..::Football III::..

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Rot-Weiss Essen 1-5 Borussia Dortmund: Immobile strikes as Klopp's men cruise

Ciro Immobile was on target for Borussia Dortmund as they thrashed Rot-Weiss Essen 5-1 in a pre-season friendly on Sunday.

Immobile, who joined from Torino last month, found the net against the fourth-tier side as Dortmund's greater quality told in a one-sided affair on Sunday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a double, while Neven Subotic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were also on target before Cebio Soukou grabbed a consolation for the hosts at Stadion Essen, with all six goals coming in the first half.

However, there is likely to be some concern over the fitness of Dortmund's Italian striker after he limped off following a collision with Essen goalkeeper Niclas Heimann.

Heimann was at fault for Dortmund's opener as he was dispossessed by Aubameyang in the eighth minute, the Gabon international gaining reward for his awareness.

Immobile then fed the former Saint-Etienne man for his second two minutes later, before Subotic bundled home from close range.

The rout continued as Mkhitaryan headed home from Marcel Schmelzer's left-wing cross in the 25th minute.

New boy Immobile made it five with his maiden strike for Jurgen Klopp's men, converting after good work from Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan.

Midfielder Soukou capitalised on another goalkeeping error, this time from Hendrik Bonmann, to reduce Essen's arrears.

Immobile then came together with Heimann when chasing a loose ball just before the break, and was withdrawn during the interval as part of a flurry of changes.

The flow of the game was understandably disrupted in the second half due to the substitutions, with Dortmund taking their foot off the gas as they eased to an emphatic success.

 

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Lukaku wants to come back, says Everton transfer chief

Everton's head of recruitment Ian Atkins believes Romelu Lukaku has decided he wants move to Goodison Park this summer.

Goal learned on Sunday morning that Roberto Martinez's side have agreed two deals - one loan and the other a €25 million permanent move - with Chelsea for the Belgium international.

Lukaku scored 16 goals during his season-loan loan spell with Everton last season and Martinez has already expressed his desire to bring the 21-year-old back to the club.

"Romelu had a terrific season for Everton last year and I know everyone at the football club wants to see him back," Atkins told talkSPORT.

"Hopefully things can be sorted out, I think he's quite settled in his mind that he wants to come to Everton, and hopefully he'll be pulling on our blue shirt again next term.

"Our loan signings all did brilliantly for us last season. Gareth Barry has signed permanently now which is fantastic, and hopefully Lukaku will as well.

"I know the manager would like him back at Everton and I'm sure if he comes he’ll be a great asset and can help us get to that next level of European football."

 

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I'm happy at Atletico Madrid, insists Suarez

Mario Suarez has stressed he is "very happy" at Atletico Madrid despite rumours that Rafael Benitez is keen to bring him to Napoli.

The defensive midfielder, who currently has two caps for Spain, made 24 La Liga appearances for Diego Simeone's title-winning side last season but has reportedly become a target for last season's Serie A runners-up.

Suarez, however, has indicated he is fully committed to starting the new campaign with the Vicente Calderon side.

"I am now here in San Francisco and am working for Atletico," the 27-year-old, currently on pre-season duties in the USA, told reporters. "I have a contract with Atletico.

"I am very happy here, very happy, I'm on tour and there's not much more I can say.

"The team's goal this year is to fight for all titles, we're starting the season fighting for a major title, the Spanish Supercopa."

Atletico are due to face their city rivals Real in the first match of the two-legged final at Santiago Bernabeu on August 19, before the return leg three days later.

The last time the two clubs met was in the Champions League final in Lisbon, where Madrid triumphed 4-1 after extra-time.

"It is a special game, but there is no spirit of revenge, Lisbon is already forgotten," Suarez added.

Atletico are due to play against San Jose Earthquakes in a pre-season friendly on Sunday.

 

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Liverpool pull out of Remy deal over medical concerns

Liverpool have pulled out of a deal to sign Loic Remy from Queens Park Rangers.

