..::Football III::..

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Agger: Liverpool can handle title pressure

Liverpool vice-captain Daniel Agger is confident the club can deal with the pressure of being in the Premier League title mix.The Merseysiders head into the business end of the season very much in contention for a first top-flight crown since 1990.

Brendan Rodgers' side sit second in the table, seven points behind leaders Chelsea but with a game in hand.

Agger, who is one of the few remaining members of the 2008-09 side that finished second to Manchester United, believes he and his team-mates have what it takes to cope with the mental strain of a title fight.

"When you play for Liverpool, there is always pressure and that won't change between now and the end of the season," the Denmark skipper told the Liverpool Echo.

"Part of playing for this club is being able to handle that pressure. I think the players here have proved over the course of this season that they are more than capable of doing that."We have had some great results and there have been a few times when we have been all the way up there at the top.

"It's always difficult to compare squads and teams. This is a completely different team to the one in 2009. There aren't many players left from that side."We are in a good position but we are only in March. There is still a long way to go and a lot of points to play for.

"We haven't achieved anything yet and we need to keep going over the final 10 games. We have some big games against teams close to us in the table. They are games we have to win."

The Reds travel to United on Sunday looking to complete a league double over their fierce rivals and remain in the race for the title.

 

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Koke: I could stay at Atletico Madrid for life

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke says he could remain at the Vicente Calderon for the rest of his career.

The young Spain international has been at the club since 2000 but his performances this term have seen him linked with some of Europe's top sides, including Manchester United.

However, the 22-year-old is delighted with how Diego Simeone's side are doing this season and is hoping to build a legacy at the capital club.

"Maybe, why not?" he told Minuto 116 when asked whether he could become a one-club man.

"I could be here for my whole life. At the moment I have a long contract which I want to see out because Atleti is my home.

"We're building a great team, a beautiful project and hopefully I'll be here for many years.

"From the first minute, we believed in Simeone, in the way he sees football and we are where we are because we never think past the next game."

Simeone claimed that Koke will become one of the best players in his position in the world but the Spaniard is looking to remain humble.

"What he said a major compliment. What he has given us, not just to me, but every other player, is spectacular. Now I have to work a lot with humility."

 

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Van Persie wants new Manchester United deal

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie insists he wants to stay at Old Trafford.

There have been widespread reports of Van Persie's desire to leave the Red Devils in recent weeks, but in an extensive interview published on the club's official website, the Dutchman says he has no problems with his team-mates or coaches.

“I don’t mind if my performances get dissected and people criticise what I’ve done on the pitch,” he said.

“They can talk about my game 24/7 for all I care… and a lot of those opinions and criticisms may actually be right. So I don’t mind that.

“What I need to address are the situations when people are taking it upon themselves to think for me, make assumptions, or interpret things as if they are me. Last time I checked my head was still attached to my body, so I’m the only one who knows exactly what I’m feeling and that is not what I or the fans have been reading.

“The truth is I’m very happy here at this club. I signed for four years and I’d be delighted to stay even longer, beyond the next two years I have left on my contract. This is how I feel, although it’s not what has been suggested in the media.

“I’m very happy with my team-mates and I’m very happy with my manager and his staff. The sessions we have on the training ground are fantastic and I’m learning a lot from them every day. I’ve been a professional footballer for 12 years now and there’s no doubt I’m learning new things and progressing with David Moyes.

“Like I said, talk about my performances or talk about a tackle that was too late. I don’t mind. But it goes too far when people start suggesting, amongst other things, that I have a bad understanding with the manager. That’s not true at all.

“Over the last few years I’ve started to look more closely at the way coaches work to learn from them – not just here at the club but with the international team as well. I’ve worked with some brilliant coaches and I’ve taken a real interest in all the methods they use and the choices they make.

“I can tell you that Moyes’ sessions and the things he says in his team meetings are spot-on. I really enjoy working under him and I’m absolutely convinced things will pick up and we’ll turn it around.

“There is mutual respect between us and the work environment is actually good. He really wants things to work here at Manchester United and I want the same, just like the other players. We’re all working hard to make this work."

 

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Rodrigo Palacio delighted with Inter extension

Inter striker Rodrigo Palacio said he is "delighted" to have signed a new contract with the Italian giants.

The 32-year-old joined Walter Mazzarri's side from Genoa last summer and has scored 12 goals in the 27 league games he has played for the Nerazzurri so far. His positive performances earned him a one-year extension which sees him tied to the club until 2016.

The Argentina international spoke of his joy of penning the new deal with the Milan club and thanked everyone around him for helping him settle in at the team.

