..::Football III::..

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We play better football than Juventus - Nainggolan

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan claims his side play better football than Serie A champions Juventus.The reigning champions lock horns with last season's runners-up on Sunday, with both sides boasting a perfect record in the top flight so far this term.

Nainggolan, however, has turned up the heat on the three-time defending champions by claiming Rudi Garcia's men play a more attractive game."We will face the most successful team in recent years, it will be very difficult," he told Sky Sport Italia ahead of the game.

"We're very competitive and we're going to play our game knowing that the Madrid defeat will give Juventus the desire to redeem themselves."We have the quality to do well. You can see the results of two teams of the same level, but we play the best football. We have fun.

"Playing in our way will make for a good game, we hope to win."

 

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'Cavani won't stay at PSG long-term'

Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jerome Rothen does not believe Edinson Cavani will remain at the club for the long term.

The Uruguay international joined PSG for €64 million from Napoli in July 2013, but has struggled for consistent goalscoring form for the side and has often been deployed out wide in order to accommodate striking star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

While both Cavani and the club were eager to stress his commitment to the Parc des Princes project during the summer, Rothen - who played 180 games for les Parisiens - claims the forward will soon be forced to move on."He can still succeed in Paris, but his performances will be more or less the same. Everything depends on the tactical choices of Laurent Blanc. However, I can't see him staying long-term in Paris," he told Le 10 Sport .

"If he reiterates his desire to leave, the club will not keep him. Especially if he has the same performances as last year - the directors won't necessarily be satisfied."
Rothen believes Cavani could become frustrated as he aims to step out of the shadow of Ibrahimovic - though he does not believe he is of the same standard as the Swede, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

"If Cavani considers himself a star in the team, it could be a concern because, in Paris, it's Zlatan and then the rest. They must deal with Zlatan, who is a player beyond the norm," said the 36-year-old.

"For me, Cavani is not among the great attackers, like Ibra, Messi or Ronaldo. He's a player who needs others and will not decide something with a bit of class, an individual moment."

 

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Messi to appeal decision over tax evasion trial

Lionel Messi has confirmed he will appeal a decision by Spanish prosecutors stating he must stand trial over allegations of tax evasion.

The Barcelona star and his father and agent, Jorge Messi, where accused of defrauding authorities over a tax amount totalling €4.1 million between 2006 and 2009.It is alleged that Messi's image rights were sold by Jorge - who assumed full responsibility when the case began - using companies in countries like Belize and Uruguay to avoid Spanish tax obligations.

A judge at a court in Gava, near Barcelona, determined earlier on Friday that the 27-year-old would have to face trial over the allegations, despite his pleas that he was neither guilty nor fully aware of the suggested impropriety.However, Messi has confirmed his intention to appeal the latest decision.

In a statement, the Argentina captain said: "Through this press release I want to communicate that, after having received the order of the court of Gava this afternoon and following the professional advice of my solicitors, I have decided to appeal against it."

Messi and his father made a voluntary payment of just over €5m - the total alleged amount - last year in an effort to bring the matter to a close, but authorities have opted to pursue the case.

 

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Rodgers: Liverpool have a long way to go

Brendan Rodgers feels his Liverpool side still have much to improve upon if they are to come close to matching last season's achievements after beating West Brom on Saturday.

Goals from Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson saw the Reds beat Alan Irvine's side 2-1, just their third victory of the Premier League season.

Rodgers is encouraged by Liverpool's improvements against West Brom after showing determination to regain their lead and seal the three points after Saido Berahino's penalty had levelled the score after Lallana's opener, and the manager hopes to have a fully fit squad following the international break.

"Performance-wise, we've still got a way to go," he told reporters. "The speed of our game, movement in our game [and] intensity in our game is still developing and improving.

"I'd rather have that now and get better and better as the season goes on, but whilst searching, it is important to find a way to win.

"The players have got remarkable character. It was a very important win for us today, hopefully we'll come back from the international break to what we were at Tottenham with a full squad to pick from."

Rodgers was delighted to see Henderson cap an impressive performance with the decisive goal, citing the former Sunderland man's newfound freedom to break on as crucial.

"We gave him more licence [to get forward]," Rodgers said.

"He's the one player in the country who can dominate the game without the football with his running capacity and his great physicality and today was about getting him forward that bit more.

"That running allows him to offer the combination with Adam for the first goal and the second he arrives in the box and finishes really, really well. It was a big performance from him today.

