..::Football III::..

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Seedorf: Milan & Balotelli still a long way from the top

Clarence Seedorf has admitted AC Milan are a long way from the top of world football and says the same applies to his star striker, Mario Balotelli.

The Rossoneri sit 11th in Serie A - 31 points behind leaders Juventus - ahead of Friday’s game against Bologna after losing 3-1 to Napoli last weekend, a game which saw the Italy striker reduced to tears after being substituted in the second half.

The striker has scored nine times in 17 Serie A games this season, compared to his stellar 12 goals in 13 Italian league games last year, and Seedorf says the former Manchester City forward still has work to do to be a world-class wonder.

"Mario is a great talent and we hope he can explode and become the champion that he still isn’t yet," the Milan coach told reporters.

"I am convinced that sooner or later he will do it because he has great desire. His tears at Napoli were a release of emotion - he is a human being."

Down in the dumps | Balotelli hit the headlines after breaking into tears at Napoli on Saturday

Seedorf was reluctant to criticise former boss Massimiliano Allegri despite saying he is taking over a team that is in need of major surgery all over the pitch.

"It will take time to get things right because we have a lot of hard work to do," the Dutchman added. "I know what it is we have to do and we are our own biggest critics at the moment.

"There is a great desire to take Milan back up to where they should be, although we all know it will take time. Criticising the previous coach is not something that interests me but the team does need to improve all over.

"We need to work both on physical and mental aspects of our game and we need to do it together, with intelligence and speed. I have seen a great desire within the players to improve. We want to win and we want to do it convincingly, playing an intense brand of football."

Despite Bologna sitting down in 16th-place in the table, Seedorf insists the visitors to San Siro will represent stiff opposition for Milan and lamented his lack of centre-forwards available.

"Bologna are a team who deserve a lot of respect and who won away to Torino," he said. "We need to pay attention to their strengths because they are a very organised team.

"We only have two central strikers available, so if we want to change it during the game how do I do it? I have thought about playing Pazzini and Balotelli together and it is a possibility."

After Friday’s match, Milan will turn their attention the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday at San Siro.

 

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'I'd pick Hazard over Messi, Ronaldo or Neymar'

Belgium boss Marc Wilmots has claimed he would prefer Eden Hazard in his team than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar.

The Chelsea star, 23, has been in stellar form in the Premier League lately and has helped his side rocket up to the top of the table at Arsenal and Manchester City's expense.

Wilmots, who is sure to take Hazard to this summer's World Cup, lavished praise on the former Lille winger, whom he believes is becoming a candidate for the Ballon d'Or with his performances at Stamford Bridge.

"Eden has found in the Belgium team a side that can take him as high as his dreams," the Belgium head coach told L'Equipe.

"Even within a very strong team, Eden stands out because he has something more. Technically, he is amazing! I'd put him on my podium Ballon d'Or because he totally convinced me of his talent.

"If you ask me if I want Messi, Ronaldo or Neymar, I'd keep Hazard."

Wilmots thinks Hazard can replicate Messi and Ronaldo's impact in La Liga, and pointed to the young Belgian's performance as Jose Mourinho's side beat Manchester City earlier this month as evidence of his prowess.

"Eden is already plays the centrepiece at Chelsea," the trainer added. "Messi and Ronaldo have made the difference at Barcelona and Real for five years, and Eden will do the same.

"At Manchester City, he toyed with defenders internationally! He is, however, still very young and is advancing step by step. He is intelligent, he knew he had to make efforts to reach the top. He has also learned to heal very well; he is hardly ever injured.

"His small flaws, of which Mourinho and I have noted, are almost never seen nowadays, in particular his former nonchalance. His defensive impact is huge and his work for the team as well."

 

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Cleverley: Man Utd will be better after Dubai

Tom Cleverley hopes a warm-weather training trip to Dubai will kick-start Manchester United's disappointing season.

Wednesday's goalless draw with Arsenal means United are 11 points adrift of fourth place in the Premier League and winless in their last three games.

