..::Football III::..

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Nick Powell SNUBS a game of Fifa to watch Manchester United's FA Cup win

Nick Powell is not a man who makes the same mistake twice as he managed to catch Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Shrewsbury Town on Monday night.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who is on loan at Hull City, admitted on Thursday that he missed United’s humiliating defeat to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League because he was too busy playing Fifa.

 

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Mihajlovic: 'Tough' Milan can challenge for third

Sinisa Mihajlovic says AC Milan are becoming tougher and can finish in Serie A's top three after earning a 1-1 draw at Napoli on Monday.

Having fallen behind to Lorenzo Insigne's strike 39 minutes in at Stadio San Paolo, Giacomo Bonaventura hit back before half-time to earn Milan a share of the spoils against their title-chasing hosts.

Napoli enjoyed long spells of possession but failed to get the winner that would have returned them to the top of the table, as a dogged display from Milan extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven matches.That spell includes draws with Roma and Napoli as well as wins against Inter and Fiorentina, leaving Milan sixth - eight points off third place.

"After seven games unbeaten, even against teams like Fiorentina, Inter and Napoli, we too can fight for third place if we keep up this form," Mihajlovic told Mediaset Premium.

Milan had to survive plenty of Napoli attacks and the hosts had great chances to claim the points late on, including a Dries Mertens effort that struck the post."It was an extremely difficult game in a stadium where it is almost impossible to win," added Mihajlovic.

"Napoli dominated the game and took the initiative, as they had to, while we tried to hurt them with as many counter-attacks as possible."This is the way we had to prepare the game, as we could do nothing else. We need more character and determination but I compliment the lads because they are becoming tough, the way I like them."

 

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Wenger backs Arsenal to score against Barcelona

Arsene Wenger is adamant that Arsenal will find the net against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The Gunners will start as underdogs when they play hosts to the reigning champions at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening, having failed to score in four of their last seven games in all competitions.

Barcelona are on the hunt for their second consecutive treble under Luis Enrique, boasting Europe's most feared forward line in the shape of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

And Wenger says keeping them quiet remains the priority for Arsenal if they stand a chance of reaching the next round, admitting conceding an away goal in the Champions League is like a “knife in your heart”.

“I think we will score so I am not too concerned,” he said. “It’s true that recently our goals have dried up a bit and we have to find a way to get that going again. But I am more concerned about stopping them from scoring because at home in the Champions League nil-nil is not a bad score.

“We have always made it difficult for ourselves in previous years by conceding goals at home and the rules of the modern European Cup encourage teams to defend at home and attack away because of the importance of the away goal.

“Many times I have said that should be suppressed because if you concede a goal at home in the Champions League it’s a knife in your heart every time. Against big teams it becomes very difficult.”

Arsenal have bowed out of the first knockout stage in each of the last five seasons but while Wenger has put importance on keeping a clean sheet in the first leg, he has dismissed the idea that he will switch to a more defensive-minded team against Barcelona.

“It’s against my nature,” added Wenger.

“I cannot go into a game and think I will just play for a zero-zero. I don’t believe you can say you are a big club and just want to defend.
“On the other hand, Barcelona are a very offensive team so to give ourselves no chance at all of scoring against them would make us guilty as well.

“We have to try to score against them because if they have a vulnerability, like us, it is defensively, as it is with any offensive team.”

 

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Dani Alves happy to win ugly against Arsenal

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves is prepared to sacrifice aesthetics for results if it means snatching a crucial away win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.The reigning European champions travel to north London for the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League clash with the Premier League giants.

While Alves and his Barcelona team-mates have an exemplary record against Arsenal in recent years, he would have no issues turning the game between two sides who often win plaudits for their stylish football into a scrap.

"The aim is always to win and play really well but there's the opposition to think about, high expectations, then there's better teams, teams that try to play or teams that are more physical, so for us to come out of another game with a win, we just keep going," he told the Daily Mirror ."Sometimes suffering, having to hold on to a result, stops you relaxing and helps you get there because if you want to achieve great things then you have to come through difficulties.

"It’s always beautiful to play spectacular football but it’s more beautiful to keep winning."Barcelona did just that in their most recent La Liga triumph, a scrappy 2-1 win over Las Palmas, and recall Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets.

Luis Enrique's men are on a 32-game unbeaten run, having taken 26 wins in the same period, and Alves is keen to keep that run going despite a heavy schedule.
"The team is always going to put all their effort into it, but sometimes things don’t go well or how you’d hoped but this is football," he said."Even if you don’t play at your best you’ve got to pick up results and that’s six points from six, no?"

 

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'Why not?' - Ronaldo open to acting career

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo says he would consider acting once his professional playing career comes to an end.

