..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

'Guardiola is undermining referees'

A former referee has hit out at Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola and says his touchline antics are undermining match officials.

The former Barcelona boss sparked controversy after sprinting down the pitch to protest with assistant referee Markus Hackers by the corner flag on Tuesday after an own goal was disallowed in the 1-1 draw with Schalke in the Bundesliga.

Just minutes later Guardiola was celebrating when Arjen Robben opened the scoring with a header, prompting the Spaniard to pump his fists in delight and then hug the same official, though his joy was eventually extinguished when Benedikt Howedes equalised soon after.Ex-referee Urs Meier, who took charge of the 2002 Champions League final, saw the incident unfold and says Guardiola's behaviour has over-stepped the mark.

"It is disrespectful," he said in his column for Focus Online. "With these actions Guardiola undermines the authority of referees and makes them look ridiculous. It is an absurdity."

The 44-year-old is yet to taste victory in 2015 after the shock 4-1 defeat to Wolfsburg last Friday was followed by Tuesday's draw.His side will have another chance to get their first three points of the year on the board when they travel to Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inzaghi won't be sacked - Galliani

Filippo Inzaghi will remain AC Milan coach even if he cannot seal a return to European competition, the club's vice-president Adriano Galliani has insisted.

Victory against Parma last time out in Serie A was Milan's first victory since the league's resumption in January, but was only enough to take them up to eighth place.

They remain five points adrift of a European spot, while any hopes of securing continental football through the Coppa Italia were ended in the quarter-finals by Lazio.

Reports of Inzaghi's impending sack have been rife in Italy, with suggestions he has been tasked with securing a Europa League place at minimum - or pay with his job.But Galliani is sure that Inzaghi will be given time to prove his worth after discussions with club supremo Silvio Berlusconi.

"The president called Inzaghi and myself after he read the reports," Galliani said at an event to welcome January signings Mattia Destro, Gabriel Paletta and Salvatore Bocchetti to Milan."What was written was the opposite of what he thinks. He said that Pippo will get experience, none of us has ever said that he won't stay.

"Inzaghi has a contract for next year, and there are no ultimatums. There are 17 games left, we'll try do well, I still don't understand this team."Destro also spoke at the presentation and was glowing in his assessment of Galliani after the CEO was pictured having travelled to the striker's house in Rome to secure a deal.

"Milan are Milan, there was no convincing needed," Destro beamed. "I want to do well, and this is the perfect place to do it."There were a lot of things which were important in me coming here, but I think Galliani's gesture is the thing that meant the most to me. When they told me, I was in disbelief.

"It's nice that he came to Rome to meet me. He's a very important person in the world of football, and it's good that he'd do something like that for me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wilshere reacts to shisha controversy

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has responded after a picture of the midfielder holding a shisha pipe emerged, by posting a video of him training on social media.

The 23-year-old has been photographed smoking cigarettes on two previous occasions, outside a nightclub in 2013 and at a Las Vegas pool party following England's exit from the World Cup last summer.

Goal understands Arsene Wenger is set to reprimand Wilshere over the offense after publicly criticising the player in the past for similar misbehaviour.

Wilshere, who is currently recovering from ankle surgery, has responded to the reaction to the image of him holding a shisha pipe by posting an image of him training.

Wilshere's team-mate, Wojciech Szczesny, was fined £20,000 in January after smoking in the changing rooms following defeat to Southampton on New Year's Day, and has not featured in the Premier League since.

Last summer, Wilshere vowed to learn from his "mistake" after accepting that his actions were "unacceptable", saying in July: "The smoking? Of course I regret it. I've been seen before doing it.

"I said then I made a mistake and I have made a mistake again. People make mistakes.

"I'm young and I'll learn from it. I realise the consequences it has and the effect on kids growing up. I have kids myself and I don’t want them growing up to think their dad smokes and it’s OK for a footballer to smoke because it’s not.

"It's unacceptable and I will accept the consequences and I will move on."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I won't resign - Klopp


Wednesday night's shock 1-0 defeat to Augsburg left Borussia Dortmund two points adrift at the bottom of the Bundesliga table, but Jurgen Klopp says there is no chance he will walk away from the club.BVB began 2015 with a 0-0 draw away to Bayer Leverkusen, with the coach revealing his delight at the improvement of his players after the winter break, only to see them crumble in front of their own fans at Signal Iduna Park.

