..::Football III::..

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Pochettino: All Premier League managers fear sack

Mauricio Pochettino believes all Premier League managers fear the sack and said he has seen a trending change in job security following the influx of foreign owners.

Pochettino feels managers are under unprecedented pressure, with clubs increasingly unwilling to show patience to the men in charge.

Tottenham take on manager-less Aston Villa on Monday at White Hart Lane following the sacking of Tim Sherwood and the Argentine insists the Premier League's reputation for managerial stability no longer exists.

"In Europe, the pressure is always there," said Pochettino.

"When I was in Spain, ­Argentina and France, we would say it was different, more stable in England because there were a lot of examples like Arsene Wenger or Sir Alex Ferguson.

"But now, after three years here, I can see how it has started to change. It is true there is more pressure on the manager and results are demanded quickly.

"Maybe before it was different but now it is like the style from Europe has arrived in England."

Pochettino reasoned the short-termism stems from overseas owners investing significant money into clubs and holding overly ambitious expectations.

"Today there are a lot of owners who have arrived from Europe and it is a different mentality," he said.

"It is difficult to give time to develop projects in football. You buy the club and you want the title after three months."

 

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How Klopp masterminded Liverpool’s win over Chelsea

The contrast between the managers on the sidelines was huge. Jose Mourinho, the beleaguered Chelsea coach was aggravated and antagonistic throughout.

Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, radiated energy and optimism on the Liverpool bench, masterminding his first win in the Premier League.

A 3-1 victory away from home against the champions reinforced the excitement with which the German has been greeted at Anfield. The former Borussia Dortmund boss is unbeaten since taking over at the club, returning confidence and swagger to the side, who put in an accomplished performance.

Klopp, though, is keen to keep expectations in check.

“Oh please,” the Liverpool manager responded when asked about the possibility of his side winning the title. “We think about the next game, improving our game and our style. We can do much better than today, much, much better.”

But following a comprehensive victory over the current Premier League champions, albeit going through a difficult spell themselves, questions about Klopp’s ambitions are valid. After dominating possession at Stamford Bridge with a carefully executed game-plan, more will be expected of Liverpool in the coming weeks and the German looks like the man to deliver.

There were two phases of Klopp’s plan to pile more more misery on the Stamford Bridge faithful. In the first half, Liverpool looked to dominate possession and packed their midfield, with no recognised striker on the pitch. Christian Benteke started on the bench, while Adam Lallana and Robert Firmino were often the furthest players forward.

No strikers and a bunch of attacking midfielders allowed Liverpool to control the game, despite going 1-0 down early on via a Ramires header. From then, Klopp’s side dominated possession for much of the first half, but the tactical arrangement required a moment of individual brilliance to get the Reds back into the game. Thankfully, Philippe Coutinho obliged twice with spectacular curling efforts.

The Liverpool boss outlined his gameplan in the post-match media conference, saying: "Within a few minutes Chelsea made their goal... but we stayed in the game, we had our moments. Our build-up with quick, short passes, that's what we want to do, it was good."

At 1-1 and with a whiff of victory in the air, Klopp played his ace, sending striker Christian Benteke into the fray and immediately providing a physical, powerful focal point. The Belgian personified a drive from careful possession to attacking intent, as Liverpool looked to win the game, building on Coutinho’s excellent strikes with a goal of his own and wrapping up a memorable win.
Every managerial plan needs a bit of luck, for something to go their way, and without Coutinho’s long-range inspiration, Liverpool’s controlled possession may have come to nothing. Their dominance was made good by the exact sort of individual brilliance that a manager cannot plan for, but it fitted seamlessly into Liverpool’s ambitions.

Traditionally, it has been Mourinho that has received praise for attuning his tactics to specific matches and situations, but with the Portuguese manager struggling to retain control of the situation at Stamford Bridge, Klopp was able to impress himself upon the game. Where the Portuguese once excelled, the German is now dominating.

