..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Mata welcomes return to winning ways with Man Utd 'not where we want to be'


Juan Mata is relieved to see Manchester United back to winning ways, with the Spaniard admitting the Red Devils are “not where we want to be”.Jose Mourinho’s side find themselves playing catch-up after enduring a disjointed opening to their 2018-19 campaign.

A four-game winless run in the Premier League carried them into a meeting with Fulham at Old Trafford, with an untimely wobble leaving them eighth in the table.

United were, however, able to sweep to a comfortable 4-1 success in their most recent outing and are now upwardly mobile once more.Mata, who was among the goals against the Cottagers, told MUTV of a welcome return to form: “It is what we needed.“A good start, good goal, creating a lot of chances and making the fans excited about the game because we know we are not where we want to be.

“Every game we think about giving everything for the fans and we must face every game like we did today.“It’s not ideal to go behind because then you’re chasing the game and running more than you should.

“So it’s always better if you score early like we did with Ash [Young] then from that we build, we have confidence 3-0 at half time and we need more of that.
“We will try to do it more often from now until the end.”

While helping United to three much-needed points against Fulham, Mata also carried himself to two notable landmarks.His goal was a 50th in the Premier League for the World Cup winner, while he also now boasts a half-century of assists after teeing up Romelu Lukaku to record a first effort at Old Trafford in 997 minutes.

“Not a bad record, 50 goals and 50 assists,” said Mata.“When I came to the Premier League I was very excited and motivated and I’m enjoying it so much. I want more goals and assists and more enjoyment on the pitch.”

United are next in action when they face Valencia in their final outing of the Champions League group stage on Wednesday, before then heading to Anfield to take on arch-rivals Liverpool.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Very good option' Hazard will play as sole striker again - Sarri


Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri said he would use Eden Hazard as his team's centre forward again in the future after the star impressed in the role against Manchester City.

The Belgium international started up front and set up goals for N'Golo Kante and David Luiz as Chelsea inflicted City's first league loss of the season with a 2-0 win on Saturday.Sarri is open to using the 27-year-old, who has seven goals and eight assists in 15 league games this campaign, in the same role in the future.

"He had some problems at the beginning of the match, but I think he played really a very great second half. Maybe he deserved to score," he said."I think it's a very good option. We will play like today in the future for some matches of course."

Sarri's switch meant Alvaro Morata was left out of the squad, with Olivier Giroud starting on the bench.The Italian said that was a purely tactical decision as he saw no reason to have two strikers among his substitutes.

"The reason was clear. We played with Hazard as a striker, so if we have to change something there was Giroud," Sarri said.

"I think it was useless to have two strikers on the bench and I prefer to have more midfielders. "I was in trouble with the wingers. The only option was [Ruben Loftus-Cheek]. I prefer this."

The Blues boss was also impressed with the performance of defender David Luiz, who helped keep City's high-flying attack in check. "I have to say I'm really very happy with him from the beginning," he said of the centre-back.

"Of course, there are matches like this one in which it's easier to stay in the defensive line. The defensive movements are working very well. And there are matches in which it's really difficult to stay in the defensive line, like Tottenham, because the defensive phase of the team is a disaster.

"Today he played a great match, but all the team helped him to play really well."

Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League after their win, eight points behind leaders Liverpool who took over top spot in the table thanks for City's loss and their own 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixture 2018.12.09

Barclays Premier League Fixture 2018.12.09

Newcastle Vs Wolves

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LA Liga Fixtures 2018.12.09

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.12.09

Eibar Vs Levante

Huesca Vs Real Madrid

Real Sociedad Vs Real Valladoid

Real Betis Vs Rayo Vallecano
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[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A Fixtures 2018.12.09

Serie A Fixtures 2018.12.09

Sassuolo Vs Fiorentina

Empoli Vs Bologna

Parma Vs Chievo

Udinese Vs Atalanta

Genoa Vs Spal

AC Milan Vs Torino
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[Wolverine GTR]

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.12.09

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.12.09

Mainz Vs Hannover

Monchengladbach Vs Stuttgart
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[Wolverine GTR]

'I've always liked Real Madrid!' - Hazard hints at Chelsea exit


Eden Hazard insists Zinedine Zidane's departure from Real Madrid has not affected his admiration of the club and claims he will dictate any decisions on his future.The Belgian winger has long been linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu and his contract at Chelsea expires in 2020.