Remy, 27, had joined up with the Reds in Boston on their pre-season tour of the United States after the two clubs agreed a €10 million deal.

But problems detected during medical examinations have concerned the Merseysiders and they have backed away from the transfer.

Remy's move from Nice to Marseille in 2010 was held up due to heart complaints, but he was later cleared to play top-level football following second tests carried out by specialists.

He joined QPR seemingly without issue three years later, and spent last season on loan with Newcastle United.

The France international had been attracting interest from Tottenham and Arsenal earlier in the summer, but Spurs pulled out of the race shortly before a fee was agreed with Liverpool despite having held talks with the player's camp.

Remy had always favoured a move to the Gunners, but he was not one of the Londoners' priority targets.

Liverpool had been interested in Swansea striker Wilfried Bony earlier this summer, but had been put off by his near-€25m pricetag.

 

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Meeta kalin sarayakath Remy ge transfer 1kak miss una Health Issue 1kak nisa.​

 

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Liverpool 1-0 Olympiakos: Sterling strike sees off Greeks

Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool defeated Olympiakos 1-0 in the International Champions Cup.

The winger struck after just five minutes of play at Soldier Field in Chicago, finishing coolly after latching onto a deflected strike from Daniel Sturridge.

The Reds were good value for their win, although Olympiakos were inches away from earning a point, with Gevorg Ghazaryan denied by the crossbar early in the second half with Brad Jones beaten.

Liverpool's first match of the pre-season tournament in the US saw them start well, with a free kick in the fourth minute in a dangerous area, before they took the lead a minute later.

Sturridge's attempt from distance deflected off an Olympiakos defender, and fell fortunately to Sterling, who tucked away past a helpless Balazs Megyeri.

The game began to open up later in the half, with Liverpool producing several fast counterattacks, with new signing Lukas Markovic involved.

Olympiakos had appeals for a penalty waved away in the 35th minute, as Javier Saviola earned a yellow card for simulation inside the area.

Moments later, Markovic showed elements of his class as he danced into the Olympiakos area, only to guide his curling right-footed shot too high for the top-right corner target.

Rodgers swung the changes at half-time, taking out Markovic, fellow signing Emre Can and Jose Enrique, and bringing in Joe Allen, Jack Robinson and Coutinho.

However, it was Olympiakos who should have struck first on return to the Soldier Field playing arena, as Ghazaryan's shot was agonisingly denied by the woodwork.

Andreas Bouchalakis then had a gilt-edged chance to equalise, forcing a turnover deep in Liverpool's defensive third, however he could not control his final touch around goalkeeper Jones as the chance dissipated.

 

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AC Milan 1-5 Manchester City: Rossoneri run ragged by English champions

Manchester City cruised to victory over a dismal AC Milan in Pittsburgh as they won out 5-1 winners in their International Champions Cup opener.

Manuel Pellegrini's men stormed into an early 2-0 lead thanks to strikes from Stefan Jovetic and Scott Sinclair, the pair capitalising on a sloppy Milan defence which struggled with City's pace down the right flank.

City continued to dominate and added a third as Jesus Navas sent a deflected acrobatic effort beyond Michael Agazzi in the Milan goal, before Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho grabbed his second goal in as many games with a toe poke from the edge of the area.

Sulley Muntari got on the end of Alex's knock-back to pull one back for the Serie A side before the game was almost abandoned at the break following severe weather conditions, including a tornado warning.

The sides did emerge for the second half following a lengthy delay and City picked up where thye had left off by adding a fifth as Jovetic grabbed his second of the evening, to put the gloss on a formidable City display

Jovetic opened the scoring after 12 minutes when he finished off a pacy attack by slipping home Navas' through-ball at the near post.

Just two minutes later, Sinclair - another of City's peripheral figures last term - reminded Pellegrini of his quality with an expertly-angled finish from inside the area.

