..::Football III::..

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Barcelona seal Halilovic deal

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of rising star Alen Halilovic from Dinamo Zagreb.

The attacking midfielder has long been on the radar of a number of major European clubs, with Manchester City among those credited with an interest in the past, before Barca stepped up their interest in the player earlier this season after sending a delegation to Croatia to thrash out a deal.

The reigning Liga champions have now finally won the race for the 17-year-old's signature, agreeing a five-year contract with the Dinamo academy product for an initial fee of €2.2 million, which could yet rise based on incentives.

"It's difficult to find the words to describe how I feel," Halilovic told Barca's official website. "Many thanks to Dinamo, who will always remain with me as my first love and as the club where I first began to realise my dreams.

"I want to thank all the coaches at the Dinamo academy, and all the supporters.

"Of course, Barcelona is something special. It's the club I've loved since I was a boy and I feel honoured to have the opportunity to play for them.

"First of all, I want to win the double with Dinamo, and then concern myself with my new club."

Dubbed the 'Balkan Messi' by some supporters, Halilovic has established a reputation as one of the continent's brightest prospects since making his debut as a 16-year-old in 2012.

He became the Croatian top flight's youngest-ever goalscorer later that autumn, before making his first appearance in the Champions League against Porto.

Halilovic, who also became Croatia's youngest-ever debutant in 2013, was previously subject to reported interest from Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham, as well as City and Barcelona.

 

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Nations League better than friendlies - Platini

Uefa president Michel Platini believes the creation of the Nations League represents a step forward for international football.

Ratified on Thursday, the competition will serve to replace the majority of international friendlies and offer places in Uefa European competitions.

Divided into groups that will feature promotion and relegation, nations will also compete for the overall title after the governing body's 54 member nations voted in favour of the overhaul this week.And Platini feels the removal of many friendlies from the footballing calendar will serve to boost the international game.

"The principle is accepted and we need to congratulate ourselves on that," he said.
"We have heard the call of those that want to do this so we have created a competition."It's going to replace the friendlies, they don't interest anybody. It's more of a competition and I think it's a good decision because nobody wants these friendlies."

While some details still need to be ironed out, one worry was raised in the press briefing on Thursday - the fear clubs may see players return more fatigued due to the competitive nature of the league.However, Platini looked to assuage such concerns, assuring that such problems would be contemplated prior to its planned start date in 2018.

"We've just accepted a resolution for a competition that takes place in 2018. We're going to bear in mind all these considerations but let's come back to this years down the line and maybe I'll have that answer," he added.
"You're getting ahead of yourselves.

"We're not going to go into details right now. I can't foresee that today."

 

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Keane urges Ferdinand & Giggs to 'step up'

Roy Keane has urged Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand to “step up” at Manchester United, as David Moyes' side continue to struggle in the Premier League.

United have endured a dismal season and currently sit in seventh, a staggering 18 points behind league-leaders Chelsea.

They have little hope of qualifying for the Champions League – and face a battle to reach the Europa League – with Moyes coming under increasing pressure.

United are already eyeing up possible replacements for Moyes, but Keane has told the club's senior players to start leading by example – and has backed Moyes to rebuild an ageing squad.

“I don’t know where you start,” Keane said, whilst speaking at University College Cork. “They need a number of players. Defensively, there are players leaving and I don’t think it helps Nemanja Vidic is going, people are talking about Patrice Evra and obviously Rio and Giggsy are coming to an end.

“They are lacking a few leaders at the moment and I don’t think they have that type of player in the group. But I think United will be all right and David Moyes will get plenty of time. The man deserves it. He’s got vast experience, but his staff – Steve Round and Phil Neville – and a couple of senior players, Rio and Giggsy, they have to step up to the plate.

“One or two of the new players are getting criticism, but it’s up to the players who have been there a few years who know what United are about.”

Keane drew parallels with his playing days and believes United need some “defining moments” if they are to turn their form around. He added: “We had tough days.

“We ground out results, we survived a few times, we got lucky breaks. When we won the league [in 1996], at Newcastle we could have been five nil down at half-time, yet we ended up winning with Eric Cantona nicking a goal.

“You need defining moments, but this team will not find it because they don’t have it in the group.”

 

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Fellaini: 'Zabaleta bounced against my elbow'

Marouane Fellaini has defended himself over his Manchester derby clash with Pablo Zabaleta, claiming the incident was accidental.

