..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City favourites for Premier League title, says Aguero

Sergio Aguero argues that Manchester City are favourites to win the Premier League title, with a superior squad to closest rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have opened the season with wins against Newcastle and Hull City Tigers either side of a 3-2 defeat to Cardiff City, as they look to improve on last season's second-place finish.

City have had a busy summer, featuring the signings of Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic, Alvaro Negredo and Martin Demichelis, which Aguero feels puts them on a level above their competition.

The striker told Gazzetta Dello Sport: "I am convinced we are stronger than last season. It will be a really competitive Premier League but we have a good squad to win and I would say we have a staff a little better than United and Chelsea.

"United will be our biggest rivals, even if they have changed coach, and then Chelsea with the return of [Jose] Mourinho. Tottenham have built a great squad and then there is always Liverpool.

"City have invested a lot for some years and is growing a lot and quickly. We know that we have to win and the new arrivals know that City wants to become one of the big teams."

The 25-year-old also revealed that he will be playing a different position to last season, with Pellegrini keen him to use further forward.

"Sometimes, with [previous manager Roberto] Mancini, I played more on the flanks and more behind the main striker," Aguero explained. "Roberto asked me to move around the box.

"But now, with new wide players like Navas and with [David] Silva, who plays on the left, Pellegrini has asked me to move further forward, almost up with the centre forward, and he asks me to move more in the area and link with [Yaya] Toure, Navas and Silva."

The Argentine also spoke of his delight at seeing former Manchester City team-mates Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez thriving following their moves back to Serie A in 2013.

"I am happy for him that he is at a great club like Juventus," Aguero said of his countryman. "It is an honour for Italian football to have someone like him - he will add quality to Serie A."

"Of [Balotelli], I remember only one phrase: 'F*** it!' He was always saying it. We got on well. We respect each other, he is like that, he likes to joke, he is a nice madman."

 

[unicornx]

Balotelli: The world should fear Italy

Mario Balotelli claims teams should be scared of facing Italy at next summer's World Cup.

The Azzurri confirmed their place in the 2014 finals with a 2-1 in over Czech Republic on Tuesday, with Balotelli scoring the winner from the penalty spot, and the AC Milan star is bullish about his side's chances in Brazil.

"I think we're among the favourites." the 23-year-old told RAI Sport after the match.

"There are one or two teams above us, but they should fear us, not the other way around."

Libor Kozak had given the Czechs a surprise 19th-minute lead at Juventus Stadium, with the hosts contributing to their own downfall with some wayward finishing.

Balotelli was the prime culprit, crashing one shot against the crossbar, blazing wildly over when played through and failing to beat Petr Cech when one-on-one multiple times.

And despite finally getting on the scoresheet, the former Inter youngster admits it was not his most clinical showing.

"Missing that many chances has never happened to me before," he said.

"When Cech parried that shot I thought he would get it if I fired low, so I tried to raise the finish and went too high.

"I was unlucky, but I just kept trying until the end."

Italy now have an unassailable seven-point lead over Bulgaria at the top of Group B, and they join Netherlands as Europe's first guaranteed representatives at next summer's tournament.

Buhahahaaa..LMAO...ANW if this was a statement at a time when Maldini Inseghai Totti played, i highly bow...Balotelli matakane GFwa dala kiapu gon kathawa

 

[unicornx]

Manchester City favourites for Premier League title, says Aguero

Sergio Aguero argues that Manchester City are favourites to win the Premier League title, with a superior squad to closest rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have opened the season with wins against Newcastle and Hull City Tigers either side of a 3-2 defeat to Cardiff City, as they look to improve on last season's second-place finish.

City have had a busy summer, featuring the signings of Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic, Alvaro Negredo and Martin Demichelis, which Aguero feels puts them on a level above their competition.

The striker told Gazzetta Dello Sport: "I am convinced we are stronger than last season. It will be a really competitive Premier League but we have a good squad to win and I would say we have a staff a little better than United and Chelsea.

"United will be our biggest rivals, even if they have changed coach, and then Chelsea with the return of [Jose] Mourinho. Tottenham have built a great squad and then there is always Liverpool.

