..::Football III::..

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International Champions Cup: Chelsea 2-0 Inter Milan

Goals from Oscar and Eden Hazard inspired the Premier League side to victory over Inter, who had Hugo Campagnaro sent off in the second half in the first-ever football match played at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of NFL franchise the Indianapolis Colts.

Chelsea will now face fellow East side opponents AC Milan in New York on August 4, while Inter will do battle with La Liga's Valencia on the same day.
Jose Mourinho's men had been in lethal form in their previous five pre-season fixtures, scoring 14 goals and conceding just three, but it was the Portuguese manager's former employers Inter, who came closest to breaking the deadlock early on Thursday.Fredy Guarin unleashed a volley on goal after 10 minutes of play but the Colombian midfielder, who scored 10 goals in a disappointing 2012/13 campaign for Inter, sent his stinging effort just wide of the post.

The Indianapolis crowd did not have to wait long for the opening goal, however, with Chelsea hitting the front just three minutes later.Inter found themselves caught out in the attacking third and Chelsea took full advantage of a three-on-three situation, with Brazilian playmaker Oscar the beneficiary.

Walter Mazzarri's Inter side almost leveled proceedings seven minutes later but Rodrigo Palacio's long-range effort was tipped away for a corner by Petr Cech.Chelsea were then awarded a controversial penalty in the 27th minute, which was converted by Belgian winger Hazard.Replays showed Victor Moses had been brought down just outside the area but that did not faze Hazard, who doubled Chelsea's lead from the spot.

Chelsea ended the opening 45 minutes with a two-goal buffer and introduced the likes of Mark Schwarzer and Michel Essien after the break.The substitutions added some fresh impetus around the pitch and they almost made it 3-0 early in the second half but Romelu Lukaku's thunderous strike cannoned off the post.

Inter's task was made even tougher just minutes later, when Argentine defender Campagnaro was given his marching orders for a nasty tackle on Chelsea veteran John Terry.Campanaro's dismissal took the sting out of the game, with Inter happy to sit back and avoid any further punishment.

Chelsea had chances to add some extra gloss to the scoreline through substitute Fernando Torres but he was unable to find the net.The result saw the Europa League champions end their two-game losing streak on American soil, having lost twice to Manchester City in May.

 

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hariyatama sure nethi GARETH BALE

Real Madrid say they have agreed a £105m fee with Sours for Gareth Bale. But the Londoners say the deal isn't done as the clubs must still agree on which Real players will move in the opposite direction meya mirror football web adaviyen uputagannak lada bawa karunawen salakanna

 

[Persius]

Bale

Real Madrid have agreed to pay £105million in a part-exchange deal for Gareth Bale.

The Spanish giants were claiming on Thursday night that a staggering, world-record accord had been sealed with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Tottenham insist there is still work to be done though, with the clubs as yet unable to agree on which Real players will travel in the opposite direction as part of the move.

Levy wants any cash offer to exceed the world record £80m paid by Manchester United to Real for Cristiano Ronaldo four years ago, before a player is included.

Real have withdrawn left-back Fabio Coentrao – one of the players they are offering – from their friendly with LA Galaxy claiming “muscle issues”.

But they have dismissed an attempt by the north Londoners to take Spain Under-21 striker Alvaro Morata.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas is a big fan of the 20-year-old, who was the tournament's leading scorer two months ago as Spain lifted the European Under-21 title.



So, too, however, is Real's new coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has also vetoed Spurs’ bid to take their former midfielder Luka Modric - sold to the Spaniards last summer - back to the Lane.

The other player put up by Real in part-exchange, winger Angel Di Maria, does not want to move to London.

Bale is now expected to sit out Tottenham’s away friendly against Monaco on Saturday.

 

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Wenger: Arsenal are working on new signings

 

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Dembele and Vertonghen convinced Chadli to join Tottenham

Nacer Chadli says he was persuaded to join Tottenham by fellow Belgians Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen.

