..::Football III::..

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Ballardini: Vazquez deserves Liverpool or Manchester United move

Former Palermo coach Davide Ballardini believes Franco Vazquez deserves to play for either "Liverpool or Manchester United".The attacking midfielder, who joined the Sicilian outfit in 2012, is widely regarded across Europe for his creativity and vision.

And Ballardini thinks the 26-year-old deserves a move to a bigger club. "Vazquez? He is ready for a big team, with his quality [he] deserves a big European club like Liverpool or Manchester United," he told Mediaset Premium.

Ballardini was sacked two weeks ago after only being appointed head coach of Palermo in November.And the former Lazio boss defended his time in charge and praised the team he left behind."In [Palermo] there was good management, we had some good matches and collected seven points in seven games," he said.

“The team is young and has room for growth. There are elements of quality with [Oscar] Hiljemark, [Edoardo] Goldaniga, [Robin] Quaison, [Ivaylo] Chochev and [Aleksandar] Trajkovski.

The coach had a public falling out with influential captain and goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino one day before exiting the club in January, and maintains the general public are unaware of the politics that come with managing a football team.

Ballardini said: "Many do not understand the dynamics that are behind the football. I think the president should be president and the coach should be a coach. The players after the final whistle can pull the plug, not the coach."Despite a run of 11 consecutive league victories, Ballardini believes Serie A champions Juventus are still not performing to the best of their ability, instead tipping Napoli to claim their first Scudetto since 1990.

"Juventus are not playing well, they lean too much on individuals that are extraordinary like [Paolo] Dybala or Vazquez, but I do not like how they are playing football," the 52-year-old said.

"I appreciate Napoli, who are also in contention."

 

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Neymar is very, very, very happy at Barca - Zubizarreta on Madrid rumours

Neymar is completely content at Barcelona and will remain with the club, according to former Camp Nou sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.

A goalkeeper for Barca and Spain during his playing days, Zubizarreta served on Barcelona's board from July 2010 to January 2015.

Neymar's controversial move to the Camp Nou came during this period and, while the ramifications of that deal are still being played out in Spanish court rooms, the Brazil captain has dazzled on the field in an irresistible forward trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Speculation has swirled over the 23-year-old's future as he mulls a fresh contract with the Spanish, European and world club champions.But Zubizarreta echoed the thoughts of coach Luis Enrique when he told Cadena Cope he could not envisage the forward leaving."Neymar is happy at the club," Zubizarreta said. "Very, very, very happy at the club "

Zubizarreta oversaw the acquisitions of Neymar and Suarez either side of Barcelona being hit by a player registration ban for breaching Fifa rules on the transfer of youth players.

Suarez arrived during the appeals process before the punishment spanning two full transfer windows took hold – meaning close-season signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal were only able to make their Barca debuts earlier this month.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have landed similar sanctions for comparable offences, although Zubizarreta maintains that Barcelona were innocent of any wrongdoing.

"Barca did nothing wrong with the signing of underage players," he said. "We complied with the law and were supported by the Catalan Federation. "Fifa understood that a rule had been breached but we disagreed with them."

Barcelona are level on points with Atletico at the top of La Liga, with Madrid four points further back.Zubizarreta expects the title race to go down to the wire and be influenced by the three clubs' participation in the latter stages of the Champions League.

"The league will be decided in the last 10 games" he added."There is now the Champions League [to return in February]. The calendar is very hard."

 

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'Simeone's made me even better' - Griezmann

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has credited coach Diego Simeone for taking his game to new heights.Griezmann has 18 goals in 29 appearances for Atletico this season, helping his team to sit level on points with Liga leaders Barcelona.

The France international's haul of 43 in 82 games at Atleti is only nine shy of his goal return at Real Sociedad, which was amassed over 202 appearances.

