..::Football III::..

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Welbeck our reward for Man Utd taking Van Persie - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Danny Welbeck was like a reward for Manchester United stealing away with Robin van Persie two years ago.

The Gunners completed a €20 million deal for the England forward late on deadline day after Radamel Falcao joined the Red Devils on a season-long loan.

Welbeck's sale has been criticised by the likes of former United captain Gary Neville but Wenger says he jumped at the opportunity to bring the 23-year-old to north London.

He told reporters: "We lost an important striker in Olivier Giroud and we're short in numbers up front. Danny Welbeck is an ideal signing for us because he can play through the middle, which I think is his best position, and also on the flanks.

"He brings a team attitude, which is very important to us, pace as well and as you can see with England, goalscoring.

"We sold Robin van Persie to Manchester United so that was reciprocity. I thought when they bought Falcao that they had to let somebody go but I was not aware at the start, when I heard that, that [Welbeck] could be available.

"It was quick, because it was on the last day of the transfer window. I had no hesitation to do it."

When asked whether he would have signed Welbeck had Giroud not suffered a long-term injury, the Frenchman replied: "It is possible, yes."

Wenger hit back at those questioning his decision to travel to Rome to take part in the first Interreligious Match for Peace at the Stadio Olimpico on deadline day.

"If I stayed at my home, Welbeck would not be here," he insisted. "That is the truth."

The 64-year-old believes midfielder Aaron Ramsey could play against Manchester City on Saturday despite turning his ankle during Wales' victory over Andorra on Tuesday.

"I'm relieved that Ramsey's injury is not serious because we had a nightmare with him last year," Wenger added.

"We assess Ramsey today - he has a little chance to be available for Saturday. He has a minor ankle problem."

Wenger also confirmed that Mikel Arteta, Kieran Gibbs and Mesut Ozil had all been passed fit to feature against the defending champions.

 

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Remy must work to impress Mourinho - Deschamps

France coach Didier Deschamps has told striker Loic Remy to fight for his place at Chelsea.

Remy joined the Blues from QPR in the summer, after spending last season on loan at Newcastle United.

The Frenchman scored 14 goals in the top flight for the Magpies and had looked set to seal a move to Liverpool, before the move collapsed over a reported - but disputed - medical.

Remy is now set to fight for a spot in Jose Mourinho's starting XI against the likes of Diego Costa, Andre Schurrle and Didier Drogba, and Deschamps has urged the 27-year-old to work hard in order to nail down a place at Stamford Bridge.

"At the club he's just moved to, with the boss he'll have, Remy better not fall asleep," Deschamps told The Mirror, alluding to mercurial manager Jose Mourinho.

"Loic Remy needs to be more aggressive, he'll need to work hard for Mourinho.

Remy scored the winner in France's 1-0 friendly win over Spain last week.

 

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Guarin: I never wanted to join Juventus

Fredy Guarin has insisted that he is happy with life at Inter and was never interested in joining Juventus.

The Colombia international was close to signing for the Serie A champions in a player-exchange deal involving Mirko Vucinic in January, but the deal eventually fell through after fan protests.Guarin was then again heavily linked with a move away from Inter this summer, but the versatile midfielder has stressed that he never wanted to leave.

"The affection from the Inter fans stayed with me after the failed player-exchange deal with Vucinic," Guarin told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "And the ongoing claims that I want to go to Juventus, like earlier this summer."I never wanted to join Juventus and I still don't want to go to Juventus. I am happy here and that's it.

"I am over the moon to be here at Inter. There's no better place for me. I know I've said it before, but I'll repeat it now and will do so again in the future: Inter are the best place for me."I have the faith of the club, the staff and the players. It's now up to me show that I belong here.

"I was angry when I got the feeling that Inter no longer needed me. From the moment I got here, I have always given my all to show that I deserve to be at a top club. It's logical that you get angry when you feel that you're no longer part of the project."

The 28-year-old has a contract at San Siro until the summer of 2017.

 

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Falcao: Man Utd aiming for Premier League glory

Radamel Falcao says it is his aim is to win the Premier League title with Manchester United this season, despite the club's sloppy start.

The Colombia international joined Louis van Gaal’s side on a season-long loan from Monaco on deadline day and is in line to make his debut against QPR on Sunday.

