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Navas frustrated to lose on Real Madrid debut
Keylor Navas says he was disappointed to lose on his Real Madrid debut as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina on Saturday.
The goalkeeper, who joined the European champions this summer from Levante, was overlooked in favour of Iker Casillas for the European Super Cup on Tuesday but was given the chance to make his first appearance for the friendly in Poland.
However, despite Cristiano Ronaldo's early opener, Carlo Ancelotti's side lost to the Serie A club and Navas said it was a disappointing result for him to start with, although he has settled in well otherwise.
"It was a shame that we couldn’t win tonight," he said after the game. "We have got to keep working and improving every day.
"But I felt comfortable out there and the overall sensations were very positive. Getting that first contact with my team-mates was important."
The Costa Rica international feels the team must now look towards their two-legged Spanish Supercup tie with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and Friday.
"We want to win; we have a winner’s mentality," Navas added. "The team is motivated and we know that an important trophy is to be won. We will give everything we have got to win it."
The 27-year-old said he was prepared to work hard to make his transition to life at the Bernabeu as smooth as possible this season.Navas continued: "I have no reason at all not get along with anyone here. I have come here to work hard with humility and push myself, just like I have done all through my life.
"I am at the coaching staff’s disposal. I will never give up and I will continue working as hard as I can every day."
Keylor Navas says he was disappointed to lose on his Real Madrid debut as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina on Saturday.
The goalkeeper, who joined the European champions this summer from Levante, was overlooked in favour of Iker Casillas for the European Super Cup on Tuesday but was given the chance to make his first appearance for the friendly in Poland.
However, despite Cristiano Ronaldo's early opener, Carlo Ancelotti's side lost to the Serie A club and Navas said it was a disappointing result for him to start with, although he has settled in well otherwise.
"It was a shame that we couldn’t win tonight," he said after the game. "We have got to keep working and improving every day.
"But I felt comfortable out there and the overall sensations were very positive. Getting that first contact with my team-mates was important."
The Costa Rica international feels the team must now look towards their two-legged Spanish Supercup tie with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and Friday.
"We want to win; we have a winner’s mentality," Navas added. "The team is motivated and we know that an important trophy is to be won. We will give everything we have got to win it."
The 27-year-old said he was prepared to work hard to make his transition to life at the Bernabeu as smooth as possible this season.Navas continued: "I have no reason at all not get along with anyone here. I have come here to work hard with humility and push myself, just like I have done all through my life.
"I am at the coaching staff’s disposal. I will never give up and I will continue working as hard as I can every day."
Lovren 'had better offers' than Liverpool
Dejan Lovren has revealed he had more lucrative offers than joining Liverpool, but insists a move to Anfield was the only choice for him.
The Croatia international became the third player to leave Southampton for Liverpool during the transfer window, following the paths previously trodden by Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.
Lovren's move was the subject of much media speculation, with the defender publicly declaring his intention to leave Southampton last month.
The 25-year-old got his wish in late July and ahead of Sunday's opening Premier League clash against his former club, Lovren claimed he had options to move elsewhere.
"I had better offers financially but from the first day I said I want to come to Liverpool," he said.
"I want to achieve something here because I know this club is big and Brendan Rodgers is a great manager.
"There is a lot of talent here - amazing players - and last season they showed they can do something. I'm really confident in this team."
Lovren scored the winner for Southampton in a 1-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season, and insists he is focussed solely on the job at hand.
"To play them in the first game was destiny," Lovren said. "I will just have to concentrate on my game, on our style and I won't think about Southampton.
"Maybe there is some regret with how I left Southampton. I said that I wanted to leave because Liverpool is a massive club and maybe I will have this chance just one time in my life.
"It was not so easy at the beginning. It took a lot of time. But at the end everybody agreed and I shook their hands and said goodbye so now it is finished."
Dejan Lovren has revealed he had more lucrative offers than joining Liverpool, but insists a move to Anfield was the only choice for him.
The Croatia international became the third player to leave Southampton for Liverpool during the transfer window, following the paths previously trodden by Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.
Lovren's move was the subject of much media speculation, with the defender publicly declaring his intention to leave Southampton last month.
The 25-year-old got his wish in late July and ahead of Sunday's opening Premier League clash against his former club, Lovren claimed he had options to move elsewhere.
"I had better offers financially but from the first day I said I want to come to Liverpool," he said.
"I want to achieve something here because I know this club is big and Brendan Rodgers is a great manager.
"There is a lot of talent here - amazing players - and last season they showed they can do something. I'm really confident in this team."
