..::Football III::..

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Real Madrid 0-1 Roma: Totti ends Blancos' title defence

Real Madrid's International Champions Cup defence came to an end after a 1-0 loss to Roma on Tuesday.

Francesco Totti scored a fine second-half goal at the Cotton Bowl in Texas to see the Serie A side to their first win of the pre-season tournament.

Madrid – beaten on penalties by Inter in their opening game – had their chances, particularly during the first half, but failed to capitalise and were punished by Roma's veteran captain as their hopes of retaining the International Champions Cup were extinguished.

Things threatened to boil over even before kick-off after Roma midfielder Seydou Keita, formerly of Barcelona, refused to shake Pepe's hand and then threw a water bottle at the Madrid defender.

Los Blancos, though, started the better of the two teams, with Gareth Bale proving a real handful for Roma down the left-hand side. Unsurprisingly, the first real chance of the game fell to the Wales international, in the 20th minute.

A fine team move led to a cross from Lucas Vazquez for Bale, but the attacker could only slice his shot well wide under heavy pressure.

Roma looked the more threatening side on the counterattack but Bale continued to cause them problems, shooting over from the edge of the area.

Luka Modric was heavily involved, too, and combined well with Bale on several occasions, but Carlo Ancelotti's men would somehow fail to score in the opening half.

Winger Vazquez forced Lukasz Skorupski into a save after a volley from inside the area and Mehdi Benatia made a brilliant block to deny Pepe on the follow up just before the break.

It would be Roma who took the lead in the 58th minute thanks to Totti. The No.10 dummied a pass that found Alessandro Florenzi's overlapping run down the right before continuing his run into the area and then finding the bottom corner with his team-mate's subsequent cross.

Substitutions ruined the flow of the game, but Roma were largely untroubled in seeing out a game that was repeatedly disrupted by a succession of pitch invasions late on.

 

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Mourinho mind games won't work - Van Gaal

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will not try to play mind games with his old friend and mentor this season.

Earlier this week Mourinho delivered what was interpreted in some quarters as the first jab at United when he claimed that signing Luke Shaw would have "killed" Chelsea due to the youngster's high wage demands.

But Van Gaal is adamant he does not intend to get into a personal battle with Mourinho this season and does not believe his former protege will be inclined to start one.

When asked if he was relishing the prospect of facing off against the Special One, the Dutchman replied: "No. I play against Chelsea. And not against Jose Mourinho. My team and his team are playing against each other."

When questioned over whether he thought Mourinho would try to provoke him this season, Van Gaal continued: "No. He shall not do that with me."

Finally, when presented with the Chelsea manager's comments about Shaw, the 62-year-old insisted: "No. I’m not reacting to that kind of stuff."

 

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Rakitic: Barcelona attackers best in world

Ivan Rakitic believes Barcelona attackers Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are "the three best players in the world".

The Croatia international joined the Blaugrana from Sevilla this summer and is looking forward to teaming up with his illustrious team-mates when they return to training.

Messi and Neymar are expected to get back to Camp Nou early in August after taking part in the World Cup in Brazil, while Suarez is unavailable until October 26 due to his suspension for biting Giorgio Chiellini - pending the outcome of his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"Messi, Suarez and Neymar are the three best players in the world," Rakitic said at a press conference.

"We need to be close to them so that we can learn from them. We have to work together to be a strong team, a hard team.

"But the team isn’t made up of solely these three players; we all have our role to play. I’m really looking forward to when they join team, though."

The Croatia international then went on to voice his delight with Xavi's decison to remain at Barcelona for another season - despite interest from elsewhere in the services of the veteran midfielder.

"It’s great news that Xavi’s staying here," Rakitic enthused. "He’s a club symbol. It’s spectacular news and I’m so glad.

"I have never played with him before, but I’ve noticed how much he concentrates in training. As a younger player, I enjoy learning from people like him both on and off the pitch. It’s magnificent news."

 

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Van Gaal: I want a new defender

Louis van Gaal admits Manchester United are still in the hunt for at least one defender ahead of the new season.

United have already recruited Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera this summer, while Van Gaal has given opportunities to youngsters Reece James, Michael Keane and Tyler Blackett on the club's pre-season tour.

But strengthening the defence remains a priority for United after the departures of experienced campaigners Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra this summer.

United are confident of completing the signing of Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen, but any deal has stalled due to Arsene Wenger's desire to confirm a replacement before sanctioning a departure.

Netherlands international Stefan de Vrij was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford after an impressive showing at the World Cup in Brazil, but Lazio revealed on Tuesday they have completed a deal to sign him.

"I am looking at the defenders we have first," Van Gaal told reporters.

"And, when you see our three matches, we are doing well, I think. But it is right that we are looking for defenders, because a lot of defenders have gone.