"He has wonderful physical capacity to run. His size surprises a lot of people, he's got great running ability [and] lovely technique on the ball."

 

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Bayern keep getting better, beams Guardiola

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola was enthused by his side's dominance as they brushed past Hannover 4-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Despite an unbeaten start to their title defence, the Bavarian giants had come in for criticism in recent weeks for not being able to replicate the same level of incisiveness in front of goal as last season.However, Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben each netted twice to wrap up the win, cementing Bayern's place at the top of the Bundesliga.

And the Guardiola could not hide his delight at the result, their seventh straight victory over Hannover, hinting there could be more to come from his side over the next few weeks.

He told the club's official website after the game: "We are obviously pleased with the result.

"Hannover was the third or fourth team that played against us with a five-man midfield, which is not easy."We scored four goals and it could have been more, but the most important thing is that we are getting better with every game. We play more and run less. That's why I'm happy."

One highlight of the game was the performance of winger Robben, who combined well with fellow goalscorer Lewandowski all afternoon at the Allianz Arena.
And the Dutchman echoed his manager's comments, praising his side's attacking exploits.He said: "It was a good game, we played really aggressively forward and they were left with no chance.

"Hannover only wanted to defend, but they couldn't stop us. It's nice to score four goals in front of our fans, and it could have been more."

 

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Van Gaal: Fellaini & Jones not fit to return

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has ruled Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini out of a return for the clash with Everton on Sunday and will hand Paddy McNair another start.

Jones has been tipped to be available for the first time since he suffered a hamstring injury during England's win over Switzerland on September 8, but the Dutch coach says he is not ready to play 90 minutes.

Fellaini, meanwhile, has not played for nearly two months due to ankle ligament damage, with his only appearance this season coming as a substitute in the opening match of the season against Swansea.

Van Gaal told reporters: "It’s difficult to explain. You can be fit but not match fit, that’s a big difference. For example [Ander] Herrera is fit but he cannot play, because of his rib fracture. He’s fit, but he cannot play.

"Fellaini has trained one week but he is not fit to play 90 minutes. We have eight injuries and one red card, so nine players are unavailable to play."

Asked whether Jones would be fit to play, Van Gaal responded: "No. He is the same [as Fellaini].

"We still have three central defenders injured so he [McNair] shall play. He’s the only player who can play in the right central defender position.

"I chose last week and it was more difficult than now, because he played well, good I think. For a player like him it’s very difficult to maintain that level so that is his biggest challenge."

Wayne Rooney will miss the clash with his former club due to the three-match suspension that follows his red card against West Ham, but Van Gaal refused to reveal who would replace him as captain.

"I shall miss him [Rooney] because he is the captain of the team but also Juan Mata can play very well," he added. "You shall see [who will be captain]. I have told the players but Sunday you shall see it."

A late Bryan Oviedo strike handed Everton victory by a single goal in this fixture last season and Van Gaal expects Roberto Martinez's side to pose a threat on the counterattack once again.

"I hope we can dominate the game but they want to dominate the game also, and they are more allowed to play on the counterattack than we are," he said.

 

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Ronaldo returns for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo returns for Portugal in Fernando Santos's first squad as head coach.The Real Madrid star was omitted by Paulo Bento for Portugal's Euro 2016 qualifying opener against Albania last month due to concerns over his fitness.

However, Bento paid the price for losing that encounter 1-0 and has since been replaced as head coach by former Greece boss Santos.Santos has subsequently recalled Ronaldo, who has started the Liga season in sensational form - scoring 10 goals in just five league appearances.

Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma also returns to the international fold after missing out on the World Cup, as Portugal face France in a friendly on October 11 before attempting to kick-start their Group I campaign in Denmark.

Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte could make his debut after Santos rewarded his fine start to the season with a call-up, while Atletico Madrid's Tiago comes out of international retirement to feature.Monaco's veteran defender Ricardo Carvalho returns, too - the 36-year-old has not play for Portugal in more than three years.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Beto (Sevilla), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)

Defenders: Vitorino Antunes (Malaga), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Eliseu (Benfica), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ivo Pinto (Dinamo Zagreb), Cedric Soares (Sporting Lisbon).

Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), Andre Gomes (Valencia), Joao Mario (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Adrien Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Tiago (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Danny (Zenit), Eder (Braga), Nani (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Ricardo Quaresma (Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)

 

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Redknapp: Criticism of Ferdinand's QPR displays not fair

Harry Redknapp does not agree with criticism levelled at defender Rio Ferdinand following a mixed start to his time at QPR.

