..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba: I got lucky with volley

Paul Pogba says his wonder-goal against Napoli almost never came to fruition as his first touch was actually a mistake.

The Juventus midfielder applied the gloss to his side’s 3-0 victory when he cracked an unstoppable 25-yard volley past Pepe Reina late in the second half.

But the Frenchman conceded the touch to set himself up was a complete fluke.

“I actually got the first touch wrong, but it went in afterwards!” Pogba told Sky Sport Italia.

“It could’ve ended up in the stands, but all the players told me to shoot because I’m good from distance, so I gave it a go.

“If the ball lands in among the fans, then that’s fine, but I will keep trying and see where it ends up.”

The midfielder has formed a habit of scoring memorable goals for the Bianconeri and the latest addition to his scrapbook provoked memories of his first goal in a Juve jersey, also a stunning strike against Napoli.

“I am very happy to have scored against Napoli again, as it reminded me of my first goal in Serie A," he continued.

“I don’t know whether Napoli are the strongest team we’ve met so far. Obviously playing at home is different, but Napoli are very strong and it is always difficult to play against teams like that.

“It’s a good result for us and we have to focus on what we do first of all, then what the other teams do.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Van Persie & sidekick Rooney are big-game players' - Moyes

David Moyes has branded Robin van Persie and his "sidekick" Wayne Rooney big-game players following Manchester United's after they beat Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford.

The Premier League champions picked up three points after a Van Persie header from a Rooney proved enough to overcome the current league leaders.

The Dutchman did not celebrate when he scored against his former club last season, but he did not hold back in Sunday's victory over the Gunners and Moyes has branded his first-choice strike duo "fantastic" following the game.

"Great players score great goals in big games and Robin's a great player," he told reporters. "His sidekick [Rooney] played great as well.

"The two of them were fantastic. The big players are coming up when needed and Robin and Wayne gave two big performances."

The win sees United leapfrog Manchester City in the league, while preventing Arsenal from extending their two-point lead, and Moyes is excited by what he thinks was a top victory and what will be a close title race this season.

"It was a big result for us today," he told Sky Sports. "Arsenal have been playing well this season and we had to play well ourselves today to get the result.

"I thought we started the game well. I thought we were very good in the opening 30 minutes of the game. I thought our determination, our effort, our commitment and our good play helped us in the second half when we were under pressure.

"Overall it's three important points. I never thought anybody was going to run away with it [the Premier League]. I think there are a lot of ups and downs. It's a close run league this year.

"I'm pleased we're beginning to show a bit of consistency and a bit of momentum and let's hope we continue that.

Moyes also revealed that Nemanja Vidic, who was substituted at half-time with a head injury, was sent to hospital for scans.

He said: "He has gone to hospital. It was a terrible clash, it's an accident but hopefully he'll be ok, though I'll find out more from the medics later on."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Llorente: Tevez & I are great together

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente has talked up his strike partnership with Carlos Tevez and played down suggestions he is unhappy at the club.

The Spain international scored the opening goal in the Bianconeri's 3-0 thrashing of Napoli on Sunday, with Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba sealing an impressive win for the reigning Serie A champions.

Arsenal were prompted by the forward's struggles to break into Antonio Conte's first team and want to sign him on loan in January, despite having only joined the club in the summer, but Llorente insists he is comfortable in Turin and says he has worked hard to turn his form around.

"I always try to help the team with my movement," he told Sky Sport.

"My improvement is no coincidence, but came from hard work. I get on very well with Carlos Tevez and I am happy to be at the club."

The victory over Rafa Benitez's men moves Juve to within point of Serie A leaders Roma after Rudi Garcia's men dropped points at home to Sassuolo and the 28-year-old is aware of the importance of beating a title rival.

"Roma drew earlier and we knew that we had a great opportunity to close on them," Llorente added. "A win, especially against Napoli, is very important, even if there’s a long road yet to the Scudetto."

Juve return to action after the international window with a Serie A clash at Livorno on November 24.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Schweinsteiger injury is a catastrophe' - Hoeness

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness says Bastian Schweinsteiger's latest injury setback is a "catastrophe" for the midfielder after he was ruled out of action until 2014.

The 29-year-old is set to undergo surgery on his right ankle for the second time this year after a summer operation failed to solve the problem.

