..::Football III::..

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Naismith signs Everton contract extension

Steven Naismith has signed a three-year contract extension at Everton until 2019, the club have announced.

The Scotland international, who joined the Toffees from Rangers in 2012, has scored five goals in 13 Premier League appearances so far this season and has expressed his delight at penning a new deal at Goodison Park.

"I am so happy here," he told Everton's official website. "From the moment I signed my first contract here it wasn't long before I saw what a great club it was.

"Over the months and years it has progressed into a fantastic move for myself on and off the park. I am delighted to have agreed an extension which will keep me here for a few more years yet.

"I think I have felt more wanted in recent times than at the start of my Everton career. Confidence has grown, I have put in some good performances and we have had a successful time as a team as well."

Naismith has drawn plaudits for his performances in 2014-15 and he admits that he is currently in the best form of his career.

"I understand the game more, I understand what the manager is wanting from me and I have played in a few different roles and contributed in those roles," added the 28-year-old. "It's definitely the most consistent I have been."

 

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Blanc hails Paris Saint-Germain reaction after Ajaccio win

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Laurent Blanc has congratulated his team for bouncing back from successive defeats to record a 3-1 Coupe de la Ligue win over Ligue 2 side Ajaccio.

Prior to last Tuesday's loss against Barcelona in the Champions League, PSG had not lost in any form all season, yet that was quickly followed by a shock 1-0 reverse at the hands of Guingamp in Ligue 1.

A heavily rotated side struggled initially in Corsica and seemed in trouble when Johan Cavalli netted a first-half penalty, but a response came after the break with goals from Jean-Christophe Bahebeck, Edinson Cavani and Serge Aurier sealing the win.

"Bravo to the players for qualifying," Blanc said after the match. "It was not so easy, particularly in the first half.

"After two defeats in five days, it's good to be able to respond.

"I think we could have scored more goals but Ajaccio took their breaks well and congratulations to them."

PSG have been drawn away against Saint-Etienne in the quarter-finals of the competition, which will be played in mid-January.

 

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Klopp proud of Wolfsburg draw despite 'stupid' equaliser

Jurgen Klopp believes Borussia Dortmund's draw with Wolfsburg showed a lot of promise for his side - but admitted his frustration at their opponents' "stupid" late equaliser.

Ciro Immobile looked to have given the home side a much-needed three points when he struck 14 minutes from time after Kevin De Bruyne had equalised following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's opener.

However, defender Naldo rose unchallenged from a corner to head home a leveller for Wolfsburg, leaving Klopp to rue the failure to claim a vital win over the second-placed side.

"We are still alive, still fighting. To pull it off against such an opponent was still good, even if it was stupid to conceded an equaliser from a corner," Klopp said after the match.

"We both had good opportunities. Some of ours came from some sensational play by Ciro Immobile. He has absolute quality in the penalty area and he showed that today: he finished one nicely, set up another, and had two good chances where [Diego] Benaglio stopped it.

"Whether you're first or fifth, a 2-2 against Wolfsburg is not a bad result. The match today was absolutely positive in many areas. We can build on it."

Wolfsburg remain second to Bayern Munich in the table, while Dortmund lie 16th with 15 points.

 

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Rodgers: Don't blame Sterling - he's got no world-class team-mates

Brendan Rodgers has defended Raheem Sterling in the wake of recent criticism, but has risked causing a rift in his Liverpool squad by claiming the winger has no "world-class" attacking team-mates.

Sterling impressed alongside Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge last season, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions, but he has endured something of a dip in 2014-15, going 21 matches without a goal before netting a double against Bournemouth in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Rodgers, though, insists that it is unfair to focus on Sterling's underwhelming start to the campaign because the Reds currently have no elite forwards following Suarez's exit to Barcelona and Sturridge's chronic injury problems, and claimed that he played like Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez against the Championship leaders.

"He's got a wee bit of stick over the last week or so which I find incredible because he's been outstanding for us," Rodgers told Sky Sports.

"Last season he was a young kid at 18, 19 years of age, playing up top with some world-class players, and this season he hasn't got that, that's the reality, but he's kept going and the focus has been on him. He hasn't scored the goals that people expect him to but it's not what I expect, I expect him to create goals and score goals over the season.

