..::Football III::..

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Wenger: Arsenal fans expect FA Cup success

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal will rise to the occasion when they attempt to end their trophy drought by winning the FA Cup on Saturday.

The London club have not won a major honour since lifting the FA Cup nine years ago, but they are strong favourites to see off Premier League rivals Hull City at Wembley.

Arsenal fans will expect to end their wait for an elusive trophy in the capital this weekend and Wenger is backing his players to prevail.

"There's a huge desire to finish the job in the FA Cup. There is a positive pressure there," Wenger told reporters. "There's always a huge expectancy. We have played many games under that pressure this season.

"I don't feel there is any danger of complacency. We've had a hard FA Cup run. This is an opportunity for us to crown our season well. It will look better if we win it.

"A victory would make me very happy because our fans expect that and we want to make them happy."

Arsenal made hard work of seeing off Wigan Athletic in the semi-final at Wembley, as they were taken to a penalty shootout by the Championship side.

But they head into their final game of the season against Steve Bruce's side on the back of five consecutive Premier League wins and have not conceded in their last four matches.

He said: "There was nervousness in the semi-final because we had a low level of confidence at the time. We were also playing against a team who had beaten Man City and had some great results."

Wenger, who revealed there have been no developments over his future as he comes to the end of his contract, still has injury concerns over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) and Thomas Vermaelen (knee).

Jack Wilshere (foot) came off the bench in the victory at Norwich City on Sunday and Wenger is pleased with the progress the England midfielder is making.

 

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Immobile: Juventus return unlikely

Ciro Immobile has revealed that he is unlikely to return to Juventus this summer after a successful season with Torino.The striker - who is co-owned by both Serie A sides - has been in impressive form this campaign and has already netted 22 goals in Serie A so far.

His good performances have caught the attention of clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Napoli, while Juventus are also believed to be interested in luring him back to Turin.Nevertheless, Immobile has stressed that there's little chance he will be wearing the Juve jersey in 2014-15, while he's open to a move to Napoli.

"A return to Juventus? I do not think that will happen," Immobile told Italia 1.
"Would I like to wear the Napoli shirt in the future? Certainly, they are the team of my city."

Dortmund are supposedly sitting in pole position to sign the 24-year-old after travelling to Turin last week to discuss a summer transfer with Juventus and the striker's agent.

 

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Lescott confirms Manchester City exit

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has confirmed he is set to leave the Premier League champions.

The 26-time England international has not been offered a contract extension to remain with the club, and is eyeing a move to a lower-profile club.

The 31-year-old former Wolverhampton and Everton man said he departs Manchester with no regrets.

"It is the end. I know I'm going to be leaving," Lescott said. "We've had a good relationship, this club has been a big part of me.

"As far as I'm concerned it's the end. If something changed then great but if not there are no hard feelings between me and the club. I've had a great relationship with them.

"I know the business side of it. We've been successful and I hold no grudges.

"Everyone talks about how you look back when your career has finished on what you've won - and I can look back and say I've won some amazing things. It wasn't a bad decision, in the end."

Lescott has been linked with Turkish club Besiktas, as well as Premier League outfits West Ham, Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham, but he said his family came first when weighing up the suitors.

"I'm going to see what's best for me and my family and then make a decision," Lescott said. "I've spoken to a number of clubs in different countries. There's been no decision made.

"But I want to get it sorted soon. I don't want to leave it till after the World Cup. But at the same time I won't rush."

 

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Valdes says emotional farewell to Barcelona

Victor Valdes has said farewell to Barcelona in an emotional letter on the club's official website, thanking former coaches Louis van Gaal, Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova for their support over the years.

The shot stopper will leave the Camp Nou side at the end of the season, but will not get the chance to wave his fans farewell on the pitch due to a knee injury that has kept him out of action ever since March.

