..::Football III::..

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Ronaldo leads Uefa Best Player in Europe nominees as Messi is snubbed

Manuel Neuer, Arjen Robben and Cristiano Ronaldo have been named as the final three nominees for the Uefa Best Player in Europe award.

The trio were named as part of an initial 10-man shortlist announced in July, which included Angel Di Maria, Diego Costa, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Philipp Lahm, James Rodriguez and Thomas Muller.

Current Ballon d'Or holder Ronaldo has now been voted into the final three, along with Bayern Munich's star winger Robben and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who added the World Cup to his Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal successes last season, but Barcelona's Argentine star could only finish fifth in the voting.

The winner will be announced on August 28 in Monaco during the group-stage draw for the Champions League.

The Uefa Best Player prize began in 2011 under an initiative from Uefa president Michel Platini and European Sports Media group. Lionel Messi won the first prize, before Andres Iniesta in 2012 and Franck Ribery last year.

A jury of journalists from each of Uefa's member associations voted for the initial 10-man shortlist, using a system of points. A panel of 54 experts will now vote live on August 28 for the winner. The positions of the remaining seven players in the list will stay the same.

The final three nominees for the Best Women's Player in Europe were also unveiled, with Nilla Fischer, Nadine Kessler and Martina Muller - of Wolfsburg - the names to garner the most votes.

Uefa Best Player nominees - remaining top 10 (in order of voting):

4: Thomas Muller (Bayern)
5: Philipp Lahm (Bayern)
=: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
7: James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
8: Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
9: Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
10: Diego Costa (Chelsea)

 

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Swansea agree Fernandez fee

Garry Monk has revealed that Swansea City have agreed a fee with Napoli for Argentina defender Federico Fernandez.

The Welsh club have been linked with Fernandez throughout the transfer window, but the speculation intensified when Chico Flores departed for Lekhwiya earlier this month, with the former Estudiantes man expected to act as a direct replacement for the Spaniard.

And Swansea manager Monk revealed on Thursday that a fee had been agreed with the Serie A club, but the transfer is unlikely to be finalised in time for Saturday's Premier League opener against Manchester United.

"We've had good chats with Federico, the fee has been agreed and we're just agreeing personal terms," he said. "Hopefully he'll be coming over this week for a medical.

"It won’t be done in time for Saturday."

The centre-back was part of the Argentina squad that finished runners up at this summer’s World Cup, making his first of four appearances in the competition at the Maracana against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Fernandez played 26 times for Rafa Benitez’s Napoli in Serie A last season, helping the lift the Coppa Italia and secure Champions League qualification.

 

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Robben: Pep can cope with fired-up rivals

Arjen Robben has said Bayern Munich fans should not be worried heading into the new season, insisting Pep Guardiola has the experience to guide them to another successful year.

Despite wrapping up the Bundesliga in record time last season, Bayern suffered a loss of momentum towards the end of 2013-14 and were thrashed 5-0 on aggregate by Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final.

However, Robben says Bayern are confident heading into the new campaign and urged his team-mates to be at their best at all times.

"No one needs to have any worries," he told the club's website. "Obviously, our opponents will be even more fired up this season, but we know what we can do and we have a coach with so much experience of this situation. "I think it's good we start with strong opposition in the shape of Wolfsburg, Schalke and Stuttgart. Everyone will be thinking: 'Hey, here we go again.' We can't afford to be careless."

The 30-year-old played a pivotal role in Bayern's Bundesliga triumph last season and scored four times as they reached the last four of the Champions League. The former Real Madrid and Chelsea player then went on to lead Netherlands to a surprise third-place finish at the World Cup.

As a result of his excellent displays, he was included in the final shortlist for the Uefa Best Player in Europe award, alongside team-mate Manuel Neuer and Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It is just tremendous," Robben said of his nomination. "It's a wonderful recognition and a great honour. I only have to look at the long, long list of great players in Europe to know it's fantastic and a nice reward for the last few years here at Bayern and with my national team.