"He came in and performed brilliantly for us tonight," he added in his post-match press conference." His best position is on the left which allows him to cut inside, but tonight he played a lot like Alexis Sanchez. Two good feet, finds space and isn't afraid to play with his back to goal. He was outstanding."

Rodgers also insists that reports regarding a potential contract renewal for the winger have not distracted him from his game.

"He's done very well. He gets a lot of stick at the moment and the contract issues are nothing to do with him, it's down to his representatives to sort that out. He just needs to focus on the football," he added.

 

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Kohoma unath Sterling ge performance patta​

 

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Liverpool to play Chelsea - League Cup semi-final draw

Liverpool will play Chelsea in the League Cup semi-finals, with the second leg to be played at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham will host Sheffield United at White Hart Lane in the other tie before travelling to Bramall Lane for the return leg.

Liverpool beat Bournemouth 3-1 at the Goldsands Stadium on Wednesday night to book their place in the last four, and they have been drawn against Jose Mourinho's rampant Blues, who also won 3-1 against Derby on Tuesday.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers insists he is just pleased to be in the draw after a difficult season to date: "The most important thing was getting through, it was obviously going to be a very difficult game for us but our performance was brilliant and it gets us into the semi-finals over two legs," he told Sky Sports. "It didn't really matter who we got, we just needed to get there. It's Chelsea and we look forward to it."

Chelsea have made for formidable opponents this season, and Mourinho picked a strong starting line-up to face the Rams at the iPro Stadium.

The Reds have struggled without the departed Luis Suarez and the injured Daniel Sturridge this season, but are now in the League Cup semi-finals after making light works of Eddie Howe's Bournemouth, despite crashing out of the Champions League and losing to Manchester United in the past week.

Spurs reached the semis after beating Newcastle 4-0 in north London on Wednesday, with goals from Nabil Bentaleb, Nacer Chadli, Harry Kane and Roberto Soldado.

They will meet the Blades, who beat Premier League side Southampton 1-0 on Tuesday night.

The first legs will take place on the week commencing January 19, with the returns scheduled for the following week.

 

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Spanish Copa Del Rey Fixtures 2014.12.18

Spanish Copa Del Rey Fixtures 2014.12.18

Atletico Madrid Vs Hospitalet

Elche Vs Real Valladoid

Athletic Bilbao Vs Alcoyano

Malaga Vs Deportivo​

 

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Serie A 2014.12.18 Fixtures

Serie A 2014.12.18 Fixtures

Cagliari Vs Juventus

Napoli Vs Parma​

 

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Milan must copy Bayern - Inzaghi

AC Milan boss Filippo Inzaghi has highlighted Bayern Munich as the perfect model to emulate as the club bid to compete with Europe's elite once again.

The Rossoneri are seven-time winners of the Champions League but failed to qualify for the competition this season after finishing a lowly eighth in Serie in 2013/14.

That finish saw Inzaghi replace Clarence Seedorf in the Milan dug-out, with the former striker tasked with guiding the club to a top three finish and a place in Europe's elite competition.

After 15 games, the San Siro club sit in sixth place, two points behind third-placed Lazio, and the Italian has pointed to Bayern as an example to follow in their quest for a return to the continent's top table.

"Bayern Munich should be our reference point if we want to return to being successful," he said at Thursday's press conference.

"I read the other day that [Franck] Ribery said Guardiola changes tactics 10 times in a game - they're a great example of flexibility and we need to follow that if we want to be the best again."

Milan face Roma in Serie A on Saturday night, knowing that victory and results elsewhere ending in their favour could see them move into third spot in the table.

Inzaghi says his players have nothing to lose going into the game and is convinced they will enjoy a successful 2015.

He added: "After the Genoa game I was angry because it was a game we shouldn’t have lost. I knew that we needed a great performance against Napoli.

“We don’t have much to lose on Saturday night. If we get a good result that will be important for our growth, as it will come from playing well.

“I have to look at performances, and I hope that against Roma the team plays another good game."

The former Juventus striker also spoke of his relationship with Italy boss Antonio Conte, who he played alongside for the Bianconeri, and met earlier this week along with several other Serie A coaches to establish the availability of certain players for upcoming internationals.

"I have a great relationship with Conte.

