..::Football III::..

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Pep desperate for Bayern Munich to impress in the US

Pep Guardiola expects his Bayern Munich side to put on a show in Friday's friendly clash with Chivas Guadalajara in New York.

The Bundesliga side will face Mexican outfit Chivas in a friendly at the Red Bull Arena in the city in which the Catalan spent his year-long sabbatical from the game before taking charge of the Bundesliga outfit.

Guardiola expects a stern test from Chivas and has stressed the importance of Bayern entertaining fans in the United States.

He told reporters: "We are in the beginning of the season and of course all these kinds of games are important and we travel with a lot of desire to the United States because it's a huge country and we are so pleased to be there.

"We are playing against a Mexican team, I played there. I know Chivas very well because I played them two or three times when I was training Barcelona.

"Mexican football is very good; it is a good test for us. There are a lot of Mexican supporters in New York and we are delighted to play against them.

"We have to play good because the Mexican teams are very good with the ball; they are so dynamic because they are small guys but also quick and fast players, and we have to be prepared as well as possible.

"They play so well and their national team did well in Brazil. It is a good test for us and I am pretty happy because they play with three defenders but I don't know how Chivas is going to play. I imagine that they play good and we are going to play the best as possible."

Bayern are just one of a number of top European clubs currently playing friendlies in America and Guardiola believes it is indicative of just how popular the game is becoming in the States.

"I think the development of football in the United States every year is better," the former Barcelona boss argued.

"Obviously, Jurgen Klinsmann is training the national team, so I think it's important for us to get to show our football, to show our mentality and how we are as a club in New York, absolutely one of the best cities in the world.

"We have to prepare as best as possible to give our best image in this country."

 

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Schneiderlin & Rodriguez won't be sold, claims Southampton chairman

Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger has insisted that Jay Rodriguez and Morgan Schneiderlin will not be leaving the club this summer.

Tottenham had been in talks to bring the duo to White Hart Lane in a double deal, with new Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino keen to be reunited with two players who flourished under his tutelage last season.

But the Saints chief has now categorically ruled out selling Schneiderlin and Rodriguez and is keen to end the ongoing exodus at the club, while Ronald Koeman believes the pair are central to his plans for the future.

“Specifically to Rodriguez and Schneiderlin, they will not be going anywhere," Krueger told Sky Sports News.

“We see them as part of a core and the core we’ve got right now and in place is a core that is where Ronald [Koeman] would like to go and they a part of that core.

“Any reports that Rodriguez or Schneiderlin are leaving or we are in engaged in transfer conversations are totally off the mark. They will not be sold.”

The Saints have already lost five players this summer, with Luke Shaw joining Manchester United, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren all moving to Liverpool, and Calum Chambers completing a move to Arsenal on Monday.

The south coast club will receive over €120 million in transfer fees for those five players, but had been especially keen to ward off interest in Schneiderlin, offering the France international the captaincy and a pay rise.

 

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Official: Liverpool confirm Origi signing

Liverpool have completed the signing of Divock Origi from Lille for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club have confirmed.

The Belgium international enjoyed a breakout tournament at this summer's World Cup in Brazil to earn a €12 million switch to Anfield, though he will be immediately loaned back to Les Dogues for the upcoming season.

"I am very, very happy and delighted a club as big as Liverpool showed interest in me. I'm very excited," Origi stated.

"I know it's a club with a great history, great fans and a lot of great players. For me, Liverpool is one of the greatest clubs in the world and I'm very excited to be part of this great history."

Tottenham were reportedly showing interest in bringing Divock to White Hart Lane but Goal understands these claims were wide of the mark.

 

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Congratulations Origi!

Liverpool lagen thawath pattama sign 1kakHoda Future 1kak thiyana player kenek​

 

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Rakitic: Life at Barcelona tougher but better than Sevilla

Ivan Rakitic has admitted that he is finding it tough to keep up with his new team-mates at Barcelona - but says he is enjoying the challenge of trying to establish himself at Camp Nou.

The Croatia international joined the Catalans from Sevilla for a reported €20 million earlier this summer and is currently trying to get used to mixing it with the likes of Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

“The feelings I have at Barcelona are very good,” Rakitic told Sport.es. "I'm learning that [at Barcelona] it all goes a bit faster and it is very intensity. You have to work very hard. It is no wonder the players here are of great quality.

“I've already faced all of my team-mates [while playing at Sevilla] but now I'm enjoying training with them every day.

“The intensity is higher here and at Barcelona the training is more demanding. But I do think it has some similarity to Sevilla as there is a similar mindset- neither club likes losing anything, ever."

