..::Football III::..

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Cazorla: FA Cup win takes pressure off Arsenal

Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla believes the Gunners’ FA Cup triumph last season has relieved the pressure on the squad ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.

The north Londoners claimed a 3-2 extra-time victory over Hull City at Wembley Stadium in May, bringing to an end a nine-year wait for silverware.

The Spain international admits the side had felt inhibited and burdened by the club’s trophy drought in previous seasons, but is confident they can play with greater freedom following last term’s success.

“I think it has changed the pressure on us heading into the new season,” the former Villarreal and Malaga man told Marca.

“It liberated us in a certain way. The team, after so many years without winning anything, were aware of the tension at important times.”

Arsenal have been busy over the summer, sealing deals for Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy, with further business expected, and Cazorla is excited by the prospect of playing alongside the Chilean.

“I like his arrival. He's a top-level footballer who surely would've had an awful lot of offers on the table and the fact that he has chosen Arsenal is great for everybody,” the Spaniard continued.

“I am convinced that he's going to bring great things to the team.”

The signing of the former Barcelona attacker increases the competition for places in a squad already packed with talent, but Cazorla has backed himself to cling onto a first-team place.

“I hope I can bring many things, although it will be difficult to get in the side!” he quipped.

“There are so many players and all at a great level: [Mesut] Ozil, [Aaron] Ramsey, [Jack] Wilshere, [Theo] Walcott, and now Alexis too. In any case, it's important that the group is competitive. That will mean we all raise our game.”

 

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Beckham applauds Madrid signing James Rodriguez

Former Real Madrid star David Beckham has applauded the signing of World Cup star and Monaco attacking midfielder James Rodriguez.

The 23-year-old scored the goal of the tournament and bagged the Golden Boot as Colombia reached the last eight in Brazil and was snapped up for a reported €80 million by the Blancos this week.

Beckham, who was a Santiago Bernabeu midfielder himself between 2003 and 2007, can foresee James becoming a Madrid great and praised him for his performances in the World Cup.

"The club's brought in some very special players and that has strengthened the team," the retired pro told reporters at a visit to the club's training camp in pre-season, in the United States.

"This club will always have players who are different and James is a great player - he had a great World Cup and scored the goal of the tournament."

Beckham played during the Galacticos era of the club but failed to win the Champions League during his four years in the Spanish capital, and he hailed the way Carlo Ancelotti - with whom he worked at Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan - took Madrid to Decima glory.

"I know how important the Champions League is to Real Madrid and I’m happy for Ancelotti, the president, the lads and the fans," the Englishman added.

"It was incredible, it was such a special season. I won the league with Madrid and that was amazing - I can’t even begin to imagine what it must have felt like to have won the Champions League with Madrid.

"I’m always happy to see Real Madrid. I really miss being at the club."

 

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Van Gaal to have words with Mourinho over Shaw jibe

Louis van Gaal says he will speak to Jose Mourinho privately after the Portuguese claimed signing Luke Shaw would have “killed” Chelsea.

The Red Devils paid €34 million to acquire the 19-year-old left-back from Southampton, agreeing to pay him a salary of €200,000-per-week, while the Blues pulled out of any prospective deal after learning of the teenager's demands.

Mourinho instead signed Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid in a €20m deal and took a swipe at United on Friday, telling reporters: "To pay a 19-year-old boy what we were being asked for, for Luke Shaw, we are dead.

"We would have killed our stability with financial fair play, and killed the stability in our dressing room."

Van Gaal, however, refused to bite back in public, instead revealing that he will speak with the Chelsea boss in private.

“I don't have to answer, I don't think I have to discuss things with the media. Its better to discuss it with Jose,” he told reporters in the build-up to United's pre-season clash with Roma.

Shaw made his United debut in the club's 7-0 win over LA Galaxy in midweek, featuring as a wing-back in Van Gaal's 3-5-2 formation.

The Dutchman's second game in charge comes against the Serie A runners-up on Saturday and Van Gaal slammed the scheduling of the fixture, admitting he will attempt to persuade the referee to allow a drinks break – as seen in the World Cup.

“It is unbelievable that we play at two o’clock,” he said. “We will adapt to the situation because all the players will play for 45 minutes except [Tom] Cleverley.

“For the players, it is very hard and I hope I can persuade the referee to have a drinks break as I did in Fortaleza [when Netherlands played Mexico].

“We have a sports science department and it shall be done very well with the conditions, especially those players who will play 45 minutes.”

