..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Zenit tell Tottenham: Hulk is not for sale

Zenit Saint Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti insists Tottenham target Hulk is not for sale.

The 27-year-old, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, had been considered as an alternative option to Chelsea-bound Willian by Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas.

However, the Russian outfit have moved to quell speculation that the Brazil international could join the north Londoners and insist he remains an integral part of the club's plans.

"He is recovering rapidly. But the exact date, we can not tell you. He has exceptional muscle mass, it is difficult to predict anything. Let's wait for the forecast of our doctors. And again, Hulk is not for sale," Spalletti told reporters.

Hulk, who worked under Villas-Boas at Porto, had been seen as a potential replacement for Gareth Bale, who is expected to complete a move to Real Madrid for a world-record fee imminently.

Spurs' Portuguese boss has spoken of his admirations for the former Tokyo Verdy attacker in the past, though conceded in May that any move for the Brazilian would be "impossible".

"He was my player and scored 36 goals in one season but it's impossible he will make a move here because of the wages that he earns, which would break our balance," said Villas-Boas.

"He may have options in the summer but to a club like Tottenham his transfer fee is also impossible."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zabaleta laments set-piece defending in Cardiff loss

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has blamed a new defensive system for Sunday's shock loss to Premier League newcomers Cardiff City.

Manuel Pellegrini's side went ahead at the Cardiff City Stadium through Edin Dzeko but an effort from Aron Gunnarsson and two Fraizer Campbell headers, both from corners, turned the tide as the Welsh side won 3-2.

Zabaleta vented his frustration at conceding from set plays, but attributed any misunderstandings at the back to a change in system after Pellegrini ditched the zonal marking that had served City so well in the past.

"Two goals from set pieces for us is hard," said the Argentina after the match.

"It has changed for us as last season we were marking zonally and now it is individual marking and sometimes it is hard.

"But Campbell was very strong in the air. They did well defensively and closed the space well and didn’t give us the chance to create many opportunities.

"We didn't defend well at set-pieces and it cost us the game.

"We had control of the ball but we were a bit static in the first half. We were the better team but the only difference was we didn’t defend well from the set pieces and conceded silly goals."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stevens: Pressure all on Schalke

Huub Stevens insists his PAOK side feel no pressure as they attempt to reach the Champions League group stages for the first time in their history.

A Miroslav Stoch equaliser earned the Greeks a priceless 1-1 away draw to Schalke in their playoff first leg last Wednesday, meaning that a PAOK win or a goalless draw at the Stadio Toumba on Tuesday will be enough to take them through, and Stevens believes it is his former club who the most to lose.

"The first leg result hasn't changed the odds – it's still a 50-50 tie," said the 59-year-old Dutchman.

"We're very motivated and we want to qualify, without considering it an obligation to go through. Schalke are under pressure – we are not.

"It's a very important match, but we shouldn't be stressed about it. We should have our feet firmly on the ground. Life will go on no matter the result.

The visitors have a number of injury woes, with chief goal-getter Klaas-Jan Huntelaar definitely missing, along with defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos and midfielder Sead Kolasinac.

On top of that, Joel Matip and Leon Goretzka face fitness tests as Jens Keller seeks to inspire an upturn in early season fortunes.

"This is a very important match for the club, for everybody at Schalke. The pressure would be huge in any case, regardless of our run in the league," he said.

"The 1-1 first-leg result is not ideal, but it is not fatal. We experienced the inverse scenario last season when we drew 1-1 with Galatasaray in Istanbul and then got eliminated at home.

“We have worked hard to reach this point. If we make it to the group stage, the team stand to benefit a lot from their participation in the Champions League."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Insigne signs new Napoli deal

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed that Lorenzo Insigne has extended his contract with the club.

The Italy international still had four years to run on his existing deal but he has now committed himself to the Partenopei until 2018.

"Lorenzo's contract has been extended to five years," De Laurentiis announced on Twitter. "From this season, Lorenzo will earn €700,000 more."

Insigne progressed through the youth team ranks at Napoli but spent time on loan at Cavese, Foggia and Pescara before returning to the San Paolo last season and establishing himself in the first-team squad.

The 22-year-old attacker, who scored his first goal for the Azzurri in this month's 2-1 friendly defeat by Argentina, sat out the Partenopei's Serie A opener against Bologna on Sunday through illness but is expected to be available for this weekend's trip to Chievo.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes delighted with Rooney display against Chelsea

Manchester United manager David Moyes has heaped praise on Wayne Rooney following the England international's committed performance against potential suitors Chelsea.

