..::Football III::..

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Real Madrid won't sign anyone this January - Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says that his side will not make any signings in January despite it being their last chance to do so before the start of a year-long transfer ban.

Los Blancos were sanctioned by Fifa for issues involving international transfers of minors, with the same punishment going to rivals Atletico Madrid.

While Perez is adamant that the club are blameless and will fight the charge, he insists that the decision not to pursue recruitment before the end of the current window is a reflection of the quality and depth available to coach Zinedine Zidane.

"We are not going to be making any signings in the January window but that doesn't have anything to do with the ban, it is because we have the best players and the best coach," he told France Football.

"The Fifa sanction is hurtful. It is a very serious matter to smear Real Madrid's reputation in this way. We are convinced that it is all a mistake; it is ridiculous to think that Real Madrid will be punished for a matter concerning the protection of minors when the children have always been a priority for us."

Despite spending over €80 million (£60m) in the summer window, Madrid sit four points and a game in hand behind Primera Division leaders Barcelona.

 

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Luis Enrique confident Neymar will sign new Barcelona deal


Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is confident Neymar will sign a new contract.
The Brazil forward's existing deal is due to expire in June 2018 and Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation at Camp Nou.But Luis Enrique expects the 23-year-old to renew his contract with the Spanish and European champions.

"I believe Neymar will end up signing a new contract here," the Barcelona boss said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Neymar missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Malaga due to a minor hamstring problem, but Luis Enrique expects him to be fit for Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao. "Neymar is fine," he added. "There is no risk with him. He has trained and is in perfect condition."

However, Barca may have to do without captain Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Arda Turan due to illness. "Sergio, Arda and Andres have the flu," Luis Enrique added. "We will make a decision about them on the day of the game."

Copa holders Barca lead the quarter-final tie after goals from Neymar and Munir El Haddadi gave them a 2-1 first-leg win at San Mames.

 

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OFFICIAL: Gervinho completes move to Hebei China Fortune

Gervinho has completed his move from Roma to Hebei China Fortune FC.

The Ivory Coast international’s transfer has reportedly cost the Chinese club between €15 million and €18m, including bonuses.

The 28-year-old, who has been capped 71 times by his national side, spent two seasons at Arsenal before joining Roma in 2013.

Gervinho had made 17 appearances in all competitions for Roma this season, scoring seven goals and registering two assists.

Hebei China Fortune came second in China’s League One last season, earning promotion to the Chinese Super League, which begins its new season in March.

 

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Gervinho th anemanda​

 

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OFFICIAL: Crystal Palace sign Adebayor

Crystal Palace have signed free agent Emmanuel Adebayor on a six-month contract.

The Togo international was released by Tottenham in September and has been without a club since, but has now signed a deal with the Eagles until the end of the season.

Palace boss Alan Pardew has made clear his desire to sign a striker this month and the club have also been linked with the likes of Nicklas Bendtner, Loic Remy and Emmanuel Emenike.

Palace's only goal in their last six Premier League games was an own goal scored by Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen on Saturday.

Adebayor was reportedly close to joining Aston Villa in the summer but was eventually let go by Spurs having failed to find a new club, and has not played since May 3 of last year.

The former Arsenal and Real Madrid player will wear the No.25 shirt at Selhurst Park.

 

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Dybala: I'd be happy to just be a little bit like Messi


Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has admitted he would be happy to be "just a little bit like" Lionel Messi.Dybala's fine performances for the Serie A champions this season have even seen tipped to become Messi's successor in the Argentina national team.

But the 22-year-old says it will be "very difficult" to emulate the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and insists he is focusing solely on helping Juventus retain the Scudetto.

"There are very few players who can reach Messi's level," Dybala told Corriere dello Sport. "I am always trying to be myself. I try to keep improving by working hard and by being committed.

"It will be very hard to match Messi if you look at everything he has achieved. But I always look to do my best for the team. That's what I try to do in each game I play.

"I don't really know Messi yet. He was not part of the national team when I was called up. It will be very difficult to become like Messi. I would already be happy if I became even just a little bit like him."The people in Argentina say that I am a bit like Sergio Aguero because of the way I move."

Dybala has scored 12 goals in Serie A this season and trails only another Argentine, Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, in the league's goalscoring charts."I am enjoying Gonzalo's good run of form because he is my compatriot," Dybala added.