 

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Villas-Boas: James will thrive in No.10 role

James Rodriguez will flourish at Real Madrid if he plays in his preferred No. 10 position, according to his former coach Andre Villas-Boas.

The Colombia star joined the Blancos from Monaco on a six-year deal for a reported €80 million earlier this week after dazzling with his nation at the World Cup in Brazil.

Before joining Monaco, however, the forward - who claimed the Golden Boot at the World Cup - won the Portuguese league three years in a row with Porto where he played as an attacking midfielder behind the likes of countryman Radamel Falcao and Hulk.

His former coach at Porto, Villas-Boas, has said that Carlo Ancelotti will need to deploy James in a similar position at the Santiago Bernabeu if the Italian wants to get the most out of the 23-year-old.

"A creative player like James has to have freedom of movement on the pitch," the Zenit Saint-Petersburg coach told Marca.

"In my opinion, the best position for James is in the No.10 spot, where he feels most comfortable. From that position not only can he finish the move himself, but he can also link up with a better-placed team-mate."Villas-Boas admitted that he always thought James would go onto achieve great things - but not at such a young age.

“We made the transfer at Porto with the clear intention of gradually developing the player and not with the expectation that he would explode so soon,” Villas-Boas said.

“I think he has all the conditions to adapt to the demands of Real Madrid and the pressure of a club.”

 

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Real Madrid consider €60 million Di Maria sale to fund Falcao

Real Madrid are holding out for €60 million for Argentina winger Angel Di Maria and plan to use the money to fund a big-money move for Monaco striker Radamel Falcao.

Di Maria is a target for Paris Saint-Germain, but the French champions are yet to meet Madrid's valuation for the 26-year-old and the Argentine could yet stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Madrid are keen to push through a sale to recoup some funds in another intense period of summer spending, which has already seen the club pay €30m for Toni Kroos and €80m for James Rodriguez.

James' Colombia and former Monaco team-mate Falcao could also arrive this summer for a fee in the region of €40m, but Madrid will wait until late in the window to see how he recovers from the anterior cruciate ligament rupture which saw him miss the World Cup.

"Right up until the last day something can happen," Madrid president Florentino Perez said this week. "Be it buying players or selling them."

Last year, Real brought in Gareth Bale and sold Mesut Ozil right at the end of the window and this time the last-minute action could involve Di Maria and Falcao, with Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas set to seal a move next week.

Di Maria is unhappy at being used as a transfer pawn for the second summer in a row, especially after his brilliant performances helped the club claim the Copa del Rey and the Champions League last term, and is set for showdown talks with the board when he returns to training on August 5.

Madrid play in six competitions next season and coach Carlo Ancelotti would prefer to keep Di Maria, but the Italian also knows Madrid need another centre-forward after selling Alvaro Morata to Juventus earlier this summer.

Benzema is now the club's only senior striker and if the club decide to keep Di Maria (and sell Sami Khedira and Isco instead), Madrid may take Falcao on loan for a fee of €12m with a view to a permament deal for around €35m next summer, allowing Ancelotti to assess his fitness after the injury and Perez to raise funds for the move in 2015.

 

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Full Time

Manchester United 3 Vs 2 Roma

Manchester United Goal(s)

Rooney 36',45+1(PEN)'
Mata 39'

&

Roma Goal(s)

Pjanic 75'
Totti 89(PEN)'​

 

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Congratulations Manchester United!

​

 

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Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Chicago Fire: Pedestrian Spurs edge past Fire

Harry Kane scored after just three minutes for Tottenham, while Aaron Lennon's persistence led to a second goal in the 84th minute as Mauricio Pochettino's team ended their trip to the USA with two wins and a draw from three games.

But although the result was positive, it looks like Pochettino still has work to do, as Tottenham barely got out of second gear throughout the match at Toyota Park.

Kane handed the visitors an ideal start in Chicago, striking early thanks to fine lead-up work from Lewis Holtby, who stole the ball from the Fire's Jeff Larentowicz before teeing up his 20-year-old team-mate.

The rest of the game was rather pedestrian but Tottenham wrapped up their victory with six minutes remaining, as Lennon beat Bakary Soumare and the Fire's reserve goalkeeper Kyle Reynish to a bouncing long ball, before tapping into an empty net.

Chicago's coach Frank Yallop would have been furious with his team's start, as they gave up possession on the edge of their penalty area in just the fourth minute, allowing Kane to score.

