..::Football III::..

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rcccc

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Bayern favourites for Champions League, insists Hitzfeld

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rcccc

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Ada Manchester United fanls okkoma balagena inne Aston Villa match 1ka diha.Thanikarama pressure 1ka thiyenne Moyes ta:baffled:Moyes ge luck 1kakatada manda welawe hatiyata Aston Villa set une habai lesi wena 1kak naha Aston Villa 12th place hitiyath EPL points table 1ke:no:

Aston Villa match 1ka aniwa win karanna one match 1kak Moyes ge patthen gatthamath:yes:& anith 1ka Bayern match 1kata kalin thiyana last match 1ka:shocked:

So ada match 1ka kohomahari win kaloth Moyes ta dan thiyana pressure 1ka tikakhari ease wei Bayern match 1ka wenakam wath.Bari welawath ada bad result 1kak gatthoth nam that could be the end of everything!:(:sorry:

Good Luck Moyes & Good Luck Manchester United!:love:
villa th lesi nae machan:no: Arsenal,Chelsea dekatama gahauwa.mama nam hithanne kohomath moyes wa sack karayi me season 1n passe:dull:
 
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Wolverine GTR

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    villa th lesi nae machan:no: Arsenal,Chelsea dekatama gahauwa.mama nam hithanne kohomath moyes wa sack karayi me season 1n passe:dull:
    Ow bro adath 1st goal 1ka Aston Villa neh score kale:baffled:Danatanam tikak shape 2-1.Ath ithin 2nd half 1ke monaweida danne naha:(

    Ow machan Moyes godak durata sack karai end of the season.meh season 1ke hari naha Manchester United play karana widiya:eek:
     

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    Espanyol 0-1 Barcelona: Messi penalty puts Blaugrana back on top of La Liga

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    Lionel Messi converted a late penalty as Barcelona defeated city rivals Espanyol 1-0 to go back on top of La Liga.

    The champions' challenge was reignited last weekend with a 4-3 Clasico win over Real Madrid and although they did steal a slender win at Cornella-El Prat, their fellow Catalans represented stern opposition until a late red card.

    Both sides wasted numerous chances during the first half, with Neymar missing the best opening in the 19th minute as be blasted over from point-blank range.

    With less than 20 minutes to go, Gerard Pique looked to have spurned a match-winning opportunity as he hit the crossbar, but a couple of minutes later, Messi netted a crucial spot kick after a Javi Lopez handball.

    Espanyol's hopes of a late fight-back were all but vanquished in the 83rd minute as goalkeeper Kiko Casilla received a red card for handling outside the area, and Barcelona held on comfortably to reach 75 points.

    Gerardo Martino compared Espanyol to title rivals Atletico Madrid in the build-up and he subsequently refused to rest a host of key players, despite facing Diego Simeone's men in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    The home side did their best of living up to that praise early on as former Barca attacker Sergio Garcia fired narrowly wide from 20 yards, but Jose Manuel Pinto – deputising for the injured Victor Valdes – never looked overly worried.

    Barcelona grew into the encounter and went close twice in quick succession just before the 20th minute; Lionel Messi first heading onto the roof of the goal, before Neymar skewed over from five yards after the Argentina star's cross.

    Although the hosts were dominating possession, Espanyol looked threatening on the break.

    Pizzi exploited space in the Barcelona defence when on the counterattack 21 minutes in, but he blazed over after bursting into the area.

    Martino's men ended the first half under pressure, but Neymar almost produced a moment to celebrate as he poked agonisingly wide of the right-hand post after collecting Jordi Alba's through-ball.

    Proceedings were considerably less frantic at the start of the second period as Barcelona became more focused defensively, seemingly sacrificing some attacking potency in the process.

    With just over 15 minutes remaining, Pique flicked a corner on to the crossbar, but they were not denied a few moments later.

    Lopez handled the ball inside the penalty area and Messi coolly slotted away the resulting spot kick for a goal that could have huge title ramifications come May.

    Things got even worse for the home side with seven minutes to go as Casilla rushed out to meet Messi and he earned himself a straight red for handball, forcing midfielder Lopez to go in goal due to all substitutions being used.
     

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    Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea: Terry own goal damages Blues’ title tilt

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    John Terry's own goal put a huge dent in Chelsea's title hopes as Crystal Palace boosted their survival chances with a 1-0 win on Saturday.