The Manchester United midfielder raised his forearm and made contact with Zabaleta's face in the first half of his team's 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Referee Michael Oliver deemed the incident worthy of only a yellow card, when many suggested Fellaini was perhaps lucky not to receive a red.

However, the Belgium international has insisted he meant his opponent no harm, and even claimed Zabaleta simply "bounced against" his arm.

"I certainly didn't do it on purpose," Fellaini told the Daily Mail. "I put my arm up to try and protect possession of the ball, and Zabaleta bounced against it.

"He was unlucky to make contact. The movement by me was not in an aggressive manner.

"It was a defensive move to protect the ball."

United's defeat to City means they currently lie in seventh, 12 points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

 

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Fellaini nam anemandahari naha play karana widiya

 

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Napoli's goal is to catch Roma - Benitez

Napoli boss Rafael Benitez says his side's objective remains catching second-placed Roma following their win over Catania on Wednesday.

The Partenopei stormed into a 4-0 first-half lead against Serie A's bottom club before ultimately sealing a 4-2 victory, moving them to within six points of Roma after playing a game more.

Napoli host Juventus on Sunday in a tantalising clash but Benitez maintains he is not preoccupied with cutting the 20-point gap to the league leaders.

"Our objective continues to be targeting Roma in second," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"We have to do our work, continue winning and see where we end up. After the Juve game this weekend we'll have only one match per week and it'll be easier for us."

Serie A top-scorer Carlos Tevez is set to be suspended for the encounter, but Benitez does not believe a squad the size of Antonio Conte's will be affected.

"All their other forwards are of the highest level. I don't think a team with €300 million turnover will depend on one player, even a champion like Tevez," he said.

Benitez admits his side lost control of proceedings against Catania in the second half but was thrilled with their attacking efforts, and had particular praise for Henrique following his superb goal and all-round performance.

“We did very well in attack, but winning 4-0 at half-time it became difficult to maintain concentration," he added. "Catania showed great pride to get back into the game and we didn't control it very well.

"We made many changes, as there are several players out injured. I chose Duvan Zapata because he's strong in the air and I also wanted to give Gonzalo Higuain a rest. We have to keep working, because we have to do better.

"[Henrique] can play more or less anywhere and is tactically astute. He has the experience to control his performance in different roles."

 

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Berbatov wants to stay with Monaco, says Ranieri

Monaco's on-loan striker Dimitar Berbatov wants to stay at the club permanently, according to coach Claudio Ranieri.

The Bulgarian striker moved to the Stade Louis II for the remainder of the campaign from Premier League strugglers Fulham in January.And having scored four times in eight appearances since his temporary switch, Ranieri feels 33-year-old Berbatov is enjoying life in Ligue 1.

"Slowly, he gets better. This is a good player and he is very important to us," the Italian told L'Equipe."I think he wants to stay. We will talk together later."

Berbatov was on target in Wednesday's 6-0 rout of Lens as Monaco moved into the last four of the Coupe de France.Ranieri's side will face Guingamp in the semi-finals on April 15.

 

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Marcelo apologises to Real Madrid fans following Sevilla defeat

Real Madrid full-back Marcelo has apologised to the club's fans following Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Sevilla.

Two goals from Carlos Bacca cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's opener and condemned Madrid to back-to-back losses which have seen them slip three points behind Atletico Madrid in the Liga title race.

Marcelo admits the team have been mentally affected after the results against Sevilla and Barcelona, but is determined to approach the remaining matches like cup finals in order to keep their hopes of the title alive.

"We created chances but we were unable to make the most of them, that's football," he is quoted as saying by the club's official website. "But we would like to apologise to the Real Madrid fans, who always support us. We knew the end of the season is very difficult, with very important matches and we will keep on fighting.

"Now there are several matches that are like finals. Of course we players suffer psychologically but we cannot stop working hard and we are going to keep doing so to get Real Madrid to where it should be. It is difficult to win several matches in a row like we have. We have lost two matches and now everything is more difficult."

Madrid face Rayo Vallecano at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday in their next match.

 

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Tevez: I feel at home alongside formidable Pirlo

Juventus striker Carlos Tevez says he feels "at home" within the Italian champions' squad, particularly alongside Andrea Pirlo.

Tevez, who enjoyed a mercurial career in the English Premier League prior to his move to Serie A from Manchester City, has settled into life in Italy in some style, having scored 19 goals to date in all competitions this season.

