..::Football III::..

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Huntelaar delighted with Schalke return

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has spoken of his joy after marking his comeback from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a goal in Schalke's 3-0 over Hamburg.

The Dutchman had not featured for Jens Keller's side since August, but returned to the starting line-up with the opening goal against crisis-hit HSV.

The former Real Madrid and AC Milan man was not only delighted to get back out on the pitch, but with the team's display as a whole at the Imtech Arena.

"It was an outstanding team performance. We were extremely aggressive, but also played great football," he is quoted as saying by the Bundesliga's official website.

"The good start obviously made things easier for us. We dominated proceedings and showed how much we wanted to win. I was really happy to return and things worked out really well for me too.

"Our aim this season is to snatch fourth place and reach the Champions League."

Young playmaker Max Meyer was also on the scoresheet and was equally happy to line up alongside the prolific Netherlands international.

"We were cold as ice in front of goal and made good use of our chances," he enthused. "There's no doubt Huntelaar is very strong up front; it's easy to see his qualities.

"Now we're up against Wolfsburg - we're expecting another really difficult game, but things will look good for us if we get a good result against them."

 

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Barca have faced more serious problems than Rosell resignation - Martino

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has played down the significance of former president Sandro Rosell's resignation in midweek, saying his players have overcome more serious issues in the past.

The 49-year-old left his post amid controversy over the summer signing of Neymar, saying he feared for the safety of his family after gun attacks on their home while they were on holiday.

However, Martino insists that his players have been through worse, having witnessed former team-mate Eric Abidal and ex-coach Tito Vilanova battle cancer.

"Over the last few years, they have faced more serious problems; health issues of team-mates and coaches," the Argentine told reporters after their straightforward 3-0 win over Malaga on Sunday night.

"The answer is not to talk but to do it on the pitch. It's been difficult to be professional and be focused this week, but we'll try until the last moment."

Lionel Messi failed to net against Malaga and has now not scored in La Liga since the end of September, but Martino says he has no worries over his compatriot's contribution.

"He can absolutely do as he pleases. Assist, press, move ... he can do it all. He attracts a lot of attention from the opposition," the Blaugrana boss pointed out.

"He sees passes and that he hasn't scored is not important."

Barcelona's next game is the second leg of their Copa del Rey tie with Levante on January 29, with kick-off scheduled for 22:00CET.

 

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'A great hat-trick but a shame about the result' - Aquilani

Alberto Aquilani admitted that Fiorentina's failure to see off Genoa on Sunday night had taken some of the gloss off his fantastic hat-trick in an enthralling 3-3 draw.

The Italy international twice hauled the Viola level at the Artemio Franchi, converting a penalty after Alberto Gilardino had opened the scoring from the spot and then striking again just before the break following Luca Antonini's goal.

Aquilani completed his hat-trick in the 57th minute but Sebastian De Maio secured a draw for Genoa, much to the frustration of the hosts, who had been hoping to close to within a point of third-placed Napoli.

"The hat-trick is of great satisfaction to me, but it's a shame about the result," the 29-year-old midfielder told Sky Sport Italia.

"I will sign the ball and then take it home with me, but today we were counting on a victory.

"However, football in Italy is difficult. There are teams that arrive here and defend.

"It's a pity because we would have gone to within a point of third place.

"Can we still battle it out with Napoli? I hope so. We have a great desire to overhaul them."

Fiorentina's next Serie A outing is a trip to the Sant'Elia next weekend to take on Cagliari.

 

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Bayern ready for anything - Schweinsteiger

Bayern Munich vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger says his side are prepared to meet any challenge in the coming months.

The Bavarians, who are already through to the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal, returned from the winter break with a 2-0 win over Bundesliga rivals Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday and will face Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League next month as they look to defend their treble.

Schweinsteiger has urged his team-mates to keep racking up the wins in the coming games, warning that they cannot take anything for granted.

"We have only won one game in the second half of the [Bundesliga] season, so we'll still have to pick up a few points. It's good that we have started so confidently," the Germany international told Spox.

"We wil try to defend our title and also the Champions League. We have the chance to do so. There are four or five teams who want to get this trophy.

