..::Football III::..

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Wenger: I have the hunger to continue at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger says he still has the hunger to continue at Arsenal after watching his side retain their FA Cup trophy with a 4-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley.

The victory sees the Gunners boss become the joint most successful manager in the competition's history with six trophies, alongside former Villa boss George Ramsey.

Wenger - whose future has been the subject of some speculation throughout 2014-15 - insists he would like to have the chance to claim the record outright while with the Emirates club.

"I have two more years left on my contract," he told BBC Sport.

"I will just sit down with my directors and see how much they believe and trust in me. My hunger is great but I want to do well."

Wenger said that the latest addition to Arsenal's trophy cabinet has proven his side's pedigree, especially after an inconsistent start to the season.

"It's a continuation of how we've played recently," he said. "Overall we have shown again that we're a real team, we've made progress.

"We can deal with pressure. I would like to congratulate everybody: my staff, the players and the fans, who were great again today. After an indifferent start, the season has finished well so we are very happy.

"Honestly, I had a difficult week. I had very difficult decisions to make, from the keeper to the centre forward. But when the confidence is good and the spirit is so high in our team it helps. I'm very proud that our club is doing well."

 

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Dortmund 1-3 Wolfsburg: DFB-Pokal won by De Bruyne and Dost

Jurgen Klopp was denied a fairytale end to his seven-year reign at Borussia Dortmund as Wolfsburg came from behind to claim their maiden DFB-Pokal crown with an impressive 3-1 win.

A compelling final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin saw Dortmund draw first blood after six minutes courtesy of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's stunning volley, before Luiz Gustavo reacted quickest to convert Naldo's rebound and restore parity.

Wolfsburg took command and were ahead on 33 minutes thanks to Kevin De Bruyne's magnificent long-range drive, and Bas Dost added a third with a powerful header.Kagawa slid in to stab just wide after half-time, but Dortmund could not find a way back, denying Klopp a second Pokal title.

The win banishes any bad memories for Bundesliga runners-up Wolfsburg, who avenged defeat to Klopp's men at the semi-final stage of last year's competition to lift the trophy for the first time.

In contrast, it brings a disappointing end to Klopp's tenure at Dortmund, who fought back from being bottom of the league at the start of the year to earn a Europa League berth.

An action-packed first half saw Dortmund take the lead after just six minutes, when a teasing cross from Kagawa from the right was brilliantly met by Aubameyang, who beat the offside trap to volley home.

The lead was nearly wiped out just two minutes later, with Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak – Klopp's sole change from the emotional win over Werder Bremen in his final home fixture at the helm - denying De Bruyne's low effort following some good work in the box by Dost.

Marco Reus should have extended the advantage 10 minutes later but could not keep his shot down after Aubameyang had broken free down the right, and his profligacy was soon punished.

A clever free-kick saw Langerak palm away Naldo's bending 30-yard strike, allowing it to fall kindly for Gustavo in the box – the Brazilian coolly slotting past the despairing Langerak.

The relentless pace of the game showed little sign of waning and Langerak found himself picking the ball out of the net again just after half an hour, thanks to De Bruyne's superb 25-yard drive.

Klopp's dream send-off was dealt a further blow five minutes later when Dost rose highest to head home Ivan Perisic's cross as a resurgent Wolfsburg seized the initiative.

Dortmund tried to respond but Aubameyang fired wide when found by Kagawa again shortly before the break.

A mistake from Erik Durm meant Langerak had to be alert to deny Daniel Caligiuri at the start of the second half, before Kagawa slid in to poke just wide at the other end moments later.

Only a deflection from Durm prevented Dost from doubling his tally on 66 minutes as Dortmund struggled to find the inspiration needed for a comeback.

Sebastian Kehl's final outing was brought to an end when he was replaced by Lukasz Piszczek in the 68th minute, before Kagawa forced a smart save from Diego Benaglio, who also did well to parry Aubameyang's free-kick five minutes from time.