 

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Drogba targets fourth Premier League title with Chelsea

Didier Drogba has set his sights on winning the Premier League for a fourth time after rejoining Chelsea.

The veteran striker is back at Stamford Bridge after leaving in 2012, penning a one-year deal, and is hoping to help the London outfit claim their first league title in over four years.

"I'm not coming here to break records, I just want to win trophies," Drogba told the club's official website.

"Five years is a long time not to win the Premier League, so I want to win it. To lift the Premier League trophy is a fantastic feeling and we haven't experienced it for a few years - it's too long for a club like ours."

Drogba initially joined Chelsea in 2004 as one of Jose Mourinho's first signings during the Portuguese's first stint at the Chelsea helm.

He went on to score 157 goals for the London club and the winning penalty as Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich in a shootout to win the 2011-12 Champions League.

"It's amazing to be back, a great feeling," Drogba added. "It was an easy decision to make; it's very difficult to say no to Jose and to Chelsea.

"He's the one who gave me a chance to play in the Premier League. We won so many trophies together and so many matches on the pitch.

"His relationship is not only with me, it's with all the players who were here from the beginning of the story. It's quite emotional but the most important thing is that we want to win, win, win."

 

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Barkley signs new four-year Everton contract

Ross Barkley has signed at new four-year contract at Everton, the club have announced.

Goal reported in June that the club had enterered discussions with the player over increasing his €24,000-a-week deal after a stellar breakthrough season under Roberto Martinez.

Barkley scored six goals in 34 Premier League appearances to earn a call-up to Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup and attract interest from Manchester United.

"He brings back the memories of the big legends and the big players that we've had at the football club, but saying that he's still a young man and his best years are still to come," Martinez told reporters.

Barkley added: "It didn't take any persuading. As soon as I got told about it I wanted to sign.

"Over the coming seasons we want to push on and hopefully get into the Champions League. We've got ambitions and goals.

When asked if he could imagine life away from Everton, Barkley said: "I never think about it."

He added: "I've always looked up to Wayne Rooney coming through at Everton and playing for England at a young age. It's a great club."

Barkley's new deal will reportedly see him earn more than three times his original salary after agreeing a €82,000-a-week offer running until 2018.

 

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Rodgers: Origi one of world's most exciting talents

Brendan Rodgers has hailed Divock Origi as "one of the most exciting talents in the world" after the striker finalised his move to Liverpool.

The 19-year-old becomes the club's sixth summer signing - after Emre Can, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Lazar Markovic - but will be immediately loaned back to former side Lille for the 2014-15 season.

The Belgium international shot to prominence at the World Cup, scoring a decisive goal - his first for his country - against Russia in the group stages and Rodgers has now backed him to "light up world football".

"For me, he can be one of the most exciting talents in world football. I genuinely believe that," the Northern Irishman told Liverpool's official website.

"You see a lot of good players, but this kid - for 19 years of age - he burst onto the scene at the World Cup but we'd tracked him before that.

"He has everything to be world class. He's super fast, has a wonderful touch, he's a good size and is aggressive.

"I've seen enough of him over the course of the last couple of seasons to think this is a kid who, coming into the right environment, can genuinely be world class. He can light up world football, for sure."

 

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Manchester United target Vidal will stay at Juventus - Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri has insisted Arturo Vidal will remain at Juventus amid interest from Manchester United.

Bianconeri chief executive Guiseppe Marotta stated on Monday that the Chile international would only be sold is he expressed a desire to leave Turin but the midfielder insisted last week he is not going to Old Trafford.

Goal understands Vidal met with his agent and senior officials on Sunday evening to discuss the possibility of a transfer to Old Trafford but Allegri has ruled out a move following a training session on Tuesday.

"Arturo is staying," the Juve coach told reporters. "He is very happy to remain here, like all of his team-mates.

"I have also spoken with him to check his physical condition. We are very happy that he's staying with us; he's fundamental for us."

Meanwhile, ever since Allegri was confirmed as the surprise successor to previous coach Antonio Conte, it has been speculated that the new boss could have problems with playmaker Andrea Pirlo.

The pair worked together at AC Milan and have conflicting views on the reasons behind the midfielder's free transfer from San Siro to Turin three years ago.

However, Allegri claims that there is no residual animosity between the pair, insisting that they are united in their desire to see Juve crowned champions of Europe.

"We spoke 10 days ago," the 46-year-old revealed. "We are professionals.

"There's a mutual respect between us and we have a common goal in wanting to have a great Champions League campaign. Europe has a particular fascination for us."

