..::Football III::..

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Luis Enrique: Former Barcelona boss Robson used to explain tactics with plastic cups

Luis Enrique has revealed how former Barcelona boss Bobby Robson would use plastic cups to explain tactics during half-time team talks.

The current incumbent at Camp Nou played under the influential English coach during the 1996-97 season, a campaign in which the Catalans lifted the Supercopa de Espana, the Copa del Rey and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Consequently, Luis Enrique has nothing but fond memories of Robson, who didn't only use his translator, Jose Mourinho, to get his points across.

"He meant a lot to me," Luis Enrique told the English Football Association on the five-year anniversary of Robson's death.

"In my first year at the club, in 96/97, it was his first, and his last, year at the club, alongside Mourinho.

"I played in lots of positions for him, and many games, and I have great memories of that year, and I only have positive things to say about that time.

"The Robson we got to know in Barcelona was already a very qualified coach, who had won trophies. He had experience and success behind him. He was really well respected.

"He had very clear ideas, very attack minded, and had a clear and fairly simple philosophy.

"He knew how to get a group to adapt to the demands of a great team, under different circumstances.

"I remember that at half-time, he’d use plastic cups to demonstrate tactical moves! He was a coach with lots of resources, and was so easy to get on with."

Robson was infamously sacked at the end of his first season in Catalunya, despite winning three trophies, and Luis Enrique still feels the former England international was unlucky to have taken over at what was a tough time for the club.

"Although it was only one season, we won lots of titles," he mused. "It was a difficult season because it was the first year after [club icon Johan] Cruyff, and Barca went for a very experienced coach in Robson, and I think he more than fulfilled all expectations.

"But I also remember that it was fairly tough as there were lots of new signings that season."

"But with him I always had a really good feeling and a great relationship. I started playing in defence, and when he gave me the chance to play further forward I began to score goals, and he always spoke highly of me.

"I will always be grateful as it was my first year at Barca, and a very important year for me."

 

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Guadalajara 0-1 Bayern Munich: Ribery shines as Pizarro scores winner

Franck Ribery looked sharp on Thursday, as he continually opened up Guadalajara's defence in Bayern Munich's 1-0 friendly win in New York.The French winger set up Claudio Pizarro for Bayern's goal with a corner in the 10th minute and was generally the Bundesliga champions' best attacking outlet, bursting down the left.

Guadalajara eventually resorted to regularly fouling Ribery to thwart his influence with Jair Pereira and Jesus Sanchez Garcia receiving yellow cards for stopping the 31-year-old illegally.

Ribery missed the World Cup in Brazil due to a back injury but scored on his return to action last week against Borussia Monchengladbach in Hamburg, and the mercurial winger continued his resurgence at Red Bull Arena, producing numerous trademark weaving runs to threaten the Liga MX side.

Guadalajara started stronger in New York with Fernando Arce pulling a shot wide from a good position in the eighth minute but, soon after, Bayern hit the front.Ribery whipped his corner to the near post where a Claudio Pizarro made decisive contact with his head.

Pep Guardiola's German champions continued to utilise Ribery's pace and skill with the Frenchman teeing up Pizarro in the 24th minute only for the Peruvian striker to slide his shot wide of the post.

Pizarro again tried his luck just after the half-hour mark but missed from 25 yards, while in the 41st minute, tempers flared as Bayern's Robert Lewandowski confronted Pereira for a tackle from behind with both players pushing the other.

The start of the second half again saw Guadalajara begin brightly and they could have equalised just five minutes after the break, only Omar Bravo was unable to control a bouncing ball at the edge of the six-yard box.But as the half wore on, Guardiola's men again gained the ascendency with Ribery beating two opponents before seeing his shot deflected onto the post.

The Mexicans' best chance to equalise came in the 81st minute when substitute Carlos Fierro controlled a cross on his chest before thrashing his shot from six yards straight at Bayern goalkeeper Tom Starke.

Bayern put the ball in the net again in second-half stoppage time through Lucas Scholl but his effort was ruled out for offside and Guardiola's side had to settle for a 1-0 victory, ahead of their clash with the MLS All Stars on Wednesday in Portland.