The Premier League champions have twice rejected bids from the Blues during the summer for the 27-year-old, while Jose Mourinho called on Rooney to make his intentions clear following the two sides' 0-0 draw on Monday night.

The former Everton striker gave an excellent performance for the Red Devils and was loudly cheered on by the home crowd, despite fears of a backlash following his transfer request last season, and Moyes was thrilled with his display.

"I was very pleased with Wayne's performance and very pleased by the reaction from the crowd," said the United boss.

"I told him I might only play him for 60 or 70 minutes and see how he was. But he worked back, he tackled and he was great.

"He was desperate to score and nearly scored with an overhead kick in injury time.

"He's been great in training and anyone who has looked at him has seen a slightly leaner Wayne.

"I think Wayne has a positive mind at the moment. I don't think that needs to change. I think his attitude showed a lot."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City in talks to sign Brazilian starlet

Manchester City are in pole position to sign teenage left-back Abner following talks with Brazilian club Coritiba.

Coritiba sporting director Felipe Ximenes was in England last week and met with City over a deal for the 17-year-old, who has also attracted strong interest from Benfica.

The Portuguese side are willing to strike a deal worth up to €5 million for the Brazil Under-20 left-back but City are confident of concluding a move for the athletic defender.

Coritiba president Vilson Ribeiro de Andrade is ready to cash in on Abner, who starred in the South American Under-17 Championship in April and has been compared to Brazil legend Roberto Carlos.

Any transfer to City would be subject to Abner being granted a special talent work permit for young players to move to the United Kingdom.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Deschamps: Ribery deserves Ballon d'Or

France boss Didier Deschamps believes that Franck Ribery deserves to win the 2013 Ballon d'Or.

The 30-year-old winger played a key role in Bayern Munich winning the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League last season and his national team coach feels that such success should not go unrecognised.

"I think Ribery deserves the Ballon d'Or for his performances, his season, and the titles he has won," the former Juventus midfielder told RMC.

"He is a player who can claim the Ballon d'Or in the same way as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

"Franck won three titles with Bayern Munich. Few people win as many trophies in a season."

Zinedine Zidane was the last Frenchman to lift the prestigious individual honour, in 1998, on the back of the attacking midfielder's World Cup-winning heroics with les Bleus.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter announce 10-year Nike deal

Inter have announced they have renewed their sponsorship deal with Nike by a further 10 years, taking their partnership with the company beyond the 25-year mark.

The Nerazzurri first joined forces with the American shirt manufacturer back in 1998, with Nike also enjoying similar deals with a host of the world's biggest clubs including Manchester United and Barcelona.

And though Inter did not enjoy the success with which they are usually associated last season - finishing ninth in Serie A - off the field their future appears bright thanks to Monday's announcement.

A statement on the club's official website read: "The new sponsorship deal further strengthens Inter's position as one of the world's top clubs and confirms its desire to continue expanding globally.

"A key driving force will be the realisation of a joint project to open specialised stores, and the rolling out of a new strategy for the development and marketing of Inter-brand merchandise."

The San Siro club opened their Serie A campaign at home to Genoa on Sunday under new boss Walter Mazzarri, who replaced the outgoing Andrea Stramaccioni over the summer.

And they got their season off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Yuto Nagatomo and Rodrigo Palacio, leaving them in second place after the first round of fixtures.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger admits he is still worried over Wilshere fitness

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he still has to carefully manage Jack Wilshere's playing time in the Gunners' first team.

The 21-year-old has had long-standing problems with both his ankle and knee which has seen him sidelined for long periods over the past two seasons.

While the England international did start Arsenal's first two games of the new campaign, Wenger admits he adopts a cautious approach in regards to planning the midfielder's schedule.

"He was a bit tired [before the Fulham game] but it was more about giving him a rest," Wenger told the club's official website.

"He could have played but it made sense to give him a breather because we're playing every three days at the moment. He is not 100 per cent yet, but he is 90 per cent.

"I'm a bit cautious because he's had a few operations. I don't want to make a mistake on the medical front and overuse him because the ankle is the most important part of any football player.

"I take always medical advice. If the ankle is not inflamed, if he has no pain, then we would not rest the player. If they say there is a little inflamed ankle, we would say 'OK, let's not [play him]. I do that with medical advice.

