..::Football III::..

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Borini has no regrets over Liverpool stay

Fabio Borini insists he has no regrets over electing to stay at Liverpool and turn down offers of regular football elsewhere.

The striker has seen first-team opportunities limited since arriving in 2012, and spent the 2013-14 season on loan at Sunderland before turning down a permanent move to the Stadium of Light in the summer.

And despite failing to find the net in 13 appearances across all competitions this term, Borini remains determined to prove his worth to Rodgers.

"I've never regretted staying here," he told the Liverpool Echo. "Yes, I could have left, but I wanted to stay at Liverpool and I'm glad I did. To be honest, I didn't expect to play as much as I have done so far.

"With Daniel Sturridge's injuries, I've played more than I expected. I think I've done okay. I probably should have scored from the few chances I've had, but I'm quite happy with my season so far.

"I won't be leaving this month either. I started the last game and I don't see any reason why I would need to change clubs. I see it as all positive for me."

Explaining his decision to stay, Borini added: "The reason I said no to the clubs who wanted to sign me was that I wanted to play for a top-four club. I wanted to play in the Champions League.

"I don't think you can blame any player for having that kind of ambition. I took into account my football and also my personal life [Borini is engaged to Liverpool model Erin O'Neill].

"That’s why I decided to stay at Liverpool. I have no regrets. This is what I want. It was never about money. If that was my motivation then I would have left for Dubai. I still believe I can be a success at Liverpool."

 

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Di Maria & Wilson pace vital - Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Angel Di Maria and James Wilson will continue to play a big role in his new-look system because of the pace the pair offer in the final third.

The 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton on Sunday, in which United did not muster one shot on target and were accused of slow build-up play, lead to a wave of criticism for Van Gaal and his team.

"Pace is very important," he told MUTV. "Football nowadays cannot be played without pace, therefore for example Wilson and [Angel] Di Maria are very important for me. That's why they play so very much. But of course the last pass is also very important and we have to improve that.

"We have enough pace in our playing style, also in our passing, we have enough pace, we could make passes with high speed, but we have to do it on the pitch, at the right time, and we have to score."

The Dutchman also pointed out that United have lost just once in their last 12 matches, and while Van Gaal admits results are the most important aspect, he says the performance against the Saints proves there is no reason to sound the alarm bells at Old Trafford.

"It's unbelievable that people, most people of the media, are saying this but indeed we have lost once in 12 matches, 0-1, and when you see the game you have analysed that Manchester United was the better team, so it is not so bad," he continued.

"I have read in the papers that I have been nominated for manager of the month, so it is not so bad as some media are writing.

"What I am looking for, what I am analysing, is all the six [away] matches we were the better team, we could have scored and we could have won, but we didn't win, so that is a disappointment, but in the process I have to say that we are always better.

"Even in the game against Southampton, we played away [a 2-0 victory in December], a very lucky game and Southampton was much better, created in the first half three or four chances, but now [Sunday] they haven't created anything and ok they have won, but our process is going up and that's the most important thing."

United have taken just two points from their last three Premier League games, and were also criticised for a failure to create chances against Stoke City on New Year's Day and Yeovil in the FA Cup third round as well as against Southampton, but Van Gaal says there is no issue on that front.

"In recent games...I don't agree. You can say that we have not created too many chances in the last three matches, but before that we played away against Tottenham Hotspur and we had six big chances with the same system, so it's always dependable of the opponent also.

"But I will say that in the last phase of our attack we failed in the last pass and that is the most important pass. I hope we shall improve that in the coming matches."

However, when it was put to the former Bayern Munich coach that his system appears to be working because the team have conceded just seven goals in 11 games, he disagreed: "No, no, because it's not only defensive organisation which you have to judge.

"For example against Southampton we had 60% possession, we were the dominant team, but we lose. The result is always the most important aspect. But of course defensively because everybody was saying that I don't have the right defenders, they cannot write that any more because these kinds of figures are very good."

 

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Injured Nasri out for a month for Manchester City

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Samir Nasri is out for "three weeks to a month" with a calf injury.

The France international has been ruled out of Sunday's clash with former side Arsenal at the Etihad and also looks set to sit out the forthcoming trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on January 31.

However, there was better news for the Premier League champions with captain Vincent Kompany fit again and set to face the Gunners.

"Unfortunately, Samir Nasri has a calf injury so he will not be fit. I think he will be out for around three weeks to a month," he told reporters.

