..::Football III::..

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Lahm: Gotze has nothing to prove to Bayern

Bayern Munich skipper Philipp Lahm has leapt to the defence of Mario Gotze, claiming that the under-fire attacker has nothing to prove at the Allianz Arena.

The Germany international has been struggling to live up to the high expectations in Bavaria since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2013 for €37 million and has received his fair share of criticism for his fluctuating form in the past few months.

Indeed, Gotze is now being linked with a move to Juventus, with Arturo Vidal set to move in the other direction, but Lahm has stressed that his compatriot remains a key figure at Bayern and has the full support of his team-mates."Gotze has never been the subject of criticism with us. That's why he does not have anything to prove," Lahm was quoted as saying by TZ.

"Mario is an excellent player. We all know what he can bring and do for the team."
Gotze has made 93 appearances in all competitions for Bayern, scoring 30 goals in the process.

 

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Guardiola exit not end of world for Bayern, says Rummenigge

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has stressed that it would not mean the end of the world for the Bundesliga champions if Pep Guardiola were to leave the club.The 44-year-old's current contract is due to expire at the end of the 2015-16 campaign and he has so far been reluctant to open talks over a renewal.

Nevertheless, Rummenigge is confident the Bavarians will be fine regardless of whether Guardiola stays put.

"We’re very happy with Pep, who’s doing a good job. He’s a good representative," the Bayern chief said at a press conference."I’m relatively relaxed. If he wants to stay on that’s wonderful, but if he doesn’t it won’t be the end of the world. In that case we’ll think of something new."

Rummenigge then went on to discuss the Spaniard's role in Bayern's transfer policy and insisted that Guardiola is not the one calling the shots, even if he does play his part.

"In general, the club Bayern are in charge of transfers," he added. "But I can say one thing and that's that we have never signed anyone against the coach's will.
"It would be mad not to discuss transfers with the coach. In the end, he is the one who has to work with them.

"Pep obviously plays a role, but it's not like he is telling us who to sign."

 

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New Manchester United signings will make me better, vows Herrera

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera is optimistic that competing with new recruits like Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger will only improve him.

The former Athletic man started 28 games in all competitions last season but faces a renewed challenge for his place in Louis van Gaal's midfield.

Nevertheless, the 25-year-old is confident that he will get plenty of chances over the 2015-16 campaign and is ready for the fight, with Champions League fixtures now to be juggled as well as domestic commitments.

"After one season, I know how well I have to play to keep playing for Manchester United," Herrera told the Daily Mirror. "I'm happy with my development last season but this is Manchester United - I have to keep improving if I want to play for this club.

"We have the capacity to buy new players, we have the best players in the world, but I think it's good for me. I'm a young player, I want to keep improving but, of course, it's always difficult to keep playing here. Now there are even better players than last season but it's a good challenge for me.

"I love football, I love my job and I love to improve so I don't see that as a problem. I see it as a new challenge that will make me better.

"I always believed in myself when I was not playing much [last season]," he continued. "I knew in advance I was coming to maybe the biggest club in the world so I knew it wasn't going to be easy to play - otherwise I would have stayed in Bilbao - but I love the challenge; I love to have the chance to play for Manchester United.

"Now we have a new season with the chance to play in the Champions League so, when I am not playing, I'm calm because I believe in my qualities.

"Every manager, at the beginning of the season, has his own idea of what the team should be but no team ever finishes a season as it started it. Everyone is going to get their chance.

"The most important thing, if we win something, if we win a title, if we're playing for the Champions League, is that everyone is going to be important because the big teams are formed with 20-22 players, not only 11.

"I think I was important in moments last season but I want to be even more important this season."

 

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Delph stretchered off 18 minutes into Manchester City debut

Fabian Delph has been stretchered off just 18 minutes into his Manchester City debut.

The midfielder, who joined City from Aston Villa a week ago, appeared to jar his leg follwoing a challenge with Luka Modric during the International Champions Cup match against Real Madrid in Melbourne, Australia.

City signed the England international to bolster their options in the centre of midfield but could now be without their £8 million signing at least for the remainder of pre-season.

Delph was beset by injury problems earlier in his Villa career, missing most of the 2010-11 season with a serious knee injury and the second half of the following campaign with an ankle problem.

He shrugged off those early set-backs to play a leading role at the Midlands club in recent years, and was handed the captaincy by Tim Sherwood last season as Ron Vlaar struggled with fitness problems of his own.

