..::Football III::..

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Garcia: I can't wait to play Bayern


Roma coach Rudi Garcia and striker Mattia Destro both say they cannot wait to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Garcia's side neat Chievo 3-0 on Saturday, scoring all of their goals in the opening 33 minutes, and the French coach immediately turned his attention to the upcoming Champions League after the win.

Roma sit second in Group A of the Champions League, two points behind Bayern, with Garcia's men needing at least a draw against the Bavarians on Tuesday to ensure they stay ahead of third-placed Manchester City.

"Bayern are very strong and I really can't wait to play this game, as the Stadio Olimpico atmosphere will be fantastic," Garcia told Sky Sport Italia.

"I was one of those who knew Pep Guardiola hadn't chosen an easy challenge at Bayern Munich. He has done and will continue to do very well there."I heard people say the coach isn't what makes Barcelona play well but instead Guardiola is proving he makes his teams play well."Destro, who scored Roma's opening goal in the fourth minute on Saturday, agreed it will be a fascinating contest.

Roma started their continental campaign with a 5-1 demolition of CSKA Moscow before claiming an impressive 1-1 draw at City, but they will be keen to prove themselves against quality opposition again after their 3-2 loss away to three-time defending champions Juventus earlier this month.

"It will be a wonderful match and we'll be in front of our own fans, so we can't wait," the Italian striker said.Destro gave Roma an early lead with a strong header from a corner before Adam Ljajic smashed in a second goal in the 25th minute.

Francesco Totti scored the home side's third goal from the spot just after the half-hour mark and although Roma appeared to slow down in the second half, with the captain and Miralem Pjanic coming off with over 20 minutes left, Garcia insisted his team stayed in control.

"We didn't rest but we did control the second half," he said."We have injured players and scored three goals early on, so now we can concentrate on the Champions League.

"I trust my players 100 per cent and the quality was clear tonight. The team gave its response [to the Juventus loss] on the field, which is always the best answer."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.10.20 Fixture

Barclays Premier League 2014.10.20 Fixture

WBA Vs Manchester United

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Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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La Liga 2014.10.20 Fixture

La Liga 2014.10.20 Fixture

Real Sociedad Vs Getafe​

 

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Serie A 2014.10.20 Fixture

Serie A 2014.10.20 Fixture

Genoa Vs Empoli​

 

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De Rossi: Roma play better in the Champions League

Daniele De Rossi is optimistic about Roma's chances against Bayern Munich in Tuesday's Champions League encounter and has little doubt the Serie A side will survive the group stages.

Rudi Garcia's men sit second in Group E after a 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow and a draw away to Manchester City and De Rossi feels they are in good shape to progress to the next round."I'm sure we can go through. I've seen enough from our play and how we approached the first two games," the midfielder said at a press conference.

"The atmosphere of the Champions League always sends a shiver down your spine, it's the biggest competition there is."Roma have always played good football in the Champions League, sometimes better than in Serie A.

"Our ambitions have changed since our last meeting with Bayern. That's down to our performances last season. If we play like we can and take the game to them, we'll make the fans proud. We're not looking to draw the match."We're at our best when we play with a smile on our faces. We'll go out there to win, we've got some experienced players."

Roma recorded a 3-2 win over Bayern the last time they met at the Stadio Olimpico in November 2010.

 

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Manchester City not as good as Bayern, insists Musa

Ahmed Musa is confident CSKA Moscow can get a good result in Tuesday's Champions League match against Manchester City as he feels the Premier League outfit are not as good as Bayern Munich.

CSKA were beaten 1-0 by Bayern on matchday two after a heavy loss to Roma in their opening Group B game, but Musa is optimistic about their chances against City.

"For me, Manchester City are a weaker side than Bayern. They are not as strong as they were a year ago, and we can exploit that," the Nigeria international said at a press conference."We have quick, experienced players and we can have a great match. I think we will get a result. Tuesday is our last chance to qualify for the next phase of the Champions League, and a big league win against Kuban [6-0] has left us feeling positive.

"We know Manchester City did not win their last two group stage games. We know their weaknesses - that their defence is not so strong - and we will do our best to win. We know them from last year and have studied them well, and we will do all we can to get a result."

CSKA were beaten 2-1 at home against City last term, before recording a 5-2 defeat in Manchester.