Already out of the FA Cup and adrift in the league, United have a last-16 Champions League clash with Olympiakos later this month and Cleverley expects the training break in the Middle East will help preparations for the tie with the Greek champions. "We'll go away and have a good five days of warm-weather training which will bring us together and hopefully do us good for the run-in," he told the club's official website.

"Warm-weather training is good for fitness as well as team bonding and the team spirit you get from having all the lads together."We did it last year and it really helped us - hopefully it'll have the same effect this time."

Cleverley has made 27 appearances for United in all competitions this season as David Moyes' men have struggled to keep pace with the top four.

 

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Gundogan's future is open, says agent

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan's future remains unresolved, according to his agent and father Irfa.

The Germany international's contract expires at the end of next season and he has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Real Madrid this summer.

However, his representative insists that they will speak to BVB before making a decision either way and is eager for his son to recover from a lengthy back injury before discussing his future.

"Everything is open. Dortmund are our first point of contact," he told Kicker.

"We do not want to burden the boy with that. Ilkay must get healthy first. We will definitely sit together after that."

Gundogan has made just three appearanes for Dortmund this season, having picked up his troublesome back problem while playing for Germany in August.

 

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Manchester United still hungry for success, insists Moyes

David Moyes insists his Manchester United players are still hungry for success despite their ongoing struggles this season.

Having won the Premier League by 11 points last season, the Red Devils now find themselves 11 points off fourth place after playing out a goalless draw against Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

The result saw both sides accused in some quarters of a lack of ambition to win the match, but Moyes is adamant his players retain their competitive edge.

"I see them [his players], I think they're great lads," he told reporters. "Their attitude to training, their commitment is first class.

"You saw it [against Arsenal] how good Vida [Nemanja Vidic] was, how good Rio [Ferdinand] was when he came on, they're a great group of players, very experienced players and they've been winners.

"They've all got medals and when you've won you want to win more. When you've won you want to win more so I think they're all still hungry and determined to be successful."

Victories for Liverpool and Tottenham on Wednesday further dented United's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season, but Moyes remains optimistic.

"I keep saying it, but I'll try to win the next game and see if we can pick it up," he added.

"If there's one club in history that's been great at winning games in the second half of the season, putting pressure on other clubs, it's been Manchester United.

"We'll continue to try to do that and see if we can make it work."

 

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Pique excited for 'great' Clasico final

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says he is looking forward to his side's mouthwatering Copa del Rey final date with Real Madrid.

The Blaugrana booked their place in the showpiece of the competition with a 3-1 aggregate win over Real Sociedad following Wednesday's 1-1 draw, while their Clasico rivals beat Atletico Madrid 5-0 over two legs.

The Spain international believes the final, which will be played in April at Valencia's Mestalla, will be made all the greater due to the teams' fierce rivalry.

"The most important thing is that we've qualified, it will be a very good match. There's a rivalry between the two teams, and finals are meant to be won," he told the club's official website.

Reflecting on the match, Pique believes that Barca's 2-0 first-leg lead made things awkward for them in the San Sebastian return, where a Lionel Messi opener was cancelled out by Antoine Griezmann.

"We came in with a 2-0 advantage and we didn't know if they were going to attack or defend. It was a good match. We reached the final, that was our advantage," he said.

Finally, the former Manchester United man claimed that his side have coped well after suffering a shock 3-2 loss to Valencia at home on February 1.

"Barca are doing well after the tough blow against Valencia and we have to try to maintain our form throughout the 90 minutes of play," he added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

ow top 4 enna hithanwa nam ethru match tikama gahanna onedraw,lost wunoth nam enna bae

Ow bro aniwaath City & Liverpool match 2kath have.Lesi wenne naha meh widiyata play karalanam

 

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Oh really. Did he prove it ?

 

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Champions league nan baha sure case....