The Portuguese starred in his own documentary late last year, simply titled 'Ronaldo', and he says he would consider following in the illustrious footsteps of the likes of Eric Cantona and Vinnie Jones by swapping the pitch for the acting sets of Hollywood.

"I would like to learn being surrounded by good actors because only then will I learn since it is an area I do not control because it has nothing to do with football," he told Sacoor Brothers.

"Why not? It's not my goal at the moment, but I have had some invitations.

"Do not close the doors because it is an area which I like."

Ronaldo, at 31, has scored 34 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions thus far this season and is refusing to put any limits on how long he can continue to play.

"I feel good, I feel young, so I want to continue," he added.

"I do not put goals as a football player, only the body will tell and the mind also. I want to enjoy and win more at the collective level and individual level."

 

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Beckham wants Mourinho back in Premier League

David Beckham has revealed that he hopes Jose Mourinho will take charge of another Premier League club again soon.

Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in December, but has been heavily linked with Beckham's former club Manchester United, who continue to struggle under Louis van Gaal.And the ex-England captain says he would be thrilled to see the Portuguese return to English football.

"I hope Mourinho comes back to the Premier League very soon," Beckham told talkSPORT."We need characters like that in the game."

Inter official Bedy Moratti further fuelled speculation that Mourinho is on his way to Old Trafford last week by claiming the Portuguese coach is "going to Manchester" after enjoying lunch with the ex-Nerazzuri boss."He is happy now. He is going to Manchester, so he is doing great," she told reporters after the meeting.

 

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Zico: Chelsea move a 'golden opportunity' for Pato

Former Brazil international Zico believes Alexandre Pato’s move to Chelsea is a big opportunity for his compatriot to prove his worth at the highest level.

The Corinthians-owned attacker joined Chelsea on loan until the end of the season in the January transfer window, but has yet to make his official debut for the Stamford Bridge side."It's a fantastic opportunity for him. You could even call it a golden opportunity," Zico told Chelsea’s official website.

"He's a player who has had ups and downs but he is a top-quality player and I think he will settle at Chelsea and do very well, which will also be very good for the national team.

"When Pato broke through, he was considered the jewel of Brazilian football. He moved to Milan and was doing very well but then injuries came along and unfortunately he really suffered with them.

"Now he has another chance to prove his quality at Chelsea and get back to his best."Zico was also full of praise for Chelsea winger Willian, who has scored twice in his last three games for the club.

"Willian is having an amazing season and is getting better all the time. It's great for the Brazilian people to see our players do well and enjoying success abroad and, of course, it also benefits the national team," he added.

 

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Alexis: Thanks to Barca, but Arsenal is my home, my family

Alexis Sanchez has thanked Barcelona ahead of Arsenal's clash against the Camp Nou outfit on Tuesday but insists he is happy in north London.

The Chilean will face his former team for the first time in the Champions League when Luis Enrique's side take on the Gunners in the first leg of their last-16 clash at the Emirates.

Alexis spent three seasons with the Catalan giants before signing for Arsene Wenger's side in 2014, where he has become an integral player and he admits to being completely happy in north London.

He wrote on his Instagram: "I want to thank FCB, the doctors and the physiotherapists who cared for me during my stay in Barcelona and especially the players with whom I shared beautiful moments.

"But life carries on and my present is with Arsenal, my home, my family and I'm so happy to be a Gunner."

 

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Van Gaal JOKES about Man Utd future: I could be sacked!


Louis van Gaal has joked about the ongoing speculation surrounding his future as Manchester United manager.

The struggling Premier League giants reached the FA Cup quarter-finals after beating League One outfit Shrewsbury Town 3-0 on Monday amid ever-growing reports of Jose Mourinho being lined up to take over.

Van Gaal has previously reacted angrily to questions regarding his future, accusing journalists of "inventing a story" earlier on February, but was far more patient when a fan wished him well at Greenhous Meadow.
"Good luck for the rest of the season, Louis," a young fan waiting for an autograph said.

"Yeah, we need it," Van Gaal replied. "Otherwise I shall be sacked."

Reports claimed Van Gaal was to be dismissed should United have been eliminated from the FA Cup and now the Dutchman must overturn last week's embarrassing loss to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Meanwhile, Mourinho is rumoured to have made a 'gentleman's agreement' to take over at Old Trafford with vice-chairman Ed Woodward having contacted the former Chelsea manager after the last-32 first-leg loss.

 

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Beckham: Van Gaal should be judged at the end of the season

Manchester United legend David Beckham has given Louis van Gaal his backing and insisted he only hears good things about the Dutchman.

Van Gaal's position has come under fire following United's Champions League elimination and their disappointing performances in the Premier League this season.

A 1-0 defeat to Midtjylland in the Europa League did little to help Van Gaal's cause, but Beckham continues to back the former Netherlands coach and has stressed it's not easy to be the man in charge at Old Trafford.