“I am delighted to have renewed,” he told the club’s official television station.
“This is like a dream for me. I will promise to keep on doing my best for this shirt, like I have always done.“I feel great at Inter. I’m really happy. I would like to thank the club, the fans and all my teammates, who, from the first day have treated me well.”

Palacio went on to discuss his side's meeting with Hellas on Saturday night and says his side's ambition for the remainder of the season is to finish in a high position in the league.

“Hopefully we’ll play a great game. It’s going to be difficult – we’re going to have to play really well.“But it is our duty to do our utmost and try to finish as high as possible. Perhaps I can celebrate my new contract with a goal!”

 

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Fernando Sanz: Isco will be crucial to Madrid and Spain

Former Real Madrid and Malaga defender Fernando Sanz says attacking midfielder Isco can be one of his side's most important players in the near future.

The 20-year-old joined los Blancos from Malaga last summer and has played a big role in their campaign as they continue to challenge for La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Sanz says the Spain international could become an integral player for club and country if he continues to develop but insists he needs to remain patient at this stage in his career.

“Throughout the history of Real Madrid we have seen cases like Isco,” Sanz said in an interview with the LFP which was published by Marca.“Players that have a great season for one team and then they join Madrid for a considerable amount of money and they start strong and then disappear a little.

“He is young and I think Carlo Ancelotti knows exactly how to treat him. Perhaps being given excessive praise can be harmful. It’s typical of a young player at Madrid.

“Isco will be the benchmark of Madrid and the Spain national team but it takes patience because he is very young and still learning.”

 

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Juventus star Pogba: I want to win the Ballon d'Or

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has set his sights on becoming the world’s best player and says he wants to win the Ballon d’Or.The 20-year-old is developing into an excellent midfielder and has become a key player for the Serie A champions since joining from Manchester United in 2012.

The France international wants to continue the progress he has made throughout his time in Italy and says his main target is to win the sport's most prestigious individual award.

“I want to be the best and win the Ballon d’Or,” Pogba said at event for Bianconeri supporters. “To do it I will have to improve all facets of my game.

“When I do something it’s because I want to be the best, I will have to make a lot of sacrifices but I hope to win the Ballon d’Or one day.”

The youngster says he is at the perfect place to hone his skills and develop into one of football's elite players as he learns from the star players in the Juve dressing room. “I need to learn from great players like [Gianluigi] Buffon, [Andrea] Pirlo and [Arturo] Vidal.

“Here at Juventus there is everything but you always want more.
“Our stadium is the nicest I have ever played in.“What’s special about Juve? Great players like Buffon, Pirlo, Vidal and many others.

“I am happy to play alongside them, they are the best in Italy and if I want to be the same I must learn from them."

 

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Falcao hopeful of making World Cup following 'spectacular' injury progress

Radamel Falcao remains hopeful that he can be fit in time to represent Colombia in the World Cup this summer.

The Monaco striker damaged his cruciate knee ligaments at the start of the year and was expected to miss out on the tournament in Brazil this year.

However, the 28-year-old is happy at the speed of his recovery and believes he might be back to full fitness ahead of schedule.

"I am feeling well and the progress of my knee has been spectacular,” he told Monaco’s official TV station. “I work a bit more each day and my recovery is progressing in a positive way."I hope to recover well and be in the World Cup, although I am focused mostly on my job and this current moment."

The former Atletico Madrid striker went on to discuss his side’s progress in Ligue 1 this season and is happy to see them on track to reach the Champions League next term.

"I watch all Monaco matches, we will keep improving, there were many changes this season and we should not rush things, but our team are slowly feeling better, and our main goal is to play the Champions League next season."

 

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President Cerezo: Atletico can collect silverware this season

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo believes his side can pick win major silverware this season as the campaign nears its conclusion.

Los Rojiblancos have been one of the surprise packages in domestic and European football this season as Simeone's men remain firmly in the hunt for the Liga title, with the club sitting in second place, just three points adrift of rivals Real Madrid.

That success has been replicated in the Champions League, with Atletico defeating Milan 5-1 on aggregate in a last-16 tie to book their place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1997.

While Real remain the favourites to win the league and a host of clubs are seemingly more fancied in the Champions League, Cerezo is adamant Atletico can taste success."We hope to win something. We currently have the enthusiasm and the ability to do it and will do it," Cerezo is quoted as saying by Marca.

"This year has been a good culmination of all [factors], [good] form from a great team and a good coach."Meanwhile, Cerezo has moved to cool talk of a move for Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela.

