..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola: I won't coach Barca again

Pep Guardiola says he will never coach Barcelona again after insisting his cycle at the club is well and truly over.

The Bayern Munich boss spent four trophy-laden years in charge at Camp Nou, creating one of the greatest sides the game has ever seen and winning the Champions League twice and La Liga three times between 2008 and 2012.

After a 12-month sabbatical from football, Guardiola was appointed Bayern boss in 2013, though it has often been suggested in the media that he could one day return to Barcelona for a second spell in charge.

But while the 43-year-old admits he expects to return to Catalonia to live with his wife one day, he says the prospect of him ever becoming Barca's coach again is a remote one."In principle I won't coach Barca again. I think that there are cycles in life and that mine [at Barca] finished," he told Mundo Deportivo.

"My wife has her work here [in Barcelona] and the idea is to come back and live here. But I don't know when that will be."The late Tito Vilanova took over following Guardiola's departure and lifted the title in his sole season in charge, before Gerardo Martino's ill-fated reign last season saw the club end the season trophy-less.

Luis Enrique has since been installed as coach, but his early days at Camp Nou have seen him oversee defeats to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dzeko out with 'very serious injury'

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is set for a spell on the sidelines with a "serious" thigh injury according to Bosnia-Herzegovina's team doctor Reuf Karaberg.

Dzeko lasted just four minutes as a second-half substitute at QPR in the Premier League on Saturday before picking up the problem and making way for Frank Lampard.

The striker still flew out to his homeland to report for duty ahead of his country's Euro 2016 qualifier away to Israel on Sunday but has been diagnosed with a ruptured adductor in his right thigh - an injury that generally requires a recovery period of anything between two to six weeks.Karaberg told the Bosnian FA's website: "The injury is very serious and requires some recovery time, which, unfortunately, is in conflict with the possibility of a rapid return to the field."

Safet Susic has already been shorn of Stuttgart striker Vedad Ibisevic, leaving him with no recognised spearheads in his squad, and the Bosnia coach has written off his side's hopes of securing all three points at the weekend,
"If Dzeko can't play we will be resigned to playing for a draw against Israel because we have no hope of winning without him," Susic told Bosnia’s FENA news agency.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Xavi backs 'winner' Luis Enrique

Barcelona captain Xavi says the club are on the right track under Luis Enrique - despite their indifferent form in recent weeks.

After eight rounds without conceding a single goal in La Liga, Barca lost back-to-back Primera Division games to Real Madrid and Celta Vigo recently, before struggling to beat Almeria 2-1 on Saturday in a performance described by Luis Enrique as "our worst performance of the season" so far.

Xavi, so impressive in the midweek win over Ajax, was back on the bench for that one but was called upon in the second half along with Luis Suarez and Neymar as Barca sought to overturn Thievy's first-half strike.

The victory saved Barca's blushes in the end, but the nature of the team's display raised further question marks about their future under Luis Enrique.

"We would all like to see the team's best version every game and as soon as possible," Xavi said at a press conference at Camp Nou on Monday. "There is always criticism. Perhaps on Saturday we didn't see an excellent Barca, but we are humble enough to be self-critical. We are on the right track."

Xavi, who played alongside Luis Enrique at Barca until the latter's retirement in 2004, backed his former team-mate to be successful at the Catalan club.

"Luis Enrique's trademark is playing well and winning," he said. "That's the same philosophy we have here at Barca. The style [of play] is the same, with just a few adjustments. The philosophy hasn't changed."

And on his own restricted role this season, he said: "Luis Enrique is honest, he talks face-to-face and he hasn't tricked me. I always want to play every minute but I'm happy, I feel useful. I have never thought about leaving."

Xavi was speaking at an event to announce that his football campus (usually held in Girona) will be travelling to Egypt in December for a five-day training programme with 500 local youngsters.

"It's a fantastic opportunity and an honour that the people of Egypt thought of us," he said. "The idea is to transfer the values I have learned here at Barca to Egypt. I can't wait to visit Egypt and meet all the kids participating in the camp."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Falcao slams 'lies' about injured knee

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has denied reports that he has had to ice his left knee after every training session and match in order to maintain fitness.

