..::Football III::..

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Klopp: Dortmund lost control against Augsburg

Jurgen Klopp blasted his Borussia Dortmund players for losing complete control of their Bundesliga clash with Augsburg on Friday night.

BVB looked set to bounce back from their shocking opening-day defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen with a resounding with at the SGL Arena, with Marco Reus and Sokratis Papastathopoulos both netting inside the opening quarter before Adrian Ramos seemingly put the outcome beyond all doubt with just over 10 minutes to go.

However, Raul Bobadilla pulled a goal back and then Tim Matavz set up a frantic final by scoring with just over 60 seconds of normal time remaining.

Dortmund ultimately held on to collect their first points of the season, but Klopp was less than impressed with the way in which his troops went to pieces in the closing stages.

"Many things got out of control," the BVB boss told Sky. "But the result today helps us after the brutality of the opening loss.

"However, this is just the beginning of the season."

Meanwhile, Dortmund centre-half Neven Subotic was just as upset with the concession of two late goals.

"We did not do well as a team in the closing stages," he stated. "We stopped defending and that should never happen."

Dortmund now have a Bundesliga break due to the upcoming international action before taking on Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park on September 13.

 

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Ronaldo left out of Portugal squad

Portugal boss Paulo Bento has left star man Cristiano Ronaldo out of his squad for the start of the country's Euro 2016 qualification campaign due to ongoing concerns over the forward's fitness.

The Real Madrid ace was plagued by thigh and knee problems at the tail end of last season and during this summer's World Cup in Brazil - but the 29-year-old played all 90 minutes of Monday's Liga opener against Cordoba, even netting in the dying seconds with a sensational long-range strike.

However, Bento has decided against calling upon the Ballon d'Or holder for the Group I clash with Albania on September 7.

"There's a question over his fitness," Bento is quoted as saying by Marca. "Regardless of having played regularly, he can't compete."

Ronaldo admitted after being crowned Uefa's Best Player in Europe for last season in Monte Carlo on Thursday that he had pushed himself to the limit for Madrid last season, meaning he was not in peak physical condition for his country's World Cup campaign.

However, while the former Manchester United man will not feature in the Seleccao's meeting with Albania next month, his Madrid colleagues Pepe and Fabio Coentrao have been including in Bento's 24-strong squad.

Portugal:
Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Dinamo Zagreb), Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyonnais), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon);

Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Vitorino Antunes (Malaga), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Al-Sailiya), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Reuben Vezo (Valencia);

Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), Andre Gomes (Valencia), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Adrien Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Tiba (Braga), Miguel Veloso (Dinamo Kiev);

Forwards: Bruma (Galatasaray), Eder (Braga), Ricardo Horta (Malaga), Ivan Cavaleiro (Deportivo La Coruna), Nani (Sporting Lisbon), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg).

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.08.30 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2014.08.30 Fixtures

Burnley Vs Manchester United

Manchester City Vs Stok City

Newcastle United Vs Crystal Palace

QPR Vs Sunderland

Swansea Vs WBA

West Ham United Vs Southampton

Everton Vs Chelsea

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La Liga 2014.08.30 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.08.30 Fixtures

Athletic Bilbao Vs Levante

Espanyol Vs Sevilla

Cordoba Vs Celta Vigo

Atletico Madrid Vs Eibar​

 

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Serie A 2014.08.30 Opening Day Fixture

Serie A 2014.08.30 Opening Day Fixture

Roma Vs Fiorentina​

 

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Full Time

Burnley 0 Vs 0 Manchester United

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Aparade ada match 1kath draw nehManchester United team 1kak hatiyata play karana widiya hari nahaanith 1ka strikers lageth performance hari nahaNeed to do something quickly
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Gremio: Racist fans will be punished

Brazilian club Gremio has insisted that it will identify and punish any fans found to have racially abused Santos goalkeeper Aranha during this week's match.

The 33-year-old shot-stopper was allegedly subjected to monkey chants from behind his goal towards the end of Santos’ 2-0 win over Gremio on Thursday.
Gremio confirmed a day later that they would use television footage and security camera images to identify the supporters who racially taunted Aranha.

"If those responsible are identified as club members, they will be immediately suspended and prohibited from entering the stadium," a statement released by Gremio read.

