..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Suarez: I'm suffering on the sidelines

Luis Suarez has admitted that it's not easy for him to watch Barcelona in action without being able to help his team-mates on the pitch.

The Uruguayan attacker was handed a heavy suspension after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup and will be forced to watch his team from the sidelines until October 25 as a result.And the former Liverpool and Ajax star says he is finding it extremely difficult to cope with the la

"The truth is that I am really suffering," Suarez was quoted as saying by Marca.
"I'm banned for quite a few games and I have only missed a few now. I feel so powerless that I'm not able to do anything from the outside."I can only talk and scream. It's the only thing I can do. I have to accept my situation, though."The attacker then went on to stress that he doesn't feel any pressure to return to the pitch after his suspension for biting an opponent.

"I know that I have to be very cautious. I am calm about it because I used to live in England and went through a similar situation there. I am used to playing under this pressure. I don't feel any extra pressure because all eyes will be on me."You have to be wary and take responsibility after everything that happened to me. I have to be smart in this regard."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lampard: I wanted to stay at Chelsea


Frank Lampard has revealed he would have extended his contract with Chelsea had he been offered the chance.

The 36-year-old's 13-year spell at Stamford Bridge came to an end last season when his deal with the Blues expired, before agreeing a move to New York City FC via a loan spell at Manchester City.
But Lampard conceded that he would have jumped at the chance to extend his stay at Chelsea had the club not opted to go into another direction.

"I would have obviously stayed if Chelsea had offered me another year," he told The Sun. "There was no reason for me to leave. Yes, I wanted to play a bit more regularly but I'm not stupid.

"If Chelsea had given me a new contract it would have been mad not to take it at the time. It wasn't that I didn't think I could still do it. If I felt like that I wouldn't have gone to City on loan.

"I had a chat with Jose Mourinho and both he and the club were always great with me. The decision was made – and I don't know who made it."

Lampard has no hard feelings over his departure and is now keen to show he can still compete at the highest level with City.

He added: "Jose was brilliant about it. I didn't walk out with any bad feelings towards him or the club. I knew things were coming to a head but I'm realistic and, in football, I move on quite quickly.

"I also felt like I didn't want to be a player who faded away – with that being the last memory people had of me. So maybe it was the right time. Maybe it was right that the club took it out of my hands.

"What I really want now is to make a really positive impact in my time at Manchester City and then again in the next stage of my career."

Lampard could face the club with whom he won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League when City take on Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on September 21.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

International Friendly Fixtures 2014.09.06

International Friendly Fixtures 2014.09.06

Bolivia Vs Ecuador

Chile Vs Mexico​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Platini: Football is suffering because of Blatter

Uefa president Michel Platini says football is suffering because of Sepp Blatter's reign, adding that he would not be surprised if the 78-year-old stood for election for the Fifa presidency again in 2019.Blatter has come under a geat deal of pressure and criticism throughout his reign as the head of world football's governing body. However, he is certain to be re-elected for a fifth term as Fifa president as he remains unopposed in the run in to the election.

He insists it will be his last term in charge, but Platini says it is possible he could stand for election again in five years and he feels the world's game is being damaged by Blatter's reign, despite Platini himself withdrawing himself as a challenger to the role.

"I was not a coward and had no fear of Sepp Blatter," the Frenchman told Bild. "I have not decided against Fifa, but for Uefa. I still consider myself a candidate for the future."I think Blatter should not be standing for re-election. Fifa has a terrible reputation, which is even encouraged by Blatter. The football is suffering. Maybe Wolfgang Niersbach still wants to compete against Blatter in the election, but I don't believe that.

"I know my friend Sepp Blatter, so it would not surprise me if he stood as a candidate again in 2019 for the Fifa presidency. With Sepp, anything is possible.
The 59-year-old was then asked if he regretted voting for Russia and Qatar to host the respective 2018 and 2022 World Cups, but he insists it was the right decision.