"Two nominees in the top three from Bayern and Thomas Muller and Philipp in fourth and fifth - that is exceptional and shows we have clearly made our mark on Europe in recent years."
The winger also pledged his support to Javi Martinez, who has been ruled out of action for "several months" with a knee injury he suffered in the DFL-Supercup defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Robben continued: "It's just devastating. He’s an extremely important player and he's made the difference in lots of big games, last year's cup final for example, or the 2013 Champions League final when he was the best man on the field. He just has to get through it now and stay mentally calm. It's hard, but he'll be back."
Bayern team-mates Franck Ribery and Philipp Lahm have announced their retirement from international football this summer, but Robben insists he will keep playing for the Oranje.

"I will carry on for as long as I enjoy it and my body allows it," he said.

 

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Colombian lawyer 'to sue Fifa' over World Cup refereeing

A Colombian lawyer says he plans to sue Fifa for €1 billion over "moral damages" caused by sub-standard refereeing at the World Cup in Brazil.

Aurelio Jimenez says poor decisions by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo in the quarter-final tie between Brazil and Colombia caused him distress and saw him taken to hospital with heart problems as a result.

Spanish match official Velasco Carballo suffered criticism for his performance in a game which was plagued with dangerous tackles, including that from Juan Zuniga which fractured a bone in Neymar's back and ended his World Cup campaign.

"I felt very bad, I was heartbroken, my cardiac rhythm was altered and my relatives took me to the emergency room at the hospital. I was surrounded by my grandchildren who were crying a lot," Jimenez, a 74-year-old lawyer, told BBC World Service.

"I decided to sue Fifa in the Colombian judiciary system because in the past world soccer championship in Brazil, there were many wrongdoings related to referees who damaged many countries and their selections, among them the Colombia team."Moreover, Fifa's referees caused big moral damages and distress to Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, England, Uruguay, Mexico and Costa Rica.

"I have testimonies of football stars Pele, Diego Armando Maradona, David Ospina, James Rodriguez and international referees who examined the videos of the game between Brazil and Colombia."

Colombia lost the quarter-final 2-1 to hosts Brazil, who went on to suffer a heavy defeat to eventual winners Germany in the last four.Jimenez says he will donate any damages he wins to a government programme supporting children in Colombia.

 

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No new bids for Bony, say Swansea

Gary Monk has insisted that Swansea have yet to receive any new offers for Wilfried Bony.

The striker has been linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium for most of the summer after netting 17 goals in 34 appearances during his first season in the Premier League.

Liverpool have been suggested as possible suitors as they continue in their search to replace Luis Suarez, but had a bid of £12.5 million turned down in July, with an improved bid yet to materialise.

And Monk stated on Thursday that no one has shown any interest in making an improved offer for their star man, confirming: "No offers have come into the club."

One man who could be on his way out of the Liberty Stadium is Jose Canas, with Monk announcing the club are helping the Spaniard to secure his next move.

"I spoke to him at the start of the season, for me he wasn't going to be part of my plans," he continued. "The way I wanted to go forward, he wasn't part of my plans and he understood that and now he's trying to find another club, and we're helping him."

Canas would join Chico Flores, Pablo Hernandez and Michu - loaned to Napoli - as the latest departure in Swansea's Spanish exodus, and Monk stressed he was only interested in keeping players who wanted to remain at the club.

"Michu, Chico and Pablo were all in the same situation, they came to me and we had a mutual agreement that they wanted to move on and I wasn’t going to stand in their way." said Monk.

"I’m only interested in players that want to play for Swansea."

 

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PAOK 0-0 Inter: Nerazzurri held by Greek side

Inter have much to do before next week's Europa League play-off against Stjarnan after playing out a dull 0-0 draw at PAOK on Thursday.

The Serie A giants may have been solid defensively throughout the friendly in Greece, but their lack of chances and fluidity in attack will have alarmed coach Walter Mazzarri.

PAOK enjoyed the best chance of a poor game just after the half-hour mark, when Dimitris Salpingidis forced a fine one-handed save from Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic after shooting from an acute angle.

Inter - who missed out on European football last term - play Stjarnan of Iceland over two legs in the Europa League's play-off round, with a spot in the group stages up for grabs.

Mazzarri selected a strong side from the start, with new signing Nemanja Vidic partnering Andrea Ranocchia at the heart of Inter's defence, while Mauro Icardi led the line up front.But despite the impressive team at Inter's disposal, they never found their rhythm in stifling conditions in Thessaloniki.

