..::Football III::..

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Augsburg 1-3 Bayern Munich: Lewandowski & Muller get visitors back to winning ways

Bayern Munich moved eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga on Sunday, with Robert Lewandowski's double helping to seal a comfortable 3-1 Bavarian derby victory at struggling Augsburg.

Lewandowski gave the defending champions an early lead, pirouetting and superbly firing into the bottom corner after Thomas Muller's low cross picked him out in a pocket of space.

Bayern's second goal came in the 62nd minute, Lewandowski timing a run on to Thiago's throughball perfectly to slot in his 11th goal against Augsburg, who he has now scored more goals against than any other Bundesliga club.

A hat-trick evaded Lewandowski but the striker was involved in Bayern's third goal, which Muller tucked in for his 15th league strike of the season, before Raul Bobadilla's neat finish earned Augsburg a late consolation.

Augsburg are one of only two sides to beat Pep Guardiola's Bayern more than once in the Bundesliga but the relegation-threatened club remain only a single point above the bottom three after their defeat.

Guardiola named David Alaba and Joshua Kimmich as his centre-backs after Holger Badstuber's broken ankle intensified the club's defensive injury crisis, while Franck Ribery made his comeback. Markus Weinzierl recalled Philipp Max, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Piotr Trochowski.

Bayern, whose players wore t-shirts showing their support for Badstuber ahead of the game, had the first chance of the match but Thiago shot well over the crossbar after nine minutes.Guardiola's men did not have a long wait for the opening goal, which arrived after just 15 minutes, with Lewandowski on target.

Muller's pass found the Poland international in space in the penalty box and he turned Dominik Kohr superbly before picking out the bottom corner for his 20th league goal of the season.

Lewandowski went close to doubling Bayern's lead after 21 minutes but he placed his 20-yard shot just wide of Marwin Hitz's post after Philipp Lahm worked the opening with superb skill.

Jeong-Ho Hong then glanced Trochowski's corner wide before Muller headed a cross straight at Hitz and Arjen Robben's low shot was easily saved by the Augsburg goalkeeper.

With the final kick of the first half, Douglas Costa's powerful free-kick was kept out well by Hitz, who saved again from the Brazil international moments after the resumption.

Two nasty head injuries in quick succession saw Arturo Vidal substituted and then Alaba play on after appearing to lose both a tooth and a contact lens following a collision with Jan Moravek.Their players may have been the worse for wear, but soon after Bayern doubled their lead.

Lewandowski raced on to a precise throughball by Thiago just after the hour-mark and the striker beat Hitz from close range to record his fourth double in his last five matches.

With Augsburg winless in the Bundesliga in 2016 it seemed unlikely they would find a way back into the game and the hosts almost fell further behind when substitute Rafinha forced Hitz into a flying save, the goalkeeper then denying Robben brilliantly.

Muller scored a late winner against Augsburg in the reverse fixture and he sealed an easy three points after 78 minutes, slotting in after Douglas Costa's cross caused panic in the Augsburg box.

Bobadilla's tidy strike gave Augsburg hope of a late fightback but the goal proved to be a mere consolation for Weinzierl's men.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Getafe 0-1 Atletico Madrid: Torres on target in routine win

Fernando Torres continued his recent good run of form with another goal as Atletico Madrid beat Getafe 1-0 to keep their La Liga title hopes alive.

Torres converted for the 100th time in an Atletico shirt in the 3-1 win at home to Eibar last weekend and earned his team three valuable points at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, scoring in consecutive club matches for the first time since October 2013.

The striker took less than two minutes to get off the mark, smashing beyond Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita after a brilliant delivery from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco.

Diego Simeone's side looked content to protect their lead, with the hosts finding it difficult to break down a defensive unit boosted by the returns of Diego Godin, Juanfran and Filipe Luis from suspension.