Ferdinand has been highlighted as a weak link by some following his move from Manchester United, with the R's conceding 13 goals in the top-flight.

Redknapp feels a lack of continuity in his starting XI has hindered his defence from gelling, with the squad suffering from a spate of injuries.

Asked if he agreed with some of the comments on Ferdinand's form, he said: "No, I don't think it's fair.

"We've been a bit open and I think teams have got at our back four a bit easily but it's been difficult because I've brought in some midfielders to the club and they've never been fit.

"I've got no problems with Rio, none whatsoever. It's been difficult for everyone because no-one's been fit. Sandro is a top player but I've not seen him fit, [Jordon] Mutch has been injured.

"Leroy Fer is getting close to top gear, Joey Barton's been injured for weeks. We've not had the chance to have a settled team."

Adel Taarabt is another of Redknapp's side to see his playing time limited this term, with the Moroccan only making one start and substitute appearance in all competitions due to an ankle injury.

The attacking midfielder spent time on loan at Milan last season but Redknapp does not believe the Italian giants have retained their interest in the player.

Asked whether Milan were keen to sign Taarabt, Redknapp explained: "They don't seem to be no. The first thing he needs to do is to get fit and start playing football here. We want Adel to be fit to play for QPR.

"I don't know whether he's got the green light to leave in January, he had the green light to leave in the summer but Milan didn't come in for him. He's always had the green light if someone wants to pay."

 

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Kaka handed Brazil recall

Kaka could make his first Brazil appearance in over 18 months after being called up by Dunga for the upcoming tour of Asia.

The Orlando City star, who is currently on loan at Sao Paulo, will replace Cruzeiro's Ricardo Goulart in the party for the Superclassico das Americas meeting with Argentina in Beijing on October 11 and the clash with Japan in Singapore three days later.

Should Kaka play in either game it will be first cap for his country since March 25, 2013 when he took part in a 1-1 friendly draw against Russia. The 32-year-old was overlooked for the World Cup by former Selecao boss Luiz Felipe Scolari after a disappointing second spell at AC Milan.However, his selection has not been well-received by Sao Paulo, with the player now set to miss at least one game in the domestic league.

“We’re happy for him, but it’s a shame that this is all a mess, because the CBF will not stop the league [during the FIFA window]. It is bad for us to lose a key player in such an important moment,” Ataide Gil Guerreiro, a Sao Paulo FC executive, told ESPN Brazil.

 

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Simeone proud of Atletico despite Valencia defeat

Diego Simeone maintains he was proud of his Atletico Madrid players, despite watching them slump to their first Liga defeat of the season against Valencia.

Atleti endured a disastrous start at the Mestalla on Saturday, as a Miranda own goal, a fine solo effort from Andre Gomes and a header by Nicolas Otamendi put Valencia 3-0 up after just 13 minutes.

Despite Guilherme Siqueira missing a penalty, Atletico battled to find a response and got on the scoresheet through Mario Mandzukic, though they could not ultimately claw back the deficit.

Despite the calamitous opening few minutes, Simeone was adamant that his players could not have given any more."Valencia started strong, we made mistakes we normally wouldn't make and they took advantage. After then, Atleti played a very good game," he said.

"I'm happy with the team's work. We had those 10 minutes that dealt a lot of damage, but I'm proud of what they did. There are times when you lose when giving everything on the pitch."Atletico lost with hard work, courage, persistent running. They [Valencia] don't have Europe, and with the squad they have, they'll have to do very badly not to finish third or fourth."

Simeone was also insistent that referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes had a good game at Mestalla and was light-hearted when he acknowledged he may have to take Siqueira off penalty duties."[The referee] worked very well - he gave a penalty that was difficult to see and he didn't make a significant mistake," he said.

"Mandzukic is the striker, but I asked Siqueira. He's missed two penalties in his career and both for Atletico, so it might be difficult to ask him to again!"

 

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Danata top form inna player kenek

Age 1ka wadi unath mechchara hodata perform karana player kenekuta national squad 1ken impress karanna chance 1kak denne naha kiyanne nam wadak nahamatanam 100% sure Italy squad 1kata Totti wa gatthoth Balotelli ta wada deyak karai aniwa

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AC Milan 2-0 Chievo: Muntari and Honda secure the win for Rossoneri

Sulley Muntari and Keisuke Honda helped AC Milan to a 2-0 victory over Chievo at San Siro as the hosts ended their winless Serie A run.Having made a flying start to their campaign, Milan's loss to champions Juventus preceded two surprise draws on the road against Empoli and Cesena.

