..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Belotti warns Premier League suitors: I'll only join a big club if I'm a starter


Andrea Belotti has warned any clubs that may be interested in signing him that he'll only leave Torino if he's a guaranteed starter.The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with moves for the Italy international, while AC Milan have previously made attempts to sign him.

Regarded as one of Europe's top attacking talents, Belotti has struggeld to replicate the form he achieved last season, when he scored 26 league goals for Torino.

He is, however, likely to again be linked with some of the continent's top clubs when the summer transfer window opens, although the 24-year-old is not interested in joining a big team unless he is promised regular football.

He told RAI: "Many people tell me that I should leave Turin and go to a great team. But I'll only leave Il Toro and go to a big team if there is the possibility to be a starter, I do not want to be on the bench."Now I feel good after having overcome two injuries that have affected my season, there are still lots of games and I want to help Torino."

Belotti also discussed the Italy national team, with the Azzurri, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, facing England in a friendly international on Tuesday."We want to prove that we are still a great team, but it takes time and hard work. We are trying to start now. [interim manager Luigi] Di Biagio has been with us for a week."

On former manager Gian Piero Ventura, Belotti added: "I do not speak with him anymore. The match against Sweden has hurt us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Madrid target Lewandowski '100 per cent' staying at Bayern


Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has rubbished the idea of selling Robert Lewandowski this summer.

The Poland striker has been at Allianz Arena since 2014, scoring 142 goals in 184 games and establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the world in the process.

However, reports have claimed that Real Madrid are interested in securing the 29-year-old's signature this summer, as they attempt to bring in another 'Galactico' signing.

Rummenigge, though, says no offer would tempt Bayern into selling, and has pointed to Chelsea's pursuit of Franck Ribery in 2008 as evidence, with the club reportedly rejecting an offer of €80 million plus full-back Jose Bosingwa."I like to assume that Robert is one hundred percent going to play at Bayern Munich next season," he told Kicker."What should motivate us to take a different direction?

"I always like to remember the year 2008, when we had an amazing offer from Chelsea for Franck Ribery."From that day on, the whole world of football knew, nobody can buy a Bayern Munich player against the will of Bayern Munich."

In regards to incomings, Rummenigge has also echoed the words of manager Jupp Heynckes, who previously stated the club have no interest in Bordeaux winger Malcom.The Brazilian, who has enjoyed an excellent season in Ligue 1, said he "dreams" of one day playing for Bayern, but Rummenigge has now claimed that any link to the Arsenal and Tottenham target is pure speculation.

"This is a duck that landed on a lake in Munich," he said.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Griezmann would love to play with Pogba every day but cool on Man Utd move


Antoine Griezmann says he would love to play with Paul Pogba every day, though the Atletico Madrid star insists he does not want to move to Manchester United.

Griezmann, 27, has been linked with a move to the Premier League giants, as well as La Liga leaders Barcelona, having revealed earlier this week that he intends to iron out his future prior to the World Cup.

"My future will be decided before the World Cup, I want to go to Russia with a clear mind, I think that's what everybody wants, it's not so much the question of where I'll play, which may be boring, but about having the peace of mind if I'm still in one place or another," he said.

"I've told my sister that, whether I stay or not, I'll have to decide before (in reference to the World Cup)."And while the forward believes it would be great to play with France team-mate and United star Pogba every day, he played down a possible switch to Old Trafford.

"If we could have this every day," Pogba said on Canal+ as the pair interviewed each other. Griezmann responded: "It would be nice.

"But beware, that doesn't mean I want to go to Manchester United."Griezmann has scored 23 goals in 38 games in all competitions for Atletico this campaign in what is his fourth season at the club.Pogba, meanwhile, has faced criticism for his displays for Jose Mourinho's United.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

You can't teach Messi anything - Sampaoli urges Argentina to understand captain


Lionel Messi will be at the heart of Argentina's bid for World Cup glory – but head coach Jorge Sampaoli is not going to try teaching the Barcelona superstar anything.
Messi will return to the Argentina line-up against Spain at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday, having missed Friday's 2-0 win over Italy in Manchester with a sore hamstring.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been in typically sublime form for Barcelona this season and he dragged a ragged Argentina to qualification for Russia 2018 by scoring a sensational hat-trick away to Ecuador last October.

The Albiceleste fell at the final hurdle as Germany prevailed 1-0 after extra-time in the 2014 decider and anticipation over what Messi might achieve in the final World Cup of his peak years is palpable.