The Colombian spent several months out injured and missed the World Cup this summer after suffering cruciate ligament damage while playing for Monaco in January.

Reports claimed icing the knee was now necessary to avoid incurring further damage but Falcao posted a message on Twitter that condemns "speculation" and "lies".

"One fool speculates. A few others lacking objectivity respond and millions believe lies," the forward wrote.

"It is disastrous what a few fools can do."

United have already shaken hands on a deal with Monaco to sign Falcao permanently for €55 million at the end of the season.

The move would require the Red Devils to be satisfied with his fitness, as well as his performances, but both sides are confident that it will go through.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo: I'm in the best form of my life

Cristiano Ronaldo claims he is in the best form of his life after a blistering start to the season.

The 29-year-old has scored 23 times in 17 games this term as Real Madrid have romped to the top of La Liga and already reached the last 16 of the Champions League.

Having enjoyed a stellar 2014 - blighted only by a World Cup group stage exit with Portugal - the Champions League winner and Copa del Rey victor was humble about his record-breaking efforts.

"Perhaps this is the best form I’ve ever been in but every year I try to improve on the previous one," he told reporters as he picked up Marca's Pichichi award for top goalscorer and the Alfredo Di Stefano award for best player in 2013-14."There will come a time when I cannot improve but I will at least be able to step up in terms of my figures. My statistics, in goals and assists, aren’t so bad.

"I want to keep learning and working hard in the same way I have been doing up until now."

Ronaldo is favourite to beat the likes of Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, and Netherlands and Bayern winger Arjen Robben to this year's Ballon d'Or award in January, which would see him claim the accolade for the third time in his career.

"Winning an award for a second or third time is always good," the Seleccao skipper added. "My objective is always to win collectively, with the team, but also individually."I work very hard to be able to reach the level needed to win every kind of trophy. Playing football is what I enjoy and I will never tire of winning things."

Ronaldo has been selected in Portugal's squad to face Armenia in Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier before they clash with Argentina - and Messi - in a friendly at Old Trafford on November 18.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Special' team spirit propelling high-flying Southampton - Forster

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster ascribes his side's success this season to the "special" team spirit within the squad.

The England international was one of eight new signings at the club during the close season as new boss Ronald Koeman built a new-look squad following the departures of Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren.

Southampton were expected to struggle after losing so many key players as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino but they sit second in the Premier League table after 11 matches - four points behind leaders Chelsea.

"There is something very special about the club," Forster told the press when trying to explain their fantastic start. "There is togetherness here I've never experienced before, especially when you consider the turnover of players.

"That's a credit to the lads who have settled in so fast and a credit to the players already here for making us feel so welcome.

"The manager and coaching staff make us believe in ourselves and give us the courage to go out and play."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reus ruled out for Germany

Marco Reus will be unavailable for Germany's next two matches after sustaining another ankle injury.The attacker was forced to miss his nation's victorious World Cup campaign in Brazil when he tore ligaments in his left ankle in the build-up to the finals.

Reus has since made his return to action and has been in fine form for Borussia Dortmund, netting five goals in 10 appearances in all competitions.

He was dealt a blow on Monday, however, with the news that he would miss Germany's Euro 2016 qualifier against Gibraltar on Friday, as well as the friendly clash with Spain four days later."Marco Reus will have to sit out the final two internationals of the year," read a statement on the German Football Association's official website.

"The Germany international and Borussia Dortmund star is suffering from a torn ligament and tendon as well as a swollen ankle."The 25-year-old picked up the injury in Dortmund's 1-0 victory over former club Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.

"It is hoped that the attacker will be available for their next Bundesliga game, which is against SC Paderborn (22nd November). The injury was discovered on Monday morning."No replacement has been named by coach Joachim Low.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque: Spain not weak for backing down in Diego Costa dispute

Vicente del Bosque claims a Spain call-up for Diego Costa would have been “counter-productive” and insists the Spanish Football Federation was not weak for backing down in a club-versus-country row with Chelsea.

Costa came back from the last Roja games with a groin injury and Blues boss Jose Mourinho placed the blame firmly at the feet of the Brazilian-born striker's adopted national team.