"City have invested a lot for some years and is growing a lot and quickly. We know that we have to win and the new arrivals know that City wants to become one of the big teams."

The 25-year-old also revealed that he will be playing a different position to last season, with Pellegrini keen him to use further forward.

"Sometimes, with [previous manager Roberto] Mancini, I played more on the flanks and more behind the main striker," Aguero explained. "Roberto asked me to move around the box.

"But now, with new wide players like Navas and with [David] Silva, who plays on the left, Pellegrini has asked me to move further forward, almost up with the centre forward, and he asks me to move more in the area and link with [Yaya] Toure, Navas and Silva."

The Argentine also spoke of his delight at seeing former Manchester City team-mates Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez thriving following their moves back to Serie A in 2013.

"I am happy for him that he is at a great club like Juventus," Aguero said of his countryman. "It is an honour for Italian football to have someone like him - he will add quality to Serie A."

"Of [Balotelli], I remember only one phrase: 'F*** it!' He was always saying it. We got on well. We respect each other, he is like that, he likes to joke, he is a nice madman."

Totally....A good team with no team spirit

 

[unicornx]

 

[Persius]

that awkward moment when Persius realized that there had been a number posts in the thread during his absence

I AM BACK

 

[rcccc]

Paraguay 2-5 Argentina: Messi at the double as Argentina book their World Cup place

.

 

[Michael]

Manchester City favourites for Premier League title, says Aguero

Sergio Aguero argues that Manchester City are favourites to win the Premier League title, with a superior squad to closest rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have opened the season with wins against Newcastle and Hull City Tigers either side of a 3-2 defeat to Cardiff City, as they look to improve on last season's second-place finish.

City have had a busy summer, featuring the signings of Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic, Alvaro Negredo and Martin Demichelis, which Aguero feels puts them on a level above their competition.

The striker told Gazzetta Dello Sport: "I am convinced we are stronger than last season. It will be a really competitive Premier League but we have a good squad to win and I would say we have a staff a little better than United and Chelsea.

"United will be our biggest rivals, even if they have changed coach, and then Chelsea with the return of [Jose] Mourinho. Tottenham have built a great squad and then there is always Liverpool.

"City have invested a lot for some years and is growing a lot and quickly. We know that we have to win and the new arrivals know that City wants to become one of the big teams."

The 25-year-old also revealed that he will be playing a different position to last season, with Pellegrini keen him to use further forward.

"Sometimes, with [previous manager Roberto] Mancini, I played more on the flanks and more behind the main striker," Aguero explained. "Roberto asked me to move around the box.

"But now, with new wide players like Navas and with [David] Silva, who plays on the left, Pellegrini has asked me to move further forward, almost up with the centre forward, and he asks me to move more in the area and link with [Yaya] Toure, Navas and Silva."

The Argentine also spoke of his delight at seeing former Manchester City team-mates Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez thriving following their moves back to Serie A in 2013.

"I am happy for him that he is at a great club like Juventus," Aguero said of his countryman. "It is an honour for Italian football to have someone like him - he will add quality to Serie A."

"Of [Balotelli], I remember only one phrase: 'F*** it!' He was always saying it. We got on well. We respect each other, he is like that, he likes to joke, he is a nice madman."

he is getting too much of the bench still says City are the favorites lol Go home you are drunk Aguero

 

[Persius]

Balotelli: The world should fear Italy

Mario Balotelli claims teams should be scared of facing Italy at next summer's World Cup.

The Azzurri confirmed their place in the 2014 finals with a 2-1 in over Czech Republic on Tuesday, with Balotelli scoring the winner from the penalty spot, and the AC Milan star is bullish about his side's chances in Brazil.

"I think we're among the favourites." the 23-year-old told RAI Sport after the match.

"There are one or two teams above us, but they should fear us, not the other way around."

Libor Kozak had given the Czechs a surprise 19th-minute lead at Juventus Stadium, with the hosts contributing to their own downfall with some wayward finishing.

Balotelli was the prime culprit, crashing one shot against the crossbar, blazing wildly over when played through and failing to beat Petr Cech when one-on-one multiple times.

