..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Alaba signs new Bayern deal

Bayern Munich have announced that David Alaba has extended his contract at the club until the summer of 2018.

The 21-year-old moved to the Allianz Arena as a teenager from Austria Vienna back in 2008 and has sealed his place in the Bavarians' first-team at left-back over the last two years.

However, his preference for a midfield role has led to some speculation that he might leave, but the Austria international has now committed his future to the club.

"I am very, very happy," he told the club's official website. "I have been at Bayern since 2008, they have become my club. I am lucky that everything is now fixed and that I can play for this club until at least 2018."

Bayern CEO Karl Heinz-Rummenigge added: "These were pleasant talks. We are very happy that they have led to this nice ending for both sides.

"He has developed wonderfully on the pitch. The coach is very happy, we are very satisfied. David has made a great contribution to what we have achieved this year.

"David came to us at 16 and has developed a lot. He is one of Europe's best and most successful full-backs already. We are happy we can count on him and his performances further.

Sporting director Matthias Sammer, meanwhile, is looking forward to seeing Alaba develop further as a player over the coming years.

He added: "At 21 years of age, he's not yet mature. This signal from David is very important for going on with us."

The Vienna-born star's previous deal was set to expire in 2015.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldinho targets World Cup spot

Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho is hopeful of securing a place in the Brazil squad for next summer's World Cup on home soil.

The 33-year-old last featured for the Selecao in the April friendly against Chile, but believes that his good relationship with coach Luiz Felipe Scolari could see him get a call-up ahead of the tournament.

"He is a very direct person and is always open with me. I know that there are still opportunities available for those who are playing well," he told Fifa's official site.

"He seems to have the core of his squad decided, but whoever is in good form at the right time will go too.

"I'm always working hard to improve. If there is a chance of playing in the World Cup, I'll be ready, and I'll be at my peak. My goal is to always be at my best.

"It was great to be back with the national squad [earlier this year]. Luiz Felipe Scolari and I have won so much together and we have a good relationship."

Ronaldinho's contract at Atletico Mineiro expires at the end of December.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern patient over Robben contract renewal

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness says the club are in no rush to extend Arjen Robben's contract.

The winger has been one of Bayern's star men over the past two seasons and has scored three times in the last week, but with his current deal set to expire in another 18 months, talks are yet to begin over extending his stay at the Allianz Arena.

The stance of the Bundesliga champions has fuelled speculation that Robben could leave the club at the end of the season, but Hoeness is not too worried that Bayern could lose the 29-year-old.

"He still has one-and-a-half years to go on his current contract, so I don't understand all the excitement," Hoeness was quoted as saying by Kicker.

"Arjen knows what we can do for him and we know what he has to offer. He is not pushing for a new deal and neither are we.

"Talks with his father [and agent] Hans have always been fair. We will find a solution when the time is right."

Robben has netted 12 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions so far this term.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Robben nam pattama playerRobben ge dribbling walata thamai mama godakma asa

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sergio Ramos: I do not want to leave Real Madrid

Sergio Ramos has stressed that he has no intention of leaving Real Madrid any time soon amid recent suggestions that he has set his sights on a transfer away from the Santiago Bernabeu side.

A number of reports claimed that Ramos has fallen out with club president Florentino Perez over a wage dispute and consequently wants to leave Madrid.

However, Ramos has now insisted that he has a perfectly good relationship with Perez and is keen to retire at the Bernabeu outfit.

"I’ll repeat, our differences were nothing to do with the contract. I’ve got three years here and I’m relaxed and I’m not looking to leave," the defender was quoted as saying by AS.

"I feel privileged and if I could, I would retire here.

"I’m not going to talk about the differences between us because it’s a personal matter, but I can say we have a great relationship. I’ll never forget who the president here is and I know he’s in charge."

Ramos, 27, has a contract with Madrid until June 2017.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Szczesny: Arsenal can win Premier League

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is confident the Gunners can win the Premier League if they can maintain their current form.

The Gunners beat Cardiff 3-0 on Saturday and are four points clear at the top of the table with 13 games played and Szczesny wants his team to continue their hot streak.

"If we carry on like we are now then I’m certain we’ll be top in May,” he told reporters.

“But we have a lot of work to do, a lot of tough games to win. There’s no point in putting pressure on ourselves. We just want to enjoy every single game, that’s bringing the best out of us and I don’t think that will change.