It looks increasingly likely that Klopp will outlast Mourinho in the Premier League this season, with Saturday’s 3-1 win deepening the chasm between Chelsea and the top four. And after such a dominant display at the home of the champions, the feeling is that the Liverpool manager may be set to match some of the Portuguese’s achievements in the coming years.

The signs are promising for Liverpool and Klopp.

 

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Klopp ta puluwan ayeth Liverpool hoda place 1kakata genna​

 

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Arsenal will attack Bayern Munich, warns Gabriel

Gabriel Paulista has warned Bayern Munich that Arsenal will look to attack them in their Champions League clash on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger's side responded to shock defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos with a 2-0 victory over the German champions on matchday three last month to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 alive.

Arsenal have a good record at the Allianz Arena, having secured a draw and a 2-0 victory in their last two visits, although they lost both knockout ties on aggregate.

And Gabriel is determined to take confidence from those results into this week, saying after Arsenal's 3-0 win over Swansea City on Saturday: "When we play away, we also have to have a slightly different outlook, but that doesn't mean we will spend the whole game defending.

"We are a big team, we are Arsenal and we need to attack because we need the result, but we need to attack with intelligence and make sure we don't suffer a defeat and complicate our situation for the rest of our competition."

"Everything is possible in football," he added.
"We know the difficulties we are going to find. Bayern are an excellent team playing at home with the fans on their side, so it will be a big challenge.

"If we are as determined as we have been over the last few years, I believe that we can go there and get a great result."

The Gunners are third in Group F after three games, level on points with fourth-placed Dinamo Zagreb and three points behind joint leaders Bayern and Olympiacos.

 

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Evra: Ferguson was '99 per cent' sure of re-signing Ronaldo

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra says Alex Ferguson was "99 per cent" sure of re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo and staying on as manager just weeks before announcing his retirement.

Ferguson, having led United to the 13th Premier League title of his reign in 2012-13, assured the French defender he would remain in charge at Old Trafford.

And the Scot was apparently confident of bringing Portuguese superstar Ronaldo back to the club from Real Madrid, having sold the prized asset to the Liga giants for £80 million in 2009.

None of that came to pass, though, with Ferguson announcing his retirement on May 8 2013.

Evra stayed for David Moyes' lone, ill-fated campaign in charge the following season, before joining Juventus in July 2014, and the left-back, speaking to the Sunday Times, has revealed how different United's recent history might have been had Ferguson opted to continue.

"I remember we talked maybe two weeks before and he said, 'Patrice, I will be here another five years'," he said.

"I said, 'Yes boss. Let's do it.' I was so convinced. He was looking younger and younger, amazing. He even told me '99 per cent, Cristiano Ronaldo will come'. I was like, 'wow, we are ready to bounce back and to even win the Champions League again.

"After that everyone knows what happened. You know when you are lost and you feel like the world is crumbling? It was a big trauma, I felt lost."

Evra reached the Champions League final with Juve last season, while United, having failed to qualify for the tournament under Moyes, returned to Europe's elite club competition after finishing fourth in Louis van Gaal's first campaign in charge last term.

 

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Coutinho relieved to end poor Liverpool form

Philippe Coutinho was relieved to end a poor run of form for Liverpool this season with a match-winning double against Chelsea on Saturday.

The Brazil international ended a wait of 710 minutes for a Premier League goal when he curled home the equaliser at the end of the first half at Stamford Bridge.

Coutinho struck a second on 74 minutes before Christian Benteke wrapped up Jurgen Klopp's first victory in charge of Liverpool in the top flight.

The former Inter playmaker dedicated his goals to the fans after the match, accepting that his prior performances had not been up to scratch.

"I am so happy to score those goals," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"It had been a long time since I last scored. I haven't been playing so well but I knew I just had to keep working and things would change for me. That's what I did.

"I kept going and I knew that good things would come. Hopefully I can go on to score many more goals. I'm most happy about the fact I was able to help the team to get the three points.

"The support we got from the fans throughout the game was amazing. They are always there supporting us and we wanted to give something back. My goals and this win is for them."