    Hovering precariously above the drop zone coming into the game, the victory gives Tony Pulis' side a massive lift in their bid to avoid relegation straight back to the Championship as they now sit 16th, five points clear of the bottom three.

    After Chelsea's resounding 6-0 win over Arsenal last week, and Palace's last-minute defeat at Newcastle United, many expected a routine three points for Jose Mourinho's table-toppers, but the hosts upset the form book by recording their first league win over their London neighbours since 1990.

    Pulis' team came up against a Chelsea outfit that had been rampant in thumping Arsenal, but there was no sign of that ruthless attacking vigour at Selhurst Park as the home side nullified their opponents.

    Mourinho was gushing in his praise of the Palace fans after the reverse fixture in December, and they were in fine voice once again on Saturday, particularly when Terry put through his own net in the 52nd minute.

    Joel Ward whipped in a cross from the left-hand side, and as the Chelsea skipper challenged Joe Ledley, the ball glanced off his head and flew past Petr Cech.

    It was a huge setback for Mourinho's men, who missed out on the chance to go four points clear at the top with fellow title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City still to play this weekend.

    After a quiet opening to the game, Andre Schurrle squandered the first genuine opening in the 18th minute, prodding the ball wide from four yards after stretching to reach Cesar Azpilicueta's low cross at the back post.

    The hosts had a chance of their own eight minutes later, Yannick Bolasie struggling to control a fizzing Jason Puncheon delivery before poking his effort into the side netting.

    Palace then had two penalty shouts waved away in as many minutes as first Cameron Jerome tumbled under a challenge from Nemanja Matic before Bolasie pleaded with referee Lee Mason following a sliding tackle from Gary Cahill.

    Terry scored at the wrong end shortly after the interval, heading Ward's cross beyond Cech at the near post under pressure from Ledley.

    Chelsea almost levelled immediately, Julian Speroni diving full length to his left to keep out Eden Hazard's curling effort from the edge of the area.

    As the game became more open, Puncheon's left-foot shot went narrowly wide of the post in the 62nd minute, before Terry nodded Oscar's free-kick just over the crossbar 60 seconds later.

    Speroni was the hero once again 17 minutes from time, producing an incredible close-range save from Hazard to deny the Belgian what looked a certain goal, before Palace broke straight down the other end, only for Jerome to strike the outside of the post.

    Ledley twice went close for the hosts in the final stages, but it mattered little as Palace held on for a surprise win to send Selhurst Park into raptures.
     

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    Stuttgart 2-3 Borussia Dortmund: Reus hat-trick sends Klopp's troops towards Champions League

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    Marco Reus scored a hat-trick as Borussia Dortmund came from behind to beat 10-man Stuttgart 3-2 in Jurgen Klopp's 300th Bundesliga game at the helm.

    The result ensured Dortmund strengthed the credentials for a second-placed finish, with Klopp's men now one point ahead of rivals Schalke, and ensured the struggling hosts remain second-bottom..

    The hosts took a deserved lead within 10 minutes, when Christian Gentner took advantage of a defensive error to curl home, before Martin Harnik doubled their advantage by rounding off a great run from Ibrahima Traore.

    The visitors pulled a goal back 15 minutes before the break through Reus' cool finish, and were nearly level just after the interval when Robert Lewandowski's strike came crashing off the post.

    Stuttgart were then reduced to 10 men midway through the second half, when Georg Niedermeier brought down Lewandowski in the area and Reus converting the resulting spot kick.

    Reus was then on hand to complete the comeback with a well-worked third, as his deflected finish from the edge of the area found the back of the net.

    Klopp dismissed accusations that his side were distracted by their Champions League exploits after being held by Schalke last week, but they started slowly against a spirited Stuttgart side.

    And they were made to pay for a cagey opening after 10 minutes, when Gentner pounced on Oliver Kirch's poor back pass on the edge of the area, before curling a smart finish past Roman Weidenfeller.

    The goal gave Dortmund a little more urgency, with Kevin Grosskreutz forcing a good save from Sven Ulreich five minutes later.

    But the home side’s lead was extended after 19 minutes, when Traore powered through on the right hand side before cutting inside to Harnik, who was left with a simple finish from close range.

    The visitors pulled one back on the half-hour mark, as a perfectly weighted ball from Jonas Hofmann unlocked the home defence to find Reus, who finished with aplomb.

