..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Reus will play for Dortmund for a long time, says Klopp

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp is confident that the Bundesliga giants will be able to hold on to Marco Reus amid interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

The Germany international has a contract with BVB until the summer of 2017, but he has a clause in his existing deal that allows him to leave the club for a set fee of €35 million at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.

Dortmund are keen for Reus to sign a new and improved deal without a buyout clause, but talks over a contract extension have so far been unfruitful.

Nevertheless, Klopp remains optimistic over the 25-year-old's future at the club.

"I have a very good feeling about the Marco Reus situation," Klopp was quoted as saying by Bild.

"He will continue to play for Dortmund for a long time."

Reus came through the ranks of the BVB youth academy, but left the club for Rot Weiss Ahlen in 2006. The versatile attacker also wore the Borussia Monchengladbach jersey before returning to Dortmund in 2012. He has since made close to 100 appearances in all competitions for the Signal Iduna Park side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona committed some irregularities, admits Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has admitted that the Catalans have been guilty of certain irregularities on the transfer market in relation to the signing of minors, but feels Fifa's sanctions are too harsh as Barca "respected the spirit of the regulations".

The Camp Nou outfit are banned from signing any new players for two consecutive transfer windows - starting in January 2015 - after they were found guilty of a breach of the regulations concerning the signing of players under 18, but they have filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an attempt to have their punishment revised.

Bartomeu admitted to wrongdoing on the club's part and insists the penalty is too harsh.

"We were aware that Fifa would ratify its sanction. In the past we have committed certain irregularities, but always respected the spirit of the regulation," Bartomeu was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"We knew that we’d end up going to the CAS, and now that time has come. We've opted to go to CAS because we feel the punishment is disproportionate.

"It was highly unlikely that Fifa would not ratify a sanction that had already been imposed. It was only to be expected, but the penalty is far too harsh."

Bartomeu then went on to stress that Barcelona already anticipated their transfer ban this summer with the arrival of several new players, before adding that they could bring in more fresh faces in the next seven days.

"Barca had planned for the new season in the knowledge that we might not be able to make signings in the next two transfer windows and that at the same time there was a pressing need to renew the squad.

"There are still a few days to go and we’ll be eyeing the market. Let’s see what happens over the next few days."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Maria, Vidal, Blind... Can Van Gaal raise Manchester United from the ashes inside a week?

Perhaps Louis van Gaal was simply being mischievous. Perhaps, as Manchester United are in the process of tying up a record-breaking deal for Angel Di Maria that will take their summer spending to an extraordinary €170 million, he thought he would fuel speculation about a deal that would take it closer to the €250m mark.

But it didn’t feel that way. It felt as though the United manager was using a sizeable television audience to send a message to Ed Woodward and the Glazers. The 63-year-old was communicating his wish to recruit a midfielder for whom United, despite ample opportunity, have yet to bid.
Because, asked about Di Maria as the Argentine prepares to seal his €80m move to Old Trafford, he replied: "I like [Lionel] Messi also. I like [Arturo] Vidal also." One is a fantasy football signing. The other is an altogether more realistic proposition.

The feeling at Old Trafford is that much of the chat about Vidal has been driven by the player and his entourage, either in Italy or Chile. Yet while United ruled themselves out of the running to bring in Cesc Fabregas and Toni Kroos and were quick to insist no offers were made to Marco Reus or Thomas Muller, Vidal lingers in limbo. No definitive statement has been made. United talk him down, Van Gaal talks him up. Now, with a week to go before the transfer window closes, it is time to choose.

It seemed a none-too-subtle hint from the manager. Maybe that is the consequence of a game when Tom Cleverley and Adnan Januzaj have ended up paired in the centre of midfield. United had little drive and dynamism in the middle of the park at Sunderland, qualities Vidal could provide and qualities they have long lacked: arguably since Anderson, after an encouraging first two seasons at Old Trafford, deteriorated and then Darren Fletcher’s bowel condition sidelined him.

There was another missive from the manager. "We cannot always sign who we like," Van Gaal added. He cannot sign Messi, for instance. But if he cannot sign Vidal, is it because Juventus will not sell the triple Scudetto winner or because United are reluctant to buy him?

Van Gaal may be testing United. They are testing him, too. This was not the start he envisaged. Their shortcomings are laid bare in front of the new manager, who is labouring with the squad which finished seventh last season. The first newcomer who was unquestionably one of his signings, Marcos Rojo, only formally joined on Wednesday and is not eligible yet. The other two arrivals, Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, are both injured.