But the Fire worked their way back into the contest as the half wore on with Matt Watson testing Tottenham keeper Brad Friedel in the 25th minute.

As the clock ticked past the half-hour mark, Tottenham midfielder Erik Lamela continued his strong close-season, skipping past a couple of opponents before forcing Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson into a fine save.

Lamela, who scored twice in a 3-2 win over Toronto FC on Wednesday, was at it again four minutes later, surging through midfield before a flying Johnson again kept the Argentine's shot from finishing in the net.

The hosts looked more comfortable after half-time, taking advantage of a number of substitutions from Pochettino, although Chicago struggled to fashion genuine goal-scoring chances in the first 20 minutes of the second period.

In the 69th minute, the Fire's Dilly Duka linked up with a couple of team-mates to work his way through Tottenham's midfield before his shot was saved lowdown by Friedel, while Chicago striker Matthew Fondy got into the box with 15 minutes left only to have his shot blocked.

Tottenham finished the match stronger with Lennon doubling their lead before Christian Eriksen got in behind the Fire's defence only for Reynish to smother his shot on the edge of the area.

 

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St Pauli 1-0 Celtic: Scottish champions suffer German defeat

Christopher Nothe scored the only goal of the game as St Pauli beat Celtic in a pre-season friendly at Millerntor Stadion on Saturday.

The striker slotted home after Sebastian Schachten had robbed Filip Twardzik of possession just before half-time to give the Bundesliga 2 side victory.

A young Celtic outfit ought to have salvaged a draw, but Bahrudin Atajic put a penalty over the crossbar three minutes from time after Paul McMullan had been upended by Tom Trybull.

Celtic boss Ronny Deila gave former Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon a start in an otherwise inexperienced side, as his first-team regulars were given a rest ahead of Wednesday's Champions League third qualifying round clash against Legia Warsaw.

Atajic had an opportunity to open the scoring just two minutes in, but Philipp Tschauner thwarted the young Swedish striker and the goalkeeper had to be alert once again to come off his line and deny Amido Balde when the Portuguese raced clear 11 minutes in.

It was the home side who took the lead five minutes before half-time, though, when Twardzik dallied on the ball and Schachten nipped in to dispossess the left-back and cut the ball back into the path of the onrushing Nothe, who finished with his right foot from six yards out.

Nothe could have doubled his side's lead just after the hour mark, but he fired over the crossbar and Tony Watt spurned a chance to equalise after Eoghan O'Connell picked the striker out but he headed wide.

Celtic goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska, who replaced Gordon at half-time, tipped over Sebastian Maier's free-kick as St Pauli went in search of a second goal and there was a dramatic finale as Celtic were awarded a penalty with only three minutes remaining.

McMullan raced into the penalty area and was brought down by Trybull, but Atajic put his spot-kick over the crossbar after looking unconvincing in his run-up and Watt flashed a shot wide of the far post as Celtic were consigned to defeat.

 

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Manchester Utd 3-2 Roma: Rooney & Mata on target as Red Devils win again

Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United beat Roma 3-2 in their International Champions Cup opener in Denver on Saturday.

The England striker had netted a double in the 7-0 demolition of LA Galaxy in Louis van Gaal's first game as United boss in midweek and he was at it again as the Premier League side scored three goals in the space of 10 minutes at the end of the first half to stun the Serie A side.

United had looked vulnerable at the back with a three-man defence before Rooney opened the scoring with a sublime right-foot strike, and then set up Juan Mata for a superb second goal soon afterwards.

Rooney struck from the penalty spot to add the third - just as he did against the Galaxy - after Roma new boy Urby Emanuelson had upended Danny Welbeck in first-half stoppage time.

A packed crowd inside Sports Authority Field had been treated to two moments of sheer quality from Rooney and Mata for the opening goals, but there was even better to come after the break when Miralem Pjanic, once linked with United, pulled a goal back 15 minutes from time with an audacious lob from inside his own half, to leave United's substitute goalkeeper Ben Amos red-faced.

Francesco Totti pulled another goal back from the penalty spot with time running out, but United held on to make it two wins out of two for Van Gaal.

Roma had made a promising start as United looked uncertain with their new formation, playing three central defenders, and Mattia Destro almost caught them out when he raced onto a ball over the top and lobbed young goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, but the ball bounced down and over the crossbar.

Leandro Paredes then saw his free-kick deflected over the wall as United looked rattled and Alessandro Florenzi forced a save out of Johnstone with a left-footed strike from outside the penalty area after Destro had found space again.

