..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Maria and Pepe rule out Real Madrid exits

Angel Di Maria and Pepe have insisted they will both be Real Madrid players next season, despite continued reports linking them with a move to the Premier League.

Di Maria has been strongly linked with a switch to Tottenham as part of a deal to bring Gareth Bale to the Santiago Bernabeu, but says he will definitely not be leaving the Spanish capital.

"I'm staying in Madrid, because I have three years left on his contract and I'm very happy here,” the 25-year-old told journalists following the side’s 3-0 friendly win over Inter.

"Also in (Ancelotti’s) selection, I have been playing more frequently in the middle. I’m used to and I feel comfortable playing there."

Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in Pepe, 30, with Manuel Pellegrini keen to strengthen his backline, though the Portuguese claims the thought of a transfer has not crossed his mind after praising new boss Carlo Ancelotti.

“I have signed a contract with Madrid, my future is an issue for the president," he said. “I just train hard and try to give my best for the team. I am ready to fight for my place.”

“The coach is very close to the squad, and that's a good sign. He has great affection for the players. He is also great tactically and that is helping us a lot.

“The most important thing for us is to start with a win. We are just thinking about the first three points.”

Pepe lost his place in the starting XI last season after the emergence of Raphael Varane as Jose Mourinho's first choice centre-back, but with the coach having left the club and the Frenchman injured, he could have the opportunity to win back his starting berth.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benzema targets Ballon d'Or prize

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has admitted that winning the Ballon d’Or is “in the back of his mind" as he begins a new era at the club under Carlo Ancelotti.

The 25-year-old France international scored 20 goals in 50 appearances last term, but was often criticised for a lack of goals as Madrid surrendered their Liga crown to Barcelona.

However, with Benzema set to start the campaign as the team's undisputed first choice striker following the departure of Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli, the France international has set himself some lofty targets for the coming season.

“It’s (Ballon d’Or) at the back of my mind. I work every day with the aim of winning it,” he told Adidas as the club wrapped up their pre-season tour of America.

“We need to be positive. We need to focus on the fact we are a great team and we’re here to win things.

“Real Madrid is the best club. I came here to work hard and I’m so happy to be here.

“The best thing is that I’ve dreamt of being a footballer since I was a boy and now I am one and I am living my dream.”

Benzema then lavished praise on Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos, but refused to be drawn on who he believes is the best player in world football.

“There are so many good players... right now I couldn’t pick one, but I do know that I’m playing in the best team in the world, with the best players in the world,” he continued.

“At the back there have been lots, and I’ve faced a lot of good defenders, but I think the best is Ramos.”

Real Madrid commence their Liga campaign against Betis on August 19.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Wigan 0-2 Manchester United: Van Persie double seals first trophy for Moyes

Robin van Persie scored twice as Manchester United beat Wigan 2-0 to win the Community Shield in David Moyes's first official game as the club's new manager.

Van Persie opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a brilliant header into the bottom corner before sealing the victory in the second half with a deflected strike.

United were far from convincing against the FA Cup holders - now playing in the Championship - but Moyes will be relieved to have successfully won the trophy after leading his side out at Wembley for the first time.

Sir Alex Ferguson either won or shared the Community Shield nine times and it would have been a welcome relief for Moyes to focus on matters on the pitch following an unsettling summer of transfer speculation.

The Scot raised a few eyebrows before kick-off as he said that Wayne Rooney will feature for England against Scotland on Wednesday but suggested that the wantaway striker will not play when United start their title defence against Swansea City.

However, while the spectre of Rooney has dominated United's pre-season, the new manager knows that he can rely on Van Persie as the leader of his attack this season, with the Dutchman selected to lead the attack as winger Wilfried Zaha was handed his debut.

The first official goal of the Moyes era arrived via Van Persie after just six minutes when last season's Premier League top scorer rose high just inside the penalty area to meet Patrice Evra's cross and plant a fantastic header into the bottom corner.

United, though, lacked vibrancy in possession and it was clear why Moyes has made signing a central midfielder his top priority this summer as they failed to create clear chances in the first half.

Indeed, Wigan would have been the happier of the two sides at the break as the Championship side defended stoutly and threatened on occasions on the break, with Grant Holt poking a volley just wide of the post.

There was little change in the pattern of the game after the restart until van Persie scored his second goal of the game in the 59th minute.

The United star worked the ball on to his left foot after collecting Danny Welbeck's pass before firing towards goal from the edge of the penalty area. The ball appeared to be heading straight at Wigan goalkeeper Scott Carson before it struck the boot of James Perch and flew into the corner of the net.

Moyes's men were content to keep possession and see the game out after doubling their advantage in hot conditions under the north London sun before Nemanja Vidic lifted the trophy.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Persie bullish about United title tilt

Robin van Persie feels that Manchester United must be considered favourites for the Premier League title this season.

The 30-year-old netted both goals as the reigning champions overcame Wigan at Wembley on Sunday to lift the Community Shield in David Moyes's first official game in charge.

However, United have had mixed results during their pre-season programme and are yet to make an impact in the summer transfer window, with bookmakers naming them third favourites for the title behind neighbours Manchester City and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.

