..::Football III::..

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Raiola pleads with Ibrahimovic to stop making French football look 'really easy'

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent, Mino Raiola, has asked his client to stop scoring sensational goals as he feels that the Paris Saint-Germain forward is making French football look "really easy".

The Sweden international struck twice in the capital club's 2-1 Coupe de la Ligue semi-final win at Nantes on Tuesday, opening the scoring with a spectacular long-range volley before then popping up with a last-minute winner.

“When he scored that [first] goal, I laughed. It looked like he was playing with my children,” Raiola joked in an interview with France Football.

“I said to him after the game, 'Please, stop scoring goals like that because otherwise people will think French football is really easy; it's like you're playing with kids.'”

The 46-year-old then recalled a myth surrounding Nils Liedholm, the famous Swedish striker who played for AC Milan for 11 years.

"There is a legend in Milan that Nils Liedholm never misplaced a pass," he explained.

"One day, it happened! And then the whole stadium gave him a standing applause because people had realised he too was human.

“Well, the day Zlatan scores a normal goal, I will rise and applaud."

Raiola also believes Ibrahimovic's sensational form proves that the 32-year-old is the greatest talent in the game today, despite finishing fourth in the voting for the 2013 Ballon d’Or.

The agent added: “I continue to say that if there were now a vote for the best player in the world, I am sure that it would be he who would win.

“But it should not be a secret ballot, where you understand nothing.”

 

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Giovinco to leave Juventus at end of the season

Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco will leave the club at the end of the season, despite receiving four transfer offers last month.

The 27-year-old has fallen way down the pecking order in Turin, behind first-choice strike-duo Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente - as well as new loan arrival Pablo Osvaldo.

Giovinco will be sold in June as coach Antonio Conte prepares to switch to a 4-3-3 formation next term by launching moves for Fiorentina's Juan Cuadrado and Torino's Alessio Cerci.

The Bianconeri unsuccessfully attempted to offload at least one of their surplus strikers - Mirko Vucinic, Fabio Quagliarella and Giovinco - during the January transfer window, and the latter received offers from four clubs.

Torino presented an official loan bid, but Juventus were only willing to do business on a permanent deal. Granata coach Giampiero Ventura is a huge admirer of Giovinco and the club are likely to table a new offer in the summer.

Ventura believes the forward will be the perfect replacement for Cerci, who is almost certain to join a big club in June, and the two Italy internationals could be involved in a potential swap deal.

Giovinco also rejected January proposals from Genoa, Bologna and Lazio. The capital club launched a late move after their failure to sign Quagliarella, who has since been frozen out of the setup in Turin.

The pint-sized Giovinco has been at Juventus since he was nine and grew up in the club's youth academy along with team-mate Claudio Marchisio. He has scored 17 goals in 104 appearances for Juve since debuting in 2006 but has failed to live up to his early billing as a potential superstar.

 

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Kagawa 'irritated' at Manchester United

Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa has admitted his "irritation" after struggling to make a significant impact at Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old joined the Red Devils from Dortmund in the summer of 2012 having won the Bundesliga title with Jurgen Klopp's side, but has found it tough to hit similar heights since making the move to England.

Kagawa has again been used sparingly by David Moyes, having found himself in and out of the team under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Japan international is determined to turn the corner and get over what he describes as a "mental block".

He told SkyPerfecTV: "I still haven't scored any goals this season so I've felt very irritated. This is the first time in my career that I haven't been able to produce, so it's disappointing.

"I pressure myself to score in every game but some days it feels like I just can't win. I know I have to overcome that; actually if I can't it really shows that I haven't grown as a player. So because of that I have to really focus on the second half of the season and overcome that mental block."

Despite his struggles, Kagawa has featured in five of the club's six Champions League group games this term and he hopes that United can defeat Olympiakos and set-up a potential quarter-final tie with Dortmund or Barcelona.

He added: "Last year we lost to Real Madrid so this time we want to beat Olympiakos and reach the quarter-finals. Of course our goal is to reach the final and to win the championship. The whole world watches [the Champions League] and it's the top club competition in the world.