The 30-year-old moving to Catalonia in his youth has been a factor in fans from his homeland not always taking him to their hearts as they have other Argentina heroes but he is now indisputably the main man carrying all hopes of glory – something Sampaoli illustrated after confirming the forward's fitness at a pre-match news conference in Madrid.

"It is impossible to teach something to Messi. His level is unattainable. You have to understand Messi, not teach him," he said. "In training you have to try to cause situations in which his comfort will be optimal. From there, you have to build a team related to this story.

"You have to learn from these kind of players that come around every so often. You have to learn how to go with them, not even in coaching terms, but in the sense of how to bring harmony to him, surrounding him with the right atmosphere."In that sense, Leo is very open to interact a lot with what he feels inside the pitch.The interpretation of a player with such a capacity inside the pitch gives the coach a better perspective of what is coming because his lenses are probably much more developed than ours."Luckily, the dialogue with him is very constant. I always see him at a high level of compromise with the national team and its wishes. We will go through this together."

Messi will square off against Spain and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, a clash that could contradict the match's friendly status. Nevertheless, the occasionally feisty nature of their Clasico showdowns does not give Sampaoli any cause for concern over Messi's fitness."They are two winners and I don't care how Ramos defends against Messi," he added. "Ramos is a great player for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.

"If there was any risk [in his condition], Leo would have said. He told us before the last friendly.

"He was tested yesterday and tried again today. If he continues like this, he will have no problems playing."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

International Friendly Fixtures 2018.03.27

International Friendly Fixtures 2018.03.27

Curacao Vs Bolivia
Kenya Vs Central Africa
Japan Vs Ukraine
Tanzania Vs Congo DR
Russia Vs France
Iran Vs Algeria
Switzerland Vs Panama
Montenegro Vs Turkey
Egypt Vs Greece
Tunisia Vs Costa Rica
Hungary Vs Scotland
Denmark Vs Chile
Senegal Vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
Coted 'Ivoire Vs Moldova
Slovenia Vs Belarus
Luxembourg Vs Austria
Romania Vs Sweden
Germany Vs Brazil
Poland Vs Korea Republic
Belgium Vs Saudi Arabia
England Vs Italy
Morocco Vs Uzbekistan
Colombia Vs Australia
Nigeria Vs Serbia
Spain Vs Argentina ​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck Spain!

VAMOS ESPANA​

 

[unicornx]

International Friendly Fixtures 2018.03.27

Curacao Vs Bolivia
Kenya Vs Central Africa
Japan Vs Ukraine
Tanzania Vs Congo DR
Russia Vs France
Iran Vs Algeria
Switzerland Vs Panama
Montenegro Vs Turkey
Egypt Vs Greece
Tunisia Vs Costa Rica
Hungary Vs Scotland
Denmark Vs Chile
Senegal Vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
Coted 'Ivoire Vs Moldova
Slovenia Vs Belarus
Luxembourg Vs Austria
Romania Vs Sweden
Germany Vs Brazil
Poland Vs Korea Republic
Belgium Vs Saudi Arabia
England Vs Italy
Morocco Vs Uzbekistan
Colombia Vs Australia
Nigeria Vs Serbia
Spain Vs Argentina ​

VIVA LA ROJA

 

[Alucard_SxE]

ado watch this

 

[Wolverine GTR]

ado watch this

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[Wolverine GTR]

Spain 6 Argentina 1: Isco hits hat-trick in thumping of Messi-less visitors

Isco struck his first international hat-trick as Spain extended Julen Lopetegui's unbeaten run as coach to 18 matches with a supreme 6-1 demolition of Argentina in Madrid on Tuesday.

Spain were pegged back by Germany for a 1-1 draw on Friday but Argentina – without Lionel Messi due to injury – fared far worse than the reigning world champions. Diego Costa put Spain in front, Marco Asensio then adding his second assist of the game by setting up Isco, although Nicolas Otamendi headed one back for Argentina before the break.




That proved a mere consolation for the visitors at the Wanda Metropolitano, though, with Isco on target again shortly after the restart to put Spain in total control.

The Real Madrid playmaker continued to build on an eye-catching individual performance by helping to tee up Thiago Alcantara for Spain's fine fourth, Lopetegui's side sending a warning shot ahead of the World Cup with a fifth via substitute Iago Aspas, who set up Isco to claim the match ball soon after.