Lovren scored the winner for Southampton in a 1-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season, and insists he is focussed solely on the job at hand.
"To play them in the first game was destiny," Lovren said. "I will just have to concentrate on my game, on our style and I won't think about Southampton.
"Maybe there is some regret with how I left Southampton. I said that I wanted to leave because Liverpool is a massive club and maybe I will have this chance just one time in my life.
"It was not so easy at the beginning. It took a lot of time. But at the end everybody agreed and I shook their hands and said goodbye so now it is finished."
Depay on form as PSV demolish NAC
PSV pulled off an Eredivisie demolition job as they marched to a 6-1 victory over NAC Breda in their first home match of the season.
Having opened the new campaign with a 3-1 win at Willem II, PSV were in control once again on Saturday as Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay scored two goals each.
Wijnaldum broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, running onto a well-placed Depay throughball to sidefoot home from 12 yards.Aleksandar Damcevski inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net from a Santiago Arias cross in the 26th minute, but Adnane Tighadouini gave NAC hope from the penalty spot five minutes later.
Depay curled home a superb 20-yard free-kick six minutes into the second half to re-establish PSV's two-goal advantage, before Jurgen Locadia drilled in an unstoppable effort from just outside the area - Luuk de Jong providing a neat assist with a backheel.The result was already beyond doubt when PSV unlocked the NAC defence with some excellent passing to set up Wijnaldum for a fifth before the match had even reached the hour mark.
And Depay rounded off the scoring with another curling free-kick finish in the 73rd minute, arguably better than his first.Twente, who finished third in the Dutch top flight last season, remain without a victory in this campaign following a 2-2 draw with Den Haag.
Kamohelo Mokotjo put the Enschede outfit in front just before the break, but goals from Roland Alberg - from the penalty spot - and Mike van Duinen turned the scoreline on its head.However, Shadrach Eghan's effort four minutes before the final whistle earned a point for Alfred Schreuder's men.
After beginning life in the Eredivisie with a win at Heerenveen last weekend, Dordrecht were brought back down to earth in a 2-1 defeat at home to PEC Zwolle, although they very nearly snatched a draw.Ryan Thomas opened the scoring for Zwolle five minutes before the interval, but Giovanni Korte's equaliser nine minutes from time looked to have earned a share of the spoils.
However, Mustafa Saymak popped up deep in stoppage time to reclaim the lead and maximum points.In the day's remaining fixture, Vitesse conceded in the 89th minute as they were held to a 2-2 home draw by Cambuur.
PSV pulled off an Eredivisie demolition job as they marched to a 6-1 victory over NAC Breda in their first home match of the season.
Having opened the new campaign with a 3-1 win at Willem II, PSV were in control once again on Saturday as Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay scored two goals each.
Wijnaldum broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, running onto a well-placed Depay throughball to sidefoot home from 12 yards.Aleksandar Damcevski inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net from a Santiago Arias cross in the 26th minute, but Adnane Tighadouini gave NAC hope from the penalty spot five minutes later.
Depay curled home a superb 20-yard free-kick six minutes into the second half to re-establish PSV's two-goal advantage, before Jurgen Locadia drilled in an unstoppable effort from just outside the area - Luuk de Jong providing a neat assist with a backheel.The result was already beyond doubt when PSV unlocked the NAC defence with some excellent passing to set up Wijnaldum for a fifth before the match had even reached the hour mark.
And Depay rounded off the scoring with another curling free-kick finish in the 73rd minute, arguably better than his first.Twente, who finished third in the Dutch top flight last season, remain without a victory in this campaign following a 2-2 draw with Den Haag.
Kamohelo Mokotjo put the Enschede outfit in front just before the break, but goals from Roland Alberg - from the penalty spot - and Mike van Duinen turned the scoreline on its head.However, Shadrach Eghan's effort four minutes before the final whistle earned a point for Alfred Schreuder's men.
After beginning life in the Eredivisie with a win at Heerenveen last weekend, Dordrecht were brought back down to earth in a 2-1 defeat at home to PEC Zwolle, although they very nearly snatched a draw.Ryan Thomas opened the scoring for Zwolle five minutes before the interval, but Giovanni Korte's equaliser nine minutes from time looked to have earned a share of the spoils.
However, Mustafa Saymak popped up deep in stoppage time to reclaim the lead and maximum points.In the day's remaining fixture, Vitesse conceded in the 89th minute as they were held to a 2-2 home draw by Cambuur.