The Getafe faithful booed referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz off at half-time after he refused to award their team a penalty for Gabi's tackle on Victor Rodriguez and they never looked like beating Jan Oblak in the visiting goal.

Atletico comfortably saw out the second half for a second straight win to temporarily move level with Barcelona, though an ankle injury for Carrasco soon after the restart provided a sour note.

The visitors got off to an excellent start, racing ahead in the second minute when Carrasco teased a cross to the back post for Torres to fire into the roof of the net.

Getafe responded positively and a neat move down the right culminated in Pablo Sarabia testing Oblak with a low strike from just inside the box, though it was heading wide.Simeone's side were happy to afford the hosts the majority of possession and play on the counter-attack, continuing to put their defence under pressure.

Torres skewed wide in a one-on-one situation after latching onto a lofted throughball from Gabi, before Carrasco forced a save from Guaita in the 15th minute.Getafe were unable to find a route through Atletico's stern defence, with the visitors dealing comfortably with any crosses into the box.

Fran Escriba's team felt they should have had a penalty when Gabi caught Victor Rodriguez from behind five minutes before the interval, but the referee was unmoved.

Atletico lost Carrasco to injury early in the second half when he fell awkwardly on his ankle after blocking Damian Suarez's cross and the club confirmed during the match that he had sprained ankle ligaments.

Koke, involved in five of the visitors' previous six goals before kick-off, was unable to improve that record with a tame strike straight at Guaita before the hour mark.

Santiago Vergini volleyed wide from Victor Rodriguez's clipped delivery in the 65th minute, but, despite continuing to see more of the ball, they were unable to test Oblak before the final whistle.

Atletico had a chance to score a second after a swift stoppage-time break, but substitute Angel Correa was unable to find the unmarked Saul Niguez, sending what should have been a simple pass straight to Juan Rodriguez, who cleared behind.

 

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Barcelona 6-1 Celta: Suarez nets hat-trick as MSN combine in comfortable win

Barcelona restored their three-point lead at the top of La Liga with a stunning 6-1 victory over Celta Vigo that saw Lionel Messi provide Luis Suarez with his hat-trick rather than score from the spot to reach a personal milestone.

Having seen Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid win earlier in the weekend, Barca could ill-afford a slip-up against a Celta side who won the reverse fixture 4-1 at Balaidos in September.

And Messi - returning to action after medical tests on a kidney problem this week - was in inspired form as he got the hosts off the mark with a beautifully measured free-kick before John Guidetti levelled from the spot.

Messi and Suarez combined wonderfully for Barca's second prior to Suarez completing his double, which came about after clever play from Messi to set up Neymar's assist.When Messi was fouled for an 81st-minute penalty, all eyes were on the Argentina star as he looked set to register his 300th La Liga goal.

However, he elected to lay the ball off for Suarez's hat-trick, with Ivan Rakitic's clever lob and Neymar's calm finish capping a stunning period of attacking football from Luis Enrique's men, who moved clear at the top in style.

Despite a host of star names returning after being rested for the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, Barca were flat early on against a Celta side missing suspended strikers Iago Aspas and Fabian Orellana as well as the injured Nolito.
Celta were handed an early scare when Messi curled a free-kick marginally wide 11 minutes in while Neymar was denied from point blank by Sergio as Barca grew into the game.

Sergio's opposite number Claudio Bravo got down smartly to his left to save Carlos Plana's effort but the former Barca man then conceded the free-kick that led to Messi's opener.After a foul on Suarez, Messi sent his superb dead-ball effort into the top right-hand corner beyond a helpless Sergio.

However, Alba clumsily clipped Guidetti in the area seven minutes before half-time, allowing the Sweden international to restore parity with an emphatic equaliser down to Bravo's right.Messi almost restored Barca's lead within two minutes of the restart when he angled an effort onto the post following an impressive virtuoso run and pass from Neymar.

The hosts were back in front through Suarez thanks to a trademark moment of Barca brilliance, as the Uruguayan controlled Messi's perfect chipped pass and slotted home on the half-volley.

