..::Football III::..

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Miranda: I'm not the perfect defender

Miranda has dismissed his burgeoning reputation within his native Brazil as the defender that never makes a mistake.

Despite a Liga title-winning campaign with Atletico Madrid last season, Miranda missed out on inclusion in Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad for World Cup 2014, a tournament which ended with the Selecao being routed 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals before being beaten 3-0 by Netherlands in the third-place play-off.

However, Miranda has started all five games since the return of Dunga as coach in July and, with Brazil having yet to concede a goal during that winning run, many pundits believe that the 30-year-old is solely responsible for his country's rediscovered defensive solidity.

Indeed, Miranda was once again touted as 'the defender of zero errors' after Wednesday night's 4-0 win over Turkey but it is not a moniker with which the former Sao Paolo man is comfortable.

"I'm certainly not that," he told reporters after the Gillette Brasil Global Tour clash in Istanbul. "Every defender is prone to making mistakes, especially when facing great strikers.

"As a defender, though, the simpler you try to play, the better you perform.
"The big secret to maintaining a high level of performances is good positioning and learning to anticipate what the attackers are going to do at the right time."Miranda certainly did a fine job of keeping Turkey's star man, Ardan Turan, under wraps in Istanbul, with the 27-year-old attacker restricted to one curling effort from the edge of area, which was tipped over by Diego Alves.

However, Miranda was reluctant to accept any praise for keeping his Atletico team-mate quiet for the majority of the game, arguing that Arda had simply been starved of quality service during a one-sided encounter.

"He's a great player, believe me," the Rojiblancos centre-half insisted."It was just that the Brazilian team were far superior on the night and left Turkey with little room in which to play."

Miranda and Brazil will be hoping to extend their flawless run of form when they face Austria in Vienna on November 18.

 

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Del Bosque: No Spanish revolution required


Vicente del Bosque remains adamant he does “not have to change many things” with Spain despite their woeful World Cup performance.

La Roja arrived in Brazil as defending world and European champions but flopped horribly, exiting the tournament at the group stage after defeats to the Netherlands and Chile and a victory over Australia.Del Bosque was calm in the immediate aftermath, ignoring the clamour for him to stand down, and is still confident he can revitalise his players to ensure they are among the favourites to retain their European crown in France in two years’ time.

He told Perform: “Despite our defeat in Brazil I believe we don’t have to change many things to proceed. I do believe we’ll be closer to winning future tournaments.

“When we first arrived, seven years ago, we already found a great generation with a brilliant future. We were very lucky to live this with them, having the chance of winning one World Cup and another Euros.

“On the other hand we experienced as well the taste of defeat six months ago. To reach all this success many factors occur. Now when we have lost I have the feeling we haven’t done many different things as we did before. But it is very difficult to keep these kind of good results forever.”

Del Bosque is currently overseeing a gradual overhaul of his squad, with midfielders Xavi and Xabi Alonso retiring following the World Cup and other senior players such as Fernando Torres being offloaded.

He added: “We have done a few changes little by little as we did following our victories. We have noticed that these players [the youngsters coming in] are used to winning because they have done so since they were young in other age categories.”That’s not to say, all the more experienced players will be frozen out, however.

“We have tried to support these players who are on the verge of 30 years old and they know they don’t have much football left,” said Del Bosque.

“It is logical they want to finish up at the best way. I do think these recent defeats do not have anything to do with a lack of hunger. I think it has more to do with these inexplicable things that happen in football.

“I think there is a [bright] future for the Spanish national team. There are many young players playing in the Primera Division and nowadays when a club have good young players they don’t hesitate to let them play. That is good for us.”

 

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European Championship Qualifying Fixtures 2014.11.14

European Championship Qualifying Fixtures 2014.11.14

Group D

Georgia Vs Poland

Germany Vs Gibraltar

Scotland Vs Republic of Ireland

Group F

Greece Vs Faroe Islands

Hungary Vs Finland

Romania Vs Nothern Ireland

Group I

Portugal Vs Armenia

Serbia Vs Denmark​

 

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International Friendly Fixtures 2014.11.14

International Friendly Fixtures 2014.11.14

Japan Vs Honduras

China Vs New Zealand

USA Vs Colombia

France Vs Albania

Paraguay Vs Peru

Jordan Vs Southa Korea

Chile Vs Venezuela​

 

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'I'm more like Mourinho than Guardiola' - Moyes excited by Sociedad challenge

David Moyes was officially unveiled as Real Sociedad coach on Thursday afternoon and claimed he's "more like Jose Mourinho than Pep Guardiola".

