..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Standard Liege striker Batshuayi keen on Arsenal move

Standard Liege striker Michy Batshuayi has spoken of his love for Arsenal and says that he is impressed with the "philosophy" of the club.

The 20-year-old is the top scorer in Belgium's Pro League with 18 goals, with his form seeing him linked with a number of high-profile clubs in the January transfer window, including Everton.

However, Batshuayi is adamant that the Emirates Stadium is his preferred destination and is keen to make a decision on his future shortly.

"There is a good philosophy at that club [Arsenal] and there is confidence in young players in a technically strong team that cares about football. I've loved the club from childhood," he told Belgian television show 'La Tribune'.

"I am a person with vision, I want [to move] ahead as quickly as possible. I'm going to make a decision in consultation with my agents and my family but, at this moment, I have signed nothing."

Batshuayi also revealed that he has already rejected the chance to join Anderlecht, feeling that it was not the right move for his career.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the interest of Anderlecht, which made me an offer," he added. "It's a big team in Belgium but, for me, it was better this season to stay at Standard."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan are destroying their good work, says Maldini

Paolo Maldini says that AC Milan's struggles this season have gone a long way towards destroying the good work that they have done over recent years.

The Rossoneri sit 11th in Serie A following a shock 4-2 loss to home to Parma on Sunday, some 12 points off a Europa League spot with 10 game left to play, and were beaten 5-1 over two legs by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16.

And Maldini, who spent 24 years at San Siro, winning six Scudetti and five European Cups, has slammed the running of the club following a second-successive season of disappointment.

"Inside of me there's a mixture of anger and disappointment," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Not so much because of the results, but because I get the impression they're throwing away what was built with hard work over the last 10 years.

"That makes me feel awful. I know how much work there was behind all those glories, what it took to build such a beatufiul story. It makes me crazy to see everything destroyed.

"They cannot compete with Juventus or the top 10 teams in Europe. There isn't a project."

The 45-year-old has confirmed that he did hold talks with Barbara Berlusconi over a potential return to the club, taking away the sporting responsibilities of Adriano Galliani, whose methods he feels are outdated.

"I had two interviews with Barbara. After the division of responsibilities, I have been touted as the successor to Galliani's sporting duties, but I have not heard from anyone.

"I was ready for a role in sports. Milan have many employees but are missing someone from a sporting perspective.

"Galliani is a great leader, but can't understand players. He does everything himself and this is not possible. If you only sign the players of one Fifa agent, sometimes you can make the deal, sometimes you can't.

"At the bottom of it, there must be knowledge. [Former director Ariedo] Braida played a marginal role in recent years, before there was Leonardo, who helped Galliani understand whether a player was suitable to Milan or not.

"I remember when Leo wanted me at all costs to become sports director, Galliani said: 'We don't need him'."

Maldini also believes that coach Clarence Seedorf has been left with an impossible task in turning around the Rossoneri's fortunes.

"It's obvious that he's not an expert, but he has a lot of courage and personality, but not even Pep Guardiola could do anything," he added.

"This isn't Clarence's fault. [Pippo] Inzaghi spent two years with the youth team and this is important."

 

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Manchester United winger Januzaj: I play to win trophies


Chevrolet launched their 'What do you #PlayFor' campaign at Sunday's Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool, with fans' social media responses being shared at .

As part of the campaign a host of Manchester United players, including Adnan Januzaj, Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling, have revealed their motivations behind playing football and what drove them to succeed as international stars at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, former Old Trafford legends will be sent to train coaches and children in impoverished regions around the world this year.

England international Smalling states his "competitive streak" has guided his meteoric rise from non-league football to the Premier League champions in just three seasons, while starlet Januzaj says the quest for silverware is a major desire.

"I was young I wanted to play football, it was my dream," Januzaj said. "[My desire is] to win trophies."

Smalling, who has made 21 league appearances for David Moyes' side this season, believes that 'the beautiful game' can bring joy to millions of fans across the globe.

"That competitive streak's always been in me. [I play] to have fun," he said. "[The sport] brings everyone together and at the end of the day, football puts smiles on people's faces."

Mexico international Hernandez, meanwhile, does not see his football career as a typical profession - rather, he believes he is in a gifted role, and is making the most of his chance.

