..::Football III::..

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Garcia: Patience key to Fiorentina victory

Rudi Garcia lauded Roma's patience as his team opened their Serie A campaign with a 2-0 win over Fiorentina on Saturday.

Roma - runners-up last season - were patient throughout against a Fiorentina side renowned for their possession-based football, with Radja Nainggolan and Gervinho on target at the Stadio Olimpico.

Nainggolan got the ball rolling in the 28th minute before Roma sealed the points in second half injury time after Gervinho rounded Fiorentina goalkeeper Neto.

"What counts is that at the end we scored the second goal," Garcia told Sky Sport Italia.

"It certainly would've been better if it had arrived earlier, but the team played well, especially in the first half.

"Let's not forget we were playing against Fiorentina, who specialise in possession, yet we kept the ball for the first hour."

Garcia added: "The players worked hard when attacking and defending. We were aggressive in the first half and won back the ball quickly.

"With Fiorentina's diamond midfield you need to be patient and pass the ball around to find space, so I asked the team for patience.

"I saw Roma confident in the first hour and in control of the game."

Meanwhile, midfielder Daniele De Rossi said Roma are slowly finding their feet after an influx of new arrivals that includes Greece international Jose Holebas, whose signing was confirmed following the match on Saturday.

"We are a strong team and we are growing," De Rossi told Sport Mediaset.

"We suffered [tonight] against one of the best teams in the league. The first game always has its ways, but we have an organised team that will help us acclimatise to the new players better."

 

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'Alonso outlay could have kept Kroos at Bayern'

Former Bayern Munich star Lothar Matthaus says he is puzzled by the club’s transfer policy, suggesting the money being spent on Xabi Alonso’s wages would have been better spent on keeping Toni Kroos.

Germany international Kroos departed for Real Madrid in the summer after protracted discussions over a new and improved contract with the reigning Bundesliga champions, with reports suggesting the club were unwilling to meet his demands for a wage increase.

Alonso moved in the opposite direction last week and Matthaus believes €10 million transfer fee and the salary being paid to the 32-year-old would have been better invested by keeping Kroos at the club.

Kroos joined Real Madrid for a fee believed to be around €25 million.

"“I was surprised," Matthaus, who won seven league titles in two spells at Bayern as a player, told SID.

"They lost a German world champion to Real Madrid. For the salary that Alonso is now being paid, they probably could have kept Kroos.

"[Sami] Khedira interested those at Bayern Munich but not Guardiola," he added, suggesting that the club preferred to sign another Germany international.

"Bayern seem to have gone a bit astray, but that’s their right."

Alonso made his Bayern debut on Saturday they Guardiola’s side stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Shalke after having openied their Bundesliga campaign with back-to-back victories

 

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De Rossi fires warning shot at Serie A rivals

Roma vice-captain Daniele De Rossi has fired a warning shot at Serie A, insisting the capital club are out to annoy reigning champions Juventus and all their rivals in the race for this season’s scudetto.

The experienced midfielder helped Roma to a 2-0 win over Fiorentina on Saturday as Rudi Garcia's side got their campaign off to a winning start after goals from Radja Nainggolan and Gervinho ensured maximum points for last season's runners-up.

De Rossi feels his team-mates have the capability to prove a thorn in the side of Massimiliano Allegri and co - as Juve eye a fourth consecutive Scudetto.

"We intend to annoy Juventus, even though we know this is just the beginning," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"Watch out also for Milan, Napoli, Inter, Lazio and Fiorentina as they'll fight to the end too."

Roma were made to work hard by former player Vincenzo Montella and his Fiorentina side - with Gervinho's late goal settling any nerves at the Stadio Olimpico.

However, De Rossi was not concerned by their second-half lull, insisting Roma will improve.

"I think our drop in intensity towards the end was normal, considering it was the first official game of the season," he added.

"Fiorentina are also one of the most attack-minded teams, so nobody will stop them having any chances."

 

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Luis Enrique: Barca getting better all the time

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is hoping to see more signs of progress when his side face Villarreal on Sunday.Barca started their league campaign with a 3-0 home win over Elche last week and will welcome back Brazil star Neymar for the Villarreal clash.

