..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Dear Madridistas,


Four seasons of work and dedication. In these 4 years wearing the Real's white, I won three championships and could enjoy the love and respect of a great club.

Going back to Milan is a new page of my life, but I'll keep in my heart all the great moments in Spain being sure that I did all my best for the success of the team. Being part of the history of such a great club like Real Madrid is one of the best part of my life, even though I passed through some difficult moments.

Let me thank you all my colleagues, coaches, all the employees of Real Madrid, the management, the President Florentino Perez, all the Real Madrid's fans and all the others around the world that supported me through these years.

Thank you very much and #HalaMadrid

 

[Wolverine GTR]

aaaaaaaaaaaaand ISCO Picks up an Injury @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

 

[unicornx]

REAL MADRID SQUAD for UCL

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Jesùs Fernández, López.

Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Marcelo, Carvajal, Arbeloa, Nacho, Casado.

Midfielders: Khedira,Gareth Bale, Alonso, Casemiro, Modric, Di Maria, Isco, Illarramendi, Borja Garcia.

Attackers: Ronaldo, Benzema, Jesè Rodriguez, Morata

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pedro saddened at Villa exit

Barcelona winger Pedro admits he was saddened to see David Villa leave the club this summer.

The experienced striker left Camp Nou for Atletico Madrid after three years with the Liga champions, and Pedro has hailed Spain's record goalscorer as "a reference point for Spanish football".

"Villa is a dear person to me," he told a press conference. "I've shared many moments with him. I miss him personally and on the pitch. I have the good fortune of meeting him with the national team and I enjoy that. I'm very glad things are going well for him at Atletico.

"He is a reference point for Spanish football. I would have liked him to stay, but these things happen. I wish him well."

Spain face Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Friday and Pedro believes they will have to be fully focused in order to secure maximum points.

"We have to win. It's a very important game for us. Finland will not make it easy," he said.

Speculation remains over whether Roja captain Iker Casillas will keep his place in the side, despite continuing to play understudy to Diego Lopez at Real Madrid, and the Barcelona man admits he is unsure who will start the clash with the No.1 shirt.

"Unfortunately for Iker, he's not having a great time at his club, [but] he is a great goalkeeper," the 26-year-old said. "[Victor] Valdes is also at a high level. It is up to the coach to evaluate and decide."

Finally, the attacker insisted he would do his utmost to retain his place in both Vicente del Bosque's side and Barcelona, despite the strength in depth of each squad.

"I'm working very hard, there's a lot of competition with Barcelona as well as with the national team," he added.

"I'm competing with the best players in the world so its always going to be difficult. I'm relaxed and am working hard with both teams so I can help when called upon.

"Obviously I'd love to start with my club and then come here, but that's difficult due to the high level of competition. I work hard everyday to be in with a shout with both teams."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Buffon 'quite worried' about Bulgaria qualifier

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon is "quite worried" about his side's crucial World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria on Friday.
Cesare Prandelli's men can take a huge step towards automatic qualification from Group B for Brazil 2014 with a win at Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo.

Buffon and his side sit four points clear of Bulgaria with four matches to play but the 35-year-old Juventus goalkeeper is concerned about his team's chances against Lyuboslav Penev's men.

"I'm quite worried for the match against Bulgaria, as always before matches that become decisive for qualification," Buffon said on Wednesday.

"We deserve the qualification for what we've done up to now but we haven't gained it yet. We will have to prepare and face the match with great attention to take another important step forward."

In PSV's Stanislav Manolev and Aston Villa signing Aleksandar Tonev, Bulgaria have two of the group's top scorers with three goals each.

Buffon is wary of the individuals in Bulgaria's side and warned his team-mates the visitors would try and punish them on the counter-attack.

"Bulgaria are a team with two or three important single players but they're also a very close group that knows very well how to face these kinds of games, trying to defend well and counter-attack," said the veteran goalkeeper, who is in line to equal the record number of performances for the Azzurri in the upcoming qualifiers.

"They have three or four good runners and they're in good condition. We need to be good at limiting them."

Buffon was also full of praise for Prandelli, who may step down after the 2014 tournament according to reports in Italy.

"Prandelli's touch was and is very important because he made us believe that we can try and reach aims and win also having fun, playing well and improving the technical aspects of a game," Buffon added.

"It's been a turning point compared to our past."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Ronaldo is not of this world'

Galatasaray youngster Bruma believes Cristiano Ronaldo is "not of this world" and admits he is flattered to be compared to the Real Madrid star.