 

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Quintero agent plays down Arsenal speculation

Juan Quintero's agent has played down speculation linking his client with a summer move to Arsenal.

The Gunners are said to hold an interest in the Porto attacking midfielder, who is believed to have a €40 million release clause in his contract, with reports on Thursday claiming the star had flown into England for talks with the north Londoners.

However, his representative, Ricardo Calleri, claims the 21-year-old will not leave the club unless his buy-out is triggered, though he says his client has a number of suitors throughout Europe.

“Porto have never talked about negotiating the sale of Juan Quintero,” Calleri told MaisFutebol.

“Of course, there are clubs interested. There is a lot of interest from clubs from Spain and England in the player.

“But in order for him to leave, a club has to pay his buy-out clause.”

Quintero represented Colombia at the World Cup, scoring against Ivory Coast in Group C, having made 22 appearances for Porto in the Primeira Liga in 2013-14.

 

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Diego Lopez ready to leave Real Madrid

Diego Lopez is ready to leave Real Madrid this summer because of serious concerns over a lack of regular playing time.

The 32-year-old established himself as coach Carlo Ancelotti's preferred choice for Liga games last season, only to then lose his place to Iker Casillas during the closing stages of the campaign.

Madrid have had a deal in place to sign Costa Rica international Keylor Navas for several weeks - a move that will finally be ratified on Monday after president Florentino Perez asked Levante to delay confirmation until the squad have returned to Spain from their pre-season base in the United States.

After weeks of uncertainty over the goalkeeping situation with three top-level keepers set to be on the books, Perez led discussions over the issue after joining up with the group this week.

Following talks, club sources now say Lopez is likely to be the man who slips down to third choice in the race to start. Consequently, he is prepared to leave the Santiago Bernabeu and will speak to Madrid in the days ahead after considering his options.

Ancelotti has decided that Spain international Casillas will begin the 2014-15 campaign as first choice - despite his error in last season's Champions League final against Atletico Madrid and a calamitous showing at the World Cup.

The Italian coach has also indicated that he does not want to rotate his goalkeepers as much as he did during the 2013-14 campaign, meaning Lopez's chances of nailing down a regular berth in the Blancos line-up are even slimmer.

A departure for Lopez would leave new arrival Navas clear to put pressure on Casillas, who is now set to stay at the club having been linked with a move away earlier in the summer.

Madrid are expecting a number of sides to express an interest in Lopez after he racked up 62 appearances in a successful 18-month spell at the club.

The former Villarreal and Sevilla shot stopper still has three years left on his Madrid contract.

 

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Chelsea boss Mourinho hints at Cech exit

Jose Mourinho has hinted that long-time first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech could leave Chelsea this summer.

With Thibaut Courtois having returned from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid, speculation has been rife as to whether the Czech Republic international will retain his No.1 spot at Stamford Bridge.

Goal understands Chelsea are ready to listen to offers for Cech, with PSG credited with an interest, and Mourinho has now hinted that he could be on the move by referring to Mark Schwarzer as the club's “second goalkeeper".

"Petr is ready to fight for his position but Thibaut is the best young goalkeeper in the world, no doubts about that,” the Portuguese coach is quoted as saying by the Evening Standard.

"They will fight and for me it’s a good problem to have to make a decision.

"We are a club that wants to be strong and wants to have a real possibility of competing for trophies and we want competition for places.

"But I know that Mark Schwarzer is a very good keeper, very stable and a good man, completely ready to be our second goalkeeper like he was last season and to give positive performances if we need him to play.”

Courtois has returned to the club following his World Cup exploits with Belgium and insists he is keen to make a name for himself in England, as he did in Spain.

“I signed three years ago so now I am happy to actually be here, to be a part of this club,” he told Chelsea's website.

“My new team-mates have been really great; they’ve welcomed me and you really feel that you are a part of this team. Obviously it helped me that I knew some of the players before I arrived.