"I don't regret having voted for Qatar and Russia. I wanted the World Cup to be played in countries which have never hosted it. It was not a mistake to vote for Qatar."There have been several reports corruption in Fifa surrounding the vote for Qatar, but Platini says there has been no evidence as of yet.

"Corruption must be proved. As we wait for the Garcia report from the Ethics Committee of the Fifa, no one has asked me for my opinion on it. We know it gets 50 degrees warmer in Qatar in the summer. Therefore, we have recommended moving the tournament to the winter.

"The question is: Can we be so arrogant to say that the World Cup can only take place in the summer because of our game calendar in Europe? Then would a country like Qatar because of its climatic conditions never a chance of a World Cup. That would not be fair!"Platini was then asked about bringing more technology into football after the successful introduction of goalline technology, but he maintains that he is completely against it.

"Absolutely not! I am completely against bringing more technology in football."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ribery could be punished - Platini

Michel Platini says he does not understand Franck Ribery's decision to retire from international football and said he could be punished if he refuses to play.

The Bayern Munich winger was a late withdrawal from the France squad which played in the World Cup earlier this year because of an injury and he subsequently announced his retirement from the national team. The Frenchman's Bayern team-mate Philipp Lahm has also decided to end his involvement with his national team after winning the World Cup with Germany.And Platini says he is confused by the players' decisions, insisting Ribery could be punished if he refused a call up by coach Didier Deschamps.

"I have zero understanding of this," the Uefa president told Bild. "It is not the decision of the players, whether they come to the national team. This is the decision of the coach.

"If there is disagreement between Lahm and Low, the Germany coach will no longer call on him, that's one thing. But basically it is not Lahm's decision, it's Low's."[With Ribery] it's a very different situation. Franck Ribery cannot simply decide whether he plays for France or not. If coach Didier Deschamps invites him, he must come to the national team.

"This is defined in the Fifa statutes. If he does not come, he is suspended for three games with Bayern Munich. I don't understand him anyway. He is French, the European Championship in 2016 will take place in France!"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chiellini recall was common sense - Juventus

Juventus have defended their decision to recall Giorgio Chiellini from the Italy squad and questioned comments made by Gabriele Oriali.

Defender Chiellini was ruled out of Tuesday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Norway due to a calf strain, having also missed a friendly victory over Netherlands on Thursday.Italy team manager Oriali expressed his disappointment that Juve had performed "a sudden U-turn" in not allowing Chiellini to remain with the national team until the end of the international break.Juve responded on Saturday by stating that it was common sense for Chiellini to return to Turin.

"Following recent events relating to Giorgio Chiellini's release from the Italian national team, Juventus Football Club would like to reiterate its ongoing commitment to working with the FIGC [Italian Football Federation], as it has done for more than a century," read a statement on the club's official website.

"Yesterday's announcement regarding the player's release and the insinuating remarks made by team manager Gabriele Oriali this afternoon do not alter this position.

"Our obligation to supporting the national team cannot run contrary to common sense or the rehabilitation needs of an injured player who is unavailable for the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifying match with Norway which concludes the national team's commitments."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Beckham: I'd love to help English football

David Beckham says he would be "very proud" to help shape the future of English football if he could, but insists he has never thought about getting into coaching.
The former England captain and ex-Manchester United midfielder retired from football in 2013 but has decided not to take the step into management.Instead, the 39-year-old says he has been reduced to being a taxi service for his children, driving his three sons to train at the Arsenal academy.

"It is one of the reasons I retired – I’m a cab driver," he told The Telegraph. "I literally am in the car from seven in the morning until nine at night. It is what I was looking forward to after retirement.”

"They all train every single day. They all play on Sundays. If someone had turned around and said, ‘what are you looking forward to after retirement?’ it was to take my kids to football. Every single training session. Watch them and be part of their lives."Not that I wasn’t before but, with my commitments, there were certain games that I missed or certain occasions that I missed. I hated that. I just want them involved in some kind of sport because it gives kids discipline.