 

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Costa ruled out of Chelsea - Maribor clash

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has ruled Diego Costa out of the club's Champions League group game against Maribor on Tuesday.

The Spain international missed his first Premier League match on Saturday as the Blues triumphed 2-1 at Crystal Palace to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table.

Costa featured twice for Vicente del Bosque's team during the international break and although he scored against Luxembourg, doubts surfaced over his fitness.

And Mourinho explained to reporters: "It's the same problem that he [Diego Costa] is having. Now an injury, not almost an injury. He's not training because he's not in condition to do it.

"Tomorrow he can't play. Let's see what happens next weekend [against Manchester United] but what matters is tomorrow and tomorrow he can't play."

The Blues are also without John Obi Mikel, Ramires and Andre Schurrle for their Group G game and, when pressed further on Spain's treatment of Costa, Mourinho revealed his frustration with the selfishness of some national team coaches.

"There are no rules, no laws to protect [the clubs]," he added. "It's just down to the mentality of the national team coaches. It is up to them to take good care of the players or to work in a selfish way.

"I’m not the guy to tell the players not to go, I don’t tell them to pretend they have problems. I stimulate them to go, I like them to go. We like our players to play in the big competitions so we’re always positive about our players going.

"After that you have national coaches and medical coaches who want to establish a relationship and they want to know and some others simply don't care. This is something we can’t resolve. It’s something that is out of our hands.

"I had in my career a few of them in permanent contact with me. I had managers with very open communication, and I had others who year after year I don’t have one single text or call from them.

"If one day I become national coach - I hope in 20 years time - I will do it my way, and with so many years this side of the situation, I will have good conditions to be good for the clubs and take good care of the players and the clubs.

"It hurts. You are not happy when you give players in good conditions and you receive them in bad conditions."

 

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Atletico don't have a Messi or Ronaldo, says Turan

Arda Turan has admitted that Atletico Madrid do not always play "pretty football", but has stressed that they have no other option if they want to be successful as they don't have any players with the individual quality of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

The reigning Spanish champions have been criticised for their aggressive style of play, but Turan is not impressed and has made it clear that winning is all that matters for Diego Simeone's men.

"Our football might not be pretty, but it’s winning football. Sometimes, the teams playing the nicest football don’t win games or titles," Arda told Fifa's official website.

"Certainly there are times when we’d like to have more of the ball, but we don’t have Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi in our side, so we have to be a real team and work hard.

"We need to defend more than Madrid or Barcelona, but that style has made us champions.

"I respect everyone’s right to an opinion, and I too enjoy the football played by the likes of Barca or Bayern Munich. However, I prefer our own style more."The Turkey international then went on to hail Simeone's role in Atletico's recent success.

"When Simeone came in, the first thing he said to us was: ‘If we stop the opposition from scoring and get a goal ourselves, then we’ll win.’"The key thing was not to concede goals, which meant the team had to stay compact and defend as a unit. Our recipe is: work and more work.

"Each game is like a final and we have to focus on every opponent. Barça and Madrid have more money and more quality than us, but with our mentality of taking it ‘game by game’ and playing for each other we can compete with them."

 

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Roma clash is vital for Bayern, insists Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso feels Tuesday's Champions League against Roma will be vital for Bayern Munich's chances of reaching the knockout stages, but has warned that Rudi Garcia's men should not be underestimated.

Bayern currently top Group E with six points from two games and Alonso believes victory at the Stadio Olimpico would see them take a major step toward the next round.

"You could see last season that Roma have taken a step up – they are playing great stuff," the Spaniard told Uefa's official website."We faced them in a pre-season friendly with Madrid, so I know how they play."They are definitely going to be challenging for the Scudetto, and they want to reach the next stage in the Champions League.

"So for us, the one in Rome – the first one – is a vital game, because we have got six points from the first two games and we are in a good position."The influential midfielder then went on to stress that it's hard to single out one team as the favourites to win the Champions League as there are several candidates that can go all the way.

"Favourites? Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, ourselves… Dortmund are always a tricky club to play against. So I respect lots of clubs; Paris Saint Germain as well. It's quite open."

 

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Real Madrid confirm Bale injury

Real Madrid have confirmed Gareth Bale has suffered a hip injury, placing him in doubt for this week's Champions League match versus Liverpool and the Liga game against Barcelona at the weekend.Bale was left on the bench during Madrid 's 5-0 win over Levante on Saturday and he now looks set for a spell on the sidelines.

