..::Football III::..

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Tottenham boss Villas-Boas targets four new signings with Bale cash

Tottenham plan to use a significant percentage of the world record transfer fee offered by Real Madrid for Gareth Bale to recruit four new players, Goal understands.

Andre Villas-Boas is to ask for a left-back, centre-back, winger and a striker - all in addition to a deal agreed for Spain international Roberto Soldado.

The Premier League club values Bale at €115 million, a price Madrid have told Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy they are prepared to meet during recent discussions over a transfer. With Bale's team of advisers intent on moving the 24-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu as soon as possible, negotiations are now centred on how the deal transfer will be structured.

Levy's preference has been for a one-off cash payment, a condition which would be extremely difficult for Madrid to finance at present. An alternative is for a proportion of the headline €115m figure to be made up of players.

Fabio Coentrao, who is unhappy at the Bernabeu and has sought a move back to Benfica, and Angel Di Maria, whose place in Madrid's attack is threatened by Bale's planned acquisition, have been floated as potential makeweights.

Both, however, carry high salary packages and valuations at Madrid. Spain Under-21 striker Alvaro Morata is a further option, though Florentino Perez is under political pressure not to move on one of their squad's few homegrown players.

While Villas-Boas went into a critical transfer window expecting to retain Bale following direct conversations with the Wales international and a commitment from Levy that the player would not be sold, the Tottenham manager is understood to have accepted that Madrid's offer to meet the unprecedented €115m asking price is impossible to refuse.

Tottenham have already broken their own transfer record twice this summer, first committing close to £17m to the transfer of Brazil midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians, and then agreeing to pay Valencia €30m (£26m) for Soldado, their prolific centre forward.

Both players were requested by Villas-Boas, who also successfully pushed for the recruitment of Belgium forward Nacer Chadli.

The club also offered €18m for Bernard earlier in the window, but have since dropped their interest in the diminutive Brazil attacker. Atletico Mineiro are now expected to sell the 20-year-old to Villas-Boas' former employers, Porto, though Shakhtar Donetsk have also made a move.

 

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Rooney fears fan backlash as Manchester United exit push gathers pace

Wayne Rooney fears a backlash from the Manchester United fans if the club continue to block his desired move to Chelsea this summer, Goal understands.

The 27-year-old is understood to remain determined to leave United and came face-to-face with manager David Moyes on Thursday for the first time since his early exit from the club’s pre-season tour on July 11.

Chelsea are expected to make a second bid for Rooney in the coming days after the Londoners’ initial £20 million offer was rejected out of hand by United.

Rooney is scheduled to further talks with Moyes over his future as he looks to push through a move to Chelsea, where he will be offered a contract worth around £200,000-a-week.

And one major factor in Rooney’s desire to leave is his concern that the United supporters have turned against him, not least because of former boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s claim that the striker submitted a transfer request, which the player denies.

The striker's immediate concern is the club's trip to Scandinavia, with the former Everton man due to travel with the squad for the next pre-season friendly in Stockholm, Sweden on August 6 - should he recover from a hamstring injury.

That will be Rooney's first appearance in front of the United faithful since he endured boos during the club's Premier League title trophy parade.

Goal first revealed in May that Rooney was ‘hell bent’ on leaving United after eight years at the club and feels he has no future at Old Trafford as he looks for a fresh challenge.

Rooney remains Chelsea’s number-one target as Jose Mourinho looks for a top class forward, with sources suggesting that the saga surrounding the England star’s future is likely to continue until the final week of the window.

Rooney made it known that he was “angry and confused” after quotes from Moyes emerged suggesting he would be kept at Old Trafford simply as back-up to Robin van Persie.

Moyes has since clarified his comments to Rooney in telephone conversations, with the relationship between the pair described as ‘amicable’ by club sources and the former Everton man due to travel with the squad for the next pre-season friendly in Stockholm on August 6.

Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, has also suggested that the club would not open talks to extend Rooney’s £250,000-a-week contract, which expires in 2015.

While United are prepared to listen to offers for Rooney, despite Moyes’ insistence the player is not for sale, they are keen to land at least one major signing before contemplating the sale of the striker.

The Premier League champions are still to table a third and final offer of £35m for their top target, Barcelona playmaker Cesc Fabregas, as Moyes tries to improve his central midfield. Marouane Fellaini of Everton and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric are being considered as alternatives.

 

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Barcelona: We will sign one more player this summer

Sandro Rosell has revealed that Barcelona are not done in the transfer market just yet and want to make one more signing before the window closes.

