..::Football III::..

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Menez: I am not a 'bad boy' anymore

New AC Milan signing Jeremy Menez has dismissed his enduring reputation as a 'bad boy' as "rubbish".The former Roma winger has sealed a return to Italy after joining the Rossoneri on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

During his previous stint in Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico between 2008 and 2011, Menez was branded a 'problem player' because of a number of off-field incidents, but the 27-year-old insists that he has matured in the intervening years.
"Am I a bad boy? The 'fact' that I am a bad boy - excuse the term - is rubbish," the Frenchman told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"People have a false picture of me and I want to prove that I am a quiet person on and off the field."I'm not saying that I have always been a saint, but I am now grown up; I feel different.

"In Rome, I was young, I went wrong two or three times and I realised I made mistakes."As for those who judge me badly as a footballer, I say that in the first two seasons at PSG I managed almost 20 goals and 30 assists.

"This could be my year. My objectives are to take us back to the Champions League and to win something in this shirt, and to return to the national team."
Menez also revealed that new Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi was the main reason behind his move to San Siro."He had a discussion with me that convinced me straight away," the attacker said. "He is why I chose Milan.

"I feel a great understanding with the coach. I cannot fail because he is providing so much for me and I would give anything for him."I already knew him as a player, of course. He had so much charisma and was very determined, just like now.

"He told me he had spoken of me on the phone with Carlo Ancelotti, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, asking what I was like on the field and as a person.

"I know they have said nice things about me, so I have to thank them."

 

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Xavi named Barcelona captain

Barcelona have announced that Xavi will succeed the retired Carles Puyol as club captain following the centre-back's exit this summer.

The former Spain midfielder was Puyol's deputy last term and won a vote of his team-mates to take on the armband on a permanent basis after deciding to remain at Camp Nou.

The 34-year-old will be assisted by Andres Iniesta, who will be his immediate depty, ahead of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.

Last term, Victor Valdes was the third captain after Puyol and Xavi, but the goalkeeper left the club this summer after his contract expired. The Spaniard is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and is without a club.

Xavi has spent his entire career at Barcelona, making close to 500 Liga appearances for the Catalan giants since making his debut in 1998.

He has won a stunning seven Primera Division titles in his time at Camp Nou, along with three Champions Leagues and two Copa del Reys.

This week, he announced his retirement from the international scene and revealed that he was close to leaving the club this summer, but was persuaded to stay by new coach Luis Enrique.

 

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Congratulations Xavi!

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Reus agent: No contact with Bayern Munich

The agent of Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus says he has not spoken with anyone from Bayern Munich about a possible transfer to the Allianz Arena.

The Germany international is under contract until 2017 but has been linked with a number of clubs this summer, including the Bundesliga champions.

Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has repeatedly hinted at a move for Reus, causing uproar at Signal Iduna Park by publicly claiming that the 25-year-old's buyout clause will drop from €35 million to €25m next summer.

However, the forward's representative, Dirk Hebel, has moved to reassure Dortmund fans by revealing that he has not yet received any approach from the Bavarians.

"We had no contact with Bayern," Reus' agent told Bild.

Dortmund's sporting director, Michael Zorc, also stated that the club will be doing everything to hold onto Reus.

"[We will] definitely try to keep him long term," he told Sport1.

"Marco is not only a hugely important player for us because of his athletic performance, but also in his role as a poster boy.

"He is Dortmund-born and a figurehead for this club."

Reus joined Dortmund from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2012 for a reported €17.1m, penning a five-year contract with the club.

 

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Suarez waiting on ban decision after appeal hearing

Luis Suarez has left the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) headquarters following the appeal hearing which will decide whether his four-man ban from football will be reduced, with a final decision now pending.The Barcelona striker was suspended from all football-related activity and prohibited from national duty for nine months by Fifa following his bite on Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 World Cup Group D win over Italy in Natal on June 26.

But the former Liverpool star decided to appeal the decision, and his legal team claimed they are well placed to succeed in their bid for the domestic ban to be lifted early.

"It would be more logical to reduce the sanction by a few months than to reduce the ban concerning international games, because legally it’s easier to contend against the terms of the suspension that forbid him from training and from being at the club, because they violate fundamental rights," his adviser Alejandro Balbi said earlier this week.

Hopeful | Luis Suarez arrives in Lausanne to appeal his four-month suspension A decision on whether Suarez’s ban will be upheld could arrive as early as Friday afternoon, but is more likely to be announced after the weekend.