"We have to replace them but I also like Michael Keane and Tyler Blackett."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Athi yantham LVG ta defender kenek ganna hithunaMatt Hummels thamai hodama kenaHabai 1kkenek nam madi 2nnek one​

 

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David Luiz is not a defender, slams Leboeuf

Former France international Franck Leboeuf has questioned Paris Saint-Germain's decision to sign David Luiz as he feels the Brazilian has proven to be too unreliable to play in defence.

PSG paid Chelsea €50 million to lure the versatile centre-half to the Parc des Princes, but Leboeuf fears that the Ligue 1 champions will come to regret the transfer.

"I think that David Luiz has a lot of qualities. But he alternates good moments with spells where he goes missing entirely," Leboeuf told RMC.

"He is not a defender. The fact that Jose Mourinho put him in midfield at Chelsea is an indication that he wasn't convinced by his defensive ability.

"The problem became quite obvious at the World Cup. He was playing up front rather than in defence after just three minutes of play in the semi-final against Germany. That's the thing that scares me."

The 27-year-old started his professional career with Vitoria and also wore the Benfica jersey before joining Chelsea in January 2011.

He signed a five-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer.

 

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Garcia sets sights on Scudetto after Real Madrid scalp

Roma head coach Rudi Garcia has set his sights firmly on winning the Serie A title after their pre-season victory over Champions League holders Real Madrid.

Francesco Totti's 58th-minute goal handed Roma a 1-0 victory in the International Champions Cup at the Cotton Bowl in Texas on Tuesday.

Garcia, while praising the triumph, was keen for Roma not to get ahead of themselves and insisted that his team still have much work to do to get to the level of the European champions.

"Real Madrid are ahead of us," Garcia said.

"We won a friendly match. Of course it is always better to win. We are ambitious and it is nice to dream, because if you do not dream then you get bored.

"In the Champions League we are thinking of progressing from the group stage. Our priority is the league and we want to finish on top.

"There are so many good teams but we want to finish out ahead.

"What do Roma lack for the Champions League right now? It's hard to say, we still have much to do. However, we are on the right track."

Roma finished second in Italy's top flight last season and veteran captain Totti has urged the team to fight to go one better this time around.

"Is the objective the Scudetto? Yes, we want to do better than last season. This club must fight for the Scudetto," he added.

 

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Official: Lazio sign De Vrij

Lazio have confirmed the €9 million signing of defender Stefan de Vrij from Feyenoord.

The 22-year-old started all seven of Netherlands' games in Brazil this summer and has now completed a move from Rotterdam to Rome, with the Serie A club revealing the news on their official Twitter account.

The centre-back completed his medical on Tuesday morning at the Paideia clinic, with Lazio's director of communications, Stefano Di Martino, describing De Vrij as "the best defender at the World Cup" and an "international signing".

De Vrij himself admits the decision to join the Serie A outfit required a great deal of thought but believes he will become a far better player in Italy's top flight.

"I had to think for a long time about the decision to choose Lazio," he told Feyenoord's official website.

"After a lot of talks with the people in Rome, Lazio gave me a superb feeling and now I have signed it feels only better. I am very happy with this step in my career.

"In Italy I hope to become a versatile defender. I will play against world class strikers. I am proud of being part of the Feyenoord family, but after many years here I am looking forward to the next challenge."

Lazio had been pipped to the signing of Cagliari's Davide Astori by city rivals Roma prior to bolstering their defence with the signing of the Feyenoord star.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vanishing spray to be used in Premier League

The Premier League have announced the introduction of vanishing spray from the start of the new season on August 16.

The foam, which proved popular at the World Cup, has already been adopted by the Champions League, Europa League, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 and is reportedly being considered by the Bundesliga.

The spray, which has been used in South American league for years, consists mainly of water and butane and helps referees prevent players encroaching during free-kick routines before evaporating inside a minute.

"At the Premier League we are open to developments that enhance the competition and it was clear from watching the 2014 World Cup in Brazil that Vanishing Spray benefitted referees, players, and all of those who watched the matches," chief executive Richard Scudamore said.

"Having witnessed that, and following consultation with our clubs and the PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Limited], we have decided to introduce it in the Barclays Premier League and look forward to having it in place for the 2014-15 season."

PGMOL general manager, Mike Riley, added: "As an assessor at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil I saw first-hand the benefits of Vanishing Spray for referees, and for the game as a whole.

"The Select Group referees are looking forward to using it during Barclays Premier League matches next season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lovren denied United States visa for Liverpool tour

Dejan Lovren will have to wait for his Liverpool debut after failing to get a visa for the club's United States tour.

The Croatia defender completed his protracted move from Southampton to Anfield on Sunday, signing a long-term deal with the club for an undisclosed fee.

