..::Football III::..

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AC Milan 3-0 Inter: Nerazzurri crash to comprehensive defeat

Goals from Alex, Carlos Bacca and M'Baye Niang were enough for AC Milan to down city rivals 3-0 Inter in Sunday's fiery Derby della Madonnina.

There was drama aplenty as the Rossoneri snatched what could be a crucial result in their race for Champions Laeague qualification.

Sinisa Mihajlovic's men were certainly helped by Inter's implosion, however, as coach Roberto Mancini was sent off before captain Mauro Icardi conspired to miss his spot-kick.

Milan, on the other hand, had been more clinical in a scrappy game, with Alex rising highest to give his team the lead with an expertly-placed header.

Icardi then blazed his penalty over the bar before Bacca made his impact felt, scoring just as Inter were pushing hard for their own equaliser to head home a cross from Niang.

The youngster went from provider to scorer only four minutes later when he took turned home the rebound of a shot Nerazzurri custodian Samir Handanovic had stopped but spilt to seal a much-needed Milan victory.

Such a scoreline was barely conceivable early on as Inter started the match the better of the two teams.

Debutant Eder failed to turn home Juan Jesus' superb cross within six minutes, while Gianluigi Donnarumma had to leap to his right to keep out Marcelo Brozovic's 25-yard drive.

Juraj Kucka led Milan's response, twice twisting and turning into shooting positions without breaching the opposing defence as the match continued at breakneck pace throughout its opening quarter.

Stevan Jovetic's low drive was easily claimed by Donnarumma at his near post, while at the other end Miranda cleared Jucka's cross off the toes of Keisuke Honda and the two teams appeared to be heading to half-time deadlocked.

However, with 10 minutes left before the break, Milan found a way through Serie A's meanest defence. Keisuke Honda swung in a cross from the right and Alex threw himself highest to nod beyond Handanovic.

Mancini took exception to a challenge by Donnarumma on Eder in the early moments of the second half, with the Inter boss' protestations seeing him sent to the stands. The visiting coach was unhappy with Damato's failure to award his side a penalty but, with 20 minutes remaining, he got his wish.

Icardi's initial shot was well saved by Donnarumma but, when the ball rebounded to the Inter forward, Alex prevented him from taking a swipe at the loose ball. Icardi struck Donnarumma's left-hand upright from the spot, however, and Ivan Perisic was unable to guide home the rebound.The miss proved costly and within three minutes Bacca put Milan out of sight, with Niang supplying a sensational cross from the right before the Colombian lost Miranda to slide home from eight yards out.

In the 77th minute, Milan added a third. Caught cold against the counter-attack, Inter's defence could only watch on as Niang converted at the second attempt after his first shot was saved by Handanovic.

The Inter goalkeeper produced a good save to prevent substitute Mario Balotelli - who was booked within a minute of coming on - scoring a fourth late on, but the damage was already done and Milan recorded their biggest derby victory since 2011.

 

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Saint-Etienne 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain: Ibrahimovic double enough for Blanc's men

Paris Saint-Germain beat Saint-Etienne 2-0 to equal a 21-year-old Ligue 1 record for the longest unbeaten run in the competition and extend their massive lead at the top of the table.

Laurent Blanc's side are now unbeaten 32 Ligue 1 matches, a run stretching back to last season, levelling the longstanding record set by Nantes between July 1994 and April 1995.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic put PSG in front after an hour, turning in a pinpoint cross from Serge Aurier, before capitalising on a lucky bounce to round off victory with the last meaningful touch of the game.

Kevin Trapp's excellence had earlier kept PSG in the game, the goalkeeper saving from Kevin Monnet-Paquet, Franck Tabanou and Kevin Malcuit, while Moustapha Bayal Sall cleared a shot by Lucas off the line.

PSG's lead at the top of Ligue 1 is now 24 points after Angers beat Monaco 3-0 on Saturday, with Blanc's men having won 20 out of their 23 league matches this season.

Blanc made seven changes from PSG's Coupe de la Ligue victory against Toulouse with Marquinhos, Maxwell and Ibrahimovic among those returning to the team, while on-loan striker Jean-Christophe Bahebeck started for Saint-Etienne against his parent club.

The hosts almost took a shock lead in the very first minute when a slack backpass by Thiago Motta let in Monnet-Paquet, but Trapp was rapidly off his line to deny him.