"Van Gaal is an experienced manager with a great reputation in the game. Sometimes it takes time. It is not easy being manager of Manchester United," Beckham told talkSPORT.

"We have to look at results, we have to look at the way we play, we have to listen to fans - the people that really matter at the club - and I only hear great things about him as a person, as a manager, as a coach.

"I have met him once before and he treated me unbelievably well. He is manager of Manchester United so there is always going to be criticism, but at the end of the season let's see what happens."

Beckham has admitted he finds it hard to see United going through a difficult period, but he believes it was inevitable they would struggle following the departure of manager Alex Ferguson and players such as Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

"As a United fan, I always hoped we wouldn't go through a slump, but it was inevitable. When the manager left that was always going to be a massive thing, but you also lost players like Keaney, like Scholesy, and Giggsy has stopped playing. You have lost such great characters through the team," he added."We have had so much success over the last 20 years that if we don't win something for one season or two seasons people talk about it being a crisis.

"United is United. It doesn't matter if you love them or hate them, they are one of the biggest, if not the biggest, club in the world and you have to keep that reputation. The only way you can keep that reputation is by winning trophies."

 

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‘Bayern are favourites to win the Champions League’

Former Barcelona full-back Jon Andoni Goikoetxea believes Bayern Munich will offer his side the greatest test in the Champions League as they both prepare to play the first leg of their last-16 ties.

Barcelona head to London to face Arsenal on Tuesday, while Bayern will tackle Juventus in Turin on the same night.

Goikoetxea achieved recognition playing for Johan Cruyff's ‘Dream Team’ in the early 90s and made 36 appearances for Spain, winning the European Cup and four La Liga titles in the process.

Pep Guardiola was a team-mate of his, and he has backed the Catalan boss to taste more European success with Bayern.

“The greatest rival for Barcelona is Bayern Munich, even if Real Madrid can never be discounted,” he told Goal. “They always appear at the big moments and you never know with them.

“But I believe Bayern are Barca’s true rivals.”

Asked to consider his former role and how it would be adapted to today’s Barcelona, he replied: “Today it is a very important role for Barcelona, who need solid players because of the way the team dominates the game. The full-backs need to open up the pitch to make it easier to retain possession. They could even make the difference against Arsenal.

“Dani Alves and Aleix Vidal move about a great deal on the pitch. Vidal can run as much as he wants. Sergi Roberto is a player who could play right-back in the Dream Team. He is very useful in home games, where there is less reliance on defensive solidarity.”

 

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UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg Fixtures 2016.02.23

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg Fixtures 2016.02.23

Arsenal Vs Barcelona

Juventus Vs Bayern

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Pattama matches 2kak ada thiyenne!​

 

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Celtic fined €13,000 by Uefa

Celtic have been fined €13,000 by Uefa after fan trouble and a series of bookings in their Europa League clash against Fenerbahce in December.

The Scottish champions were charged with setting off fireworks as well as improper conduct of their players after five picked up yellow cards in the 1-1 draw at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

Celtic were disciplined by Uefa for crowd trouble against Dinamo Zagreb last season, and were also punished by European football's govering body after their supporters let off flares against Inter.

Celtic finished bottom of Group A after failing to win any of their six matches.

 

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Coquelin warns Barcelona: I'm ready for Iniesta

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin is relishing the prospect of facing Andres Iniesta when his side meet Barcelona in the Champions League last-16.

Coquelin was rested for the FA Cup draw with Hull City on Saturday but is expected to return to the starting line-up against the European champions at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old admitted it is a daunting task to play against Spain's World Cup-winning midfielder but is excited to prove his worth against Luis Enrique's side.

"He is a player I really like," he told Arsenal Player. "Every player they have got is almost the best in every position. Playing Iniesta is going to be tough, but I'm ready for it and I'm looking forward to it.

"Any player wants to play players at this level and I'm ready for it if I'm involved. Everyone wants to play these types of games. We are really looking forward to it."

Barca are favourites to progress to the quarter-finals but Coquelin hopes the Gunners take some belief from their victory over Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich during the group stage.

"Barcelona are probably the best team in the world at the moment. We are obviously looking forward to it even if it is really tough. Hopefully we can do something against such a massive team," he said."Everyone needs to be at 100 per cent and I don't think we need to play with fear. We need to be ready and believe we can do something.

"If we have that belief, we can do great things. We showed that in the past against Bayern Munich a few months ago. Not many people said we could win this game and we showed we can compete with great teams as well."

 

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Coman: I can exploit my potential better at Bayern

Kingsley Coman believes he can "exploit his potential better" at Bayern Munich ahead of his return to Juventus on Tuesday.

Coman is still a Juve player but joined Bayern last summer on a two-year loan deal - with an option to make the move permanent in 2017 - and has thrived in the Bundesliga under Pep Guardiola.