The Catalans have so far only secured the services of Neymar from Santos in a deal worth €57 million, but they are keen to add to their squad in the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Barcelona have been linked with a number of centre-backs in recent months, including Thiago Silva, Mats Hummels, Daniel Agger and David Luiz, but they have so far refused to comment on any potential transfer targets.

"We want to add one more player to our squad before the end of the transfer window," the Barca president was quoted as saying by Sport.

"However, it's important to acknowledge that you cannot always get the player you want as some clubs simply don't want to sell."

Barcelona confirmed on Thursday that they have extended Cristian Tello's contract while they also say Alexis Sanchez is not for sale.

 

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Barcelona 8-0 Santos: Blaugrana savage Brazilians in eight-goal rout

Barcelona won the 48th edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy in style, thumping Santos 8-0 at Camp Nou.

Strikes from Lionel Messi, a Leo own goal, Alexis Sanchez and Pedro put Barcelona firmly in control at the halfway mark before second half goals from Fabregas (2), Adriano and Jean-Marie Dongou gave the Catalan side the biggest-winning margin in the tournament's history.

Gerardo Martino was able to welcome back Barcelona's Confederations Cup stars and he named a strong starting XI. Summer signing and former Santos icon Neymar started on the bench, as did Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas.

Barcelona dominated from the first whistle and it only took nine minutes for Messi to get his name on the score sheet when he pounced on a mis-kick from Pedro, before rounding Aranha and stabbing the ball into the empty net.

Claudinei Oliveira's side were struggling to contain the runs of full-backs Jordi Alba and Dani Alves, and it was the Brazilian who turned provider for the second just two minutes later, as his inviting cross was deflected into his own net by 38-year-old defender Leo.

Sanchez has enjoyed a fine pre-season so far and he made it three on 22 minutes when he latched onto Messi's precise through ball before casually rolling the ball past Aranha's outstretched arm and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Barcelona were at their tiki-taka finest and by the half-hour mark they were out of sight as Pedro reacted quickest to poke Alba's drilled low cross into the net from a few yards out.

Santos rarely threatened and their only shot of the first half came from right-back Rafael Galardo, with his ambitious long-range effort flying high over the crossbar and greeted with ironic cheers from the home crowd.

Barcelona made eight changes at half-time but that did little to disrupt their free-flowing attack and Fabregas made it five on 53 minutes by smashing Sanchez's neatly-threaded pass beyond substitute goalkeeper Vladimir.

The former-Arsenal man then claimed a second on 68 minutes. He was picked out on the edge of the box wonderfully by Neymar before coolly finishing into the top left-hand corner. There was to be no home debut goal for the Brazilian but the Blaugrana faithful were nonetheless delighted with the performance of their new signing.

Fabregas was denied a hat-trick when his curling free kick struck the inside of the post before Adriano scored the pick of the goals with a sublime effort into the top corner from outside the area.

With seven minutes remaining, 18-year-old Cameroonese striker Jean Marie Dongou ensured it was an unforgettable debut for Martino as he converted Fabregas' precise low cross to make it eight.

 

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Martino: Fabregas must decide

Tata Martino remains optimistic that Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas will stay at Barcelona, but concedes that 'the player also has to decide'.
Fabregas has been the subject of two failed bids from United so far this summer and reports have claimed that the Premier League champions are considering lodging a third offer of £35million.Barcelona have previously insisted that Fabregas is not for sale and that all bids for the former Arsenal captain would be rejected.

New Barcelona coach Martino has discussed the issue with Fabregas and confirmed the Spain international is a key part of his plans for the coming season."I have spoken with Cesc and he told me what he thought," Martino told a press conference after Barcelona thrashed Santos 8-0 to win the Joan Gamper trophy on Friday night.

"The idea of not counting on him doesn't enter my mind, but the player also has to decide."I dare to say that he will stay."The 26-year-old's team-mate Javier Mascherano told Sky Sports News earlier this week that he believes Fabregas is happy at the Nou Camp.

"I didn't talk to him but I think he is happy," said Mascherano. "It is difficult when you have to speak about the personal situation of other players because sometimes you don't know what they think."I see him here training and he is happy. He grew up in Barcelona and feels the call of the shirt.

"It is difficult when you grow up here to leave because Barcelona is a big team, a big city, really nice to live in and all his family is here."I think he is a really key player for us and I think the coach and the people who work here want to keep him."Alex Song, who also played alongside Fabregas at Arsenal, recently expressed his confidence that the midfielder will be staying at Barcelona.

