..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Ramos: Clasico is almost orgasmic

Sergio Ramos is already getting excited about Real Madrid's upcoming clash with Barcelona, joking the Clasico can be an almost orgasmic experience.

Los Blancos host their great rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu on November 21, with Rafa Benitez's men having fallen three points behind the Liga leaders after Sunday's shock loss at Sevilla.

Ramos has had his ups and downs against Barca, getting sent off in the infamous 5-0 loss at Camp Nou in 2010 but heading the winner in their meeting in March 2013.

Barca defender Gerard Pique claimed on Sunday that the Clasico "turns us on" and Ramos admitted he finds the derby nearly as arousing.

"I don’t know, I’ve never reached an orgasm personally during the Clasico - but almost," the Spain international, who is a veteran in clashes with Barca having been at Madrid since 2005, quipped to reporters.

Ramos was speaking after Madrid's 3-2 loss at Sevilla, a game in which he had opened the scoring with a spectacular overhead kick only to see the hosts mount a stirring comeback.

It was put to Ramos that the result was a "disaster" from Madrid's perspective but he felt that such talk was over the top.

"Every person is free to use the adjective they want," he added. "We didn’t play well and that is always reflected in the result but this is one of the most complicated grounds for visiting teams, not just Madrid.

"We know we played a poor game but we also have to recognise the great game Sevilla put in.

"I thought we were a little static. We’ve lost some very important points today and we’ve got to change our mindset. But we are still in the title race."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benzema can't stop scoring in Real Madrid training

The last week has not been particularly positive for Karim Benzema off the field, but Real Madrid fans will be encouraged by his imminent return to action.

Allegations that the French striker was involved in attempts to blackmail international team-mate Matthieu Valbuena saw Benzema held and questioned by police.

But regardless of what has happened away from the pitch, Madrid fans will be hoping that the 27-year-old can replicate his training ground form in competitive matches.

The club released a short video of Benzema showing off his prowess in front of goal, with several strikes hitting the back of the net during Monday's practice session.

Even after almost a month out of action with a thigh injury, the forward has seemingly lost none of his striking power.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Robben: It sucks missing out on Euro 2016

Arjen Robben has admitted that Netherlands missing out on Euro 2016 "sucks", as he now fears that he has made his last appearance at a major international tournament.

The Dutch finished third at last summer's World Cup, only denied a place in the final after losing out on penalties to Argentina in the semi-finals.

However, Oranje endured a dismal qualification campaign for next year's European Championship in France, failing to even secure a play-off place after coming home fourth in their group, behind Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey.

As a result, the 31-year-old Robben is concerned about his prospects of making it to World Cup 2018.

"Beforehand, I didn't think about the possibility of missing out on Euro 2016 and, when it finally became a reality, it was hard to understand," the Bayern Munich winger told Metro Nieuws.

"It will continue to feel unreal until after the European Championships. It sucks.

"Missing Euro 2016 affects everyone's status, including mine. Maybe I've played my last tournament; that's possible.

"But I believe we can make it to World Cup 2018; otherwise, I would have retired from international football."

Robben, who made his Netherlands debut in April 2003, aged 19, was named national team captain by coach Danny Blind in August of this year.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo will end career at Real Madrid - Mendes

Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Real Madrid until the end of his career, according to his agent Jorge Mendes.

The Portuguese forward's future has been widely discussed in recent weeks, with a move to Paris Saint-Germain or a return to Manchester United rumoured to be on the cards.
But Mendes insists his client has no plans to leave the Santiago Bernabeu.

"[Cristiano will] end his career at Real Madrid," Mendes was quoted as saying by Marca.

"He loves Manchester United and Real Madrid, but his career will end in Madrid."


Speaking at the premiere of the 30-year-old's documentary, Mendes added that the film will show a different side to his client.

"The opinion of the people is different from the one of the team. The film will give people the chance to see the true Cristiano," he explained.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Coleman: Moyes will bounce back from Sociedad sacking

Everton full-back Seamus Coleman insists David Moyes "still has a lot to give" after he was sacked as Real Sociedad head coach.