And although Andres Iniesta (knee) will miss the match, Luis Enrique is confident and hopes to see his team gel."I am hoping that the team begins to settle which is something that will happen with games," he said.

"We are looking sharp after a week where we have trained well. We know our rival well and they are a strong team in the league."They had a good pre-season in terms of performance and results."The game will not be easy for us but we are prepared and, at the moment, each match is a test for us. All teams with a new coach need time to adapt but that is something that I am not asking for."

The 44-year-old also confirmed that new signing Douglas can expect to make his debut for the club in the near future."He’ll be good for us and I thank the club for it’s hard work and effort to bring him here," Luis Enrique said.

"In principle, I’ll be playing him in his natural position, but there’s always the option of moving him further up the field.”

 

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No one at Barcelona plays for the money - Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has insisted no player in the club plays just for the money, adding that any one who does will have to find a new club.

Barca shelled out over €150 million this summer as they brought in a host of new players ahead of a transfer ban that will restrict them from recruiting players in each of the next two transfer windows.

Despite their vast transfer fees, Bartomeu insists players don't move to Catalonia just for the financial reward.

"In the club there is no player in the squad who plays for money, no," he told El Mundo Deportivo. "Here you do not play for money. Everyone, including Lionel Messi can earn more elsewhere.

"Everyone has had many other offers. When a Barca player plays only for money, he will have to find another club because the club cannot afford it."

The president revealed that he had to delay their massive spending spree last season due to former coach Tata Martino's sudden arrival following the departure of the late Tito Vilanova.

"Tito’s illness and the unexpected situation crippled operations," Bartomeu told El Mundo Deportivo.

"The coach wanted to see the team play before take decisions. I admit that it was an unusual situation.

"I am responsible. The decision not to sign players was a collective one, though Tata Martino made his opinion pretty clear... The decision was made.

"It's true that this summer we have had one of our biggest renovations in many years."

Barcelona's most recent arrival is right-back Douglas, who joined in a €4m deal from Sao Paulo, and Bartomeu was quick to point out that the signing of the Brazilian is different to previous deals that saw compatriots Henrique and Keirrison come and go without making an appearance for the club.

"Douglas is a player who was requested by our technical team and by the coach. I remember the other two were not requested by Pep Guardiola," he said.

"The second big difference is the price, we have tried to adjust the investment to be as low as possible. He was wanted and comes at a very low price in the context of the current market."

 

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Ronaldinho in talks with Team Chennai

Ronaldinho is set to enter negotiations with Indian Super League side Team Chennai, one of the club's owners has revealed.

The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Atletico Mineiro in July. Palmeiras were close to roping in the former World Cup veteran as part of its centennial celebrations but the deal fell through eventually.

He is now in discussions with the Indian side, according to Prashant Agarwal, one of the co-owners of the Chennai franchise.

"Yes, we have been in touch with Ronaldinho and his representatives for the last one week or so. However, I would like to clarify that the numbers such as USD 3 million or 36 crores INR (€2.3m) for two years doing the rounds in the market are absolutely false," Agarwal told Goal.

Agarwal said he had played an important role in luring Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet to be a part of the inaugural edition of the ISL by joining the Delhi Dynamos and FC Pune City and says he is confident of bringing the Brazilian in too."We have been in direct contact with Ronaldinho’s agent. If we can manage to get Del Piero and Trezeguet to India on our own, why would we need to approach Ronaldinho via a third party?" he questioned.

With Inter Milan likely to be a part of Team Chennai, it is understood Javier Zanetti would also play an important role to lure the Brazilian star to India.

 

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ow bro...Bale wagema eida danne na gedarata nokia

 

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Arsenal drop Remy interest

Arsenal have dropped their interest in Loic Remy, Goal understands.

As revealed earlier, the Gunners made a late move to hijack the QPR striker’s move to Chelsea, after the Blues activated his release clause earlier this week, and appeared to be locked in a straight fight with the Blues over his signature.

But it has now been revealed that the Gunners do not plan to press ahead with their bid, with the transfer deadline looming.

Remy had been identified as a possible acquisition following Olivier Giroud’s injury setback, which has ruled him out until the turn of the year.