Talking to Sky Sports News last week after Barcelona's friendly defeat at Bayern Munich, Song told Sky Sports News "I did not speak with him but I know Cesc is 100 per cent here."He loves Barcelona, he loves the club. He will stay here next season and give 100 per cent because I know him very well and he'll want to fight. He's focused on the club.

"He wants just to give his best for Barcelona. He's from Barcelona, he loves Barcelona and he'll want to start the season to show what he can do.
"People are talking and talking, but we know he is focused here and ready to start the season. It's my own opinion but I know he will stay here, 100 per cent."

However, United goalkeeper David De Gea says his fellow Spaniard would 'greatly improve' David Moyes' squad."He will have to make the decision whether he wants to stay or join us," De Gea told the Manchester Evening News. "It would be a very good signing and he would help us improve greatly."

Fabregas has been mooted as an ideal replacement for the retired Paul Scholes and the former United midfielder would welcome his arrival at Old Trafford.
"Well, it would be nice to sign a player of that quality," he told Sky Sports News.

"He's proven in the Premier League, obviously he's with Barcelona, it's a big club, it will be difficult to get him away from there."But if you do, you have to fancy your chances strongly that we can go on and be successful with a player like that in your team."

 

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Penawidiyata Fab ge athe thamai final decision 1ka thiyenne

 

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Liverpool 2-0 Olympiakos: Suarez cheered on Anfield return as Reds claim victory in Gerrard testimonial

Liverpool celebrated the career of Steven Gerrard with a routine 2-0 win over Olympiakos in the captain's testimonial at Anfield.

Goals from midfielders Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson made it five wins from five for Brendan Rodgers' side during pre-season as a full house saw the home side dominate almost the entire 90 minutes.

Gerrard apart, the loudest cheer of the day was reserved for wantaway striker Luis Suarez, whose future continues to be unresolved despite his wishes to leave the club.

Rodgers again left Suarez on the bench, with the striker suspended for the opening weeks of the Premier League season, and gave Iago Aspas another chance to stake a claim for a starting berth against Stoke on the opening day of the season.

The summer signing from Celta Vigo has shown good form during pre-season, and he should have given the hosts the lead inside five minutes after Allen latched onto a loose pass rom Andreas Samaris before playing the striker in. His shot, though, was straight at Balazs Megveri.

Allen and Aspas were at the heart of much of Liverpool's attacking play, and the pair combined again midway through the first half when the striker's intelligent flick was volleyed over by the former Swansea man.

He made amends seconds later, though, as a mix-up in the Olympiakos defence allowed Lucas to find Aspas on the left, and the forward's centre was perfectly timed for Allen to turn in at the back post.

More chances came and went for the Anfield outfit as Aspas was again denied by Megveri before Allen headed a Gerrard cross wide while the Greek champions failed to test Simon Mignolet during the opening 45 minutes of his home debut.

The pattern of Liverpool dominance continued after the break as Philippe Coutinho fired straight at Megveri while Raheem Sterling went close with a lobbed effort that fell just wide of the post.

Suarez was introduced for the final 30 minutes to loud cheers, but it was fellow replacement Henderson who doubled the advantage as he slotted home with his first touch after Sterling's through ball.

Suarez was busy and drew a number of fouls in his short cameo, though he failed to trouble the goalkeeper in what could be his final appearance for Liverpool at their famous home.

Jose Enrique did test Megveri with a powerful strike before Robbie Fowler, who along with Jamie Carragher returned for the special occasion, almost sent the Kop wild with a sliding effort that was deflected over the bar.

Riberio Machado finally gave Mignolet some work to do with a low effort from distance before the whole crowd stood to applaud Gerrard as he was substituted five minutes from time.

 

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Porto 0-1 Galatasaray: Melo penalty enough for Terim's side to claim opening win

The opening game of the Emirates Cup became a test of nerve from 12 yards as Porto spurned both their chances from the spot, eventually losing to a solitary Felipe Melo penalty as Galatasaray claimed the first points of the weekend tournament.


With three points awarded for a win and one for every goal scored, Fatih Terim’s outfit claimed a valuable scalp in a classic game of two halves.

Galatasaray certainly pleased the neutrals, naming Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba in a close to full-strength starting XI. Porto meanwhile had a familiar look about them as they lined up in the club's traditional 4-3-3 shape with Napoli target Jackson Martinez leading the line.