Having ended a spirited Celta stand, Barca's attacking trident all had a hand in the third goal, with Messi finding Neymar, whose effort from a difficult angle rolled toward the line before being stabbed home by Suarez.

But Messi wowed the Camp Nou once more when, having been brought down by Jonny, he laid his penalty off for Suarez to finish amid a remarkable final half-hour that saw Rakitic join the party with a fine lobbed finish.

A deserved goal for Neymar in the 90th minute capped a hugely impressive attacking display from the champions, who made it six successive league wins in style against a shellshocked Celta.

 

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Fiorentina 2-1 Inter: Super-sub Babacar scores injury-time winner

Fiorentina came from behind to stun Inter 2-1 thanks to El Hadji Babacar's 91st minute strike.

The substitute turned in a rebound after Samir Handanovic fumbled a shot by former Inter striker Mauro Zarate to seal a dramatic late win.

Fiorentina had earlier trailed to a Marcelo Brozovic strike, but Borja Valero levelled with a header before Boubacar's late heroics.

The game also saw three red cards produced by referee Paolo Mazzoleni late on at Stadio Artemio Franchi as Alex Telles, Mauro Zarate and Geoffrey Kondogbia were all dismissed.

The result sees Paulo Sousa's men climb to third in the table, with Inter remaining in fifth.

Former Fiorentina coach Roberto Mancini recalled Miranda after the defender served a one-game ban, while the hosts were without the injured Tino Costa and the suspended Matias Fernandez.

La Viola had won their last three meetings with Inter and they almost got off to the perfect start when Ilicic strode forward and hit a firm drive, with Slovenia international goalkeeper Samir Handanovic saving smartly with his legs from his compatriot's effort.

Fiorentina dominated the early exchanges and almost took the lead after 14 minutes when Ilicic beat Handanovic with a low strike, but Telles got back to clear the effort off the line.Jeison Murillo then had a terrific chance for Inter, but his diving header flew well wide of the post.

Fiorentina could have had a penalty in the 21st minute, but when Federico Bernardeschi got clear and fell under a challenge by Miranda after a smart one-two with Nikola Kalinic, Mazzoleni awarded a foul against the attacker.

That decision proved key as Inter soon took the lead against the run of play. Kondogbia freed Palacio in the box and Brozovic ran on to the cutback to slam a shot high into the net.Fiorentina came close to an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, Handanovic clawing away a looping header by Matias Vecino from underneath the crossbar.

The hosts, unbeaten in their last four matches, scored the goal their excellent play deserved just before the hour-mark, Valero nodding home a deflected Ilicic cross at the back post.Fiorentina then had another big penalty appeal when Telles handled a cross in the box, but again referee Mazzoleni was unmoved.

Inter had won just one of their previous six league games and Mancini's men rarely threatened in this one. After Telles received a second yellow card for bringing down Bernardeschi, Fiorentina found a deserved winner.

Handanovic spilled Zarate's shot at the feet of Babacar and the striker bundled the ball home with the aid of a deflection. Zarate was later sent off for clashing with Murillo.

Kondogbia was also shown a red card after the final whistle for sarcastically applauding the referee to compound a miserable match for Mancini's men.

 

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Neymar: My contract? Anything could happen!

Barcelona star Neymar refused to be drawn on his future after his side's 6-1 hammering of Celta, insisting "anything could happen".

The Brazil forward grabbed a goal in Sunday's blistering display from the Catalan side, with Luis Suarez scoring a hat-trick and Lionel Messi also finding the net as well as setting the Uruguayan up twice.

Despite the performance being another illustration of the firepower of the famous 'MSN' trident, Neymar's future remains uncertain and the 24-year-old did nothing to quell speculation after the game.

“Negotiations over contract extension are still ongoing," he told reporters."But I have more years yet and many things could happen."