"Simeone has great rigour, discipline and intensity in workouts… it's changed me completely," Griezmann said in an interview with RMC, during which he conceded there was a necessary adjustment period to the Argentinian's methods."For the first six months of the championship [in 2014-15], I struggled. I was making ends meet and in the match it was pretty complicated.

"I worked, I worked hard and I am now a major player for the club."I started this season really well and I hope to continue. I am full of confidence and more and more complete.

"I scored a lot of crucial goals, but also offensively and tactically I'm more complete."

Atletico, who play Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, travel to Barcelona for a potentially pivotal clash in the title race this weekend.

Griezmann is understandably wary of their opponents' formidable front trio of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar – acknowledging Atletico contained their threat for much of September's Liga clash at the Vicente Calderon only to be punished in a 2-1 loss.

"They can make the difference at any time," he said, reflecting on a match where Fernando Torres gave the hosts a 51st-minute lead."At the Calderon we do not see Neymar and then he puts in the goal to equalise at 1-1. We are then behind to Messi, who started on the bench.

"This is where we saw the need to be attentive for 90 minutes."I watched their match against Malaga [a 2-1 win last Saturday] and they struggled, but they have Messi who can make the difference at any time."

Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who played alongside Griezmann at La Real, said this week his former team-mate would be a welcome addition at Camp Nou.Despite Atletico being hit by a Fifa player registration ban this month, their star forward is not seeking a move elsewhere.

"When the coach told the press that I'm a very important player, it makes you want to stay," he added. "Already, I was not looking anywhere else, but now ever less so."

 

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The truth behind Messi's Barcelona contract

Lionel Messi’s salary will increase next season because he agreed to delay his pay rise for two years when he renewed his contract in 2014, sources close to the player have confirmed to Goal.

Reports surfaced on Tuesday that the Barcelona star is in line to nearly double his wages, from €22 million to €42m, while it was also revealed the Catalan club would have to pay the 28-year-old a ‘compensation’ payment if they decided to sell him in 2016 or 2017. Instead, these payments would merely be the money Messi is due from the last two seasons, terms which he accepted when he signed his latest deal.

Sources explained to Goal that the increase relates to "deferred payments from the last two seasons, which will be paid across the next two seasons" and does not therefore represent a pay rise.

They added: "The cause of these delayed payments came from an agreement when the renewal took place two years ago and was the fruits of the excellent relationship between the club, Messi and his father [Jorge]."

Therefore, in effect, Messi agreed a four-year deal with an annual salary of €32m. However, in order to appease the club’s short-term financial needs, he was happy to have the contract weighted so that he would be paid more for the final two years of the contract than the first two.

Messi’s only request was that “his lawyers included within the contract an obligation for Barca to pay the difference in the terms in the case that the deal between the two parties ended earlier than 2018.”

If Barca were to sell the player in 2016, they would have to pay him the €20m in wages he deferred - and the €10m he would have deferred if he was to be sold in 2017.

It’s unlikely he will be sold, though, with Goal being told "Leo is not thinking about leaving the club or about money, only about scoring goals and helping the club win titles."

 

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OFFICIAL: Ramires leaves Chelsea for Jiangsu Suning

Ramires has left Chelsea to join Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning on a permanent deal, the reigning Premier League champions have confirmed.The Brazil midfielder's move concludes a five-and-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge, during which time he won every major domestic and European club honour available.

The terms of the deal were not officially disclosed by Chelsea, although the fee has been widely reported to be in the region of £25 million.

Ramires' first winners' medals with Chelsea came during a decorated conclusion to the 2011-12 campaign, when Roberto Di Matteo steered them to FA Cup and Champions League glory.

The Europa League arrived in the following season, while he was part of the team Jose Mourinho led to the League Cup and Premier League crowns in 2014-15.In total Ramires made 251 appearances for Chelsea and scored 34 goals.

Twelve of those games came in the Premier League this term, with a substitute cameo at Manchester United last month proving to be his final outing for the club.

