..::Football III::..

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'Whoever doubts Barcelona can stay at home' - Dani Alves

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves maintains that fans who doubt the team's capabilities should not come to Camp Nou following their 2-0 win over Real Sociedad.

A strike from Sergio Busquets and an own goal from Enaut Zubikarai secured a first-leg win for the Catalans in the Copa del Rey semi-final as they moved to put their weekend defeat to Valencia firmly behind them.

Alves claimed Camp Nou "can feel like an away ground" following the supporter reaction to the loss on Saturday and the Brazil international believes it would be best for fans to keep their negativity away from matches.

"Fans are very pessimistic when there is a bad result," he said after the win on Wednesday.

"Those who don't come to the ground are not true cules. Everyone has to do their part. If you doubt this team it's better that you don't come.

"It's important to win because we live like that. When you have a bad result against Valencia, some doubts are normal. What we cannot do is doubt ourselves.

"We have to continue working because in the end we want to enjoy ourselves with the fans."

Alves added the importance of keeping a clean sheet in the first leg and paid tribute to goalkeeper Jose Pinto for keeping the visitors at bay.

"When you're concentrating you do things well. I'm really happy for Pinto because he helped us keep a clean sheet," he added.

"It was important not to concede and we managed that. We will have to go there to get to the final."

Inigo Martinez was shown a straight red card for dissent following Busquets' opener, but Barca midfielder Xavi admits he is unsure what the Sociedad man said to the officials that prompted his dismissal.

"We'll see the report. I don't know what Inigo said to the referee," he told Antena 3.

Real Madrid beat rivals Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the other semi-final and Xavi believes both sides can be happy with their first-leg performances.

"They had chances in the first half but we had lots of opportunities and we didn't take them.

"They had a very favourable result, much like ours. Madrid were outstanding, clearly."

 

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Ancelotti: There was a lot of aggression

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti admits he hopes his side play every game to the same standard following their 3-0 win over rivals Atletico Madrid.

Goals from Pepe, Jese Rodriguez and Angel Di Maria secured an impressive first-leg win in the Copa del Rey semi-final, and Ancelotti could not hide his delight with his team's efforts.

"The desire is that we always play this well," he told a press conference.

"I am completely satisfied, we have done very well. We had good ball recovery, we took advantage of the wings and had a compact team."

The Italian was particularly impressed with his side's defensive showing as they kept a ninth clean sheet in 10 games since the turn of the year.

"The back four were perfect," he said. "We had to be careful with him [Diego Costa] because he is someone who attacks the space very well.

"It's normal that there are discussions, there was a lot of aggression and fouls are normal."

Finally, Ancelotti confirmed that Gareth Bale would be fit to feature in the weekend clash with Villarreal, and made it clear he hopes to see Cristiano Ronaldo's three-game suspension reduced.

"It's not a normal sanction and I hope they take some games away," he added.

 

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Simeone: Real were just too strong

Diego Simeone had few complaints after Atletico Madrid were impressively beaten 3-0 by Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

Deflected strikes from Pepe and Angel Di Maria either side of Jese Rodriguez's 57th-minute goal put Carlo Ancelotti's side in control of their semi-final tie, and Simeone admits los Blancos deserved their win.

"I think Madrid played a very good game and we have to congratulate them. We couldn't find our way," he said after the match. "We had [Diego] Godin's chance, but we couldn't take it.

"Two goals came off the bodies of a player. There weren't many other big chances, but this was a great result for our opponent.

"We could not connect as we wanted, they pressed very well. Real Madrid are always strong. I've rarely seen them be less strong.

"There are 90 minutes of football left to play."

Striker Diego Costa was booked for a petulant kick out at Di Maria and will miss the return leg as a result.

However, Simeone refused to blame referee Clos Gomez - who oversaw last season's final between the two sides - for failing to keep a lid on the aggressive side of the match.

"The referee did not influence things, just as in the final [last season]. He is a great referee," said Simeone.

The return leg takes place at the Vicente Calderon on February 11.