"I would be a bit more cautious with Jack [than with others]. Until we feel he is completely free from any risk, of course."

Wenger understands the importance of an injury-free season for both Wilshere and the England national team ahead of this summer's World Cup.

"It's World Cup year but first England have to qualify and we now go into a really important period for England," added the Arsenal boss. "It's an important year for every single player because they all want to go to the World Cup."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League Play-offs 2nd Leg Fixtures 2013.08.27

UEFA Champions League Play-offs 2nd Leg Fixtures 2013.08.27

Arsenal Vs Fererbahce

Austria Wien Vs Dinamo Zagreb

Basel Vs Lugogorets

Legia Vs Steaua

PAOK Vs Schalke

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[unicornx]

Arsenal to table audacious Rooney bid

Arsenal are preparing to table an audacious bid for Wayne Rooney later this week.

The Gunners have privately been given encouragement that Manchester United could be willing to sell them England’s talisman in the last week of the window despite their public insistence that he is not for sale at any price.

United are now determined not to sell Rooney to Chelsea, whose manager Jose Mourinho has given the striker until Wednesday at the latest to force through a move to Stamford Bridge. However, the Premier League champions are believed to be open to a £25 million-plus offer for the player from Arsenal, who they do not regard as a fellow title challenger.

Arsene Wenger is poised to make his move at the end of the week if, as expected, the Londoners secure qualification for the group stages of the Champions League by overcoming Fenerbahce at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday after winning 3-0 in the first leg in Istanbul six days ago.

Arsenal have turned their attention to Rooney after all but giving up hope of capturing Luis Suarez from Liverpool or Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.

It is expected that Wenger will sanction a bid of bid around the £25m mark for Rooney, who has been the subject of two formal offers from Chelsea this summer.

United manager David Moyes has insisted that the club do not want to sell Rooney and maintained that stance after the 27-year-old’s impressive display in the goal-less draw against Chelsea on Monday night in what was his first start of the season.
A third Chelsea bid for the England international would now be rejected out of hand, despite United's mooted interest in Blues playmaker Juan Mata, because the west Londoners are regarded as a direct rival for the league title.

However, United are believed to be more amenable to a move from Arsenal and a shock switch to north London in the final days of the window has not been ruled out by sources close to the situation.

Arsenal had registered an interest in Rooney as they prioritised the signing of a marquee striker and they have continued to monitor his situation this summer while making concerted attempts to capture Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain.

The Gunners also made an enquiry for Real Madrid’s Benzema last week but they accept they have run out of time to capture the France international this window given the complex chain of events required to take him to the Emirates.


A move for Rooney had been on the backburner but it is now firmly back on the agenda given the informal indications Arsenal have been given that the player is both available and would be interested in a surprising switch to north London.
Moyes has spoken warmly of Rooney’s attitude in training and his general work ethic but the player is still believed to be seeking a fresh challenge at an established Champions League club.

His name was chanted throughout Monday’s game by both United and Chelsea fans, while Mourinho said afterwards that he needs to go public if he still wants to move to Stamford Bridge or the Londoners will complete the signing of another striker, understood to be Samuel Eto'o.

"The person that started the story has to finish the story," Mourinho observed. "A club like us, a manager like me, the people that work in the club with me… we are not silly to try to get a player from a big club that doesn't sell what they don't want to sell.

"We are not silly to try something if somebody didn't start it. So I think it is time for the good of everyone to finish the story. For one side, for the other side."Asked to clarify whether he would like Rooney to state publicly if he wanted to quit United, Mourinho replied: "Yes, I would like. We are going to close another player if he is not coming.

"It depends on this [Rooney's decision]. It depends on his reaction and his feelings. If now he doesn't want to leave, we are out of the thing. But we need to know. We need to know what is happening."

Mourinho said he would wait "24 hours, 48 hours". Pushed on why he had said Rooney had started the transfer saga, he made it clear that Chelsea had been encouraged to pursue the player. "I know because I know." The information, he said, had been passed to Chelsea because "he told somebody who is very important in his career".