"Last year Dortmund made it to the final and I got to watch my former team-mates play there, so this time I want to have better memories of the tournament. [If Manchester United get through I'd like to face] Dortmund or Barcelona. I'd like to play against Messi and Iniesta.

"I used to play for Dortmund, I have friends there and the fans know me so I want to experience that dread of going to that stadium as the away team and I'd like to see how Dortmund would react.

"Even if they boo me, I'd be happy because it shows they recognise me. Of course I'd also look forward to meeting all the players and coaches and being in town again.

"Barcelona are playing the best football in the world so that's the most important thing. Iniesta is my ideal player; I've watched him throughout my career and hoped to be like him. It's fun to watch him play and that's the kind of football I'd like to play."

 

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Modric: Ronaldo ban is unfair

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric believes Cristiano Ronaldo has been unfairly punished for his red card against Athletic Bilbao.

The Portuguese attacker was slapped with a three-match ban following his dismissal at the weekend and will consequently miss the games against Villarreal, Getafe and Elche, much to the dismay of Modric.

"Cristiano's suspension is not fair, because he didn’t do anything wrong," the former Tottenham midfielder was quoted as saying on the official Madrid website.

"We can’t do anything about it, though. We all have to do more when Cristiano it is not playing because he is a very important player for us."

Modric then went on to discuss the absence of Gareth Bale in Wednesday's 3-0 Copa del Rey win over Atletico Madrid and insisted that Madrid need the Welshman more at the weekend.

"He trained normally over the last two or three days. The coach did not want him to force anything against Atletico because we have another important match on Saturday and Cristiano cannot play in it.

"It is important for him to rest because there is no rush."

Madrid take on Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

 

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Vidic to leave Manchester United

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the current season.

The centre-back moved to Old Trafford from Spartak Moscow in 2006 and has won five Premier League titles and the Champions League with the Red Devils.

Goal understands Inter are keen on signing the Serbian in the summer, although they will face competition from Monaco, and Vidic confirmed he wants to move abroad.

"It's the last year of my contract and I have had eight wonderful years here. My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career," he said in a statement to the club's official website.

"I never could have imagined winning 15 trophies and I will certainly never forget that fantastic night in Moscow, memories that will live with me and the fans forever.

"However, I have decided that I will move on at the end of this season. I want to challenge myself again and try to make the best of myself in the coming years.

"I’m not considering staying in England as the only club I ever wanted to play for here is Manchester United and I was lucky enough to be part of this club for so many years. I’ve got a few options to move on and I will choose the right one for me and for my family.

"I am now going to focus all my efforts on playing for Manchester United and do the best I can for the team until the end of the season. I hope this stops any further speculation about my future."

 

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Aiyo Vidic giyoth Manchester United defence gannama deyak nathi wenawaneRio th end of the season retire wena seen 1kak thiyenneEvra unath sure naha.Vidic,Rio & Evra kiyanne ape Main defence 1ka.Oya 3ndenama ain unoth loku paduwak

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PSG on another level - Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri has played down Monaco's chances of beating Paris Saint-Germain this Sunday, claiming that the reigning champions are "on another level".

Les Rouge et Blanc host the Ligue 1 leaders at the Stade Louis II knowing that defeat will leave them eight points adrift of the defending French champions.

Former Chelsea boss Ranieri conceded that Monaco are underdogs for the game and is more focused on their performance rather than the result.

"We will fight for victory, but it is important to tell the truth. PSG are on another level," the Italian told reporters.

"PSG can win playing at 80 per cent, we must be at 120% to win. This is a great game to play, a good opportunity to gauge our level. The result is almost secondary."

Monaco earned a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at Parc des Princes but will be without star striker Radamel Falcao, who scored the equaliser in that game in September, because of a knee ligament injury.

On transfer deadline day, Monaco signed Dimitar Berbatov as a short-term replacement for Falcao and Ranieri confirmed that the Bulgarian will be available for selection for Sunday's clash.

"Berbatov is ready to play," he added. "He will have a role to play on Sunday. He is a great champion."

