..::Football III::..

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Atletico Madrid confident of keeping Diego Costa

Atletico Madrid technical director Andrea Berta is confident the club can hold on to Diego Costa and their other star players for at least another year.

Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly among the suitors of the Brazil-born forward, while Manchester United have been repeatedly linked with Koke.

However, Berta believes that while Atletico remain "a selling club", coach Diego Simeone will be able to persuade Costa & Co. to stay at the Vicente Calderon beyond the summer.

"[Costa] has managed to develop over the years thanks to his patience to wait for his opportunity," the Rojiblancos official told Tele Radio Stereo.

"He has very important qualities, much determination and competitiveness. He is a special player.

"Atletico are a club who, due to their nature, have to sell every year, but we believe that we can keep our players for at least another year.

"Diego Simeone is passing his characteristics onto the players. The squad identifies with him and his charisma. He has the ability to get every player to take on a big role in the team."

Consequently, Berta is optimistic about Atletico's hopes of winning more silverware this season and next.

"The president [Enrique Cerezo] and the owner [Miguel Angel Gil Marin] of the club are competent people," he explained.

"Then there is a group [of players] who are doing a superb job: five cups and seven finals [since 2010].

"The project goes beyond individual abilities. They graft hard in every game as if it were their last."

 

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Klopp: Unrealistic to keep up with Bayern

Jurgen Klopp has asked for Borussia Dortmund fans to remain realistic about their prospects for silverware in the face of Bayern Munich's current dominance.

Last season's Bundesliga and Champions League runners-up currently lie fourth in the league after an injury-ridden season so far, and face a tough task to finish in second place.

But Klopp believes finishing behind die Roten represents an excellent achievement already, claiming no team from the Premier League or Primera Liga would stand a chance either.

"If we should finish second this summer, I'll find a truck and drive it through my garden. If nobody will rejoice at that, I'll do it alone," the 46-year-old lamented to WAZ.

"We have to win every game or else nobody is satisfied. It's totally unrealistic [to keep up with Bayern]. We do not take dissatisfaction that another team is so good.

"Go through the world and find me a team who can finish champions in the same league as Bayern. Manchester United? No chance. Manchester City? No chance. Barcelona? Maybe. Real Madrid, no chance."

BVB will host Augsburg when the Bundesliga gets back underway after the winter break next weekend.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.01.19 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2014.01.19 Fixtures

Swansea Vs Tottenham

Chelsea Vs Manchester United

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Chelsea match 1kath mona weida danne nahaNo Rooney & No RVP

Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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La Liga 2014.01.19 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.01.19 Fixtures

Getafe Vs Real Soceidad

Villareal Vs Almeria

Levante Vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid Vs Sevilla​

 

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Serie A 2014.01.19 Fixtures

Serie A 2014.01.19 Fixtures

Udinese Vs Lazio

Atalanta Vs Cagliari

Bologna Vs Napoli

Catania Vs Fiorentina

Chievo Vs Parma

Genoa Vs Inter

Sassuolo Vs Torino

AC Milan Vs Hellas Verona​

 

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Arsenal 2-0 Fulham: Cazorla double keeps Gunners top

 

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David Moyes says top players want to join Manchester United

David Moyes claims 'big players' still want to join Manchester United as they remain the biggest club on the planet.

The Red Devils have endured their fair share of struggles in the 2013/14 campaign, with the reigning Premier League champions facing a battle to secure a top-four finish.A trip to title-chasing Chelsea on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1HD, could go a long way towards shaping their season, with it imperative that United take something away from Stamford Bridge.

Moyes is, however, convinced that he made the right choice in agreeing to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, with United still enjoying a global standing above their domestic rivals.The Scot said: "Manchester United are not only the biggest club in this country, but the biggest club in the world.

"I don't think any of the aura is fading whatsoever. Some of the results have not been what you would want, but I wouldn't say the aura is fading - in fact, I think the opposite."There is no issue about signing big players - not by my trips and the things I am hearing.

"The number of big players wanting to join Manchester United is incredible.
"Maybe players want to go to other clubs for the money, but if you ask them where they really want to be, which club they really want to wear the badge of, they want to wear the badge of Manchester United.

"It's because of what this club stands for in world terms - everything about it.
"The share price doesn't matter whatsoever. Players are not looking at the share price. What they are looking at is the club and what it stands for in football and world terms."It is renowned throughout the world, wherever you go, and I don't see that changing."

Moyes added: "The job is much bigger than I thought because it's a global thing."I have found out about that when I have been to quite a few games in the last week or so. Everywhere I go, people know the Manchester United manager."

