..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Southampton boss Koeman still confident of top-four finish

Ronald Koeman remains adamant that his Southampton side can finish in the Premier League's top four despite labouring to a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

Nathaniel Clyne capped a memorable couple of weeks in which he made his England debut by scoring a thunderous late equaliser after Gabriel Agbonlahor had put the hosts ahead on Monday at Villa Park.

Southampton came into the game off the back of eight wins in their previous nine league games, but showed little of the attacking verve that had seen them rise to second place in the league table.

However, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United to come in his side's next three games, Koeman is relishing the challenge to once again show Southampton mean business.

When asked if he was still confident of a top-four finish, Koeman told Sky Sports: "Yes of course, but first we have to play better than we did.

"Everybody knows that the Premier League is a battle every game and there are big teams but they are struggling as well.

"If we keep going and keep our spirit like we showed - we had great character and we showed great patience in the second half - then I think it's possible because I don't see many teams better than Southampton.

"It's a nice week to play and we live game to game with three big teams.

"In this game Aston Villa had some key players injured, maybe [that made them] more dangerous and it was difficult.

"We didn't reach the level we can reach and we must reach that to be competitive against City on Sunday."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Alonso far from finished - Guardiola

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso can be a star for many years yet, according to head coach Pep Guardiola.

The Spanish World Cup winner moved from Real Madrid to the Allianz Arena in the summer and has established himself as an important player for the Bundesliga champions, particularly in the absence of Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The deep-lying playmaker has made 18 appearances for Bayern this term and is set to face Manchester City in the Champions League on his 33rd birthday, yet despite his age, Guardiola is confident he can be a key player for some time to come."He can carry on playing this position for several years, no problem," the Bayern boss said. "[Joining Bayern] was the perfect solution for him.”

Alonso himself says he is still hungry to keep learning as a player despite having enjoyed remarkable success in his career to date."Times have changed compared to when I was a young player," the former Liverpool midfielder said.

"Experience and knowledge count, but the most important thing is that I still enjoy the game."Bayern have already booked their place in the next round of the Champions League, but Guardiola says his team will be fully focused at the Etihad against a City side still vying for the chance to qualify.

"We're delighted to already be through," he said. "But the Champions League is always prestigious, both for the club and for me as a coach."They are strong in the Premier League and now they play at home."

"It's hard to say why they are not so successful in the Champions League," added Alonso. "City is one of the best teams in the world. In the group, it is now difficult for them, but they will give everything.

"Football is not mathematics. Money alone does not determine everything."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Luis Enrique: Barcelona will struggle again

Luis Enrique believes Barcelona have overcome their recent rough patch but insists his side will go through another poor run of form at some point in the season.

Concerns were raised over the Blaugrana's chances of silverware when they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Clasico and immediately followed up that result with a 1-0 loss to Celta Vigo.

But Barca are now on a three-game winning streak having beaten Sevilla 5-1 in La Liga at the weekend and the coach said he was happy to be over the slump, but does believe there will be another dip at some point in the season.

"Throughout the season there will be another difficult time," he told reporters. "I hope I am mistaken but it would be naive to think they will not return. These moments affect the big teams but they are part of the process."

Barca take on APOEL on Tuesday in the Champions League and Luis Enrique insists a victory in Cyprus is a must for his side as they look to finish above Paris Saint-Germain, who sit one point ahead of them in Group F.

The coach added: "We are expecting a tough match similiar to when we played against them the first time. This will be a complicated match.

"We need the points to be in with a chance of finishing top of the group. We would prefer to play the second leg at home in the next round as it will give us an advantage. APOEL is the next step to overcome."The 44-year-old went on to praise midfielder Xavi, who this season broke the record for most Champions League appearances of all-time.

Luis Enrique said: "Xavi is a unique player. I just want him to keep doing what he is doing right now, I love the way he plays and not only because he's a key player for us when he is playing, but also when he is not playing."Despite not scoring as of yet for Barcelona, Luis Suarez has provided four league assists since making his debut aganist Real Madrid and the coach believes he will become even more effective as he settles into the team.

"Neymar, Messi and Suarez are doing very well," said Luis Enrique. "Leo and Neymar played together last season and we were waiting for Luis Suarez. He is a different kind of striker than we are used to in Barcelona."There is a lot of the season still to go and we will see how he can associate with the rest of the team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pellegrini dismisses Messi to Man City rumours

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed rumours linking his club with a move for Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

Messi made headlines last week when he hinted that he could leave Camp Nou in the near future, and a number of top European clubs have been linked with a big-money move in recent days.