Manolas undergoes Arsenal medical
Olympiakos centre-back Kostas Manolas is undergoing a medical at Arsenal ahead of a move to the Gunners, Goal understands.
Manolas has attracted interest from Arsene Wenger, who is targeting a central defensive signing before the transfer window closes following the sale of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona.
As reported, the Gunners opened talks with Olympiakos over a move for the defender earlier in August.
Arsenal are understood to have been quoted a transfer fee of €10 million for the centre-back.
Manolas is also wanted by Juventus, but the north London side appear to have moved ahead of the Italian club in the race to sign the Greece international.
Wenger confirmed earlier this month that Arsenal were in the market for a centre-back despite the €20m signing of Calum Chambers, who featured alongside Laurent Koscielny in the absence of Per Mertesacker in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
"Vermaelen behaved outstandingly last year - I am grateful for him and I wish him very well," Wenger said.
"If I can find another centre-back I will do it."
Mertesacker, meanwhile, has signed a new long term contract at Arsenal.
Olympiakos centre-back Kostas Manolas is undergoing a medical at Arsenal ahead of a move to the Gunners, Goal understands.
Manolas has attracted interest from Arsene Wenger, who is targeting a central defensive signing before the transfer window closes following the sale of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona.
As reported, the Gunners opened talks with Olympiakos over a move for the defender earlier in August.
Arsenal are understood to have been quoted a transfer fee of €10 million for the centre-back.
Manolas is also wanted by Juventus, but the north London side appear to have moved ahead of the Italian club in the race to sign the Greece international.
Wenger confirmed earlier this month that Arsenal were in the market for a centre-back despite the €20m signing of Calum Chambers, who featured alongside Laurent Koscielny in the absence of Per Mertesacker in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
"Vermaelen behaved outstandingly last year - I am grateful for him and I wish him very well," Wenger said.
"If I can find another centre-back I will do it."
Mertesacker, meanwhile, has signed a new long term contract at Arsenal.
Brandao must be severely punished for Motta headbutt - PSG president
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has called on Bastia player Brandao to be given a heavy punishment after he allegedly headbutted Thiago Motta after Saturday's game.
Video footage emerged after the PSG's 2-0 win over Bastia which appeared to show Brandao walking over to Motta in the tunnel and thrusting his head towards his.
And Al-Khelaifi has come out in criticism of Brandao, insisting the authorities have to punish him severely.
"This is very serious," the president told reporters. "We cannot let this go. It gives a very bad image of football.
"I hope the Bastia player who did it will be severely punished. A landmark decision needs to be made and a heavy penalty handed out.
"Our role is to protect the players, and when Thiago Motta is attacked like this, we must act to counter that.
"Thiago has a broken nose and will miss four games. Everyone saw what happened. The images confirm this and there will inevitably be sanctions. We hope so. It spoils the game."
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has called on Bastia player Brandao to be given a heavy punishment after he allegedly headbutted Thiago Motta after Saturday's game.
Video footage emerged after the PSG's 2-0 win over Bastia which appeared to show Brandao walking over to Motta in the tunnel and thrusting his head towards his.
And Al-Khelaifi has come out in criticism of Brandao, insisting the authorities have to punish him severely.
"This is very serious," the president told reporters. "We cannot let this go. It gives a very bad image of football.
"I hope the Bastia player who did it will be severely punished. A landmark decision needs to be made and a heavy penalty handed out.
"Our role is to protect the players, and when Thiago Motta is attacked like this, we must act to counter that.
"Thiago has a broken nose and will miss four games. Everyone saw what happened. The images confirm this and there will inevitably be sanctions. We hope so. It spoils the game."
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Cam 1kaka lasanata record wela thiyanawa Motta enakam balagena idala attack karanawa.
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Cam 1kaka lasanata record wela thiyanawa Motta enakam balagena idala attack karanawa.meh wage dewal wena 1ka chater
Klopp thrilled to have Reus back
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says he was pleased with Marco Reus' display in their 4-1 DFB-Pokal win over Stuttgarter Kickers.
Reus missed the World Cup with an ankle injury which he picked up just a day before Germany were set to fly out to Brazil and made his return on Saturday as Dortmund progressed in the cup with a comfortable win over the third-tier side.
Klopp was delighted to have Reus back on the field but admitted he was slightly disappointed that his side's performance was not as dominant as the scoreline would indicate.
"I am very satisfied with Marco," the 47-year-old said. "The fact that he could not show his absolutely outstanding quality is not a problem for me."Marco has everything ready. He has trained for two weeks, is fit and in top form. We will see how his return goes, but we won't take risks.