"I never say that football is my job - it's my dream, it's my passion. So I never say 'I get up to go to work' - no, I go to play football, he said.

"I play for love. To me, playing means everything."

Young United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone - currently on loan at Doncaster Rovers - plays for the pride of those closest to him, and says that football offers an escape.

"I hate losing, I don't want anyone to beat me," he said. "I love winning - you make your family proud. [I play for] freedom."

Danny Welbeck stated that he plays for "life"; Alexander Buttner for "togetherness", and Marouane Fellaini for "discipline."

Chevrolet and One World Futbol Project began their collaboration to launch the ongoing Power of Play initiative to children around the world in 2012 by donating and distributing 1.5 million nearly-indestructible futbols to organisations working in disadvantaged communities.

More than 800,000 Chevrolet-branded gold-coloured futbols have been delivered to nearly 40 countries to date, affecting the lives of 15 million children.

For more information on Chevrolet's 'What do you #PlayFor campaign?' visit .

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zenit confirm Villas-Boas appointment


Zenit St Petersburg have confirmed the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas as the replacement for sacked coach Luciano Spalletti.

The Italian was sacked by the Russian outfit last week after five years of service following a disappointing campaign both domestically and in Europe, which culminated in the 4-2 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

And Villas-Boas, who has been out of work since being dismissed by Tottenham in December, will be his successor, having signed a two-year deal.

"Zenit have agreed terms on a contract with new head coach Andre Villas-Boas," a club statement read.

"The contract will be signed and Villas-Boas will be presented in St Petersburg as Zenit's new head coach on March 20. Villas-Boas' contract begins in March 2014 and is valid for two seasons."

The 36-year-old was long a part of Jose Mourinho's technical team before taking the Academica job in 2009, where his work saw him appointed at Porto.

He won the Portuguese league, the Europa League and the Portuguese cup during his one season at the Dragao, before less successful stints at Chelsea and Spurs.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck AVB!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola: I'm staying until Hoeness is free

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says he would like to remain at the Allianz Arena until after former club president Uli Hoeness is released from prison.

The former West Germany international was put behind bars for three and a half years after being found guilty of tax evasion last week.

The 43-year-old Guardiola has already voiced his sadness that his "friend" will no longer be at the club and is willing to wait until his jail term ends.

"I'll continue until Hoeness comes back," the former Barcelona coach is quoted as saying by Mundo Deportivo.

"I want to do my best for the club. I want to continue working here for two or thee years. My dream is to be here when he returns.

"Without Hoeness all this would not have been possible."

Guardiola's current contract at Bayern expires in the summer of 2016.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lombaerts: Villas-Boas will be a great coach for Zenit

Nicolas Lombaerts says he is impressed to see Andre Villas-Boas appointed as the new Zenit Saint Petersburg coach.

The Russian club confirmed on Tuesday that the former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham boss will take charge after Luciano Spalletti was sacked last week on the back of a poor run of one win in 11 games.

Lombaerts, the Zenit centre-back, welcomed the arrival of Villas-Boas as coach and is optimistic about the future with him at the helm.

"Villas-Boas as new coach did not come as a surprise to us, but now it is official," he told reporters. "He is a great coach, we have both won the Uefa Cup."

The 28-year-old also discussed his side's Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund and believes they do still stand a chance of progressing, despite facing the gargantuan task of overturning the 4-2 defeat they suffered in Russia.

Lombaerts added: "It will not be easy, we will have to win 3-0, but everything is possible in football.

"Conceding four goals is not good, but we have trained hard and we are now more compact and have taken a step forward."Dortmund have a really good team. It is not a coincidence that they played in the final last year."

Current caretaker coach Sergei Semak, who will take charge of the Dortmund clash with Villas-Boas watching on in the stands, admitted his side are heavy underdogs against last season's Champions League runners-up.

"We are up against one of the best sides in the world and everything is possible in football. But our chances are slim," conceded Semak."Borussia Dortmund are a very strong side and it will be new for us to play here. We will learn a lot. It will be difficult.

"I want a team on the pitch. That is the most important thing. We did not have much time to make changes."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ramsey, Cazorla & Zelalem sign new Arsenal contracts

Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla and teenage sensation Gedion Zelalem have given Arsenal a triple boost by signing new contracts.