“When I signed here I had played for just one year in the Belgian league. I wasn’t anybody. In the last three years, I have been able to improve myself a lot and make my name in the football world.

“Now it is up to me to keep working hard here at Chelsea, keep improving myself and helping the team to achieve the things we all want.”

 

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Southampton eye up Hernandez swoop

Southampton are lining up a move for Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez.

The Saints have renewed their interest in the Mexico international after attempting to sign the 26-year-old in January when the Red Devils informed them that 'Chicharito' he could go out on loan.

Then boss David Moyes subsequently pulled the plug on a potential move away, but new boss Louis van Gaal has refused to rule out an Old Trafford exit for the striker.

When asked after the friendly win in Washington whether he would consider selling Chicharito, the Dutch coach told reporters: "That I cannot answer because he is a player of Manchester United at this moment."

Southampton, meanwhile, are cash-rich having sold Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert and Calum Chambers and with Tottenham keen on Jay Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin.

Manchester United are believed to want around €19 million for Chicharito, who joined Manchester United from Guadalajara in 2010 and has become a fan favourite at Old Trafford.

Southampton may face competition from abroad, however, with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid interested in the Mexico international and manager Diego Simeone admitting a move could happen.

"With Javier Hernandez and plenty of other great players, anything is possible. We can't close the door to anyone until the transfer window closes," he said.

Chicharito has also been linked with a move to Inter, where he would link up with former captain Nemanja Vidic, and admitted he was happy to hear of the Serie A side's interest.

 

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Perin rejected Bayern Munich

Mattia Perin's agent has claimed that Bayern Munich wanted to sign his client last month but that the Genoa goalkeeper turned down the chance to move to the Allianz Arena.

The Italy international has been heavily linked with a move away from the Luigi Ferraris this summer but his representative, Matteo Roggi, has dismissed speculation linking the 21-year-old shot-stopper with the German champions.

"Bayern Munich is old news now," the agent told Calcionews24.com. "They contacted me a month ago and I got in touch with the club.

"They were looking for a No.2 but Mattia will be 22 [in November] and he's broken into the national team. Therefore, the basic requirement for him now is regular football.

"So, however fascinating and charming Bayern are, there were not the technical requirements present to negotiate [a deal].

"To serve as second choice to Manuel Neuer at the age of 22 would not have been the right choice for Mattia's career."

Perin has been linked with AC Milan in recent days but Roggi says he has yet to be made aware of Pippo Inzaghi's reported interest in the Grifone shot-stopper.

"There is absolutely nothing there," he declared. "I'm with Mattia in Genoa at the moment and in a little while we'll meet with Genoa for other reasons.

"I know nothing of it. If there is something between the two clubs, on account of the great relationship that exists between Preziosi and Galliani, well, that's another thing.

"But for now, I know nothing about it. It's just a rumour is doing the rounds."

 

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'I smoke when I want' - Mathieu risks Barcelona ire

Barcelona new boy Jeremy Mathieu defended his smoking habit and risked a backlash from his new club by insisting he will smoke when he wants.

The Catalunya club bought the French centre-back for €20 million from Valencia last month in a bid to bolster their options at the back following the departure of Carles Puyol.

However, some fans have been critical about signing a 30-year-old for such a high figure and the social media furore around Mathieu smoking has not helped his antagonists warm to him, but he stressed that he hopes he can be judged on the pitch rather than for his personal choices off it.

"I do not smoke much but I do smoke when I want," Mathieu is quoted by Marca as saying on Friday. "It is a personal thing.

"What actually matters is what happens on the field and people forget that I go running. I want the best for the team, above my own personal goals."

Barcelona will probably not be particularly pleased with Mathieu's attitude towards smoking. Last year they partnered with the European Commission to launch an anti-smoking campaign and Camp Nou is now a smoke-free stadium.

Spanish regional newspaper Superdeporte claims that Valencia repeatedly attempted to address Mathieu's smoking habit - even allegedly speaking to the defender's wife - but their efforts were in vain, suggesting that Barca may have just as little success if they try to talk him out of it.