Allegri, of course, was sacked by Milan in January of this year and he has been handed a rapid return to San Siro by the newly-published Serie A fixture list for the 2014-15 season.

However, he insists that he has no fears about going back to the Giuseppe Meazza in week three.

"It will be a special evening for us and I will have many emotions," he confessed. "But now, for me, the Rossoneri are only another opponent."

 

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'I'll come back bigger, stronger, better' - Benteke encouraged by recovery

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke believes he can return from his lengthy injury lay-off as a better player.

The Belgium international was forced to miss the World Cup in Brazil after rupturing an Achilles tendon during a training session in April.

Benteke will also be unavailable for the start of the new Premier League season as he continues his rehabilitation, but the 23-year-old remains confident he can enjoy success when he eventually returns to action.

"When the injury happened the doctor said that I have to be out for six months," the forward told Villa's official website.

"Of course, I still believe I can come back more quickly but if it is six months and another month ... I have to take my time. It's a bad injury and I don't have to rush myself. I have to do the right treatment.

"What I can do is work as hard as I can to make sure that I come back better than before. Of course, I believe this.

"Will I be able to come back bigger, stronger, better than before? Yes - not bigger maybe, but better!"

Benteke had a successful start to life in England after joining Villa from Genk in 2012, scoring 29 goals in 60 Premier League appearances, but feels he still has more to offer.

"Always you seek to improve, as a player, as a person. This is my goal, to do better than the two past seasons," he added.

"First I have to focus on my rehab and then I have to do better for the team."

Reflecting on the moment his World Cup dream was ended, the former Standard Liege man continued: "Yes, there were tears when [the injury] happened but it's life. It was hard, of course, but life is hard sometimes. This then has to be your motivation.

"I never knew this injury before but I knew immediately that I was hurt and when I fell down it was horrible. It was a bad feeling, a bad sensation.

"The hardest thing for me was knowing I couldn't do what I love. Playing football is not just about the World Cup, it is playing football.

"I will be so happy when I am playing football again."

 

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Griezmann is like a wizard, says Atletico Madrid's Caminero

Atletico Madrid director of football Jose Luis Perez Caminero has expressed his joy at the acquisition of the wizard-like Antoine Griezmann.

The 23-year-old attacker has joined the Spanish champions from Real Sociedad for a fee in the region of €30million and Caminero believes the France international has magic in his boots.

"I’m very happy to finalise the agreement for his arrival,” the former Spain international told the club’s official website. “Antoine was a priority for us and fortunately we managed to sign him.

“He is one of the most important players in our league and has shown that at Real Sociedad.

“He is able to operate seamlessly on both the wing and in a playmaker role thanks to his speed. He can also score goals, has a great shot and is like a wizard. His arrival is great news for our club."

Griezmann has become coach Diego Simeone’s fifth signing this summer as he joins Mario Mandzukic, Jan Oblak, Guilherme Siqueira and Miguel Angel Moya at the Vicente Calderon.

 

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Barcelona in better shape than under Laporta, says Faus

Barcelona vice-president Javier Faus believes the Catalan club are in much better shape than when Joan Laporta left his post in 2010.

Laporta took over in 2003 and changed Barca's fortunes on the pitch, winning 12 trophies in his seven-year tenure which made him the most successful president in the club's history.

The following administration led first by Sandro Rosell and now by Josep Maria Bartomeu, however, has always maintained that Laporta left the club in a precarious position financially.

"We are much stronger now than we were four years ago and we are much more present in different parts of the world [in terms of business and marketing]," Faus said on Tuesday.

"We have gone from debts of €62 million (on June 30, 2010) to having €50m credit. We had more debts than assets and luckily we have been able to turn that situation around and give the club the funds it deserves."

Barca's overall debt remains at €287m (down from €431m in 2010), but Faus says the club has grown faster than their rivals over the last four years and boasted record income of €530m over the last 12 months.

"We have grown faster than any club in the world," he said. "We're the only team with the potential to improve our contracts and that will allow us to strengthen our worldwide presence."

 

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Dortmund will struggle to hold on to Reus, says Rummenigge

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes Borussia Dortmund will face a tough battle to hold on to star player Marco Reus.

On Tuesday, German newspaper Bild reported that the 25-year-old rejected the opportunity to sign a new contract in order to engineer a move elsewhere.

The German international has a reported €35 million buyout clause in his current contract, which expires in 2017, and is being chased by some of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester United and Barcelona.