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan nearly levelled just a minute later, finding space on the left before firing a drive just wide of the post.

    Dortmund's leading scorer Lewandowski came closer 10 minutes after the break, bursting through the heart of the defence before crashing a vicious strike off the post as Dortmund got on the front foot.

    The Poland striker was again at the centre of proceedings 10 minutes later, breaking through on goal before being clipped by Niedermeier in the box, leaving Michael Weiner to produce a red card and point to spot.

    Reus made no mistake from 12 yards out and a memorable afternoon for the midfielder was complete seven minutes from time, when he picked up a pass from substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the edge of the box before sending a deflected effort past Ulreich.
     

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    Bayern Munich 3-3 Hoffenheim: Firmano ends Bavarians' winning steak

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    Bayern Munich's winning run in the Bundesliga came to an end on Saturday afternoon, as the newly-crowned champions were held to a 3-3 draw at home to Hoffenheim.


    The start of Bayern's six-week title celebrations got off to a stuttering start at the Allianz Arena as Roberto Firmino netted 15 minutes from time to end the Bavarians' 100 per cent home league record.

    Only Bayern have scored more than Hoffenheim in Germany's top flight this term, with Anthony Modeste giving the away side a shock lead midway through the first period.

    That only served to spark a much-changed Bayern into life, though, and a Claudio Pizarro brace and a strike from Xherdan Shaqiri in the space of nine minutes took Hoffenheim's tally of league goals conceded to 62 - extending their unwanted record of having the most porous defence in the division.

    However, Markus Gisdol's men reduced the arrears before the break courtesy of a superb Sejad Salihovic free-kick before snatching a deserved point as Firmino took his 14th Bundesliga goal of the season in stylish fashion.

    After clinching the title with Tuesday’s victory over Hertha Berlin, Pep Guardiola showed the vast array of quality within Bayern's squad as Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba, Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller formed arguably the strongest bench ever named ahead of the midweek Champions League trip to Manchester United.

    Despite the joyous mood in the Allianz Arena, it was the visitors who opened the scoring in a goal-laden first half.

    Modeste netted after 23 minutes as he latched onto a through-ball, with Neuer’s back-up Tom Starke - playing against his former club - unable to keep the forward’s low effort out despite getting a hand to it.

    The hosts were not behind long, though, as Pizarro levelled eight minutes later. The Peruvian, who had already seen a shot well saved, met a right-wing cross from Shaqiri and flicked his header into the back of the net.

    Bayern then turned on the style with two goals in six minutes to take control of the game. Shaqiri put the champions ahead after Pizarro controlled a Rafinha cross perfectly for the Switzerland international to fire beyond Jens Grahl.

    And a lightning quick counterattack five minutes before the break led to Bayern's third. Two passes released Franck Ribery on the left, and he delivered the perfect cross for Pizarro to grab his second.

    The first-half action was still not over, however, as Hoffenheim cut the deficit through Salihovic, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international curling a free kick over the wall and into the top corner from 20 yards.

    After such an action-packed opening 45 minutes, the second was quiet in comparison as neither side created a chance of note until Shaqiri wasted a perfect Ribery cross on the hour, the winger firing over with an acrobatic volley.

    Bayern were made to rue that miss as Firmino levelled with 15 minutes to play, the 22-year-old firing low past Starke to become just the third team to avoid defeat against Guardiola's team in the league this term.

    Substitute Robben missed a late chance to snatch Bayern's 20th straight Bundesliga win before Starke was called into action to deny Sebastian Rudy.

    Guardiola will now anxiously await news on Thiago Alcantara's injury, which forced him off in the first half, before Bayern's visit to Old Trafford.
     

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    Kaka sets sights on MLS move

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    AC Milan attacking midfielder Kaka has revealed he would like to move to the MLS when his career at San Siro comes to and end.

    The Brazilian, who rejoined the Rossoneri last summer from Real Madrid, is in line to make his 300th appearance for the club against Chievo on Saturday.

    While he insists he does not regret his return to Milan despite their difficult season to date, Kaka has hinted he could consider leaving in the summer - and he would like to move to North America should he quit the club.

    "I have no regrets at my decision to come back to Milan," he told Corriere della Sera. "It is part of life to experience strange moments and every team has had a crisis at one stage, so this is Milan's moment.