With Brendan Rodgers and the first-team squad in the USA for the International Champions Cup, Lovren was expected to fly out and possibly make his first appearance in Wednesday's match with Manchester City.

However, the 25-year-old has revealed he will not feature in America, meaning he will likely have to wait until a week before the season starts to make his debut against Borussia Dortmund.

"Unfortunately, I could not immediately get a visa," he told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti. "Therefore I cannot join my new team-mates in the United States. I'm very sorry about that.

"Of course it's not good that I have not joined the team's preparations, however, I have plenty of days until their return from the tour.

"I will train with the Under-21 team in Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers will send me a programme for me to practice."

 

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Everton on brink of €23 million Lukaku deal

Everton are set to confirm the €23 million signing of Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

Earlier in July that the Merseyside club made a breakthrough in negotiations with the Stamford Bridge club to seal a permanent deal for the 21-year-old.

Lukaku was keen to return to Goodison Park this summer and the Toffees eventually agreed two deals with Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho undecided on whether to allow Lukaku to leave permanently or on loan.

But the striker is now poised to complete his permanent switch to Everton and will return to Merseyside on a five-year deal.

The Belgium international moved to Chelsea as a teenager in 2011 but failed to cement a place in the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge under Mourinho and previous managers Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo.

Prior to joining Everton last season, Lukaku had spent the 2012-13 season on loan at West Brom, where he scored 17 goals for the Midlands club.

Lukaku went on to score 15 league goals for Everton in 31 games on loan last season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea la karana lokuma mistake 1kak thamai Lukaku wa Chelsea thiya gatthe nathi 1ka.​

 

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Fifa vice-president Julio Humberto Grondona passes away

Fifa vice-president and head of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) Julio Humberto Grondona has passed away aged 82.

After being admitted to hospital with a heart problem on Wednesday morning, Grondona's condition deteriorated rapidly in the following hours and he was ultimately unable to overcome his fight with ill-health.

He had been in charge of the Argentine FA for 35 years and was responsible for the construction of the Ezeiza training complex, where the national side are now based.

Grondona also combined those responsibilities with his position as vice-president of Fifa and was the founder and chairman of Arsenal de Sarandi, who play their football in Argentina's Primera Division.

 

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R.I.P Grondona!​

 

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Pedro saddened by Fabregas departure

Barcelona forward Pedro has admitted he was disappointed with the club's decision to sell Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea.

New Barca head coach Luis Enrique has been busy reshaping his squad in the close-season and Fabregas was deemed surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.

He scored 28 goals in 96 La Liga appearances during his three-year period in Catalunya, and Pedro was saddened by the 27-year-old's move to Stamford Bridge.

"Everybody knows Cesc is a great player, one of the best in his position in the world," Pedro said."It's a shame for my position because obviously where I play, as a striker, he is a guy who can provide you with very good passes.

"As a friend, we've got a very good relationship and I'm going to miss him a lot.
"In terms of Chelsea being Champions League rivals of ours, they've built a very good team and with Cesc as well, they're going to be very difficult to beat."

Pedro also stated that he believes the four-month ban from all football related activity handed out to new Barca signing Luis Suarez for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini was overly harsh."I think the punishment by Fifa is excessive," he added. "But we have to leave that to one side.

"He'll be very welcome in Barcelona and the supporters will be behind him as soon as he starts playing and is giving his best for the team. I'm sure he will do well with Barca."

 

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Sunderland hope to resurrect Borini deal

Sunderland are hopeful of resurrecting a deal to sign Liverpool striker Fabio Borini this summer.

The Wearside club had agreed an €18 million transfer fee to sign the Italian permanently after spending last season on loan at the Stadium of Light.

But Borini rejected the move in favour of fighting for a first-team place at Anfield next season, though that hasn't stopped Sunderland maintaining hope of sealing a deal.

However, a shoulder injury sustained by Borini in pre-season action with Liverpool has seen talks stall.

"He is being assessed now for his shoulder injury," Sunderland boss Gus Poyet said during a pre-season training camp in Portugal. "That's stopped everything a little bit.

"We will see. I have not held talks with him, but the club has, although that's private. We know where we stand."

Poyet is growing increasingly frustrated at Sunderland's failure to push through deals this summer, with sporting director Lee Congerton not approving a move for Atletico Madrid's Cristian Rodriguez.

The Black Cats boss is keen to bring in four more players to add to the signings of Patrick van Aanholt, Jordi Gomez, Billy Jones and Costel Pantilimon.

"One or two they are close, but if you had asked me last week I would have said those two were close too," said Poyet.

"I cannot wait another week. We are going to be off Monday and Tuesday, so next Wednesday I need to have four new players.