"But, if we are in good shape and all the players are together, we are ready for everything."

Schweinsteiger has been missing for large parts of this season with a troublesome injury but is hoping to get back to training with his team-mates soon.

"I had a few problems with my knee in the training camp in Doha. It's getting better again now," the midfielder explained.

"In the last few days it's felt better and I'm hoping that I'll be able to train with the team."

 

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La Liga 2014.01.27 Fixture

La Liga 2014.01.27 Fixture

Real Sociedad Vs Elche​

 

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Manchester City v Chelsea
Arsenal v Liverpool patta gamek yayi

Aniwa

 

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Thawa dawas 5i thiyenne January Transfer window 1ka close wenna

meh dawas tike thamai wena deyak

​

 

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Sunderland considering legal action against Di Canio

Sunderland are considering suing former manager Paolo Di Canio following comments made about the club's players.

The controversial Italian, who left Sunderland after just 13 games in charge with the club bottom of the Premier League, launched a scathing attack on a group of his former charges over the weekend, labelling Phil Bardsley and Lee Cattermole as "rotten" and captain John O'Shea as "two-faced".

Sunderland have since reached the Capital One Cup final under the guidance of Di Canio's successor Gus Poyet, though remain in the relegation zone, and the Wearside club has been quick to express disappointment at the remarks and hinted that legal action could follow.

A statement on Sunderland's official website read: "Sunderland AFC would like to express its disappointment in relation to the disparaging comments made recently by Paolo Di Canio, regarding the club and its players.

"The club is immensely proud of its players for the dignified and restrained manner in which they have conducted themselves publicly since Mr Di Canio’s departure and it is particularly disappointing to read such comments when there are legal obligations in place to ensure such behaviour does not occur.

"The club is now considering its position with its legal representatives.

"Having reached a cup final for the first time in 22 years, whilst also enjoying a run of only one loss in 12 games, we want to focus on what is a positive time for the football club and we would hope it is possible to draw a line under this matter quickly and that there will be no repetition.

"Neither the club, head coach Gus Poyet nor the players will be making any further comment on the situation. We are looking forward, not back and are focusing on the vital games we have ahead of us."

 

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Bayern Munich icon Kahn: Chelsea 'bought' the Champions League

Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn believes that money is now the decisive factor in football, arguing that the way in which Chelsea "bought" the Champions League is a case in point.

The Premier League outfit claimed the most prestigious prize in club football in 2012, after nine years of being bankrolled by Roman Abramovich, one of the richest men in the world.

Kahn believes that Chelsea's success underlined that money that now makes the footballing world go round.

"It is the deciding factor," the former Germany international told Kicker.

"For promotion to the Bundesliga, you now need a budget of 20 to 25 million euro. To win the Champions League, €300m.

"Abramovich bought the title but what makes make [Chelsea] any different to Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern?"

Uefa introduced Financial Fair Play Regulations in 2011 in the hope of curbing the spending of Europe's top clubs, with the aim of creating a more even playing field.

 

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Dani Alves blasts 'disrespectful' enquiry into Neymar deal

Dani Alves has blasted the "disrespectful" nature of the investigation into Barcelona's signing of Neymar.

The summer switch has caused huge controversy at Camp Nou, with Sandro Rosell having resigned as club president last week, just a day after the Spanish High Court ruled that the enquiry into the deal should continue.

Dani Alves says that Neymar has been unaffected by the furore surrounding the alleged misappropriation of money involved in the alleged €57 million transfer, but the defender is nonetheless upset by the ongoing case.

“[He] is doing well," the Brazil international said of his compatriot in an interview with Barca TV, "[but] the fact that his contract had to be shown to explain his signing is disrespectful.

“We have to do our best to not allow ourselves to be destabilised [by Rosell's resignation].

“The structure and the project hasn’t changed. Between all of us, we have to continue moving forward.”

Indeed, Dani Alves believes that Barca can ill afford to allow their concentration to slip in the slightest, given they are currently locked in an enthralling three-way scrap with Atletico and Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga.

“This title will be very special for the team that wins it," the Selecao star argued.