Temperatures of 30 degrees made life difficult for players and it was PAOK who made the brighter start, with Handanovic reacting quickly to keep out Stelios Kitsiou's deflected cross.

Stefanos Athanasiadis was next to go close for the hosts, who were enjoying success down the right, but he could only head over before Salpingidis stung the palms of Handanovic in the 32nd minute.Hernanes' tame shot straight at PAOK goalkeeper Panagiotis Glykos was as close as Inter came during a lacklustre first half and new signing Yann M'Vila showed his frustration with a late challenge on Salpingidis that earned him a yellow card four minutes after the break.

Yuto Nagatomo cut inside promisingly on the hour-mark, but he blazed well over for Inter, as the game petered out even further following a string of substitutions.
Inter's first assignment against Stjarnan sees them hit the road for Wednesday's first-leg.PAOK are also involved in the Europa League play-offs, and face Zimbru of Moldova.

 

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Allegri hails Tevez effect

Massimiliano Allegri has hailed Carlos Tevez as an "exemplary" player and human being and has set his sights on guiding Juventus to their fourth straight league title.

Tevez enjoyed a successful first season with the Serie A giants, scoring 19 goals in 34 league games following his move from Manchester City.

Allegri, who took over as Juve coach this summer following the resignation of Antonio Conte, has praised the 30-year-old and has said he is targeting improving on the club's recent performances in Europe.

"Tevez is exemplary on a technical and human level," Allegri told reporters.

"In general here we have found a group that wants to work and win.

"The whole group at Juventus want to win the fourth Scudetto in a row and do as well as possible in the Champions League.

"I still have to decide the starting lineup but I want to give everyone playing time."

And following speculation of a potential move to Manchester United, Allegri remained muted on the future of Arturo Vidal.

"Arturo is a Juventus player. Today he trained regularly but is on a different regime to the rest of squad to improve his condition after the recent operation.”

 

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Pochettino: Tottenham have an unbelievable squad

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists that he has "an unbelievable squad" at his disposal even before any move for Morgan Schneiderlin.

The Southampton midfielder has been vocal about his desire to depart St Mary's Stadium throughout the close-season, with a reunion with the Argentine understood to be his preference, but the south-coast club are adamant that he will not be sold.

It has been revealed Spurs are willing to wait to get their man, who is priced at €31 million by the Saints, but Pochettino is happy to develop on his current options if he has to.

"It's not my style to speak about another player," Pochettino said when asked about Schneiderlin. "It's not my main concern.

"I think we have an unbelievable squad and I think, for the club, last season was a big investment and signed unbelievable players.

"The most important thing is to develop our players and to provide the best things for us to show on the pitch."

Pochettino also appeared to rule out suggestions that the club were willing to cash in on England international Andros Townsend amid links with QPR - for whom the winger played on loan in the second half of the 2012-13 season.

"We need to recover a player like [Townsend] because he has great potential and very good qualities," the manager added.

"Like all the players, he is in the squad so he is important. He was injured for the World Cup so he has to recover."

 

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Aguero signs new five-year contract with Manchester City

Manchester City have confirmed that Sergio Aguero has signed a new five-year contract with the club.

The Argentine striker put an end to speculation surrounding his immediate future at the Eithad by putting pen to paper on an new deal that will keep him at City until 2019.

The 26-year-old has been a firm fans' favourite since his move from Atletico Madrid in 2011, cementing his place in the club's folklore by scoring the stoppage time winner againt QPR that gave City their first ever Premier League title in 2012.

The forward has netted 75 goals in 122 appearances in all competitions and despite being linked with a move to Barcelona this transfer window, Aguero has moved to reassure fans that his future lies in England.

"The reality seems to be that ever since I came here, during every close season, there have always been rumours suggesting that I might be returning to Spain," Aguero told the club's official website.

"There has always been this speculation but I certainly never pay much attention to it.

"People hear this stuff flying around and they take it seriously but I can tell the fans and everyone at City to relax, I’m going to be here until I see out my contract.

"Each year, I aim to better the previous one. Last season was incredible but I’m not just satisfied with two Premier League titles, I want more and I can achieve them here alongside my teammates.

