..::Football III::..

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Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal: Rosicky rocket secures derby win for Gunners

Tomas Rosicky scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Tottenham 1-0 in the north London derby at White Hart Lane.

The Czech smashed home a superb strike, after good work from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in just the second minute to seal victory and pour more misery on Tim Sherwood's men.

It represented a worst-case scenario for a Spurs team who came into the game on the back of moral-sapping defeats to Chelsea and Benfica, along with a pre-match fan protest against chairman Daniel Levy.

The superb Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski passed up chances to increase Tottenham's misery and, although the hosts enjoyed the better of a frantic second period, they could find no way through.

Mesut Ozil's midweek hamstring injury cleared the way for Rosicky to start and he emphatically capitalised with just over a minute played.

Oxlade-Chamberlain - operating in central midfield as he did so impressively against Bayern - broke up play to feed Rosicky to his right. In trying to collect a return pass, he miscontrolled but the ball fell perfectly into the Czech playmaker's path and a blistering half-volley whistled into the top corner.

In the 15th minute, Oxlade-Chamberlain then skipped around Nabil Bentaleb and was granted a clear path to goal by Tottenham's perilously high line - but dragged an attempted chip wastefully wide.

Andros Townsend, making only his second league start for Tottenham since November, drove to the byline to clip across the face of goal before Oxlade-Chamberlain was once again off target in the 27th minute after Podolski found the hosts' makeshift back four to his liking.

Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored twice the last time that Arsenal won at White Hart Lane in the league in September 2007, got in front of Per Mertesacker to prod Kyle Naughton's cross past the post for his current employers.

But Arsenal retained the greater attacking threat, a fact underlined when Podolski outmuscled Younes Kaboul to lash into the side netting.

A smouldering Sherwood, who threw his jacket to the floor in a rage when Oxlade-Chamberlain earlier broke free, sent Tottenham out with renewed vigour for the second period and some haphazard goalkeeping from Wojciech Szczesny almost brought them level.

Back in the Arsenal line-up following his European ban, Szczesny dropped two crosses in quick succession - the latter dropping to Nacer Chadli, whose shot was blocked on the line by Laurent Koscielny.

The Belgium international came close again in the 53rd minute, missing out on the decisive touch when Adebayor allowed Townsend to again flash a dangerous ball across the Arsenal goalmouth.

Tottenham were now in the ascendancy and looking to bombard the Arsenal box from wide areas. Koscielny had to be on his mettle once more, harrying Adebayor into heading wide.

And Koscielny's centre-back colleague Mertesacker was fantastically denied by Hugo Lloris at the other end in the 78th minute, before their defensive alliance ensured Arsene Wenger's side closed to within four points of leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.

Seven points behind Manchester City having played three games more, Tottenham's once realistic top-four ambitions now appear slim.

 

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Barcelona 7-0 Osasuna: Record-breaking Messi bags hat-trick as Catalans run riot

Lionel Messi stole the show by breaking Barcelona's all-time goalscorer record, including friendlies, by bagging a hat-trick in the club's 7-0 thrashing of Osasuna on Sunday.

The Argentina international was already the club's leading goalscorer in official matches, but reached another milestone on Sunday as he surpassed Paulino Alcantara's mark of 369, which included goals in friendlies.

Barcelona's comfortable win represented the perfect tonic for head coach Gerardo Martino, who witnessed his side produce a masterclass in front of their home support.The trainer has faced criticism after overseeing three defeats in the space of six league games, including a shock 1-0 reverse at relegation-threatened Valladolid last weekend.

Barca answered their critics in some style, however, with Alexis Sanchez, Andres Iniesta, Cristian Tello and Pedro also getting their names on the scoresheet, ensuring the Catalans will head into next weekend's Clasico with rivals Real Madrid in confident mood.

After Messi had opened the scoring to move level with Alcantara's record, Alexis doubled the advantage from close range and Iniesta let fly with an unstoppable 25-yarder to make it 3-0 by half-time.

Alcantara's record was then surpassed by Messi's fierce strike from a tight angle shortly after the hour mark and substitute Tello added a fine individual goal before Messi struck again and laid on the seventh for Pedro.