It was reported on Sunday that the Premier League champions rolled out the red carpet for the Argentina international ahead of his country's friendly clash with Portugal a week ago, flaunting their new multi-million pound academy.

Pellegrini, though, has publicly refuted the suggestion that the Blues would be interested in Messi, who broke the all-time La Liga scoring record with a hat-trick on Saturday.

"The rumours are only rumours," he told reporters. "What he did was exceptional and there are few players that can reach his level.

"The record he has got reflects how important he is for Barcelona."

Messi's international team-mate, Martin Demichelis, echoed his manager's stance, adding: "I am happy for his record. For me it is not a surprise any more, what he is doing.

"[But] I don't think I should give an opinion about the rumours before such an important game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Italy return impossible for Balotelli, says Raiola

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli will not be returning to Italy, his agent Mino Raiola has stated.

The Italian joined the Reds for €20 million in the summer but a combination of poor form and Liverpool's dismal start to the season has seen him linked with a move back to Italy.

Reports have suggested his former side Inter are now in the hunt for the 24-year-old. Roberto Mancini, who coached the forward at Manchester City and had several fallouts with him at that time, has recently taken over at the Nerazzurri, but Raiola insists he isn't going to pair up with his former manager at San Siro.

"A return to Inter is impossible. Not because of Mancini, but for other reasons which aren't worth talking about," Raiola said.

"Even Napoli [is out of the question]. Mario will not return to Italy."

Balotelli has struggled to adjust to life at Anfield, scoring just twice in 14 games since moving from AC Milan but his representative believes he will rediscover the form that has seen him labelled as one of the brightest prospects in the game.

Raiola added: "He is lacking goals and he doesn't run well, but this is a time that must pass. He now has this injury and we hope he recovers as soon as possible.

"The relationship with the team? It is perfect, the English journalists must not be part of his life."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Matteo: I'm not thinking about revenge over Chelsea

Roberto Di Matteo insists he is not thinkint about getting revenge on Chelsea when his Schalke face Jose Mourinho's charges on Tuesday.

The Italian guided the Premier League leaders to a first ever Champions League triumph as caretaker manager in May 2012, earning a two-year permanent contract in the process.

However, Di Matteo was sacked just four months after penning the new deal as Chelsea became the first holders to fail to qualify out of their group the following season.

The 44-year-old faces Chelsea for the first time since his dismissal on Tuesday but says he is only concerned with Schalke's own Champions League fate.

"Honestly, I am not thinking about Munich 2012 that much," he told reporters. "I am a person who looks forward, not backwards, I live in the present, even though lots of people keep reminding me of that match.

"I spent many years of my life at Chelsea and still know many people who work there. Players as well. But that's more a private thing and has nothing to do with my job.

"Tomorrow, we will focus on our work, nothing else. I have no thoughts of revenge, I had a wonderful time there with lots of wonderful people."

Schalke currently lie second in Group G, three points behind leaders Chelsea, but will know a win for either Maribor or Sporting in the other game will see them drop down the table if the Gelsenkirchen side themselves fail to pick up a win.

"Of course, Chelsea remain the favourite in the group," he added. "It is very even besides that, everything is still open. We can still win the group. In the Champions League it is important to win your home matches.

"Nothing will be decided tomorrow, you still have to look at the other game and then there is the final matchday.

"Tomorrow we have to put in a great performance and hope Chelsea have an off day. They are unbeaten, bring lots of individual quality and are well positioned. We have to play a top game to win this game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lallana: Liverpool must right wrongs against Ludogorets

Adam Lallana has urged Liverpool to "fight for their lives" when they face Ludogorets in Wednesday's crucial Champions League clash.

The Reds' disappointing start to the season continued when they suffered a 3-1 Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace on Sunday - their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Liverpool now turn their attention to a trip to face the Bulgarian champions in a Group B encounter with their Champions League fate at stake.

The Merseyside outfit have collected three points from their opening four games in the competition and sit three points behind Basel in the battle for second place and Lallana has urged his team-mates to put on a good performance for everyone linked to the club.

He told the club's official website "It was disappointing, especially after going in front so early. It was a great platform for us to push on and control the game.

"But we didn't do that - we take full responsibility for that. We need to stick together. It's as simple as that. When you're having a tough time as a team, you all need to stay together - you can't start becoming individuals.

"We win and lose as a team; we need to stay together, keep fighting and keep working for each other. We have got a tough game on Wednesday so we all need to be together for that one.