However, Goal understands that Arsenal do not expect to sign Remy before Monday night’s 11pm deadline, leaving him clear to complete his move to Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho admitted his interest in the Frenchman following his side’s 6-3 win over Everton on Saturday, with Remy set to replace Fernando Torres, who has joined AC Milan, at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will pay €10.7 million – the player’s release clause for top-four clubs – for Remy, while Arsenal are pursuing a deal for William Carvalho.

The Sporting midfielder has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and Goal understands that the Gunners tabled a €27m bid for the 22-year-old earlier this week and are hopeful of beating the deadline to sign him.

 

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No one at Barcelona plays for the money - Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has insisted no player in the club plays just for the money, adding that any one who does will have to find a new club.

Barca shelled out over €150 million this summer as they brought in a host of new players ahead of a transfer ban that will restrict them from recruiting players in each of the next two transfer windows.

Despite their vast transfer fees, Bartomeu insists players don't move to Catalonia just for the financial reward.

"In the club there is no player in the squad who plays for money, no," he told El Mundo Deportivo. "Here you do not play for money. Everyone, including Lionel Messi can earn more elsewhere.

"Everyone has had many other offers. When a Barca player plays only for money, he will have to find another club because the club cannot afford it."

The president revealed that he had to delay their massive spending spree last season due to former coach Tata Martino's sudden arrival following the departure of the late Tito Vilanova.

"Tito’s illness and the unexpected situation crippled operations," Bartomeu told El Mundo Deportivo.

"The coach wanted to see the team play before take decisions. I admit that it was an unusual situation.

"I am responsible. The decision not to sign players was a collective one, though Tata Martino made his opinion pretty clear... The decision was made.

"It's true that this summer we have had one of our biggest renovations in many years."

Barcelona's most recent arrival is right-back Douglas, who joined in a €4m deal from Sao Paulo, and Bartomeu was quick to point out that the signing of the Brazilian is different to previous deals that saw compatriots Henrique and Keirrison come and go without making an appearance for the club.

"Douglas is a player who was requested by our technical team and by the coach. I remember the other two were not requested by Pep Guardiola," he said.

"The second big difference is the price, we have tried to adjust the investment to be as low as possible. He was wanted and comes at a very low price in the context of the current market."

 

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Guardiola wants Messi reunion with Argentina - Menotti

Pep Guardiola wants to be reunited with Lionel Messi by taking the Argentina job, according to World Cup-winning coach Cesar Luis Menotti.

Guardiola's tenure as Barcelona boss coincided with Messi's ascent to being one of the best players in the world and the pair won every trophy possible during the trainer's four-year stint at Camp Nou.

Menotti, who coached the Albiceleste to World Cup glory in 1978, claims that the current Bayern Munich boss would have taken charge of Messi and Co. if the job had been offered to him this summer.

"I think he would have come," the coaching great said in his column for DPA. "He told me that he would like the Argentina job."

Instead of Guardiola taking charge of this summer's World Cup runners up, however, Gerardo Martino was hired as Alejandro Sabella's successor as Argentina's head coach and Menotti is not overly pleased with the selection.

"To me, what concerns me is that those in charge [of the Argentina football association] do not care what style of football he will play," he added.

Martino filled Guardiola's boots after the late Tito Vilanova - who was initially chosen to take over at Barca - fell ill during his opening season in charge.

He will now attempt to lead Argentina to Copa America glory for the first time since 1993 in next summer's tournament.

 

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Martinez: Chelsea put the fear in Everton

Roberto Martinez believes his Everton side were terrified of Chelsea in their 6-3 home defeat to Jose Mourinho's men.

The hosts were 2-0 down inside three minutes at Goodison Park on Saturday and, despite twice reducing the deficit to one goal, they remain winless in this season's Premier League.Everton have now conceded 10 goals in three games, during which time they have taken two points, and Martinez is concerned about apparent mental frailties.

"We started the game very, very uncharacteristically," the manager told reporters. "It seemed we didn't have that defensive intensity, that focus you have to have, especially with a team like Chelsea."And from then you're chasing the game. But we were too soft with our defending, every time the ball was around our 18-yard box we had a real fear that the ball was going to end up in our net.

