..::Football III::..

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'I like Pep's style' - Ancelotti defends Bayern tactics

Carlo Ancelotti has defended the style of play that Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich deployed against Real Madrid in midweek.

The Spaniard has received criticism for the tactics he employed in the sides' Champions League meeting on Wednesday, which the Blancos won 1-0 despite the Bavarians enjoying plenty of possession.

Ex-Barcelona boss Guardiola has already secured the Bundesliga crown in his first season at Bayern and Ancelotti cannot understand the vitriol regarding his opposite number's style, though is keen to focus on Saturday's clash with Osasuna."I like Guardiola's style of play. He introduced new ideas with a clear style in football. He has a clear identity," Ancelotti told reporters.

"I like Pep's style a lot," the Italian told reporters. "He has brought new ideas to football, creating a style at Barca that he is now implementing at Bayern, although there it's a bit more difficult."The side has the identity of their coach. He is doing a good job. But we are not focused on the match in Munich yet. Tomorrow's match is very important and it comes first."

Ancelotti has been one of the numerous names linked with the vacant seat at Manchester United following David Moyes' sacking, but the former Chelsea manager stressed he has no intention of bailing on the Santiago Bernabeu side.
"Every year this happens and I say the same thing," he continued. "I'm happy here: I'm lucky enough to be at the world's best club. I respect Man Utd, and what has happened with Moyes, but I'm here."

Ancelotti will take his Madrid side to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, following Saturday's clash with Osasuna, with a 1-0 lead to defend if they want to reach the final to face either Chelsea or Atletico Madrid.

 

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Yaya Toure could return to face Crystal Palace - Pellegrini


Manchester City look likely to have Yaya Toure back from injury when they visit Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.

The influential midfielder limped out of the 3-2 defeat Liverpool 12 days ago with a thigh injury and has not featured since, missing games against Sunderland and West Brom.

Pellegrini hinted that Yaya could be available as he omitted the Ivorian in a list of injured players in Friday's press conference, before hailing the importance of Sergio Aguero, who recently returned from an injury of his own.

"We have [David] Silva, Jesus Navas and [Matija] Nastasic out with injury - all of the other players are fit," he said.

"David is working, improving. With Navas' ankle, it's the same. These three players are injured - we don't know how much longer for David.

"It's good to have Sergio Aguero back. He's a top player and makes an important difference. We played a lot of games without him but always he's very important for the team."

City will have one eye on events at Anfield before their game on Sunday, with title rivals Liverpool and Chelsea going head-to-head.

With Chelsea taking on Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final next Wednesday, Jose Mourinho has hinted he may field a weakened side, but Pellegrini knows that is out of his hands.

"I don't know what Chelsea are going to do," he said. "The only important thing and the only thing we can do is to win our game and that is what we're going to do from now until the end of the season.

"I think that every team tries to do the best thing for their teams. We must win our games."

 

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Southampton: No truth in Man Utd deal for Shaw

Luke Shaw is not on the brink of joining Manchester United, according to club chief Les Reed, who also ruled out a "fire sale" at Southampton at the end of the season.

Speculation has been rife that the likes of Adam Lallana and Shaw will depart St Mary's at the end of the season, while manager Mauricio Pochettino has been touted as a potential candidate to take over at Tottenham.

However, executive director Reed has appeased supporters fearing that several of the south-coast club's sought-after players are set to depart and is confident Pochettino will remain in his role.

"I work very closely with Mauricio," Reed said. "We speak every day and sometimes for several hours in a day. I think there's a lot of misinformation out there that needs clearing up.

"The first point I'd like to make is that, with regards to Mauricio Pochettino's contract negotiations, both Mauricio and myself - that [dealing with negotiations] is my role - are very happy with the way we are approaching it at the moment.

"We would like to focus on the remaining games of this season and Mauricio has repeatedly said that and therefore we will pick up the details of any contract talks in the summer when the season is over.

"The second point I'd like to clear up is speculation in the press about our players. That is my responsibility. As we stand, there have been no enquiries, and we have had no bids, and we have had no offers for any of our players.

"That is accurate; that is the truth. That is exactly where we are. Reports that we are about to close deals on certain players and so on are totally misinformed, misleading, and are not true.

"That will remain so. As far as the policy is concerned, we've had a great season. We want to build on that season. We want to improve the squad going forward."

 

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Van Persie returns to Manchester United training

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has returned to training and took part in Ryan Giggs's first session as caretaker boss.

The Netherlands international picked up a knee injury in United's 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.

The injury had been expected to sideline the former Arsenal man until the end of the season, putting his participation at the World Cup in doubt.