Neymar has scored 17 league goals this term and sits top of the assist charts with nine - he has created more chances in the Spanish top flight than any other player.

 

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Barcelona penalty move meant for me, claims Neymar

The innovative penalty tactic employed by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in Barcelona's 6-1 win over Celta Vigo was meant to involve Neymar, according to the Brazilian.

Messi stunned the Camp Nou when he passed his penalty into Suarez's path for the Uruguayan to complete a hat-trick in the Liga rout on Sunday.

The Argentina star could have converted himself to net a 300th league goal, but drew plenty of plaudits for his inspired display, which saw him open the scoring with a wonderful free-kick.

And Neymar opened up on Barca's preparation for the set-piece, revealing that Suarez was not the one who was supposed to score.

"We trained on this penalty routine, but for me. However, Suarez was near the ball and scored." he told reporters."We are really happy to be unbeaten in 30 matches. We are playing in our way and we want to keep this streak going."

Neymar completed the scoring as Barca regained a three-point lead at the top of the table with a game in hand on title rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

 

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Luis Enrique: Barca winning 6-1 is just a normal night

Luis Enrique says Barcelona's 6-1 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday was just a "normal night" by his team's standards.

Luis Suarez scored his second hat-trick in 12 days at Camp Nou, while Lionel Messi, Ivan Rakitic and Neymar provided the other goals as the Catalan giants tore the unfortunate visitors apart.

The highlight of the game was Messi's penalty assist, as the Argentine passed to Suarez from the spot for the Uruguayan to smash home his third of the night, evoking a similar party piece performed by former Barcelona star and coach Johan Cuyff during his time with Ajax.

However, Luis Enrique played down the sumptuous offering from his players, insisting trophies are the only benchmark the 2014-15 treble winners should be measured against.

"I don't think it was a historic night," he said. "It is a very nice night because we have beaten a great team."But it has just been a normal night. Historical? No. It will be historic when we claim titles.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think anything special has happened. I'm used to seeing them train and there they are even better."Maybe I'll have to watch the replay, because the tension has seen me interpret the game in another way."But I have seen my players do even more spectacular things than tonight."

Messi's cheeky assist from the spot for Suarez sparked debate and was regarded as disrespectful by some, but Luis Enrique did not see it that way.

"A penalty like that is allowed. It is a legal move and we all know it's been done before with Cruyff," he added."It will generate a big debate, however, I would not take a penalty like that because I'd end up falling over.

"But there will be people who like it and people who won't."Here, as well as winning titles, we like our members to enjoy the game, and we like to win in a spectacular but sporting way."

Barcelona remain top of La Liga, three points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid after Diego Simeone's men picked up a 1-0 win over Getafe earlier in the day.

 

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Moyes warns Van Gaal: Champions League failure will ruin you

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes says Louis van Gaal will need to get the team into the Premier League's top four if he wants to keep his job.

Moyes lasted just eight months in charge of United after he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, falling to seventh-place in the league before he was replaced by Ryan Giggs.The former Everton manager said he realised finishing in the top four was the minimum expectation for United and accepts he did not win enough games during his ill-fated tenure.

"I knew Manchester United need to qualify for the Champions League," Moyes told Sky Sports.

"They are a club of status and want to be at that level, if not more. They want to be winning it if they can, never mind qualifying for it."That's what happens at Manchester United. It's that level."

United returned to Europe's elite club competition following a fourth-placed finish under Van Gaal last term, but they appear likely to miss out on the competition for the second time in three campaigns after a 2-1 loss to relegation-threatened Sunderland on Sunday, a result that left the Red Devils six points off fourth-placed Manchester City.

Moyes did express some sympathy for Van Gaal's plight and criticised the media for its of the ex-Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach.

"There's so much media attention on Louis van Gaal just now," Moyes said.
"When I lost my job, he was lauded by everybody in football - by you people, the media and everybody else. Now many of you are the ones saying he should lose his job.

