..::Football III::..

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Van Persie: I'm watching Moyes closely

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie says he is studying his managers' decisions more than ever.

The striker clashed with his boss at United, David Moyes, over training methods towards the end of 2013, though he has publicly backed the Scot to be a success at Old Trafford.

Van Persie and Louis van Gaal, his coach with the Netherlands, have both admitted that the current set-up at Old Trafford can make things difficult for the former Arsenal man, and he has continued to be linked with a summer exit.

He says that he has started to pay more attention to coaching decisions these days, and praised the ability of some coaches to know how to get the best out of their players.

"Certain managers can hit the right nerve with a player. They have that quality," he told reporters after United's 3-0 win at West Brom on Saturday.

"As I have got older and more experienced, I have become more sensitive to what my coaches are doing.

"I want to know why we are we doing this or why are we training like that. I did not ask those kinds of questions when I was younger, but now I find it interesting to study why my coaches are making certain decisions.

"I want to know why they do things and why they say things to the players, and why they want to play a certain way.

"I think much more about all those things at this stage of my career. I watch the managerial process all the time."

Van Persie was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Arsenal ahead of the 2012-13 season, and also saw Van Gaal replace Bert van Marwijk on the international scene in the same summer.

"I have had a lot of changes in coaches over the last couple of seasons," he added.

"I was with Arsene Wenger for eight years at Arsenal, and, with Holland, it was a similar steady situation with Bert van Marwijk.

"Now, in the last 18 months, I changed from Arsene to Sir Alex and now to David Moyes. With Holland, after Van Marwijk, I have Louis van Gaal, who is a fantastic coach.

"I won’t put one above the other, but I have learnt really good things from each one of them."

Van Persie, 30, has missed more games through injury this season than during his first at Old Trafford and his last at the Emirates, but says he is bearing up under the strains of English football as well as anybody.

"I can’t say whether I am physically stronger now than four years ago or whether I am weaker," he continued.

"We all have pains and aches, but I am convinced that, for every player in the Premier League, it is a struggle to keep fit for a full year.

"The intensity in England cannot be compared to any other football country in the world.

"We have double cup competitions and, if your team is in Europe and you play international games, the workload is incredible.

"I can never stroll through a game. I play – it’s that kind of intensity. After 99 out of 100 matches I am totally exhausted because I want to give everything I have.

"I will never moan about it. I have to handle it like all the other players, but I can tell you that top-level sport is not really healthy."

 

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Mystery Premier League club fail in big-money Sergio Ramos bid

An unnamed Premier League club recently failed with a big-money move for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, according to the player's agent.

Ramos has two and a half years left on his current contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and, as yet, there have been no talks over a renewel.

And Rene Ramos, the centre-back's brother and representative, says that he rejected an approach from England in recent months.

"Out of respect to the club I will only say that they are English," he told Marca.

"The offers are enormous in economical terms, but we are at the club we want to be at. The best in the world.

"So, more than once, I had to say “thanks very much for your interest, but no”. I reiterate, right now, leaving Real Madrid is a non-starter."

The Blancos sit level on points with Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, behind on head to head record but with a game in hand ahead of Sunday's clash with Levante.

 

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A Mystery club 1ka Manchester United da manda

 

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La Liga 2014.03.10 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.03.10 Fixtures

Osasuna Vs Malaga

Real Sociedad Vs Rayo Vallecano​

 

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Spalletti dismissed by Zenit

Zenit St Petersburg have sacked coach Luciano Spalletti after five years with the Russian giants.

The Italian had led the club to the 2010 and 2011-12 Russian Premier League titles, but their domestic hegemony ended last term when CSKA moscow pipped them to their crown.

They are currently two points off Lokomotiv Moscow in the table and stand on the brink of Champions League elimination following a 4-2 home loss in the last 16 to Borussia Dortmund.

And a 0-0 home draw with Tom Tomsk on Sunday proved to be the final straw, with the club having decided to fire the former Roma coach.

Former Zenit midfielder Sergei Semak will take charge of the side until the end of the season, having only ended his playing career last year.

The 38-year-old, who won 65 caps for Russia, also represented the likes of CSKA, Paris Saint-Germain and Rubin Kazan.

 

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Simeone: Costa, Turan & Godin will return


Diego Simeone says Diego Costa, Diego Godin and Arda Turan will all return for Atletico Madrid's Champions League tie with AC Milan on Wednesday.