"It's clear we need a few new players, and it has not been as quick as I would have expected. It's getting a little close to the part where I really want to work with the main squad.

"I am like any other manager, the sooner you get the players the better. I hope it is now, today, tomorrow.

"The finances of the transfer, the finances of the player, that’s the part where I don’t get involved. I like to plan, and it has been very difficult."

 

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Bayern deny Khedira interest

Bayern Munich have rubbished claims they are interested in Real Madrid star Sami Khedira.

The midfielder has just a year left to run on his contract, resulting in speculation in the Spanish media that he could play out down his deal and sign for the Bavarians on a free transfer next summer.

His position at Madrid has become increasingly uncertain following the signing of Toni Kroos from Bayern, but the club's CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, has denied any interest in the player.

When asked about the rumours surrounding Khedira, he said: "That is a myth."

The 27-year-old joined Madrid in 2010 after impressing in the World Cup that same summer and went on to become one of Jose Mourinho's most trusted lieutenants in the following three seasons.

However, a serious knee injury halted his progress last term, though he did return in time for the Champions League final victory over Atletico Madrid in May.

Khedira then starred for Germany in their victorious World Cup campaign this summer, reportedly sparking interest from a number of clubs, including Bayern and Premier League side Arsenal.

 

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Cuadrado agent reveals Barcelona talks

Juan Cuadrado's agent has admitted holding talks with Barcelona, but bizarrely claimed none of the discussions have been official.

The 26-year-old shone at the World Cup as Colombia reached the quarter-finals of the competition, sparking rumours he was a target of the Spanish club, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Cuadrado's agent, Alessandro Lucci has now revealed he has spoken to Barcelona regarding his client's availability, while also insisting none of the interest is "official".

"We have been talking with Barcelona as well as other clubs for a while," Lucci told Tuttomercatoweb.

"We have noted a lot of interest but, as of today, there are no official talks, not with Barcelona or any other club.

"Barcelona is represented by very serious professionals that in our conversations have never, let me repeat it, never talked about using dodgy strategies. "I'll take the chance to clear out things on another subject."The relationship we have with all at Fiorentina, personal and professional, both for me and for Cuadrado, is exceedingly good.

"Should there be in the near future some important, first level, talks we will sit down, analyse the pro and cons and close the deal to the maximum satisfaction of all parties involved."

Cuadrado's current contract with Fiorentina runs until June 2017.

 

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Chambers hails 'whirlwind' journey to Arsenal

Arsenal new-boy Calum Chambers has dubbed his swift rise to prominence a "whirlwind" after sealing a move to the Emirates Stadium less than a year after making his Premier League debut.

The 19-year-old became the latest Southampton academy product to swap the south coast for north London when he completed a €20 million switch on Monday, becoming the Gunners' fourth summer signing.

And Chambers is revelling in a "mad" year that has seen him progress from the Saints' Under-21 team to Arsenal's first-team squad, and he is eager to continue his rapid development at his new club.

"It has been a bit of a whirlwind for me," Chambers told Arsenal's official website. "I have managed to keep my feet on the ground and worked hard but it has been quite a mad eight months!

"From Under-21s to first-team football is such a big step. I think it is more mentally than physically challenging, and over the Christmas period as well it is very tough.

"I loved [my first season]. Every experience I got was such a good feeling to go out there and play against players of such quality. I just want to keep doing it more and more."

Arsene Wenger has previously praised his latest recruit’s versatility, being able to play across the back-line and in central midfield, and Chambers says he is still adapting after playing much of his youth in midfield.

"I was a midfielder about a year-and-a-half ago for [Southampton] under-21s," he continued. "I saw an opportunity in the first team at right back and thought that for my progress it would be best to move there.

"I used everything I learnt in midfield like first touch, scanning and all that and brought it into [playing as a] right-back. I learnt how to play there with the under-21s and went through each game afterwards with the coaches and worked on little bits and it just went from there."

 

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Tevez relieved after father's kidnap

Carlos Tevez has confirmed his father is safe and well after his kidnapping ordeal and thanked fans for their messages of support.

Segundo Tevez was reportedly carjacked by a group of men in Moron, west of Argentina's capital city of Buenos Aries, on Tuesday.

Argentinian police stated that the men had made calls demanding a ransom, although Carlos Tevez's lawyer, Gustavo Galasso, later told television channel C5N the Juventus striker's father had been freed and was "in good shape".
Carlos Tevez Tweeted: "I thank everyone for their support always.

"I'm able to tell you my father is okay, safe and sound. That's what's most important."I also thank...the Buenos Aires and federal and anti-kidnapping police [forces] for their support for my family."

Tevez was reportedly set to fly back to his homeland on Tuesday, but is thought to have remained in Italy following news of his father's release.