..::Football III::..

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Ozil returns to Arsenal training after Morocco mini-break

Mesut Ozil returned to training at Arsenal on Wednesday following a mini-break in Morocco.

Arsene Wenger gave the Germany international permission to have a short holiday in the north African sunshine and recharge his batteries before the club’s league campaign kicks back into gear next week.

Ozil missed Arsenal’s matches against Newcastle and Cardiff City over the Christmas period with a shoulder injury but returned as a substitute in the club’s FA Cup win over Tottenham last Saturday.

Goal understands that the playmaker flew to Morocco after the north London derby and returned to the capital on Tuesday, after being excused from first-team training earlier that day.

Ozil trained with Arsenal on Wednesday as Wenger’s team stepped up preparations for Monday night’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

Wenger is keen for the 25-year-old to be in optimum condition for the second half of the campaign following a hectic start to his Arsenal career.

Ozil has played in virtually every match since his club-record €50 million move from Real Madrid last summer and spoke in a recent interview about how he was unaccustomed to not having a winter break.

"Of course it is out of the ordinary because I have always had one in previous years. In the Premier League, you play every few days - you don't get a week to relax,” he said.

Ozil added: “I am very pleased that I am in this league because you go from game to game very quickly.

“You play every two or three days and for me it is better to play more games than train because I love a challenge and here that is perfect.”

 

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Schweinsteiger sends chilling warning to Arsenal

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has sent out a chilling warning to Arsenal ahead of their Champions League round of 16 tie.

No team has ever successfully defended the trophy in its current format, yet Schweinsteiger is hopeful Bayern can become the first side to do just that.

"I want to achieve what no team has ever achieved. I want to defend the Champions League title," Schweinsteiger told reporters.

"We had an incredible year in 2013. However, the great thing about football is that there are always areas of our play we can improve."

The 29-year-old midfielder then went on to discuss his fitness as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury and stressed that he will soon be raring to go again.

"I’m confident it won't be too long until I can return to full duty. I'm happy with how it feels at the moment, and I’m confident it’ll get even better.

"I know the qualities I have when I’m fully fit. It's reassuring and keeping me calm through all of this."

Schweinsteiger last featured for Bayern in the Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen early in November.

 

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Copa Del Rey 2014.01.09 Fixtures

Copa Del Rey 2014.01.09 Fixtures

Real Sociedad Vs Villareal

Rayo Vallecano Vs Levante

Real Madrid Vs Osasuna​

 

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Coppa Italia 2014.01.09 Fixtures

Coppa Italia 2014.01.09 Fixtures

Roma Vs Sampdoria

Udinese Vs Inter​

 

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Messi is back

 

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Messi: I want to finish my career at Barcelona

 

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Alvaro Morata ready to consider his future at Real Madrid

Reports continue to suggest that the Spain Under-21 international could be heading out of Santiago Bernabeu during the winter transfer window.Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has expressed a desire to keep the youngster in the Spanish capital, but is also aware that he cannot guarantee him game time.

A lack of activity has alerted the likes of Arsenal to his potential availability, with the Gunners believed to be leading the chase for the 21-year-old's services as they seek to bolster their attacking options.Morata is paying little attention to the gossip at present, but concedes that he will need to consider his future if is unable to hold down a regular role at Real.

He told Minuto 116: "Real Madrid have been my team since I was little and will be all my life, but I think the important thing is to have a relevant role in the team."If I ever feel that's not the case, I would look at other options. In football, it's very difficult to stay at the top and even more so in a team like Real."Moving up to the first team is tricky, not everyone deals with it well. If you learn how to handle it, you realise the value of every minute."Maybe in five or 10 minutes you have to go on and be decisive in a game. In football every minute is golden."

 

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Morata godak durata Arsenal join wei meh window 1ke

 

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Morata godak durata Arsenal join wei meh window 1ke

 

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Morata godak durata Arsenal join wei meh window 1ke

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...adamant-Alvaro-Morata-not-moving-Arsenal.html

 

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Real Madrid 2-0 Osasuna: Benzema and Jese seal comfortable first-leg win

Real Madrid eased to a comfortable Copa del Rey last 16 first-leg win over Osasuna on Thursday as goals from Karim Benzema and Jese Rodriguez secured a 2-0 win.