Moyes was dismissed on Monday - almost exactly a year after from his appointment at Anoeta - following a defeat to Las Palmas that compounded a dismal start to the current campaign.

Coleman was signed by Moyes during his Everton days and emerged as one of the Premier League's brightest young players under the stewardship of the ex-Manchester United manager, and he has no doubt that the Scot will bounce back quickly.

"I'm massively disappointed for him," Coleman told the media in Dublin. "He was great with me and he took me from Sligo Rovers, obviously with the help of a scout. He taught me a lot about the game. He was a tough operator but he was fair and I was delighted to see him get the United job.

"I was disappointed with how the last 18 months went for him because he is a great manager and I've now seen that first hand but hopefully he'll be back in the game soon because he still has a lot to give."

Coleman believes a Premier League club would be the ideal next step for Moyes as he looks to rebuild his career.

"He's respected a lot in the Premier League and I'm sure he'll get back in," the full-back added. "He'll get going again but you know any of the lads who have been at Everton for a while under him only have good things to say about him. I'm disappointed for him, that's all I can really say."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: I would only work abroad if Arsenal sacked me

Arsene Wenger insists he would be unable to manage another English club if he was sacked by Arsenal.

The Frenchman has been in charge of the Gunners since 1996, winning three Premier League titles and six FA Cups in his 19 years in charge.

And while Wenger - whose current contract expires in 2017 - claims that he would probably continue coaching if he was suddenly dismissed by the north Londoners, he is adamant that he would not take another position in the English game.

"If, tomorrow morning, I am told, 'Goodbye and thank you' by Arsenal, I cannot promise you that I will not look to continue to work, to live my passion," he told L'Equipe. "But, without a doubt, not in England.

"What is for certain is that my attachment to Arsenal will remain until the end of my days," he added.

“I’ve had moments where I could have broken that [other offers], but I have always refused them. I do not see how, today, I could have a managerial career elsewhere."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Martial will become one of the best in the world - Neville

Phil Neville has backed Manchester United teenager Anthony Martial to become one of the best players in the world and feels he will prove to be an "absolute bargain".

The 19-year-old immediately impressed upon his arrival from Monaco in September, scoring three goals in his first two Premier League games.

Martial has since gone six league games without a goal, but Neville has little doubt the £36million signing will become a major asset for United.

"What I think he brings most to this Manchester United team is genuine speed and speed on the counter-attack, like we saw against Everton when they went to Goodison Park and won, as well as speed when United play a passing football style under Louis van Gaal," the former defender was quoted as saying on the official United website.

"He has brought genuine speed to the team, he is strong and he is quick. People question the amount of money that Louis van Gaal paid but I think United have got an absolute bargain and his style suits the Premier League.

"I think there is more to come. He is still young, he still learning and there is more to come from this striker, who I think could become one of the best in the world."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo: I respect Wenger's opinions - but that's it

Cristiano Ronaldo says that he respects Arsene Wenger's negative views on the Ballon d'Or but refused to be drawn on whether he agrees with the Frenchman's argument that such prizes promote "selfishness".

Arsenal boss Wenger claimed last week that he has seen players "destroy their careers" in the pursuit of individual accolades.

Real Madrid ace Ronaldo has won the last two Ballons d'Or - and three in total - so he was reluctant to be drawn into the merits of the trophy while attending the world premiere of a movie about his life.

Indeed, when asked about Wenger's comments by the Evening Standard, the Portugal international replied: "[Those are his] opinions. I respect opinions but that's it."

Wenger had aired his views before Sunday's derby clash with Tottenham at the Emirates.

"I'm against the Ballon d'Or," the Frenchman stated.
"I'm against all these things.

"I've seen careers destroyed because the players are too much obsessed to get individual rewards.

"I feel sometimes it encourages selfishness and people inside the game to go too much for their own sake when some partners are in a better position.