Moyes, who was sacked by Manchester United in April following a troublesome 10-month spell at Old Trafford, was announced by the Basque outfit on Monday as the replacement for Jagoba Arrasate.

Asked whether Real Sociedad fans should expect a coaching style more like Mourinho or Guardiola, Moyes said: "Probably more like Mourinho. I'm tough with the players and I like to work hard.

"I want to enjoy the challenge of getting towards the top of La Liga. I joined a club similar to Real Sociedad in Everton around 12 years ago and I left them challeging near the top. I hope to do the same here."

And the 51-year-old Scot said he was excited by the challenge of coaching in La Liga.

"What convinced me [to join Real Sociedad] was the president [Jokin Aperribay]," Moyes said. "He was fantastically passionate about the club, about how special it was and what it meant to him.

"It was a big ambition of mine to manage abroad. I'm well rested, I have had six months off and I'm raring to go."

Moyes revealed he had several offers from the Premier League but was happy to be taking on a new challenge in Spain."I never had any doubt," he said. "I had several offers in the Premier League, but the only place that tugged at the heart strings was Sociedad. Coming here gives me the opportunity to manage in La Liga, which I consider the best league in the world.

"This is a big challenge, an opportunity to show that British managers can manage abroad. I'm always beating the drum about British managers managing abroad, so hopefully I'm the first of many. Hopefully it will make it a lot easier for others to do so as well in the future."

sellam karanna kalinma pora talks patan ara

 

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Mancini to Inter Mazzari out

 

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Germany 4-0 Gibraltar: Muller hits double in routine win

Thomas Muller scored two goals as Germany cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over Gibraltar on Friday night.

The forward set Joachim Low's team on their way with two early goals, as they looked to bounce back from picking up just a solitary point from their previous two matches in Group D.

Mario Gotze scored his first competitive international goal since netting the winner in July's World Cup final, but the atmosphere for what amounted to a game of attack against defence was a far cry from that heady night in Rio de Janeiro.

A Yogan Santos own goal ended an impressive spell of second-half resistance from Gibraltar, who have now conceded 21 goals in four European qualifiers.
Liam Walker almost had a moment to remember when he came close to scoring for the visitors with an audacious volley and it was to their credit that Germany's own European qualifying record victory of 13-0, recorded against San Marino in 2006, was never remotely under threat.

The home team established their expected dominance from the kick-off as Muller dragged wide on the end of Sami Khedira's backheel and the latter's Real Madrid team-mate Toni Kroos rippled the side-netting.

Jamie Robba saved well from Karim Bellarabi in the ninth minute, but the Gibraltar goalkeeper was at fault when Muller opened the scoring three minutes later - misjudging Shkodran Mustafi's cross that came back off the post and fell kindly for the in-form Bayern Munich forward.Jerome Boateng clipped the outside of the far post from range in the 22nd minute before Jean-Carlos Garcia almost put through his own goal off Bellarabi's low cross.

Muller had his second in the 29th minute when a perfectly weighted pass from Gotze set Lukas Podolski clear down the left channel and he slipped the ball inside for the striker to finish.

Creator then turned scorer on 38 minutes as Gozte neatly exchanged passes with Max Kruse to slot home.There was almost a sensational goal for the visitors a minute before half-time, though, when Gibraltar's Walker hooked a volley goalwards from 35 yards that forced a back-pedalling Manuel Neuer to save.

Khedira came close to turning home a corner early in the second half, but Germany's attacks began to lack tempo and Gibraltar's dogged defending reduced them to largely speculative efforts.Low's men eventually found their way through again in the 67th minute as Podolski darted past Garcia and his low ball across the face of goal was turned in by Santos.

But Germany would not trouble the 7-0 margins already chalked up against Gibraltar by group rivals Poland and the Republic of Ireland on a night that will not linger long in the memory.

 

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Portugal 1-0 Armenia: Ronaldo snatches late winner

Cristiano Ronaldo came to the rescue as his late winner saw Portugal snatch a narrow 1-0 win over Albania.

In netting the winner, the Real Madrid forward became the all-time leading goalscorer in European Championship qualification and finals combined, his 23rd strike seeing him overtake Jon Dahl Tomasson and Hakan Sukur.It was his 25th goal of the season for club and country, and settled a dour affair which offered little in the way of attacking quality.

That will be of no concern to Portugal, however, who dominated possession for much of the game and finally made the breakthrough in the 72nd minute when Ronaldo forced the ball over the line at the second attempt.

The result leaves Portugal second in Group I, occupying an automatic qualification spot, one point behind Denmark.Armenia, who defended stubbornly for much of the encounter, remain at the foot of the table with just one point to their name from three matches.

There were notable inclusions at full-back for Portugal, with Jose Bosinwga making his first appearance for four years, while Rapahel Guerreiro made his international debut.

The hosts had much the better of the opening quarter of an hour, but it was Armenia who had the first meaningful effort on goal when Rui Patricio got down low to his right to keep out Henrikh Mkhitaryan's free-kick after the Borussia Dortmund man had been felled by Ricardo Carvalho.

Ronaldo threatened for the first time midway through the half, seeing his shot parried by Roman Berezovski before blazing the rebound high and wide.As the game opened up, Patricio was forced into a save by Gevorg Ghazaryan following a swift counter-attack from the visitors.

Portugal continued to enjoy the majority of possession after the interval, and Danny went close to an opener when his looping header struck the top of the crossbar before being held by Berezovski under pressure from Ronaldo.The forward continued to pose a threat, and duly delivered the telling blow 18 minutes from time.

Substitute Ricardo Quaresma brought a save out of Berezovski and after Nani stabbed the loose ball towards goal, Ronaldo was on hand to bundle over the line.It was the Real Madrid star who had netted a stoppage-time winner in the 1-0 victory over Denmark last time out, and he delivered when it mattered once again.

Eder struck the base of the post with a header a minute from time as Portugal went in search of a second, but Ronaldo's goal was enough to secure all three points from what was a laboured performance.

 

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France 1-1 Albania: Griezmann salvages late draw

Antoine Griezmann's second half strike salvaged a disappointing 1-1 draw for France against Albania on Friday night.

Didier Deschamps' side - who were knocked out of this year's World Cup by eventual winners Germany in the quarter-finals - looked to be heading for just their second defeat of 2014 with 20 minutes remaining.Albania were the better side in the first half and claimed a deserved lead when Megrim Mavraj headed home in the 40th minute.

But Albania, who beat Portugal in September and are evidently on the up, were denied another famous win by the Atletico Madrid star.Griezmann played a neat one-two with the influential Christophe Jallet and cut inside Lorik Cana before curling into the bottom corner from just inside the penalty area in the 73rd minute.

Albania can take plenty of heart from their display, though, as they moved on from the ugly scenes that marred their abandoned clash with Serbia in Belgrade last time out.

Players, coaches and fans clashed as a drone carrying a flag bearing Albanian national symbols was lowered into the stadium during the Euro 2016 qualifier.

Uefa subsequently issued a statement declaring Serbia had been handed a 3-0 walkover win, but had also been deducted three points, while both nations were fined €100,000 - a ruling that they launched an appeal against on Friday.

Football was the talking point on this occasion, though, as Albania - compact at the back and exciting on the counter-attack - caused several problems for the hosts.

Alexandre Lacazette's recall headlined France's squad and he was handed a first international start by Deschamps.

The Lyon man is in outstanding form, having netted 11 times in 13 Ligue 1 appearances this season, but he had little involvement in the early stages as Albania started brightly.Experienced midfielder Cana - who played over 200 matches for Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille - was unlucky to see his third-minute header come crashing back off the crossbar following a corner.

Raphael Varane nodded over for France at the other end but Albania kept pressing, as Sokol Cikalleshi narrowly missed the target from just inside the penalty area after a free-kick was played short.

Ansi Agolli denied Mathieu Valbuena a tap-in just after the half-hour mark with a superb block and Karim Benzema then headed into the ground - and over - from Jallet's cross.It was no surprise when Albania took the lead, though, as another well-worked set-piece proved France's undoing five minutes before the break.

Elseid Hysaj controlled a short corner and turned Jallet before crossing for Mavraj, who nodded powerfully past France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.France were improved after the break, but were initially thwarted by some stubborn defending, while Ermir Lenjani and Hysaj forced good saves out of Lloris on the counter.

Griezmann's piece of brilliance levelled things up with 17 minutes left, and then Benzema really should have put France in front.The Real Madrid man fired over from 10 yards after Albania failed to clear their lines, while a fierce Paul Pogba effort went wide.

France's late pressure was not enough for them to grab a winner, though, as both sides shared the spoils - a result neither side could have complaints with.

 

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USA 1-2 Colombia: South Americans come back to defeat Americans

Colombia came from behind to beat the United States 2-1 at Craven Cottage in a friendly on Friday night.

The Stars and Stripes opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Jozy Altidore converted a penalty after Pablo Armero was adjudged to have handled in the area, despite him appearing to have been fouled by Rubio Rubin in the build-up.

Colombia started to find success after 20 minutes with James Rodriguez fizzing a shot wide of Brad Guzan's post from a free-kick. That near-miss seemed to energise the South Americans, who had a number of attacks in quick succession.

But those forays were repelled and Colombia went into the break 1-0 down, though they also appealed for a penalty of their own just before referee Szymon Marciniak blew for half-time, with Jermaine Jones appearing to handle with his left arm.

DeAndre Yedlin started at right back but moved forward into the midfield in the second half, and his attacking instincts showed almost immediately. He kept possession in the midfield and found Alejandro Bedoya on the left side of the attack. Bedoya played a ball for Rubin, but the 18-year-old couldn't get his header on target.

Colombia found the goal they probably deserved in the 60th minute. James Rodriguez shuttled a pass in between the U.S. centre-backs and in the direction of Teofilo Gutierrez, who was in an offside position.

But he didn't make contact with the ball and the American defenders watched and appealed as Carlos Bacca sprinted through and rounded goalkeeper Brad Guzan to score the equaliser.Rodriguez looked for a goal of his own in the 72nd minute when he unleashed a left-footed shot from outside the box, but Guzan was able to make the stop.

Jurgen Klinsmann made a number of late substitutions and nearly saw the changes pay off. Lee Nguyen, back on the pitch for the United States for the first time since 2007, showed a bit of skill with a pass off his heel that freed Bobby Wood who was unable to finish.

But it was a Colombian change which would help make the difference with Edwin Cardona setting up Gutierrez to score the winner after his initial cross was blocked by Jermaine Jones.

 

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Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland: Maloney stunner seals vital win

A fine Shaun Maloney goal gave Scotland a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland at Celtic Park in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday evening.

The Celtic nations are seen as being in direct competition for Group D's play-off spot behind world champions Germany and leaders Poland, with Martin O'Neill's side three points above Gordon Strachan's men ahead of the clash between the two former Celtic managers at Parkhead.

A scrappy first half was more notable for fouls and a fierce atmosphere in a stadium hosting a Scotland match for the first time since September 2006.

But Scotland grew in stature as the second period went on and snatched the points courtesy of Maloney's curled effort from 20 yards after a neat corner routine.

The win moves Scotland above Ireland into third place in the group with Gibraltar to come next in March.

Ireland, on the other hand, face a tricky test against Poland in Dublin and will now target next June's return fixture as a crucial encounter in their campaign.

Eyebrows were raised pre-match as O'Neill preferred Shane Long to record goalscorer Robbie Keane up front.

Aiden McGeady started on the wing and, as expected, the Scotland-born man received a frosty welcome from the home fans.

Hull City's Andy Robertson returned to Scotland's XI in one of three changes from their 2-2 draw in Poland last month and was quickly in the thick of the action.

Robertson's teasing cross was nodded behind for a corner from which Steven Fletcher thundered a header over the crossbar and the left-back's next teasing delivery then forced John O'Shea to deny Maloney a tap-in.

Grant Hanley went into the book for felling Long as he burst goalwards - referee Milorad Mazic not deeming the Blackburn Rovers man to be denying a goalscoring opportunity - and McGeady received a yellow card for a lunge on Fletcher to a predictably furious reception.

The testy nature continued as both sets of fans continued to make a din and Hanley may have been fortunate not to see a second yellow when he challenged David Forde with his arms raised, catching the goalkeeper in the jaw.

Charlie Mulgrew's fierce header under pressure from Seamus Coleman went wide and Fletcher made no contact when trying to flick the ball home - both chances set-up by Maloney as Scotland shaded the closing stages of a breathless half.

The second period began in a much more controlled manner, though Marshall had to be alert to tip McGeady's cross-shot away and substitute Chris Martin turned Steven Naismith's centre wide from six yards out at the other end.

That chance prompted a change of momentum in Scotland's favour and they grabbed the decisive goal with 15 minutes to play.

Maloney, who took a corner himself, played one-twos with Ikechi Anya and Scott Brown before curling a superb effort beyond the desperate reach of Forde.

Hanley almost headed into his own net in stoppage time, but was relieved to see his effort hit the crossbar and go behind as the hosts held on doggedly to consign Ireland to their first defeat in the group.

 

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Mancini appointed as new Inter coach

Roberto Mancini has been named as the new coach of Inter, returning to the club for his second spell in charge.The Nerazzurri sacked Walter Mazzarri on Friday after a poor start to the season and have brought the former Manchester City boss in to replace him.

Mancini, who won three consecutive Serie A titles as Inter boss between 2004 and 2008, has been confirmed as the new coach of the 2010 Champions League winners.

"F.C. Internazionale is pleased to announce that Roberto Mancini is the new first-team head coach. He will begin coaching duties on Saturday," a statement read on their official website.

Club president Erick Thohir has expressed his delight in appointing the 49-year-old, who has coached Manchester City and Galatasaray since leaving San Siro.
Thohir believes he is the right man to take them back to the pinnacle of Italian and European football."Our goal is to regain our rightful position as one of the very top clubs in Europe and that's why I am so happy to welcome back Roberto Mancini," he said.

"His track record both at Inter and elsewhere speaks for itself, and his international experience and hunger for success will drive the team to the next level."Mancini won seven trophies in total in his first stint at San Siro, including two Coppe Italia.

 

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Congratzzzzzz Mancini!​

 

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Kroos: Ancelotti needed me at Real Madrid

Toni Kroos says he signed for Real Madrid because Carlo Ancelotti told him he "needed him".The midfielder was signed from Bayern Munich in the summer in a deal worth €25 million.

The Germany international has gone on to start in all 11 of Madrid's matches in La Liga, scoring once and setting up a further six goals and the 24-year-old says he was happy to sign for the European champions because Ancelotti told him he would be play a pivotal role in the team.

"It was important that I could be sure from the first day that the coach trusted me," the World Cup winner told Suddeutsche Zeitung. "Ancelotti told me that he needed me and he has given me a central role in the team."He told me during a telephone conversation that I could make Real Madrid better.

"Ancelotti wanted a little bit more balance in the team’s play, a little bit more control. He told me that he wanted to further improve our play, that he wanted to change it, with the intention of having more phases with possession of the ball. And therefore, he told me that he needed me."I play as a midfielder, and ten yards further back than I did at Bayern; in reality, I am a ‘six’. The offensive game is not forgotten, but for now we can say that I am a No.6.

"Pep Guardiola told me at the beginning, ‘Toni, the good players move around during their career and each time further back.’ With Ancelotti I could follow that same path."

 

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Japan 6-0 Honduras: Honda, Inui and Yoshida on target in easy win

Japan recovered from their recent defeat to Brazil by thrashing Honduras 6-0 in Toyota on Friday.The Asian side had suffered a 4-0 hammering the the Selecao in October but a convincing rout of Hernan Medford's side comes as a big confidence boost.

The hosts essentially ended the friendly fixture by half-time as goals from Maya Yoshida, Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo helped gave them a 3-0 lead at the break.

There was no let-up for Honduras in the second half as a double from Takashi Inui sandwiched a strike from fellow substitute Yohei Toyoda.Yoshida opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he nodded home at the back post after Honduras goalkeeper Donis Escober did well to save Shinji Okazaki's original header.

Honda then got in on the action five minutes before the break with a simple finish in the area, before Endo made it 3-0 with a rasping 25-yard drive a minute before half-time.Inui extended the lead three minutes after the break with a calm side-footed strike at the back post after making a late run from the left, before Toyoda swept home the fifth after a swift counter-attack.

Inui completed the rout with a drilled shot from eight yards, as Japan continued their warm-up for next year's Asian Cup in emphatic fashion.

 

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Manchester United will see the best of Falcao - Pekerman

Colombia coach Jose Pekerman is in no doubt that Radamel Falcao will find his feet at Manchester United.

Falcao has scored just once since moving to Old Trafford on loan this summer, the winner against Everton in October, and has missed the club's last three matches through injury.

On Monday, the 29-year-old was forced to deny reports that a permanent move was to be scuppered thanks to his fitness woes, and Pekerman is confident that he will adapt to English football and be successful.

"Falcao is at one of the best clubs in the world, in one of the best leagues and with one of the best managers under Louis van Gaal," he told reporters.

"Playing in England is clearly a new experience for him - but everywhere he has been he has adapted and excelled, achieved great things.

"That was the case in South America and also in Europe in Spain and at Monaco. There is no doubting his ability.

"And I am sure that Manchester United fans will see him at his very best once he has got through this difficult moment with injuries."

Falcao is on a one-year loan deal from Monaco and Goal understands that the terms of a permanent transfer were put in place and agreed upon back in September.

 

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Okkotama kalin Falcao 100% recover wela inna one​

 

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'Pochettino is not the problem' - Lloris backs under-fire Tottenham boss

Hugo Lloris says that Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is not to blame for the club's poor form and fears that their current crop of players do not have the stomach for a relegation fight.

Spurs were beaten 2-1 at home to Stoke City last time out, their fourth defeat at White Hart Lane this season, and sit in 12th place in the Premier League table after a string of unimpressive results.

Pressure is mounting on Pochettino as a result, though Lloris, named a vice-captain by the Argentine, has faith in his new manager to cure the malaise and believes that the root of Tottenham's problems lies with the "comfortable" players.

When asked if he regretted extending his stay at Spurs due to the club's poor form, he told L'Equipe: "No, not at all, because I trust the staff and the coach.

"When it's the third coach in one year and there are problems, the coach is not necessarily the problem. We've been working though, trying to find solutions.

"I've known times like this at Lyon but, there, there was a real pressure every day and there was crisis management. In London, we're a bit more on our own, comfortable. We have to get out [of this comfort] because, if we ever have to fight against relegation, being comfortable won't help us.

"It really bothers me [that the coach is being blamed]."

Lloris signed a new five-year contract extension with Tottenham in July and has been ever-present in the club's disappointing Premier League campaign, conceding 16 goals in 11 games.

 

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Arsenal wasted my time, slams Bendtner

Wolfsburg striker Nicklas Bendtner has hit out at Arsenal over their decision not to allow him to leave in the summer of 2013.

The Denmark international returned to Arsenal ahead of the 2013-14 campaign after loan spells with Sunderland and Juventus, but made only nine Premier League appearances for the Gunners last term.

Bendtner has now revealed that he was desperate to leave Arsenal and could not understand the decision to deny him a transfer."It was a terrible situation. My last year at Arsenal was a waste of time," Bendtner was quoted as saying by Tipsbladet.

"It was worthless that Arsenal did not allow me to leave."A club like Arsenal could easily have found someone else to play my role.

"They would have had no trouble finding a player who could do what they wanted me to do."Bendtner eventually left Arsenal after all in the summer of 2014, joining Wolfsburg on a free transfer.

He has so far netted two goals in 10 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit.

 

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Ferguson backed me to take Real Sociedad job - Moyes

New Real Sociedad coach David Moyes says that he consulted Sir Alex Ferguson before taking the job.

The Manchester United legend had recommended Moyes to the Red Devils before a disastrous 2013-14 season at Old Trafford saw his successor sacked, with Louis van Gaal now in control.

The Scottish pair have remained in contact since, with the 72-year-old backing up his friend's belief that a move to Spain would do him good.

"I spoke to Alex and said 'this is the opportunity that has come my way, what do you think?'," revealed Moyes to reporters in San Sebastian, "and Alex said he felt it was a great opportunity for me.

"I mentioned the opportunities I had had back in the UK and I felt that probably, after the way things had gone [at United], I should move away.

"We talked about the opportunity, which he thought was a great opportunity. I felt it was the right move for me and he backed me up."

Still adamant that he was not given enough time for his methods to succeed at United, Moyes now says that la Real will benefit from the Premier League giants' lack of patience.

"I always believed I was the right person for the job and I still believe that was the case," the Scot declared.

"I don't know about having to repair my image because there was nothing wrong with how we worked [at United]. I think everybody could see that, whoever is in charge of Manchester United, it's quite a long job to do things and obviously nine months would never be enough time for any manager.

"I do think that most real football people understand that there is a period at Manchester United of transition. I took over from Sir Alex and it was always going to take time, whoever was in charge. The manager needs to be given the opportunity to get on with his job and be given that time that he needs.

"I don't think anything will change. I will work the same way I have always done. I had a great time at Everton when I was there and came away from that with a lot of high regard. I would not have been offered the Manchester United job if I had not done well at that club so I still stand by what I said at the time: I wasn't given enough time to succeed or fail ... so Sociedad are going to get the benefit of that."

Moyes is excited to make an impression on what he sees as "the best league in the world" and revealed that he had already spoken to Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, whom he befriended during the Italian's spell at Chelsea.

"Carlo said 'great to see you back in football, great to see you in Spain'," Moyes added. "I've always got on well with Carlo and he will be on the end of the phone to give me any advice.

"At the present time you can say La Liga is the best league in the world. It has overtaken the Premier League. I want to come here and stand on my own two feet. The best way to do that is to come initially on my own but I will then add staff."