..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Lewandowski: Ribery deserves Ballon d'Or more than Ronaldo

Robert Lewandowski believes that Franck Ribery would be a more deserving recipient of this year's Fifa Ballon d'Or than Cristiano Ronaldo.

The pair have been shortlisted for the prestigious prize along with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, who is bidding for his fifth title in a row.

However, many pundits suspect that it will be a straight fight between Ribery and Ronaldo, and Lewandowski feels that the France winger has the edge on account of his superior work-rate and treble success with Bayern Munich last season.

“I’d vote for Ribery,” the Borussia Dortmund striker told Przegladem Sportowym.

“Cristiano Ronaldo’s statistics are impressive - individually, he’s doing great things and setting new records.

“However, Ribery offers more in defensive areas and helps the team a lot all over the pitch. And last season he won everything there was to win.”

 

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Ronaldo remains undecided on Ballon d'Or gala attendance

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he has still to decide if he will attend the Fifa Ballon d'Or gala next month.

The Real Madrid ace has been shortlisted for the prestigious accolade along with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

However, the Portuguese's presence at the January 13 event in Zurich has been in doubt ever since he and his club reacted angrily to disparaging remarks Fifa president Sepp Blatter made about him during a speech at the Oxford Union Society.

When asked if he would follow through on a proposed boycott of the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Sunday, Ronaldo told reporters: “There are still several days for that, we’re talking about it and we’ll see what happens.

"I hope to win many more trophies but we’re still looking at it with the club.”

Ronaldo, who was speaking at the opening of a museum dedicated to himself in his native Madeira, was more forthcoming when it came to discussing the Seleccao's hopes of progressing from a pool containing Germany, United States of America and Ghana at next year's World Cup in Brazil.

“We’ve been drawn in a difficult group," the 28-year-old conceded. "It’s competitive, but I’m confident that we can do well.

"We just have to get through the first round and then we’ll see what happens.”

 

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Bayern got nervous against Hamburg, admits Gotze

Mario Gotze admits Bayern Munich were made to feel nervous during their Bundesliga win over Hamburg on Saturday.

After Mario Mandzukic had opened the scoring at the Allianz Arena just before the break, Gotze doubled the hosts' advantage shortly after half-time only to see Pierre-Michel Lasogga's strike just three minutes from the end of normal time set up a tense finale.

Xherdan Shaqiri ultimately sealed the points for Bayern right at the death but, after throwing away a two-goal lead in their midweek Champions League defeat at home to Manchester City, Gotze admitted that Bayern had again feared the worst.

"It wasn't easy against Hamburg, who defended very deeply," the attacking midfielder was quoted as saying by the official Bundesliga website. "The opening goal was very important for us.

"We got a little bit nervous after their goal, but I think we can be pretty pleased with the result."

Bayern now turn their attentions to the Fifa Club World Cup and Gotze says the squad is buzzing ahead of their trip to Morocco.

"None of us have ever been to the Club World Cup," the Germany international enthused. "We're looking forward to it and we want to do the best we can at the tournament."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United push Zaha towards Newcastle loan move

Manchester United want Wilfried Zaha to join Newcastle on loan in the January transfer window despite the winger's reluctance to move to the North East.

Zaha is known to have reservations about locating to Tyneside for the rest of the season and was leaning towards a move to West Brom, which is closer to his hometown of London.

But United and Zaha's agent have both told the England Under-21 international that Newcastle would be a better club for his development and are hoping to conclude a deal that will see the 21-year-old move to St James' Park until the end of the season.

Stoke City, Fulham, Swansea City and Everton have also expressed an interest in Zaha, whom United have decided to loan out, providing that they can negotiate a loan fee and an agreement to cover his wages.

Zaha has struggled to settle at United since his summer arrival from Crystal Palace in a £17 million deal and made his first Premier League appearance as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on December 7.