"Everything we find will be turned over to the police so they can take the necessary actions."Gremio also reiterated that the guilty fans did not represent the beliefs of the club’s supporters as a whole.

Local media in Brazil reported that a young woman was suspended from her job at a police hospital after being identified through social media as having yelled "monkey" at the goalkeeper during the clash.Aranha is expected to submit a formal complaint to the police with Gremio set to face a suspension for the incident.

This latest case of racial abuse comes after Gremio were forced to pay a fine of about $35,000 earlier this year when fans racially taunted an opposing player during a home match.

 

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This will be a new Spain generation - Del Bosque

Vicente del Bosque believes that his new-look Spain side are best-suited to start a new chapter in the nation’s football history.

Del Bosque dropped eight of the Spain side who crashed out of the World Cup in Brazil this summer in the group stages, including Gerard Pique, Juan Mata and Fernando Torres.

With David Villa, Xavi and Xabi Alonso all confirming their retirement from international football, Del Bosque decided to call on Real Madrid’s Isco and Barcelona defender Marc Bartra for Spain’s upcoming matches against France and Macedonia.

When asked about his revamped team, Del Bosque insisted that he was looking to the future with his selection and that it has not all been doom and gloom following their Brazil embarrassment."The World Cup was our error, marked by sporting circumstances, but it was neither a miserable defeat nor a bad environment in Brazil, there was a good atmosphere there," he said.

"We did what we had to do. Now our biggest concern was and is to bring ourselves back to our best."The main thing is to do things with common sense. We had a generation that gave us so much success but there is no reason not to start a new generation."

La Roja will first face Didier Deschamps’ France team in a friendly clash on September 4 before playing Macedonia in a European Championship qualifier four days later.

 

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Vialli: Too many foreigners in Serie A

Former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli believes there are too many foreigners currently playing in Serie A.

The 50-year-old - who previously turned out for Juventus and Chelsea - believes that the increased number of footballers being signed from abroad by Italian clubs is limiting the chances of homegrown players at top sides.When Vialli was involved in the Scudetto race, only three foreign players were allowed per team and the ex-attacker wants to revert to the format where Italians are prioritised.

Vialli told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Within the rules anyone can work as they want, with the utmost respect for Udinese who have created a healthy and sustainable model by getting players from all over the world.

"But I'd definitely return to the football of the 1980s. You can do it by choice, even if regulations don't demand it. It's better to have three foreigners because you can find space for Italians."There are also the Champions League rules, where you need a number of ‘natives’ and some who come through the academy."

Vialli also admitted that he believes Antonio Conte’s departure from Juventus, who have dominated the Italian league recently with three consecutive Serie A wins, has weakened their chance of successfully defending the Scudetto this term."Conte's Juve was a single block composed of the coach, the team and fans," Vialli said. "Now that a piece is gone, we'll see if Massimiliano Allegri will be able to recreate that symbiosis.

"In any case, the other teams believe they can now compete, and this is important."
When then asked about Roma’s chances of breaking Juve’s recent hold over the Scudetto, he added: "The way Rudi Garcia makes Roma play, I like very much.
"Then Fiorentina, which I think have reinforced, and Inter, whose transfer dealings have convinced me."With AC Milan, I see a new beginning. Filippo Inzaghi will exploit the team by giving his enthusiasm."

 

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Ronaldo: Fergie one of my only football friends

Cristiano Ronaldo claims the only coach he can call a friend is former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, insisting football is about success not smiles.

The Real Madrid star experienced a good relationship with former boss Ferguson at Old Trafford before his move to Real Madrid in 2009, where the Portugal international made his name.

But - Fergie aside - Ronaldo claims that, though he is on speaking terms with Manuel Pellegrini and Carlo Ancelotti, he has not stayed close with many of his past coaches.“The only friendship that I have with my former coaches is with Ferguson, with no one more,” Ronaldo told Portuguese TV channel TVI.

“I had a good relationship with Pellegrini, and Ancelotti also, with whom I get along very well.“I’m not in football to have friends. I am here to succeed.”

The 29-year-old also commented on ex-Madrid coach Jose Mourinho – who is currently in charge of Chelsea – acknowledging that there was a "bad atmosphere" and that his tenure was "a difficult phase in personal terms and the club".He added: "There were situations that were happening with other players, also with the fans.”

