..::Football III::..

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Casillas: Part of Real Madrid left with Del Bosque

Iker Casillas says that a "part of Real Madrid" disappeared the day former coach Vicente del Bosque was allowed to leave the Santiago Bernabeu.

The current Spain boss spent four years in charge of the capital club between 1999 and 2003, during which time Los Blancos won two Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and the Club World Cup.

However, the club ultimately decided against offering Del Bosque a new contract, much to the shock of goalkeeper Casillas.

“His departure from Real Madrid really affected me," the current Blancos captain writes in the preface of a new authorised biography on Del Bosque. "It was as though some part of Real Madrid had gone too ...

"On the night it happened, I was on my way to an event in Alicante when I heard that Vicente was leaving.

"We had an inkling that something was going to happen [but] the celebrations for that league [title win in 2003] were the worst I can remember”.

Casillas also revealed that Del Bosque played a key role in his development as a player and as a man, by dropping him from the Madrid starting line-up back in 2002.

“He helped me but he also made me aware of the reality of football, of sport and life," the World Cup winner mused. "He gave me confidence – and then a good dose of what it means to be on the bench.

"At the time, it made me angry because it’s hard for any player to suddenly find themselves out of the team.

"After going over it in my head, I started to understand and when I was presented with an opportunity, he showed that he still had faith in me – like when he brought me on in the Champions League final in Glasgow [in 2002]."

 

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Mazzarri has my support, insists Inter president Thohir

Inter president Erick Thohir insists that he has the utmost confidence in coach Walter Mazzarri.

The Nerazzurri have gone three games without a win in Serie A, weakening their hold on fifth spot in the standings - and the place in the Europa League that comes with.

However, Thohir has dismissed suggestions that Mazzarri's position is now in jeopardy.

"If I didn't have confidence in him, I would have let him go a couple of months ago," the Indonesian told the club's official website.

It had been reported that Thohir had contacted Mazzarri to make it clear that he has to secure a return to European football for next season, but the Nerazzurri supremo insists that there was no ultimatum issued.

"Basically, I wanted to offer him my support, as I've said before," the 43-year-old businessman explained.

"At the end of the season we will review the players and the coach together to build Inter's future and that means preparing for next season, keeping in mind the World Cup and being ready for the [pre-season] tour to America."

Inter will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they host relegation-threatened Bologna at the Giuseppe Meazza on Saturday.

 

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Knee injury setback for Real Madrid starlet Jese

Real Madrid have announced that striker Jese Rodriguez has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.

The 21-year-old attacker tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right leg during his side's 3-1 victory over Schalke at the Santiago Bernabeu last month and underwent surgery in Augsburg two days later.

The operation was deemed a success but Madrid have now announced that the Spain Under-21 international has been forced to return to Germany.

"Jese Rodriguez moves in the coming hours to Augsburg Hessingpark-Clinic to undergo a review by Dr Ulrich Boenisch, after detecting inflammation in the operated knee, accompanied by a fever," read a club statement.

Rodriguez, who netted five times in 18 Liga appearances this season, had already been ruled out for the remainder of the 2013-14 campaign.

 

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Sir Alex Ferguson to take up Harvard teaching position

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has agreed to take up a long-term teaching position at Harvard university.

The 72-year-old Scot, who retired from football management last summer after 26 trophy-laden years at Old Trafford, will be lecturing Ivy League students on a course named 'The Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports'.

Ferguson has previously spent time at the prestigious American university, having given a series of interviews to professor Anita Elberse in 2012, while his blueprint for managerial success was included in the Harvard Business Review in October.

"I'm delighted to have the opportunity and privilege to contribute to such a respected centre of excellence," Ferguson said in a statement.

"The time I have already spent at Harvard has been a stimulating experience and I look forward to developing my relationship and activities with the students, faculty and friends of the Harvard Business School community."

Elberse added: "We look forward to welcoming Sir Alex Ferguson on the HBS campus to share his remarkable leadership journey, and contribute to our Executive Education participants' ability to make a profound difference in the world.”

The programme involving Ferguson will run from May 7-10.

 

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Moyes: Next game always the most important

David Moyes insists Manchester United's focus is solely on Newcastle United, not their Champions League second leg tie with Bayern Munich.