The former Twente winger joined the club in July and could make his first appearance for the club in a pre-season friendly against Monaco on Saturday after training with the squad on their recent tour of Hong Kong.

Chadli has made 14 appearances for Belgium and says compatriots Vertonghen and Dembele played a crucial role in convincing him to move to White Hart Lane.

"They said a lot of good things about Spurs," Chadli told the club's official website.

"They said ‘you have to come’. I was very happy I made the transfer. I’ve already played with them for the national team and we have good contact.

"I expect a lot from myself this year and I hope I can make everyone happy."

Chadli scored twice for former club Twente against Tottenham, as they met in the 2010-11 Champions League.

The 24-year-old was impressed with the experience of playing the London club, and believes it also helped make his mind up about where he would play this season.

"I remember playing at White Hart Lane, we lost 4-1 but I scored the goal for Twente," he said. "I came on after 15 minutes because of an injury and it was unbelievable, the stadium, the feel of the pitch, the supporters [were] so for the team and I liked it.

"Some clubs wanted me this summer but Tottenham Hotspur was the best choice for me and the best club, a club I can fit in to. I played here three years ago for Twente and I was really impressed with the club, the stadium and all the players."

 

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Real Madrid in Atleti’s shadow, says Godin

Diego Godin believes Atletico Madrid’s success in recent years means Real Madrid are now firmly in their shadow.

Diego Simeone’s side won the Europa League and European Super Cup in 2012 before lifting the Copa del Rey last season after beating los Blancos in the final.

As a result, the centre-back now believes Madrid have some catching up to do after they ended 2012-13 trophyless having surrendered their Liga title to Barcelona.

“Now Madrid is in our shadow, for we have won five titles in recent years and this is very hard to accomplish,” he told reporters.

“We went out twice as champions of the Europa League, a tournament that might not be at the level of the Champions League, but it gives prestige to the club and to the players.

“The fans are thankful for Atletico’s titles, which ultimately is the most important thing.”

However, the 27-year-old has acknowledged Atleti still face an impossible task in matching the levels of spending of some of Europe's top clubs, particularly after striker Radamel Falcao joined Monaco for €59 million, but stressed that a unique team ethic can conquer any financial gulf.

He said: “It is difficult to compete against clubs with a high budget, but we are a team and we are characterised as so, and as a team and we become strong and competitive.

"With our weapons we fight against other clubs, but in the Spanish league is difficult to do so for 38 games, as well as play in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. Sometimes the competition is exhausting.

“The first goal we have is to play the Super Cup against Barcelona, the best team in the world. But we want to win. Then we hope to be in second or third position of the Spanish league, which means earning a place in the Champions League. This gives prestige and economic resources to the club.”

 

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Liverpool's Champions League hopes rest on Suarez staying, says Gerrard


Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits that the club's chances of qualifying for the Champions League rest on whether or not Luis Suarez remains at Anfield.

The Reds' top goalscorer is subject to interest from rivals Arsenal, with Goal revealing that the North London club had tabled a bid of £42 million in July.
"I think the only person who knows what's happening is Luis himself," Gerrard told reporters. "He has a huge decision to make and, as his team-mate, I have to show him respect and give him space to make whatever decision he wants to make.

"But I think everyone knows how highly I rate him and how much I want him to stay - and what we can achieve this season basically depends on whether he stays or goes, I believe."

Liverpool have not qualified for the Champions League since finishing league runners-up to Manchester United in 2008-09 and Gerrard admits that the Reds need to be back in the competition if they are to attract the best players.

"It is not the same club I joined because we are not in the Champions League, so it becomes an awful lot more difficult to attract the top players," he observed.

"We need to break back into the top four to get back the pull we had four or five years ago when we were comfortably in the Champions League year in, year out, and challenging to win it."

 

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Pogba aims to emulate Zidane

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has outlined his ambition to emulate Zinedine Zidane in the colours of the Bianconeri.