The former Arsenal man has notched 10 goals in 26 top-flight appearances this season, sparking rumours of a switch to Vicente Calderon.But Cerezo denies a deal is in the pipeline."There is no possibility of that," he added. "Vela is a great player, he is at a great team that is having a great campaign.

"He is scoring goals and has undisputed quality, but when the season ends we will see what we need."

 

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Luis Suarez: Iniesta deserved Ballon d'Or more than Messi

Former Barcelona player Luis Suarez believes Andres Iniesta deserved to win the 2010 Ballon d’Or more than eventual winner Lionel Messi.

The Argentine, who won the award four consecutive times, picked it up in 2010 ahead of Barca team-mates Iniesta and Xavi, despite the latter two lifting the World Cup with Spain that year as well as La Liga with the Catalan giants.

But Suarez, the only Spanish player to win the award, feels Xavi and Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final, should have been ahead of Messi in being crowned the world’s player of the year."Spain in recent years has done some very important things and any Spanish player could win the Ballon d'Or,” the former Spain coach told Goal.

“[La Liga] also had two very good players at a very high level, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But I think that the year Spain became World champions, Iniesta or Xavi deserved the Ballon d'Or.

“Not only because they won the World Cup, and in the case of Iniesta, because he scored the goal against Holland and also won with Barcelona, same as Messi, but Iniesta also won the World Cup and if you have to value what you have done in a whole year, from June to July, then Xavi and Iniesta did more than Messi."We should not become confused, the Ballon d'Or doesn’t say if a player is better or worse than another, it says who played better over the year.

“One player can be inferior to the other but played better over a year. But Messi and Cristiano score and they do extraordinary things. I also had rivalry in Puskas and Di Stefano.”

 

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'We can do better' - Rooney eyes improvement in Van Persie partnership

Wayne Rooney has admitted he and Robin van Persie "can do better" as a partnership ahead of Manchester United's clash with Liverpool on Sunday.

The Old Trafford club sit sixth in the Premier League, with the pair coming under scrutiny, especially when compared with Anfield strike duo Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.

And Rooney says both he and the Dutchman are "working hard" to improve on their combined goal return of 27 this season.

“I think we are doing alright," Rooney told the club's official website. "Obviously, we can do better and if we are not at the top of the league then that will get looked at and we understand that.

"Personally, we can score more goals and we know we can. We are working hard to do that, we have to keep going and hopefully that will come.”

Rooney was quick to praise both Sturridge and Suarez, comparing the Uruguayan to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He continued: “I think they are both fantastic players and obviously it is good to see Sturridge doing well because he has never really had a chance at his previous clubs.

“Suarez, for me, is up there with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world. He has been that good and the two of them together have been in great form this season. We will have to do everything we can to stop them on Sunday.”

 

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Wenger hints Bendtner set for Arsenal exit

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that striker Nicklas Bendtner will leave the club at the end of the season.

Goal understands that the Gunners will demand an explanation from the Denmark international over reports that the striker got into an altercation with a taxi driver on Tuesday evening.

Wenger says that he is yet to speak to Bendtner about the incident but, when asked if it was the "final straw" for the forward, the Frenchman told reporters: "He is at the end of his contract at the end of the season.

"Nobody gave him any permission to go to Copenhagen and he will be fined for that.

"Honestly I don't know really what happened because I haven't spoken to him.

"The only thing that is for sure is he had nothing to do in Copenhagen."

"For the rest, [if] he has created some trouble there I don't know, I will speak to him [on Friday]."

Bendtner was missing from the Arsenal squad who lost to Bayern Munich in midweek due to an ankle injury but has previously admitted that he is unhappy with his bit-part role at the Emirates Stadium.

"If you find a football player who says he is happy to sit and watch and not play then I think he needs to find another job," he fumed to the press.

"I want to play, there's no doubt in my mind. I'm ready, I'm fit, I'm training well. That I'm not selected is up to the manager, it's not up to me, if he then chooses differently then that's up to him."

 

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Moyes expects long Van Persie stay at Manchester United

Manchester United manager David Moyes is pleased to hear that striker Robin van Persie is happy at Old Trafford and expects the Dutchman to enjoy a long stay with the Red Devils.

The forward has been reportedly keen to leave the club in the summer and Goal understands that he clashed with the Scot earlier in the season and does have an exit clause in his contract should the club finish outside the top four.

However, Van Persie told the club's official website on Thursday that he is very happy with the team and the manager, sentiments that do not surprise Moyes.

"I've been telling you that [he's staying] but you've wanted to say or write something different," he told the media.