The result leaves Barcelona third, four points adrift of Liga leaders Real ahead of their crucial meeting, while Osasuna stay 15th, just three points clear of the drop zone.Osasuna started in a positive manner and the hosts were handed a huge reprieve in the 10th minute.

Emiliano Armenteros' initial effort was parried by Victor Valdes and Oriol Riera tapped home the rebound, only for his celebrations to be curtailed by the linesman's offside flag.Osasuna remained keen to take the game to Barca, but were punished by a fine move from the hosts after 18 minutes.Xavi's pass into the area released Alexis, who cut the ball back from the byline for Messi to side-foot home.

That goal settled the home side and within four minutes the early cobwebs had been completely brushed off as Alexis gained reward for his lively opening with a goal.Jordi Alba played a neat one-two with Iniesta before the full-back delivered a teasing ball across goal, with Alexis on hand to apply the finishing touch.

The game was essentially put beyond doubt on 34 minutes when Iniesta unleashed a left-footed effort past Andres Fernandez and into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.Barcelona picked up where they left off in the second half and grabbed a fourth after 63 minutes.

Iniesta cleverly worked his way into the area before laying the ball to Messi, who fired across the goalkeeper from the left edge of the six-yard box.Tello replaced Alexis in the 76th minute and wasted little time in making it 5-0, rounding off a fine run with a curling strike into the far corner.

Messi completed his hat-trick with two minutes of normal time remaining after Dani Alves had controlled a long ball superbly before passing across the area.
Yet there was still time for another goal as Messi found Pedro, who drilled home to complete the thrashing.

 

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AC Milan 2-4 Parma: Cassano double helps down 10-man Rossoneri

AC Milan failed in their attempted comeback at home to Parma, losing 4-2 with 10 men for most of the match as they suffered their fourth defeat in a row.

Ex-Milan forward Antonio Cassano scored in both halves for Parma after the hosts had goalkeeper Christian Abbiati was sent off for fouling Ezequiel Schelotto in the penalty area in the fifth minute.

But 2-0 down with less than 40 minutes to play, Milan fought back, as Adil Rami headed in a corner before Mario Balotelli converted from the penalty spot to draw his side level.

Parity lasted less than two minutes though, with substitute Amauri flicking in as Parma's bid for a European place gathered pace with their 16th league game without defeat and fifth Serie A road win in a row, sealed by Jonathan Biabiany's late header.Parma's win was masterminded by coach Roberto Donadoni, who won six league titles and three European Cups in two spells as a player at Milan.

Milan were bundled out of the Champions League's last 16 on Tuesday, slumping to a 4-1 second-leg loss at Atletico Madrid that saw them beaten 5-1 on aggregate.

And in response to four losses in their last five matches, Milan supporters protested outside San Siro before the match, directing most of their anger at chief executive Adriano Galliani and Balotelli.

The visitors made the most of the unrest surrounding the hosts with a fast start, as Cassano's ball released Schelotto, and Abbiati charged off his line to foul the Inter loanee.Michael Essien was sacrificed by Seedorf, with back-up keeper Marco Amelia coming off the bench, but he had no answers for Cassano's powerful spot kick.

With faint hopes of making Italy's World Cup squad perhaps spurring him on, Cassano was a constant threat for the visitors, again shooting wide, before Balotelli flicked into the foot of the right post after Kaka's header as the Rossoneri sought a response.

Parma continued to control proceedings though, as Afriyie Acquah and Cassano had further attempts on goal, and Amelia had to make a great reaction save after Philippe Mexes nearly turned a cross in.

Already booked, Mexes was lucky to stay on the pitch after a late lunge on Felipe just before the interval, but when play resumed Cassano scored again.Acquah got to the byline and picked Cassano out, who took a touch to avoid the attention of Nigel de Jong before lashing past Amelia and into the bottom-left corner for his 11th league goal of the campaign.

Milan breathed life into an unlikely comeback just five minutes later as an excellent Kaka corner was headed in by Rami at the far post, and Balotelli followed up with a spot kick after Joel Obi fouled Riccardo Montolivo.