Although Del Bosque claimed he would ignore the former Real Madrid coach's protestations and continue to select Costa, the 63-year-old's squad was noticeably free of the Chelsea star when named on Friday.

Costa went on to star and score in Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday, prompting suggestions his fitness was not as brittle as Mourinho likes to suggest, but Del Bosque thinks that omitting him on this occasion was the right thing to do.

"There is nothing to discuss," he told reporters on Monday when asked about Costa's absence from the squad to face Belarus and Germany over the next 10 days."Somebody has probably suggested that it is a weakness on Spain's behalf but it is not a weakness or arrogance.

"We are football people and fully aware of the situation with Diego. The other day I said he would play against Liverpool, and he did, but two games in the international break would have been counter-productive and damaging to his health."That's the case. It has nothing to do with anything else."

Mourinho suggested after Chelsea's game at the weekend that Cesc Fabregas - who has been integral in the club's unbeaten start to the Premier League season - should not join up with Spain because he was carrying an injury.

However, Del Bosque has refused to let the former Barcelona midfielder drop out without Spain first checking his fitness, which he claims has nothing to do with an erosion of trust in Chelsea or the player, but simply following procedure.

"We have not replaced Fabregas yet because we want him to see our medical staff first," the World Cup 2010-winning coach continued."This is not a lack of confidence in the player or Chelsea's doctors or anything like that, but it's simply procedure for him to be checked up on, for clarification"The Diego Costa case is different to the Fabregas case. For Fabregas, some protocols must be met and there are obligations to comply with.

"There is no lack of trust in the player, who, by the way, has 95 international caps. There is no friction between us and the player; there's no tension or us trying to win one over [Chelsea].

"We're just trying to bring the best players to the squad that we can."Spain host Belarus on Saturday as they chase down Slovakia at the top of their Euro 2016 qualification group, before facing world champions Germany in a friendly on November 18.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola's improved me, says Ribery

Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery believes that he has become a better player under the tutelage of coach Pep Guardiola.The former Barcelona boss took the reins at the Allianz Arena last summer and led the Bavarians to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.

The Frenchman was among the final three for last year's Ballon d'Or and has hailed his boss' influence on his career.

"I've just got better as a player thanks to Pep," he told the Bundesliga's official website."I can be used in various positions. I constantly change positions with team-mates during the game, so the opponent can't get a clear look.

"I have a feeling that I'm always getting better and we understand each other better as players. That's what the coach wants to see from us."We've definitely developed further because we know each other better. In this respect, we are even better than last season, in my opinion."

Ribery started Bayern's 4-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, playing 76 minutes before being replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sagna: Man City must not rely on Aguero

Bacary Sagna has called on his Manchester City team-mates to raise their game in order to revive their Premier League title hopes.

City's 2-2 draw with QPR on Saturday, combined with Chelsea's 2-1 win over Liverpool, saw Manuel Pellegrini's side fall eight points behind the leaders after 11 games.

With just one win in their last six matches in all competitions City are in danger of seeing their season collapse around them, something Sagna knows they need to address quickly.

"We all need to rise up - we are all good players," the former Arsenal full-back told the Manchester Evening News.

"There is a reason we play for City. We want to show everyone we can play for this team and succeed. We have plenty of games left and we want to keep our heads up.

"As long as Sergio scores, that is good, but we have a lot of good players who can do it.

"He is the one who changed the game. He scored twice - but we have many players who can do it. As long as he keeps pulling the team up, and we want to show we can raise our game and succeed."

Swansea City are next up after the international break, followed by the visit of Bayern Munich in the Champions League, with City needing a positive result to stay in contention of qualifying from Group E.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 'not that far away' from rivalling the best - De Gea

David De Gea believes Manchester United are "not that far away" from challenging at the top of the Premier League again.

United picked up another three points on Saturday by defeating Crystal Palace 1-0 at Old Trafford, pushing Louis van Gaal's side up to seventh in the table.

And De Gea, who has been in fine form this season, says the 13-time Premier League champions are nearing a return to the upper echelons of English football.

He told the club's official website: "In terms of the league table and the position we're in we are not far away. All we can do is work hard and try to keep improving and it's important that we completely concentrate on ourselves and not look too much at others."