"We need to win to stay in the competition, so the lads will be fighting for their lives to do that. It's important, not just for ourselves, but for the fans, the manager and everyone involved with Liverpool football club."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Casillas, Buffon & Neuer on five-man shortlist for Fifa FIFPro World XI 2014

Manuel Neuer, Iker Casillas, Thibaut Courtois, Gianluigi Buffon and Claudio Bravo have made the five-man shortlist for the Fifa FIFPro World XI 2014.

The Bayern Munich man won the Bundesliga title and DFB Pokal with the Bavarians before he was crowned world champion with Germany during the summer.

Casillas, meanwhile, was second choice in La Liga last term, but was Madrid's No.1 in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, with the Santiago Bernabeu side winning both competitions.Courtois played a key role in Atletico's La Liga title, while Buffon was Juventus' man between the sticks as they secured yet another Serie A title.

Bravo earned himself a move to Barcelona with his fine performances for Real Sociedad and impressed at the World Cup with Chile.The Fifa FIFPro World XI involves votes from tens of thousands professional footballers worldwide.

They select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
Neuer was last year’s Fifa FIFPro World XI goalkeeper, while Casillas won the vote in the preceding five years.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal demands more from Manchester United youngsters

Louis van Gaal says Manchester United's youngsters can still lift their level of performance, despite receiving wide praise for helping the Red Devils to a 2-1 win at Arsenal on Saturday.

An injury crisis reduced United to fielding academy products Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair either side of England international Chris Smalling, while Luke Shaw passed a late fitness test to start at left-back.

And even though Shaw was withdrawn with an ankle problem, Van Gaal's side kept the Gunners at bay until Olivier Giroud's fine strike in the dying moments.

Yet the former Netherlands boss believes the club's youngsters should still strive to improve on that display, telling reporters: "You can say, when you play with this squad, with players like Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett and also Luke Shaw - 19, 20, 21 [years old] - and Smalling between them, you can after the match it was good.

"But they can do better, I believe."

The win lifted United into the top four for only the second time this season and Van Gaal felt it was deserved after weathering an early storm at the Emirates Stadium.

He added: "The first 20-25 minutes I was a little disappointed about our confidence on the ball, our composure at the ball.

"That was our biggest problem. That's why Arsenal could develop this storm. But we have a very good goalkeeper.

"But after 25 minutes I saw that when we keep the ball that's when we get chances. I said at half-time 'you need a little bit more confidence, play the ball' and because we keep the ball better in the second half we created those chances."

United face Stoke City and Hull City at Old Trafford in their next two Premier League games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal must bid big to land Brozovic - Dinamo

Arsenal will have to pay big money to land Dinamo Zagreb star Marcelo Brozovic, according to the club's executive director.

Last month agent Miroslav Bicanic told Goal the Gunners were prominent in the race to sign his client and recent days have seen Arsene Wenger linked with an €8 million move for the midfielder.

Brozovic is primarily a playmaker but can be deployed in a more defensive role - with Arsenal scouts dispatched to watch him in Croatia's Euro 2016 qualifying clash with Italy.

But Zdravko Mamic insists Arsenal or any other clubs interested in the highly-rated 22-year-old will have to come up with a significantly bigger number than that to stand a chance of signing him.

"We have no offers," he told sportski.net.

"If someone wants one of our key players, it can only be with a memorable bid, if they knock me off my feet [an offer too good to refuse]. That is my principle. And the numbers appearing in the media do not interest us."

Brozovic has become a key figure at Dinamo since arriving from Lokomotiva in the summer of 2012 and broke into Niko Kovac's Croatia squad in time to participate in last summer's World Cup.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ter Stegen reveals Barcelona concerns

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has admitted that having to settle for a spot on the bench at Barcelona so far this season has not been easy for him.

The Germany international joined the club from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer transfer window, but has only featured in the Champions League.

Head coach Luis Enrique has preferred Claudio Bravo as his No.1 goalkeeper in La Liga and Ter Stegen has acknowledged his lack of playing time is worrying him.
"My current situation is not easy for me," the 22-year-old told Kicker."I have to be patient, though. I am doing my utmost to prove myself on the training pitch and make things hard for the coach.

"I have put in some good performances, but people always remember the bad moments. Mistakes are only human, though. Manuel Neuer, Iker Casillas and Roman Weidenfeller also make mistakes."But everybody in the team knows they can rely on me and they can always give me the ball.

"Everything is a bit different here. One player has won a number of Ballons d'Or, others have won European and world titles and are world-class players. I didn't need long to adapt."Ter Stegen has kept two clean sheets in four Champions League appearances.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

My job is on the line, admits Liverpool boss Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers admits he is fighting to save his job after Liverpool blew a one-goal lead against Crystal Palace to lose their fourth consecutive game.