"This club is special; the fans, the stadium, the staff, the atmosphere, the new facility we’re moving into – everything!

"We have enjoyed lots of success and some incredible moments but the overall vision for the future and where we are going are the reasons why I wanted to stay here, to win trophies and to keep making history through my best years."

 

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Pulis leaves Palace by mutual consent

Tony Pulis has left Crystal Palace by mutual consent less than 48 hours before the club's opening Premier League fixture against Arsenal.

The 56-year-old had become disillusioned with Palace’s transfer strategy this summer and held showdown talks with the club’s co-chairman Steve Parish on Thursday evening.

Keith Millen will take charge of the first team for Palace’s season opener at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Palace have completed deals for four players this summer but only Fraizer Campbell and Martin Kelly are cash purchases, with Chris Kettings and Brede Hangeland arriving as free transfers.

Pulis had clashed with Parish on numerous occasions this summer over the club’s transfer policy, having missed out on deals for Gylfi Sigurdsson and Steven Caulker.

Pulis, who was named as the Premier League’s manager of the year in May, took over from Ian Holloway last November with Palace in the bottom three but was able to guide the club to an 11th-placed finish.

 

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Official: Deulofeu joins Sevilla on loan from Barcelona

Barcelona attacker Gerard Deulofeu will join Sevilla on loan for the 2014-15 season, the Andalusian club have confirmed.

Deulofeu spent last season at Everton, scoring three goals in 25 appearances in the Premier League and returned to Barcelona this summer looking for first-team opportunities.

But after coach Luis Enrique decided another campaign on loan would be beneficial, a deal was reached with the Europa League winners.

Sevilla confirmed on Thursday that the loan was agreed and will go through ahead of the new league campaign.

"FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Gerard Deulofeu to the Andalusian club for the 2014-15 season," the statement read.

Deulofeu has played six times for Barcelona, with two of those appearances coming in La Liga.

 

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Martino: I'm proud to be Argentina coach

Gerardo Martino says he is "proud" to take over as coach of the Argentina national team.

Martino takes over as coach of the World Cup runners-up just a few months on from departing Barcelona after just one season in charge at Camp Nou.

The 51-year-old was announced as the replacement of Alejandro Sabella as national team coach on Wednesday and was unveiled at a press conference on Thursday, where he spoke of his pride at taking over.

Martino's first game in charge will be a World Cup final rematch against Germany in a friendly on September 2.

"I'm proud to be in this role and I must thank the Argentine Football Association for having the confidence in me to give me this job," he told reporters.

"The national team requires a work commitment, but also a personal one as well. To lead your country is something very different.

"I want to continue in Sabella's line of work which, beyond results, has been wonderful.

"We have decided to call on the same players who played in the World Cup final against Germany for the friendly. It is a reward for them.

"I have the advantage of having worked with Messi and Mascherano at Barcelona."

Martino suggested that he will consider bringing Carlos Tevez back into the national team, saying: "The door is open for all Argentine players."

The coach's campaign in charge of Barcelona has been considered a failure after he failed to win a major trophy and he insists he should be held responsible for the Catalans' fruitless year.

"We went to Barcelona to do a good job, but we didn't," said Martino. "That is mainly my fault. I feel responsible for last season."

 

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Scholes writes off Man United hopes

Paul Scholes has written off Louis van Gaal's hopes of winning the Premier League title in his first year as Manchester United manager, after picking Manchester City or Chelsea to finish the upcoming season as champions.United legend Scholes backed Van Gaal to revive United's fortunes after their seventh-place finish last May, but he cannot see the experienced Dutchman bringing the biggest prize in English football back to Old Trafford straight away.

"I think the title is between City and Chelsea, they've both made decent signings. The next two places are between United, Liverpool and Arsenal," said the 11-time Premier League winner Scholes, in quotes appearing in the Daily Mirror."I just worry that City and Chelsea have a bit too much for them. United will be looking for a better season than last season, and that shouldn't be too difficult. It was a big blip last year, disappointing.

