..::Football III::..

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No Van Gaal agenda, says Scholes

Paul Scholes has sternly denied that his regular criticism of Manchester United is borne out of a personal issue with manager Louis van Gaal.Old Trafford legend Scholes has been scathing of the current crop of United players on several occasions in his role as a TV analyst.

Scholes blasted United's "shambolic" performance after last week's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in the Europa League, with Van Gaal subsequently taking umbrage with reporters who asked the United manager's opinion on criticism from Scholes and another former Red, Rio Ferdinand.

When asked by United We Stand if he held an agenda against Van Gaal, Scholes responded: "What a load of b******s. What I've always done is nothing more than say what I think I've seen on a football pitch, whether that's been good or bad."The thing with Van Gaal is that everything he has read and everything I say that gets printed, is only the negative stuff.

"There are times when I have tried to be positive. The best example I can think of was PSV away when we got beaten and didn't play great but I felt that I could see something happening in the United way.

"By that I mean we had two wingers in - I think - Ashley Young and Memphis.
"But when only my negative comments are picked on, it looks worse than it actually is."It's not the regime I've had a go at, I've criticised the style of play."

 

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'Arsenal are a small team - they don't look like title winners'

Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has called Arsenal a “small team” and believes Arsene Wenger’s side do not look like title challengers.

The Gunners crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat at home to Watford, and unless an unlikely turnaround occurs against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday, Wenger’s men will need to win the Premier League to avoid ending the season without a trophy.

“It is the best time to play Arsenal and we came to the match very confident,” Tottenham’s former goalkeeper told ESPN Brasil.

“When you see Arsenal playing against big teams, they look like a small team. They don’t look like winning a title soon.

“We knew once we had the ball we’d be able to pass it around since Arsenal gives you too much space. They are not strong defensively.”

 

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Rooney: I'll be fit for Euros and top-four push

Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney is convinced he can regain full fitness in time for both his club's top-four push in the Premier League and for his country's Euro 2016 campaign in the summer.

The 30-year-old has been forced to sit on the sidelines for the past eight matches after injuring a knee ligament during United's 2-1 loss to Sunderland in February, a run which has seen Louis van Gaal's side suffer losses to Liverpool, West Brom and Danish side FC Midtjylland.

Rooney is also set to miss the second leg of United's tie against Liverpool on Thursday as well as the upcoming international break, but is confident it won't be too long before he's back on the pitch.

“It is going as planned. It is going how we first thought. It is going well so hopefully it won't be too long now,” he said.

“I don't know for definite but it could be after the international break, obviously I will miss the England games, but it shouldn't be too long after that.
“It is not too bad. We are being a bit cautious. It is a difficult one to try and push. If I try and push and be involved now it could cause more damage. So we are being cautious. After the international break is a more realistic target.”

Rooney has suffered injury problems in the lead up to major international tournaments in the past, most notably ahead of the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, while also breaking his ankle during the 2004 European Championships.

However the striker is certain that there are enough games ahead for him to regain peak fitness ahead of Euro 2016.

“I am hoping if I am back when I am expected to be back, depending on the two cups we are still in, then there could be 10 games left for United plus the England friendly games so I don’t think that would be a worry.”

 

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Man Utd or West Ham to face Everton in FA Cup semi-finals

Manchester United or West Ham will face Everton in the FA Cup semi-finals, with Crystal Palace taking on Watford.

The Red Devils rescued a 1-1 draw against the Hammers at Old Trafford on Sunday and will look to claim their place in the last four in the replay at Upton Park.

If they can get past Slaven Bilic's team, who have not lost since August at home in any competition, they will face Everton, who beat Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

Watford's reward for beating Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium is a clash against Crystal Palace, who saw off Reading away from home on Friday night.

The two sides are separated by just one place in the Premier League table, with the newly promoted Hornets sitting four points above Alan Pardew's team.

Both ties will be played at Wembley on April 23 and 24.

FA Cup semi-final draw:

Crystal Palace v Watford
Everton v West Ham or Man Utd

 

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Leicester City 1-0 Newcastle United: Foxes continue march to title at Rafa's expense

Rafa Benitez received a taste of the challenge he faces in keeping Newcastle United in the Premier League, as the Magpies were beaten 1-0 by title chasers Leicester City.

Shinji Okazaki's excellent finish midway through the first half lit up an otherwise quiet affair at the King Power Stadium as Claudio Ranieri's men re-established a five-point lead over Tottenham at the top of the table.

Leicester have won six of their last eight league games and show no sign of buckling under the pressure, with only eight more matches left to negotiate as their remarkable bid for the title goes on.

