..::Football III::..

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Fabregas: Costa's mentality is good for Chelsea

Cesc Fabregas says Diego Costa's competitive nature is good for Chelsea, even though the striker's actions on the field continue to court controversy.

The Spain international's abrasive approach played a key role in the sending off of Gabriel Paulista in Saturday's 1-0 win over Arsenal, as the centre-back was shown a red card after he kicked out at the striker.

Costa continued to make a nuisance of himself throughout the game and the Football Association have subsequently charged the 26-year-old for "an alleged act of violent conduct" linked to a confrontation with Laurent Koscielny, but Spain team-mate Fabregas has praised the striker's attitude.

"He’s very competitive," the Chelsea midfielder told the club's official website.

"It’s good. He’s hungry for success and to win all the time. You can see the fans love him as well, they get behind him all the time so it’s great for us."

Fabregas, who was credited with an assist for Kurt Zouma's winning goal, also said that he is enjoying his side's return to form following a stuttering start to the season.

"We were on a bad run and now we are playing better and confidence is higher - we don’t want to stop here," the Spaniard said.

"We went into a bad run, every team has one in a season and hopefully we’ve had ours. We’ve taken off and we hope this is just the beginning of what will be a big season for us."

 

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Navas: I cried after Man United move broke down

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has revealed that he cried on transfer deadline day following the breakdown of his transfer to Manchester United and David de Gea's move to the Spanish capital.

The Costa Rica goalkeeper was due to board a plane to Manchester to finalise a move with the Red Devils, with De Gea going the other way, but a breakdown in communications between the two clubs led to the deal collapsing.

In the days that followed the closing of the transfer window on August 31, Madrid and United issued contrasting statements, absolving themselves of blame for the failure to complete the transfer, pointing the finger at the other party.

Navas and De Gea remain at their current clubs, with the Spain international goalkeeper subsequently signing a new four-year deal at Old Trafford.

And the former Levante goalkeeper, speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena COPE, revealed that the events caused considerable emotional strain as he was close to boarding the flight.

"[deadline day] Was one of the worst days of my football career," Navas said.

"I cried when the transfer window was closed, near my wife. I'm human and everything exploded. I was waiting in the airport even without suitcases. I was not on the plane, but I was near".

The 28-year-old also indicated that he never wanted to leave the Santiago Bernabeu but he felt hurt that the club was prepared to sign a goalkeeper to replace him.

"It was as a complicated situation," he added. "I wanted to play, and to watch how others [De Gea] play above me is difficult to interpret. At 19:00 CET my agent says me 'you have to take a plane' and I was waiting in a room.

"The contract arrived too late. My agent reviewed it and was correct. I didn't want to go. I did the medicals in Valdebebas after that and I did not return to the airport.

"There was no time. Then I went to home. It was complicated. I arrived at home and I started to cry."

 

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Totti looked sad after 300th goal - Lippi

Marcello Lippi believes Roma legend Francesco Totti is not entirely happy, despite the attacker scoring his 300th goal for the club on Sunday.

The 38-year-old reached the milestone with a goal in his side's 2-2 draw with Sassuolo in the league.

However, Lippi feels the ex-Italy star is suffering, either because of a lack of first team football or because his career is nearing its end.

“I was at the Stadio Olimpico to watch the game between Roma and Sassuolo and saw Totti score his 300th goal,” he told Radio Due.

“There was a celebration as his children, who were also in attendance, were filled with joy.

“But I sensed a sadness in him. There is a bit of sadness surrounding Francesco just now.

“I don’t know if this is because he is not being used as much lately, or maybe he is starting to understand that he is coming towards the end of his fantastic career.”

 

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Sir Alex Ferguson: Martial price tag ridiculous? Not at the moment!

Sir Alex Ferguson says Anthony Martial's form so far for Manchester United is the perfect response to claims that his potential £58.7 million fee was 'ridiculous'.

The Frenchman arrived at Old Trafford from Monaco on transfer deadline day for an initial £36m, but United could yet be forced to pay a further £22.7m depending on various add-ons.

