..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Kane: I'll prove I'm no one season wonder


Tottenham striker Harry Kane is determined to prove he is no one-season wonder and believes his astonishing breakthrough campaign is just the start of a glittering career at the top level.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a superb campaign at White Hart Lane, scoring 31 goals in all competitions and winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award, despite starting the season as the club’s third-choice striker.

Now Kane, who will play at the European Under-21 Championship with England this summer, intends to confirm he is here to stay by carrying his electrifying form into the new season.

“It’s been incredible,” he told Goal of his rapid rise. “Obviously a lot has changed in nine months, it’s been great and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. Hopefully it’s just the beginning.
“I think I’ve matured - I’ve had to mature and get used to a different life on and off the pitch. But that’s part of it and I was ready for that. I had prepared myself because this is where I always wanted to get to.

“It doesn’t stop here. I want to keep progressing and keep working hard - and keep getting better.”

Mauricio Pochettino initially opted to field Kane in Europa League and League Cup games, where his scoring exploits – he netted nine times in 15 appearances – persuaded the Spurs boss to place his faith in his fledgling star in the Premier League.
Kane subsequently nailed down a place in the starting XI, and he has praised the Argentine manager’s role in his development.

“The manager has been great,” he added. “He’s worked a lot on me physically and individually. He’s done a lot of extra sessions to help me with my movement and my finishing and things like that. We will continue to do that so I can hopefully get better.
“I still do work on my finishing after training. I do it every day. I think it’s important to keep practicing and improve. I’ve had that attitude since a young age - to work as hard as I can. I will always continue to do that.

“The manager has done a great job this year. He’s used a lot of young players and that’s a great starting point. Everyone is fully behind the coach and he’s behind the players.”

Kane, who is battling it out with Sergio Aguero, Jordan Henderson and Thibaut Courtois to join Lionel Messi on the UK cover of FIFA 16, is wary of the increased challenge of facing defenders who are appreciative of his ability next season and admitted he felt he had already started to receive extra attention.

He is confident of dealing with the scrutiny, however, and hopes his performances can help Spurs improve on their fifth-place finish.

“I haven’t set any targets yet for next year but I know it’s going to be tough,” he conceded. “Defenders are going to be more wary of me but I’m ready for that. All I can do is concentrate on my own performances, do it again next year and try to improve.

“I think defenders are giving me more attention now but that’s part of it and you have to deal with that as a striker. If you’re scoring goals people are going to pay more attention.

“It’s about how you cope with that so that’s something I’ve got to learn and deal with next year.

“I think we have progressed this season. We had a tough start and then we struggled to maintain our form coming to the end of the season. That’s what we’ve got to try and do better - to attain a steady level of consistency throughout the season. That’s what we will be looking to do.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus to sign Mandzukic in €18 million deal

Atletico Madrid striker Mario Mandzukic is on the verge of joining Juventus for €18 million and will have a medical on Monday, Goal understands.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone hinted on Tuesday that the Croatia international could leave after claiming the club would decide the player's future rather than him.
Juventus have since emerged as the frontrunners to sign Mandzukic after Carlos Tevez informed the club of his desire to return to Boca Juniors.

The Champions League runners-up have moved quickly to fill the expected void by agreeing a basic €15m fee, with a further €3m in add-ons.

Juve have also agreed personal terms with Mandzukic, who will earn €3.5m a year after tax with an option to extend the deal by an extra 12 months until June 2019.
All that is left to finalise the move is for the former Bayern Munich attacker to complete a medical, which he is expected to do early next week.

The Bianconeri have already spent €32m on Paulo Dybala from Palermo, while Sami Khedira has joined the club on a free transfer after leaving Real Madrid.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus la ikmanata ikmanata playersa sign karagannawa​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kompany: De Bruyne is a phenomenal talent

Vincent Kompany has hailed Manchester City target Kevin De Bruyne as a “phenomenal talent” who would improve any team.