Newcastle, who were more steady in defence but lacked an attacking punch, remain 19th in the table and have now suffered defeat in six of their last seven league outings.

After defeat in his debut match, Benitez's attention immediately turns to a pivotal derby against neighbours and fellow strugglers Sunderland on Sunday, a match that could go a long way to determining the fate of the north-east rivals.

Leicester, meanwhile, are now guaranteed to be top of the pile come the beginning of April and will hope to continue Crystal Palace's woeful Premier League form at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Benitez, who made two changes in his first selection, saw the visitors make a solid start with Ayoze Perez and Moussa Sissoko both off target with early efforts, but it was unchanged Leicester who took the lead on 25 minutes.

Newcastle did not take two chances to clear their lines from a Riyad Mahrez free-kick and Marc Albrighton's follow-up cross, allowing Jamie Vardy to head back across the face of goal, with Okazaki's acrobatic effort doing the rest from just outside the six-yard box.

Albrighton almost doubled the advantage when he collected Vardy's pass and charged towards goal before curling a shot just wide from the edge of the area.
Benitez brought on Andros Townsend early in the second half and Perez lashed an effort against the side netting, but neither goalkeeper was overly tested throughout the contest.

Siem de Jong and Seydou Doumbia were also introduced, but Newcastle were struggling to make an impression with Leicester content to hold on to their one-goal lead - earned from their only shot on target - and attempt to threaten on the counter-attack.

After latching on to Townsend's cross, Sissoko had a volley blocked by the arm of Wes Morgan from close range in the final stages, but referee Craig Pawson was unmoved as Benitez's reign began with a defeat and Leicester kept their title push on course.

 

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'Arsenal interested in Roma starlet Umar Sadiq'

Arsenal are interested in signing Roma striker Sadiq Umar, according to the player’s agent.

The 19-year-old Nigerian is currently on loan from Spezia, but Roma have the option to purchase the 6’6” forward for €2.5 million.

Umar has scored five goals in nine Uefa Youth League games this term and was given his first-team debut in November.

“Yes, there is interest from Arsenal but at this moment nothing is done,” Mohammed Lawal, Umar’s agent, told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“Contact was made with Roma so we will see where it takes us in the next few days/weeks.”

 

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Simeone hopeful Griezmann can keep up goalscoring form

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone urged Antoine Griezmann to continue inspiring his team ahead of their meeting with PSV.

The France international has scored in four consecutive La Liga games, keeping Atletico second in the table, and has netted 23 times in all competitions this term.
Atletico are well-placed to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, having claimed a 0-0 draw at PSV in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Ahead of Tuesday's second leg, Simeone was hopeful Griezmann would continue leading Atletico.

"I hope Griezmann keeps responding in terms of what the team ask of him," he told a news conference."I am convinced that the team makes all of the players better."

 

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Ranieri: Premier League title race still wide open

Claudio Ranieri insists the Premier League title race is still wide open despite Leicester City restoring their five-point advantage at the top with a 1-0 home win over Newcastle United on Monday.Striker Shinji Okazaki netted with a magnificent first-half overhead kick to seal victory for the Foxes in Rafael Benitez's first match in charge of Newcastle.

The win - Leicester's sixth in their last eight games - puts them five points clear of closest rivals Tottenham, while Arsenal and Manchester City are 11 and 12 points respectively behind the leaders with one game in hand.

With only eight matches left to play, Leicester are in pole position to go all the way, but Ranieri feels a number of sides are still in with a chance of topping the standings.Asked if it was now a two-horse race between his team and Tottenham, Ranieri said to BBC Sport: "No, the race is open.

"We are fighting for Europe and then maybe with four or five matches left, maybe we are fighting for the Champions League. "I feel now that we are so strong, but we think only one game at a time. Step by step, that is our philosophy. I want to fight every match.

"I am just concentrating on the next game against Crystal Palace - another tough match. Our concentration is important. We will go to battle there."

Leicester did not produce a shot on target other than their goal against Newcastle, but Ranieri claims he was never worried about holding on to the result."No, I wasn't nervous second half," he said. "It was much better in the second half because the team was so close, so compact.

"In the first half we conceded too many dangerous actions, but in the second we were more concentrated, won the first and second balls unlike before."I was sure it would be this kind of match. Their players showed Rafa their attitude and the Newcastle players are very, very good. I am sure that at the end they will be safe.

"The first match after a change is always like this. Everyone wants to show their strength and skill and are very concentrated at what the new manager tells them. For this reason I was waiting for a difficult match.