"It tastes better when you overcome something this difficult. This thing is between three teams now.

“I believe this will go down to the last match of the season.”

Barca currently top the table on goal difference from Atletico, with Madrid a point further back.

 

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Rodgers not hopeful of new Liverpool signings

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted that no deals are "imminent" despite trying his best to reinforce the squad before Friday's transfer deadline.

The Reds failed in their attempts to sign Mohamed Salah from Basel after Chelsea intervened to snare the highly-rated winger as a replacement for Juan Mata, who moved to Manchester United.

Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his squad as he bids to get the Reds back into the Champions League for the first time since 2009-10.

However, speaking ahead of Wednesday's Merseyside derby, the Northern Irishman conceded that there may not be any fresh faces at the club before Friday.

Rodgers told reporters: "We have to wait and see. There’s certainly nothing imminent. But we always felt if we could do [business], then it was something we wanted to do.

"I said all along that this was a group that needed that wee bit of luck to keep clear of injury and, unfortunately, we’ve been hit by a bad run of injuries.

"I’m just reluctant to bring in anyone just to stockpile players. We need to bring in players that are really going to affect the starting XI. If we can’t do that, then we won’t be doing anything.

"The club is working hard on that to find the players; it’s just a very difficult market to find the player and do a deal and to get it over the line. We won’t stop until the very end and hopefully we can [sign someone]."

 

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Rosicky and Mertesacker set for new Arsenal deals

Arsenal are poised to announce new contracts for Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky in addition to Arsene Wenger's new deal.

The triple boost comes after the first-team duo joined Wenger and his backroom staff in agreeing fresh terms with the club.

Wenger had agreed what is set to be a two-year contract extension last October but an announcement on the manager's new agreement was delayed until Arsenal had secured the signings as a package.Chief executive Ivan Gazidis confirmed on Monday that the club’s longest-serving manager will remain at Emirates Stadium beyond this summer, when his current deal expires.

Mertesacker, 29, has also approved a new three-and-a-half year contract that will tie him to the club until the summer of 2017, while Rosicky, 33, has agreed a new one-year rolling deal.

Sources have said that the new deals will be announced by Arsenal "within days", despite Rosicky having been linked with a potential switch to Bayern Munich in the summer.Gunners chiefs had hoped to trumpet four new contracts but have failed to make a breakthrough in Bacary Sagna's long-running contract saga.

The Frenchman can leave on a free at the end of the season, and while Arsenal are still hopeful of agreeing new terms with the player, they have stepped up their search for a replacement by opening talks with Frankfurt for right-back Sebastian Jung.Wenger’s backroom team have agreed new contracts that will mirror those of the manager and keep them at Arsenal until 2016, with Wenger is set to remain at the club for a 20th year, by which time he will be 66.

The fresh agreement will be on the same £7.5 million-a-year terms as his current contract. The club's longest-serving manager will not receive a pay rise but the deal will be supplemented by top-ups.Mertesacker has 18 months remaining on his deal but Arsenal were keen to reward his fine form this season with an extension.

Rosicky, whose current one-year deal runs out in the summer, will also remain at Emirates Stadium after agreeing a 12-month extension. Under the terms of his current contract, he was due to be offered fresh terms once he reached the 25-match landmark this season.

The Czech midfielder, currently sidelined with a broken nose, is the club's fourth longest-serving player after Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott.

 

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Barcelona confirm interest in Ter Stegen

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed the club are interested in signing Marc-Andre ter Stegen to replace Victor Valdes.

The German goalkeeper has announced his intention to leave Borussia Monchengladbach at the end season, with Camp Nou widely tipped to be his destination.

Valdes' contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the current season and Ter Stegen is seen as the perfect replacement for the departing 32-year-old, though Bartomeu admitted the 21-year-old was not the only option they were considering.
"I can't say too much," the president told beIN Sport. "It is true that he's one of the keepers that we've followed, but we've also looked at others.

"There are a lot of good goalkeepers, but we have the best in the world here."What is unfortunate is that he has decided to leave the club next season."

Ter Stegen has made 18 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, keeping six clean sheets to help Monchengladbach rise to fourth in the table.