After initially turning his back on a move to City and pledging his future to Villa, he made a dramatic u-turn and signed a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Shortly after Jesus Navas replaced the Delph at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, City fell behind to a smart volley by Karim Benzema.

Cristiano Ronaldo, linked to a return to Manchester United in Friday's newspapers, made it 2-0 a few moments later when he latched on to Toni Kroos' measured ball over the top to clip past Joe Hart.

 

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Ibrahimovic wants MLS move

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted that he would like to play in MLS in the future.

The Sweden international, 33, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes this summer, with AC Milan keen to lure him back to San Siro.
However, he has stressed that a return to Italy is by no means a guarantee as he aims to ply his trade in the United States at some point, too.

"I would like to play in U.S., absolutely," Ibrahimovic told Yahoo Sports."I think it would be an amazing experience. I see that soccer is growing a lot in U.S.

"I mean, I was here 10 years ago [and] soccer was not on the level that it is today, but it's growing. It's growing in the right direction and I want it to be on the level of Europe. It will come here.

"I think many want to come over here and play," he said. "Maybe not in the beginning of the career, like in the second part of the career [to] enjoy U.S. with the soccer at the same time and have the possibility to live here.

"I don't want to be the player that comes because of my name. If I come, I want to bring results. Or else I will not come. To win trophies – that is what I play for. That is my job."I would like to play in the MLS. Which team? Am I allowed to say that? No, I cannot say that."

The striker has a contract with PSG until June 2016.

 

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Moda wadak Ibra MLS join unoth nam​

 

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Aston Villa strike £12m deal for Jordan Ayew

Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign Ghana international striker Jordan Ayew, Goal understands.

Villa have brokered terms with Lorient that will see them pay up to £12 million (€17m) for the former Marseille man's services.

The 23-year-old is now due for a medical in the next 24 hours before committing himself to Tim Sherwood's side.

Ayew will join his brother, Andre, in the Premier League after the elder of the two moved to Swansea City earlier in the summer.

Jordan Ayew has spent just one season with Lorient after leaving Marseille, scoring 12 goals in Ligue 1 for Les Merlus.

 

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Manchester City 1-4 Real Madrid: Pellegrini's men hit for four by Ronaldo & Co.

Manchester City were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid in an entertaining International Champions Cup encounter in Melbourne.

Some superb, attractive attacking play gave Madrid a two-goal lead within the space of four minutes midway through the first half as Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo struck past Joe Hart in front of a record crowd of 99,382 - the largest attendance for a football match at the MCG.

Pepe then headed home unmarked from a corner late in the first half before Yaya Toure got one back for Manuel Pellegrini's men with a penalty in stoppage time just before the break.

City could not push further against Madrid, however, with Denis Cheryshev burying a fourth goal for the Spaniards when he met Isco's cross in the 73rd minute.

Fabian Delph, who signed from Aston Villa for £8 million earlier in July, made his City debut but lasted just 18 minutes before being stretchered off, appearing to have to injured his left thigh as he tackled Luka Modric from behind.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini named a central-defensive pairing with a combined age of 36 and Cameron Humphreys and Jason Denayer's lack of first-team experience saw Madrid's stellar front three of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Benzema thrive in the first half.

Madrid coach Rafael Benitez started the likes of Toni Kroos and Modric alongside Ronaldo and Co. in close to his best XI, while Manuel Pellegrini included David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Samir Nasri.

Toure and Ramos provided an early scare for both managers when they collided nastily but both recovered.

Benzema opened the scoring with an impressive hooked volley over his shoulder from Bale's cross in the 21st minute and Ronaldo made it 2-0 four minutes later from Toni Kroos' long ball.

It got worse for City too, as Pepe found space in the area to head a corner past Joe Hart just before half-time, although a dubious penalty given against Sergio Ramos allowed Toure to make it 3-1 at the break.

A sharp one-two between Isco and Ronaldo saw the ball in City's net again early in the second period but the latter was offside in the build-up, while Raphael Varane headed wide when left free on the hour mark.

But Real eventually got the fourth goal that their dominance deserved when Isco teed up Cheryshev for a tap-in.

 

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Kovacic losing patience at Inter

Mateo Kovacic has admitted that Inter's lack of success in recent years is starting to frustrate him.

The Croatia international joined the Nerazzurri from Dinamo Zagreb in 2010 and the San Siro side have yet to challenge for any major honours, much to the midfielder's disappointment.