"It wasn't the best performance from us but we showed fantastic spirit. We defended very well. We played and we fought."

 

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Falcao: Things were 'complicated' at Man Utd

Radamel Falcao says he didn't know where he stood in Manchester United's plans for much of his ill-fated loan spell at Old Trafford.

The Colombia international joined United on loan from Monaco in September 2014, but the club did not make the move permanent after he scored just four times in 26 Premier League appearances, 14 of which were starts.

Falcao, 30, has since joined Chelsea on loan for 2015-16 and had even fewer opportunities with the champions - only nine league outings and one start - due to injury problems.

Reflecting on his time with the Red Devils, though, the striker feels he never had the opportunity to gain momentum due to being put in and out of the team by Louis van Gaal.

Falcao told El Tiempo: "It was complicated in Manchester. Everyone saw how there were situations which created instability, since I played on some days, not on others.

"It was 60 minutes today, then 45, then 20 - that generates instability and sometimes you don't know where you stand or what the footballing preferences of the coach are.

"It's been difficult. I had been used to playing regularly. After the knee surgery [at Monaco] I went to Manchester United, who were starting a new process after 25 years with the same coach, with a lot of new players and I did not have the opportunity I expected."

However, Falcao insists he did not have any major personal clashes with Van Gaal and found the dressing room atmosphere to be normal and professional.Asked if there were problems with the Dutchman, he said: "No, not at all.

"Yes, we had the usual discussions of a football team, with the same arguments, but it was always with respect and at no moment was there any kind of problem."

 

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Cole: Martial is playing like Vardy

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has praised Anthony Martial and is convinced the young forward has a bright future ahead of him at Old Trafford.

Eyebrows were raised when United made Martial the most expensive teenager in football history last summer but the 19-year-old has proved a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Louis van Gaal's side.

Cole, who won five Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, compared Martial's ability to stretch defences with his speed to Leicester City star Jamie Vardy.

“Anthony has been very good since he arrived,” Cole told United Review. “For such a young man with such a big fee on his head, the way he’s gone about his business has been really, really impressive.

“He’s had a lot to contend with, with the way this season has gone, but he’s slotted in very well, which is testament to him.

“He is the silver lining so far this season. He came for a lot of money and was an unknown, whichever way you look at it, but the way he’s adapted to the Premier League is brilliant.

“What I like about him is that he’s always prepared to have a go at people. What we don’t see a lot of now, and Jamie Vardy has done this extremely well for Leicester, is strikers who run in behind and stretch defences.

“You don’t see that a lot in the Premier League any more, but when Martial plays centrally he can do that. And when he gets in the box, he knows how to finish.

"When he plays on the left also, he’s prepared to pick the ball up, run at people and go in behind people. That’s a massive asset in today’s football.”

Cole sees similarities between Martial and Arsenal and France great Thierry Henry in the way the 20-year-old has featured on the left flank as well as at centre forward.

“His understanding of the game is very good for a young man,” Cole continued. “If you asked Anthony where he wants to play then I think he’d say centre forward.

“I remember playing against Thierry Henry when he was at Monaco. He was on the wing and you’d just say to yourself, ‘that’s not his position,’ but then when he came to Arsenal he was used as a centre-forward or coming off the left, and he just did his thing.

“That’s going to be Martial, definitely.

“He’s got the temperament to do just that. He doesn’t strike me as a kid who’s into the high life. He’s a young man who wants to be the best he can be.

“However, you look at the game now, there are kids in his position who think they’ve already cracked it, but this boy can go all the way to the top, for sure. He’ll have a massive future in the game if he keeps developing.”

 

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Kane hoping to beat Vardy to Golden Boot

Tottenham star Harry Kane is enjoying the race for the Premier League Golden Boot and hopes to edge Jamie Vardy to the award.The two strikers are locked on 19 goals apiece after the former's double against Aston Villa on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Kane said the battle was enjoyable, although Claudio Ranieri's men hold bragging rights with their five-point lead atop the Premier League."It's good fun. It's good competition, to be up there and fighting for the golden boot," he told reporters.

"There's a few people going for it during the run-in. I'm sure Jamie was watching our game and he'll want to go and score a couple."It's good competition - it's what keeps you alive. So we'll see what happens at the end of the season.

"I'll see him [Vardy] if we're called up for the England squad, but I haven't texted him or anything. We're professional players, keeping an eye out for each other."

Kane's breakout season came in 2014-15 as he struck 21 league goals and, despite that, he was still doubted heading into this campaign.