Navas got in on the action soon after as City's early onslaught continued with the Spaniard's acrobatic effort finding its way past Milan goalkeeper Michael Agazzi courtesy of a deflection off Andrea Poli.

Amid further hapless Milan defending, 17-year-old Nigerian prospect Iheanacho added a fourth with a poked effort from outside the area.

Muntari salvaged something from the half shortly before the interval but Inzaghi was left with food for thought, having seen his side outplayed.

After being substituted in at half-time, Mario Balotelli made his mark on the contest - tucking away what he thought was Milan's second before being denied by the offside flag.

Jovetic reinstated City's four-goal lead prior to the hour mark, when he combined with Aleksandar Kolarov on the left.

The Montenegro international played a ball out to Kolarov, who played a pass back in for the striker, and he cleverly chipped an on-rushing Milan defender before finishing with his left foot.

The result made it two defeats from as many games for Milan in the International Champions Cup, while Italy's three clubs involved in the United States-based tournament have registered three defeats and one win from four fixtures.

 

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Schweinsteiger apologises for insulting Borussia Dortmund

Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger has apologised for singing an insulting song about rivals Borussia Dortmund.

A video surfaced on Tuesday night showing the Germany international partaking in a chant featuring the lyrics "BVB sons of b*tches" while celebrating his country's World Cup success in a Munich bar two days after the 1-0 win over Argentina in Rio de Janeiro.

"I want to apologise to all the fans, coaches and players of Borussia Dortmund," Schweinsteiger wrote on his Facebook profile.

"This is a well-known fan song but with a curse word. I didn't want to offend anyone. I get on very well with all the Dortmund players - especially Kevin Grosskreutz."

Schweinsteiger lifted the World Cup as part of a Germany squad containing four Dortmund players in total - Grosskreutz, Mats Hummels Erik Durm and Roman Weidenfeller.

 

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Official: Lovren completes Liverpool move

Dejan Lovren has completed his €24 million move to Liverpool to become the club's third summer recruit from Southampton.

Goal understands the Croatia international has turned down interest from Arsenal and Tottenham to complete the move to Merseyside.

The centre-back was outspoken earlier in July after revealing Southampton had turned down a similar bid without informing him but has now been confirmed as Liverpool's fifth summer signing.

"It's a dream come true. I'm happy and glad to be here. I'm proud and can't wait to start. I know we have millions and millions of supporters - Liverpool is more than a club," he told the club's official website.

"After I played at Anfield last season, I said to myself: 'One day I hope I'll be able to play here for Liverpool'.

"The fans will know from the first minute that I'm a player that will give 100 per cent on the pitch."

Lovren joins former Southampton team-mates Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana at Anfield, becoming the latest in a long line of Southampton players to leave the club this summer.

Luke Shaw has also exited St Mary's, joining Manchester United, while Morgan Schneiderlin is the subject of interest from Tottenham and Arsenal and Calum Chambers is expected to join the Gunners.

 

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Congratzzzzzzzz Lovren!​

 

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Vidic: Mazzarri making it easy to settle in at Inter

Nemanja Vidic has revealed that he is enjoying life at Inter under the guidance of Walter Mazzarri.

The Serbian defender joined the Nerazzurri on a free transfer this summer following the expiration of his contract at Manchester United.

Vidic impressed for his new club in Saturday's International Champions Cup penalty shootout success over Real Madrid and admitted afterwards that he is settling in quickly at Inter thanks to Mazzarri.

"I'm enjoying myself and I'm getting used to the style of play," the 32-year-old centre-half told reporters.

"[Mazzarri] is a coach who explains very clearly what he wants so it's easier to do what he asks of you."

Inter fell behind to Gareth Bale's long-range strike 10 minutes into Saturday's friendly in California but Mauro Icardi levelled from the spot and then slotted home the decisive spot-kick in the shootout.

It may only have been a pre-season match but Vidic took enormous satisfaction out of helping the Nerazzurri record a win over the European champions.