    "I don't think [Clarence] Seedorf expected to find such a difficult situation, but Clarence is still only at the start [of his coaching career].

    "In future I'd like to play in America. At the end of the season I'll talk to Adriano Galliani to understand his ideas and those of the club.

    "If I were to leave, then I would like a transfer to the United States."
     

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    :love:Manchester United 4-1 Aston Villa: Rooney & Mata inspire comeback win

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    Manchester United ended a week of frustration on and off the pitch in fine fashion by beating Aston Villa 4-1 on Saturday.

    Much of the game's build-up had been dominated by a planned protest against David Moyes' management of the struggling champions, with a plane trailing the message 'Wrong One - Moyes Out' flown above Old Trafford during the contest.

    A midweek defeat to local rivals Manchester City was the latest of United's setbacks in a tough season, tipping some fans over the edge.

    And the turbulent atmosphere around the champions was heightened further as Ashley Westwood's second goal of the season gave Paul Lambert's side a shock lead.

    However, Wayne Rooney - so often the bright light in United's faltering campaign - dragged the hosts in front with a double before half-time, taking his tally to six goals from his last six league games.

    Any home jitters were put to rest 12 minutes into the second half as Juan Mata scored his first United goal, with the home fans responding with rousing renditions of pro-Moyes chants, before substitute Chicarito rounded matters off late on with a typical poacher's finish after good work from Adnan Januzaj.

    The win keeps United within reach of the top six and also serves as a perfect tonic ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against holders Bayern Munich.

    Moyes was warmly applauded onto the pitch by the Old Trafford faithful, as those inside the stadium aired their backing of the manager, and the planned fly-over passed with little incident two minutes into the game.

    However, the home fans' patience was put under strain 12 minutes in as Westwood curled a superb free kick home and past David de Gea's despairing dive.

    Villa kept the pressure on as Ciaran Clark sent a free header over the crossbar.

    But United equalised on the counter-attack, a totally unmarked Rooney nodding Kagawa's cross past Brad Guzan.

    That goal kicked United into gear, and they went ahead just before the interval as Leandro Bacuna's clumsy lunge on Mata resulted in a penalty that Rooney lashed past Guzan.

    Christian Benteke wasted two big chances to equalise for Villa in the opening minutes of the second half and those misses came back to haunt the Belgian as Mata gave United breathing space.

    Marouane Fellaini's presence in the penalty area played havoc for the Villa defence, and Mata stole in to open his United account with a low right-footed effort.

    Rooney went close to a hat-trick, working space with a sensational first touch from a long ball only for Guzan to deny him, with the striker withdrawn soon after as Moyes turned focus to Tuesday's clash with Bayern.

    Chicharito then got on the end of Januzaj's excellent cross in stoppage time to seal the impressive win and give Moyes renewed vigour ahead of arguably his toughest test since taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson.
     

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    Guardiola: Bayern Munich must improve to beat Manchester United

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    Pep Guardiola was less than impressed with Bayern Munich's showing against Hoffenheim on Saturday, arguing that a massive improvement will be required for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Manchester United.

    The Bavarians had appeared to be cruising towards a 20th consecutive win in the Bundesliga after responding to Anthony Modeste's opener with a Claudio Pizarro double and a Xherdan Shaqiri strike.

    However, Hoffenheim pulled one back just before the break through Sejad Salihovic and then claimed their first ever point away to Bayern courtesy of Roberto Firmino's 75th-minute equaliser.

    "Compliments to Hoffenheim," Guardiola told his club's official website after the dramatic 3-3 draw. "They showed a good ability to press.

    "In the first half we found good solutions. In the second half, though, we were not good.

    "We need to control the ball. If this is not the case, then we have a problem.

    "We need to analyse this game and then quickly focus on Tuesday. We need to improve."

    The first leg of Bayern's Champions League quarter-final clash with United will take place at Old Trafford.
     

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    Mourinho: Chelsea have no hope of winning the title now

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    Jose Mourinho believes defeat to Crystal Palace leaves Chelsea with "no chance" of winning the Premier League title this season.

    A John Terry own goal condemned the Blues to a 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park and, while they remain one point ahead of Liverpool and three ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table, both of their main rivals can now overtake them by winning their games in hand.

    After the match a dejected Mourinho admitted Tony Pulis' men were good value for their victory and insisted the result kills Chelsea's hopes of winning their first title since 2010.