 

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Anelka reveals Lazio interest as he considers future in England

West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has revealed a number of clubs, including Lazio, have tried to sign him in the past few days.

The 34-year-old took to Twitter to confirm approaches from an unconfirmed number of clubs, including the Serie A side, but said that he has no reason to leave the Hawthorns.

Anelka will contest an FA charge over his controversial 'quenelle' gesture in February, and Baggies boss Pepe Mel does not expect the striker to depart before the end of the transfer window on Friday.

The former France international tweeted: "Thanks to Lazio & all the others clubs who wanted to sign me this last days [sic]. See you this summer if I decide to continue...

"But the question is why should I leave my club & England? I'm happy here & I did nothing wrong...

"So now it's time to stay focus [sic] on my football with my club & I will try my best on the pitch like I always do!"

Mel, speaking at the a press conference ahead of Wednesday's game against Aston Villa, insisted that the club have not told him about the possibility of selling or loaning out Anelka.

"The only thing I can say is that club has never told me that Anelka is going to leave, and that they believe he is able to play in the next five matches," he said.

"Anelka wants to help West Brom win the game against Aston Villa. I think he is a player that has already shown, against Everton, that he does not have any problems. The important thing for me as manager is his performance on the pitch.

"Only [Stephane] Sessegnon is injured, the rest are available, and Anelka played well against Everton. He has a 99 per cent stage of playing [against Villa]."

 

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Borussia Dortmund open to late January signings

Borussia Dortmund chiefs Michael Zorc and Hans-Joachim Watzke have refused to rule out the prospect of the club signing new players before the end of the transfer window.

BVB's injury-hit campaign was dealt another blow at the weekend after it was confirmed Jakub Blaszczyskowski will be out for the rest of the season with a torn knee ligament.

Dortmund have been quiet thus far in the winter window but sporting director Zorc admitted Jurgen Klopp's side could welcome new faces prior to January 31 as they look to get their campaign back on track.

"I've never ruled anything out," he told Ruhr Nachrichten. "There are one or two aspects we are thinking of."

CEO Watzke revealed the club's officials have discussed potential transfer targets but warned they will not be rushed into making signings simply due to their latest injury problems.

"We have discussed internally and checked the market," said Watzke. "However, we will only do it if it makes sense financially and sportingly."

Ji Dong-Won, who is set to move to Signal Iduna Park in the summer, scored the equaliser for Augsburg at the weekend to snatch 2-2 draw with Dortmund.

 

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Wenger will sign a new contract, say Arsenal

Arsene Wenger will sign a new contract to keep him as Arsenal manager beyond the end of the 2013-14 season, the club's CEO Ivan Gazidis has confirmed.

The 64-year-old's current deal is due to expire this summer, but the club are set to wrap up negotiations with the Frenchman regarding new terms, with a huge cash injection from a club-record new kit deal set to give Wenger even greater spending power.

"We've always supported Arsene. The board has always been completely behind him, and Arsene has always been committed to this football club," said Gazidis. "We are comfortable in our position, we're relaxed about it, and Arsene will be extending with us. At the right time we will make that announcement."

Gazidis was speaking at the unveiling of the Gunners' new club-record kit manufacturing contract with Puma, which will allow Arsenal to commit further cash to Wenger's transfer pot as soon as the deal takes effect on July 1.

"One of our long-term goals has been to increase our commercial revenues and there's a football reason for that as we want to invest that in our squad," Gazidis revealed. "So this is a very important step in terms of our progression on the pitch, and from this summer onwards the money will be available to the manager to use in the way that he thinks best."

Arsenal have been steadfast in their stance against inflated spending in the game, and the CEO believes that the Puma deal gives more power to the club's elbow in their continued fight for greater ethics in the game.

"I think it is a validation of the things we are doing right. We are in a challenging environment, as you see from the escalation in transfer fees and player salaries. Our club has walked an independent path, standing on our own two feet, and thinking long term about that progression.

