..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Empoli 1 AC Milan 1: Romagnoli error costs Rossoneri

AC Milan squandered yet another lead as their Serie A winless run stretched to three matches in a 1-1 draw at promoted Empoli on Thursday.Alessio Romagnoli's poor error led to Francesco Caputo converting a 71st-minute penalty that denied the visitors a much-needed three points.

The Rossoneri, lacking the services of the injured Gonzalo Higuain, had already given up five points from winning positions leading into this trip, a demoralising sequence that seemed set to end when Lucas Biglia rifled in a deflected opener in the 10th minute.


But the Argentina midfielder's desperate attempt to atone for Romagnoli's shocking pass from the back forced him into a foul on Caputo, who dusted himself off to deny Gennaro Gattuso's a maiden clean sheet.

Diego Laxalt earlier marked his first league start for Milan with a key part in the opener, delivering the cross from which Biglia emphatically punished Rade Krunic's lazy clearance - albeit with the aid of a deflection off Leonardo Capezzi.

The lead would have been fleeting had Gianluigi Donnarumma not produced a fine pair of saves, denying Antonino La Gumina in a one-on-one and then helping turn Caputo's shot against the near upright.Team-mate Franck Kessie was less decisive, the midfielder squandering two good opportunities to widen the margin before half-time.

Fewer concerns arose for Milan after half-time until Romagnoli's terrible error gifted Empoli a way back into the match.The defender horribly scuffed a pass that ricocheted into Caputo's path and, brought down by a scrambling Biglia, the Empoli forward held his composure to blast in the subsequent spot-kick.

The impressive Pietro Terracciano later protected parity with two excellent stops from Suso that ensure Milan threw away another victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona update crest by removing 'FCB' lettering

FC Barcelona have introduced a new crest that will be used starting in the 2019-20 season, pending club membership approval.The biggest change for the Blaugrana will be the removal of the "FCB" lettering currently featured prominently on the club's shield.

Other, more subtle changes include the removal of black lines inside the crest, a reduction of 'Blaugrana' stripes from seven to five, a more prominent featuring of the ball. and a lightening of some of the colours.

The change has already been approved by the Board of Directors, and now must be ratified by club membership at the Delegate Assembly on October 20 to make it official.

If approved, it will be the first time that Barcelona have chanced their logo since 2002. It will also be the first time since 1910 that neither "CFB" nor "FCB" is featured on the club's crest.

"FCB" was present on the club's badge from 1910 to 1941, and then "CFB" was on the crest from 1941 to 1974 while Francisco Franco was ruling over Spain. During Franco's reign the club had to abandon the anglicised "Futbol Club Barcelona" name in favour of "Club de Futbol Barcelona", hence in those year the club used "CFB" rather than "FCB".

 

[RottenCOLT]

Ronaldo available for Man Utd clash after one-match Champions League ban

hoorayi

 

[tclanki]

Barcelona update crest by removing 'FCB' lettering

FC Barcelona have introduced a new crest that will be used starting in the 2019-20 season, pending club membership approval.The biggest change for the Blaugrana will be the removal of the "FCB" lettering currently featured prominently on the club's shield.

Other, more subtle changes include the removal of black lines inside the crest, a reduction of 'Blaugrana' stripes from seven to five, a more prominent featuring of the ball. and a lightening of some of the colours.

The change has already been approved by the Board of Directors, and now must be ratified by club membership at the Delegate Assembly on October 20 to make it official.

If approved, it will be the first time that Barcelona have chanced their logo since 2002. It will also be the first time since 1910 that neither "CFB" nor "FCB" is featured on the club's crest.

"FCB" was present on the club's badge from 1910 to 1941, and then "CFB" was on the crest from 1941 to 1974 while Francisco Franco was ruling over Spain. During Franco's reign the club had to abandon the anglicised "Futbol Club Barcelona" name in favour of "Club de Futbol Barcelona", hence in those year the club used "CFB" rather than "FCB".

I prefer 1899 crest

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hertha Berlin 2 Bayern Munich 0: Champions stunned as Kovac suffers first defeat

Niko Kovac suffered his first loss in charge of Bayern Munich as the Bundesliga champions slipped to a concerning 2-0 loss away at Hertha Berlin on Friday.Held to a 1-1 home draw by Augsburg in midweek, the return of Robert Lewandowski, James Rodriguez and a raft of regulars failed to prevent Bayern from dropping points for a second successive outing.