City want to sign the Wolfsburg star as they look to win back the Premier League title next season.

“Kevin is a phenomenal talent. He’s a game-changer, he’s efficient in front of goal but he’s also a great passer, which is probably his biggest quality,” Kompany told Goal.

“I try not to influence too much but I do recognise the fact that he’s an unbelievable talent and any team he goes to, he will make that team stronger.

“If he comes to City, I would be one of the happiest guys in the team. But it’s not my call and it’s his decision to make.

“There’s no secret. When you’re competing with the best, you can’t afford to take the eighth or the ninth best player in their position. Otherwise it reflects on your ambition.

“By going for some of the best players in the world in their positions, City are showing where they want to go. It will make a huge impact.”

Kompany faced criticism at times last season as Manuel Pellegrini’s side finished second in the Premier League and were eliminated by Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League.

But the City captain believes his form was hampered by injuries and says few players in the squad can claim to have performed well during a frustrating campaign.

“If you go through the team, you won’t find a lot of players that would dare to say they had a good season,” Kompany added. “You would probably give it to Kun [Aguero] and Joe [Hart] and a couple more players.

“When it comes to my own performance, there are things that influence the season and how people perceive it. Until November, I was playing really well but then I got injured and it wasn’t the same season for me. That’s what people remember.

“I’m emphasising staying fit because when I’m fit I play really well. I played well at the end of the season on our good run so hopefully I can carry that on for next season. It’s going to be a massive season for me.”

City are expected to spend heavily in the summer transfer window after they finished the season eight points behind champions Chelsea.

Kompany lifted the Premier League trophy as City captain in 2012 and 2014 – and the 29-year-old expects the chasing pack to close the gap on Chelsea next season.

He said: “Chelsea were very dominant last year. They were the best team so they deserved to win it. In that sense, the standard they have set this season is what will be required next season.

“We have all the tools to be that team. When you finish second, there are still a lot of teams behind you, which people forget sometimes.

“I don’t think there will be anyone running away with it next season. I think it will be between the same teams as last season. If we improve, United improve and Arsenal improve, the league will be a lot tighter.

“I cannot predict who will win it. I just hope with our habit of winning it on the last day that we will do that again.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Maria: I'd swap all my club trophies for a title with Argentina

Angel Di Maria claims he would swap all of his club trophies, including the Champions League win with Real Madrid, for a major title with Argentina.

The 27-year-old inspired Madrid to La Decima (their 10th European Cup crown) with a man of the match performance in the final against Atletico in Lisbon last May, but says winning a major title with his national side would mean much more.

"I honestly think I would swap all that I have won in my career to win something with the Argentine national team," he told the Copa America official site in an exclusive interview.

Di Maria won the Under-20 World Cup with the Albiceleste in 2007 and scored the winning goal to claim the gold medal for Argentina's Under-23 team at the Beijing Olympics the following year, but is without a title for the senior side.

"We were just a step away and we felt it was almost ours," he said in reference to last year's World Cup final defeat against Germany. "And I think there can be nothing more special than winning something with the shirt of your national team.

"There is no comparison. Everything you can win with your club is special, it's spectacular. Winning the Champions League was the best thing that has happened to me at a club, the best thing that happened to me in my life. But I don't think anything can compare to winning something with your country.

"Because it's your country, because you feel the shirt, you feel the support of a country behind you. We experienced that in Brazil. Every time we went out on to the pitch, we knew there were 40 million Argentines behind us, millions of Argentines in Brazil sleeping on streets, sleeping in camper vans. And you feel that.

"There were millions of Argentines who didn't have tickets, but they didn't care. They were there to support us and they left behind millions of things to come and see the Selección, come and watch us play and support us. So that's why there is no comparison."

Di Maria says Argentina's World Cup final appearance in Brazil last year was his happiest moment, even though he ended up missing the game through injury and Alejandro Sabella's side lost to Germany in extra-time.

"It was my happiest moment," he said. "That was the most special thing that has happened to me. We weren't able to win, but we gave everything on the pitch - and we made history.

