..::Football III::..

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Luis Enrique refuses to discuss Neymar to Man Utd rumours

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has refused to comment on speculation linking star forward Neymar to Manchester United.

The Brazil international, 23, has been linked to a sensational switch to Old Trafford, although there have been suggestions that the rumours are a way for the Brazilian to bag a better contract at Camp Nou.Luis Enrique, whose Catalans claimed a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday thanks to a Luis Suarez volley, did not shy away from expressing his disdain at the reports.

Asked if there had been any contact between United and Barca about Neymar, the coach told reporters: "I heard Neymar and another club and I am no longer interested in this question."I don't talk about rumours and this kind of thing. I am just focused on analysing my team. In perfect English. You got it?"

Neymar, who is contracted until June 2018, played no part in Barca's victory as he continues to recover from a bout of mumps.

 

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Bayern Munich won't sell Manchester United target Muller - Sammer

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer is adamant that no more players, including Manchester United target Thomas Muller, will leave the club this summer.

Louis van Gaal's side have been heavily linked with the German forward in recent weeks, while centre-back Dante, reportedly close to joining Bayer Leverkusen, could be called back into action after Mehdi Benatia suffered a thigh injury.

Sammer expects the German champions to have all hands on deck in the coming months, declaring their exit door closed.

"We will need every player," he told reporters. "I think that there is nothing more that could happen."

Bayern have consistently denied talk of Muller being sold this summer, while the man himself is "relaxed" about his future being the subject of such speculation.

 

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Referee wrong to deny Ronaldo penalty - Butragueno

Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno blamed the referee for his decision not to award Cristiano Ronaldo a penalty as they failed to break down Sporting Gijon in Sunday's 0-0 draw.

Match official Javier Fernandez deemed Sergio Alvarez's challenge on the Portuguese star fair, much to the frustration of the visitors, who could not find the breakthrough in an inauspicious return to La Liga for Rafael Benitez.

The controversial call ultimately cost the Blancos an opening day win according to Butragueno, who defended the team's performance in spite of them failing to score.

"There was the incident in the first half when Ronaldo was pulled when he had the advantage," the official told Canal Plus after the match. "It was clear from replays that it was a penalty, but the referee did not see it that way."It was a very difficult game for us. We had to face a very seasoned team who pushed high up the pitch in front of a passionate home crowd.

"We regularly pushed into the Gijon box but couldn't find the goal that would give us peace in the first half.

"We made the game ours in the second half and had them under siege, but goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar was brilliant. The team deserved to win going by the number of chances we had and it was not the result we expected."Nevertheless, the team put in a great effort despite not getting the win. Now we have to focus on the next clash against Real Betis."

The former Madrid striker then praised new signing Mateo Kovacic, who was thrown on in a bid to break the deadlock just five days after his arrival from Inter in the 70th minute."He came on at a very difficult time and proved he had personality, wanting the ball against a team that were determined to defend," Butragueno concluded.

Benitez will be desperate for his first win as Madrid coach against Betis next Saturday, when his team host the promoted outfit at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 

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Smalling relishing in lead role in Manchester United defence

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is thriving on his lead role at Old Trafford this season as he continues to dominate opponents.

The England international has grown into United's key defensive figure in 2015-16, helping Louis van Gaal's men to three consecutive Premier League clean sheets alongside makeshift centre-back partner Daley Blind and full-backs Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian.

Smalling has previously seen injuries prevent him from performing and playing on a consistent basis but the 25-year-old is now fit and firing under Van Gaal's leadership after coming out on top against Aleksandar Mitrovic in a physical battle during Saturday's goalless draw with Newcastle.

"I have always liked that competition with the striker and obviously Daley is not that sort of centre-back who is going to dominate so it's a case of I take that mantle on and I am enjoying it," the defender told reporters.

"I wouldn't say I hadn't done it previously in games because I feel like I bullied quite a few players in matches but it's a case of making sure there is that consistency and, hopefully, I can get that consistency where it can be on show every week.

"I feel like I am playing well and I am enjoying my football. It is good to keep playing each game and knowing that there are not too many changes at the moment because we are doing well, so I hope to keep that up.