 

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Sherwood: Premier League should get tough on diving

Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood believes the only way to stop players diving and feigning injury is to dish out heavy punishments to the culprits.

Sherwood has expressed sympathy with West Ham, who have been unsuccessful in their bid to overturn Andy Carroll's red card against Swansea City last weekend.

Carroll was dismissed - and subsequently suspended for three matches - following an altercation with Chico Flores, but West Ham claimed that the Swansea defender over-reacted to the incident, and Sherwood believes players caught play-acting should be punished retrospectively.

"I think it makes it clear that Andy Carroll is vitally important to West Ham's future," said Sherwood, speaking ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday.

"West Ham feel aggrieved that it hasn't been overturned. We made an appeal with Danny Rose [following his sending off against Manchester City] and we got that one overturned and I think that was unanimous.

"One thing I would say is the feigning of injury from players is something we want to keep out of the game.

"Retrospectively, I would go back and punish the player who is diving around more than the player causing the offence.

"I think that is the only way you are going to ever cut it out, to go back and give them a higher punishment."

 

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Blanc: PSG don't want draw at Monaco

Paris Saint Germain boss Laurent Blanc has vowed to go for the jugular in Sunday's heavyweight clash against title contenders Monaco.

The champions head into the pivotal clash holding a five-point advantage over their Ligue 1 rivals, with les Rouge et Blanc facing a huge uphill climb should they suffer defeat to the reigning French champions.

Whilst Blanc was happy to agree with the notion that PSG have the upperhand, he is wary of instructing his team to settle for a draw and insists they will be chasing all three points at the Stade Louis II.

"We'll go there with the desire to win," the former France head coach declared during Friday's press conference. "It is a big game against a direct competitor for the title.

"I think we are in better conditions than them, though. We're going there with the intention to win, even if we know it will be difficult."

Blanc refused to answer questions regarding Claudio Ranieri's deadline day recruit from Fulham, Dimitar Berbatov, but revealed PSG's star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been declared fit for the clash.

"Ibrahimovic had back problems," he added. "They should not last too long. He will be there on Sunday against Monaco.

"Great teams rely on their great players - Ibra is a great player, so it is normal to depend on him."

PSG's visit to the principality club kicks off at 21:00CET.

 

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Gervinho: Wenger didn't believe in me

Roma striker Gervinho has hit out at Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for not believing in him like Roma boss Rudi Garcia has done.

The Cote d'Ivoire winger was reunited with coach Garcia - under whom he played at Lille before his move to the Premier League - in an €8 million move to Italy this summer, after an indifferent spell with the Gunners.

Gervinho has subsequently shone at the Stadio Olimpico and he revealed the difference in his form is down to the trainer having faith in him in Serie A, compared to at the Emirates Stadium.

"The difference between Roma and Arsenal? The coach," the 26-year-old told Sports Illustrated."Here my coach, Rudi Garcia, gives me confidence, I know that he believes in me. When I wake up in the morning, I like to come to work, I cannot wait."Gervinho scored twice against Napoli during Wednesday's Coppa Italia clash with Napoli - a result that keeps Roma in the hunt for a domestic double, as they sit nine points behind Serie A leaders Juventus with a game in hand.

The Ivorian attributes his personal success to the fact he looks forward to playing for the Giallorossi, unlike his time in England, and claims he did not learn anything from Arsenal.

"I could say that my success has been thanks to coming to Italy, but it is not so," he added. "I am happy here, the city is fantastic, there are wonderful team-mates and friends alike, but many of these qualities were also in England."Life in Italy is the same as it was before me. I honestly did not learn much from Arsenal. It is difficult to learn anything on the sidelines."I left because I was not playing. Not enough. In Rome, however, it is another story."

Roma face Lazio on Sunday in the Derby della Capitale.

 

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Messi: World Cup timing perfect for Argentina

Lionel Messi has proclaimed that the World Cup is coming at a perfect time for Argentina, who he thinks can do something "very, very special".

The Albiceleste have been drawn alongside Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria in Group F of the tournament in Brazil, having eased into the finals by conquering the Conmebol section of qualification.