"Now we've got 10 goals conceded in three games and that is not like us at all. We kept 15 clean sheets last campaign."Our attacking play was phenomenal; we need to bring that intensity and that feeling to our defensive play."

Everton travel to West Brom after the international break, with their Europa League campaign beginning at home to Wolfsburg on September 18.

 

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Osvaldo: I'll be at Inter for a long time

Daniel Osvaldo has insisted he is set to stay at Inter for "a long time" despite his reputation as a journeyman striker.

The Nerazzurri are his 10th club in as many years - most recently he left Roma for Southampton last summer, where he failed to thrive and spent the second half the season on loan as a back-up striker with Scudetto winners Juventus.

But the 28-year-old, who left the Premier League for a permanent Serie A return this summer, is fed up of constantly swapping clubs and is hoping that he can call San Siro home for many years to come.

“I do want some stability. There's no real reason why I kept changing clubs, but I don’t like looking back," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I’m happy with my journey so far. They are all experiences. But now I want to stay at Inter for a long time.

"It’s said head coach Walter Mazzarri has wanted to sign me for years and starting at a new club with someone that strongly wanted you was hugely appealing.

"It’s motivating, as I have to prove he wasn’t wrong to put his faith in me. I like his attitude a lot."

Osvaldo has developed a reputation as a bit of maverick in between hopping between clubs but, though he initially hated the "bad boy" tag, he finds it hilarious nowadays and has calmed down somewhat on the pitch.

"Let’s just say that two out of 10 punch up reports are true," he added. "Then there were some fans who hated me and were looking for a scapegoat.

"This ‘bad boy’ label annoyed me at the start, but now I laugh about it. I am a perfectly normal person, but only one thing drives me crazy is injustice. I cannot stand it and, if I see injustice, I lose it.

"I always reacted to injustice and sometimes went too far, putting me in the wrong. I am learning to calm down now.

"It’s true that I tend to leave after a red card or a fight, because I no longer feel respect and that means I don’t feel like staying anymore.

"On the pitch you can say anything you want and I don’t care, but off it you’d best leave me alone. Off the field I am Daniel and anything that happens is my business, so don’t stick your nose in."

 

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QPR line up Jeremain Lens as Remy replacement

QPR have made a bid for Dynamo Kiev striker Jeremain Lens as they prepare for the sale of Loic Remy, Goal understands.

Remy was not included in the QPR squad for the victory over Sunderland on Saturday, with Harry Redknapp confirming the striker would be leaving the club.

Chelsea reignited their interest in the France international following the departure of Fernando Torres, who has joined AC Milan on a two-year loan deal.

Arsenal emerged as rivals for Remy's signature but have since dropped their interest, paving the way for the Blues to complete a move for the striker.

QPR have now identified Lens as a replacement for Remy and could sign the former PSV man before the transfer window closes on Monday night.

Lens made the move to Dynamo Kiev in 2013 but stated earlier in the summer that he is interested in a move away from Ukraine.

"I have already stated several times I am interested in a new challenge at a good club," he told Helden Online.

"But it's unfair to Dynamo Kiev to repeat that all the time. I am here now and signed here at Kiev with full understanding. If I stay here, then I will do my job and give everything I have."

 

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Tottenham 0-3 Liverpool: Sterling shines on Balotelli debut

Mario Balotelli made a promising debut as Brendan Rodgers celebrated his 100th game in charge of Liverpool with a 3-0 win at Tottenham.

Rodgers insisted in the build-up to Sunday's fixture that his club would not become 'the Balotelli show' but the controversial striker went straight into the starting line-up at the expense of Philippe Coutinho.

Captain Steven Gerrard also joked that the Italy international had already made an impact with his new team-mates by changing the pre-match music in the dressing room and he certainly looked at ease from the outset.

An early header almost gave Balotelli a dream start and he linked up well with fellow forwards Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge for the hour he was on to help Liverpool bounce back from Monday's 3-1 defeat at Manchester City and follow up last season's 5-0 and 4-0 victories over Tottenham with another emphatic Premier League romp.