The visitors would have the last laugh though, as Schelotto's cross from the right was turned in by Amauri and Biabiany nodded in from close range in the last minute of stoppage time.

Parma's first win over Milan at San Siro this century keeps them within a point of fourth-placed Inter - whom they hold a game in hand over.

 

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Antonio Conte: We won like a great team

Juventus coach Antonio Conte believes it took a "great team" to grind out a win like his team did against Genoa on Sunday.

The reigning Serie A champions edged out a 1-0 win over Gian Piero Gasperini's side thanks to Andrea Pirlo's free-kick in the dying minutes.

Genoa created chances throughout the game and missed a penalty in the second-half which would have given them the lead, but for Gianluigi Buffon's save.

And Conte believes his side's ability to emerge from the match victorious was a sign of their strength.

“The players begin to get tired and only a great team could have won like we did here today in spite of some debatable moments," Conte told the club's official website.

“Their defenders were very aggressive, they kept hold of possession and looked to play. They maybe could have been more precise with the final ball, but they were very good in both attack and defence."

The coach insisted the league was "50 per cent won" after last weekend's win over Fiorentina but he refused to discuss how far ahead his side are now as they stretched their lead at the top to 17 points.

“I prefer not to state percentages of something that could then turn out not to happen. But of course coming to Genoa and winning against a team who played the game of their lives is very important.

“Moving forward at this extraordinary pace can be discouraging for the chasing pack because we’ve now got an incredible 75 points. Our objective is delivering a third consecutive Scudetto for the club president and now we’ll go to Florence looking to reach the next round of the Europa League.”

The Italian coach suggested he could rotate his squad again heading into the second-leg of their Europa League last-16 clash against Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi.

“The problem [Andrea] Barzagli had today should serve as an example. He had a calf injury and we gave him a breather on Thursday to be able to play him today, but instead he’s still had to miss out.

"This should be a clear sign of how important squad rotation is.”

 

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Guardiola accepts Beckenbauer criticism: He's the Bayern legend

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has insisted that he will not take Franz Beckenbauer's recent criticism of his side to heart.

The West Germany legend claimed in the wake of the Bavarians' 1-1 draw with Arsenal that the team's new tactics would see them end up "unwatchable like Barcelona".

However, the former Blaugrana boss insists he is merely trying to do a good job at the Allianz Arena and is not thinking about the 68-year-old's words.

"Franz isn't a legend. He is this club's legend," he is quoted as saying by Marca.

"I have enormous respect for his opinion. I give the very best I can, I did at Barcelona and I do here. I always accept these opinions."

Bayern now sit 23 points clear in the Bundesliga thanks to a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, which followed Borussia Dortmund's shock loss at the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach.

 

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Buffon: Pirlo lets you dream

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes “there is always hope” that Andrea Pirlo will make the difference for his team when he is on the ball.

The midfielder scored a stunning free kick in the dying minutes to secure a 1-0 win over Genoa and restore the reigning champions’ lead at the top of Serie A to 17 points.

And the Italian shot stopper says his Azzurri team-mate can influence any game no matter where he is on the field.

“Did I have hope when I saw Pirlo on the free kick? Of course," he told reporters after the game.

"There’s always hope when Pirlo’s on the ball, even if he’s in my penalty area. He’s one of those players who allows you to dream at any given moment when he has the ball at his feet."

The Juve talisman has now made 476 appearances for the club in all competitions, drawing level with legendary stopper Dino Zoff, a record he hasn't quite embraced as of yet.

“It feels strange to be placed alongside Zoff. He is a legend of the sport all over the world and especially for players in my position.

“This makes me realise how far I’ve come, but it also leaves me uneasy, because I don’t feel worthy of being compared with Zoff."

Sunday's victory puts the Bianconeri 17 points ahead of second-placed Roma, who play Udinese on Monday and Buffon believes they have an incredible advantage as they move ever closer to a third successive league title.

“It makes us very proud to have won this game and we hope the fans and club can be proud too, as we proved this team knows how to suffer under pressure and roll their sleeves up.

“Is it another brick in the wall of the Scudetto? More than a brick I’d call it a landslide!”