"We are delighted to be partnering with an organisation that saw the vision of what we are doing and believed in it, and we believe this is going to be very exciting for us to be able to work together. I think we are stronger together as we look forward, and we as a football club are moving forward not just off the pitch but more importantly on the pitch."

Gazidis hopes that the agreement with Puma will alleviate the financial burden on supporters without curtailing the club's plans to back Wenger's vision in the transfer market, while he also see's Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules as another key in reducing costs for the everyday fan.

"We've been explicit in saying as a club that we've been very dependent on our ticket prices through the move to the new stadium, and it's important for us to diversify our revenue streams and expand. Broadcasting revenue expands on its own, we don't control that, but it's important to expand our commercial revenue base. This deal does that and helps us take a further step down that road.

"More globally for football, what we hope to see moving forward is more responsible spending in the game. I think if that happens it will produce a more rational environment, and that begins to take more pressure off ticket pricing. So we're looking forward to Uefa's Financial Fair Play.

"We remain healthy sceptics about that but I had lunch with Michel Platini this week and he continues to assure everybody who's concerned about this in the game that we will see positive inforcement from Uefa. I think if that happens then we'll see it take a little of the edge off the spiral that we see in spending."

 

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It will be tough to keep PSG target Cabaye, admits Pardew

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew admits he is not confident of retaining Yohan Cabaye amid growing speculation of a January move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The France international midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, with the Ligue 1 champions' sporting director Olivier Letang rumoured to be in Newcastle to help finalise a deal following reports an initial €17million bid being rejected on Sunday.

Cabaye has become a fans favourite at St James' Park since making the switch from Lille in June 2011, and has caught the eye this term with a series of impressive performances that has seen him notch seven goals in 19 Premier League appearances.

PSG are reportedly chasing the 28-year-old's signature after coach Laurent Blanc confirmed he is eager to bolster their midfield options, and Pardew admits it is feasible he could depart, adding that the club must bring in a suitable replacement if this transpires.

"We know that we've got a club interested in Cabaye who are very wealthy and powerful," he told reporters. "We're conscious of that, but we will be doing our best to protect Newcastle United.

"Am I confident [of retaining Cabaye]? No. I don't think any team not in a Champions League position, or fighting for a Champions League position, would be different."We would need to bring someone in, that's for sure. You can't lose someone of his ability and not replace him.

"But we're going to need some time to do that. We've informed the club that are interested, and the agents that we're very conscious of that."While Frenchman's immediate future remains unclear, Pardew confirmed Newcastle are edging towards concluding a deal for an unnamed target.

He added: "We hope to sign a player outside the Cabaye situation for the second half of the season and we're a little bit closer with that."

 

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Arsenal announce long-term Puma kit deal

Arsenal have announced a new, long-term kit manufacturing deal with sportswear giants Puma.

Although the club did not disclose the financial details or the length of the agreement, they did confirm it added up to a record package with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger hailing it as a "big moment for our club".

"This is a very exciting day for Arsenal Football Club," added Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis. "The new partnership represents the biggest commercial deal in both Puma and Arsenal's history.

"We are excited to be partnering with Puma, a company whose football heritage and record of innovation have a strong affinity with our own. This represents another important step forward in Arsenal's progression on and off the pitch.

"Pele, [Johan] Cruyff and [Diego] Maradona are just three players to have worn Puma. There is a real cultural fit between the two organisations. We share some ideas for all Arsenal fans around the globe."

Done deal | Arsene Wenger shakes on the deal with Puma CEO Bjoern Gulden

Puma CEO Bjoern Gulden revealed that the manufacturers had been hoping to team up with the Premier League leaders for several years.

"Arsenal have been a key strategic target for Puma for a number of years now. It is the third time in the last two decades we have entered into negotiations with Arsenal, and this time we have been successful," he said.

"As we enter a new era in our company history, Arsenal represent a major commercial and marketing opportunity to reinforce Puma's credibility as a global sports brand, and we have full confidence the plans in place to activate this partnership will have a significant global impact. Arsenal is a perfect fit for Puma."

The deal, which takes effect on July 1, 2014, ends a 20-year association between the Gunners and Nike.

 

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Arsenal lata aluth Kit Sponsor kenek