While the total cost has been considered by many observers to be extraordinarily high for a 19-year-old, Martial has responded by scoring three goals in his first three games for the club, with a double helping United overturn an early deficit to beat Southampton 3-2 in the Premier League on Sunday.

And when asked at the launch of his new book 'Leading' whether Martial's price tag was ridiculous, the former United manager laughed off the notion.

"Ridiculous? Not at the moment it's not!"

The 73-year-old explained that United's overall worth has changed remarkably, allowing the club to speculate more than during his formative years at Old Trafford.

He said: "When I first arrived at Old Trafford the club had to rely on gate receipts - imagine that! We signed Viv Anderson and Brian McClair the first year for £1m, then we signed Mark Hughes [for £1.8m]."

In 1986 the club was said to be worth around £10m, whereas current estimates suggest United are now worth over £2 billion.

Ferguson's new book, which focuses on the art of leadership, is released on Tuesday.

 

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Bacca is like Shevchenko - Galliani

AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani says Carlos Bacca reminds him of club legend Andriy Shevchenko.

The Colombia international netted twice as the Rossoneri edged past Palermo 3-2 on Saturday, taking his tally up to three goals in four Serie A appearances, following his summer move from Sevilla.

And Galliani sees many similarities between the 29-year-old and the clinical former striker, who won the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia during a seven year spell at the San Siro club.

"In certain movements and then in the way he headed the third goal against Palermo, Carlos brought Sheva back into my mind," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"At the stage I thought of the goal that Andriy scored against Roma, the header that was decisive for the title in May 2004. And then also when he scored against Porto in the European Super Cup in 2003.

"Coincidentally, the next day I got a call from Shevchenko. I spoke with him and he had seen the game and wanted to compliment us. The comparison of him and Bacca was not unanimous."

 

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Simeone: I demand a lot from Torres

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has praised Fernando Torres' start to the season, stating the Spaniard boosts his side's attacking potency.

Simeone has experimented with his forward line-up so far this term, integrating new signings Luciano Vietto and Jackson Martinez alongside Torres and Antoine Griezmann.

Vietto and Martinez were handed starting spots for last week's Champions League win over Galatasaray but failed to score, with Griezmann and Torres having offered Atleti's greatest threat up front.

Simeone told reporters ahead of Tuesday's clash with Getafe: "Torres is in really good shape. He came in really well prepared from the pre-season where he worked really well.

"He needs to have a lot demanded of him and we're demanding a lot of him, in line with his quality. Last year he did well and he is giving us options up front which is what we need.

"I'm happy with the competition in the squad and the enthusiasm the players have to be part of it. The quality of minutes played is more important than the amount. Hopefully they give us options.

"These days it's hard to have a squad with so many good players."

Torres was on target in Saturday's 2-0 win over Eibar, a result soured somewhat by a hamstring injury suffered by Koke.

The Spain midfielder will definitely miss the Getafe game and Simeone added: "He's such an important player for us.

"He has so much - passing the ball between the lines, good at dead-ball situations and understanding perfectly what we need from the midfielders.

"But we're working well with other lads who are hoping for their chance.

"We're still seeing how the players are recovering from Saturday. We're just back from a recovery training session. During lunch on the day of the game we'll decide the line-up."

 

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Bayern Munich will not win the Bundesliga - Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang believes his side will end Bayern Munich's Bundesliga dominance this season.

The Bavarians have won three league titles in a row and have started the current campaign with five wins from as many matches, but are second to Dortmund on goal difference.

Aubameyang has acknowledged Bayern remain the team to beat but is confident of dethroning the reigning champions.

"Bayern are obviously favourites, but we want to make life as difficult as possible," he told reporters.

"We have got off to a super start, the euphoria is huge. I think Bayern will not be the champions this year."

The 26-year-old also revealed his target goal haul for this season, adding: "My goal is to score 20 goals this season. That's why I made a bet with Thomas Tuchel."

Aubameyang has scored six in the league so far this season, with a further three coming in the Europa League. He netted 25 in all competitions in 2014-15.