"The first six games look favourable and if they can be near or top of the league at the end of those six then take it from there, but you have to remember the players they've lost. Rio [Ferdinand], [Nemanja] Vidic, [Patrice] Evra, [Ryan] Giggs. Massive players who have won 30 titles between them."
Scholes backed Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling to grasp their chance in a revamped United defensive lineup, but he suspects Van Gaal is frustrated by the lack of transfer activity following the arrivals of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw earlier in the summer.

"I'm sure he [Van Gaal] would have liked to have signed more players," Scholes added. "He's not managed to do that yet. Are the players out there available? The areas they need, in midfield, is an area where I thought they might have bought a couple of players.

"Toni Kroos goes [from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid] for 20 million pounds and Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea. I thought they would have been in for those type of players, but it doesn't look like they were. If they were, they chose to go elsewhere."It's not because United are not in the Champions League. People still want to play for Manchester United. It's huge.

"I still think the players they have are good enough, it's whether they can get their confidence back. Jones, Evans and Smalling have all been there to win leagues, but now they really have to step up."Scholes went to suggest Van Gaal strikes him as being a little eccentric, as he suggested the veteran Dutchman will instill belief in United after their trouble campaign under David Moyes last season.

"From what I've seen in preseason he looks a bit mad to me. He's a bit like a mad genius -- he looks a bit crazy," added Scholes."I think he's brought a bit of fear into the players, which is no bad thing. I played for 20 years for Sir Alex Ferguson and he could be a scary man. Sometimes fear can bring performances out from you.

"Players will know where they stand, which is what you want. You knew where you stood with Sir Alex Ferguson, straight from what you'd done on the Saturday. If you'd done well he'd pat you on the back and if you hadn't you probably wouldn't be playing the next week."This manager has great experience with proper clubs and has been successful. Hopefully he can bring a bit of that to us."

 

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Paul Scholes kiyana de attha thamai.Onama kenekuta penawa Manchester United squad 1ke gaps thiyanawa kiyalaDefence gana nam sure 1kak thiyannama bahaneEvans,Samalling & Jones

Ewagema thamai MID 1keth madiIthin mehema gaps thiyeddi kohomada EPL title 1kata challenge 1kak denne CITY,Chelsea,Arsenal & Liverpool walata

Benatia,Di Maria & Vidal oya set 1ka gatthanam shape

Karume kiyanne ona karana deals ikmanata ikmanata karaganne nathi 1kane
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Bendtner seals Wolfsburg move

Wolfsburg have confirmed the arrival of Nicklas Bendtner on a free transfer after he left Arsenal earlier this summer.

The Denmark international has signed a three-year contract with the Bundesliga club, 12 months after being denied a move away from the Gunners after they failed to sign a replacement.

Nicklas Bendtner is a striker in his prime, who has already collected a lot of international experience in his career, which has not always been straightforward," Vfl sporting director Klaus Allofs said of the move.

"He will increase our attacking quality even further his quality."

Coach Dieter Hecking added: "We want to play a big role in all three competitions this season, but we need players who are used to these challenges.

"Nicklas embodies exactly the type of striker we were looking for. He fits our requirements and will strengthen our squad."

Bendtner moved to Arsenal as a teenager in 2004 and made over 100 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.

Though he spent the last year at the Emirates, he had loan spells at Sunderland in the 2011-12 season and Juventus for the following campaign.

 

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Conte is a winner, says Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon has hailed the appointment of Antonio Conte as Italy coach and feels the 45-year-old will bring a winning mentality to the Azzurri set-up.

The former Juventus boss left Turin this summer after three Serie A-winning seasons with the Old Lady and was handed the national team job following Cesare Prandelli's resignation.

Buffon believes that every football fan in Italy should be delighted to have Conte in charge of their country.

"He will be very good for both the footballing movement and also for individuals in the national team," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He is a natural fundamentalist, but he also has the intelligence and sensitivity to understand and adapt to situations that are not those of a club.

"Antonio is a winner as a coach and as a character. It's normal that fans of Juventus' rivals are bitter against him. But I'm sure 95 per cent of Italians would like to have him coach their team and the same is true for the national team."

Buffon went on to say that he wants to represent his country at the next World Cup in 2018, by which time he will be 40 years of age.

"If I can carry on until 40 and make it to a sixth World Cup, that would really be amazing. No one has ever made six World Cups before.

"It's better not to think about this because these four years will be very hard."