And it was Martinez who forged the game’s first chance, as he collected an expansive pass down the left channel, before cutting inside Dany Nounkeu and testing Fernando Muslera at his near post.

Porto started the brighter team and Kelvin in particular looked to be the biggest danger to the Galatasaray goal. The 20-year-old Brazilian had already begun to worry Emmanuel Eboue - who received a warm welcome from the home fans - before he glided into the box and drew a clumsy challenge from Aurelien Chedjou.

The penalty, though, was spurned by Martinez who casually stroked it into the arms of Muslera.

Eight minutes later, Sneijder and Drogba combined for the first meaningful time as the Dutchman drilled a pass into his strike partner. Drogba’s slightly fortuitous backheel gave the Ivorian the time and space to line up a shot from 25 yards, but Fabiano flew to his right and palmed behind for a corner.

Galatasaray grew into the half with Nordin Amrabat whizzing forward in support of Sneijder at every opportunity. The Moroccan winger clumsily left a foot in on Fabiano as the Porto goalkeeper plunged at his feet, before later seeing his low cross just cut out before the waiting Drogba could turn home.

Half-time saw a couple of changes for Paulo Fonseca’s side but it almost entirely neutered their attacking potential as Lica offered barely half of Silvestre Varela’s contribution in the first 45.

For all Porto’s impressive first half work, the narrative changed as Drogba upped the tempo and found his rhythm, initially watching his close range finish deflect into the hands of Fabiano, before laying Amrabat’s pass into the path of Sneijder, who fired wide from 20 yards.

Gala were purring, until Fabiano introduced his Harald Schumacher tribute and nearly decapitated Drogba. After lengthy treatment and a shake of the head the Ivorian recovered and came close to opening the scoring from a 25-yard free-kick. Fabiano, though palmed to safety, before some desperate defending blocked Amrabat’s rebound.

Then came the madness, as Andre Marriner pointed to the spot twice more. On the 70th minute, Eboue raced into the box and drew a clumsy foul, allowing Melo to send Fabiano the wrong way and open the scoring.

Then, in the 77th minute Danilo tumbled over Chedjou’s outstretched leg, but Lucho, who has impressed throughout, dragged his spot-kick well wide.

Though Martinez wasted a great chance in the 90th minute, heading a corner straight at Muslera, Porto will look back and rue the missed penalties as their Emirates Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start.

 

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Monaco 5-2 Tottenham: Spurs miss Bale as Falcao inspires hosts to easy win

Tottenham were given a worrying taste of life without Gareth Bale as they slumped to a 5-2 defeat against Monaco in the penultimate match of their pre-season campaign.

Right-back Andrea Raggi opened the scoring at the Stade Louis II with a well-executed volley, before the Ligue 1 outfit upped the tempo in the second half and struck two quick goals through Lucas Ocampos and Radamel Falcao.

Substitute Harry Kane pulled a goal back but any hopes of a comeback were short-lived as Monaco's record signing doubled his tally before Mounir Obbadi bagged the fifth. Substitute Andros Townsend came off the bench to grab a late consolation.

An injury-hit Tottenham squad travelled to the principality without Real Madrid target Bale, sidelined with a gluteal injury and the centre of the summer's biggest transfer saga.

Nacer Chadli was handed his Spurs debut, while the Ligue 2 champions fielding seven summer signings including Joao Moutinho, subject to an unsuccessful approach from the north Londoners last season, and Colombian duo James Rodriguez and Falcao.

The game began at a painfully slow pace in the sweltering heat of southern France, with Falcao's movement and cunning often hinting at troubling out-of-position centre-back duo Zeki Fryers and Jake Livermore, filling in for Spurs' growing casualty list of defenders.

Andre Villas-Boas' woes increased quickly. First Jermain Defoe was forced off clutching his hamstring, replaced by Kane, before the home side opened the scoring.

Rodriguez dropped deep, swivelled and clipped a pass over Danny Rose for the overlapping run of full-back Raggi. The 29-year-old 's first-time volley was well controlled, but Hugo Lloris will be disappointed to have been beaten so easily at his near post.

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco had the ball in the back of the net soon after, but it was ruled out for offside earlier in the build-up. Layvin Kurzawa then sliced a shot wide before Spurs finally had their first effort on goal, as Kane plucked the ball out of the sky and fired wide from 30 yards.

Monaco doubled their advantage minutes after the restart. Nicolas Isimat-Mirin was felled by Chadli, and Moutinho's pin-point free kick was powerfully headed into the back of the net by substitute Ocampos.