"For Bastian it is very bad, he had only just been back fighting fit again," the 61-year-old told TZ. "And now he gets this setback - it's a catastrophe.

"Bayern can compensate in his absence though."

The reigning Bundesliga champions are still unable to confirm an official date when the Germany international will be ready to return, with sporting director Mathias Sammer revealing his treatment is still under discussion.

"There are still discussions to be had between the player and the physician on the operation," he said. "And then Bayern have to meet to make decisions: where, when and how."

Bayern will return to action after the international break with a crunch match at Borussia Dortmund on November 23.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Persie hails perfect Manchester United performance

Robin van Persie says that it took the perfect team performance to overcome Arsenal and fire Manchester United back into Premier League title contention.

The Dutchman scored the only goal of an absorbing encounter that saw the Gunners' lead at the top of the table reduced to two points, while United now trail Arsene Wenger's side by just five despite their own indifferent form at the start of the new season.

It was Van Persie's third goal in as many games against his former club but the forward is adamant that victory was a result of magnificent collective effort, rather than his own individual striking prowess.

"It was a massive win," he told MUTV. "I always like to think positively but, if you think negatively for one second, we could have been 11 points behind, which would have been dramatic.

"I don't think you can beat a team like that with just a couple of individuals playing well. You need to be strong as a team. That is what we did.

"Everyone closed everyone down. If you look at Patrice Evra, every header or 50-50 challenge, he went for it. The back four did it. Even the front players did it. That makes a difference."

On the goal itself, Van Persie added: "It was a good corner from Wazza [Wayne Rooney]. I headed it but then it took a touch off my shoulder, then it went in.

"It didn't really matter whether it went in off my head or my shoulder. I am very happy with that head-shoulder goal."

 

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Betis 1-4 Barcelona: Blaugrana victory marred by Messi injury

Get well soon Messi

 

[rcccc]

Injured Costa out of Spain squad

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[Wolverine GTR]

Virus outbreak at England headquarters

The England senior side and Under-21 squad have both been forced to move accommodation and training facilities following an outbreak of a suspected stomach virus.

The Under-21s have been training at their regular base at St. George’s Park since Sunday, but the FA have confirmed that no players have caught the suspected illness.

The senior squad were due to meet at the Staffordshire-based centre on Tuesday, but they will instead stay and train at another venue.

“The FA has been advised of a suspected stomach virus that has been discovered on site at St. George's Park and affected a small number of visitors over the weekend," a press release read.

“To date, the England Under-21 squad has not experienced any symptoms related to the virus. They have been on site since Sunday.

“However, as a precautionary measure, the Under-21s are moving hotels and the England senior team will now not meet at St. George's Park on Tuesday. Alternative accommodation and training arrangements have been made for both teams.

“This is an elite athlete precaution for the two senior teams. Normal operations continue for the SGP and hotel staff, customers and the public.”

The senior side face Chile and Germany in friendlies on Friday and Tuesday, respectively, while the Under-21s host Finland and San Marino in European Championship qualifiers.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

This is the best Liverpool team I've played in, says Johnson

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes the current Reds squad is the best he has been a part of since moving to Anfield in 2009.

Brendan Rodgers' side recorded a 4-0 win over Fulham on Saturday to secure their position in second place in the Premier League table, and close to within two points of league leaders Arsenal in the process.

Johnson, who has worked under four different managers in his four years on Merseyside, claims that the current Liverpool squad is packed with quality.

"We've had some fantastic players in the past that have obviously moved on,” the England international told the club's official website.

“But in terms of a squad and starting XI, I think it's the best since I've been around.”

Prior to Saturday's win over the Cottagers, Liverpool's top-four credentials had been dented by defeat to Arsenal, but Johnson felt the side responded in the perfect manner against Fulham.

“Every good team bounces back after a disappointing result. To do that with a clean sheet and four goals is an ideal day,” he argued.

“When we lose the ball, for the next few seconds we want to try to win it back as quickly as possible. A few of our goals came from that and I think we looked good today.

"We've got to make this a difficult place for teams to come and play, and easier for us to play and get the points.

“If we keep working like that, and as we have done in the week, I'm sure we're going to give every team a good game.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Senna: World Cup between Spain, Brazil & Italy

Marcos Senna believes that one of Spain, Brazil and Italy will win next summer's World Cup.