However, Kovacic nonetheless insists that he remains fully committed to the club - despite ongoing speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool.

"When I joined Inter, I was hoping to win trophies. I arrived here two-and-a-half years ago and I think I have been waiting for quite a while now," Kovacic told Corriere dello Sport.

"But I am happy at Inter. It feels like home. That's why I don't like to talk about a transfer."Next season will be important. I am 21 years old now and I want to make an impact."

Inter will be looking to close the gap on Juventus this season, with the reigning Serie A champions having lost players such as Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez, but Kovacic has stressed they should focus on their own performances."They have lost three important players, but we should not be looking at Juventus at this stage," the playmaker added.

"I feel they are still ahead of at the moment and we have to do everything within our powers to close the gap. We are a strong team and have to do better than in the past two seasons."

 

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Koeman targets defensive signings after serious Gardos injury

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is keen to strengthen his defensive options after Florin Gardos suffered a serious knee injury that is set to keep him out for the rest of the year.

Having missed out on re-signing Toby Alderweireld after the defender opted to join Tottenham, Koeman now has just two fit centre-backs in Maya Yoshida and Jose Fonte.

"Very sad news," Koeman told reporters regarding Gardos's injury.

"He was going in his second season in Southampton and young and that type of injury [...] you lose six or seven months and everybody is disappointed.

"That's the priority, to bring in one or maximum two centre-backs. It's too small with Maya and Jose.

"OK, we have [Jack] Stephens, we have [Jordan] Turnbull, but they are young and still they have to improve themselves and that's the point for attention at the moment, the centre-back position."

Gardos himself took to Twitter to vow that he will get back to full fitness as quickly as possible.

"I'll come back stronger," wrote the Romanian. "Taking all the steps back to recovery. A bad injury which I'll overcome."

 

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Malaysia XI 1-1 Liverpool: Ibe nets stunning solo effort

Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe scored his first goal for the club as he helped salvage a 1-1 draw against a Malaysia XI at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

The winger could be tasked with filling the void from Raheem Sterling's exit and scored a stunning equaliser to cancel out Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh's opener to end their tour of Asia and Australia with a draw.

Following three victories on the trip, Liverpool fell behind to Ronaldinho's impressive opener as the PKNS striker showed quality often associated with his more famous namesake.

The Liberian - an Arsenal supporter - recently returned from a three-month ban for an on-field disagreement with a referee but saw Ibe level with a stunning long-range strike 15 minutes later.

As the Liverpool forward line continued to struggle, Ronaldinho's lack of match action became apparent when he exited following treatment for cramp after the hour.

Khairul Azhan Khalid's impressive goalkeeping display helped keep the scores level, with Brendan Rodgers likely hoping for improvements when he bloods new signings Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino.

The visitors dictated the early tempo but suffered a scare when Nathaniel Clyne was clattered into, sustaining a blow to the jaw.

However, Ronaldinho stunned the Premier League side with a well-taken finish 13 minutes in, as the Liberia striker beat Adam Bogdan with the outside of his right foot.

Rodgers' side had a penalty appeal turned down when Khalid felled Jordan Henderson following a lofted pass from Adam Lallana.

Liverpool were not behind for long, Ibe cutting inside with a clever shimmy before rifling a strike into the top right-hand corner.

Divock Origi fired straight at Khalid when one-on-one prior to the interval with the Frenchman and Ronaldinho denied by last-ditch tackles early in the second half.

Lallana's deflected effort off Vincent Bikana clipped the top of the crossbar on the hour, the Malaysian XI seeing their main threat Ronaldinho depart after repeated cramp in his right leg.

Young pair Jordan Rossiter and Sheyi Ojo were among those handed late cameos, but Rodgers' men failed to find a winner ahead of Saturday's clash with Finnish champions HJK.

 

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Ibe hoda place 1kakata awi Liverpool next season 1ke​

 

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Benitez: I'm sure Benzema will stay at Real Madrid

Rafael Benitez is confident that Karim Benzema will remain at Real Madrid amid reported interest from Arsenal.Benzema opened the scoring with an overhead kick in Los Blancos' comfortable 4-1 win over Manchester City at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Although the 27-year-old striker has been linked with a move to Arsene Wenger's Gunners in recent days, his agent insists he is definitely staying in the Spanish capital.