The Argentine was involved again barely seconds later as Claudio Ranieri's side launched a quick counter following a bout of profligacy from Kane. Darting down the right flank, Ocampos fizzed in a low cross which Falcao blasted past Lloris and into the roof of the net.

Tottenham were looking rattled, until a surging, bulldozing run from Mousa Dembele and some poor defending from Monaco saw the ball bobble to an unmarked Kane. The 20-year-old steadied himself and rolled the ball under Danijel Subasic.

Ocampos continued to cause Rose problems and, rampaging down the flank once more, hit the by-line and drilled a cross into the box. Moutinho ran over the ball, allowing Falcao to slot the ball home for his second goal.

Having pushed men forward for a dangerously-placed free kick, Spurs were undone by another swift Monaco break. Kyle Naughton was caught three-on-one and was left helpless as Carrasco squared for Obbadi, who drilled the ball past Lloris.

Falcao had a chance to secure his hat-trick late on, connecting with Fabinho's excellent cross, but planted a diving header straight into the arms of Lloris. Spurs substitute Townsend was more clinical, however, darting infield before unleashing a fierce low drive into the bottom corner, though it will have done little to brighten a torrid evening for Villas-Boas' men.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Bordeaux: Alex winner seals Trophee des Champions title

A 95th-minute winner from Alex saw Paris Saint-Germain win the Trophee des Champions with a 2-1 win over Bordeaux.Bordeaux looked to have claimed a surprise win after Henri Saivet had given them the lead, but late goals from Hervin Ongenda and Alex - the latter in the fifth minute of injury time - earned the Ligue 1 champions their first silverware of the new season in a game played in Gabon.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic remained the focal point of the PSG attack, with new signing Edinson Cavani left out of the squad, while former Chelsea defender Alex was favoured over Mamadou Sakho to partner Thiago Silva in the centre of defence.
Bordeaux coach Francis Gillot selected Saivet to lead the line, with Maxime Poundje - who recently signed a new contract with the club - starting at left-back following the departure of Benoit Tremoulinas.

Laurent Blanc's men made the better start to proceedings and forced the first chance of the game as goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso prevented Ezequiel Lavezzi from opening the scoring after the Argentine had capitalised on an error from the Bordeaux defence.PSG continued to force the issue, and they saw another chance go begging as Thiago Silva glanced a header wide from a Thiago Motta free-kick.

The Coupe de France winners did eventually manage to gain a foothold in the game and they took a surprise lead after 38 minutes - Saivet evading the PSG defence to head home Nicolas Maurice-Belay's left-wing cross at the near post.Gillot's charges then held on until the break with little difficulty and it was they who created the better chances at the start of the second half, with Maurice-Belay cutting in from the left only to see his fierce, low effort fly wide of the far post.

Bordeaux continued to frustrate PSG, and their lead should have doubled their lead when Gabon international Andre Biyogo Poko was denied a memorable goal in his homeland, as Salvatore Sirigu produced a fine save to halt a determined solo run from the 20-year-old.Searching for a spark to ignite his side, Blanc opted to shuffle his pack, making three changes in the space of five minutes as Marco Verratti, Kingsley Coman and Hervin Ongenda replaced Javier Pastore, Motta and Lavezzi.

PSG thought they had levelled after 78 minutes, with Ibrahimovic heading in Christophe Jallet's far-post cross, but the assistant referee incorrectly disallowed the goal for offside.That incident proved to be inconsequential, though, as PSG found the equaliser in spectacular fashion three minutes later when Ongenda netted with a sublime first-time finish after latching on to a superb lofted pass from Ibrahimovic.

The contest looked to be heading for a penalty shoot-out as a fatigued Bordeaux clung on in the closing stages, but their resolve was finally broken in heartbreaking fashion in the fifth minute of added time, Alex meeting Lucas Moura's free-kick to direct a powerful header into the bottom corner and snatch a winner.

 

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Everton 1-2 Real Madrid: Ronaldo and Ozil on target as Madrid moves to final

Ronaldo scored Real's first goal in the 17th minute and set up Mesut Ozil for the second just after the half-hour mark as Carlo Ancelotti's team dominated Everton in the first half.

Roberto Martinez's Everton side came back into the match after the break and deservedly got on the scoresheet in the 61st minute through substitute Nikica Jelavic but the men in blue could not manage an equaliser at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.The win takes Real into the final of the pre-season tournament on Wednesday, where they will face the winner of AC Milan and Chelsea.