Maha kalakanni Higannek wenger @@@@@ matanan muuwa epa wela inne. Rooney maria, Maria rooney..Wena deyak katha karanna attema nane mekata

 

[rcccc]

Maha kalakanni Higannek wenger @@@@@ matanan muuwa epa wela inne. Rooney maria, Maria rooney..Wena deyak katha karanna attema nane mekata

try karanawa withra ban
rooney,ozil,benzema nam ganna bae. di mariath sure nae

 

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UEFA Champions League Play-offs 2nd Leg Fixtures 2013.08.27

Arsenal Vs Fererbahce

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[unicornx]

try karanawa withra ban
rooney,ozil,benzema nam ganna bae. di mariath sure nae

Rooney Ozil are Idols for their fans. For their clubs...Maha modayek wenger e wage unta bid karana eka

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 4-2 Notts County (aet): Injury-hit Reds sneak past League One outfit in extra time

Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson spared Liverpool's blushes with extra-time goals in a Capital One Cup second-round win over Notts County on Tuesday.

In-form striker Sturridge netted his second of the game in the 105th minute before his midfield team-mate sealed the Premier League outfit's progress to round three five minutes later by making it 4-2 with a cool finish.

Those goals came after second-half strikes from Yoann Arquin and Adam Coombes had brought their spirited League One visitors level, following Raheem Sterling's early opener and Sturridge's first before the break.

Brendan Rodgers named a strong team despite the prospect of a Premier League fixture against Manchester United on Sunday, with captain Steven Gerrard and Sturridge both starting along with the likes of Glen Johnson and Kolo Toure.

Meanwhile, Notts County boss Chris Kiwomya made two changes to the team that lost to Stevenage on Saturday, with Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Aston Villa loanee Enda Stevens coming into the side.

Liverpool unsurprisingly dominated the early stages and were ahead after just four minutes through Sterling. The 18-year-old winger collected a pass from Johnson 30 yards from goal and jinked past two defenders before firing low past Bartosz Bialkowski.

Rodgers's men continued to control proceedings and substitute Daniel Agger - who had replaced the injured Aly Cissokho early on - hit the inside of the post after glancing Gerrard's set-piece delivery goalwards on 19 minutes.

Sturridge's movement was causing all sorts of problems for the Notts County back line and the 23-year-old was rewarded with his third goal of the season and his ninth in his last eight appearances after 29 minutes with a clinical finish. Gerrard was again the architect as he guided a perfect pass to the striker, who took one touch before firing past the helpless Bialkowski into the top corner.

The Liverpool skipper himself then almost added a third four minutes before the interval, lashing a left-footed shot off the post after Sterling had found him with a well-weighted pass.

However, Kiwomya's side responded admirably after the interval and their spell of pressure paid dividends around the hour mark when Arquin pulled one back. Manny Smith rose unmarked to head a free kick back across goal and the Martinique international beat Toure and Andre Wisdom to power a header home.

Liverpool then hit the woodwork for a third time as Toure met another Gerrard delivery but he could only strike the post when it looked easier to score and the home side were made to pay for their profligacy when Coombes equalised - netting his first senior goal - after good work from Arquin to force extra time.

County began the additional 30 minutes the brighter of the two sides and their chances were boosted further when Toure was carried off with a groin injury, leaving Liverpool with 10 men as Rodgers had already made all three substitutions.

Nevertheless, Sturridge then found the net against the run of play, latching on to substitute Philippe Coutinho's pass as a poor effort from Bialkowski failed to prevent his shot from dribbling over the line.

Shortly after half-time in extra time, Henderson - who had come on for the injured Joe Allen - burst through from midfield before nutmegging Gary Liddle and side-footing home to round the scoring out.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sturridge elata play karanawa

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal 2-0 Fenerbahce (agg 5-0): Ramsey double confirms qualification for Gunners

Arsenal qualified for the Champions League group stages for the 16th straight year with a 2-0 win over Fenerbahce on Tuesday.


Aaron Ramsey stole the show at the Emirates Stadium by grabbing both goals, wrapping up a comfortable 5-0 aggregate triumph.

Arsenal dominated possession in the first half and Ramsey was on hand to tap home from six yards in the 25th minute. Theo Walcott then hit the crossbar from a free kick before the Welshman's volley made it 2-0.

Boss Arsene Wenger made two changes to the side who beat Fulham 3-1 on Saturday, with Jack Wilshere and Nacho Monreal replacing Tomas Rosicky and Kieran Gibbs. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, included former Liverpool players Raul Meireles and Dirk Kuyt.