"My kids train on different days, but I love seeing every day training sessions and watch them play on weekends. If you had turned to me 15 years ago and said I would have three boys at Arsenal I would have said, ‘Really?’ I have huge respect for Arsenal, for Arsène Wenger and I am proud to be down there."

The former Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, LA Galaxy and AC Milan player says he would love to be able to help out Roy Hodgson at the England team, but says he has no real interest in becoming a coach at the moment.

"I only retired just over a year ago and obviously I’ve been busy with stuff I’ve been doing but, if I can help in any way for the future of England and the future of English football, I will. That’s one of the things I’m very proud of."To actually come to the end of my career and be an ambassador for my country around the world. If there was any way in the future, when I’m not as busy, that I can help then I would be very proud of that.

"[Coaching] has never really crossed my mind. If I was to do it in the future, I would do it in the right way. Like Scholesy, Giggsy, Butty, Gary, Phil. That’s the way you have to do it. I have no plans to do it in the next 10 years."I miss Manchester United and Real Madrid and all the other teams but, playing for England, especially when the games come around, I miss more than anything."

Beckham was questioned on Manchester United's sale of Danny Welbeck to Arsenal for €20 million on transfer deadline day, and he believes the striker will be a big hit at the Emirates Stadium.

"In my mind he is a very young and exciting talent for England. I think that he is a great buy for Arsenal."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Silva: We're still gelling with Diego Costa

David Silva says Spain have to be patient as they look to accommodate Diego Costa into the team, insisting they are still "trying to gel" with the striker.

The Chelsea forward has picked up five caps for Spain since he made the switch to play for La Roja from Brazil, but he is yet to find the net for his new national team.

And Silva insists the squad are still getting used to playing with the forward, while he is still settling into the team."We're trying to gel with Diego. In recent years our game has been based around keeping the ball and creating chances," he told reporters."We have to be patient because there are new players coming through. Costa looks good and I've spoken to him. There's nothing wrong with him."

The 25-year-old has withdrawn from the squad, with Barcelona's 19-year-old attacker Munir El Haddadi being drafted in to replace him and Silva says the youngster is a welcome addition to the team."He's doing a good job. He must have something if Del Bosque has called him up. He's going to bring a lot of youthful enthusiasm. We're going to make him feel as comfortable as we can".

Spain begin their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a match against Macedonia as they look to recover from their group stage exit at the World Cup this year, but the Manchester City star says there is no need for the reigning European champions to alter their style.

"We won two European Championships and a World Cup, I don't think we need to change our game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bale: Wales can qualify for Euro 2016

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale believes Wales are primed to finally end their wait to qualify for the European Championships.

Chris Coleman’s men take on Andorra on Tuesday as they kick off their qualifying campaign for the 2016 competition, having not reached a major tournament finals since 1976.

But Bale, who won the Champions League and Copa del Rey with Madrid last season, is confident the side are strong enough to seal their passage to France.

“We have a good group and a team capable of making the Euro 2016 finals,” Bale told reporters.

“The group sensation is excellent and we’re training well. Everything is set up for this team to make it out of the group. The key now for us is to perform on the pitch.”

Far from feeling overwhelmed by the growing sense of expectation that Wales can qualify for Euro 2016, Bale is relishing the opportunity to do what the likes of Mark Hughes and Ryan Giggs could not.

“It’s exciting, we have a great team and we’re feeling confident,” the 25-year-old continued.

“The possibility of securing qualification is adding to our confidence.

“It’s our responsibility, we’re representing our country. It doesn’t matter where, or on what surface, we’ll give everything to ensure a win. A good start is vital.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wales team 1ken nam Bale & Ramsey thamai​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Low: Fans must respect Gotze and Gomez

Germany coach Joachim Low says he does not expect the crowd in Dortmund to boo either Mario Gotze or Mario Gomez on Sunday.Fiorentina striker Gomez was a target for whistles from the fans as the world champions suffered a 4-2 friendly defeat to Argentina in midweek.

Gotze, meanwhile, has received a hostile reception whenever returning to Signal Iduna Park since his acrimonious transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich in 2013.

