..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldinho: I want to retire at PSG

Atletico Mineiro playmaker Ronaldinho has revealed that he could imagine ending his career at Paris Saint-Germain.

The former Brazil ace played for les Parisiens between 2001 and 2003 and says he could picture himself bringing the curtain down on his illustrious career at the Parc des Princes.

"Today, I do think about the future," the 33-year-old told reporters. "But any player would be delighted to have the opportunity to finish his career in a big club like PSG.

"PSG are very strong at the moment; a great team."

He then praised his fellow countryman Lucas Moura, who he believes has the potential to become one of game's top players.

"Lucas is a guy who has the means to conquer the world, thanks to his quality and speed. Soon the whole world will applaud him," the World Cup winner said of the PSG winger.

Ronaldinho left PSG for Barcelona, where he enjoyed the most productive years of his career, with the gifted No.10 winning two Liga titles and a Champions League during his five-year stay at Camp Nou.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic is a world-class guy - Van der Wiel

Paris Saint-Germain defender Gregory van der Wiel has hailed team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a "world-class guy".

The Sweden international underlined his importance to the French champions on the field with two goals against Benfica in the Champions League in midweek and a game-winning penalty in the 2-1 win over Ligue 1 rivals Olympique de Marseille on Sunday.

However, Van der Wiel has revealed that the enigmatic forward is just as enjoyable to be around off the field.

"It's great to play alongside Ibrahimovic," the Netherlands international told Novum.

"Who the hell would not want to play with him? Outside of the pitch he is also a world-class guy."

Van der Wiel, who assisted Maxwell's equaliser in the game against OM, was impressed with his side's ability to prevail at Stade Velodrome in spite of Thiago Motta's 31st-minute dismissal.

"The victory was really fantastic," the former Ajax man said. "We were reduced to 10 men and if you still win at the end, that's great."

The right-back also expressed his joy at having been recalled by his country after a one-year exile.

"It's exciting and nice to be back," he enthused. "It feels a little like my first international matches. I was expecting nothing and focused on my own game. Whatever comes, comes."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fellaini available for Belgium despite wrist injury

Belgium head coach Marc Wilmots has confirmed Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini will be available for the upcoming World Cup qualification deciders despite needing surgery on his wrist.

Fellaini missed United’s 2-1 defeat of Sunderland on Saturday after suffering the injury in training, but will be in the squad to face Croatia and Wales.

Wilmots confirmed on Monday that Fellaini's wrist will be "adequately supported" by a brace for both fixtures.

It had been feared that Fellaini, who joined United for £27.5 million on transfer deadline day, would be out of action for three weeks, but specialists have given the former Everton man the all-clear.

The news is a rare positive for Wilmots after announcing that Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany would miss both qualifiers, while Aston Villa star Christian Benteke is unlikely to be fit to face Croatia.

Victory against Croatia on Friday evening would confirm Belgium’s place at the Brazil-based tournament and result in their first appearance at a World Cup since 2002.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ashley Cole ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers


Ashley Cole has been ruled out of England's squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland with a rib injury, the Football Association has confirmed.

The left-back was named in Roy Hodgson's initial 23-man squad for the two fixtures but suffered the injury in Chelsea's 3-1 win over Norwich City on Sunday.
Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has been named in the squad as Cole's replacement.

Cole - who earned his 105th cap for England against Ukraine in September - underwent a scan on Monday morning although the extent of his injury is unknown.

Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, said of the injury on Sunday: "He is having this little problem for quite a while. He was feeling it hard in the ribs but I didn't [substitute] him because of that."

England currently top Group H by just one point following the 1-1 draw with Ukraine in September, and need to win both of their final group games to be sure of securing a place in next summer's World Cup.

Hodgson's side host Montenegro on Friday before Poland arrive at Wembley on October 15.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mexes banned for four games over Chiellini punch

AC Milan have been rocked by the news that defender Philippe Mexes has been hit with a four-game ban for punching Juventus counterpart Giorgio Chiellini.