"Vincent Kompany is 100 per cent fit. We have some doubts about Edin Dzeko. We will see tomorrow the squad list.

"It's a very important game. Arsenal are not at the top of the table at the moment but they always have high targets. Both teams play very attractive football so I hope we are going to see a very good match."

Pellegrini also claimed that City would not be dipping into the transfer market again this winter, following the signing of Wilfried Bony, and says he is happy with his squad.

"Well we'll see. We are not thinking of that at this moment, but as I always say the transfer window is until the end of January and we will see what happens in the future but in this moment I think that we have the squad for the rest of the season," he added.

"I don't need to do it. Maybe in February we need to give the squad list to the Champions League, we will see what happens at that moment and we will decide which player will not be in that list."

 

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Reus to Madrid talk 'blatant nonsense'

The agent of Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus has described the latest reports linking his client with a move to Real Madrid as "blatant nonsense".

The 25-year-old has a release clause in his contract allowing him to join any club who meet the €25 million fee stipulated in his deal, which expires in 2017.

Spanish online publication El Confidencial claimed terms had been agreed over the winter break on a five-year deal worth €7 million a year to the player.

But after Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke was forced to quash talk of his imminent departure, the player's agent has now followed suit with a clinical dismissal of the speculation.

Dirk Hebel said: "The report is blatant nonsense."

On Wednesday Dortmund admitted there is nothing they can do to stand in the way of the Germany international if he chooses to depart at the end of the season.

The winger is currently out injured with an ankle injury suffered in the 2-2 draw with Padeborn at the end of November.

But that hasn't stopped him making the headlines after he was caught driving without a valid license in December, resulting in a €540,000 fine - the largest in German history.

Dortmund will be desperate for their star man to make a swift return to action as they bid to surge up the table after ending 2014 second from bottom of the Bundesliga.

 

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Wolfsburg are Bayern's biggest rivals, says Guardiola

Pep Guardiola believes Wolfsburg will prove to be Bayern Munich's biggest rivals in the race for the Bundesliga title this campaign.

The reigning champions hold an 11-point lead over Dieter Hecking's men, yet Guardiola has warned that the title race is by no means decided just yet.

"Wolfsburg will be our biggest rivals," Guardiola stated at a press conference.

"They are also our first opponent after the winter break and I have no doubt about it that they are our main challengers.

"The first three games or so after the winter break will be vital for us. We can build the foundation for another Bundesliga title in these weeks."

The Bayern coach does not see Wolfsburg as his side's only rivals, however, and also expects Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke to challenge for the title, while he is confident Borussia Dortmund will improve after the winter.

"Leverkusen are also a team to be reckoned with with their recognisable playing style.

"And Schalke will only get better in the second half of the season under Roberto Di Matteo.

"I have little doubt that Borussia Dortmund will also bounce back and climb up in the table. They will go up, for sure."

 

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Madrid not in crisis, insists Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos has insisted Real Madrid are not in crisis irrespective of their disappointing results in recent weeks.

The Santiago Bernabeu side have won just one of their last four games since returning from the Club World Cup and were eliminated from the Copa del Rey by rivals Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

Nevertheless, Sergio Ramos feels there's no reason to panic and has urged his team-mates to remain calm as there is still much to play for between now and the end of the season.

"When this club loses two matches, people start talking about a crisis," the Spain international was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"We now need to keep calm and move on. We have to focus on what we can achieve.

"We had a great campaign last season and we are making an effort to keep competing and reach the objectives.

"The season is still long."

Madrid will be looking to return to winning ways when they take on Getafe on Sunday.

 

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'You have to be realistic' - Rodgers urges patience over Sturridge return

Brendan Rodgers has urged Liverpool fans to be patient with Daniel Sturridge as the striker works towards a return to action.

The 25-year-old, who scored 25 goals for the club in all competitions last season, returned to training earlier this week following thigh and hamstring injuries and is edging closer to a first-team comeback, having missed the past four months of action.

Sturridge spent time in America as part of his rehabilitation programme and Rodgers admits the England star is some way short of match fitness, though he hopes his mere presence on the pitch will give his side a significant boost.

"People do have to be more realistic, it will take him time," he told reporters. "First he has to get fit, generally. Fortunately enough his body allows him, he's a naturally fit player.

"He proved that last year when he came back without much of a pre-season and done very well. But there's match fitness, football fitness, so it will take a wee bit of time.