Benzema headed home in the first half following Luka Modric's cross before Jese turned home a second after half-time after Ronaldo teed him up.

The victory puts Madrid in control of the tie ahead of the second leg against an Osasuna side who showed endeavour but struggled to pose any consistent threat to their hosts.

Madrid started with Jese, Ronaldo and Gareth Bale all behind Benzema, while Iker Casillas got the nod in goal ahead of Diego Lopez.

And it was youngster Jese who created the first moment of intrigue in the match, with the referee pointing to the spot after he was felled by goalkeeper Asier Riesgo, only to change his mind and issue a yellow card to the Madrid man for diving.

Neither decision was correct, but Madrid soon put the controversial moment behind them, as Modric swung in a free kick which Benzema headed home from six yards out.

Ronaldo twice fired wide from free kicks and Oier spurned a great chance as he scuffed a close-range shot, but the deficit remained at 1-0 until the second half.

A dreadful backpass from Oier handed Benzema the ball, he played Ronaldo who fed Jese in turn to allow the youngster to steer past Riesgo from inside the area.

Ronaldo missed a glorious chance for a third as he poked Modric's chipped pass wide before he later contrived to block Bale's goalbound effort and turn the ball past the post for a goal kick.

Osasuna struggled to make any inroads in the attacking third in the second half and ultimately Madrid cruised to a first-leg win without ever being fully stretched.

 

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Udinese 1-0 Inter: Maicosuel strike dumps Mazzarri's men out of cup

Maicosuel's first-half tap-in allowed Udinese to edge their last-16 Coppa Italia clash with Inter 1-0 on Thursday.

The Nerazzurri were made to pay for losing possession in the final third and Nico Lopez pounced to set up the Brazilian, who edged ahead of opposition skipper Javier Zanetti to score at the back post.

The hosts' victory sets up a clash in the quarter-finals of the Italian cup with either AC Milan or Spezia Calcio, as they joined Fiorentina, Juventus and Roma in the last eight of the competition.

Walter Mazzarri's men, whose side on paper certainly looked more dangerous, were flat in attack for the opening third of the game at the Stadio Friuli and invited the Zebrette to attack while looking toothless when in possession.

Young attacker Lopez caused problems for the deep-lying Inter backline with his pacey runs and was inches away from nodding home the opener.

The Uruguayan was key in creating the eventual first goal, however, as he sped into the box and skidded the ball across for Maicosuel to tap in, with Inter too slow to realise the danger.

Zdravko Kuzmanovic struck the bar five minutes later with a lovely, looped shot from distance as the Nerazzurri finally found some attacking drive, but not enough to prevent going in a goal behind at the break to the hosts.

Inter threw on Rodrigo Palacio at the break in the hope he could spark a revival and his arrival certainly allowed the visitors to continue their pressing intensity.

Mazzarri's men looked weak when throwing players forward though and, following a turned down a Nerazzurri penalty appeal for handball, the hosts attacked, goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo completely failed to tackle Maicosuel and the visitors were saved by an appalling volleyed shot from Giampiero Pinzi.

The yellow cards were streamed out to Francesco Guidolin's defensive players as they deployed hacking tactics to break up Inter's attempted forays forward while Udinese's attackers peppered shots at the other end, but they were mostly skewed pot shots with Badu a particularly guilty culprit from distance.

The game stretched significantly in the final 15 minutes as legs tired but Inter struggled to fashion genuine, goalscoring chances.

Fredy Guarin could - and should - have taken the game into stoppage-time with just over two minutes left on the clock but he smashed wide from seven yards after Milito's fine, floated cross.

Inter's inability to score condemned them to their second defeat of 2014 after opening the new year with a loss at Lazio and gave Udinese - who haven't had the greatest of Serie A campaigns so far - a much-needed boost.

 

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Ronaldo always gives me good advice - Jese

Real Madrid attacker Jese Rodriguez says he is indebted to Cristiano Ronaldo's advice at the club after the Portugal star set up his goal on Thursday.

Ronaldo teed up Jese to drill home the Blancos second of the night in their 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Osasuna at Santiago Bernabeu and the Spain starlet was quick to pay tribute to the 28-year-old.

"I love playing with these players, no matter what the position," he was quoted as saying by Marca. "I'm very happy with what I'm doing. I have to continue playing and training the same way and working every day.