 

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Remy to join up with QPR squad

In-demand striker Loic Remy is to join QPR on their pre-season trip to the Republic of Ireland, manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed.

The France international looked set to complete a move to Liverpool last week, but the 2013-14 Premier League runners-up pulled the plug on the deal after Remy reportedly failed a medical.

Remy spent the previous campaign on loan at Newcastle and manager Alan Pardew confirmed on Wednesday that the club were "monitoring" his situation.

However, it appears that the 27-year-old will remain at Loftus Road, at least for the time being, as Remy will fly out to join the rest of the squad on Sunday.

"Loic is coming out on Sunday night to join us for training on Monday, so it will be good to have him with us," Redknapp told the club's official website.

Adel Taarabt's future at Loftus Road has also been the subject of speculation, with the Moroccan having spent the second half of last season on loan with Milan.

The Serie A side are thought to be keen to bring him back to San Siro, but Redknapp insists that no deal has been completed, with the 25-year-old a part of his plans for the coming campaign.

"At this moment he is part of our plans for the season, unless someone comes in and pays the money that the club want," Redknapp added.

"Otherwise, he will stay with us and we'll be looking to get him to do his bit for the club this season."

 

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Bartomeu hints at additional Barcelona signings

Barcelona could yet make further signings before the end of the summer transfer window, according to club president Josep Bartomeu.

Five players - Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo, Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez and Jeremy Mathieu - have already arrived at Camp Nou for a combined cost of around €156 million.

And Bartomeu has now revealed that new boss Luis Enrique may well add several more new faces to his squad before the September 1 deadline.

He told reporters: "The transfer window isn't over yet, it ends in a months' time. I think we still have some things left to do this summer."

Reports in Spain suggested that Camp Nou sporting director Zubizarreta and coach Luis Enrique will be meeting on Friday to finalise transfer plans, with young Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos seen as the first-choice option.

Barca are desperate to do as much business as possible this summer with a potential 14-month transfer ban looming for breaking rules involving the international transfers of players under the age of 18.

The club were initially banned from buying any players for that period starting from April, but Fifa agreed to put that suspension on hold after the Blaugrana lodged an appeal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

ow aparada..! hari modi.. next year eka Drogba, Toress kohomath inna na.. ithin Lukakuta nikanma chance eka enawa.. Mou kiyala thibba Lukakuta chance denawa kiyala..

Toress sell kerana ekak na neh..! aduma gane need 3 strikers neh..!

1ka thamai aiya...anith 1ka Lukaku WBA & Everton loan spells wala elatama play kalaAnyway dan Lukakuwa Everton la permanent sign karagena neh.Monawa unath aparade Lukaku wa miss karagattha 1ka.

Ow aiya...Mourinho kiyala thibba Torres wa sell karanne naha kiyala...meh season 1kewath Torres top performance walata awoth hodai

 

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Lampard set to join Man City

Frank Lampard is set to join Manchester City before joining their sister club, MLS expansion franchise New York City FC, in 2015, according to multiple reports.

NYCFC do not being playing until March, leaving the 36-year-old midfielder looking for a destination to maintain his fitness between the World Cup and his Major League Soccer debut.The new American club is co-owned by Manchester City and the New York Yankees baseball team, making Lampard's short-term move to Manchester an easy choice, though still a surprising one for a player who had been with Chelsea since 2001.

Lampard rejected a move to join another of City's global clubs, Melbourne City, according to the Guardian.Staying in England through the New Year will help Lampard, who has yet to officially announce his international retirement, stay in Roy Hodgson's plans for Euro 2016 qualifying this autumn.

At his New York unveiling last week, Lampard spoke of his desire to keep up his fitness levels before joining MLS."I will have to keep fit. I'll have to train at the very top level, whether that's on my own or with a club somewhere, I'll have to see," Lampard said. "Of course I'll keep fit and make sure my levels don't drop too much.

"When we come here for preseason I want to be ready to go. I want to fly out of the blocks. I don't want to come out sluggish."Manchester City, who return to England from their American tour on Tuesday, hope to have Lampard in training before Sunday's Community Shield match against Arsenal, the Guardian said.