"After Gareth Bale was tested by Real Madrid's Sanitas health services, he has been diagnosed with an injury in the right piriformis muscle," a club statement read.

Bale has developed into a key figure at Madrid since joining the Santiago Bernabeu side from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2013.

The Welshman netted 22 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions last term, including one in the 4-1 Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid in Lisbon.He has scored five goals in 12 games so far in 2014-15.

The expected absence of Bale against Liverpool and Barcelona means Isco is likely to get the nod again in Madrid's next two games. The ex-Malaga man featured from the start against Levante at the weekend, scoring once and setting up another.

 

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Get well soon Bale!​

 

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Sunderland keeper Mannone to reimburse fans for Southampton disaster

Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone wants to reimburse fans who travelled to Southampton to watch their side be thrashed 8-0 on Saturday.

Gus Poyet's side offered some disastrous defending while the hosts ran riot - contributing two embarrassing own goals - and now sit just one point above the relegation zone having recorded only one win all season.

Mannone now intends to co-ordinate a refund among his team-mates for those Sunderland supporters who travelled the length of the country to come to the game, believed to be around 2,500.

"I will personally talk to the team to see if it is possible to pay for their tickets and their trip," the Italian told reporters.

"It is difficult for us but it's very difficult for them as well. It is a difficult moment. We will go through it during the week. We will have time.

"The Premier League is really difficult. We have a tough game again at home so there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We need to react.

"I really mean that we should pay their tickets and travel. I will do everything possible. We should do it because we didn't put our foot [down], we didn't work hard.

"They are special fans," Mannone continued. "We are really lucky to be at this club and have these fans.

"If it was me, I would probably not react in the same way. I can only be proud to wear this shirt. I need to do my best and each of us in the team should do our best to make them feel proud of this club and not have 8-0 defeats."

 

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Rodgers: I want to coach in Spain after Liverpool

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed his ambition to one day coach in Spain.

The Reds boss spent time in the country to learn and observe during his managerial education and is keen to go back once he has done everything that he wants to do at Anfield.

Rodgers is adamant that he could happily stay at Liverpool for "another 20-odd years" but would like to broaden his horizons eventually.

Asked by AS where he seems himself in five years, the Northern Irishman replied: "I don't know ... I hope one day to work in Spain.

"I've studied Spanish but I need to improve. I'll probably improve when I work in the country one day. For most people, when they travel to a country their language becomes better. I speak to the Spanish players that we have in Spanish.

"I'm only 41, which is very young, and there are lots of things I want to achieve here at Liverpool. It's an incredible club and I hope to be managing here for another 20-odd years.

"One day, hopefully, it can take me to Spain and I can experience a wonderful country, culture and, as I said, some wonderful football club.

"I spent a lot of time in Spain and Holland," Rodgers added. "I was enthused by clubs that had the link and the association from the base through to the top. I also love the Spanish way of football, the domination and control of the ball.

"I spent a lot of time travelling, went to various clubs. I spent time in Sevilla looking at the club's development of young players and to Barcelona, Valencia and obviously to Madrid.

"Those were the main clubs that I went to look at and then, of course, going to lots of games. I enjoy going out to Villareal, a beautiful little place, wonderful club that has done really great for a number of years now."

 

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Manolas: I rejected Juve & Arsenal for Roma

Konstantinos Manolas has claimed that he turned down offers from Arsenal and Juventus this summer in favour of a move to Roma.The Greece international moved to Stadio Olimpico from Olympiacos for an initial €13million, with a possible further €2m due if he reaches certain milestones.

The 23-year-old was hot property after impressing at the World Cup and he admits Juve and Arsenal were both options for him as well, but he is content with the decision he made."It's true, Juventus sought me out after the World Cup. I could also have ended up at Arsenal," he told Il Tempo. "But I never went to London as it was reported."Now for me there is only Roma. I'm very happy to have come here."

An impressive second-placed finish last term helped Roma secure Champions League football and they have started their European campaign with four points from matches against CSKA Moscow and Manchester City.Next up in Group E is Tuesday's encounter with German champions Bayern Munich and Manolas is confident of clinching top spot as he believes there is no limit to the success Roma can enjoy in the tournament.

"It will be a difficult match against one of the best teams in Europe," he continued. "I do not know how it will end against Bayern, but it will be a challenge not to be missed."There are no limits [to what we can achieve in the Champions League], we want to get as far as possible. We are also able to win the group, why not..."