Low, however, is confident the crowd will embrace both the striker and the World Cup final matchwinner when they take on Scotland in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier.

"We've had a few good experiences in Dortmund," he told reporters."Mario Gotze is an international player on Sunday, and he scored the winning goal in the World Cup final. That's why I assume the German fans will celebrate him."To whistle your own player at one time or another, even before kick-off, I don't think is fair. It doesn't help the player carry on, so it doesn't help the team.

"I expect them to deal fairly with their own players."Gomez has been heavily criticised in Germany for his performances for the national team in the past and was left out of the World Cup after battling with injuries
throughout 2014-15.

Low, however, insists the 29-year-old is one of the best in the business when at his peak fitness."If Mario is in good shape, he is world class, one of the best out there," he added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juan and Hernanes tip Kovacic to become one of the greats

Inter defender Juan Jesus believes team-mate Mateo Kovacic is capable of developing into one of the finest players in the world.

Croatia international Kovacic scored his first goals for Inter last week, registering a hat-trick in a trouncing of Stjarnan that ensured the Serie A club cruised into the group stages of Europa League.

The 20-year-old started only 14 league games for Walter Mazzarri's men last term after struggling for form and fitness but appears likely to play a more prominent role this season.Having witnessed Kovacic's progression, Juan has tipped the youngster to achieve greatness in the game.

Speaking at Monza, the venue for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, the Brazilian said: "Kovacic will be one of the world's best in a few years."I have great confidence in him and hope he has a great career."Kovacic also earned praise from Hernanes, who added: "I enjoy playing alongside Mateo but I'm sure we can do even better.

"He is a really talented player. He's got lots of tricks and he reads the game so well."Kovacic, who joined Inter in January 2013, was linked with a move to Barcelona in the final days of the transfer window.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Low: Scotland will be fearless against Germany

Joachim Low has warned his Germany side they are in for a battle against a fearless Scotland team on Sunday.The World Cup winners start their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign against Gordon Strachan's side at Signal Iduna Park this weekend.

Germany begin the match as clear favourites, but Scotland have shown a marked improvement since Strachan took the reins in January 2013 and they are currently on a six-match unbeaten run.Head coach Joachim Low is well aware of Scotland's improvement and he has urged his team to take the Group D clash seriously.

"Scotland have had no problems in their preparations," he said. "They have a British mentality but they don't play with a British style these days. They try to play good football but are still very well organised."They have quality players and have nothing to lose in this match so will play with no fear. We know all about their team and their biggest strength is that they are a team.

"They have good players like Steven Naismith, Shaun Maloney and Ikechi Anya. Darren Fletcher is their best known player playing for Manchester United. He is also the most experienced player."They will be motivated, physical and they will run a lot and they are also very good in one-on-one [situations].

"They have won twice against Croatia and drew against the USA and Nigeria and so we know they are a very good team. It will be a difficult match for us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic: Capello told me to play like Van Basten

Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims his path to becoming a world-class footballer truly began when Fabio Capello told him to play like Marco van Basten.

The Paris Saint-Germain star broke Sven Rydell's long-standing goals record for Sweden this week when he netted his 49th and 50th strikes against Estonia in a friendly.

The 32-year-old played under current Russia boss Capello at Juventus and says it was under his guidance that he began to become an elite player - though he warns there is still more to come.

"I knew that I’d beat the [Sweden] record. I am happy, as I’d been waiting a long time for this moment and I think I deserve it," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It's a wonderful feeling, but I am certain I’ll score many more goals for Sweden and PSG.

“I became a top scorer when I met Capello. When he was at Juventus one day he showed me a video of Marco van Basten’s best goals and said: ‘You have to do it like that.'

“I was young and learned so much from that anthology of football. From that day, I started scoring like the greats.

“Plus, you've seen nothing yet. My best goal? The bicycle kick against England, obviously. Will I write another book? It’s possible, as I still have a lot to say.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: Chelsea are at a financial disadvantage

Jose Mourinho believes that Europe's elite clubs have a financial advantage over Chelsea.