And despite finally getting on the scoresheet, the former Inter youngster admits it was not his most clinical showing.

"Missing that many chances has never happened to me before," he said.

"When Cech parried that shot I thought he would get it if I fired low, so I tried to raise the finish and went too high.

"I was unlucky, but I just kept trying until the end."

Italy now have an unassailable seven-point lead over Bulgaria at the top of Group B, and they join Netherlands as Europe's first guaranteed representatives at next summer's tournament.

 

[unicornx]

that awkward moment when Persius realized that there had been a number posts in the thread during his absence

I AM BACK

Welcome back

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pardew praises Cabaye attitude after Arsenal bid

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has lauded Yohan Cabaye's attitude in the wake of the midfielder's failed transfer to Arsenal.

The 27-year-old was omitted from the Magpies' squad in the wake of a £10 million bid from the Gunners and saw his first action of the campaign coming off the bench against Fulham in the match prior to the international break.

Despite missing out on a move and being left out of the France setup for World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Belarus due to inactivity, Pardew says that the former Lille man has been hard at work in ahead of Saturday's clash with Aston Villa.

"Yohan Cabaye stayed behind and has had a full week here," the Newcastle manager said to The Chronicle.

"He's been able to get a lot of work done. His wife has just had a baby too.

"Yohan has just got on with his work and settled down. He's getting on with the job in hand. He's been terrific and he's just got his head down to get on with life."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Low sets date for Germany contract talks

Joachim Low says contract talks with Germany will begin after the end of World Cup qualification.

The 53-year-old has all but secured the Mannschaft's place at Brazil 2014 following victories over Austria and Faroe Islands and his side now need only one win from their remaining ties against Republic of Ireland and Sweden.

Low has transformed Germany's fortunes but he insists talks of extending his current deal - which expires in July 2014 - with the German FA will not begin until after qualification has been confirmed.

"No further discussions will take place [until after the qualifiers]," Low told reporters.

Germany put three past the Faroes, who had Atli Gregersen sent off, with Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller getting amongst the goals, however, Low says they need to be more ruthless in front of goal.

"It was a mandatory task to pick up three points here," he continued. "The game went the way as expected once they went down to 10 men.

"However, if there is an area to be critical about, it's in the final third where we still need work."

General manager Oliver Bierhoff, a former striker himself, also believed Germany could push more men forward in attack.

"We could create more chances" he said. "After the half we lost a bit of pace, but in the end the victory was important. We have the ball often, but can also miss putting our opponents under pressure in the box."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klose targets World Cup victory

Miroslav Klose says winning the World Cup with Germany next year is now his main goal.The 35-year-old equalled Gerd Muller's record for the Mannschaft when he notched his 68th strike for his country against Austria on Friday.

Germany can seal their place at Brazil 2014 with a victory in either of their remaining games, against Republic of Ireland and Sweden in October, and Klosehas made it his top priority to add a World Cup to his list of honours.
"I want to win the World Cup in Brazil, that is my top priority," he told Bild.

"We will give all we can, but naturally that is no guarantee for the title as other big football nations also have this goal, and you need to respect that. But if we can implement what we are able to achieve, I don’t have any fears."

The Lazio striker also revealed that he has received two excellent offers from MLS clubs.

The Germany international's contract with the Serie A outfit expires at the end of the season and, though they are keen to keep him on, the forward could emulate what Muller did and move to the United States.

"It is a fact that I have received two excellent offers from the USA for Major League Soccer clubs," he said."My contract with Lazio goes on for another year and who knows how it will end? I don't want to rule anything out at this moment.

"Do I have a future at Kaiserslautern? They are and always have been a club close to my heart. Mesut Ozil's move to Arsenal proves once again that you can't rule anything out in football.

"One minute you're happy at a club and the next you're somewhere else."
Klose has been with Lazio since 2011, having played for Bayern Munich for four years before.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benitez: If Bale is worth €100m then Hamsik is priceless

Following Gareth Bale's world-record €100 million move to Real Madrid, Napoli boss Rafa Benitez has branded Marek Hamsik as "priceless".