Moyes also believes that United can haul themselves back into the race for the Premier League crown, with there still 17 games to come on their calendar.He said: "We are still in the title race because there are plenty of games to go. We've got to believe there's still a chance."We've been disappointed but we have still won five of our last six games (in the league).

"Yes, we haven't don't so well in cup matches - we should have done better against Swansea in the FA Cup."And at the moment, the teams to beat in the league are Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal - I think they are the three.

"The teams at the top, including us, are on really good runs. So we are probably going to need some teams to drop some points for us to catch them.
"But I would be bitterly disappointed to finish fourth because I am looking at the number one spot."I have to do that, that's my job. When you are in this club, the number one slot is where you have to be."

 

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Big playersla join wenna innawanam meh Window 1kema karana deyak kalanam thamai hoda

thama EPL 1ke 7th place nisa next matches paradila baha

 

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger denies move for Juventus' Mirko Vucinic

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has played down talk of an imminent move for Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic.

Arsenal are on the lookout for some offensive cover following the season-ending knee injury to England forward Theo Walcott and there have been reports that representatives from the club have held meetings with Vucinic's agent.Wenger, however, denied a deal was close after Saturday's 2-0 win over Fulham.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his side are thriving from the pressure at the top of the table as they beat Fulham 2-0."We are looking at potential possibilities for us to get someone in, but we are not especially in for Vucinic," he said.

"Some people have visual capacities that I don't have."We are not on any special case."I would love to announce something that would excite you and me, but I don't have the possibility to do it."With or without any new additions, Wenger feels Arsenal are well set for what looks to be the most exciting championship run in of recent years."We have played 22 games and have 51 points. If you compare that to any other season you will see that it is one of the best, if not the best ever, so let's just continue," the French coach said.

"We have a good solidarity in the group and we rotate a bit and sometimes great players are on the bench."You want me to buy more players, but if they sit on the bench you ask me why."

 

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Full Time

Chelsea 3 Vs 1 Manchester United

Chelsea Goal(s)

Eto'o 17'45'49'

&

Manchester United Goal(s)

Chicharito 78'​

 

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Another defeat​

 

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Another defeat​

aaaaaaaaaand another defeat :/

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 5-0 Nantes: Five-star Parisiens storm to victory

Paris Saint-Germain broke the 50 points barrier in Ligue 1 after thumping Nantes 5-0 at the Parc des Princes.

Thiago Silva's close-range effort set PSG on their way early on before Ibrahimovic tucked away a penalty following a foul on Marco Verratti.

Thiago Motta added a third just after half-time and then Ibrahimovic set up Edinson Cavani for the fourth.

The Swede made sure he stole the headlines, though, when he rounded off the scoring to maintain PSG's formidable home record that has seen them drop just two points out of the last 24 available.Nantes, meanwhile, have now lost three of their last four league games.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc made seven changes to the side that defeated Bordeaux, including returns for Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi, both of whom joined Ibrahimovic in a fearsome three-man attack.Nantes made two changes from the late Coupe de la Ligue win against Nice, but there was no place for Ismael Bangoura, who was on the bench.

PSG dominated the opening exchanges and went ahead inside 10 minutes when Cavani's flicked header from a corner was saved by Remy Riou and Silva was on hand to tap home the rebound from six yards.

Nantes, meanwhile, only had Chaker Alhadhur's blocked shot to show for their early efforts.Their task was made harder after 35 minutes when a poor pass fell to Verratti in the area and, in his desperation to regain possession, Issa Cissokho could only bundle the Italian over for a penalty.

Ibrahimovic stepped up to score, although Nantes almost responded soon after when Lucas Deaux's surging run ended with a shot, but his strike could only find the side netting.It was almost three in first-half injury time when Verratti's back-post cross found the onrushing Lavezzi, whose volley drifted just wide.

PSG continued to dominate, and they added a third soon after half-time when Gregory van der Wiel's deep cross was headed across goal by Blaise Matuidi and Motta was left with the simple task of volleying in from close range.It was four after 58 minutes when Verratti's challenge set Ibrahimovic free and he unselfishly squared for strike-partner Cavani, who swept home with ease.

Ibrahimovic passed up a great chance to make it five after 62 minutes when he shot straight at Riou, but he made up for that uncharacteristic miss a few moments later by lashing a loose ball in from 12 yards, albeit via a deflection for his 28th goal of the season.

 

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Atletico Madrid 1-1 Sevilla: Simeone's side miss chance to go top

Atletico Madrid failed in their bid to usurp Barcelona at the top of La Liga as they were held 1-1 at the Vicente Calderon by Sevilla.

