..::Football III::..

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Ayesh malshika fernando

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    :yes:Martino: Di Maria one of the five best players in the world

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    Argentina boss Gerardo Martino hailed Angel Di Maria as "one of the five best players in the world" after the winger ripped Germany apart on Wednesday night.

    The 26-year-old underlined just why Manchester United were willing to pay Real Madrid a British-record €84 million transfer fee to bring him to Old Trafford last week by scoring one goal and creating three others, for Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela and Federico Fernandez, during a virtuoso display in Dusseldorf.

    Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze scored consolation goals for Germany but the night belonged to Di Maria, who exited late on to what Martino felt was a thoroughly deserved round of applause.

    "Angel Di Maria has demonstrated why he is one of the five best players in the world," the former Barcelona boss told reporters after what was his first game in charge of the Albiceleste.

    Martino had been forced to make do without the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi, so he was just as thrilled by the collective performance as he was Di Maria's sensational individual display.

    "I am very satisfied with my team because we had a few players who have not had as much match practice," he enthused.


    hell yea glad he is in man unt.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Guardiola: Luis Enrique will do better than me at Barca

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    Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola is confident that Luis Enrique is the right man for Barcelona and feels the former Roma boss could even do better than him during his time in charge of Camp Nou.

    Guardiola guided the Catalans to 14 trophies between 2008 and 2012 - including three La Liga titles and two Champions League victories - and he believes another successful era could be on the cards for Barca following the arrival of Luis Enrique this summer.

    "Of course he can match me at Barcelona, I think very highly of him. He will do a better job than I did," Guardiola was quoted as saying by Sport.

    "It is important for Barcelona to have its own identity again, a philosophy that we all recognise. I think we will see just that under Luis Enrique."

    Guardiola and Luis Enrique were team-mates at Barcelona between 1996 and 2001, before the former left the Catalans for Brescia.

    Additionally, the 44-year-old was in charge of Barcelona B when Guardiola led the club's first team and has since also coached Roma and Celta Vigo before returning to Camp Nou this summer to replace Gerardo Martino.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Rooney bemoans 'sloppy' England

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    England captain Wayne Rooney said his side played "sloppily" against Norway, as they toiled to a 1-0 friendly win at Wembley on Wednesday.

    Roy Hodgson's men were in action for the first time since their winless World Cup campaign in Brazil and they were unconvincing in London - a Rooney penalty with 22 minutes remaining splitting the sides.

    The Manchester United striker, who came off shortly after scoring for now-former club team-mate Danny Welbeck, said England had plenty of scope for improvement ahead of the Euro 2016 qualification campaign.

    "I thought I could have done better – we all could have done better," Rooney told ITV Sport.

    "It's the first game after the World Cup and it was important that we got the win tonight, especially going into the game on Monday.

    "In the first half we moved quite well but they made it difficult for us; sat back and created a few opportunities.

    "In the second half we started really sloppily and that was disappointing, as we wanted to go out and really take the game to them.

    "We got the win in the end and there are a lot of young players in this team. They are still learning."

    England open their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign against Switzerland in Basel on Monday.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Messi can't keep this up forever, says Del Bosque

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    Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has stressed that it's impossible for Lionel Messi to keep on performing at the highest level all the time, but feels the Barcelona star remains an extraordinary player.

    The Argentina international went through a difficult period last season and some suggested that the 27-year-old might be past his best.

    However, Del Bosque has insisted it's only logical that players like Messi occasionally go through weaker moments, but feels the attacker remains arguably one of the best around.

    "It is very difficult to always be at Messi's level. He cannot keep it up forever," Del Bosque was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

    "Great players like him and Cristiano Ronaldo can always go through some weaker moments.

    "But let there be no doubt about it that he is an extraordinary player and he has shown that on numerous occasions, like in Barcelona's first two league games of the season."

    Messi netted twice in Barcelona's 3-0 opening day win over Elche, before setting up the winner in their 1-0 win versus Villarreal on Sunday.