Los Colchoneros won the first leg of their last-16 clash 1-0 at San Siro and head into the return leg in high spirits after moving into second place in La Liga by beating Celta Vigo 2-0 on Saturday.

David Villa was the star of the show in the absence of Costa through suspension, but with the Brazilian-born striker set to return, he is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench.

Simeone told reporters: "We’ll see how the team recovers from its exertions in Vigo and after training today [Monday] we’ll decide. Diego Costa, Godin and Arda will return, and there could be more changes.”

Milan head into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Udinese in Serie A but despite that defeat Simeone is expecting a difficult game and highlighted the threat of Mario Balotelli.

"They’re a very strong club. They’re used to this competition and they have players with a lot of talent. Regardless of the result in the first leg, a team of such standing is dangerous in decisive matches.”

"He’s a player who can make the difference, but the team makes him stronger. Their channels for getting the ball to him are the most dangerous. [Mattia] De Sciglio, [Sulley] Muntari, [Urby] Emanuelson... If you give them space they’re dangerous and we’ll try to deny them that space.”

The Atletico boss concluded by urging his side to seize control of the game early on and not fall into the trap of being drawin into an open affair.

"I don’t know what type of game it’ll be. We have a small lead from the first leg and they will have to come out and look to score. We have to contain and control the match.

"The outcome will depend on the intensity we show in midfield. An open game suits Milan more. We have to make the most of the space they give us. The characteristics of the Milan players make them an attacking team.”

 

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Milan must honour European history - Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf has vowed to honour AC Milan's rich history in the Champions League and guide his side to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Seedorf's men face an uphill battle if they are to do that on Tuesday after suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first-leg of their last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid at San Siro last month.

Milan occupy a mid-table position in Serie A and will be underdogs against an Atletico side that sits second in La Liga, but Seedorf remains confident of upsetting the form book.

"I've often been in situations in which we're not the favourites, even in years in which we achieved important things," Seedorf said."The favourites were and are Atletico Madrid. I think the two sides will play in a similar manner to the first leg.

"They have a narrow advantage - the game is open and I'm expecting changes with regards to the first leg."We have to fight as a team and play with our hearts. These things come before the technical and tactical aspects."Our approach will be similar to the one in the first leg. We will be aggressive and try to score.

"Milan have a great history and we have to honour the club and the shirt."The players are also extremely motivated. It's an important moment for everyone - we know we can write a beautiful page in this club's history."

 

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Barcelona the club of my life - Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas says Barcelona are the "club of his life" after describing the bond he shares with his team-mates at Camp Nou.

The midfielder came through the Blaugrana's famed La Masia youth system but left for Arsenal aged 16 having never made a first team appearance.

However, he re-joined the club in 2011 and then resisted the advances of Manchester United last summer to continue playing for the team he has supported all his life.

The 26-year-old told Uefa.com: "I wanted to play for the best club in the world and with lads who I had shared my time with as a teenager and who I had also enjoyed playing alongside in the national team, just fantastic people – the club of my life."

Barcelona take on Manchester City in the second-leg of their last 16 tie on Wednesday and go into the game with a 2-0 lead from their first encounter at the Etihad.

And while many of the current Barca side can boast Champions League medals on their resume, Fabregas is yet to lift the prize and he admits success in Europe remains a primary goal.

"Playing for Barcelona, you're aiming for it all every year, because of the players you have there and everything the club represents at international level.

"You know you have to fight for every title – that gets into your head pretty quickly when you play for Barcelona."

 

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Pele: Messi is not as good for Argentina

Pele says Lionel Messi is not as good for Argentina as he is for Barcelona as a result of a lack of understanding with his international team-mates.

Messi has been criticised throughout his career by those in his homeland, who believe he tries harder in Blaugrana colours than the blue and white of his nation, though Pele is certain there is another reason behind his differing form.

"When you see him playing with Barcelona, he is Messi, but when you see him playing for Argentina, he is another Messi," the 73-year-old told Marca.

"With Barcelona he is surrounded by two or three excellent players like Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta to help him. With Argentina it is different because it is more difficult to connect with his team-mates. It's a completely different Messi."

The Brazil legend then turned his attention to Neymar and praised his decision to join Barcelona last summer as the perfect move to prepare himself for the World Cup this summer.

He added: "It's his first World Cup and no one knows exactly what's going to happen. It's a big responsibility for him.

"He was very good at Santos, but his best decision was to go and play in Spain, in Europe. For Brazil, it's like he's gone off to university for six months. He'll gain experience and that'll be fantastic for him."