Zidane left the Spanish giants at the end of last season and was replaced by Julen Lopetegui, whose reign lasted only until October. Former youth team manager Santiago Solari is now in charge of Real and Hazard insists the managerial change has not put him off.

The 27-year-old told RMC, as quoted by Get French Football News: "I have always liked Real Madrid as a club, with or without Zidane. At the end of this year I have 1 year left on my Chelsea contract. We will see, it'll be up to me to make the decision."
Hazard received plaudits after starring in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday. Despite impressing in a more central role in that game, the forward said City are still the best team in the league.The result brought Chelsea within seven points of the champions, although they still sit fourth - two points behind Tottenham and eight back from table-toppers Liverpool.



Hazard has been frequently linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge and is tipped to fill Cristiano Ronaldo's shoes in Madrid. The winger has not shied away from the speculation, saying two months ago that it has been his dream to play for the Blancos since he was a child.

After a poor run at the start of the campaign saw Lopetegui lose his job, Madrid have struggled to recover under Solari and now sit fourth in La Liga. They travel to CSKA Moscow next for their final Champions League group game on Wednesday.

Chelsea meanwhile head to Hungarian side Vidi in the Europa League on Thursday before facing Brighton next weekend in the Premier League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea suspend four fans for alleged racist abuse towards Sterling


Chelsea have suspended four supporters from attending matches for alleged racist abuse directed at Raheem Sterling during Saturday's game against Manchester City.

Television footage that went viral on social media showed spectators shouting at Sterling as he went to collect the ball from the byline during the Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge, prompting investigations from the Blues, the Football Association and the Metropolitan police.And Chelsea confirmed on Monday that some of those responsible have been identified and banned from attending future games, promising "severe sanctions" for racist behaviour among fans.

"Chelsea Football Club has suspended four people from attending Chelsea matches pending further investigations into allegations regarding the behaviour of supporters towards Raheem Sterling during our match against Manchester City on Saturday," a statement on their website read."Our investigations into this matter are ongoing. We are fully supporting the police investigation and any information we gather will be passed on to them.

"Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour abhorrent and if there is evidence of ticket holders taking part in any racist behaviour, the club will issue severe sanctions, including bans. We will also fully support any criminal prosecutions."Sterling addressed the abuse on Sunday, saying "I just had to laugh because I don't expect no better", and calling out the English media for their treatment of black players.

"For all the newspapers that don't understand why people are racist in this day and age all I have to say is have a second thought about fair publicity and give all players an equal chance," he wrote at the end of an Instagram post.Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised the City star for his reaction and called for the culprits to be punished, adding that the culprits deserve punishment but no attention.

“They don’t deserve any reaction, they don’t deserve any respect. I am obviously not surprised that these things still happen and they will not stop only because we talk about them, but I like the fact that we put the finger on it and say 'you cannot say what you want'," he said .

“There need to be punishments for things like this. As long as people are silly enough to do this, they need to be punished for it, that’s how it is."Ex-England star John Barnes also weighed in on the situation , saying society must tackle the "disease" of racism instead of the symptoms.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Robben will retire if 'ideal offer' does not arrive after Bayern departure


Arjen Robben is looking to continue his playing career after leaving Bayern Munich this summer, but admits he is willing to retire if “the ideal offer” does not arrive.

The ex-Netherlands international has starred at the Bundesliga giants since the summer of 2009 and has been a part of seven consecutive domestic league titles for Bayern, as well four DFB Pokal crowns and a Champions League title.

However, the 34-year-old winger confirmed he would be departing Bayern at the start of December, ending his 10-year spell with the Bundesliga champions.

Robben, who has five goals and one assist this year in the Bundesliga and Champions League, expanded upon his decision in an interview with Kicker, explaining the decision was not taken lightly but that it feels like the right time to move on.

"It's a big step, of course, you do not decide that in one day, just like that," Robben said "The fact that it's so solid now feels good, especially to the fans and the club [that it's the] right time."Of course I could have said, yes, I'll wait again, but it's good that there is nothing better than being able to leave as I do.“There is clarity for all sides and so the last few months will be a very special time again."

Robben wants to continue playing, but he admits retirement is certainly a possibility. That decision will depend on what his options are this summer – but the veteran made it clear he’ll need to be “100 per cent convinced” in order to sign on at a new club."Maybe I'll stop completely,” Robben said. “When an offer comes, of which I am 100 per cent convinced and say 'that's something nice, I want to do that', then I continue playing.