"If you got to Manchester United, that's what you get. You get an awful lot of media attention, but I still believe I was the right person to take the job."

 

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Tottenham can beat anyone - Kane


Harry Kane says Tottenham believe they can beat any opposition after their 2-1 away win against Manchester City kept them firmly in the mix for the Premier League title.

The England international swept home from the penalty spot before Christian Eriksen struck Spurs' decisive second after Kelechi Iheanacho had drawn the home side level on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are now just two points behind league leaders Leicester City and, while Kane insists they will not get carried away, the striker feelsconfidence is now sky-high within a squad still in the hunt to win three trophies.

When asked if he considered Spurs to be title challengers, he told Sky Sports: "That's up to you to decide - we know what we are capable of.

"We feel we can beat anyone in the league and we fancy our chances against anyone."It was a very big game, away at City who are a top team. Everyone is fighting for places so to come away with a win is a good feeling.

"But there is a long way to go. We are in three competitions and are taking them all seriously. Coming here and getting three points will give us confidence."It was a good open game. We have to keep going and do the right things. We can't get carried away but it is a big away win."

 

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Messi's penalty pass was different, not disrespectful - Celta coach

Eduardo Berizzo has defended Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez after suggestions they were disrespectful against his Celta Vigo side.Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick while Lionel Messi, Ivan Rakitic and Neymar got on the scoresheet in a 6-1 win at Camp Nou.

However, the controversial moment came when Messi stunned the crowd by passing his penalty into the path of Suarez for the Uruguayan to slot home from close range.The Barca stars were accused of being disrespectful and unsportsmanlike, but Berizzo said the penalty was within the rules of the game.

"The penalty was dispatched in a different way, nothing else," the Celta coach said.

"The forwards of Barcelona are voracious in attack. But they play in the same was as always, and are respectful to their opponents. "The penalty was within the rules. The goals hurt me more than the way they are converted."

Four of Barca's six goals came in the final 15 minutes of the game, with Celta holding the hosts at 1-1 for over 20 minutes of play after John Guidetti's equaliser before the break.

"The talent of the Barca players was imposed on us in that second half," he added.

 

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Lionel Messi amazing penalty trick vs Celta Vigo | 14-2-2016

Maru penalty pass 1ka​

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Lionel Messi amazing penalty trick vs Celta Vigo | 14-2-2016

Maru penalty pass 1ka​

eka illegal pass ekak. Messi bole touch karaddi suarez box eke half circle eka athule.

 

[asankanp]

BUMP....

 

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Liverpool and Schalke's Matip set to announce pre-contract agreement

Liverpool and Schalke defender Joel Matip are expected to officially announce a pre-contract agreement on Monday, Goal can reveal.

The 24-year-old will join the Reds in the summer as a free agent on a four-year deal after rejecting new, improved terms with the Bundesliga outfit, who were desperate to keep hold of him.

Jurgen Klopp has long admired the centre-back, who has netted four goals in all competitions this season and is a threat from set-piece situations.

He considered the Cameroon international as a solution to ease Liverpool’s defensive crisis at the turn of the year, but Matip did not want to move in the January transfer window as he preferred to honour the remainder of his commitment to Schalke.

The Merseysiders have been confident of securing his services in the summer though and encouraging talks with the player will see him confirm that Liverpool will be his destination following the expiration of his contract.
Matip, who can also operate as a midfield anchor and has previously turned out at full-back, likes to play on the front foot and is familiar with holding a high line. He is statistically strong at interceptions, tackles, clearances and take ons.

The Bochum-born man is hugely comfortable on the ball and has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most respected defenders.

 

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Ranieri grants Leicester week off after cruel Arsenal loss

Claudio Ranieri will give his Leicester City players a week off to recharge for their Premier League title push after their last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

Leicester had their lead at the top of the table cut to two points at the Emirates Stadium as Danny Welbeck netted a late headed winner, with third-placed Tottenham the same distance behind after beating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Welbeck's winner deep into stoppage time punctured the rapidly building excitement around Leciester's unlikely bid for glory that was bolstered by impressive triumphs against Liverpool and fourth-placed City.