 

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BVB lage season start 1kanam patta​

 

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Capital One Cup Fixtures 2015.09.22

Capital One Cup Fixtures 2015.09.22

Aston Villa Vs Birmingham City

Fulham Vs Stoke City

Hull City Vs Swansea

Leicester City Vs West Ham

Middlesbrough Vs Wolves

Preston Vs Bournemouth

Sunderland Vs Manchester City

Reading Vs Everton​

 

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LA Liga 2015.09.22 Fixtures

LA Liga 2015.09.22 Fixtures

Atletico Madrid Vs Getafe

Espanyol Vs Valencia

Granada Vs Real Sociedad​

 

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Serie A Fixture 2015.09.22

Serie A Fixture 2015.09.22

Udinese Vs AC Milan​

 

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Bellerin: Leaving Barcelona for Arsenal has paid off

Bellerin patta

Costa ta punishment 1kak dena 1ka nam godak hodai.Aduma tharame danwath hadei

Kochchara hoda player kenek unath wadak naha discipline nathnam​

costa nam hadanna bae.

 

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Ferguson reveals the REAL reason behind Pogba's Man Utd exit


Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Paul Pogba, departure from Manchester United in 2012 was triggered by the midfielder's agent, Mino Raiola.

The France international left Old Trafford on a free transfer to join Juventus, with United receiving just £800,000 compensation for the then 19-year-old, who has since gone on to win three Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, and was named Best Young Player at the 2014 World Cup.

At the time of Pogba’s exit, Ferguson had criticised the player for showing a lack of respect, but now the former United manager admits that Raiola’s interference was a factor in the midfielder’s move to Italy.

"There are one or two football agents I simply do not like, and Mino Raiola, Paul Pogba’s agent, is one of them," Ferguson wrote in his new book, 'Leading'.

"I distrusted him from the moment I met him. He became Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent while he was playing for Ajax, and eventually he would end up representing Pogba, who was only 18-years-old at the time.

"We had Paul under a three-year contract, and it had a one-year renewal option which we were eager to sign. But Raiola suddenly appeared on the scene and our first meeting was a fiasco.

"He and I were like oil and water. From then on, our goose was cooked because Raiola had been able to ingratiate himself with Paul and his family and the player signed with Juventus."

 

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Kane is not a one-season wonder, says Vertonghen


Tottenham striker Harry Kane is not a one-season wonder, according to team-mate Jan Vertonghen.

Coming off a campaign during which he scored 21 league goals, Kane's struggles mirror his team's – with Mauricio Pochettino's men ninth in the Premier League table.

The England international is still yet to find the net for his club this season, including in over 500 top-flight minutes, yet Vertonghen has backed him to turn his fortunes around.

"He has just been a bit unlucky. He scored for England and in the training sessions he has been doing very well, so the goals will come," he said.

"He's not a guy who will just have one good season and then you never see him again. He has the qualities to perform and the goals will come eventually."

A second-half goal from Son Heung-min was enough to give Spurs just their second win of the league season against Crystal Palace and Vertonghen said he is excited for the future.

"We looked very solid for 90 minutes, we played well at the start of the season but we weren't that focused at the end of the games," the defender said ahead of Wednesday's League Cup clash against Arsenal.

"But things are looking very good. We have great young players and a good mix, so there are great things for the team if we can keep working like this.

"It looks very good for the future."

 

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Di Maria: It was difficult at Man Utd but I'm happy now

Angel Di Maria says he is happy to be back competing in the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain after a “pretty tough” year at Manchester United.

Di Maria, 27, joined United for a British-record fee of £59.7 million in the summer of 2014, but struggled to adapt to English football after a promising start.

The Argentina international was absent from Louis van Gaal’s U.S. pre-season tour squad and joined French champions PSG for £44.3m this summer.

Di Maria won the Champions League with Real Madrid the season before joining United, and admits that a year away from continental football was difficult to deal with at Old Trafford.

Asked about his absence from last season’s competition, Di Maria told UEFA.com: “Yes, I missed it a lot, actually.

“Last year was pretty difficult for me – I couldn't play and my injury was really complicated. Not being able to compete in the Champions League after having won it made it a pretty tough time for me.”
Di Maria capped his return to the competition with an early goal in the 2-0 Parc des Princes victory over Malmo last week, and has adapted to life in France quickly.