But Dortmund's efforts were ultimately fruitless as they signalled the end of an era with a disappointing defeat.

 

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De Bruyne patta​

 

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Auxerre 0-1 PSG: Cavani goal bags domestic treble in Coupe de France final

Paris Saint-Germain have become the first club in French football to claim a domestic treble after Edinson Cavani clinched a 1-0 Coupe de France final victory over second-tier Auxerre on Saturday.

Laurent Blanc's men had already ensured a successful season after winning a Coupe de la Ligue and Ligue 1 double, but the defeat of Auxerre completes an historic clean sweep, increasing their undeniable dominance of French football.
PSG had little problem exerting control during an immensely one-sided first half, although a combination of the post and Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Leon ensured a frustrating 45 minutes for Blanc's side.

Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – back in the team following a calf injury – were typically threatening, though neither could beat Leon, and Thiago Motta saw a powerful strike cannon back off the post just before the break.

The second period followed a similar pattern but Cavani did finally make the breakthrough with 64 minutes played, heading in his 31st goal of the season across all competitions.

A late PSG collapse never appeared likely as the Ligue 1 champions tightened their grip, crossing the line with minimal fuss to lift the trophy for the ninth time.
Auxerre unsurprisingly looked to soak up pressure right from the start and such a setup resulted in some frustration for PSG, who appeared to be missing the creative ingenuity of the suspended Javier Pastore.

Blanc's side used the ball well in midfield, forcing Auxerre to work supremely hard without possession, and eventually crafted an opportunity in the 16th minute.

Cavani peeled away from his marker at the back post and met Thiago Motta's left-footed delivery on the volley, but his scuffed effort slammed against the floor and bounced over the goal.

The Parisians' next chance arrived 10 minutes later, but this time goalkeeper Leon was alert to the danger, rushing out to block Lucas Moura's poked effort from point-blank range following Ibrahimovic's knockdown. Leon continued to keep PSG at bay, thwarting Ibrahimovic twice in quick succession from close range just after the half-hour mark.

But he was rendered helpless in the 40th minute, as Motta's fierce drive beat the goalkeeper only to come back off the right-hand post.

Auxerre began to offer more of an attacking threat at the start of the second half, although that only seemed to encourage PSG, who should have broken the deadlock in the 56th minute - Cavani sending a header straight at Leon from Maxwell's pinpoint delivery.

The Uruguayan was not to be kept out eight minutes later, though. This time, following a cross from the right, Cavani nipped ahead of his man at the last second and sent an emphatic header in off the crossbar, leaving Leon with no chance.

Auxerre's inability to force Nicolas Douchez into any meaningful saves left PSG sensing their solitary goal was enough to claim a third Coupe de France in the last decade.

Ibrahimovic could have made the result a little more comfortable when he agonisingly failed to connect with Gregory van der Wiel's cross in the 85th minute, but it mattered little as PSG held on to bring their dominant season to a fitting and triumphant close.

 

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Athletic Bilbao 1-3 Barcelona: Messi and Neymar fire Catalans to Copa del Rey glory

Another wonder-goal from Lionel Messi helped Barcelona clinch their 27th Copa del Rey crown as they outclassed Athletic Bilbao 3-1 at Camp Nou.

With the league title already in the bag, Saturday's result secured a domestic double for Luis Enrique's side and kept them firmly on course for a remarkable treble ahead of next week's Champions League final against Juventus.

Athletic had come into the game looking to avenge their 2009 and 2012 final defeats at the hands of the same opponents, but rarely looked capable of causing an upset after Messi bagged a brilliant 57th goal of the campaign after 20 minutes.

Neymar duly doubled Barcelona's advantage 10 minutes later and Athletic's 31-year Copa drought was destined to continue when Messi added his second and Barcelona's third on 74 minutes, with Inaki Williams' reply coming far too late for the outgunned Basque side.