Manchester City face Lampard's former team Chelsea on Sept. 21.City declined to comment on the reports when contacted by ESPN FC.

 

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Loan 1kak widiyata Lampard to City nam hithuwe nathi deal 1kak
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Malaga 3-1 Newcastle United: Cabella makes debut but Magpies soundly beaten

Newcastle United midfielder Remy Cabella saw his debut end in disappointment as the Premier League side were beaten 3-1 by Malaga on Saturday.

The attacking midfielder - signed from Montpellier on a six-year-deal last month - made his bow in the opening game of the Schalke Cup at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.

But he was unable to inspire Alan Pardew's below-par side, who were comfortably dispatched by a Malaga team that ran riot in a one-sided first half.
A goal from midfielder Sergi Darder and a double from teenage striker Samu Castillejo put the Liga club in complete command, before winger Gabriel Obertan pulled one back in the second half for Newcastle.

Malaga dictated play throughout the opening period, taking advantage of a disjointed Newcastle outfit that featured youngsters such as Massadio Haidara, Mehdi Abeid, Adam Armstrong and Ayoze Perez.

There was also a return for midfielder Moussa Sissoko following his World Cup exploits with France, but it was Malaga that opened the scoring in the 26th minute as Darder found the net with a fierce drive from 25 yards.

That advantage was quickly doubled by Castillejo, who met right-back Jesus Gamez's right-wing cross with a volley that went into the ground and over the head
of stranded Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot.

And the game was effectively put beyond doubt two minutes before the interval, as Castillejo's swerving effort from range took a slight deflection and flew into the top corner.

Newcastle did improve in a second half that was marred by reports of crowd trouble between their fans and supporters of West Ham, who were playing in the following game against Schalke.

Pardew's side got their reward on the hour mark thanks to Obertan's rasping strike into the bottom corner, the Frenchman cutting in from the left and hitting home after Yoan Gouffran's shot from distance forced a corner.

But Newcastle rarely looked like mounting an impressive comeback and will look to bounce back when they face hosts Schalke on Sunday.

 

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Arsenal 5-1 Benfica: Sanogo hits four in Gunners romp

Yaya Sanogo scored four as Arsenal thrashed Benfica 5-1 in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

The Frenchman - used sparingly by Arsene Wenger last term - scored a first-half hat-trick and added a fourth to his personal haul after the break at the Emirates Stadium as Alexis made his bow.

Sanogo opened the scoring 26 minutes in against the Portuguese champions when Aaron Ramsey crossed for the Frenchman to backheel into an empty net.

If the half began at a relatively slow pace, the finale was quite the opposite as Joel Campbell - returning from a loan spell at Olympiacos - volleyed home from inside the area after 40 minutes.

Sanogo then wrapped up his hat-trick as first he tapped home Campbell's pass and then nudged an effort past Artur Moraes for the fourth. The former Auxerre man's lethal finishing continued after the break as he quickly added Arsenal's fifth.

Nico Gaitan pulled one back with a header shortly after the hour but it mattered little, with home fans treated to a convincing showing as well as first glimpses of recent signings Alexis and Calum Chambers. Arsenal began the brighter and pressed Benfica well, with the returning Campbell among those to catch the eye.

Chambers was deployed in the centre of defence alongside Nacho Monreal and the pair were left watching when Gaitan struck the crossbar from Maxi Pereira's cutback 10 minutes in.

Sanogo was almost able to divert Tomas Rosicky's wayward shot home soon after as Arsenal's front four continued to create openings, albeit initially lacking the required sharpness in front of goal.Benfica saw recent acquisition Eliseu limp off with 19 minutes gone before Monreal almost steered the ball past Damian Martinez.

However, Sanogo opened the scoring shortly after - Ramsey losing his marker with a clever touch before adeptly turning the ball over the line.

With Arsenal in full flow, Campbell volleyed home the second from Rosicky's delivery before Sanogo added two more to send Wenger's men in comfortably ahead. It took just four minutes of the second half for Sanogo to strike again as he followed up up Ramsey's saved shot to tap home from 10 yards.