"I admired him when I was called up for the national team. I am aware of what he can achieve and is currently doing. I am happy to see him scoring, but I obviously hope he does not score against us."I would not mind having his right foot. The way he turns and shoots, I can learn from that."

 

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Perez: Ronaldo will NOT be sold

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists Cristiano Ronaldo will not be sold amid reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Ronaldo, who has recently surpassed Raul's Madrid record of 323 goals by scoring 27 times in as many appearances this season, has also been linked with a return to Manchester United.

Perez, however, is now forced to deal with a potential transfer ban enforced against the 32-time Spanish champions and says he can count on Ronaldo remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I am not surprised [by PSG's interest]," Perez told France Football. "Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world and he is the leader of Real Madrid.

"It's normal that other clubs dream of having him. He is [Alfredo] Di Stefano's heir and he is very happy here, so he is not going to leave Real Madrid."He is the best player in the world and he has to keep playing for the best team in the world."

 

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Bale returns to training after calf injury

Gareth Bale moved a step closer to a Real Madrid return on Tuesday after undergoing individual training exercises.

A calf injury kept the Wales international out of the 1-1 draw at Real Betis at the weekend, with Barcelona now four points ahead of Madrid in La Liga with a game in hand.

Bale could be back in the side against Espanyol on Sunday and tweeted on Tuesday afternoon: "Steadily strengthening… Getting closer to the pitch!"

Madrid later confirmed Bale's return to training in an individual capacity.
"Real Madrid returned to training and went through a session focused on physical work," an update on the club's official website reads.

"The main story was the presence of Gareth Bale training alone back out on the field. The Welshman did some running and specific exercises in the sand, both with and without the ball."

 

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Varane is a future Real Madrid captain, says Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez expects France defender Raphael Varane to eventually captain the club.

The 22-year-old moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from Lens in August 2011 and has made 15 appearances in La Liga this season.

Varane has Sergio Ramos and Pepe for competition at centre-back but has not struggled to hold down a first-team place despite his relative inexperience and Perez forsees a significant long-term role for him at the club.

"I am convinced that Varane will one day be captain of Real Madrid," Perez told France Football."He is adored by the fans. Not only is he is a great player, he is also a great person."

While Varane is poised to be a key member of France's squad at Euro 2016 this summer, his club team-mate Karim Benzema's participation is in doubt.

Benzema has been suspended from representing his country pending the outcome of a criminal investigation into the alleged blackmail of Lyon midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, but Perez gave the striker his full backing.

"We have supported him [Benzema] and we will always support him," Perez added. "Having spoken to him, I'm sure that it is impossible to think that he did something bad.

"He is a good lad and I am absolutely convinced that, above all, his intention was to help his friend Mathieu Valbuena."

 

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OFFICIAL: Roma sign El Shaarawy on loan

Roma have completed the signing of Stephan El Shaarawy on loan from AC Milan until the end of the season.

The Serie A club have paid €1.4 million for the loan, while they also have the option to make the move permanent this summer for €13m.

El Shaarawy spent the first half of this season on loan at Monaco but he failed to score a goal in Ligue 1 and played only 680 minutes.

"I've joined Roma to show what I can do - to myself, the coach and the Italian game as a whole," the 23-year-old forward told Roma TV.

"I hope to repay the faith the club is showing in me and therefore I want to give 100 per cent when I play to try and achieve great things here."

 

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Alessandria 0-1 AC Milan: Balotelli penalty puts Rossoneri in control

Mario Balotelli marked his first start since September with a goal as AC Milan secured a 1-0 win over Alessandria in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final.

The Liverpool loanee, who recently returned from a groin injury, opened the scoring from the spot to help Sinisa Mihajlovic's side take charge of the tie in Turin.
Milan started with Balotelli up front alongside Luiz Adriano, who saw a move to China fall through this week, but chances were few and far between for either side in a scrappy contest.

Riccardo Bocalon came close for Alessandria as they tried to turn up the pressure, but they had the assistant referee to thank when Andrea Poli's goal was ruled out for a questionable offside.