"Argentina were back in a World Cup final. We always said we wanted to become legends and we couldn't do it. But that stays with us."

The attacker admits missing the Rio showpiece was frustrating for him personally - as well as the result - but believes people's perception of him as a player changed due to his performance at the World Cup.

"It is difficult to explain because it was something special to have been there and awful to not have played," he said. "I tried everything I could to play in that game, but it was the coach's decision and he decided it was better for me and for everyone.

"We played a great game and we were unlucky, but I repeat: we made history. We weren't able to become legends, but we gave a lot of joy to the Argentines. The Angel Di Maria from before the World Cup and after the World Cup changed so much because we gave everything we had on the pitch. Now we will keep trying to win a title."

Di Maria is currently lining up alongside close friend and fellow Rosario native Lionel Messi for Argentina at the Copa America in Chile and the 27-year-old admits playing with both the Barcelona forward and Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is another one of his career highlights.

"I have no words to describe that," he said. "I have played with the two best in the world - Leo and Cristiano. I was lucky enough to play with the two players who are still fighting to be the best in the world. That's something very few have had. Almost nobody. So that makes me very happy."

And on his close relationship with Messi, he added: "My fiendship with Leo is very good and it makes me very happy to wear the same shirt as the best player in the world, to be able to play alongside him and be his friend. It is something I will never forget."

Between 2010 and 2014, Di Maria and Messi were rivals at club level as Barca and Madrid met time after time in the Clasico, but the Manchester United winger admits he is happier having Leo on his own team.

"It is definitely better that way," he said. "Having him as a rival is complicated. You see game after game that it is impossible to take the ball off him, impossible to stop him. There are no words to decribe his talent.

"For me, and as others have said, he is from another planet."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi: I'll give everything to win Copa America

Argentina star Lionel Messi will "give everything" to win Copa America 2015 ahead of his 100th cap for his country versus Jamaica.

The Barcelona phenomenon has won a plethora of honours at Camp Nou, triumphing in La Liga seven times, the Copa del Rey on three occasions and the Champions League four times.

However, success with Argentina has remained agonisingly out of reach for the four-time Ballon d'Or winner - he was part of the team that lost the 2007 Copa America final to Brazil and captained his nation as they lost to Germany in last year's World Cup final.

Gerardo Martino's men are on the cusp of a place in the quarter-finals in this year's Copa in Chile and, as he prepares to reach his century of appearances, Messi has vowed to do everything he can to lead the side to pick up the trophy at the end of the campaign.

"I would give everything win the Copa America," he told La Nacion. "This group deserves it for the way they fight. We had a great World Cup and we deserve it.
"It's what I dream of. Winning the Copa America would us some give peace of mind for the coming World Cup qualifiers. Not only for my team-mates, for the coach and for me, but for the country, too. The fans also want us to succeed."

Regarding his 100th cap - which will come in Saturday's Group B contest against Jamaica barring a late injury - Messi hopes that he will finally have some silverware to go with his century of international appearances.

"I'm very happy to be here and hopefully I can celebrate another victory and once and for all win a title with Argentina," he added."In these 100 games I have had incredible experiences, really great times. They are unforgettable.

"I've been through situations that have helped me grow as a player, but unfortunately with no title to show for it. Hopefully I'll have one to go with these 100 games."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Otamendi pushing for summer transfer: Valencia know what I want

Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi has offered the strongest suggestion yet that he wants to leave the club this summer.

The Argentina international centre-back has long been linked with a big-money move in the close season, with Manchester United one of his principle admirers.
The player's agent, Eugenio Lopez, said in May that the 27-year-old would do his utmost to engineer a departure from the Mestalla, and Otamendi himself has now lent support to Lopez's comments.

"I spoke at the time with who I had to talk to and Valencia know very well what I want," he told ESPN. "Each word that my representative says is with my authorisation."I had a chat with the president and he knows what my desire is and now I leave what has to happen in the hands of my agent."