The 26-year-old midfielder attracted interest from Europe's biggest clubs in recent months before signing a new deal in Naples that extended his stay at the Stadio San Paolo until 2018.

And Benitez insists that no amount of money would tempt him into letting the Slovakia international leave the Partenopei.

"What is Hamsik worth? Is Bale worth what Real Madrid paid for him? In this market if you say an outlandish figure then a club comes along and pays it," Benitez told Sportmediaset.

"That is why I say that Hamsik is priceless - because we do not want to sell.”

Hamsik has made a fine start to the new season, scoring four goals in his opening two Serie A games, and Benitez also took time to thank the club for the faith the board have shown in him during the transfer window.

Following the sale of Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain for €64m, Benitez has been able to bolster his squad with the signings of Real Madrid trio Raul Albiol, Jose Callejon and Gonzalo Higuain, PSV winger Dries Mertens, and Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

"Five names have replaced [Edinson] Cavani," added the former Liverpool and Valencia boss.

"I appreciate the confidence De Laurentiis has shown in me and [sporting director Riccardo] Bigon has done so much to improve this Napoli squad."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Quagliarella rejected moves away from Juventus - agent

Juventus striker Fabio Quagliarella rejected the chance to leave the club during the last transfer window, according to his agent Beppe Bozzo.

The 30-year-old was frequently linked with a switch away from the Serie A champions after struggling for game time under current coach Antonio Conte.
The Italian scored nine goals in 27 league appearances in the title-winning campaign and, despite being overlooked for the league opener against Sampdoria, Quagliarella's representative has confirmed that he remains committed to the Old Lady.

"Fabio didn't want to leave Juventus," Bozzo told Tuttomercatoweb."He simply asked for more space in the side because he knows he can be of use. Antonio Conte has always believed in him.

"Quagliarella received a number of offers from Italy and abroad, but the club decided to keep him because he is part of the project and considered an important player.

"You have to accept the rotation policy when you are part of a great side."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borini looking for Premier League revival at Sunderland

Fabio Borini is looking to put a difficult 2012-13 campaign behind him following his deadline day loan switch to Sunderland.

The Italian, who scored just one goal for Liverpool last term in an injury-plagued season, has now linked up with countryman Paolo Di Canio at the Stadium of Light and is eager to return to form and fitness.

"My first thought is to have a clear season with nothing major happening," he told the Evening Chronicle.

"I’ve always proved myself in the short-term. I would like at least six or seven months without getting injured, which would mean all season.

"Last season was tough, mostly because of the injuries, not the move. Big-money moves happen in football.

"So do injuries, but they take you down, especially when all you want is to do well for a new team. Basically, your body pulls you out."

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers had previously planned to keep Borini on Merseyside this season, but Victor Moses' late loan move necessitated the 22-year-old's departure to Sunderland.

And now Borini insists he wants to make up for lost time.

"I wanted to prove myself at Liverpool last season and I couldn’t really do it," he continued. "I’ve come here to do that now.

"I’m fully fit now, kind of! I had a bit of a problem this week with a hamstring, but it’s nothing serious.

"It’s just adapting to a different kind of work in training. My body needs to adapt, that’s all."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bale meets Ronaldo ahead of first Real Madrid training session

Gareth Bale was greeted by Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of his first training session since joining Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old, who surpassed the Portugal international as the world's most-expensive player following his €100 million move from Tottenham, is poised to make his debut for his new club against Villarreal on Saturday evening.

Bale began the training session by undergoing individual physical work with a coach before joining his new team-mates in their full warm-up.

The Wales international then took part in light ball work with Iker Casillas, Luka Modric. Karim Benzema, Daniel Carvajal, Alvaro Morata, Nacho and Jese.

Ronaldo, along with summer signing Isco, trained apart from Bale, while Raphael Varane was alone with a fitness coach as he makes his comeback from a knee injury.

Bale came on as a second-half substitute in Wales' World Cup qualifier against Serbia on Tuesday evening, and following his side's 3-0 defeat, manager Chris Coleman believes the winger may be subjected to a restricted amount of playing time in his early stages at Madrid.