"Even the agents sometimes motivate the players to get individual rewards because they are more valuable on the market after.

"That’s why I’m against it."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibe hoping to become Liverpool's Lewandowski

Liverpool attacker Jordon Ibe hopes working with Jurgen Klopp can help him emulate the success of Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski.

Ibe has benefitted from the arrival of German manager Klopp at Anfield, the 19-year-old scoring the winner against Rubin Kazan in the Europa League last week.

Klopp forged a reputation for unearthing young talent during his successful spell at Borussia Dortmund, bringing through the likes of Lewandowski, who has gone on to become one of the most feared strikers in football.

Ibe is well aware of Klopp's track record with youngsters and says he wants to follow in the footsteps of the Poland international.

"He obviously did a great job at Borussia Dortmund," Ibe said.

"The fact that the young players he brought in were a big part of the success is very encouraging for guys like me.

"Of course, those youngsters at Dortmund didn't just become a little bit better either – some of them, like Robert Lewandowski, have become players who are operating at the highest level in the Champions League. Hopefully he can help me and some of the lads here do the same.

"I'm hoping my attributes – pace and strength and being able to go past people – will suit the way he wants to play and I can get some opportunities."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ferguson helped grow my Manchester United passion - Ronaldo

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo still holds a passion for former club Manchester United, revealing a promise from Alex Ferguson that he would play regularly was key to his move to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo arrived in Manchester from Sporting CP as an 18-year-old in 2003 and lived up to his remarkable potential in a trophy-laden six-year spell before earning a move to Madrid, where he has staked his claim as one of the greatest players of all time.

The Portugal captain is frequently linked with a return to United and revealed his love for the club was partly engendered by former boss Ferguson as well as agent Jorge Mendes.

"I feel passionately about Manchester United. I've said that many times," he said at a news conference for his new film entitled 'Ronaldo'.

"What Jorge Mendes did for me at 18, bringing me to one of the best clubs in the world under Alex Ferguson, was like a dream to me.

"Playing for Sporting Lisbon and signing for Manchester United was like... 'Wow, how did this happen?' It was amazing.

"When Ferguson wanted me and said I'd play 50 per cent of the games that was unbelievable.

"I took that decision because Jorge helped me. The last word from Ferguson was key also."

Ronaldo's film explores, among other things, his quest for excellence as well as his apparent rivalry with Barcelona star Lionel Messi, which the 30-year-old has frequently played down.

"I don't have rivals in football," Ronaldo added, while he was also asked about whether he regretted the film project.

"[Did the film reveal] too much? Maybe, but I just had fun.

"I don't regret anything. I feel unbelievable. When you do something people will find reason to criticise you, but it's normal.

"Since I was a young boy I always felt special. I saw the people looked at me with different eyes. I feel very comfortable with the cameras, with the media."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger wins Manager of the Month award

Arsene Wenger has won the Premier League Manager of the Month award for October.

The Arsenal boss led his side to four successive victories during the month, with the Gunners defeating Manchester United, Watford, Everton and Swansea to firmly establish themselves in the title race.

Wenger defeated both Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri to win the award, with his two competitors winning three and drawing one of their Premier League fixtures during the month.

Wenger has now won 15 such prizes, and Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table following their 1-1 draw with bitter rivals Tottenham.

Jamie Vardy, meanwhile, has won the Premier League Player of the Month award after scoring five goals in the month, defeating fellow nominees Mesut Ozil, Kevin De Bruyne, Odion Ighalo, Jack Butland and Olivier Giroud.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vardy named Premier League Player of the Month


Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for October, continuing a remarkable season for the Foxes.

Vardy has been in blistering form so far this season, netting five goals in four games in the month of October, helping Claudio Ranieri's side on the way to three victories.

Leicester currently sit third in the Premier League table, one point behind leaders Manchester City and Arsenal, having defied all expectations ahead of the start of the season.