Ranieri made a deal with his players that nine points from their recent run of matches would earn them some time away, with Leicester not involved in the fifth round of the FA Cup next weekend, and the Italian coach is still willing to uphold his bargain, despite the Foxes only collecting six points.

"We make a little gamble with my players and they say to me, 'If we make nine points will you give us one week away?'," he revealed.

"Now we make just six points but in my mind I said, 'Okay'. I was happy with one point from City and one point today, only two points, and we achieved three.

"I said, 'Okay, it's the same as if you won the match. Go home and we will see you next Monday.' They deserve it. They made a fantastic performance today."

He added: "I don’t know where they go, Dubai maybe? They go wherever they want. [I will spend] one day in London and then I go to Rome."

Leicester took the lead in north London through Jamie Vardy's penalty but saw their momentum halted as Theo Walcott equalised prior to Welbeck's winner.

 

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Ibrahimovic: I'll miss Mourinho when Chelsea visit PSG

Zlatan Ibrahimovic admits Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League clash with Chelsea will not be the same without Jose Mourinho in the dug-out, and has backed the Portuguese to make a swift return to management.

The two sides have met in each of the last two seasons, with Mourinho in charge of the Blues on both occasions, but for their third meeting it will be Guus Hiddink who manages the side, having taken over in December.

Chelsea remain unbeaten under the Dutchman despite their dire form prior to his arrival, though Ibrahimovic – who worked under Mourinho at Inter - still believes the contest will lose something in the absence of the controversial coach.

“I think everybody will miss Mourinho in the game,” the Swedish striker told the Times of India prior to Tuesday’s first-leg clash at the Parc des Princes.

“But I believe he will be back soon in football, and if you are a little patient you will soon see him managing another club.

“Am I surprised with the sacking? I don't know. Everything depends on the results and that is the worst part of football. When you don't do well, you get punished, and it's more with the coaches. We don't get fired like the coaches do!”
The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with various moves, including a return to San Siro with AC Milan, a big-money switch to China and even a Premier League move.

And Ibrahimovic did not commit his future to PSG when asked where he will be playing next season, also refusing to rule out the possibility of becoming the latest high-profile player to join a Chinese club.

“Exciting, isn't it? What will happen? Let's see what the future has in store for me; day by day, big things will happen,” Ibrahimovic explained.

On the subject of a potential move to China, where he would follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jackson Martinez, Ramires and Gervinho, he added: “You never know. I still have three months to go.”

 

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Debuchy: Wenger blocked move to Man Utd

Mathieu Debuchy has admitted his frustration with Arsene Wenger after the Arsenal manager blocked a loan move to Manchester United.

The France international joined Bordeaux until the end of the season having struggled to make an impact for the Gunners this season behind first-choice right-back Hector Bellerin.

The former Newcastle defender's move to Ligue 1 came about after he was denied the chance to join United, who were keen to sign full-back cover following a spate of injuries.

But Debuchy has revealed Wenger was not keen to help out a rival club despite the player being keen on a move to Old Trafford.

"Yes, at the end of the transfer window they [United] came in," Debuchy told Canal +."They contacted my agents.

"I was disappointed, obviously. If I had the chance to go to Manchester United it would have been magnificent.

"Unfortunately it wasn't the case. I discussed it with the coach too, who said that obviously he couldn't help out a rival."

Debuchy also admitted at his annoyance with Wenger at not giving him more opportunities in the first team after proving his fitness in pre-season and being promised more minutes.

"Yes, I'm a little bit annoyed with him. It's his choice [not to give him playing time].

"I came back well this summer, I had a good pre-season.

"I was able to talk to him to know my future at Arsenal. He said that I would have game time and that we would discuss it in December.