Van Gaal has made a point of highlighting the injury problems his side has faced this season with a number of first-team stars sidelined - currently Marcos Rojo and Radamel Falcao among others - and De Gea agrees that it has led to a difficult transition period under the Dutchman.

He added: "We would never use excuses but it's always going to be a big setback when we have injuries and some sendings-off as well.

"It makes everyone's work that bit more difficult. In terms of maintaining a solid level of performance we need to have the consistency of players in the squad so hopefully everyone will be fit very soon. That will help us continue to improve."

Yet rather than lament the injury crisis United have suffered, De Gea believes it has helped him improve as a goalkeeper.

"It obviously makes things very difficult but that's football and it's my job to be able to adapt to different situations," he said.

"As a goalkeeper it's important to form a good understanding with your back four and become familiar with each other's positions on the pitch. It’s difficult when the players aren't there but you have to adapt and concentrate on your job. The experience has definitely helped me improve."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp: Kramer now a part of BVB's story

Jurgen Klopp says that Borussia Monchengladbach's Christoph Kramer is now part of Borussia Dortmund history after his bizarre own goal gave his side three much-needed points.

The Signal Iduna Park outfit had sunk to the bottom of the Bundesliga prior to Sunday, which saw the Germany international lob his own goalkeeper from range to give BVB a 1-0 win."We have finally reached double figures in points," Klopp told reporters after the game.

"The team had an exceptional game considering the situation. We missed a bunch of chances and then there was the strange goal."Christoph Kramer now unwittingly has a place in our little story. But he is an exceptional player and this goal will just be a sidenote in his life."

Kramer himself was quick to apologise to his team-mates for the bizarre incident and thanked Dortmund's stars for their kind words to him after the match."It was tough against this Dortmund side today. They were in great shape and kept us away from their goal, depriving us of our strengths," he said.

"We know how incredibly strong they are and we had a game plan, but when you misplace so many passes like we did, then any game plan goes straight out of the window."I've got to have a look at [my own goal] again, to be honest. I think the ball sat up a bit. It can happen, but I'm incredibly annoyed by it. I’m extremely disappointed with my own performance.

"I’d like to thank the Dortmund players for their kind words and apologise to everyone connected with Borussia Monchengladbach."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tevez deserves Argentina recall - Allegri

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri says that Carlos Tevez richly deserves his recall to the Argentina set-up.

The former Manchester City striker scored twice in the Bianconeri's 7-0 demolition of Parma on Sunday, including a stunning solo effort which saw him run the length of the pitch before firing home.

The 30-year-old was handed a place in Gerardo Martino's latest national squad - his first since 2011 - and Allegri believes it is a just reward.

"Tevez scored an extraordinary goal," he is quoted as saying by the club's official website."It was something he needed because it had been a while since he last scored. He's an example for the way he trains and he's celebrated his richly deserved call-up to the Argentina squad in the best possible way."

Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Morata also found the net twice in the Turin rout and Allegri believes he has great options and variety in attack."We've got an excellent group of strikers, from the 'older' players like Tevez and Llorente, to the younger ones like [Kingsley] Coman and Morata.

"We had a couple of issues in the first 15 minutes, but then we broke the deadlock and the lads read the game well. I'm very happy."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Insigne ruled out for six months with knee injury

Napoli have been dealt a significant injury blow with the news that Lorenzo Insigne will likely miss the rest of the season thanks to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

The Italy international was substituted after just 25 minutes of action during his side's 1-0 victory over Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi on Sunday.

The severity of the injury has now been confirmed and Napoli expect the player to be out for six months, with the forward to undergo surgery in the coming days on his right knee."A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee," a club statement read. "This is the outcome of diagnostic tests for Lorenzo Insigne this morning.

"Accompanied by Dr D'Andrea, he went to Villa Stuart of Professor Mariani for clinical examinations after the accident in Florence."The attacker will be operated on in the coming days by Professor Mariani."

Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal of the game at Fiorentina as Napoli moved into the top three, seven points behind Serie A leaders Juventus.Insigne had made 14 appearances for his club this season, scoring just one goal but setting up three others.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic return is vital - Lucas Moura


Lucas Moura believes that Paris Saint-Germain are a better team with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their ranks and is relieved to have him back in the side.