    "I think now we lose any chance of finishing first," he told BBC Radio 5live. "Now we depend too much on other results.

    "But today we lost three points, we lost against a team that was better than us in terms of spirit and mentality. We can only blame ourselves.

    "I think maybe they deserved a victory. We had good chances. Their keeper made some good saves. We probably had the best chance of the first half.

    "But their spirit, desire and commitment was stronger. Because of the spirit, they deserved the win."
     

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    Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago to miss Man United tie

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    Thiago Alcantara will miss Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United through injury.

    The Spain international was forced off just 25 minutes into Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim and the Bavarians have now confirmed that the former Barcelona starlet is facing a spell on the sidelines.

    "Thiago Alcantara has a suspected partial ligament tear in his knee," read a statement on Bayern's official Twitter feed. "Get will soon!"

    It was a disappointing day for Bayern as they saw their 19-game winning streak in the Bundesliga come to an end, with Hoffenheim earning a 3-3 draw at the Allianz Arena.

    However, coach Pep Guardiola rested a number of key players ahead of Tuesday's last-eight first-leg clash with United at Old Trafford.
     

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    Benitez: Mourinho talks too much

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    Napoli boss Rafael Benitez has fired a retaliatory shot in his ongoing war of words with Jose Mourinho, claiming the Chelsea boss "talks too much".

    The Portuguese coach claimed during the week that Juventus would not be entitled to view winning this season's Europa League as 'success', given the Serie A titleholders started the season in the Champions League.

    However, Benitez, who has had a strained relationship with Mourinho ever since his time in charge of Liverpool, has now decided to stand up for the Bianconeri, whom Napoli face at the San Paolo on Sunday night.

    "He talks too much," the Spaniard told reporters on Saturday. "Whereas I like to let facts do the talking.
    "At Liverpool I knocked his Chelsea out of the Champions League when we had half the money ..."

    Turning his attention to Juventus but without moving off the issue of financial muscle, Benitez argued that third-placed Napoli will have to continue to splash the cash if they are to reach the Old Lady's level.
    "We feel the importance of this game," he confessed. "Juve are a strong team and both of us will want to win. They are three crucial points for us in terms of reaching our objective.

    "But their squad is stronger and this aspect makes the difference. If then you have injuries and various problems it becomes difficult.

    "We have dropped around eight points that could have made the difference. A winning mentality can also make the difference and we're always thinking about things that we need [in the transfer market].

    "But it's not the same to take a player to London or Madrid, as it is to Naples. We know this. But we must aim to sign players of a level with which we can meet the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

    "But the difference between the turnovers enables one team to create a winning structure and squad every year.

    "With a €300 million turnover, Juve can buy the strongest players every year. They have been doing it for a lifetime.

    "You must spend every year in order to compete. You can only acquire a winning mentality by signing players used to winning.

    "We should not be a club that aims to win a cup every 25 years. There have been mistakes but we have grown."

    Despite the fact that he feels the financial playing field is tipped in Juve's favour, he fully expects his Napoli side that they can compete with the two-time defending champions.

    "Our intention is to go into a game of this kind with the right attitude," the former Valencia boss explalined.

    "Our squad is strong but [second-placed] Roma and the Bianconeri are doing better.

    "We must learn to manage games and maintain the level we showed in the Champions League and in some Serie A matches, like against the Giallorossi and the two Milan clubs [AC and Inter].

    "I cannot say too much about how to beat Juventus; Conte is listening! We have to try to do well against a team that is having a spectacular season.

    "Our best players will have to make the difference in a game like this."
     

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    Barthez: Euro 2016 could unite France again

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    Fabian Barthez is hoping that hosting Euro 2016 will bring the best out of France - just as it did in 1998 when the country staged the World Cup.

    The now-retired 42-year-old was a member of the Bleus squad that united a nation with their famous 3-0 victory over Brazil at the Stade de France.

    Consequently, Barthez, who conceded just two goals during the tournament, believes that the power of home support can never be overestimated.

    "I refer to the 1998 finals a lot," the iconic goalkeeper is quoted as saying by Uefa's official website. "It was a real celebration in every city in France.

    "Aime Jacquet kept us grounded but you could sense a buzz. From the quarter-final stage we started to feel something different in the crowd.

    "We remained focused on the competition, though, thanks to the coach who kept us in a bubble.