"The result is dramatically better than what actually happened on the field, but the league season starts next week and here we are again one step further forward and fresher."
Defender Neven Subotic echoed his coach's thoughts on the team's performance, but insisted the result was most important. "We did not have it all under control," he said. "For me it was hard, but it is important that we won."
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says he was pleased with Marco Reus' display in their 4-1 DFB-Pokal win over Stuttgarter Kickers.
Reus missed the World Cup with an ankle injury which he picked up just a day before Germany were set to fly out to Brazil and made his return on Saturday as Dortmund progressed in the cup with a comfortable win over the third-tier side.
Klopp was delighted to have Reus back on the field but admitted he was slightly disappointed that his side's performance was not as dominant as the scoreline would indicate.
"I am very satisfied with Marco," the 47-year-old said. "The fact that he could not show his absolutely outstanding quality is not a problem for me."Marco has everything ready. He has trained for two weeks, is fit and in top form. We will see how his return goes, but we won't take risks.
"The result is dramatically better than what actually happened on the field, but the league season starts next week and here we are again one step further forward and fresher."
Defender Neven Subotic echoed his coach's thoughts on the team's performance, but insisted the result was most important. "We did not have it all under control," he said. "For me it was hard, but it is important that we won."
Pochettino praises 'hero' Dier after West Ham winner
Mauricio Pochettino paid tribute to unlikely debut hero Eric Dier after Tottenham ran out narrow winners over West Ham at Upton Park.
A goalless draw seemed inevitable in the closing minutes of a match which saw both Kyle Naughton and James Collins sent off by referee Chris Foy, until Dier rounded Adrian to slot home an injury-time winner on his first Premier League appearance.
And after the match Pochettino praised the contribution of the 20-year-old, acquired in a €5 million deal from Sporting this summer.
"He’s still young but he showed a good game last week and again today,” the Argentine told reporters.
"He’s calm and has a lot of quality and potential. We have to give him the possibility to play while being careful with him. But he was the hero today.
"I haven’t seen him do it [in training] because he doesn’t play as a centre-forward! I’m very pleased for him and for the whole team for a great performance.
"But this is our philosophy. We have to believe for every minute and try to win every game."
Foy made two decisive calls in the match, issuing a straight red card to Naughton for a deliberate handball before showing James Collins his second yellow card for a cynical body check on Emmanuel Adebayor in the second half.
Allardyce believes the dismissal of Collins was harsh but conceded that his team were responsible for their own demise, having dominated Spurs in a first half which saw Mark Noble miss from the penalty spot.
"I don’t agree with [the decision] but I can’t complain about it," he admitted.
"But if you’re in risk of getting sent off don’t let the guy go past you. It’s more our fault than the referee’s.
"We didn’t take the chances to win the game when we created them and paid the ultimate price in the end.
"I can’t complain about the performance or the football we played, or how many times we opened up Tottenham, but we weren’t clinical and we were very naive.”
Allardyce also gave short shrift to suggestions that his job might be under threat as a result of his continued unpopularity with West Ham fans.
"If [the owners] were going to do it [sack me] after one game they might as well have done it at the end of last season," he insisted.
"Why do the whole summer we’ve done and create what we’ve tried to create and do that after one game?
"At the end of the day we didn’t deserve to lose and we’ve got a lot of players to come back and make us stronger.
"After that performance I’m very confident our season’s going to be a good one."
Mauricio Pochettino paid tribute to unlikely debut hero Eric Dier after Tottenham ran out narrow winners over West Ham at Upton Park.
A goalless draw seemed inevitable in the closing minutes of a match which saw both Kyle Naughton and James Collins sent off by referee Chris Foy, until Dier rounded Adrian to slot home an injury-time winner on his first Premier League appearance.
And after the match Pochettino praised the contribution of the 20-year-old, acquired in a €5 million deal from Sporting this summer.
"He’s still young but he showed a good game last week and again today,” the Argentine told reporters.
"He’s calm and has a lot of quality and potential. We have to give him the possibility to play while being careful with him. But he was the hero today.
"I haven’t seen him do it [in training] because he doesn’t play as a centre-forward! I’m very pleased for him and for the whole team for a great performance.
"But this is our philosophy. We have to believe for every minute and try to win every game."
Foy made two decisive calls in the match, issuing a straight red card to Naughton for a deliberate handball before showing James Collins his second yellow card for a cynical body check on Emmanuel Adebayor in the second half.
