..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Maybe this is Arsenal's lucky year in Europe!

Arsene Wenger says this could be Arsenal’s lucky year in the Champions League after they secured their spot in the knockout stages with a 3-0 win over Olympiakos in Greece.

The Gunners went into their final Group F game knowing they must win by two clear goals to stand any chance of progressing after earlier defeats to to the Greek side and Dinamo Zagreb.

An Olivier Giroud hat-trick gave Arsenal all three points to ensure the Gunners finished second in the group and Wenger could not hide his delight at his side's performance.

"I'm proud of consistency, it demands a lot of effort every day," he told BT Sport.

"Now we have escaped, maybe it's a lucky year for us in the Champions League. If you look at the players who were out today, and the performance we produced, it was absolutely outstanding."

After opening their campaign with two successive defeats, Arsenal had looked set for an early exit from the competition and Wenger paid tribute to the way they came back to take their place in the next round.

"Yes [it was Arsenal's greatest escape under Wenger]. I must say I'm very proud of the team, we needed to be right on the mental side and the tactical side," he added.

"At 2-0 we needed to push for the third goal. We had the perfect game.

"You don't need to single him [Giroud] out tonight because he scored the goals. He showed character as well, the penalty was important. And I'm happy for him because he did well again."

 

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Mourinho in subtle dig at Casillas after Porto's Champions League exit

Jose Mourinho has reignited his feud with Iker Casillas by highlighting the goalkeeper’s ability to now win the Europa League following Porto’s Champions League exit.

Mourinho has been accused of instigating Casillas downfall at Madrid after he dropped the Spaniard during his final season in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mourinho’s decision to bench Casillas subsequently caused a split in the Madrid dressing room, while the Portuguese had accused one of his players of being a “rat” for leaking information on his side’s tactics to the Spanish press.

But when asked about his relationship with Casillas after Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Porto on Wednesday evening, Mourinho told Spanish television station MEGA: “No problem. I've done my job and he has done his, and he has done well.

“Now Casillas can win the only trophy he hasn't won. The Europa League."

 

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I couldn't care less about United draw - Neville

Gary Neville "could not care less" about a possible reunion with Manchester United after Valencia crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Taking charge of his first Valencia match as head coach, Neville oversaw a disappointing 2-0 loss at home to already-eliminated Lyon.The result saw Valencia finish third in Group H behind Zenit and Gent, throwing up a potential Europa League matchup against United but former defender Neville is unfazed by a possible reunion.

"We will take the competition seriously," said the former England full-back, who spent his entire career at Old Trafford, winning 20 trophies, including eight Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.

"As for [drawing Manchester United] I'm just thinking about Sunday's game [versus Eibar] and making sure the players are best-prepared for Sunday."I couldn't care less about whether we play Manchester United or someone else in the Europa League, that's in the future."

Valencia - eighth in La Liga - will now turn their attention to Sunday's fixture at Eibar, with the club looking to snap a three-match winless streak.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kiwwath wage Valencia ma set weida danneth naha​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pochettino: Manchester United will find the Europa League tough

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has warned Manchester United to expect the Europa League to disrupt their domestic season.Louis van Gaal's side's defeat to Wolfsburg on Tuesday night cost them their place in the Champions League and relegated them to Europe's second competition.

Spurs are unbeaten so far this season after Europa League matches but Pochettino believes the Thursday night fixtures take a physical and mental toll.“It’s a factor that can affect you," he told reporters ahead of Tottenham's clash with Monaco. "I think it is a big, big difference.

“When you play Thursday and Sunday it affects the mentality and psychology. You always know Thursday night is a long journey and you need to play Sunday afternoon.

“For the players it affects the psychology because football is always Saturday at three o’clock. It will be tough for them.”

Pochettino believes English teams are at a particular disadvantage due to the competitive nature of the Premier League and teams's subsequent inability to rest players.

He added: “It is difficult to keep the same level.“Teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain . . . in the league the gap is maybe 10 or 12 points and they can rest players and prepare for the Champions League in the best condition.

“Last weekend Liverpool played at Newcastle and lost, Chelsea lost to Bournemouth and Manchester City lost to Stoke. In Spain it’s impossible that would happen.

