..::Football III::..

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Bayern star Alaba set for further tests after injury scare

Bayern Munich are awaiting news on a knee injury suffered by David Alaba in Tuesday's 1-1 friendly draw between Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The versatile 22-year-old was substituted at half-time at the Ernst Happel Stadium, after hurting his left knee in a collision with Hoffenheim's Ermin Bicakcic, with the latter falling on top of him.

Alaba spent more than two months on the sidelines earlier this season after partially tearing the medial ligament and damaging the meniscus in his right knee during Bayern's 2-0 win over Roma in the group stages of the Champions League.It seems he could now be set for another lengthy lay-off as he awaits a diagnosis of his latest injury.

"I have very, very strong pain. I can barely walk. I really do not know what's going on," he told reporters.Austria coach Marcel Koller added: "David has problems with his left knee. He is not so good."

Bayern, who remain in the hunt for three trophies this term and face Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday, confirmed Alaba will undergo an examination on Wednesday.

 

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Danilo has earned his Real Madrid move, says Lopetegui

Porto coach Julen Lopetegui has praised Real Madrid bound right-back Danilo for developing "all aspects of his game" in the last few years.The defender is set to join the world and European champions this summer after they agreed a €31.5 million deal with the Portuguese side.

Lopetegui has been impressed by the 23-year-old's work rate and the way he has improved since joining from Santos in January 2012.

"This year he wanted to learn to improve in all aspects of his game - tactically, physically and in his concentration," he is reported as saying by AS."Danilo has helped us improve and the team has grown collectively.

"He has progressed very quickly because he understood what we asked and, like the rest of the team, he wanted to grow and grow at Porto despite being a young player."The coach says he has no issue with the club selling the full-back, saying it gives them the chance to bring new young players through.

“We already knew the strategy of the club and the coach has to adapt to what they give you," he added. "This will allows us to work with younger players that motivates us to polish and perfect them."

 

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Danilo pattama sign 1kak Real Madrid lataNew Dani Alves​

 

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Debuchy returns to Arsenal training

 

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Cabaye: I'll discuss my PSG future at the end of the season

Cabaye PSG giye aparade

 

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Koeman expecting more Southampton departures

Ronald Koeman expects some members of his Southampton squad to leave the club at the end of the season after impressing in the Premier League.

The Dutch head coach inherited a squad shorn of many of its leading stars but has reinvented Southampton to challenge for a European place.
Goal understands Manchester United are set to step up their interest in Nathaniel Clyne, while Morgan Schneiderlin has repeatedly been linked with Arsenal and Tottenham.

And Koeman thinks it is inevitable more players will leave, but he insists he is ready to deal with any departures.

"We will do everything to keep all the players in the club," he said. "It won't be like last season, well I hope not.

"We will lose some, that's normal, we just have to be prepared."

One player Koeman appears likely to lose is on-loan defender Toby Alderweireld after Atletico Madrid sporting director Jose Luis Caminero said he would return to the Spanish capital next season.

A new goalkeeper could be top of Koeman's list, meanwhile, with Fraser Forster facing a lengthy lay-off after sustaining a serious knee injury.

"It depends on what will be the final decision [on Forster's return]," Koeman added.

"If Fraser is out for a longer period of time than expected then maybe yes [we will buy a new goalkeeper]."

 

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Kane can play for England Under-21s, admits Pochettino

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino would be happy for Harry Kane to represent England's Under-21s at the European Championship.

Kane has grabbed the headlines for Spurs this season and his return of 19 Premier League goals saw him earn a call to England's senior team.

He marked his debut with a goal in the 4-0 victory over Lithuania in Euro 2016 qualifying, before making his full bow in Tuesday's 1-1 friendly draw with Italy.

However, England manager Roy Hodgson is keen for the striker to play for the Under-21s in Czech Republic in June.

With Spurs' first team set to travel to Australia at the end of the season there have been fears that Kane's involvement with the Under-21s could lead to burnout.

But Pochettino is open to the idea so long as the necessary discussions with the Football Association and Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate take place.

"I think we [Tottenham] have eight games, very important games, and we have time to speak about a lot of things that happen," he said.

"I think why not [play for the Under-21s]? Harry is our player and after if I decide he is needed in the squad to travel to Sydney it's our decision.

"I think we have time to speak in the future about seeing about the European competition. I think we told you in the past at different press conference we are always available and we want to help the national team.

"We always have a very good relationship. The decision we need to share, first the player, then the FA and us."

With the senior European Championship set to take place in 2016 there is a possibility that Kane could play tournaments in consecutive close-seasons, something that Pochettino says everyone must be wary of.