He has also found life difficult away from football in the North West and regularly returns to London to spend time with family and friends.

United hope that a spell at Newcastle would help Zaha gain valuable experience on and off the pitch as he looks to justify the club's huge outlay to sign him.

The youngster has made just three official appearances for United in all competitions and has found himself behind Shinji Kagawa, Antonio Valencia, Adnan Januzaj, Ashley Young and Nani in the pecking order at Old Trafford.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zaha wa loan karanna hadana 1kanam aparadeAnith 1ka Manchester United U21 & England U21 walath elatama play karanawaAhema player kenek loan karanawa kiyanne waste 1kak

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes: Referees must protect Januzaj

David Moyes has called for more protection from referees for Adnan Januzaj after the Manchester United winger came in for some rough treatment against Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Red Devils boss saw two first-half goals from Danny Welbeck and a third from Tom Cleverley push his side to their first Premier League victory in five attempts and end of run of two consecutive defeats.

However, Moyes blasted the home side, whom he felt had targeted Januzaj, claiming officials must do more to protect the teenager after Matt Lowton caught his ankle with his studs.

"I think in every game recently, I don’t know how many tackles have been put in on Januzaj," the Scot told reporters. "That’s what I’ve been annoyed with; it’s the fourth official and the referees.

"Before you know it, the boy will get a sore one because he’s definitely not being protected by the officials and it’s terrible what they’re allowing to go on at the moment.

"It’s not necessarily the same player. I think they were taking turns to see who will kick him next. I think it’s something that the referees are going to have to think about.

"It’s up to the referees. They’re given that job; they’re paid to referee the games. You would hope that they would recognize that. He’ll just get up and he’ll walk away from it."

But Paul Lambert denied any wrong-doing on the part of his side and believes his players were entitled to go in for the challenges.

"If you look at my team, we’re not a physical side," he said. "We’re a young side where maybe over exuberance gets the better of them. I don’t think anyone will say we’re the most physical side in the world.

"It’s not one of those games where we were over aggressive or anything like that. Yes there were some challenges that people were entitled to go for but I don’t think it was malice.

"What was disappointing was the goals we lost. For the first and second we were actually in possession of the ball and we turned it over, and for the third we’ve got to stop the cross."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Welbeck calls for consistency after Manchester United end winless run

Danny Welbeck set his sights on putting together a winning run after Manchester United got their Premier League campaign back on track with victory at Aston Villa.

The England striker scored twice as United coasted to a 3-0 Premier League triumph at Villa Park to ease the pressure on boss David Moyes following back-to-back defeats against Everton and Newcastle United.

Tom Cleverley struck early in the second half to seal the points, yet Welbeck knows United now need to be more consistent if they are to close the 10-point gap to leaders Arsenal.

Welbeck told Sky Sports: "I think it was a good all-round team performance and everyone got together and played some good football.

"They were two good finishes and that's where I want to be, playing up top, but I'm just happy to play my part.

"Now we've set the platform and we really want to build on it."

Cleverley was relieved to end a 12-month goal drought in the Premier League and expressed satisfaction with his performance.

The midfielder said: "It plays on your mind as a midfielder when you're not scoring goals. I think there was a year's worth of celebrating when I scored.

"I think I passed the ball well and played well."

 

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Tottenham 0-5 Liverpool: Suarez tears sorry Spurs asunder

 

[rcccc]

Tottenham pattama kamak neh kanne meh tike

Villas-Boas ta yanna weyida danne nae

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Atletico Madrid 3-0 Valencia: Costa strikes twice in second-half salvo

Atletico Madrid went level on points with Barcelona at the top of the Liga table thanks to a 3-0 win over Valencia at the Vicente Calderon.

The capital club were made to work hard for three points against Miroslav Djukic's side, but Diego Costa struck twice either side of a Raul Garcia effort, despite two missed penalties from the Brazil-born forward.