It was United who took the lead with a goal out of nothing 10 minutes before the break, though, as Rooney was allowed too much time to line up a strike from 25 yards out that flashed into the far corner of the net.

The former Everton man then caught Roma out once again just over two minutes later when he picked out Mata with an incisive pass, the Spain midfielder finishing with a well-executed lob.

Rooney helped himself to a second goal on the stroke of half-time, sending the goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski the wrong way from the spot after Emanuelson had brought down Welbeck.

Roma were left with a mountain to climb, but Pjanic had the crowd on their feet with a sensational strike 15 minutes from time as he spotted Amos off his line and lobbed him from inside his own half.

Leandro Castan hit a post late on and then veteran Totti pulled another goal back from the spot after Michael Keane had been penalised for handball, but United stood firm to secure the victory and open their Group A campaign with a win.

 

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Real Madrid 1-1 Inter (2-3 pens): Icardi ensures Los Blancos pay penalty after Bale beauty

Mauro Icardi cancelled out Gareth Bale's screamer with a penalty and then netted the decisive spot-kick a 3-2 shootout success after Inter had drawn 1-1 with Real Madrid in their International Champions Cup clash in California.

Bale gave Madrid the lead in the ninth minute in sensational fashion, surging through midfield with the ball at his feet before hitting a 30-yard strike, which swerved past Inter keeper Samir Handanovic into the top corner.

But Inter equalised midway through the second half of the International Champions Cup match after Nemanja Vidic was pushed in the area by Ruben Sobrino and Icardi cheekily dinked his spot-kick over Jesus Fernandez.

In the shoot-out, Juan Pablo Carrizo gave Inter an immediate boost, saving Isco's first penalty for Madrid and then denying Asier Illarramendi with a trailing leg, before Icardi ensured victory with the final spot-kick.Madrid started the brightest at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley with Bale looping a header onto the bar from Lucas Vasquez's third-minute cross.

Vidic - Inter's new central defender - made just his second appearance for the Italian side since joining from Manchester United and the veteran looked rusty in the first half.

The Serbian's back-pass in the sixth minute went straight to Bale at the top of the box but the Welshman could not make the most of the opportunity, although Vidic made up for that error with a fine block to deny Lucas soon after.

It did not take much longer for Madrid to hit the front, however, with Illarramendi's pressure allowing Bale to pick up a loose ball near the centre circle, burst forward and score a brilliant goal.

Vidic was lucky to escape sanction just after the half-hour mark, as the 32-year-old collected Lucas on the chin with a slightly-raised elbow but the referee kept his cards in his pocket, as Ancelotti's men saw out the rest of the first half of an increasingly spiteful encounter.Unrest flared again just after the break when Raul de Tomas of Real cut down Inter's Dodo from behind, sparking plenty of push-and-shove between the two teams.

Madrid seemed to lose their focus as niggly fouls began to permeate the match with Inter substitute Yann M'Vila forcing a fine save before Mazzarri's side equalised in the 68th minute thanks to Icardi's penalty.

Inter could have hit the front with 10 minutes left but Madrid's substitute keeper Fernandez produced two brilliant stops in the space of five seconds to deny Vidic and Marco Andreolli.

But Inter would not be denied in the shoot-out, winning despite Yuto Nagatomo having his effort saved and M'Vila hitting the post.

 

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New York Red Bulls 1-0 Arsenal: Henry inspires win over former club

Arsenal suffered defeat in their only pre-season fixture in the United States, losing 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

With the Guners set to host and contest the Emirates Cup, the club's stopover in the USA was brief and they left empty-handed after New York striker Bradley Wright-Phillips continued his impressive form at Red Bull Arena.

Wright-Phillips - the leading goalscorer in MLS - made the breakthrough in the 32nd minute for his seventh goal in six games for New York, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Arsene Wenger, who is expected to announce the signing of goalkeeper David Ospina in the coming days, will oversee his team's upcoming fixtures against Benfica and Monaco ahead of their Premier League opener at home to Crystal Palace on August 16.

Both teams were presented with sights on goal in an open start to proceedings in New York.

Arsenal icon Thierry Henry was the first to try his luck for the Red Bulls, flashing his shot just wide of the post in the eighth minute.

Aaron Ramsey attempted a similar effort 11 minutes later, with an identical result as the ball went wide after some good combination play from Arsenal outside the penalty area.

Henry was in and amongst it again in the 32nd minute as the Red Bulls broke the deadlock courtesy of Wright-Phillips.