Speaking about his move to Paris, the midfielder said: “It's really nice here. I train every day with a smile on my face – I'm happy to be here, and I have been settling in well with my team-mates.

“Paris is a really nice city. My family has felt very good here from the first day they arrived. That makes it a lot easier for me to focus on football.

“From the day I arrived here, I could see the quality of the players here and the ambition they have to win [the Champions League] – the desire they show in every training session and in every match.

“We all have the same ambition and desire to fight for it. And I think that with the players here we can achieve it.”

 

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Mike Dean remains on Premier League duty after Diego Costa controversy

Referee Mike Dean will remain on Premier League duty this weekend despite failing to send off Diego Costa in Chelsea's win over Arsenal on Saturday.

Dean and his team of officials failed to spot Costa putting his arm into the face of Laurent Koscielny, while Gabriel was sent off for his reaction to the Chelsea striker's provocation.

Costa could have also been dismissed for flicking his leg at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second half at Stamford Bridge, while Arsenal were reduced to nine men after Santi Cazorla was given a second yellow card for his challenge on Cesc Fabregas.

Costa now faces a charge of violent conduct from the Football Association, while Gabriel has been charged with improper conduct. Both Chelsea and Arsenal have also been charged by for failing to control their players.

Arsenal have contested Gabriel's red card and are looking to get the defender's three-game ban reduced.

Dean's performance was heavily criticised by Arsene Wenger after the match, while an online petition titled ‘Prevent Mike Dean from refereeing another Arsenal game’ had over 82,000 signatures as of Tuesday morning.

However, Dean will take charge of West Ham's match against Norwich City at Upton Park on Saturday, and will be joined by assistants Simon Long and Stuart Burt who were also on duty at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger said of Dean’s officiating after the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea: “I tell you something, if I am a referee and I referee Diego Costa, I do not send somebody off quickly if he responds to it because you know he has been well provoked.

"We warn them not to get involved and I don't understand Gabriel because he usually looks a calm boy.

"You have to be above that. That's part of the game sometimes. To be professional, to me, is to deal with that.

"You can spit in my face and if it's in a game then I will not respond. I do not guarantee that outside of the game. What I mean is that the desire to win has to be above all of that."

 

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Benitez: I don't favour Ronaldo… I'm not obsessed with him

Rafa Benitez says he is "not obsessed" with Cristiano Ronaldo's goal record, and denies he favours certain members of his Real Madrid squad.

Benitez took over at the Bernabeu this summer following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti, and has led Madrid to second in La Liga with 10 points from his first four games in charge.

Question marks were raised over Ronaldo's performances as he failed to score in the first two games of the season, but the 30-year-old then hit five in a 6-0 win at Espanyol on September 12 to lead the Spanish scoring charts.

Keylor Navas has impressed at the other end of the pitch having kept five clean sheets in all competition to break Miguel Angel's club record from the 1975-76 campaign.

But while Benitez acknowledges the importance of individual such as Ronaldo - who hit a career-best 61 goals last season - and Navas in his squad, the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli coach is focusing on results ahead of Madrid's trip to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

"The players know that Cristiano scores 50 goals a season. He makes the difference," he said at a pre-game news conference on Tuesday.

"There is one indisputable player, which is Cristiano. From there, we assess who is well and who is not. Cristiano manages his exertions well. As of today he is pretty good physically.

"What I want is to win. I am not obsessed with Cristiano scoring five goals or Navas not conceding. I have never thought about favouring anyone apart from the team."
Benitez says that key to working at a club such as Madrid - with a Galacticos policy of making regular star signings - is the ability to converse regularly with his players.

"To manage a special group with such a high level is not easy, but I maintain individual conversations with them," he said. "With Toni Kroos I must have had like 20 individual conversations. We are in agreement with everything."

Of Jese Rodriguez - who has vowed to bide his time after reportedly becoming frustrated at a lack of game time at the Bernabeu - Benitez added: "There are players that are one step in front, and others that have done it better. Jese has talent and has to work.