“We’re in a position that we’d like to be in for as long as possible. But it really doesn’t matter where we are now. It matters where we are in May.”

Next up for Arsene Wenger’s side is a visit from Hull City, who pulled off the most surprising result of the weekend by beating Liverpool 3-1 at the KC Stadium, and Szczesny is not taking the game lightly.

“We want to focus on the next game, which is Hull, and to keep on winning,” he added.

“If we do that, get the right result then we’ll put ourselves in a very comfortable position at the top of the table.

“It’s very good to have that cushion at the top of the table. If we want to win the league then we must do our job very professionally to beat teams like Hull.”

The Poland international also took time out to pay tribute to Aaron Ramsey who continued his sparkling form this season with another two goals against his former club Cardiff.

“I think it was obvious that if anyone was going to score then it would be Aaron,” he said. “I thought he was respectful not to celebrate.

“We’re so pleased for him. He’s been through a lot, he’s come back so well and I just hope he continues. Is he the best in the league? I don’t care as long as he does the job for the team.

“I’m just as amazed as everyone else. We always knew that he could play well but to score as many as he has, any striker would be delighted with that. He’s been so good.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Diego Costa nears Cristiano Ronaldo in European Golden Shoe standing

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has moved to within two goals of Cristiano Ronaldo in the European Golden Shoe rankings following his goal in Atleti's 2-0 Liga win over Elche at the weekend.

The Portugal international did not feature in Real Madrid's victory over Valladolid as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina forward Giuseppe Rossi climbd to fourth spot following his goal in the Viola's 4-3 win over Verona on Monday evening.

Borussia Dortmund attacker Robert Lewandowski netted twice from the spot in the Bundesliga giants' 3-1 away win over Mainz on Saturday to take his tally for the season to 11 - which sees him enter the top 10.

Another fresh face in the top 10 is that of Paris Saint-Germain hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who also converted two penalties in the 4-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais to continue his impressive form this campaign.

 

[unicornx]

Ronaldo laughs off Blatter apology

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has continued the spat with Sepp Blatter by laughing off the Fifa president's apology.

Blatter apologised on Twitter to the Portuguese star after comments he made about Ronaldo at an Oxford Union address in October.

However, speaking at an awards ceremony, the 28-year-old implied that Blatter's apology had fallen on deaf ears.

When asked about an alleged phone call the Fifa president had made to apologise to the Madrid forward, he replied: “I don’t have a telephone. My secretary forgot to tell me about it."

Ronaldo was irked by comments Blatter made about the former Manchester United attacker when he said that "one has more expenses at the hairdressers than the other" in reference to rival Lionel Messi.

Madrid president Florentino Perez also deemed the remarks "unacceptable", believing them to show favouritism towards Messi in the Ballon d'Or awards.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo was crowned La Liga's best player last season by Spanish newspaper Marca, and he added: “The main thing is to enjoy this prize and the fact that Don Alfredo [Di Stefano] made the effort to be here to present it. I’ve watched his videos, he was a phenomenon.”

The forward also praised city rivals Atletico Madrid for their impressive start to this season's campaign, with Diego Simeone's side joint-top with Barcelona of the Spanish Primera Division after 15 games. Ronaldo nevertheless strongly believes the title will be end up with his side.

“I’m not surprised by Atletico. I thought they looked strong last season," Ronaldo added. "They’re well organised, have a great coach, great players and a good keeper ... they’re going to be fighting for the title and they are a strong candidate. But I’m convinced Madrid are going to win it."

The Portuguese international has been sidelined for Madrid's last two games, but says he will definitely play against Copenhagen in the Champions League on December 10 and feels this could be his best year of his career to date.

"The injury’s healed. I’ve been fine for a couple of days now. We decided not to push it against Valladolid, but I’ll play the next game for certain," he continued. "I’m in good form right now, this might be my best ever start to a season, but recent years have all been good too. The formula for success is to work hard."

Ronaldo insisted he is not thinking about the World Cup with Portugal yet.

He added: “You have to take things as they come. Right now I’m with Madrid and my aim is to win the league and the Champions League, as Madrid should aim to do every year, and when the World Cup comes round, we’ll see about that.

"The important thing is to think about the present and the here-and-now is Madrid. We’re getting better, improving little by little and we’re doing well. The thing I want most is to be there for the team and to keep going until the end of the season, which is when the league is won.”

Looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool Blatter

 

[unicornx]

BVB godak playersla injured nehGet well soon for all!