It was England starlet Sterling, with Roy Hodgson watching on from the White Hart Lane stands ahead of the upcoming double-header against Norway and Switzerland, who put the visitors on the road to victory when finishing off a neat early break.

Gerrard, who will not be involved in England's matches after recently calling time on his international career, doubled the lead from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half and Alberto Moreno opened his account for Liverpool in some style as Tottenham fell to their first defeat under Mauricio Pochettino.

As well as bringing in Balotelli, Liverpool also made two changes in defence, with Mamadou Sakho and Javier Manquillo replacing Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel, but Adam Lallana did not make the squad despite travelling to London after recovering from injury.

Having shuffled his pack for Thursday's Europa League defeat of AEL, Pochettino reverted to the same starting line-up that crushed QPR last weekend.

Balotelli almost made a sensational start when heading on target from a Sturridge cross after just two minutes, but Hugo Lloris did well to save.

However, the visitors were ahead five minutes later when Sterling sprinted in at the back post to slot a low shot home after good work from Jordan Henderson and Sturridge.

Emmanuel Adebayor had a chance to hit back immediately when put through by Nabil Bentaleb but his lob sailed over both Simon Mignolet and the crossbar.

Eric Dier had the home fans on their feet when a crunching tackle sent Balotelli sprawling, while the striker attracted more jeers when hooking wildly wide of an open goal after a poor clearance by Lloris, who had raced out of his area.

At the other end, Mignolet had to display strong hands to keep out a ferocious Nacer Chadli strike, but Liverpool remained in front at the break.

The visitors were quick out of the blocks again in the second period and were awarded a penalty when Dier pulled back Joe Allen in the box, with Gerrard taking full advantage by striking firmly past Lloris into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Pochettino introduced Andros Townsend and Mousa Dembele but the hosts were three down on 60 minutes when Moreno dispossessed the former and raced down the left before cutting in to fire past Lloris on the other side of the goal.

Balotelli left the field soon after, to rapturous applause from the away fans, and Liverpool could have gone further ahead when Sterling waltzed through some woeful defending before hitting his shot tamely at Lloris.

Tottenham, who went into the game on the back of wins over West Ham and QPR, should have had a late penalty as Dejan Lovren was guilty of grabbing Adebayor's shirt but a goal would have provided little consolation for the hosts.

 

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Aston Villa 2-1 Hull City: Agbonlahor & Weimann maintain hosts' strong start

Aston Villa held off late pressure from Hull City to cap the visitors' disappointing week with a 2-1 defeat on Sunday.

Steve Bruce's side bowed out of the Europa League to Lokeren on Thursday, and first-half goals from Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann gave a lacklustre Hull a mountain to climb at Villa Park.

Villa's strong start to the game was rewarded when Agbonlahor opened the scoring with a smart finish after 16 minutes.

Weimann played a significant role in the opener and the Austrian got on the scoresheet shortly after the half-hour mark.

Kieran Richardson cut the ball back from the left and Weimann, who netted twice in the corresponding fixture last season, put Villa in control.

Hull rallied in the second half and pulled one back through Nikica Jelavic, but the damage had been done as Paul Lambert's men continued their unbeaten Premier League start to the season and banished memories of their midweek League Cup defeat to Leyton Orient.

Fabian Delph, fresh from his maiden England call-up, started well, clipping the crossbar early on and keeping Villa ticking over in the centre of the park.

Hull were sluggish following their European exit, and were punished when Agbonlahor turned smartly and fired home from inside the area.

The striker opened his account for the season after a neat pass from Weimann around the point that Hull appeared to be growing into the game.

Agbonlahor then forced Hull debutant Michael Dawson into a hurried clearance following a dangerous cross from the left before the visitors went close shortly after when Tom Huddlestone's shot from distance deflected marginally wide off Delph.

However, Dawson's first outing since joining from Tottenham got worse when he sloppily gave the ball away on the edge of the penalty area.

Richardson then attacked down the left and crossed for Weimann, who had time to pick his spot and send Villa in 2-0 up at the break, although it could have been three when Ashley Westwood's free-kick hit the post late in the half.