Both sides made a host of changes before the hour mark, with Wenger forced to withdraw Campbell, who appeared to pick up a knock. After the flurry of substitutions, Arsenal were caught cold as Gaitan headed home from Pereira's long throw.

Alexis joined Chambers in making maiden Arsenal appearance to cap a fine day for the home side, who were denied another goal late on as both Ignasi Miquel and Francis Coquelin struck the woodwork.

Arsenal meet Monaco on Sunday, one week before the FA Cup winners' Community Shield clash with Manchester City.

 

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Falcao makes return from injury

Radamel Falcao made his long-awaited return from injury as Monaco drew 2-2 with Valencia in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

The Colombia international damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Monaco's Coupe de France victory over Monts d'Or Azergues in January.

Falcao missed the remainder of the domestic season, as well as his country's World Cup campaign in Brazil, which ended in quarter-final defeat to the hosts.
But on Saturday, the 28-year-old made his comeback as the Ligue 1 runners-up drew 2-2 with their Spanish opponents in the pre-season tournament's curtain-raiser at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

And Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim is hoping the striker will be able to play 60 minutes on Sunday as his side face the Gunners in their second game.

He said: "Falcao played for 20 minutes to help him overcome his anxiety, which is natural when you come back after six months without playing.

"He played well. It was important for him to play a bit, so tomorrow he can play from the beginning. Let's see tomorrow if he can play for 60 minutes or just 45."
Falcao entered the action in the 72nd minute, coming off the bench to replace Dimitar Berbatov.

Monaco were 2-1 down at that stage, having taken the lead through Ruben Vezo's own goal on the half-hour mark.

Another own goal levelled the scores, Ricardo Carvalho putting through his own net, before Paco Alcacer put Valencia in front for the first time after 69 minutes.
Jardim introduced Falcao shortly afterwards, and Lucas Ocampos' strike 10 minutes from time ensured Monaco avoided defeat.

 

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Ancelotti: No news on Di Maria

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said he had "no news" over the futures of Angel Di Maria or Diego Lopez as rumours grow that the pair are set to be sold.

Di Maria has long been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United said to be eager to sign the Argentina winger ahead of the new season.

Lopez is reportedly a target for Monaco and Chelsea, but Real coach Ancelotti is not expecting either player to leave the European champions in the near future.

When asked about Di Maria, who has been given an extended break following his World Cup exploits, the Italian said: "No news. He's still on holiday and will come back to training with Real Madrid on 5 August, as is planned."

Ancelotti revealed that Iker Casillas will start Saturday's International Champions Cup clash with Manchester United in Michigan and the Super Cup encounter with Sevilla on August 12, but insisted no deal has been struck for Lopez to move on.

He said: "Diego Lopez looks good, as always. He is working hard and is very professional. There's no news on his exit. He's a Real Madrid player and won't play (against United) because I want to give Iker some minutes as he will play the Super Cup."

Levante keeper Keylor Navas is reportedly set to join the Madrid giants, but the Madrid boss refused to discuss a potential move for the Costa Rica international.
"We had problems with the goalkeeping situation last year and I don't want to talk about Navas, a goalkeeper who right now isn't Real Madrid's."

 

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Tottenham 6-1 Celtic: Soldado, Lamela & Eriksen score in Spurs stroll

Erik Lamela scored in a convincing victory for Tottenham Hotspur as they thrashed Celtic 6-1 in Helsinki.

Mauricio Pochettino's side took the lead early on through young striker Harry Kane, who made space in the penalty area to receive the ball off Andros Townsend and rifle the ball into the corner of the net.

That lead was doubled just after 10 minutes when Roberto Soldado scored from close-range at the second attempt, knocking the ball into an empty net when goalkeeper Craig Gordon parried his initial effort.

Yet Celtic grew into the game as time went on, pulling a goal back just before half-time, as midfielder Dylan McGeouch ran at Kyle Naughton before hitting a shot on goal that deflected past Brad Friedel and into the net.