Barca's fans in attendance, meanwhile, reserved their biggest ovation of the night for legendary midfielder Xavi, who was introduced from the bench early in the second half for the last domestic appearance of his remarkable 17-year spell at the club.

During a lively opening, Athletic looked dangerous down the left through Mikel Rico and were almost gifted the lead on 10 minutes when Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Javier Mascherano found themselves on different wavelengths.

But having survived that early scare, Barcelona swiftly found their rhythm and had twice gone close through Luis Suarez by the time Messi fired them into the lead with yet another magnificent solo goal.

Picking the ball up wide on the right, the Argentina star slalomed his way into the box, leaving four defenders trailing in his wake before beating Bilbao goalkeeper Iago Herrerin at his near post.

The overworked Herrerin was then forced to deny Neymar and Gerard Pique in quick succession as a rampant Barcelona threatened to run away with the game.

Suarez went within inches of doubling his side's advantage on the half-hour mark, but seven minutes later the Uruguayan combined delightfully with Ivan Rakitic to tee up Neymar for his 38th goal of the season.

Having enjoyed a let-off when Williams' well-struck volley found the woodwork just before the break, the men in red and blue continued their all-out assault on the Bilbao defence as the second-half wore on.

Neymar wasted several good chances to make the game safe before Messi nipped between two defenders to slide home Dani Alves' cross with 16 minutes left, rendering Williams' late reply for Athletic little more than a consolation.

Tensions rose at the end of the game as Neymar's attempted showboating wound up Athletic defenders, but the contest was almost concluded on the most romantic of notes as Xavi curled a free kick onto the post.

The Barca captain was all smiles moments later, however, as the final whistle sounded, leaving the Catalan club to focus upon next week's Champions League clash with Juventus and the prospect of securing a second domestic and European treble.

 

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Congratulations for Barcelona,Wolfsburg & PSG!

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Atalanta 1-3 AC Milan: Rossoneri end poor season on a high note

AC Milan finished a poor Serie A season on a high note as a Giacomo Bonaventura secured a 3-1 victory over Atalanta on Saturday.

Early on, it looked like another defeat was on the cards for Filippo Inzaghi's men as Daniele Baselli headed home emphatically to cap an excellent start for the home side.

A limp-looking Milan did at least show some fight to turn the game around, although the irony is that the damage was done by two players who began their careers at Atalanta.

First Giampaolo Pazzini won and dispatched a penalty with 36 minutes on the clock before Bonaventura tapped home two minutes later to turn the game on its head.Bonaventura ended the game as a contest with 10 minutes remaining, scrambling in his second after a scruffy effort had hit the post.

Milan have been waiting for the season to end from almost the very start and the same appeared to be true of their final game as 17th-placed Atalanta dominated the opening stages.

With just eight minutes played, Luca Cigarini's ball over the top of the Milan defence was misjudged by Gabriel Paletta forcing Chrtistian Abbiati to make a brave close-range stop from Baselli.

The 23-year-old midfielder was not to be denied for long though as another excellent run into the box was picked out by Maximiliano Moralez's cross, allowing Baselli to head beyond Abbiati and into the net with 21 minutes played.

Milan, reacted strongly, however, and Pazzini stroked home the equaliser from the penalty spot with 10 minutes of the half remaining after Andrea Masiello had pulled him back in the area.That goal brought about another for the visitors just two minutes later as Stephan El Shaarawy's cross got all the way to Pazzini at the far post.

The 30-year-old smashed his shot against the post but another Atalanta old-boy in the form of Bonaventura was on-hand to tap home the rebound. The second-half began as the first had, with Atalanta dominating the ball and the chances but on this occasion, they could not find a way beyond Abbiati.

Cigarini went close with a powerful free kick from just outside the area with an hour played before Milan survived a real scare five minutes later.

Abbiati could only parry a low Davide Zappacosta cross back out into the heart of the penalty area but Alejandro Gomez could not quite reach the ball and Palleta cleared to safety.

