..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Alaves: Simeone's men held in breathtaking finish

Both teams scored deep into stoppage-time as an incredible finish saw Atletico Madrid start the new LaLiga season with a 1-1 draw at home to newly promoted Alaves.

Manu Garcia's stunning equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage-time cancelled out debutant Kevin Gameiro's penalty, which had itself come three minutes into added time.

Despite wasting a host of chances, Atletico thought they had taken all three points when Gameiro – who had been guilty for several of those poor misses – struck from 12 yards, but the visitors immediately levelled with their first shot on target through a sensational long-range effort.

The away side's sturdy defence frustrated Atletico for much of the match and luck appeared to be on their side when Yannick Carrasco struck the post just before half-time.

Fernando Torres was introduced at the break and he also hit the upright in the second half, before then winning a late penalty, from which Gameiro netted to make amends for his earlier mishaps.But the valiant visitors somehow found a way to battle back, with Garcia sending a thunderous effort past Jan Oblak from 25 yards to stun Atletico at the death.

Simeone made a point of highlighting Alaves' willingness to absorb pressure in the build-up and they unsurprisingly lived up to that reputation at Vicente Calderon, with Atletico struggling to break them down during the early exchanges.The hosts quickly resorted to efforts from distance, with Gabi and Gameiro firing just wide in quick succession.

Frustrated Atletico finally crafted a real chance 10 minutes before the break due to the sheer determination of Saul, but the midfielder fired straight at Fernando Pacheco from 18 yards, with centre-backs Alexis and Victor Laguardia putting him under significant pressure.

There was no excuse for Gameiro shortly after, though, as the Frenchman inexplicably blazed over from six yards after Koke's inch-perfect delivery.As Atletico upped the ante, the post then came to Alaves' rescue just before the break, denying Carrasco from 20 yards after he had been found by Filipe Luis.

Simeone responded at the break by replacing Tiago with Torres in an attempt to overload the Basques and they went close again early on, as Saul nodded Carrasco's scuffed effort just wide from 12 yards.

It continued to prove a frustrating debut for Gameiro, with the striker nodding Filipe's cross away from goal and taking it right off the head of Torres just after the hour mark.

Defender Diego Godin was the next to find himself in a brilliant position, but he prodded over from close range after Carrasco's cut-back.Atletico's siege continued shortly after, as Torres burst into the left side of the area and smashed a left-footed effort against the near post.

Their patience appeared to pay off when Torres was hauled down by Laguardia in the 93rd minute, with Gameiro finally making his mark and netting from the spot.
But Alaves stunned Atletico in style, as captain Garcia sent a stinging drive past Oblak from distance to secure a point for his side on their return to the top flight.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zidane: Picking Madrid team gives me headaches

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said the options in his squad are giving him headaches after he watched the European champions win 3-0 at Real Sociedad.

Wales star Gareth Bale scored twice to record an opening-day LaLiga victory on Sunday, but Marco Asensio was also on the scoresheet as he made his full Madrid debut.

And Zidane admitted after the game that he is struggling to identify his strongest line-up, with Cristiano Ronaldo among those still to come into the fold."I have to make decisions," the Frenchman said."I chose Asensio, who did well and scored a goal, but the others have also played well.

"It is difficult to choose the starting 11, my head hurts when I have to do it."Zidane also added that it was important to get off to a winning start, with the early months of the season crucial in deciding honours.

"We had to start the season well," he said. "Because the first few games always cost us."Madrid welcome Celta Vigo to the Santiago Bernabeu for their home opener next week.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

De Boer: Inter have a lot of work to do

Frank de Boer said Inter must improve after his new side were beaten 2-0 at Chievo in their opening Serie A match on Sunday.

The former Ajax coach has only been in charge at San Siro for two weeks, and he could not inspire his players to victory in their first game of the campaign following Valter Birsa's brace.

And, speaking after the defeat, De Boer admitted he and his team have work to do in order to make this season a success."We are very disappointed by the result and have a lot of work to do," he told Mediaset Premium.

"I am confident we will improve, both in terms of the football and physically. Next week we will to try to do better."De Boer also added that he had tailored his line-up with Inter's pre-season struggles in mind.

"I chose this system because we are not in the best shape," he continued."We played three at the back based on our condition and the way Chievo play."We conceded a goal in the most difficult moments, the game went because we are not at our best physically. When you concede that type of goal, it's difficult, but this is football.

"I think fitness levels influenced our tempo and that is why I decided to play with three."We had only one friendly match together, so I haven't had much time to improve these aspects."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid on verge of new record in La Liga

Real Madrid are on the verge of making even more history! Zinedine Zidane's team's 3-0 win over Real Sociedad means they have won their last 13 games in La Liga across the end of the 2015-16 season and the beginning of the 2016-17 campaign, and they need just three more wins to beat their previous record.