    He played no part in Argentina's 4-2 friendly win over Germany on Wednesday after sustaining a minor injury ahead of the international break.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Bayern worry over Thiago injury

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    Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has admitted that the German champions are worried about Thiago Alcantara's injury situation.

    The Spain international last featured for Bayern in the 3-3 Bundesliga draw with Hoffenheim back in March and has been out of action ever since due to a knee injury.

    Thiago was initially expected to be match fit in time for the start of the 2014-15 campaign, but the 23-year-old is still recovering from his knee problem, much to the frustration of Bayern.

    "We cannot really say how long his recovery will take," Sammer was quoted as saying by Kicker.

    "It's impossible to set a date for a comeback. This is a very regrettable development."

    Thiago joined Bayern from Barcelona in the summer of 2013, but injuries have so far prevented him from making an impact at the Bundesliga champions. He made 25 appearances in all competitions for Bayern last term, scoring three goals in the process.

    The German champions are still without injured pair Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger, too.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Begovic awarded 'longest goal scored' world record

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    Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic 's goal against Southampton has been recognised as the longest in competitive football.

    Begovic scored the extraordinary effort just 13 seconds into the Premier League clash at the Britannia Stadium last November, and it has now been confirmed as an official world record.

    In windy conditions, the Bosnia-Herzegovina international's clearance bounced outside the Southampton penalty area and flew over Begovic's opposite number Artur Boruc and into the net.

    On Thursday, Guinness World Records recognised the 91.9-metre strike as the "longest goal scored in football".

    "I feel amazing to be honoured in this way and as a goalkeeper I didn't expect this to happen, not for this type of record anyway - I will take it though and enjoy it," Begovic told the club's official website.

    "I really do appreciate this award, and the certificate will certainly take pride of place on the wall at home.

    "So thank you to everyone at Guinness World Records for presenting me with this wonderful award."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Inter mistreated me, claims Sneijder

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    Wesley Sneijder feels he was treated badly by Inter, but still hopes the Giuseppe Meazza side will win 2014-15's Scudetto.

    The creative midfielder was one of the undisputed stars of the Inter team that won the treble in 2009-10, but was then frozen out after refusing to accept a pay cut.

    Sneijder eventually left Inter for Galatasaray in January 2013, yet he has not forgotten how some people at board level within the San Siro side treated him.

    "I've been thinking about my time at Inter and I realised that the team that won the treble has been dissolved within a matter of seasons," the Netherlands international told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

    "Inter did not treat me well, but that was the work certain directors. I love Inter and I want them to do well, also for the fans. I really do hope that Inter can win the Scudetto.

    "Juventus have won a lot in Italy and Roma are on the rise. The teams from Milan had gotten used to success, but things are a bit difficult for them now."

    Sneijder then went on to voice his admiration for former coach Jose Mourinho and stressed that the Chelsea boss remains a special person for him, even refusing to rule out a future move to Stamford Bridge.

    "Mourinho is the number one. There is no one like him," he added. "I'd never say never to Chelsea, but fact is that I am very happy in Turkey."

    The playmaker, 30, has a contract with Galatasaray until June 2016.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Arsenal did not make Huntelaar approach, insist Schalke

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    Schalke director Horst Heldt has dismissed suggestions that Arsenal attempted to sign Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on transfer deadline day and says the club hope to keep him beyond his contract expiration in 2015.

    A number of reports earlier this week claimed that Arsenal had turned their attention to Huntelaar in the search for a new striker before the end of the summer window, but they eventually signed Danny Welbeck from Manchester United instead.

    Heldt has now stressed that the Gunners never made a move for Huntelaar, while also insisting that there was no interest from other clubs for the 31-year-old either.

    "There was no approach from Arsenal or from any other club," Heldt was quoted as saying by Kicker. "Klaas-Jan is part of Schalke's core. We can definitely see him sign a contract renewal here.

    "He is a great player, an absolute modern professional. He's always hungry for success and wants to achieve his goals."