The three-time World Cup winner added that he feels confident Brazil can win the World Cup on home soil thanks to the leadership of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira.

“In Brazil we had one of the worst experiences in the 1950s when the World Cup was held in Brazil and we lost to Uruguay," he continued."People fear the same thing happen, but I think this time it will be different.

"We have to be careful and respect other teams, because there are two or three good teams: Germany is a very good team and we have to respect Spain because they have been playing together for eight years.

"I think one of the good things we have now is that both Scolari and Parreira have experience and that's great for Brazil, because they have already gone through these situations and they can tell the players what they have to do.

"I'm very confident, especially as Parreira was there in 1970 [as a member of the coaching staff] with the best team that Brazil has ever had."

 

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'We know we can do it' - Wenger confident Arsenal can beat Bayern


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he is confident his side can overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Goals from Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller gave Pep Guardiola’s side the advantage ahead of Tuesday’s second-leg at the Allianz Arena.
However, Wenger is confident his side can turn the tie around, and pointed to their recent results in Europe as evidence of his claims.

"The way to win is to produce a top-level performance and turn up with quality and belief," he told reporters.

"History is important in our belief. We know we can do it, because we have already done it. It is a possible task, that is the most important thing. My team has quality and ambition.

"We know that we have to attack, but we also know we have to defend. We must find the right balance. The statistics are against us, but we have won 5-1 at Inter, we have won everywhere in Europe."

Arsenal will be without first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for the clash after he was sent off at the Emirates, with Wenger revealing Kieran Gibbs would also be missing - although Laurent Koscielny is back in the squad.

"I hope tomorrow we get a fair chance to play 11 v 11 men until the end," he added.

"We have had a few good nights in Europe but [if we win tomorrow] it would be absolutely great. When you come to this stadium, you don't need anything else. Your motivation levels are already very high.

"We scored two late goals against Everton, so we do not need to be nervous or impatient."

 

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'It's a big one' - Carrick excited by Liverpool clash

Michael Carrick is relishing Manchester United's Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Despite their stuttering form under David Moyes this season, Carrick believes United can still spring a surprise when they meet their fierce rivals.

United's 3-0 win over West Brom on Saturday moved them back up to sixth in the table but they remain nine points behind Manchester City in fourth and 11 behind second-placed Liverpool.

Carrick, though, insists league positions don't have much weight heading into the fixture as he pointed out the importance of Sunday's meeting between two historic rivals.

"It's Liverpool next and that's a big one," he told the club's official website. "Regardless of where both teams are in the league it's an important fixture.

"In recent times, with this rivalry, we've been on top of them in the league and it's the other way around at the moment.

"But I don't think league places affect the game. We'd say it if we're top of the table that form goes out of the window against Liverpool, it counts for very little, and that's the case now.

"It should be a good game and we're all looking forward to it."

Liverpool, who won the reverse fixture 1-0 in September, have not finished above United since the 2001-02 season and lost at Old Trafford in this season's Capital One Cup.

 

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Muller: Bayern won't be complacent against Arsenal

Thomas Muller has insisted Bayern Munich will not show any complacency when they face Arsenal for the second-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

The reigning European champions head into the clash at the Allianz Arena with a two-goal advantage over Arsene Wenger's side.

But despite the Germans' lead, the 24-year-old is adamant that Bayern will respect their opponents and go into the match with the intention of putting the game to bed.

"Thinking about the character of our team, we have won our last 16 games in the Bundesliga," the Germany international told reporters.

"We always turn up - everybody always wants to win. We are not careless or arrogant. We always concentrate and want to win.

"We respect all opponents in the Champions League. I have learned how to have respect. Talking about Arsenal or other teams who are in the European elite, you have to have respect."

Muller has been playing in more advanced areas in recent weeks under Pep Guardiola and he insists he is settling in well, having scored twice in Saturday's 6-1 win over Wolfsburg, but he admits he is happy to fill any position in the Bayern squad.

"I've been playing up front a lot and I am getting used to it. I got two goals against Wolfsburg. But I do not have any preferences. I am just a player who plays with movement, I will play where the coach wants me to play."The way we are playing has changed a little bit [under Guardiola]. We play more in the opposition half, now we have the ball in the middle rather than on the wing. We find space for players. But it is very similar to last year. Guardiola does not make compromises – he wants to inspire the team."

 

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Thiago Silva happy to stay with Paris-Saint Germain

Paris-Saint Germain defender Thiago Silva has reiterated his desire to stay at the club, despite speculation linking him with a move elsewhere.