The 18-year-old, who completed a move to Turkey during the closing stages of the transfer window, says he is eager to emulate the Portugal captain's achievements in future having emerged through the same youth system at Sporting.

"I think Cristiano Ronaldo is not of this world," he was quoted as saying by A Bola. "He's a completely different player. The comparisons made between us make me happy, I hope to be like him one day."

Bruma joined Galatasaray for €10 million on a five-year deal shortly before the transfer deadline, and the winger revealed he is relishing the prospect of learning from established stars Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba.

"Sneijder and Drogba are very important players," he added. "I will have the opportunity to learn from them and be successful."

Bruma was one of the stars of the summer's Under-20 World Cup, where his Portugal side reached the round of 16 before losing to Ghana.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I decided to stay at Chelsea' - David Luiz claims he rejected Barcelona offer

David Luiz claims that he turned down a move to Barcelona during the summer transfer window because he is happy to stay at Chelsea.

The Catalan giants made an initial €25.5 million offer to Jose Mourinho's side but were told that it would take closer to €50m for the Blues to sanction a sale.

"There was an official offer [from Barcelona] but I decided to stay at Chelsea," Luiz told reporters while away on international duty.

"I am happy to play for a big club and be in the national team to represent my country."

Barca eventually turned their attentions to Liverpool centre-back Daniel Agger after negotiations with Chelsea, but were shot down on that front as well.

Coach Gerardo Martino eventually declared himself "happy with the team I have" and no defender made the move to Camp Nou.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Summer transfer market 1ke Manchester United,Barcelona & Newcastle thamai mehpara flop

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Eriksen: Only Tottenham approach felt right

Tottenham new-boy Christian Eriksen says he had no doubts about joining his new club, with White Hart Lane the only destination who "felt right".

The Dane was linked with a host of top European clubs throughout the summer, eventually opting to move to north London, and the 21-year-old has revealed that it was Spurs' ambition that convinced him to leave Ajax for the Premier League outfit.

"There were not that many clubs to choose from in the end and no-one were closer than Tottenham," he told BT. "There were a lot of rumours but I only felt right about the approach from Tottenham. The club followed me for a long time and really showed intent.

"It was the whole package that attracted me. I spoke briefly with the manager and my impression is that he is a very good manager.

"The goal is to challenge for the title. That is what the club wants and that is what I want."

Eriksen, who will have to wait until after the international break to make his Spurs debut, also noted that he will have to become accustomed to life on the pitch in England.

"I understand this will be a different experience - how much, it is still too early to say," the midfielder observed. "I might need to acclimatise, so I am not expecting to play all the games but, then, I don't know what the manager has planned for me.

"From the conversations I have had, they have indicated that they see me as an attacking midfielder, a creative player. They have also told me that you are expected to fight for a spot on the team because there are a lot of good players here but, of course, I hope things will fall to my advantage."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Carrick defends Rooney over England injury withdrawal


Michael Carrick has hit back at critics who have accused Wayne Rooney of ducking out of England's World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Ukraine.

The striker is unavailable for the Three Lions' upcoming World Cup clashes after sustaining a head wound in Manchester United training prior to the weekend's loss to Liverpool.

And with Red Devils boss David Moyes having said Rooney will not be fit for three weeks, Carrick believes that the criticism levelled by some onlookers is unfair.
"We know what he is like," the midfielder told reporters.

"If there was a way of playing he would. It is easy for people to look at the past and compare with what has gone on but every situation is different.

"It was a bad cut. It wasn't nice to see. It is unfortunate but it is something that we will deal with."

Carrick also commented on the ongoing debate over the need to develop English talent in light of an injury crisis that also sees Daniel Sturridge, Glen Johnson and Phil Jones on the treatment table.

"It is a tough one," he continued. "You can spend a lot of time talking about it, and come up with reasons, for and against.

"There are still English players at the top level and certainly, there are an awful lot of English players in our team at Manchester United.

"If you are good enough you will get through but it is probably becoming harder because of the economic situation and people looking abroad.

"Now the transfer fees are so high maybe it will come back round to people looking at English players again.

"Hopefully that is the case because it would be nice to see a lot more home-grown talent getting a chance.

"But it is easy for me to say that. There is a bigger picture."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney reveals extent of head injury which forced Manchester United & England absence

Wayne Rooney insists he is committed to England after revealing pictures that highlight the extent of his head injury.

The 27-year-old suffered a severe cut on his forehead in a collision with Phil Jones during a training session on Saturday.