“It’s very tough here. It’s not an excuse but teams use the local competitions to rest players after the Champions League and Europa League. For us it’s impossible.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp confident of sealing top spot against Sion

Jurgen Klopp is confident Liverpool will secure top spot in Group B of the Europa League by beating Sion on Thursday night.The Reds are unbeaten so far in this season's competition and will finish first as long as they avoid defeat in Switzerland.

Since replacing Brendan Rodgers in early October, Klopp has won seven of his 12 matches in charge but is now looking for his team to bounce back after a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Newcastle.

"Sion are a good counter-attack team, [they have] a good idea of the game," Klopp told reporters.

"It is two-and-a half-months since our last game against Sion. Watching the last three games [of an opponent] is more important than our last game against them. Things are different for both teams.

"We are absolutely prepared. We want to be first in the table."Liverpool will be without striker Daniel Sturridge for the clash after he suffered a minor hamstring injury against Newcastle.

That could see Klopp hand a starting role to Divock Origi after the youngster netted a hat-trick in the 6-1 drubbing of Southampton in the League Cup last week.

Belgium international Origi commented: "We're very ambitious and we want to go for every competition so our objective is to win tomorrow."For me it will be a new opportunity to prove myself, so I'll be ready if the coach needs me. As a striker it's always important to be effective and score goals. I'm excited for the next games.

"As a young player you can improve on everything. I have to grow and maximise my potential in every way."

 

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Keane slams 'robotic' Manchester United players as 'lacking real quality'

Manchester United's players look drained of passion and lack real quality, according to former club captain Roy Keane.

United's 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg, combined with PSV Eindhoven's late comeback against CSKA Moscow, sent the Red Devils out of the Champions League on Tuesday and into the Europa League.

Keane, who won seven Premier League titles during his time in Manchester, is unimpressed by the return on a financial outlay by manager Louis van Gaal that has topped £300 million and says United's squad remains devoid of "special" players.
"Man United have a lot of good players, there's no getting away from that, I just don't think they're good enough for Man United, I really don't," Keane told ITV. "I think they lack real quality.

"You look at the recruitment, they've thrown decent money at it, no special players at the moment. When you think of Man United you always associate them with one or two special players who can produce. They seem to be lacking a few characters, a few leaders.

He added: "I think managers get too much credit when things are going well and too much criticism when things aren't going so well. There's a lot of experienced players like Carrick, Schweinsteiger, De Gea and it's up to them to help the younger players."They've spent so much money it's untrue."

Van Gaal's position has come under increased scrutiny on the back of United's failure to progress in Europe but Keane believes the players must take responsibility.

"The manager's getting a lot of criticism and I think the players are hiding behind that," he said."People talk about the tactics and the systems but it's about the players as well. The goals they conceded from the set-pieces, forget about tactics and the systems, that was just about doing your job.

"They're almost robotic. We talk about tactics and systems, sometimes [you need] a bit of passion, desire, Man United players showing a bit of character."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ekko me para United Euro League giya eka eka athakin hodai. At least they've a chance of winning that. Eth Champions League last 16 giyanam no chance over the top teams like Barca, Real, PSG. Sure ekata last 16 walinma knockout wenna thibba.
What they need is good playmaking and a good striker who has that instinct and do dribbles well.

Ow bro Europa League 1kewath hoda place 1kakata awoth hodai & Worldclass striker kenek nam gannama wenawa bronathuwa meh inna place 1ken godak enna puluwan kamak naha​

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Chicharito Leverkusen wala elatama play karanawaLVG ta dan thereenawa athi karagattha gongkama​

Barca - Bayer match ekka patta! Highlights balanna.. Bayer eka dinnanna thibuna 4-1 withara. Eth finishing anthimai. second half eke 4 sarayak withara penalty box ekata awith last touch eka na gaththa.Aparade

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Diego Costa open to Atletico return

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has hinted that he could follow Filipe Luis in making a return to Atletico Madrid in the future.Both players joined Jose Mourinho’s side in 2014, but Luis only lasted one season in London before returning to the Spanish capital earlier this year.

Costa, who has struggled for form in the current campaign, has been linked with a move back to his former employers and says he remains an Atleti fan.“You never know, look where Filipe Luis is now,” he told Onda Cero when asked about a possible return to the Rojiblanco.