"I always thank all of my colleagues for their support, especially Cristiano, who always gives me good advice. I'd like to assist one of his goals, too.

"We lacked a goal to make the second leg trip to Pamplona a little easier. It's a dangerous result."

Jese was forced off with injury after pulling up following a shot in the second half, and he revealed he will meet with medical staff to determine if there is any damage beyond the initial cramp problem.

"I was scared at first, but then I realised it was cramp, although on Friday we'll see what the doctors say," he added.

 

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Xavi: Messi’s return proved he is the best

Xavi says Lionel Messi’s impressive return in the Copa del Rey victory against Getafe proves that he remains the world’s best player.

The Argentine star returned from two months out of action with a hamstring injury to come off the substitutes' bench and score twice at Camp Nou in a 4-0 first-leg victory.

Ahead of Monday's Ballon d'Or gala, Xavi suggested the forward’s 26-minute comeback cameo was a timely reminder of his quality and the perfect answer to anyone who was beginning to doubt him.

"Even after being out for so long, what Messi did was not a surprise to us," the 33-year-old told reporters after receiving a Fair Play award from the association of former Barcelona players.

"Leo returned to prove he is still the number one - the best player in the world. He is extremely hungry and motivated to perform now that he is back.

"I think these two months out have served him well. The team need him and he will continue to show how important he is with every match."

Xavi also discussed Saturday’s massive Liga clash against Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon, which gives both sides - currently level on 49 points from 18 games - an opportunity to open up a lead at the top.

The Spain international acknowledged the importance of the contest but insisted nothing would be decided by the end of the match, even if it represented a chance to make an important statement.

He continued: "It is a game that is vital but not definitive. We could certainly strike an important blow and make a big impact on the table.

"We need to try and be the protagonists and it is good that we reach this game in a great spell of form.

"But it will be a difficult and complicated game. They are playing at home and they are very compact defensively."

 

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I want Guarin to stay at Inter, insists Mazzarri

Inter boss Walter Mazzarri insists he does not want Fredy Guarin to leave in January but concedes the decision may be out of his hands.

The Colombian midfielder has been strongly linked with moves to Chelsea and Manchester United in recent weeks and, although Mazzarri is eager to keep him at Giuseppe Meazza, he admits the club could opt to cash in on the 27-year-old.

"Clearly I'd like him to stay, but if his sale is being considered then that explains the club's situation," he told RAI Sport. "This year there are eight players coming towards the end of their contracts."

Inter were beaten 1-0 by Udinese in the Coppa Italia on Thursday and Mazzarri was left fuming after Diego Milito - making his first start for the Nerazzurri in a year - was denied a penalty for a clear shirt-pull.

"The second half was an Inter monologue," he continued.

"It's becoming a joke now. You too saw the incidents today, so nobody can say: 'Mazzarri complains about referees.' I don't want to talk about it any more for the rest of the season.

"We are a work in progress and I had to evaluate a few things, so I needed this game to experiment. We were a little shaken up in the first half and suffered due to Udinese's pressing. The result is harsh on us, but these things happen in football.

"Milito's comeback is important, as he hadn't played 90 minutes in a year. Now we must concentrate on Serie A with a player like Milito back in our ranks."

Inter's last-16 defeat is their first since 2002 and follows a disappointing Serie A loss to Lazio, but Mazzarri maintains the club is on track as he looks to restore them as a major force in Italian football.

"This summer we set certain parameters and we're on track with those. We're missing a few points in the league, but I think we are doing very well," he added.

"I don't have to convince anyone, as last season Inter failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in 14 years and it's a sign this club is going through a difficult time.

"People must accept we are a work in progress. We've only lost three games and had a few too many draws, but this squad has a soul and cannot do everything in one year."

 

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Laudrup in dark over Tom Ince pursuit

Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup has hailed Tom Ince as a future star but is unsure if the Blackpool winger will move to the Liberty Stadium.

The club are reportedly leading the race to sign the England Under-21 international from the Championship side during January, although chairman Huw Jenkins on Thursday denied a move was close to completion.

Laudrup confirmed his admiration for Ince at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, but is in the dark as to whether he will join Swansea.

"I can't really say much about that," Laudrup said when asked about the possibility of Ince moving to Swansea.