Ramsey has penned a new £85,000-a-week deal that lifts him into the second tier of earners at Emirates Stadium, alongside fellow British stars Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott. Ramsey's current deal runs until 2018 and is worth £60,000-a-week.

“I'm delighted to have signed a new contract. I've been here for six years and I'm so happy," Ramsey told the club's official website.

"I think we've shown so far this season what we're all about and the direction that this club wants to go in. I want to be a part of that, and to be a part of something special at Arsenal.

"We have a great team which we believe can achieve great things.”

Cazorla has committed to a contract that extends his agreement with the club by a year until 2017 and increases his wages to £80,000-a-week.

“I'm so happy to have signed a new contract with Arsenal. This club makes me very happy - the manager, my team-mates, the fantastic supporters, the stadium and the whole organisation here,” said the Spaniard.

"I have had a great time with the club since joining nearly two years ago, and I think that we can be a big player in competing for the top trophies in years to come and that's important for me.

“I have already had lots of good moments here and hopefully there will be many more to come.”

The two established stars have been joined by highly rated rookie Zelalem, who has signed his first professional contract. The midfielder, 17, has already made his first-team debut and is regarded by staff as a future Arsenal regular.

“We are very pleased that Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Gedion Zelalem have committed their futures to the club," said Wenger.

"Cazorla and Ramsey are absolutely key players for us, and this news is a boost to the whole club. Gedion is very young of course, but he has shown already that he has fantastic promise, and we all look forward to his development with us."

Ramsey's fresh terms are a reward for his outstanding performances in the 15 months since penning his last agreement.

The midfielder, 23, was Arsenal’s outstanding player in the first half of the season but has been sidelined since Boxing Day with a thigh problem, which he aggravated when he returned to full training at the end of January.

Cazorla, 29, has been a virtual ever-present in Wenger’s team since joining from Malaga in the summer of 2012. He has played principally on the flanks following the £42.5 million club-record signing of Mesut Ozil last August but he is considered by Wenger to be crucial to his side’s style of play.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Javi Garcia ready to shine at Manchester City

Javi Garcia says he is starting to feel at home at Manchester City after initially struggling to adapt following his move from Benfica.

The 27-year-old arrived at the Etihad Stadium in August 2012 but initially struggled to reproduce the form that convinced Roberto Mancini to pay a reported £16 million to acquire his services.

The Spaniard has made only eight Premier League starts this term under Manuel Pellegrini, the last coming against Hull City at the weekend, but has featured more frequently in cup competitions and is confident he can make an impact as the season draws to a close.

"At the beginning it was difficult, but now I can speak a little bit with my friends," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"When you feel good off the pitch, you feel better on it. Maybe this season after Christmas I have done my job better.

"When you play regularly, you can show your quality, and the most important thing for me is to win three points and keep working for the Premier League title.

"Maybe six months ago, 10 months ago, people maybe didn't say anything good to me and now I try to do my job.

"Now maybe the fans are happier with me, but I just try to do my job.

"I feel better now in the country, in the team and in the club."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ligue 1 title in PSG's hands, says Matuidi

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi believes will only have themselves to blame if they fail to win Ligue 1 this season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero again on Sunday, scoring both goals as PSG beat Saint-Etienne 2-0 to extend the champions' winning run to seven matches in all competitions and maintain their eight-point lead over Monaco at the summit with nine games remaining.

Matuidi believes only a PSG collapse can stop them defending their title."We are league leaders in front of Monaco. When we lead, we try not to look back. We remain focused on what we do best," he said.

"Now it is only us who can make us lose the trophy. [Sunday was] a big step forward, it is a big result for us."Nothing is done yet though. It is up to us to remain focused in order to keep up this pace.

"We have to try to finish the season well with a title. We will do everything in our power to remain at the top of the table."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes urges Old Trafford crowd to roar Manchester United past Olympiakos

Beleaguered Manchester United manager David Moyes has called on the club's supporters to roar his team past Olympiakos and into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Moyes, who held a crisis meeting with his backroom staff on Monday, knows that defeat to the Greek champions would cast further doubt over his future at Old Trafford with United's disastrous season having taken a further turn for the worse in Sunday's defeat to Liverpool.