"The time has come for me to say goodbye to you all. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to say goodbye playing football, as I would have liked, but that’s life at times, and this year has been a bit cruel to me in this regard," the letter reads."Thank you to Louis Van Gaal, for showing the courage necessary to gamble on a talent that only he could see. He began building this historic Barca side, which I have been privileged to be part of. My heartfelt thanks

"Thank you Frank Rijkaard, for giving me the confidence necessary, and allowing me to achieve glory, getting my hands on the European Cup in Paris. Wherever you are, I will be indebted to you for the rest of my life Mister.

"Thank you Pep, for having opened the door to playing a game that was unknown to me, for guiding me along the road where one has to keep looking for success, and we did it together, right? We’ll always have that Mister, and believe me, it will be eternal!. "Thank you Tito! Wherever you are, I thank you for having taught us not only the way to keep winning as a team, but also the strength and character needed to face life.

"Thanks to all my colleagues with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work, that involves wearing the Barca crest on our chests day after day, for making me feel important within the group that we developed over all these years."And of course I cannot forget the most important people, over these 12 years as a professional, wearing this shirt, my most loyal fans."

Valdes has made over 500 official appearances for Barcelona since making his official debut in 2002-03.

 

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Ji-Sung Park announces retirement

Former Manchester United midfielder Ji-Sung Park has announced his retirement from football due to ongoing knee problems.

The 33-year-old, who represented South Korea 100 times at international level, revealed his decision at the JS Football Center in Seoul - the headquarters of Park's own foundation, which helps develop football infrastructure around the world.

"I've been mulling retirement since February, and I've concluded that my knee won't hold up for another season," Park said.

"I have no regrets about my career. I do think about what might have been if I hadn't been injured, but I have no feelings of disappointment or sorrow as I leave the sport."

Park spent the past season at PSV - his first European club - on loan from QPR and made 27 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals as the Dutch side finished fourth in the Eredivisie.

But the South Korean, who captained his country from 2008 until his retirement from international football in 2011, made his name at Manchester United - playing 203 matches and scoring 28 goals between 2005 and 2012.

Park won the Premier League four times with United and was also part of the Champions League title-winning team in 2008.

Having started his professional career with Kyoto Purple Sanga, Park won the 2002 Emperor's Cup with the Japanese outfit, before claiming two Eredivisie titles with PSV in his first stint in the Netherlands.

 

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Rooney: This time I'll be fit for the World Cup

Wayne Rooney has vowed to be fit and ready roar in Brazil this summer as he prepares to spearhead England’s World Cup campaign.

Since bursting onto the scene at Euro 2004 the Manchester United forward has struggled to reproduce his club form on the international stage, particularly at major tournaments.

Rooney was suspended from England’s first two games at Euro 2012 and his most notable contribution at a World Cup came during England’s quarter-final defeat against Portugal eight years ago when he was sent-off for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho.

The 28-year-old missed the last three games of Manchester United’s troubled season with a groin injury sparking concerns that a lack of fitness will again undermine his attempts to deliver for his country, but Rooney insists he will be 100 per cent ready.

He told the Daily Mail: "When you go into these tournaments on the back of a serious injury — as I have in the past — you always want to tell yourself you are 100 per cent back and ready.

"But when you have had an injury it’s difficult to do, especially in such a short period of time. Going into those games without playing in the warm-up games, as I have done too often, is difficult. I always want to get my training done, my warm-up games, be ready and fresh and not be worrying about anything else.

"That’s what I always aim to do but it hasn’t happened. You do feel fine at the time. You do all your training. You do your gym work, you do your running, but it’s the games you need to get yourself match-fit, and you get found out.

"Previously I have always been going into the first game looking for fitness and it’s difficult to get your breathing right and the rest of it. This time I honestly feel good.

"I have looked after myself as well as I can to be as fit as I can for this tournament. I will be ready. I’m looking forward to it.

"I really want to be 100% fit this time and, barring an injury in training before we go, I will be totally ready."

 

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Conte: Morata is a great player

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has voiced his admiration for Real Madrid attacker Alvaro Morata amid reports that the Serie A champions are keen to sign the Spain Under-21 international this summer.