"Just having him on field to begin with will be critical to the team because I think his threat is obvious.

"It's the only way we will get him back up to speed."

Rodgers has refused to give an exact date for Sturridge’s return, though, claiming that the striker's recovery is an "individual thing".

"He's been out so long there's no point putting a time line on it when we don't know exactly what that is," he said.

"He's out on the field, he's working. He was due to come back here towards the final stages of that rehabilitation and that's where he is at.

"Hopefully over the next few weeks he will improve on that."

Rodgers admits the club have recruited experts as they look to find a solution to the injury problems that have plagued Sturridge’s career to date and keep the striker fit for the foreseeable future.

"It's been our job over the last number of months to find that solution for him,” he added.

"We have called in experts from different parts of the world so we are hoping it will allow him to stay fit for longer and a more consistent period. Let's hope it will be the case.

"Hopefully in future all the work we have done, and all he will have learnt, means we will support him, keep him fit and have him available for selection."

 

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Bielik excited to work with 'legend' Wenger at Arsenal

Krystian Bielik has revealed the prospect of playing under Arsene Wenger heavily influenced his decision to join Arsenal but admits he is not ready for a regular first-team role straight away.

The 17-year-old midfielder is due to travel to London on Friday in order to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms ahead of his switch from Legia Warsaw, which will cost in the region of €3 million plus add-ons.

Bielik also had a concrete offer from Hamburg after visiting the club last weekend, where he held talks with the German club's head coach, Josef Zinnbauer, about a potential move.

When asked why he chose to join Arsenal ahead of the Bundesliga side, Bielik told Gazeta Wyborcza: "First of all, because of Arsene Wenger. He is a legend, 'The Boss' as they call him at Arsenal.

"In Hamburg, the team has a very young coach and their target for this season is to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga. This also had an impact.

"Yes, Zinnbauer assured me that in the new season he would be putting emphasis on the young players, but such plans could be risky. Things may go the wrong way.

"Certainly it will be harder for me to get through at Arsenal. But if I succeed in three or four years, I will be at the footballing top. After all, this is one of the best clubs in Europe and certainly better than Hamburg.

"I'm going to London to fulfil my dreams. I want to prove to the manager that he did not make a mistake by signing me. But it does not mean that my goal is playing in the first team right away. I'm not ready yet."

When asked if he is apprehensive ahead of his switch to Arsenal, Bielik replied: "Only a fool would not be. Of course I am.

"[It's] nothing major. I believe in my skills, but I'm going to a new place, a big club and I do not really know what to expect.

"They will certainly be ups and downs. But I already experienced some of them despite my young age."

 

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Everton striker Eto'o set for Sampdoria switch

Everton striker Samuel Eto’o is set to complete a move to Sampdoria, according to his agent.

The 33-year-old was left out of Everton’s FA Cup third-round replay at West Ham on Tuesday, after which Roberto Martinez admitted the player’s future at Goodison Park was in doubt and that the club had received offers for the former Cameroon international.

Eto’o’s representative, Claudio Vigorelli, has now revealed the striker is on the verge of returning to Serie A after declining a late offer from Brazilian side Santos.

"Eto'o has chosen Sampdoria, he's motivated,” Vigorelli told Il Secolo XIX.

“An offer from Santos also arrived which had better economic terms but he is not interested.

“His family lives in Milan and he dreams of the warmth of a place like Genoa to end his career. He will live in Genoa, he’s a great professional and wherever he’s played he’s done well.”

Eto’o joined Everton on a free transfer from Chelsea last August and has scored four goals in 20 appearances.

 

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Van Gaal's system gives Manchester United possession, not goals - Scholes

Paul Scholes believes Louis van Gaal's divisive 3-5-2 system is helping Manchester United keep the ball but stunting their ability to score goals this season.

Van Gaal has reverted back to the formation that worked with Netherlands in last summer's World Cup since arriving at Old Trafford, despite a perceived lack of quality or numbers at centre-back.

United lie fourth in the Premier League, having scored a respectable 34 goals in 21 games this season, but the illustrious trio of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao have scored just 19 between them, while no one in Van Gaal's squad has yet reached double figures.

On Sunday Southampton claimed their first league victory at Old Trafford in 27 years despite enjoying just a 39 per cent share of possession, with Dusan Tadic scoring from the only shot on target for either side.