Suarez was handed such a lengthy ban by Fifa due in part to the Chiellini incident marking a third biting charge against the striker.

He previously was banned for seven games by the Dutch FA after sinking his teeth into Otman Bakkal of PSV while playing for Ajax and a 10-match suspension was imposed following another bite on Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic during his spell with Liverpool.

The 27-year-old is currently due to return to domestic action on October 26, and has yet to make his debut for new club Barca following his €88m move from Anfield.

 

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Schweinsteiger injury not serious, say Bayern

Bayern Munich have made it clear that Bastian Schweinsteiger's ankle injury is nothing to be concerned about.

The German champions went down 2-1 to an MLS All-Stars outfit on Wednesday, despite taking the lead through a stunning strike from new signing Robert Lewandowski.

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola was unimpressed with the over-zealous nature of some of the All-Stars' challenges, and the Spaniard refused to shake the hand of opposite number Caleb Porter immediately after the final whistle.

Schweinsteiger, only introduced as a substitute for Juan Bernat with 10 minutes to go, picked up an ankle problem but a message on the club's official Twitter account calmed any fears of any serious injury.

"Update on @BSchweinsteiger: He has a bruised ankle but nothing serious," it read. "Get well soon, Basti!"

Bayern return to competitive action next week when they take on Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup at the home of their opponents.

 

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Donovan to thank for the rise of MLS

When Landon Donovan announced his retirement on Thursday a sense of all that he accomplished was accompanied by a sense of what could have been.After all, United States doesn’t produce many world-class players and are still waiting for its first true global superstar.

Landon Donovan could have been that player, but he never was. American fans should be grateful for that though, because he became something more significant instead.

Many have lamented the fact that Donovan chose to spend the prime – and the great majority – of his career in Major League Soccer. Each accomplishment at home seemed to further underscore the need for Donovan to move abroad and show that he could be a true global American star.

But Donovan’s stints in Europe were few and far between and always brief. As disappointing as it was for some to see Donovan stay put, his choice means that not only is he the greatest player in US history, but the most important one as well.
In the early 2000s, MLS needed Donovan much more than he needed the league. MLS was on the brink of financial catastrophe in 2001, as it folded two teams in an attempt to stem the tide of hemorrhaging money.

That year, Donovan, 19, began his record-setting journey in the league by moving to the San Jose Earthquakes, where he immediately led the team to a championship.

He would play four seasons in San Jose, winning two MLS Cups, and helping the sport maintain a semblance of momentum after the USA’s historic quarter-final run in the 2002 World Cup.

In an era when MLS had few names recognisable to mainstream sports fans, and had little pull in recruiting big-name foreign talent, Donovan was the face of the league.

More than a decade later, David Beckham and Thierry Henry have played in MLS. There are 21 teams in the league and soccer specific stadiums have sprung up all over the country. Fans fill the stands in record numbers.And Landon Donovan, still, is the face of the league.

Of course, Donovan isn’t the sole reason MLS has made so much progress over the last decade, but he is one of the biggest reasons. It wasn’t just the presence of a name fans recognised, but for other players, the greatest American player of all-time spending the prime of his career in the league gave it a vital air of legitimacy.
“There is no doubt that Major League Soccer would not be what it is today without Landon Donovan,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. “His decision to join MLS in 2001 was a statement to the entire soccer community, at the most crucial time in our history, that MLS could be a league of choice for the best American players.”

Donovan helped build the league to the point where top USA national team players now see it not just as a stepping stone, but as a viable proving ground. It’s entirely possible that Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley would not have made their decisions in 2013 and 2014 if Donovan hadn’t made his in 2001.

His exploits with the national team are undoubtedly more memorable, but Donovan’s time in MLS will ultimately prove more meaningful. In the end, the national team will accomplish nothing without a thriving MLS to supply talent.
Of course, Donovan wouldn’t end his career without giving us all a brief answer to that burning hypothetical.

In just 13 games in a 2009-10 loan stint with Everton, Donovan quickly became one of the team’s top players, and a fan favorite. In just a couple months, he seemed to completely abolish the notion that he couldn’t hack it at the game’s highest level.

Fans on both sides of the pond clamored for a permanent move to England but after the expiration of his loan, Donovan returned back to LA Galaxy. He had proven a small point in England, but he had more significant work to do at home.