The Portuguese manager claims that the Blues have to adhere to Financial Fair Play rules more stringently than the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid, citing the recent sales of David Luiz, Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata as evidence.

Chelsea spent approximately €120,000 net from their business this summer - bringing in Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Didier Drogba and Loic Remy - and Mourinho says that this is the reality of managing a club with smaller incomes.

He told Yahoo: "When Uefa decided for Financial Fair Play they were trying to do this to make every team [have] equal possibilities but the reality is that the big teams, the big clubs, the clubs with more years at the top with more fanbase around the world, with more income, are the players that keep being the big spenders.

"So Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, Manchester [United] – all these huge teams, I think they have an advantage.

"But at Chelsea we are so happy with the way we are doing things, with this great balance between the income and the money we can spend. We are so happy with that profile of club we are, we don't want to change."

The Blues have shot to the top of the Premier League with three wins from three but Mourinho believes that the club are unlikely to break the British transfer record - something that they have done twice in the past - again.

When asked if the Blues could eclipse the €75 million that United spent on Angel Di Maria, Mourinho stated: "Chelsea not, for sure, because Chelsea is working in relation to the Financial Fair Play.

"We are making money to be able to spend money. In every transfer window Chelsea is losing players, is selling players. In the winter one we sold Mata; in the summer one we sold David Luiz and Lukaku.

"So Chelsea in this moment is not a spender – Chelsea in this moment is making more money in transfers than the money we spend."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Weidenfeller plans to see out career at Dortmund

Roman Weidenfeller sees no reason why he will not end his career at Borussia Dortmund and feels he can continue to improve at the age of 34.

The Germany international goalkeeper has spent 12 years at Dortmund, making over 300 appearances for the the club.

During that time, Weidenfeller has won two Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp.

And the former Kaiserslautern man - who was part of Germany's triumphant World Cup party earlier this year - plans to see out the remainder of his playing days at Signal Iduna Park, and insists he still has plenty to offer before calling time on his career.

"One can never say one hundred per cent, in football anything is possible," he said in an interview with T-Mobile.

"I want to play a few more years and the club has an opinion too, but in principle it would be my wish to end my career in Dortmund.

"The club, the environment, the fans -they're all things I've grown incredibly fond of in this long time.

"I've been through the bad times in Dortmund, why should I not want to enjoy the good there now?"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern refused bid from Liverpool, reveals Shaqiri

Bayern Munich forward Xherdan Shaqiri has confirmed that he was the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Liverpool before the World Cup.

Goal revealed in June that the Reds had opened talks with Bayern over the Switzerland international and were willing to pay as much as €19 million but the German giants soon shot down any chance of an exit.

Though Shaqiri has won two Bundesliga titles, the Champions League and two DFB-Pokals since moving to the Allianz Arena, his backup status behind Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery has often prompted talk of a departure and he was linked heavily with Roma and Juventus during the summer.

However, the Switzerland star says he will now consider extending his contract with Bayern after staying at the club.

"Liverpool made a bid for me before the World Cup but Bayern put their foot down and told me: 'We're not going to sell you'," Shaqiri told the press ahead of Switzerland's first Euro 2016 qualifier against England on Monday.

"My contract runs until 2016 and I could possibly extend it. I will consider my decision during the winter break."

Shaqiri's immediate focus is on his country's clash with Roy Hodgson's men in Basel on Monday.

He added: "I expect England to come over with a lot of young players who aren't yet so well known. They will want to repair the damage after not doing well at the World Cup finals.

"They will come over to Switzerland looking to win but we will play our normal game and we'll be going for victory too."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rojo 'desperate' to make Man Utd debut

Marcos Rojo says he is "desperate" to make an impression in his Manchester United debut next week.

Argentina international Rojo signed for United from Sporting last month in a deal worth a reported €20 million, but has not yet featured for his new club due to delays in him being given a visa.

However, the UK Border Agency granted the left-sided defender permission to live and work in the country earlier in the week, meaning he is now free to play for United.