 

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Valdes hopes to aid Standard title bid

Victor Valdes says he wants to help Standard Liege mount a challenge for the Pro League title after joining on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season.Valdes endured a difficult time at United after joining in January 2015, making just two Premier League appearances before he was quickly ousted from the team.

Standard have finished in the top three just once in the past four seasons, but that campaign in 2013-14 also ended in disappointment as they surrendered their regular-season lead to Anderlecht in the championship play-offs.

The side currently sit seventh in the table, but in his first interview with the club's official website since his loan deal was confirmed on Sunday, Valdes spoke of his aim to play a role in securing their first title since 2009.

"I'm here to help my team and my team-mates with a common goal - first of all to get back into the top six to play in the play-offs and to win the title," he said."I came to play in Belgium in the Champions League with Barcelona. I was surprised by the very good atmosphere towards the team.

"Every time a player does something good the supporters applaud and they never rebuke a player for playing badly. I find that admirable."I think that Standard have fantastic supporters. From the first to the last minute they create an atmosphere like I've never seen before. It helps the players a lot.

"I know that Standard are a historic club in Belgium. So it's important Standard are as high as possible in the standings and get back into the top three in the Belgian league.

"They deserve to because of their supporters, the history and for everyone for whom the club means something, Standard should be back at the top."

 

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Pato 'so happy' with Chelsea move

Alexandre Pato says he is "so happy" to be signing for Chelsea as he prepares to join the club on loan.

The Corinthians forward has arrived in London ahead of a medical, and while the Blues are yet to confirm any deal, the 26-year-old revealed the move will be finalised soon.

Pato told Sky Sports: "I’m so happy. I stay here for my dream. Chelsea is my new home. Thanks to Chelsea for support. Thanks to my fans for support on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

"I need to play. I don’t know what to say because I’m so happy. I’m very anxious [to play] and I want to know my new friends and players in the team. I really want to play in Chelsea."

Pato spent five years at AC Milan between 2007 and 2012 before returning to Brazil and joining Corinthians in 2013. He spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Sao Paulo.

He will become the first signing of Chelsea caretaker boss Guus Hiddink's second spell in charge as the club look to improve on their current position of 13th in the Premier League table.
Pato, who has been capped 28 times by Brazil and scored 10 goals, can operate on either flank and also as a striker, meaning he will provide competition for Diego Costa and Loic Remy up front.

On a busy day of transfer activity at Stamford Bridge, Ramires left the club for Chinese club Jiangsu Suning in a £25 million deal.

 

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Teixeira 'trying everything' to seal Liverpool move

Shakhtar Donetsk star Alex Teixeira has admitted his frustration as a potential move to Liverpool continues to stall.

As reported by Goal, the Premier League club have had a £24 million bid for the Brazilian rejected, with chief executive Ian Ayre flying to Florida for face-to-face discussions with Shakhtar officials.

Liverpool are yet to make a second bid - which Teixeira has now confirmed - but are willing to negotiate if Shakhtar are open to lowering their asking price of £38m, and the 26-year-old accepts he must be patient.

"The team received one official offer from the club," Teixeira told Anfield HQ. "It was rejected. I don't know why. It was a great offer.

"I am trying to leave but the manager and club president don't want me to. So now I'm just waiting. Trying to be patient.

"There's only been one offer, I don't know how many millions, and Shakhtar rejected it. The club refused and I'm trying everything possible for them to accept so that I can go to Liverpool."

When asked if he expects to be playing for Liverpool by the end of the month, Teixiera added: "I don't know. It's tough to answer that. I have tried everything to be able to leave the club - in a good way obviously.

"But the coach and the president don’t want me to, so I don’t know what to say for the moment."

Teixeira has scored 22 goals and assisted three more in just 15 league games this season, which has also attracted the attention of Chelsea - though an official approach from the Premier League champions is yet to materialise.