Bayern are also thought to be interested in the attacker, who has scored 30 goals in 62 appearances since he joined BVB in 2012, and Rummenigge thinks Reus’ intention is clear following his decision not to extend his current dea at Signal Iduna Park.

"I think that it is hard for Borussia Dortmund,” Rummenigge told Bild.

“Europe’s top clubs will be very interested to find out Reus’ buyout clause [after he rejected a new contract] as the player is in high demand from a lot of big clubs other than FC Bayern Munich.”

The 25-year-old Reus missed this summer’s World Cup after he picked up an ankle ligament injury, but he has recently returned to light running and he hopes to make a full recovery by the start of the 2014-15 season.

 

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International Champions Cup 2014.07.29 Fixture

International Champions Cup 2014.07.29 Fixture

Manchester United Vs Inter

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Vidic's Manchester United reunion​

 

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Sabella quits Argentina

Alejandro Sabella has reportedly resigned as Argentina coach, with former Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino set to replace him.

Widespread reports in the Argentine media claim the 59-year-old has informed the nation's football association of his desire to quit on the back of their World Cup final defeat to Germany this summer.

Just two weeks ago Sabella admitted he was unsure whether he had the necessary motivation to continue in his position.

He said: “You have to fill the energy tank, which sometimes gets empty. I have to think if I’m in condition to give 100 per cent."

Argentina will have to move quickly to fill the hotsteat given they have a friendly with Germany on September 3, as preparations begin for Copa America 2015.

Former Barcelona boss Martino, who quit Camp Nou at the end of the season, is the frontrunner to replace Sabella, while Colombia boss Jose Pekerman has also been touted as a leading contender.

Sabella was appointed in August 2011, with his exit bringing to an end a three-year spell in charge of Argentina.

 

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Boca Juniors deny Ronaldinho rumours

Boca Juniors have denied reports they are set to sign former Brazil star Ronaldinho.

The 34-year-old agreed the mutual termination of his contract with Atletico Mineiro on Monday, bringing to an end his two-year stay at the club.

Rumours then surfaced that Ronaldinho could replace Juan Roman Riquelme as Boca's talismanic figure following his exit from the club earlier in July.

However, the Argentine giants have moved swiftly to put an end to the speculation by revealing they are only in the market for defenders.

The club told Goal: "Fuenzalida is the last reinforcement and we will hire only someone else for defence in the event we sell another player."

 

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Gremio confirm Scolari appointment

Gremio have confirmed Luiz Felipe Scolari will be their new coach, 18 years after his first stint in charge of the club.

The 65-year-old resigned as Brazil boss on July 14 following their third-place play-off defeat to the Netherlands at the World Cup, which came on the back of a 7-1 thumping at the hands of Germany in the semi-finals.

However, Gremio and president Fabio Koff - the man who first appointed Scolari back in 1993 - have convinced him to make a swift return to management and announced the news via their official Twitter account on Tuesday.

Their tweet read: "Luiz Felipe Scolari returns as Gremio coach. He returns to the Tricolor after 18 years. Welcome, Scolari!

"New Gremio coach Luiz Felipe Scolari arrives in Porto Alegre on Wednesday and will be officially unveiled at 11am at the Arena."

Scolari will work with Andre Jardina as his assistant, while Darlan Schneider will be his assistant and Fabio Mahseredjian the club's fitness coach.

He will hope his second spell at the club is as successful as the first, when they won one Brazilian championship (1996), three state titles (1987, 1995, 1996), as well as the Copa Libertadores (1995) and Recopa Sudamericana (1996).

 

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Tevez’s father freed after kidnap

Carlos Tevez’s father has been freed after being kidnapped and held for ransom for over eight hours.

The incident happened in the outskirts of the capital city Buenos Aires at around 7am when Juan Alberto Cabral’s car was hijacked, Argentina newspaper La Nacion has reported.

The offenders contacted Tevez’s family and made an initial demand that was much lower than a second request for ransom a short while later.

Police investigated the incident and Tevez was on the verge of travelling to his home country to help deal with the matter.

“He was been kidnapped almost at eight in the morning," an official statement confirmed. "His family called 911 and the public prosecutor Stornelli started working with the corresponding division of the police

“The first thing we do is protecting the victim’s physical integrity. The release was nearby Fuerte Apache [the shanty town where Tevez lived when he was young]. Tevez’s father is shaken but he is OK - I’ve talked with him.”
Tevez is believed to still be in Turin following the ordeal but has been left out of Wednesday’s friendly in Cesena.

 

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Manchester United Reveal Blue Third Kit For 2014/15 Season

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