Real's 1961 vintage won 15 games straight and the current incumbents know that victory over Celta Vigo, Osasuna and Espanyol will see them set yet another record.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola warns Aguero not to 'disappear'

Pep Guardiola has told Sergio Aguero to keep up his pressing of opposition defenders, warning him not to "disappear" when out of possession.

Aguero has hit six goals in his first three games of the season, including two at Stoke City on Saturday, helping Manchester City start life with a 100 per cent record under Guardiola.

But the City boss, speaking after the 4-1 victory in the Potteries, was at pains to point out that the Argentine needs to carry on contributing when his side do not have the ball.

Goal understands that Guardiola's technical staff highlighted Aguero's relative lack of effort when not in possession before the Catalan started work in Manchester this summer.

The Blues moved to seal the £27 million signing of Brazil youngster Gabriel Jesus after being encouraged by his willingness to close down defenders, and they hope that his eventual arrival at the Etihad Stadium will put pressure on Aguero to improve that aspect of his game further.

Guardiola does admit his No.10 has been making strides in that department, but he was keen to ram the message home when asked to evaluate his two-goal performance at Stoke.

"To score five goals in two games is a good statistic," he told reporters. "From the beginning we spoke with Sergio.

"He knows we are here to help him to play the way to create as many chances as possible and more chances to score goals.

"But he has to help us. It’s not enough to receive the ball from his team-mates. He has to help us in the first pressure and run a lot and help us a lot with movement.

"Until now he’s doing it and when that happens you are involved in defensive tasks and the offensive.

"You cannot be brilliant when you disappear when you [don't] have the ball. It’s impossible. Football is a connection between what you have with the ball and without the ball.

"In the Sunderland game and the last two games he did it, and we can’t forget you need more training sessions."

Guardiola has also opened the door to Kelechi Iheanacho, who replaced Aguero at the newly named Bet365 Stadium on Saturday and helped create City's third and fourth goals.

The Nigerian youngster signed a two-year contract extention on Thursday, and Guardiola says he will have plenty of opportunities this season.

"He is always ready," he added. "We will need him. Sergio can’t play all season and Kelli is going to play. That’s why we saw Sergio was a little bit tired after playing four days ago and the travel.

"He kept the ball and made some very nice assists. We can’t achieve anything with just 11 or 12 players. We need everybody and I hope they realise that.

"Of course I have to decide and there are moments during the season where players are on top, are down and when that happens they will sit down beside me and we will play the players [that] are in better condition."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga 2016.08.22 Fixtures

LA Liga 2016.08.22 Fixtures

Celta Vigo Vs Leganes

Valencia Vs Las Palmas​

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Alaves: Simeone's men held in breathtaking finish

Patta match eka.
Had a bad day so couldn't sleep. Stayed awake until 5am watching this.

Atletico's pace was very slow. They give too much time for the other team to regroup.

Total Shots by Atleti - About 20/22
Shots on Target by Atleti - 10

Total Shots by Alaves - 1
Shots on goal - 1

90 minutes end wenakam atleti try kara kara but no breakthrough. injury time waladi torres breakthrough karanawa long ball ekakin penalty box edge eke fould karanawa. refree foul eka denne against atleti but goal line refree kiyanawa foul by Alaves kiyala. Gameiro hits the penalty.Mulu match ekema attack karata wada alaves injury time attack kara
second attack ekedi patta 30 yard shot ekak gahuwa

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal lack the Invincibles' personality - Vieira

Patrick Vieira has blamed a lack of physicality and personality within Arsenal's squad for their Premier League drought under Arsene Wenger.

The club's former captain won three Premier League titles during his stay between 1996 and 2005, with their famous Invincibles team going unbeaten in his penultimate season in 2003-04 – which remains the last time the Gunners claimed the title.Wenger has been responsible for two FA Cup wins in the last three years, but Vieira points to serious deficiencies that were not present when he enjoyed his own era of success in England as reasons for their failure to challenge in the league.

"My generation had lots of physically strong players," Vieira told The Telegraph."In the last five or six years, Arsenal went with more of this type of technical players. The Invicibles had it all."Now when I watch Arsenal, they play good football, but I just have a feeling they are missing something - the physical presence, the personality.

"The team is not doing as well as it used to and you need to win football matches. They've been disappointing, losing games they should have won."Vieira believes Wenger should be doing more to involve former players who previously enjoyed success under him in order to inspire Arsenal's younger players.

"I'm disappointed not to have ex-Arsenal players working at Arsenal," Vieira explained. "It is good for the young players could see a Thierry Henry, a [Freddie] Ljungberg, or a [Martin] Keown who have been at the club a good few years working in the academy, or working somewhere."I think they can do it a bit more, players want to do it but do not have the opportunity.

"I don't understand it, the perfect example is Ajax. You see all the old players working for the club, on the field, in the office - the door is always open for them - but Arsenal don't do it and I don't know why."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bacca: I've made a promise to Milan

Hat-trick hero Carlos Bacca said he promised to guide AC Milan back into European competition after rejecting a move away.Milan kicked off their Serie A season in winning fashion, overcoming Torino 3-2 thanks to Bacca's three-goal haul on Sunday.