“Life takes plenty of twists and turns - I always wish Atletico the best and I always follow them, support them from far.”

Diego Simeone’s side can’t meet Chelsea in the next round of the Champions League as both sides qualified top of their respective groups.However, they could meet in the quarter-finals if they both make it through, although Costa would prefer to not have to face Atletico.

“Hopefully we don’t have to play them,” he added. “They’re uncomfortable to play against. If I could choose, I would choose to play them in the final.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Penaldo? Not all my goals are penalties - Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo says the 'Penaldo' moniker used by his critics is unfair and claims he can go on to score hundreds of goals more for Real Madrid.

The Portuguese forward hit four for Madrid in their 8-0 win over Malmo in the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night and was asked in the mixed zone afterwards about the infamous nickname.

"You have to look at the statistics," he said. "How many goals have I scored for Real Madrid? And they are not all penalties."

The 30-year-old recently overtook Raul to become Madrid's all-time top scorer and now has 334 goals in 320 games for the Spanish side since moving from Manchester United in 2009.

"I will score as many as I can," he added. "600, 700 - as many as I can. They will all be there for people to see.

"And anyone who wants to can go to YouTube to see all the goals I have scored..."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar return depends on Barca forward - Luis Enrique

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said the amount of time Neymar spends sidelined with a groin injury depends on the player himself.Neymar sustained the problem in training prior to Barca's 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen in their final Champions League Group E fixture on Wednesday.

The Brazil international forward's father has already said his son should recover in time to feature at the Club World Cup, with Barca scheduled to play in the semi-finals on December 17.

However, Luis Enrique did not put a timeframe on Neymar's return after Lionel Messi's opener was cancelled out by Javier Hernandez in the first half at the BayArena.

"Any injury, whoever is the player involved, is always disappointing news for everyone here," Luis Enrique told reporters."Now we have to wait and see how he responds, what the doctors say in Barcelona and what the diagnosis is.

"After that we'll wait to see him back as with any other injured player, and hope he recovers well sooner or later. That depends on how he deals with it and what the doctors say."

Ballon d'Or finalist Neymar has scored 16 goals in 18 matches in all competitions this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cech: Arsenal always believed

Arsenal always believed they were capable of their dramatic progress through to the Champions League knockout phase, according to goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Arsene Wenger's side travelled to face Olympiacos on Wednesday knowing that a victory by at least two goals was essential if they were to join Bayern Munich in the last 16.

A hat-trick from Olivier Giroud sealed a 3-0 victory for the Gunners and allowed them to leapfrog the Greek champions into second place in Group F - a resul Cech believes will be "massive" to their future.

"We were searching for it and we knew if we played our game, if we have a great team performance and great individual performances then we will have a chance, and we did say exactly that," he said after."It is a massive win for us, the club, the supporters and for the future because it will give us confidence.

"The first goal was important because going 1-0 ahead, they knew that one goal would not take us through and were holding back as one goal can kill the game for them. So there was pressure from both sides and we managed to get the better side of that pressure ourselves.

"We played really well and we had to make sure we were in the game and we found our chances. In the second half we knew we needed a second for the result and obviously we had a great goalscorer today in form and we know that when we score goals that everything is easier. At the back we were magnificent."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Low tells Van Gaal: Leave Schweinsteiger alone

Germany head coach Joachim Low says Bastian Schweinsteiger remains a world-class talent despite criticism from Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder was taken off in the second half of United's 3-2 Champions League defeat to Wolfsburg after struggling to make an impact, having been exposed for pace by Julian Draxler's fine run in the build-up to the home side's second goal.

Van Gaal also criticised the 31-year-old following the 0-0 draw with West Ham, claiming: "We have not seen the best of Schweinsteiger - the player I saw at Bayern Munich".

Low, however, says Schweinsteiger must be allowed time to adapt fully to life in England and insists his place as national team captain is not under threat."We know what we have in Bastian. He is still a world-class player and undisputed as our captain," he told Bild-Zeitung.

"Even an experienced player like him needs time to get used to a new league. I'm sure Bastian Schweinsteiger will still have a lot of fun at Manchester United."Bayern chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hit back at Van Gaal earlier this week and called for patience with Schweinsteiger's form.