The incident occurred six minutes into the second half of Sunday night's Serie A meeting in Turin, with the France international appearing to strike the Bianconeri centre-half in the back of the head after they had both attempted to connect with an Andrea Pirlo corner.

An enraged Chiellini later called for Mexes to be "heavily punished" and Lega Serie have now confirmed that the Rossoneri ace has been suspended for four games.

The ruling body explained that one game related to the 31-year-old's later dismissal for a second bookable offence, with the other three games the result of the player having been found guilty of violent conduct courtesy of televisual evidence supplied by broadcaster Sky Sport Italia.

Mexes' ban is a major blow for a Rossoneri side that has already shipped 13 goals in seven games so far this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ba pleased with Chelsea display after 'difficult' start to season

Demba Ba says he was happy with his performance after returning to the Chelsea line-up, but admits the season has been "difficult".

The Senegal international was afforded a starting berth against Norwich City by Jose Mourinho for the first time since Chelsea's 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa on August 21, assisting Oscar's fourth-minute opener in a 3-1 win.

Ba is behind both Fernando Torres and summer signing Samuel Eto'o at Stamford Bridge, but is backing himself to work his way into the matchday squad on a more regular basis.

"It's difficult to be left on the side-lines but, as I'm a professional, and a good one, I always work hard and wait for moments like this," Ba told the club's official website.

"It's all about giving 100 per cent and showing that you should be picked for the next game. I showed that and gave my best and when I came off I was happy with my performance.”

Chelsea beat Norwich at Carrow Road on Sunday thanks to late strikes from Eden Hazard and Willian to lift the west London side to third in the table going in to the international break.

The former Newcastle and West Ham striker's only other involvement has come against Basle in the Champions League and Swindon Town in the Capital One Cup, but has worked hard to regain his place.

He continued: "I always work hard to be ready when the team needs me, that's why we're here, especially the offensive players. I'm happy I made the assist for Oscar and I'm happy with the win.

"It was a tough game, they gave us a really good match and we're really happy because we responded."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

De Rossi absent from Italy squad

Daniele De Rossi has been ruled out of the final two qualifiers for Italy as he attempts to fully recover from an Achilles tendon injury.

The midfielder has played the full 90 minutes in all of Roma’s seven matches this season, including Saturday’s 3-0 win over Inter at San Siro, despite the injury.

The international break will serve as a welcome two-week rest for De Rossi to get fully fit before returning to Serie A action on October 19 against Napoli.

With Italy already assured of their place in the 2014 World Cup, they can afford to give players rest ahead of their final two qualifiers against Denmark and Armenia.

De Rossi has been capped 93 times for the Azzurri, scoring 15 goals.

Cesare Prandelli has a wealth of options to replace the 30-year-old in central midfield, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti, or AC Milan’s Andrea Poli all capable of filling the void.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Martino: Atletico Madrid can challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid

Gerardo Martino insists Atletico Madrid have joined Barcelona and Real Madrid as title contenders in La Liga.

Los Rojiblancos have begun the season with eight consecutive wins, their most impressive of which came in the Madrid derby at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona, who have also had a perfect start after eight games, do not face Atletico until January 11, but the Blaugrana coach believes he knows everything he needs to know about the title contenders following their meeting in the Supercopa de Espana final.

“There are three teams that can win this league, but hardly anyone agrees with me,” he told reporters.

“I got a good look at Atletico in the Supercopa.”

Meanwhile, the first Clasico of the season was announced on Monday, but Martino insists the team are not thinking about that encounter yet.

“We have matches against Osasuna and Milan first. The games we have coming up before the Clasico are important," he added.

“I don’t know if [Messi] will be back for the game against Osasuna. We shouldn’t take risks, and keep an eye on what’s next. But Jordi Alba and [Javier] Mascherano will be there.

“[Puyol’s] knee is responding well. If everything is fine at the end of the week, he’ll be ready for [the match against Osasuna in] Pamplona.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reus & Bender twins add to Germany's injury woes

Joachim Low has been handed a setback with the news Marco Reus, as well as Lars and Sven Bender, will miss Germany's 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Sweden.