The 19-year-old attacker was a bit-part figure at Juventus Stadium prior to his move to Bavaria and feels his introduction to regular first-team football has unlocked his potential.

He told the Bundesliga's official website: "I really learned a lot [at Juve], especially in terms of tactics. On top of that, I got to train with world stars like [Carlos] Tevez, [Paul] Pogba and Gianluigi Buffon.

"But I'm happy to be at FC Bayern. The team's attacking style suits me a lot better and I feel like I'm trusted a lot more than I was last season. I think I can exploit my potential better here."

Bayern go into the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League tie in Turin with a host of defensive absentees, including Jerome Boateng, Holger Badstuber and Javi Martinez.

It has not been an issue in the Bundesliga, in which they are unbeaten in seven games as they cruise towards another title, and Coman is optimistic a makeshift backline will also cope on Tuesday, adding: "We have to stay compact and be structured in our play.

"Against Augsburg, Joshua [Kimmich] and David [Alaba] did a very good job in defence, and against Darmstadt we were also very solid. We’ll need to help them out as much as we can, but I’m confident we can get a positive result in Turin."

Juventus boast an array of attacking options with Paulo Dybala, Alvaro Morata, Paul Pogba and Mario Mandzukic at the disposal of coach Massimiliano Allegri but Coman thinks the Bianconeri's real strength lies at the back.

He said: "I actually think their defence is their biggest strength. But they have huge potential in attack as well, and their midfield of Paul Pogba, Sami Khedira and Juan Cuadrado is also very unpredictable."

 

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Bender agrees Dortmund extension

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender has agreed a contract extension to keep him with the Bundesliga club until 2021.
The 26-year-old Germany international arrived from 1860 Munich in 2009 and was due to see his previous contract expire at the end of next season.

However, the two-time Bundesliga winner has now followed goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller in agreeing an extension.

"I want to thank Hans-Joachim Watzke, Michael Zorc and Thomas Tuchel for the trust they have placed in me," Bender told the club's official website.

"We have brought some very good discussions to a conclusion. I am extremely happy to be wearing the black and yellow jersey into the future.

"I would be glad if some of my other teammates would therefore follow in the coming weeks."

 

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'Messi & Ronaldo could move to MLS' - Lampard

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could both move to MLS in the future, according to New York City midfielder Frank Lampard.

Chelsea legend Lampard followed in the footsteps of former England team-mate Steven Gerrard, 2007 Ballon d'Or winner Kaka and iconic Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo as he left Manchester City to head stateside last year.

Both Ronaldo and Messi continue to break records with their goalscoring exploits in La Liga - the pair have scored 61 goals between them thus far this season, in a total of 63 games - but Lampard believes the pair could soon swap Spain for the United States.

"I think Messi and Ronaldo moving to MLS is a real possibility," Lampard told CNN Sport.

"I think they'll want to, and I think they'll be embraced if they came here.

"Cristiano, particularly, I could see playing in America. I think the lifestyle would suit him. He's a showman and a great player."

Gerrard, now at LA Galaxy, has echoed Lampard's thoughts, while Kaka also believes that US fans could soon "have the joy of seeing Messi and Ronaldo playing here".

"I hope they will come to MLS. I'd certainly recommend it, not just to those two but to players around the world," said the former Liverpool and England captain.

"I'm sure they'll enjoy the life on and off the pitch because America's a super country to come and work in and enjoy.

"I know from playing with players in the English dressing rooms at home that everybody is talking about MLS now. Maybe five or 10 years ago it wasn't on the radar so much, but it is now, and I'm talking about big players."

Kaka added: "I think one day, probably, they're going to come to join MLS.

"I know that depends on a lot of things. But both already said that they wanted to play here, they like the possibility to live in America."

 

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I know when to shut up - Zidane explains key to Real Madrid success

Zinedine Zidane believes knowing when to stay silent is the key to getting the best out of his Real Madrid players.

Madrid are unbeaten in the eight matches played since the former France international succeeded Rafael Benitez as head coach at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Multiple stars including Cristiano Ronaldo have since stated that the squad felt they had a better sense of understanding with Zidane than they enjoyed under Benitez.

And the Frenchman has underlined the trait that has enabled him to be an expert in motivating the biggest names in his squad.

"As a coach I think I know what the players need, the moments in which they require you to be present," he told GQ.

"Simply being next to them can be enough and you don't have to say too many words on certain problems."Sometimes, communicating well is knowing when to shut up. And that's something I do well.

"I know what I want. It's difficult, but I'm capable of getting it."Despite Zidane's success since taking over, Madrid head into Saturday's derby with city and title rivals Atletico Madrid trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by nine points.

 

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Pepsi: Blue Card | Pepsi

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