The 28-year-old has been at the heart of the Foxes good form, rising to the top of the league scoring charts with 12 goals already this season and can match Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of scoring in ten consecutive Premier League matches when Leicester take on Newcastle on November 21.

Vardy's latest, becoming his ninth goal in successive games, came with a penalty in the 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday, taking his form into November.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations for Wenger & Vardy!

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic: Age isn't affecting me

Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists age is no barrier to success and says he has no plans to retire from football.

The 34-year-old has scored nine goals in eight Ligue 1 games for PSG thus far this season, with Laurent Blanc’s men yet to taste defeat domestically.

Ibrahimovic has been linked with one last big-money move away from the French capital, with Manchester United and a clutch of MLS teams believed to be interested in acquiring his signature.


And, while Ibrahimovic maintains that “anything can happen”, he says he has no plans to wind down his career.

"My body is like a car: the more it is worked, the better it functions," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"My age is not telling me to stop. I feel good and I am playing well. We will see what things are like a month or six months from now.

"I am in shape and I will continue to play until I feel I can contribute. For now football remains the most important thing to me and I will make my decision while thinking like a footballer.

"I feel like I have been part of this project [at PSG] since the beginning. Everything is easier for whoever arrives now.

"With all due respect to the club, I arrived when things did not work well. We have now built a great team.

"A move to USA? Everything interests me, but there must be a project on the other side. I have my ideas and I know what I want, but it takes two to make a deal."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ramos hits out at Real Madrid’s medical department

Sergio Ramos has hit out at Real Madrid’s medical department and admits the team have no confidence in club doctor Jesus Olmo.

Madrid have been hit with several injuries to key players this season including James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Pepe, Dani Carvajal and Mateo Kovacic, while Ramos has required pain-killing injections to play through a shoulder problem.

Rafa Benitez has publicly backed Olmo, claiming his current medical team “are among the best I have had" but as revealed by Goal in June, there has been anger among the Madrid players following the overhaul in personnel during the summer.

When asked about Olmo and how he manages the Madrid dressing room with little backing from the players, Ramos told Cope: “Now is not the best time to talk about the medical/doctor subject, I’m not going to lie to you, it’s a reality [that there is no confidence in the doctor].

“We have to reach the end of the season in the best way possible then we can talk.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic: Milan made me a great offer

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that Milan attempted to re-sign him last summer, but that he turned down their approach.

Ibrahimovic left San Siro in 2012 to join Paris Saint-Germain for a fee reported to be worth over £30 million.

The Sweden striker scored 56 goals in 85 appearances during his time with the Italian giants and was given the chance to make an emotional return but he snubbed the offer, despite admitting that he would never have left the club if the decision had been his alone.

"Last summer there was a great offer from Milan. If I had said yes, a deal would have been completed," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"However, we did not reach that point as it was not what I wanted. But I am grateful to Milan - they are the best club I have ever played for, and I have played for a lot of important teams.

"Nobody compares to them in terms of how they work or how they are organised and we had a fantastic side. San Siro, the city, the people, the language: I have great memories.

"I have always said Italy is my second home as I have always been happy there. If it had been up to me I would have never left."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lingard will do whatever it takes at Manchester United - Southgate

Jesse Lingard will do whatever it takes to keep his place in the Manchester United team, according to England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate.

The 22-year-old scored his first goal for Louis van Gaal's side in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win over West Brom and has kept big-money signing Memphis Depay out of the starting XI for the last two games.

Southgate has regularly worked with Lingard in England's youth set up and gave his view on the winger's rapid rise at club level, saying his attitude was ideally suited to the demands of a manager like Van Gaal.

He said: "I am amazed they were not inundated with more bids to prise him away in the summer, especially having played as well as he did in the [Under-21] Euros.

"He has got the shirt at the moment and knowing him he will do whatever it takes to hold onto it. He is at a club where you know you have to perform every week but over the years that is how the youngsters there have been raised.

"They know they are going to have to perform in front of 70,000 people and that brings expectations.