The Borussia Dortmund attacker suffered a torn ligament during his side's 0-2 loss at Borussia Monchengladbach, while team-mate Sven Bender is struggling with with a muscular problem.

Furthermore, Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender picked up a thigh injury in his team's 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich on Saturday.

The three players join Marcel Schmelzer, Ilkay Gundogan, Lukas Podolski, Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose on Germany's injury list.

Meanwhile BVB confirmed on Monday that Jonas Hofmann injured his knee in training, thus ruling himself out for at least 10 days.

One of those to benefit from the unavailability of so many first-team regulars is Hamburg's Heiko Westermann, who could now feature in the qualifying matches against Ireland, on October 11, and Sweden, on October 15.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger close to agreeing Arsenal contract extension

Arsene Wenger is close to agreeing a two-year contract extension with Arsenal.

The Frenchman has been in talks with the club about a renewal for months and a deal could be signed imminently.

Wenger, whose current £7.5 million-a-year agreement expires next summer, is expected to pen an extension that runs until 2016.The new contract would extend the reign of Arsenal’s longest-serving manager to a remarkable 20 years if it is honoured, by which time he will be 66.The Gunners hierarchy and Wenger have nearly reached agreement on the terms of the deal, which will be supplemented by bonuses but is not expected to include a basic salary increase.

Wenger wants to stay for personal as well as professional reasons. His family are settled in London, with his teenage daughter hoping to compete her secondary education in the capital, while he has complete autonomy over signings and the technical direction of the club.

As revealed by Goal in April, when Arsenal’s top-four hopes were on a knife-edge, Wenger still retained the complete faith of American owner Stan Kroenke and the rest of the board.Preliminary talks on a new contract were held over the summer and sources are confident that a deal is now close to being struck.

Wenger gave a clear indication at the end of September that he wants to sign a new deal which will take him into his third decade at the club, after Kroenke gave his full endorsement to the Frenchman remaining in charge for “the long term”.

The manager, who turns 64 later in October, said: “The good thing with me, if I have one quality, you don’t need a lot of talks to extend the contract I have. [I will sign] when we find time. I don’t think that’s the most important problem at the moment.“I would love to be here forever because that would mean I would be immortal. What I would like to do as long as I’m here is to give my best for this club because I love the club, of course.

“I am very honoured to have the support of Stan Kroenke. That he thinks I can help the club is a huge confidence vote. I don’t believe that anybody can question my commitment to this club. I want to feel that I do well and then the question of me staying will be secondary after that."

Asked if that meant the talks would be straightforward, Wenger said: “That’s straightforward and I don’t think there’s anything more to add to that.”Kroenke had earlier given a ringing endorsement of Wenger on the eve of the Frenchman’s 17th anniversary at Arsenal.

“There is no one I feel more strongly about and I think he is doing a great job,” explained the Denver-based owner. “We have been very supportive, we have never wavered, we are proud of him, proud of the club, the way the club is run and how it holds itself out to the world.”

Kroenke explained that the club’s most successful manager is central to his “long-term” Arsenal vision. “Arsene knows exactly how we feel, what our philosophy is, what we want to do and I feel like we are totally aligned. I think he wants to do it exactly the same way as we do,” he added.

Although Arsenal have not won a trophy since 2005, the board place far greater importance on his record of top-four finishes and success in navigating the group stages of the Champions League year after year.

The Gunners hierarchy are keen for Wenger to stay and develop a team around a British core of Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, supplemented by proven foreign stars in the mould of £40m record signing Mesut Ozil and the 2012 principal signings Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.

The north Londoners' high command are also convinced that new commercial deals, including the £150m Emirates contract that was front-loaded to come into effect this summer, leave Arsenal even better positioned in the medium and long term than they are now.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona not Messi dependent - Deulofeu

Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu has branded Lionel Messi "the best player in the world" but does not believe that the Catalans are solely dependent upon their talismanic No.10.