    Huntelaar netted 12 goals in 18 Bundesliga appearances for Schalke last term as he missed many months due to injury.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Juventus cannot compete with big guns, says Allegri

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    Massimiliano Allegri has admitted that Juventus cannot compete with Europe's elite clubs in the transfer market, after the Italian champions failed to lure any high-profile names to Turin this summer.

    The Bianconeri were linked with players such as Toni Kroos, Radamel Falcao and Alexis Sanchez over the past few months but, in the end, their most noteworthy addition was Alvaro Morata, who arrived from Real Madrid for €20 million.

    Allegri insists that he is happy with the strength of his squad but conceded that some players are simply out of Juve's reach.

    "I had an agreement with the club that we would only strengthen the team with players who could really add something," Allegri told reporters.

    "We eventually didn't sign anyone else, but that wasn't because we didn't want to strengthen. It's because there are big clubs out there with a different budget than Juventus.

    "It's enough to look at what clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United have done this summer.

    "It would not have added anything if we'd signed players we wouldn't have used. I am convinced that we already have a good squad to do well in the Champions League."

    Juventus started the 2014-15 Serie A campaign with a 1-0 win over Chievo at the weekend.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Mourinho: I wanted Torres to join Inter - not AC Milan

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    Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has revealed that he would have preferred if Fernando Torres had joined Inter rather than AC Milan.The Spain international joined the Rossoneri on a two-year loan deal from the Blues just before the close of the summer transfer window.

    However, Mourinho has explained that even though the striker failed to nail down a regular starting berth during their time together at Stamford Bridge, he holds the 30-year-old in the highest esteem and, therefore, would have loved to have seen him join Milan's city rivals."I'm an Interista and I would have preferred if he'd gone to Inter," the Portuguese stated at a Uefa coaching seminar in Nyon. "However, I hope that he does equally well at Milan.

    "What I can say about Fernando is that as a person and a professional, there is nothing to doubt about him."He's a fantastic boy and a great professional. However, he needed a change of scenery."

    Torres joined Chelsea for €63 million in January 2011 but never managed to justify his transfer fee, netting just 20 goals in 110 Premier League games for the Blues.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ferguson: Hernandez always wanted Madrid move

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    Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that it was always Javier Hernandez 's dream to move to Real Madrid .The Mexico international joined Los Blancos on a season-long from the Red Devils just before the close of the summer transfer window.Madrid have the option to make the deal permanent next summer and Ferguson, who brought the striker to Old Trafford from Guadalajara in 2010, is in no doubt that 'Chicharito' will end up staying at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    "He will do very well in Madrid," the Scot stated at a Uefa coaching conference. "He will score many goals, for sure."He's very focused mentally and his wish was always to play in Madrid. He will come good there."

    Hernandez, who represented Mexico at this summer's World Cup, scored 59 times in 154 appearances in all competitions for United.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Zouma: I will wait for Chelsea chance

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    Kurt Zouma is happy to bide his time and wait for his chance to prove his worth to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

    The Blues signed the 19-year-old from Saint-Etienne in January, though the defender remained with the Ligue 1 outfit for the remainder of the 2013-14 season.

    Zouma has yet to see any game time since belatedly arriving at Stamford Bridge this summer but the France Under-21 international is confident that his chance will arrive soon.

    "When I was at Saint-Etienne and I didn't play, I immediately got upset. But I learnt," he told L'Equipe.

    "Now there are senior players, stars in my position, and they are doing a great job. I take my time. I am learning besides those defenders. I know my time will come.

    "Jose Mourinho told me: 'Raphael Varane, I made him start against Manchester City. You have to be ready to play at any moment.'

    "I am using Varane and [Eliaquim] Mangala as role models. Nowadays they are in the French team and I hope to join them.

    "Euro 2016 is an objective I set to myself. Even if it will be very difficult to get a position, the door is not so far away."
     

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    Basingstoke confirm Ronaldinho bid

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    Basingstoke Town have confirmed that they want to sign Brazil legend Ronaldinho.

    The 34-year-old is currently a free agent, having left Atletico Mineiro and has been sent an offer by the non-league outfit.