The France international has emerged as one of the continent's finest youngsters following a promising first season in Italy - which resulted in a Scudetto - after his move from Manchester United last summer.

Zidane won two league titles throughout a five-year spell with the Italian giants before departing for Real Madrid in 2001, and Pogba has revealed he hopes to leave his mark on the club.

He told Corriere dello Sport: "I had a year with this club and am very happy because we won the Scudetto.

"I hope to become as big as Zidane, Lillian Thuram and Didier Deschamps, but I have to work hard to reach their level."

Pogba, who won the Under-20 World Cup this summer, went on to state Andrea Pirlo was the modern-day player whom he hopes to follow the example of.

He added: "Certainly Pirlo! I hope I can do what he is able to do one day."

The Frenchman, whose contract with the Italian giants runs until June 2016, featured 27 times last season for Antonio Conte's men scoring five goals.

 

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Jovetic: I snubbed Juventus to join Manchester City

Stevan Jovetic has revealed that he rejected interest from Serie A champions Juventus in order to join Manchester City.

The Montenegro international moved to the Etihad Stadium from Fiorentina in July for a fee starting at €27 million but the Bianconeri tried their best to stop him from leaving Italy.

Yes, Juventus did want me. They talked with my agent," Jovetic told reporters. "Actually they talked a lot more with him than with me."

Despite the alternative temptation, however, the forward says that he has settled in quickly to his new surroundings.

"Coming to Manchester has been easy," he enthused. "The lads have been really helpful -mainly [Matija] Nastasic, [Aleksandar] Kolarov and [Edin] Dzeko but the others as well."

City were beaten 2-1 by Bayern Munich in the final of the Audi Cup on Thursday following their 5-3 winover AC Milan in the pre-season tournament on Wednesday and, while Jovetic has been pleased with his side's preparations for the new campaign, he is aware that there is more work to be done.

"I've been really pleased with these two matches, of what I consider a very important tournament," he added. "I'm sure we have plenty of room for improvement."

 

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Don't expect too much in Zaha debut season, warns Manchester United legend Andy Cole

Manchester United should not put too much pressure on youngster Wilfried Zaha too early, according to former striker Andy Cole.

The forward arrived at the club from Crystal Palace last January, spending the remainder of the season in the Championship as he helped push the club to victory in their play-off final triumph against Watford.

The 20-year-old has already earned an international cap with England but Cole – who was part of the famous treble-winning side of 1998-99 – has warned fans not to put too much pressure on their new man to perform.

"I think we're all looking forward to seeing Zaha," the ex-Red Devil told the club’s official website.

"He's a young, up-and-coming player and he did extremely well at Crystal Palace last season and most people I've spoken to are looking forward to him playing and being involved this year.

"Of course, there's a danger you can expect too much of him."

The 20-year-old has been a key feature during the club's pre-season tour this summer and fellow treble winner Dwight Yorke believes that Zaha is suited to the club as he plays "the United way".

"To be a United player, the club will have done a lot of research on him," Yorke remarked.

"He's coming into a new setup and new surroundings. On tour, when he came on, he lit up the stadium because he just loves to attack. That's the United way."

 

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Besiktas make Ronaldinho bid

Besiktas president Ahmet Nur Cebi has confirmed the club have made an offer for Atletico Mineiro playmaker Ronaldinho.

The former Barcelona forward, who has less than six months remaining on his current deal, has enjoyed a new lease of life in recent months, prompting speculation a return to Europe could be possible for the 33-year-old.

And the Turkish side's president has revealed he has taken the first step towards making such a move happen.

Cebi told reporters: "We have submitted a bid to Atletico Mineiro and now we are waiting for an answer."

On Thursday, Besiktas coach Slaven Bilic expressed his ambition to lure the former Selecao international to the club.

Ronaldinho, who joined Cuca's men from Flamengo last summer, played a major role in the Brazilian outfit's first ever Copa Libertadores title win last month.