Bonaventura made them pay for that miss 10 minutes from the end with a very similar goal to his first, calmly passing the ball into the net after he had prodded Andrea Poli's cross onto the post.

 

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Allegri warns Pogba to 'stop showboating' ahead of Barcelona clash

Massimiliano Allegri has warned Paul Pogba he must "stop showboating" to cut out mistakes affecting his game ahead of Juventus' Champions League final clash with Barcelona.

The France midfielder was not at his best against Hellas Verona on Saturday as the Bianconeri finished their victorious Serie A season with a 2-2 draw, and Allegri has called for Pogba to simplify his performances.

"Pogba has enormous qualities but, when he lowers his concentration, he makes mistakes that are avoidable," the Juve coach told Sky Sport. "This is an important point of his growth, he needs to stop showboating in midfield."

Juve were set to head into next Saturday's clash with Barca in Berlin with a triumph, thanks to goals from Roberto Pereyra and Fernando Llorente, but Juanito added to Luca Toni's earlier effort in stoppage-time to deny the Italian table-toppers all three points.

"We alternated between good aspects of our game and bad aspects," Allegri added. "Our lead was handled badly, to be honest, regardless of the missed penalty from Carlos Tevez late on. Winning would've been a better way to end."

Allegri also passed his opinion on ominous quality that Barca have in their ranks but stressed he is not having any sleepless nights at the prospect of facing Luis Enrique's men.

"It’s borderline impossible to stop Barcelona being dangerous," the coach continued. "We have to not only focus on that, but on attacking and making life hard for them.

"Barcelona play in a different way with Luis Enrique at the helm to how they did under Pep Guardiola. They have less possession and play with a centre-forward, which they didn’t use before.

"I'm not losing any sleep, I sleep pretty soundly. It’s a game we have to prepare for but there’s no need to fire up the team for a Champions League final.

"Nobody expected Juventus to reach the final, and this doesn’t happen often in one's life, so we must do our best to bring the trophy home."

 

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Cazorla: Arsenal are lucky to have 'amazing' Alexis

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla says the Gunners are lucky to have Alexis Sanchez in their ranks after the Chilean scored a stunning goal to help his side to a 4-0 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup final.

The attacker sparkled at Wembley, helping set up Theo Walcott for the opener before grabbing a superb goal with a fierce strike from range that flew in off the underside of the bar, giving Shay Given no chance.

Sanchez finishes the season as Arsenal's top scorer with 25 goals after an impressive debut campaign and Cazorla paid tribute to him after the Gunners won the tournament for a record twelfth time.

"Alexis is an amazing player," he told BBC Sport. "We're lucky he plays for us and I'm very happy for him."

The Spaniard also feels that Arsenal can challenge for the title next season, if they produce the same form as they have shown in the second half of the campaign.

"We are very happy," he added. "We played well. We are very focused. We played with intensity. This is the most important thing for us," he added.

"If we play like that, we have a chance to get the title next year. The most important thing is to rest well, prepare for the next season and I'm sure next year we'll be better."

 

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Khedira on verge of Juventus move - Marotta

Juventus managing director Giuseppe Marotta has claimed Sami Khedira is on the verge of being announced as the club's first major signing of the summer.

The Real Madrid midfielder, 28, has only featured for his current club once since January and is certain to depart the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer transfer window.

Khedira has been linked with a string of sides, including Arsenal and Manchester United, but Marotta has revealed the Germany international is extremely close to putting pen to paper on a contract with the Scudetto holders.

"We are very close to signing Khedira," he told Sky Sport. "The official confirmation will only happen when he has signed the contract.

"We moved quickly in the transfer market to get him. This is a winning team and we are taking the right opportunities to better it further."

Marotta also insisted Juve have no intention of cashing in on Paul Pogba before the start of 2015-16, despite Paris Saint-Germain having had an offer of €80 million accepted for the French midfielder.

"Pogba is a player who has grown up in such a short amount of time," the club chief added. "Juve are used to winning and to continue doing so we need to keep hold of players like him."