New coach Benitez, who has been constantly questioned over the transfer situations of Sergio Ramos and David de Gea, reiterated the claims that Benzema is going nowhere this summer."People are asking me about different players that maybe we will buy," he said.

"And I say always the same, it is their player and I will not talk about that. In this case, Karim is our player but I won't talk about that. But I'm sure he will stay with us."

The build-up to the game against City was dominated by talk of a falling out between Benitez and star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who was overheard criticising the coach when one of his goals in training was ruled out.Benitez attempted to put a positive spin on the incident at his pre-match press conference, hailing the Portugal captain's competitive spirit.

And he maintained the same theme after watching the former Manchester United man hit the back of the net in the comprehensive victory in front of 99,000 fans."People were talking about something that happened in a training session," Benitez said.

"He's happy, he's playing well and winning man of the match. So everything is fine. In football you just have to concentrate on the future and the future is quite positive."

Next up for Madrid are matches against AC Milan and Inter in the Chinese leg of the International Champions Cup.

 

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Danilo arrival has motivated me - Carvajal

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal says the arrival of Danilo has motivated him to improve ahead of next season.Madrid signed the 24-year-old from Porto in April for a reported fee of €25 million.

Danilo replaced Carvajal at half-time in a 4-1 victory over Manchester City in the International Champions Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.

Whilst Madrid's dominance ensured both players had a quiet evening, Danilo nevertheless looked assured alongside his new team-mates.But rather than fear the fresh competition for the right-back slot, Carvajal believes it will improve the quality of the team.

“It’s one more challenge [for me],” the 23-year-old admitted.

“But it’s a motivation for me to improve daily. Danilo is one of the best defenders in the world.

“He’s a great kid and he’s fun to be around. He is a huge asset and that is why they brought him in, so that we can compete for the [full-back] position and (help) Madrid win a title.”

Madrid's pre-season preparations now shift to China for matches against AC Milan and Inter.

 

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Dunga to name latest Brazil squad

The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) have confirmed Dunga will name his next Brazil squad on August 13.

The coach will release his 23-man list at an official press conference at the organisation's headquarters, in Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro at 11am local time.

It will be Dunga’s first squad since his side suffered a disappointing exit at the hands of Paraguay in June’s Copa America in Chile.Prior to the tournament, Dunga led the Selecao to 10 consecutive Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour victories.

The Selecao meet USA at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on September 8, with a second fixture to be announced imminently.Brazil were scheduled to face Argentina in the Superclasico de las Americas of 2015, but that fixture has now been cancelled.

September’s Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour dates will be the Selecao’s final two matches prior to their World Cup qualification campaign, which kicks off in October.

 

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Bravo tips Vidal to shine at Bayern

Claudio Bravo is confident that Chile team-mate Arturo Vidal will become a star at Bayern Munich.The midfielder is set to join the Bundesliga champions from Juventus after Bayern announced that an agreement between the two sides had been reached.

And Barcelona goalkeeper Bravo believes the 28-year-old will do fine upon his return to Germany.

"The truth is that where he is, he is going to succeed," he said at an event for youngsters in Santiago."I congratulate him. He's a very successful and talented player. He was at a powerful club like Juventus and is jumping to another powerful team like Bayern."Undoubtedly, he will be a challenging opponent in all competitions."

Vidal, who starred as Chile won the Copa America this year, spent four years at Bayer Leverkusen before joining Juve amidst interest from Bayern in 2011. He has won four Serie A titles and a Copaa Italia during his time in Turin, reaching a Champions League final along the way.

 

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Luiz Gustavo aims to return for Bundesliga opener

Brazil international Luiz Gustavo says he is targeting a return for Wolfsburg’s first match of the Bundesliga season as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

The former Bayern Munich man was a late withdrawal from Dunga’s Copa America squad after requiring knee surgery in June.

The 28-year-old underwent a successful operation last month and says he is now raring to go ahead of a the new season."I am very pleased with my recovery,” he said.

“I am very close to full fitness and I will continue to make the necessary efforts so that everything goes well. "In this final phase of my recovery it is important I remain focused and make sure I continue to do the right exercises so that everything ends well.

"I hope I can continue to improve to have the chance of playing first team football from the start of the Bundesliga."Wolfsburg, who earned Champions League qualification with a second-placed finish last term, open the new Bundesliga campaign at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on August 16.

