..::Football III::..

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Higuain and Cavani lead Conte's Chelsea wishlist

Antonio Conte is drawing up his Chelsea summer wishlist and has made Gonzalo Higuain and Edinson Cavani his top targets to bolster the Blues' attack.Conte is set to take over at Stamford Bridge in July having announced his intention to step down as Italy coach after Euro 2016.

Sources close to Conte have told Goal that Napoli’s Higuain is top of his list of potential strikers for next season - and the Argentine would be signed to join current star forward Diego Costa, not to replace him.

Chelsea face a battle to land Higuain as he is happy at Napoli and wants to play Champions League football next season.

The former Real Madrid star is currently focused on emulating Diego Maradona by leading Napoli to their first Scudetto in 25 years.

Maurizio Sarri's side are currently second and three points adrift of Juventus. Higuain, who has scored 29 goals in 30 games in Serie A, is also determined to claim the Italian championship's goalscoring crown.

Cavani, meanwhile, is understood to favour staying at Paris Saint-Germain despite falling down the pecking order at Parc des Princes.

He could be persuaded to move, however, as the Uruguayan fell out with senior PSG players as well as manager Laurent Blanc after leaving for a winter break.

Since then, Cavani has lost his place in the side to Lucas Moura and Angel Di Maria, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the line.

Conte is understood to be keen on adding depth to the Chelsea squad, with Loic Remy, Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato having had minimal impact this season, to allow him to play his preferred formation - with two strikers. Both Falcao and Pato are likely to leave in the summer and Remy’s future is also likely to lie away from Stamford Bridge.

The current Azzurri manager is also understood to be keen to bolster his midfield options with the likes of Bayern Munich's Arturo Vidal and Roma's Radja Nainggolan on his radar.

 

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Martinez: Everton can compete financially with any club in world football

Everton do not fear losing Romelu Lukaku and can compete financially with any club in world football, according to manager Roberto Martinez.

Lukaku fuelled talk of a move away from Goodison Park last week when he expressed a desire to play Champions League football next season, following comments from the Belgium striker's father linking him with Manchester United and Bayern Munich.However, Martinez insists record signing Lukaku, who has scored 25 goals in all competitions this season, can achieve his ambitions on Merseyside.

"It [Lukaku's comments] is not unsettling at all because that should be the aspiration of everyone, wanting to be as good as you can and trying to aspire to reach the best competitions," Martinez said."At Everton we've got that aspiration. We want to be in the Champions League, I've said it openly for a long time.

"We want to be competing to win titles. We've just been in the semi-finals of the League Cup and marginally we got knocked out against the eventual winners [Manchester City].

"Now we are in another semi-final of the FA Cup. We want to be in those sorts of situations. We want to create a real good, positive momentum and the players need to be part of that.

"But clearly we're relying on the performances of the players. We need ambitious players and we need players who can carry the expectations of our football club."
And following former Arsenal billionaire shareholder Farhad Moshiri buying a 49.9% stake in Everton, Martinez believes the club don't need to sell because they can now rival any team financially.

"We shouldn't be afraid about losing players because we are in a position where financially we can compete against anyone in world football at this present time," he added. "Things have changed radically in that respect.

"It's not about talking about an issue, it's the example of the last six windows that we've had. All we're doing is, from window to window, becoming stronger and making a more talented squad, putting together a group of players that can take us to where we want to get. And that's what we're going to carry on doing."But at the moment it's the wrong time and pointless to talk about individual situations."

 

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Diego Costa fined and suspended by FA

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been handed a fine and an additional suspension in relation to his conduct in the FA Cup against Everton on March 12.

Costa's latest suspension, a further one-match ban, will come into play immediately following his current ban and means he will miss Chelsea's trip to Swansea as well as Saturday's clash against Aston Villa.

The charge relates to Costa's angry protests to referee Michael Oliver and refusal to leave the pitch following his red card.

"Chelsea's Diego Costa has been given a one-match suspension, fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct," read an FA statement.

"The forward admitted a charge of improper conduct in relation to his behaviour after he was shown a second yellow card in The FA Cup Sixth Round tie on 12 March 2016 at Goodison Park.

"This suspension will follow immediately on the conclusion of the player's current ban."

 

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Pato could feature for experimental Chelsea, says Hiddink

Alexandre Pato could be set to make his long-awaited Chelsea debut with boss Guus Hiddink acknowledging he has the chance to experiment in the final games of the season.

Former AC Milan star Pato has failed to make a senior appearance since joining Chelsea on loan from Corinthians in January – a move it was hoped would help to revive the 26-year-old Brazil international's ailing career.