The game was followed by incredible scenes as several players, notably goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller climbed on to a fence behind one of the goals to apologise to supporters and attempt to reassure them the club would recover.Klopp was asked afterwards whether his time in charge was coming to an end, but the 47-year-old, who only last season led BVB to the semi-finals of the Champions League, is adamant he is still the right man for the job.

He said: "My battery is completely full after the winter break and is not empty after just two games. There is no chance I will resign. I am convinced of our mission in the second half of the season."We need to build on the good. We just have to be more brave in all the right moments than we were last night. If we want to shoot. If the shot looks like a cross then we have obviously done something wrong."

Dortmund's woes were compounded by the news that Kevin Grosskreutz will be out of action for six weeks with a torn thigh muscle.Freiburg are the club's next opponents on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

James undergoes foot surgery

James Rodriguez has undergone surgery on a broken metatarsal sustained in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old opened the scoring with a diving header on 12 minutes but was substituted 15 minutes later after picking up the injury.

Madrid announced the break required an operation and James has now gone under the knife in a bid to cure the problem, with the club revealing it was a complete success.

A statement on their website read: "Real Madrid's James Rodriguez has undergone surgery onthe fracture he suffered in the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

"The operation was a complete success and was carried out by Doctor Mariano de Prado under the supervision of Doctor Jesus Olmo, the Real Madrid C. F. doctor."

Madrid offered now timescale for his recovery but early reports have claimed his length of absence is likely to be around two months.

That lay-off would mean the Colombia international will miss both legs of Madrid's last-16 Champions League tie with Schalke and possibly the Clasico clash with Barcelona on March 22.

Sergio Ramos could also be set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring on Wednesday, though the Champions League winners have yet to reveal the full severity of his problem

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rodgers: Sturridge could start against Everton


Daniel Sturridge is pushing to make his return to Liverpool's starting XI in Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton, Brendan Rodgers has revealed.

The England striker spent five months on the sidelines with calf and thigh injuries before making a goalscoring comeback as a substitute against West Ham last week.

Another cameo appearance in the midweek FA Cup win at Bolton Wanderers followed, as Sturridge ramps up his recovery.

Sturridge has six goals in nine career appearances against Liverpool's local rivals, including three in three derby outings - he has not scored more against any other team.

That impressive form could tempt Rodgers into throwing his star striker in from the start, but the Ulsterman remains wary over his fitness.

"Every player wants to play, not just Daniel," Rodgers said. "You go into each game and every player that gets paid here at the football club wants to play.

"Daniel is coming along very well. It's not that he won't start, but we need to analyse that over the next couple of days. We shall see."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Grosskreutz ruled out for six weeks

Kevin Grosskreutz has been ruled out for six weeks due to a torn thigh muscle suffered in Borussia Dortmund's 1-0 defeat to Augsburg on Wednesday.

The Germany international was withdrawn in the 60th minute of the clash at Signal Iduna Park, which saw the visitors hold on to claim all three points through Raul Bobadilla's goal despite Christoph Janker's red card.

And that loss has proven doubly costly for BVB, with Grosskreutz, who can operate on the wing as well as in central midfield and at full-back, reduced to the role of a spectator until March.

"Borussia Dortmund will be without Kevin Grosskreutz for the next six weeks," a statement on Dortmund's official website read."The all-rounder, who was used as a full-back in the game against Augsburg, went off on Wednesday night with a small tear to the thigh muscle.

"The medical department expects that Grosskreutz will be out for about six weeks, so he could perhaps be ready for the Champions League second leg against Juventus on March 18."However there is better news for the Bundesliga's bottom club surrounding full-back Lukasz Piszczek.

Piszczek was kept out of the game against Augsburg after struggling with a problem in training but, ahead of Saturday's trip to Freiburg, coach Jurgen Klopp said: "Piszczek seems to be getting much better."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Boateng receives three-match ban

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has been suspended for three matches following his red card in their 1-1 draw with Schalke on Tuesday.The Germany international was sent off in the 17th minute of the Bundesliga meeting at the Allianz Arena for bringing down Schalke forward Sidney Sam.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting saw his resulting tame penalty saved by Manuel Neuer and Bayern then took the lead through an Arjen Robben header in the 67th minute, only for Benedikt Howedes to equalise five minutes later.That result followed a 4-1 loss at Wolfsburg, and Bayern will now aim to get back to winning ways without Boateng, who will miss Saturday's trip to Stuttgart as well as the league games with Hamburg and Paderborn.