 

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Real Madrid's €115m pursuit of Bale 'makes a joke of FFP', blasts Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Real Madrid's €115 million pursuit of Tottenham winger Gareth Bale "makes a joke" of Uefa's Financial Fair Play regulations.The Frenchman has so far been frustrated in his attempts to reinforce his squad this summer, with Napoli outspending the Gunners for Gonzalo Higuain, while Liverpool continue to hold firm over Luis Suarez.

And when asked about Madrid's potential world-record capture of the Welshman, Wenger struggled to understand how clubs can continue to splash the cash despite Uefa's plans to curb spending."It makes a joke of it,' he told reporters. "It's quite amazing in the year when Financial Fair Play comes in, world football goes completely crazy.

"You wonder what kind of impact and effect it has on the football world. It looks like it has made everybody worse than before."Arsenal have around €80m in transfer funds available to them this summer, and sections of the club's support have grown restless that no big-name arrivals have come through the door of the Emirates Stadium so far.

"If you say we're under pressure to spend money, yes we are," Wenger added."But I feel more under pressure to spend the money in the right way and that's what I'll try to do. We want to spend it if it strengthens our team. Just spending the money is not a quality.

"Spending the money, buying the right players, that's a quality, of course.
"If you can give me names who are better than the players we have currently, I am ready to talk about it."

 

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Newcastle agree fee for Lyon striker Gomis

Newcastle have agreed a fee for Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis, according to the club's president, Jean-Michel Aulas.

The 27-year-old, who has a year left on his contract, had previously failed to meet with Aulas at the end of July for planned discussions on the player's future.

Manager Alan Pardew has been publicly pushing to sign Gomis and, despite concerns over player wages, the club have now settled on a fee worth in excess of €10 million.

"We agreed on Newcastle's offer for an €8m transfer plus €2m in bonuses," Aulas revealed to Le Journal du Dimanche. "The club has come to accept the player's salary claims.

"The deal is now subject to an agreement over the agents fees. I understand there's a problem over the amount and the payment of the fees. Hopefully it would be settled within the next 24 or 48 hours."

The arrival of Gomis - who scored 16 goals last season in Ligue 1 - would make him the Magpies' first signing of the summer under new director of football Joe Kinnear.

 

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Newcastle godak welawata ganne French playersla

 

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Arsenal warn Suarez ahead of potential transfer

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned Liverpool striker Luis Suarez that he will have to behave himself if he completes a move to the Emirates Stadium.

The striker, who will miss the first six matches of the season after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, has been the subject of a bid from the north London club worth £42 million, as revealed by Goal in July.

The Uruguayan missed eight matches of the 2011-12 season for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, and Wenger has stated that any new signings will need to adhere to the "values" of the club in order to retain their reputation on and off the pitch.

"We have values that we want our players to respect, no matter where they come from," he told reporters. "No matter where they come from, we will, of course, be very touchy on that.

"This club has built a reputation, not only during my period here, but during 130 years – and the values that are very important for this club have to be respected by every player, no matter where he comes from. That will be the case with every potential signing."

Despite Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre remaining adamant that the 26-year-old is not for sale, Wenger is hoping that the club's attempts to sign the striker can continue in an "amicable way."

"We will completely respect what Liverpool want to do and we want to do that in an amicable way if it's feasible," he added.

"I'm a great believer that you have to keep as much confidentiality as possible and that is quite difficult in the modern world. We work very hard not only on the case you named [Suarez] but other different cases."

 

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'With De Rossi, Roma's midfield is perfect' - Strootman

Kevin Strootman believes Roma risk disrupting the "perfect" midfield if Daniele De Rossi is permitted to leave the Stadio Olimpico this summer.

De Rossi, who has spent his entire career at the club, has recently hinted he was prepared to remain with the Giallorossi despite interest from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

And Strootman, who completed a €20 million move from PSV last month, believes the decision will prove beneficial to Roma in the long term.

He told Corriere dello Sport: "I am not worried about the competition for places in the squad. It's better that there is competition. There are 24 players and all of them are very good.