The Reds took the lead at Selhurst Park after Rickie Lambert converted an Adam Lallana pass for his first goal for the club before strikes from Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak sealed three points for the hosts.

The result leaves Liverpool 12th in the Premier League after collecting just 14 points from their opening dozen games and Rodgers says he must answer for the team's plight.

“I’m not arrogant enough to think that I will be in a job through anything," he told reporters. “Any manager will tell you that you have to win games and you have to get results. You have to perform.

“In my first year when we weren’t maybe getting the results we were performing well. I will only ever do my best. The best has seen us develop well.

“Now I need to fight even harder and take the responsibility because as manager full responsibility comes down to me. Any pressure comes on to me.”

Analysing the performance against Palace, Rodgers was critical of his side's commitment and highlighted a lack of belief as the reason for their slump.

He added: “It was nowhere near the levels we’d expect. You’ve seen a team low on confidence.

“You could see our passing was a wee bit tentative, and then we make mistakes. Mistakes you wouldn’t expect to see at a team that’s supposed to be challenging. We failed to manage the game.

“Overall, that intensity and togetherness in our game isn’t there.

“We’re in another transition phase, but whatever phase it is we have to do better than that. That’s down to me to coach and manage that. That’s what I’ll continue to fight to do.”

Liverpool travel to Bulgaria on Wednesday looking to salvage their Champions League hopes with a win over Ludogorets.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Argentina paired with Uruguay in Copa America draw

Argentina have been pitted against defending champions Uruguay in Monday’s Copa America draw, which took place in Vina del Mar.

Group B will also consist of Paraguay, who were the surprise runners up in 2011, and Jamaica, who are one of two guest nations from the Concacaf federation.

Meanwhile, Brazil have been drawn alongside Colombia, who are placed third in the Fifa Ranking, with the Selecao set to face the side they eliminated from the World Cup at the quarter-final stage thanks to a 2-1 victory in Fortaleza. Peru and Venezuela complete Group C.

Hosts Chile will have the honour of playing the opening match of the competition against Ecuador in Santiago on June 11. They will face further tests against Mexico and Bolivia, the lowest ranked South American outfit, in Group A.

The top two sides in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals, while the two most successful third-placed teams will also progress into the knockout stage.
Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago, will host the final of the competition on July 4.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Groups 3nama balance wena widiyata bedila thiyanawa

Group A

Chile & Mexico

Group B

Argentina & Uruguay

Group C

Brazil & Colombia​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck for All​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League 2014.11.25 Group Stage Fixtures

UEFA Champions League 2014.11.25 Group Stage Fixtures

Group E

CSKA Vs Roma

Manchester City Vs Bayern

Group H

Bate Vs Porto

Shakhtar Vs Athletic Bilbao

Group F

APOEL Vs Barcelona

PSG Vs Ajax

Group G

Schalke Vs Chelsea

Sporting Lisbon Vs Maribor

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City 3-2 Bayern Munich: Incredible Aguero rescues qualification hopes

Hat-trick hero Sergio Aguero turned the game on its head to keep Manchester City's hopes of Champions League qualification very much alive with a turnaround 3-2 victory over 10-man Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium.

Manuel Pellegrini's men took the lead from the penalty spot through the Argentine midway through the first half, the spot kick won in an incident that saw Mehdi Benatia given his marching orders.

But Bayern made it look as if City were the team at a disadvantage, with Joe Hart at fault when Xabi Alonso's free kick found the net before Robert Lewandowski struck a second German goal just before half-time.

However, the hosts - who looked short of the required level for much of the game - pounced on a rare misplaced pass from birthday-boy Alonso for Stevan Jovetic to set up Aguero near the end of normal time.

And the striker again punished a defensive error as the game ticked over into stoppages to complete an unexpected comeback for his hat-trick.

A win away at Roma would now secure City's passage in second place behind Bayern, provided that the already-qualified German champions beat CSKA Moscow at home.

Samir Nasri had a first-minute shot blocked and Frank Lampard, starting due to suspensions for fellow midfielders Yaya Toure and Fernandinho, looped a header over before Bayern established an ominous rhythm.

A chipped pass from Arjen Robben caught out City defenders Eliaquim Mangala and Gael Clichy and meant that Hart had to be out sharply to deny Sebastian Rode.

It was an otherwise assured start by Mangala, who made a vital 19th-minute block to thwart Rafinha as City looked to pin Bayern back with some fine long passing - an approach that soon handed them a major advantage.