Captain Ibrahimovic shot over from 14 yards before Trapp clawed away a cross from Malcuit that was creeping into the top corner and then tipped over a looping shot from Tabanou.

Bahebeck went close with a powerful strike on 18 minutes after a flowing Saint-Etienne move and the forward should have scored with a header soon after, only to clear the crossbar with the effort.

PSG, the only team in Europe's top five leagues who remain unbeaten this season, almost took the lead on 34 minutes but Lucas Moura saw his shot cleared off the line by Sall after Ibrahimovic's clever backheel was saved by Stephane Ruffier.

Saint-Etienne had not beaten PSG at home since September 2008 but looked the most likely with Tabanou hammering a volley wide from Monnet-Paquet's cross on 52 minutes.

Monnet-Paquet then tested Trapp with a shot on the turn on 59 minutes but the PSG goalkeeper was alert and that save proved vital as the visitors immediately took the lead.

Aurier's powerful run found the right-back acres of space on the wing and his excellent cross only need a touch to beat Ruffier, which Ibrahimovic provided with aplomb to record his 10th goal in seven matches against Saint-Etienne.

Alexander Soderlund's header bobbled wide on 73 minutes as Saint-Etienne sought an equaliser and Trapp saved Jeremy Clement's low drive.

But, with virtually the last kick of the game, Ibrahmiovic tapped home Di Maria's deflected effort after more good work from Aurier to add gloss to the scoreline and move PSG to the brink of making history.

 

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Hat-trick hero Ronaldo makes more goalscoring history

If you listen to his critics, Cristiano Ronaldo's best days are behind him, but the Real Madrid star showed he still has plenty left in the tank after scoring yet another hat-trick on Sunday.

Prior to the 6-0 win over Espanyol, the 30-year-old had scored 16 goals in 21 La Liga appearances this term - a commendable tally but still some way short of his usual exploits in front of the target.

But Ronaldo struck three times to draw level with Luis Suarez at the top of the division's goalscoring charts and create yet more history in front of goal.

In the two games meetings with Espanyol this season, the Portugal captain has scored eight goals, the first time any player has achieved that feat against the same opponent in a La Liga campaign this century.

One of his strikes came from the penalty spot - meaning he has converted from 12 yards seven times this term - more than any other player across Europe's five biggest leagues in 2015-16.

He's also won 14 penalties in the league, at least five more than any other player since 09-10.
Ronaldo was joined on the scoresheet by Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez as Madrid took their tally for the season to 64 league goals. No other club has scored more in Europe's major divisions.

 

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Benfica open to Sanches-Man Utd deal

Benfica coach Rui Vitoria has admitted Manchester United could make a late bid for promising youngster Renato Sanches.

The 18-year-old has broken into Benfica's first team this campaign and is regarded as one of the biggest talents around in his age category.

His development has reportedly caught the attention of United, but the Portuguese club are not panicking over the prospect of potentially losing the youngster.

"Renato is mature beyond his age," Rui Vitoria told SportTV. "He is being protected by a group of players who support him and are giving him a lot of help.

"This situation is not difficult for us. If things happen, they happen. We all know that's the way it is. There is no point in worrying over things that have yet to happen.

"There is no drama about all this. The team is very stable and that helps dealing with speculation like this."

Sanches came through the ranks of the Benfica youth academy and made his first-team debut in October 2015. He has since featured in 13 league matches, scoring twice.

The midfielder's contract with runs until June 2021 and reportedly contains a €45million exit clause.

 

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Benfica open to Sanches-Man Utd deal

Experienced playersla newei neh ganna hadanne​

 

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Ramos: Neymar to Real Madrid? Football is unpredictable

Sergio Ramos has admitted "football is unpredictable" after being asked if he thought Neymar would ever join Real Madrid.

The former Santos man was reported to have met with a Madrid delegation ahead of the Fifa Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich.

The 23-year-old quickly denied such a meeting ever took place, while Barcelona coach Luis Enrique revealed last week that he expects Neymar to sign a new contract sooner rather than later.

That has not stopped Ramos from hailing the Brazil captain's talents, however.

"Neymar is a great player who can make the difference," the defender told reporters.

"Football is unpredictable and there will always be transfer rumours.

"But the one thing you will never see is Sergio Ramos joining Barcelona."

Madrid supposedly see Neymar as the long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been linked with Manchester United, PSG and a move to MLS in recent months.