Coutinho believes Klopp has restored confidence to the Liverpool squad after succeeding Brendan Rodgers in the Anfield hotseat.

He added: "The manager was pleased - he gave me a big hug!

"Everyone in the squad is enjoying the football he asks from us.

"He's a manager who demands a lot of hard work. That's what we try to do every day. We have to continue this way.

"He is a manager who gives you confidence. We have had some difficult moments as a team but now we're in a good way."

 

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Cuadrado: I've never scored a more important goal

Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado has described his last-minute winner against Torino on Saturday as the most important goal of his career to date.

Paul Pogba put the Serie A champions ahead but Cesare Bovo's second-half equaliser looked to have earned a share of the spoils for Torino in the derby clash at Juventus Stadium.

However, Cuadrado converted Alex Sandro's cross in injury time to secure maximum points and send Juve up to 10th in the table, and the Chelsea loanee hopes the win can serve as a springboard for the rest of the campaign.

"It's the most important goal of my career so far. I've never been able to do something decisive like that at the last minute. It's a really good feeling," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"This goal gives me a big boost. I'm sure victory in the derby will be a turning point.

"I believe in the Scudetto. Of course, we're in the position of having to treat each game like a final, but we don't lack quality. We're strong, we can recover.

"God helped us a little, because it was tough against a team like Torino, but I think we deserved the result."

Reports in Italy suggest Cuadrado's agent will attempt to negotiate a permanent move to Juventus over the coming days, and the Colombia international admits he is relishing life back in the Italian top flight.

"I hope Chelsea and [manager Jose] Mourinho recover as soon as possible. They are strong, they'll react," he said of his parent club's struggles this season, which culminated in a 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday.

"I can't describe all my love for Serie A, Italian football, for a country that feels like a second home.

"I'm at 70 per cent at the moment, I want to achieve things when I hit my top form. We're almost there."

 

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Szczesny: Arsenal return is my dream

On-loan Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has indicated that his dream is to return to Arsenal and the end of his loan spell.

The Poland international, who joined the Italian side after Petr Cech established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper at the Emirates Stadium, still holds the Gunners close to his heart and revealed that he would relish the chance to return.

Speaking to Sky Italia, the 25-year-old said: "If a year ago someone had told me that I would go to Rome I would have thought it was impossible.

"I saw Arsenal as my whole life and I do not hide that is still my dream [to return].

"For me it is a family, I owe so much to those people that if I were to be given a chance I would play for them [again]."

Szczesny has had a mixed spell in the Italian capital so far, pulling off an important save in the historic win over Juventus but making a costly error in the Champions League defeat to BATE Borisov.

And the Polish goalkeeper has praised the Roma fans for their attitude to him but insisted that he does not have any certainty about his long-term future.

"Here the fans are always were fantastic,:" he continued.

"I do not know what will happen, nine months is a long time in football, things can change from week to week."

 

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Aubameyang: I want to be like Messi or Ronaldo

Borussia Dortmund's in-form attacker Pierre-Emeric Aubameyang has set his sights high, saying he would like to reach the level of superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Gabon international has been in sensational form so far in 2015-16, smashing 13 goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances and 20 in all competitions to lead the European scoring charts.

The Golden Shoe award which honours such an achievement has often been the property of either the Barcelona or Real Madrid hitmen over recent years, and Aubameyang singled the pair out as role models.

"It is something I really want to achieve. To be the greatest, Ronaldo and Messi can score three in one game and four the next day," he told Telefoot.

"I have already experienced one stage with [Jurgen] Klopp, but I am trying to have a new one with [Thomas] Tuchel back in the middle."

The development of the former St. Etienne man in Germany has surprised many observers.

But the striker admitted that he would have to adapt once opponents realised how dangerous he could be.

"Of course defenders will start asking more questions of you. All those who thought Aubameyang was only about running or athletic ability were wrong," he fired.

"I was born for this, and ever since childhood I have set myself goals."