Arsenal dominated the early possession but they almost conceded a goal in unusual circumstances. A scramble in the box led to Bacary Sagna clearing his effort straight against Meireles, with the ricochet drawing a smart save from Wojciech Szczesny.

The home side then fashioned their first chance with a swift counterattack. Santi Cazorla burst through two challenges and laid the ball to Wilshere, whose pass found Olivier Giroud, but the Frenchman curled his effort wide from 20 yards.

The Gunners continued to probe and their pressure finally yielded a breakthrough in the 25th minute. Gokhan Gonul tried to prevent Lukas Podolski's through-ball from finding Walcott but his sliding challenge went straight to Ramsey, who swept the ball home.

Giroud then came close to doubling the advantage seven minutes later when his shot from a narrow angle forced Volkan Demirel into a smart save with his legs.

Fenerbahce almost caught Arsenal out when Emmanuel Emenike broke free on the left and unleashed a fierce drive that Szczesny pushed against the post before Giroud found himself in space, only to fire over from six yards after an excellent low cross from Cazorla.

Podolski was withdrawn from the action a minute into the second half when he pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury. His removal temporarily stunted Arsenal's momentum and Egemen Korkmaz linked well with Emenike for the visitors before crashing an effort off the crossbar, although he would have been denied by the offside flag.

Cazorla almost grabbed the second for Arsenal in the 63rd minute before Walcott dipped a free kick against the crossbar.

But, with 18 minutes left, they wrapped up the win when Gibbs broke free before crossing for Ramsey to volley into the corner.

Arsenal were given a late scare when Wilshere went down holding his ankle after a robust challenge from Meireles but he recovered to finish the game.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal group stage 1kata qualified nehCongratzzzzzzzz

 

[Wolverine GTR]

PAOK 2-3 Schalke (3-4 on aggregate): Szalai fires 10-man S04 into group stages

A late strike from Adam Szalai saw 10-man Schalke beat PAOK 3-2 on Tuesday night and record a 4-3 aggregate victory to book their place in the group stages of the Champions League.

The striker got the first goal of two goals on 43 minutes when he prodded home left-footed from inside the area, only for Stefanos Athanasiadis to equalise in the second period before Jermaine Jones was sent off for the visitors.

Julian Draxler then restored Schalke's lead, but PAOK drew level for a second thime through Konstantinos Katsouranis. However, Szalai had the final say to deny the home side their first appearance in the Champions League group stages.

Schalke brought in Atsuto Uchida and Felipe Santana at the back following their 2-1 Bundesliga defeat to Hannover at the weekend, while Jefferson Farfan, their goalscorer in the first leg, returned on the right.PAOK coach Huub Stevens, going up against his former club, recalled Dimitris Salpingidis and Stefanos Athanasiadis to his forward line after the pair started on the bench in their side's 2-0 defeat to Panaitolikos on Saturday.

Schalke are yet to win a game in the Bundesliga game this season but started well and were the first to threaten. Just two minutes in, Jones headed down at goal from a corner only for Jacobo to save well with his feet.

However, the home side regrouped and applied pressure of their own, despite not having any fans to cheer them on at the Toumba Stadium, as their supporters served the first of a three-game ban following crowd trouble during a Europa League tie with Rapid Vienna last year.

The lively Miroslav Stoch was next to threaten for the home side, with the winger beating two Schalke defenders before shooting straight at Timo Hildebrand.But just as it looked as though neither side would find a breakthrough before the half-time whistle, Szalai found the back of the net for the visitors.

Uchida poked a ball into the Hungarian's path and he nudged the ball past Jacobo with his left foot to give the German side the lead. PAOK almost hit back five minutes after the break as Stoch turned well in the box, but nobody could get on the end of his teasing cross.However, PAOK were level just three minutes later as Athanasiadis was played in by Stelios Kitsiou and slipped the ball past Hildebrand.

Schalke's cause was hindered by Jones's dismissal on 64 minutes after he received a second yellow card for a foul on Salpingidis, but Draxler's tidy finish three minutes later put Schalke ahead once again.The 19-year-old was slipped in by Meyer, with the Germany international rounding Jacobo before slotting home to make it 2-1.

PAOK were not finished though, and equalised again through Katsouranis, as the centre-back got his head to a Stoch free-kick and looped his effort over Hildebrand and into the net.

But in the last minute, the home side's hearts were broken as Draxler cut in from the right and put it on a plate for Szalai to sidefoot home and conclude a thrilling encounter.