 

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No Real Madrid offer for Falcao, insist Monaco

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has laughed off suggestions that Radamel Falcao is set to leave the Ligue 1 outfit for Real Madrid.

The Colombia international, who recently returned to the pitch after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury, is continually being linked with a move to the Champions League holders, but Monaco have made it clear the striker is not going anywhere this summer.

"We have met several times with Real Madrid representatives [during talks for James Rodriguez's transfer], but we never even spoke about Falcao," Vasilyev told L'Equipe.

"There has not been an offer and we are not in negotiations. The truth is that Falcao will play with Monaco again in 2014-15.

"Falcao looks happy. I think he's glad to be over the injury and be back with his team-mates.

"Sunday's performance against Arsenal confirmed Falcao's status as a great forward. He missed the World Cup through injury and that's always tough psychologically, but he has character and I hope this will be his season at Monaco."

The 28-year-old, who joined Monaco from Atletico Madrid last year, has a contract with the Stade Louis II side until June 2018.

 

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Celtic reinstated to Champions League

Celtic have been reinstated to the Champions League after Legia Warsaw fielded an ineligible player, Uefa has confirmed.

The Scottish Premiership side were eliminated from the competition at the qualifying stages by the Polish outfit over two legs.

But Ronny Deila has been handed a lifeline after a clerical error, and Celtic will enter the pot for the play-off round.

The Polish side brought on suspended player Bartosza Bereszynski with four minutes left to go in their 2-0 second-leg win over the Scottish champions.

Uefa's rules state that a side found guilty of fielding an ineligible player will forfeit the match 3-0 which means that the 6-1 aggregate win for Legia Warsaw is changed to a 4-4 draw, with Celtic winning on away goals.

While Legia can appeal Uefa's decision, it will be Celtic who are included in Friday's Champions League draw as a seeded team.

Bereszynski was banned for three games after receiving a red card in the Europa League last term and his absence from both legs against St Patrick's Athletic and the first leg against Ronny Deila's side meant Legia believed he was eligible to play at Murrayfield on Wednesday. However, their failure in registering him as part of the squad for the matches against the Irish side which meant the ban was not fulfilled.

Uefa released a statement on Friday to confirm that Celtic have been reinstated into the competition.

"The Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has met today and announced the following disciplinary decision following the 2014/15 Uefa Champions League third qualifying round tie in Edinburgh between Celtic FC and Legia Warszawa on 6 August 2014," the statement read.

"Legia have been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player (article 18 of the Uefa Champions League regulations and article 21 of the Disciplinary Regulations). The match has been declared as forfeit meaning Legia Warszawa have lost the match 3-0.

"As a consequence, Celtic have qualified for the Uefa Champions League play-offs on away goals (agg: 4-4) and Legia will compete in the Uefa Europa League play-offs."In addition the player Bartosz Bereszynski has been suspended for one additional Uefa competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible.

"This suspension shall be added to the remaining two match suspension which the player still has to serve in accordance with the Control and Disciplinary Body decision of 13 February 2014."

 

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Celtic la nam pattama Lucky!​

 

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We want Vidal to stay at Juventus, says Allegri

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has reiterated that the Serie A champions are keen to hold on to Arturo Vidal amid ongoing reports linking him with Manchester United.

The 27-year-old, who underwent knee surgery before the World Cup and struggled with fitness issued during the tournament in Brazil, has been heavily linked to a move to Old Trafford throughout the summer.

Vidal recently returned from his holiday and Allegri is pleased with the versatile midfielder's physical condition, insisting he is confident the Chile international will soon be fully match fit again.

"I have spoken with Vidal, mainly about his physical condition," Allegri told reporters.

"Things went well. It would be great if he were to stay at Juventus.

"He is running since yesterday, but we will evaluate day by day his condition and when it is best for him to start playing again.

"I am confident that he will be in perfect shape within a week or so."

Vidal's contract with Juventus runs until June 2017.

 

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I did not decide to sell Valbuena, insists Bielsa

Olympique de Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa has stressed that he did not make the decision to sell Mathieu Valbuena and let go of Souleymane Diawara ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.

The duo played a combined 489 games for Marseille, but Valbuena was allowed to join Dynamo Moscow, while Diawara signed for Nice on a free transfer.

The departure of Valbuena was of particular disappointment for Marseille's fans, with the 29-year-old having spent eight seasons with the club, and Bielsa has underlined that he would have preferred if the France international had stayed.