 

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Di Maria: I'll give everything to Real Madrid

Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria has insisted that he will give his all to the club, despite continued speculation over his future.

The Argentine hit the headlines last month for making a supposedly lewd gesture after being substituted against Celta Vigo in a match that saw his performance hounded by the Bernabeu faithful.

However, after helping Carlo Ancelotti's side to a 3-0 Copa del Rey first-leg semi-final win over Atletico Madrid with a goal and an assist, Di Maria has signalled his ongoing commitment to the club.

"I'm very happy with the ovation from the people," he told reporters after the win.

"I've shown that I will give everything for this shirt and will do so until the end."

Reflecting on the match, the former Benfica man said that Ancelotti's tactical plans worked wonders.

"We did what we were trained to do. Pressing a lot and playing at 100 per cent. We knew that they play intensely and we should be able to do the same, but double," he continued.

"There is still a game. To progress, we must do a good job there."

Madrid youngster Jese was on the receiving end of Di Maria's assist and the 25-year-old is delighted with how his team-mate has been faring.

He added: "He keeps scoring goals and is working well. He's a great guy and will be a great player."

 

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Anderson eyes long-term Fiorentina stay

Anderson is hoping that he can make his loan move to Fiorentina from Manchester United permanent at the end of the season.

The Brazilian agreed a short-term stay with the Serie A outfit during the January transfer window but has already made three appearances for the Viola.

Given the 25-year-old midfielder struggled for a lack of game time under United boss David Moyes, Anderson feels the move to Italy is exactly what he needs to reignite his career.

"I have to play and have my chance," the former Porto man told The Sun.

"It is better for me at Fiorentina. The manager [Vincenzo Montella] wants me and has shown his trust. I can show him my football.

"Even though the contract is only on loan, I want to stay for a long time."

Despite rarely being selected by Moyes, Anderson insists he holds no ill feelings towards the Scot, before going on to hail the ambition of his new club.

"To be honest, I've not had the chance [to play]," he said. "He gave me one chance or a half, but not a lot.

"He is the manager and I have to respect him. He treated me well and he has a lot of players.

"But Fiorentina are a great team with an ambitious project. I want to win in Florence like important players of the past like Edmundo and (Gabriel) Batistuta.

"Everyone knows Fiorentina can progress a lot in Italy and in European competition."

 

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Lewandowski: Szczesny wanted me at Arsenal

Robert Lewandowski has revealed compatriot Wojciech Szczesny tried to persuade him to sign for Arsenal over Bayern Munich.

The Borussia Dortmund striker was free to speak to other clubs in January given he had just six months to run on his deal at Signal Iduna Park - though he was always widely expected to sign for the Bundesliga champions.

Real Madrid had been linked with hijacking the deal, but Arsenal were also said to be interested in the Poland international.

And Lewandowski has now revealed that Gunners goalkeeper Szczesny attempted to convince him that the Emirates Stadium was the best option for him.

"I can confirm that Wojciech Szcesny tried to convince me to join Arsenal," the Bavarian-bound attacker told Polish newspaper Fakt.

"We had several talks about this. It was him who did most of the talking, how the club looks inside, what [Arsenal boss Arsene] Wenger thinks of me.

"When we trained before the Champions League game at Colney, there were important people from Arsenal at our sessions as well."

Lewandowski, who scored the winner in Dortmund's 2-1 victory at the Emirates back in October, will join Bayern as a free agent this summer.

 

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Ronaldo handed three-game ban

The Spanish Football Association (RFEF) has handed Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo a three-game ban following his red card against Athletic Bilbao.

The Portugal international - who celebrates his 29th birthday on Wednesday - received his marching orders in the 76th minute of Sunday's Liga encounter after an altercation with Athletic's Ander Iturraspe and Carlos Gurpegui.

Ronaldo consequently risked a suspension that could cover anything from one game to in excess of three and the RFEF has now opted to keep him out of action for three matches.

The forward was slapped with a one-game ban for the incident with Iturraspe, while getting an additional two games for his offensive gesture after his dismissal.