However, Ramos is keen for the Portugal international to stay at the Bernabeu for many more years to come.

"As Madrid captain, I would like to see Cristiano here for many more years," he added. "He is a real star."

 

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Zidane: Ronaldo proved critics wrong

Zinedine Zidane said Cristiano Ronaldo proved his critics wrong after his hat-trick helped fire Real Madrid to a 6-0 win over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

The 30-year-old has received his fair share of criticism this campaign following a number of underwhelming performances, with some questioning his status as Madrid's main man.

But Sunday's treble took his tally in La Liga this campaign to 19, level with Barcelona ace Luis Suarez at the top of the scoring charts, and Zidane was delighted with Ronaldo's contribution.

"We have got used to it that Cristiano scores a lot of goals. If he doesn't score three, he has not done well in the eyes of some," Zidane said at a news conference.

"It will always be like this, because we have gotten used to his goals. There is no problem if he doesn't score every now and then. He is hugely ambitious.

"Plus he put in a lot of work defensively as well today."

Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Madrid early on and Zidane was equally impressed with his compatriot's outing.

"It is hard to see anything where he can still improve. But he enjoys working hard and will certainly get even better," he added.

"It does not matter to me whether he scores the first or the second goal. He is capable of scoring and making goals. Plus he also does his work without the ball." James Rodriguez, who again replaced the injured Gareth Bale, also found the net and Zidane was pleased with the Colombia international's performance.

"James put in a good performance and worked hard for the team," the Madrid coach stressed.


"I am very happy with his performance. Not just with his display on the ball, because I know what he can do with the ball. It's easy for him on the ball. But I am happy with his overall performance."

 

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Emenike seals West Ham loan

West Ham have completed the loan signing of Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike until the end of the season.The 28-year-old's move was confirmed on Sunday, with the Premier League club retaining the option to make the switch permanent at campaign's end.

A 37-time Nigeria international, Emenike has already spent time on loan at Al Ain this season, scoring nine goals in 15 games."I'm very, very happy and very, very excited that I'm here," Emenike told the club's official website.

"I have always known West Ham as a great club. I've always been watching them. West Ham's a great club and I'm happy to be here.

"I've known him [Slaven Bilic] for years. When he was at Lokomotiv Moscow, I was at Spartak Moscow, then he came to Besiktas and I was in Fenerbahce, so we've known each other for a long time. I'm happy to be here and happy to play for him. "We've followed each other's careers and thank God we are here today and we are here together."

Emenike scored regularly for Karabukspor and Spartak Moscow before his move to Fener for a second time in mid-2013.Two years earlier, he had joined the club but was sold due to a match-fixing scandal.

Emenike scored 12 league goals in his first season at Fenerbahce but struggled in 2014-15, leading to his loan moves.

 

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Newcastle confirm Thauvin return to Marseille

Newcastle United have confirmed Florian Thauvin has left the club to return to Marseille on loan until the end of the season.

The former France Under-21 international joined Newcastle from Marseille at the start of the season, but failed to make an impact at St James' Park and has now returned to the Ligue 1 side.

"Newcastle United winger Florian Thauvin has returned to Marseille on loan until the end of the season," read a statement on the official Newcastle website.

"The 23-year-old arrived on Tyneside from the French club last August, but has headed back to the Stade Velodrome for the remainder of the 2015-16 campaign.

"There is no option for purchase within the deal, so Thauvin will return to Newcastle at the end of the loan.

"Thauvin has made 16 appearances for Newcastle to date, five of which were starts, and has scored one goal."

The winger enjoyed a successful spell with OM between 2013 and 2015, scoring 13 goals in 67 Ligue 1 appearances.

 

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Winter Transfer Window Deadline Day!​

 

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Adawath hoda deals tikak unoth hodai!​

 

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Rummenigge confirms Bayern will not buy defensive reinforcements

Bayern Munich chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists the club will not buy defensive reinforcements despite injuries to Javi Martinez and Jerome Boateng.

Martinez has damaged his knee ligaments, while Boateng is expected to be out for around three months with a groin muscle tear.But Rummenigge says Bayern will not move to bring in cover before the transfer window closes on Monday.

"It is rather impossible that we do something. It is not to be assumed," Rummenigge told Sky.