“I’m available, and so are Milan, and whenever it’s possible we’ll always give him a hand.

“It makes me proud if my players are called up the national team.”

 

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I can't afford Sneijder - Koeman

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has denied the club are closing in on a deal for Galatasaray playmaker Wesley Sneijder.

The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in January and reports on Wednesday night suggested Saints were in pole position for his signature.

However, Koeman refuted the speculation on Thursday afternoon, claiming the south coast club cannot afford Sneijder.

He told reporters: "I'm interested, but I know we can't pay him. There's nothing in it."

Sneijder moved to Galatasaray in January 2013 following a three-and-a-half-year spell with Inter, where he helped Jose Mourinho's side lift the Champions League.

Manchester United have also been credited with a long-standing interest in the Netherlands international.

 

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Balotelli would like to emulate Ibrahimovic - Mancini

Roberto Mancini says Mario Balotelli would like to emulate Zlatan Ibrahimovic and hopes he one day becomes as good as the Paris Saint-Germain star.

The pair played alongside one another briefly during Mancini's first stint in charge of Inter, when Balotelli was a teenage prospect at San Siro, and Ibrahimovic the club's talisman.

Now in his second spell at the Nerazzurri helm, the 50-year-old believes the Sweden striker is a good role model for his former pupil to follow.

“Mario would like to emulate Ibrahimovic,” said Mancini at an event held at the Bocconi University in Milan.

“But Zlatan has a few more years and has accumulated a degree of experience, quality, class and strength that he [Balotelli] is yet to acquire, even though he's been playing for many years.

“Balotelli has that potential and no doubt they were extraordinary together back in the day.“Mario was so young, now he dwells a bit too much on so many things. I hope and wish for him to become like Ibrahimovic.”

The 50-year-old also gave his thoughts on the current setup within the Italian Football Federation and feels a more youthful structure could be the way forward.

"I wish at the top of the federation there were young people. Young people can be wrong, but certainly they always do things in good faith and you always learn from mistakes.

"Young people are our future and I always want to help them to grow."

 

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Reus fined €540,000 for driving offences

Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus has been fined €540,000 after being caught driving without a valid license.

The 26-year-old was ordered to pull over by police as he left the club's training ground earlier this week, where he was unable to produce the necessary documentation.

Further investigation revealed Reus had been guilty of driving illegally since September 2011 and had even been served five speeding tickets before police realised he had no license.

The Germany international admitted his actions were stupid and offered no excuse for his behaviour on Thursday.

He said: "Today I know I was too naive in this situation. That was stupid. I have drawn my conclusions and such a thing will never happen again.

The offence is all the more remarkable given that Reus has also starred in a petrol advert in Germany, as well as featuring in promotional campaigns for one of the club's car sponsors.

He underwent several driving lessons as an 18-year-old but failed to complete the necessary practical exam. "I then unfortunately went down this route," he added. "I cannot comprehend my actions."

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp added his thoughts on the incident, which comes at the worst possible time as BVB bid to fight their way out of the relegation places in the Bundesliga.

"I was surprised, too," he said. "I talked to him and he is reasonable in a maximum way. With stories like this it is difficult to get a way out of it.

"The fine is exceptionally high. Now everything gets back to normal. He is a great guy who made a mistake.“

 

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Shaqiri will stay at Bayern - Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of Xherdan Shaqiri leaving Bayern Munich in the January transfer window.

The Switzerland international, 23, was linked with a move to Premier League side Liverpool over the summer, after making just 21 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarians.

But, while Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery remain Guardiola's first choice wide players, Shaqiri has already featured 14 times this term and the Spaniard has no interest in allowing him to leave.

When asked about the future of the winger and midfielder Emile Hjojberg, the former Barca boss said: "I think they will stay. If they want something then they need to speak to Matthias Sammer."

Regarding the prospect of any arrivals, Guardiola appeared to rule out any further signings, adding: "Less players means less problems."

Bayern play their final Bundesliga game before the winter break when they take on Mainz at the Coface Arena on Saturday, but they will do so without three of their key men.

"[Mehdi] Benatia, [Xabi] Alonso and [Robert] Lewandowski won't be on board," Guardiola said. "[Sebastian] Rode is sick."

