..::Football III::..

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Napoli sign Reveillere

Napoli have confirmed the signing of defender Anthony Reveillere on a free transfer.

The Partenopei posted a photo of the former Olympique Lyonnais right-back alongside coach Rafa Benitez on their official website on Friday.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis talked up the wealth of experience and numerous trophies the 33-year-old accumulated during his 10 years at Lyon before parting company with the Ligue 1 club this summer.

"Welcome Anto," the Partenopei supremo wrote on Twitter. "With five championships, seven cups, 77 games in the Champions League and 595 in his career, he can be a great help to us."

Reveillere - who has 20 caps for France, the most recent of which came against Finland in 2012 - is unlikely to feature in Sunday's Serie A clash with Juventus but he will give Benitez an extra defensive option.

Napoli currently sit second in Serie A, behind Roma and level on points with reigning champions Juve.

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Angry Roma keen to return to winning ways, says Garcia

Roma coach Rudi Garcia says his side are "angry" and keen to return to winning ways following the end of their 100 per cent record.

The Giallorossi dropped points for the first time this season in their 1-1 draw with Torino last weekend, but still sit top of the table, three points clear of Napoli and Juventus.

Ahead of Sunday's home tie against Sassuolo, Garcia expressed how pleased he was that his players pushed so hard to rack up their 11th successive win, albeit to no avail.

"I saw an angry team at the end of the Torino game," the Frenchman said on Friday. "The guys are so keen to win that they were already thinking about Sassuolo after the match on Sunday.

"I was really pleased with how we did in the last few minutes at Torino. The players ran over to take throw-ins and played quickly without wasting time, to have a few extra minutes.

"This is a good sign for me as the coach and for the squad - I really liked their attitude."

Garcia also contemplated who will be challenging for the Scudetto at the tail end of the season, insisting that Napoli and Juventus are joint-favourites to top Serie A in 2013-14.

"We're top at the moment and we want to stay there," the former Lille boss continued. "The Sassuolo game won't be easy on Sunday and I hope it will be very tough for them to come to the Stadio Olimpico.

"I think all of the sides in the top half of the table have done very well so far. Juve and Napoli are the favourites and have squads built to play in both the Champions League and Serie A.

"Behind them though lie Inter, Fiorentina and Verona, who are playing well and securing big results. You can't rule anyone out for the moment."

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Ancelotti: Casillas' future is at Madrid

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Iker Casillas has a future at the club, despite the captain only being used sparingly in 2013.

Diego Lopez's arrival in January saw the 32-year-old Spain skipper relegated to the bench by former boss Jose Mourinho for most matches, although Ancelotti, who took charge in the summer, has, at least, been using the veteran Blancos shot-stopper in European ties this season.

With Casillas having starred in Tuesday's Champions League draw with Juventus, Ancelotti has reiterated that the Spain international has a future at the Santiago Bernabeu, but did add that he has no plans to bring him back into his regular starting line-up in La Liga.

"I think Iker was clear about his future after the match against Juve," the former Chelsea and AC Milan boss told reporters on Friday. "He likes it here and there is no problem. We want him to stay and he wants to stay.

"I made the decision [to choose Lopez over Casillas] at the start and that decision has been made. At that time, Diego Lopez was in better condition when I made that decision. Nothing would change if I were to choose again now."

The coach also defended his decision to drop Isco and Angel Di Maria to the Madrid bench of late.

"Di Maria's mood is very good but sometimes competition puts you on the bench," Ancelotti added. "It's not that I have lost confidence in him.

"Isco played against Sevilla the other week and then did not play. The problem is competition. He occasionally plays and occasionally goes to the sidelines. He needed to rest and now he is fine."

Madrid next face Real Sociedad on Saturday, with kick-off at 16:00CET.

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Suarez happy as ever at Liverpool, insists Rodgers

Liverpool star Luis Suarez is happier than he has ever been at the club, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Uruguayan was at the centre of constant transfer speculation during the off-season, with Arsenal and Real Madrid among those reportedly interested, but the Premier League club refused to sell.

Club captain Steven Gerrard had voiced concerns that the 26-year-old forward may leave the club if they failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

But after keeping hold of the forward this summer Rodgers insists he has never seen Suarez, who has scored six league goals this season, look happier.

"Luis, looking and speaking to him over the last couple of days, he's happy as he's ever been," Rodgers said on Thursday.

"He recognises that we have a real genuine chance this year of breaking in there (the top four). Last year was about transition and the second part of the season was about improvement, he's seen that.

"Obviously we had a difficult summer but he's come back and is more mature and his performance level's been really high and he sees a genuine chance for us to make that so he's very happy here."

Despite losing to league leaders Arsenal last time out, Liverpool sit third in the Premier League after a solid start to the campaign.

Their form has Rodgers confident they can qualify for Europe's top club competition, which could be enough to keep Suarez at Anfield.

"If you look at where we're at, if you're averaging two points in your games then you would like to think that you're getting into the Champions League," Rodgers said.

"Certainly that's something come Saturday (against Fulham) if we can do that, get another three points, which we'll be fighting hard for, then that would take us above that.

"We're just treating every game as a really important game for us in our quest this year, as I said we need to just keep focusing and keep our concentration."

Rodgers is likely to welcome back defender Glen Johnson and attacker Philippe Coutinho to the starting line-up for the visit of Fulham.

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Aguero named Premier League Player of the Month

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has been named as Barclays Player of the Month for October, after netting four times in three Premier League games.