So he already has a centre-back, a central midfielder and a left wing-back. Now we shall finally find out if he really wants a man who is all three. The versatile Daley Blind, a stalwart of his Holland World Cup side, is another who is waiting to discover his fate. Once again, United have not acted while Chelsea and Manchester City concluded their major business weeks ago. Given United’s injury crisis, Ajax’s Blind would have been a first choice in three positions at Sunderland on Sunday.

In the long term, he might just be a squad player. In the short term, United need both quantity and quality. Last week, a "scared" Paul Scholes said they needed five signings. Rojo and Di Maria will be the first two. Perhaps, in Vidal and Blind, there is scope for two more. Unless United break the bank for, say, Mehdi Benatia, it is hard to see where they might find a specialist central defender.

But their requirements stretch beyond simply a series of signings. They need to get players fit again, to integrate the new arrivals and to pick players in their proper positions so that Januzaj is picked as neither a wing-back nor a central midfielder.

Before too long, Cleverley, Fletcher, Chris Smalling, Tyler Blackett and Ashley Young may not be starting. Nor, perhaps, will United’s last marquee buy. Because when they have paid a club record fee for Di Maria, they need to determine where he is playing: is he seen simply as an upgrade on Juan Mata? Or does his arrival herald a switch to 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3?

They have to determine who accompanies Rojo in the new-look defence. Perhaps, when the Northern Irishman is fit, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones will make up the trio. Certainly, and crucially, Van Gaal must settle upon the players who suit the shape and who can gel together. It is vital he selects those who have attributes the team lacks: creativity, energy and, above all, pace.

There isn’t enough speed in this side. Now, after the dithering and the delays, they have to act quickly. Decisions have to be made, and fast, if United are to avoid another season of suffering.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

LVG & ED iknanata ikmanata meh week 1ka athulatha godak signs karaganna wenawa.Yesterday draw 1kenuth penawa squad 1ka strength karaganna one kiyalaSpecially MID & Defence

Anith 1ka thamai 3-5-2 formation 1ka Manchester United walata match wenawada kiyana 1ka godak hithala balanna weiMata nam hithena widiyata Manchester United match wena hodama formation thamai 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2
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[Wolverine GTR]

Fabregas on fire, no shots for Van Persie & Lamela lights up Tottenham - Opta's Weekend in Numbers

ERIK/ERIC THE KING

Tottenham endured a strange 2013-14. While statistically it was one of their better Premier League campaigns, the mid-season managerial change and associated fall-out left many fans disillusioned.

Spurs’ start to the new season has changed all that, though, with the Lilywhites top of the nascent league table, while record signing Erik Lamela is finally leading the charge, a year after he was signed.After providing an assist for only one goal in his first 10 appearances for Spurs, the Argentine assisted two goals in seven minutes as QPR were run ragged at White Hart Lane.

Meanwhile, another Erik - or Eric - in new signing Eric Dier became the first defender in Premier League history to score in his first two appearances in the competition, simultaneously outscoring any Tottenham defender from last season. Suddenly the future looks promising in N17.

UNITED WE FALL

In contrast, the future for Manchester United looks as uncertain as it did during much of last season. A 1-1 draw at Sunderland isn’t necessarily a bad result but a laboured performance was illustrated by the fact that Robin van Persie played 63 minutes and didn’t have a single shot.

One point from their opening two matches represents United’s worst start since losing their opening two games in 1992-93 and although they went on to win the title that season, they had run Leeds close 12 months earlier.

In contrast, the current team have at least four, possibly six teams they need to close ground on, all of whom have settled sides, while United attempt to do some late business in the transfer market.

FAB THREE

Cesc Fabregas has become reaccustomed to the Premier League as if his three years in Spain with Barcelona were nothing more than a racy dream.

After creating two goals in Chelsea’s opening match at Burnley on Monday night, he added one more assist in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Leicester at Stamford Bridge.

Touted as the ideal replacement for Frank Lampard, in two matches Fabregas has created only one goal fewer than the former Blues icon did in his final two seasons at the club.

Against the Foxes, Chelsea fielded an unchanged starting XI in the Premier League for the first time since October 2012 and burgeoning partnerships like the one between Fabregas and Nemanja Matic augur well for Jose Mourinho’s remodelled outfit.


GUNNERS REARMED

There were echoes of last season for long periods of the Everton v Arsenal game on Saturday. Seamus Coleman, so dangerous in front of goal before the New Year, scored as Arsenal conceded from the first shot on target for the second game in a row.