The Barcelona forward, 26, believes Alejandro Sabella's men are more than ready for the challenge ahead and has predicted great things for the group of players this summer in South America.

"I think this World Cup arrives at a good time for Argentina," Messi told BBC.

"We have grown as a team on and off the pitch. We have a great bunch of lads that love to play for our country. I think we will get to Brazil in a great shape and with all the chances in the world.

"It will be extra special, well above all the other World Cups - it is in Brazil, with everything that means for us.

"Our supporters will be there in their thousands and with them behind us I'm sure we can achieve something very, very special."

Argentina are chasing World Cup success for the first time since Diego Maradona inspired the nation to triumph in 1986.

They were knocked of of the last iteration four years ago - while coached by Maradona - at the quarter-final stage.

 

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Mertesacker: We wanted Suarez to join Arsenal

Per Mertesacker has revealed his Arsenal team-mates were keen on Luis Suarez joining the club last summer.

The Gunners had two bids for the Uruguay international turned down, but Wenger insists he will not reignite his interest in Suarez at the end of the season, although Mertesacker believes the Liverpool forward would have settled quickly in north London.

"Suarez is like a cheeky boy, he looks like a cheeky boy who can really switch on and off how he wants to be, so that is really something," Mertesacker told The Guardian.

"When he is on the pitch, what is going on around him doesn't bother him.

"He is just a pure striker and that is what comes out after the transfer requests and him saying: 'It's better for me to leave because I want to play Champions League.'

“When we heard that Arsenal might be interested in him, obviously we were up for it and we thought, 'Yeah, he would fit in.' But after, we got [Mesut] Ozil."

Mertesacker claims the arrival of compatriot Ozil from Real Madrid boosted everyone connected with Arsenal and believes the midfielder was “the right addition” last summer.

"To reach another level, you sometimes need the right addition to lift everybody, not just the players but the whole club and the whole public in between," said the Germany international.

"We didn't need five or six players late in the window, which is what Arsenal got when I arrived.

“It is not easy to get everyone settled. We were a good squad and we didn't lose any players over the summer, which was the main part. But we needed that right addition and we can say that Ozil was it."

 

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Mourinho: Thierry Henry might tempt Cole away

Jose Mourinho insists Ashley Cole still has a future at Chelsea but admits the 33-year-old may receive a better offer to join Thierry Henry at New York Red Bulls.

The left-back’s contract expires at the end of the season and, with an extension yet to be agreed, the England international has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer.

Cole has featured in just two Premier League games in 2014, with Mourinho preferring Cesar Azpilicueta as his first choice at left-back, and the Portuguese admits Cole might be tempted by a move to New York.

"I have to ask Thierry Henry. You are speaking about Thierry Henry, so speak with Thierry Henry," Mourinho told reporters when asked about Cole’s situation.

"Maybe Thierry is doing with Red Bulls the same as David [Beckham] is doing in Miami. Maybe he's buying Red Bulls. Yes, he [Cole] has [a future at Chelsea], but maybe Thierry has a better proposal."

Mourinho reiterated that Chelsea should be considered "outsiders" in this season’s Premier League title race and believes stability is what his side are lacking in comparison to Arsenal and Manchester City.

"I'm not saying we're not going to win," said the 51-year-old.

"I’m saying we're not candidates. We're outsiders. We're playing in our own league, to try to improve, against ourselves.

"We're not a squad like City's, where players are in the best moment of their careers, an age of stability between 24, 25, 26 and their 30s, all of them working together for quite a long time.

"Arsenal are the biggest example of stability, of a manager working with players year after year, working with these guys since they were really young players: Aaron Ramsey, Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere.

"All working with the manager for a long time. We are different. We are beginning. On the first day of the next pre-season, I will say, ‘Yes we are there, and we accept that people consider Chelsea as candidates’. Today, no.

"We are there because we're doing very well, or because Man City or Arsenal are not doing as well as they should with the condition they have.

"We don't put ourselves at the same level as them. Do we dream about winning the Premier League? Of course. If not, we wouldn't play. Do we want to be there and win the next game against Newcastle? Of course. But we have not the same responsibilities, that's for sure."