But Van Persie has returned to training ahead of schedule - and appeared delighted as he chatted with Giggs - and the club are optimistic that he could have some involvement before the season is over.

The Dutchman had returned to his homeland to recuperate, though made several trips back to Carrington for various check-ups.

And on Friday, just days after David Moyes was sacked by the club, he took part in his first full training session since picking up the injury at the start of April.

Van Persie had clashed with the axed Scot over his training methods and was unhappy with the greater emphasis placed on running and endurance in sessions.

The 30-year-old was worried he was being over-trained, which could make him more susceptible to injury.

Van Persie's season has been hampered by injury throughout, only making 18 appearances in the Premier League and completing 90 minutes on just 10 occasions – though he still managed to net 11 league goals.

While in Holland recovering, Van Persie was spotted in the stands of several Eredivisie matches alongside Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal – a leading candidate to succeed Moyes.

 

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Podolski open to Koln return

Lukas Podolski admits he is open to returning to former side Koln but insists he is happy at Arsenal.

The striker joined the Gunners from his boyhood club in 2012 in a deal worth €13.4 million and was in attendance last week as Koln secured their return to the Bundesliga with a win over Bochum.

And Podolski, who recently admitted he was "not happy" at regularly being substituted during Arsenal games, has hinted at a possible move back to Koln for a third spell in the future.

"The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world and therefore, in principle, is always interesting," he told Transfermarkt.

"In the Bundesliga, my thoughts naturally turn first to [Koln]. That is much more than a club for me, this is my home. Maybe I'll return one day; that is, for me, always an option and matter of the heart."

Podolski has struggled with form and fitness this season, with the club open to offers for the 28-year-old, but after four goals in his last two outings the forward is happy to remain at the club.

"[I have an Arsenal contract] which I would also like to fulfil," said the German

"But, as I said, you never know in football. Sometimes everything happens very quickly."

 

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Tito Vilanova has died at age 45

Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45 after losing his battle with cancer, the club have confirmed.

The ex-central midfielder was admitted to hospital on Thursday following a downturn in his health which required an operation on his stomach on Thursday, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirming the trainer was "fighting" for his life.

However, Vilanova, whose post-playing career has been tragically plagued by cancer, was unable to battle any longer and passed away on Friday afternoon.

Vilanova's public health problems began during his final season as Pep Guardiola's assistant when he was diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland.

He took over from his long-time friend for the 2012-13 season but suffered a relapse just six months into his tenure as head coach.

He underwent surgery in December 2012, with Jordi Roura taking his place on the bench while he recovered in New York, before returning in March 2013 to see out the rest of the reason and guide Barca to La Liga victory.

However, his continued health problems saw his step down as coach of the Catalans last summer, with Gerardo Martino taking the reins in his place.

Vilanova has largely - and understandably - been out of the spotlight since he left his position at Camp Nou but rumours of his ill health have sadly been revealed to be true. He is survived by a wife and two children.

Following confirmation of his death, Barcelona president Bartomeu said in a statement: "Tito will be reference as a man and in terms of football for Barcelona forever. We thank him for everything he taught us. Rest in peace."

The Catalans, whom he worked under for years before being promoted from within to head coach in 2012, also sent their condolences to the family of Vilanova.

"The club wishes to express its most heartfelt sympathy to his family, who are being joined in these moments of mourning by Barcelona members and fans all around the world, as well as the rest of the footballing and sporting world.

"The Vilanova family has asked for respect for their desire for the strictest intimacy in the moments after his death."

Barcelona have announced that the funeral will take place on Monday at 20:00CET, while Camp Nou will be open to those who wish to pay their respects over the weekend.

 

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R.I.P Tito!​

 

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Roma 2-0 AC Milan: Pjanic & Gervinho end Rossoneri's run to keep title dream alive

Roma dented AC Milan's hopes of Europa League qualification as they cruised to a 2-0 win on Friday to keep the Serie A title race alive.

The Rossoneri headed into the game on the back of five straight wins, a run which has seen them move into seventh and within striking distance of a place in Europe's second-tier club competition.

But the visitors' winning streak was brought to an end by an impressive performance from Roma, which moves them within five points of leaders Juventus, who visit Sassuolo on Monday.

A draw or a defeat for Roma at the Stadio Olimpico would have handed Juve the chance to seal a third straight Scudetto, but goals from Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho kept the capital club's hopes intact for at least another week.

Pjanic opened the scoring in the 43rd minute for Rudi Garcia's side, highlighting a virtuoso midfield display with a breathtaking individual goal.