The 36-year-old Frenchman delivered a corner that was headed across goal by Ibrahim Sekagya and Wright-Phillips pounced to poke the ball into the net from six yards out.

Arsenal were unfortunate not to be on level terms at half-time after midfielder Jack Wilshere was denied on by keeper Louis Robles and Tim Cahill in quick succession.

The visitors thought they had equalised 10 minutes into the second half, when Abou Diaby raced through to place the ball beyond Robles but he was flagged for offside.

The English club continued to press forward in search of a levelling goal but it was not forthcoming, as New York emerged triumphant on home soil.

 

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Roma tell Manchester United to pay big for Kevin Strootman

Roma coach Rudi Garcia has told Manchester United they will have to stump up 100 million euros (£79million) if they want to sign Kevin Strootman.

New United boss Louis van Gaal said on Friday he will monitor Strootman's recovery from a serious knee injury before deciding whether to bid for the Netherlands and Roma midfielder.Garcia recently vowed that Strootman would remain at Roma this season, but just to make his point perfectly clear, he said on Saturday night that a huge fee would be required for the Italian club to even consider letting the midfielder go.

"What can I say about the rumours (about Strootman joining United)..." Garcia pondered with a smile after Roma's 3-2 defeat to United on Saturday."Maybe after a three-digit offer (i.e. 100 million euros), then we will sit down and think about it."

Strootman, who Van Gaal knows well from his time as Netherlands manager, missed Saturday's game in Denver as he is continuing his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained in March.The 24-year-old is making good progress in his rehabilitation, according to his manager.

"Kevin is following a normal recovery programme. He is fine. He will start running soon," Garcia added.

 

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Garcia ta pissu hadilada...£79million illanne Strootman taStrootman nam nathuwata kamak naha kohomath
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Bale vital to Real Madrid, says Pepe

Pepe has praised Gareth Bale for his performance in Real Madrid’s first pre-season match and stressed how vital he is to the team.

The former Tottenham star opened the scoring with a fine effort in the Blancos' opening International Champions Cup game against Inter but, despite Bale’s excellent solo goal, the European champions could only draw 1-1 before losing 3-2 on penalties.

"Bale was good today," centre-back Pepe told reporters after the match. "Okay, he was very good! He will be a vital player for us.

"There is a long way to go before La Liga begins, but we are getting prepared. As always we have to take it one game at a time."

The defender also addressed his own performance, coming after a disappointing World Cup campaign, and was vaguely critical of his condition against Inter after a few weeks out of action during the summer holidays.

"It was the first game of the season, and it shows, but we will continue working to improve," Pepe added. "I’ve only been here a week, but I’m well, in good condition."

Real Madrid kick off their competitive season with the Uefa Super Cup against Sevilla on August 12.

 

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Lewandowski has everything - Guardiola

New Bayern Munich signing Robert Lewandowski is the complete footballer, according to his boss Pep Guardiola.

The Polish forward arrived at the club this summer on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund, who are the Bavarians' Bundesliga rivals.

Lewandowski wasted little time in reminding the Bavarians why they have been so keen to recruit him as he helped his new side to a 2-2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach with a magnificent chipped goal in the semi-final of the Telekom Cup on Saturday as the German giants went on to win the match 5-4 on penalties.

"Lewandowski is a top player," Guardiola told reporters. "He has it all. Thank you to the club for buying him!"

Lewandowski was evidently proud of his goal when describing it after the match, "a super goal, it was instinct".

Finally, Guardiola will have been pleased to witness the return of Franck Ribery as the France international made his comeback from the back injury that ruled him out of the World Cup on Saturday.

Bayern will now go on to defend their title against Wolfsburg in the final on Sunday.

 

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Pochettino quiet on Schneiderlin speculation

Mauricio Pochettino is remaining tight-lipped on reports suggesting that Tottenham are planning to swoop for Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin.

Since Pochettino's departure from St Mary's a number of key players have left the Saints - including Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert - with Dejan Lovren set to follow with a €25 million move to Liverpool.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have already recruited Swansea City pair Michel Vorm and Ben Davies, with Gylfi Sigurdsson heading to the Liberty Stadium as part of the deal.

Earlier this week Goal revealed Schneiderlin is now the No.1 transfer target for both Arsenal and Tottenham but, while he admits he would like further reinforcements, Pochettino refused to shed any light on the speculation.
"We're trying to improve the squad but I never speak about players from other clubs," he told reporters. "I have respect. I'm just focused on my team."