Valencia president Amadeo Salvo has previously insisted that only a bid of at least €50 million would be enough to prise Otamendi away from the club.

The former Porto defender, currently on Copa America duty with Argentina, made 35 Liga appearances last season, scoring six goals.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I'll make Lacazette Lyon's highest paid player, says president

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has pledged to give star forward Alexandre Lacazette a substantial salary rise should he sign a new deal with the club.The France international finished as Ligue 1's top scorer last season as he notched 27 league goals in the campaign – a new benchmark for the Rhone outfit.

As a result, interest in his signature has been forthcoming from the likes of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, and Lyon are now keen to tie him down to a long-term deal.

"We have offered him a salary that will give him at least €4 million per year," Aulas admitted. "I have to say this because we are publicly floated on the stock market. If he agrees to stay at OL for one or two more years, he will be the biggest earner at the club."

Lacazette has been at Lyon since the age of 12 and has progressed through their ranks to make over 180 top-team appearances. He is contracted to the club until 2018 but has been largely noncommittal as to his future.

Aulas has previously stated that Lyon will not allow their prized asset to leave for anything short of €50 million.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham won't sell Manchester United target Kane, claims Redknapp

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is too savvy to risk possible dressing-room unrest by cashing in on striker Harry Kane, according to Harry Redknapp.

Former Spurs boss Redknapp handed Kane his debut in 2011 but it is current manager Mauricio Pochettino who has got the best out of the 21-year-old.

A return of 21 goals from 34 Premier League appearances last term has prompted Manchester United to prepare a bid that would test Tottenham's resolve but Redknapp cannot see the youngster leaving White Hart Lane.

He told talkSPORT: "If Harry Kane left Tottenham, there would be uproar. It would send out all the wrong signals to Tottenham fans.

"I don't think Daniel Levy will sell Harry. He knows what that would do to the club.

"I was at West Ham when they sold Rio Ferdinand [to Leeds United in 2000] and, when that happened, it was like a pack of cards. Lots of top youngsters then left the club.

"Harry Kane is so popular and he's had a fantastic season. It would send out the wrong signals about Tottenham's ambitions for the future.

"I really can't see any way they would do that."

Kane himself has played down speculation linking him with United, declaring: "I am happy at Spurs. Tottenham are one of the big clubs. That is the way people have to see it. I am at a big club."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bacca will stay at Sevilla - Monchi

Sevilla sporting director Monchi is confident star striker Carlos Bacca will remain at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan this summer - even if one of his suitors meets his release clause.Bacca is currently on Colombia duty at the Copa America - he was red-carded after shoving Brazil star Neymar following Wednesday's''s bad-tempered clash in Santiago - but is a sought-after figure in Europe, with Roma leading the chase.

Despite the interest in the 28-year-old, Monchi believes the player, who has a €30 million release clause, will be staying in Andalusia.

He said at a press conference on Friday: "I think Bacca will stay at Sevilla. Both sides want that. We don't want to sell him but we can't stop any team from playing his release clause. That said, I insist he wants to stay anyway."

Monchi's words contradict those of the player's agent, who hinted earlier this week Bacca would jump at the chance to move to Rome for religious reasons.

"Carlos is deeply religious. And in Rome, there is the pope. And apart from that we are talking about one of the best clubs [Roma]," Sergio Barila told Corriere dello Sport."If Bacca were to leave Sevilla, it will not be for the money, but the chance to play in the Champions League."

Rather than lose his best player, Monchi is hoping to strengthen a Sevilla squad which finished fifth in La Liga last season, one point and one place adrift of a Champions League spot.

Having snapped up winger Gael Kakuta from Chelsea, AC Milan's former Valencia centre-half Adil Rami is another target.

"I think Rami is a great centre-back but there is no need to talk about him as everyone knows him. It is not an easy situation, though. I like him, the coach likes him as well but we must consider his situation. He is not an easy target," Monchi said.

Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka is also on Sevilla's radar, with Monchi confident a deal can be struck."It is still alive and we knew when we started competing for his [Konoplyanka's] signature that it would be a complicated task," he added.

"The delay does not mean anything negative for Sevilla, quite the contrary. The longer the process goes on, it means that Sevilla remains an option.

"It is an issue that is not easy but we move forward slowly. We will not wait forever but at the level that the negotiation is, I do not see it lasting too much longer."We want to tie everything up so that the player is convinced, focused and happy."

Reports in recent days have suggested Sevilla are keen to bring Adriano back from Barcelona, with team-mate Martin Montoya and Juventus striker Fernando Llorente mooted as potential targets as well."When reading in the press today about Adriano, we were surprised," Monchi said.

"He is a player who we have great affection for but he is in another orbit. Llorente is not a target and neither is Montoya. They are players that we like but obviously we set goals that are realistic."We go where we can and to what we can achieve, both in sporting and economic terms."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Galatasaray rule out Van Persie bid

Galatasaray have ruled out a move for Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.

Gala head coach Hamza Hamzaoglu revealed on Wednesday that the club were hoping to reach a deal with Van Persie, who has also been the subject of an enquiry from Real Madrid, but has now revealed that such a deal is unlikely.

Lazio have also rejected rumours of a bid for the 31-year-old – insisting he is 'outside of their parameters' – and Galatasaray are the latest to pull the plug on a potential bid.

"Robin van Persie is not on our agenda," Hamzaoglu told Spor 3. "The costs are very high. This year, we will be a little more careful."

Van Persie has previously outlined his intention to remain at Old Trafford and fight for his place next season.

"In August, I'm 32. But I still have the ambition to play for another eight years. In a few years' time I may have to accept that I will no longer play at the very highest level. I don't think that moment is coming now. I still feel very, very fit," he told reporters earlier this week.

"Playing in the first team is very important for me. This is why I will probably step down one level when I am 36 or 37. But not now."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona presidential candidate Majo 'offered' Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos

Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Majo has claimed he was offered Sergio Ramos by an intermediary as an "electoral asset" - but has ruled out the possibility of using the Real Madrid star as part of his campaign.

Majo made the admission as he staked his claim to assume power at Camp Nou ahead of the election on July 18.

The Mataro businessman – who also outlined his plans to install Michael Laudrup as the club's sporting director – dismissed the offer out of hand and claimed it was part of a ploy to get Ramos a new, improved deal at Madrid.

He said: "We were offered him, a month and a half ago roughly. I don't know if anyone else [another presidential candidate] was offered him but we are not going to play that game. We will not be a reason for him and his brother to increase their pay at Real Madrid.

"If another candidate has been offered him and accepted that’s their problem but we totally ruled it out."Majo is an outsider in the election race behind two men who have held the role previously – Josep Bartomeu and Joan Laporta.

That has not stopped him putting plans in place, with former Barca and Madrid midfielder Laudrup having already agreed a deal to oversee the football side.

He added: "I have chosen Laudrup as sporting director on the person, not the name. He is intelligent, has experience of the culture of the club and gets along well with [Johan] Cruyff.

"His Real Madrid past is not important because I know he has Barcelona in his heart."Laudrup recently left Qatari club Lekhwiya after one season and his agent Bayram Tutumlu confirmed the Dane had agreed a deal with Majo.

Tutumlu told tipsbladet.dk: "It's true, he has signed and will be sporting director if Majo wins the election. He will have responsibility for all the sporting matters in Barcelona, from the academy to the first team."Tutumlu admitted there were no other offers currently on the table for his client but that he was not concerned.

"I don't know the future but a lot of people want Michael Laudrup. Michael is skilled so it does not worry me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Allegri: Mandzukic is a proven goalscorer

Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed Mario Mandzukic is set to join Juventus and spoke of his confidence that the striker will deliver goals in Italy.The Croatia international is nearing an €18 million move to the Serie A champions from Atletico Madrid, just one year after arriving in Spain from Bayern Munich.