And Scholes is adamant that Van Gaal's persistence with the 3-5-2 is responsible for the disparity between possession and goal threat, arguing it deprives United of the wing attacks that traditionally makes them so dangerous.

"In a 3-5-2 formation, that width is just not there for United," the former Red Devils midfielder wrote in a column for the Evening Standard.

"Luke Shaw is an orthodox left-back being asked to play wing-back. Antonio Valencia has lost some of that great pace he once had, and it is more difficult for him to get past players when his starting position is so deep.

"There is no doubt that 3-5-2 helps you keep the ball. The three centre-halves and the three central midfielders can pass it around to their heart's content. The problem comes when you try to hurt teams in attacking areas.

"You can have all the possession you like, but if you are not creating "2 vs 1" situations where you outnumber your opposition and get behind them, then you are not going to score enough goals."

 

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Pepe suffers bruised ribs

Real Madrid defender Pepe has suffered bruising to his ribs following his side's Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

The Portugal international featured from the start in the 2-2 draw but was forced to leave the pitch around the hour mark after going to ground following a free kick.

Pepe underwent further examination after the game and tests have revealed that the 31-year-old has sustained bruised ribs.

"Following tests carried out on Pepe by Real Madrid's medical services at the Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja, he has been diagnosed with bruised ribs," a statement on the Madrid website reads.

"His progress will be monitored."

It's unclear as of yet how long the defender will be out of action, but he seems unlikely to be fully match fit in time for the upcoming La Liga game against Getafe on Sunday.

Pepe was replaced by Raphael Varane against Atletico, with Carlo Ancelotti likely to turn to the France international again on Sunday in the absence of the Portuguese defender.

Two goals from Fernando Torres sealed the 2-2 draw on Thursday that booked Atletico's quarter-final date with Barcelona after a 4-2 aggregate win.

 

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Garcia rules out Destro exit

Roma head coach Rudi Garcia has no intention of letting striker Mattia Destro depart Stadio Olimpico during the January transfer window.The Italy international has found playing time hard to come by this season and has started just seven of the club's 18 Serie A matches, scoring four times.

Subsequently, the former Siena man has been linked with an exit during January and speculation has suggested Milan are interested in striking a deal.

However, Garcia is adamant that Destro is not for sale and stated he will be important in Roma's assault on the Serie A title in the second half of the campaign.
"Mattia Destro is vital, he'll score goals for us," he said.

"I'm counting on him for the second half of the season. My squad has been specially constructed to deal with all the commitments we have during the season."
Garcia also refused to be drawn on the spat between Roma president James Pallotta and Lazio counterpart Claudio Lotito over the past week.Lotito is reported to have told Roma to keep the "club's books in order" in reference to a Uefa investigation into their Financial Fair Play regulations.

That drew a strongly worded response from Pallotta and Garcia insists Roma will not back away from the argument."Lotito? I don't want to waste time on that," he added.

"The directors have already responded. We won't back down, not even an inch."Roma sit three points adrift of leaders Juventus and could go level by winning at Palermo on Saturday, as Massimiliano Allegri's side do not play until Sunday.And Garcia wants to see an improvement in Roma's away form at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

"I expect the players to always give 100 per cent and to have the same ambitions as their coach," he said. "We need to give everything until the last second to get the three points against Palermo."Away from home we need to make up for lost points so we go to Palermo to win."

 

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Van Gaal issues Falcao ultimatum: You have to prove yourself

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has issued an ultimatum to Radamel Falcao by insisting that the striker still needs to prove himself at Old Trafford.

The Colombia international has scored three goals in 13 appearances following his arrival on loan from Monaco but failed to make Van Gaal's matchday squad on Sunday as United slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Southampton.

Falcao denied reports which claimed he stormed out of Old Trafford after being left out but Van Gaal refused to elaborate on the player's reaction following his omission.

"That is not for you, it's not for the media. It's for between a player and his manager. I'm sorry," said the Dutchman, who also refused to confirm whether the striker will feature against QPR on Saturday.

"You have to wait and see, because when I say that a part of my line-up is known and then I make it easy for my opponent, and I don't want to make it easy," said the United boss.

Van Gaal's latest assesment of Falcao's performances is a stark contrast to his initial sentiments about the 28-year-old, after the United boss claimed that the striker had proved his form and fitness during his debut training session in September.

When asked about the intrigue of Falcao's high-profile arrival at Old Trafford, Van Gaal replied: "For the manager that is not so interesting. For the manager it's the quality of the training sessions, the quality in his performances in matches, and he has to compare.