Argentina defender Javier Mascherano endured a miserable night to overshadow a proud landmark as he equalled Javier Zanetti's national record of 142 caps, while Jorge Sampaoli's men were shorn of attacking threat in Messi's absence.


The visitors should have taken the lead in the eighth minute, Gonzalo Higuain getting in front of Sergio Ramos in the box but cushioning his effort from a left-wing Maximiliano Meza cross wide. Spain soon punished that miss as Costa scored from close range, although he was hurt in the process by colliding with Sergio Romero.

Andres Iniesta won the ball deep in Argentina territory, with Asensio poking a pass through for Costa to beat Romero to the ball and finish bravely. Both players were initially able to play on after a lengthy delay for treatment, although Romero was then substituted.Meza almost marked his first international appearance with a goal but Ramos made a fine interception after the debutant swapped passes with Higuain and shaped to shoot.

Spain's greater incision in front of goal saw them double their lead, Asensio playing a perfect low cross for Real Madrid team-mate Isco to slot past substitute goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

Argentina grabbed a goal back in the 39th minute as Ever Banega's left-wing corner enabled Otamendi to beat Ramos in the air and power a downward header through David de Gea's grasp.Isco restored Spain's two-goal cushion in the 52nd minute. Iniesta's superb lofted throughball sent half-time sub Aspas clear, the striker teeing up Isco for a first-time finish.

Spain were suddenly rampant with Isco turning provider, the midfielder finding Aspas, who touched the ball on for Thiago to slam home.

Ramos appeared to have tucked away another for the hosts, firing in Asensio's cross, but the goal was disallowed for a push, Otamendi then close to a second but seeing his header clip the outside of the post.Spain are known for possession football but a long De Gea kick down the middle allowed Aspas to add his name to the scoresheet, Caballero beaten far too easily after racing out of his area, with the striker then teeing up Isco to steer home his hat-trick goal.

Tempers threatened to boil over in the closing stages as Argentina lost their composure, while Dani Parejo came off the bench to make his Spain debut and cap a fine night for Lopetegui, whose side look the team to beat in Russia.For Sampaoli, he can only hope the Messi factor will provide the spark his side clearly needs to be a threat come June.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Spain!

VAMOS ESPANA​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

England 1 Italy 1: Insigne penalty denies Southgate's side at Wembley

Lorenzo Insigne converted a controversial penalty in the closing stages as Italy left it late to secure a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley.Napoli forward Insigne fired past Jack Butland in the 87th minute after the use of VAR had seen debutant James Tarkowski punished for a challenge on Italy subsitute Federico Chiesa.

Jamie Vardy capitalised on some swift thinking by Jesse Lingard to fire the hosts ahead in the 26th minute, and it seemed one goal would be enough for Gareth Southgate's side.




After a foul on Raheem Sterling, Lingard spotted the opportunity to take a quick free-kick, putting the ball down and re-starting play in a hurry to tee up his compatriot's seventh international goal.

Yet Italy scored for the first time in four outings thanks to the help of technology, referee Deniz Aytekin spotting Tarkowski had stood on Chiesa's foot inside the penalty area after viewing replays.

Butland dived the right way but was unable to keep out Insigne’s spot-kick as England saw a sixth successive clean sheet snatched from their grasp in the closing stages.Still, the draw - following on from Friday's 1-0 win over Netherlands - will have given manager Southgate plenty of food for thought in his team's final outing before naming a provisional World Cup squad on May 14.


England, so assertive from the outset in Amsterdam, were initially sloppy on their return to action on home soil.

They were fortunate Ciro Immobile didn't make them pay too, the forward wasting two glorious chances in the early stages of Italy's first visit to Wembley since the redevelopment of the famous venue.

Prolific for Lazio this season, Immobile’s dallying when gifted a sight of goal saw his eventual attempt blocked by John Stones, who recovered to atone for his initial error after carelessly surrendering possession to the Italian.

If he could point to being under pressure on that occasion, there was no excuse for Immobile's failure to hit the target when picked out by Antonio Candreva’s teasing cross from the right.In contrast, Vardy made no mistake when Lingard’s presence of mind created a clear sight of the target.