Juventus ended their victorious Serie A campaign with a 2-2 draw against Hellas Verona on Saturday and will now prepare for a Champions League final against Barcelona next weekend.

 

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Wenger: Walcott will be at Arsenal next season but Vidal won't

Arsene Wenger has reiterated his desire to keep Theo Walcott at Arsenal and also insisted he is not interested in Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.

Walcott opened the scoring at Wembley as the Gunners comfortably saw off Aston Villa 4-0 to win the FA Cup for a record twelfth time, capping a superb end to the season for the attacker.

Wenger reiterated his desire to keep the England international at the Emirates Stadium this summer, and praised his determination to recover from injury setbacks earlier in the season.

"I don’t see why Walcott should not be here next season," he told reporters. "He was out for a year from January to January and it took him a while to come back to his best.

"I think he’s now at a very interesting age with his experience, he’s at his peak physically. It’s a time to stay with us."

The Frenchman - who with his side's triumph became the joint most successful manager in FA Cup history - also responded to speculation about Chile international Vidal after the game.

“Arturo Vidal? You [the journalist] must be from Chile!" he added. "We have good midfielders and at the moment we are not looking at Arturo Vidal."

 

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Inzaghi: Milan players believe in me, I hope the club do too

AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi has pleaded with the club to believe in him the way he is certain his players do after they defeated Atalanta 3-1 in Saturday's final game of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti has been heavily rumoured with a return to San Siro following his sacking from Real Madrid, but Inzaghi thinks he has finally turned a corner in a season which has been well below the Rossoneri's high standards.

"The club can see that this team plays good football and has an identity now," Inzaghi told Sky Sport after Milan secured 10th place with the win over Atalanta.

"I knew the players would react, we were truly a team in these last four or five games. Now there are strong foundations and with a few new faces Milan will get back to where it was."I have a contract. If people believe in me, then we go forward, if not then the club will evaluate the situation.

"I am relaxed and happy, I was pleased to have the whole squad behind me, which is not easy for someone making his Serie A debut as a coach.

"It is truly emotional to see the response from the people. If you give your all, then you clearly enter into people's hearts. I like this profession and will continue along my path."

Asked where he realistically sees his future next season, Inzaghi said: "My first thought right now is to relax. I hope to stay at Milan, I have a contract, I believe that I have much to give and many people have faith in me."If I am told otherwise, then I will go elsewhere."

 

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Neymar: I won't change the way I play

Barcelona forward Neymar says he will not change the way he plays football after he wound up Athletic Bilbao rivals in his side's 3-1 win in Saturday's Copa del Rey final at Camp Nou.

With Barca 3-1 up and only minutes remaining, Neymar attempted to flick the ball behind his body and over the head of Athletic's Unai Bustinza, provoking an angry reaction from the Basque defender and the rest of his team-mates.

The Brazilian was then treated to a chorus of boos from the Athletic fans and given some rough treatment by rival defenders every time he touched the ball in the final few minutes.

But he told TV3 after the game: "I don't know why they reacted like that. It's my way of playing. I have always played like that and I am not going to change because some people get angry.

"It was a move like any other. These things happen in football."

Barca's win means they have now completed a domestic double of Liga and Copa victories ahead of next weekend's Champions League final against Juventus.

"The double is done," Neymar said. "Now we are just 90 minutes away from making history.

"The pressure was great, but we controlled the game and we have won the title. Now we will rest and start thinking about the treble."

Neymar scored Barca's second goal after Lionel Messi netted a wonderful opening goal to put the Catalans in control and the Argentine later added the third.

"That's Leo," the 22-year-old said. "He's special."

 

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Sherwood: I feel sick after losing to world class Arsenal

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood admitted he felt “sick” after his side were blown away by a “world class” Arsenal team in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

The Gunners secured back-to-back FA Cup triumphs with their 4-0 victory and Sherwood accepted that Villa were comprehensively outplayed by Arsene Wenger’s men.