Mandzukic is seen as a potential replacement to Carlos Tevez - who could be set to return to Argentina with Boca Juniors - and Allegri is optimistic the 29-year-old will be a success in Serie A, having already proven his worth with his previous clubs.

"We must not try to replace Tevez but rather sign players and see based on them what way we would like to play," Allegri told Sky Italia. "We have Alvaro Morata, Paulo Dybala and Mandzukic is arriving too."Mandzukic is a player who has scored goals in every league he has played in. He has character and is a striker of international level who will do well in Italy.

"We took him because we wanted him, he is a great player and I am very happy with his arrival."
Juventus are coming off the back of an impressive season which saw them win Serie A and the Coppa Italia as well as reach the Champions League final, where they lost to Barcelona.Allegri is looking forward to another strong campaign in 2015-16, with a fifth consecutive Scudetto in his sights.

"Juventus had a vintage season," said the head coach. "We lacked a little bit extra to complete the work by winning the Champions League, but it was a great final. We fought well and there were great chances for both sides.

"One of our objectives is to win a fifth consecutive title. Juve only managed that in the 1930s. We also want another beautiful Champions League campaign."The club is working well and when the transfer window closes we will have a squad with at least 10 players under 23-years-old."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bartomeu: Barcelona will always defend Neymar

Josep Maria Bartomeu believes all court action relating to Barcelona’s controversial signing of Brazil star Neymar will come to nothing and insisted the player will be fully supported as he launched his campaign for presidential re-election.

The 52-year-old suffered a blow this week when a Spanish judge agreed that a fresh lawsuit - this time from Brazilian investment fund DIS – would be investigated.

Bartomeu, former president Sandro Rosell, Santos and two of their executives were all listed on the legal complaint, as were Neymar and his father – the first time the player himself has been named as a defendant.

Bartomeu, Rosell and Barcelona are already under investigation for tax evasion relating to the controversial transfer in 2013."With Neymar it is an unjust situation,” said Bartomeu. “We will continue to defend the player because he has always done things well.

“I have always said that the first Neymar case will end in nothing. Now there is another case. The most important thing is that the player is with Barca and he will be for many years.”

Bartomeu, who was vice-president from 2010 before taking over the presidency for the last 18 months following Rosell’s departure, also discussed speculation about the club’s pursuit of Juventus star Paul Pogba."On Pogba, I am not within the club at the moment,” he said.

“I don't know what they are doing about a deal though I am sure there is continued work going on. But right now I cannot say whether €80 million would be too much or too little.”

The presidential hopeful stated his case to club members on why they should re-elect him this summer, but insisted coach Luis Enrique should not be used as a tool in the process by any of the candidates.

Bartomeu continued: “Luis Enrique is on holiday and he needs to relax. When he returns, he will be dedicated to football and to his players.“We present ourselves for the elections with the club leading the world in all areas. Barcelona are the first club in the world to make more than €600 million in a year.

“I don't know if we are favourites to win the election, but the people are happy - and not just for the treble. That encourages us. We think we have improved a lot in this club in these five years.“In the elections we will see what happens and which candidates go to the second stage.

“Joan Laporta? There are many candidates and I am not going to speak about one or the other. What I like, though, is that there are several options.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Muller: Dortmund can shake things up next season

Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Muller believes Borussia Dortmund remain a "great squad" and are capable of shaking the Bundesliga up next season.Bayern strolled to a third consecutive German title in 2014-15, but it was Wolfsburg who provided the main threat to their dominance rather than Dortmund.

In recent times it has largely been the Signal Iduna Park outfit who have provided the biggest challenge to Bayern, but they endured a difficult season in which they finished seventh, having headed into the mid-season break bottom of the league.
However, with Thomas Tuchel having replaced long-serving head coach Jurgen Klopp, Bayern forward Muller is braced for a renewed challenge.