"You have a gameplan. I have already explained it after the match against Southampton, and it is always the same explanation.

"If a player costs £95 million or £5,000, it's not any difference for me. It's difficult to understand for you, I believe. Because it is never the second question or the third question but it's like that. You have to prove yourself.

"And a player of £95m has to prove himself also, and when I'm not like that maybe he has less motivation, so I have to be like that, but for the outside world it is difficult."

 

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Allardyce eyes permanent West Ham deal for Song

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is hopeful of landing midfielder Alex Song permanently when his loan deal expires at the end of the season.

Song is reportedly attracting the attentions of both Liverpool and Manchester United, but Allardyce insists the Hammers have the financial clout to compete for his signature.

"There are a considerable amount of funds available next season," he said. "We can't be spending that this season because we are at the extreme of that budget but next season is a completely new budget.

"It depends what Barcelona are looking for and what Alex is looking for and those negotiations will happen in and around that period."

Allardyce also insists he has no fears regarding the future of on-loan full-back Carl Jenkinson.

Parent club Arsenal have been left short at the back following an injury to Mathieu Debuchy, but the West Ham boss does not believe Arsene Wenger has the option to recall Jenkinson.

"I'm 99 per cent sure he's ours for the season," he added. "I don't think there is a call-back clause this month."

 

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Guardiola: Torres perfect for Atletico

Former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola believes that Atletico Madrid have hit the jackpot by bringing Fernando Torres back to the Vicente Calderon.

Torres left La Liga for Liverpool in 2007, one year before Guardiola famously took the reins at Camp Nou, and returned earlier this month on loan from AC Milan having flopped at San Siro and Chelsea before that.

Football pundits and fans were split over whether Torres would burden another club with his lack of goals, but he stunned arch-rivals Real Madrid on Thursday by scoring a double to knock the holders out of the Copa del Rey at the last-16 stage.

Guardiola, who now coaches Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, believes that the Spain international is perfectly suited to life under Diego Simeone's wing in Madrid.

"Torres is a crack player, he knows Atletico are the club of his heart, and he's perfect for them," Guardiola told reporters from Bayern's winter break training camp in Doha.

"Simeone likes to play counterattacking football and Torres fits perfectly into the club and their system."

Guardiola also highlighted Atletico as one of Bayern's five biggest rivals for the Champions League this season, alongside holders Real Madrid, his former club Barca, Jose Mourinho's Premier League table-toppers Chelsea and cash-rich French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

"Atletico, Barca and Real Madrid can complicate things at Bayern in Europe," he added. "Chelsea are also going to fight, perhaps PSG and, of course, we'll be up there too."

Bayern have been drawn in the last 16 of the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk, while they are back in competitive action on January 30 versus second-placed Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

 

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Redknapp: My job doesn't rest on QPR beating Manchester United

Harry Redknapp has laughed off claims that Saturday's clash with Manchester United is a pivotal to his future at QPR.

The Rs currently sit second bottom, two points off the foot of the table and have lost all 10 of their away matches so far this season - a Premier League record - but Redknapp dismissed speculation over this job.

"The journalists could have picked an easier game for me," he joked. "No, seriously, I take no notice of that.

"I've got a great relationship with the owner and the shareholders, but if they want to take a change of direction then that's their decision.

"There's nothing I can do about that - whatever they do, they do. There's no point losing sleep. I spoke to [chairman] Tony Fernandes yesterday, and all week, and he mentioned nothing of that nature to me."

Redknapp, speaking at a news conference on Friday, also revealed out-of-favour winger Shaun Wright-Phillips had turned down numerous opportunities to go on loan to Championship clubs.

"We've offered Shaun the chance to go out on loan, but he's not wanted to go," he added. "I think he needs to move on and play - I've told him that many times.

"I think he needs to move on, but he's not going to move when he's on a fantastic contract. It is not the boy's fault. If someone wants to give you a lot less money, you're not going to move are you?

"Blackburn, Bolton, maybe Charlton, they've come in for him and he didn't want to know. He doesn't want to go on loan."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2015.01.17 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2015.01.17 Fixtures

Aston Villa Vs Liverpool

Burnley Vs Crystal Palace

Leicester City Vs Stoke City

QPR Vs Manchester United

Swansea Vs Chelsea

Tottenham Vs Sunderland

Newcastle United Vs Southampton

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