"We need to protect him but this is what we have to discuss with the FA, Gareth Southgate and with us," he added. "We always try to find the best solution for the player and for the national team."

 

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Inter: Yaya Toure may be too expensive

Inter general director Marco Fassone has admitted Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is the club’s “dream” summer signing but says the Serie A side may struggle to afford a deal for the Ivorian.

Manager Roberto Mancini has already urged Inter to sign the 31-year-old, with the Italian keen to link up again with the midfielder he coached during his time at the Eithad Stadium.

Toure’s City contract still has two years left to run but speculation over his future at the club has been rife this season and Fassone says he would improve the Nerazzurri.

“Who doesn’t dream of having a player like him?” Fassone told Tuttosport.

“Touré would give our midfield line something that we are lacking. But his wages and City’s asking price might be a big obstacle.”

Fassone also revealed that Inter are keen to keep their top players at San Siro, not least Mauro Icardi who has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League.

“We are almost there with respect to Icardi’s contract extension,” he added. “We want to keep him just as we want to keep [Mateo] Kovacic. We will evaluate with great care [their] eventual offers.

“[Samir] Handanovic’s renewal is an issue that we must resolve at once. We need to understand what he wants. We cannot go into next season knowing that our goalkeeper’s contract expires.”

 

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My ankle's sore and swollen, says Messi

Lionel Messi has revealed his injured foot remains sore and swollen after returning to Barcelona from a spell on international duty with Argentina.

The 27-year-old was absent from training last Thursday with the problem, which meant he sat out the friendlies with El Salvador and Ecuador during the international break.

Reports suggest Messi picked up the injury after a heavy challenge from Manchester City's Martin Demichelis in the second leg of Barca's Champions League last 16 win over the Blues.

He went on to complete the game, however, then played through the pain in their Clasico victory over Real Madrid and he is hopeful of making a swift recovery.

"Back in Barcelona. The tour in US was sweet and sour for me," Messi wrote on his official Facebook page. "We got two wins with a great job from everyone, but I couldn't play because of my swollen foot."It still hurts a bit, but I hope to recover soon so I can help the national team and Barcelona."

Messi and Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano underwent light training on Thursday, with the Catalans revealing in a statement on their official website that the pair will join the rest of the squad on Friday.

Barca face Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday and it remains to be seen whether coach Luis Enrique risks his star man for the game.

 

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I'm a better striker at Bayern than at 'long-ball' Dortmund - Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski believes he has improved as a player since swapping Borussia Dortmund for Bayern Munich last summer.The Poland international ran his contract down at Signal Iduna Park and signed for the club's arch-rivals upon the expiration of his deal.

However, Lewandowski has been criticised for a return of 13 goals in 24 league games, but insists his all-round game is actually far better now."No striker nowadays can just stand inside the penalty area and wait to score goals," he told Bayern's official website.

"I've been at Bayern for about six months and I'm now better at my art; every day I train with great players.

"Of course you can always play better and score more goals but I'm a player who thinks of the team."At Dortmund the defence would play long balls for me to chase but here the decisive criteria is possession."

Lewandowski will come up against his former club Dortmund on Saturday with 29 points separating leaders Bayern and BVB, who are down in 10th, and the 26-year-old is relishing facing old colleagues.

"I had four beautiful and successful years in Dortmund and I still have very good contact with some former team-mates," the Pole added."But this does not mean that I won't go there and give everything to take three points."

 

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I'm a better striker at Bayern than at 'long-ball' Dortmund - Lewandowski

Better Striker wenna athi,ath ithin wadak thiyanawadachances aduwen neh set wenne​

 

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Everton aren't safe - Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has dismissed talk of planning for next season, insisting everyone at the club is focused on securing their Premier League status.

The Toffees finished fifth during the Spaniard's first campaign with the club, but have struggled to replicate their impressive form this season, and currently sit just nine points above the relegation zone.

Last month's elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Dynamo Kiev ended any hopes of silverware this year, and Martinez says a top-half finish is now the main priority.

"It would be a big mistake to start planning for next season," the Everton boss told reporters. "We have had a good reaction in the league and now we have 24 points to fight for.

"They will be very significant in terms of getting stronger and making sure we finish as high as we can in the table, and get the momentum we had in the last campaign.

"There can be no distractions, the league position is everything that matters, every game is a really special opportunity to show what we can do and how strong we can finish.

"We had two very good wins [over Newcastle United and QPR before the international break], they were important and have given us a sense of confidence and belief.

"We are fighting to reach the 40 points, that's the target, nothing will change until we achieve that."