"It's always a beautiful game against Madrid, even if it's a friendly," the former United captain enthused. "It's even better to win a game like this."

 

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Mourinho pleased with Chelsea's Olimpija test

Jose Mourinho was satisfied with Chelsea's workout in their 2-1 friendly success over Olimpija on Sunday.

The Premier League outfit fell behind to Nik Kapun's thumping finish five minutes before half-time in Slovenia, but drew level when new signing Diego Costa produced a strike of similar quality in the 56th minute to score on his debut.

Kurt Zouma stabbed in the winner eight minutes later after Fernando Torres' shot was saved, and the Spaniard was then guilty of a glaring miss 14 minutes from time when he somehow chested the ball over an open goal from two yards out.

Mourinho, who returned to Stamford Bridge at the start of last season for a second spell in charge, expressed satisfaction at the day's events and believes he has a side capable of challenging for titles once again in 2014-15.

"The important thing is to give competition to the players," he said. "The best thing was that Olimpija made it difficult.

"The other good thing is that we didn't pick up injuries. Obviously it's nice for a striker [Costa] to score in his first game.

"Every team has got stronger, not just us. The English league is the only one where five teams are candidates.

"We feel we are going to be very strong and we want to fight for the title, no doubt about it."

 

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Lovren: Liverpool move a dream come true

Dejan Lovren has described his move to Liverpool as "a dream come true" after completing his transfer from Southampton.

The Croatian spoke to the club's official website after his transfer was officially announced and the central defender revealed he cannot wait to get going on Merseyside.

The 25-year-old represented his country at the World Cup in Brazil and made clear his desire to secure a move away from St Mary's on his return and becomes the latest high profile departure from the Saints, following moves for Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Calum Chambers.

Asked how it sounds to be a described as a Liverpool player, Lovren said: "It sounds amazing and it's a dream come true. I'm happy and glad to be here; I'm proud and can't wait to start.

"I know we have millions and millions of supporters - Liverpool is more than a club.

"I'm most looking forward to Anfield, of course. I played there last season in front of the crowd singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. That is something very special for every player, every sportsman and every fan. I can't wait to get started."

 

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mata penna baha vidal wa..Puduma add ekak :/

Vidal ge performance nam patta broAnyway ithin kohomada broKalekin dakke thread 1ke

Real Madrid lath hoda signs 2kak karagattha neda....Kroos & J.Rodriguez

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Pitch Invaders lage wada

&

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Man Utd's defensive worries grow as Rafael leaves US tour

Manchester United defender Rafael will miss the remaining games of the club's tour of the United States after suffering a groin injury.The Brazilian full-back, 24, picked up the injury in the lead-up to United's 3-2 win over Roma in the International Champions Cup on Saturday.


Though the extent of the problem remains unknown, it will come as a blow to manager Louis van Gaal, who will implement a wing-back system at Old Trafford next season and is short on defensive options.The Dutchman is in the market for reinforcements following the departures of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, as well as the necessity of playing three central defenders in his 3-4-1-2 formation.


Rafael had been expected to take a right-sided wing-back role, with Antonio Valencia providing competition for places given the lack of a second-choice right-back.


Phil Jones and Chris Smalling had provided cover for the Brazilian last season, but they are currently two of the club's only three senior centre-backs.
Rafael will undergo treatment at the club's training base with a view to rejoining his team mates later in the summer."Rafael has returned to Manchester to continue treatment on the groin injury sustained in training in Denver," a statement published on the club's official website read.


"As he was unlikely to participate in the remaining tour games, returning to the Aon Training Complex affords the best overall option for his recovery in time to continue pre-season preparation when the team returns."


United have scheduled matches against Inter and Real Madrid at the ICC before a clash against Valencia at Old Trafford on August 12.Louis van Gaal's men open their Premier League campaign at home to Swansea City four days later.

