..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United confirm Marcos Rojo is moving from Sporting Lisbon, with Nani returning on loan

Manchester United have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign Marcos Rojo, with Nani returning to his former club on a season-long loan.

Argentina international Rojo, 24, had hinted last week that he was poised to move to England and become part of Louis van Gaal's squad before Sporting rubber-stamped his departure on Tuesday.A United statement read: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign defender Marcos Rojo, subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms. "A further announcement will be made when the process is complete."

Rojo had returned to training with the Portuguese giants only after apologising to them for previously refusing to play, as he looked to force through a transfer.
In a recent interview, Rojo had said: "It's a dream to play at Manchester United and I am very proud of having the chance of working with [Louis] van Gaal.

Rojo, who can play at left-back or centre-back, claimed he always wanted to play for United, after speaking with former United star Juan Sebastian Veron earlier in his career."I spoke with Juan Sebastian Veron about Manchester United when we were at Estudiantes," he said. "I have always liked English football, and I should adapt to this new playing style easily."

Nani rejoins the Portuguese club that he left for Old Trafford in 2007 having scored 25 goals in 147 appearances for United. United, who lost their opening league game against Swansea on Saturday, have been frustrated in their quest to strengthen a squad that has seen no new recruits since Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera arrived in June.

 

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Napoli 1-1 Athletic Bilbao: Higuain rescues Partenopei

Gonzalo Higuain's second half equaliser rescued Napoli as they drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Champions League third round qualifying tie.

Iker Muniain put the La Liga side in front just before half-time and they looked to be on their way to an impressive win, only for Higuain to level on 68 minutes.

The two sides meet again in Spain on August 27 with all to play for as they bid to reach the group stages of Europe's elite competition.

Both teams had opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes, with Marek Hamsik heading over a Higuain cross from a central position before firing over the bar after good work from Lorenzo Insigne.

But it was the visitors who took the lead on 42 minutes when Muniain fired home into the bottom right-hand corner after being fed by Oscar De Marcos.

Athletic could well have extended their lead early in the second period, with Arturo Ardiz going close with a left footed effort, 49 minutes in.

Napoli had little in the way of goalscoring opportunities but found themselves back on level terms on 68 minutes as Hamsik supplied Higuain inside the area, who duly found the back of the net to make it 1-1.

The result gives the Spanish side a slight edge heading into the second leg, which takes place a week on Wednesday at San Mames.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Besiktas 0-0 Arsenal: Gunners escape with goalless draw despite Ramsey red card

Arsenal held on to record a 0-0 draw with Besiktas in the first leg of their Champions League play-off in Istanbul on Tuesday, despite having Aaron Ramsey sent off in the dying minutes.

Ramsey was given his marching orders 10 minutes from time in Istanbul on Tuesday for the first time in his club career for a second bookable offence after pulling Oguzhan Ozyakup's shirt and will miss the return clash at the Emirates Stadium next Wednesday.

Both sides had their chances in a scrappy encounter and substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came closest three minutes from time when his strike came back off the post, but defeat would have been harsh on Besiktas.

Demba Ba almost gave the Turkish side, who were backed by a hostile crowd at their temporary Ataturk Olympic Stadium home while the Vodafone Arena is being redeveloped, a stunning lead with a speculative lob right from the kick-off and was a real handful for the Arsenal defence.

Besiktas will have to spring a major surprise in order to progress, as Arsenal have reached the group stage 16 years in a row and have won all 12 Champions League qualifying ties they have featured in.

Nacho Monreal and Olivier Giroud replaced hamstring injury victims Kieran Gibbs and Yaya Sanogo in the Arsenal starting line-up, while Besiktas midfielder Atiba Hutchinson was also ruled out due to a hamstring problem.

Ba was clearly brimming with confidence after his hat-trick in the second leg of the third qualifying round tie against Feyenoord and the striker came close to a stunning opening goal straight from the kick-off.

Wojciech Szczesny was almost caught out by an audacious lob from the Senegal international from just inside the Arsenal half, but tipped the ball against the crossbar after frantically back-pedalling.

Ba was in the thick of the action and forced another save from Szczesny eight minutes in with a left-footed volley.