Falcao claims the chance to join Old Trafford was a “great opportunity” and believes a title challenge is possible, despite United failing to register a win in their opening three league games.

"My target is to score goals and win titles," Falcao told FourFourTwo.

"The aim this season is to win the title. It is important for me to help my club and Colombia as we prepare for the Copa America and the next World Cup for 2018.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world. The best players are there and you get to challenge yourself each week against the best.

"That is important for a player like myself who is looking to improve, score more goals and win trophies. This is a great opportunity for me."

The 28-year-old also said he is excited by the prospect of working with Van Gaal.

"We all saw at the World Cup that Van Gaal is one of the best managers in the world," Falcao added.

"I think he is the type of person who understands his players and gets the most out of them - that is important in order for a player, and also for a team in general to succeed."

 

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Messi can still win the World Cup, says Pele

Brazil icon Pele has stressed that Lionel Messi still has a shot at winning a World Cup and added that the Barcelona man is still one of the game's greats even if he doesn't lead Argentina to glory.The 27-year-old came close to lifting the prestigious trophy this summer, but Germany eventually proved to be too strong in the final after extra-time.

Nevertheless, Pele has made it clear that Messi's career is by no means over yet and he believes that he will get another chance to go all the way in 2018.
"Of course, Messi can still win a World Cup," Pele told DPA.

"Messi is a very balanced player and he is in excellent physical condition. I have no doubt that he will still be around for the next World Cup."The loss in the final in Brazil does not take anything away from the fact that Messi is a great player. He will get another chance to shine in Russia.

"He might not have been at his best in Brazil, but that doesn't make him a bad player. Both Argentina and Brazil have had a number of players who could have won the World Cup, but didn't achieve this in the end.

"There is no doubt about it that Messi is an amazing player. We can't start doubting him because he has not won the World Cup yet."Messi has made 93 appearances for Argentina so far, scoring 42 goals in the process.

 

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Ribery: I will not make France comeback

Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribery has insisted that he has no intention of making a France comeback after retiring from international football earlier this summer.

The 31-year-old was heavily criticised for his decision to say farewell to the national team by Michel Platini and the Uefa president even threatened Ribery with a ban if he were to ignore a call-up from Didier Deschamps.However, Ribery - who missed out on the World Cup through injury - has stressed the matter has long been sorted with Deschamps and he is keen to focus on his club duties from now on.

"I have already said before I have retired from international duty and I will not go back on my decision," the attacker told Der Welt."I have discussed this with France coach Deschamps and we reached an agreement on it.

"I want to focus completely on Bayern Munich in the future. That's all I want to say about the matter. I am not going to get involved in all the politics surrounding my decision."Ribery made 81 international appearances for France, scoring 16 goals.

 

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Ozil: Wenger's opinion is the only one that matters

Mesut Ozil has again defended his record since joining Arsenal and insists the opinion of Arsene Wenger is the only one that counts.

Wenger, who smashed the club’s transfer record last summer by paying €50 million for the 25-year-old, recently praised Ozil, saying “everything he does is intelligent” despite criticism in some quarters for his performances at the Emirates.

And the former Werder Bremen playmaker revealed that as long as he retains the faith of his manager he will have the confidence to perform.

“I’m not so sure about the praise. You always have to deliver on the pitch,” Ozil told the club's official website. “I’m so proud to play for a club with so many fans but my goal is firstly to help the team on the pitch and I do that.

“What’s most important for me is what the boss thinks of me. He gives me his trust and he knows the potential I have. I’m just thankful that he’s given me his faith and I think that if he says I play intelligently, then he’s probably right!”

The Germany World Cup winner endured a difficult first season in English football and has started the current campaign slowly following his exploits in Brazil this summer.

However, the ex-Real Madrid star believes the number of assists he provided last season - nine in the Premier League - should have provided enough evidence to silence his many doubters.

“I’m very proud of my assist record,” Ozil added. “Often there is a lot of talk or a lot written about goals and not necessarily about who has given the assist, which is normal. But you can’t forget that the assists are just as important as goals,” he told the club’s official website.

“But it doesn’t matter who sets up the goal or who scores it, the most important thing is that we are successful as a team. I’m a player who doesn’t score that many goals but gives a lot more assists.