They were disjointed in defence and uncharacteristically wasteful in attack as Vedad Ibisevic's 23rd-minute penalty and a shot from Ondrej Duda on the stroke of half-time gave the home side their first victory against the Bavarian giants in 15 league meetings.


It added up to a forgettable homecoming for former Hertha player Kovac, who will expect a response to this mini slump when Bayern host Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Recalled as one of seven changes, Jerome Boateng's first major act was to nod a James corner agonisingly wide of the top corner.His next, however, was a panicked challenge on Salomon Kalou that allowed Ibisevic to convert the opener, leaving Bayern rattled on the road.

Arjen Robben inexplicably turned David Alaba's low cross over the bar at point-blank range and the miss was punished a minute before the break, Duda emphatically meeting Valentino Lazaro's clever cut-back.Boateng went close to reducing the deficit with another fine header beyond the hour but Thomas Kraft, deputising for the injured Rune Jarstein, reacted well to deny the Germany international.

Kovac threw on Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry and Sandro Wagner in an ultimately fruitless search for a way back into his most alarming match in charge.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: Pogba was never Man Utd's vice-captain


Jose Mourinho has claimed that Paul Pogba “was not the vice-captain” of Manchester United, having previously stated that the midfielder would “not be the second captain anymore”.

The France international was handed the armband at the start of the 2018-19 campaign on the back of his World Cup-winning exploits.It was suggested that added responsibility had been passed his way as those inside Old Trafford attempted to quieten talk of internal rifts.

That saga has, however, taken several twists and turns since, with both Mourinho and Pogba speaking out in public before becoming embroiled in a training ground row.

United’s manager had apparently already taken the decision before that clash that his £89 million asset would not be skippering his side again, but the Portuguese has now suggested that the 25-year-old talent was never deputy to Antonio Valencia.
Mourinho told reporters when quizzed on the matter again prior to a Premier League clash with West Ham: "Paul was not the vice-captain.

"We had Valencia as the captain and then we had a group of players that could be the vice captain - one day I gave it to David de Gea, I gave it to Ashley Young, to Chris Smalling."I first thought about Paul last season, because [he is] a player of a different generation, younger player, the captain of the future.

"Because Valencia, Young, they are more or less the same age, the same generation. But he [Pogba] was not the vice-captain, so now we don't have the vice-captain."Now it depends on the match, and depends on if Valencia is playing or not."If Valencia is playing, Valencia is the captain. If he is not playing, I will try and go in another direction."

Mourinho is adamant that events away from the field over recent weeks will not prove to be a distraction for United, with the Red Devils needing to get back to winning ways when they travel to the London Stadium on Saturday.
"I expect to win tomorrow," he added.

"I expect to play very well tomorrow - we have worked very well, especially Wednesday and Thursday, so tomorrow I expect a very good performance and I expect to win a very difficult match."I don't come here and say 'the training session was not good and I have a bad feeling and I have a feeling that tomorrow we are not going to play well and we are not going to win'.

"I think tomorrow we are going to play very well, and I think we are going to win against a very good opponent, an opponent with great investment, with a champion manager (Manuel Pellegrini), and lots of talented players.
"Very difficult but I am very positive."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho on Pogba row: No player is bigger than Man Utd


Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that "no player is bigger than the club" while addressing a reported bust-up with Paul Pogba.The 55-year-old was speaking ahead of United's trip to the London Stadium on Saturday to face West Ham United in the Premier League after a turbulent week for the club.

Widespread reports in the media on Wednesday suggested that Mourinho had engaged in a row with Pogba regarding his negative comments about the team after last Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Wolves.

The 25-year-old playmaker lost his role as vice-captain as a result and was left out of the Red Devils' stunning penalty shootout Carabao Cup defeat against Derby County.

Mourinho revealed his stance on the issue in Friday's pre-match press conference, as he told reporters: "No player is bigger than the club and if I'm happy with his work, he plays. If I'm not happy, he doesn't play."Manchester United is bigger than anyone and I have to defend that."The United boss then went on to clarify exactly why he dropped Pogba as the team's backup captain, stating that the decision was made purely for tactical reasons.

“I explain in a very detailed way to the people that have to know in detail, which is the squad and especially Paul, so Paul and the other players in the squad know in detail the reason why myself and my coaching staff, we decided to do that,” Mourinho added.