Allardyce believes the dismissal of Collins was harsh but conceded that his team were responsible for their own demise, having dominated Spurs in a first half which saw Mark Noble miss from the penalty spot.
"I don’t agree with [the decision] but I can’t complain about it," he admitted.
"But if you’re in risk of getting sent off don’t let the guy go past you. It’s more our fault than the referee’s.
"We didn’t take the chances to win the game when we created them and paid the ultimate price in the end.
"I can’t complain about the performance or the football we played, or how many times we opened up Tottenham, but we weren’t clinical and we were very naive.”
Allardyce also gave short shrift to suggestions that his job might be under threat as a result of his continued unpopularity with West Ham fans.
"If [the owners] were going to do it [sack me] after one game they might as well have done it at the end of last season," he insisted.
"Why do the whole summer we’ve done and create what we’ve tried to create and do that after one game?
"At the end of the day we didn’t deserve to lose and we’ve got a lot of players to come back and make us stronger.
"After that performance I’m very confident our season’s going to be a good one."
Wenger pleads for patience over Alexis
Arsene Wenger is confident that Arsenal's summer signing Alexis Sanchez will continue to improve as he adapts to his new team after making his debut in the club's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
The Gunners were frustrated for much of Saturday's Premier League opener until Aaron Ramsey found a last-gasp winner to claim all three points against the managerless south Londoners.
Alexis, a €40 million arrival from Barcelona, assisted Laurent Koscielny's first-half equaliser, and Wenger, while pleased with his new signing's debut outing, has warned that the 25-year-old is still adjusting to life at the Emirates and has yet to reach full fitness.
"I am very happy with his attitude, because he kept fighting for 90 minutes – even though he is not completely ready physically," said the Frenchman.
"Tactically, he needs to improve his understanding with his partners. But he looked lively and dangerous until the end and I'm happy with his overall attitude and performance."
Another summer recruit who impressed was Calum Chambers, who once again deputised in the heart of the defence, and Wenger has been blown away by the Southampton academy product's rapid progress.
"I must say, honestly, I bought him as a right-back," continued the Arsenal boss, who would not be drawn on whether the teenager could permanently oust Per Mertesacker.
"But in my opinion [I thought] he could play centre-back. I tried it in pre-season and from game-to-game he becomes stronger. Today he had a remarkable performance."
While Wenger was pleased to pick up an opening-day victory, he conceded that Palace made life very difficult for his side and there are still areas to work on.
"The plan was to win the game but because of the physicality and the organisation level of Crystal Palace it was very difficult for us.
"We conceded the goal on the first corner they had and we still lack a bit of pace in the final third to change our build up into danger situations. But we kept going and in the end it was enough to win the game and win the three points.
"You could see from the first games of the season that nobody won at home. We are the only team that won at home, which shows you it is difficult for everybody on the first day of the season."
Arsene Wenger is confident that Arsenal's summer signing Alexis Sanchez will continue to improve as he adapts to his new team after making his debut in the club's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
The Gunners were frustrated for much of Saturday's Premier League opener until Aaron Ramsey found a last-gasp winner to claim all three points against the managerless south Londoners.
Alexis, a €40 million arrival from Barcelona, assisted Laurent Koscielny's first-half equaliser, and Wenger, while pleased with his new signing's debut outing, has warned that the 25-year-old is still adjusting to life at the Emirates and has yet to reach full fitness.
"I am very happy with his attitude, because he kept fighting for 90 minutes – even though he is not completely ready physically," said the Frenchman.
"Tactically, he needs to improve his understanding with his partners. But he looked lively and dangerous until the end and I'm happy with his overall attitude and performance."
Another summer recruit who impressed was Calum Chambers, who once again deputised in the heart of the defence, and Wenger has been blown away by the Southampton academy product's rapid progress.
"I must say, honestly, I bought him as a right-back," continued the Arsenal boss, who would not be drawn on whether the teenager could permanently oust Per Mertesacker.
"But in my opinion [I thought] he could play centre-back. I tried it in pre-season and from game-to-game he becomes stronger. Today he had a remarkable performance."
While Wenger was pleased to pick up an opening-day victory, he conceded that Palace made life very difficult for his side and there are still areas to work on.
"The plan was to win the game but because of the physicality and the organisation level of Crystal Palace it was very difficult for us.
"We conceded the goal on the first corner they had and we still lack a bit of pace in the final third to change our build up into danger situations. But we kept going and in the end it was enough to win the game and win the three points.
"You could see from the first games of the season that nobody won at home. We are the only team that won at home, which shows you it is difficult for everybody on the first day of the season."