Hull began the second half brighter but struggled to create chances - Bruce opting to replace Tom Ince with Robbie Brady in an attempt to get a foothold in the game.

Amid late pressure, Lambert's defence conceded their first goal of the top-flight campaign when Jelavic headed home via a deflection off Aly Cissokho from a corner with 16 minutes remaining.

That proved no more than a consolation, however, with Bruce likely to consider his attacking options ahead of the transfer window's closure following a largely under-par display in the West Midlands.

Jake Livermore's late free-kick that hit the bar was as close as Hull came to snatching a point, and a laboured attacking showing may prompt Bruce to delve into the transfer market before the window’s closure on Monday.

 

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Groningen 2-0 Ajax: Dutch champions defeated again

Defending champions Ajax lost for the second weekend in a row when they were beaten 2-0 away to Groningen at the Euroborg.

It is only the second occasion that coach Frank de Boer has lost back-to-back Eredivisie matches during his reign in Amsterdam. Not since early 2012, when losing to Feyenoord and Utrecht, had Ajax lost successive league games.

And certainly few would have thought Groningen - with only one win in 10 matches against today’s opponents - capable of creating a small piece of history against Ajax, chasing a fifth successive domestic title.

However, two goals in the second half from Eric Botteghin and Michael de Leeuw created this shock result which, coupled to the departure of Daley Blind, means it hasn't been the best of weeks for de Boer and Co.

Both sides lined up with identical records having played three games and with their one defeat apiece this season having come last weekend.

The biggest difference in the Ajax starting XI from the side beaten by PSV was the void left by Manchester United-bound Blind, his place going to the South African Thulani Serero.

Whether it was Blind’s absence or a hangover from that 3-1 loss to PSV, it took a while for Ajax to settle.

Indeed, neither side were particularly threatening in the opening half hour. It was, however, the champions who began to press Groningen and Ricardo van Rhijn should have done better when he overlapped down the right, deciding shoot when there were four Ajax shirts to aim for in the penalty area.

The chances kept dropping to Ajax and Sergio Padt saved well at point blank range from Davy Klaasen after the home defence has delayed clearing the danger, while the Groningen goalkeeper was relieved to see Nick Viergever’s dipping attempt from distance spin narrowly wide.

A blunder from Johan Kappelhof almost let Anwar El Ghazi in, but he skied his shot when looking for his third goal in as many games. As the half closed however, Groningen began to assert some pressure on the Ajax goal, without testing Jasper Cillessen fully.

That all changed into the second half. Ajax were slow out of the blocks and were punished for that lack of urgency when Nick van der Velden played Tjaronn Chery in on the left-side of the box, his low centre turned past Cillessen by Groningen central defender Botteghin, who had remained in an advance position from an earlier corner.

Groningen limited Ajax to some desperate long-range shooting, although Boilesen and substitute Ricardo Kishna with a free kick saved by Padt, came closest.

As time began to run out for Ajax, Groningen coach Erwin van de Looi’s optimism grew, and decided to utilise substitute Michael de Leeuw who had netted in the opening two games of the season after coming off the bench.

Three minutes from time, Chery produced another telling cross from the left, connecting with De Leeuw at the back post, and his powerful downward header beating Cillessen to hand the hosts all three points.

 

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Man City wait on Fernando injury update

Manchester City are waiting to discover the extent of a groin injury picked up by Fernando in Saturday's 1-0 loss to Stoke City.The midfielder was forced off in the first half at the Etihad Stadium and replaced by fellow Brazilian Fernandinho and City boss Manuel Pellegrini revealed after the game that Fernando was set for further assessment.

"Fernando has a muscle problem in his groin," Pellegrini told reporters. "We will see tomorrow [Sunday] with the doctor how strong it is."A break for international fixtures means City are not in action again until September 13, when they visit Arsenal.

The champions suffered their first defeat of the season against Stoke, with a fine solo goal from Mame Biram Diouf earning a shock victory for Mark Hughes' men.

 

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Official: Bayern sign youngster Kurt

Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach youngster Sinan Kurt for an undisclosed fee.

The midfielder, 18, is yet to feature in a first-team league match, but made 24 appearances in the Under-19 Bundesliga for Gladbach last season.