A statement on the German Football Association's (DFB) official website read: "The DFB Disciplinary Board have been advised by the DFB's Supervisory Committee to hand FC Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng a ban of three Bundesliga games for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"Boateng was sent off in the 17th minute by referee Bastian Dankert Rostock of Bayern's Bundesliga game against FC Schalke 04 on 3rd February 2015."The club has 24 hours to request a hearing before the DFB disciplinary board."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pochettino dismisses Lloris to Real Madrid & PSG rumours

Mauricio Pochettino insists Hugo Lloris is "very happy" at Tottenham amid reported interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

The France international signed a new five-year contract last July but his stellar performances for Spurs this season have increased suggestions that he will leave White Hart Lane this summer.

But Pochettino believes the 28-year-old goalkeeper wants to stay and that a move away would not be easy.

"Hugo is happy here with us, he’s very happy," said the Spurs boss.

"It’s difficult for these types of club to get him.

"Hugo is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and I have recognised that in different press conferences in the past. His contribution is magnificent."

The Argentine also insists he is happy to keep Emmanuel Adebayor at the club after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy blocked the striker’s proposed loan move to West Ham on deadline day.

"We’re happy too that he stays here because I think he’s a very important player," Pochettino said.

"We just need to provide him with the tools to improve his game and try to help the team to get their objectives.

"Like all players, we need to try to push them, to train them in a good way and then give them the opportunity to play so they can give their best.

"I have confidence in him, like in other players, and then he needs to try to show that on the pitch."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Koeman: Southampton job is like a holiday

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has joked that he took charge of the club for "a little bit of a holiday".

The Dutchman was responding to quotes attributed to former Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino which suggested Koeman inherited a ready-made team.

But Koeman brushed off the now Tottenham coach's comments, sarcastically thanking the Argentine for making his job easy.

"If the translation of the comments was accurate, I don't know," he said. "But everyone is free in giving his opinions.

"I'm happy at Southampton. Thank you Mauricio, I have an easy job.

"That was the reason I came to Southampton, to have a little bit of a holiday!

"Everything good and organised, good team, good players. I am joking, no comment."

Asked whether the Southampton team was his own, Koeman added: "It's feeling like that.

"We had to make a lot of changes to the team and I think the structure and the organisation in the club makes it easier for the manager.

"Pochettino, late owner Markus Liebherr, director Les Reed - they've been doing a fantastic job with Southampton.

"As a manager, you need those people to work on a good level in a good structure and that's the best quality of Southampton Football Club."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Injured Alexis Sanchez to miss Tottenham game

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed Alexis Sanchez is still not fit enough to return to first-team action and will miss Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham.

The Chile international has excelled since joining from Barcelona, scoring 12 goals and registering seven assists in his 21 Premier League appearances this season.

Wenger, though, will have to prepare for his 45th derby against Spurs without his marquee summer signing, with Alexis still not recovered from the hamstring problem that saw him miss the 5-0 hammering of Aston Villa.

"The latest is that Alexis is not ready," confirmed the Frenchman.

"He is not far away and the Leicester game is a possibility. He is of course very difficult to keep quiet! He is training but it is light training."

There was better news elsewhere, though, with Wenger confirming that Danny Welbeck - sidelined since the turn of the year - will be back in the squad for the trip to White Hart Lane, while Jack Wilshere is also closing in on a return.

"Welbeck is back in the group. Apart from that we have the same squad available as last week," continued the Frenchman.

"Jack is back in full training next week, hopefully from Sunday."

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, though, is still out of action and has yet to return to first-team training, while Serge Gnabry and new signing Krystian Bielik are both expected to feature for Arsenal's Under-21 side against Newcastle on Monday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Sanchez!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton to unveil Hillsborough plaque ahead of Liverpool clash

Everton are to unveil a Hillsborough memorial plaque ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool at Goodison Park.

The disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 people and injured 766 others in 1989, occurred during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Everton fans have put their football rivalry to one side to help their near neighbours over the years, and chairman Bill Kenwright, along with Hillsborough Family Support Group chair Margaret Aspinall, will unveil the new permanent tribute this weekend.