Having seen a low drive kept out by Gianluigi Donnarumma’s legs earlier in proceedings, the Leicester City player went high to break the deadlock, thumping a rising drive beyond Milan’s teenager goalkeeper.The goal lifted England's performance, with the excellent Ashley Young seeing a first-time effort deflected wide before a marauding run early in the second half was stopped by Leonardo Bonucci's last-gasp block.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired straight at Donnarumma from the edge of the penalty area but, crucially, the hosts failed to get a second goal when firmly on top.They appeared to have escaped when Insigne volleyed narrowly wide from Napoli team-mate Jorginho's chipped pass but was on target when referee Aytekin gave Italy a lifeline.

The penalty decision was a tough break for the otherwise impressive Tarkowski, who will now face a nervy wait to find out if he has done enough to make the cut for the tournament in Russia.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Germany 0 Brazil 1: Jesus ends Low's 22-game unbeaten run

Brazil laid down a marker ahead of the World Cup as they ended defending champions Germany's 22-game undefeated streak with a 1-0 friendly win at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.The game marked the first senior meeting between the heavyweights since a remarkable World Cup semi-final in 2014 when Germany thumped the stunned hosts Brazil 7-1 in Belo Horizonte.

While the result will not erase the humiliation of one of Brazilian football's darkest nights, the nature of their performance suggests they are approaching their best as they look to land a sixth World Cup.




Just as they were in that clash at the Mineirao, the Selecao were without the injured Neymar on Tuesday. However, they now possess another superstar in Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and he powered a header past the floundering Kevin Trapp as the visitors cranked up the pressure shortly before the interval.

Paulinho, Philippe Coutinho and Jesus all squandered opportunities to double down on their dominance in the second period, with Germany looking a shadow of the side that won their World Cup qualifying group with a 100 per cent record.

After seeing his side lose for the first time since a Euro 2016 semi-final against France, Joachim Low will see friendlies against Austria and Saudi Arabia in June as opportunities to return to winning ways ahead of their campaign in Russia.Chances were at a premium during a cagey opening and when one did fall to Ilkay Gundogan after 17 minutes, the Manchester City midfielder could only blaze wildly over from Julian Draxler's cutback.

Mario Gomez clipped over from a tight angle after Leon Goretzka's cross caused problems for the visitors' defence, before Joshua Kimmich headed Marvin Plattenhardt's cross wide at the back post.Brazil's heralded attack finally sparked into life nine minutes before the interval.Jesus inexplicably fired over, though, after breaking through a static German defence and shrugging off the back-tracking Antonio Rudiger and Jerome Boateng.He made up for that miss within 60 seconds, however, meeting Willian's teasing cross with a powerful header that Trapp could only bundle into his own net.


Brazil started the second half with a spring in their step and twice came close to doubling their advantage in the same passage of play in the 55th minute.Willian's initial goal-bound effort was blocked and fell invitingly at the feet of Paulinho, who unleashed a powerful drive that was turned behind by Trapp.His Barcelona team-mate Coutinho crashed a shot just over the crossbar as Tite's men continued to take advantage of large pockets of space in the Germany backline.



Jesus really should have netted a second after 67 minutes, failing to turn home a back-post header after Trapp abandoned his goal attempting to claim a corner.Boateng will have given Bayern Munich cause for concern ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Sevilla when he was replaced by Niklas Sule after appearing to injure his ankle.

The previously under-worked Allison tipped over Draxler's fierce drive in stoppage time to ensure Brazil held on for a memorable win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Belgium 4 Saudi Arabia 0: Lukaku at the double

Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium breezed to a 4-0 friendly win over Saudi Arabia in Brussels, beginning their preparations for this year's World Cup.Playing for the first time in 2018, Roberto Martinez's men exploited a sub-standard visiting defence and could afford to be wasteful as Lukaku had his brace before half-time.

Belgium remained on top after the break, yet they did not initially look clinical enough in the final third to hand Saudi Arabia a deserved humbling, Michy Batshuayi and Kevin De Bruyne belatedly adding gloss to the scoreline in the closing stages.This was an opportunity for Martinez to see his best attacking pieces working in tandem – making it a worthwhile run-out – but, even against a World Cup side, this was anything but a test.

Even lowly Group G opponents Panama and Tunisia will not defend with such generosity in Russia come June, making forthcoming friendly fixtures against Portugal and Egypt key.


A lively start saw Dries Mertens, unmarked from a corner, force a first stop from Fawaz Al-Qarni, before a glaring chance fell for Yannick Carrasco from Lukaku's pass, the Dalian Yifang man's tame finish drawing another low save.