Hummels, Subotic, Reus, Lewandoski, Sahin, Ikey...Its the hub of the team

R.I.P. BVB

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hummels, Subotic, Reus, Lewandoski, Sahin, Ikey...Its the hub of the team

R.I.P. BVB

Mehema giyoth nam sorryma thamaiLEW miss una kiyanne BVB lata lokuma paduwak

 

[unicornx]

Mehema giyoth nam sorryma thamaiLEW miss una kiyanne BVB lata lokuma paduwak

Aubemayoung witarai striker kenekta kiala inneth :/ nattan BVB youth squad eken tama

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I'll change my attitude, vows Balotelli

AC Milan star Mario Balotelli has vowed to improve his attitude on the pitch.

The striker has been embroiled in a number of spats in matches so far this season and was caught up in an alleged racism row with Nicolas Spolli during the clash with Catania, although the defender has since been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Although Balotelli reacted with frustration at the decision - stating "Hahaha! Fortunately, there is justice in this country" in an ironic comment on Twitter - the former Manchester City man has made it clear he intends to better his own behaviour, and confirmed his intention to stay at Milan.

"Compared to the past, many things are changing... I will try to change certain attitudes. But I will stay," he told magazine Buone Notizie.

"I printed into my mind all the warmth of the fans when I joined this team."

Balotelli went on to praise the principal coaches he has worked with during his career to date, describing how each of them has played an important role in his development despite their different approaches.

"Everyone has played a different role. Roberto Mancini has been like a father, Jose Mourinho was a great motivator. And Massimiliano Allegri, a team-mate," he added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benteke a victim of his own success, says Lambert

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert claims Christian Benteke is a "victim of his own success”.

The Belgium international, whose campaign has been hampered by a hip injury, has not scored in his last seven appearances for Villa.

After signing from Genk in an €8 million deal in August 2012, Benteke went on to score 23 goals in all competitions under Lambert and the Villa boss believes the 23-year-old has fallen below the standards he set in his debut season.

"I'm pretty sure Christian's a victim of his own success but he's created that himself," Lambert told reporters.

"There's nobody he can blame for that other than himself because he set a really high standard for himself and, when you fall below it, that's what can happen.

“The challenge is for him to bounce back."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nice 0-3 Monaco: Ranieri's men put pressure on PSG

Monaco kept up the pressure on Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1 by earning an impressive 3-0 victory over Nice on Tuesday night.

Claudio Ranieri's men made it three wins in a row without conceding a goal after James Rodriguez, Emmanuel Riviere and Lucas Ocampos all found the target.

The victory means Monaco move to just two points behind PSG, who travel to face Evian on Wednesday night, at the top of the French standings having played one game more than their title rivals.

Monaco were once more without the injured Radamel Falcao but took just five minutes to open the scoring, with the striker's compatriot Rodriguez curling in superbly from a tight angle.

The visitors doubled their advantage midway through the half when Riviere met young Anthony Martial's cross to steer a looping header inside the post.

Danijel Subasic denied Dario Cvitanich just a few minutes later as Nice fought for a way back into the match, before Riviere sent a chip over the crossbar.

Riviere then spurned a great chance for a third just after the break, tumbling at the vital moment after skipping around Nice goalkeeper Luca Veronese.

Nice continued to battle but couldn't find a route back into the match and, in the 89th minute, Ocampos made the points safe, robbing Mathieu Bodmer and rounding Veronese before slotting home.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham: Chamakh lifts Eagles off bottom

Marouane Chamakh haunted his old side as Crystal Palace defeated West Ham 1-0 to hand Tony Pulis a debut home win on Tuesday.

After losing 1-0 to Norwich City on Saturday, Palace responded in perfect fashion as Chamakh met Barry Bannan's cross to lift his side off the foot of the Premier League table at Sunderland's expense.

West Ham saw a penalty claim waved away in the first half when Kagisho Dikgacoi appeared to handle, while Stewart Downing had a second-half strike ruled out after James Tomkins was penalised for an apparent foul in the build-up.

Palace stole ahead against the run of play on 42 minutes thanks to Chamakh's header, and Cameron Jerome could have made it 2-0 when he went one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the second half.

West Ham pushed for an equaliser and Downing thought he had grabbed one, but his low drive was chalked off due with the linesman’s flag raised.