Ronaldo will miss the start of Portugal’s Euro 2016 qualification campaign due to concerns over the forward's fitness following a series of thigh and knee problems that the winger suffered at the end of last season.

 

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Agger leaves Liverpool for Brondby return

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has rejoined former club Brondby, the Reds have confirmed.

The Danish team - with whom the centre-back learned his trade before making his switch to Anfield in 2006 - had announced previously that they were in talks over a return.

"Liverpool have been such a big part of my life that leaving is extremely difficult," Agger told Liverpool's official website.

"The opportunity arose for me to return home to Brondby and at this stage of my career it felt like the right decision for me.

"I wouldn't leave here to go anywhere else and that has been proven by my actions in recent seasons - I have turned down many offers to move to other Premier League and European clubs.

"I thank the Liverpool fans for the incredible backing they've given me in my time here. The club itself is very special and I shall remain a supporter for the rest of my life. I regard every game I played at Anfield as a privilege."

Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers remarked: "We wish Daniel and his family well for the future. We've been discussing Daniel's future with him during the close-season and I know this is a decision he has reached after much soul-searching and deliberation.

"Daniel loves Liverpool and the club's supporters and has a unique connection with them. When we had the privilege to play Brondby in pre-season, we saw the esteem he is held in and I can understand why he would want to return there.

"On behalf of everyone at Liverpool, I thank Daniel for his service to the club and hope he finishes his career with some happy times in Denmark."

 

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Ancelotti: Juventus still Scudetto top dogs

Carlo Ancelotti believes that Juventus remain Serie A's top dogs this season, with Roma currently running in second place.

Juve have dominated the Italian league in recent years after winning three consecutive Scudetti under the guidance of former coach Antonio Conte, who resigned in the summer with Massimiliano Allegri replacing him.The reigning champions have signed 21-year-old striker Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in a bid to strengthen their squad, while holding on to star midfielders Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba.

Ancelotti thinks that it will be difficult for any club to realistically trump Juve in Serie A this season, despite praising the quality of 2013-14's runners up under the stewardship of Rudi Garcia.

“Juventus continue to be in front of everyone else: they are the favourites for the Scudetto,” the Italian, who currently coaches Real Madrid, told Tuttosport.
“Evra is a player of the highest level. Morata will surely do well in Italy. And in general, they bought players to increase their quality.“Roma are also strong, despite the sale of Mehdi Benatia. Then I see so many unknowns: AC Milan have changed almost everything"

When asked about Roma’s summer signings, Ancelotti added: “[Juan Manuel] Iturbe is good, but also [Kostas] Manolas, who took the central place of Benatia, is strong. And then they also signed Ashley Cole, who remains excellent.”Ancelotti’s former side, Milan, will have to make do without the goals of Mario Balotelli this season after selling the Italy striker to Liverpool last week.

Despite the transfer, and the arrival of coach Filippo Inzaghi at the San Siro outfit, Ancelotti is adamant that Milan may be able to push for the title this season alongside his surprise package, Fiorentina.“Fiorentina have kept their frame and have improved. Last year, they experienced a great season despite major injuries,” Ancelotti said. “But, I hope that Milan will also surprise this season.”

 

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Simeone: Title not on Atletico's mind, only Eibar

Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid are keeping their focus on defeating Eibar on Saturday and avoiding setting their eyes too far in the future.

The Rojiblancos were held to a goalless draw away to Rayo Vallecano last week in their opening La Liga match of the new season, which Simeone watched from the stands.

However, the Argentine - who is serving an eight-game ban for tapping the fourth official on the head during Atletico’s Supercopa victory over Real Madrid - insisted that his team now needed to focus on securing all three points against Gaizka Garitano's men.

"It is the first match at home this season and we have the need to do the right things but we need to improve," Simeone said. "It's not worth stopping to look at the stats.

"The only thing I worry about is the match against Eibar, which is going to be a tough game. Eibar have confidence in themselves, mostly with free kicks and high pace in midfield."While defending league champions Atletico failed to overcome their city rivals Rayo last week, both Real Madrid and Barcelona notched up victories in their openers.

Simeone, though, admitted that he is not concerned about the fortunes of Real and Barca, insisting that he was only concentrating on his own team’s performances.
"I didn't watch a lot of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the first weekend of La Liga because I was worried about my team than others," he said.