Milan held on for the victory, meaning third-tier Alessandria - who claimed some notable scalps en route to the last four, including Palermo, Genoa and Roma's conquerors Spezia - must overturn a deficit if they are to reach the final.The Stadio Olimpico was in fine voice in the opening stages as Alessandria made life difficult for a Milan side looking to reach their first final since 2003.

Balotelli had earlier failed to connect with the ball when unmarked in the area and he wasted a glorious chance when he lofted a shot high and wide after being played clean through by Keisuke Honda.But Balotelli made amends just three minutes before half-time, firing low to the goalkeeper's right from the penalty spot after Santiago Morero tripped Luca Antonelli.

The former Inter man almost turned provider for a Milan second just four minutes into the second half as he teed up Honda, but the Japan international's shot from just 10 yards out clipped a defender on its way over.

Alessandria grew into proceedings and Christian Abbiati was left a little anxious as Bocalon bobbled a shot from 20 yards narrowly wide of the Milan goal, as the Lega Pro club's fans began to sense a way back into the tie.

Bocalon struck a cleaner second effort five minutes later only to see the ball whistle past Abbiati's near post as pressure mounted on the five-time winners - though Alessandria were spared a killer second goal by virtue of the offside flag.

Poli scuffed a shot from the edge of the area and it bobbled its way into the bottom corner despite Vannucchi's best efforts, but substitute M'Baye Niang was adjudged to have interfered with play as he dodged the path of the ball whilst in an offside position.

Niang was inches from a second goal, rattling the base of the post from the left of the area after racing in behind the defence, but Milan had to settle for a 1-0 win to put them in command of the tie heading into the return leg at San Siro on March 1.

 

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Liverpool 0-1 Stoke City (1-1 agg, 6-5 pens): Mignolet & Allen send Reds to Wembley

Joe Allen scored the winning penalty to send Liverpool through to the League Cup final at Wembley despite their 1-0 loss at home to Stoke City.

Allen netted to give the Reds a 6-5 victory from the spot after Marko Arnautovic's goal - scored from an offside position - had levelled the tie at 1-1 on aggregate, with no further goals separating the two sides over 120 minutes.

Peter Crouch, Emre Can and, crucially, Marc Muniesa missed from the spot in a seven-round shootout, with Simon Mignolet denying the Spanish defender to set Allen up to win it.

Liverpool will face either Everton or Manchester City, who meet at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, on February 28.

Liverpool made two changes to their team, with Jon Flanagan coming in for the injured Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana, who scored the winner against Norwich City last time out, replacing Jordon Ibe.

Stoke made four changes, including handing Crouch a start with a view to capitalising on their opponents's recent struggles to defend set-pieces.

Stoke created the first good chance of the match when a long pass from Erik Pieters caught out the Liverpool defence but Jon Walters's left-footed shot missed the far post.

The hosts' only meaningful attempt in the first half came when Can unleashed a powerful long-range strike that briefly had Jack Butland worried before flashing past the post.

Stoke then made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time with the best move of the match.

Bojan and Walters combined cleverly before the former Barcelona forward found Arnautovic – who appeared to be marginally offside – to shoot past Simon Mignolet from six yards.

Much has been made of Liverpool's recent failure to cope with set plays but they almost scored from such a situation themselves early in the second half when Firmino lashed Jordan Henderson's lay-off against the foot of the post.

Christian Benteke replaced Henderson just before the hour-mark as Jurgen Klopp switched to 4-2-3-1 shortly before Sakho headed wide from James Milner's free-kick.

Liverpool had a late penalty claim turned down after a cross from the right deflected off the arm of Pieters as extra time beckoned.

Firmino tested Butland for the first time with a low shot at the start of the additional 30 minutes before Van Ginkel latched on to Crouch's flick-on and struck the post.

Mignolet got down to save another Van Ginkel effort in the second half of extra time but neither side could find the goal needed to avoid spot-kicks.

Crouch had a penalty saved by Mignolet and Can struck the post with his attempt but 10 other players found the back of the net as the shootout moved into sudden death.

Muniesa's effort was then impressively kept out by Mignolet to allow Allen to fire into the top corner and send Liverpool back to the final of a competition they have won eight times.

 

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Liverpool told to pay €50 million for Shakhtar Donetsk ace Alex Teixeira

Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu believes Liverpool target Alex Teixeira is worth €50 million (£38m).