 

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Lazio 1-3 Milan: Bertolacci returns to haunt Biancocelesti

Andrea Bertolacci returned to haunt Lazio as AC Milan ran out 3-1 winners at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night.

Milan had failed to beat Lazio in their past five visits to Stadio Olimpico but goals from Bertolacci, Mexes and Carlos Bacca settled Sunday's contest, although the win was overshadowed somewhat by concerns for Alex who was knocked unconscious during the second half.

Bertolacci, born in Rome, endured a mixed homecoming. The Italy international, who came through the youth ranks at Lazio's fierce rivals Roma, tapped in the opener after a poor piece of goalkeeping from Federico Marchetti but was forced off injured soon after.

Alessio Cerci also hit the post in a first half dominated by Milan, and the visitors had a second when Mexes, who spent seven years at Roma, headed home the second less than a minute after replacing Alex.

It was a particularly sweet moment for Mexes, who in last season's corresponding fixture - a 3-1 defeat for Milan - was sent off and later hit with a four-match ban for grabbing Stefano Mauri by the throat.

Sinisa Mihajlovic, who won Serie A during a six-year stint with Lazio as a player, then saw his side put the game beyond reach with Bacca's late goal and, although Ricardo Kishna bagged a late consolation, Milan leapfrogged their opponents in the table.Lazio saw tentative penalty claims waved away in the fifth minute when Lucas Biglia was barged to ground by Riccardo Montolivo.

Milan edged play in the opening stages, though, and Giacomo Bonaventura saw a rasping 20-yard drive narrowly clear the crossbar.And they took the lead in the 25th minute, albeit with a helping hand from Marchetti.

Alessio Cerci cut in from the right and his left-footed shot was parried straight into the path of Bertolacci, who provided the simple finish.

Milan came desperately close to a second moments later. Montolivo set Cerci free inside the area but his curling shot agonisingly rebounded off the far post to safety.
There was a stoppage in play shortly after the restart when centre-back Alex was knocked out cold after being sandwiched between 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Juraj Kucka.

When the action restarted, Mexes made a stunning impact as a substitute, leaping highest to head home Bonaventura's excellent whipped free-kick.Lazio attempted to garner some momentum and Kishna had a goal rightly ruled out for offside when he tapped in at the back post.

But Milan were out of reach with 10 minutes remaining when Bonaventura played in Bacca, who rounded Marchetti to shoot into the unguarded goal.Lazio restored some pride when Kishna fired home at the near post from the left of the box in the 85th minute, but it was too little too late.

 

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Vidal: Arsenal will see the real Bayern

Arturo Vidal has issued a warning to Arsenal as Bayern Munich prepare to host them in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Bavarian side suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on matchday three, with Arsene Wenger's men recovering from losses to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos to keep their qualification hopes alive.

However, the Chilean midfielder insists that Bayern will not be so generous to their opponents at Allianz Arena, and says a die Roten victory is the only outcome they are targeting.

"We'll show Arsenal the real Bayern on Wednesday," Vidal told Bild am Sonntag.

"Our confidence is high. This time we'll take our chances and take the three points."Arsenal enter the tie in excellent form however, having climbed to the top of the Premier League after going unbeaten there since October and won five of their last six matches in all competitions.

A victory for the Gunners would see them draw level with Bayern – who were held to a 0-0 draw by Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Friday – on six points with two Group F games remaining.

 

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Evra reveals Manchester United exit heartache

Patrice Evra says he agonised over his decision to leave Manchester United for Juventus last summer, and almost changed his mind.

The French full-back brought a successful eight-year stay at Old Trafford to a close when he signed for the Italian giants in July 2014, winning Serie A and reaching the final of the Champions League in his first season in Turin.Evra came close to staying though, with the Bianconeri's determined pursuit of his services ultimately swaying him.

"The only person who takes the full responsibility why I leave Man United is myself," he told the Sunday Times. "I am the one to make the choice.

"Juventus had already talked to me. The challenge was so exciting. [Former coach Antonio] Conte had called me a lot during the World Cup. It was not difficult to go to Juventus, because it is such a big, historic club.