It was clear from the off that Belgium had too much pace and power for the opposing back-line, but the visitors – boasting Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, with a joint-best 16 goals in qualifying – offered a threat at the other end, too, and Simon Mignolet was required to parry a Fahad Al Muwallad strike.

Belgium swiftly responded with the opener, though, as a poor pass out from the back gifted the ball to De Bruyne. He quickly fed Lukaku, who had time and space to turn and calmly stroke into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.

Al-Qarni smothered to deny Lukaku a close-range second from Eden Hazard's cross, but the Manchester United forward doubled his tally before the first half was out. Hazard's jinking run freed his team-mate to roll the ball past a scrambling goalkeeper.

A lively start saw Dries Mertens, unmarked from a corner, force a first stop from Fawaz Al-Qarni, before a glaring chance fell for Yannick Carrasco from Lukaku's pass, the Dalian Yifang man's tame finish drawing another low save.

It was clear from the off that Belgium had too much pace and power for the opposing back-line, but the visitors – boasting Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, with a joint-best 16 goals in qualifying – offered a threat at the other end, too, and Simon Mignolet was required to parry a Fahad Al Muwallad strike.Belgium swiftly responded with the opener, though, as a poor pass out from the back gifted the ball to De Bruyne. He quickly fed Lukaku, who had time and space to turn and calmly stroke into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.

Al-Qarni smothered to deny Lukaku a close-range second from Eden Hazard's cross, but the Manchester United forward doubled his tally before the first half was out. Hazard's jinking run freed his team-mate to roll the ball past a scrambling goalkeeper.Mohammed Al Owais replaced the ailing Al-Qarni at the break and the substitute got down low to save from De Bruyne shortly after the restart.

Somehow neither Lukaku nor Hazard added to the scoreline when Mertens ran clear and squared across goal. The two-goal front man dallied before the ball ran for the Belgium captain, whose low drive was brilliantly deflected onto the crossbar by Motaz Hawsawi on the line.



Al Owais made another stop as Lukaku let fly from distance, before he bravely blocked as the same man burst through in pursuit of his hat-trick.Yet another save followed from a swerving De Bruyne free-kick but, having turned a shot wide earlier, Batshuayi then steered a left-footed finish past Al Owais 13 minutes from time to set Belgium on their way again.

Within 94 seconds, De Bruyne got his goal at the end of a breathless breakaway, hammering into the bottom-right corner to complete the scoring.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Russia 1 France 3: Pogba and Mbappe shine as Les Bleus overcome World Cup hosts

Paul Pogba answered his critics by serving as the driving force for France with a goal and an assist in a 3-1 friendly win away to World Cup hosts Russia in St Petersburg, while Kylian Mbappe also impressed by netting twice.

Having been introduced as a second-half substitute in the 3-2 loss to Colombia in Paris last week, Pogba started at Krestovsky Stadium and came to exert a telling influence on proceedings, setting up the opening goal for Mbappe in the 40th minute, before netting a stunning free-kick four minutes into the second half.

The commanding performance was a welcome tonic for the 25-year-old midfielder, who has endured a baffling period in and out of the Manchester United first team in 2018, having seemingly fallen somewhat from manager Jose Mourinho's favour despite his evident talents and weighty price tag.




France allowed Russia captain Fedor Smolov to get a goal back from a swift counterattack with 22 minutes remaining, before the visitors made the game the safe with Mbappe's second goal in the 83rd minute.

But the Paris Saint-Germain star injured himself in the process of completing his brace and had to be replaced by Thomas Lemar, providing a potential fitness worry for club and particularly country ahead of the World Cup.Les Bleus' campaign begins against Group C opponents Australia in Kazan on June 16, followed by meetings with Peru and then Denmark.


France coach Didier Deschamps made seven changes to the XI that started the Colombia defeat, and also switched from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 formation. But despite the presence of Pogba from kick-off, Les Bleus initially struggled to impose themselves.Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov recalled CSKA Moscow star Alan Dzagoev and Zenit veteran Yuri Zhirkov to bolster a team dispatched 3-0 by Brazil in Moscow on Friday.

And it was Dzagoev who helped to engineer the first clear sight of goal in the 15th minute, his pass teeing up Smolov for a close-range shot that was well saved by Hugo Lloris.France had to wait until the 27th minute to threaten meaningfully, as Pogba's insightful ball over the top of the Russia defence was taken down by N'Golo Kante, who had beaten the offside trap and then shifted possession on to Anthony Martial.