 

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La Liga 2014.02.14 Fixture

La Liga 2014.02.14 Fixture

Elche Vs Osasuna
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Serie A 2014.02.14 Fixture

Serie A 2014.02.14 Fixture

AC Milan Vs Bologna
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[unicornx]

Neymar

 

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Osvaldo must not pass up his chance at Juventus - Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has warned Pablo Daniel Osvaldo not to waste his opportunity to impress at the club.

The Italy striker arrived in Turin on loan from Southampton in the January transfer window, after his unsettled stay in England came to an end following an incident on the training ground that saw him disciplined by the Premier League club.

Buffon admits he has been impressed by the 28-year-old's enthusiasm since joining the Bianconeri and has urged him to take his chance to show coach Antonio Conte - and national team boss Cesare Prandelli - his true qualities.

"He's shown great willingness to help everyone," the veteran shot-stopper told Sky Sport Italia. "He has enthusiasm because he knows what a great opportunity it is to be at Juve. Then there's the World Cup.

"A player like him should not pass up this opportunity."

Juve's players were supposed to have Monday off but were ordered to train by a furious Conte after blowing a two-goal lead at Verona the day before.

Buffon believes the Bianconeri have learned a valuable lesson in their pursuit of a Serie A and Europea League double.

"It was a surprise and, like all surprises, it can be good or less good. We didn't jump for joy, but knowing the mentality of the coach and what he wants to teach us, I wasn't that surprised," the Juve skipper mused.

"We also have the Europa League now. We're not afraid to play a game every three days - from an athletic point of view, we have a program aimed at that.

"We have enough petrol in the tank to compete in two competitions."

 

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Ronaldo has taught me about ambition, says Real Madrid starlet Jese

Real Madrid attacker Jese Rodriguez says he is inspired by team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo's ambition.

The 20-year-old forward has firmly established himself in coach Carlo Ancelotti's first-team plans this season, making 25 appearances in all competitions to date.

Jese, who has been at the club since joining the youth academy in 2007, has credited 2013 Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo for leading by example with his endless enthusiasm for self-improvement.

"Every time I'm among the first-team squad all the players treat me very well and everyone has helped me a lot," the Spain Under-21 international is quoted as saying by Marca.

"What I have learned most from Cristiano is the ambition he shows each day.

"I cope quite well [in the first team] because we always have the fans' support. They are very demanding and every game is a constant review, not only for the young players but the ones with more experience too.

"But we always try to do our best."

Jese also praised Ancelotti for helping to develop his tactical awareness, as he looks to lock down a place in the Madrid in attack in the coming seasons.

"Ancelotti is a winner who always wants more from the team," the Spain youth international added. "That is very important. It has helped me improve myself tactically.

"If I continue like this then I'll have a place in the team."

 

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Maradona appeals to EU over tax bill

Diego Maradona is appealing to the European Union (EU) to step in as arbitrator in his ongoing feud with the Italian tax department.
The former Napoli No.10 stands accused of owing €39 million in unpaid taxes, a charge the Argentine insists is completely unfounded.

The state authorities claim the mammoth tax bill was built up during Maradona's memorable stint at the San Paolo between 1984 and 1991.

During that period, the World Cup winner guided Napoli to their only two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and the Uefa Cup.

"It's important that people know the truth. I really don't have to hide anything," Maradona told reporters on Friday.

"I don't even have €40m to give to the taxman because it's really difficult to earn more than that in a lifetime to be honest, let alone after tax."

Maradona's lawyer, Angelo Pisani, added: "Diego is innocent because he has never been found guilty of tax fraud. If the authorities suspect wrongdoing, it's up to them to show the proof."

Maradona is revered in Naples, where he remains the club's all-time leading scorer with 115 goals ahead of Attila Sallustro (108), Edinson Cavani (104) and Antonio Vojak (103).

The Partenopei finished runners-up to Juventus last season and are 13 points off the pace in 2014, but Maradona believes the club can reach the summit of the Serie A with more investment in the squad.

"Napoli are a team that can achieve winning the league but they are always missing something to get there," the 53-year-old said.

"I believe that they should have a bigger squad because nowadays you have to play on Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and even Friday sometimes.