Chelsea are out of the Champions League and FA Cup and travel to bottom club Aston Villa on Saturday lying 10th in England's top flight.Diego Costa is back in training but suspended for the match, while playmaker Eden Hazard remains sidelined with his troublesome hip problem.

It means Pato could come into contention at Villa Park, although the emergence of youngster Bertrand Traore under Hiddink and the return to fitness of Loic Remy could complicate the issue.

Hiddink explained: "Whether he will be actively involved we will see tomorrow but we have now eight games coming up and there's not much to win, to be honest, for Chelsea anymore.

"I don't give any player a guarantee but there might be some time for experiments.He has worked very hard in the international break, along with the other strikers.

"When I started we had just Diego [as a striker] and that was one of the reasons that Pato was coming on loan but, meanwhile, there was development for Traore, who progressed rather fast."Remy is coming back after injury and I try to make fair judgements as well. We have eight games to go and there might be some options."

Hiddink reported high spirits on the training field at Chelsea's Cobham base although the veteran Dutchman added he would rather endure the headache of trying to freshen up his squad for crunch matches every three or four days.

"I would have preferred to be very committed and breaking my head about how to get the players fresh every three days, which would have meant we were in the FA Cup and Champions League as well," he said.

"It is nice to work on a daily basis on the pitch with the players. But to be honest I would have liked to be breaking my mind on who to play and how to play. It's not>

 

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Guardiola: I want what's best for Gotze

Pep Guardiola has stressed that he wants the best for Mario Gotze and is adamant the Germany international can still succeed at Bayern Munich.

Gotze has been struggling to live up to high expectations since joining Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in 2013 and has been heavily linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena in recent months, with Dortmund and Liverpool believed to be interested in signing him.The 23-year-old impressed in Germany's win over Italy last month and will be hopeful of starting for Bayern in Saturday's match against Eintracht Frankfurt.

"I have a lot of respect for Mario and for his career so far," Guardiola said at a news conference. "Of course I know what he can do. My opinion about him does not change because of one good or bad game.

"Mario can play in any formation, I could have played him in the match versus Cologne, but I preferred to play more midfielders."I want the best for Mario. He can still succeed at Bayern. And he is a great guy. He deserves the best.

"Mario is one of the most professional players I have ever met in my career. I have never spoken badly about him, because he never gives me any reason to do so. He is hugely professional."Eintracht recently appointed Niko Kovac as their new coach and Guardiola believes that change at the helm makes them a tricky opponent.

"A new coach always means new enthusiasm and new ideas. Eintracht put in a very aggressive performance against Hannover," Guardiola added."I don't know yet whether I will play with three, four or five defenders. I expect Eintracht to play similar to what Mainz and Darmstadt did against us.

"The best team will play. We cannot afford to slow down. We have a strong rival behind us in the race for the title. Dortmund are capable of winning all remaining games. But we are a win and a draw ahead of them."

 

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Di Maria: I left Manchester United to win titles

Angel Di Maria has criticised Louis van Gaal for playing him in the wrong position at Manchester United and says he left the club for Paris Saint-Germain to win titles.

The Argentina international spent one underwhelming season at Old Trafford after a British record transfer from Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old has since become a key player at PSG, playing a big part in helping them already win Ligue 1 this season while they are also in contention for the Champions League.

And Di Maria blames Van Gaal for his failed spell in the Premier League, insisting that nothing has changed at the club since his departure.

"It's not nice to say certain things, but it's more that they didn't let me settle properly than I couldn't settle," he told BBC. "I left and that team are still playing the same way. Out of the European competitions, far from being champions of the Premier League.

"I don't think it was my fault or the fault of my team mates. Every time I was given the opportunity, I did all I could but it didn't work out as I hoped.

"So I decided to leave, not only to be happy but to win things. I started a game in one position then the next game in another. I scored goals playing in one position, then suddenly the next game I was picked to play in a different position.
"I think this also didn't help me settle. It's up to the manager to decide where and how every player should play, but I think that the player should be comfortable in that position and adapt to it."

Di Maria is happy with life at PSG, admitting that he has felt comfortable playing under coach Laurent Blanc from the beginning.
"That is what I'm doing here at PSG and I'm very thankful to the coach for it. From the beginning he was clear where he wanted to play me and has never changed his mind,” added Di Maria.


"He gave me total freedom to move where I needed to move. I'm very happy here and it wasn't the case over there."

 

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Madrid are the best team in the world, insists Ramos

Sergio Ramos insists Real Madrid are still "the best team in the world" as they prepare to face rivals Barcelona on Saturday.Madrid head into the fixture at Camp Nou 10 points behind their league-leading opponents in the standings with only eight games of the campaign remaining.