The Scot oversaw a 1-1 draw against the German and European champions in the first leg of their quarter-final on Tuesday to leave them with a fighting chance heading into Wednesday's return leg in Munich.

However, the former Everton boss says his side are concentrating all of their efforts on their Premier League fixture at Newcastle on Saturday, where they are looking to avenge a 1-0 home defeat in December.

"The only thing we are thinking about is the Newcastle game," he told reporters.

"The focus is all on Newcastle. We have to go up there and put on a good performance and get three points, trying to build a little bit of momentum towards the end of the season. We will go there and try to do that.

"Obviously I have got other things on the mind, but the focus is Newcastle and we will try to balance things out correctly.

"We have got an extra day's recovery. Saturday to Wednesday is better than last week when it was Saturday to Tuesday.

"But the message to the players is that it is Newcastle United, this is the next game and it is the most important one."

Moyes confirmed that defensive duo Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans could feature at St James' Park after spells out injured, but that Ryan Giggs and Alex Buttner are both carrying knocks after being substituted on Tuesday.

"We have got Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling back in training," he added. "That helps us.

"Ryan Giggs picked up a wee bit of an injury in the (Bayern) game and we are not quite so worried about Alex Buttner.

"He is not as bad as when he first came off. We have got Jonny and Chris on the way back, which is important for us because we have missed them through what has arguably been one of the most difficult times of the season for us.

"We could have done with their youth and enthusiasm."

 

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United more important than Augsburg - Guardiola

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has admitted that he will rest key players for Saturday's game against Augsburg with the Champions League clash with Manchester United in mind.

The Allianz Arena outfit have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title in record time, but could only get a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their tie with David Moyes' men.

Though the former Barcelona boss has vowed to go for the win against his side's Bavarian rivals, he has conceded that Wednesday's match is the priority.

"Augsburg is a very, very important game, but the match on Wednesday against Manchester is even more important," he said at a press conference on Friday.

"I'm going to rotate the team and the squad a little bit, we can try out a few things ahead of the United match.

"It has to be a fair competition and we must show respect to our opponents, so we'll try and win the game."

Bayern and Augsburg kick off at 15:30CET on Saturday at the Allianz Arena.

 

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Inter are growing, says Mazzarri

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri has insisted that the Nerazzurri are showing signs of growth this season.

The San Siro club currently sit fifth in Serie A, just two points ahead of Parma in the race for the final Europa League spot.

However, they finished ninth last term and the former Napoli boss believes they have developed as players this term and is looking forward to the future.

"I see signs of growth," said the 52-year-old."Implementation of the tactics and the organisation of the team have improved.

"I will do everything possible and impossible to bring this team as high as possible. Depending on how we finish will be easier to plan for the future.

"Whoever wants to stay in this team will have to ensure a certain level. Everything will be evaluated.

"To maintain high levels takes constant concentration. It is not easy, some players are not ready yet."

Inter will look to keep up their challenge for a European place when they entertain Bologna on Saturday.

 

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Tottenham players should not need motivating, says Sherwood

Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood believes his players should need no extra motivation ahead of their clash with Sunderland on Monday.

Coming off the back of a 4-0 thumping at Liverpool on Sunday, Spurs will be desperate to re-ignite their European ambitions when Gus Poyet's side visit White Hart Lane.

And Sherwood wants to see a determined response from his players.

"They shouldn't need anyone to motivate them," he told reporters. "I never needed motivating to play football. If you need motivating then you shouldn't be in this game.

"You've got 35,000 fans coming to cheer you on.

"It's all about pride now and getting the maximum points possible between now and the end of the season.

"We have to make sure we play with pride and give the great fans that Tottenham have 100 per cent all of the time."

Sherwood played with opposite number Poyet at Spurs and says even back then, the Uruguayan showed traits that would stand him in good stead as a manager.

"Could I see Gus going into management? I probably could," he said. "He was a leader of men.

"Could he see me going into management? He'd probably say he could.

"It's no surprise that we are both in the hot seat and I think he has done a very good job wherever he has been.

"I'm hoping for his sake that Sunderland can remain in the division, but unfortunately for him I don't want it to start on Monday night."