Arsenal started to get into their stride and Giroud had an effort blocked on the turn after good work from Alexis Sanchez before Santi Cazorla fired wide of the far post.

Ba was holding his head two minutes before the break after Calum Chambers slipped and the striker cut into the penalty area, but fired just wide of the near post. Giroud then missed his kick at the other end in a dramatic end to the first half.

Ramsey linked up well with Giroud just after half-time, but the Wales midfielder's touch let him down and the chance had gone.

And he should have been made to pay moments later, when Olcay Sahan raced away and cut inside before guiding a right-footed effort narrowly wide of the far post.

Arsenal then lost captain Mikel Arteta to injury following a challenge from Ba, with Mathieu Flamini replacing the Spanish midfielder five minutes into the second half.

Neither side played with any fluency in a scrappy second half, but Mathieu Debuchy caused concern in the Besiktas defence when he cut the ball back across goal following a marauding run, but the Turkish side cleared.

Cazorla tested Tolga Zengin with a late free-kick that came through the wall, then Ramsey saw red for a tug on Ozyakup, but Besiktas were unable to make their numerical advantage count.

And Oxlade-Chamberlain almost snatched a winner two minutes from time, when he cut inside and saw his left-footed effort tipped onto the post by Zengin.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Half Time

Real Madrid 0 Vs 0 Atletico Madrid

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Bro Arsenal la Manolas wa try ganna try karanawalu neda​

ow eth wenger kiyala thibba kisima sign ekak close nae kiyala

 

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Last season 1keth Ramsey ge performance patta​

ramsey niyamayi

 

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Manchester United confirm Marcos Rojo is moving from Sporting Lisbon, with Nani returning on loan

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid: Raul Garcia strike denies James

Real Madrid and James Rodriguez were thwarted by a late Raul Garcia strike as they drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana.

James put Madrid in front with a scrappy goal on 81 minutes and was on course to be the match winner until Garcia's close range finish with just two minutes of normal time remaining.

Carlo Ancelotti made two changes to the starting team that claimed the Uefa Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Sevilla on August 12.Xabi Alonso took Rodriguez's place in midfield and Marcelo came in at left-back with Fabio Coentrao dropped to the bench.

In their first competitive game since losing to Real in the Champions League final, La Liga champions Atletico had just six players from that starting XI in the line-up again.Pre-game, a touching tribute was paid to Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano, who died in July at the age of 88.

The hosts started the better and more lively of the two teams, pushing Atletico deeper into their own half, with rash challenges from Koke and Guilherme Siqueira seeing both yellow carded.Mario Mandzukic and Saul had opportunities for Atletico soon after, but goalkeeper Iker Casillas stood firm to deny both efforts.

Mandzukic had another decent chance after Casillas could only punch a clearance straight to him, but the Croatia international's attempted lob went straight into the goalkeeper's hands.

Gareth Bale almost opened the scoring two minutes into the second half as he forced Atletico goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya into a strong save from an angle.Moya was needed again in the 68th minute as he pushed away a powerful Bale free-kick, before Toni Kroos volleyed the rebound well over from inside the area.

Karim Benzema put a header onto the roof of the net before Rodriguez, who replaced an anonymous Cristiano Ronaldo at half-time, made the breakthrough.
Kroos played Daniel Carvajal in down the right and his cross was aimed for Benzema before a scramble led to Rodriguez finishing via a deflection.

But Atletico would find a way in the 88th minute as Garcia tapped in Koke's corner after being left unmarked right in front of Casillas.Real had a penalty shout turned down late in the encounter as they were left on the back foot heading into the second leg.

 

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Swansea bid for Montpellier midfielder Stambouli accepted

Swansea City have had a €5 million bid accepted by Montpellier for midfielder Benjamin Stambouli, Goal understands.

Montpellier rate Stambouli highly, but the 23-year-old has just 12 months remaining on his current contract, forcing the French club to lower their valuation of the player.

The Ligue 1 side have already sold Remy Cabella to Newcastle United this summer after the Tyneside club's lengthy pursuit of the midfielder, and could now also lose Stambouli.