 

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De Boer: I want to coach Liverpool or Tottenham

Ajax coach Frank de Boer admits he would be interested in managing Liverpool or Tottenham, but revealed he has turned down previous approaches from both clubs.

The former Netherlands international took over at Ajax in December 2010 and has led the club to three successive Eredivisie titles.

And the 43-year-old, who was heavily linked with a move to White Hart Lane after Andre Villas-Boas' dismissal, says he would be open to a move to the Premier League.

"Those two clubs [Liverpool or Tottenham] are clubs that I think in the future I could be a manager of," De Boer told the BBC.

"I think the history of the clubs and what you can do with the team is my cup of tea.

"But I'm not really thinking about it because I'm very happy here at Ajax. I'm not in a hurry to leave because everybody is still happy with me.

"I step in my car with a big smile to go to the club. I don't think I'm finished here but there will come a time when I don't like it any more or the club doesn't like me any more.

"Then we have to part ways."

De Boer confirmed that both Liverpool and Tottenham have approached him in the past, while he also revealed he turned down the chance to take charge at White Hart Lane after Villas-Boas was sacked in December.

"Tottenham called my boss with the possibility after sacking Villas-Boas but I said: 'No, right now it's not the right moment,'" he added.

 

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Hernanes: Inter a step forward

Hernanes is adamant that he has made a step forward by leaving Lazio for Inter in the January transfer window, irrespective of the Nerazzurri's recent struggles.

The Giuseppe Meazza side have dropped to sixth spot in the Serie A table following a string of poor results after they had to settle for ninth last term.

The Brazilian, however, has stressed that he never had any doubts when Inter came calling last month.

"As soon as I heard Inter were after me and wanted to sign me, they contacted me and I immediately felt moved to accept because it was a big step forward in my career," Hernanes told reporters.

"In terms of everything I've ever wanted to do in the game, this was a unique opportunity.

"Inter made me feel important, and I was immediately very happy about their interest.

"To have a club with the history and tradition of Inter chasing your signature, such a big name in Italian football, was what made my mind up. But I really wanted the best for all concerned.

"The two parties needed to agree terms, it needed to be right for everyone, only then would I accept."

The midfielder, 28, then revealed that he was close to joining Inter a few years ago, but the move eventually fell through for unknown reasons.

"At the time I was in Brazil and I had a lot of agents. Some of them brought me an offer from Inter and I signed, but I don't know what happened after that," he said.

"But yes, that's a true story. I still remember: Inter had won everything and I could have been a part of it. I'm here now though."

 

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Ter Stegen ready for Barcelona, insists Heynckes

Jupp Heynckes believes Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has what it takes to replace Victor Valdes at Barcelona.

Valdes is set to leave the Catalans at the end of the season and they recently confirmed that Ter Stegen is one of the candidates to take his place.

The Germany international, 21, has already told Monchengladbach that he will not extend his current deal and Heynckes feels Ter Stegen is ready to make the step to the Camp Nou side this summer.

"Ter Stegen is ready to take Valdes' place at Barcelona," Heynckes was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

"He is still young, but he is already very mature."

Ter Stegen is a product of the Monchengladbach youth academy and has developed into a key player at the Bundesliga side since making his official first-team debut in April 2011.

The young shot-stopper has kept six clean sheets in 19 league appearancees this term.

 

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World Cup stadium accident leaves worker dead

World Cup 2014 stadium safety has taken a blow as another worker has died from injuries related to the building of Arena Amazonia.

A 55-year-old, named in media reports as Antonio Jose Pita Martins, was photographed being rushed in hospital on Friday and passed away shortly after being admitted into its Intensive Care Unit.

The project management company in charge of the stadium in Manaus, UGP Copa, confirmed a worker had been injured, but his death was confirmed shortly afterwards by the Amazonas state health department.

The state's health secretary, Wilson Alecrim, revealed that Mr Martins had bruised his right shoulder, was suffering respiratory issues and had severe head trauma.

Friday's accident is the latest in a number of fatalities at stadiums being built for the World Cup.