"It's difficult if you don't believe what I say. Robin is happy here and I'm pleased about that. I didn't know what was coming out - I've only just heard [on Friday] morning about it.

"We'll take it as it is. He has a couple of years to go on his contract and I'm sure that will be something the board look at.

"I've always said we've got two outstanding forwards in Wayne [Rooney] and Robin. Both have capabilities of winning games off their own back. They're both pivotal international players and the sort of players any side in the world would want in their team.

"I'm delighted to have both of them and, more importantly, that they both want to be Manchester United players."

Moyes also revealed that Nani is closing in on a return to action after a long lay-off, having returned to training.

"Nani is back. He had a really bad hamstring injury but he is back and has trained. Hopefully we get him up to speed very quickly," he added.

"Rafael, Javier Hernandez and Jonny Evans are all coming along. They all have a chance of playing on Sunday."

 

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Chelsea can handle the pressure, claims Cech

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech believes that the club are well-prepared to cope with the pressure of a Premier League title run-in.

Jose Mourinho's side hold a seven-point lead at the summit but have played more matches than the rest of the top four.

Manchester City could prove the Londoners' biggest threat, sitting nine points behind with three games in hand, as the Portuguese looks to secure his first silverware since returning to Stamford Bridge.

But the Czech Republic international feels the Blues have what it takes to hold off their rivals and win a first league title since 2010.

"In the past, it's fair to say we've not let leads slip. Of course, this is a different team and a different scenario, a different season, so it is hard to compare but we know how to play under pressure until the last game," he told the Daily Mirror.

"In recent years, we have been in these situations so, if we can do it again, that is what we will try to do.

"If you're top, you have to keep winning to stay top. If you're second, you need to keep winning to have a chance and you don't have things in your hands so the pressure is the same.

"The pressure is the same whether you are first, second or third. Everyone keeps trying to do that [win games]. What you need - and what we have - is the approach of going game by game.

"A lot of people tend to watch the table too much when you come to the end of the season and, if you keep watching the table and every other result, you lose the focus on what you do. We don't do that."

Chelsea have not lost in the Premier League since a 3-2 reverse at Stoke City on December 7 and travel to Aston Villa on Saturday in search of a fourth straight top-flight win.

 

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Fabregas: I will not replace unique Xavi

Cesc Fabregas says he will not step into the shoes of Barcelona team-mate Xavi when the midfielder calls time on his illustrious career.

Xavi recently said he has no intention of hanging up his boots in the immediate future, however, the midfielder is now 34 and has come under scrutiny as Barca have struggled in recent weeks.

Fabregas has been earmarked as someone who could possibly fill the deep-lying playmaker role that Xavi has enjoyed such success in, but the 26-year-old thinks otherwise.Speaking to RAC's 'Your Say' programme, Fabregas said: "I don't see myself replacing Xavi. Xavi is unique.

"No matter how hard we look, Xavi is a one and only. Whoever replaces him (in the starting XI) will have to be very strong mentally and the team and the fans will have to get used to playing differently."The day Xavi is not in Barcelona we will see a different team. I don't know if it'll be better or worse but it'll be different for sure."

Fabregas also stated his belief that Barcelona can complete a treble by winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League this season.Barce have slipped to third in the title race, four points adrift of leaders Real Madrid, following a 1-0 defeat at Real Valladolid last Saturday.

Gerardo Martino's men bounced back quickly, however, by securing their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Manchester City in the round of 16.And with a Copa del Rey final against Real on the horizon next month, Fabregas is targeting success on three fronts.

He added: "The way we played against Real Valladolid wasn't acceptable for anyone in the Barca shirt."It's not good for anyone that our performances can be so different in four days, but we played with great discipline against City, which we didn't against Valladolid.

"I was worried that the criticism of the team would harm us but that's not how I saw it work out. I saw a team wanting to put it right.

"We will give everything (for the rest of the season) and we can win all three competitions."

 

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'Mourinho & I are similar' - Mazzarri

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri believes he shares similarities with treble-winning predecessor Jose Mourinho and lauded his own achievements since joining the San Siro side.

Mourinho coached the Nerazzurri for two seasons before departing for Real Madrid on the back of a remarkable 2009-10 season which saw the Italians claim the Champions League, Coppa Italia and Serie A title.

Unsurprisingly, the Portuguese remains revered among Inter fans and Mazzarri thinks he shares plenty of characteristics with the current Chelsea boss, including the ability to distract media from focusing on his team's flaws.

"There are some similarities between Mourinho and I," the former Napoli coach mused in an interview with Il Sora 24 Ore. "Especially in making oneself a lightning rod in the most difficult moments."