“If the ideal offer does not come, then it can be over. "One possible landing spot suggested for Robben is FC Groningen, the Eredivisie club where he made his professional debut back in 2000.And while Robben did not rule it out, he would not commit to the idea of returning, noting that if he did that, he’d be required to follow through on his word.

"I said earlier that I can not promise anything for a return,” Robben added. “If you promise something, you have to keep [your promise]. Everything is open."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'He has to decide for himself' - De Jong's father urges him to find right fit


Ajax star Frenkie de Jong's future should lie with a team that fits his style of play, according to the midfielder's father.The 21-year-old is one of Europe's most highly rated young midfielders having impressed with Ajax over the last few years.

He broke into the Ajax first team last season after previously catching the eye for the club's second string in 2016-17, and he has continued to progress, becoming a full Netherlands international this year.

De Jong has been particularly outstanding in his country's Nations League campaign and he produced an exceptionally mature performance against world champions France in a 2-0 win last month.

Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have been strongly linked with a swoop, with Goal confirming interest from the Premier League champions, but Barca are also in the race to sign him.

John de Jong joked that Barcelona would provide the best weather of the bunch, but the young Ajax midfielder is being urged to find a team that fits him in terms of football.

"He has to decide for himself. He is clever enough. He probably does that somewhere in the spring," the midfiedler's father told Voetbal Primeur."It's 95 percent certain that he leaves. What would suit him best is a team that plays football, and all the clubs that are interested are footballing teams."

While his family are trying to nudge him towards Camp Nou, De Jong has made it clear that no decision has been taken on his future.He told Fox Sports: "I have not made a decision yet and Ajax have not reached an agreement yet with with any club.

"I don't know yet what I will do at the end of the season, whether I will stay for an extra year or if I will join another club - and if so, which club that will be."Everything is still possible and there is no final decision yet. There are several interested clubs, Ajax are also speaking to a number of clubs and so is my agent.

"I am not going to mention any names, though. That is not up to me. We have permission from Ajax to speak to other clubs, they are aware of it."Everything is still an option and we will see what happens. I can't say much about whether I spoke to (Pep) Guardiola.



"I am not ruling out the Premier League or any other potential destination."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus 'more of a family' than Real Madrid - Ronaldo


Cristiano Ronaldo has described Juventus as "more of a family" than Real Madrid and has praised his new team-mates' humility.The 33-year-old swapped the Spanish capital for Turin in July, claiming he left Madrid after nine years because he no longer felt as valued as he did when he arrived in 2009.

Ronaldo has helped Serie A champions Juve open up an eight-point lead at the top of the table after 15 games of this season, while they have already qualified for the Champions League's last 16 too.

Having scored 11 goals already, Ronaldo has adapted quickly to life at Juventus and he has credited the Bianconeri's environment for that.

"It isn't right to name someone specific but I can say that this is the best group in which I've played," Ronaldo said in an interview with Italian newspapers."Here, we are a squad, elsewhere, some players feel bigger than the others.Instead, here, everyone is on the same level, they are humble and want to win.

"If [Paulo] Dybala or [Mario] Mandzukic don't score, they are still happy and you see them smile. "For me, it is beautiful, to feel that difference. Also at Madrid they are humble, but here I feel that sense more."It's very different to Madrid, here it is more of a family."

Ronaldo won the Champions League four times with Madrid, having also been part of Manchester United's victorious team in 2007-08.Juventus have not won the competition since 1995-96 and their fans are hopeful that Ronaldo's arrival can end their wait to lift the trophy again.

However, the forward has warned that the club cannot become obsessed with the Champions League like Real Madrid did when they were seeking 'La Decima' between 2002 and 2014."The 10th was a huge obsession, but the moment you can win is when you relax mentally," Ronaldo added.

"Yes, we all want it, but we have to get it step by step. Look at the game with [Manchester] United [which Juventus lost 2-1], if it was a quarter-final we would have come out.

"We need a little luck, the right moment, the details."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo: Juventus don't need Bale but Marcelo would be welcome


Cristiano Ronaldo sees no need for Juventus to raid Real Madrid for the likes of Gareth Bale or Marco Asensio, but admits Marcelo may be a useful addition.

The Portuguese superstar made his way from the Spanish capital to Turin over the summer, with the Bianconeri able to lure a talismanic presence away from the Santiago Bernabeu.It has been suggested that further deals may be in the pipeline, with a number of Blancos players prepared to follow a former team-mate to Italy.