La Roja are the reigning champions, while the tournament-hosting Selecao laid down an early marker by defeating Vicente Del Bosque's men in the final of this year's Confederations Cup on home soil.

Italy, meanwhile, finished as runners-up at Euro 2012, leading Senna, who was born in Brazil but who represented Spain at international level, to believe that the Azzurri are also one of the leading title contenders.

"I think that in a competition like this, there always seems to be the case that the traditional favourites are the greats who have won a World Cup," the New York Cosmos midfielder told reporters. "And, as always, the favourites are Brazil, Italy and Spain; they will all participate and therefore, those three are the favourites."In the end, the favourites don't always win; there could be some surprise. But I think it will be between those three."

Senna helped his adopted nation Spain triumph at Euro 2008 and he feels that that was a seminal moment in the country's football history, given they have subsequently gone on to not only successfully defend that title, but also win a World Cup in between, in South Africa in 2010.

"I think that from the fans, the coaching staff and players, there was always the anxiety about winning a competition like the World Cup or the European Championships," the former Villarreal ace mused.

"We knew that in Spain there were always great players, there was always staff to get to major tournaments, and the expectation was quite positive.

"But, of course, once again Spain failed in 2006 to go far in the World Cup and people started to think the same as before: that Spain seems to come and not perform.

"But then the [2008] European Championship came. There was a tactical change, another style of play for Spain, but also the other players and I knew that at some stage we would win a championship.

"We would get to win, and we all know it has happened that Spain has won all the major competitions in the world."

The 37-year-old Senna was capped 28 times by Spain between 2006 and 2010, scoring once in the process.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic: Sweden deserve World Cup spot

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes that Sweden deserve a place at the Fifa World Cup more than play-off opponents Portugal.

The sides meet in Lisbon on Friday for the first leg of their play-off, having finished second in Group C and Group F respectively and while Ibrahimovic feels Portugal are favourites to progress, the Paris Saint-Germain striker believes Sweden are more deserving.

"With the individuals and the team they have, Portugal are clearly the favourites," he told Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"But we came second in a group with Germany, which I think is the best team in Europe, whereas they came second in a group they were supposed to win, so I think we deserve to go to Brazil more.

"They're stronger as a team but if we can cut our mistakes down to a minimum we can do it. It's going to be difficult but then it should be because there's a place at the World Cup at stake."

Ibrahimovic has seven goals from his last five appearances for the national team while he has 10 in his last five matches for PSG.

The 32-year-old insists Sweden will be more than ready for the trip to Portugal, adding that he is relishing the responsibility of captaining the side.

"We had some tough games but that helped motivate us," he continued. "Then there's the new stadium [the Friends Arena in Solna], the fact that I'm captain, that I have to lead my team to the World Cup. They're all things that help get me up for it.

"I've got the experience now too, so I know what I need to get myself firing on all cylinders.

"I feel good with Sweden as well, fired up and motivated. I want to beat the Swedish goalscoring record and become Sweden's all-time top scorer. There are lots of little things which keep me going, giving me fresh incentive.

"I like the responsibility of having to do everything well, on and off the pitch. It's not a negative thing. Not at all."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fifa extends Italian match-fixing sanctions

Fifa has announced the extension of bans given to 26 players by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for match-fixing offences.

The FIGC handed out suspensions ranging from two months to four years during the summer after conducting further investigations into match-fixing relating to Serie B games in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons and Serie A contests in the 2010-11 campaign.

Torino's Belgium international goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet was among those to receive one of the longest bans, with the 34-year-old banned for three years and seven months for offences relating to two matches involving former club Bari in 2008 and 2009.

A match official was also handed a four-year ban, and the sanctions will now be implemented on a worldwide scale.

A statement from football's governing body read: "Fifa can today confirm the worldwide extension of sanctions imposed on 26 players and one official relating to match-manipulation investigations conducted by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

"The extension of these sanctions follows new proceedings conducted this year by the FIGC called "Bari bis" and "Cremona quater", which concern previous investigations into match manipulation.