Valencia showed early signs of promise in the match, advancing into Atleti turf, but the the hosts had their first claim for a penalty turned down after just a few minutes, when Costa was felled by Victor Ruiz.

However, netiher side were able to exert their authority on the game and the first half ended up goalless.

Less than 15 minutes after the interval, however, Atleti took the lead. Costa picked up in midfield, drove into the box and fired a shot across Diego Alves.

Getting the breakthrough opened the floodgates and five minutes later, Diego Simeone's side were two goals to the good when Juanfran's cross was miscued into the path of Garcia, who promptly drove home.

Costa was presented with an opportunity to make the points safe shortly afterwards after Victor Ruiz conceded a penalty and though his effort was saved by the keeper, he made amends nine minutes from time by slotting home a second spot-kick.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Napoli 4-2 Inter: Mazzarri return ends in defeat

Walter Mazzarri's return to Napoli ended in defeat as Inter were beaten 4-2 in Naples on Sunday.

Rafael Benitez's side were consigned to a place in the Europa League in midweek despite beating Arsenal 2-0, but they showed an excellent response to that heartbreak. All five goals came in a frantic first half in former Napoli coach Mazzarri's first return to the Stadio San Paolo since he departed for Inter in May.

Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring with his 12th goal of the season, but Esteban Cambiasso levelled before Dries Mertens and Blerim Dzemaili struck in the space of two minutes to stun Inter.

Yuto Nagatomo pulled a goal back just before half-time, but Ricky Alvarez was sent off for a second bookable offence as Mazzarri’s side suffered their first defeat in 10 games,The win was wrapped up by Jose Callejon’s late effort, while Samir Handanovic magnificently saved former Inter striker Goran Pandev's penalty in the dying embers of the game.Victory for Napoli moved them just two points behind second-placed Roma, who play Milan on Monday and gave Benitez a win against one of his former employers.

Rodrigo Palacio squandered a golden opportunity to put Inter in front after five minutes when he inexplicably headed over the bar from close range.

And he was made to pay for that miss four minutes later, when Nagatomo's poor defensive header looped up nicely for Higuain and the Argentina striker let fly with a left-foot volley.Insigne then rattled the post with a well-struck drive when he was set up by Mertens after 26 minutes, but Inter levelled shortly after.

Fredy Guarin put in a cross from the right on 34 minutes which was dummied by Palacio and helped on by Alvarez for Cambiasso, who finished clinically with his left foot.

Napoli then hit back with two goals in as many minutes. First Mertens raced forward to smash home a loose ball after Dzemaili had surged through the midfield 39 minutes in.

And Switzerland international Dzemail chipped in with a goal of his own from close range, two minutes later, after Samir Handovic could only push Mertens' shot into his path.Inter refused to lie down and they were given a lifeline in first-half stoppage time as Guarin fired across the face of goal, where Nagatomo was on hand to provide a simple finish.

Callejon fired just wide and Rafael denied Guarin from close-range as Napoli turned the screw after the break.Inter's hopes of salvaging anything looked remote when Alvarez was shown a second yellow card for handball with 19 minutes remaining.

And Napoli duly sealed the points nine minutes from time when Callejon turned home from close range, although Handanovic kept the margin of defeat at two goals by saving a Pandev penalty in injury-time.

 

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'Wonderful' Flanagan hailed by Rodgers after first Liverpool goal

Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to Jon Flanagan after the youngster scored his first Liverpool goal in Sunday's rout of Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Flanagan, who has started Liverpool's last five matches, crowned an impressive performance in the 5-0 thrashing of Spurs with a superb 75th-minute strike.

The 20-year-old met Luis Suarez's cross with a half-volley that flew in via the crossbar, yet Rodgers was just as delighted with Flanagan's efforts at the other end of the field.

"He's an incredible young player, a wonderful example," said the Liverpool manager."His attitude is incredible [and] since he's come into the team at full-back he hasn't put a foot wrong.