Luiz Gustavo has been one of Brazil’s most consistent performers ever since breaking into the side at Confederations Cup 2013 and will hope to rejoin the Selecao for September’s clash with USA when the Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour resumes.

 

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Benitez: Navas will remain Real Madrid's No.1

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez has backed Keylor Navas to be his first choice goalkeeper, despite being linked strongly to Manchester United's David de Gea.Navas completed the full 90 minutes on Friday, as Madrid crushed Manchester City 4-1 in the International Champions Cup in Melbourne.

The Costa Rica international made just six appearances in La Liga last term, with Iker Casillas regularly getting the nod in goal from former coach Carlo Ancelotti.
After Casillas' departure to Porto, Benitez has backed Navas to be first choice at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of Kiko Casilla - a recent recruit from Espanyol - potentially signalling an end to the club's pursuit of De Gea.

Asked if Navas has the quality required to be a regular starter, Benitez said: "I think so, yes, we wanted to give him the chance to play and prove himself and he has done well."When pressed if he needed another goalkeeper, Benitez gave a hint that De Gea would not be needed.

"I only need one goalkeeper on each match, and as long as I have one, I'm happy," the 55-year-old said.

Another Madrid player looking to convince Benitez he is worthy of more opportunities is Denis Cheryshev and the Russian winger did his chances no harm after scoring his first goal in the win over City.The 24-year-old spent the past two seasons on loan at Sevilla and Villarreal respectively and was thrilled to have scored in front of Benitez.

"I'm okay, very happy and trying to make the best of the opportunities than I'm given, and I go home happy today after scoring a goal," Cheryshev said."I'm at the club's disposal, whatever they say I'll do and that will be okay."

Asked if Benitez had hinted if he would be needed in the senior squad, Cheryshev added: "No, I believe that Rafa is really focusing on all of us. I'm very thankful as I see he's very kind to me."

 

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Man City await updates on Delph hamstring injury

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini could be without new signing Fabian Delph when the club kick off their Premier League campaign against West Brom on August 10.

Delph suffered a hamstring injury in the 4-1 pre-season defeat to Real Madrid in front of a record-breaking football crowd of 99,382 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

The former Aston Villa man was handed his City debut by Pellegrini but lasted just 18 minutes before being stretchered off, and he is now a doubt for the clash at the Hawthorns in just over two weeks' time.

“Unfortunately Fabian has a problem with his hamstring,” Pellegrini said after his side's comprehensive pre-season defeat.

“It would have been useful for him to play 45 minutes. This injury is not the best news as he is just starting with our team but we’ll see tomorrow. We’ll have a clearer diagnostic tomorrow or in 48 hours but for the moment we know it’s a problem with his hamstring.”

The 25-year-old, who had initially spurned a move to the Etihad Stadium and committed his future to Villa before performing a controversial u-turn, was forced off with the game still goalless in Melbourne.

Two goals in the space of five minutes for Madrid, moments after Delph's departure, left City in disarray, but Pellegrini dismissed suggestions the capitulation was down to the forced substitution.

“I think Fabian is a very important player and he was working well on the left side, but I think at that moment it was a very close game.

“After that I think it was probably more because of our weak defence.”

Delph will be properly assessed by club doctors in the next 48 hours, with City due to depart Australia and arrive in Vietnam for the next leg of their pre-season tour.

 

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AC Milan will be fine without Ibrahimovic - Mihajlovic

Sinisa Mihajlovic says he is unsure if AC Milan will sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer, but is confident his side will be strong even without the Paris Saint-Germain striker.

This summer, Ibrahimovic has been linked with a return to the club he enjoyed two years with before moving onto current employers Paris Saint-Germain in 2012.

The Sweden international has had a stellar three years in the French capital, winning Ligue 1 on each occasion and completing the domestic treble in the most recent campaign, but he has cast doubt on his future, insisting that it is entirely in the hands of his agent, Mino Raiola.Mihajlovic was unable to shed much light on the situation, but is happy with the side he has built so far.

"I don't know what will happen with Ibra," he said."We have a great team and we will do well no matter who arrives at the club."

Milan are due to take on Inter in the International Champions Cup in Shenzhen on Saturday, and Mihajlovic hopes to get off to a positive start against the club's fierce rivals.

"I would like to get used to winning the derby straight away," he said."I expect improvements in every area, even when it comes to character.

"You don't play in derbies, you win them."Let's try to win one straight away, it will not be easy but we are Milan and we always have to play to win."