“Of course my aims this season are to score lots of goals and provide many assists to help the team. I’m positive that I can do that because I have the potential and the faith of the coach.”

 

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Falcao: Manchester United suit my style better than Real Madrid

Manchester United loanee Radamel Falcao claims the Premier League side are a better fit to his style of play than Real Madrid.

Falcao was understood to be close to joining Madrid earlier in the transfer window and even had to delete a Twitter post which included the hashtag #HalaMadrid, but he is adamant that he made the right move by joining the Old Trafford club on deadline day.

"Everybody has heard about that team," the Colombian told reporters. "I don't want to talk about them.

"I am very happy here, I believe in this project, I think United is the best club for my style of play and I am sure of my decision. I am sure that, in the future, it will be great for us."

The Monaco striker's surprise move was on an initial loan deal but he is keen to be part of Louis van Gaal's plans in the long term.

"I am very happy to be here. It's a big challenge for me, for my career, I always dreamed of being at a club like Manchester United.

"I hope to stay many years at Manchester United and make history at this club. When I was at Porto, Atletico Madrid, I always wanted to improve and I dreamed of playing at a team like this - and now I want to stay here for many years."

An injury had kept Falcao out of Colombia's World Cup campaign this summer but the striker says that he is fit and ready to star for United and, hopefully, earn a permanent move.

"I feel well," he added. "I started to play two months ago with Monaco and I improved a lot in the last month. I score goals; that is important to strikers. I am confident with my physical form and I am comfortable with my knee.

"It's a new process, a new team. Some new players have come this summer and I think Manchester United are building a big team for this season and future seasons and I would like to be here and be part of this project.

"I'm fine, I'm content. The group welcomed me well [and] playing with talented players makes things easy to settle in.

"I don't think I will need too much time because Manchester United has very good players and, for that reason, it's easier to play football and I'm used to life in cities like this. I don't think I'll have a problem adapting.

"I see the club in a period of getting to know each other. There are a lot of new faces but there are lots of top players who are very intelligent so they are bright enough to fit into the manager's plans. However he sets us up, we will be able to put that into practice on the field."

After finishing seventh in their disastrous 2013-14 season, United could not offer the prospect of Champions League football to new signings this summer but Falcao was undeterred.

"It's true, every player wants to play Champions League," he added. "This year it's not possible in Manchester but we are confident of achieving the qualification for next season."

Daley Blind was the Red Devils' other deadline-day arrival and the former Ajax man says that he is happy to play in whatever position the manager chooses.

"It's important I can play as a defender and a midfielder and I want to play so, if it's in either position, it's up to the coach and I try to do my best wherever I play," said Blind.

 

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Aparade Fellaini wa sell karaganna bari una neh​

 

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Suarez could make Barcelona bow against Real Madrid on October 25

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Machan heta idala ayteh Leage Games patan gannawa nedaPatta
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Machan heta idala ayteh Leage Games patan gannawa nedaPatta
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[Banks PLK]

Falcao & Di Maria play karanawa balanna hena asawen inne​

hithanakotath mokakda wage

 

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Pellegrini eyes 'six-point' win over Arsenal

Manuel Pellegrini believes that beating Arsenal could provide his Manchester City side with a vital "six-points" after just two months of the season.

The Chilean has earmarked the chance to win at the Emirates as a reason for optimism, and believes that the next nine days will help shape the club's success this season.

City take on Arsenal and Chelsea in the league, sandwiching a Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich, in a daunting run of fixtures which come on the back of a shock defeat to Stoke City.

"It’s a good test because they are three important teams,” Pellegrini told reporters. “We are just beginning the season so not one of these games will decide the future but it’s very important to start winning and trying to recover the three points we dropped at home [to Stoke].

"Of course, against big rivals it’s always a match of six points but more for the home team. For our team when you play against big teams it’s a very motivated game for all the players so it’s always a game of six points because, if we can beat Arsenal at their ground, for our team that is very good.”

However, the Chilean remains under no illusion that taking on Arsene Wenger's side will provide a stern test for his City charges, and is wary of the club's new signings.

"We have to play a very good game if we want to win the three points. It is a very strong team," he added. "Every year it is a strong competition to all the other teams that are fighting for the title and this will be the same.