Van Persie does not want to acknowledge those odds, though, as he is confident that the current team can repeat last season's runaway success to retain their Premier League crown.

"It's always nice to score and especially at Wembley. It's a great day for the fans for us and for the manager as well," he told ITV after Sunday's victory.

"We've got [Wilfried] Zaha who has done really well and, as I said earlier, I believe in this team.

"I don't want to be funny but we are the champions. So third favourites? Can you explain that? I don't really care. I believe in this team and I believe that we will compete until the end again."

Ryan Giggs was impressed with Van Persie's performance against the FA Cup winners and hopes the striker can reproduce his 26 goals to fire United to the title again.

"The first goal was a brilliant goal and the timing was brilliant," the veteran added. "It was a great start for us, we hope Robin can reproduce the form he showed for us last year.

"We just know we've got good players in the team. It's always hard when you’re champions, you've got to reproduce the form you showed last year and I hope we do that."

United kick off the defence of their title against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium next weekend.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

FA Community Shield 2013.08.11 In Pictures

FA Community Shield 2013.08.11 In Pictures​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

[rcccc]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vidic plays down Rooney exit talk

Nemanja Vidic can see no reason why Wayne Rooney would want to leave Manchester United this summer.

The 2012-13 Premier League champions kicked off their season with a Community Shield victory over Wigan on Sunday.

However, Rooney - who has made attempts to move away from the club and is the subject of interest from Chelsea - was not involved due to a shoulder injury.

But Vidic believes there is no bigger club in the world than the Old Trafford side, regardless of attention from Jose Mourinho and their Premier League rivals.

"Any team in the world would like to have Robin [van Persie] and Wayne but like I said, Manchester United is the biggest club in the world and we want to have the top players," Vidic told reporters.

"I think the top players want to play for Man United and there's no question about it."

Vidic also moved to dismiss much of the talk surrounding Rooney as speculation, having heard transfer rumours about himself in past summers.

He added: "I think it's the best club in the world and there's so much speculation, so much talk about if he will leave or stay.

"I have to say, the last four years I was in that position as well, people talking [saying] I will leave the club when I'm still here and I am enjoying playing for this club. [There is] Nothing else to say."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aubameyang will always score, says Dortmund's Zorc

Michael Zorc has lauded new-boy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the striker’s fairytale debut in Borussia Dortmund’s 4-0 win against Augsburg on Saturday.

The Gabon international, who arrived from Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne at the beginning of the transfer window, netted a hat-trick in his inaugural Bundesliga match and Zorc was clearly impressed by Aubameyang’s sharpness when he spoke to Bild am Sonntag.

“There really are worst starts,” joked the BVB sporting director when asked about the 24-year-old’s exploits this weekend.

Aubameyang opened the scoring with a diving header in the first half before exhibiting his devastating speed to nip in behind the Augsburg defence to grab his second and third goal in the second period.

Robert Lewandowski added a fourth from the spot, but their was only one striker's name on the lips of everyone in the Dortmund camp.

Zorc was dazzled by the movement possessed by die Schwarzegelben's summer acquisition.

“He has extreme pace combined with great running lines.” he continued. “If we use him properly, he will always score goals.”

Aubameyang netted 19 times in 37 appearances in Ligue 1 last season for Saint-Etienne and his debut indicates he is more than capable of reproducing that kind of form in Germany.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton boss Martinez plays down Fellaini injury fears

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed Marouane Fellaini missed the 2-1 friendly win over Betis due to an infected cut, but should be fit for the start of the season.

The Belgian midfielder had started five of Everton’s six pre-season games this summer but was left out of the squad for their final friendly fixture before the Premier League campaign kicks off, which the Goodison Park outfit won after goals from Nikica Jelavic and Kevin Mirallas.

The decision fuelled speculation that Fellaini could be set for a move to Manchester United, after Goal revealed David Moyes has turned his attention to his former Toffees player after failing to sign Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas.

But Martinez has insisted that Fellaini would have played were it not for an infection and he should feature against Norwich on August 17, providing he returns from international duty unscathed.

"Marouane would have been available if it was a competitive game," he told the club’s official website.

"He picked up a cut on the US tour. Bearing in mind he has to join the Belgium squad now - and in two days the infection will clear. I didn't want to risk hurting him."

The former Wigan boss also provided an update on Darron Gibson, who was forced off just before half-time with a knee problem.

"Darron is the only negative,” Martinez added. "We have been quite fortunate throughout pre-season not to pick up knocks and bruises, but in the warm-up he opened his knee slightly, so he's got a grade one ligament problem.

"We'll have a clearer idea of it in the next 48 hours."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes denies Rooney fallout & insists striker 'not for sale'

Manchester United manager David Moyes has again insisted that Wayne Rooney will not be sold this summer, as well as denying having falling out with the striker.

Chelsea have had two bids rejected for the England international, with the player - who trained with the reserves in midweek as he continues his recovery from a shoulder problem - desperate to complete a summer transfer to Stamford Bridge.