Wales international Bale, current Bayern Munich loanee James Rodriguez and exciting forward Asensio have all been linked with the Serie A champions.Ronaldo feels Juve already boast enough quality to ensure that those deals are not needed, but he can see why a Brazilian left-back may be added to the fold.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner told Gazzetta dello Sport of the transfer rumours: “I see you write about James, Bale, Asensio but if I'm honest, Juventus do not need other players.

“You must talk to the president. On the future, I do not know. “Marcelo is strong, we open the doors to good players and Marcelo is one of them.”

It may be that Ronaldo is offered a reunion with Marcelo and Co. in this season’s Champions League, before any possible recruitment options are explored.

The 33-year-old has captured that European crown in each of the last three campaigns, and five times in his career to date.He is determined to deliver another success for Juve and claims he would have no problem disposing of Real along the way were his path to cross with a club he retains strong ties to.

Ronaldo said: “For me it is the same. The past has passed, now I want to win for Juventus.“I have to defend these colours and the rest does not matter.
“If I played against Real, I would try to give my best.”

Ronaldo has already faced one set of former employers in continental competition this season, with an away win and home defeat taken in against Premier League heavyweights Manchester United.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan rule out Ibrahimovic move, but Fabregas a possibility


Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be returning to AC Milan during the January transfer window, according to the Serie A club's sporting director Leonardo.

The 37-year-old striker has just finished a successful individual campaign with the LA Galaxy, scoring 22 goals in 27 matches, and is now available to join other clubs on loan until the MLS resumes in early March.But Leonardo revealed Ibrahimovic was set to remain with the Galaxy, who finished just outside the MLS playoff positions in 2018.

"Ibrahimovic? No he won't arrive. He always said that if LA accepted his demands, that he would stay there," Leonardo told Sky Italy."He won't be arriving here. It would've been nice but it isn't possible."

Ibrahimovic was one of the driving forces behind Milan's last Scudetto win in 2010-11 - scoring 14 goals and contributing 12 assists.The following season Milan fell just short of back-to-back titles as Ibrahimovic banged in 28 goals and was league top scorer before securing a move to French giants PSG.

It's shaping to be a busy transfer period for Milan, with Leonardo also revealing the club is in the hunt for Chelsea playmaker Cesc Fabregas.The Spaniard has been restricted to only 138 Premier League minutes this term as Blues coach Maurizio Sarri continues to select Jorginho as his creative midfielder.

"We are studying the possibilities [regarding Fabregas]. We are evaluating the conditions," Leonardo said.

Milan sit in fourth position in the Serie A table - 17 points behind leaders Juventus.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Darmian hints at Man Utd exit: I really miss Serie A


Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian has hinted at a move back to Serie A, admitting he misses Italy.The 29-year-old was signed from Torino in 2015 but has struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford, particularly falling out of favour under Jose Mourinho.

He has made just three appearances for the Red Devils this season and featured only eight times in the Premier League last term with the Portuguese boss favouring the likes of Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young as wing-backs.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport , Darmian said: "I must say, I really do miss Serie A and Italy now."I know that I am at one of the best clubs in the world and I am proud to be at Manchester United, but I do miss Italy. I love my country."

Despite his lack of game time in England, Darmian was a regular member of Italy's international squad in their failed World Cup qualification campaign for the 2018 tournement in Russia.

However, he has not features for his country since former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini took charge.Darmian continued: "Returning to play for Italy is my objective. Roberto Mancini hasn't called me up yet, but I hope he will in future."

The United right-back had to watch on as Italy came second in their Nations League group, finishing as runners-up to Portugal but beating Poland. Juventus and Inter were linked with a move for Darmian in the summer and Napoli confirmed that they made a bid for him .



They failed to meet United's demands, although the Reds still signed 19-year-old Diogo Dalot in the same transfer window for £19 million ($24m). Dalot has started the last two league games at right-back against Arsenal and Fulham, and Mourinho beleives the defender could claim the spot for the next 10 years , further cementing Darmian's lowly position at the club.The Reds have had a turbulent season with Mourinho often criticising his players in the press and enduring a very public fall-out with record signing Paul Pogba.