Rooney subsequently missed Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield and has been ruled out of England's two upcoming World Cup qualification fixtures against Moldova and Ukraine.

The striker posted two images of his injury on his official Facebook page and hit out at those who have criticised his absence from Roy Hodgson's squad.

"Some people seem to be questioning my commitment to the England squad and the fact I had to pull out of the 2 games," Rooney said.

"There's nothing I would like more than to be helping the lads in the qualifiers. I'm sure people will see from these images the reason why I won't be able to play."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Roo.......we miss you

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cahill backs England No.1 Hart to bounce back


Gary Cahil has leapt to the defence of out-of-form goalkeeper Joe Hart and says the England No.1 has the strength of character to return to his best.

The 26-year-old has recently come under-fire for a series of blunders for both Roy Hodgson's side and Manchester City, conceding soft goals against Scotland and Cardiff respectively.

But, speaking ahead of England's World Cup qualifying match against Moldova, Cahill has faith that "top drawer" Hart can recover from his slump and re-find his best form.

"There is always going to be a stage in your career when you make a mistake or two," the Chelsea defender told reporters.

"We'll see in the character, the way he can bounce back - that's the most important thing - but he's top drawer.

"He's a strong character. You're never going to play the perfect game, never concede a goal or never make a mistake.

"It's how you respond, learn from that and move on - and I don't think that will be a problem."

Cahill insists that England, two points adrift of Group F leaders Montenegro with a game in hand, are focused solely on coming away with the three points against Moldova at Wembley before taking on Ukraine away next Tuesday.

"People might be coming on Friday hoping we win 4-0, 5-0 or 6-0 - it might not be the case, we might win 1-0," Cahill continued.

"Would that be a bad result? No, of course not - it would be a positive result leading into the second game. So we'll show them a lot of respect."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo: Neymar will learn from Messi

Brazilian legend Ronaldo believes Neymar will benefit from playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

The 21-year-old Brazil star joined the Blaugrana in the summer from Santos and has already found the back of the net for his new club, having scored in the first leg of Barca's Spanish Super Cup clash with Atletico Madrid.

And Ronaldo feels Neymar will flourish at Camp Nou, but stated he is not yet at the same level as Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I think we are going to continue talking about Messi and Cristiano, because with Neymar we will have to wait," he told Europa Press.

“He is a young player, but he will learn and will become one of the best too.
"Neymar will learn a lot with Barca, with Messi, with European football and it comes in handy for there to be lots of Brazilians playing in Europe.“And, although it will be difficult at first, in the long run for Neymar it will be very good.”

Barca spent €54 million to secure the services of Neymar from Santos back in June.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Madrid reveal 23-man Champions League squad

Real Madrid have named Gareth Bale, Isco and Asier Illarramendi in their 23-man squad for this season's Champions League.

The out-of-favour Iker Casillas is also included, as well as younger stars like Alvaro Morata, Casemiro, Dani Carvajal and Jorge Casado.

Los Blancos haven't won Europe's premier club competition since their defeat of Bayer Leverkusen in 2002, with Raul and Zinedine Zidane the heroes on the night.

Last season they were knocked out by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals, losing 4-3 on aggregate to Jurgen Klopp's side, but will be determined to lift a 10th Champions League title this term.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Fernandez, Lopez
Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Marcelo, Carvajal, Arbeloa, Nacho, Casado
Midfielders: Khedira, Bale, Alonso, Casemiro, Modric, Di Maria, Isco, Illarramendi, Garcia
Attackers: Ronaldo, Benzema, Rodriguez, Morata

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Low: Madrid selling Ozil is incomprehensible

Germany head coach Joachim Low says Real Madrid's sale of Mesut Ozil to Arsenal is "incomprehensible".

The 24-year-old joined the north London club for a club record fee of €50 million after making 159 appearances for the Spanish giants, and Low simply cannot understand why los Blancos chose to get rid of him.

"For me, it is a bit incomprehensible that Real Madrid would get rid of one of their best players, who is of a high quality and looked more decisive than ever last season," Low told reporters.

"Mesut still needs to feel as though he has complete confidence from his coach.

"From what I heard from Madrid ahead of the transfer, you could feel that the trust was no longer there 100 per cent. Arsenal tried hard to sign him. That did him good.

"Ozil's Arsenal move will be a good transfer for the national team because he will play for a team which has an overall great technique - that is good for him."

Germany will be without Bayern Munich's Mario Gotze for their crucial World Cup qualifiers starting this week, and Low admits he is anxious over the midfielder's fitness following injury problems earlier this year.