"I am in awe of [Miralem] Pjanic when he starts taking command in midfield, and with De Rossi everything is perfect.

"We understand each other and we know how to play together."

Strootman is not the only addition to the club with coach Rudi Garcia, goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis and defenders Maicon and Mehdi Benatia, all joining the Giallorossi.

 

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Real Madrid 3-1 La Galaxy: Isco inspires Blancos to victory

Real Madrid continued their impressive pre-season campaign with a 3-1 victory over LA Galaxy in the International Champions Cup.Substitute Karim Benzema bagged a double and Angel Di Maria netted a first-half goal for Carlo Ancelotti's side, while Jose Villarreal was on target for the Galaxy at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

But it was the performance of new recruit Isco that stole the headlines on Thursday, with the midfielder was instrumental in Madrid's opening two goals and almost scored a goal of his own.The opening five minutes reflected that of a pre-season friendly but within the blink of an eye, Madrid lifted the intensity and almost broke the deadlock in Arizona.

Cristiano Ronaldo rose highest only for his header to cannon off the crossbar, helping to spark the match into action, with the Galaxy almost benefiting from an own goal before fleet-footed midfielder Villarreal saw his attempt pushed away for a corner after cutting past two Madrid defenders.As the California outfit pressed forward, gaps began to appear and Madrid took full advantage for the game's opening goal on 15 minutes.Isco combined with Ronaldo before the Portuguese played in Di Maria, who guided the ball beyond goalkeeper Brian Rowe.

Madrid continued to enjoy the majority of possession, although the Galaxy did come close to drawing level through Juninho, whose ambitious 25th-minute free-kick hit the side netting.Di Maria almost returned the favour to Ronaldo with eight minutes remaining in the first half but the 28-year-old Portuguese forward skied his effort over the bar.

Madrid introduced Benzema at the interval and the Frenchman found himself on the scoresheet five minutes into the second half, courtesy of some more Isco magic.The former Malaga man delivered a wonderful outside of the foot pass that picked out Benzema, who made no mistake from close range.

Isco almost came close to scoring a goal of his own on the hour mark but he was denied by a brilliant save.Despite Madrid's dominance, they were made to work for their victory after Villarreal scored a stunning goal with just over half an hour remaining.Benzema eventually put the result beyond doubt with his second of the match inside the final 15 minutes.

Everton are next up for Madrid at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, while Bruce Arena's Galaxy will face Italian champions Juventus the same day.

 

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Gotze resumes full training

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has received some encouraging news on the injury front ahead of the start of the new Bundesliga season as Mario Gotze has resumed squad training on Friday.

The Germany international, who joined Bayern from BVB for €37 million this summer, sustained a muscular problem in BVB's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid last term and has been out of action since.

Gotze was forced to watch the competition's final from the stands due to his physical problems and also missed the opening weeks of Bayern's pre-season.

Nevertheless, it appears to be a matter of time before the 21-year-old makes his first appearance for the reigning Bundesliga champions following his return to regular training action this week.

The attacking midfielder will not yet feature in Bayern's DFB-Pokal match against Schwarz-Weiss Rehden on Monday and is unlikely to make the match squad for Saturday's Bundesliga opener versus Borussia Monchengladbach.

A comeback in the away match against Eintracht Frankfurt on August 17 could be a realistic target for Gotze, though.

 

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Ancelotti dismisses Modric exit talk

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has moved to dismiss rumours that Luka Modric could leave the club this summer.

The Croatia international moved to the Bernabeu from Tottenham a year ago, but has been linked with a return to the Premier League of late, with Spurs and Manchester United both said to be interested in his signature.

However, the former Chelsea manager insists that the 27-year-old will stay put beyond the end of the transfer window.

"It is not true that Luka will leave. All the players are very happy to be here and working well," he told reporters.

"We have not spoken about any player leaving; it’s not true Modric will leave."

Modric scored a total of three goals in 33 Liga appearances during his maiden campaign for los Blancos.