Goal understands that Liverpool are struggling to meet Shakhtar’s valuation of the 26-year-old attacking midfielder, having already told to increase the £24 million bid they submitted last week.

Liverpool are yet to table a second offer for the Brazil, while Lucescu claims that the club are targeting a signing who could reach the same level as Angel Di Maria.

"He’s worth €50m," the Shakhtar coach told FourFourTwo.

"He’s incredible, very fast, very good technique. I compare him with other players of the same age who changed [the fortunes of] a club, Di Maria for example at Paris Saint Germain.

"Teixeira can be at the same level, better even. He doesn’t get injured, and every year he gets better and better."

 

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Benzema flourishing under Zidane at Real Madrid


Karim Benzema has enjoyed some of the most impressive form in Europe over recent weeks, the Real Madrid striker flourishing after Zinedine Zidane's ascent to the coach's position at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Though off-field matters have been in the spotlight for the French striker and affected his opportunities with the national team, his record for Los Blancos since the departure of Rafa Benitez is nothing short of superb.

The most prolific forward around, in terms of minutes on the pitch to goals in the bag, Benzema has a chance to extend his scoring streak on Sunday when Madrid take on Espanyol in La Liga.

Could his form take him all the way to the European Golden Shoe? Check out the video above for all the details behind Benzema's incredible performances.

 

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Borussia Dortmund miss out on Mainz star Malli

Mainz have decided to pull the plug on Yunus Malli's proposed move to Borussia Dortmund.

The two clubs had reached an agreement over a transfer fee for the 23-year-old but his current club have had a change of heart before the deal had been finalised.
"I informed Dortmund on Monday evening that Yunus will remain in Mainz," sporting director Christian Heidel told the club's official website.

"The decision was not made based on finances, but rather we weren't sold on the overall idea. We had agreed a transfer fee with Dortmund, but the timing of the move isn't optimal for us."Yunus is not only our top scorer, but also an important part of the team. And we did not want to tear the team apart as it is."

Malli came through the ranks at Borussia Monchengladbach but left for Mainz in 2011 and has scored eight goals in 18 appearances this season.

 

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Messi introduces his new puppy

Lionel Messi has introduced the world to his family's latest addition - a new puppy.

The Barcelona star, who won the Ballon d'Or for the fifth time earlier this month, revealed that the puppy was a gift from his partner Antonella Roccuzzo.

But while Messi introduced his new pet via social media, he missed out the most crucial detail of all - the puppy's name...

 

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Klopp admits he didn't watch Allen & Mignolet's shootout heroics

Jurgen Klopp revealed only the the first five penalty takers were decided for Liverpool in the shootout against Stoke so Joe Allen took the initiative in sudden death to seal Liverpool’s place in the League Cup final.

An offside Marko Arnautovic goal put the visitors level on aggregate at Anfield following Jordon Ibe’s winner in the reverse fixture. Penalties were needed to settle the encounter and the Reds edged matters from the spot 6-5 with Simon Mignolet saving efforts from Mark Muniesa and Peter Crouch before Allen converted the decisive kick. “We only decided the first five, but we recognised that Joe usually should shoot," Klopp explained after the match."We already had five, but there was no real decision – he [Allen] took the ball and not only because of the Arsenal goal.

“He is a really, really good boy, a good lad, and it’s not the most easy of situations sometimes for players if you are in good shape – which he obviously is – but you don’t play from the beginning or in matches like this. “He came in, he is a really good character, and he did well. He decided the game for us.”

Klopp admitted he did not watch the shootout due to impeded vision, as well nerves.“Until now I have not seen one penalty, to be honest – I was behind the wall my players built up [in front of me] so I will watch them at home,” he said.

“It was a mixture. Usually I want to see but we couldn’t see anything. I can’t be on my knees – I had an ACL 20 years ago and it’s still not 100 per cent! That’s why I sat on a chair and you could see nothing. And it felt good, to be honest, only watching the crowd. In the end, we won without me watching and that’s good.”

Klopp will lead Liverpool out at Wembley on February 28, but maintained the occasion is all about his players.

"I’m pleased, but you can’t believe how unimportant it is that I’m in a first cup final and things like this – it’s not important," he said.

"I am really pleased with being in a cup final for my players because they deserved it because of so many things that have happened in the last weeks, how we’ve done in this tournament, how the game was tonight and the kind of goal we conceded tonight.