Real looked the better side in the opening 15 minutes but struggled to beat Everton's offside trap, until a misplaced pass from Seamus Coleman sparked one of the Spanish side's famously brutal counter-attacks.Ozil released Ronaldo in behind Sylvain Distin and the Portuguese forward took a touch around Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and slid the ball home from a tight angle.

Most of Everton's early attacks came down the right-hand side and in the 23rd minute it was the same story as Kevin Mirallas sparked one of the more controversial moments of the match.The Belgian winger went past one Real player before he was tripped on the edge of the area by Sami Khedira.

While the German midfielder was inside the box when he made the tackle, his boot appeared to make contact with Mirallas just outside and the referee whistled for a free-kick instead of a penalty.Just two minutes later and Everton's Marouane Fellaini headed a corner onto the post, while on the half-hour mark Distin's header hit the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Khedira.

Real immediately took advantage of that decision as Ronaldo teed up Ozil to make it 2-0 after a brilliant chipped pass over the top from Luka Modric.The La Liga club held on to their 2-0 lead until half-time but seven minutes after the break Everton almost got on the scoreboard when Mirallas, who was arguably Martinez's best player, found Jelavic in the box but the Croatian striker's back-heel flick did not have enough power to beat Real goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

Jelavic, who came on for Arouna Kone, was causing Real's defence some trouble and just after the hour mark he made it 2-1.A move down the right wing saw Coleman overlap and cross to Steven Naismith at the back post, who headed the ball down for Jelavic to score with his first touch.Everton's goal seemed to spark Real with Daniel Carvajal and Jese Rodriguez forcing Howard into smart saves.

Martinez's team almost equalised with 12 minutes remaining but Phil Jagielka's diving header from Leighton Baines' free-kick looped over the bar and Real held on for victory.

 

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Arsenal 2-2 Napoli: Late Koscielny leveller salvages draw for plucky Gunners

Arsenal fought back from two goals down in their Emirates Cup opener to salvage a late draw with Napoli.

It was a typical Arsenal performance in that individual errors initially cost them, before a rousing late comeback staved off defeat and kept their tournament hopes alive.

Lorenzo Insigne opened the scoring after a mistake from Carl Jenkinson, before Goran Pandev doubled the advantage midway through the first 45 minutes. Olivier Giroud scored a spectacular bicycle-kick beyond Pepe Reina, before Laurent Koscielny's downward header

A more than warm reception from a near sellout Emirates Stadium, gave Arsenal the impetus to start on the front foot, and Serge Gnabry, playing off the right wing, came within inches of opening the scoring in the 3rd minute, bending his left-foot shot wide of Reina’s far post.

Five minutes later, Gokhan Inler’s delicate 30-yard pass to Insigne isolated Carl Jenkinson, who made a complete hash of his defensive header, merely nodding the ball behind him for the pint-sized Italian to latch onto. Insigne made no mistake from 12 yards out, sidefooting past Lukasz Fabianski for the opening goal.

Reina, who was making his Napoli debut, distributed waywardly to Gnabry’s feet and looked well beaten as the 18-year-old clipped a 25-yard lob over the Spaniard, but the effort landed on the roof of the net.

The theme of the day continued in the 15th minute, as Kevin Friend adjudged Valon Behrami’s tackle in the box to be worthy of a penalty, as Kieran Gibbs tumbled - a decision that looked more than a little soft on replays. Reina though, came to Napoli’s rescue, plunging to his left to keep out Lukas Podolski’s spot-kick.

From there, Napoli settled before doubling their lead 20 minutes before half-time. Marek Hamsik tore through the centre of the Arsenal midfield, exposing the backline, before slipping Goran Pandev in on goal. The Bulgarian rounded a hotheaded Fabianski, who came tearing off his line for no good reason, before clipping the ball into the top corner.

To Arsenal’s credit, they kept coming, and Podolski was unfortunate to see Reina tip his low drive behind for a corner. The former Liverpool shot-stopper then reacted well to tip over Per Mertesacker’s header from the resulting corner.

Pantomime boos greeted the introduction of Gonzalo Higuain, who moved to Napoli in July despite intense speculation linking him with a move to the Gunners.

The home side started on the front foot with Jack Wilshere dictating proceedings and the 21-year-old embarked on a typically probing run, assisted by a neat one-two with Aaron Ramsey on the edge of the box. Wilshere, though, could only fire wide of the far post.