"They've changed their coach, they still have a great squad. Everything doesn't change that quickly," Muller said.

"Obviously Dortmund didn't have a good season, not by their own standards either. Everybody knows that."However, everybody knows how difficult it is to beat Dortmund. I think it’s nice if things shake up a bit, as long as first place doesn't change."

Muller has also set his sights on his side becoming the first team to win the Bundesliga for a fourth consecutive time.He added: "One particular goal comes to mind. No team has ever won the Bundesliga title four times in a row. It's never happened before.

"There are many records which we have broken or missed out on over the last few years and I like this particular one very much. It would be great and that's what we'll work for."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mexico 1-2 Ecuador: Copa America ends in disaster for El Tri

Ecuador stayed alive at the Copa America thanks to a 2-1 win over Mexico on Friday.

Needing a victory to at least stay in the hunt to be one of the two best third-placed teams, Ecuador hung on for the three points after goals from Miller Bolanos and Enner Valencia.Raul Jimenez struck from the penalty spot for Mexico just after the hour-mark, but Gustavo Quinteros' men held on to jump into third in Group A.

It means Chile and Bolivia are guaranteed to go through, while Ecuador will need some luck as their goal difference (-2) leaves them as the third best third-placed team.Quinteros' side had looked the more likely to score in the first half and they did, albeit with some luck, thanks to Bolanos' scrambled effort at the back post.

Bolanos and Valencia combined for the latter's goal in the 57th minute and Ecuador held on despite Jimenez's penalty, which came after a sloppy challenge in the area.Ecuador made a lively start and gave Mexico goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona work to do in the opening five minutes.

Bolanos shot straight at the shot-stopper, who saved with his legs, before Corona palmed away a Christian Noboa strike.Mexico's best chance fell to Vicente Vuoso, the man whose brace helped them draw 3-3 with Chile.

The forward was rewarded for his high pressing, turning over possession before curling a shot inches wide from inside the area in the 23rd minute.Miguel Herrera's men would be punished for that missed chance soon after.

Valencia's hopeful shot from the left was blocked and fell to the back post, where Bolanos was quickest to react and scrambled into the roof of the net.A Valencia header, which floated harmlessly over the crossbar, was the only chance of note in a scrappy start to the second half.

That proved to be a sign of things to come, as Valencia doubled Ecuador's lead in the 57th minute.

A poor turnover of possession in their own half put Mexico in trouble and Bolanos slid Valencia through, the West Ham forward getting across his defender with a touch before burying his finish.

Vuoso had a half-chance saved before Mexico were awarded a penalty after Gabriel Achilier climbed all over Hugo Ayala as a corner came in.Jimenez stepped up and made no mistake from the penalty spot, going straight down the middle as Alexander Dominguez dived to his left.

Herrera was sent to the stands and his Mexico side were unable to find an equaliser despite their late pressure as their Copa America campaign came to an end.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chile 5-0 Bolivia: Rampant hosts cruise through as group winners


Arturo Vidal's recent off-field misdemeanour failed to derail Chile as the Copa America hosts charged towards the quarter-finals in emphatic fashion, beating Bolivia 5-0 in Santiago to seal top spot in Group A.

The lead in to Chile's final group fixture was dominated by Vidal, who made a public apology after his driver's licence was revoked for crashing his car while under the influence of alcohol on Tuesday.However, Chile put the incident aside as they clinched first place in the standings ahead of Bolivia courtesy of Charles Aranguiz's double.

Aranguiz's two-goal haul came either side of Alexis Sanchez's first-half header - the Arsenal star's first goal of the tournament.

Gary Medel and an unfortunate own goal from Ronald Raldes completed the scoring during the closing stages, meaning Chile topped the group with seven points from three matches, ahead of Bolivia (4), Ecuador (3) and Mexico (2).