    "It was a fantastic time and everyone in the team was united. In difficult times football can bring you back to life.

    "Everyone is hoping the national team can do well. Every major tournament such as a Euro or World Cup is a celebration of football."

    Barthez was capped 87 times by his country between 1994 and 2006, during which time he also won a European Championship, in 2000.
     

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    Kahn anxious over growing Germany injury list

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    Oliver Kahn is worried that long-term injuries to key players could hamper Germany's chances at the World Cup later this year.

    The likes of Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger have both missed large parts of this season with respective knee and ankle problems, and Arsenal's Mesut Ozil remains out with a hamstring injury.

    With the showpiece in Brazil a little over three months away, former goalkeeper Kahn - who won the Golden Ball for his performances at the 2002 World Cup, where Germany were beaten by Brazil in the final - has concerns over the impact those injuries could have on the squad.

    "Half a year ago I would have immediately said that the national team has a big chance to win the World Cup," he told the German Football Association's official website.

    "Of course there are Spain and Brazil, but our team was incredibly impressive in the qualifiers.

    "The last tournaments and the successes of Germany suggest that we might get very far. On the other hand, the injured are a big problem.

    "Khedira, Schweinsteiger, who was a long time injured, Ozil, [Marcel] Schmelzer, [Mats] Hummels.

    "Especially with the great heat and the rigours of travel in Brazil, the coach has to wonder which players are fit for this tournament."
     

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    Everybody wants Diego Costa, says Atletico Madrid president Cerezo

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    Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says he is not surprised that "everyone" is interested in signing Diego Costa.

    The 25-year-old has been in sensational form this season, firing 25 goals in 29 La Liga appearances to fire the Rojiblancos top of the table with eight matches remaining.

    Chelsea have taken initial steps towards signing the Brazilian-born striker this summer, while Real Madrid have also been rumoured to be monitoring the forward, and Cerezo admits any side would be happy to have him.

    "He's been with us for many years. He's been with many other sides in Spain [on loan], and everywhere he's been, they've spoken well of him," he told Marca.

    "And that means one thing: that a player is valuable. So everyone wants him.

    "He will be one of the top scorers this season and will shine with Spain in Brazil, I'm certain. He has quality and he deserves this, he's worked hard to get there."

    Cerezo believes Lionel Messi remains a cut above the rest in world football, however, and claims the criticism of Barcelona this season is senseless given the fact they could still win the treble this season.

    "Barca have a squad of outstanding players, starting with the best in the world for me, Leo Messi. He is above the rest, and everyone else has to follow," he said.

    "They are a great team and each season come out fighting for three titles. People say they are so bad and yet they can still win the Champions League, the Copa and La Liga."

    Cerezo, who took the reins as Atletico president in 2002, went on to praise to work of coach Diego Simeone, who has transformed the club into Liga title contenders and a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League.

    "He is a great person and professional from head to toe. He is a football man, he lives it 24 hours a day and, above all, he enjoys it, he is passionate about what he does," Cerezo added.

    "Cholo has found a team with fantastic hopes, tremendous quality. And all the changes he has made have made the team better."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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  • Jan 1, 2009
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    Wenger to assess Arsenal future at end of the season

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    Arsene Wenger has hinted that he could still leave Arsenal at the end of the season, despite his intention to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

    The Gunners have gone from title favourites to fourth in the Premier League following one of the most testing weeks of the Frenchman's tenure, with Chelsea thrashing his men 6-0 at Stamford Bridge before Swansea grabbed a 2-2 draw at the Emirates.

    But Wenger appeared to be ready to commit his future on Friday, when he told reporters: “My commitment is not questionable. I have given my word and I always respect my word.”

    But when he was later pressed on if he will definitely be in the Emirates dugout next season, he responded: “Yes, unless I decide otherwise.

    "I have told you many times we have had no time to sit down and do it. But I want to have a feeling coming out of the season that I have done the maximum for the club. Let’s see when the season is over.”

    Many reports have claimed the Gunners are already planning for life after the 64-year-old, with some suggesting that he could play a role in choosing his own successor – much like Sir Alex Ferguson did at Manchester United.

    But Wenger poured cold water on that proposal, claiming his job is simply “to do well for the team.”

    “I always said, and you can check that, everybody [has] his job,” he added. “My job is to do well for the team, not to do anything else.”
     
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