Pochettino was speaking after Tottenham defeated Chicago Fire 2-0 on Saturday, as the club ended their pre-season tour of the United States unbeaten.
And the Argentine was happy with the progress his side made during their visit to America."I'm very pleased for the players because we've finished with a good win, a clean sheet and that's a boost for the confidence," he added.


"It was difficult in the humidity but well done to the players, it was a good game out there. I'm happy for all of them. I thought we played well."We've worked hard on this tour and congratulations to the players, staff and the supporters, they've been fantastic."

 

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Bayern: We'll never fire Guardiola

Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has reassured fans that Pep Guardiola will "never be fired" by the Bavarian giants.

The five-time European champions have often stuttered in the seasons following a World Cup: Felix Magath was fired in January 2007, while Louis van Gaal was dismissed in April 2011, as both men struggled with a squad fatigued after an insubstantial summer break.

Rummenigge has assured fans that a similar malaise will not befall the club this season and that Guardiola, whom was hired last summer, need not fear for his future.

"Bayern Munich will never fire Pep Guardiola," the club chief affirmed to Morgen Post. "I give you that in writing.

"He will be our coach until at least June 30, 2016, when his contract ends.

"Admittedly, for the players it is not easy to begin again after a short holiday due to the World Cup, but thankfully we have a coach who is very relaxed in dealing with this situation.

"This week, he told me, 'I know what I must do and how we manage it' - Pep knows this very situation from 2010, when Spain became world champions and World Cup stars then barely recovered before returning to Barcelona."

Rummenigge, who starred for West Germany and Bayern in his playing days, also spoke of his own pride at seeing his compatriots lift the World Cup in Brazil.

"I have rarely enjoyed such a tournament like the Brazil one," he continued. "After the final, I was happy because our players were unharmed, unlike Franck Ribery at the Euro 2008 or Arjen Robben at the 2010 World Cup.

"But also because the older players such as Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger finally had the title which they had been working for so meticulously for all these years.

"Germany longs for such heroes, Germany loves such heroes."

 

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Simeone: Brilliant Griezmann would shine for Atletico

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is confident that summer transfer target Antoine Griezmann would be a brilliant signing.

Goal revealed this week that the France international is close to joining La Liga's champions after the Rojiblancos have seen off competition from Tottenham and Monaco.

Although he praised the 23-year-old, Simeone stressed that negotiations being held with the attacker do not make him an Atletico man yet.

"He’s a brilliant player," Simeone began, speaking to reporters ahead of Atletico’s friendly match against San Jose Earthquakes. "He is very quick and can give us a lot of options in attack.

"However, it’s also true that a lot of other players have been talked about as possibly coming [to Atletico], and we could make two teams out of all of them."

The coach, who took Atletico to the Spanish title last season, also expressed how content he is with his team’s progress during their pre-season so far.

"It has stood us in good stead," he continued. "Above all I am happy with the new boys. I hope I can have the whole group available as soon as possible, but right now that’s not possible.

"I’m satisfied with our work over these three weeks."

 

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Rodgers: Liverpool won't rush Lallana recovery

Adam Lallana will not be rushed back from a knee injury ahead of schedule, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool were dealt a major blow when it was confirmed Lallana - a €31 million signing from Southampton - sustained lateral collateral ligament damage during a training session in the United States.


The 26-year-old is expected to miss up to six weeks, putting him in doubt for Liverpool's first three games of the Premier League season against his former club, champions Manchester City and Tottenham.


And speaking ahead of Sunday's International Champions Cup fixture against Olympiacos in Chicago, Rodgers told reporters the England international would be given time to recover.


"Of course it was very disappointing - it's probably going to be four to six weeks," Rodgers said at a media conference from Soldier Field in Chicago.
"He has looked fantastic in training; it was just a very simple exercise with no pressure. The medical team are looking closely at that at the moment.


"We're hopeful that he'll come back fairly quickly but there's no rush. He's a fantastic player, we just need to get him back fit and well because it's a long season.

Lazar Markovic, Emre Can and Rickie Lambert have also arrived at Anfield this summer while Loic Remy and Dejan Lovren are expected to follow shortly, but Rodgers refused to shed any light on impending arrivals.

"There has been an awful lot of work that has gone on into finding players that are suitable and are going to come in and help the club progress," he added.
"But like I've always said, I'll never comment on players until they're signed and sealed - I can talk all day about them then."