Barclays Premier League 2014.08.17 Fixtures
Barclays Premier League 2014.08.17 Fixtures
Liverpool Vs Southampton
Newcastle United Vs Manchester City
Monaco's aim is to win everything - Moutinho
Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho says his side will go into every competition this season to win it, including the Champions League.
Leonardo Jardim's side sealed a return to Europe's top competition last season as they finished second in Ligue 1 under Claudio Ranieri.
Moutinho, however, insists Monaco must challenge for glory on all fronts in 2014-15 as they aim to dislodge Paris Saint-Germain from the French throne while also battling for silverware on the continent.
"Whether it's in Ligue 1, the Champions League or the national cups, our aim is to win," he said in a club Q&A session via Twitter.
"Personally, this year I'll be trying to improve my game, do well in Europe, score more goals and get more assists. Helping the team to win is the most important thing."
Moutinho followed in the footsteps of former Portugal international Rui Barros when he joined Monaco from Porto in 2013, but the attacking midfielder says he moulds his own playing style more on former Fiorentina and AC Milan star Rui Costa and ex-Benfica striker Joao Pinto.
"Rui Barros was a great player, he had a great career," said the 27-year-old. "He did brilliantly with Monaco.
"Like many people, I admire him. He's a smaller guy, like me, and there are some similarities between us. But I identify more with players like Rui Costa and Joao Pinto."
Monaco travel to face Bordeaux in Ligue 1 later on Sunday.
Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho says his side will go into every competition this season to win it, including the Champions League.
Leonardo Jardim's side sealed a return to Europe's top competition last season as they finished second in Ligue 1 under Claudio Ranieri.
Moutinho, however, insists Monaco must challenge for glory on all fronts in 2014-15 as they aim to dislodge Paris Saint-Germain from the French throne while also battling for silverware on the continent.
"Whether it's in Ligue 1, the Champions League or the national cups, our aim is to win," he said in a club Q&A session via Twitter.
"Personally, this year I'll be trying to improve my game, do well in Europe, score more goals and get more assists. Helping the team to win is the most important thing."
Moutinho followed in the footsteps of former Portugal international Rui Barros when he joined Monaco from Porto in 2013, but the attacking midfielder says he moulds his own playing style more on former Fiorentina and AC Milan star Rui Costa and ex-Benfica striker Joao Pinto.
"Rui Barros was a great player, he had a great career," said the 27-year-old. "He did brilliantly with Monaco.
"Like many people, I admire him. He's a smaller guy, like me, and there are some similarities between us. But I identify more with players like Rui Costa and Joao Pinto."
Monaco travel to face Bordeaux in Ligue 1 later on Sunday.
Ramsey delighted to end run of poor Arsenal starts
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey was relieved to avoid another opening-day disappointment after his injury-time goal sunk 10-man Crystal Palace.
The Gunners had not been victorious on the Premier League's opening weekend since thrashing Everton 6-1 in 2009 and lost last year's against Aston Villa but, despite going behind to the Eagles, rescued it late on Saturday.
Laurent Koscielny equalised Brede Hangeland's opener and, after Jason Puncheon was shown a second yellow card in the 89th minute, Ramsey pounced to bundle home from close range in the final moments - a welcome relief for the Welshman.
"The last few seasons, we struggled in the first game of the season and we nearly did [against Palace]," he told BBC Sport. "It was important we kept on trying and we came away with the win.
"I didn't have the best of games but I kept on trying, kept getting into the right areas and finally, in the 93rd minute, it went in."
Having scored the winner against Hull City in last season's FA Cup final and Arsenal's second against City in the Community Shield, Ramsey is enjoying a hot streak in front of goal.
"He has something of a rare gift - that is to be where you need to be in the box," said his manager, Arsene Wenger, to Sky Sports as he offered praise to Palace for their display.
"Credit to Palace; they worked hard, were physically very strong and very organised. We gave ourselves a difficult task. They gave us big problems and defended very well.
"We keep going - that's one of our strengths and it paid off. The change of pace in the final third [could have been better]. That is usually one of our strengths.
"Is it down to the quality of defending or the fact that we are not there physically yet? Maybe a bit of both."
Ramsey agreed with his manager's assessment and noted that Pulis's influence lived on in Palace's performance.
"They were very hard to break down. They lost their manager earlier in the week but you would never have known that," he added.
"Tony Pulis got them playing really well and they picked up a lot of points towards the end of last season. You could see they were well organised and it was difficult but we came away with the three points."