Barcelona are closing in on a third Spanish title in the last four years, while they are also the champions of Europe after beating Juventus in last season's Champions League final.

However, while Ramos admits Luis Enrique's side have been "the best in almost all competitions" recently, he still believes Madrid sit on top of the pile ahead of the season's second Clasico.

"These type of games have always been very special, especially given what they involve and the media reaction they have," the defender told Bwin.

"At the end of the day, we're the best team in the world playing against another team who in recent years have also been the best in nearly every competition.
"This rivalry has intensified and in the Clasico you notice it even more.

"The most important thing is that the team plays a good game and, obviously, wins."If Madrid are to avenge the humiliating 4-0 home defeat in the reverse fixture, they are likely to need a big performance from goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Ramos has praised the Costa Rican - who joined the club from Levante in August 2014 - for the way he has helped fill the void left by the departure of club legend Iker Casillas."When you see everything from the back it sets you apart from the rest. Keylor has adapted very well," the Spain international added.

"After having succeeded someone who has been a legend like Iker at Real Madrid and it was a difficult task, but the truth is we are very happy with Keylor's performance and we will try to continue with this feeling of security."

 

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Pellegrini: Don't judge City's season just yet

Manuel Pellegrini is disappointed by Manchester City's collapse in form but insists it is too soon to label their season a failure.

Home defeats to title-chasing Leicester City and Tottenham in February began a sequence of one win in six Premier League matches to all but end City's hopes of a third English title in five seasons.

Amid this slump, Pellegrini's men overcame Dynamo Kiev to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time and won the League Cup thanks to a penalty shootout victory over Liverpool.

Despite a dispiriting 1-0 derby loss to Manchester United before the international break that leaves City's top-four place in jeopardy, Pellegrini believes his men still have plenty to play for at home and abroad heading into Saturday's match at AFC Bournemouth.

"We're disappointed because one month ago we were involved in all the competitions, just three points behind the leaders," the Chilean told a pre-match news conference."We have to play another eight games – it's not in this moment a bad season, we won a title, we're still in the Champions League.

"We were forced to leave the FA Cup [Pellegrini selected a weakened team for a 5-1 fifth-round loss to Chelsea] because we had so many games and unfortunately we had a bad performance in the last game. It's not the time to analyse the season.

"It's not just United and West Ham [challenging for the top four]. Liverpool have two games less. Southampton… when you have 24 to 27 points to play for, I think that a lot of things can happen.

"All the teams are involved and have a mathematical chance and that’s also the case with teams in front of us."It's my mentality - we take each game as it comes and try to finish as high up the table as we can."

Bournemouth are one of the division's form sides, with their return of 28 points since December 1 only bettered by Leicester and Tottenham during the same period.

Pellegrini believes Eddie Howe's men have benefitted from trusting their attacking instincts following a 5-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season."Bournemouth have made a good season," he added. "From the beginning they were a team that played very well.

"Maybe in the first few games there were doubts about the way they should play but since they've returned to the way they played to get promoted."

 

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Van Gaal admits 'expectation is not so good' for injured Schweinsteiger

Louis van Gaal admits it will be "difficult" for Bastian Schweinsteiger to be fit for Euro 2016 after the Germany captain suffered a knee injury while away on international duty.

The Manchester United midfielder sustained a partial ligament tear in his right knee when training with the national team in preparation for last Saturday’s friendly against England in Berlin.With only eight Premier League games remaining, Schweinsteiger faces a race against time to return to action for his club before the end of the season.

The 31-year-old could also miss out on leading his country at the European Championship in France, with Germany kicking off their Group C campaign against Ukraine on June 12.

"It is a tragic injury because the expectation is not so good for him in respect of the European Championships, but you never know," Van Gaal told MUTV."I hope that he can reach that, but it shall be difficult."You can never say anything about that [missing the rest of the season] because he's started his rehabilitation. You have to wait and see."

Van Gaal was able to give a more positive update on the fitness of Wayne Rooney.The England forward, who suffered a similar injury to Schweinsteiger back in February, is "doing great" according to his boss, with the plan for him to play for Manchester United's Under-21 side before making a first-team comeback.

There was also further good news over three other players in the squad - Ander Herrera, Ashley Young and long-term absentee Luke Shaw, who has been out since suffering a double fracture to his right leg in September.

"Ander Herrera and Ashley Young are coming back. Young and Adnan Januzaj played with the reserves in a match on the Friday of the international break. Luke Shaw will be back on the training pitch on Monday with the physio," the Dutchman added.