"Quality is not actually on the market. There are no good players that are submitted by good clubs in the winter period."Rummenigge also confirmed that the injury sustained by Martinez is not serious."It will be a matter of weeks rather than months," he confirmed.

With Martinez and Boateng unavailable, Xabi Alonso played alongside Holger Badstuber in Bayern's defence during Sunday's 2-0 home win against Hoffenheim.

 

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Wenger rules out Terry signing

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has ruled out signing John Terry after the defender confirmed he is set to leave Chelsea.

Terry will depart Stamford Bridge at the end of the current campaign after revealing he would not be offered a new deal by the Premier League champions.

But Wenger refuted claims that the Gunners could make an audacious bid for the 35-year-old as he would only play for the Blues in the Premier League.

"If he plays longer, it will be for Chelsea," he told reporters when asked about a possible move for the former England captain.

The veteran French coach did pay tribute to Terry, though, saying: "Great player, still is and is great coach on the pitch. Has had a great career."

 

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Wenger admits January transfer window disappointment


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted his disappointment at the lack of business done in the January transfer window.

The Gunners did complete some business, managing to prize Mohamed Elneny away from Basel, with the Egyptian making his debut in the FA Cup win over Burnley on Saturday.

But Wenger, who predicted the transfer window could be the busiest yet, admitted to a news conference that Arsenal's window had been much quieter than he expected.

"The whole period was much quieter than I anticipated, the fact I'm here now shows we'll still be quiet," Wenger said, ahead of the Premier League match with Southampton on Tuesday.
"If possible, I would have been open to one more but there is a rarity of players."

Arsenal continued their impressive unbeaten record in the FA Cup on Saturday, defeating Burnley in their bid to win the tournament for the third successive time.

And the one player that Wenger did successfully sign for the first-team squad impressed the Gunners boss on his debut, though the Frenchman conceded their would be a bedding in process.

"His first performance was very good," Wenger said of Elneny.

"He made plenty of passes but needs to adapt."

 

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Official: De Jong leaves AC Milan

AC Milan have confirmed Nigel De Jong has been released from his contract amid interest from LA Galaxy.

The midfielder has made just five Serie A appearances this term, despite having been a first-team regular under Filippo Inzaghi last season.

The Netherlands international has been in talks with the MLS side in recent weeks and the Italian club have agreed to terminate his contract.

"AC Milan announces that Nigel De Jong’s contract with the club has been mutually terminated," read a statement on the club's website.

"AC Milan would like thank the Dutchman for his determination, commitment and professionalism with which he has played for the club during his days with the red and black colours.

"We wish him all the success possible and all the very best for the next stage of his career."

The 31-year-old joined Milan from Manchester City in 2012 and was a key player for the club until the current campaign.

 

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Title race may be easier for Leicester - Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini concedes Leicester City may have an advantage in the Premier League title race because of their light fixture schedule.
City defeated Aston Villa 4-0 in the FA Cup at the weekend to continue their pursuit of all four major trophies.

Leicester, meanwhile, are already out of both domestic cup competitions and only have the Premier League – which they lead by three points over Pellegrini's side and Arsenal – to focus on.

The former Real Madrid boss maintains he is happy with the position his team are in, but does acknowledge the potential advantage for Claudio Ranieri's men.

"If you ask me if I want to be still in all four competitions, then the answer is yes," said Pellegrini.

"But if you are saying if it is easier when you play less games then maybe – it is a view about Leicester.

"I'm focusing more on my team. We have got to the final of one cup and we have progressed in the other. "We could be top of the table after the next two games depending on how we play. So if we win the next two games it is probably impossible to have been better.''

Striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored an impressive hat-trick in the win over Villa, but Sergio Aguero and David Silva are both set to return to the team at Sunderland on Tuesday after being rested in the FA Cup.Pellegrini said: "Both of them are fit, so probably they will start. We have to decide."

Following the Sunderland game, Manchester City welcome Leicester to the Etihad Stadium for a crunch title battle on Saturday.

 

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Wenger: No late Arsenal signings - unless Messi turns up!


Arsene Wenger is "99 per cent sure" that Arsenal will not make any last-minute signings in the transfer window - unless Lionel Messi becomes available.
The Gunners brought Mohamed Elneny to north London in January in what has proved to be an otherwise quiet transfer period for the Premier League club.