Teixeira, who moved to Ukraine from Vasco da Gama in 2010, reiterated his desire to move to the Premier League and believes Anfield is an ideal destination.
"Yes, it is a big club," he said. "So many great players have passed through there. It would be an honour to defend the Liverpool shirt.

"The way I play is always looking to score, so I think I could help in that respect. Together with the talented players they already have in the squad.

"I played with [Philippe] Coutinho when we were little, at the age of 10 or 11 years old. It would be an honour to play alongside him again.

He added: "For me, [the Premier League] is the best league in the world and I want to experience that challenge in my career."

 

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Official: Guarin leaves Inter for Shanghai Shenhua

Fredy Guarin has completed a move from Inter to Shanghai Shenhua for an undisclosed fee, the Chinese club has announced.The Colombia international signed a contract with Gregorio Manzano's side on Wednesday, with the Shanghai coach taking to Twitter to welcome their latest signing.

"We welcome our new player Fredy Guarin to Shanghai Shenhua, who joins with enthusiasm and desire," he said.

Shanghai later confirmed the news via their official Weibo account following the midfielder's successful medical in Spain, where the club have based their close-season training camp.

Guarin had made 16 appearances this season under Roberto Mancini at Inter but saw his role in the starting line-up come under threat following the arrivals of Geoffrey Kondogbia and Marcelo Brozovic.

The likes of Gervinho, who left Roma for Hebei China Fortune, and Ramires, who joined Jiangsu Suning from Chelsea, have completed big-money moves to China this month.

 

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Atletico Madrid 2-3 Celta Vigo (agg 2-3): Simeone’s men dumped out of Copa del Rey

Atletico Madrid were dumped out of the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage for the second season running after Celta Vigo won 3-2 at Vicente Calderon.

Chilean midfielder Pedro Pablo Hernandez scored a pair of headed goals either side of John Guidetti's thunderbolt to give Celta only their second victory over Atletico in the last six meetings between the two sides.

Goals from Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa turned out to be meaningless in the second leg - the first encounter having finished 0-0 - for Atletico, whose unbeaten run of eight matches in all competitions came grinding to a halt on a night they will want to forget.

Defensive errors have not been a problem for Diego Simeone's side this season, but his players were caught napping at the back throughout a contest that Celta deservedly won with a courageous performance.

Celta move through to the semi-finals, where they will hope to secure a passage to their first Copa del Rey final in 15 years.

Having been held to goalless draws in both of their previous matches, Atletico started the game with a sense of urgency and Koke hammered a shot just wide from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco's corner after five minutes.

The expectant Vicente Calderon crowd urged their side forward and Griezmann fired a deflected shot that was saved by Celta goalkeeper Ruben Blanco, who required treatment after Luciano Vietto clattered into him in an attempt to follow up the effort.

Celta had barely ventured beyond the halfway line when Guidetti's corner found Fabian Orellana, whose looping cross was met with a powerful header into the net by the unchallenged Hernandez to make it 1-0 after 22 minutes.

It took just seven minutes for Atletico to level the match and the equaliser was cruel on Blanco, who saved Carrasco's long-range shot brilliantly but the rebound fell to Griezmann and the Frenchman made no mistake tucking away the rebound.

Blanco's first-half endeavours left him unable to continue and he was replaced by Sergio Alvarez, whose first task was to watch Vietto flash a shot just wide of his post from Juanfran's cross.

At the other end, Hernandez thought he had put Celta 2-1 up when he slotted Guidetti's cross into an empty net with Moya stranded, but the ball was judged to have gone out of play before the cross came over.

Guidetti made no such mistake moments later when he collected a loose ball and thumped it into the net from all of 25 yards to put Celta ahead on the night with two away goals.

Substitute Correa slammed a shot onto the crossbar as Atletico looked to haul themselves back into the contest, but Celta immediately surged forward again and Hugo Mallo crossed for Hernandez to score his second unmarked header of the evening.