With suggestions he may be a one-season wonder, Kane has answered his critics – and said prolific campaigns were his aim."There was a lot of talk at the start of the season and as I've always said before, the top players in the world find a way to get around it and score season in, season out 20, 30 goals. That's what I want to be," he said.

"I want to be one of the top strikers and I know I have to find ways to score goals other than last season because there is probably more attention than there was last year. I'm very happy to be where I am now."

 

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Marquinhos refuses to rule out PSG exit

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos says he will review his situation at the end of the season as speculation over a transfer to Barcelona grows.

The 21-year-old has struggled to usurp compatriots Thiago Silva and David Luiz and force a regular starting spot at the heart of Laurent Blanc's defence this season, having been used intermittently across the back four in all competitions.

The player's brother and and agent met with Barcelona representatives recently to discuss a move to Camp Nou with Luis Enrique's side having made the Brazilian their top defensive target."My future is in Paris? At the moment, yes. But I can only speak of the present," Marquinhos told Le Parisien.

"For now, I'm in Paris. Everyone knows you have to have a reflection at the end of the season. We'll talk about the objectives of the club and of me personally."Right now, I try to be professional. I try to work to win my place and to have playing time.

"We'll see how the season will finish. Afterwards, there will be a reflection."
Marquinhos has made a total of 31 appearances for the newly-crowned Ligue 1 champions this season.

 

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OFFICIAL: Conte to leave Italy job after Euro 2016

Antonio Conte has confirmed he is to leave his job as Italy manager after Euro 2016.

Goal understands the former Juventus boss is set to take over at Chelsea at the start of next season after holding a series of talks with the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Conte followed up a brief statement from FIGC chief Carlo Tavecchio with a post on Facebook that confirmed he would be departing the Azzurri.

And the 46-year-old insists he remains fully focused on this summer's tournament in France after Italy's World Cup group stage exit in 2014.

"Right now our highest concentration is solely on the European Championships where we will try to make the most of our potential," he said.

"Anyone who knows me knows that my commitment will be total. Then I feel I must go back to coaching a club where training takes place every day."

Conte's announcement is set to pave the way for Chelsea to make their move for the 46-year-old, with the Premier League club looking for a permanent replacement for Jose Mourinho since his departure in December.

Guus Hiddink has been in interim charge at Stamford Bridge since Mourinho's exit, winning eight of his 18 games in charge, but they are out of all cup competitions and languishing in mid-table in the league.

 

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Conte Chelsea thamai​

 

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Lewandowski: Barcelona are favourites for Champions League at the moment


Bayern Munich goal machine Robert Lewandowski does not believe his side are favourites to lift the Champions League, tipping Barcelona as the strongest team in the competition on current form.

The Poland international has scored seven goals in as many matches so far in the European tournament, putting him second behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the list of top scorers for 2015/16.

Ahead of Bayern's last 16 second leg against Juventus, however, Lewandowski admitted that certain key absences in Pep Guardiola's squad kept them from reaching their very best.
"I don't know if we are the big favourites. When all our players are fit I guess you could say so. Right now, we obviously are a bit less," he explained to Goal.

"Barcelona have the top form. But maybe that is a little premature. I can’t say if they will keep their form on this level until the end of the season.

"In the end it doesn't matter who is the favourite, you have to fight in every game to win."

Goals from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben had put Bayern in a commanding position during the first leg in Turin, but Juve fought back to grab a 2-2 draw which keeps their hopes alive for the return.
And the striker is expecting a similar game on Wednesday in the Allianz Arena.

"I guess Juventus will play the same as they did in Turin. They play very defensively, they are patient and they will be waiting for their chance in Munich," he said.

"It would be great if we could score an early goal. Then a second. Juventus would have to open up a bit and then maybe score the next one. That’s the way I imagine (laughs).

"But it won't be that easy against Juventus. It was important we scored twice in Turin. We showed there in the first half that we can cause them real problems when we are focused, especially in defence."

 

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Guardiola 'not allowed' to sign Bayern players for Man City as Alaba nears new deal

Incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will "not be allowed" to sign anybody from Bayern Munich this summer.

A number of Guardiola's most important players at Bayern have been linked with transfers to the Etihad Stadium in recent months, including Thiago Alcantara, Manuel Neuer and David Alaba.

The Bundesliga leaders are thought to be close to agreeing a contract extension with Alaba, whose game has been revolutionised by Guardiola during their time together, and is now regarded as one of the most veratile players in world football.