"He's a talent but I mean there's still a long way to go, it's one thing playing in the Championship another to play in the Premiership.

"He's a talent for the future, whoever picks him up and signs him. I think there's a lot of talks and rumours, a lot of things said."

Laudrup also stressed that signing a winger is not a priority, despite several of his wide players being sidelined due to injury.

He said: "No, it's not a question of if we need a wide player. We have four wide plus a fifth, [Alejandro] Pozuelo, who can play there, he had a very good game at Old Trafford.

"Three of the four are out, [Roland] Lamah, [Nathan] Dyer and Pablo [Hernandez], they will be back soon we'll back to four again."

Ince's contract expires at the end of the season and the 21-year-old has been linked a host of top-flight clubs as well as wealthy Ligue 1 outfit Monaco.

 

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'Inter win dedicated to Di Natale'

Giampiero Pinzi dedicated Udinese's 1-0 Coppa Italia win over Inter to Antonio Di Natale after the veteran striker announced his intention to retire at the end of the season a couple of days ago.

Maicosuel's tap-in in the first half was enough to see the Bianconeri into the last eight, to face either AC Milan or Spezia Calcio, and consign the Nerazzurri to back-to-back losses.

As well as insisting the cup victory was for iconic skipper Di Natale, the tough-tackling midfielder praised the way Udinese fought for the win against the Serie A giants having been beaten 3-1 by Hellas Verona at the weekend.

"It's a great victory," the 32-year-old told Rai Sport after the Stadio Friuli game. "We came into it after a stinging defeat at home and we had to show what we could do against a great team like Inter.

"In the second half, we focused on our defence for our benefit and it helped produce a very important result. We prepared very well for the game and did well to shut down attacks and prevent Inter from breaking us down.

"Di Natale is a champion who has made us rejoice, taken us to Europe. We're dedicating this victory to him, he's our symbol and our captain and we want him to stay for many more years here."

Francesco Guidolin's men's triumph in the last-16 stage of the Coppa Italia sees them join Fiorentina, Juventus and Roma in the next round.

 

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Yaya Toure named CAF African Footballer of the Year again

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has been named the CAF African Footballer of the Year for a third successive time.

The Cote d'Ivoire international was announced as the winner of the award in a ceremony in Nigeria, beating off competition from John Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba - who came second and third, respectively.

Toure is only the second player to win the award for three consecutive years, with Samuel Eto'o claiming the prize between 2003 and 2005.

The recipient of the award is decided by national team coaches and technical directors in Africa - with Eto'o the most-honoured individual with four.

The 30-year-old already has 13 goals to his name this season, three more than his highest-ever season total, as he thrives under Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium.

Toure was also the only African player included on the 23-man shortlist for Fifa's World Player of the World award.

He was joined by Chelsea's Jon Obi Mikel in the Caf Team of the Year, along with Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Team of the Year in full:

Enyeama, Fathy, Benatia, Constant: Mikel, Aboutreika, Toure, Pitroipa; Aubameyang, Emenike, Gyan.

 

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Congratulations Yaya!

 

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Higuain would welcome 'warrior' Mascherano at Napoli

Gonzalo Higuain says he would love to see Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano join him at Napoli in January.

The Barcelona star has been linked with a move to Serie A, with coach Rafael Benitez - who mangaged him at Liverpool - reported to be keen on bringing him to San Paolo.

Higuain describes Mascherano as a "warrior" and believes his international colleague would be a fantastic addition to the squad if his club can secure his services.

"We know it is hard to move in January but the director (Bigon) is doing everything possible," the ex-Real Madrid frontman told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"Hopefully someone will come. We are doing well, but we could be helped to be better.

"The fans would like to see a warrior like Mascherano arrive. Benitez knows him well from Liverpool. We will see."

Ahead of Sunday's game away to fifth-placed Verona, Higuain discussed his side's chances of competing at the top of Serie A and insists he has not given up hope of challenging Juventus for the title.

The striker added: "Verona will be a tough game. They are having a great league season, but we are going there to try and impose our game on them and win.

"First we will try to overcome Roma in the table and then we can decide if we can look towards Juventus. Anything can happen in football - there are still many points at stake.

"This is only the first year of a new cycle at the club. We will grow slowly, but we know we are doing good things."