"We are not surprised [by his form] because we have liked him from the off. Physically he has been a late developer and we think there is still some physical growth to come.

"But he is an intelligent footballer and he will carry out the role he is asked to do, which I think the manager there will quite like."

Van Gaal said after the West Brom victory he felt it was still "far too early" for Lingard to be considered for Roy Hodgson's full England squad.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aguero targets Liverpool return

Sergio Aguero hopes to return to action for Manchester City when they welcome Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium after the international break.

The Argentina striker was taken off in his country’s shock defeat to Ecuador last month with a hamstring injury.

Initial reports suggested he would be sidelined for up to eight weeks, but Aguero has handed City supporters a boost by suggesting he could feature against Jurgen Klopp’s side on 21 November.

“I don’t think I’m too far away now,” he told the club’s official website.


“Physically, I feel good and I’ve kept as fit as I can during my lay-off.

“I still need to work hard for another week and if not this week, then maybe next, I hope to start training with the rest of the lads, so my target is Liverpool.”

Aguero added that he won’t rush into anything, though, but he is optimistic that he is not far away from a return.

In the 27-year-old’s absence, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have continued to lead the Premier League table, where they are joined by Arsenal on 26 points.
However, they dropped points against Aston Villa at the weekend and Aguero has warned his team-mates that they can’t afford too many more slip-ups.

“We need to continue playing the way we have in recent weeks because we’ve been in pretty good form, not only in the league, but in the Champions League,” he continued.

“But we have to be careful and avoid any silly defeats because that’s what can set you back.

“We need to focus on what we’ve been doing and keep it going because we have an important game coming up against Liverpool and the result at Aston Villa wasn’t exactly what we’d wanted.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic would do anything to be at Euro 2016

Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits he would do anything to be at Euro 2016 ahead of his side's play-off tie against Denmark.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker was not at last year's World Cup after Sweden failed to qualify, losing out to Portugal in the play-offs, and his nation now face a crucial two-legged contest in a bid to reach the tournament in France.

Ibrahimovic is desperate to make it to the event and warned his team-mates that any mistakes would be punished by the Danes, with the first leg taking place at home on Saturday.

"I want to be there, I have to be there," he told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked about Euro 2016.

"I would do anything to be there. We must believe we can make it until the end.

"They will be two tough matches, like the last Champions League match with PSG against Real Madrid. We played well, committed one error, conceded and lost.

"The two matches with Denmark will be similar. Whoever makes fewer mistakes will win."

Ibrahimovic does not think his international career will come to an end if Sweden do not qualify and discussed the chances of one day returning to live in his home nation.

The 34-year-old continued: "I don't think they will be my last games for Sweden – my age is not telling me to stop.

"I don't know [if I will return to Swden] as I left so many years ago. I have to find somewhere where I am able to live the way I want to.

"That could be Stockholm, but who knows. I won't exclude it, but it also depends on my family.”

Ibrahimovic made his international debut in 2001 and has gone on to score 59 goals - the most in his country's history - in 109 appearances.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola happy at Bayern, but I don't know if he'll stay - agent

Pep Guardiola's agent, Josep Maria Orobitg, says he remains in the dark over the coach's future with Bayern Munich.

Guardiola's contract expires at the end of the season and Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed recently that discussions would be held in the second half of the Bundesliga campaign.

But Orobitg acknowledged Guardiola's future could lie elsewhere, amid rumours of interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

"Not even I know what Pep's intentions are," he told TZ.

"We've had some intensive talks in the past few days, but when it comes to things like this, he's very private.

"He will make up his mind entirely based on his own impressions.

"One thing is for sure, however, and that is everybody around him will accept his decision, no matter what it is."
Guardiola has continued Bayern's domestic dominance since arriving in 2013 while reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in each season.

"Pep is very happy in Munich," Orobitg added.

"The city is beautiful, his family feels comfortable. At the end of the day, it is a decision he is going to take by himself."