However, Filippo Inzaghi's side got back to winning ways on Saturday with a hard-fought victory over Chievo courtesy of Muntari's second-half volley and a well-struck Honda free-kick.

After a first half of few chances, it took Milan just 10 minutes of the second period to move ahead - with Muntari scoring his second goal of the campaign.
The Ghana international struck a volleyed effort from distance into the ground, which looped up and over helpless Chievo goalkeeper Francesco Bardi to end the resistance of the visiting defence.

Eugenio Corini, whose side are without a win since beating Napoli in mid-September, saw any hopes of a draw ended when Japan international Honda fired home 12 minutes from time.Honda's fourth goal from just six games extended Milan's unbeaten run against the Verona club to 16 contests, while the defence held on for a first clean sheet under former striker Inzaghi.

Jeremy Menez started despite fears over a knee injury and was the hosts main attacking outlet, firing wide from the edge of the area early on before Maxi Lopez saw appeals for a penalty waved away when he tangled with Alex in the hosts' area.

Fernando Torres was next to go close, with the Chelsea loanee's effort diverted marginally off target by team-mate Giacomo Bonaventura after 17 minutes.However, in a game littered with fouls early on, chances were few and far between in a scrappy affair.

Milan had a penalty shout turned down when Menez's cross kicked up off Isaac Cofie's boot and appeared to hit the Ghanaian on the hand.The hosts' best chances came following a quick corner that saw Menez thwarted by Bardi before Torres blazed wide following a goalmouth scramble.And Menez continued to prove Milan's source of inspiration after the interval, whipping in a dangerous delivery that Honda failed to connect with.

However, the hosts' pressure paid off 10 minutes after the break when Muntari hit a volley from distance and saw his strike into the ground loop over Bardi and in.
Honda again wasted a golden opportunity soon after when he failed to connect with Ignazio Abate's cushioned delivery before Muntari almost undid his good work as he lost possession cheaply to Dejan Lazarevic.The substitute misplaced the final ball, letting Milan off the hook when Chievo had been three on one.

With Chievo having wasted their best chance to leave San Siro with a point, Honda put the game beyond them with a dipping free-kick that Bardi failed to keep out.

 

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Balotelli misses out on Italy squad but Pelle gets first call-up

Mario Balotelli has once again been omitted from Italy's national squad but Southampton's Graziano Pelle has received his first call-up.

The Liverpool forward was not named in Antonio Conte's first squad at the end of August, although he was suspended for Italy’s opening Euro 2016 qualifying fixture against Norway after receiving two yellow cards during the World Cup.

Balotelli has struggled for form following his €20 million arrival from AC Milan in the summer and has found the net only once in seven appearances for Liverpool this term.

Pelle, a summer signing from Feyenoord, has scored five goals in eight games for the Saints and the 29-year-old has been rewarded with the chance to make his debut at senior level for his national side.

Italy are top of their qualifying group after beating Norway 2-0 and travel to Azerbaijan on October 10 before facing another away tie against Malta three days later.

Italy squad in full...

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain)

Defenders: Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Ogbonna (Juventus), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter), Rugani (Empoli),

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Bonaventura (Milan), Candreva (Lazio), Florenzi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Parolo (Lazio), Poli (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)

Strikers: Destro (Roma), Giovinco (Juventus), Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), Osvaldo (Inter), Pellè (Southampton), Zaza (Sassuolo)

 

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Yaya Toure form doesn't worry me - Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says he never doubted the quality of midfielder Yaya Toure after a slow start to the season and a summer filled with rumours about his future.

Toure, who alongside his agent had hinted he would leave the club during the transfer window, had been criticised for some of his performances in the opening weeks of the current campaign, particularly following the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The Ivorian scored the opening goal of his side's 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday evening, and Pellegrini says he retains full faith in the midfielder, who has also been grieving following the death of his brother.

"Yaya last season also played good games, some bad games, he scored so many goals that people talked about that. He knows the most important thing is that he must improve every game and I don't have any concerns about him," he told reporters.

"He is one of the best midfielders, without any doubt, he can have better games or not so good games, but he is a very important midfielder, but I never have any doubts about his performance.