"Unfortunately, I didn't have this game time."

 

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'Bacca would have joined Real Madrid'

AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has revealed that striker Carlos Bacca would have signed for Real Madrid had Carlo Ancelotti not been sacked by the La Liga club.

Bacca signed for Milan from Sevilla last summer and has scored 13 goals in 25 league appearances, including during Saturday's 2-1 win over Genoa.

But he could just as easily have been wearing the white of Real Madrid had the club not chosen to sack Ancelotti, who 12 months earlier had led them to the their 10th Champions League triumph.

"Bacca has a real eye for goal," said Galliani.

"I had been following him for the past two years. I liked the look of him and I also like his former coach, [Unai] Emery, who I feel is a top coach.

"But he [told me Bacca] won’t be coming to Milan though. Bacca is a fantastic player.

"Even Ancelotti spoke to me about him. Had Ancelotti stayed at Real Madrid, Bacca would have probably moved there."

Galliani was also keen to praise former Chelsea defender Alex, adding that Milan should finish no lower than third this season.

"Alex is a top defender. His quality is there to see and his career speaks for itself. His performances lately aren’t by chance," he said. "We have a good team and we are now having our say. This is a team that has to fight for third place. We are in no way inferior to the other teams battling for that goal."

 

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Manchester United to name stand after Sir Bobby Charlton

Manchester United have announced that the South Stand at Old Trafford will be renamed to commemorate Sir Bobby Charlton.

Charlton played over 750 matches for the Red Devils, scoring a record 249 goals, as United won three League titles and the European Cup in 1968.

He was also a member of England's 1966 World Cup winning squad, scoring three times in the tournament as the Three Lions went on to beat West Germany in the final at Wembley.

And United have moved to ensure Charlton's lasting connection with the club, where he is now a director, by changing the name of the South Stand, with the unveiling set to take place on April 2 before the club host Everton in the Premier League.

"This is a great honour and I am very proud – for myself and my family – that the club has chosen to name the South Stand after me," Charlton told United's official website.

"Manchester United has been such an important part of my life and I have so many wonderful memories of this Theatre of Dreams.

"As a player, I remember the goals and the marvellous players I played with. As a director, I have seen some outstanding matches and players. It is a special place indeed."
Executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, added: "Bobby is, quite simply, the most iconic figure in English football history.

"A player, a diplomat, a gentleman and a tireless worker for charity, he represents everything that is good about football and Manchester United.

"It has been a privilege to know him and humbling to work alongside him for the last 10 years.

"Renaming the South Stand, which contains both the Directors’ Box and the old players’ changing rooms, is a fitting tribute to all that Bobby has contributed to the club both as a player and a director."

Charlton joins Sir Alex Ferguson in having a stand named after him at Old Trafford, with the former North Stand having been renamed to reflect the Scot's achivements in management in 2011.

 

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OFFICIAL: Matip agrees Liverpool move


Liverpool have confirmed a pre-contract agreement with Schalke defender Joel Matip, who will join as a free agent in the summer.

Goal earlier revealed the centre-back’s decision to reject new, improved terms with the Bundesliga outfit in order to accept a fresh challenge under Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside.

"I have always said I would only leave Schalke for one reason: to experience something new,” the 24-year-old said on Monday afternoon.

"Therefore a change within the Bundesliga was never a consideration. Although it has not been an easy decision to make I am convinced now is the right time to make this step.

"Schalke will remain a big family for me and I was always proud to play for this great club. Therefore I will do everything possible over the coming months to get the most out of this season."
Matip joined Schalke in 2000, and his blend of positional intelligence as well as a desire to play on the front foot has established him as one of the premier defenders in Germany.

The club’s general manager Horst Heldt admitted they did everything they could to renew the services of the Cameroon international.

"We have since May last year had many intensive discussions with Joel and his advisor," he said.

"But it was soon clear that we could not influence the factors that were decisive in Joel's decision."