After a flurry of substitutions that failed to enliven a half that struggled to get going, it was left to Giroud to bring Arsenal back into the game. The Frenchman showed immense strength to hold off Paolo Cannovaro from a deep corner, and lovely skill to turn an overhead kick at goal that took the merest of nicks off a motionless Bacary Sagna and beyond Reina.

With 18 minutes to play, Rafa Benitez looked to shore up the defence, introducing former Liverpool man Andrea Dossena, who promptly got himself booked for a poor tackle out wide and for the most part it looked as if they would shut the Gunners out.

However with just a few minutes left on the clock, Mertesacker headed Mikel Arteta's free-kick at goal, drawing a splendid reflex save from Reina, but the ball remained in play, allowing the excellent Koscielny to thunder home the rebound.

 

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Dortmund come before Lewandowski, says Watzke

Hans-Joachim Watzke says Borussia Dortmund will always come before Robert Lewandowski after he hit out at the club for not allowing him to join Bayern Munich.

The Poland striker looked destined to follow in the footsteps of Mario Gotze and leave BVB for the Bavarians this summer, but the Bundesliga runners-up have refused to sanction his departure.

That resulted in Lewandowski hitting out at the club last week, but Watzke remains satisfied that he has acted in the best interests of the team in keeping him at Signal Iduna Park.

"He was obviously referring to me,” he stated to WAZ. “I can fully accept that Robert is a bit frustrated. But I have got to make decisions for the good of this club."

Watzke then revealed he was surprised that Gotze opted to depart the club, while explaining the decision to spend big money on recruiting Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Shakhtar Donetsk.

"I was surprised at that time by Gotze's decision to leave the club, but not at his destination. We spent a lot of money on Henrikh Mkhitaryan because we needed an immediate solution.

"He is a combination of the long-term and the short-term at this day. We could not have gotten a player that would have taken another three years to develop after Gotze's departure."

Dotmund surrendered their Bundesliga title to Bayern last season but did reach the final of the Champions League, where they were beaten by their great German rivals.

However, Watzke has written off the chances of Jurgen Klopp's side repeating that feat next season.

"It would be completely unrealistic to believe we can manage the semi-finals or finals of the Champions League in 2013-14 again," he said.

"I have no intention to paralyse us by heckling at targets. We must remain realists. With increasing success we will no longer be everybody's darling in the coming years.

 

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Arsenal's unwanted: Wenger on Bendtner, Gervinho & Chamakh

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh are both close to leaving Arsenal - but says Nicklas Bendnter is nowhere near a transfer.

The Ivorian has been in disappointing form since his arrival from Lille two years ago and has since been linked with a move to Roma.

Chamakh, meanwhile, spent last season on loan at West Ham, with Bendtner joining Juventus for 2012-13, though only one of the strikers is on the verge of a move away.

"Gervinho we are at the moment close to an agreement with a club where he should go. Bendtner we are nowhere. At the moment he is completely here," he told reporters.

"Chamakh might go somewhere, it will be decided in the next 48 hours. [They are] permanent moves."

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Liverpool star Luis Suarez this summer, but Wenger is confident in his side's ability to challenge for the title without the Uruguayan.

“I am confident. Why should I sit here and say to you that we can absolutely not win the title with the players we have?

“I never said we have made a bid to Liverpool [for Suarez], now I can tell you we have made one, so at least that is some information. All the rest, I would like to keep to us. At the moment, that is where we are.”

Wenger also called for supporters to reserve judgement on the club’s work in the market until the window concludes in a month’s time - previously revealing that he was working on signings.

“I wouldn't like to talk openly about negotiations because that is not my target in the press conference. I can just repeat what I said yesterday: until the 31st, which is one month in front of us, we will work very hard to strengthen our squad without naming any specific names because I don’t believe that will make negotiations easier.

“After that you can make all kinds of thinking about the prices of the players.

“When you want to buy any player you need the agreement of the club and the agreement of the player and you need to agree a price. So you need three agreements.

“It is like you go to your neighbour and say: 'I want to buy your house, so get out tomorrow morning.' He will not be necessarily happy about it.

“We will treat every transfer with the rules we have always followed and in a fair, respectful way. That is our club. Other clubs do it differently and that is their problem. But we are completely faithful to the values we think are important here.”

Arsenal conclude the Emirates Cup on Sunday afternoon against Galatasaray.