The Italy international saved an Emanuele Calaio penalty and he admitted he was happy to see the Napoli loanee step up instead of Alberto Gilardino, who had been substituted earlier in the game.

“I thought Gilardino was going to take it and you never know how he takes penalties, so I would’ve been in trouble! Fortunately he went off and I had to face a different player.

“I think it’s a wonderful day for me and for the team. Whoever wrote this script did a great job."

 

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Gerardo Martino: I've decided my team for Clasico

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says he has almost decided on the starting XI to face Real Madrid in next week's Clasico in the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Blaugrana demolished Osasuna 7-0 in Camp Nou to remain four points behind Carlo Ancelotti's men, who beat Malaga 1-0 earlier in the week.

But Martino insists the excellent fashion in which his side disposed of Javi Gracia's men will have no effect on the team he puts out to face their fierce rivals next Sunday.

"I don't have any doubts about how to play at the Bernabeu," he told Marca. "Today's performance doesn't change the way we need to play. I'm almost decided on the starting XI to face Madrid."

Sunday's win came just days after the Catalan giants progressed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Manchester City and Martino believes his side are moving in the right direction after a relatively poor run of form.

"We played two good games, we played well, we were serious. Our first game was tougher at times because we played against City.

"But we can’t get carried away by today’s game. Sometimes we lose points against teams that don’t have as much money as us, but what we did do today is what we should always do: win and play well.

“Moments like these need to be reaffirmed by consistency in form. We will fight to the end.”
The Argentine coach was asked for his opinion on Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick on Sunday to overtake Paulino Alcantara as his club's all-time top goalscorer with 371 goals.

"There are no words to describe Leo," Martino remarked. "He continues to break records every time one is put in front of him".

The 51-year-old left Neymar on the bench for the entire match against Osasuna and the coach insists his decision to leave the young Brazilian out of the game was justified.

"I've already dealt with the issue of Neymar's lack of continuity, it seemed more sensible to give minutes to Alexis and Pedro".

 

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Messi: I have finally fully recovered

Lionel Messi feels that he has finally shaken off his injury problems after netting a hat-trick in Barcelona's 7-0 win over Osasuna on Sunday evening.

The 26-year-old spent the last two months of 2013 on the sidelines due to physical problems and initially struggled to hit his best form after his return.

Nevertheless, Messi has now scored 10 goals in his last seven La Liga outings and he's pleased to be back to his best.

"I think that I have finally fully recovered now," the Argentina international told reporters.

"I am back in the right rhythm and feeling confident once more. I am feeling very well. I am getting back to my best after my injury."

The prolific attacker then looked ahead to next weekend's Clasico and is desperate to bag the full three points and get back in the Liga title race.

"We want to beat Real Madrid and re-open the title race. We aim to challenge for the title right until the end.

"It will be a very difficult game, but we hope for a good result."

Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer following his hat-trick against Osasuna, overtaking Paulino Alcantara with 371 goals, and he's keen to keep on scoring for the Catalans.

"It's an impressive feeling to become the club's all-time top scorer. There was a lot of chatter about it and now I hold the record. I still have plenty of other objectives, though.

"I want to stay at Barcelona until the end of my career. I am happy here and want to continue so long as the club want me to."

 

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Karim Benzema: Ronaldo is the best ever

Karim Benzema says he believes his Real Madrid team mate Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer of all time.

The Portuguese forward won the Ballon d'Or last year but debate rages on throughout the world as to whether he or Barcelona rival Lionel Messi is the best player in the world at present.

But the France international insists the former Manchester United man, who has scored 25 goals in 24 league games for los Blancos this term, is the best footballer ever and says he counts him as a good friend.

“He made me dream and he still makes me dream," the striker told Telefoot. "For me, he is the best player of all time.

"I play with the best player in the world. We get along well on and off the pitch and I learn a lot from him."

The former Lyon star has come under criticism over the last few seasons, but has netted 21 goals in 38 games in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti's men this term. The striker insists he is happy in the Spanish capital and feels can only move forward as a player.

“I have had difficult times for club and country but I always believed in myself and enjoyed the support of my family," he said in an interview with Telefoot.

“So far, it has been a good season. It was hard, all those critics, it was like a game for them. They judged me on my goals. I never gave up, but it was a long period of time.