"That's why I think that Napoli should spend a bit more and get a bigger squad so that I am sure they will be able to be competitive in every tournament."

 

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'I'm dedicated to the game' - Messi dismisses Cappa claims

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has hit back at Angel Cappa's claims that he has fallen out of love with the game.

The 67-year-old Argentine, who worked under former Blaugrana boss Cesar Luis Menotti at Camp Nou in the 1980s, suggested earlier this month that his compatriot had "lost his passion for football" after becoming bored of his "15-year marriage" to the sport.

However, Messi, who only recently recovered from a hamstring injury, insists he remains "dedicated" to playing.

"I don't give any importance to Cappa's comments. I don't know why he said that. I'm thinking about getting back to my level," the four-time Ballon d'Or winner told Radio La Red.

"I'm dedicated to playing. When I wasn't scoring, I was happy with my performance. I know what I give to, and how I feel, about football.

"I took the injury calmly. It took a long time to be ready, but now I'm not rushing things. As matches go by, I'm feeling better. It's how we planned."

Messi went on to praise coach Gerardo Martino for the way he has grown accustomed to life at the helm of the Blaugrana.

"He's gradually learning the club, the media, the fans, everything. Beyond what he knows as a coach, Tata is a very intelligent person, and he knows how to handle all this," he said.

It had been suggested Martino could experiment with the Barca set-up by deploying Messi in a deeper or wider role in attack, but the 26-year-old himself says his position remains more or less the same as it has been since former boss Pep Guardiola first moved him to the centre of the forward line.

"I heard in various places it had been said I would be playing further behind or in a different position," Messi stated.

"We keep playing without a No.9, we still use a 'false nine' as we used in Guardiola's era. The position remains the same."

 

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'He plays the media fantastically' - former Chelsea coach Clarke backs Mourinho mind games

Former Chelsea assistant manager Steve Clarke says Jose Mourinho is trying to take the pressure off his team by "feeding lines to the media".

Mourinho referred to the Blues as a "little horse" in comparison to fellow title-chasers Arsenal and Manchester City following an impressive 1-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium and has subsequently continued to play down the Blues' hopes of winning the Premier League.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger suggested on Friday that managers who avoid talk of the title do so because they are afraid of missing out, which prompted Mourinho to claim that the Frenchman is an "expert in failure".

But Clarke, who worked alongside Mourinho in his first spell at Stamford Bridge, says he is just trying to alleviate the pressure on his team at a difficult stage of the season.

"Jose feeds lines to the media," he told Goal. "He plays the media fantastically.
"He feeds the lines and the media run with the lines and everybody gets a bit carried away with it - but he knows what he’s doing, he’s trying to take some pressure off his team, which is what any manager would try to do.

"He won’t be telling them they have to win the league, he’ll be saying you have to win the next game. At this stage of the season when it’s so tight at the top, with so many teams involved, it’s a matter of not making too many mistakes, not dropping too many points.

"It’s probably the worst cliche in football but it's about taking it one game at a time, you can’t afford to look too far ahead.

"At the moment, they’re top of the league. There's a long way to go and, to be realistic, you have to say that any of the top four can win the league, because you never know what’s going to happen."

 

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'Vidal is the Messi of midfielders' - Chile boss Sampaoli

Juventus enforcer Arturo Vidal is the "Lionel Messi of midfielders", according to Chile head coach Jorge Sampaoli.

Vidal has established himself as a vital part of Antonio Conte's side since his move to Turin in 2011 and has already scored 16 goals in all competitions this season as the Bianconeri bid for a third successive Serie A title.

The Chile international described himself as the world's best midfielder last month and his national team coach believes the 26-year-old sets the standard in his position in much the same way as Messi does for attackers across the world.

"There's only one Messi. He's unique. But we can say that Vidal is the Messi of midfielders," Sampaoli told Tuttosport.

"There are few like him: he is flexible, lethal, an expert in stealing the ball."

Sampaoli acknowledged that Vidal faces an uphill battle to emulate Messi in Ballon d'Or successes, however, as Fifa's top individual prize is more often awarded to forwards.