"After being informed by the FIGC of the various decisions rendered by the association’s judicial bodies in both proceedings, and after a careful analysis of the files and documents provided on request by FIFA, the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to extend the sanctions imposed on 26 players and one official to have worldwide effect in accordance with art. 136 ff of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC)."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Italy coach Prandelli backs Balotelli to improve

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has backed Mario Balotelli to recover from his goalless spell and improve as a player.

The striker has not scored for Milan in his last five games and was named on the bench by Massimiliano Allegri for the club's trip to Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League.

Speaking ahead of friendlies against Germany and Nigeria on Friday and Tuesday respectively, Prandelli feels Balotelli has what it takes to come through his poor run of form.

"Great champions have to make their team win," he said. "They have something more to give but they have to be included in the game plan.

"You have to arrive to games mentally prepared. Mario is going through a strange and delicate time, but if one has character, then you can gain more strength from this.

"He knows how to play football, he just has to get his confidence back."

Prandelli also explained that he has not yet decided who will form his squad for the Fifa World Cup next year.

The 56-year-old has 35 players currently in line for selection and has left the door open for in-form players to force their way into the squad for Brazil.

"There are places available. Many players are motivated, they want to prove that they can be a part of such a group," he added. "I have in my mind 35 players so nothing is definite."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund look to free agent Friedrich

Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is lining up free agent Manuel Friedrich as a replacement for injured defender Neven Subotic.

Friedrich is currently training with Dortmund as Subotic has been ruled out for at least six months after suffering ligament damage in Saturday's defeat to Wolfsburg.

The 34-year-old previously worked with Klopp at Mainz, before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2007, collecting nine Germany caps and scoring once in his career to date.

Klopp feels the centre back has the qualities to help cover Subotic's injury, noting his "playmaking and athleticism" but insists he is in no rush to make any decisions.

"We have not only lost the game in Wolfsburg, but also Neven Subotic," he told the club's official website.

"With the severity of his injury we had to consider how we deal with it relatively quickly. [Friedrich] brings experience, he has class. Now it's really about how athletic he is.

"He has everything, the good playmaking and athleticism to fit in quickly. But again, it is too early to decide the issue.

"We have all the time available to us to meaningfully respond to the situation of Neven's injury."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Javier Zanetti eyes new Inter deal

Inter captain Javier Zanetti has set his sights on a new contract after returning from Achilles surgery against Livorno on Saturday.

The 40-year-old, who joined Inter in 1995 and has made over 800 appearances for the club, returned after seven months out of action when he was introduced as an 82nd-minute substitute for Saphir Taider at the weekend as Walter Mazzarri's men picked up a 2-0 win at San Siro.

Zanetti's current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, but he has revealed that he would like to extend his stay by a further year.

Speaking to the club's official website, he said: "I would like to remain and give my contribution to this great family that Inter is.

"The game against Livorno was a game full of emotion. After so much time away from the pitch, I dreamt of such a night."

Inter's victory maintained their grasp on fourth position in Serie A, seven points adrift of leaders Roma. And Zanetti thinks the Inter squad are capable of competing for the title.

"The Italian league is difficult and there are many teams that compete for the same aims as we do," he continued.

"But we are working well and we want to fight for something important."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Baines grateful for England distraction ahead of Merseyside derby

Everton defender Leighton Baines admits his England duties will help take his mind off the forthcoming Merseyside derby.

The Goodison Park club host Liverpool on November 23, but Baines could feature in internationals against Chile and Germany before then.

And the 28-year-old believes the time away will prove a welcome distraction as anticipation builds ahead of the fixture.

"When a derby is coming up everyone gets excited and you just want to get out there and do it," Baines told Everton's official website.

"But we get to switch off from it to some extent because a lot of us go away for quite important games for our countries and hopefully we'll come back together and get a good result."

Meanwhile, fellow full-back Seamus Coleman, who is currently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, revealed his excitement at taking on the club's city rivals.

"It is a massive game and massive in terms of the table and we're all looking forward to that," he said.

"There is still the same excitement as my first one. Hopefully we can put on a good show."

Everton currently sit sixth in the Premier League on 20 points, three adrift of Liverpool who are second.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bendtner must leave Arsenal, says Olsen

Denmark manager Morten Olsen believes that Nicklas Bendtner must seek a new club when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Bendtner was widely expected to depart the Emirates Stadium in the close season, and nearly sealed a move to Bundesliga outfit Frankfurt before the German club pulled out of the deal for financial reasons.