Madrid are ready to open contract talks with the promising striker as they see him as an important player for the future, but they could opt to cash in on Morata if they fail to reach an agreement over a new deal.

The Serie A champions are believed to be keen to lure him to Turin ahead of the 2014-15 campaign and Conte feels Morata has the potential to become a world-class player."Morata is a great player and has a big future ahead of him," the Juventus trainer was quoted as saying by Marca.

"I can say with certainty that he has the potential to become a world-class attacker.
"However, he is a Real Madrid player at this point."The 21-year-old's current contract with Madrid is due to expire in the summer of 2015.

He has netted six goals in 22 La Liga appearances so far this term.

 

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Nasri out of France's provisional World Cup squad

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has been left out of France's provisional World Cup squad.

Nasri was widely expected to be omitted by coach Didier Deschamps, who has handed somewhat surprising places to Raphael Varane - who has been struggling for game time at Real Madrid this season - as well as young full-back Lucas Digne ahead of Gael Clichy.Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema, Patrice Evra, Paul Pogba and Yohan Cabaye are all included.

Squad in full

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mickeal Landreau (Bastia)

Defenders: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid ), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool ), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal ), Lucas Digne (Paris), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (PSG), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Loic Remy (Newcastle)

Reserve list: Remy Cabella (Montpellier), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Loic Perrin (Saint-Etienne), Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Benoit Tremoulinas (Saint-Etienne).

 

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Nasri squad 1ken ain karalaDeschamps ta pissu​

 

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Dante: Bayern players should have helped Guardiola

Bayern Munich defender Dante has spoken of his regret that the squad didn't help coach Pep Guardiola adapt to life in Germany.

The Bavarian giants won the Bundesliga in record time in the Spaniard's first season in charge but suffered a loss of momentum afterwards as they lost 3-0 at home to rivals Borussia Dortmund before their Champions League semi-final humiliation at the hands of Real Madrid.

While they can secure a domestic double if they beat Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal final on Saturday, the failure to retain the European crown sticks out as a real disappointment for the club who won it all last season.

And Dante says the players should have done more to help Guardiola settle in at the Allianz Arena and spoke of his side's decline towards the end of the campaign.

"He doesn't know the German culture," the Brazilian told reporters. "The demand is every day bam, bam, bam. We should have been helping him.

"Maybe we concentrated too much on the Champions League. Last year, we also won the title early in the season and nevertheless kept the tension high. That is not a mistake form Pep but from our team."

The 30-year-old turned his attention to Saturday's meeting with Jurgen Klopp's side, reflecting on the defeat Dortmund inflicted on them earlier this year.

"That was a bad situation. We kicked [Manchester] United out [of the Champions League], didn't do anything on Thursday and on Friday we spoke only about the Champions League draw.

"Dortmund were hot and they deserved to win. What I see in training today is very good. We are not afraid of the final but respect is always there.

"No matter what happens Saturday we must keep our heads high. We must not bad mouth everything in that case. If we win the cup, it is a very good season if not, then not. I am no diplomat there."

The centre-back highlighted Dortmund stars Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski as particular threats in the cup final.

"I am a fan of Marco. I once told him he will achieve everything if he continues and he did it. He is a different type of player like the ones we have. I would like to play together with him at some time.

"[Robert] is a world class forward, no question. But we also have to look out for Reus, [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang."

 

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Ronaldo leads Portugal World Cup squad

Portugal have named their squad for the 2014 World Cup, with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo leading the 30-man provisional party.

The Seleccao have been drawn into a daunting group alongside Germany, the USA and Ghana and kick off their campaign against Joachim Low's side against June 16.

Coach Paulo Bento has named his provisional panel, which will be whittled down to a final squad of 23 on May 19.

Ronaldo is the headline name and features alongside Madrid team-mates Pepe and Fabio Coentrao.

Meanwhile, Porto's Ricardo Quaresma has been included after returning to his old club earlier this season.