 

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Manchester United striker Rooney returns for Betis win

Wayne Rooney made his Manchester United comeback in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Real Betis on Saturday.The England international was part of a strong United line-up that also featured Nemanja Vidic, Nani and Javier Hernandez - and he completed a useful workout to step up his recovery from a hamstring injury.

David Moyes' side ran out 3-0 winners against the Spanish outfit in a game held at the the club's Carrington training ground.Rooney has been missing for much of the club's pre-season campaign after returning early from the tour of Asia and Moyes had previously stated that the 27-year-old would likely return for the friendly against Swedish outfit AIK on August 6.

However, he was given an early run-out against the Liga side.The former Everton striker's future has been shrouded in doubt throughout the close-season, with Chelsea confirming a bid for his services - although Moyes remains adamant that the Premier League champions will not sell.

 

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Reina lauds Benitez impact at Napoli

Pepe Reina has revealed his delight at being reunited with coach Rafael Benitez following Napoli's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

Reina teamed up with his Liverpool mentor at the Partenopei this summer and made an immediate impact on his debut, saving Lukas Podolski's penalty and preserving Napoli's first-half advantage.

And despite seeing the Gunners pull two back in the second period, Reina believes the ambitious Serie A outfit are on the right track under Benitez.

"I've found a group that works well, an outstanding squad that is very well led by Benitez," the custodian told reporters after the match.

"I'm glad to have found Benitez here, being part of an ambitious project and to be able to compete in the Champions League.

"We performed well in a difficult stadium and intense match today. I'm happy about the penalty save but especially happy for the team and the good result."

Benitez also expressed his satisfaction with the result after seeing his men surge into the lead, in an encounter which also saw former Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain make his debut.

"Reina is a player of the highest level, and like the others who arrived will improve again," the Spaniard continued.

"We lacked intensity handling the ball when Arsenal pressured us in the second-half, but it was a good game, and we showed what we can do.

"Napoli is a team that wants to grow, we are all working to improve. Napoli are great in Italy, and we want to work so that she may also become strong in Europe."

The San Paolo outfit finished second in Serie A last season and wasted no time in reinforcing, with the likes of Higuain, Jose Callejon and Raul Albiol arriving after the €60 million sale of Edinson Cavani.

Napoli will now face Porto in their subsequent fixture on Sunday.

 

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Djukic plays down Soldado exit

Valencia boss Miroslav Djukic has played down the significance of Roberto Soldado's impending move to Tottenham.Los Che accepted a €29 million bid from the Premier League side on Monday, with the deal expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

The departure of the striker, who scored 28 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions last season, leaves Valencia with a sizeable void to fill in their attack but Djukic is remaining positive over the season ahead."Everyone here believes in this project," he told reporters. If we all come together we can achieve great things."Roberto has done great things for Valencia and we are grateful, but we are a big club who have seen big players leave before."

Valencia missed out on qualifying for next season's Champions League after finishing in fifth place last term under Ernesto Valverde and opted to appoint Djukic as first team coach in June after he spent two seasons with Valladolid.

 

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Inter poised for €300 million investment

Massimo Moratti is set to sell a 70 percent stake in Inter to Indonesian business magnate Erick Thohir for a reported €300 million.

The Nerazzurri president has been locked in talks as the club looks to tap into new revenue streams and compete with the financial might of some of Europe's most powerful sides.

The development comes in spite of former president Ernesto Pellegrini's warning that 'the Indonesian is only interested in business', but Moratti is adamant the sale will open new markets to the San Siro outfit.

"I am acting in the interest of fans. Inter can then be managed in a new, modern way. This is not about the club's survival, but a matter of innovation," Moratti said to Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Inter have to make create a greater brand image across the world if it is to have a future that is as strong as its past. Nostalgia is behind us, and I am looking to the future."

Moratti then explained his belief that Italian football is paying for a serious financial mismanagement in previous years and will struggle to be a force again unless action is taken.

"For years Italian football won in Europe, but never paid attention beyond home turf in terms of finances, so we lost," the 68-year-old added.

"People mention debts, but the real issue is revenue. These are necessary resources and I am worried for the future of this club. An Asian club is fundamental to bring in new markets.

"It changes nostalgic habits and heralds new resources internationally, even more so than winning the treble [as former coach Jose Mourinho did in 2010]."

Since Mourinho's historic achievements, Inter have languished in mid-table, finishing sixth and ninth in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Former Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri has been installed in Andrea Stramaccioni's place this season to restore the Milan giants back to the Champions League next term.