He will miss the Liga games at home against Villarreal (February 9) and Elche (February 23) as well as the away match versus Getafe (February 16).

However, Ronaldo will be available for both legs of the Copa del Rey semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid, with the first leg taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

 

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Manchester United target Kroos reveals breakdown in Bayern Munich contract talks

Reported Manchester United target Toni Kroos has fuelled speculation surrounding his future by revealing he remains unable to agree a new contract with Bayern Munich.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder, whose current deal expires in the summer of 2015, was heavily linked with a January move to Old Trafford.

While Kroos insists he is happy to stay at the Allianz Arena, he freely admits he is no closer to committing his long-term future to the European champions.

"Much has been written, especially in the last few days, about my sporting future," Kroos wrote on his official Facebook page. "But you shouldn't believe everything in some newspapers.

"The fact is I am very happy to play for Bayern and my position in the team is very good. The fact is also that we couldn't agree a new contract.

"Since it runs until 2015 this is not a big problem, and we will see what the future brings.

"My focus is on the sport side of things and we will do everything possible to complete the season as successfully as last season."

 

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Yesterday(05) Christiano Ronaldo ge Birthday 1ka

Happy Birthday Christiano Ronaldo

 

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Yesterday(05) Christiano Ronaldo ge Birthday 1ka

Happy Birthday Christiano Ronaldo

 

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Forlan: Suarez is a future Ballon d'Or winner

Diego Forlan has tipped Uruguay team-mate and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez to win the Ballon d'Or if he keeps up his current form.

Suarez has shone for the Reds in 2013-14 after starting the campaign with a ban after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic towards the end of last season and has scored 23 times in 19 Premier League matches.

Forlan, who recently joined Japanese outfit Cerezo Osaka, feels the 27-year-old could break the pattern of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo winning the Ballon d'Or if he maintains his current level."His chances of winning are high if he keeps performing as he is now," Forlan, 34, told Perform.

The former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid attacker is in line to feature in his third World Cup later this year, with Oscar Tabarez's side hoping to improve on their run to the semi-finals at the 2010 tournament.

Despite being face a stiff challenge in order to progress to the knockout rounds again after being grouped with England, Italy and Costa Rica in Group D, Forlan believes Uruguay have the ability to progress."No doubt it is a very good attack we possess, but there are others that have good attackers too," he continued.

"We have a good foundation after years playing together. Now we have more experience after a good World Cup in South Africa plus a trophy won at the Copa America [in 2011]."We have good players and hopefully we will perform well even though our group is not easy.

"It is a difficult group, but I think that we are on a par with each other: Costa Rica, England, Italy and Uruguay. All of us look sideways."

 

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Jese in line for Spain World Cup spot, hints Del Bosque

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has revealed that Jese Rodriguez is line for a senior call-up, boosting his chances of making the World Cup squad.

The Real Madrid forward has been in fine form since the winter break, scoring four goals and bagging one assist in his five starts for the Blancos in 2014.

The 20-year-old's impact for Carlo Ancelotti's title-chasers has not gone unnoticed and Del Bosque has hinted that Jese could be making waves in the World Cup holders' squad for this summer's tournament in Brazil.

"All of the players who we have been looking at and who have been playing well are potential candidates for the national team," the 63-year-old told media on Thursday.

"I don’t like to single out any one player in particular or mention any names but in general, a number of players have the possibility of being called up and Jese is amongst them."

Spain have been grouped with Netherlands, Chile and Australia in the World Cup, but are next in action at home to Italy in a March friendly.

 

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'Otamendi will not join Valencia until June'

Nicolas Otamendi will not join up with new club Valencia until the end of the season, the club's sporting director has confirmed.

The Porto defender, who failed to join los Che before deadline day was over after reportedly not arriving to negotiations on time, sealed the summer move on February 6.

Confusion reigned about what he would do until the end of the campaign - as the transfer window has closed - with suggestions he could train with the squad until his official arrival, like Adil Rami did with AC Milan last year.