 

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Rafael injured!last season 1ke back line 1kama nahane dan
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Campbell: Black ex-pros too scared to talk about racism

Former England centre-back Sol Campbell believes black players are "too scared" to openly talk about racism in football.

Campbell claimed in March that he could have been captain of his country for 10 years had he been white, which was met with scepticism by some, including Paul Ince who captained England in June 1993.

The 39-year-old now feels that some black ex-professionals are afraid to speak out about racial abuse, and he is disappointed by the lack of support for his opinions.

"They are seeing what is happening around them and they don't do anything about it. They love the status quo. They just want to toe the line," Campbell said at the opening of the Black Cultural Archive in London.

"It's a case of 'I'm all right, I don't care who is coming up behind me. I'm too scared to own up'. Well, I'm not like that and I am never going to be like that, I'm just going to be me.

"People could have said what they did in a different way. John Barnes had bananas thrown at him. He is almost acting like nothing happened to him. People like him could have said, 'maybe not 10 years, but I could see where he was coming from. Articulate it in a different way.'"

On Ince, he added: "Then you've got Paul Ince [speaking] in the Daily Mail. It's like: 'Really?!' What position are you protecting when your position can so easily be taken away?

"I know some of the political people are trying to kind of move the FA [Football Association] in certain ways.

"But you just get to the stage where, if I've got black ex-players going against me then you start to think: 'What is going on here? I'll just let people drift and carry on doing my own thing.'"

 

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Dortmund offer Schweinsteiger singing lessons after offensive chant

Borussia Dortmund have accepted Bastian Schweinsteiger's apology in the wake of the Bayern Munich midfielder's offensive chants aimed at BVB and have cheekily offered the Germany star singing lessons in order to improve his vocal abilities.

A video surfaced last week showing Schweinsteiger partaking in a chant featuring the lyrics "BVB sons of b*tches" while celebrating his country's World Cup success, causing uproar among Dortmund fans.

The midfielder consequently offered his apologies and BVB have now made it clear there are no hard feelings toward the 29-year-old Bavarian star.

"Dear Bastian Schweinsteiger," began a statement on the club's official Facebook page starts.

"It is absolutely no problem that you drink a few beers, let off some steam and sing a song without really thinking it through after winning the World Cup.

"We have always seen you as a fair guy. We would never have kicked up a fuss over your chants and we obviously accept your video apology. We wish you a pleasant holiday in Croatia.

"P.S.: It is possible for you to get your singing right. If you need any singing lessons, just let us know. We are happy to help you out."

Dortmund face Bayern for the first time in the forthcoming season on August 13 in the DFL-Pokal - BVB beat Pep Guardiola's men 4-2 in the fixture a year ago.

 

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Kaka: I was no Real Madrid failure

Kaka has insisted that he has no regrets over his decision to join Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 and feels his time at the Santiago Bernabeu side was not a failure.

The attacking midfielder joined Madrid from AC Milan for a fee believed to be in the region of €65 million, but he never really lived up to the high expectations at the Liga giants.

Kaka spent a large part of his time at the Santiago Bernabeu on the bench, yet he still looks back with satisfaction at his spell with Madrid and defended his record in Spain.

"My time at Real Madrid wasn’t a failure," Kaka told Globo Esporte. "I played 120 matches, I scored 28 goals and I played an average of 30 games a season.

"What’s more, I won three trophies: La Liga, a Copa del Rey and a Supercopa de Espana."

The 32-year-old, who recently returned to his boyhood club Sao Paulo on loan, then went on to have his say on former Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and stressed that the Portuguese helped him mature.

"Mourinho helped me grow. He taught me to be patient, to keep fighting and to respect the coach's decisions. He helped me mature and turned me into a man.

"I learned to respect the coach and to do everything within my power to show that I should be the one playing. That's exactly what I did during my three years under Mourinho."

Kaka left Milan this summer, ending a one-year return stint at San Siro, signing a deal with Orlando City before being loaned out to Sao Paulo until the start of 2015.