Jean Beausejour returned to Chile's starting line-up at the expense of Miiko Albornoz, while Mauricio Soria made four changes for Bolivia, with Edemir Rodriguez, Cristian Coimbra, Pablo Escobar and Walter Veizaga replacing Edward Zenteno, Damian Lizio, Miguel Hurtado and Danny Bejarano.

Both teams were assured of progression after Ecuador downed Mexico 2-1 in the group's earlier game and Chile wasted no time stamping their authority on proceedings, Aranguiz putting the host nation ahead after just three minutes.

Medel picked out Eduardo Vargas with a long lofted pass and the latter cushioned the ball into the path of Aranguiz, who made no mistake inside the penalty area.
Chile continued to dominate possession and they almost doubled their lead in the 19th minute via Sanchez after the forward saw his free-kick hit the outside of the post.

The woodwork denied Sanchez again 12 minutes later, when his set-piece sailed over the wall and cannoned off the crossbar.Sanchez finally got the goal he deserved eight minutes before half-time, having started and completed a counter-attacking move.

Bolivia gifted away possession on the half-way line and Sanchez pounced, playing the ball out wide to Jorge Valdivia, who delivered a cross for his team-mate to dive low and head powerfully past goalkeeper Romel Quinonez.

Vargas missed the opportunity to put the result virtually beyond doubt in the 41st minute after dragging his shot wide of the target, with the goal gaping at his mercy.

With the points seemingly safe, Sanchez and Vidal were withdrawn at the break. Their absence took the sting out of the match, though Chile still managed to breach Bolivia's defence.

Aranguiz netted his second of the match in the 66th minute, substitute Angelo Henriquez squaring the ball across the six-yard box for his team-mate to poke home from close range.Medel got in on the action in a rare foray forward 11 minutes from time and the combative midfielder looped the ball over the onrushing Quinonez.

Bolivia's heavy defeat was capped by defender Raldes, whose attempted clearance flew over his own goalkeeper and into the back of the net in the 86th minute.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba needs to stay at Juventus, says Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri believes star midfielder Paul Pogba needs to stay at Juventus in order to develop properly.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked to a move away from Turin this summer, with senior figures at Barcelona and Real Madrid both confirming interest in him, while Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked.However, Allegri insists Juve have no need to cash in on the France international just yet and feels it is in his best interests to remain in Italy.

"The club does not need to sell Pogba," the head coach told Sky Italia. "It depends on what the player wants, but I talked to him and I left happy.

"He is young and still needs to stay at Juve to develop. It is easier to grow in an environment like this and he has many years ahead of him. "Juve are a great team at the same level of the others in Europe and he has to have the right motivation to have another good season."

The 47-year-old also touched on the futures of Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio, two of his other midfield regulars."Pirlo has to decide whether or not to continue at a certain level or have an experience abroad," said Allegri.

"He will tell the club after four extraordinary years what he wants to do. He was decisive for us again last season."Marchisio? His future is to play in front of the defence."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

No chance of Dzeko leaving Man City, insists agent

There is no chance that Edin Dzeko will leave Manchester City this summer, according to the striker's agent.

The Bosnian scored just six goals in 31 appearances in all competitions last season and was linked with a move away from the Premier League runners-up.

But the Bosnia-Herzegovina international's representative, Irfan Redzepagic, insists his client has had no offers from other clubs and wants to stay at the Etihad Stadium next season.

"When you read the media reoirts, it looks like all clubs want Dzeko!" he told Bosnian newspaper Nezavisne, before joking: "I've also heard some of Bosnian league teams are after him!

"Every day he is linked to some other club: first it was Atletico Madrid, then Juventus, now Roma, Chelsea... These are all just rumours that go on during every transfer window. I am bored of repeating that those stories are not true.

"He hasn't rejected any offers because there were no offers! And that is the whole truth. Edin has a contract with Man City until 2018 and is happy at the club.

"Many things influenced his performances last season, like the two injuries he had, but he has no reason to be unhappy at the club he won four trophies with. So the chances of him leaving are none!"

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar wa Copa America 1ken suspend karala​