"I work, I get experience and I have extraordinary players all around me, so I can only improve."

The Spanish giants already have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals as they head into Tuesday's meeting with Schalke already 6-1 up on aggregate and the 26-year-old feels there are many formidable opponents they could meet in the last-eight of the competition.

“There is not only Real and Bayern. There is also Chelsea and PSG… We only have to think about our team and rest for now.”

The forward is also looking forward to playing in his first World Cup this summer and believes France can make a good impression on the world stage in Brazil.

“I never had the chance to play a World Cup. It is always in the corner of my mind. We are outsiders, we will try to get there well rested and move along calmly.”

 

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Wenger hails resilient Arsenal after 'huge' derby win

Arsene Wenger felt Arsenal's "special resilience" paved the way for Sunday's 1-0 derby victory at Tottenham.

The Gunners manager was quick to pay tribute to his two centre-halves following the win at White Hart Lane as Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny repelled everything Spurs threw at them after Tomas Rosicky gave them something to cling to with his early top-corner strike.

Tottenham largely dominated the game after Rosicky's decisive strike, with Emmanuel Adebayor in particular looking sharp against his old club, but the home side were left to rue wasteful finishing.

Wenger is aware of the significance of the result, with fellow Premier League title rivals Liverpool winning 3-0 at Manchester United earlier in the day, as Arsenal moved to within four points of leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.

"It is a huge result," Wenger said.

"We were under pressure to win before the game because of course it was a very important game.

"Our early goal influenced maybe too much the rest of the game, we missed a second goal and after that we wanted to protect the lead and sometimes we were under pressure.

"Tottenham played well we must say. For me, they were absolutely up for it and we needed some special resilience to get away with it and as long as we didn't score the second goal of course it was a very tight game, so for us it is a massive three points."

Arsenal's centre-back partnership came in for special praise, giving Wenger's team the backbone they have perhaps lacked in recent years.

The Frenchman added: "They were exceptional, yes.

"And when Vermaelen came on we finished with the three and Tottenham couldn't create any chances anymore."

 

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Cassano: I'd love to go to Brazil

Parma's Antonio Cassano is hopeful of making Cesare Prandelli's Italy squad for this summer's World Cup.

The 31-year-old striker scored twice in Sunday's 4-2 win over his former side AC Milan, a result that extended the club's record unbeaten run to 16 Serie A matches.
Parma have won their last five league road trips - extending another record - and Cassano has now scored 11 Serie A goals this season for the club, who are right among the battle for European football.

Cassano last appeared for Italy at Euro 2012 but is considered to have an outside chance of featuring in Prandelli's 23-man squad for this year's Brazil showpiece, having missed the 2010 edition after falling out of favour under Marcello Lippi.
"I swear I'd love to go, as I've never been to a World Cup," Cassano told Sky Sport Italia.

"I'm doing everything I can to make the coach's decision difficult."I don't know what my chances are, but I really hope [to go] and am keeping my fingers crossed."

Cassano made his Italy debut in November 2003 and has since gone on to score 10 goals in 35 games for his country.

 

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Rodgers pleased with Liverpool dominance against Manchester United

Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the superiority his Liverpool side showed in Sunday's 3-0 win over 10-man Manchester United.

Captain Steven Gerrard score twice from the penalty spot at Old Trafford before Luis Suarez added a third late on in the victory at Old Trafford.

And Rodgers felt Liverpool could have scored more goals but was keen to reiterate that nobody at the club is getting carried away with their title challenge.

"It's obviously a big win over a huge rival - two of the biggest British clubs that are renowned worldwide. To dominate the game like that was very pleasing," he told reporters.

"I thought we could have had more goals, I thought we were really aggressive in our game going forward and with a better final touch or final ball we might have got in a bit better and finished them off even more so.

"We attack with great intent and we defend as well. We will just focus on our next game. I can only look at our next game. I've done that since I walked in the door."

As he approaches the end of his second season at Liverpool, Rodgers added that he expects his charges to improve as the campaign draws to a close.

This, he explained, is largely due to a change in mentality at Anfield as Liverpool eye their first league title since 1990.