The visitors rarely threatened to equalise and Gervinho pounced on Christian Abbiati's error 20 minutes into the second half to wrap up the points and take their title fight a week further.

Unchanged from their 1-0 win at Fiorentina last week, the hosts had the better of a scrappy first half, full-back Dodo going close after 20 minutes when he volleyed over the bar from just inside the area.

Garcia's men continued to enjoy greater possession in the opening period and may have taken the lead if not for the defensive work of Adil Rami, who blocked a seemingly goal-bound effort from Pjanic after the Bosnian had skipped into the box.

However, the former Lyon man did find the net in spectacular fashion just before the half-time interval.

Having played a one-two with Francesco Totti midway inside the Milan half, Pjanic elegantly surged beyond Sulley Muntari, Riccardo Montolivo and Rami before coolly slotting past Abbiati.

Milan started the second half brightly and spurned a half-chance as Montolivo fired wide from Kaka's pull-back.

Pjanic remained a danger, though, and was denied a second as Abbiati produced a strong save after the 24-year-old had collected Totti's square pass from a free kick.

But the Milan goalkeeper was at fault as Roma doubled their lead, failing to handle a well-struck Totti effort and presenting Gervinho with the simple task of netting from two yards.

Clarence Seedorf's men offered little in the way of a replay as Roma eased to a comfortable win that plunges Milan's hopes of salvaging something from a disappointing season into doubt.

 

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Whole world should see Pjanic's goal against AC Milan, enthuses Roma boss Garcia

Roma boss Rudi Garcia says that the whole world should watch and marvel at Miralem Pjanic's goal in Friday's 2-0 win over AC Milan.

The Giallorossi were struggling to break down a side that had won their last five games in Serie A when the Bosnian picked up the ball some 25 yards out before completely wrong-footing two defenders with a couple of sublime feints and then calmly rolling the ball past Christian Abbiati in the Rossoneri goal.

As far as Garcia was concerned, the goal was as important as it was beautiful.

"We made so many mistakes in the first 20 minutes and we were slow in possession of the ball," the French coach told Sky Sport Italia.

"With the passing of some minutes, however, we grew and then came the act of a very great player like Pjanic.

"In the second half, we played better. The second half pleased me a lot. And Pjanic's goal was one of those that the whole world should see.

"If [Diego] Maradona had done it, it would have been celebrated by the entire planet."

Pjanic's sensational solo effort, which was followed up by a Gervinho tap-in, helped draw Roma back to within five points of leaders Juventus.

The Bianconeri face relegation-threatened Sassuolo on Monday but Garcia believes that Antonio Conte's men could struggle, given their Europa League exertions against Benfica in Lisbon on Thursday.

"I'm happy with my team," the former Lille trainer enthused. "We have beaten Fiorentina and Milan, two quality teams, and we can dream again.

"The game against Sassuolo will be difficult for [Juve]. After a game in the Europa League, now they must quickly prepare for another."

Meanwhile, Garcia stood up for Mario Balotelli, who launched a stinging attack on Sky Sport Italia's pundits after being substituted in the game in the Italian capital.

"Today he showed great courage to come on TV, particularly because it's difficult to speak after a defeat," the Roma boss argued.

 

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Negredo: Manchester City have not given up on title

Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo says his side have not given up hope of winning the title despite lying six points behind leaders Liverpool.

The Reds face Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday in a crucial clash at the top of the table where a win for the Blues could give Manuel Pellegrini's men a lifeline in the race for the title.

City would then be able to draw level on points with Liverpool, were they to win both of their games in hand, and Negredo is hoping Jose Mourinho’s side can help his side out.

"We know this is Liverpool's toughest game on paper,” he told Sky Sports' 'Weekend Warm-up'.

"But we are not going to give up the fight. So we want it to go in our favour and then, as I say, it is down to us to do our job by winning four games that will put us in a position where we have a chance."

Liverpool have won their last 11 games in a row to storm to the top of the table but Negredo is hoping their winning run does not continue.

"It's tough because it is not in our hands," he added. "We will battle until the end and you never know teams might slip up along the way somewhere and drop points themselves.

"There is still a lot of hope in the dressing room. While there are points available it is possible that other sides might make mistakes.

"We have to go all out to win every game. We have four left and we have to win them all and then sit back and see what happens."

 

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Benitez: I could not have done any more at Inter

Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has claimed that he had a "positive" stint in charge of Inter, arguing that he "couldn't have done any more".

The Spanish coach will this weekend return to San Siro for the first time since being sacked by the Nerazzurri in 2010 after a turbulent six-month spell at the helm.