    Simon Hood, the club’s marketing director, insists that, despite doubts, the club are not treating the offer as a publicity stunt, and genuinely hope that they can land the World Cup winner, even if it just for one game.

    “We looked at the free transfer list last week and thought ‘wow, why not give it a go?' You never know, anything’s possible in football I suppose, especially in the luck we had with the stadium being named the Soccer AM Stadium earlier this year," he told Goal. "It is publicity as well of course, speaking from the marketing side, but we sent an offer to his agent.

    "We haven’t heard anything back, obviously I don’t expect us to. But I imagine, even for one game, we would sell out the attendance and the shirts would sell out, it’d be huge commercially for the club.”

    However, the obvious sticking point in any deal would be the star's wages, with Ronaldinho having earned millions playing for the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan, and Hood admits that Basingstoke would not look to break their wage structure to sign the 34-year-old – instead offering him a deal that reflects their current non-league standing.

    “We’ve put an offer together and sent it over,” he added. “Speaking to our manager, the way our club works is that everyone is on the same kind of salary so we wouldn’t break records, we’d keep everyone on the same level.

    “That’s the way we work as a club. We wouldn’t increase it, we’re a non-league football club, we wouldn’t be able to afford it and for us to spend a large sum of money on one player, it wouldn’t be the right decision for the club.”
     

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    James: I have a great relationship with Ronaldo

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    James Rodriguez has revealed that he has already struck up a rapport with Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and says that he hopes the pair get to play alongside one another for years to come.

    The Colombia international only arrived in the Spanish capital this summer, having joined the reigning European champions from Monaco for a reported €80 million.
    However, James says that he has little trouble settling into his new surroundings at the Santiago Bernabeu, thanks in no small part to the Ballon d'Or winner.“I’ve formed a good relationship with him and I hope that we can be together for a long time,” declared the 23-year-old.

    "But all of the players are very humble, which is why they are there and why they are great players."James, of course, was signed on the back of his sensational exploits at this summer's World Cup, with the 23-year-old bagging the Golden Boot after netting six times in just five games.

    He thrived in an attacking midfield role for Jose Pekerman's side but it remains to be seen whether he will be allowed to occupy his preferred position for Madrid.
    James, though, insists that he does not mind where he is deployed by Carlo Ancelotti, insisting that he is willing to be fielded in a more withdrawn role if needs be.

    "I'll play where the coach wants and I'll be happy there," the former Porto man stated.James has scored one goal in his five competitive outings for Madrid so far this season.
     

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    Welbeck keen to emulate 'idol' Henry at Arsenal

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    New Arsenal signing Danny Welbeck has revealed that he wants to leave an indelible mark at the Emirates by emulating his "idol" Thierry Henry.

    The Gunners paid Manchester United €20 million to acquire the England international on transfer deadline day, with Welbeck set to go straight into the first-team following Olivier Giroud’s injury setback.

    And the 23-year-old has now aired his determination to prove that Arsene Wenger was right to lure him to London.

    “I loved watching Thierry Henry since I was a little kid,” he told Arsenal Player. “My two idols are Ryan Giggs and Thierry Henry so to come to the club where he was and had so much success at is something you can look up to and try to stamp your own print on the club.

    “There's definitely competition and I think once you come to a big club, there is always going to be competition.

    “Unfortunately there are a couple of injuries at the moment but I think once everyone is fighting fit, everybody will want to be on the pitch scoring goals and that's healthy competition for the squad.”

    Welbeck also promised to give the fans “100 per cent in every single game” as the Gunners look to mount a title challenge this season.
    “I play with my heart on my sleeve and I'm always going to give my best," he added. "I'll try to give them so many happy days in the coming future.

    “I know a lot about Arsenal. I don't think there are many people in England who won't know about Arsenal and what a big club this is.

    "The stadium is fantastic and the team has got a legendary manager and magnificent players who have also been brought in.

    “It seems like a family club and that's something that's really enticing. I'm so glad to be here.”

    Welbeck, who featured in England’s 1-0 win over Norway on Wednesday, could make his Arsenal debut against Manchester City after the international break.
     
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