“I feel sick and so do the boys in there, but you can only know how winning feels when you watch another team walk around the pitch with the cup,” Sherwood told reporters.

“I feel quite bad at the moment. The job was to come in here and stay in the division but that’s no consolation.

“They deserved to win, no arguments about that. They’ve got outstanding, world class footballers and today we couldn’t nullify their threat or impose ourselves on them either.”

Villa finished just one place and three points above the relegation zone at the end of the Premier League season - and Sherwood revealed that plans are already being put into action for significant changes in the summer.

Sherwood added: “There will be a few changes. I think I can improve the group here now but players will come in.

“The changes start immediately. Some of the boys have already been told they won’t be here next year and to find other clubs.”

 

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Messi's goal one of the best in history - Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu believes the first goal scored by Lionel Messi in the Catalans' Copa del Rey win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday was one of the best in the history of the game.

Messi's stunning solo strike saw Barca take the lead in the Camp Nou clash and they ran out 3-1 winners to complete a domestic double of Liga and Copa titles.

Neymar added a second and the Argentine scored again before a late consolation netted by Inaki Williams, after which Bartomeu labelled the opening strike a goal that will go down as an all-time classic.

"We have seen one of the best goals in the history of the game," the Barca chief told TV3 afterwards.

"The team played a very serious game, we had a lot of chances in the first half and we gave a good account of ourselves. We can leave here happy having won the Copa, but also because of the performance of the team."

Barca can now put the cherry on top of a spectacular season by beating Juventus in the Champions League final next Saturday in Berlin, something Bartomeu is keen to hold off thinking about as they revel in their cup success.

"It's true that we are one game from the treble," he addedd. "But let's celebrate the double first. We don't have to think about next Saturday's game yet. The time will come for that. We are in a great moment."

Bartomeu is hoping to be re-elected as Barca president this summer, but the club's current chief is set to face competition from former favourite Joan Laporta, who led the Blaugrana between 2003 and 2010.

"Messi is the best player in the history of football," Laporta tweeted after the game. "He is projecting this team to legend status. Berlin awaits the eternal champions."

 

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Messi’s goal was from another galaxy - Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique has showered praise on Lionel Messi after the forward produced a brilliant display in Barcelona's 3-1 Copa del Rey final win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

The Argentine enjoyed another memorable match as he scored an incredible solo goal to break the deadlock before adding a third for his side in the second half following a Neymar tap in.

Luis Enrique has joined the chorus lauding the 27-year-old and suggested efforts like his wondergoal opener - which he conceded he had not seen from a good angle yet - are witnessed all of the time in training.

“We're used to this Messi. We’re lucky to enjoy him every day in training, when we see him wriggle away from three challenges before shooting. His first goal was from another galaxy,” the coach said.

“I can’t wait to see the goal on television – being a coach made it difficult to see properly.”

Neymar, another arm of Barcelona’s forward trio who set a new Spanish record of 120 goals this term, came under fire from Athletic after the game for a perceived lack of respect and Luis Enrique empathised with their frustration.

“If I were an Athletic player I would have reacted the same or worse,” he said. “But in Brazil, this is normal.”

Meanwhile, the coach is unable to know for certain if Andres Iniesta will be fit to feature in next weekend’s Champions League final in Berlin against Juventus when the winner will wrap up a major trophy treble this season.

“Iniesta’s fine, he had some discomfort. There'll be tests and we'll see if he can play next week,” Luis Enrique added.

 

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Messi ge goal 1ka pattaNiyama solo goal 1ka

 

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Serie A 2015.05.31 Fixtures

Serie A 2015.05.31 Fixtures

Cagliari Vs Udinese

Roma Vs Palermo

Fiorentina Vs Chievo Verona

Inter Vs Empoli

Napoli Vs Lazio

Sampdoria Vs Parma

Sassuolo Vs Genoa

Torino Vs Cesena​

 

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messi ge goal eka