Everton face Southampton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

 

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Fergie: Ronaldo and Messi still untouchable

Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain untouchable in world football and challenged Neymar to reach the incredible heights set by the game's two best players.

The ex-Manchester United boss managed Ronaldo for nearly six years at Old Trafford before he departed for Real Madrid in 2009, where he has won the Ballon d'Or twice in the last two years.

Ferguson also came up against Messi on several occasions - including two Champions League finals, with the Argentine triumphing with Barcelona on both occasions - and he says the pair are way above the rest.

"You'll always look at clubs like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United to produce that kind of player you're talking about,” he said in an interview with SiriusXM FC.

"But to be honest I'm not sure there's one sticking out at the moment. The boy Neymar gets a lot of publicity about the potential he's got, but I think that's still to be seen, still to be fulfilled.

"Certainly, most people I speak to speak highly of the boy. When I had Anderson at United, he spoke volumes about the boy's ability."So hopefully he'll be the next one who'll produce the type of talent we see in Messi and Ronaldo."

Ferguson also offered his backing to Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti following speculation regarding his future on the back of the club's poor start to 2015.

Madrid have lost top spot in La Liga to Barcelona, whom they trail by five points, and scraped past Schalke to reach the Champions League quarter-finals."Carlo is a top man," said Ferguson, who was in the stands for the second leg of that European tie. "I was over at the Real Madrid game with Schalke and he was fantastic.

"He came up and he knew Darren [Alex Ferguson's son] had lost his job at Peterbrough and said 'Why doesn't Darren come and spend a few days at Real Madrid training? It will do him the world of good'.

"He was fantastic. I can't say enough about that man. He is top drawer - a fantastic human being and a great coach.

"Carlo is one of the best coaches I've ever come across and one of my biggest opponents, so I wouldn't worry about his future, that's for sure."

 

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Pellegrini unsurprised by Sterling links

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has refused to be drawn on rumours linking the club with a move for Liverpool star Raheem Sterling.

The 20-year-old turned down a new contract at Anfield earlier this week, sparking rumours City and Premier League rivals Arsenal could launch summer bids for the England international.

Pellegrini was quizzed over the reports but said Sterling's name was one of many players who have and will be linked with the club over the next few months.

"I don't think it's just this part of the year – the whole year there are a lot of rumours about us wanting players," he said.

"I will not talk about rumours as we have so much talk about so many players who may come here and we have a big squad."

A potential move for Sterling could be of even greater importance after FA chairman Greg Dyke suggested introducing a larger quota of home-grown players to bring through greater numbers of English talent.

However, Pellegrini believes the Premier League must continue to attract the games top players - regardless of nationality - to keep the standard of play high.

"I think it is important for big teams to bring in the best players, that's the most important thing," said the Chilean.

"All the big leagues need the best players to play every week."

 

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Alaba injury a catastrophe - Ribery

Franck Ribery says the loss of David Alaba for the next seven weeks with torn knee ligaments is a "catastrophe" for Bayern Munich.

The Austria international picked up the problem in his nation's 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina, but remains hopeful of returning before the end of the season.
Bayern team-mate Ribery admits his absence is a big loss to Pep Guardiola's side and is desperate for Alaba to reach full fitness as soon as possible.The also-injured Frenchman told Goal: "It is difficult for him, for his family, for the team and for the whole club. He is so important for us.

"He was already injured before the winter break, but he fought back. He was in peak condition and his performances were great. We have lost a big player.

"Now he has to stay calm and remain optimistic. David is strong enough to deal with it. For us, though, this is a catastrophe. He must return as soon as possible, he's that important to us."

Alaba spent more than two months on the sidelines earlier this season after partially tearing the medial ligament and damaging the meniscus in his right knee during Bayern's 2-0 win over Roma in the group stage of the Champions League.

He joins Ribery (ankle), Javi Martínez (cruciate ligaments), Arjen Robben (stomach) and Thiago Alcantara (knee) on the sidelines, with the Bavarians set to face Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

 

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'Hummels the perfect age to move to Premier League'

Mats Hummels is the perfect age to leave Borussia Dortmund and join a club in England, according to Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer.

The 26-year-old has repeatedly pledged his future to his current employers but this week admitted for the first time that he would consider his options at the end of the season.

Manchester United have long been linked with a move for the centre-back and Beckenbauer believes now is the right time for him to join the Premier League.
"At 26, Hummels is at the best age to make the move to England," he told Bild. "I can understand his thinking well."

Beckenbauer spent 13 years at Bayern Munich during his playing days but claims he nearly went to Inter at a similar age."In 1966 I had signed a pre-contract with Inter. Then, however, Italy closed its borders to foreigners and I did not go to Milan.