However, Moyes says that the club's stance remains unchanged.

"He's not for sale," the United boss told reporters after Sunday's Charity Shield success over Wigan Wembley. "I'm not changing so there's no more to answer to your question.

"Some of you might not like hearing this because you've written untruths. I didn't fall out with Wayne. He trained with the reserves at his asking."

Moyes also moved to clarify his suggestion before the game that Rooney would be fit to play for England against Scotland in midweek but not United’s Premier League opener against Swansea City on Saturday.

"I want him to join up with England," the Scot added. "He's not ready, you'll probably see that in the game. He's had no football, no match action. So you probably wouldn't expect someone in that condition to play for a long period.

"I've spoken to Roy Hodgson for two hours on different occasions. It will be great for Manchester United if he gets some playing time."

Moyes was speaking after winning the Community Shield with a 2-0 win over Wigan in his first official match as United manager - but the Scot was quick to give the credit to predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I class that as another piece of silverware for Sir Alex," said the new man graciously. "It was his team that won the Premier League last year. A big thank you to him, it's for him today. The next ones will be down to me."

United will kick off the defence of their title against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday evening

 

[unicornx]

David Villa GOALZO for Ath Madrid today. WHAT A BULLET FROM 30 Yards. TOP CORNER!!

 

[unicornx]

FA Community Shield 2013.08.11 In Pictures​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Man qwane RVP and other strikers has to stand up kiala

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man qwane RVP and other strikers has to stand up kiala

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United could make late bid to beat Real Madrid to Gareth Bale transfer

Spurs have become frustrated with the Spanish giants over negotiations for the Wales international, who White Hart Lane bosses desperately want to keep in London.However, they may be more open to a deal with the Premier League champions, despite them being top-flight rivals.

Bale has long been linked to a move to Madrid but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has become increasingly annoyed at the progress being made with the La Liga outfit.Now United could step in as a new option, having failed so far to land a marquee signing for new boss David Moyes, with a deal for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas seemingly dead in the water.

United won the Community Shield at Wembley yesterday, comfortably beating Championship Wigan 2-0, but have the Wayne Rooney saga having over them – with the forward training with the reserves and battling injury – and also want one or two new faces in before the transfer window closes.

Landing Bale would represent a massive coup and give Moyes a boost as he begins his first season at Old Trafford since moving from Everton. It would also give the squad a lift as they look to retain their league title under renewed pressure from Chelsea and Manchester City, who have added significantly to their ranks this summer.

Bale’s valuation, being somewhere in the region of a world-record £100million, or perhaps even £110m according to Spurs, may jeopardise such a transfer but Spurs would seemingly be more open to selling to United than Real.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mamanam kiyanne karanna puluwan kamak thibbath oka karanna epa kiyalaBale wenuwen £100million spend karanawa kiyanne aparadegana hodatama wadi

 

[Wolverine GTR]

David Villa GOALZO for Ath Madrid today. WHAT A BULLET FROM 30 Yards. TOP CORNER!!

Patta goal 1ka bromama asama player kenek

 

[rcccc]

Mamanam kiyanne karanna puluwan kamak thibbath oka karanna epa kiyalaBale wenuwen £100million spend karanawa kiyanne aparadegana hodatama wadi

moda wadak

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mertesacker hails Arsenal team spirit

Per Mertesacker believes that Arsenal's pre-season preparations have brought them closer and made them stronger ahead of the new campaign.

The 28-year-old was a member of the Gunners squad on their recent Asia tour, which brought four wins from as many games, two of which were by a margin of six or more goals, with Arsene Wenger's men going on to beat Premier League rivals Manchester City 3-1 in Helsinki on Saturday.

It has been a first full pre-season for Mertesacker with the London club, having signed on deadline day in 2011 and spent much of last season's preparations injured, and the Germany international is enthused by what he has seen so far.

"We've had a longer pre-season and more time to know each other better, to prepare ourselves in training," he told the club's official website.

"I think we have a good team spirit and we've built it up, especially in Asia, where we were together for more than two weeks.

"If we stick together more in the first month, especially in the Champions League qualifier [against Fenerbahce] and the first games of the Premier League, we can continue our good run that we had [at the end] of last season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sevilla sign Sebastian Cristoforo

Sevilla have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Sebastian Cristoforo from Penarol.The Uruguayan featured prominently in his nation's run to the final of the recent Under-20 World Cup and has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Spanish club.

The youngster is reported to have cost the Andalusians in the region of €2.5 million and was quick to express delight at making the switch to La Liga."I'm joining a great club and I think this is a great opportunity for me," he told the club's official website.

Cristoforo also insisted he is not arriving as a replacement for Chile international Gary Medel, who left to join Cardiff City earlier this month."I did not come to cover a position or to replace another player. Medel is a very good player. I can only promise to give my best to help the team.

"I don't like to define myself as a certain type of player, but some say I'm like Uruguay international Diego Perez. I will just try to give my best to help the team at any time and in any position on the field."

Sevilla kick off the new Liga campaign at home to Atletico Madrid on August 18.