Meanwhile, the Gunners’ torrid away record against the top five continued; Everton’s first half double-salvo means that the Gunners have conceded 22 goals in their five away games at Everton, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City since the start of last season.

And yet where Arsenal buckled in 2013-14, they came good a year on. Led by Aaron Ramsey with his fourth goal in his last five Premier League appearances, Arsene Wenger’s team rescued a point that may have a lasting psychological effect on their ability to contest the league title.

ENTER THE VOID

Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle won’t live long in many people’s memories but statistically it added to a trend that has afflicted/helped the Villans throughout Premier League history.

It was Villa’s 92nd goalless draw, which is 14 more than any other side, and more robustly it means that 10.8 per cent of the games that they have played in the competition have ended in stalemate.

Proportionally, the only team more likely to see a 0-0 draw in the Premier League are Villa’s neighbours, long-departed Coventry City, with 11.6% of the Sky Blues’ games ending scoreless.

At the other end of the scale, both Barnsley and Burnley have competed in the Premier League without drawing 0-0, while the ever-present team least likely to experience one are Manchester United, with only 5.5% of their games ending goalless.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'There is still time for a move' - Cuadrado open to Fiorentina exit

Juan Cuadrado has refused to rule out the possibility of leaving Fiorentina this summer.

The attacker has been the subject of a lot of speculation this summer and earlier in the transfer window it was revealed the Manchester United had held talks with the Viola over signing the Colombia international and were confident of beating rival suitors Barcelona to an agreement worth up to €44 million.

Last week Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella insisted he has never contemplated losing Cuadrado this summer, telling La Nazione: "He’s been here in the past, he is here now and he will be here in the future."

But the player himself does not appear so confident of staying, though he admits any decision rests on Fiorentina reaching an agreement with an interested club.

When asked about the possibility of a transfer on the beach in Versilia, he replied: "My future does not depend on me, there is still time until the market closes, no? I don't know..."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cuadrado godak durata Barcelona or Manchester United join wei
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[Wolverine GTR]

aniwa machan wenger nam monawa karanna yanawada manda.thama CB kenek wath gaththe naene. podolski wath sell karayi wage

CB lagena Manolas thamai bro FavouriteVermaelen ge replacement 1ka kiyala kiyanne & Arsenal la Mehdi Benatia gannath try karanawaBenatia tanam hoda Battle 1kak yai Bayern,Manchester United & Arsenal

Habai machan Podolski sell kaloth nam aparadeahema unoth thawa striker kenek ganna wenawa.
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[Wolverine GTR]

Angel di Maria set for Manchester United medical ahead of British record transfer

Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria will fly in this lunchtime to undergo a medical ahead of his British record £63.9m move to Manchester United.
The transfer fee agreed between the two clubs for the Argentina international eclipses the £50m Chelsea paid Liverpool for striker Fernando Torres three years ago.In his post-match interview after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Super Sunday, manager Louis van Gaal declined to comment on speculation that Di Maria’s signing was imminent.

“The club has to announce it,” he told Sky Sports. “When we are thinking it is the right time for a transfer, then we come to you and say ‘OK, we have that player or the other player’. But at this time we cannot say anything.”When asked if Di Maria is a player he would like to sign, Van Gaal confirmed he is but added: “I like Messi also and I like Vidal also so we have a lot of players in this world that I like but they cannot come always to Manchester United.”

Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports football pundit Gary Neville told Sky Sports after United’s draw with Sunderland that he felt Di Maria was a good fit for Van Gaal’s side.“It’s good business,” he said. “United have lost their negotiation strength but they just need to get the right players. This one is."He'll get pace into the game and get from box to box. He’s the right signing. You could argue they need other players in other areas but they definitely need a wide player.”

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Sunday the player had come to the club’s training base to bid farewell to his team-mates and the club’s staff.
"Di Maria has not trained with us and he came in to say goodbye to the players and people at the club," Ancelotti said."The decision is his and the club has done what it could to keep him here but he thought differently and so good luck to him.

“I am very happy with the work that he has done for Madrid but we have the chance to replace him well."We are thankful for what he has done at this club. There is nothing official yet but it is being sorted out.”Football agent James Featherstone told Sky Sports News HQ on Monday that he expects more players to follow Di Maria to Old Trafford.

“I think they’ll certainly be looking to add to the squad,” he said.“It’s out there in the public domain that Louis van Gaal’s had some time with the squad now and he’ll look to add and complement the squad where he thinks appropriate.