The versatile defensive midfielder, who can also play as a centre-back or right-back, has also attracted interest from Fiorentina, but Swansea are understood to have made a bigger offer than the Serie A outfit.

Swansea, who kicked off their season with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United last weekend, have strengthened their midfield this summer with the re-signing of Gylfi Sigurdsson, while Ki Sung-yueng has returned to the Liberty Stadium after a loan spell at Sunderland.

Garry Monk has also brought in goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski on a free transfer, with forwards Bafetimbi Gomis and Jefferson Montero the other significant summer signings.

The Welsh side have also sold goalkeeper Michel Vorm and full-back Ben Davies to Tottenham, while Chico and Pablo Hernandez have both departed for Qatari clubs.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ancelotti: Ronaldo to undergo tests

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo will undergo tests on an injury picked up in the 1-1 Supercopa de Espana first leg draw with Atletico Madrid.

The Portugal star was anonymous for large periods of the first half and was withdrawn at half-time after complaining of pain in his left hamstring.

Ancelotti said: "Cristiano felt some pain in his left hamstring and was not comfortable. We will do the tests tomorrow. At first it does not seem so serious.”

In the second period James Rodriguez looked to have given Madrid the win with a scrappy late goal, but Raul Garcia levelled with two minutes remaining of normal time to set up an intriguing second leg.

Ancelotti was quick to praise the efforts of James after the game and felt his players had controlled the match throughout.

"James Rodriguez did really well and the whole team was more direct in the second half. His goal will give him confidence," he added.
“I think the team played well, with an extraordinary rhythm, and controlled the play for the whole game. We pressed high up and the three midfielders did well.

“Atletico have a slight advantage but we’ll give it our best to win the title on Friday.”

Angel Di Maria appeared as a late substitute and Ancelotti again faced questions over his future after Atletico boss Diego Simeone said the Argentine was Madrid's best player last season.

“Di Maria is one of many good players," he replied. "But I think he forgot Cristiano, who won the Ballon d’Or and [Gareth] Bale, who scored in Lisbon.
"Di Maria is a Real Madrid player and I'll use him as I want."

The Italian also revealed he has made a decision over which of his goalkeepers will start the season as first choice, with Iker Casillas coming under the microscope again for Atletico's equalising goal.

"Iker did not have a chance to do anything in that situation as he had a player in front of him. The mistake was at the near post.“I have decided who will be my first-choice goalkeeper this season, but I’m not going to say who it is.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Arsenal are not close to signing anyone

Arsene Wenger claims Arsenal are not set to sign anyone in the coming days, following their 0-0 Champions League draw with Besiktas on Tuesday evening.

The Gunners have spent over €62 million on Alexis Sanchez, Calum Chambers, David Ospina and Mathieu Debuchy this summer, but continue to be linked with the likes of Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira and Sporting Lisbon star William Carvalho.

Yet Wenger has now revealed that the club are not actively attempting to finalise any deals.

“Not at the moment, no,” he told the Gunners’ official website when asked if a transfer was close. “I have nothing special to add on that at the moment. Honestly, we are not close to signing anybody.”

Wenger admits the club are “short” in defence but hopes to be able to field World Cup winning centre-back Per Mertesacker - along with compatriots Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski - in this weekend’s Premier League clash with Everton.

"We are a bit short at the back, yes you're right," he added. "But we should have [Per] Mertesacker and [Mesut] Ozil and [Lukas] Podolski available again at the weekend. Let's hope they are in good shape when we go home."

 

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Di Maria is Madrid's best player, says Simeone

Atletico boss Diego Simeone says Angel Di Maria is Real Madrid's best player and believes the Argentine's introduction changed the first leg of the Spanish Supercopa on Tuesday night.

Di Maria was left on the bench by Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti for the second time in a row this term, but came on for Luka Modric with 12 minutes remaining and immediately caused havoc in the visitors' defence.

The 26-year-old winger, who is unsettled following the summer signing of James Rodriguez and may still leave the club this summer, was not directly involved as the Colombian opened the scoring but gave life to a previously sterile Madrid attack and the goal arrived just three minutes after his introduction.