But club chief Franscisco Rufete seemed to suggest Otamendi would be out of Valencia's hands until the climax of 2013-14, adding to the rumours that the 25-year-old will be hitched away from Porto on loan until his €12 million move.

"He is being unveiled now, but he will not be our player until June," he told reporters at the unveiling of January signing Vinicius Araujo.

Otamendi had been briefly linked to Manchester City and Manchester United following an apparent breakdown in Porto's talks with Valencia.

He has not played for the Portuguese giants since January 12 - missing four games - due to his transfer saga and the centre-back is not expected to play again.

 

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Klopp: If Bremen want to fight us, we'll beat them

Jurgen Klopp is preparing himself for a "fight" when Borussia Dortmund visit Werder Bremen on Saturday.

The hosts currently sit 12th in the Bundesliga, with just one win from their last eight league matches, while Dortmund occupy third spot, and Klopp predicts Bremen will be hungrier than ever to record three points.

"I just read a little bit about Bremen but obviously they are not satisfied with their first two matches this year," he told reporters. "They want to give all they have against us.

"They want to have a fight with us - that’s what Bremen made pretty clear the way they talked about Saturday. But we have our aims and we will fight for them as well."And one thing is for sure - without winning duels this match is not going to be won. But we have the abilities to cause Werder Bremen problems they cannot solve by just fighting. And that’s what we want to do."

Dortmund's form has been some way short of that which saw them reach the final of last season's Champions League - partly due to injuries across the squad - and Klopp feels that has had an effect on how their opponents approach matches."A lot of people spoke very well about us in the last couple of years," the coach added. "And of course every team deals with it in a different way.

"I guess a lot of players from other teams watched some matches where we were involved and thought, 'Well, that is some nice football they play'."But still people had the idea that we are beatable. And we supported this idea in some matches in the last sixth months.

"We don’t have that kind of respect in the league that for example Bayern Munich has. No team soft-pedals against us. That is a fact. You have to work for respect and we will continue our way, which was never easy. That’s the way it is."

 

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Marcelo: Madrid stronger than racism

Real Madrid full-back Marcelo has said the club's stronger than racism after alleged discriminatory chants following Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final.

Carlo Ancelotti's men defeated local rivals Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the first-leg encounter, but it is alleged that some fans directed monkey chants and personal insults at the Brazilian as he warmed down.Marcelo was an unused substitute in the match, but on Thursday claimed the abuse had taken place but that he had not been affected by it.

"I want to thank all of you for the support you have given me today," he wrote on Twitter. "And even though this is not the first time it happens I can promise you that we are stronger than any kind of racism."This will never affect me or my family."

Marcelo has made 25 appearances in all competitions for the Blancos this season.

 

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Hamsik: Napoli still on track for cup double

Marek Hamsik feels Napoli are on track to winning two trophies this season, despite criticism over recent results.The Partenopei were beaten 3-2 in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final at Roma on Wednesday, but showed admirable spirit to fight back from 2-0 down to level matters before Gervinho scored a late winner for the hosts.

Rafael Benitez's men, who are third in Serie A, have now won just one of the last five matches in all competitions, however, Hamsik insists that the campaign is going to plan."We are on course to reach all our objectives," Hamsik told Radio Kiss Kiss. "Champions League qualification, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia.
"We are all on a journey together and we will continue to grow."

Napoli will look to get back to winning ways in Serie A - having lost 3-0 to Atalanta last weekend - against AC Milan on Saturday.

 

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Martinez: Bayern can defend all five titles in 2014

Javi Martinez thinks Bayern Munich are capable of repeating the feats of 2013, a year that saw the club win five trophies.

The Bavarians currently hold the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup, Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Club World Cup, and the former Athletic Bilbao midfielder wants to do it again.

"Yes, I think this team could do this," Martinez, 25, told Sport Bild when asked if a repeat of history was possible. "We have the quality to make a milestone in the history of football."

Martinez hasn't featured for die Roten since picking up an injury at the Club World Cup in December, but is eager to return to a squad that has become so competitive.

"Each of us has concern over playing," Martinez added. "That's it, what drives us in this season to be even better. No one knows what's going to happen."