Rojo is therefore in line to make his Premier League bow when Louis van Gaal's side host QPR after the international break on September 14 and says he cannot wait to get going in England.

"I am desperate to get onto the field and play because I have not been able to step into Old Trafford yet," Rojo told Argentine media.

"I am very happy to be at Manchester United, a top team in the world, sharing a dressing room with players like Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and fellow new signings Angel Di Maria and now Radamel Falcao.

"This is a very important step in my career as a player and as a person. Everything that has happened to me since the World Cup has been a dream."

Rojo was ever-present as Argentina stormed to the final of the World Cup in Brazil this summer before being beaten in extra-time by Brazil.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba is the new Zidane, says Tacchinardi

Paul Pogba is a "pure diamond" of a player and is built in the mould of Juventus and France legend Zinedine Zidane, according to Alessio Tacchinardi.

The 21-year-old has gone from strength to strength in Turin since his free transfer from Manchester United two years ago, winning back-to-back Scudetti under Antonio Conte's tutelage.Tacchinardi, who won 17 trophies during his time at Juventus, believes he is one of the few players of the planet who can make the difficult look infinitely easy and suggested that "the age of Pogba" will dawn in the coming seasons.

"Pogba is a pure diamond," he told Corriere dello Sport. "He has grown up to become a devastating player. Ever since his first Juve game, I thought he was an extraordinary player.

"He has the ability to make the very complex appear so simple, dissolving tricky situations. Before watching Pogba, I had only observed four people with whom I had played like that: Juan Roman Riquelme at Villarreal, Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero at Juventus, and Francesco Totti for Italy."There are some midfielders who define an era. This will be the age of Pogba, he is the prototype central midfielder that any coach would want as he can play offensively or defensively."

Tacchinardi also ridiculed how Manchester United could let a player of such obvious talent leave, after the player fell out with the club over a lack of playing time and what he saw as being undervalued."It's absurd," he added. "Certain talents are just innate. Congratulations to Juve chief Giuseppe Marotta who bagged him on a free transfer.

"He would have exploded anywhere but the environment at Juve certainly helped."
Juventus were forced to fend off numerous suitors to hold on to him over the past few months, if reports are to be believed, and Tacchinardi confessed he was stunned that new coach Massimiliano Allegri kept hold of the Frenchman."Keeping him this summer was a miracle," the former defensive midfielder added. "But keeping him for a long time would be an even bigger miracle.

"Juventus are perfect for him, but some clubs in Europe can offer absurd wages. I think someone like Paul Pogba is worth at least €80 million, but whoever signs him has their midfield sorted for a decade or more."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Beckham: Rooney will get the best out of England players

David Beckham says new England captain Wayne Rooney is the right man to lead the team and can get the best out of the Three Lions.

The Manchester United striker has taken over the armband from Steven Gerrard, following the Liverpool midfielder’s decision to retire from international football in the wake of last summer's disappointing World Cup campaign.

Rooney scored the only goal of the game, from the penalty spot, as England beat Norway on Wednesday and Beckham says he is the right man for the job.

“Wayne will get the best out of the players, he has always played with his heart on his sleeve and it will be no different,” he told the Daily Mail.

“He will work hard, play hard, that’s the way he is and he will lead by example.

“I never hid as captain and Wayne has never hidden either, even when he has had difficult times on the pitch by not scoring or not had a great game.

“You will never see him not working. That will be one of his strongest qualities.

“Rooney is the leader and Roy has his plans with the players we have. Raheem Sterling is performing at Liverpool and so is Daniel Sturridge. Danny Welbeck is strong too.”

After a dismal World Cup, England were once again far from impressive against Norway but Beckham recognises the team are currently in transition.

“When you don’t beat Costa Rica, Uruguay and even the Italians at the World Cup it is disappointing,” he added.

“Roy’s intention is to bring in young players. The more experienced players have stepped down. Steven Gerrard has gone and so has Frank Lampard. Wayne Rooney is the most experienced now and he is the captain, so there is something to build with."