Correa jinked through a crowded penalty area to score a brilliant solo goal after 81 minutes, but it was to be nothing more than a consolation for Atletico.

 

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Juventus 3-0 Inter: Morata re-finds scoring touch in Coppa Italia rout

Alvaro Morata ended a 20-match wait for a goal by scoring twice as Juventus built a commanding 3-0 lead in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final clash with Inter.

Morata, who had not found the back of the net for The Old Lady since scoring in the 3-1 Serie A victory over Bologna on October 4, thrashed home a first-half penalty to end his four-month goal drought after Jeison Murillo had brought down Juan Cuadrado in the box to give the hosts control of the tie.

The Spaniard then celebrated ending his barren spell by adding a second after half-time, as the holders took a major step towards retaining the trophy.

Inter hobbled to the end of the game with 10 men, following Murillo's dismissal for a second bookable offence, and the chances of a Milan derby final were dealt a huge blow when Paulo Dybala came off the bench to fire home a third with six minutes remaining.

The home side controlled proceedings for almost the entire encounter in Turin and wanted a penalty after just 13 minutes but referee Paolo Tagliavento waved away their fervent claims when Cuadrado's free-kick struck the arm of Gary Medel.

Colombian Cuadrado then drifted past two Inter defenders and fired wide midway through the opening period as the hosts piled on the pressure.

Juve looked typically resilient in defence as they went in search of a fourth straight clean sheet in all competitions, and it was unsurprising that much of the match was played out methodically in midfield, given Inter's run of 10 shut-outs in their previous 16 outings.

Inter finally found themselves inside the Juve penalty area in the 32nd minute but Stevan Jovetic glanced his header wide from Danilo D'Ambrosio's cross.

A cagey affair was in desperate need of a flashpoint to spark it into life and that moment arrived two minutes later.

Cuadrado collected a chipped throughball in the Inter box and would have had the chance to shoot at goal but for Murillo, who bundled the winger over and was lucky to escape with only a yellow card.
Morata stepped up to smash home the subsequent penalty and hand the home side a lead which they never relinquished.

After waiting so long for a goal, Morata doubled his haul just after the hour mark. Patrice Evra darted to the byline and, when Melo failed to clear, the Spaniard was on hand to smash into the top left-hand corner from six yards out.

Inter's dismal night was made even worse with 21 minutes remaining, as Murillo picked up his second caution of the evening for a trip on tormentor-in-chief Cuadrado, and the visitors were left in damage-control mode.

Morata flicked a header wide from Kwadwo Asamoah's cross, and then side-footed over from Paul Pogba's wonderful pass, as the frontman came close to completing a hat-trick, but instead it was Dybala who scored the third of the night for Juve.

The substitute beat Inter keeper Samir Handanovic between his legs from 18 yards to all but end the visitors' dreams of a first Coppa final since 2011.

 

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Manchester City 3-1 Everton (4-3 agg): Aguero sets up Wembley return

Sergio Aguero booked Manchester City's place in the League Cup final with a decisive late goal in their 3-1 victory over Everton.

Ross Barkley gave the Toffees a 3-1 aggregate lead after 18 minutes at the Etihad Stadium but Fernandinho's deflected effort put City back on track.

Kevin De Bruyne netted a second - though the ball appeared to have gone out for a goal kick in the build-up - before Aguero headed home the Belgian's cross to make it 4-3 on aggregate and set up a clash at Wembley against Liverpool on February 28.

The evening ended on a sour note for Manuel Pellegrini, however, when De Bruyne was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

City began on the front foot as they looked for an early leveller in the tie, though one surging run by Deulofeu gave the hosts a warning of Everton's counter-attacking threat.

Roberto Martinez's side netted the opening goal through a similar break when Barkley turned away from Nicolas Otamendi's challenge, drove towards the edge of the box and rifled a low shot into Willy Caballero's bottom-right corner.