"It is a strong team with Alexis Sanchez, a very important player, now with [Danny] Welbeck. They always have a very good team but this year they have more players.

“It is a difficult game, a difficult fixture because we have a difficult week. We started better than I thought against Newcastle and Liverpool [winning both] with so many players out with just a few days to prepare those games.

"After that it was a surprise maybe to lose against Stoke but I don’t think we played bad. Now we have this week with two difficult games in the Premier League and a difficult game in the Champions League.”

 

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Wenger: Early kick-offs not a problem for Arsenal

Arsene Wenger says early kick-off times are not a problem for Arsenal as his side prepare to take on champions Manchester City at lunchtime on Saturday.

The Gunners suffered heavy midday defeats to Chelsea, City and Liverpool last season, conceding a massive 17 goals against their rivals as their early title challenge faltered.

However, the Frenchman believes the actual kick-off time is not an issue and has urged his side to improve their performances against the top teams.

"I never honestly thought it was the kick-off time that cost us the games," he told reporters. "It was the performances. The poor performance was not linked with the kick-off times.

“We live in a society where you need to find explanations for everything. Let’s not forget we are competitive people and sometimes when your opponent is better than you, you lose.

“It wouldn’t matter if we played at nine at night or 12:45 – they were better than us. That was not down in my opinion to the kick-off time. Would you rather kick-off at 15:00 or 12:45? It’s two hours and 15 minutes. That does not produce a miracle in your physical recovery."

Wenger also insisted his side were simply not aggressive enough in matches against their title rivals and left themselves exposed to large defeats after starting slowly.

“Let’s not make a psychological problem of it,” he added. “What is very difficult psychologically is to lose the games. In my job, the most important is always to find the right reasons and I don’t think it was to do with the early kick-off time.

“I think we were beaten last year because we were not aggressive enough in those games. We were not mobile enough and lost too many challenges. As a unit, we were beaten all over the place.

"The history of some of the games went against us as well. We were 2-0 down after 10 minutes. You are always in the position then that you have to take a huge gamble to come back and you open yourself up.”

 

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We have no injury worries - Allegri

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said reports of an injury crisis at the Serie A champions are nonsense.Allegri's home debut at Juventus Stadium against Udinese on Saturday sees him without the services of midfielders Andrea Pirlo (hip) and Arturo Vidal (thigh), while defender Giorgio Chiellini is suspended.

But Allegri said Andrea Barzagli (foot) will join the matchday squad for their home opener, while Alvaro Morata (knee) is also close to a call-up."We have to be clear about injured players. I heard many things without any sense around," Allegri said.

"A few players were previously injured or played in the World Cup, such as Barzagli or Vidal. "Chiellini was suspended so he couldn't play. However, he is training with the team now and Morata will join the team soon. "Regarding Barzagli, the doctors have done a great job and he is going to sit on the bench tomorrow."

Allegri also waved away fears that striker Carlos Tevez was unavailable, after reports spread the Argentine picked up a knock.The coach added veteran Pirlo is close to a return, with midfielder Luca Marrone (thigh) the only player not in training.

"Tevez is OK. He had just a little problem kicking a ball. Pirlo is almost ready. Marrone is the only player that is not fit," he said.

 

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My Manchester United career is over - Cleverley

Tom Cleverley has said his Manchester United career is over, having been told he is not part of Louis van Gaal's plans for the future.The midfielder's contract at Old Trafford is set to expire in the summer, and he believes the boo-boys have played their part in his Red Devils failings.

The 25-year-old joined Paul Lambert's men as he sought first-team football, and says he is happy to be away from the negative atmosphere at Old Trafford."With me being out of contract at the end of the year if I am being honest I don’t think I would play for the club again," he told reporters.

"In modern football it is rare that one player, like Giggsy or Scholesy, plays for one club for their career."If any footballer gets a bit of stick off their own fans they are going to be hurt. Football is a game of opinions and you can’t please everyone."I am happy to get away from some of the negativity. Whenever you are not winning trophies at Man United the players are going to get some stick."

Cleverley also revealed that new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal had told him he was not part of his future plans at Old Trafford."The manager made it fairly clear it wasn’t going to happen for me there," he added.

"Louis van Gaal was always straight with me. I had a fairly good pre-season where we won every game, but he has his own players."