 

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Puyol in Barca squad for Betis clash

Barcelona have named veteran skipper Carles Puyol in their squad for Saturday's match against Real Betis at Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana lost centre-back Gerard Pique to injury during the 1-1 Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid, while the likes of Jordi Alba and Victor Valdes will also be missing.

The 35-year-old has also been suffering with a knee injury and is yet to receive medical clearance to play this weekend, but Barca have included him in their 19-man party.

The team had their final training session on Friday morning and Puyol, along with Isaac Cuenca, who has also been suffering with an injury, practised with his colleagues.

Meanwhile, Barca B keeper Jordi Masip also trained with the first XI regulars, but Oier Olazabal retains his place in the squad as back-up for Jose Pinto, who is deputising for Victor Valdes.

Barca and Betis kick off at 18:00CET at Camp Nou as the Catalans look to keep up their Liga defence.

 

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'I'll give Busquets a slap' - Casillas

Iker Casillas has promised to give Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets "a slap" after he appeared to stamp on Real Madrid defender Pepe.

The Spain international clashed with the Portguese during the Blaugrana's 4-3 Clasico win at the Bernabeu last month, but was quick to deny any wrongdoing.

Pepe responded by calling the 25-year-old a "liar" and Casillas has backed his team-mate, slamming his Spain colleague's conduct.

"The image speaks for itself. Pepe has the full backing of the whole side," he said at a promotional event.

"I'm not going to go into more detail. It was a heated moment. Busquets, from my point of view, behaved poorly. When I see Busquets I'll give him a slap."

Casillas has only played for Madrid in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League this season, with coach Carlo Ancelotti preferring Diego Lopez in La Liga, but the 32-year-old is tired of the debate.

"It is a subject that has got tiresome. Those who the boss thinks that should be playing, play. That's that. You have to carry on as you are.

"Diego Lopez deserves support and has started a competition and should finish it. I train and compete. It's good for me and the side.

"Diego Lopez is good enough for the national side: of course. Vicente has already shown he believes this. Now Vicente del Bosque must decide.

"Since Victor [Valdes] got injured he will have been closely following other keepers and will make the best decision."

Casillas also admitted that his side cannot afford to lose to Real Sociedad in San Sebastian this weekend but denied that Cristiano Ronaldo's absence means Ancelotti is prioritising other competitions.

"We cannot slip up. It is very important and we have to take the three points and then wait. Hopefully there'll be good results for us. With anything other than a win, it would make the league very difficult for us.

"I don't think the league is taking a backseat. The decision was made because [Ronaldo] can't play. Over the last five years he has been superb and always with the side. If he has to stop it's because he needs it.

"He must recover well and be there in the next games. Whoever replaces him will do their best."

 

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Martino: Conspiracy talk makes things harder

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino believes that talk of a conspiracy surrounding the club will only make his team's job harder.

The Blaugrana have been banned by FIFA from making any new signings in the next two transfer windows for breaching regulations pertaining to their recruitment of foreign players under the age of 18.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu claimed that they are victims of a "huge injustice" but Martino was eager to play down such talk and is focusing on the team's affairs.

"If you start to think like that - about conspiracies - it's difficult to work in football," he said at a press conference.

"It's true that there are many comments on this but I hope many of them have no level of truth. What strikes me is that these things happened at very crucial moments.

"We don't stop ignoring the situation. The best we can do is to focus on what lies ahead and allow those in charge to resolve this issue. There's a lot which needs to be said.

"We are one of three teams in Europe who can still win three major competitions. I'd rather not be thinking bad things about next season when we are still immersed in this one.

"We must not divert attention from the football we have left this season."

 

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Mourinho: Torres still has a future at Chelsea


Chelsea striker Fernando Torres still has a future at Stamford Bridge, insists manager Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese boss opted to start without a recognised striker against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, while the Spaniard failed to make an impact off the bench.

But, despite Torres' struggles this season, Mourinho is adamant he will stand by the much-maligned forward.

"Yes, he has a future here," Mourinho told reporters. "If you want to improve ... I think that's normal and basic.

"Does he have future [at Chelsea]? Yes."

"He works hard, he brings things to the team, but we want him to score more goals. He wants that too.