City did not have long to wait before finding an equaliser, however. Fernandinho struck a blocked shot that took a big deflection off Leighton Baines and beat Joel Robles, with the visitors were aggrieved that Raheem Sterling was not flagged for offside as he dodged the strike.

Aguero came within inches of grabbing a second when he rattled the far post with a fierce effort from the edge of the area, and Robles reacted well to keep out Silva's rebound after Gareth Barry had failed to clear.

Deulofeu then spurned a glorious chance to restore Everton's two-goal cushion just after the break by shooting tamely at Caballero from inside the area.

Aguero sliced a Jesus Navas cross wide before City hit the woodwork again - this time, Silva's header across goal came back off the inside of the post and Yaya Toure somehow failed to connect with the rebound inside the six-yard box.

Pellegrini brought on De Bruyne for Toure in a bid to liven up City's attack and the Belgium international drew his side level on aggregate within four minutes of his introduction, albeit in controversial circumstances.

Sterling raced past John Stones and, though the ball had clearly crossed the goal line before he cut back for De Bruyne to slot home, referee Martin Atkinson allowed the goal to stand.

The Etihad Stadium was buoyant and the home fans were given further cause to celebrate on 76 minutes when De Bruyne's cross from the right was glanced home superbly by Aguero.

Aguero then sent another header just wide of the far post but City kept a spirited Everton at arm's length in the closing moments before De Bruyne was forced off in considerable discomfort.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Toulouse: Lavezzi & Di Maria seal final berth

Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria scored second-half goals to put Paris Saint-Germain through to the final of the Coupe de la Ligue at the expense of Toulouse.

A 12th successive victory for PSG sets a new club record but Laurent Blanc's men toiled for much of the semi-final and relied on some superb last-gasp defending to keep Toulouse out.

Lavezzi put the hosts into the lead at Parc des Princes after 65 minutes, rolling the ball into an open goal after goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea had blocked his initial shot, with Di Maria's fine individual effort sealing the win seven minutes later.

Toulouse, who have lost three times to the Ligue 1 champions in the space of 12 days, had a late chance to pull one back when Martin Braithwaite was fouled in the box but Nicolas Douchez superbly saved the striker's penalty.

The only downside for PSG, who will face Lille in the final after they thrashed Bordeaux 5-1 in the first semi-final on Tuesday, came in stoppage time when captain David Luiz limped from the field with an apparent knee problem.

Blanc made seven changes from PSG's 5-1 Ligue 1 win against Angers on Saturday, with Edinson Cavani given a chance to impress up front as Zlatan Ibrahimovic was rested.

Jean-Kevin Augustin embarked on a thrilling 40-yard run into the box that was halted by an excellent challenge from Uros Spajic as the holders probed early on.

Toulouse, seeking their first Coupe de la Ligue final appearance, were causing PSG problems on the break and only a fine tackle from Presnel Kimpembe prevented Wissam Ben Yedder from having a clear chance to add to his five goals in the competition.

Benjamin Stambouli saw a long-range strike drift off target after 23 minutes before Lavezzi dragged a shot wide of the far post as PSG struggled to break Toulouse down.

Adrien Regattin shot straight at Douchez from 30 yards in the final minute of the first half and referee Amaury Delerue was replaced by the fourth official shortly after the break due to an injury.

PSG finally took the lead with 25 minutes remaining. Lavezzi cleared the offside trap to race on to a lofted Adrien Rabiot through ball and beat Goicoechea at the second attempt.

Toulouse had lost their three previous matches in all competitions and looked well beaten after Di Maria doubled PSG's lead.

The Argentina international skipped through two tackles before smashing home a superb strike from just outside the box and substitute Ibrahimovic almost added a late third, Goicoechea saving at his near post.

Toulouse were given a late lifeline when Kimpembe brought down substitute Braithwaite, but he was denied from the spot by a brilliant flying Douchez save.