"We stayed in the game, learnt in the game to make it better. The first half was not too good because it was a second-ball fight. I spoke about the changing style of Stoke, but I think they maybe found a way back for one game. It was really difficult for us.

"There were a lot of set-plays and we did really well tonight. You saw a very good reaction from the lads. Then we conceded this goal - half-time and everybody tells us it was ‘double offside’! – and then we went out and had to play better.

"Winning the first ball is important in a game like this and winning the second ball is very important, but if you win the second ball then you have to play. That’s what we forgot in the first half, although in the second half we did it better.

"We played quick, easy, let them run and you saw control we got more control in the game, but always when they had the ball it was difficult around our box to defend these long balls.


"We did it, we fought hard and had a useful bit of luck in the penalty shootout. Now we’re in the final – that’s great!"

 

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Griezmann: I’m not pushing to leave Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann has said his head is not being turned by reports he could leave the club for another European giant.

The France international, 24, has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in recent times, but he has told RMC that Diego Simeone’s influence at the Vicente Calderon means that he is not seeking to depart.

“When the coach tells everyone that you are one of the best players in the world, it gives you even more desire to stay. I don’t look elsewhere and I think about it even less,” he said.

On Saturday afternoon, Atleti will play a top-of-the-table encounter against Barcelona at Camp Nou, and Griezmann is aware of the importance of the match for his side, who lost ground in the race for the title as they were held against Sevilla last weekend.

“We know it will be important to take something at Camp Nou,” he continued. “Against Seville, we tried but we did not have the success we usually do. But we work well during the week and we'll see what will happen.

“Teams often have a loss of power; there are moments like that in the season. I watched Barcelona’s game against Malaga, where they struggled, but Leo Messi made the difference.

“MSN can do everything. At the Calderon, we did not see Neymar during the match, then he took a free kick and scored, and Messi came off the bench and scored too.”

Griezmann, meanwhile, does not see him at the level of the Ballon d’Or winner yet.

"I don’t think I’ve reached my best,” he admitted. “I think it’ll come with age, with the matches I'm going to play, I'll gain more experience and improve myself both offensively and defensively.”

 

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Bravo: World-class Griezmann good enough to join Barcelona

Claudio Bravo believes Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has enough talent to play for Barcelona.

The Barcelona goalkeeper has been impressed with the development of his former Real Sociedad team-mate, who has scored 12 goals for Atletico this season.

Despite the fierce competition for places at Camp Nou, Bravo feels Griezmann has sufficient ability to play for the club were he to join from their title rivals."I was pleasantly surprised by him," the Chilean told Espacio Reservado.

"I had him at home, I advised him, and I was tugging at his ears when I saw he was leaving. He has done well, he has matured quickly and he has understood the way to work and look after himself."He was very restless, but is now a world-class player. He has the ability to play at Barca."
However, Bravo understands Griezmann is already playing at a high level, with Atletico level on points with Barca at the top of La Liga."We have it clear, Atletico Madrid are a very serious side," he continued.

"With a good coach, great players, it is logical that they are at the top. The way they compete and never give up makes them a difficult opponent. They have a super-clear picture, and line by line they have very good players. They know how to play."

 

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Hughes: Stoke far better than Liverpool

Mark Hughes believes Stoke City were "by far the better team" in their League Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Stoke levelled the tie at Anfield thanks to a goal from Marko Arnautovic, and created arguably the better chances before the match went to a penalty shoot-out.

Joe Allen struck the winning spot-kick after Simon Mignolet had saved Marc Muniesa's sudden-death effort to send Liverpool into the Wembley final, but Hughes was delighted with his own side's display - especially given what he considered to be a lack of general belief that they could progress.

"I thought we were by far the better team," he told Sky Sports afterwards. "We were behind in the tie and I'm proud of what the players produced.

"Nobody gave us a chance - why they would do that I don't know. We've proved for a couple of years that we're a good team. I think Liverpool were delighted to go to penalties and then it's a lottery.

"In terms of a performance, I thought we merited a win. We got a win on paper - goodness knows how long it's been since we won here - but the objective was to get to a Wembley final which we didn't."

Liverpool will face the winner of the second semi-final between Manchester City and Everton at the Wembley showpiece on February 28.