Carlton Cole was rewarded for his goal in Saturday's 3-0 win over Fulham with a first start since re-signing for West Ham in October, while Palace were unchanged.

The match started at a slow tempo but West Ham soon settled and were on top by the time their penalty appeal was rejected.

Downing's corner appeared to strike the arm of Dikgacoi as Damien Delaney looked to head clear, but referee Lee Mason waved away the protests.

Kevin Nolan wasted a fine chance, volleying tamely at Julian Speroni from eight yards after being picked out by Mark Noble’s scooped free kick, as West Ham increased the pressure.

Yet it was Palace who moved ahead when Chamakh, unmarked six yards out, glanced home a whipped cross from Bannan after the latter had seen a corner cleared back to him.

West Ham searched for an immediate response and Delaney made a crucial block to deny Downing on the stroke of the interval.

Palace peppered the West Ham goal at the beginning of the second half, with Dikgacoi heading Bannan's centre over the crossbar.

And the home side should have celebrated a second on 53 minutes when Jerome broke free of the West Ham defence only to shoot straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen.

West Ham introduced Joe Cole from the bench and the midfielder looked to have made an instant impact when his deep cross was headed across goal by Tomkins and driven home by Downing.

However, Tomkins was ruled to have been guilty of an infringement.

Palace also had the ball in the net for a second time on 68 minutes through substitute Jimmy Kebe, but Mile Jedinak was offside when he cut the ball back.

The hosts came under the cosh in the closing stages, but held on to secure a second win in three matches and could even have grabbed another goal through Kebe.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Saarbrucken 0-2 Borussia Dortmund: Schieber and Hofmann secure safe passage for BVB

Borussia Dortmund booked their place in the fourth round of the DFB-Pokal with a comfortable 2-0 win over Saabrucken on Tuesday.

A first-half header from Julian Schieber set Jurgen Klopp's side on their way, before Jonas Hofmann doubled their advantage shortly after the break after pouncing on a rebound from Schieber's shot.

Marcel Ziemer came very close for the hosts in the first half as Dortmund rode their luck at times, but ultimately the third-tier outfit were unable to pull of a shock against last season's Champions League runners-up.

Dortmund named a weakened side for the clash - due largely to a growing injury list - with Mitchell Langerak starting in goal, Oliver Kirch slotting into midfield and both Schieber and Hofman named in attacking positions alongside Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

It took the Bundesliga side 19 minutes to break the deadlock at Stadion Ludwigspark, with Hofman chipping a delightful cross to Schieber, who headed home with aplomb.

Schieber then had the ball in the back of the net after an almost identical move, but his goal was ruled out for a push on his marker.

Dortmund continued to have the lion's share of attempts but it was Saarbrucken who came closest to scoring again just before the break, as Ziemer's instinctive effort from a free kick went narrowly wide after Sokratis had missed the flight of the ball.

The hosts were made to pay just four minutes into the second half. Schieber cut inside and saw his shot blocked, and his second effort was drilled straight at Hofmann, who did superbly to steer the ball into the net.

Dortmund had the game sewn up but spurned a handful of chances to extend their lead, but ultimately secured their place in the next round with minimal fuss.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldinho: Ronaldo is angry to live in Messi's era

Cristiano Ronaldo is enraged to be living in the same era as Lionel Messi, according to former Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

The attacking duo are once again amongst the favourites for the Ballon d'Or thanks to their exceptional form in the past year, and both scooped awards at the annual LFP gala on Monday as La Liga's finest players of 2012-13 were honoured.

However, Messi - who picked up the LFP player of the year prize for the fifth successive season - has beaten Ronaldo to the last four Ballons d'Or awards, and his former team-mate Ronaldinho believes this is a genuine frustration for the Real Madrid sensation.

"Cristiano Ronaldo's rage is to live in the same era as Messi," he told TV program Bem, Amigos!

Ronaldinho went on to affirm that compatriot Neymar would become the world's best player in future, suggesting Messi will help him develop in much the same way he aided the Argentine.

"Deco, Sylvinho and I always gave passes to Leo so he could adapt as soon as possible. He will do the same for Neymar," he continued.

"He has it all and he will become the best player in the world in the coming years, but only when Messi is not at his peak."

Ronaldinho is currently preparing for the Club World Cup with Copa Libertadores champions Atletico Mineiro, and the Brazil international believes his side could have the advantage over Champions League holders and favourites Bayern Munich.