 

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Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Bilbao (agg 5-2): Neymar seals win as hosts ease into last four

Barcelona came from behind to cruise into the Copa del Rey semi-finals courtesy of a 3-1 second-leg win over Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Boasting a 2-1 lead from the first leg, Barca fell behind at the Camp Nou to Inaki Williams' opener but Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Neymar were all on target in the second half as the holders ended Athletic's campaign for the second season in succession, winning 5-2 on aggregate.

Last year's finalists dominated long spells of the first half and, after Thomas Vermaelen saw a header ruled out for offside, Athletic deservedly led through Williams 12 minutes in.

Ernesto Valverde's side delivered a typically robust display to initially limit Barca's attacking threat as Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi were kept relatively quiet on their first outing as a trio in three matches due to suspension and injuries.

Suarez was banned for the opening clash at San Mames due to his role in a fracas against Espanyol in the round of 16 but the Uruguayan was back for this match and took his tally for the season to 30 goals in all competitions early in the second half.

Pique headed in a second nine minutes from time as Barca's quality began to show before Neymar shook off a poor challenge from Mikel San Jose to jink between a clutch of Athletic defenders and fire past Iago Herrerin a minute into stoppage time.

Aritz Aduriz's goal late in the first leg gave Athletic hope in the tie and he almost drew the visitors level on aggregate three minutes into the return fixture when his close-range effort was blocked by Ivan Rakitic.

Barca thought they had taken the lead against the run of play - Vermaelen penalised for fouling Mikel Rico in the build-up to his header - but Athletic opened the scoring with a fine goal finished off by Williams.

Having agreed a new contract with the club last week, the highly rated young striker latched onto Aduriz's pinpoint throughball before rounding Marc-Andre ter Stegen and cleverly rolling the ball across the line.

Williams almost turned provider shortly after as Javier Eraso sidefooted his cross wide while the forward fired an effort over Ter Stegen's crossbar after Dani Alves surrendered possession.

Neymar remained Barca's main threat despite being subject to some physical treatment from Athletic, although he saw penalty shouts waved away when he went down softly under a challenge from Aymeric Laporte.

Laporte got away with what appeared to be genuine a foul on the Brazilian in the box soon after, while Mikel Balenziaga was only shown a yellow card when he shoved Neymar off the ball just outside the penalty area before half-time despite being the last man.

As Barca applied further pressure leading up to the break, Iago Herrerin thwarted Neymar one-on-one with his feet before Messi sent a shot wide after a jinking run into the box.

The hosts continued on the front foot after the break, Messi's cross almost finding Neymar inside the area and Rakitic angling an effort over the crossbar before Suarez restored parity seven minutes after the restart.

Sergi Roberto set Messi free down the left and when both Rakitic and Laporte failed to make contact with the cross, Suarez stole in to finish with his first touch at the far post.

Jeremy Mathieu blocked a goalbound effort from Sabin Merino while Ter Stegen kept out Eraso's follow-up but clever play down the right saw Rakitic and Dani Alves combine before Pique rose highest to put Barca in front.

Neymar completed the scoring in stunning fashion inside stoppage time when he turned away from San Jose - receiving another kick for his troubles - and planted an unstoppable effort into the top corner as Barca eventually put Athletic to bed.

 

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Blanc: PSG mentality 'exemplary' against Toulouse

Laurent Blanc described Paris Saint-Germain’s mentality as "exemplary" as they sealed their place in the Coupe de la League final with a 2-0 win over Toulouse on Wednesday.

The Ligue 1 champions will now face Lille in the decider at Stade de France in April after goals from Angel di Maria and Ezequiel Lavezzi led PSG past the relegation contenders.

The former France coach hailed his players’ performance, whilst downplaying reports Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani is eager to leave the French capital.

"It was an exemplary mentality, the team made ​​a good match. Whichever team I select, the players want to win matches. That's good," he told L’Equipe.
"Why I would I talk about Edinson Cavani? The team played well."