 

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Get well soon Schwini!​

 

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Luis Enrique: Messi's 499 goals from another galaxy

Luis Enrique has hailed Lionel Messi's otherworldly statistics ahead of Barcelona's La Liga encounter with Real Madrid as the Argentinian stands on the verge of scoring his 500th goal at professional level.

Messi has netted 449 goals for Barcelona, while adding an additional 50 for Argentina and could hit the 500-mark at Camp Nou on Saturday.

Luis Enrique is adamant the 28-year-old's statistics are unique and feels other players would struggle to match him even if they counted their goals on the training ground."Messi being on the verge of his 500th goal at professional level is something from another galaxy," Luis Enrique said at a media conference.

"Normal players would not even reach that figure if we count our goals in training.
"I've seen the faces of Messi and the other players. They are crazy to play and win the Clasico."

Saturday's Clasico will see two of the world's most prolific attacks go face to face as Barcelona are expected to line up with Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar against Real Madrid's attacking trident of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

However, Luis Enrique has stressed it's not a duel between both attacks as they need their team-mates to shine."It is not a match between MSN and BBC. It is a match between two teams," he added.

"For all that they are doing, the attacking tridents need the support of the rest of the team."It is important that we remain compact throughout the game. And then hopefully Messi, Suarez and Neymar can reach their level."

 

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Atletico Madrid close the door on Gimenez deal with Real

Atletico Madrid will not consider selling Uruguayan defender Jose Maria Gimenez to neighbours Real Madrid, as speculation grows around a multi-million euro bid for the promising star.

Spanish newspaper Marca had claimed that the 21-year-old had become a top target for Zinedine Zidane's men this summer, with the club willing to pay the release fee of €65 million to tempt Atletico into selling to their rivals.

Goal understands, however, that the Colchoneros will not enter into negotiations of any kind over Gimenez, slamming the door shut on Madrid's approaches.

The team coached by Diego Simeone see Gimenez as a vital member of their defence alongside compatriot Diego Godin, a centre-back pairing which is arguably the strongest in Spanish football.

The youngster has become an automatic choice this season and has also attracted interest from several big clubs in Spain and across Europe, but Atletico's answer to enquiries has consistently been a firm no.

Those closest to Gimenez have kept a stony silence as the rumours grew, and Madrid's only available option would be to meet the gargantuan release clause and convince the player himself to move across the Spanish capital.

But the refusal to answer the speculation leaves a big question mark over whether negotiations could prosper, and what kind of bid the Blancos would have to prepare in order to tempt him away from Simeone's squad.

 

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Klopp confident of signing world-class talent

Jurgen Klopp is assured in his ability to attract world-class talent to Liverpool despite the almost certain lack of Champions League football next season.

Klopp is set for a busy off-season as he looks to transform his squad into one suiting his vision, having taken over from Brendan Rodgers in October.

The German manager did not sanction any significant moves during the January transfer window, but will almost certainly oversee an Anfield clear out as he looks to up the calibre of players available to him next season.

"Obviously, not 100 per cent, but maybe 80 per cent we are not in the Champions League next year so if I would speak to a player now and he says, 'if you were playing in the Champions League next year I would be really interested', I would put the phone down from my side," said Klopp.

"I always tell players if when you are 35 or 36 and look back on your career and you think about the one year you didn't play Champions League then you are really a poor boy.

"It is pushing the train, not jumping on the running train. That is what we need here. If somebody says 'you don't play Champions League next year' then goodbye and thank you, have fun next year wherever you will be.

"We will find players or we have players already that will go our way. That is not my way, that is the normal way for a club not playing in the Champions League."
Mario Gotze is one name in particular continuously linked with Anfield.

The 2014 World Cup winner has not enjoyed satisfactory playing time at the Allianz Arena this season and has a good relationship with Klopp having worked with him at Borussia Dortmund.

While the Liverpool manager would not be drawn on speculating on the likelihood of signing Gotze, he said it was hard to lose him to Bayern while at Dortmund."It is easy to know I like Mario Gotze. It was not the best day in my life when I heard he was going to Bayern Munich," Klopp said.

"I have known him since he was 16. That is a long trip but he is still a young player. I know him better than other players, that is right. That is the only difference to all the other players around."I would never say anything about a transfer, whether we are interested or not. It is not important. I speak to you about transfers when they are done and not before.

"It is all rumours, speculation and I have nothing to say about things like this. We can talk two hours about Mario Gotze but it would not change a per cent whether he comes here or goes wherever."

 

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I might not be Manchester United manager next season, admits Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has admitted he might not be manager of Manchester United next season.