And the Argentine forward admits he is relishing his time with Antonio Conte and the "formidable" Juventus stars in Turin.

"I feel at home in Italy, at Juve. These guys are formidable champions; Andrea Pirlo above all," he told Tuttosport.

"Conte transmits a winning spirit: he always demands the best, and rightly so. You can see that we are a team on and off the field."

The 30-year-old became Serie A's leading goalscorer this season with his double in the win over Parma on Wednesday, but he has stressed he is far more concerned with Juve defending their title than claiming the capocannoniere prize.

"It [being top scorer] doesn't matter to me. The important thing is the victory for the team," he added.

 

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Iniesta devastated at season-ending injury for Valdes

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has been left devastated by the serious knee injury which has ruled Victor Valdes out of the rest of the season and the World Cup this summer.

Valdes was stretchered off during his side's 3-0 win over Celta on Wednesday, with tests later confirming he has suffered a ruptured ligament to his right knee, meaning he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

With the 32-year-old set to leave Camp Nou when his contract expires this summer, it would seem he has played his last game in a Barcelona shirt, and team-mate Iniesta admits it is a major blow.

"For him, for the situation, for those who came to the game today... it is fateful news," he told Barca TV.

"The important thing now is that he recovers well, and that we give him all our support. He has all of our affection.

"These things happen in football and sport. To play every Sunday and Wednesday, for the good or the bad, gives you no time to savour things or to complain. That's why we're Barca, we're mentally prepared to live such extremes."

Two goals from Neymar and a solitary strike from Lionel Messi handed Barca a comfortable win on Wednesday and Iniesta - who set up Messi's goal with a precision pass - was quick to praise the almost telepathic understanding he shares with the Argentine.

"You understand everything with Leo. We've known each other for a long time, we know each other's capabilities. Although he's not looking, he knows I can make that pass for him," he said.

"We've got back into the fight for the league on merit. There is a month and a half left in the competition and we are in the fight for everything. It's still the most beautfiul and the most difficult competition.

"[The Clasico win] gave us an important morale boost. Every game is now a final."

With Barcelona now just a point behind Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, Iniesta is relishing the prospect of facing Espanyol in the derby clash on Saturday.

"The derby is more than just a match. It's very special for us and for them, and also for the current situation in the league," he added. "We go there to win, as always."

 

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Get Well Soon Valdes!

 

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Arsenal have no plans to offer Arteta new deal

Arsenal have no plans to offer Mikel Arteta a contract extension as the club set their sights on a new central midfielder, Goal understands.

The Spaniard will have only a year remaining on his current deal in the summer but has been ignored in the recent flurry of fresh contracts handed to senior players.

Arteta's future beyond this season is up in the air as the Gunners target central midfield reinforcements with a transfer kitty for new signings, upwards of £100million.

The former Everton man has remained a first-team regular in his third season at Emirates Stadium but turned 32 on Wednesday and has noticeably struggled against top-class opposition this season.

The lengthy absences of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey have helped Arteta keep his place in the team as Arsene Wenger puts his faith in his experienced campaigner and a player regarded as a leader and strong character in the dressing room.

But the Spaniard could be surplus to requirements in the summer if, as expected, Wenger recruits at least one A-list central midfielder.

A raft of senior Arsenal players have recently been rewarded with new contracts, including Tomas Rosicky, 33, Per Mertesacker and Santi Cazorla, both 29.

The Gunners are also keen to tie down Bacary Sagna, 31, to an extended deal even though talks are currently locked in stalemate.

The Frenchman has been offered a €90,000-a-week, two-year contract with the option of a third year. But Sagna, who is out of contract in the summer, is holding out for a €110,000-a-week agreement over three years and has offers on the table from a string of clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, PSG, Monaco and Inter Milan.

 

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Dzeko taunts Manchester United: We're the boss now

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has taken a major swipe at Manchester United, by claiming he and his team-mates showed David Moyes' side "who is boss in the city" on Tuesday.

Manuel Pellegrini's men ran riot at Old Trafford, with the Bosnian international scoring twice and Yaya Toure bagging a late goal of his own in a 3-0 win.

The victory moved City to within three points of league leaders Chelsea with two games in hand and Dzeko believes the result proves that the blue half of Manchester are reigning supreme.

"I'm happy for the fans, because for them it is something special," he said, as quoted by the Daily Mirror. "We showed them again who is boss in the city!