But moments later Naughton had redeemed himself. He exchanged passes Townsend down the left-hand side before teeing up Lewis Holtby for a comfortable finish inside the penalty area.

Soldado departed at the break with an injury but Erik Lamela, on at the interval, enhanced Spurs' lead further with a goal just after the hour mark. He hit a shot from 25-yards that deflected past Gordon in the Celtic goal.

Spurs wrapped up the victory with two further goals in the latter stages. Christian Eriksen curled a free-kick into the top-left corner before Emmanuel Adebayor dispatched a penalty with minutes to spare.

 

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Juventus announce QPR loan for Isla

Queens Park Rangers have agreed a deal with Juventus for defender Mauricio Isla.

The 26-year-old, who can operate both in midfield and in defence, will finalise his move to Loftus Road once a medical is completed on Sunday, according to Juventus CEO, Giuseppe Marotta.

"We have reached a deal with QPR for Isla to move on loan. Tomorrow he will have medical with QPR," Marotta told reporters at a press conference.

The Chile international was a strong performer in his country's recent World Cup campaign but had failed to hold down a regular position at club level for Juventus, having joined from Serie A rivals Udinese in 2012.

Earlier in June, he conceded his future in Turin depended on then-manager Antonio Conte yet, despite since being replaced by Massimiliano Allegri, he has now been allowed to move to the Premier League.

Isla follows Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker through the door at Loftus Road as manager Harry Redknapp prepares his club for the new season, as they open their league campaign at home to Hull City on August 16.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Guingamp: Ibrahimovic double secures Super Cup spoils

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero as his two goals saw Paris Saint-Germain lift the Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Guingamp.

The Ligue 1 champions were always in command in a one-sided affair at the Workers Stadium in Beijing, dispatching the Coupe de France winners with little difficulty.

Once again it was Ibrahimovic who was the star for Laurent Blanc's men, as the 32-year-old fired home a first-half double in another glowing exhibition of his talents in front of goal.

Guingamp spurned a chance to get back into the game in the 32nd minute with Mustapha Yatabare's penalty miss and the underdogs were left to rue that wasted opportunity.

PSG comfortably saw out the game to add yet another trophy to their collection following consecutive league triumphs and last season's Coupe de la Ligue success.
The capital club will now turn their attentions to the Ligue 1 campaign, which they open on Friday at Reims.PSG did all of the early pressing and needed just nine minutes to break the deadlock, as Ibrahimovic found the net in typically spectacular fashion.

The Sweden striker - captain in the absence of defender Thiago Silva - picked up the ball from Javier Pastore on the edge of area and unleashed a curling effort that left Guingamp goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa with no chance.

Guingamp then suffered a further blow as midfielder Julien Cardy was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Rachid Alioui.

The problems continued to mount in a disastrous opening 20 minutes for the Brittany club, their misfortune encapsulated in the 19th minute when defender Lars Jacobsen was adjudged to have bundled over Jean-Christophe Bahebeck as they competed for a cross in the area.Ibrahimovic stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, seemingly ending the game as a contest.

PSG were camped inside the Guingamp half for almost the entirety of the opening period and Bahebeck almost added a wonderful third, jinking his way down the right flank only to be denied by Samassa at the near post.

But Jocelyn Gourvennec's men were offered a lifeline on the half-hour mark as PSG centre-back Marquinhos conceded a penalty, with referee Clement Turpin adjudging the Brazilian to have illegally blocked off Claudio Beauvue.

However, Yatabare - Guingamp's top scorer last season - could not keep his composure as his poor spot-kick was well saved by Salvatore Sirigu.The second half was bereft of goalmouth action in comparison to the first, although PSG teenager Hervin Ongenda did fire wide five minutes after the interval.

Blanc's side took their foot off the gas somewhat in stifling conditions, but substitute Edinson Cavani should have made it three when he blazed over the crossbar following a superb through ball from Pastore.But despite Cavani's profligacy, Guingamp were unable to mount a comeback as the gulf in class proved too much.