"If he starts Saturday, he will not finish the game. I would be amazed if he does," Coleman told reporters.

"We have looked at him in these 10 days and he is nowhere near ready for 90 minutes even if Spanish football is slower.

"He may start, but he won't finish the game. He may get 45 minutes, I don't know, but he will feel better in himself after 30 minutes here.

"But he has only had four training sessions in two months which is dangerous."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Villas-Boas: Tottenham not ready for title challenge

Andre Villas-Boas is pleased with Tottenham's dealings on the transfer market this summer but feels that it is too early for his side to be contenders for the Premier League title.

Spurs splashed out over €120 million on new signings this summer, netting the likes of Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado and Paulinho, while sending Gareth Bale to Real Madrid in a world-record €100m deal.

The Portuguese believes, however, that it will take time for the new-look squad to gel together.

"The circumstances are difficult," Villas-Boas told Sky Sports News. "The investment that we have made raises expectations in people but what we have to do is create a team that bonds together.

"That takes time and we see that our opponents are one step ahead as they have players who have been together for many years - that is an advantage that we don't have.

"I think we have invested a lot in young players that have real potential. Obviously we will have to work with them to make sure they develop into the world stars that we think they can become.

"All of them have great ambition to succeed and win titles which is one of the criteria that we wanted. Now it is about creating a team that bonds together and assumes the responsibility of winning those titles. This is what we have now and hopefully we can get a good response."

Tottenham suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to arch-rivals Arsenal before the international break but Villas-Boas is focused on getting back on track against Norwich City..

"I'm happy with the start we have made but losing to Arsenal is never easy for any Spurs fan so now we have to make sure we bounce back," he continued.

"Whatever result we had against Arsenal, that would not affect how we approach our next game against Norwich. We have to concentrate on winning that one.

"[It's been a] good international break for us. We have not had any injuries so we are looking forward to getting back into action."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Buffon a true champion, says Marotta

Juventus director Beppe Marotta has lauded Gianluigi Buffon as a true champion and voiced his hope that the goalkeeper will retire at the club.

The Bianconeri skipper has spent the last 12 years in Turin, winning four Serie A titles with the club and becoming captain in 2012.

Marotta believes the 35-year-old is an excellent professional and would like to see the former Parma man continue to represent the club for years to come.

"Buffon is a true champion," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"He is a superlative professional."My hope and wish is that he can defend Italy and Juve's goal for many years to come.

"I believe and I hope that he will finish his career with Juve and this is the basis for him to remain at Juve for a long time."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Anzhi will collapse in two years'

Former Anzhi Makhachkala assistant coach Roberto Carlos has claimed that the club will collapse within two years if drastic action is not taken.

The Dagestan club made headline for their ambitious spending but a change of policy prompted the sale of a number of their star players, including Samuel Eto'o.
The ex-Brazil star feels that the absence of himself and coach Guus Hiddink will leave the club a laughing stock in Europe this year.

"I used to say: 'If Guus Hiddink and I leave, the entire command structure will collapse," Carlos told Sport Express."But I didn't think it would happen so soon. If I had stayed in at Anzhi, this would not happen. The team simply does not have enough experience.

"Makhachkala will look ridiculous in the Europa League, unless they hire a good coach and a good sports director. At this pace the club will collapse in the next two years."

The 40-year-old left Anzhi in the summer to take the reins at Turkish side Sivasspor.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic: I like to make others happy

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists he is very different to how many perceive him, saying he always puts team-mates before himself.

The 31-year-old has often been seen as a bad influence throughout his career, most notably during his one-year stint at Barcelona, where he clashed with then-coach Pep Guardiola on several occasions.

However, he has moved to dismiss such suggestions, stressing that he is very different in person.

"I read all the time that people think I'm arrogant," he told the BBC.

"They say I am cocky, a bad character. I had that from a young age. But when they meet me, they say 'that image doesn't fit you.'

"Where I come from you never judge a person until you meet them. I would never do that.

"Wherever I have played, I have won. But I only feel satisfied if my team-mates, the fans, everyone is happy. I have a big heart."