Kurt, a Germany Under-18 international, enjoyed a prolific 2013-14 campaign netting 16 goals to help his side to a sixth-placed finish and his efforts have earned him a four-year deal with Pep Guardiola's men."One of the biggest German talent moves to Bayern," the reigning German champions said in a statement on their website.

"Borussia Monchengladbach's Sinan Kurt signed on a four-year contract on Sunday with the German champions after both clubs had previously agreed a transfer agreement."

Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl is disappointed that Kurt decided against extending his contract at Gladbach and feels a longer stay at the club would have proved beneficial."It is significant for our excellent junior work, when Bayern are so vehemently interested in one of our talents," he said. "We are of the opinion that this would have been the best way for him."

Considering the vast array of talent at the Allianz Arena, Kurt is highly unlikely to be part of Bayern's first-team squad in the immediate future and is expected to continue his development .

 

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Leicester City 1-1 Arsenal: Sanchez strikes again but Ulloa secures point for Foxes

Leonardo Ulloa's second Premier League goal of the season earned Leicester City a 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.

Leicester's record signing headed home in the 22nd minute to immediately cancel out Alexis Sanchez's first league goal for Arsenal since joining from Barcelona.

Ulloa's intervention proved enough to earn a valuable point as the visitors failed to find a winner in an entertaining encounter at the King Power Stadium.

Arsenal headed into the game desperate to cap a good week, having qualified for the UEFA Champions League group phase for the 17th successive season on Wednesday.

Yet an inspired Ulloa proved a handful and, with Leicester also defending doggedly, Arsene Wenger's men had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Arsenal have now collected a win and two draws from the opening three league fixtures of 2014-15, with Leicester taking two points from the same number of games.

The home side began confidently, Ritchie De Laet sending in a teasing cross for Ulloa - whose attempt to control the ball flew straight to Wojciech Szczesny.

Arsenal found themselves briefly depleted when Laurent Koscielny was forced to go to the dressing room for stitches to a head wound following a nasty collision with Jeffrey Schlupp.

And Leicester almost made full use of their one-man advantage when Riyad Mahrez hit just wide following a fine one-two with Ulloa.

But, soon after Koscielny returned to the field, Arsenal took the lead through Sanchez after 20 minutes.

Santi Cazorla's wonderful lobbed pass freed Yaya Sanogo and, after the striker's woeful effort was blocked by Kasper Schmeichel, the Chilean was left with a simple finish.

Yet Leicester found an immediate riposte through Ulloa, who met Schlupp's stunning cross with a powerful header that gave Szczesny no chance.

Koscielny, still suffering from the effects of his earlier injury, was at fault for the goal and it came as no surprise when Calum Chambers replaced him.

Arsenal continued to dominate possession after half-time, but were fortunate not fall behind when Ulloa chipped into the side-netting after brilliantly turning Chambers.

The visitors fashioned a couple of chances of their own almost immediately after, Aaron Ramsey heading tamely at Schmeichel before Sanogo hit straight at the goalkeeper when clean through.

Leicester, though, were always on hand to fire warning shots of their own, David Nugent seeing a goal-bound effort blocked following good work from the outstanding Ulloa.

The game entered something of a lull thereafter as neat Arsenal football failed to bring chances.

That impasse ended when substitute Jamie Vardy came agonisingly close to grabbing a second Leicester goal, Szczesny producing a fine reactionary save.

Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring after 20 minutes only for Leonardo Ulloa to equalise less than two minutes later.

 

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Blind bids farewell to Ajax ahead of Man Utd move

Daley Blind has bid farewell to Ajax ahead of his move to Manchester United.
United revealed on Saturday that the Netherlands international is set to join the club, with Ajax announcing the fee to be €17.5 million.

And on Sunday, Blind - who impressed for his country at this year's World Cup under now-United boss Louis van Gaal - has all but confirmed his switch to Old Trafford with an emotional post on his Instagram account."Want to thank everyone for the wonderful years I've had from my 7th year to 24th!" he posted. "Supporters, team-mates, staff, thanks! Ajax remains my club."

Blind won four consecutive Eredivisie titles in Amsterdam.