"The youngsters have to push to approach the level of the best [players] in the world."

 

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Luis Enrique: Vidal & Arda being punished by Barcelona transfer ban

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has admitted new signings Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan are in a "weird situation", with the pair having to wait until January to make their debuts for the club because of the Catalans' transfer ban.

The European champions were last year banned by Fifa from registering players for two transfer windows due to irregularities in relation to the movement of players under the age of 18.

Consequently, while they were allowed to sign Vidal and Arda during the summer, neither man is eligible for selection until January.

"Arda and Aleix would play if we were allowed to have them at disposal," Luis Enrique told reporters on Tuesday.

"They are living a weird situation, similar when your parents punish the older son for something the little one did!"

However, Barca have reportedly asked Fifa if they can register Arda now, given midfielder Rafinha has been ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury.

Luis Enrique appeared to confirm that an appeal has been launched but refused to be drawn on its chances of success.

"It is not a question of being optimistic about Arda being cleared to play or not," the former Spain international stated.

"But the club is always looking at our best options. However, it is up to Fifa and we can only focus on what we're being asked to do on the field."

Turning his attention to Wednesday's trip to Balaidos, Luis Enrique admitted that he is expecting Barca, who boast a perfect record after four rounds of Liga action, to be given a rough ride by his old club.

"We are anticipating a hard game," he added. "Last year it was a very difficult game even though we played well and won 1-0.

"But if we aren't at our best on Wednesday, Celta will destroy us."

 

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Arda agent 'not optimistic' after Barcelona ask Fifa to let winger play

Barcelona have asked Fifa for permission to play summer signing Arda Turan following the injury to Rafinha, but the midfielder's agent says he is "not optimistic" that the club will receive an affirmative answer.

Barca were banned from registering new players by Fifa in 2015 due to irregularities in the signing of young players for their La Masia academy, but the Catalan club still brought in Aleix Vidal and Arda in the summer with a view to handing the pair their debuts in January.

However, rules in Spain dictate that a team can register a player in La Liga and the Copa del Rey if they lose another to long-term injury, though coach Luis Enrique has already said that world football's governing body had previously told the club it would be unable to sign a new player in that case.

Still, Barca have appealed to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and to Fifa after Rafinha suffered cruciate ligament damage against Roma in the Champions League last week, which has ruled the 22-year-old out for around six months.

Turan, who signed from Atletico Madrid in a €34 million deal in the summer, posted a tweet on Tuesday with an image of himself alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in which he hinted at linking up with his team-mates in the coming days as he wrote: "The gang. Looking forward to playing together..."

But Arda's agent, Ahmed Bulut, told Cadena Cope: "He is happy with the possibility of playing before January, but we aren't optimistic about what Fifa will say. We hope Fifa will respond this week."

Bulut also added that his client is fit and raring to go if needed.

"He is physically and mentally prepared to compete," he said. "He has played two matches with Turkey this month in the Euro 2016 qualifiers. It has been difficult for him to adapt to five months without playing, but he has been lucky because he has felt comfortable in the team."

And speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of his side's Liga game at Celta Vigo on Wednesday, Barca boss Luis Enrique said: "Arda and Aleix Vidal would already be playing if we were allowed to reigister them."

 

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Gabriel ban lifted by FA

The Football Association has confirmed that Arsenal have succesfully appealed against Gabriel's ban for violent conduct on the grounds of wrongful dismissal, following his red card against Chelsea.

The Gunners defender had been dismissed for violent conduct after kicking out at Blues striker Diego Costa at the end of a continued dispute between the two players.

Costa has subsequently been charged with violent conduct by the FA and could face retrospective punishment following a further collision with Laurent Koscielny.

But a statement released by the FA on Tuesday rescinded Gabriel's ban for violent conduct, though the Brazilian still faces a charge of improper conduct, for which he has until 6pm on Thursday to reply.

"Arsenal’s claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Gabriel has been upheld following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing," the FA statement read. "The player’s three-match suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate effect.

"The player is currently subject to a separate FA charge of improper conduct in relation to Saturday's game,"