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey was relieved to avoid another opening-day disappointment after his injury-time goal sunk 10-man Crystal Palace.
The Gunners had not been victorious on the Premier League's opening weekend since thrashing Everton 6-1 in 2009 and lost last year's against Aston Villa but, despite going behind to the Eagles, rescued it late on Saturday.
Laurent Koscielny equalised Brede Hangeland's opener and, after Jason Puncheon was shown a second yellow card in the 89th minute, Ramsey pounced to bundle home from close range in the final moments - a welcome relief for the Welshman.
"The last few seasons, we struggled in the first game of the season and we nearly did [against Palace]," he told BBC Sport. "It was important we kept on trying and we came away with the win.
"I didn't have the best of games but I kept on trying, kept getting into the right areas and finally, in the 93rd minute, it went in."
Having scored the winner against Hull City in last season's FA Cup final and Arsenal's second against City in the Community Shield, Ramsey is enjoying a hot streak in front of goal.
"He has something of a rare gift - that is to be where you need to be in the box," said his manager, Arsene Wenger, to Sky Sports as he offered praise to Palace for their display.
"Credit to Palace; they worked hard, were physically very strong and very organised. We gave ourselves a difficult task. They gave us big problems and defended very well.
"We keep going - that's one of our strengths and it paid off. The change of pace in the final third [could have been better]. That is usually one of our strengths.
"Is it down to the quality of defending or the fact that we are not there physically yet? Maybe a bit of both."
Ramsey agreed with his manager's assessment and noted that Pulis's influence lived on in Palace's performance.
"They were very hard to break down. They lost their manager earlier in the week but you would never have known that," he added.
"Tony Pulis got them playing really well and they picked up a lot of points towards the end of last season. You could see they were well organised and it was difficult but we came away with the three points."
Hart & Dzeko next to sign new Manchester City contracts
Joe Hart and Edin Dzeko are set to sign new long-term deals at Manchester City but the club have no plans to extend the contract of manager Manuel Pellegrini, Goal understands.
The Premier League champions have already secured the long-term futures of David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero in the last week, as well as signing Eliaquiam Mangala and Fernando from Porto, Bacary Sagna from Arsenal and Willy Caballero from Malaga during the transfer window.
England goalkeeper Hart will face stiff competition to secure his status as City's No.1 this season following the arrival of Caballero but is ready to commit his future to the club regardless.
Caballero started against Arsenal in the 3-0 Community Shield defeat last weekend and could do so on Sunday as City begin the defence of their title at Newcastle after Hart celebrated the birth of his first child on Friday.
Dzeko, meanwhile, looked set to leave the club this time last season following the additions of Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo but has flourished under Pellegrini with goals in three of last season's final four matches helping to secure the title.
Despite Pellegrini winning two trophies in his first full season in charge Goal understands City will wait until the end of the current campaign before considering whether or not to extend the Chilean's contract, which has two years left to run.
A source told Goal: "The club's owners are of the opinion that a manager's cycle should last three years. They do not want a repeat of the scenario whereby Roberto Mancini was offered a five-year deal after winning the title only for him to receive a huge pay-off just 12 months later."
Bruno Zuculini, meanwhile, is close to agreeing a season-long loan move to Valencia. The two clubs held talks on Saturday and the young Argentine is expected to complete the switch early next week.
Joe Hart and Edin Dzeko are set to sign new long-term deals at Manchester City but the club have no plans to extend the contract of manager Manuel Pellegrini, Goal understands.
The Premier League champions have already secured the long-term futures of David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero in the last week, as well as signing Eliaquiam Mangala and Fernando from Porto, Bacary Sagna from Arsenal and Willy Caballero from Malaga during the transfer window.
England goalkeeper Hart will face stiff competition to secure his status as City's No.1 this season following the arrival of Caballero but is ready to commit his future to the club regardless.
Caballero started against Arsenal in the 3-0 Community Shield defeat last weekend and could do so on Sunday as City begin the defence of their title at Newcastle after Hart celebrated the birth of his first child on Friday.
Dzeko, meanwhile, looked set to leave the club this time last season following the additions of Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo but has flourished under Pellegrini with goals in three of last season's final four matches helping to secure the title.
Despite Pellegrini winning two trophies in his first full season in charge Goal understands City will wait until the end of the current campaign before considering whether or not to extend the Chilean's contract, which has two years left to run.
A source told Goal: "The club's owners are of the opinion that a manager's cycle should last three years. They do not want a repeat of the scenario whereby Roberto Mancini was offered a five-year deal after winning the title only for him to receive a huge pay-off just 12 months later."