"Before the 1966 World Cup I signed a contract with Inter worth about €450,000 which was a staggering amount of money. At that time it was only possible in Italy, that was the hub of football.

"Inter was at the top with Giacinto Facchetti, Sandro Mazzola and a legendary coach like Helenio Herrera."Bayern played in a small stadium, Grunwalder Strasse, Milan had the huge San Siro and I was fascinated by the atmosphere. I wanted to go at any cost."

Hummels, who was handed the Dortmund captaincy last summer, still has two years remaining on his current deal.

 

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'Hummels the perfect age to move to Premier League'

Come to Manchester United Hummels​

 

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I want to play with PSG target Pogba - Verratti

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti says he would love to play alongside Juventus star Paul Pogba.

The France international's current deal in Turin runs until 2019 but that hasn't stopped reports linking him with a big money move to several of Europe's top clubs.

Pogba joined Juve after leaving Manchester United on a free transfer in 2012 and is now widely regarded as one of the best central midfielders in the world, and Verratti is among his admirers."Pogba’s a phenomenon," the Italian told So Foot. "If he had been allowed to play at Manchester United he’d have responded as he’s doing now for Juventus.

"He needed confidence. Juventus gave it to him and now he’s proving to everyone that he’s among the best in the world."It would be nice to play with him one day, he’s very good. Playing with the best players makes everything is easier."

Verratti has also established a reputation as one of Europe's best passers since leaving Serie B side Pescara for PSG in 2012.

The 22-year-old, who excelled in his side's recent Champions League last-16 victory over Chelsea, revealed it was his time in Italy under Zdenek Zeman that has made him the player he is today."The year with Zeman changed my life," he added. "Before that I only came back to defend if someone was hurt.

"Then I started to think about football 24 hours a day, the little things that you can do to improve your game to make a difference.

"It became a job, a responsibility. Nobody works players like him. Sometimes after training I was throwing up from the effort of 20 miles of running. It was like military training."

 

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Pellegrini: Kompany form doesn't worry me

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that he has no concerns about Vincent Kompany's form in recent weeks.

Kompany's performances have come under scrutiny this season and were highlighted when Pellegrini opted to drop the defender for City's clash with Leicester last month.

The Chilean coach has come to the defence of the 28-year-old though, after he was dimissed during Belgium's 1-0 win over Israel on Tuesday.

"I don't worry about Vincent because I know him," Pellegrini told reporters. "He knows perfectly what way he has to play.

"I don't know about the sending off because I didn't see it but I think he improved a lot with our team in the last game so I don't worry about him.

"There are not any problems."

 

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Arsenal must pay whatever it takes to get Sterling - Wright

Arsenal should pay whatever it takes to lure Raheem Sterling to the Emirates Stadium from Liverpool and play him wherever he wants, according to Gunners legend Ian Wright.

Sterling sparked renewed speculation about his long-term future at Anfield when he told BBC Sport that he has postponed talks over a new contract and admitted he is flattered to be linked with a move to Arsenal.

Brendan Rodgers insisted that the 20-year-old is not for sale at any price this summer, but Wright is adamant that no expense should be spared by Arsene Wenger in pursuit of the 20-year-old.

"You can’t say ‘No’ to a talent like Raheem Sterling," the former Arsenal striker told Goal.

"I put it on Twitter - ‘Arsene, just go in, offer whatever he wants and play him wherever he wants’, because he’s someone you can build a team around and the more confidence he gets, the more he’s going to do for the team."

Sterling has been criticised by pundits and journalists for turning down a new long-term deal believed to be worth €135,000-per-week to stay at Liverpool, but Wright argues the youngster is right to think carefully about the next stage of his career.

"It’s a hard one for Raheem," he added. "He’s getting all sorts of bad publicity because his contract talks are taking longer than I’m sure Liverpool would like. I think he’s making the right decision, simply because he’s 20 and has the world at his feet.

"He’s at a fantastic football club, no doubt, but when you consider that he’s been playing in all sorts of positions, at right wing-back.

"When there are other teams interested who I know would definitely play him where he wants to be played, it doesn’t come to money. He wants to play somewhere he can make a proper mark on the game.

"He’s got to be careful about saying things like ‘I just want to play football and play at a good club’, because then the likes of Arsenal or Real Madrid may come in and offer €68 million for him but say ‘we’ll only pay you €110,000-a-week because you said you just want to play football’. He’s got to be careful in that way because people will twist and turn it around.

"But I’d like to see Arsenal at least be trying to get someone like Raheem Sterling."