Despite winning both the Supercoppa Italiana and the Club World Cup, Benitez had a very public falling out with then club president Massimo Moratti over transfer funds and the former Liverpool boss said he made the best of a bad situation.

“My record there is positive," the Napoli boss told reporters on Friday. “I had a good relationship with the fans and I won two trophies.

"I couldn’t have done any more. I have said what I have to say and now we need to talk about the future.”

When then asked if he would shake hands with Moratti, Benitez replied: “At San Siro I will go into the dressing room and only think about the match.

"It's a very important game for both teams. We want to continue in Europe next season and we need to ensure third place in mathematical form - leaving no room for doubt.

"The team has to go all out to win."

Indeed, given Napoli can seal third place - and the Champions League berth that comes with it - by triumphing at Inter, Benitez dismissed fears that his players could have one eye on next month's Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina.

"Thinking now of the final of the Coppa would be a mistake," he declared. "We focus on the game after the match at San Siro."

 

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AC Milan boss Seedorf defends Balotelli withdrawal against Roma

AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf has defended not only his decision to replace Mario Balotelli in Friday's 2-0 defeat at Roma but also the striker's furious reaction.

The Dutchman hauled the forward off with 21 minutes remaining at the Stadio Olimpico, sending Giampaolo Pazzini on in the 23-year-old's place.

Balotelli, who also had an angry exchange with team-mate Adel Taarabt during the game, looked upset with his withdrawal at the time but that was nothing compared to the rant he went on in his post-game interview.

However, Seedorf says that the made the right call and also suggested that the Italy international should be cut a little slack.

"We can dispute every decision, but in my opinion Pazzini and Kaka did fairly well," the Rossoneri boss told Sky Sport Italia.

"Mario was one of my three changes. In that moment, I felt it right to play Pazzini, who also went close to scoring.

"When it comes to shedding light on things related to Balotelli, we're always ready, but in these last few weeks he has done great things, also from the point of view of his behaviour.

"Today, he didn't express himself in the best way, that's understood.

"But his clash with Taarabt? Everything was cleared up. These are things that happen on the pitch."

Milan's 2-0 defeat in the Italian capital ended a run of five successive defeats, thus putting their hopes of snatching a Europa League place in jeopardy.

However, Seedorf, who took over in January, insists that he does not know if he will be fired if the Rossoneri fail to secure European football for next season.

"I cannot speak for the club," he stated. "You must direct certain questions to [Milan CEO Adriano] Galliani.

"I know my contractual position and I know that Milan always make decisions at corporate level. But I know why they called me and I'm here to give my all."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.04.26 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2014.04.26 Fixtures

Southampton Vs Everton

Fulham Vs Hull

Stoke City Vs Tottenham

Swansea Vs Aston Villa

WBA Vs West Ham

Manchester United Vs Norwich

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La Liga 2014.04.26 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.04.26 Fixtures

Granada Vs Rayo Vallecano

Getafe Vs Malaga

Real Madrid Vs Osasuna

Real Betis Vs Real Sociedad​

 

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Serie A 2014.04.26 Fixtures

Serie A 2014.04.26 Fixtures

Bologna Vs Fiorentina

Inter Vs Napoli​

 

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Manchester United deny Van Gaal appointment

Manchester United have denied that Louis van Gaal has agreed to become their next manager.

Old Trafford sources told ESPN FC during the week that the club had taken the first steps towards appointing Van Gaal, and Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported on Saturday that the 62-year-old had now reached an agreement with United.However, the English club said in a statement: “We have not signed a new manager. When we have something to report, we will announce it.”

Former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Van Gaal will lead the Netherlands at the World Cup but has confirmed his intention to return to club management after the summer tournament in Brazil.

De Telegraaf said he has made recommendations to United’s owners as to the players he wishes to sign, with 100 million euros apparently at his disposal. It was also claimed in the newspaper that he would bring Patrick Kluivert with him as assistant manager and Franks Hoek as goalkeeping coach.

United are currently being led by interim manager Ryan Giggs after David Moyes was dismissed on Tuesday, with the club seventh in the Premier League and unable to qualify for the Champions League. Giggs is being assisted by his former teammates Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.United had denied claims that Van Gaal had met co-owner Joel Glazer four weeks earlier.

 

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LVG wa dagatthe nathnam hodai
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Full Time

Southampton 2 Vs 0 Everton
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Full Time

Manchester United 4 Vs 0 Norwich

Manchester United Goal(s)

Rooney 41'(PEN),48'
Mata 63',73'

Congratulations Manchester United!

Greatday for Ryan Giggs & Manchester United

Manchester United is back!

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