"It's comfortable playing next to Daley. Sometimes, if there is a big opponent, we will swap around but he can handle himself as well so I am enjoying playing alongside him."

 

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Manchester United CB's lagen Smalling gana thamai hopes thiyaganna puluwanJones & Evans nam madi​

 

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Bayern confirm they will not challenge Man City for De Bruyne

Manchester City's chances of landing Wolfsburg star Kevin De Bruyne's signature this summer were boosted when Bayern Munich press officer Markus Horwick removed his side from the running.

Last season's Bundesliga Player of the Year has been linked to City all summer - with the Etihad outfit having made a £50 million bid - while German champions Bayern are also believed to be in the running.However, Horwick declared the Bavarians agreed at board level earlier this year that they have no intention of pursuing the Belgian this summer.

"We definitely won’t do anything about signing De Bruyne," he told SID. "The board already decided this a long time ago."

His statements pave the way for City to secure their target, though Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs earlier insisted the club are working to keep their talisman and hold off advances from the Premier League outfit."I believe that he could feel at home in Wolfsburg for another one or two years," the official told Sport 1.

Nevertheless, Allofs also admitted it is not in the German club's interest to turn away offers of a certain size: "I want to emphasise that we are making an effort to convince him to stay, but we consider everything should there be serious offers.
"We'll discuss it and make a decision."

Head coach Dieter Hecking had suggested the rumours are affecting the 24-year-old, but he nevertheless insists keeping him for 2015-16 is part of the club's plan.
"We are still doing all we can," he told Kicker. "We want Kevin to stay. That's our main priority."

De Bruyne was signed from Chelsea for €25m in January 2014 and inspired Wolfsburg to second in the Bundesliga and victory in the DFB-Pokal last season.
The playmaker has a contract at Wolfsburg until June 2019.

 

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Pedro's Barcelona farewell: Joining Chelsea a risk but I had to leave

New Chelsea winger Pedro reveals it was not money but the need to compete with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez for a starting spot at Barcelona that drove him to leave the Catalans.

The La Masia graduate won the treble last season and extended his contract at the club in June till 2019, but regularly had to settle for a spot on the bench as the Blaugrana's famed attacking triumvirate took centre-stage.

A long running transfer saga regarding the 28-year-old's future came to a close when he opted to join Chelsea last Thursday, and Pedro has now revealed he left Barcelona in search of regular playing time.

"It was not about money. It was the need to play consistently," he told assembled reporters at his farewell press conference in Barcelona."I'm sad in a way, to be leaving. There was an option to stay, that's what the club wanted. I discussed it with everyone but the Chelsea offer attracted me.

"The easiest thing would have been to stay, it's a difficult decision. I am taking a risk but I am decided."Barcelona is the best club in the world, there's no other place like this. But I've joined a club I like and where I will play more. Last season was one of my worst, because there was a lot of competition and I didn't have enough playing time.

"I'm ambitious and I knew it would be difficult to have a lot playing time here. I'm happy to have this new challenge."I was very flattered by the interest from some of England's biggest clubs like Manchester United, City and Chelsea, but Chelsea's offer convinced me most.

I talked with [Blues coach] Jose Mourinho, it's true he called me. I liked what he said. He convinced me."The atmosphere in the Premier League is fantastic, the stadiums are always full and it's an attractive league for spectators."

Pedro made an immediate impact on his debut with the English champions, scoring a goal and assisting another as his new team overcame West Brom 3-2 on Sunday.

 

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Chelsea can have no complaints... Terry red card was nailed on, says Halsey

Chelsea and Jose Mourinho cannot have any complaints at all about the red card shown to John Terry in their win against West Brom on Sunday.

Mark Clattenburg was in a great position as the fittest referee in the country. Once he decided to give the free-kick, he had no choice but to send off Terry for tugging back Salomon Rondon.

Terry was caught the wrong side of the ball and Clattenburg made the right judgement in showing the red card because the foul denied the West Brom player an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

There’s not a lot of contact but he did pull the striker back. Put yourself in the shoes of the referee there - could he have got away with giving nothing?