“I always analyse a player as a player. When a player is captain, I analyse the player by the player and captain perspective, and after weeks of analysing and changing opinions with my coaching staff, we made the decision Paul is just a player and not a captain.

“Decision made. I informed the player and the players. When I was asked after the match on Tuesday, I confirmed my decision and now I'm confirming it again. It’s the end of the story."

The enigmatic tactician continued by pre-empting the next bout of questions from his audience, shedding more light on his relationship with the France international by saying: "I can anticipate more questions by saying the relationship of player and manager is good.

"It's not anymore a relationship of a captain, or one of the captains, and a manager.It's just a player-manager relationship. Some players trained as well as him but not better than him, and he'll play tomorrow, so end of story."

Nevertheless, Mourinho refused to reveal what he said to provoke Pogba's reaction."No, I cannot tell you," he added. "The training session was open, you had some cameras with potential to get some of the words."Maybe you have to change that potential if you want to know everything, because I'm not going to comment."

It was put to Mourinho the whole episode had caused disruption in the lead-up to a potentially tricky match at West Ham, though he insisted disagreements are part of the job, before telling the assembled media to forget the possibility of ever having access to full training sessions."Disruptive? I think for you it was amazing, because you made a story, an incredible story out of 15 minutes of open training session," he added.

"Maybe it is your fault [United's press officer] … what happened the other day happens many days, conversations with players I have many, many, many times."It was not the case, but loud criticism, loud instructions happen every day.Coaching is about that, but you make a story about it.

"So, I'm happy the rules are only 15 minutes once a month and situations like that are not going to change, there is no chance you will watch a [full] session."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho v Pogba​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Allegri: It's right that Ronaldo gets to face Manchester United in Europe


Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri believes UEFA has made the correct decision in not extending Cristiano Ronaldo's ban and therefore allowing him to face Manchester United in the European Cup.Ronaldo was sent off in Juve's 2-0 group stage win over Valencia on matchday one after an innocuous clash with Jeison Murillo.The 33-year-old attacker was visibly shocked by the red, which could have resulted in a multiple-match ban had UEFA's disciplinary committee opted to extend it.

However, it was confirmed on Thursday that Ronaldo will only be suspended for the visit of Young Boys on Tuesday, meaning he will be able to face former employers United both home and away.

"I'm happy, it's right that he gets to play against Manchester United," Allegri told reporters in his pre-match news conference ahead of facing Napoli on Saturday."He's doing well, even in [the game against] Bologna he had a good game. It's right that he plays for the team, just as the team plays for him.

"Then we have to improve in some things, we have to serve him better, but we are together recently, we have all the time to improve."Saturday's clash sees Allegri come up against Carlo Ancelotti for the first time since the latter's return to Italy this summer.

Ancelotti was seen as a coup for Serie A, much like Ronaldo, but Allegri does not believe one of them is more important to Italian football than the other. "Ancelotti's return was good for all Italian football, Ronaldo has brought attention to our football, also attracting other champions," Allegri said.

"I don't know if it [Serie A] is the most beautiful championship, but it is certainly the most difficult to play. There is great attention from all the coaches, you have to work hard to win the games."Since Ronaldo's signing, Allegri has often had to leave out big-name players in order to accommodate the Portugal attacker, with Paulo Dybala suffering the most.

But, while the coach does not find it painful leaving players out, he is not ruling out potentially playing with Ronaldo, Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Federico Bernardeschi all at the same time.

"Painful? No, we have many solutions," he added. "In the last few games Bernardeschi is out, and he is the fittest of all, then we have outside important players like [Sami] Khedira and Douglas Costa.

"I still have to make choices. It's possible [all the attackers play]. The team is finding more balance."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Top player' Sanchez backed by Giggs to come good if used in his best role


Alexis Sanchez remains a “top player” in the eyes of Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs and is being backed to overcome a testing spell at Old Trafford.
The Chilean forward was expected to slot seamlessly into the Red Devils fold upon his arrival from Arsenal in January.

As a proven performer at the highest level and a man with considerable Premier League experience to his name, Sanchez was considered to be a marquee signing for United – especially as interest from arch-rivals City had been seen off to secure his signature.

The 29-year-old has, however, endured a difficult start to life in his new surroundings, with a goal return standing at just three in 23 appearances as he struggles to make his mark.