A 4-1 win over Fulham on Saturday has steadied the ship, but they travel to Valencia on Wednesday before a tough trip to in-form Liverpool next weekend.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Man Utd's right-back for a decade' - Mourinho tips Dalot to follow in Gary Neville's footsteps


Diogo Dalot can replicate Gary Neville's achievements at Manchester United according to his manager, Jose Mourinho, by securing the right-back spot for the next decade.

The 19-year-old has started United's last two Premier League fixtures at right-back and has looked comfortable since moving into the first team, especially during the 4-1 win over Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The performances have inevitably drawn comparisons with Neville, who famously graduated with United's class of '96 and won eight Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues across a 19-year career.

Speaking after the Fulham victory, Mourinho told MUTV : “Everybody knows that he has fantastic potential.“I don't want to compare, especially not the number of titles but he is probably the same age as Gary Neville when he came into the first team.

"Probably he can follow Neville in this dynamic of more than 10 years as United's right-back, with amazing conditions to improve, because as I was saying he's 19 years old.”Dalot was signed on a five-year deal from Porto in June for £19 million ($24m) but his early months in England were hampered with injury problems.

The Portuguese defender made his full debut against Young Boys in the Champions League in September before a second start against Derby County in the Carabao Cup, but was then kept out until December 1 by a knee problem. Now that he has returned, the teenager will be eager to cement himself in the Premier League but Mourinho wants to take a cautious approach.

“He's a 19-year-old boy,” the former Porto boss added. “It's important not to forget that, not to demand from him super consistency, because he is a kid."He's just arrived in the Premier League and arrived after four or five matches in the Portuguese league - no more than that.”



“We are very happy. Now it's December, normally he is going to get more opportunities to play, to get experience and to be what we thought when we bought him, which is he can be Manchester United's right-back for 10 years.”

Next up for Dalot and Manchester United will be a trip to Valencia on Wednesday for the club's final Champions League group game. Mourinho's side are guaranteed a spot in the knockouts already.

Victory could secure top spot in Group H, but the Red Devils would need Juventus to drop points against bottom-placed Young Boys, who have picked up just one point from five games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2018.12.11

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2018.12.11

Galatasaray Vs Porto

Schalke Vs Lokomotiv

Barcelona Vs Tottenham

Club Brugge Vs Atletico Madrid

Red Star Vs PSG

Inter Vs PSV

Liverpool Vs Napoli

Monaco Vs Dortmund

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[RottenCOLT]

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2018.12.11

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liverpool kapila iwarada dan

 

[ThisaraMalintha]

liverpool kapila iwarada dan

thaama na. Napoli, psg win karoth pool iwarai. mata mathaka hatiyata Napoli 9 , psg 8, pool 6 thiyenne pts

 

[RottenCOLT]

thaama na. Napoli, psg win karoth pool iwarai. mata mathaka hatiyata Napoli 9 , psg 8, pool 6 thiyenne pts

ow ne. napoli eka goal ganath 1-0, 1-3 wage thiyala dinanna onada koheda.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Red Star Belgrade 1 Paris Saint-Germain 4: Neymar brilliance helps secure Group C top spot

Paris Saint-Germain reached the Champions League knockout phase as winners of Group C thanks to a 4-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade.

First-half goals from Edinson Cavani and Neymar, a second-half header from Marquinhos and a late Kylian Mbappe strike were enough to send Thomas Tuchel's side into the last 16, despite Marko Gobeljic's finish 56 minutes in.

The result, combined with Liverpool's 1-0 win over Napoli at Anfield, means PSG claim top spot in their group, with Jurgen Klopp's side joining them in next Monday's last-16 draw.


PSG took the lead nine minutes in, Mbappe bursting past Filip Stojkovic and squaring the ball for Cavani to tap in from six yards out.
Red Star responded well to the setback but only good saves from Milan Borjan stopped Mbappe and Neymar from adding a second goal before the half-hour mark.But there was no stopping Neymar from a dazzling finish five minutes before the break, the Brazil star collecting Mbappe's reverse pass, driving into the box and leaving Borjan on the ground with a dummy before firing home.

Red Star improved after half-time and deservedly got a goal back through Gobeljic, who volleyed expertly past Gianluigi Buffon at the near post, and the visitors looked to be unsettled for a time as the home fans roared their approval.

However, a fine free-kick from Angel Di Maria was powered into the net by an unmarked Marquinhos 16 minutes from time, and a clinical low strike from Mbappe in the closing seconds secured PSG's place in the next round as they ended a four-game winless run away from home in the competition.