When Thibaut Courtois was sent-off against Swansea on the opening weekend, I said Chelsea should appeal because there was an element of doubt with the ball going away from goal.

In this case, the ball and the player are going towards goal. There is no point in Chelsea appealing because it’s a nailed on red card.

 

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Pedro: I won't be missed at Barcelona

New Chelsea signing Pedro does not believe he will be missed at Barcelona due to his former club's quality within the team.

The Spain international enjoyed a memorable debut for the Blues when he scored in the 3-2 victory over West Brom after completing his transfer from the European champions last week, having grown tired of a role among the substitutes at Camp Nou.

Speaking at a farewell press conference, the 28-year-old claimed he never thought the time would come to leave Barca but accepts his absence will not be keenly felt.

"At the start it felt strange to wear the Chelsea shirt, because I had never imagined I would leave Barca," Pedro said.

"I'm going with my head held high. I have always given my best, in every game and every training session. But I'm happy with what I have achieved and everything I have learned from my team-mates.

"I don't think the team will miss me as there are great players here. I will miss them though, that's the sad part."

Pedro lifted five Liga titles and three Champions Leagues in a glittering career at Camp Nou but he was reticent to name a favourite moment.

"There are many [great memories]; it's hard to single out one. I have shared so many great times with some great players," he said.

The Tenerife-born forward also underlined that the Barca board were eager for him to stay at the club, before admitting that facing his old team-mates would be an unwelcome feeling.

"The board and the staff at Barcelona insisted that I stay, and for that I thank them," Pedro added.

"I prefer not to return to the Camp Nou wearing another shirt. It would be strange. But if that's what destiny holds..."

 

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Barcelona will cope without Dani Alves and Busquets - Suarez

Luis Suarez believes Barcelona have the strength in depth to cope without injured duo Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets.

The Brazilian was forced off early in Barca's 1-0 Primera Division victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, while midfielder Busquets was replaced in the second half after a collision with striker Aritz Aduriz.

A Barca statement has since described Busquets' knock as "nothing important", although Dani Alves has been diagnosed with a groin strain and could be out of action for some time.

But Suarez, who scored the winner against Athletic, is confident the duo can be replaced with suitable quality ahead of the home match against Malaga on Saturday.

"We know we are walking a fine line, they are players who add a lot to the team, but we have a match ahead next week and we have quality players that can play in their place," Suarez said.

"These games inspire us to win the league. We won the game and that's what is important, we had to wait for the

moment to create some scoring chances."

Sergi Roberto filled in for Alves at right-back against Athletic and says he is happy to continue to do so if called upon by Luis Enrique this weekend.

"If Dani Alves is out and the coach gives me the opportunity to play at that position I'll play there and try to give my best to help the team beat Malaga, get the three points, and achieve the ultimate goal, which is to win the league," he said.​

 

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West Brom reject Berahino's transfer request

West Brom have confirmed they have rejected a transfer request from striker Saido Berahino amid persistent interest from Tottenham.

The Baggies revealed that they had turned down a bid from Spurs for the unsettled 22-year-old last week and insisted that he remained key to the club's plans.

Berahino was then omitted from West Brom's matchday squad for Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Chelsea at the Hawthorns, with boss Tony Pulis subsequently admitting his striker had been unsettled by the speculation surrounding his future.

And the club have now confirmed that they have turned down a formal request from the 22-year-old to be allowed to talk to clubs interested in signing him before the transfer window slams shut on Thursday September 3.

"West Bromwich Albion have received a written transfer request from Saido Berahino," read a statement on the club's website.

"The request has been rejected and the club’s position remains unchanged from that outlined in the statement from Chairman Jeremy Peace of August 18.

"There will be no further comment."

Pulis has already moved to bolster West Brom's attacking options this summer with club-record signing Salomon Rondon and England international Rickie Lambert arriving at the Hawthorns.

 

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Benzema back in training for Real Madrid

Karim Benzema has returned to Real Madrid training following a spell out of action due to injury.

The France international, who continues to be linked with a potential transfer to Arsenal, took part as the Madrid squad who travelled to face Sporting Gijon at the weekend completed their recovery sessions.