The Dutchman has come under severe pressure this term, with the Red Devils unlikely to improve on last season's fourth-place finish.

United could even finish outside the Champions League places altogether - they are currently sixth with eight matches remaining - and Van Gaal has conceded for the first time he could pay the price with his job.“I think the board has to evaluate after the results of this year, what they have to do," he said.

“I cannot predict that when I do not know the facts. First you have to see the facts, I have always said that.“The results and the titles and Champions League positions you can only say at the end.

“I am a rational person. I know a Manchester United manager has to win something, but I am still working on that.”

Van Gaal has been criticised for failing to get the best out of many of the players at his disposal, with former winger Angel Di Maria recently claiming that he struggled at United because he was played out of position.

But Van Gaal has hit back at the Argentina international, insisting he must take some of the blame for an underwhelming single season at Old Trafford in 2014/15.

"I have never seen a player who doesn’t look at himself [like him].“He looks at the way he performed here and [claims] it is always the fault of the manager.

“So he is one of the players who has no self-criticism. Unfortunately it is my life as a manager. It is always like that.”


United host Everton on Sunday as they continue their challenge for the Champions League places, with fourth-placed Manchester City in action against Bournemouth on Saturday.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2016.04.02 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2016.04.02 Fixtures

Aston Villa Vs Chelsea

Arsenal Vs Watford

Bournemouth Vs Manchester City

Norwich City Vs Newcastle

Stoke City Vs Swansea

Sunderland Vs WBA

West Ham Vs Crystal Palace

Liverpool Vs Tottenham

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LA Liga 2016.04.02 Fixtures

LA Liga 2016.04.02 Fixtures

Atletico Madrid Vs Real Betis

Las Palmas Vs Valencia

Barcelona Vs Real Madrid

Celta Vigo Vs Deportivo​

 

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Serie A 2016.04.02 Fixtures

Serie A 2016.04.02 Fixtures

Carpi Vs Sassuolo

Juventus VS Empoli​

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Real Madrid 2 - 1 Barcelona ​

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One of the best Classicos ever watched! Couner attack at its best!!!

 

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Mancini keen to improve Inter's attacking options with return of Ibrahimovic

Roberto Mancini has thrown Inter's hat into the ring as a potential destination for Zlatan Ibrahimovic next season.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker is expected to leave the French capital when his current contract expires in June, ending a four-year stay that has seen him claim 10 domestic trophies – including four Ligue 1 titles.

A move to the Premier League, Serie A, MLS and even the Chinese Super League have all been suggested, with Arsenal, Manchester United and former club AC Milan having been heavily linked with the Sweden international.

But Mancini would like to see the 34-year-old return to Inter – where he scored 57 goals in 88 appearances from 2006-2009 – although he knows there will be stiff competition for the player's signature.

"His profile is suited to all teams," Mancini told reporters. "So I don't think there's a club out there that wouldn't like him."[But] I am not convinced Ibrahimovic will leave Paris Saint-Germain."

Ibrahimovic would provide a much-needed forward threat for Inter after a campaign that has seen them struggle in front of goal - with only Mauro Icardi currently in double figures.Mancini tried to rectify that problem with the signings of Adem Ljajic, Stevan Jovetic and Eder but they have yet to repay the manager's faith, the latter still waiting for his first Inter goal.

"I don't think Eder was ever a centre-forward who could deliver 25 goals per season, as he has other qualities and works very hard," added Mancini."At times he arrives in front of goal without the necessary sharpness because of fatigue, but he can guarantee 12-15 goals as a second striker.

"It's not easy to play at Inter, you need time to settle. We've got nothing to criticise him for so far, as with three or four goals he would've been perfect. Our evaluation of him doesn't change.

"He was unlucky to arrive in a difficult moment. He had chances to score, but it's not a problem, as he's always got goals in his career. You can't debate his talent."

 

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Dortmund would welcome back Gotze

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke would welcome Mario Gotze back to Signal Iduna Park should the Bayern Munich forward become available.Gotze's future at Bayern has been under speculation after struggling to make the impact many expected at the Allianz Arena.

The 23-year-old controversially left Dortmund for Bayern in July 2013 for a transfer fee of €37million but has been linked with a return to his former club after only eight Bundesliga appearances this season.

"Mario is Bayern's player," Watzke told Bild. "His contract runs until 2017 and I have not heard, neither from the club or him, that they wish to end their collaboration.

"Under the current conditions, this is not a topic for us."[But] for every player who has merits for this club the door remains open, no question about it."

Gotze scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 Fifa World Cup Final, but has only managed one league goal for the German champions this season.