important thing is that the ball finished in the net and that it was the best possible result for us," he enthused.

"It was important to win in terms of the championship but also in order to prepare well for the game against Chelsea."

PSG's win over Nice means that they are now 13 points clear of second-placed Monaco in the Ligue 1 standings.

 

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Atletico boss Simeone: Fixture list makes me nervous

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has admitted he is managing his side's Liga title challenge on a game-by-game basis because looking at the fixture list makes him "nervous".

With eight rounds of the season remaining, the Rojiblancos lead the Primera Division by a single point from Barcelona, whom they face at Camp Nou on the final day of the season.

Consequently, pundits and fans have already started talking about a title decider in Catalunya but Simeone just cannot bring himself to look that far head.

"That would be talking about suppositions," he told reporters on Friday. "I don't look at the schedule as it makes me nervous. We are strongest going game to game."

Simeone's caution is understandable, given this weekend Atletico must travel to San Mames to take on Athletic Bilboa, who will be desperate to maintain their advantage over Sevilla in the battle for Spain's fourth and final Champions League berth.

“We will play a great side," Simeone warned. "We're having a good season but Athletic are also have a very similar season to us. Both for the fact they've got a new coach and the amount of points they've got.

"It's true that Sevilla are pushing them, but they're staying there and have great players. We will have to be at our best."

Atletico's meeting with Athletic is set to kick off at 20:00CET on Saturday.

 

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Blanc: PSG will need to be far more effective against Chelsea

Laurent Blanc freely admits that Paris-Saint Germain were nowhere near their best in Friday's win at Nice and that a drastic improvement will be required against Chelsea next week.

The reigning French champions stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 13 points with a 1-0 victory at the Allianz Riviera but they needed an own goal from Timothee Kolodziejczak to decide a dour affair in their favour.

Blanc was the first to acknowledge that PSG had underperformed but argued that there were mitigating circumstances, principally his players' preoccupation with the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Chelsea at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.

"Honestly, this match will not remain in the annals of PSG's history," he told beIN Sport. "But the important thing is that we got the job done.

"It was not very good but I think it's still the ninth time we play a league game before the Champions League and, if my stats are correct, this is the ninth victory - and all without conceding goals.

"Great players know that the game before a big one is difficult to manage because subconsciously you think all the time about the big one.

"But we will need to be more effective against Chelsea. We will need to be very, very, very effective."

 

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Seedorf: Balotelli improving as a player and as a man

AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf claims that he saw Mario Balotelli grow both as a player and a man in Wednesday's crucial Serie A win at Fiorentina.

After being dropped to the bench for last weekend's 1-1 draw with Lazio, the Italy international produced an industrious display upon his return to the starting line-up that was capped by a fine free kick that sealed a surprise 2-0 win for the Rossoneri at the Artemio Franchi.

Seedorf was enthused by Balotelli's performance, arguing that the 23-year-old played with the kind of maturity and sense of responsibility that is often said to be lacking in his game.

"All credit to Balotelli after the Fiorentina game as he played at both ends of the pitch for 90 minutes," the Milan boss told reporters on Friday.

"He behaved well with the referee as well - and that shows growth. If he continues like this, we’ll all be very happy.

"I think Mario has shown big improvements in the last game, both as a man and a player."

Balotelli is Milan's top scorer in Serie A this season, with 12 goals, but it has been repeatedly reported in recent months that the club are considering cashing in on the enigmatic forward this summer.

 

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Guarin: I didn't want to leave Inter for Juventus

Fredy Guarin has denied that he wanted to leave Inter for Juventus during the January transfer window.

The Colombian was all set to join the Italian champions as apart of swap deal that would have seen Mirko Vucinic move in the opposite direction but, at the 11th hour, Nerazzurri owner Erick Thohir decided to pull the plug on the proposed transfer, which had prompted furious protests from the club's fans.

It was reported that Guarin, who has since extend his contract with Inter until 2017, was devastated that the trade collapsed but the midfielder insists that he always wanted to remain at San Siro and that Inter's supporters know this.

"The failed move has not left any kind of aftermath with the fans," the former Porto ace told Radio Carcol.

"When one acts with the heart, with honesty, people understand everything. They knew that it was not my decision and today I can say that they are on my side."