 

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Bayer Leverkusen 3-3 Werder Bremen: Hosts held in six goal thriller

Bayer Leverkusen dropped their first points of the Bundesliga season in an entertaining 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen on Friday.Leverkusen came into the match as the only team to have won their first two fixtures.

However, after going ahead through Tin Jedvaj during a dominant first-half display, the Bundesliga's early leaders saw Bremen wrestle back the advantage through Fin Bartels and Franco Di Santo.

Hakan Calhanoglu and Son Heung-min hit back during the second half to put Leverkusen back in front, but Sebastian Prodl's late strike ensured a share of the spoils for the visitors.Calhanoglu fired a thunderous effort against the crossbar 11 minutes in, before Jedvaj broke the deadlock six minutes later.

Stefan Kiessling found Jedvaj in acres of space, leaving the 18-year-old to smash home his second goal for the club and Leverkusen's 2,000th in the Bundesliga.Kiesling should have doubled his side's advantage moments later, but his reaction shot from a Raphael Wolf parry was weak.It proved to be a frustrating opening half for Leverkusen, despite the goal, as they hit the woodwork on two more occasions and failed to build on their early lead.

And they were punished on the stroke of half-time when Bartels pulled the trigger from 18 yards to find the bottom-right corner.After all their chances in the first half, it looked like Leverkusen might come away empty-handed when Di Santo slipped the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Bernd Leno on the hour mark.

But the home side were back level three minutes later - Calhanoglu curling home a free-kick from just outside the penalty area.The recovery appeared complete 17 minutes from time when Son turned brilliantly on the edge of the box to drill home a left-footed effort.

However, Prodl had the final say - smashing in from close range after a cross from the right had been flicked into his path by Nils Petersen.

 

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Lyon 2-1 Monaco: Visitors' awful start continues

Monaco's poor start to the Ligue 1 season continued as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Lyon on Friday.

Last season's runners-up, who saw star striker Radamel Falcao leave for Manchester United on loan on transfer deadline day, came into the fixture having picked up just four points from their opening four fixtures under new coach Leonardo Jardim.

The league table made bleaker reading for Lyon, who had suffered three defeats after opening with a win, but it was the home side who took the lead through Nabil Fekir on the half-hour mark at Stade de Gerland.Lucas Ocampos pulled the visitors level six minutes before the interval, but Corentin Tolisso's strike in the 73rd minute sealed the three points for Lyon, for whom goalkeeper Anthony Lopes made a number of crucial saves.

Fekir opened the scoring when he beat the offside trap to latch onto the end of a Steed Malbranque pass before drilling a low effort beyond goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.However, that lead only lasted nine minutes.

Geoffrey Kondogbia did well to win back possession deep inside the Lyon half and squared to Ocampos, who sent an effort to the left of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net from 18 yards.Monaco were unable to build on their leveller and Tolisso sparked jubilant scenes among the home supporters when he side-footed home from a Samuel Umtiti pull-back.

The visitors sent stopper Subasic forward for a late free-kick, but it was to no avail as Lyon clung on for the win.

 

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Bielsa: I was right to criticise the president

Marseille head coach Marcelo Bielsa stands by his criticism of club president Vincent Labrune ahead of the pair's meeting on Monday.

The Argentine took the reins at Marseille in the summer, replacing Jose Anigo, who had been in temporary charge since Elie Baup was sacked in December.Bielsa caused controversy earlier this month when he accused Labrune of breaking promises related to the club's transfer activity.

Bielsa and Labrune will hold talks next week, and the boss stood firm in his stance regarding his president."The question is not whether I went too far, as some think, but if what I say is true," he said.

"I saw the press conference and everything was fair and accurate. I had to say what needed to be said."It would have been irresponsible of me to move things forward and then go back."I do not know what will come out of this meeting. I do not aspire to have the power of making decisions [over transfers].

"It would be a misinterpretation of my behaviour, what I want is for the procedures to be clear."Bielsa expressed his displeasure at the signing of Brazilian defender Doria, who joined from Botafago earlier this month, claiming he was not consulted about the transfer.

"I guess if Doria reads the newspaper, he will think I do not consider his qualities as a footballer, but I've never brought it up because I do not know," said Bielsa.
"I objected to his arrival because I was not asked my opinion."