"He's the kind of player I respect, he deserves to be respected, and there's nothing more I can say about it. I think people who give everything they have, you never can complain. [Torres] gives everything. Obviously we want more.

"I think during his period in the club he had moments [of his best] and some of them important."

Samuel Eto'o is still out with the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Champions League trip to Paris, meaning Torres is likely to feature for the Blues in Saturday's Premier League clash with Stoke as they bid to recover from two defeats in five days.

Speculation is rife over the future of striker Romelu Lukaku, who is enjoying a fruitful season-long loan spell at Everton, but Mourinho believes the current arrangement is working well for both clubs and confirmed no bids have been made for the Belgium international.

The Blues take on Stoke at 17:30 BST on Saturday afternoon, and will also be without John Obi Mikel, but Ashley Cole returns to the squad after a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

 

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Barca broke the rules, says Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Barcelona are guilty of breaching Fifa regulations with regards to their recruitment of Under-16 players.

The Blaugrana were handed a two-window transfer ban earlier this week, but the club have vowed to fight the sanctions.

However, Wenger, who clashed with the Catalans on numerous occasions over their public pursuit of former Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas, believes they definitely did not follow protocol.

"It's certain that they haven't followed the rules," he is quoted as saying by Sport.

"The rule is very clear: you cannot sign players under 16 unless their parents change residence for professional reasons.

"But it creates a debate - should parents change residence for professional reasons or not?

"What is not fair is that children under 16 move without their parents. This should be very clear."

 

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Wenger confirms Ramsey return for Everton clash


Aaron Ramsey will return to the Arsenal squad to face Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The midfielder was enjoying a rich vein of form this season, before suffering a thigh injury in the Boxing Day victory over West Ham.

Arsene Wenger admitted Ramsey's return is a welcome boost for his side, who have seen their title challenge slip away in recent weeks and now face real competition from the Toffees for the fourth Champions League spot.

"He drives the team forward and he is a box-to-box player. It's good to have him back," Wenger told reporters.

Ramsey bagged eight goals in 18 Premier League appearances before succumbing to injury and will hope to pick up where he left off to help the out-of-form Gunners, who have won just three of their last 10 top-flight outings.

Full-back Nacho Monreal is also available for Sunday's crucial clash, but Kieran Gibbs is struggling with an ankle problem, while Serge Gnabry has a knee injury.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.04.05 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2014.04.05 Fixtures

Manchester City Vs Southampton

Aston Villa Vs Fulham

Cradiff City Vs Crystal Palace

Hull Vs Swansea

Newcastle United Vs Manchester United

Norwich City Vs WBA

Chelsea Vs Stoke

​

 

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La Liga 2014.04.05 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.04.05 Fixtures

Atletico Madrid Vs Villareal

Barcelona Vs Real Betis

Real Sociedad Vs Real Madrid

Rayo Vallecano Vs Celta Vigo​

 

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Serie A 2014.04.05 Fixtures

Serie A 2014.04.05 Fixtures

Chievo Vs Hellas

Inter Vs Bologna​

 

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Fellaini finding his feet, says Moyes

Manchester United manager David Moyes has leapt to the defence of under-fire midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

Fellaini has come in for heavy criticism since following Moyes from Everton to Old Trafford in a big-money summer deal worth in excess of £27million.

The Belgian international has been targeted by fans after a number of uninspiring performances, including United's 1-1 draw at home to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday.

Fellaini's performance was deemed so poor that he failed to receive a mention by Spanish paper AS in their player ratings.

Moyes, however, is sticking by Fellaini and insists he is starting to adjust to life at United.

"I actually thought Marouane Fellaini got better as the game went on," Moyes said, when speaking about Fellaini's performance against Bayern at Old Trafford.

"We needed him, and I thought he played very well. He did well in the Aston Villa game and I think he's getting much closer to scoring goals.

"It's not an easy move, as I can tell you, leaving a club and coming to Manchester United. And for Marouane, I think it's proved equally as difficult, but I have to say I think he's done a lot of good things.

"We bought Marouane not to play every single game in the Premier League.

"He did a great job at West Ham and against Aston Villa. We've had to use him because of what we have available at different times. I think he's improved."