Brazil defender David Luiz limped off the field with a knee complaint at the end of the match following contact with Aleksandar Pesic.However, Blanc told reporters the former Chelsea player’s injury was not too damaging.

"The injury to David Luiz is not very serious but we will wait until tomorrow to see this. It was not swollen … he set [his] foot on the ground," he said."I congratulate David Luiz. He played [in] almost every recent match. He played his role perfectly."

Blanc has also questioned the refusal of Lille coach Frederic Antonetti to shift their league clash on Saturday February 13.

The PSG boss had requested the match be moved, in order to favour their preparations for the Champions League round-of-16 tie with Premier League champions Chelsea scheduled for just three days later.

"Antonetti [has his] reasons. Instances [like this] should have three or four people, a council, which can make such decisions without asking for the opinions of the involved parties, because at least one of them systematically refuses to change," Blanc said.

"The French authorities believe that a club cannot qualify for the eighth [last-16], quarter-finals or semi-finals of the Champions League. "It is also funny to play a semi-final League Cup final in January and (the final) in April. Another anomaly of the calendar."

 

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Official: Gervinho completes move to Hebei China Fortune

Gervinho has completed his move from Roma to Hebei China Fortune FC for €18 million (£13.7m).

The Ivory Coast international could cost the Chinese club a further €1m (£760,000) depending on his and his team's performances in the Super League.

Gervinho, who has been capped 71 times by his national side, spent two seasons at Arsenal before joining Roma in 2013.

The 28-year-old has 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 and will begin the new campaign in the Super League in March.

 

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Luis Enrique hoping for Barcelona transfer 'present'

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has suggested the Liga champions could add to their squad before the close of the window as they seek to maintain their treble defence.

Luis Enrique's men overcame Athletic Bilbao to move into the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Wednesday as Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Neymar ensured a 3-1 second-leg victory at Camp Nou.

Barca - who can now register new players following their recent ban from Fifa relating to underage players - have been heavily linked with Celta Vigo forward Nolito in recent months as well as Denis Suarez.

"I do not talk publically concerning other professionals," Enrique told reporters."The transfer window will be opened until Monday, so we will wait for a Christmas present. I don't know if I was a good boy but my goal is keep winning matches."

Wednesday's second leg was a feisty affair in spells as the sides came together for the eighth time in less than 12 months - a run that included the Copa del Rey final last year.And Luis Enrique paid tribute to his side's improved display after half-time, adding: "We knew that Athletic would press us and we couldn't find solutions to that in the first half.

"Their physicality was better but this changed in the second half. It was an amazing match and Athletic's performance had a lot of merit. We trusted in our possibilities to change the result and I congratulate my players."I hope that next year, we will only have to play against them twice."

 

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Blow for Man City as De Bruyne suffers suspected medial ligament injury

Kevin De Bruyne was stretchered out of Manchester City's League Cup semi-final second leg victory over Everton, with Manuel Pellegrini fearing the Belgian has suffered a medial ligament injury.

The Belgian was introduced as a second half substitute and scored just four minutes after coming on with City chasing a win which would see them face Liverpool at Wembley.

But De Bruyne suffered what appeared to be a muscle injury as his studs got caught in the ground and he went down under a challenge from Ramiro Funes Mori in stoppage time.

De Bruyne was carried off on a stretcher, with his right leg heavily strapped up, leaving City to see the game out with 10 men having used all of their substitutes.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini said after the game that the injury to De Bruyne was not an 'easy' one to recover from.

"It's difficult to know now," Pellegrini told Sky Sports. "He has some problems.

"The doctor thinks that it could be the medial ligament, but at the moment we have no news on him, but it's not an easy injury."

Sergio Aguero's 76th minute goal proved to be decisive as City won 3-1 on the night, overturning a first leg deficit to win the tie 4-3 on aggregate.

 

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Thawa 5 days wage thiyenne Winter window 1ka close wenna.ath thama naha Manchester United sign 1kak​