The Austrian is one of a number of Bundesliga-based left-backs on City's long summer shopping list, alongside Wolfsburg's Ricardo Rodriguez and Schalke's Saed Kolasinac, but the chances of him moving to England now seem remote.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who has previously been scathing of City's emergence on the European football scene, told Bild on Tuesday: "Pep Guadiola never approached David Alaba and he did not try to talk him into a transfer."

Guardiola was pictured meeting City director of football Txiki Begiristain in Amsterdam last week as he plans for life at his next club.

A summer move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was one of the topics of discussion, with the Germany international's uncle and agent, Ilhan, also present at the Conservatorium hotel in the Dutch capital.

Bayern insist they have no problem with Guardiola mapping out his City blueprint while still under contract in Bavaria, although Franz Beckenbauer, the club's honorary chairman, does not expect that to stretch to signing any of their players.

"This is not allowed to happen," he told Bild. "If it was the case, that's not right. But I don't think Guardiola would do that."

He continued: "In my eyes it's difficult - for all involved, both for Bayern and for Pep. There is always new speculation.

"I understand he wants to think about Man City transfers in spring. If he drives to Amsterdam when he has a day off it's no problem, as long as he does not let slide his duties in Munich."

 

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Felipe Anderson rejects talk of Lazio exit

Manchester United target Felipe Anderson has rejected reports suggesting that he is close to a move to the Premier League.

The Lazio forward has long been linked with a move to England after scoring 10 goals in Serie A last season, with United considering launching a £35 million move for the Brazilian in January.

Rumours persist that he could move to Old Trafford, however, but Anderson is in no hurry to leave Rome and is focused on helping Lazio achieve a European place and earning a spot in Brazil's squad for the Olympic Games.

"There's nothing concrete," Anderson told Fox Sports Brazil when asked about a transfer. "The newspapers talk about my possible move to England, but I am a Lazio player and I want to do well here.

"And I know if I play well here I can get the call from the national team, that is my ultimate goal.

"There's great competition for a place at the Olympics, let alone the senior team. We're a competitive country, we have two formidable groups.

"I'm sure that the difficult period we've faced was due to a transition phase. There are very strong players at our disposal."

 

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UEFA Champions League 2nd Leg Fixtures 2016.03.15

UEFA Champions League 2nd Leg Fixtures 2016.03.15​

AGG
(0-0)​

Atletico Madrid Vs PSV

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AGG
(3-1)​

Manchester City Vs Dynamo Kyiv

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No Manchester City offer for Alaba insist Bayern

Manchester City have not made an offer to bring David Alaba to the Premier League, Bayern Munich insist.

Pep Guardiola will depart his role as Bayern head coach to take the reins at the Etihad Stadium next season and speculation has been rife that he is keen to take Alaba with him.However, reports in the German press say Bayern have no plans to let the Austria full-back move to England next season.

And Bayern's press director, Markus Horwick, told the assembled media before Bayern's Champions League second-leg tie against Juventus that the Bundesliga champions have not been approached.Horwick said: "There was no offer from Manchester City for David Alaba."

Forward Franck Ribery spoke of his desire for Alaba to remain at Bayern, adding: "I think every club in the world would like to have David Alaba.

"But he has a feel for Bayern, he is a key player for Bayern. I would be happy if he signs a new contract."For me he is one of the best left-backs in the world."

Alaba has been with Bayern since 2008 and has won four Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals and the Champions League during his time at the Allianz Arena.
The 23-year-old, who can also play in central defence, has made 22 league appearances this term, scoring one goal.

 

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Ter Stegen: Like Messi, Ozil can do the unimaginable

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has compared Mesut Ozil with Lionel Messi due to his ability to do the "unimaginable".

Having been criticised for his inconsistency in the past, Ozil has enjoyed his finest season to date with Arsenal, registering seven goals and 19 assists in all competitions.

And Germany team-mate Ter Stegen says Barca will have to be wary of the threat posed by the former Real Madrid man when they host the Gunners in the Champions League last-16 second leg on Wednesday."As a player, he can do unimaginable things, just like Messi," he told reporters. "He's exciting, I've played with him two or three times and he's a very significant player for the German national team.

"We'll need to be alert tomorrow to make sure he doesn't harm us."It'll be a very difficult game tomorrow because we got a good result in the first leg, but that doesn't mean we're in the quarter-finals.

"We have to win tomorrow. Of course they are capable [of a comeback], they are one of the best teams in Europe. We have to win as we do any other game."Two goals from Messi secured a 2-0 win for Barca in the first leg at Emirates Stadium.