"The Ballon d'Or is difficult. It's generally awarded to attackers, to goalscorers," he admitted.

Sampaoli, who has been watching several of his Chile stars in action across Europe in recent weeks, also suggested Juve boss Antonio Conte could create the ideal attacking set-up if he should make a move for Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez.

"Alexis Sanchez would be perfect for Conte. Him, [Fernando] Llorente, [Carlos] Tevez: a potential attack like few others in the world," mused Sampaoli.

Finally, the 53-year-old conceded that Mauricio Isla's World Cup spot could potentially be under threat due to his lack of playing time at Juve this season, but insists he still considers him an important part of his side's set-up.

"Any player wants to play as much as possible. He knows that he runs the risk of losing the World Cup," added Sampaoli.

"He is equipped with tactical intelligence and quality. But for me, nothing changes. He remains essential, even though he is fighting for his place at Juventus."

 

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Rodgers: The mind games are getting stupid

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes the level of mind games within the Premier League is "getting stupid".

Arsene Wenger has accused his rivals of having a "fear of failure" over their reluctance to declare themselves as title candidates, to which Jose Mourinho branded the Arsenal boss "a specialist in failure”.

Rodgers, however, has refused to be drawn into any psychological battles and insists mind games between coaches are mainly for the benefit of the media.

"It is getting stupid now, isn't it?" the Northern Irishman told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

"It is probably more for the media, who will make more of it than it actually is.

"As a modern-day manager, there are so many elements you have to have to your profile at this level; it is more than just the coaching on the field, it is managing the welfare of the players, media, and the psychology of it all has always been the case.

"I can only speak for myself and it [mind games] has nothing to do with me."

Meanwhile, Rodgers believes it will be interesting to see the effects of Liverpool's 5-1 win against Arsenal when the two sides face off again in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The Reds' comprehensive win over Wenger's side helped knock the Gunners off top spot in the Premier League and the 41-year-old believes Arsenal were "nervous" going into their next game, against Manchester United on Wednesday.

"You could see Arsenal were nervous in the game the other night, you could sense that," Rodgers explained.

"It's never easy when you get exposed like that but mainly it was down to our brilliance on the day, really. We were outstanding.

"Usually a team will get time to get over a defeat like that so to come across us so quickly afterwards, it will be interesting to see the effects.

"When you put in a performance like we did against Arsenal, who were top of the league, it is one that can stick in the mind a wee bit more. But they will be motivated for this game.

"Players at this level are really competitive and will want to show the defeat is past them. They have some outstanding players, they have real quality right throughout the team and they have the quality to come back.

"But if we can get anywhere near the level we were at in the league game we will have a great chance of winning."

 

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Leverkusen will be a different test to Valenciennes, warns Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has warned his Paris Saint-Germain side that Bayer Leverkusen will pose a far sterner test than Valenciennes offered up at the Parc des Princes on Friday night.

The Swedish striker bagged the second goal as the Ligue 1 leaders cruised to a 3-0 victory that moved them eight points clear of Monaco at the top of table - for the time being at least.

However, with PSG now set to travel to Germany for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Leverkusen on Tuesday, Ibrahimovic - who struggled with a minor back problem against Valenciennes - has urged his team-mates to brace themselves for a significant step up in quality.

"It was important to win and we did what we had to do. The next match in the Champions League will be totally different," the 32-year-old forward was quoted as saying by L'Equipe.

"We have a few days to recover. [My back] feels so-so. Physically, it will be a different game in Leverkusen.

"We must stay concentrated and play our game."

Midfielder Javier Pastore admitted he was thrilled to put more pressure on Monaco in the race for the Ligue 1 title but described Tuesday's game against Leverkusen as PSG's most important of the month.

"It's great to get three points for our long duel with Monaco," said the Argentine. "I played 90 minutes, I feel like I'm improving, I hope to gain more playing time.

"Leverkusen will probably be the most important match in February. I hope we win to make the return leg easier."