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)

Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Antunes (Malaga), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit St Petersburg), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia), Rolando (Inter)

Midfielders: Andre Gomes (Benfica), Joao Mario (Vitoria), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)

Attackers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Ivan Cavaleiro (Benfica), Nani (Manchester United), Rafa (Braga), Quaresma (Porto), Varela (Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg).

 

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Falcao named in Colombia World Cup squad

Jose Pekerman has named Radamel Falcao in his provisional Colombia squad for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.

The Monaco star has been a doubt for the tournament since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage during a Coupe de France tie in January.

However, the former Atletico Madrid man said last month he was "satisfied" with his recovery and Pekerman has opted to name the talismanic striker in his initial 29-man squad.

Falcao scored nine goals in 13 appearances during qualifying and forms part of an impressive line-up that also includes Jackson Martinez and Borussia Dortmund-bound Adrian Ramos.

There is also a place for highly-rated River Plate defender Eder Alvarez Balanta, with Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado, Inter's Fredy Guarin and Monaco's James Rodriguez among the options in midfield.

Colombia begin their World Cup campaign against Greece in Group C on June 14.

 

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Nasri's girlfriend blasts Deschamps

Samir Nasri's girlfriend hit out at France coach Didier Deschamps in a foul-mouthed Twitter tirade after the Manchester City midfielder was left out of the 30-man provisional World Cup squad.

British model Anara Atanes made clear her displeasure at Deschamps' decision to leave Nasri at home despite his achievements at club level this season.

Atanes tweeted: "F*** France and f*** Deschamps. What a s*** manager."

She followed it up minutes later by tweeting: "In case you didn't read my tweet properly.... I'll repeat myself...f*** FRANCE!!!!! And f*** Deschamps!

"Let's just get this straight. I'm not mad I get my boyfriend for two months. I just think there's a level of respect to be had #shouldhavebeenspanish."

Nasri himself later tweeted in response: "@_Anara_ love you dont get upset life sometimes is unfair but you have to accept it and deal with it."

The outburst is unlikely to endear Nasri to les Bleus' supporters who have recently re-connected with the France side after the disquiet which followed the squad going on strike during their shambolic 2010 World Cup campaign.

Nasri was not involved in the bust up in Knysna, South Africa but was reported to have been a disruptive influence as France nosedived out of Euro 2012 remarkably tamely against Spain, after he launched a scathing attack against reporters during sthe tournament.

The former Arsenal man has cut a happier figure at club level and, on Sunday, capped a fine season for Manuel Pellegrini's men with the opening goal in the 2-0 Premier League title-clinching victory over West Ham.

He was, however, widely expected to be left out of the party for Brazil this summer, with Deschamps confirming the decision in his provisional squad for the tournament on Tuesday evening.

 

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UEFA Europa League Final

Sevilla Vs Benfica

After 50th Minite

0-0​

 

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La decima SPAIN
LA MASIA SPAIN
LA EUROPA SPAIN

ESPANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <3

 

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Wenger: Arsenal fans expect FA Cup success

 

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Immobile: Juventus return unlikely

Ciro Immobile BVB join weyi.

 

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Sevilla 0-0 Benfica (Sevilla win 4-2 on pens): Gameiro the hero in penalty shoot-out drama

Benfica's European curse continued after they were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Sevilla in the Europa League final after 120 minutes of football failed to separate the two sides in Turin.

The Spanish club won the competition in successive years in 2006 and 2007 and celebrated lifting the trophy for a third time in eight years following a tense shootout at Juventus Stadium.Goalkeeper Beto saved penalties from Oscar Cardozo and Rodrigo in the shootout, before Kevin Gameiro smashed in the winning kick to spark scenes of jubilation amongst Sevilla players and supporters alike.

Defeat for Benfica continued their European curse, with the Portuguese giants - who were beaten by an injury-time winner from Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in last season's Europa League final - now having lost all eight of their previous continental finals.