Mazzarri boss also lauded his own achievements since arriving at San Siro from the San Paolo last summer.

"My history here demonstrates that, in 99 per cent of cases, the boys have made progress," he argued.

"I have plans to win the Champions League with Inter in the future."

Inter are currently fifth in Serie A - one point behind Fiorentina in fourth and one point ahead of Parma in sixth.

 

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Dortmund: Gundogan contract talks won't be never-ending

Borussia Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke has insisted that Ilkay Gundogan's contract talks will not drag on like "a never-ending story".

The midfielder, 23, has been linked with a move away from Signal Iduna Park over the past 12 months, with names such as Barcelona and Manchester United frequently popping up in reports, even though he has spent much of this season out with a back injury.

However, Watzke says his medical issues have not affected the club's desire for the Germany international to commit his future to the club.

"The fact that we would like to extend the contract of Ilkay Gundogan is clear," he told Sky Sport News HD. "But there's always more to it.

"We also have a certain degree of respect for his long medical history, which of course has charged him and is why he wants to look further into how his body can be kept fit.

"This will certainly not be a never-ending story. We will use the next few weeks together to make a decision and we are in contact with Ilkay and his family, who also advise him."

Gundogan has only played three competitive matches this season for Dortmund, having picked up his current injury last August when Germany faced Paraguay in an international friendly.

 

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'Perfect' Valdes will be tough for Ter Stegen to replace - Vitor Baia

Vitor Baia says Victor Valdes remains the "perfect" goalkeeper for Barcelona but that Marc-Andre ter Stegen can prove the ideal replacement for the outgoing shot-stopper provided he keeps a low profile upon his arrival at Camp.

Ter Stegen's move from Borussia Monchengladbach has yet to be made official but has been agreed upon, while Valdes confirmed over a year ago that he will leave Catalunya when his contract expires this summer.

Baia, who spent two seasons at Camp Nou before returning to Porto in 1998 after falling out of favour under coach Louis van Gaal, thinks Valdes' high standards will be hard to match, but advised Ter Stegen to stay calm in the face of what will no doubt be intense pressure.

"I've seen little of Ter-Stegen," the former shot-stopper said to La Xarxa. "He is a young, fast goalkeeper, who does his role well, but I have not yet sufficient data to make a proper analysis.

"But he is young and has quality, and last year had a great season with Borussia Monchengladbach.

"My advice to Ter Stegen would be to arrive quietly. He'll know how to control the pressure of the environment and to play in a natural and calm way. If you are quiet, you will reach a high level naturally."

However, Baia can still not get his head around why Valdes would decide to leave Barcelona at the peak of his powers.

"Valdes played an excellent game against Manchester City in midweek, making a super save at a very important moment," he pointed out.

"The truth is that he is having an excellent season at a very high level and from a distance I do not understand why he will not renew his contract with the club. It's hard for me to understand, but this is football.

"He's a good goalkeeper, the best in Europe. He's won major titles in the end, which is what counts for one's career, and he has also shown tremendous consistency, which is the most important feature that a goalkeeper should have.

"Valdes is a very important player for the club and even more in the culture of an attack-minded club like Barcelona.

"There's nothing better than a goalkeeper who knows the culture, knows he has to play a little more advanced, knows he has to play well with his feet, and this what Valdes makes perfect for Barca."

 

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Ozil out for minimum of three weeks, says Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Mesut Ozil will miss a minimum of three weeks due to a hamstring injury.

The Germany international was substituted at half-time during the Gunners' Champions League draw with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, with his anonymous performance widely criticised within the media.

But it soon emerged that Ozil had sustained a hamstring injury in the early stages of the match and Wenger admits he will be missing for some time.

"When the minimum is three, the maximum is six so let's say four weeks," the Gunners boss told reporters.

"It's a blow to lose Ozil but I'm confident we have the quality to deal without him. We have many good players in our squad."

On Kim Kallstrom, who has not featured since arriving at the Emirates Stadium on the final day of the January transfer window, Wenger added: "He is back in the squad and will be available for Sunday [to face Tottenham]."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.03.15 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2014.03.15 Fixtures

Hull City Vs Manchester City

Everton Vs Cardiff City

Fulham Vs Newcastle

Southampton Vs Norwich City

Stoke Vs West Ham

Sunderland Vs Crystal Palace

Swansea Vs WBA

Aston Villa Vs Chelsea

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La Liga 2014.03.15 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.03.15 Fixtures

Levante Vs Celta

Rayo Vallecano Vs Almeria

Malaga Vs Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid Vs Espanyol​