"Obviously I watched more of Eibar because I wanted to follow them. You are there to give an opinion and explanation of the question you made."

 

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Gerrard: Bring on Real Madrid

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard cannot wait to pit his wits against Champions League holders Real Madrid.

Gerrard's side return to Europe's elite club competition following a five-year absence this season and Thursday's draw in Monaco paired them with Real.

Basel and Ludogorets complete Group B, but it is the prospect of facing a stellar Real team - who defeated rivals Atletico Madrid in the 2013-14 final - that has captured Gerrard's imagination.

Former England skipper Gerrard has fond memories of Champions League meetings with Real, with the 34-year-old having scored twice in a 4-0 rout of the Spanish giants at Anfield at the last-16 stage of the 2008-09 competition.

And while a repeat of that scoreline appears unlikely, Gerrard - who lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005 - believes Liverpool can compete with Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. this time around.

"They were one of the sides that all of the players wanted, and certainly the supporters," he told the club's official website.

"For us, it's a chance to go and compete against the best. We're not in this competition to make the numbers up, we're not celebrating and going out to enjoy this competition - we want to compete and go as far as we can.

"We're going to treat every team in the group the same - but, of course, it's going to be an exciting encounter when Real come to Anfield and also us going away as well. I can't wait.

"It's a chance for us to compete against some of the best players in the world - the likes of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema.

"We're quite a new team, so it's a great chance for our lads to compete and see how good we are and how far we've come.

"We've got a lot of respect for Real Madrid but we certainly have confidence we can compete with them."

 

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Ronaldo: Messi thoughts might put me in prison

Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that rival Lionel Messi didn’t deserve to win the World Cup Golden Ball award this summer after the Real Madrid star joked he would be sent to prison if he gave his real opinion.

Messi beat the likes of World Cup winner Thomas Muller and Colombia's James Rodriguez to the prestigious individual award after scoring four goals in Brazil and steering Argentina to the final, which they lost to Germany.

Argentina legend Maradona revealed that he thought Fifa’s decision to award Messi with the prize was based on commercial reasons, and Ronaldo has now hinted that the Barcelona star did not do enough during football's greatest competition to win the Golden Ball.

“If I said everything that I think, I would be in prison,” Ronaldo, who picked up Uefa's Player of the Year award this week, told TVI when asked about his thoughts on whether his Barca rival had earned the award.“Everyone can see, make their own judgements, the people in the world of football are intelligent.

“It would be a very interesting question for him. I cannot be honest about it.”
Messi and Ronaldo's rivalry has been ever-present on and off the pitch for over half a decade now, with the Portuguese getting one over on the Argentine in the Ballon d'Or earlier this year after losing out on the accolade to the Barca forward for four consecutive years previously.

 

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Arsenal can make Champions League final - Ozil

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil believes his side can reach the Champions League final this season.

Arsene Wenger's side qualified for the competition for a 17th straight campaign with a 1-0 aggregate win over Besiktas on Wednesday, but have failed to breach the round of 16 over the last four campgains.
However, the 25-year-old German international reckons that belief needs to be high after drawing Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Anderlect in Group D.

"We've strengthened our squad. We also want to show that we can play better in the Champions League," Ozil told reporters.

"It's a difficult group, and we know Borussia Dortmund well, but we don't need to be scared of anyone. They know exactly how strong we are. We have the potential to reach the final. We should always believe everything is achievable.

"Not many people thought Atletico Madrid would get to the final. If you work hard anything is possible."

Ozil came in for criticism during Germany's successful World Cup campaign, during which he was deployed on the left of midfield.

The former Real Madrid man said he was happy to play anywhere for his team - but his preference is the number 10 role.

"The opinions of fans are important to me and I'm happy they have such high expectations of me. I have high expectations of myself," Ozil said.

"I know what I can do and in the past few years I've shown that I belong to the select group of best players in the world as a No.10. What's important is that the manager gives me his trust and in Joachim Low and Arsene Wenger I have two managers who do exactly that.

"Both coaches know that my favourite position is the No.10. I've played on the left in a World Cup and for Arsenal but my best performances come as a No.10."