"But it was difficult to leave Manchester United."According to Evra, both former United manager David Moyes as well as successor Louis van Gaal and club chief executive Ed Woodward sought to convince the France international to reject the advances of the Italian champions.

"The president of Juventus, Andrea Agnelli called me," the 34-year-old continued. "He said 'Look, we didn't deposit your contract to the Italian league [yet], you can change your mind, but we really want you here.'

"And I feel somebody really wants me strongly, with a lot of respect."After that, I called Ed Woodward to say, 'I am sorry, I already gave my word to Juventus, I can't go back [on it].' "

 

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Pato hints at return to Europe

On-loan Sao Paulo striker Alexandre Pato does not envisage staying at the Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo as rumours of a move away from parent club Corinthians intensify.

The Brazil international sees his loan doal with Sao Paulo expire in January, having left financially troubled Corinthians temporarily in February.

The 26-year-old looks set to leave Corinthians permanently in the near future but they have yet to find a buyer - Pato reportedly among the club's highest earners.


Amid links with Barcelona and a host of other top European sides, Pato opened the door for a move away from Brazil - stating he would not return to Sao Paulo in 2016.

"I will not stay in Sao Paulo next year. I watched an interview with [interim Sao Paulo president] Leco and he said it is very difficult to sign me," Pato told reporters after Saturday's 3-0 win over Sport Recife.

"I want to help Sao Paulo in this final stretch, these five very important games, because I want to put the team into the Copa Libertadores.

"I see no problem. I'm a professional and I have to always do my job. I want to devote my best to them and go on vacation with a feeling of accomplishment."

 

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Barcelona stars apologise for Halloween prank

Barcelona’s players have released a statement apologising for disrupting Getafe forward Victor Rodriguez’s press conference on Saturday dressed up in Halloween costumes.

After goals from Luis Suarez and Neymar secured a 2-0 win in the Spanish capital, most of Barca’s squad changed into fancy dress while still at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

They then burst into the press room, only to find Victor in the middle of speaking to the media.

Barca’s stars were quickly ushered out of the room, with one player heard saying they’d made a mistake and gone through the wrong door.

However, the damage was done and they have since been criticised by several people, including Getafe’s Mehdi Lacen, for displaying a lack of grace in victory and a lack of respect for their opponents.


In response to that criticism, Barca’s first team squad released the following statement on Sunday:

"In light of the reaction provoked by our actions, which were carried out with the purpose of celebrating a good win and the team’s good form, while also coinciding with Halloween, FC Barcelona’s first team squad would like to manifest that:

"1. - In no case was it our intention to offend or annoy any of our colleagues from Getafe.

"2. - The invasion in the mixed zone coincided with Victor Rodriguez’s press conference and was an unfortunate coincidence, for which we personally apologised and expressed our respect. The images captured at that moment demonstrate that a player clearly said: “Where are we going? We have made a mistake [entering the press conference].”

"3. - The squad is aware of the responsibility that comes with being an FC Barcelona player and wants to apologise to anyone who feels offended, especially members of Getafe’s team and their fans. Our behaviour is also un-waiverable with the members and supporters of FC Barcelona, who should be proud of this team off the pitch, as well as on it."

 

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Oscar: Chelsea situation not good for Mourinho

Brazil internationals Oscar and Ramires have admitted that "the situation is not good" for Jose Mourinho following Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool, but remain united behind the manager.

Chelsea’s worst ever start to a Premier League season continued on Saturday as Liverpool came back from Ramires’ early opener down to overcome the title holders at Stamford Bridge.

Philippe Coutinho notched a brace before Christian Benteke piled more pressure on Mourinho, but Ramires and Oscar insist that “everybody” at Chelsea is still behind the under-fire Portuguese coach.

“Everybody tries to help [Mourinho] but the situation is not good for Jose and for the players and the fans but for Chelsea, we need to start winning again,” Oscar told the club’s official website.