And, although the former Everton boss appreciates that his side have a mountain to climb after suffering defeat in the first leg of their crucial last-16 tie, he believes that the fans can play a significant role in forging an unlikely comeback.

Moyes told the club's official website: "The players are capable of turning it around. We're all desperate to put things right and make sure we play better to give the supporters here something to shout about.

"They shouted [against Liverpool] and we didn't give them anything on the field. When we went to Greece, the Olympiakos fans played their part so hopefully our fans will roar us on.

"We have to go for the throat to get the win. We won't be gung-ho but we will certainly go with a mindset to overhaul the deficit as quickly as we can.

"We won't be reckless as we could find ourselves with a bigger mountain to climb but we can be forceful. We have to be if we're to keep ourselves in the Champions League."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes fighting to save job, claims Bosnich

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich believes the next week is crucial for manager David Moyes.

United's 3-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool on Sunday increased the pressure on Moyes, with United now 12 points adrift of the Premier League top four and 18 behind leaders Chelsea.

The reigning English champions face Olympiakos in the Champions League on Wednesday, having been beaten 2-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

United then travel to West Ham on Saturday before hosting fierce rivals Manchester City on Tuesday, and Bosnich has suggested the outcome of the three games will determine Moyes' future, despite the Scot claiming on Tuesday that he has the backing of the Old Trafford board.

"David Moyes is a wonderful man but things have gone from bad to worse," he told talkSPORT. "They've got big problems. You can see it out on the pitch.

"The two games [against Olympiakos and Manchester City] are huge.

"The West Ham match will take care of itself, but the results against those two will determine whether David Moyes stays at the club.

"If we see another two abject performances, especially in the derby, I don't think the board will have any choice but to appoint someone else."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Michel targets Old Trafford shock


Olympiakos boss Michel says his side will go for the kill when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie on Wednesday.

The Greek champions lead 2-0 from the first leg two weeks ago and head to the home of the Premier League champions knowing that an away goal will all but seal a place in the quarter-finals.

"We need to score to make sure we make it difficult for them as we know that United have a strong desire to turn the tie around," Michel told reporters on Tuesday.

United's disastrous season plummeted to new lows on Sunday as they were dismantled 3-0 by Liverpool in the Premier League, but while David Moyes's side look a shadow of their former self, Michel is still wary of a famous comeback.

"We aim to do what we always do and that is concentrate on our own game," he added. We know our opponents very well and we know that 2-0 is not a serious advantage."

Javier Saviola could make his 100th European appearance if he plays after missing the first leg through injury and will compete with Nelson Valdez for the lone striking berth, with striker Michael Olaitan absent after his collapse during a league fixture against Panathanaikos.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid & Chelsea elatama play karanawa:yes

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[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League 2014.03.19 Round Of 16 2nd Leg Fixtures

UEFA Champions League 2014.03.19 Round Of 16 2nd Leg Fixtures

AGG

(0-2)

Manchester United Vs Olympiacos

AGG

(4-2)

Dortmund Vs Zent

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[Wolverine GTR]

Ada Olympiacos match 1ka lesi wena 1kak nahameh season 1ke home performance gatthamath kohomatath hoda nahaanith 1ka 2 goals deflect 1kakgoals 3k wage aniwa score karanna one win karanna.

Habai ithin aniwaryenma full attacking match 1kak wei.Hadamath wage passing & defending kara kara hitiyoth nam sorryma thama

Moyes ge United future 1ka gatthamath ada decisive match 1kak wewi.

Good Luck Manchester UnitedKohomahari dinamu

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Ramsey, Cazorla & Zelalem sign new Arsenal contracts

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Time To Shake Things Up

If Manchester United's title defence were a boxing match, then the referee would have stopped the fight weeks ago. Unfortunately, though, there may be several rounds of bloody noses still to come, with Manchester City soon to visit Old Trafford. Before then, there may yet be another blow to the self-esteem of David Moyes' men. Olympiakos will play at Old Trafford on Wednesday for the second leg of a last-16 UEFA Champions League tie, brandishing a two-goal advantage. To advance, Moyes must coax one of the performances of the season from his increasingly despondent squad.