Bayern look on course to cruise to a third consecutive Bundesliga title having won 13 of their 16 league games and racked up an 11-point lead over second-placed Wolfsburg.

But another surprise sub-plot to the league season in Germany's top flight has been the plight of Borussia Dortmund, who sit joint-second bottom of the division and Guardiola believes their struggles show that nothing can be taken for granted in his side's quest for more silverware.

"Just because we were strong in the first half of this season doesn't mean that we will be in the second half.

"It can happen that we lose one or more games. You can see it in Dortmund. Borussia is a super team with a great coach. But if it can happen to them, then it can to us.

"I don't like talking about other teams but they will have a hard time getting second place now. Leverkusen, Wolfsburg and Monchengladbach are all very strong. Dortmund have the quality to do it, though."

 

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Shaqiri transfer unoth hodaiMokada Shaqiri ge talent 1ka hidden wela thiyenne Bayern walaJust Like Kroos.

Aniwa matanam hithenne Kroos Real Madrid join una wagema Shaqiri wena team 1kakata join una nam meeta wada hoda perform 1kak balaganna puluwan​

 

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I won't talk about Liverpool - De Boer

Ajax boss Frank de Boer has refused to talk about speculation linking him with "struggling" Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

De Boer has led Ajax to four straight Eredivisie titles and, as a result, is regarded as one of the leading coaches in European football.

The 44-year-old was linked with the manager's post at Tottenham last season and his name has been mentioned in connection with the same position at Liverpool, where Rodgers is thought to be under pressure following their struggles this campaign.However, De Boer is remaining quiet on the subject and insists he is content to remain at the Amsterdam Arena and attempt to build on the success he has enjoyed in recent seasons.

He told Voetbal International: "I don't want to talk about Liverpool. Also out of respect to Rodgers, who's had a fantastic season and is struggling now."As long as no one contacts me, I don't want and don't need to think about it. I'm busy with Ajax.

"And if nobody calls, I'm very happy to stay here. There is still a lot to accomplish.
"I might decide that anyway. The thought of coaching abroad doesn't tickle me yet."

 

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Walcott & Oxlade-Chamberlain in contention for Arsenal's clash with Liverpool

Arsene Wenger has revealed Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both in contention for Arsenal's Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday.

Walcott returned from a nine-month injury layoff in November following surgery on a serious knee injury but picked up a groin problem on international duty, keeping him out of action until now.

The 25-year-old's two appearances for the Gunners this season have amounted to a mere 21 minutes of action, yet Wenger is optimistic that he could take him to Anfield on Sunday.

“He [Walcott] is back in training today [Thursday]. But only today. I might take him, I don’t know yet until he’s back to full training. Let’s see,” Wenger told the club’s official website.

The Frenchman also added that Oxlade-Chamberlain has missed training this week but may make the squad for the Anfield clash, while Nacho Monreal is also being considered.

"We hope that Oxlade-Chamberlain will be fit," he added. "We’ll see that on Saturday. He’s not in training at the moment.

"There’s a slight chance of Monreal being available."

Wenger also revealed that goalkeeper David Ospina is fully fit, with Tomas Rosicky expected to rejoin training next week, before confirming that long-term absentees Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny and Mikel Arteta all remain out.

"Ospina is back in full training and Rosicky should be back next week," Wenger concluded.

 

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Sergio Ramos misses Real Madrid training ahead of Club World Cup final

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos took no part in training on Thursday ahead of the European champions' Fifa Club World Cup final against San Lorenzo on Saturday.

Ramos scored the opening goal in Real's 4-0 semi-final win over Mexican side Cruz Azul on Tuesday before later being replaced by Raphael Varane due to a muscle injury in his thigh.

He was not among the group of 21 players assembled at the Stade de Marrakech on Thursday morning as Carlo Ancelotti put his side through their paces before Saturday's match. Instead, he remained at the team's hotel base to take part in a recovery session.

Despite the knock, Ramos is optimistic of recovering in time for the final. "I'm not in too much discomfort and hopefully it's nothing serious," he told the press on Tuesday. "I hope to play in the final. This the only competition I have yet to win."

All Real's other stars took part in the training session with Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema among those present.

 

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This Chelsea squad can make history - Cech

Petr Cech believes the current Chelsea squad has the potential to become one of the greatest in the club's history.