Most notably, two people died when a crane collapsed in Sao Paulo, destroying a section of the recently built stadium.

Arena Amazonia's creation had already claimed two workers' lives in 2013, while Brasilia is the other site to have suffered a fatality in the build up to this summer's tournament.

 

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Moyes: Vidic will stay as Man Utd captain

Manchester United manager David Moyes says Nemanja Vidic will remain as captain despite deciding to leave the club in the summer.

Vidic confirmed on Thursday that he will be moving on when his contract expires at the end of the season, bringing eight years of service at Old Trafford to a close.

But Moyes has no concerns about the defender's commitment and confirmed that he will continue as captain.

"No, [I would not take away the captaincy from] somebody like Vida given the type of man he is," he told the club's official website.

"He’s a great leader for this club and served the club really well and I would expect that to continue right up until the end of the season.

"I think people know that I’ve got things in my mind that I want to do and things I wanted to change in time. I can’t do it all overnight.

"That wasn’t the reason for this. This was a decision that we mutually decided together. He felt it was the right time for him. We’ll get on with it and we’ll move on."

Moyes also says he was was in contact with Vidic about his decision to quit the club: "It was something we mutually agreed together. I think it was the right decision for both the club and the player.

"What I discussed with him will remain private but he has been a brilliant servant and captain for Manchester United. He is captain and will remain captain until the end of the season. He has been a great player for us and we will continue to play him."

The Red Devils welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on Sunday but Moyes has confirmed that Marouane Fellaini has picked up a groin problem which has delayed his comeback from back and wrist injuries.

Jonny Evans will also miss out, but Phil Jones has trained on Friday and will be monitored in the build-up to the game.

 

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Eden Hazard aims to challenge Messi and Ronaldo

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard wants to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the world's leading players.

The Belgian has been in blistering form this season, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances, but is not content with sitting on his laurels.

The Primera Division pair have won the last six Ballons d'Or between them and Hazard is keen to replicate their incredible attacking statistics.

"These players are the best on the planet," he told the BBC's 'Football Focus'.

"They score one, two, three goals every game. It's something you've got to aim for - to go up to get to their level. They are obviously top, top level players.”

The 23-year-old believes that he is already on his way to the upper echelons of the game but accepts that catching the Real Madrid and Barcelona stars at the pinnacle will require plenty more work.

"I'd probably say I'm up there with some of the best but we've got to realise there are lots and lots of good players in the world," Hazard continued.

"To get to their level, it's a case of working hard every day in training, enjoying myself and expressing myself as much as I can on the football field.

"What I would like to do is shed the adjective 'young' because that would mean I've crossed that barrier and gone one step further in my career."

 

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Sevilla boss Emery keen to avoid waking Barcelona 'beast' Messi

Sevilla boss Unai Emery dodged all questions about Lionel Messi's form ahead of Sunday's clash with Barcelona, explaining that he was desperate to avoid "waking the beast".

The Argentine's performances of late have been the subject of much debate, with former Blaugrana assistant coach Angel Cappa claiming earlier this week that the four-time Ballon d'Or winner has lost his passion for football.

However, Emery was reluctant to be drawn into saying anything that might prompt a Messi backlash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday.

"I would not want to wake the beast," he replied when asked about the Barcelona attacker's current form.

Emery also tried to play down a touch-line dust-up with Malaga boss Bernd Schuster at the weekend, during which the former Valencia boss called the German a "clown".

"What I was doing was trying to say that he should stop acting the way he was," the 42-year-old Spaniard explained.

"But a clown is a very dignified profession; they give joy to people. But if I offended anyone, I apologise."

Sevilla are without a win in four Liga games, having followed up successive draws against Elche and Atletico Madrid with back-to-back defeats to Levante and Malaga.

However, with the Rojiblancos just five points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, Emery still believes that his troops can qualify for the Europa League.

"We have had a little slump of late but now we must focus on taking things game by game," he reasoned.

"Our goal should be to get into Europe and we are still within range. What we have to do is be strong. I know this team has strength; it has just been broken in recent weeks."