"For him it's really bad, for Bayern as well, suffering another major injury, shortly after recovering from a previous one. He will have to fight back," Low said.
"I hope he finds his rhythm back quickly and he will be an outstanding player.
"In 2012 he suffered the same with being out for six months. Now the World Cup is coming closer, so we really hope he won’t be injured too much and too often."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Herrera denies reaching agreement with Manchester United

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera has revealed that there was never any agreement in place for him to join Manchester United.

The Premier League champions approached the Spanish club with an informal offer below the 24-year-old's €36 million buyout clause, however the bid was rejected.

Herrera, who admits he was flattered by United's interest, also claims that three lawyers - later reported to be 'imposters' - who were seen entering the offices of the Spanish football league [LFP] were not acting on his behalf.

"I reached no agreement with United," he told a press conference. "I knew that United were going to make an offer, but we all know the way the club acts [in these situations]. There are questions United must answer.

"I am proud they made an offer for me, and that Athletic wanted me [to stay]. I do not feel used by United, they made a formal offer. Athletic did not want to negotiate, I value that.

"I feel very flattered to see that one of the biggest clubs in the world like United made an offer for me. The lawyers who were at the LFP offices did not represent me. I do not know who they were.

"I don't discuss hypotheticals. I am just telling you how things were. At no moment did I speak with United. They had to pay the €36m clause and then seduce me more than Athletic. I never saw myself elsewhere."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ribery eyes Ballon d'Or prize

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is confident he can win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 30-year-old was a key player in Bayern's treble-winning success last term and won Uefa's Best Player in Europe award last week.

And he has now targeted Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or crown and insists he would me more than worthy of landing the prize.

"Of course I believe in it. Last year I did what had to be done on the pitch and off it," he told reporters, while on international duty for France.

"I was very professional, I had a great time with my team and we really enjoyed it.
"The Super Cup did a lot of good for the club. There's not much time left [before the award is voted on]. I have to continue without asking myself too many questions and still try to enjoy myself.

"It's always flattering, and particularly with this kind of trophy. To be elected the best player ahead of Messi and Ronaldo, that's amazing. It's true that I'm really enjoying myself right now. This award is a plus for me in a sporting sense, it gives me confidence.

"Perhaps it puts more pressure on me, but I manage to handle that sort of situation well. I mustn't get carried away. It's up to me to keep working, enjoy myself, and help my team, be it Bayern or France."

Bayern president Uli Hoeness has thrown his weight of support behind Ribery landing a second major individual award and believes there are few players capable of challenging him.

"Who else but him should win it? I doubt there is anyone in South America who has a better chance," Hoeness told Bild.

Ribery scored 11 goals and made 18 assists in all competitions last season as Bayern won the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fellaini did not pay £4m of Manchester United transfer fee, insist Everton

Everton have vehemently denied rumours that Marouane Fellaini contributed towards the £27.5 million fee Manchester United paid for the midfielder.

The Belgian was reunited with his former Toffees manager at Old Trafford on deadline day, with some questioning United's approach knowing with the midfielder has a release clause of £23.5m in July.

This prompted speculation that Fellaini paid the £4m difference to force an exit from Everton, but the club's director of communication, Alan Myers, stressed that there is no truth in such speculation.

"For those asking: No Felli [Fellaini] did NOT pay £4m of the transfer fee! The buying club will pay £27.5m," Myers wrote on Twitter.

Fellaini was a huge success in his five years at Goodison Park, making 177 appearances and scoring 33 times.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ozil deal proves Arsenal are title contenders, says Walcott

Arsenal attacker Theo Walcott believes the signing of Mesut Ozil proves the club are serious Premier League contenders this season.

The Germany playmaker completed a €47 million move from Real Madrid on deadline day, becoming Arsenal's fourth signing of the window following Yaya Sanogo, Mathieu Flamini and Emiliano Viviano.

Arsenal lost their opening game of the season at home to Aston Villa, but have since reached the Champions League group stage and beat rivals Tottenham 1-0 on Sunday, and Walcott feels the addition of Ozil will only improve the team further.

"It definitely shows a statement that we are ready to step up," Walcott told reporters.

"We had a disappointing start to the season, but we have bounced back and it is looking fantastic now.

"With the likes of Ozil joining the club, it is only going to boost everyone."

Ozil, who scored nine and assisted 16 goals last season, is in line to make his Arsenal debut when they travel to Sunderland on September 14.