Giggs, though, believes that Sanchez will come good, as he stated on Sky Sports when talking about his current problems and how Jose Mourinho can bring the best out of him: “I'm a big fan of Sanchez, I was a big fan of his at Arsenal and sometimes it just takes players a bit longer to settle in - even though he's a top player he just looks like he's a bit short of confidence, but I'm sure he'll come good as he's a top goalscorer and a good player as well.“He can play anywhere across the front, he played on the right for Barcelona and upfront in his better days for Arsenal.

“I've seen him just off the left the most for United so it just depends who he's playing with and who they're playing against.“He can also play that No. 10 role but I think the best performances I've seen from him at United are just coming off the left, but it's just not quite happening for him at the moment.”

United could do with Sanchez rediscovering his spark over the coming weeks, as the inconsistent side is about to enter another testing run.Mourinho’s men, who have collected just one win at Old Trafford this season, will be heading back out on the road this weekend as they travel to West Ham.They then have meetings with Valencia, Newcastle, Chelsea, Juventus and Everton to come before the end of October as the fixture list continues to pile up.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp: Van Dijk may play through pain against Chelsea


Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revealed he may use Virgil van Dijk against Chelsea, even if the defender has to play in pain.

Van Dijk, 27, missed his team's cup defeat to Chelsea due to a rib injury and is in doubt for the blockbuster Premier League clash between the sides on Saturday.Klopp is yet to decide if the Netherlands international will feature, as Liverpool head to Stamford Bridge looking to maintain their perfect start to the league season.

But the German seemed somewhat upbeat about Van Dijk's chances of playing."I will decide if he plays. If the player goes out and says, 'No chance', then I cannot decide, but in all other situations I will decide," Klopp said.

"Virgil will try everything to be ready and I know how this sounds but as long as you are not seriously injured, like something broken or ruptured or a proper strain, then the boys play constantly with pain.

"And if you have no pain before the game then you will have it after the first challenge. That is how football is."It is important how you deal with the pain and how strong is the pain, but if he is able to deal with it then he can play."

Liverpool are two points clear atop the table ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge, but will come in knowing that Maurizio Sarri's side got the better of them earlier in the week.And, while Klopp is wary of Eden Hazard ahead of Saturday's clash at Stamford Bridge, the German said it was too tough to man-mark the 27-year-old attacker.

"When Dortmund played Real Madrid [in the 2013 Champions League semi-final] I played Mario Gotze against Xabi Alonso but no, I will not man-mark Hazard, because he is much more flexible," he said of taking special precautions against the Belgian star."He is all over the park. With Xabi Alonso it was clear where he was playing. That is a big difference.

"I have the biggest respect for this player. I love it, what a player, but it is not to defend alone."Yes it is difficult, but we have to do all the things around it: close spaces, make passes more difficult."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.09.29

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.09.29

West Ham Vs Manchester United

Arsenal Vs Watford

Everton Vs Fulham

Huddersfield Vs Tottenham

Manchester City Vs Brighton

Newcastle Vs Leicester City

Wolves Vs Southampton

Chelsea Vs Liverpool

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho ge United future ekatath dan idala issaharata thiyana hama match ekakma godak wadagath wei

Good Luck Manchester United!
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[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.09.29

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.09.29

Real Sociedad Vs Valencia

Barcelona Vs Athletic Bilbao

Eibar Vs Sevilla

Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A Fixtures 2018.09.29

Serie A Fixtures 2018.09.29

Roma Vs Lazio

Juventus Vs Napoli

Inter Vs Cagliari
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.09.29

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.09.29

Nurnburg Vs Fortuna

Hoffenheim Vs Leipzig

Schalke Vs Mainz

Stuttgart Vs Werder Bremen

Wolfsburg Vs Monchengladbach

Leverkusen Vs Dortmund
​

 

[RottenCOLT]

match polimak thiyenawa adanam balanna

 

[Wolverine GTR]

match polimak thiyenawa adanam balanna

​

 

[Michael]

Losing to West Ham

1-0

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Hopefully Jose is getting sacked! man once he's gone the players will actually play! How the hell are the players going to play well when you play them out of position!! Fucking Mourinho!!!

 

[Heisenberg]

Losing to West Ham

1-0

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Hopefully Jose is getting sacked! man once he's gone the players will actually play! How the hell are the players going to play well when you play them out of position!! Fucking Mourinho!!!

jose isnt going to sacked machan.board decided to keep him.lossing to west ham 3-1.jose got so much ego even doesnt accept his mistakes.

liverpool or chelsea going to win PL this time.Or watford