“It’s a difficult time to add and obviously for Manchester United it’s been played out publicly for the last 12/24 months about their squad, so I’m sure they’ll be very patient they’ll only do it if the situation is correct to bring in players of the right quality for Manchester United.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Apita onama karala thiyana playerCommon Angel Di Maria
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LVG & ED iknanata ikmanata meh week 1ka athulatha godak signs karaganna wenawa.Yesterday draw 1kenuth penawa squad 1ka strength karaganna one kiyalaSpecially MID & Defence

Anith 1ka thamai 3-5-2 formation 1ka Manchester United walata match wenawada kiyana 1ka godak hithala balanna weiMata nam hithena widiyata Manchester United match wena hodama formation thamai 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2
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LVG 3-5-2 gahanne hoda defenders madi nisa man hithanne
squad eke number10 la 6kyi number 09la 5kyi innawa kiyala LVG kiyala thibbane thawa hoda defender 1k ho 2k aniwa ganna wenawa

 

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Eto'o closes in on move to Everton

Eto ta thama club ekak naenewenger try karana nam ganna thibba

 

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Juventus lead Podolski race as Wenger says he can leave Arsenal

 

[asanka99]

 

[rcccc]

CB lagena Manolas thamai bro FavouriteVermaelen ge replacement 1ka kiyala kiyanne & Arsenal la Mehdi Benatia gannath try karanawaBenatia tanam hoda Battle 1kak yai Bayern,Manchester United & Arsenal

Habai machan Podolski sell kaloth nam aparadeahema unoth thawa striker kenek ganna wenawa.
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ow habayi manolas roma yanawa kiyala news ekakuth thibba benatia ge replacement eka widiyataBenatia try karanna gihin dennama nathiwennath puluwan
aniwa machan hena aparadayaketh wenger kiyala thybba dan enna forward la athi kiyala

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 2-0 Cordoba: Benzema & Ronaldo ensure winning start for Los Blancos

Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo got the goals as Real Madrid kicked off their Liga campaign with a routine 2-0 win over Cordoba on Monday night.

Carlo Ancelotti handed league debuts to big-money signings Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez and it was Germany midfielder Kroos who provided the assist for Benzema to score the opening goal at Santiago Bernabeu.

The France international rose highest to meet the former Bayern Munich man's corner from the right to give the European champions a slender half-time lead.

Ancelotti's front six showed they are a work in progress as Cordoba gave a good account of themselves on their return to the top flight, but the prolific Ronaldo sealed the points right at the death with a long-range strike.

While Albert Ferrer's men started brightly after the break, they lacked the quality to draw level as Madrid held out to secure all three points after losing to city rivals Atletico in the Supercopa de Espana.

Ancelotti, who did not name Angel Di Maria on the bench with the winger reportedly on the verge of joining Manchester United, will expect his new-look side to improve on this display as they once again seek to challenge Atleti and Barcelona for the title.

The European champions started on the front foot and Gareth Bale flashed a free-kick over the crossbar two minutes in. Ronaldo then saw his penalty appeals waved away, having claimed a nudge in the back from Jose Crespo.

One of Cordoba's close-season signings, Mike Havenaar, tried his luck but his shot failed to trouble Iker Casillas - who started in goal ahead of new boy Keylor Navas after being largely overlooked by Ancelotti for league matches last season.

Juan Carlos was then called into action at the other end as Ronaldo's shot deflected awkwardly towards goal before the Cordoba goalkeeper captured it at the second attempt.

Kroos was next to threaten Cordoba's goal with a strike from distance before Benzema opened the scoring with a powerful header just before the half-hour mark.

The former Olympique Lyonnais man agreed a new long-term contract extension earlier this month and proved his worth by crashing in a header off the post from Kroos' corner.

Cordoba showed a positive response to going behind as they started the second half the brightly, threatening the hosts' backline with some dangerous crosses.

Sergio Ramos denied Havenaar a clean header on target before Ryder Matos' long-range strike forced a save from Casillas in a positive period for Ferrer's men.

Rodriguez's fizzed effort was palmed away by Juan Carlos just before the hour before Xisco gave Real a scare - prodding the ball home from close range only to be adjudged offside.

Isco and Sami Khedira, whose future has also been the subject of much speculation, replaced Rodriguez and Benzema with 20 minutes remaining and Ronaldo made sure of the points after having a goal disallowed for offside.