"We were the same last season - we get better with the methods and that gives us confidence and belief. I try not to expect so much and let the players do the talking," he added.

"We're up there on merit so of course we have an opportunity.

"We expect to win. We have a mentality in the team that's been developing over the course of the 18 months I've been here that we expect to win, home and away.

"The belief is in the players now and you see that in their game. I haven't banned [talk of winning the title], we've just got better things to talk about.

"I don't lose sleep over it, [we] just talk about players improving their performance level and improving their life."

 

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Cabaye: I wanted Arsenal move

Kiko Casilla has stressed that he has not held transfer talks with Real Madrid and is thinking only of helping current club Espanyol.

Los Periquitos succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of title-chasing Atletico Madrid on Saturday, leaving the Barcelona-based outfit in ninth place, seven points behind Real Sociedad in the final Europa League spot.

However, despite rumours that Madrid are interested in securing his services, Casilla, who left the Santiago Bernabeu in 2007, insists that his only interest is in helping his current club finish as high up the Liga standings as possible.

"Nothing has happened," the 27-year-old told Goal. "I cannot give you an answer. We'll talk when something happens.Espanyol have enjoyed a solid season so far after finishing 14th in their previous Primera Division campaign, and had won three of their last five before meeting Atleti on Saturday.

"I think in the first half have been better defensively than offensively, but the team was fine," he said of the game at the Vicente Calderon.

"It was quiet, we didn't have much trouble. After conceding the early goal in the second half, we went for the draw. We gave everything, but it wasn't to be.
"Our goal right now is not Europe, it is staying in La Liga. Europe is far away."

 

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Rooney: Liverpool nightmare one of worst days I've had in football

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says that the 3-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on Sunday is one of the worst days he's experienced in football.

David Moyes' side were taken apart by Liverpool as two Steven Gerrard penalties put the visitors two in front before Luis Suarez sealed the win by slotting home past David de Gea late on.

And Rooney, who endured a frustrating afternoon where he saw little of the ball, confessed that the loss at Old Trafford was one of the worst he's suffered during his entire career.

He told MUTV when asked about the mood in the camp after the defeat to their rivals: "It's a nightmare. It's one of the worst days I've ever had in football."

 

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Cabaye: I wanted Arsenal move

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Yohan Cabaye has expressed his regret at not joining Arsenal last summer.

The France international left Newcastle United for Laurent Blanc's side in January but had been linked with a move to Arsene Wenger's men for some time.

And the 28-year-old has revealed that he would have liked to join the Gunners last summer.

"I would have liked to play for Wenger last summer but, unfortunately, it didn't happen," he told Telefoot.

Cabaye also admitted that he almost moved to les Parisiens before he went to the Premier League in 2011.

"I was approached by PSG but it didn't happen, then I went to England," he added.

Now, though, the Frenchman insists he is happy at Parc des Princes, with it being his "destiny" to help the side go as far as they can both domestically and in Europe.

"PSG are prepared to win everything," he added. "The players share a mentality making them wanting to go as far as possible.

"If we have the possibility to snatch the Champions League, we will do it. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is doing extraordinary things and Thiago Silva is a monster at the back. It's a new challenge. I want to stay here and to win. It is my destiny."

PSG are eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and also reached the Champions League quarter-finals after knocking Bayer Leverkusen out over two legs.

 

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Gerrard lays down gauntlet to title rivals: We believe we can do it

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has warned the club's Premier League title rivals that they will be going all out to try and win the championship following a comprehensive victory over Manchester United.

Gerrard was in inspired form as he scored twice from the penalty spot to lead Brendan Rodgers' side to an impressive 3-0 win at Old Trafford, with the England skipper even able to miss with a third spot-kick as he smashed the ball against the post in the second half.

And asked if he felt the triumph over United signalled Liverpool's intent in the title race, the 33-year-old was adamant his side must keep winning until the end of the season - but that they are capable of finishing at the top of the pile for the first time since 1990.

He told Sky Sports: "We came here to win the game, it's difficult and we need to take each game as it comes. We'll enjoy tonight but we have to move on quickly. We have shown today we are genuine contenders and we'll fight for this.