The 25-year-old is on the periphery of the Arsenal first team, with France international Olivier Giroud regularly chosen to lead the line, and spent the two previous seasons on loan at Sunderland and Juventus respectively.

Bendtner's only goals this season came when playing for Denmark in a 2-2 draw with Italy in October.

After seeing the forward make just three Premier League appearances this season, all from the bench, Olsen has told Bendtner to seek pastures new in the January transfer window in order to prolong his career.

"Bendtner scored two great goals for us in the game against Italy, but there were also things he lacked in the match and this only comes through playing games," Olsen told reporters.

"It is for this reason that he should find something new this winter. I think he will make the recommendation to himself and that is the main thing. Footballers want to play football."He has maybe 10 years left to go; he must use them well."

Bendtner will hope to gain a starting berth when Denmark host Norway in a friendly on November 15.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Cristiano Ronaldo has overtaken Messi

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and believes the Portuguese has edged ahead of his Barcelona rival Lionel Messi in the last year.

Ronaldo has started the season in blistering form with 24 goals in all competitions, 10 more than the Argentina, who was recently ruled out for up to two months with a leg muscle injury.

The pair are the leading contenders to be crowned Fifa Ballon d’Or Player of the Year - which Messi has claimed for the past four years - but the Gunners boss has hinted he expects Ronaldo to win for the second time.

When asked for his opinion on the pair during a Twitter Q&A session, Wenger said: "It’s difficult, Messi was on top until now but in the last year, maybe Ronaldo is in front, he is very athletic."

Wenger recently revealed he came came close to signing Ronaldo before he joined Manchester United in 2003 and even allocated the former Sporting Lisbon youngster a squad number.

The winner of the Ballon d’Or will be announced on 13 January, 2014, in a ceremony held in Zurich, Switzerland.

 

[unicornx]

Ibrahimovic: Sweden deserve World Cup spot

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes that Sweden deserve a place at the Fifa World Cup more than play-off opponents Portugal.

The sides meet in Lisbon on Friday for the first leg of their play-off, having finished second in Group C and Group F respectively and while Ibrahimovic feels Portugal are favourites to progress, the Paris Saint-Germain striker believes Sweden are more deserving.

"With the individuals and the team they have, Portugal are clearly the favourites," he told Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"But we came second in a group with Germany, which I think is the best team in Europe, whereas they came second in a group they were supposed to win, so I think we deserve to go to Brazil more.

"They're stronger as a team but if we can cut our mistakes down to a minimum we can do it. It's going to be difficult but then it should be because there's a place at the World Cup at stake."

Ibrahimovic has seven goals from his last five appearances for the national team while he has 10 in his last five matches for PSG.

The 32-year-old insists Sweden will be more than ready for the trip to Portugal, adding that he is relishing the responsibility of captaining the side.

"We had some tough games but that helped motivate us," he continued. "Then there's the new stadium [the Friends Arena in Solna], the fact that I'm captain, that I have to lead my team to the World Cup. They're all things that help get me up for it.

"I've got the experience now too, so I know what I need to get myself firing on all cylinders.

"I feel good with Sweden as well, fired up and motivated. I want to beat the Swedish goalscoring record and become Sweden's all-time top scorer. There are lots of little things which keep me going, giving me fresh incentive.

"I like the responsibility of having to do everything well, on and off the pitch. It's not a negative thing. Not at all."

Portugal too

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi working hard to recover from hamstring injury

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi says he is working hard to recover from injury after being ruled out for six to eight weeks with a hamstring problem.

The Argentina international was substituted in the first half of Sunday’s 4-1 victory win over Betis and is not expected to play again this year.

The injury is the third time that Messi has been sidelined this season and Barcelona have insisted he will not be rushed back.

And Messi has now revealed his disappointment at being sidelined and has told fans he is working hard to get back to full fitness.

"As many of you know, over the next few weeks I will be working full-time on the recovery of this new injury, for me it is a pity not to play with my team right now," Messi wrote on his Facebook page.

"Now what is most important is to recover well to help my team-mates and give back all the support you have given to me in the best way I know how to do, playing football. Thank you for your messages!"

Messi’s injury means he will miss Barcelona’s final Champions League games against Ajax and Celtic as well as Liga fixtures against Granada, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal and Getafe.