"[The issue in the summer] was a misunderstanding of words, it's not important. Maybe [he struggled] with personal problems but he didn't have any problem with the club. He has a lot of different things in his private life but he didn't want to go anywhere."

The Chilean also dismissed the suggestion that Toure was more effective as part of a midfield three once Fernando had been introduced for striker Edin Dzeko.

"We played exactly the same way with two or three in the middle," he continued. "We had so many chances, we were unlucky we didn't score, but in the 90 minutes of the game, the team played very well."

 

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Luis Enrique: Winning is more important than records

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique says winning is more important to him than breaking records.

The Catalan giants became the first Spanish team in history to not concede in their first seven league games on Saturday, beating Rayo Vallecano 2-0 away.But the 44-year-old says getting the three points was the only thing he was interested in."It was a difficult game from the start, but I'm happy," the former midfielder told reporters.

"Seven games without conceding? The win is more important than records."The only stats I'm interested in are those at the end of the season," he added.Blaugrana goalkeeper Claudio Bravio, meanwhile, echoed his coach's sentiments.

"The important thing is to win and try to be calm," said the shot-stopper."We have got so much happiness today after a few days off after the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

"It's uncomfortable to play against Rayo, they are very intense [and] have a small pitch... We're very happy, we think the whole team did well."I'm very happy for the win... and the record," he added.

 

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Hamsik is happy at Napoli, says agent

Napoli star Marek Hamsik is happy at the club and has no plans to leave, according to his agent.

The attacking midfielder said on Thursday that he thought he had been treated too harshly at the start of the season, after scoring his first goal of the season against former team Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League.The Slovakia international had received criticism from fans and the media for his performances prior to that fixture

But the 27-year-old's representative has now moved to assure Napoli fans of his client's commitment to the club."He is a player who could be sold if he wanted, but he is fine at Napoli," Juraj Venglos told Sky.

"If one day he changes his mind we will see what to do, but for now Hamsik is happy at Napoli," he added.

 

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Kaka: Brazil should emulate Germany

Brazil should emulate Germany by planning for success in the long-term, according to Kaka.

Joachim Low's men beat the Selecao 7-1 in this summer's World Cup in the South American side's home tournament - the heaviest semi-final defeat in the competition's history.And Kaka, who was recalled into his country's national team on Friday for the first time since 2013, believes his nation can learn from the world champions.

"Brazilian football is very competitive, but what’s lacking is a little bit of organisation, planning and the implementing of that planning, and not just in terms of results but the long-term benefits too," the 32-year-old told FIFA.com."It might be the case that we don’t get the results people expect over the next couple of years but in the long term it pays off.

"And that’s where Germany are a model for us to follow because they’ve been planning since 2006, when they hosted the World Cup, and they reaped the rewards in 2014."It didn’t happen just like that. They made plans, put them into practice and got the rewards."

The former AC Milan and Real Madrid star also gave his thoughts on Brazil coach Dunga, appointed after Luiz Felipe Scolari's departure following the World Cup.

"Dunga is a coach who can get players to buy into what he’s doing," he continued."He always manages to get the message about commitment across. Even with the fans he’s come in and done a rescue job and got them a little bit more involved again.

"Once again, I think Dunga could be the guy that rescues the situation and gets people committed."

 

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'I am not a machine' - Yaya Toure hits back at critics

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has reacted to criticism of his recent performances, and has insisted that he is only a man and not a machine.

The Ivory Coast international again struggled to make an impact for the Blues against Aston Villa before scoring a fine solo effort to break the deadlock in the 82nd minute.

And though Toure admitted he understands that he will be scrutinised, he feels as if he has been performing to the best of his abilities.

"For me, I'm keeping going. I've been playing for top sides in Europe and I knew about this criticism. I just do my best and try to help the team win again," he told Sky Sports.

"It's not so easy because you have to play every three days and people have to understand I'm not a machine; I am a man. But I have to keep going because all my team-mates keeps going around me."

City's 2-0 at Villa Park win saw them move to second-place in the Premier League table behind Chelsea and helped put to bed some of the concerns fans had after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Roma in midweek.

And Toure revealed it had been difficult to bounce back from their European disappointment and secure all three points on the domestic front.

"I think today was a great win because we played against a great team. In the first half it was quite difficult for us but in the second half we did the job. It's a fantastic win.

"After the draw against Roma on Tuesday it was quite difficult for us to come back.

"Full credit to Aston Villa, they played very well in defence but in the second half we did the job."