"Bastian needs a bit of time. You can't judge him already," he said. "I am a bit disappointed with Louis, he should leave Bastian alone."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Martinez: Only Aguero can match Lukaku's impact

Only Sergio Aguero can match Romelu Lukaku's Premier League impact in recent seasons, according to Everton manager Roberto Martinez.

The Merseyside club's record signing has scored 11 goals in 15 league games this season, including six in his last five appearances, to help Everton climb back to within a point of the top six.

Martinez has compared Lukaku's impressive consistency to that of Manchester City star Aguero and has challenged the Belgium international to continue to improve.

"He is as good as it gets in the league. Only Sergio Aguero has had a similar impact in the last three years," Martinez said ahead of Saturday's clash with Norwich City.

"It has been great to see that consistency - 27 goals in a calendar year is impressive, but we want him to carry on wanting more. At 22, that should be the drive and focus."

With Everton unbeaten since back-to-back losses to Manchester United and Arsenal in October, Martinez believes the signs are encouraging for his side going forward.

"I feel this team is ready to reach real strong heights," he said.

"We've had two defeats in 16, and only one in 11 away from home. But the only focus we have until the end of the season is to get better as a group.

"This season was always about having a group that know each other really well. We want to carry on with that."

Swansea City sacked manager Garry Monk this week following a run of one win in 11 league matches, but Martinez feels his former team captain at the club should be proud of his achievements at the Liberty Stadium.

"What he has achieved there is nothing short of remarkable," he added.

"What he achieved last season will be in history for a long time. I am sure he is going to have a refreshing break period and will be ready to come back.

"Ideally you want to see long-term projects and managers being able to put things into place but it's not a subject of debate. It's what happens now in the game and you have to accept it.

"He was my captain at Swansea. We have a really good professional relationship and I respect him a lot. He should feel very proud of what he has achieved."

 

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Aguero set to miss Swansea City clash

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero looks set to miss Saturday's clash with Swansea City, Goal understands.

Aguero picked up a heel problem against Southampton on November 28 and has not featured since, despite attempts by the player and manager Manuel Pellegrini to play down the severity of the injury.

The Argentine tweeted that the knock was "harmless" just a couple of days after his latest set-back, while Pellegrini has been unable to set a definitive return date.

The Chilean boss admitted on Monday that Aguero had not been able to train ahead of the club's final Champions League match with Borussia Monchengladbach, and could therefore not reveal when he would be fit for selection.

And it is now understood that the striker still feels pain in his heel and has made slow progress on the training pitch this week.

It means he is very doubtful to make his comeback against the Swans, who sacked manager Garry Monk on Wednesday and look unlikely to have a full-time replacement in the dug-out in time for the game at the Etihad Stadium.

But with nine days before City are next in action - against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on December 21 - the club are hopeful that Aguero will be able to return for the busy Christmas period.

After the match against the Gunners, City will play Sunderland at home on Boxing day before travelling to Leicester, Watford, Everton and Norwich in three different competitions before hosting the Toffees on January 13.

 

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Mourinho: Chelsea CAN win Champions League, despite underdog status

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is hoping his side's struggles domestically will enable them to fly under the radar all the way to Champions League success.

The Blues have suffered a dismal start to the Premier League season and lie in 14th place, just two points above the relegation zone, but on Wednesday they qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Mourinho's former club Porto.

The Portuguese boss has experienced success in Europe's elite club competition before with Porto and Inter and believes Chelsea's woes may lead them to be underestimated by future opponents.

He told reporters: "To win the Champions League, I think it's obvious that a team that is struggling so much like we are, is not a candidate to win it.

"In the Champions League, you have the best teams in Europe but when we won [it] with Porto in 2004 we were not candidates, when we won with Inter [Milan] in 2010 we were not candidates.

"When we were candidates, we lost two semi-finals with Real Madrid and Chelsea so let's see - you never know."

While a successful defence of their Premier League crown looks unlikely - Chelsea are 17 points behind surprise leaders Leicester City, who they meet on Monday - Mourinho believes a fourth-placed finish and a Champions League spot for next season is not impossible.

He added: "The Premier League boss told me a few months ago it would be good for the Premier League if Chelsea aren't champions but he didn't say it's not good that we don't finish fourth.