The Brazilian's impressive displays have caught the eye of many this season as PSG romp towards the Ligue 1 title, as well as securing a place in the Coup de la Ligue final and looking certain to reach the last eight of the Champions League.
However, the centre-back has moved to rule out any possibility of a move away from the French capital in the near future, with his current deal not due to expire until 2018.

"I feel good, I feel appreciated by what is said about me in the press," he told Marca."I am happy, and my work is being recognised."But I am happy in Paris and hope to see out my contract."

PSG thumped Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 in the first-leg of their last-16 tie and look assured of their quarter-final berth, and Silva believes that if they continue in their current vein of form they could go all the way to the final."If we continue playing like this, we are also in with a good chance of winning the Champions League," he said.

"I think that the toughest rival at the moment is Bayern [Munich]."

 

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Borussia Monchengladbach sign Yann Sommer to replace Ter Stegen

Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed they have signed Yann Sommer from Basel as the replacement for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who will leave for Barcelona at the end of the season.

Last week, it was confirmed that the Germany international will join the Catalan giants for a fee in the region of €9-12 million in the close season as the replacement for the outgoing Victor Valdes.And Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl has revealed that Basel goalkeeper Sommer will be the man to replace the youngster.

"After Marc-Andre ter Stegen has informed us that he definitely wants to leave at the end of the season, we have now reached an agreement with his new club on the transfer arrangements," Eberl told the club's official website.

"His successor in goal for Borussia will be Yann Sommer."He is an excellent goalkeeper who has already gained a lot of international experience in his 25 years and we are delighted that he has chosen to sign for us.

"We have not only got a great goalkeeper, but also a leader." Sommer, who has five caps for the Switzerland national team and is expected to be in their squad for this year's World Cup, spoke of his delight at joining Gladbach.

"Everything's a bit bigger here than in Switzerland," the 25-year-old said. "Borussia are a club with tradition and when you get the chance to play at the Fohlen, you have to do it.

"The talks with the representatives convinced me."Having been Basel's first-choice keeper since 2010, Sommer has made 152 appearances, racking up three consecutive Swiss Super League titles.

 

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Ronaldo catches Suarez in European Golden Shoe race

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has drawn on level terms with Liverpool's Luis Suarez in the race for the European Golden Shoe following his goal in the Blancos' 3-0 win over Levante on Sunday.

Suarez was unable to add to his tally as Liverpool were not in action in the Premier League this weekend, with his team-mate Daniel Sturridge - currently sitting fourth - in the same situation.

Elsewhere, third-placed Diego Costa failed to find the net in Atletico's 2-0 win against Celta de Vigo and remains on 21 goals this term.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alfred Finnbogason and Jonatan Soriano are all on 34.5 points after a successful weekend in which the former two each netted once and the latter got a double.

Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic is the only new name in the top 10 after finding the net twice in his side's 6-1 thrashing of Wolfsburg.

 

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Strootman to miss World Cup

Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman will miss this summer's World Cup due to a knee injury, Holland coach Louis van Gaal has announced.

The Netherlands international picked up a knock in Roma's 1-0 defeat against Napoli on Sunday and was forced to leave the pitch after just 12 minutes of play.

Strootman underwent an MRI scan on Monday morning to determine the extent of the knee problem and Van Gaal has confirmed the worst.

He told www.knvb.nl: "This is dramatic for Kevin. I can imagine that his world collapsed.

"Kevin stood with both his club AS Roma, as with Orange for a very important period.

"Kevin had a very big contribution to our qualification for the World Cup in Brazil. But the worst is for Kevin, who sees his dreams are shattered."

Roma later confirmed Strootman, 24, had damaged his anterior cruciate ligament and possibly his meniscus.

A club statement read: "Kevin Strootman had an MRI scan this morning as he was examined by Professor Giuliano Cerulli.

"Tests showed he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and there could also be damage to the meniscus. He will undergo surgery in the next few days."

Not only will he miss the World Cup but also the remainder of the Serie A season which represents a huge blow for Roma.

He has developed into a key player at the capital club since joining them from PSV in the summer of 2013, scoring five goals in 24 league appearances.

Strootman was also one of only three players guaranteed a spot in Oranje's World Cup squad after Van Gaal recently branded him "untouchable" alongside Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.

Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong was quick to offer his support, tweeting: "Wish @Kevin_strootman all the best with his recovery. Keep your chin up and return stronger than before! Non mollare Mai! #dedication."