Manolas has made six Serie A appearances for Roma so far, who sit just one point adrift of leaders Juventus after seven matches.

 

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Neuer: Bremen thrashing the perfect warm-up for Roma

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer believes this weekend's 6-0 Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen was the perfect warm-up for Tuesday's Champions League game away against Roma.Two goals apiece from Philipp Lahm, Mario Gotze and one each from Thomas Muller and Xabi Alonso helped the Bavarians to a comfortable win on Saturday and Neuer is confident they will be ready for the Serie A outfit.

"We were first class and it was a perfect warm-up for Roma," Neuer was quoted as saying on the official Bayern website.Nevertheless, the Germany international has warned his team-mates that the Stadio Olimpico outfit will not be pushovers and has stressed they cannot afford to lose focus in defence.

"Winning at their place will be tough."We'll need another strong defensive display in order to bag the full three points."Bayern currently sit atop of Group E with six points from two games, while Roma follow in second place on four points.

Both sides last met in 2010-11, when the German champions recorded a 2-0 home-win, but were beaten 3-2 at the Olimpico.

 

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Mata in love with the Premier League

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata says that he has "fallen in love" with the Premier League and life in England, which he feels is a lot calmer than in Spain.

The 26-year-old left Valencia for Chelsea in 2011 before moving to Old Trafford in January after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge.

Despite being a firm favourite at United, Mata's future has come under scrutiny following their summer spending spree but he remains happy where he is.

"You fall in love with the Premier League. I always liked English football, the pitches," he told El Pais.

"I also like the British culture, the English style, the music and fashion, the style that there is. For the player, life here is much more calm."

Mata has also spoken of his admiration for some of his team-mates at Manchester United and says that one youngster in particular has surprised him.

"[Radamel Falcao] is a great person, very humble, and a goalscorer of the absolute top level," he added. "It's impressive how he moves in the area, how he is always looking for the loose ball. It's pure instinct. He had a big injury but he's already recovered.

"I have very good team-mates, like [Wayne] Rooney, but [Adnan] Januzaj surprised me a lot. He's so good. You see him every day and he has a brilliant left foot. He must be patient; if he is, we will be talking about an extraordinary player."

The Spain international has also been impressed by new Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal, adoring the Dutchman's philosophy.

"He has so much experience and I can learn a lot from him. He's tough when he has to be," Mata explained.

"He says things in a firm way, intensely, but then he's somebody who is very close with the players. He really likes to talk with us, to ask us what we think about the exercises that we do in training.

"I love what he proposes and the idea of football that he has. For me it's more important to be a good person than a good player or manager and he is. He's an honest man."

 

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Mata Manchester United ma inna oneLast season 1keth De Gea ta passe hodama player

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Indian footballer dies from fall after back-flip goal celebration


An amateur footballer in India died on Oct. 19 from injuries sustained performing a back-flip while celebrating a goal he scored during a match five days earlier.

Peter Biaksangzuala, a defensive midfielder for Bethlehem Vengthlang FC -- which plays in the Mizoram Premier League (MPL), the elite amateur league of the small North Eastern Indian province of Mizoram -- was 23 years old.

In the 62nd minute of the MPL game against Chanmari West FC, Biaksangzuala scored a header and leapt into a series of celebratory back-flips. However, he landed badly and was immediately surrounded by concerned teammates and officials.

Biaksangzuala was rushed to a nearby hospital, wherein a CT scan revealed that he had damaged his spinal cord. He was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he was pronounced dead on Sunday.

The Mizoram Premier League's announced the news via a lengthy statement on its official Facebook page."Bethlehem Vengthlang FC midfielder Peter Biaksangzuala lost his fight for survival after he suffered a fatal injury while celebrating his goal, the statement read.

"It has been a sad day for Mizoram football and the demise of the footballer shook his teammates, footballers and fans alike all over Mizoram. "Peter was a defensive midfielder who had always been aggressive and hard working, a true team player. Like most defensive midfielders, he was excellent at reading the game, breaking up attacks and protecting his defenders."Peter's club Bethlehem Vengthlang FC will retire his jersey no. 21."

Bethlehem Vengthlang coach Danny Lalduhawma added: "Peter was a lad with good manner who always maintained his discipline on and off the pitch. I don't think there are many like him."

 

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R.I.P