"While mathematically it's still possible, let's fight for every game and every point and see if it's possible to finish fourth."

 

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Casillas hoping for Super Cup reunion with Real Madrid

Iker Casillas is eager for Porto to win the Europa League and Real Madrid to claim the Champions League to set up a Uefa Super Cup reunion.

Madrid wrapped up their unbeaten Champions League Group A campaign with an 8-0 win over Malmo on Tuesday but Casillas was unable to help Porto into the last 16 as they lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a day later.

Casillas made 725 appearances for Madrid over a 25-year association with the club before joining Porto in July and is hopeful of taking on his former employers in next year's Super Cup.



"I hope it all goes well for Madrid," he is quoted as saying by Spanish daily AS.

"They are through to the next round and I hope we can both win and meet each other in the Super Cup next year."

Porto were undone by an Ivan Marcano own-goal and Willian's second-half strike at Stamford Bridge, with Julen Lopetegui's men slipping to third behind Dynamo Kiev.

Amid criticism for their failure to reach the knockout stages, Casillas added: "That's football, when you have a bad result it's difficult. We needed to win but we have to think about the future and the new challenge we have."We made a couple of mistakes and we're out of the elite competition, but the Europa League will be another challenge.

"Of course we wanted to go through in the Champions League, but you have to know how to accept defeats. The Europa League is a new competition for me and I'm looking forward to it."We'll try and do the best we can."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

France suspend Benzema

Karim Benzema has been banned from playing for France until the conclusion of a legal investigation surrounding his alleged involvement in a plot to blackmail international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema has been charged with complicity in an attempt to blackmail and participating in a criminal conspiracy as part of an investigation into a sex-tape plot involving Valbuena. The Real Madrid striker denies the charges.

The decision to suspend the Real Madrid star was announced by French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet on Thursday and could jeopardise his involvement at next year's European Championship, which will be played in France.

"Today, Karim Benzema is no longer available for selection," he said. "It's a personal decision, I have informed [France coach Didier] Deschamps."Benzema will not be available for selection in March, nor for Euro 2016 if the situation has not evolved.

"The Benzema affair for me hurts, but I am sanctioning him because I am the president of the FFF.

"What can change things? That the case is finally closed, that the two players can become friends again after a meeting.

"What this case alleges is not favourable for Karim Benzema."It is not enough for the two players to get on with each other, the case must be closed [for Benzema to return].

"Karim has bad acquaintances, that is clear, but he himself is not implicated in anything at all."He is often criticised, not well liked because of his manner, but for me he is a footballer of the highest level.

"Karim knows that I am fond of him. If nothing changes before the Euros, he will not play. I hope that this goes away."

Le Graet, under whom the FFF are to bring a civil action in the case, with parties in French law able to make claims for compensation if they feel they have suffered damage or injury, revealed Deschamps had accepted his decision.

"He [Deschamps] agreed, he will not be making any negative comments about it," he added."I am not angry at Benzema. I am more upset. I have watched his recent matches, his goals... this hurts me.

"I am sure that he has been caught up in something that goes beyond him, but I don't want to carry out the trial. I am not his lawyer."Le Graet added: "Valbuena is available for selection.

"Valbuena has done nothing. He is guilty of nothing. He did the right thing to press charges. He was very close to Karim."They [Benzema and Valbuena] are not suddenly going to start playing boules together."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schweinsteiger will not contest three-match ban

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has accepted a charge of violent conduct for his altercation with West Ham defender Winston Reid and will serve a three-match ban, the Football Association has confirmed.

The Germany international was charged on Monday after he appeared to strike New Zealand centre-back Reid with his forearm during last weekend's 0-0 Premier League draw at Old Trafford.

Referee Mark Clattenburg and his assistants did not spot the clash during the match, but the FA took retrospective action after reviewing footage of the incident.

"Bastian Schweinsteiger will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after he accepted an FA charge for violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video," an FA statement read.

"The Manchester United midfielder was involved in an incident with West Ham United's Winston Reid in the 40th minute of the game on Saturday 5 December 2015."

Schweinsteiger will miss United's Premier League games against Bournemouth, Norwich City and Stoke City, meaning he will next be available for the visit of champions Chelsea on December 28.