Bruno Zuculini, meanwhile, is close to agreeing a season-long loan move to Valencia. The two clubs held talks on Saturday and the young Argentine is expected to complete the switch early next week.
Van Gaal & Manchester United needs reinforcements
MANCHESTER, England -- Over to you, Ed Woodward. Time is slipping away; there are 16 days left of the transfer window. Manchester United's opening defeat to Swansea City offered almost indelible proof that the club no longer has the personnel to compete to win the Premier League.Louis van Gaal had warned that these things will take time. David Moyes, watching in a Doha TV studio, ought to have allowed himself some schadenfreude towards the executive vice-chairman who sacked him in April. Indeed, the former Old Trafford boss urged time for his successor.
Perhaps Moyes' biggest mistake was to beat Swansea 4-1 a year ago. It gave an incorrect impression that all in United's garden could continue to be rosy. The club sat on laurels and only added one player. The same cannot be allowed to happen under Van Gaal, or else United's slide below the top four might become terminal."We have built up a lot of confidence," said Van Gaal afterwards. "But it will be smashed down by this result."
Having given such a bleak verdict, he refused the chance to state how many players he will need to solve matters. "I don't discuss this with you," he told journalists at his news conference, but he had already signalled his need for more and better."I know on what positions we need better players," he said. "But you have to buy only when the player can fulfil the way of playing that I ask. We will have to wait and see.
"You cannot say because of one game that we lost, and all the others we won, that it is the defence. It's the team. We never played as a team, I think, and that's our error, and also we don't reach the required level and maybe because of that we haven't played like a team."
Bodies are needed, and badly. With injuries wracking a squad that is recovering from a lengthy money-making tour of the United States, Van Gaal was forced to select a team low on quality, speed and experience. Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett, for example, were thrown into a match far beyond their capabilities at this time in their careers.
Van Gaal prefers youngsters, in that they will listen more carefully to his dictatorial instructions, yet Old Trafford is not currently being graced by a generation in the same galaxy as the "Class of '92" with which Alex Ferguson conquered Europe. From the bench, Ryan Giggs, that group's godhead and now assistant manager, was a frequent visitor to the sidelines as Swansea's greater organisation took the game away from United."We limited Manchester United in free play to very few chances," said Swansea manager Garry Monk, before delivering a more damning verdict. "We can get better than that."
Old Trafford sighed in resignation when referee Mike Dean blew the final whistle. Van Gaal does not, after all, have a magic wand. Instead, hard cash will need to be spent, far and beyond the 100 million-plus pounds already lavished on Woodward's watch.Juan Mata, the player whose 37 million-pound capture from Chelsea was grandstanded by Woodward in January, was an anonymous shadow of his Stamford Bridge self, just as he has been throughout his painful United career. Ander Herrera, who cost 29 million, while at least looking to create, showed that he may take time to adjust to English football.
Luke Shaw sat in the stands with a hamstring injury, while Marouane Fellaini was brought on as a last throw of the dice by Van Gaal and looked just as luckless as he did under Moyes. Four expensive signings, and none yet productive."I have seen a lot of players very nervous and making the wrong choices," said the United manager. "These players have to be used to this expectation because this is Manchester United. You have to cope with the pressure."
United are badly short of players used to coping with such pressure. Against Swansea, they paid the price of letting senior defenders -- Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra -- leave the club and replacing them with a single, non-playing 19-year-old in Shaw.
Ashley Young's error allowed Wayne Routledge to set up Gylfi Sigurdsson's winner. It was the type of mistake that Evra might make, but the Frenchman would surely have been far more aware of such danger. Instead, Young, a 29-year-old convert to an unfamiliar position, made the type of error that was always likely to happen.
It might have been Young's fault, but blame goes far deeper. Is someone in the wrong job? Such an accusation is now frequently made against Woodward, the Glazer family representative who is a prolific collector of sponsorships for the club's commercial wing but unable to land the players his manager needs to make sure the club stays in the successful position to remain so attractive to sponsors.
Woodward is lucky that Van Gaal, for all his firebrand reputation and inability to sugarcoat matters, has far stopped short of laying blame at his paymasters' inability to recruit footballers to make his team work better. On this bleak evidence, he requires at least two more defenders, a player of pace who can add electricity to a team that badly lacks zip, and a midfielder who can add far more energy than Darren Fletcher was able to inject.The names of such players are well known to United fans. Now Woodward must get the deals done.
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