Aguero got the better of Benatia chasing a lofted ball from Lampard and referee Pavel Kralovec had little option but to dismiss the defender when he hacked his man to ground. City's top scorer stroked the resulting penalty past Manuel Neuer and, from there, the home team played with increasing confidence - often orchestrated by the evergreen Lampard.

But Bayern brilliantly turned the game on its head in the five minutes before half-time. Some trademark slick passing drew a foul from Mangala on Lewandowski and Alonso marked his 33rd birthday by guiding a 20-yard free kick into the bottom corner, as Hart left himself unsighted.

Making light of their numerical disadvantage, Bayern then controlled possession, culminating in Lewandowksi stealing in between Vincent Kompany and Bacary Sagna to send Robben's cross looping into the net.

Alonso pounced on a slack pass from Mangala to Fernando and scooped a return ball from Robben over as City stumbled into the second half.

Jesus Navas's pace down the right flank continued to prove a useful outlet for the hosts and Neuer was down well to turn a 49th-minute strike from the Spain winger behind, while James Milner arched a curling strike over as City probed for the equaliser.

But Pellegrini's men frustratingly struggled to mount sustained pressure, with a rasping 30-yard drive from Lampard offering Neuer further fleeting involvement with 20 minutes to play.

Clear chances remained elusive for the English champions until an uncharacteristically slack pass from Alonso was intercepted by Jovetic. Aguero still had plenty to do but he darted in on goal to slide the ball past Neuer before he stepped up again to provide even more late drama.

Aguero found Boateng to be in similarly charitable mood in stoppage time to net the decisive third, ensuring that all roads in City's Champions League destiny now lead to Rome.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aguero pattaNiyama late comeback 1kak City lagen:

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Maribor: Nani helps hosts go second

Sporting Lisbon went second in Champions League Group G by beating Maribor 3-1 on Tuesday in a game that was delayed by a power cut.

Sporting raced into an early lead through Carlos Mane inside the opening 10 minutes, and when Nani doubled their lead they looked to be on course for an easy victory.

An own goal from Jefferson gave Maribor a glimmer of hope before half-time, but their recovery was delayed as the lights went out at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, meaning the second half was delayed by 45 minutes.

When the action finally did resume, Islam Slimani restored Sporting's advantage after 65 minutes with a perfectly timed volley, and their winning margin would have been even greater but for Maribor goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic, who made a string of fine saves.

Victory sees Sporting move above Schalke, who were beaten 5-0 by Chelsea, with one game remaining, while Maribor's exit from the competition was confirmed.

Coach Marco Silva welcomed Mauricio back to the hosts' starting line-up after he served a one-match ban against Schalke, while Maribor made two changes from the side that earned an impressive 1-1 draw with Chelsea last time out.
A fast start from the Primeira Liga outfit saw Nani create a great opening that Joao Mario wasted, but in the ninth minute they had the lead as Mane netted his first Champions League goal.

Jefferson made good ground down the left before whipping a low cross into the six-yard box, where Handanovic was unable to claim the ball and the young striker was left with a simple tap-in.

Chances continued to arrive for Sporting, with Adrien Silva and Cedric unable to convert from good positions - the latter seeing a low shot pushed away by Handanovic.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Sporting doubled their lead as Nani jinked past three defenders and lashed the ball beyond Handanovic from 12 yards.
However, in the 42nd minute, Maribor halved the deficit thanks to an own goal from Jefferson - the defender diverting Ales Mejac's cross out of Rui Patricio's reach.

Floodlight failure during half-time saw a lengthy delay to the start of the second half, but when the players eventually returned it was Maribor who posed the early threat, Zeljko Filipovic particularly dangerous.They were unable to find a way through, though, and five minutes after the hour mark Slimani restored Sporting's two-goal lead.

Nani stretched to head Joao Mario's cross back towards the Algeria international and he volleyed home from seven yards out.Slimani nearly doubled his tally two minutes later when Nani played an enticing ball into the penalty area. The striker beat two defenders in the air but Handanovic did well to push his effort away.

The Slovenian goalkeeper seemed to be fighting a lone battle against wave after wave of Sporting attacks and the 36-year-old was on hand to save another effort from Joao Mario after 75 minutes.

Nani, who impressed throughout, went close to doubling his own tally in the closing minutes, while substitute Fredy Montero saw two long-range efforts fly wide.It did not matter in the end, though, as Sporting held on to an important victory, keeping their last 16 hopes well and truly alive.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nani play karana widiya hodai​