 

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Garcia: Roma squad size crucial for marathon season

Roma coach Rudi Garcia believes that the size of the club's squad will be crucial in helping the Serie A outfit achieve success both domestically and in the Europe this season.

Roma start their new league campaign with a tough test against Fiorentina on Saturday, before having to play Bayern Munich, Manchester City and CSKA Moscow in a difficult Champions League group in September.

Garcia, though, is confident that he has the required depth in his team to be able to make a mark in both competitions this term.

"I've read lots of things since the start of pre-season: from euphoria, as if we'd already won, to negative things," he said. "Our main aim is to enjoy ourselves when we play and make sure the fans enjoy themselves too."We have a bigger squad this year - it's necessary given the games we have to play. We needed two per position and we have that.

"We'll be missing a few players tomorrow but we have able replacements who can come in. My players are ready, they can't wait to start and get stuck into the competitive matches.

"Now we're just thinking about beating Fiorentina, then we'll move on to Empoli and the Champions League. We have a marathon to run this year."Garcia has recruited several new players this summer, including Kostas Manolas, Juan Iturbe and Salih Ucan and the 50-year-old commented on all three signings, insisting that he was impressed with his new recruits.

"Manolas? He's our defender for the future," he said. "I don't know if he'll start against Fiorentina but he's available. Iturbe is improving a lot. I've been impressed by his attitude and commitment in training."Ucan is a talented youngster. The first thing he needs to do is learn the language, he'll be a very important midfielder for us."

Roma will be without Mehdi Benatia after the defender chose to defect to Bayern Munich in a €30 million move this week.

 

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Arsenal submit new €27m bid for Carvalho

Arsenal have tabled an improved €27 million bid for Sporting midfielder William Carvalho.

The Gunners have made a second offer for the midfield anchorman as they try to push through a deal in the final days of the transfer window.

Arsenal are waiting on a response from Sporting, who have indicated in discussions that they are prepared to reduce their initial €35m valuation.

The London club have been working on signing Carvalho for many weeks and are now in the final stages of ironing out the complications of his third-party ownership.

Arsenal have already had a €25m bid rejected for the Portugal international. They have returned with an improved offer after securing a place in the Champions League group stages on Wednesday night.

The complex nature of the negotiations mean they are likely to go down to the wire but Arsenal are increasingly hopeful of capturing the 22-year-old before Monday night's transfer deadline.

Sporting are ready to cash in on Carvalho although, according to reports in Portugal, 40 per cent of his rights are owned by investment firm Banco Espirito Santo. The player is also represented by super agent Jorge Mendes, which has added a layer of difficulty to discussions taking place between the parties.

Arsene Wenger has sanctioned a formal move for Carvalho as he seeks to further strengthen his squad in the midfield anchorman and centre-back positions.

The Portugal international started his career in central defence although he is now used more regularly in midfield.

Arsenal are also in the market for an established defender to replace Thomas Vermaelen and provide cover for regular pair Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

Their top targets are West Ham's Winston Reid and Atletico Madrid's Toby Alderweireld.

 

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Scholes: Blind not strong enough for Man Utd

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has questioned the club's move for Ajax defender Daley Blind.

Blind is expected to sign for United in the coming days after the Premier League club announced on Saturday that they have had an offer - which Ajax later confirmed to be €17.5 million - accepted for the player.The 24-year-old starred for the Netherlands at this year's World Cup under now-United manager Louis van Gaal.But Blind's versatility may also be his downfall, according to United icon Scholes, who feels the player may be forced into central midfield.

"I'm not too sure what position he is going to play in," Scholes told BT Sport when asked where Blind - primarily used as a left wing-back for the Netherlands - would fit in."I don't think he is strong enough for a left-back in England.

"And the only place we can seem to get him into the team in central midfield. He's a very good footballer but is he the answer? We will wait and see."We don't really know what position he is. United are not in a position now to be taking risks. They need proper central midfield players. They obviously haven't fancied them or haven't been able to get them.

"I think he's a really good footballer but is he a central midfielder?"Blind will sit out Ajax's Eredivisie trip to Groningen on Sunday as he undergoes a medical and discusses personal terms with United.

Should his switch to Old Trafford be completed, he will become Van Gaal's third signing as United manager, following the arrivals of Angel di Maria - for a British transfer record of £59.7m - and Marcos Rojo.