The Swede returned for a late cameo in the 2-0 win over Olympique de Marseille on Sunday after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.And the young Brazilian, who netted the opener as PSG recorded a vital victory, was delighted to see his team-mate back on the pitch.

"With Zlatan, we are stronger," he is quoted as saying by L'Equipe ."His return is very important. He is our reference point, our goalscorer."David Luiz was similarly happy to see the former Barcelona and AC Milan star return to the fold for the Classique.

"I'm very happy for him. Every player wants to be on the pitch," said the Brazilian.
Following their 2-0 win at the Parc des Princes, PSG are now a point behind Ligue 1 leaders OM and remain the division's only unbeaten side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal: I have tinkered too much with Manchester United formation

Louis van Gaal has admitted that the number of changes he has made to Manchester United's formation has affected the team's performance.

After arriving at Old Trafford at the start of the season, the veteran coach has utilised a number of different systems including, 3-5-2 and 4-2-3-1.

And he was forced to again tinker with his formation against Crystal Palace as he reverted to 4-1-4-1, with Daley Blind at centre-back and Michael Carrick shielding the back four in his first start of the season.

Despite the Red Devils spending in excess of €180 million in the summer, they have struggled for results in the Premier League, and Van Gaal believes his constant changes have played a major part in their inconsistent showings.

"It's too much [change to formation] I think, I agree," he told reporters. "But I'm looking for the balance and when you see the last four matches, we have had more balance because we haven't conceded many goals.

"Nevertheless, we don't score so much. With the other system, we scored a lot of goals."

The most recent change in system has seen Angel Di Maria's influence wane, with the €75m buy from Real Madrid struggling to have the same impact as when he scored three goals in his first four appearances for the club.

And Van Gaal, who withdrew the Argentine against Crystal Palace, admits his determination to run with the ball upset the balance of the side on Saturday.

"He has played today in a very small space and he is a dribbler but sometimes you cannot dribble. You have to make it a pass game, and Di Maria is not a player who wants to give a pass every time he gets the ball.

"But in this case we needed that and not dribbles. Therefore he lost the ball a lot of times and that was not good for the balance of the team.

"Of course, we need to raise our level. It’s a matter of time but it’s also a matter of getting over a lot of injuries."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Matanam hithena widiyata Manchester United match wenne 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-1-2​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Simeone: It was a good day to lose


Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes his side's 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad on Sunday came at an opportune time.

Mario Mandzukic had given the Spanish champions an early lead but Carlos Vela soon equalised before Imanol Agirretxe completed the shock turnaround late on.
However, with Valencia and Sevilla also dropping points, the Argentine believes that minimal damage will be sustained from the Anoeta defeat - despite victories for both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"I'm happy because it's a good day for us," he is quoted as saying by AS."Sevilla and Valencia both drew, so in that regard the defeat came at a good time."It was an entertaining, fast-paced game and we started well. Real responded well and then there was the [Guilherme Siqueira] sending off.

"Real played with more intensity in our half and they got their goal."Atletico now sit fourth in La Liga, though only four points separates them from leaders Real Madrid.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Falcao to step up return from injury

Radamel Falcao has been given the green light to step up his recovery from a knee injury this week, Goal understands.

Falcao has not featured for Manchester United since coming on as a second half substitute in the 2-2 draw with West Brom at The Hawthorns on October 20.

Reports emerged on Monday that the striker's permanent move to Old Trafford was in doubt due to the severity of the Colombian's knee problem.

But Goal has learned that the 28-year-old has been given clearance to increase his workload in training this week after spending time working on his rehabilitation in indoor sessions.

Falcao appeared to react angrily on Twitter to reports concerning his knee problem on Monday.

"One fool speculates. A few others lacking objectivity respond and millions believe lies. It is disastrous what a few fools can do," he wrote.

The Colombia international has scored one goal in five appearances, but is yet to complete 90 minutes for United since making the €8 million loan move from Monaco on transfer deadline day.

Goal understands the Old Trafford club have already agreed terms with Monaco and Falcao on a €56m permanent deal ahead of the summer transfer window.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Falcao ta ikmanatama play karanna puluwan unoth hodai​