"The game changed with Di Maria," Simeone said afterwards. "It's logical - he's the best player they have."

Asked if he really believes his compatriot to be Madrid's finest footballer, the Atleti coach added: "He's the player most likely to create openings in the opposition half."

Madrid's lead lasted just six minutes, however, as Raul Garcia levelled from a corner late in the game.

"Thanks to the goal we have a 50 per cent chance in the home game on Friday," Simeone said. "It's 50-50 because Madrid always score goals and thinking about a 0-0 draw won't be good.

"We set up the game to play to our characteristics and the match was more how we wanted it than how they wanted it."

Summer signing Mario Mandzukic missed a couple of decent chances for Atleti, but Simeone was pleased with the former Bayern Munich man's overall contribution.

"He did some great work for the team defensively," the Argentine said. "We want Mandzukic and Raul [Jimenez] to block the counterattacks. The team was compact, it worked fairly well."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

ow eth wenger kiyala thibba kisima sign ekak close nae kiyala

Ow machan ath playersla one Arsenal walatath.matanam hithenawa Wenger playersla gani kiyala
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Ow machan ath playersla one Arsenal walatath.matanam hithenawa Wenger playersla gani kiyala
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aniwa machan.CB,DM,striker one CB,DM gaththoth tikak hari hodayi.

 

[Ayesh malshika fernando]

Thama official join wela naha but fee 1ka agreed wela thiyenneSo ikmanata deal 1ka finalized wei

Anyway Rojo gatthatama madi thawa CB la 2nnek one.Experience defenders la & MID players lath one​

Manchester United confirm Marcos Rojo is moving from Sporting Lisbon, with Nani returning on loan

Manchester United have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign Marcos Rojo, with Nani returning to his former club on a season-long loan.

Argentina international Rojo, 24, had hinted last week that he was poised to move to England and become part of Louis van Gaal's squad before Sporting rubber-stamped his departure on Tuesday.A United statement read: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign defender Marcos Rojo, subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms. "A further announcement will be made when the process is complete."

Rojo had returned to training with the Portuguese giants only after apologising to them for previously refusing to play, as he looked to force through a transfer.
In a recent interview, Rojo had said: "It's a dream to play at Manchester United and I am very proud of having the chance of working with [Louis] van Gaal.

Rojo, who can play at left-back or centre-back, claimed he always wanted to play for United, after speaking with former United star Juan Sebastian Veron earlier in his career."I spoke with Juan Sebastian Veron about Manchester United when we were at Estudiantes," he said. "I have always liked English football, and I should adapt to this new playing style easily."

Nani rejoins the Portuguese club that he left for Old Trafford in 2007 having scored 25 goals in 147 appearances for United. United, who lost their opening league game against Swansea on Saturday, have been frustrated in their quest to strengthen a squad that has seen no new recruits since Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera arrived in June.

Yeeeeeeeaaa

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Khedira would be perfect for Bayern, says Beckenbauer

Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbauer believes Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira would be a perfect signing for the Bundesliga champions.

Khedira has recently been linked with a return to Germany, while Arsenal and Chelsea are also keeping tabs on the midfielder's situation as his future at Madrid remains uncertain.

Beckenbauer believes the midfielder would be a great addition to the Bayern squad and would be a suitable partner for Bastian Schweinsteiger or Philipp Lahm.

"Khedira would fit in in any team. He would fit in very well at Bayern, too," Beckenbauer was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"He is incredibly strong in the No.6 position. He could play alongside Philipp Lahm or Bastian Schweinsteiger. That would be perfect.

"It doesn't matter that he lacks a bit of speed. In midfield, it's all about the willingness to run rather than about speed."

Khedira joined Madrid from Stuttgart in the summer of 2010 and has since made close to 100 La Liga appearances for the Santiago Bernabeu side.

He faces stiff competition for places in midfield, though, with Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric, Illarra and Toni Kroos all capable of playing in his position and could therefore be on his way out of Madrid.

The 27-year-old has a contract at the Bernabeu until June 2015.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern la hama 1kakata paninawane​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rakitic adds a new dimension to Barcelona, says Antic

Former Barcelona coach Radomir Antic has taken the time to praise Ivan Rakitic and believes the Croatia international adds something different to the Catalans.