Few who witnessed the reigning champions' capitulation to Liverpool on Sunday will believe in such a possibility. Despite that, Old Trafford will likely be in an ebullient mood. Manchester United's support both home and away has proved itself several times in adversity this season, and has probably been the club's most consistent performer alongside keeper David De Gea. They are trying to make the ground resemble a fortress, whilst at times opposition teams have made it look as sturdy as a sandcastle.

The tie on Wednesday is a strange one in that it offers no easy answers for Moyes. He cannot say that his team is not at full strength, because he has just fielded a lineup containing an attacking quartet of Adnan Januzaj, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie. What's more, they were supported by the defensive axis of Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini. On paper -- ah, those fateful words -- this is a team that can acquit itself decisively against anyone.

Unfortunately, this team served up 90 minutes of thorough horror on Sunday, the only moment of mercy coming when the football gods sneezed and sent Steven Gerrard's third penalty against a post with De Gea beaten. The game, which Rooney later referred to as "a nightmare," saw Fellaini unfortunately revert to some of his very worst tendencies in a Manchester United shirt -- falling repeatedly behind the pace of the play, strangely flimsy in the challenge despite his size, and curiously unadventurous in possession. In games like these, he should be coming to the fore. Against Liverpool, though, there was almost relief when he safely completed a pass in a tight space. An outlay of 27 million pounds calls for greater influence over a midfield than this.

Elsewhere on the field, there were worrying signs of regression. Rafael, in the space of a little more than a minute -- when he collected a yellow card and then conceded a penalty -- showed the brittle temperament that may have long ago cost him a place on Brazil's World Cup squad. Late in the second half, van Persie produced a left-foot volley from 10 yards out of such hesitancy that it was a metaphor for most of his form this season. He commented last week that he was "very happy" at Old Trafford; if so, his body language is doing a very good job of masking his ecstasy.

Meanwhile, Olympiakos approach -- and with them, reports that Manchester United's board and sponsors are becoming very concerned about the team's on-field performance. The Greek champions are also making bullish noises about attacking throughout Wednesday's game. They are currently not in the best form, having lost two of their past three games, including a 3-0 reverse at home to Panathinaikos. However, that's probably because they were in the process of strolling to a league title, which they clinched with five games left to play. Their focus is now firmly upon Europe.

At least their dangers are now well-known to Moyes, with Alejandro Dominguez and Joel Campbell unlikely to be given as much room as they were in the first leg. The question then turns to what tactics the Manchester United manager should use against them.

It is highly unlikely that he will deviate from his traditional 4-4-2, a formation that may yet be his undoing, but the key to defeating Olympiakos lies in maintaining a swift tempo of passing, with the forwards and midfielders far closer together than they were against Liverpool (or, indeed, against Olympiakos in the first leg). A configuration that might work is a 4-3-3, with a midfield composed of Carrick, Tom Cleverley and either of Shinji Kagawa or Ryan Giggs; none of them are particularly physical, but they can keep the ball circulating quickly through midfield.

Fellaini's speed of distribution is probably too slow, and he should make way. Januzaj could be dropped to the bench, given that he has not been at his most fresh in recent games, and could be brought on for the last half-hour or so. The front three could consist of Antonio Valencia and Rooney, playing to the right and left of van Persie, with the two full-backs overlapping.

As De Gea recently stated, Manchester United must attack from the opening minute at Old Trafford, and this approach may allow them to do so to the best of their ability. Either way, as the clamour for Moyes' removal grows, caution is not a luxury that he can afford.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thanikarama attacking thamai ada thiyenna one

Attack....Attack........Attack​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United Vs Olympiacos

Mnachester United Line-Up

David De Gea
Rafael
Patrice Evra
Phil Jones
Rio Ferdinand
Wayne Rooney
Ryan Giggs
Michael Carrick
Danny Welbeck
Antonio Valencia
Robin Van Persie

& Olympiacos Line-Up

Roberto Gago
Jose Holebas
Kostas Manolas
Iván Marcano
Leandro Salino
Giannis Maniatis
Delvin Ndinga
Hernán Pérez
David Fuster
Alejandro Dominguez
Joel Campbell
​