When quizzed on his favoured position, after Guardiola's rotation of the Spaniard in midfield and defence, it was a straightforward answer from the Spain international.

"I am midfield player," he said, "because I feel there I am a little better than in other positions."

 

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Messi has lost his passion for football - former Barcelona assistant coach Cappa

Former Barcelona assistant coach Angel Cappa has accused Lionel Messi of losing his passion for football.

The 67-year-old Argentine, who worked at Camp Nou under Cesar Luis Menotti in the 1980s, claims that his compatriot's performance in Saturday's 3-2 defeat at home to Valencia offered the clearest evidence yet that the Blaugrana No.10 has fallen out of love with the game.

Cappa felt that Messi seemed slightly more motivated in Wednesday night's Copa del Rey win over Real Sociedad but nevertheless maintains that the 26-year-old attacker is these days a shadow of the player who claimed four successive Ballon d'Or awards.

“To play football you need boundless passion, like Messi had, like the great players like [Diego] Maradona ... any important player in the Primera Division: Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets,” Cappa told La Xarxa.

“You need enormous passion, you need that energy that comes from an absolute love of the game.

"[On Wednesday against Sociedad], he participated [in the game] a little more, but the day they played Valencia, I couldn’t understand how a player could play football so dispassionately.

"And especially him, because if we look at a game of his from three or four years ago, there was that craziness, that passion that he had for playing.

"And I don’t know why or for what reason, but that is coming to an end."

Cappa says, though, that it is obvious that the drive that turned Messi into a superstar of world football is now conspicuous by its absence.

“That love of the game, that passion that makes him go and look for the ball on the left, on the right, in the middle, take players on, beat one, then two ... I see Messi has lost that,” the 67-year-old declared.

"He has extraordinary quality, he’s wonderful and at any moment he can come up with a wonderful play, but it’s as if he has been married for 15 years to football and got bored of it.”

Cappa also suggested that Messi's malaise is merely the result of grander problems at Camp Nou.

“I’m talking about Messi, but Barcelona have also lost that passion," he argued. "Before, you couldn’t miss even a second of the 90 minutes because there was always something.

"Now Barca have the ball, sure, and they do things now and again, but they have also lost that boundless enthusiasm they had before.”

 

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Pato quitting Corinthians for Sao Paolo

Alexandre Pato is leaving Corinthians for Sao Paolo as part of a swap deal that will see Jadson move in the opposite direction.

The Brazil international only arrived at Pacaembu from AC Milan in January of last year but was reportedly left with fears for his safety after Timao supporters invaded the club's training ground at the weekend, forcing the 24-year-old forward and a number of his colleagues to barricade themselves in the dressing rooms.

Pato will join Sao Paulo on loan until December 2015, with Corinthians set to continue paying half of his wages, but the Jadson deal is a permanent transfer.

"The clubs, Corinthians and Sao Paulo, have signed the contract and it just remains for the players to sign," said a Timao spokesman.

Pato also retains the option to move elsewhere should any club bid €15 million for his services when the European transfer window reopens, or even return to Corinthians at the end of next year.

Anger among Corinthians supporters has risen after four straight defeats, with a number of the club's players having hired personal security in light of the weekend attacks.

 

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Manchester City's Fernandinho hopes to be fit to face Barcelona

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho could yet play a part in the first leg of the club's Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona.The Brazilian midfielder missed Monday's 1-0 home defeat to Premier League title rivals Chelsea due to a thigh problem.

However, in a message on his official Twitter page on Thursday, Fernandinho revealed he expects to return to action in the near future.He posted: "Good afternoon, I would like to tell you about my injury and quell rumours. I return to play in 15 days or less!"

City's first-leg tie against Barcelona takes place on February 18, with the return leg coming three weeks later.Pellegrini's men sorely missed Fernandinho against Chelsea as they missed out on the chance to return to the top of the table.

The 28-year-old has featured in 20 Premier League matches and quickly developed into an integral figure for City since arriving from Shakhtar Donetsk in the close-season.