“It is very disappointing because we played so well in the first half but at the end of it, Coutinho scored but we tried, we came back for the second half and we played well again but we had a lot of bad luck. They scored two and it was a difficult game for us.”

Lucas Leiva was fortunate to remain on the pitch after controversially avoiding a second booking for tripping Ramires – an incident which the Liverpool midfielder later praised referee Mark Clattenburg for – and Oscar feels Jurgen Klopp’s side got more fortune on Saturday.

“We tried everything all the game but everything was for Liverpool," he said. “Liverpool played the second half better than us.

“Coutinho played well, we tried everything but we didn’t win. We need to keep going.”

Goalscorer Ramires was also frustrated with the result – leaving the title holders adrift in 15th position, 14 points off table toppers Manchester City - but says that the Chelsea squad will remain together despite their poor run.

“We started very well and in the second half we had a chance to score a second, but we didn’t score and they did and then they win,” he said.

“It is difficult because when we lose a game, everyone is sad in the dressing room.

“The manager didn’t say anything because it was not the time but on Sunday we have a conversation and he will show to us what we did in the game.

“We try to help him [Mourinho] on the pitch - we couldn’t help him on Saturday but we will try every match to win because this is a group and a team and if we lose, Jose loses as well so we are all together.

“We need to play like we played before to win the games.”

 

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Evra: Sir Alex told me that Giggs and I would be great managers

Juventus defender Patrice Evra has revealed former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson felt that he and Ryan Giggs would go on to become great managers in the future.

The France international spent eight years playing under the Scot at Old Trafford winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League before leaving for Juventus in 2014.

Evra says Sir Alex urged him to complete his coaching badges in a conversation towards the end of the 2012-13 season when Manchester United had again won the title.

“Patrice, two people are going to be great managers in this team. You and Ryan Giggs!” said Sir Alex according to the Sunday Times.

“Patrice trust me because you understand football, you know how to talk to people, you've got the leadership.

“Forget tactics and everything; you know how to pass on your passion. You can easily pass on your inspiration, your leadership. Trust me - do your badges.

Evra went on to win Serie A title as well as reaching the Champions League final in his first season at Juventus and says he is enjoying learning about football in Italy.


"I am like a computer, I'm trying to absorb everything," Evra said.

“I always say the Premier League is like two boxers fighting. The one who is least strong gets tired, he does down.

“Here it is like a chess game, and you have to understand every move you play with your quality, your strength, your skill. That's the difference.

“I learn a lot, and I'm a little bit worried about English football. Why? In Europe being fast, being strong, playing only with your quality, you are going to struggle against teams that prepare.

“That is where England has to work. It is about tactics. But it is not easy, because the players won't accept it.”

 

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Ronaldo non-committal on Real future

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated that he is currently happy at the club, but refused to commit his future to the Spanish giants amid talk of a possible return to Manchester United.

The 30-year-old recently became Real's record goalscorer, overtaking Raul, and there have been an increasing number of reports linking the forward with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, with United and Paris Saint-Germain touted as possible destinations.

And, speaking to the Efe Agency, Ronaldo refused to dampen the speculation by committing his future to Real, insisting that he is happy in the Spanish capital at the moment but indicating that he is unsure what will happen in the coming years.

"At this moment, I'm happy playing for Real Madrid but I don't know what will happen in my future. I must choose the way that makes me happy," he said.

With Real currently level on points with rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga, Ronaldo revealed his hatred of losing, suggesting that the desire to be the best drives him on.

"I can't accept a defeat, I get very angry. I shout and say stupid things and then I regret. In my mind, I'm always the best. I think that this is key for all people that want to be the best," the 30-year-old continued.

Ronaldo, who is once again vying for the Ballon d'Or prize with Lionel Messi, scored in Real's 3-1 win over Las Palmas on Saturday, though his form this season has not been as spectacular as usual, trailing the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski in the European goal charts.

But the Portugal captain insisted that he is not fazed by doubters, suggesting that the naysayers motivate him to improve.