"Benzema worked with the group during the first part of the training session when the players who started against Sporting trained at a lower intensity level," the club confirmed via their website.

"Four of them, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Danilo and Keylor Navas, carried out running drills on the pitch. Fabio Coentrao is continuing with his recovery."

Benzema later took to Instagram to post a picture of his return to first-team training, with the 27-year-old having been sidelined with a muscle problem as Madrid were held 0-0 by Sporting in their opening La Liga game of the season.

Despite the Gunners still harbouring hopes of a £45 million deal for the striker, Madrid have remained insistent that Benzema will stay at the club for the remainder of the transfer window.

 

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Benzema dismisses Real Madrid exit talk

Karim Benzema has dismissed speculation he could leave Real Madrid for Arsenal by insisting the Santiago Bernabeu is his home.

Goal revealed back in May that the Gunners were ready to launch an ambitious bid to sign the France international, believing that the player would be interested in a move to north London.

But Real Madrid's insistence that Benzema would not be sold has been unwavering and last week Goal reported a growing acceptance at Arsenal that they will not get their man this summer.

And after returning to first-team training at Madrid's Valdebebas training complex on Monday, Benzema has finally gone public to distance himself from reports of a possible transfer.

Benzema's decision makes it likelier that Petr Cech will remain Arsenal's only significant first-team signing this summer, with Arsene Wenger insisting he will only sanction moves for elite targets.

The 27-year-old joined Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009 and has won one La Liga title and the Champions League since his arrival. Last season, he scored 22 goals in 46 appearances for the club in all competitions.

 

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Balotelli set for AC Milan medical

Mario Balotelli is set for a medical on Tuesday as he nears a season-long loan switch back to AC Milan from Liverpool.

The Rossoneri confirmed at the weekend that they were keen to reunite with the Italy international, who left for Anfield in a £16 million deal last summer.

And Milan have now announced via their official television channel that the former Manchester City striker is due for a medical in Italy ahead of finalising his switch back to Serie A.

Balotelli managed just one Premier League goal in 16 appearances for Liverpool last season and has been frozen out of Brendan Rodgers' plans since the summer arrival of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.

"Balotelli convinced us to get him back," Milan CEO Adriano Galliani said prior to the 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina on Sunday. "He is aware that we are giving him his very last chance."

Balotelli scored 30 goals in 54 appearances in all competitions during his first stint with Milan.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benzema to Arsenal
Neymar to Manchester United
Bale to Manchester United

Ow bro ath Wenger deadline day 1ka wenakamma Benzema ganna try karai

& Neymar & Bale math hithanne naha bro keeyatawath ganna puluwan wei kiyalaLVG kiyala thibbe Speed & Creativity thiyana kenek thamai ganne kiyala.Ahema gatthama Speed & Creativity ara 2nnatama thiyanawa.Ath oka karaganna puluwan deyak kiyala hithanna amarui​

 

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Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool: Spoils shared despite entertaining clash

Philippe Coutinho hit the woodwork twice and Aaron Ramsey had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside as Liverpool and Arsenal had to settle for a goalless draw in an entertaining Premier League encounter.

The Reds’ Brazilian midfielder struck the crossbar in the opening minutes of the match and tested the frame of the goal again after his wonderful run and shot was expertly tipped onto the post before Aaron Ramsey saw his goal ruled out for offside after smartly finishing Santi Cazorla’s pinpoint through-ball.

Simon Mignolet produced a fine save from close range to prevent Olivier Giroud scoring with 20 minutes left to play as Arsenal pushed for a winner in front of their home supporters.

Ramsey tested Mignolet late on after his powerful strike took a deflection and Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel was fortunate not to turn a low delivery into his own net after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's introduction but neither side were able to make the decisive breakthrough.

Liverpool have now won only once at the Emirates Stadium in 13 visits, but they should have been out of sight at half-time as Coutinho struck the bar and post in a bright display.

New number one Cech endured a miserable home debut when Arsenal were beaten by West Ham, but the former Chelsea goalkeeper produced an outstanding save to tip Coutinho's effort against the woodwork and another to deny Christian Benteke.Ramsey rightly felt hard done by when he found the back of the net but was adjudged to be offside, with replays showing the goal should have counted.