The Portugal forward added a touch of gloss to the result with a long-range strike late on, having cut in from the left before beating Juan Carlos with a low drive.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vucinic reveals Inter regret

Mirko Vucinic has revealed that the collapse of his proposed transfer from Juventus to Inter remains "the biggest disappointment" of his Serie A career.

The Montenegro international was all set to join the Nerazzurri in January as part of a player exchange deal that would have seen Fredy Guarin move int he opposite direction.

However, Inter president Erick Thohir pulled the plug on the proposed deal after a fan backlash over the departure of the Colombia international, much to Vucinic's continued frustration.

"That was my biggest disappointment in Italian football," the striker told Sky Sport Italia. "But I've forgotten about it and am looking forward."

Indeed, Vucinic has since left Juventus for Al Jazira and he freely admits that money played a part in his decision to move to United Arab Emirates.

"Leaving an important league like Serie A was not easy, but I'm interested in enjoying myself - and winning," the 30-year-old explained.

"I'm happy here. I'm learning the culture and the customs thanks to my team-mates, who are helping me, given I still don't speak the language, only a little English.

"I'm here for a new experience, to live in a little luxury, which would surely appeal a little to everyone.

"Football is fun for me, but I will give the maximum to be able to bring home a trophy for my new club."

Vucinic confirmed, though, that he would like to return to Italy before he hangs up his boots.

"I hope to finish my career at Lecce, but only if I am well physically and if my body will allow it," he revealed. "I would not go there to play two games out of 20."

Vucinic spent six years at Lecce before joining Roma in 2006.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cambiasso bitter over Inter exit: I deserved better

Esteban Cambiasso has admitted that he is bitter over the way in which he found out that he was surplus to requirements at Inter.

The former Argentina international parted company with the Serie A side during the summer, bringing the curtain down on a 10-year stay at San Siro, but had thus far refused to publicly speak about the manner of his exit.

However, Cambiasso, who played a key role in Inter's treble triumph in 2010, has now revealed that while he had no issue with the decision to let him go, he remains upset that he was only told he would not be offered a new deal just before the end of the 2013-14 campaign.

"I'm not saying that I deserved to know three or four months beforehand, but not the day before the final game, against Chievo," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"They could have even told me maybe a week before, given that I had spent 10 years at Inter."

When asked if he would have been treated with more respect by Erick Thohir's predecessor as Inter president, Massimo Moratti, Cambiasso replied:

"Yes, probably, but the fact remains that I contributed to the realisation of [Moratti's Champions League] dreams.

Cambiasso last week turned down a move to Premier League outfit Leicester, but he remains keen on a move to England. Indeed, the 34-year-old said he cannot see himself resuming his career in Serie A.

"I'm not capable of giving what I gave to Inter to another to another Italian team," he confessed.

"This week I'll know better where I'm going; where I can be happy with my family.

"But wherever I go, I think that I'll sign a one-year contract. That's my choice."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hamann: Immobile not much use to Dortmund

Dietmar Hamman has serious doubts over whether Borussia Dortmund summer signing Ciro Immobile will justify his €19 million price tag.

The Italy international, who was the top scorer in Serie A last season with Torino, made his Bundesliga debut at the weekend but failed to impress in a shock 2-0 defeat for BVB at home to Bayer Leverkusen.

Hamann argued that while Immobile is by no means a poor player, the 24-year-old striker is ill-suited to Jurgen Klopp's counterattacking tactics.

"I'm not sure if he has very much value for Borussia," the former Germany international told Sky.

"He's a box player and, given the way Dortmund play, I don't know if he helps them."

Immobile, who has been capped four times by his country, netted 22 times in 33 appearances in Serie A last season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pochettino: Lamela and Co. need freedom at Tottenham

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino hopes the creative freedom given to his playmakers reaps rewards this season.

Erik Lamela, Nacer Chadli and Christian Eriksen all shone against QPR on Sunday as Spurs romped to a 4-0 home success.

With three wins from as many matches in charge this term, Pochettino's White Hart Lane life has started brightly.

And he feels that giving his attacking players the freedom to express themselves has been crucial.

Pochettino said after Sunday's win, in which Chadli scored twice and Lamela provided two assists: "Lamela, [Emmanuel] Adebayor, Chadli and Eriksen create the movement and rotate - they are free.

"We work a lot on the training ground but it is important that the players are free in their minds because they are creative players.

"You cannot put the players like that in the shade, you need to provide the organisation but after that they are free."

Tottenham will host the second leg of their Europa League play-off – which they lead 2-1 against AEL – on Thursday, before they face Liverpool.