Wenger does not expect to be heavily involved on deadline day but admitted he cannot rule out last-minute deals should exceptional players suddenly become available."The whole period was much quieter than I expected," he told the media. "I'm one of the few who has done more business. I told you we'd do at least one transfer, I'd have been open to one more but there's a rarity of players on the market.

"A miracle can always happen. I'm 99 per cent sure [of no signings]. If Messi knocks at my door at ten to six, I won't say 'please go back to Barcelona'."

Wenger confirmed Mathieu Debuchy and Serge Gnabry could both still leave on loan deals, with the France international likely to stay in the Premier League and Gnabry poised for a move to the Championship.

"Debuchy is still a possibility but, at the moment, it doesn't look like it. It's impossible to conclude a permanent move now," he said.

"We have to decide today [on Gnabry]. It's between two Championship clubs. I want to give him some competition because he didn't play at West Brom."

Wenger went on to refute rumours that Jack Wilshere has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury and says the England international could return within the next month, while Tomas Rosicky will undergo a scan on Monday.

"The only problem we have is Rosicky. It's a thigh problem - how deep it is we don't know, we'll know much more after the scan today. The situation is quite positive," he said.

"It's wrong. He's looking quite good, I must say," he added when asked about the Wilshere report. "Overall I had a short chat with [England manager] Roy Hodgson and reassured him he is progressing well. I'm a bit cautious but I would say four weeks."

Arsenal were thrashed 4-0 by Southampton in December and Wenger is looking for a response on Tuesday as they look to bounce back from a narrow defeat to Chelsea.

"They gave us a rough time at Southampton and we have an opportunity to put that right. It's a big moment in the season, every game is important. We want to take advantage of the fact that we play at home," said the 66-year-old.

"They were dominant in the duels and we came out of a very tough game with City. We were unlucky with three goals in terms of the decisions of the referee, but we don't have to look for an excuse. Our performance on the day was not good enough.

"The defeat against Chelsea was very unlucky. Our energy level, our commitment, our quality was very good. There were a lot of positives."

 

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OFFICIAL: Guardiola to replace Pellegrini as Manchester City's next manager


Manchester City have confirmed that Pep Guardiola will replace Manuel Pellegrini this summer.

Goal revealed at the start of January that City had already won the race for the 45-year-old after he revealed his decision to leave Bayern Munich when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Pellegrini had remained tight-lipped over his own future following Guardiola's announcement, but now City have confirmed that the Chilean, who signed a contract extension until 2017 last August, will be not be staying on beyond the end of the season.
A statement from City read: “Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalised contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head coach for the 16/17 EPL season onwards.

“The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012.

“Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the Club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation.
“Manuel Pellegrini, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead of retaining the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the Club.”

Pellegrini has revealed that he was informed of the club's decision a month ago and claims he will leave on the terms of the original contract he signed when he joined City in 2013.

"Before I finish, I want to tell you I have talked with the club and I will finish my contract on the original date,” said the Chilean.
"I signed for one year more, but with the clause that the club or me can choose not to use that stuff now, so I finish here on the original date, June 30, so there is not the speculation.

"The club are not doing anything behind me, I knew this one month ago, but I don't think it's good to have rumour or speculation about these things, so I prefer to finish today, which I why I have told the players and I have told the Press. I also spoke to the club two weeks ago and said that I would do it."

 

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CITY lata best manager kenek set wela thiyenne

Aparade Manchester United ganna bari una neh

Anyway Congratulations & Good Luck Guardiola!​

 

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Official: Newcastle sign Roma striker Doumbia on loan

Newcastle have completed the signing of Roma striker Seydou Doumbia on loan until the end of the season.

The Ivory Coast international spent the first half of the season on loan at CSKA Moscow but joins the Magpies with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.

"I'm delighted to be a Newcastle United player," he told the club's official website.

"I've already started to prepare. I've arrived and I'm ready to go.

"It has always been a dream to play in the Premier League and now that dream has come true, so I'm absolutely delighted.

"I am looking forward to helping the club get some wins and climb the table."

Steve McClaren whose side have struggled for goals this season, managing 25 in 23 Premier League games, said he was pleased to have strengthened his attack.
"It is no secret that we have been looking to add to our options in the striking area," he explained.

"We have been searching for a forward and were delighted when the opportunity arose to take Seydou on loan.

"He is a natural goalscorer, someone who has scored goals in the Champions League and has played at the highest level. We believe he can make a mark in this team."