"Valbuena was the best Frenchman at the World Cup," the Argentine coach said at a press conference.

"I am aware of his career. It's not me who decided his departure. Nor was the exit of Souleymane Diawara my call."

Bielsa also rejected the suggestion that he has a problem with the media and made it clear that he is happy to speak to the press whenever he sees fit.

"My presence here at this press conference proves that I have no problem with the media. I will be here twice a week, as the rules state as established by the league: before and after every match.

"I am not in conflict with the media. The public is informed via the media, so there is no problem.

"Speaking to the media allows me to clear up any misunderstandings and transfer important messages to the public."

The former Athletic Bilbao and Chile coach then stressed that the club's passionate fans were one of the main reason for his decision to join OM and he's keen to guide the club back to the top.

"First of all, I joined because of the players at the club and the atmosphere inside the Velodrome when it's full. Marseille is a city of diversity that advances as one. For me, I like the idea of giving this diversity a common goal.

"It is a great challenge to try and place the club amongst the leaders in Ligue 1. My players are 100 per cent professional and I haven't experienced that so many times in my career."

 

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Spahic retires from international football

Emir Spahic has called time on his international career with Bosnia-Herzegovina following their group-stage exit at the World Cup in Brazil.

The defender wore the captain's armband as his country failed to reach the knockout rounds in their debut appearance at the World Cup last month, finishing behind Argentina and Nigeria in Group F.

And the 33-year-old centre-back - Bosnia-Herzegovina's longest serving captain and second-most capped player - has now announced that he will no longer be available for the national team after 77 appearances.

"I gave it a lot of thought and decided to hang up my national team boots after consultation with my friends and family," Spahic told reporters.

"I am proud to have played in the World Cup with this group and the time has come for younger lads to take over.

"I wish the team all the best in Euro 2016 qualifiers."

Spahic, who made his debut as a substitute against Romania in 2003, stepped down from international duty in an effort to prolong his club career with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, national team coach Safet Susic revealed.

"Spahic told me after the World Cup that he needed a bit of time to make a decision and when he did, he explained that he wanted to focus on his club duties.

"I respect his decision. He was a great player and captain for Bosnia and it will be difficult to replace him."

 

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Del Piero wanted by several teams, says agent

Alessandro Del Piero is set to decide his next move after the A-League All Stars exhibition tie against Juventus this Sunday in Sydney.Del Piero, who scored 24 goals across his two seasons at Sydney, finishing as the club's top goalscorer each time, spoke of his desire to continue his playing career earlier this week.

According to sources close to Goal, the former Italy international has been the target of Indian Super League’s (ISL) Delhi Dynamos, while another franchisee has also shown an interest in him.

While there are talks of an imminent move to the cash-rich Qatar or MLS, his agent stated that his brother still remains a hot property in the summer transfer window.

"During the last [few] weeks, we have received inquiries from several teams, not only from India but also from other countries. There is a lot of interest in Alessandro," Stefano Del Piero told Goal.The Juve legend scored 208 goals in 513 appearances for the Serie A club and also won the World Cup in 2006, scoring against Germany in the semi-final.

With the Italian stating his intention of extending his playing career for another season, his agent mentioned that they will take stock of the situation following the weekend’s game against the Old Lady of Turin.

"We will analyse every proposal in the next few days, since, as you know, Alessandro is at this time engaged in Sydney for the game between the A-League All Stars and Juventus."

 

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James receives World Cup Golden Boot

Colombia international James Rodriguez has received the World Cup Golden Boot at a special ceremony in Madrid.

The Real Madrid star netted six goals in five games during this summer's tournament in Brazil to beat the likes of Thomas Muller (five goals), Neymar, Lionel Messi and Robin van Persie (all four goals) to the prestigious individual award.

The 23-year-old scored once against Greece, Cote d'Ivoire, Japan and Brazil, while netting a double in the round of 16 match versus Uruguay.

"I’m proud because it’s a dream and I hope to be able to win more. I think I’m at the ideal club to do that," James commented.

"Everyone on the team is an excellent person. It is a tight group and we hope to win titles, which is what the club wants. I’m happy."

The Madrid midfielder's superb volley against Uruguay was voted goal of the tournament in an election organised by fifa.com, but James himself preferred another strike.

"Personally I preferred the one against Japan."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations James Rodriguez!