Jose Mourinho's men top the Premier League with 39 points from 16 matches and have lost just once in the top flight this term, against Newcastle at St James' Park earlier this month.

Tuesday's 3-1 victory at Derby County also put the London club through to the semi-finals of the League Cup, where they will meet Liverpool home and away for a place at Wembley.

An unprecedented quadruple is not out of the question, with Chelsea set to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League and Watford in the FA Cup third round.

And Cech, who has largely played second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge this term, has challenged the team to live up to their potential by securing silverware.

"This team has the potential and the quality to become one of the best teams in Chelsea's history if it proves it by winning the trophies," the 3v 2-year-old told reporters.

"But I keep saying you can only judge teams at the end of the season when you see how much the team achieve.

"In this moment, we have been doing remarkably well but we have no trophy in our hands. So let's see what's going to be the case at the end of the season.

"We want to win as many games as possible, as many competitions as possible, then let's see what it's going to bring us.

"It is difficult to know how many of them you can actually manage to win.

"You cannot say, 'We leave this competition, we chase that competition' because in the competition you pick you have one unlucky game and you have nothing. So you can't treat competitions like that.

"We progressed in the Champions League, our aim, we've progressed in the League Cup, we are top of the league. So far we are doing well."

 

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I don't know where Reus would fit in at Real Madrid - Florentino Perez

Florentino Perez has revealed that Real Madrid are interested in signing Marco Reus, though he has doubts over where his place in the team would be.

The German forward has been the subject of intense speculation over his future at struggling Borussia Dortmund with los Blancos and rivals Barcelona believed to be battling it out for his signature, while it has been revealed that Manchester City are also in the race.

However, the president of the Madrid club has admitted that no signings will be made until the end of the season, when he expects Cruzeiro's Lucas Silva to join, and he is unsure who would make way for the 25-year-old.

"We follow Reus, as we follow other great players. As a coach, I do not know who would be removed to make room for Reus," Perez told Marca.

"Except for extraordinary circumstances, no signings will be made in the January transfer window and now there is nothing.

"If Lucas Silva has to come, it will be in normal circumstances at the end of the season."

The 67-year-old also lavished praise on current coach Carlo Ancelotti, who he hopes to tie down to a new contract once the current campaign is over, before speaking of his unerring passion for the Madrid club.

"Ancelotti treats his players like family, and it shows," he added.

"We will be happy to renew Ancelotti. There will be no problems with the renewal of Ancelotti, which we will discuss at the end of the season.

"We all change but I have the same enthusiasm with which I arrived in 2000. I have a responsibility to make Real Madrid the best club of the century."

Los Blancos face South American champions San Lorenzo in the final of the Club World Cup in Morocco on Saturday.

 

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AC Milan can qualify for Champions League, says Diego Lopez

Diego Lopez feels that AC Milan have the quality to secure a top-three finish in Serie A this season.

The goalkeeper joined the Rossoneri from Real Madrid in August and has established himself as the first-choice No.1 despite spending a month on the sidelines shortly after signing.

Having beaten Napoli at the weekend, Milan moved to within two points of third-placed Lazio, and the 33-year-old now believes his side can push on and challenge for a place in next season's Champions League.

"Yes, of course [we can finish in the top three], but it will be tough. There are plenty of teams who have Champions League ambitions," Lopez said to Tuttosport.

"Napoli remain perhaps the most credible rival, but Inter and Fiorentina are ascending. Genoa and Lazio are also playing very well."

With the aim set out, Lopez feels that the Rossoneri's trip to face second-placed Roma on Sunday provides them with an opportunity to test themselves against one of the league's best and improve as a team.

"For us it will be a great opportunity to continue on the path of growth," he added.

"After beating Napoli, we will have to go to the Olimpico and look for three points. It will not be be easy, but we will try even though we face a team that will fight Juventus for the title until the end."

The keeper has not conceded in his last three outings, and he harbours hope that playing consistently for the Serie A outfit will enhance his chances of earning a place in the Spain squad.

"The national team? I was unfortunate, with [Iker] Casillas, [Victor] Valdes, [Pepe] Reina and [David] De Gea.

"Maybe playing with continuity in Milan will help me go to the Euro 2016."