The Manchester United forward's deflected attempt fell to Mbappe, and his unconvincing shot was straight at Andrey Lunev.He made no mistake for the opener in the 40th minute, though. A well-weighted throughball from Pogba unleashed the livewire PSG forward, who cut inside to beat defender Roman Neustadter and slot a low finish past Lunev.

He almost had a second just three minutes later, Lunev doing well to keep out Mbappe's strike from point-blank range after a cutback supplied by Martial, who also had two optimistic penalty appeals dismissed.

Pogba came to the fore again after the break, drawing a foul from Aleksandr Erokhin and duly curling home an eye-catching, long-range strike from the set-piece to double his team's advantage.Russia pulled one back in the 68th minute, substitute Igor Smolnikov swinging in a brilliant low cross from the right flank that Smolov met at the back post to smash past Lloris.

France, having introduced Antoine Griezmann shortly before the hour mark, made the game safe with seven minutes to go, substitute Blaise Matuidi setting up Mbappe to bamboozle the Russia defence and fire through the legs of Lunev, who should have done better.

The forward quickly signalled his discomfort to the bench, though, Lemar taking his place as PSG boss Unai Emery and Deschamps face a wait to learn the extent of the problem, although the 19-year-old appeared relaxed in his immediate post-match interview.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Robben admits retirement an option as he remains without Bayern extension


Arjen Robben admits retirement is still an option as he waits on the offer of a contract extension at Bayern Munich.

The 34-year-old winger has spent nine years at the Allianz Arena, making over 280 appearances while tasting Bundesliga and Champions League success.He is, however, approaching the end of his current deal and is due to become a free agent in the summer.

Robben maintains that discussions with Bayern regarding his future are planned, but has also hinted that he may decide to hang up his boots.A man with 96 caps for the Netherlands to his name told Bayerischer Rundfunk: “I'm a bit impatient, but unfortunately a decision on the extension of my contract has not yet been made.

“With Karl-Heinz Rummenigge I have agreed that we will hold talks in April, then we will see.” On the chances of him playing on into the 2018-19 campaign, Robben added: “I think that's the hardest part of getting to an age where you know the end is coming closer, making the right decision is always difficult.

“I just have to wait and see what my gut feeling is, how the body feels. You have to take everything into account and then you make a decision in that moment.”

Robben has previously suggested that he feels fit enough to play on for at least another two seasons.He told Sport Buzzer in February: “At the moment I feel very fit, very good and believe that I can play at the highest level for another year or two - that's my goal.

“I have such an open and honest communication with all those responsible here that I am not worried at all. The club will have a plan. And then I and the club have to decide if and how it goes on.”

 

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Hazard: I’ll play left-back if the manager wants and I'm happy at Chelsea


Eden Hazard has said that he is happy to play wherever Chelsea manager Antonio Conte wants him.Hazard has often been deployed as a false 9 this term, a role very different from the one which the Belgium international is used to taking up on the flank.Reports had suggested that he is frustrated playing in such a position, but he affirmed while on international duty that is not the case.

“I just want to be on the pitch. No.9, No.10 – I can play left-back if the manager wants, no problem. I’ll give everything, like I do every time,” he said in the wake of international boss Roberto Martinez confirming that he will not use the player in that unfavoured forward role.Meanwhile, Hazard remains tight-lipped over his future, amid speculation that he could depart Stamford Bridge in the summer for the likes of Barcelona.

“I’m happy with Chelsea,” he said. “I’m just thinking about the end of the season and the World Cup. I’ve got two years left in my contract.”The 27-year-old has played 41 times for the Blues this season, netting on 15 occasions and providing another 11 assists.On Tuesday, however, he will hope to be used in Belgium's international friendly with Saudi Arabia and win his 83rd cap.

 

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Lopetegui hopes Isco maintains momentum at Real Madrid


Isco will need to maintain his momentum at Real Madrid after scoring his first international hat-trick against Argentina, said Spain coach Julen Lopetegui.The Madrid playmaker hit a treble in Tuesday's 6-1 demolition of Argentina in Madrid, Spain inflicting the joint-worst defeat in Albiceleste history.

Isco is far from an automatic starter at Madrid, despite contributing five assists and five goals in La Liga this season, and the midfielder appeared to aim a barb at Zidane after the game, noting the confidence he feels from Lopetegui helped him to star with a thrilling performance.