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Champions League play-off draw: Arsenal meet Besiktas, Napoli take on Athletic Bilbao

Arsenal have been paired with Besiktas during Friday's Champions League play-off draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

Arsene Wenger's men last made it past the round of 16 in 2009-10 and will be determined to do better this term, yet they will have to see off the Turks first, who last featured in European club football's elite competion 2009-10.

In what is arguably the standout tie of the play-offs, Rafael Benitez's Napoli will have to deal with La Liga representatives Athletic Bilbao if they are to reach the group stages.

The Serie A outfit impressed in the Champions League three years ago, yet were eliminated in the group stages last term. Athetic, meanwhile, have appeared in the Champions League just once before, when they crashed out in the group stages in 1998-1999.

Furthermore, Lille meet Porto, while Bayer Leverkusen take on Copenhagen and Standard Liege will have to battle Zenit in the final tie of the league route.

In the champions route, Celtic - who were allowed back in the tournament at the expense of Legia Warsaw following an administrative error by the Poles - were paired with Maribor.

The opening legs will be played on August 19 and 20, with the return games on August 26 and 27, the 10 winners joining the 22 teams automatically qualified for the group stage.

 

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Vermaelen set for Barcelona move

Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has opted to join Barcelona and and has snubbed interest from Manchester United, Goal understands.

The Belgium international, who hasn’t featured in any of Arsenal’s pre-season matches due to injury, has been unable to oust either Laurent Koscielny or Per Mertesacker in Wenger’s side since he lost his regular first team spot over 18 months ago.

Vermaelen faced a straight choice between Manchester United and Barcelona and privately indicated in the last 24 hours that he would prefer to join the Catalan giants.

United, who are in need of defensive reinforcements following the departures of club stalwarts Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, have now admitted defeat in the race to sign a player whose Arsenal career has been plagued by a number of injury setbacks.

Wenger confirmed on Thursday that Manchester United were among a group of clubs who had registered an interest in the former Ajax defender but the Arsenal manager insisted he would rather sell the 28-year-old abroad rather than aid one of his potential title rivals.

Asked directly whether United had made an offer, Wenger said: “I think they could be in a group.

"We have offers from abroad and ideally I would rather sell him to a club abroad. We're in a position where it's difficult to stand in his way."

Barcelona are keen to bolster their back-line ahead of their bid to reclaim the league title from Atletico Madrid and have identified Vermaelen - who made 21 appearances for the north Londoners last season - as a target ahead of the new season.

 

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Mata hithuna Vermaelen Barcelona join wei kiyala.Mokada Wenger unath kamathi naha Vermaelen Manchester United join wenawata​

 

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Wenger upset Sagna snubbed Arsenal for Manchester City

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has expressed his disappointment that Bacary Sagna snubbed a new contract in favour of a move to Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The France right-back became the latest player to swap the Emirates for the Etihad when he signed a three-year contract with the English champions after becoming a free agent.

Sagna joins former Arsenal team-mates Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy at City after a seven-year spell in the capital.

Wenger had hoped the 31-year-old would opt to stay with the FA Cup winners, but he could line up against the Gunners in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday, and the veteran coach has spoken of his regret that the defender opted to turn his back on the club.

He said: "What is tiring is to lose players to City or ­somebody else. You will have to ask Sagna why he chose City. I made him a proposal to stay for three years, but he chose them.

"Had he chosen a long time ago? Maybe – it looks to me like he agreed it a long time before.

"It is disappointing because he came here as an unknown and he became a French ­international. But I also respect Sagna because, until the last day of his contract with us, he was super-professional."

Fellow defender Thomas Vermaelen looks set to join Sagna in departing the Emirates Stadium, with Goal understanding the Belgium international poised to agree a €19 million move to Barcelona.

Wenger has moved to cover their departures with the signing of youngster Calum Chambers from Southampton, and the former Monaco boss is hopeful his backline will improve from an up-and-down campaign in 2013-14.

"I was concerned [by Arsenal's record against the top four]," said Wenger. "I was concerned and shocked by the number of goals that we conceded.

"Of course, we were Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde defensively. We had 18 clean sheets but when we did not keep a clean sheet we let them score.

"I think it was down to confidence. Overall we were quite sound defensively but we have a good opportunity to improve that."

Despite the setback of losing Sagna, Wenger believes Arsenal have proved they are able to compete with their rivals in the transfer market with the big-money signings of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.

He added: "We are less vulnerable in the market. Over the last year we have bought Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez – five years ago we would have missed out on both of them."