Arsenal were vulnerable at the back in the absence of injured centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, with Gabriel Paulista and Calum Chambers far from convincing.

Arsene Wenger's side improved after the break, but were unable to follow up their win at Crystal Palace with another victory as Liverpool kept a third clean sheet of the season after 1-0 wins over Stoke City and Bournemouth.

Roberto Firmino made his first Liverpool start, with Lucas Leiva and Emre Can also coming into the side as captain Jordan Henderson and fellow midfielder Adam Lallana missed out due to injury and Jordon Ibe dropped to the bench.

Arsenal's new central defensive pairing were caught out just two minutes in, when Coutinho's shot from inside the box struck the crossbar after Benteke was allowed too much time and space to race away and the cut the ball back to the Brazil midfielder.Ramsey was aggrieved when he had the ball in the back of the net eight minutes later after stand-in skipper Santi Cazorla picked him out with a fine pass, but the flag was up when the midfielder appeared to have timed his run to perfection.

Chambers was indebted to a vital last-ditch tackle from Francis Coquelin to deny Coutinho after the former Southampton man had gifted possession to the playmaker with a terrible pass.

Cech showed his class with an outstanding save to deny Benteke from close range seven minutes before the break when the Belgium striker should have opened the scoring.

The Czech Republic keeper also thwarted stand-in Liverpool captain James Milner and there were more heroics from Cech just before half-time, when he got a fingertip to a measured strike from the dangerous Coutinho which struck the far post.

Alexis Sanchez ought to have made the visitors pay for wasting so many chances when the Chile forward fired wide of the near post following some neat build-up play early in the second half.

Firmino was replaced by Ibe after 62 minutes and it was Arsenal who looked the more likely to go on and secure all three points, as Simon Mignolet produced a fine save at full stretch to palm away Olivier Giroud's close-range effort.

Teenager Jordan Rossiter came on to make his top-flight bow for Liverpool and, despite some late Arsenal pressure, the visitors' well-drilled defence stood firm to secure a point.

 

[rcccc]

Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool: Spoils shared despite entertaining clash

win karanna thibba match 1k.Ramsey ge goal 1ka offside nemei eka dunneth naene.Cech patta..

 

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Ow bro ath Wenger deadline day 1ka wenakamma Benzema ganna try karai

& Neymar & Bale math hithanne naha bro keeyatawath ganna puluwan wei kiyalaLVG kiyala thibbe Speed & Creativity thiyana kenek thamai ganne kiyala.Ahema gatthama Speed & Creativity ara 2nnatama thiyanawa.Ath oka karaganna puluwan deyak kiyala hithanna amarui​

try kalata wadak nae machan Real la wena striker kenek ganne nathiwa wa Benzema sell karanne nae.
Neymar nm £200m bid kalath sell karana ekak nae.
Bale th ehema thamai.
Neymar & Bale wage player kenek one nam Griezmann try kala nam hari.loku bid1k kaloth ganna puluwan.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus confirm Cuadrado arrival

Juventus have confirmed Juan Cuadrado's arrival in Italy ahead the winger's proposed move from Chelsea.

As reported by Goal, the Bianconeri made a move for the Colombia international after the Blues decided to back down on their initial demand for a straight-cash deal and instead make the 27-year-old available on loan, but with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the 2015-16 season.

Cuadrado thus flew to Italy on Monday evening and is now expected to finalise his transfer to the Italian champions on Tuesday.

Indeed, Bianconeri announced upon the player's arrival at Milan Malpensa airport: "He's arrived. And he immediately found an extraordinary welcome."

Cuadrado only joined the Blues in January, with the English outfit agreeing to pay Fiorentina an initial £23.3 million (€32m) for the versatile attacker.

However, after struggling to break into Jose Mourinho's starting line-up upon his move to Stamford Bridge, the former Udinese ace slipped further down the pecking order following the signing of Pedro from Barcelona last week.

 

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Juve la hoda signs set 1kakma karagattha summer window 1ke​