"We knew before the game that this was an important game, especially because we had three games less than Chelsea.

"We knew this game was crucial to get another three points and now we are only three points behind them [Chelsea], still with two games to play more.

"It is a big result, but it's finished and now we need to concentrate on Arsenal [who City play on Saturday], which is another big game."

City have now won the last three consecutive Manchester derbies at Old Trafford.

 

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Bayern favourites for Champions League, insists Hitzfeld

Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has praised Pep Guardiola and his team for their title victory and has every confidence they can go on to defend their Champions League title.The Bavarians clinched the Bundesliga trophy on Tuesday as they defeated Hertha Berlin 3-1, becoming the earliest champions in the history of the German top flight.

Hitzfeld, the current Switzerland coach, is in awe of the team and their coach Pep Guardiola and tipped them to go on and become the first team to retain the top European prize in its modern incarnation."It is always sensational when a team gets to break such records," he told RMC Sport. "No team have been champions so early in the season.

"This is a sensational performance from Bayern. Pep Guardiola has made them even better - a coach who had already won everything."For me, Bayern are the favourites for the Champions League."

Bayern are back in action on Saturday against Hoffenheim with pride to play for and further records to grab in the Bundesliga.

 

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Furious Manchester United fans turn on Sir Alex Ferguson after derby defeat

Manchester United supporters turned on former boss Sir Alex Ferguson after watching their side thrashed by fierce rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Manuel Pellegrini's title-chasing side ran riot against their neighbours, with Edin Dzeko netting a brace and Yaya Toure rounding off the 3-0 rout late on.

And United fans later vented their anger at Ferguson, who hand-picked David Moyes to become his successor.

The legendary ex-manager was subjected to fierce questioning from the home support, while Moyes was also verbally abused by a number of fans.

In the first signs of open revolt at Old Trafford, stewards were also forced to guard the Stretford End's 'Chosen One' banner in case fuming fans attempted to tear it down.

Moyes later stoked the fans' ire by claiming United must "aspire" to reach City's level in the near future – despite beating them to the league title by 11 points last season.

He told reporters after the game: "I think we've played a very good side and it's the sort of standard and level we need to try and aspire to get ourselves to at this moment in time."

City, meanwhile, strengthened their own title bid with the victory, as they currently sit three points behind table-topping Chelsea with two games in hand.

 

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Man Utd considering Moyes sacking

Manchester United's senior hierarchy is “evaluating all possibilities” as it attempts to arrest the club's steep descent under David Moyes. Contrary to public statements that Sir Alex Ferguson's successor will definitely be granted at least a second season as manager, Moyes' dismissal is prominent among those possibilities.

Though Tuesday's humiliating 3-0 home loss to Manchester City ensured that United's first post-Ferguson season is statistically the club's worst in the Premier League era, the review of potential candidates to replace Moyes should not be regarded as a knee-jerk reaction.

Key decision-makers within the Old Trafford board have been assessing potential replacements as manager for several weeks and further talks are planned.

Having already sanctioned a spend of over £60 million on two headline transfers, handed Wayne Rooney a club-record contract renewal, and approved an unprecedented recruitment spend for this summer, the Glazer family is said to be concerned that the Scot will continue to damage the value of their asset.

Recruited on the recommendation of Ferguson, Moyes was not the majority shareholders' preferred choice for their first managerial appointment as owners of the club.

The reigning Champions' form since Christmas has seen fans pushed to the limits of their loyalty, with Ferguson and Moyes heckled by some over the current state of the squad during Tuesday's loss against City.

The 'Chosen One' banner, erected on the Stretford End as a nod to Ferguson's selection of his countryman last May, was guarded by stewards after the final whistle amid fears that it would be forcibly removed by disgruntled supporters.

 

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Parakku wela hari meh gana hithapu 1kanam godak hodai!

 

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Inter 0-0 Udinese: San Siro stalemate means more frustration for Mazzarri's men

Inter's frustrating week continued as their bid for European football was harmed by a 0-0 home draw against Udinese on Thursday.

Walter Mazzarri's side – who suffered just their second home league defeat of the season on Sunday – were again below-par in front of the San Siro faithful.

In a game of few chances, Inter lacked the sharpness to finish their rare opportunities, although they came close when Danilo D'Ambrosio's header – which came after he followed in Esteban Cambiasso's well-saved strike – was cleared off the goalline by an acrobatic Maurizio Domizzi in the dying stages.