Lopetegui, however, said Isco's display was down to the player rather than himself, although the Spain coach is hopeful the 25-year-old will keep up his fine form at club level.

"I'm not going to discover anything new about Isco," said Lopetegui. "Nor the feeling that comes from having him, nor his performance with us."We want him to be happy to face the World Cup with enthusiasm, I do not give him the confidence."I'm not going to talk about Real Madrid and Zidane's decisions. I'm not going to fight with anyone because he's happy with us and has euphoria."

While Spain sent a message to their World Cup rivals with a dominant dismissal of Argentina, who were without the injured Lionel Messi, Lopetegui cautioned that winning in a friendly counts for little, regardless of the margin of victory.

"I have congratulated the players and thanked them," added Lopetegui. "The World Cup has not started yet."We have won against a team with a fantastic history and a finalist of the last World Cup. It is a magnificent team, it is true that they had casualties, because Messi, [Sergio] Aguero and [Angel] Di Maria are decisive for them"We will start the next World Cup with zero points. It is a friendly, it is not equal to a World Cup match. You have to be happy."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Spain have slapped us!' - Sampaoli stunned by Argentina collapse


Jorge Sampaoli accepted a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Spain took him by surprise, the Argentina coach saying his team had been "slapped".The joint-worst defeat in Argentina's history came with Sampaoli's men unravelling after the interval as Isco scored a hat-trick at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano.

Argentina - without talisman Lionel Messi due to injury - had beaten Italy 2-0 in Manchester on Friday but found Spain far too strong on Tuesday.

And Sampaoli conceded there is a lot of work to do to ensure Argentina do not suffer similar embarrassment at the World Cup in Russia.

"We have to take charge of this game, these things cannot happen to us at the World Cup," Sampaoli said."Spain have slapped us, we have to keep working. "They are atypical results that can change the coach's perspective if everything is not analysed.

"I'll have to break the match down well and decide... You have to solve the emotional issue."We did not expect so much force from the opponent."Argentina kept Spain under control in the first half and went into the break at 2-1 down.

But Sampaoli's side fell apart after the interval with Isco in inspirational form, the Real Madrid playmaker scoring his first international hat-trick."In the second half, Spain grabbed us by attacking very directly," Sampaoli added. "Very quick goals came and that made the difference in the result.

"The result makes it clear that we need to take this game to assemble the final squad and keep working so that things do not happen [like this] in the World Cup."The goal was to defend ourselves more with the ball, we did not have defensive aspects to achieve balance and the solidity that we expected."

 

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Italy are not as bad as people say they are, insists interim boss Di Biagio


Luigi Di Biagio is confident the next Italy coach will have plenty to work with after enjoying a "fantastic 10 days" in temporary charge of the national team.

Di Biagio was promoted from his role as Under-21s boss on an interim basis for the friendly fixtures against Argentina and England, losing the first 2-0 before salvaging a 1-1 draw at Wembley on Tuesday.

Lorenzo Insigne converted an 87th-minute penalty to make sure Italy – who lost to Sweden in the play-offs to miss out on qualifying for the World Cup – avoided drawing a blank for a fourth successive outing.

While he failed to mark his brief spell in charge with a win, the stand-in boss saw enough to suggest the future looks bright for the Azzurri.

"It was a fantastic 10 days. I knew some of the lads already. They all gave me all they could and I thanked them before the match for their commitment," said Di Biagio."I think this is a starting point. I hope people say we should start by defending well but if you don’t go out to play well you will not grow.

"This group must be allowed to grow. There were mistakes, yes, but they were trying. Most of the mistakes happened because they were trying to do what I asked them to do. "It is better to make mistakes trying to build play than not even trying."

Di Biagio admitted to being unsure if he will still be at the helm when the squad get together at the end of May.

Italian Football Federation vice-commissioner Alessandro Costacurta revealed the identity of the next boss will be announced on May 20."I don’t know if I'll be there. This is not the problem at the moment, this is not what I'm concentrating on," added Di Biagio, who won 31 caps for Italy.

"If I'm going to be there I'll carry on with my ideas and my concepts – play football, win the ball back in the opposition half and tale the game to the opponents."This group of players are Italy, they are very good and need to know they are good. They are not as bad as people say they are.

"They are Italy, they need to understand they can do well. Whether it is with me, I am not concerned about that at the moment."