The Argentine superstar had been sidelined with a thigh injury at the end of September, but nonetheless, the Blaugrana were able to overrun Valladoid with a 4-1 at the weekend thanks to an Alexis Sanchez double and goals by Xavi and Neymar.

And Deulofeu, who is currently on loan at Everton, was impressed by the Catalans' ability to cope without their star performer.

"Any player at Barcelona can make it perfect without Messi," the 19-year-old attacking is quoted as saying by Sport.

"His presence is important, as he is the best player in the world, but they all play very well."

Meanwhile, the youngster says he has been enjoying life on Merseyside since arriving at Goodison Park from Catalunya in July.

"I'm very pleased with the experience in England; I'm slowly settling in," he explained.

"Every game in the Premier League is very nice. There are differences with the Spanish league, of course, but it's football. I'm very happy with the experience."

La Masia product Deulofeu has joined the Toffees on a season-long loan but is under contract to the Blaugrana until 2017.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi released from Argentina squad

Lionel Messi will sit out Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay as he is still recovering from a thigh problem.The Barcelona superstar was initially named in coach Alejandro Sabella's preliminary squad for the final two games of qualification.

However, with their progression already confirmed, the 26-year-old attacker has been released from the squad to recover from his thigh injury.The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on its website that Messi, along with Javier Mascherano and Gonzalo Higuain, will not have to meet up with the national team.

Mascherano suffered a hamstring injury at the end of September and has missed Barcelona's last three matches.Meanwhile, Higuain was not involved in Napoli's Champions League clash with Arsenal due to a calf injury and he also missed their Serie A victory over Livorno on Sunday.

Argentina face Peru on October 11 before travelling to Montevideo four days later to take on Uruguay.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Michu: Spain call-up a dream come true

Swansea City attacker Michu has voiced his excitement at being called up to the Spain squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Georgia.

David Villa was forced to withdraw from the squad after picking up an ankle injury at the weekend and Vicente Del Bosque has opted to give Michu the chance to prove his worth after impressing in his time at Swansea.

The forward scored 18 goals in his debut Premier League campaign for Swansea City and after two goals this season his performances have been rewarded.

"I want to enjoy this experience," he told Cadena SER. "I am sharing the dressing room with the best in the world.

"Every Spanish player dreams about this and yet it is complicated. Few people can get to wear the shirt of the best team in the world.

"There are many absences, but there are still some great footballers in the squad. We will see if I am lucky and can play, whilst I am grateful to be called."

Spain sit top of Group I, level with France on 14 points but with a game in hand.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: Chelsea not trying to be like Bayern Munich

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has dismissed the idea of his side trying to emulate European champions Bayern Munich.

The German club won numerous plaudits on their way to a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble last term under the stewardship of Jupp Heynckes.

And they have made an equally impressive start to life under his replacement Pep Guardiola, as evidenced by their 3-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

However, Mourinho, who led his men to a 3-1 victory over Norwich City on Sunday, does not believe that his players should aim to play in a similar manner, given their differing qualities.

"I think if you try to play like other people does, and you don't have the players for that, you're very stupid," he said.

"I won the league in Spain with 100 points and my team was not playing like Barcelona was playing. If you try to play like somebody else does, you never reach their level.

"So you have to try to be the best in the style that is adapted to the qualities of your players. So when I say to Ivanovic 'don't make an early cross because Drogba isn't there' I know what I'm saying.

"We cross a lot for nothing, so we have to play in relation to the qualities that we have. Don't try to be clever because you become stupid."

Chelsea lost to Bayern in the Super Cup in August, with Guardiola's team taking the trophy on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Iniesta will stay & I like Courtois - Rosell

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is confident that Andres Iniesta will end his career with the club.

The Spain international has been holding contract extension talks in recent weeks but is yet to reach an agreement with the Spanish champions.

But Rosell appears unperturbed by the delay, hinting that a bumper new deal will eventually be signed.

"Iniesta will end his career at the club," Rosell told Cadena SER. "If I had to bet on his future, I would do so on that.

"We believe he should be the second-highest salary behind Messi."