Diego Simeone’s side looked on course when David Villa opened the scoring early in the first half, but the home side couldn’t build on that advantage and Ivan Rakitic’s penalty meant that Atleti dropped points at home for just the second time this season.

After Barcelona were held to a surprise draw with Levante, Atletico knew that a win would see them replace the Catalan giants at the summit of La Liga and the hosts looked every bit a table-topping outfit, pinning Sevilla back in their own half from the first whistle.

Atletico forced the issue early on, peppering the Sevilla box with crosses from the flanks, but it was a smart reverse pass from Villa that gave them their first opening, full-back Felipe running onto the ball but skewing his effort wide of Beto’s goal.

Striker Diego Costa’s record against Sevilla is an impressive one, having netted nine times in 10 appearances against the Andalusian club, and he almost added to that tally 15 minutes in, deceiving Fernando Navarro with a cute dummy before latching onto the ball and firing a low effort into the side-netting.

The deadlock was broken just a few moments later as Atletico took a thoroughly deserved lead. Diego Godin rose highest to head down Gabi’s corner and when Beto failed to get any real connection with his punch, Villa was on hand to steer the ball into the bottom corner of the unguarded net.

Despite seemingly being in control of the game though, Atleti failed to build on their lead and allowed their opponents back into the game.

Right-back Coke was first to go close to an equaliser with an effort from just outside the area and soon after an Alberto Moreno corner was causing problems for the hosts, Daniel Carrico seeing his header blocked before Federico Fazio sliced the rebound wide.

Sevilla boss Unai Emery changed his side’s shape at the beginning of the second half, introducing Kevin Gameiro to the action as they looked to find a way past a staunch Atletico defence, but it was the hosts that produced the first chance of after the break, Raul Garcia firing wide on the angle.

The home side’s hopes of going top of the pile were dashed though on 73 minutes as referee Hernandez Hernandez spotted Juanfran’s tug on Carlos Bacca’s jersey inside the area and awarded the visitors a penalty.

After Hernandez waved away all protests, Rakitic kept his cool from 12-yards, giving Thibaut Courtois no chance and bringing Sevilla level.

The hosts went in search of another goal but couldn’t find a way past Beto, Costa nodding over from a Gabi cross the closest the Madrid side came as Sevilla ended the game with 10-men after Alberto Moreno saw red late on.

 

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AC Milan 1-0 Verona: Balotelli gives Seedorf opening game win

A Mario Balotelli penalty ensured Clarence Seedorf got off to a winning start in charge of AC Milan as they beat Verona 1-0 on Sunday.

Balotelli slotted to the left of goalkeeper Rafael from the spot in the 82nd minute on Sunday, after Alejandro Gonzalez brought down Kaka with a clumsy challenge.

Seedorf – who spent a decade with the Rossoneri as a player between 2002 to 2012 – was appointed this week to replace the sacked Massimiliano Allegri.

The former Netherlands international immediately made his mark with six changes, headlined by Keisuke Honda's first Serie A start, while Verona were without in-form striker Luca Toni (flu) and Jorginho following his transfer to Napoli on Saturday.

The San Siro crowd roared their approval throughout the early stages, as an energised Milan started brightly.Rafael reacted quickly to cut out an Urby Emanuelson ball destined for Balotelli, while the former Manchester City forward dragged a shot wide when played in by Kaka in the 14th minute.

Honda's first touch then let him down following an excellent Mattia De Sciglio cross, but the interplay between Kaka and the Japanese star continued to create chances, as Balotelli fired over over the crossbar.The visitors offered little, but Juan Manuel Iturbe did curl a free-kick narrowly over at the other end as Milan's intensity briefly dropped off.

However, the hosts kept peppering the Verona goal and Balotelli had a powerful effort saved by a diving Rafael before Domenico Maietta cleared a spilled free-kick to keep out Kaka.

Riccardo Montolivo fired wide just before the break, but the away side were more composed after the interval and offered reminders of their threat on the break, mainly through Iturbe.

Substitute Raphael Martinho had a flicked effort smartly saved by Christian Abbiati and the game opened up in the final 25 minutes as Milan looked to turn the screw, with Robinho's strike – which took a wicked deflection off Maietta – agonisingly hitting the woodwork.Seedorf's wait for the first goal of his reign continued as Balotelli and Robinho both shot straight at Rafael, while Iturbe's long-range effort forced a quick reaction from Abbiati.

But with nine minutes to go, Gonzalez gave Milan the chance to win with his poor challenge, and the ice-cold Balotelli made no mistake.