"We take a lot of pride in it," said Everton manager Roberto Martinez. "There's always been a strong bond between the two teams over that tragedy.

"That's going to be a really important moment.

"It'll be great from a human point of view to see the two football clubs in the city together and showing the support that a tragedy like that forces into a really painful experience for everyone."

Aspinall added: "This is a really lovely gesture from Everton, paying tribute to the 96 who lost their lives at Hillsborough.

"I would like to thank Bill and everyone involved, not least the Everton fans who have provided great support to the families over the years."

The memorial had been suggested by Everton fans, including Stephen Kelly, whose brother Michael died in the disaster.

"As an Evertonian who lost my brother at Hillsborough, I have always been grateful of the support from the blue side of the city," he said.

"I hope that when Evertonians look at this they will feel proud of the way we've supported our neighbours."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hummels: It would be a disgrace if BVB players complained about fans' anger

Mats Hummels has admitted that Borussia Dortmund 's fans have every reason to be upset with their side's poor performances in 2014-15 and feels it would be wrong if any of their players were to complain about their supporters' anger.

The Germany international went over to talk to the BVB faithful after their fight against relegation from the Bundesliga suffered another setback against Augsburg on Wednesday.

Dortmund slipped to a 1-0 home loss to Augsburg at Signal Iduna Park, with the visitors claiming all three points thanks to a 50th-minute strike from Raul Bobadilla as they hung on despite being reduced to 10 men when Christoph Janker was shown a straight red card in the 64th minute.Hummels realises Dortmund have not been good enough this season and has insisted the players feel as bad as their fans.

"Our situation has not improved. We were hoping for more after the draw against Bayer Leverkusen. We could have made a step forward versus Augsburg, but failed to do so," the centre-back told the official DFB website.

"I understand the fans' frustration. We all feel the same. We didn't put in a lacklustre performance, but we did not play well either. We always score fewer goals than our opponents and sit last after 19 games.

"It would be a disgrace if one of the players were to get angry with the fans for their reaction."We have to be more efficient. We have created 270 chances this season, yet we sit last in the league table. I don't know what's up. This is a unique situation."

Meanwhile, Nuri Sahin acknowledged BVB are in an incredibly dangerous situation after Wednesday's defeat as Jurgen Klopp's men sit 18th in the Bundesliga table with 16 points from 19 games."The pressure is growing with each defeat. We are all more than aware of it. We are in an incredibly dangerous situation. I could see it in everybody's face after the game," the midfielder told Ruhr Nachrichten.

"We are the only ones who can turn things around, the team, the club, we can and must go out there together."Now there are scenarios in which we could devour each other, but we must move together even more closely.

"It is a fact that only we can change the situation. We must do everything to ensure that we don't go down."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pedro hints at Barcelona exit

Barcelona attacker Pedro has admitted he could leave the club at the end of the season.The Spain international has been at Camp Nou for almost 11 years, winning four league titles and two Champions Leagues amongst a plethora of other trophies.

The 27-year-old has made 20 league appearances this term, but only 10 of those have been starts. While he is tied to the club until 2016, he said the lack of regular playing time is affecting him and suggested he could leave in the summer."I don't know if I will stay at Barcelona," he told reporters.

"For now, I am happy at the club, but you never know what is going to happen tomorrow. I am calm, with my mind set on the club until the end of the season and then we will see what happens after that.

"Not having continuity makes things complicated. It is tough, but what I try to do is help out as much as possible."Pedro also jumped to the defence of Luis Suarez, who has faced significant criticism for his form following a big-money move from Liverpool in the summer.

"You can see Suarez is totally motivated," he added. "It is true that he has had a bit of bad luck but he is having his chances and I am sure he will score many goals for Barcelona. His assists have been very important."

He was then asked about playing alongside Neymar, who is enjoying a fine goalscoring campaign in 2014-15 having netted 15 goals in 18 La Liga games.
"It is a pleasure having Neymar with us," said Pedro.

"He is happy, content with his lot in the team and that is good news for all of us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Salah: Fiorentina a step forward after Chelsea spell

Mohamed Salah is hopeful that his loan move to Fiorentina will prove to be a step forward in his career following a disappointing stint with Chelsea.The Egypt international joined the Serie A club on loan until the end of the season on Monday, with Juan Cuadrado moving in the opposition direction on a full-time basis for €33 million.