Barca are still on the hunt for a new goalkeeper, with current no.1 Victor Valdes set to run out his contract next summer, and rumours that a move for Thibaut Courtois could be in the pipeline have been fuelled by the president's praise of the Chelsea shot-stopper, who is spending his third season on loan at Atletico Madrid.

"Courtois is a keeper that I really like - he is very good," he added.

Barcelona have made a perfect start to the new Liga season, winning all eight of their matches to date, and resume their campaign with a trip to Osasuna on October 19.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hernandez pleads for Man Utd chances

Javier Hernandez has urged David Moyes to give him more opportunities as a starter at Manchester United.

The 25-year-old has featured from the start in only two games for the Premier League champions this season, with Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie all afforded more minutes.

Hernandez insists he has the ability to feature regularly under Moyes but maintains he need to be given more chances by the United manager.

"I strive for that, I am working towards that, earning a spot as a starter," the striker told Telemundo.

"I know that my performances on the pitch will allow me to achieve that goal someday either here [in Manchester] or elsewhere for any other club.

"I just need to be given more opportunities to showcase what I can do, because all of us want to be able to contribute our part so this team can win championships.

"I am going on four years here [at Manchester United] and really, like I have always said, I am happy to be able to play for one of the best clubs in the world. So I’m happy, doing my best every single day to earn more minutes on the pitch."

Hernandez says he relishes the opportunity to compete for a place alongside Rooney and Van Persie and believes performance levels are raised when players are fighting for a spot in Moyes' side.

"Of course. What better way to compete anywhere in the world than to compete with them?" he said.

"The competition inside the team has always been really healthy and I think that helps the team a lot, because there are so many quality players that every one of them wants to earn a starting spot.

"The practices and matches coming up will force us to step up and help the team grow both at an individual and collective level."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Just wait Chicharito

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba was a huge loss to Manchester United, says Evra

Patrice Evra says Paul Pogba's decision to leave Manchester United for Juventus was a “truly a huge loss” for the club.

The France international left Old Trafford in the summer of 2012, going on to win the Serie A title in his first season with Juventus.

However, Evra has hailed Pogba’s qualities and says he was well-respected at the club, particularly by some of the Red Devils' most experienced players.

“His [Pogba's] talent on the pitch, his aggression, his presence, is very rare," said Evra told French TV station TF1.

“He very quickly earned the respect of players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

“It’s true that have you have to win over the manager too, but to have won the dressing room like he did [was impressive].

“It was truly a huge loss when he left the club.”

The powerful midfielder has recently blamed Sir Alex Ferguson for his decision to leave the club, particularly after he was left out of a game, in a match United went on to lose 3-2.

"Against Blackburn, on December 31, 2011, I was on the bench. Ferguson puts Rafael in midfield with Ji Sung Park. Then I gave up. I was really bummed," he told Telefoot.

"I joined Juve to silence people who have criticised me, who did not believe in me and said that I would fail."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba wa sell karapu 1ka lokuma mistake 1kak SAF karapu

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Galliani: Regional abuse not equal to racism

Adriano Galliani has hit out at AC Milan being ordered to play their clash with Udinese behind closed doors for allegations that their fans were chanting pejoratives about southern Italians.

Massimiliano Allegri's men will have no fans present at San Siro on October 19 after the club were punished by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Rossoneri CEO believes the nation's guidelines need to be revised.

"I understand that racism is a big problem, a worldwide one," Galliani told reporters. "However, territorial discrimination is something different. The rule on that needs to be abolished."All of the club presidents are in agreement with that and I've already called FIGC chief Giancarlo Abete to tell him so.

"No newspapers or television stations heard it, probably because there was nothing there. I was at the Juventus Stadium and I just heard a lot of chants about Mario Balotelli and nothing else."The next time it happens the game will be awarded to the opposition and they’ll want a points penalty too.

"If 50 people get together then they can kill a club with racial or territorial discrimination."

Milan sit 12th after eight gameweeks, 13 points behind Serie A leaders Roma.