"We arrive on equal terms, in order to reach the final. We won't change anything. It's the way we play," he said.

"Players in Europe don't follow Brazilian football and that can be an advantage for us."

Ronaldinho did, however, point to the meticulous preparations of Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, claiming the Spaniard's knowledge of the Brazilian game will be important to his side's chances.

"The Bayern coach knows a lot about football in Brazil. He brought several players from here and he will bring videos and information in abundance," he added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Phelan on brink of being appointed Wigan manager

Mike Phelan is on the brink of being appointed the new Wigan manager.

The former Manchester United No.2 has held talks with the Championship club and is close to reaching agreement on a deal to succeed Owen Coyle.

Phelan has leapfrogged above Ian Holloway and surprise candidate Neil Lennon in the pecking order and could be confirmed as the new boss by the end of the week.

The 51-year-old took a break from the game following his summer departure from the United coaching staff and is keen to take his first post as a manager.

Phelan claimed last week that he was manager in all but name towards the end of his tenure at United, which coincided with Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is believed to favour Phelan above Lennon and Holloway, who left Crystal Palace by mutual consent in October after admitting he was not up to the task of keeping the Londoners in the Premier League.

Celtic manager Lennon is believed to be interested in a move south of the border and Goal understands that the the Northern Irishman is privately keen on managing Wigan despite the apparent step-down from a Champions League club. Coincidentally or not, Celtic were eliminated from the Champions League last week.

Coyle's dismissal was confirmed on Monday shortly after a meeting with Whelan. The former Bolton Wanderers and Burnley boss won only seven of his 23 matches in charge and the Championship club decided to act following the 3-1 home defeat to Derby County, a third consecutive loss.

Speaking on Monday, Whelan said: "It will be a case of who applies and taking it from there; nothing is pre-judged. We'll have interviews after that and take everything into consideration."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Luiz: Italy can win the World Cup

David Luiz believes that Italy are among the favourites to win the next summer's World Cup in his native Brazil.

The Azzurri came through their Uefa qualification group unbeaten and the Chelsea defender believes Cesare Prandelli has a squad capable of equalling the Selecao's record of five tournament triumphs.

“He has a fantastic team, which plays good football,” Luiz told the Corriere dello Sport. “They have the right mind-set to tackle the big tournaments because they can count on players who know and live with the pressures that come with remarkable technique. When you play Italy, you are never the favourites.

“Italy do not have four stars on his chest by chance. Lifting the World Cup four times must be respected. They are going to be a great opponent.”

Luiz, who has represented his country 33 times, therefore believes that Brazil-Italy would make for a fine final, though he admits that there is no guarantee that the Selecao would get the better of the Azzurri, as they did in the 1994 tournament decider in the United States.

“A Brazil-Italy final? Why not? Just as long as it finishes as it did in 1994! Seriously, Italy can get to the final, maybe even win the final."

Luiz also identified playmaker Andrea Pirlo, midfielder Antonio Candreva and striker Mario Balotelli as Italy’s main threats.

"Pirlo is an artist with his feet and Candreva impressed me so much at the Confederations Cup," the centre-half revealed. "I did not know him that well, but he has shown he has great quality.

“And Balotelli, he is a special guy with a great talent. With the ball at his feet can do anything because he is very strong both technically and physically.

"He can make the difference. I learned that on those occasions when I played against Italy or Manchester City.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United fans should be patient with Fellaini, says Phil Neville

Manchester United coach Phil Neville remains confident that Marouane Fellaini will prove a big hit once he settles into life at Old Trafford.

Since following David Moyes to the Red Devils, the Belgium international has struggled to recreate the form that he showed at Goodison Park in his five seasons with Everton and is still awaiting his first goal for his new side.

Neville, though, is not concerned about the 26-year-old's form and believes that he will only get better for United.

"We are really relaxed and we are really patient with [Fellaini] because you have seen it with players in the past like Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. It took them six months to settle in here," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"It is not just the games on a Saturday or midweek; it is the intensity of the training, the size of the club and the expectation from the fans.

"All the other things like that that go with playing for Man Utd, it takes time to get used to. As the games keep going on, he will just get better and better."

Former Everton captain Neville thinks that Fellaini's confidence will begin to grow when he produces match-winning performances for the team.

"What is important for Marouane now is to play well in a match that we win and he scores a goal," he observed. "He needs to score and win. That is the next step for him.

"The United fans haven't seen the best of Marouane Fellaini."