Fiorentina have the option to make the move permanent and Salah is determined to become a regular for Vincenzo Montella's men after making just eight appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this season."I am truly happy to be here and I really hope this is a step forward in my career," Salah, 22, told the Viola's official television channel.

"I know that my move to Fiorentina has generated a lot of interest in Egypt and I hope I can do well and help the team succeed."I watched Fiorentina's game at Roma [the Coppa Italia quarter-final win] and I really like the team. I can't wait to get started."

Salah could make his debut for the Serie A club against Atalanta on Sunday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tevez: Juve-Milan still an Italian classic

Juventus attacker Carlos Tevez has stressed that this weekend's game versus AC Milan remains special, even if Filippo Inzaghi's men are no longer a Scudetto candidate.

The San Siro side are currently only eighth in Serie A, trailing the reigning champions by an immense 21 points, yet Tevez has insisted they should not be underestimated on Saturday."We may be up against a Milan side who aren’t enjoying the best of times, but it’s still a classic of Italian football," Tevez told JTV .

"It’s a different game to all the others and we can’t let our guard down. We have to give it everything we’ve got."Tevez then went on to add that he has fond memories of a previous game against the Rossoneri and stressed that Massimiliano Allegri's tactics get the best out of him this term.

"The goal that gave me the greatest thrill was last season’s against Milan at the San Siro. The best in terms of how it came about was my strike against Parma."I feel more comfortable in a 4-3-1-2 because I’m able to fully express myself and enjoy greater licence to roam."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Perrin: I was on Arsenal's shortlist

Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin has discussed his failed move to Arsenal, insisting that Arsene Wenger's side held talks with his agent.

Wenger publicly denied that he was tracking the 29-year-old French centre-back during the January transfer window, with the Gunners eventually agreeing a deal to sign Villarreal defender Gabriel Paulista.

Perrin, though, maintains that he was part of the Gunners boss' shortlist of potential recruits and that he would have jumped at the chance to move to the Premier League.

He told But! Football Club: "There have been serious contacts through my agent. I think I was on a shortlist but not at the top, apparently!

"A move in the [January] transfer window? It's always complicated but it's hard to deny Arsenal.

"I have always said that, if I had to leave ASSE one day, it would be for a bigger club to play in the Champions League. I do not think many players in Ligue 1 would refuse a club like Arsenal."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schurrle: Mourinho made a man out of me

New Wolfsburg signing Andre Schurrle has hailed Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for "making a man out of me".The Germany international joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2013, but failed to secure regular first-team action under Mourinho.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old does not bear any grudges against his former coach and has stressed the former Madrid and Inter boss has taught him the importance of winning at all costs."Mourinho made a man out of me. He makes his players realise that it's all about the result in football," Schurrle told Kicker.

"Maybe the personal aspect is not his main priority, but we are all professionals, not children who need to be cuddled all the time."The versatile attacker then went on to stress that his €32 million asking price does not bring any extra pressure with it, before adding that he is keen to get to know his new team-mates."Expectations have always been high. I don't let stuff like that distract me," he added.

"I have already played with Kevin De Bruyne at Chelsea before and I once got Daniel Caligiuri tickets for a Chelsea game."Schurrle could make his official Wolfsburg debut against Hoffenheim on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi a Barcelona hero, says Pique

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has voiced his admiration for "hero" Lionel Messi and has hailed their understanding on the pitch.

The Argentina international has once more been in sublime form for the Catalans this term, netting 32 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions, and Pique is delighted to be part of the same team as the prolific attacker.

"It’s easy playing alongside Messi because he is a great hero," Pique was quoted as saying on the official Barcelona website."Our understanding is getting better and better on the field."

The defender then went on to discuss Barcelona's ambitions in the second half of the season and stressed that the Camp Nou side want to go far in all competitions they are taking part in."Now the Champions League is coming up, the fixture list is tough but we are looking forward to it and I think we have the chance to do something big this season.

"We just have to keep the same level, keep getting results and get through the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and try to put pressure on Real Madrid in La Liga.
"Meanwhile, we have to keep picking up maximum points ourselves."