"I try to see the best part of haters. They encourage me. I don't need them but they aren't my enemies. They are part of this business".

 

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Mihajlovic: Milan turnaround no coincidence

Sinisa Mihajlovic says AC Milan's recent positive form is no coincidence following an impressive 3-1 win at Lazio on Sunday.

The heavily-reinforced Rossoneri stuttered at the beginning of the season, leading to speculation that the Serbian boss, who took over the reins of the club in summer, was at risk of being axed.

However, the San Siro side have since gone on an unbeaten run of four games - three of those wins - with their momentum leading them up to sixth in Serie A, five points behind leaders Fiorentina.

And Mihajlovic has put their turnaround down to the side becoming more comfortable expressing themselves in their preferred formation.

"We won deservedly, I can only say I am happy," he told reporters following their victory over Lazio. "If we hadn’t made the step up in quality before, it was purely our fault, but today we showed progress.

"It’s no coincidence that with the change of system we picked up 10 points in four games. I don’t know about calling this a turning point, we still have to take it one game at a time.

"This is our third straight win and we’ve climbed the table. We play with less fear now and since we changed system to 4-3-3 we are under less pressure at the back.

"We are on the right track and now must continue."

Brazilian defender Alex was stretchered off in the 51st minute at the Stadio Olimpico after being knocked unconscious following a collision with Gianluigi Donnarumma, and has been diagnosed with head trauma.

But Mihajlovic played down fears of a prolonged absence for the centre-back, and assures he is fine.

"He had the tests, but they were all clear," he continued.

"He has to remain in hospital overnight for observation, but he is fine and that’s positive. He did lose consciousness, but then he recovered."

 

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‘I can’t believe that England is so impatient!’ – Klopp in no rush to make signings

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says English football is impatient and insists he is in no rush to bring new players to Anfield.The German picked up his first victory as Reds boss on Saturday, overseeing an impressive 3-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The results leaves his side eighth in the table, but Klopp is keen to work with the players he has before deciding whether to add to his squad when the transfer window reopens.

“I can’t believe that England is so impatient! It is much more difficult. I have been here three weeks,” he told reporters.

“Everyone tells me ‘you want to buy this player, this player, this player’.“But development is to work with the players you have. It’s like if you have a problem with your wife, you don’t want to change every day!”

“That is the thing, you just work and work and get better. You don’t think about the summer of 2016. I don’t know what will be there.“We have to try and work, and get closer and see what we can achieve.”

Liverpool are just four points off a Champions League spot but Klopp refused to speculate where the Reds could finish at the end of the season, insisting it was far too early.

“We have to improve everything and then we can talk about where we will be in the table but, at this moment, in November, we cannot talk,” he added.“I have my first free day since I am in Liverpool and then we start again. We will see what we can do.”

 

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Stop Martial and you stop Manchester United, says Pardew

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew said stopping Anthony Martial was crucial as the Eagles held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw on Saturday.

The Red Devils failed to score for a third successive match at Selhurst Park with Louis van Gaal admitting after the match his side “created nothing”.

Martial began the game out wide before switching to a more central role, to no avail, and Pardew says his side had targeted the teenager as United’s main threat.

“We didn't give Martial an inch,” he told reporters after the game. “Not an inch.

“It was a big target for us to stop him and we felt that if we could stop him we could stop their creative angle.

“And when you take into account his age, that's some recommendation.

“I have to say that he's an impressive young player. I think he handled himself very well today, because he would have felt our presence around him, and still he had moments in the game.

“With such a young player, he'll have to be very, very careful, the Manchester United manager, to keep his exuberance there. Because we're all looking to stop him.”

Captain Wayne Rooney came in for criticism after another quiet display but Pardew defended the England international who he feels lacked service.

“In defence of Wayne I didn't really think he got a lot of good possession, I didn't think he had a lot of chances to create anything,” he added.

“I thought we bossed the second half, and in the first half he didn't get a lot of crosses, so it's very difficult for him to have an influence on the game.