Visiting goalkeeper Simone Scuffet also made a terrific save to deny Hernanes on a disappointing evening for the hosts.

A disastrous 2012-13 campaign under Andrea Stramaccioni saw Inter finish ninth last term, meaning that this season has been one without continental commitments.

And Inter – who sit fifth, in the last UEFA Europa League place – will be nervously looking over their shoulder at Parma, who are just one point behind with a game in hand.

Silvan Widmer's early cross tested ex-Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic but Inter, who brought in defenders Juan and Walter Samuel after Sunday's loss to Atalanta, looked solid.

Udinese may have regretted resting top scorer Antonio Di Natale as their attacks rarely bore fruit, but one of the rare opportunities before the break did fall to the visitors.

Bruno Fernandes' 20-yard effort was awkwardly spilled in the 41st minute by Handanovic, who would have been relieved to see Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu steer the rebound into the side netting.

Inter, growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of success their repeated attacks down the wings were having, resorted to long-range attempts – but Fredy Guarin and Rodrigo Palacio saw their shots fly harmlessly over the bar.

Andrea Ranocchia's mishit cross nearly dipped over Scuffet and in as play resumed, while Guarin – who signed a contract extension on Monday keeping him at the club until 2017 – saw his night to forget end in the 54th minute when he was taken off for Ricky Alvarez.

Roberto Pereyra's curling effort forced Handanovic into a save while at the other end, a poor Alvarez cross only increased the frustration of the home crowd.

Inter finally ramped up the pressure after the hour-mark, a pattern that coincided with Alvarez's switch to the left wing, as Hernanes had two good efforts on goal – the second of which saw Scuffet keep out his fierce 20-yard effort with an impressive save.

Samuel and Palacio then wasted free headers, before Mauro Icardi turned over from close range, and the same player had a shot dropped by Scuffet in the closing stages, only for the goalkeeper to recover quickly.

There was still time for one last effort, but D'Ambrosio was denied as Udinese held on for a draw.

 

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Ibrahimovic having his best season - Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic is having the best season of his career.

The Swede has scored 40 goals in all competitions for his club this term as PSG look to retain their Ligue 1 title and make their mark in the Champions League.

And the former France international is confident that the former Barcelona and AC Milan can keep up his good form during the business end of the campaign.

"Zlatan is our number one goal scorer, you just have to look at the statistics to see how important he is," Blanc told reporters.

"I hope he will continue to score in the important matches we have coming up. I don't see any reason why that won't be the case.

"It's important to be able to count on such an influential player because the opposition is worried about him. He is perhaps enjoying the best season in his career.

"We haven't won anything yet, but for the moment, everything is going well because the results are coming. But we have to keep our form up and win the upcoming matches.

"The next two months will be without doubt the most important of the season."

PSG face a trip to Nice on Friday before a crunch Champions League quarter-final clash with Chelsea in the French capital.

 

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Mazzarri: It's been a 'peculiar' season for Inter

Walter Mazzarri has admitted that he is looking forward to putting a "peculiar" first season in charge of Inter firmly behind him.

After a dismal ninth-placed finish under Andrea Stramaccioni last term, the Nerazzurri are currently fifth in Serie and thus on course to return to continental competition via the Europa League.

However, Mazzarri claims that Inter would be higher up the standings had 'Lady Luck' not deserted his side so often, citing Sunday's 2-1 loss to Atalanta and Thursday's 0-0 draw with Udinese as two obvious cases in point.

"This has been a peculiar year," he told Sky Sport Italia. "In light of these last two games, we deserve more points than we have.

"It may be that we are not cynical enough; I don't know. I believe, however, that by continuing on this path we will be able to move forward in the best fashion.

"This year it's important to grow, everyone. In June, we will make some decisions based on the expectations of the club. I have already spoken of my ideas.

"Then we will start my second year in charge in a determined fashion; in the best way."

Addressing the Udinese stalemate at San Siro, Mazzarri felt that Inter had once again paid the price for their profligacy.

"The ball wouldn't go in but we created so many chances to score a goal," he lamented.

"I didn't enjoy the first half; Udinese were very organised. But in the second half, from the hour mark on, we could have scored two or three goals but the ball would not go in.

"We created chance after chance. But we needed one to go in. There's nothing else to say. We just have to pick up as many points as possible now and look forward."