Former coach Bela Guttman famously decreed in 1962 that they would wait 100 years for their next European title when he left the club in a row over pay - and that hoodoo was extended in Italy.The result also ends Benfica's hopes of a quadruple, although a domestic treble is still up for grabs, with Sunday's Taca de Portugal final still to come against Rio Ave.

The penalty kicks followed 120 minutes of evenly-matched action, with both sides having chances to win the day before the dramatic denouement.

Benfica's Lima had a goalbound effort cleared off the line by Nicolas Pareja early in the second half, while Carlos Bacca wasted Sevilla's best chance in the first period of extra time, sending his effort just wide of goal after being played through by the outstanding Ivan Rakitic.

The first half-chance arrived in the 14th minute, Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay unable to stab the ball home from a tight angle after Beto had parried Nicolas Gaitan's right-wing free-kick into his path.

Alberto Moreno mustered Sevilla's first effort on target in the 37th minute but, after cutting in from the right hand side, his curling effort was comfortable for Jan Oblak.
Benfica twice tested Oblak’s opposite number Beto in first-half stoppage time, the goalkeeper first reacting well to parry Maxi Pereira's close range effort before palming away Rodrigo's stinging drive as the second wave of attack arrived.

The Portuguese champions went close at the start of the second period, but were denied by last-ditch blocks on three occasions by some desperate Sevilla defending.Maxi broke upfield and found Lima, who beat the keeper with his low shot, only for Pareja to clear just in front of the goalline.

Pareja then blocked Rodrigo's rebound, before Jose Antonio Reyes denied Lima's effort as Sevilla somehow escaped unscathed.Reyes was in action at the opposite end of the field shortly after, twice forcing saves from Oblak in quick succession.

Lima was then uncharacteristically wasteful once more, missing his kick after another lung-bursting run and pass from Maxi as both teams pushed for a late winner.

The Brazilian brought a spectacular save out of Beto with six minutes to go, cutting in from the left and unleashing a powerful drive which was tipped over by the keeper, before Garay headed over from an acute angle with Beto caught underneath the ball.

Garay then volleyed over from 12 yards in stoppage time after Sevilla failed to clear a corner, and that proved to be the last action of note in the 90 minutes as the game headed into extra time.Bacca missed a golden chance for Sevilla in the first period of the additional 30 minutes, firing narrowly wide of the left-hand post with the outside of his right foot after running onto a glorious first-time pass from Rakitic.

However, the Colombian was one of four Sevilla players to keep his cool from 12 yards to seal their third Europa League title in nine years.

 

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Congratulations Sevilla​

 

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Italy squad is strange - Toni

Hellas Verona striker and former Italy star Luca Toni has criticised Cesare Prandelli's 30-man provisional squad for this summer's World Cup.

Toni's 21 goals in 35 games this season had seen him linked with a return to the Azzurri set-up, despite the 36-year-old having not played for the national team in five years.

Despite accepting that he was always an outsider to make the final 23-man squad, never mind the provisional list, the former Bayern Munich forward has his doubts over some of the players that Prandelli might take to Brazil.

"Prandelli made some choices I did not expect," Toni told Verona's website.

"My absence was already expected, I was not part of the team during World Cup qualifying, but I am surprised by Alberto Gilardino’s exclusion."

Italy suffered a humiliating group stage exit four years ago after winning the trophy in 2006 and Toni thinks they must concentrate on winning rather than playing pretty football.

"Playing a beautiful style of play is not enough, you have to win," the attacker added. "To do this we must be strong in such a hard group, as we did in 2006 in Germany.

"I think that Brazil and Uruguay are the pre-tournament favourites."

Italy have been drawn with Uruguay, England and Costa Rica in the World Cup finals - considered one of the harder groups at the tournament.

England won their group in Uefa qualification the same as Italy, while Costa Rica finished second behind USA in the Concacaf region.

Uruguay needed to defeat Jordan in an intercontinental play-off having finished fifth in the Conmebol region. However, they won the Copa America three years ago and reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup.