..::Football III::..

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I'm a fitter player at Bayern - Gotze

Mario Gotze says he is a fitter player at Bayern Munich than he was 18 months ago during his time with Borussia Dortmund.

The talented attacking midfielder signed a four-year deal with the Bavarians in the summer of 2013 when they paid his €37 million contract clause, ending his 12-year association with BVB.Intense competition for places and intermittent injury issues threatened to plague the Germany international's opening campaign under Pep Guardiola's wing.

However, Gotze was a regular starter by the end of 2013-14 and capped a solid season with Bayern by scoring the winning goal in the World Cup 2014 final in extra-time for Joachim Low's men.

"My first year in Munich was definitely not easy," Gotze told ESPN. "When I came here, Bayern had just won the treble."I was injured, then I played two games and was injured again for the following three matches. I spent three or four months living in a hotel. All of this, combined with adjusting from life at Dortmund, made ​​it very difficult for me. But I think I've adapted quite well.

He added: "I would not say that I've changed that much, but I'm in better shape than I was 18 months ago. Fitness is the most important aspect in this sport. You've got to feel good.

"There are many things that I want to do, I want to always improve and develop here, and Guardiola is the right coach to do this under."

Gotze and his Bayern colleagues face Hamburg on Saturday as they look to maintain their eight-point lead over Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

 

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Van Gaal: I want to win the FA Cup for Manchester United's fans

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal wants to win the FA Cup for the club's fans as his side prepare for their fourth round tie with Preston North End on Monday.

The Dutchman is looking to pick up his first major trophy since moving to England and believes that the FA Cup is a realistic target - with United having last won the competition in 2005.

However, as with previous ties against Yeovil Town and Cambridge United, Van Gaal knows another lower-league scrap is on the cards in Monday's clash at Deepdale.

He told MUTV: "It’s always the same because you know the world is for the underdog and we have to play away under the same circumstances as at Cambridge or Yeovil, so it shall be very difficult.

"You know that they play more or less with two rows of four and a striker who is dropping in, as did Cambridge and Yeovil and also the last [league] games, for example Queens Park Rangers and Burnley. It is always difficult to play against a defending team.

"It’s our goal to win a [trophy] and I hope to win one for the fans of Manchester United. It could be the FA Cup but it’s very easy to say that. It’s not so easy to reach the final and then win the final – that is difficult."

 

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Iniesta: Barcelona still the world's best

Andres Iniesta is adamant that Barcelona are still the best team in the world despite failing to win a trophy in 18 months.

After winning only the Supercopa last season, Luis Enrique replaced Gerardo Martino in the dugout and bolstered his squad with the signings of Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Claudio Bravo, Jeremy Mathieu, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Thomas Vermaelen.

Barca's performances in the first half of 2014-15 were overshadowed by Real Madrid's incredible winning streak, but now the Catalans are on fire themselves having triumphed in 10 consecutive matches.

Iniesta does not believe any perceived change in style - their famous tiki taka style has been diluted somewhat this season - has impacted detrimentally on Barca, who are now just one point off the top of La Liga."I don't know how people see Barcelona from outside," he told Perform. "When we are on the pitch, we just play football.

"There may be some changes on the style but at the end of the day it's still football. You train, you prepare yourself to give your best on the field and that's what I do and I have always tried to do.

"In my opinion my team-mates are the best in the world. I have no doubts about it. Having said that, we need to focus on giving our best and help them to keep up the great level they are showing on the pitch. "We need to carry on improving and making our team-mates look better as at the end of the day this is a team sport and we all have the same aims."

Still at the forefront of Barca's attack is Lionel Messi. The Argentina star has had a hand in 38 of the side's league goals alone this term and Iniesta mused at how his superstar colleague continues to baffle even those who know him best.

"It's very easy to play alongside Messi," Iniesta added. "He still amazes me because only he does what he does on a football pitch and he wants to keep growing and improving every day.

"He is instrumental for the team and that's something very little people, nearly nobody, is capable of."

 

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Marseille aren't turning chances into goals - Bielsa

Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa says his team must start turning their chances into goals if they want to win Ligue 1 this season.

The club missed out on their chance to leapfrog Lyon at the top of the table following Friday's 2-2 draw against Reims.

Nicolas de Preville opened the scoring for the visitors before goals from Dimitri Payet and Andre Ayew midway through the second half turned the game in Marseille's favour.

However, David N'Gog scored in stoppage-time to earn Reims a point, meaning Marseille could be third instead of first come the end of the weekend should Paris Saint-Germain defeat Caen.

"Call this result what you want, but it can't be a source of satisfaction," Bielsa told reporters. "We have dropped two points which are indispensable in our quest for what we are seeking.

"I saw that we were up against a side with many fewer resources than us, and the difference we showed in terms of chances, we weren't able to reflect that on the scoreboard.

"I think we have the quality, the resources to build attacking play and we don't manage to translate that into goals. It's a difficult situation to explain, because it's not the first time that I have to answer that question, and I can't find a satisfactory answer."

Marseille face a tough visit to fourth-placed Saint-Etienne in their next Ligue 1 outing.

 

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Buffon laughs off 'bizarre' Milan criticism

Gianluigi Buffon has laughed off the "bizarre" controversy in the aftermath of Juventus' 3-1 win over AC Milan last weekend.

Milan chief Adriano Galliani was seething after the defeat and responded by being critical of the referee's decision not to show Carlos Tevez's goal over a replay in Turin - despite the goal appearing to be onside.

Since then, a back and forth argument has been played out publicly between the Serie A champions and the Rossoneri, with some spectators suggesting the fall-out was "stupid" and "shameful".

Juve captain Buffon, who featured in goal for the triumph over Filippo Inzaghi's men, has now weighed into the debate by questioning why Milan have stirred up such a fuss over a decision that appeared to be the correct one.

"It was fantastic - they created controversy around a correct decision," Buffon told Sky Sport."The only mistake in that game was the corner that led to Milan’s goal, which should not have been given. I see nobody cares about that...

"It was certainly a bizarre controversy, the kind of thing only Italians can do. It helps you understand our nature, which is to stir up controversy and protest at everything."We even create controversy around what was not a refereeing error at all. It was the correct decision!

"In my view, this also gives even more strength to Juve’s victories, because when we get to this point you realise it’s all done for a reason."Juventus are back in action with a trip to Cesena late on Sunday, while Milan take on Empoli a few hours beforehand.

 

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Diego Costa: Ibrahimovic one of best strikers in history

Diego Costa has branded Zlatan Ibrahimovic one of the "best strikers in football history" ahead of Chelsea 's visit to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho's men were drawn against the Ligue 1 title holders in the last 16 of the Champions League, whom they defeated in the quarter-final stage in 2013-14.
Costa subsequently helped knock Chelsea out of Europe with Atletico Madrid before swapping the Vicente Calderon for Stamford Bridge at the start of the current campaign.

Ahead of the first leg at the Parc des Princes in midweek, the Spanish striker labelled Ibrahimovic as the player most likely to top Chelsea's European quest this term."Zlatan is a beast," he told British magazine Sport. "He is one of those players that I like because of his character and his quality.

"He is among the best strikers in football history. We all know how hard it is going to be playing against PSG. Most of their footballers play at international level. If we want to progress, we must do very well in both legs."

Costa also explained the differences between current manager Jose Mourinho and former boss Diego Simeone who - despite being similar in their desire for victory - are very different in their tactical approach.

"Mourinho and Simeone have plenty of things in common, such as the passion for the game or the levels of commitment they demand from players," the Spain international added."They ask the player to give everything he has inside. However, when it comes to tactics, Mourinho and Simeone have a different vision of the game.

"I've learnt many things from Mourinho. We all know that he’s among the best managers in the world. When you arrive in a team with a manager like him, you try to spot every single thing you can learn from him.

"Every manager has a different way of reading the game. In regards to Jose Mourinho, he is a clever manager who spots very well the opponent’s virtues and weaknesses. Our training sessions are based on that."

Chelsea are not in action this weekend due to being eliminated from the FA Cup by lowly Bradford City last month, meaning they have a few days to prepare for their clash with PSG, who face Caen on Saturday.

 

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Wenger: Gabriel can't speak English - and it's a problem

Arsene Wenger has admitted that new signing Gabriel Paulista's lack of English could prove a significant problem ahead of his impending Arsenal debut.

The Brazilian defender joined from Villarreal last month but has yet to make an appearance for his new club.

The Gunners face Middlesbrough in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday and, despite the language barrier, Wenger may still hand Gabriel a starting place as he looks to rest either Per Mertesacker or Laurent Koscielny.

"When you don't speak English and you don't understand 'Come out, come back, right, left', it is a problem for a defender," Wenger said.

"You need to know the key words. Offside. Referee. Foul."

Despite having little time to acclimatise to his new team-mates and fresh surroundings, Wenger is confident his €15 million signing possesses the mental toughness to succeed in England.

"The players are always under tremendous pressure because everything they do is analysed by the pundits and the press," Wenger added.

"The modern player has to live with that - resistance to stress has to be stronger than it was 10 years ago.

"He will not read the press. He will just focus on his game - that is one of the advantages."

 

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Official: Tim Sherwood named Aston Villa manager


Aston Villa have confirmed that Tim Sherwood has been appointed as the club's new manager, replacing the departed Paul Lambert.

The former Tottenham boss has been without a job since May 2014 after he was sacked by Spurs and although he had been heavily linked with QPR, talks with the club broke down paving the way for Villa to move in.

"It is a great honour to manage one of the biggest clubs in English football," Sherwood told the club's official website after the announcement of his appointment.

"I can't wait to get started and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

Villa chairman Randy Lerner added: "While being forever conscious of the frustrations that we all suffer, we feel that a change that offers a positive, fresh approach will be very good for the club.

"I know that Tom [Fox, Villa chief executive] and many others at Villa worked very hard to recruit Tim in the face of severely limited time constraints and pounding pressure.

"More importantly, I know further that internally we remain focused and committed to challenges we face, and I am deeply appreciative for that."

 

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Roma are not dependent on Gervinho – Garcia

Roma coach Rudi Garcia insists that his side are not reliant on Gervinho as the Ivorian prepares to return to the starting XI for Sunday’s home clash against Parma.

Gervinho has not played for his club in 2015 due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations and his absence has coincided with a disastrous run of form for Roma.The Giallorossi have won just one of their last five Serie A games, falling seven points behind leaders Juventus.

“Nobody is indispensable, as every player is part of the collective,” Garcia said in his pre-match press conference when asked about the ex-Arsenal man. “We can play better, certainly, but need to be more solid in defence and attack.

“Every game is fundamental, whether it’s in a league or a knockout tie. I expect my players to give their all in every match, starting from Parma.”

Gervinho’s countryman Seydou Doumbia joined Roma during the January transfer window and, after some complications with his registration, is available for selection against Parma.“Doumbia had a long journey before coming here, as he went from Africa to Moscow to complete some paperwork,” Garcia noted.

“We know the kind of player he is - a hitman who puts the ball in the net. This is what we expect from him. He only had one training session with us but he is ready now.”

Francesco Totti and Douglas Maicon are injured for the match against Serie A’s bottom club, while Jose Holebas is suspended.

 

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Misfiring Falcao will succeed at Manchester United - Law

Denis Law backs Radamel Falcao to become a success at Manchester United and believes that it is only a matter of time before he hits top form.

The Colombian striker has bagged four goals in 18 appearances since his loan switch from Monaco but has been largely used as a substitute by manager Louis van Gaal.

However, the United legend believes that the 29-year-old has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League and lauded his creativity up top.

He told United Review: "When you look at our squad, it looks really good.

"The guys who have come in have shown what they can do and we'll soon see them regularly at their best. Angel Di Maria is obviously a special talent and, while Radamel Falcao maybe hasn't scored as many goals as he would have liked so far, there's no questioning his pedigree and his ability.

"He has been absolutely excellent throughout his career and everyone was looking forward to seeing him play when his arrival was announced. He's a goalscorer, a good player who gets involved and, again, he's needed time to settle in, especially coming back from such a bad injury. But once he starts scoring regularly then you'll see an even better player."

Law scored 237 goals for the Red Devils during his career, offering his own advice on the tough mentality needed to succeed at the top level.

"As a goalscorer, you go through spells where everything is going in and other times when nothing will go right for you at all. You miss the target, hit the woodwork or the goalie makes a fabulous save and it feels like a lot of things are conspiring against you," he added.

"All you can do is keep trying, keep doing what you do best and nobody can ask any more than that. There's no question about Falcao's commitment at all; he's proven that beyond any doubt."

 

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Guardiola: Bayern have their style back

Pep Guardiola believes Bayern Munich have rediscovered their style after their 8-0 demolition of Hamburg on Saturday.

The Bundesliga leaders were in rampant form at the Allianz Arena, with Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and Mario Gotze all scoring twice, while Roberto Lewandowski and Franck Ribery also found the target.

With Bayern having struggled to hit top gear since the restart of the domestic season, Guardiola was delighted with their attacking display - especially given the return to Champions League action next week.

"We played well. Our build-up was faster than last time. I'm pleased our style is back," he was quoted as saying by the club's official website."Now we focus on the Champions League."

Xabi Alonso was left out of the side, with Guardiola taking the precaution of resting the midfielder ahead of the meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk."Xabi Alonso had a bit of muscular trouble. We didn't want to take any chances," he said.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, who started at the heart of Bayern's midfield, agreed with his coach's assessment of the improvements in their attacking play.

 

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Simeone: Atletico must try harder without Koke, Arda and Raul Garcia


Diego Simeone has challenged Atletico Madrid's squad players to step up to the plate against Celta Vigo in the absence of three of his most important first-teamers.

Koke will miss Sunday's trip to Vigo after picking up a hamstring injury in the champions' 4-0 hammering of Real Madrid last week, while Arda Turan and Raul Garcia are banned after collecting their fifth bookings of the season in the derby.
Third-placed Atletico know that three points at the Estadio de Balaidos are crucial if they are to keep up the pace with title rivals Real and Barcelona.

"You all know what Koke and Arda provide us with - creativity, talent and the fact they are used to our style of play and also the variety we have with them on the pitch," Simeone said in his pre-match press conference on Saturday."Their absences, along with Raul Garcia's, generate an extra effort for the team to neutralise such important absences.

"Because, as I always say, you don't need a team to compete in the best way - with a team, you can win certain games [but] to compete seriously, you need a group.

"The guys that are working here, they do it in order to make the most of the chances they get."Hopefully everything will work out."

Atletico have accumulated 50 points from 22 La Liga games this season and currently sit in third place.

 

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Bayern Munich’s 8-0 thrashing of Hamburg their biggest win in over 30 years

Bayern Munich reasserted their overwhelming stranglehold on German football on Saturday by thrashing sorry Hamburg 8-0 at the Allianz Arena.

Doubles from Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze and further strikes from Robert Lewandowski and Franck Ribery maintained Bayern’s eight point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.

In the process, Bayern set a number of records. It was their biggest win in over 30 years, with the last time they won so handsomely being a 9-0 triumph over Kickers Offenbach in March 1984. It was also the third biggest scoreline ever posted by the Bavarians - number one being an 11-1 battering of Borussia Dortmund in November 1971.

For the first time in his club career, Muller was directly involved in four Bundesliga goals – also assisting two strikes in this game. Gotze’s double means that Hamburg are now his favourite team to play against, having hit six goals in nine appearances versus the northerners.Robben is also now having the best club season of his career statistically, having been directly involved in 17 goals in his 17 Bundesliga games – three of them assists. He has 10 goals in his last 10 matches.

For Hamburg, who haven’t won any of their last 13 competitive matches against Bayern, it was their heaviest league defeat since the Bundesliga was formed in 1963.

In better news for Hamburg, their embarrassing loss fell some way short of the heaviest defeat in Bundesliga history. Borussia Dortmund’s 12-0 humiliation to Borussia Monchengladbach in April 1978 stands as the biggest ever margin in a top-flight clash in Germany.

 

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Inzaghi: AC Milan can win all remaining games

Filippo Inzaghi says AC Milan's fans have every right to be "fuming" over the club's current condition but is nonetheless pleading for patience from the Giuseppe Meazza faithful, and claims his side can will all 16 of the remaining Serie A fixtures.

The Rossoneri dropped to 11th in the table last weekend after losing 3-1 to Italian champions Juventus in Turin, thus turning up the heat on their already under-fire coach.

However, Inzaghi has been buoyed by Milan's transfer dealings during the January transfer window, which resulted in the arrivals of Mattia Destro, Alessio Cerci and Salvatore Bocchetti, and feels that the San Siro side are capable of finishing the season with a flourish, starting with Sunday's home game against Empoli.

"We have to be fuming with our position in the league table, but you only come out of tough moments with work and desire," the former Italy international told reporters on Saturday."The fans have been very patient, but they know me and they know about the desire I possess to do well and so I will give my all.

"At the end of the 90 minutes we will be ready for the jeers or the applause if we deserve it. The criticism doesn’t worry me because I am strong enough to fight against everyone and everything.

"It’s not right to look at the league table at the moment, we need to play with some of the conviction that we showed in the last match. At the end of the year we will then see where we finish. "If we give performances worthy of Milan, then we can win every one of the next 16 matches.

"I believe that with the new signings we have improved and there is everything in place to do well."Inzaghi hinted that Destro, who has joined on loan from Roma until the end of the season, is likely to lead the line against Empoli, but Atletico Madrid loanee Cerci is only fit enough for a place on the bench.

"Mattia has an excellent attitude, he trains very well, he’s a smashing lad but I don’t want to load him with responsibilities that put excessive pressure on him," the Rossoneri coach added.

"Cerci was on the way to peak condition, but he has been out for a couple of days because of a minor knee problem. I can only use him for 30 minutes because he hasn’t trained much."

 

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Ancelotti: Ronaldo doesn't need goals to shine

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insists that he is not in the least bit perturbed by Cristiano Ronaldo's three-game goal drought.

The Portugal international struck 28 times during his first 17 games of the Liga season but has not managed to find the back of the net since bagging a double in the 3-0 win at Getafe on January 18.

Ronaldo received a great deal of criticism after going ahead with his 30th birthday celebrations following last weekend's 4-0 humbling at the hands of city rivals Atletico Madrid and failed to silence his critics in Saturday's 2-0 win over Deportivo, with Isco and Karim Benzema instead inspiring Los Blancos to victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Ancelotti sees no cause for concern, pointing out that Ronaldo played his part in Real's triumph with an assist for Benzema.

"Cristiano didn’t score but created danger throughout the match," he told reporters afterwards. "He assisted on a goal, had a shot off the bar and didn't misplace passes. He was good.

"It wasn’t an easy game. We only played well in parts and we had tough spells. The week was different, delicate, complicated, but we came out of it with a win.

"Today we did at times what we always do. There were worries, but everything turned out alright."

Lucas Silva made his first appearance for Madrid following his January transfer from Corinthians. Ancelotti was pleased with what he saw from his new recruit during the Brazilian's 15-minute cameo and also found time to praise in-form attacking midfielder Isco.

"Lucas came on for Asier Illarramendi and had a good debut," the Italian coach added. "I think that he is ready to play as starter.

"Isco, meanwhile, is enjoying a very good moment and we should enjoy his performances."

Madrid's victory over Depor moves them four points clear of Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division, with the Catalans set to host Levante at Camp Nou on Sunday.

 

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Ancelotti: Madrid fans entitled to boo us

Carlo Ancelotti said he can understand why Real Madrid fans whistled him and his players before and during Saturday's Liga win over Deportivo, and claimed that they were perfectly entitled to do so after the derby defeat at Atletico.

The Liga leaders moved four points clear of second-placed Barcelona at the top of the table thanks to goals from Isco and Karim Benzema, but there were boos for both Ancelotti and captain Iker Casillas when their names were read out ahead by the Santiago Bernabeu stadium announcer prior to kick-off.

Gareth Bale was also jeered by some supporters during the game but Ancelotti insists he was not upset by the crowd venting their frustration with his players in light of the 4-0 loss at the Vicente Calderon the weekend previous.

"As always [after a defeat], the whistles were at the start. Then they stopped and there was applause for the game Iker had," the Blancos boss told reporters.

"It’s normal for me or the team to be whistled. It’s frustrating for everyone to lose a derby 4-0. "We all understood the need to win and the importance of the support. We need to say thank you to the fans.

"It’s hard to support the team when things go badly. The team are grateful for it."
Ancelotti admitted, however, that Madrid had played without the dynamism and spirit of adventure that propelled them to a 22-game winning streak during the first half of the season.When pressed on the cause of their lacklustre display against Depor, the Italian conceded that his players were still a little shell-shocked after their humbling at the hands of Atletico.

"[The usual verve] was lacking because of a result that took us by surprise," the Italian added. "That’s normal after a game like the Atleti one. "But the reaction has been good and we’ve got a lead in the league and we’re playing well in the Champions League."

Madrid face Schalke in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday.

 

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Rodgers: Liverpool can't afford to lose Sturridge again

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says he has no intention of taking any risks with Daniel Sturridge's fitness, admitting that the resurgent Reds cannot afford to lose the fit-again forward to another injury.

Sturridge spent five months on the sidelines with calf and thigh problems and the 25-year-old striker wasted little time in showing the Anfield outfit what they were missing during his lay-off by bagging a goal on his return to action against West Ham on January 31.

The England international struck again in Saturday's FA Cup last-16 win at Crystal Palace and Rodgers admitted after the 2-1 triumph at Selhurst Park that Sturridge's fitness is key to Liverpool's hopes of finishing the season strongly."He's working his way back, so it's just about extending his game time," the Northern Irishman said.

"I've got to do that because you risk re-injuring him and that's something we can't afford."You can see his qualities - his speed, his touch and he doesn't need too many chances to score.

"He looks really bright, the team is functioning at a high level at the moment and him coming back gives us a big boost in this part of the season."

Fraizer Campbell had given Palace a 15th-minute lead to stir memories of Liverpool's 3-1 Premier League defeat in London last November, but Sturridge and Adam Lallana netted after half-time to secure the visitors a place in the last eight.

"Earlier on in the season we weren't so good here at all but it was the making of the team really," Rodgers told BT Sport."It's obviously a difficult place to come. Alan [Pardew, Crystal Palace manager] has come in and done a great job here. It was always going to be tight and difficult.

"I thought we were very, very good after they scored the goal. We started a bit slow and weren't aggressive enough.

"I think we had 15 efforts on goal in the first half. I felt our three defenders needed to be more aggressive and go and attack the ball. We also needed to get in and around the second balls a wee bit more."

Reflecting further on Liverpool's humbling at Palace earlier this season, Rodgers added: "We'd no pace, we'd no penetration in the team. Our performance level and results couldn't have got any worse.

"We needed to arrest the momentum that was going in a negative way and, following that, we got seven points out of nine.

"In that period it was about trying to do a system and a solution where we could get our intensity back and get our technical players on the field.

"From that period here in November we've been on a really, really good run."

 

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FA Cup 2015.02.15 Fixtures

FA Cup 2015.02.15 Fixtures

Aston Villa Vs Leicester City

Bradford City Vs Sunderland

Arsenal Vs Middlesbrough​

 

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La Liga 2015.02.15 Fixtures

La Liga 2015.02.15 Fixtures

Valencia Vs Getafe

Barcelona Vs Levante

Celta Vigo Vs Atletico Madrid​

 

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Serie A 2015.02.15 Fixtures

Serie A 2015.02.15 Fixtures

AC Milan Vs Empoli

Roma Vs Parma

Atalanta Vs Inter

Genoa Vs Hellas

Torino Vs Cagliari

Udinese Vs Lazio

Chievo Vs Sampdoria

Cesena Vs Juventus​