"We believe it [that Liverpool can win the title]. But I've said it many times - in football the easiest thing is to talk the talk. We've got to go and treat Cardiff like Manchester United now.

"And then we've got to treat Sunderland like Manchester United and if we do, we'll win a lot of games from now to the end of the season. So the rest of the people that are fighting for it, with us, have got to believe we're going for it."

Gerrard also hailed the performances of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, who scored his side's third goal at Old Trafford, adding:

"I've come here many times and been played off the park, they're a fantastic team. To come here and dominate from start to finish. We go away slightly disappointed we didn't get more goals.

"You have to credit the manager, we played a diamond today and totally bossed the middle of the park and when we do thatm we have two of the best strikers in the world to do the damage.

"If you ask the United defenders, I'll bet they'll say they haven't had a harder 90 minutes than today."

 

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Lopez thankful for Casillas praise

Diego Lopez has thanked Iker Casillas after Real Madrid's captain put their table-topping form down to his excellent displays in goal.

Much has been made of the rivalry between the two Blancos goalkeepers, with Lopez being Carlo Ancelotti's No.1 in La Liga fixtures while the club captain features in the Copa del Rey and Champions League ties.

Casillas suggested recently that Lopez's efforts between the sticks are part of the reason Madrid currently top La Liga and the ex-Sevilla keeper was delighted to hear the high praise from his team-mate.

"Iker is the team's captain and figurehead," Lopez told reporters. "I'm grateful for his comments. He's always had and will always have my utmost respect.

"We both have our own skill sets and we compete for a place in the best team in the world."It's a privilege playing for Madrid. I defend the club's colours. I fight to play every game and we're all working hard to play as a unit."

Madrid face arch-rivals Barcelona in the Clasico next weekend and Lopez knows how vital the game will be in the race for the Liga title, with the Catalans in desperate need of points to close the gap.

"It's going to be a crucial game, we know how important it is and we're looking forward to Sunday," he added. "They'll also see it as a great opportunity, but we have to defend our lead and take it one game at a time."

 

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Shaqiri flattered by Liverpool links: I'll listen to offers

Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri has admitted he is flattered by reported interest from Liverpool and insists that "you have to listen to the offer" when "top clubs" come calling.

The Switzerland international has been used sparingly by boss Pep Guardiola during the 2013-14 campaign, with the 22-year-old facing a tough battle with the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller to break into the starting XI.

The former Basel star, who joined Bayern at the start of 2012, has been linked with an Allianz Arena exit with Liverpool, Juventus and Napoli all having been reported as potential destinations in recent times.

And, when quizzed about the speculation on his future, he told Goal: "When you hear these names, of course you have to listen to the offer, but there is nothing concrete.

"I cannot say anything to this. I am feeling good in Munich but as a player you have to listen, if one of these top clubs is interested.

"I hear the interest from Borussia Monchengladbach for the first time. You have to ask Gladbach. I cannot say anything."

Asked his thoughts on his favoured league in European football, Shaqiri insisted he remains happy in Germany but that the Premier League and Serie A would be of appeal.

He added: "Bundesliga is the best league for me, but I also like the Premier League and Serie A. In Serie A many teams have developed well with nice players."

 

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Seedorf: Milan will rise again under me

Clarence Seedorf has conceded that it's a lost season for AC Milan following their 4-2 defeat against Parma on Sunday and is committed to turning the club back into a force to be reckoned with in 2014-15.

The Dutchman has been unable to turn things around since replacing Massimiliano Allegri as head coach back in January, with Milan sitting 11th in the Serie A table after this weekend's results on the back of three consecutive league losses.

The Rossoneri faithful orchestrated a protest on Sunday to voice their dismay with the club's poor performances, but Seedorf has vowed to bring the San Siro side back to the top again.

"We will start a new project next season and our objective is to bring Milan back to the top again," Seedorf told reporters.

"We have to build a new team and make Milan competitive again. We will have to try and do just that in an intelligent way.

"It is vital that we buy the right players. We have to sign players who understand the club's philosophy and who want to be part of our project."

Milan have collected just 35 points from 28 games and are trailing leaders Juventus by 37 points.