"He was up against Aaron Lennon [in the Tottenham match], but how he dealt with it [was impressive].

"He's cute in his defending and when he arrives in the box he's got a goal, a wonderful finish. I'm delighted for him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Gerrard: Suarez the best in the world

Steven Gerrard has conceded Liverpool may lose Luis Suarez if the Reds fail to reach the Champions League after labelling the striker "the best player in the world".

The Uruguayan took his tally to 17 goals in 11 games with Liverpool's first and fourth in their biggest ever win at White Hart Lane.

Gerrard labelled his team-mate as the "best player in the world" and acknowledged it may be difficult to keep him at Anfield unless they can return to European competition for next season.

"He is relentless. He doesn't give up no matter what the scoreline is," Gerrard told Sky Sports.

"He's always chasing defenders back and he wanted a hat-trick. In the 90th minute he is trying to get his third goal and that just sums him up. He never gives up.

"We're lucky to have him and we need to enjoy him while he's here because if he keeps performances up like this, I hate to say it but the big guns are going to be sniffing, which is what we don't want.

"Luis is the key to [Champions League qualification]. If he can stay in this form and keep producing performances and goals like that, there is no doubt we will finish in the top four.

"That's what Luis wants and that's what he deserves. He deserves to be in the Champions League. A player of that quality has to be in the Champions League."

Jordan Henderson, Jon Flanagan and Raheem Sterling also got their names on the scoresheet against Tottenham as Liverpool moved back into second place in the Premier League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Villas-Boas ta yanna weyida danne nae

AVB ta wade set wela machan

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Villas-Boas sacked by Tottenham

Tottenham have confirmed that manager Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked following Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool at White Hart Lane.

The defeat leaves Spurs in seventh place in the Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Arsenal and comes less than a month after they were thrashed 6-0 by Manchester City.

Goal reported last week that the relationship between Villas-Boas and Daniel Levy had deteriorated to the point where he was no longer expected to remain at White Hart Lane beyond this season.

But following Sunday's humiliation Levy, who looked less than impressed watching from the executive box, has decided to take immediate action.

"The club can announce that agreement has been reached with Head Coach, Andre Villas-Boas, for the termination of his services," a statement read.

"The decision was by mutual consent and in the interests of all parties."

In a poll conducted by Goal on Sunday, 54.8 per cent of readers said Villas-Boas should be sacked following the defeat.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Champions League draw: Barcelona take on Manchester City as Arsenal face Bayern Munich again​

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Manchester City against Barcelona is the pick of the ties to emerge from Monday's Champions League Round of 16 draw in Nyon.​

The Spanish champions will face Manuel Pellegrini's free-scoring side after being drawn first out of the pot in the proceedings. Jose Mourinho faces another reunion with former striker Didier Drogba after his Chelsea side were drawn against Galatasaray, who edged out Juventus on matchday six of the group phase.​

Arsenal will face Bayern Munich, meanwhile, in a repeat of their encounter from last season, while fellow Bundesliga outfit Schalke face the daunting task of nine-time champions Real Madrid.​

Elsewhere, Manchester United will face Greek champions Olympiakos, while Paris Saint-Germain take on Bundesliga high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen.​

AC Milan's reward for edging into the last 16 is Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid. Finally, Borussia Dortmund - beaten finalists last season - face Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg.​

The sides who finished as group runners-up will host the first leg encounters on the February 18/19 and 25/26, while the second legs take place on March 11/12 and 18/19.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City Vs Barcelona & Arsenal Vs Bayern Pattama gemak yai

Lucky Manchester United​

 

[Darken_Rahl]

bump

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[unicornx]

Manchester City Vs Barcelona & Arsenal Vs Bayern Pattama gemak yai

Lucky Manchester United​

man qwe...Bdw Figo just trolled Barca

 

[charitha chandi]

Gerrard: Suarez the best in the world

adow mu patta ban..!