The 26-year-old joined Barcelona from Sevilla this summer and Antic thinks former Basel youngster's long-range shots could prove to be a valuable weapon for the Camp Nou side in the race for the Primera Division title.

"Rakitic brings something new to the team that we have not seen at Barcelona for quite some time: shots from long range," Antic told Cope.

The 65-year-old, who also coached Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid throughout his career, says he expects some sides to struggle in the aftermath of the World Cup and has questioned whether the reigning Liga champions can fight for the title again.

"The season after a World Cup is always a bit complicated, because players await demanding games without much preparation [due to extended holidays]," he continued.

"I don't know whether Atletico can challenge for the title again. There have been a lot of changes and they have lost their focal point in attack. His replacement has different characteristics."

Atletico brought in Mario Mandzukic to replace Diego Costa, while they also signed players such as Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak and Cristian Ansaldi to bolster their squad.

 

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Barcelona to turn to CAS after Fifa rejects transfer ban appeal

Barcelona have confirmed they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after Fifa declared they must serve a two-window transfer ban on Wednesday.

The Catalans were punished back in April after they were found to be in breach of art. 19 of Fifa regulations - which states international transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18, bar three exceptions - in the case of 10 minor players, while they were also found guilty of further infringements.

Fifa released a statement on Wednesday to confirm they had rejected Barca's appeal, meaning they would now be forced to see out two consecutive transfer windows, beginning in January 2015, without being able to complete any signings.

"The Fifa Appeal Committee has decided to reject the appeals lodged by Barcelona and the Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol (RFEF) and to confirm in their entirety the decisions rendered by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee in the respective cases relating to the protection of minors," a Fifa statement reads.

"As such, Barcelona are to serve a transfer ban which will see the club prevented from registering any players at both national and international level for two complete and consecutive transfer periods, starting with the next registration period (January 2015) given that the appeal of the club had been granted suspensive effect by the chairman of the Fifa Appeal Committee.

"Barcelona have also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 450,000 (€371,000) and been given a period of 90 days from August 20 in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned."

Barca, however, have insisted they will continue to fight the sanction by referring the case to CAS.

"Following the resolution announced today by the Fifa Appeals Committee on violations of regulations regarding the transfer and registration of children aged under 18 years, FC Barcelona announces that it shall continue defending its interests before the highest sporting authority, in this case the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)," a statement reads.

"FC Barcelona may not in any way share a resolution that is an affront to the spirit of our Masia, a world renowned example of academic, human and sporting education."

The Camp Nou side's appeal against the ban was initially granted suspensive effect, allowing them to secure the signings of Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Jeremy Mathieu, Thomas Vermaelen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo and Alen Halilovic this summer.

Meanwhile, Fifa's Appeal Committee has also upheld the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)'s punishment in the same case.

With regard to the RFEF, the Disciplinary Committee previously determined that the association had also violated art. 19 of the regulations and other provisions in the context of the transfer and first registration of certain minor players.

"The RFEF has been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 500,000 (€413,000) and granted a period of one year in which to regularise their regulatory framework and existing system concerning the international transfer of minors in football," the Fifa statement continues.

"The terms of the decisions taken by the Fifa Appeal Committee were communicated to Barcelona and the RFEF on Wednesday."

 

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Higuain: Napoli have to be in the Champions League

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain was left angry after his side's 1-1 Champions League draw with Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.

Rafael Benitez's men fell behind following Iker Muniain's first-half goal, but Higuain's 68th-minute effort ensured honours were even heading into next week's play-off second leg in Spain.

However, the Argentina forward felt his side should have done more and was enraged at the prospect of the club missing out on the competition proper.

"The truth is I don't feel like talking right now," Higuain – who was visibly angered after the final whistle – told Sky Sport Italia.

"Napoli have to play in the Champions League.

"We'll have prepare well for the next match. We have to go there to win and Napoli have to do it.

"We have the team to achieve this."

Winning in Bilbao will be no easy task for the Naples-based Serie A club, with Athletic dropping just two La Liga matches at home last term.