Carlo Tavecchio was appointed president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) despite courting controversy recently for alleged racism, but Buffon feels he will perform his new role well.

"I have nothing disagreeable to say - I know him. I think that, at 71, he has great experience on his side. Now we need to find cohesion, unity of purpose."

 

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Champions League or bust for Manchester United, says Mata

Juan Mata admits he cannot contemplate Manchester United missing out on Champions League qualification this season.

United finished seventh in the Premier League last term after David Moyes’s ill-fated 10 months in charge, resulting in the club missing out on a place in the Champions League for the first time in 19 years.

And Mata, who signed from Chelsea in a €46 million deal in January, believes it is inconceivable that United will miss out on the competition again.

“We are facing a new season with new goals. It’s a new era and we have a new manager and players. It’s a new chance to show that this club can fight for titles. So, yes, it’s time to get back up,” he told the Daily Mail.

“We would all love to win the league but the most important goal - what this club needs - is to play in the Champions League again.

“I cannot imagine a Champions League two years in a row without United.”

Louis van Gaal has built a reputation for being meticulous in his training methods, and a host of United players have already acknowledged – and praised – the changes the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has brought to their sessions.

The 63-year-old’s unique techniques have raised some question marks – including his mentoring of Wayne Rooney in how to take a penalty- but Mata insists that players are warming to the Dutchman’s way of doing things.

“He told Wayne [Rooney] how to shoot, but it’s very good,’ he said.

“He is a manager who feels every session. Not just a game but a training session. To him, it’s all important. He is very into it.

“Sometimes he sees a striker or midfielder not make the right pass, he stops the session and tells them. He loves to do that. He is very temperamental.

“I think the example with Wayne, he was right. If you face the goalkeeper you have to wait for him to go and then put the ball in the other side.

“It’s easy to say it but not so easy to do it when you are in the 88th minute of a game. So you must practise. Everything he says is meant to help.

“You must have an open mind. If you are a professional player, that’s basic. I have had many managers during the past years and I can learn from all of them. Now with Louis van Gaal we have a new way of working and we are all trying to adapt. Even the goalkeeper has an important role in the game-play.”

 

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Robben: I'm still not fit to play

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has revealed he is still not fully fit after his exploits with Netherlands in the World Cup this summer.

The Dutchman was one of the stars of the tournament as Louis van Gaal's men reached the semi-finals of the competition, only to suffer penalty shoot-out heartbreak at the hands of Argentina.

Robben,30, missed the DFL-Supercup clash against Borussia Dortmund and feels that the needs to work on his fitness before representing the Bavarians.

"It's what we agreed because the match came too early for me," he told the club's official website when asked about his

"I need to train hard for a few days and recover my rhythm. I'm still very much in pre-season. My desire to play football is certainly back again. I'm ready for the restart!

"Obviously the three weeks [of holiday] went by in a flash and I'm sure a couple more days would have done us all good. But it just wasn't possible because we have the DFB Cup first round on Sunday."

 

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Atletico have a great attack, says Simeone

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes his side have a fearsome attack going into the new season.

The Spanish champions lost Diego Costa and David Villa from their front line this summer but have added Mario Mandzukic, Antoine Griezmann and Raul Jimenez in recent weeks.

As a result, the Argentine feels that his side are well placed to challenge for top honours this season once more thanks to their busy summer of business.

"Jimenez is a young player, a player in an area which we need, who has great speed and I believe that with him, Griezmann, Raul Garcia and Mandzukic, we have great power in attack," he is quoted as saying by Marca.

Costa and Villa were not the only stars to leave the club this summer, with Thibaut Courtois' loan spell ending and Filipe Luis moving on, but Simeone feels the core of his Liga-winning team remains.

"Miranda, Diego Godin, Gabi, Koke, Mario Suarez, Tiago and Arda Turan are the strongest part of the team.

"It's true that players have left and the obviously the situation has changed. With this change, we must start again and move on calmly.

"It would have been better if the players who have left had chosen to stay but you have to respect them because they gave everything.

"The team still has its structure and have a DNA which Gabi, Miranda, Mario Suarez, Tiago, Koke and Raul Garcia embody and we can continue to build.

"I am convinced that the club are working to give me the best chance."