The former Atletico Madrid man scored in City's 3-1 win over Everton at the start of the month, before bagging a double in another 3-1 victory - this time against West Ham.

He then ended the month with another goal in the 2-1 loss to Chelsea, taking his season total to the joint-highest eight goals in nine Premier League matches.

The striker's form has helped Manuel Pellegrini's men make their way up the league table, after suffering a disappointing start to the campaign.

Aguero's fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino was awarded the Manager of the Month award after his Southampton side also continued to impress.

Manager of the Month | Pochettino has led Saints to sixth in the Premier League

The Saints were unbeaten in October, beating both Swansea and Fulham 2-0 at home and drawing 1-1 away at Old Trafford against reigning champions Manchester United.

The south coast outfit's displays under the former Espanyol boss have seen them emerge as outside contenders for European football next season, after successfully turning last year's leaky defence into one of the league's meanest.

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Congratulations Aguero!

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Manchester United haven't seen the last of me, insists Ferdinand

Manchester United stalwart Rio Ferdinand insists he is ready to defy the critics who claim he should no longer be regarded as a key component of David Moyes’ plans.

The former England international, who celebrated his 35th birthday earlier this week, has been rotated by his manager this season along with his long-term defensive partner at Old Trafford Nemanja Vidic.

The duo will face perhaps their stiffest examination of the season to date when table-topping Arsenal visit Old Trafford on Sunday with Ferdinand determined to prove his creaking body can still withstand the rigours of coping with the best the Premier League has to offer.

He told reporters: I think you go out there and play and put yourself in the shop window and the manager will decide if you play or not," said Ferdinand.

"Obviously you want to play in every minute of every game, but at this stage of my career I know that's not possible.

"I know the manager is going to put me in and out of the games, but I just want to be involved in as many as I can.

"At the beginning of last season, people were probably writing me off, saying I wasn't able to play in back-to-back games and play for Manchester United at this level. But I was part of a championship-winning team, which said it all.

"But last season has no bearing on people's opinions this season so you have to start again and prove yourself.

"To be fair, I've done that throughout my career - proving myself; not just to people outside but myself. That's the most important thing.”

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

No Gundogan to Madrid deal, claims father

There is no deal in place for Borussia Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan to join Real Madrid, according to his father.

Spanish outlet Marca had claimed that the 23-year-old midfielder is set to leave Signal Iduna Park for the Santiago Bernabeu for €30 million, but Irfan Gundogan has insisted that talks with BVB over a new deal have been halted for injury reasons, and not because of an impending transfer to Los Blancos.

"There is no agreement between Gundogan and Real Madrid," the Germany international's dad told Kicker on Friday.

"We only put contract negotiations with Dortmund on hold because we did not want to disturb him during his injury.

"Of course it is still possible that he will renew his contract."

Gundogan is currently sidelined with a persistent back problem but could return to the first team before the end of 2013.

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Smalling: Manchester United favourites to beat Arsenal

Chris Smalling is adamant Manchester United are favourites to beat Arsenal, despite Sunday's opponents currently leading the Premier League by five points.

The hosts are currently enjoying an eight-game unbeaten run - their longest since David Moyes took the reins in June - but have dropped points against the likes of Southampton and West Brom recently.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have picked up 25 points from a possible 27, including a convincing 2-0 win over Liverpool last time out, but Smalling sees no reason why United should not be considered the stronger team on Sunday.

"We are going into the game with a lot of confidence," Smalling told the club's official website. "We drew with Real Sociedad in the week but we had a lot of chances to win the game.

"I think we have gained a lot of confidence from our run of late. We are playing at Old Trafford and really looking forward to it.

"I don’t think there are any must-win games at this stage but it is still obviously a massive game. We are at home and we have to be the favourites to win. We have to take the game to them and show that we are the team that wants to win and close the gap."

Smalling, though, has noted the fine form of table-toppers Arsenal, but is confident himself and the rest of the United squad will be well prepared come kick-off on Sunday.

He continued: "We will look at the videos and see what they are doing well. As a defence, we will then work on things to minimise their impact but we won’t think about it too much.

"As a whole team, they are playing very well. We will find out their negatives and weaknesses, then try to punish them."

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Mona Favourites da? :baffled:

Favourites to lose meh thiyena widiyatanam

anemanda mata thiyana baya loweth nathi kamak kanna weida kiyalai :sorry:

Wolverine GTR · Nov 9, 2013

Barclays Premier League 2013.11.09 Fixtures

Aston Villa Vs Cardif City

Chelsea Vs WBA

Crystal Palace Vs Everton

Liverpool Vs Fulham

Southampton Vs Hull City

Norwich City Vs West Ham

unicornx · Nov 9, 2013

Wolverine GTR said:
No Gundogan to Madrid deal, claims father

There is no deal in place for Borussia Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan to join Real Madrid, according to his father.

Spanish outlet Marca had claimed that the 23-year-old midfielder is set to leave Signal Iduna Park for the Santiago Bernabeu for €30 million, but Irfan Gundogan has insisted that talks with BVB over a new deal have been halted for injury reasons, and not because of an impending transfer to Los Blancos.

"There is no agreement between Gundogan and Real Madrid," the Germany international's dad told Kicker on Friday.

"We only put contract negotiations with Dortmund on hold because we did not want to disturb him during his injury.

"Of course it is still possible that he will renew his contract."

Gundogan is currently sidelined with a persistent back problem but could return to the first team before the end of 2013.