 

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Levante 1-1 Barcelona: Blaugrana held in Valencia

Gerard Pique's header salvaged a point for La Liga leaders Barcelona in a frustrating 1-1 draw at Levante on Sunday.Gerardo Martino's men fell short of their usual high standards at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, with Levante producing a fine defensive display to make it five unbeaten at home in all competitions.

Barcelona, who destroyed the same opponents 7-0 on the opening day, dropped points for just the fourth time this season with a second away draw on the bounce.
In a first half otherwise devoid of clear-cut chances, it was Levante who took a surprise lead when Loukas Vyntra headed home Andreas Ivanschitz's corner, before Pique equalised in almost identical circumstances from Xavi's delivery nine minutes later.

The visitors improved after the break, with Lionel Messi twice forcing Keilor Navas into smart stops, while at the other end Levante almost claimed all three points when Ivanschitz's superb 20-yard effort prompted a superb save from Victor Valdes.

The Catalan giants remain top ahead of Atletico Madrid's home match against Sevilla, while Levante move up to 11th.Martin Montoya replaced the suspended Dani Alves at right-back for Barcelona, while full-back Juanfran started his 100th league game for the hosts.Having withstood sustained early pressure, Levante took the lead after 10 minutes when Vyntra leapt highest to head Ivanschitz's corner across Valdes.

Undeterred by the early setback, Barcelona continued to control the tempo and levelled in almost identical circumstances after 19 minutes, with Xavi's in-swinging corner headed into the far corner by Pique.The Blaugrana were struggling to assert their usual free-flowing style as Levante's stubborn backline proved difficult for the visitors to penetrate.

It took until the 35th minute for the visitors to create another chance of note as Xavi dragged wide from the edge of the box after neat interplay between Messi and Pedro.

But the away side showed plenty of attacking intent after the break, with Pedro's 25-yard drive stinging the palms of Navas.

Messi played a one-two with Cesc Fabregas and saw his low shot saved by Navas, before Fabregas' follow-up was headed away by Juanfran to the Argentina international, who forced a superb reaction stop from the goalkeeper.Barcelona were beginning to grow into the game and Messi once more found space in the box to have a shot blocked for a corner.

Levante twice came close to catching the Catalans on the counter-attack, as first Pedro Lopez's volley was deflected for a corner by Jordi Alba, before Ruben Garcia's header from the penalty spot was well held by Valdes.Ivanschitz's came even closer with just under 15 minutes remaining when he let fly from 20 yards and was only denied by an excellent stop from Valdes.

Both sides had chances in the closing stages, with Barcelona substitute Cristian Tello testing Navas with a curling strike from the edge of the box, before Garcia broke free of the defence at the other end only to shoot straight at Valdes.

 

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Bologna 2-2 Napoli: Bianchi double earns 10-man Rossoblu precious point against Partenopei

Rolando Bianchi scored a last-gasp equaliser as Bologna claimed a shock 2-2 draw with Napoli at a rain-soaked Renato Dall'Ara on Sunday evening.

The 30-year-old striker gave the hosts the lead seven minutes before the break but the Partenopei levelled courtesy of a Gonzalo Higuain penalty before then edging ahead through Jose Callejon.

Panagiotis Kone's dismissal appeared to end Bologna's hopes of getting anything out of the game but, remarkably, Bianchi equalised in injury time to leave Rafael Benitez and his troops shell-shocked.

With both Serie leaders Juventus and second-placed Roma having won on Saturday, Napoli had arrived in Emilia-Romagna knowing that nothing less than three points would suffice if they were to keep their faint title hopes alive.

However, they struggled with a saturated pitch and Bianchi had already gone close with a header when he deservedly put the home side ahead seven minutes before half-time.

The former Manchester City man momentarily lost Raul Albiol and glanced home Alessandro Diamanti's terrific ball from the left-hand side.

The goal very nearly prompted an instant riposte from Napoli but Callejon headed over moments later.

Higuain was then guilty of an atrocious miss on the hour mark, when he somehow contrived to nod wide from no more than five yards out.

However, the Argentine made amends a couple of minutes later when he fired home emphatically from 12 yards out, after Kone had clumsily bundled over Blerim Dzemaili in the area.

Napoli then edged in front when a blistering counterattack ended with Callejon finding the bottom right corner of the Bologna net with a sweet right-footed strike.

Kone was then dismissed for a second booking with just six minutes to go, but the Rossoblu refused to give in and got their reward in the dying seconds when Bianchi calmly blasted the ball home after it hard dropped for him at the back post.

It was a crucial strike, as it moved Bologna out of the relegation zone, while at the same time cutting Napoli's lead over fourth-placed Fiorentina to just three points.