 

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Manchester United open to Hernandez exit as Valencia & Atletico Madrid circle

Manchester United are willing to sell striker Javier Hernandez this summer, with Valencia and Atletico Madrid among those monitoring his situation.

Goal has learned that the Primera Division duo have identified the Mexican, who has struggled for first-team opportunities under David Moyes this season, as an attainable summer target.

Atletico are fearful that they could lose Diego Costa this summer, with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho particularly keen to bring the Brazil-born Spain international to the Premier League.

Hernandez had previously been open to the idea of a move to Russian club Rubin Kazan but United quickly ruled out a move for fear of leaving themselves short up front for the end-of-season run-in.

Valencia are expected to complete the sale of the club to a new owner in the coming weeks, whereupon they will move forward with their transfer plans.

Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim first expressed an interest in buying the Spanish club in December, and although he was targeting a quick deal he is yet to reach an agreement.

Despite being considered the leading candidate to purchase the club as recently as February, however, Lim is no longer seen as the forerunner.

Jorge Mendes, the agent who has helped broker a number of transfers at Old Trafford over the years, including those involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Bebe, will oversee Hernandez's sale.

Mendes also represents top-level names such as Radamel Falcao and Jose Mourinho and would prefer to do business with Lim should he assume control of Valencia.

Serie A club Inter have also been linked with a move for the striker, who joined the Red Devils in 2010, as new owner Erick Thohir continues his San Siro overhaul.

Hernandez has reportedly become disillusioned with life at Old Trafford under Moyes, chosen as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement at the end of the last campaign.

The Mexico international has started just 10 matches this season, including three in the Capital One Cup and once in the FA Cup.

 

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Bayern Munich tie far from over, says Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says Bayern Munich know Arsenal are not out of their Champions League last 16 tie despite a first leg defeat.

Bayern hold a two-goal advantage going into the second leg after winning 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, courtesy of goals from Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller.

But Oxlade-Chamberlain believes the Gunners have a "100 per cent" chance of turning the tie around, and can take confidence from their victory at the Allianz Arena last season.

"Last season we went there 3-1 down and everyone wrote us off but we managed to get a good 2-0 win there," he told the club's official website. "We'll be feeling we can take something from that and in football a lot of things can happen.

"There is a 100 per cent chance we can do it. We are a top side, they will know the job's not done and we know the job's not done."

Oxlade-Chamberlain is also relishing the prospect of a first trip to Wembley with Arsenal after the Gunners beat Everton 4-1 to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, where they will face Wigan.

"You watch FA Cup games at Wembley when you are growing up and that's where you want to be," he added. "It's the first time we've been there since I've been at Arsenal so it's definitely a big thing for us.

"But we can't get carried away, we want to be excited but approach it very professionally and be as calm and cool as we can.

"Hopefully we can get through and get to the final."

 

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Wenger backs Ozil to shine against Bayern Munich

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is backing Mesut Ozil to shine when the Gunners face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League tie on Tuesday.

The north Londoners travel to Germany trailing 2-0 from the first leg but will take confidence from the knowledge they won by the same scoreline at the Allianz Arena last season.

Ozil missed a penalty in the first leg at the Emirates, in a disappointing display, but Wenger says he has got over the incident and is getting back to his best after scoring in Saturday's 4-1 FA Cup win over Everton.

"I think it [the penalty] affected him mentally too much, the penalty he missed against Bayern. It was not only physical, it was mental,” Wenger told reporters.

"He had the feeling he let the team down at a very important moment of the game. That affected his performance very much.

"Psychologically sometimes the wound is like a physical one. You can talk and talk and talk, but it takes time. You just have to leave it to time. I think he is over it. He has a good opportunity to show on Tuesday night how good he is.

"The way the players celebrated was certainly important to him, and to the team as well. He was absolutely outstanding from the first to the last minute."

Wenger also admitted that the Germany international is still adapting to life in the Premier League following his big-money summer move from Real Madrid.

"I would like him to find the right balance between being a provider and finisher," he added.

"At the moment the balance is a bit detrimental to the finishing. His strong side is providing.

"But he is pacy, much quicker than people think he is, and with that technical quality and that pace, if he gets into the right areas and with the service he has, he can score goals. He wants to score more goals, I am convinced of that.

"The physical part of the game is certainly something he has to adapt to. First you have to convince yourself mentally that you have to do it.

"Then to adapt physically. Against Everton, he looked to me to have a really complete performance on both sides, defensive and offensive."