The match-winning performance came on the back of an off-season fuelled by speculation linking Bacca with a San Siro departure, amid strong interest from Premier League outfit West Ham.But Bacca reiterated his desire to help Milan return to Europe, either via the Europa League or Champions League.

"When the intermediary presented the offer, I consulted with my family and decided to stay," Bacca told Sky Sport Italia post-match."It was the right thing for me to do."I wanted to remain because I promised I'd take Milan back into Europe."

Bacca opened the scoring in the 38th minute, only for Torino to hit back courtesy of Andrea Belotti three minutes into the second half.Milan, however, moved ahead again thanks to Bacca, who completed his hat-trick with two goals shortly after the hour-mark.

Daniele Baselli reduced the deficit in the 90th minute to give Torino hope, and Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma came up big for the hosts, saving a last-gasp penalty as Bacca walked away with the match ball.

"My son wanted the match ball and I'd promised to score him a hat-trick eventually, so I wanted to take the penalty and do it for him," added Bacca, who scored from the spot in the 62nd minute after Giacomo Bonaventura was fouled inside the area.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Eintracht Trier 0-3 Borussia Dortmund: Kagawa hits double in easy BVB victory

Shinji Kagawa helped himself to a first-half brace and Andre Schurrle scored a maiden Borussia Dortmund goal as Thomas Tuchel's side eased to a 3-0 DFB-Pokal win at Eintracht Trier.

Dortmund's fourth-tier opponents famously subjected them to a 2-1 defeat in this competition back in 1997, but there was never the slightest hint of a repeat after Tuchel named a strong line-up and was rewarded by a dominant display.

Kagawa could find his place under threat from Mario Gotze this season following the latter's return from Bayern Munich, but, with the 2014 World Cup winner sidelined due to a minor thigh complaint, the Japanese took the opportunity to impress.

Gotze's compatriot Schurrle, a close-season recruit from Wolfsburg, was involved in much of Dortmund's impressive attacking play before putting the result beyond doubt in first-half stoppage time.

The second period consequently took on a testimonial feel, with Dortmund's finishing lacking its earlier clinical edge, but Tuchel could enjoy watching his men operating in smooth working order ahead of this weekend's Bundesliga opener against his former club Mainz.Dortmund pressed their opponents back from kick off and opened the scoring in the eighth minute.

Kagawa collected a pass from Sebastian Rode and fed Schurrle before continuing his run and dispatching the loose ball when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unable to turn home the Germany international's cross.

Aubameyang almost doubled the advantage after 20 minutes, latching on to a sublime defence-splitting pass from centre-back Marc Bartra and lifting a dinked finish over Trier goalkeeper Chris Keilmann that came back off the inside of the post.

The only surprise surrounding Dortmund's second goal was that it took until after the half-hour mark to arrive – Kagawa's late run into the box again proving Trier's undoing when Schurrle let Gonazalo Castro's pass run across him.

Having been involved in the opening two goals, Schurrle opened his Dortmund account on the stroke of half-time, with Keilmann unable to keep out a firmly struck volley after Aubameyang stood up a cross to the far post.

A sliding block from home defender Florian Telch denied Kagawa hat-trick five minutes into the second half, the Japan star picking up the scraps after Schurrle challenged Keilmann aerially and was left with a blow to the head for his troubles.
The Trier goalkeeper was a spectator when Aubameyang headed Ousmane Dembele's centre against the crossbar.

Peter Rubeck's side responded with their most encouraging spell of the contest and substitute Muhamed Alawie could not find the finish to match his bustling run through the Dortmund defence Tuchel introduced Emre Mor for the final quarter of the match and the highly touted Turkey youngster had Keilmann at full stretch to keep out a 25-yard drive.The 24-year-old's best save of a busy outing came 14 minutes from time when substitute Adrian Ramos blasted goalwards on the end of a cutback from captain Marcel Schmelzer.

Aubameyang then missed twice more from close range, but his night of personal frustration was of little overall consequence.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

James happy at Real Madrid - Zidane

Zinedine Zidane insists James Rodriguez is happy at Real Madrid amid speculation the Colombia international could swap La Liga for the Premier League.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been heavily linked with moves for the playmaker after he dropped down the pecking order in the Spanish capital.

James only made 17 starts in the league in 2015-16 – his second season with Madrid - and he was only given 13 minutes of their opening league match of this campaign against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

His lack of action has seen him linked with a move away, but Zidane has consistently echoed the comments of Madrid president Florentino Perez in insisting the 25-year-old is not looking to leave."He is well and happy," Zidane said when asked about James after the 3-0 victory over Sociedad.

"He worked and helped us to gain the three points."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd's Borthwick-Jackson joins Wolves on loan

Manchester United’s Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan until the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

The 19-year-old broke into United’s first team last season under Louis van Gaal following an injury crisis that saw full-backs Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia all ruled out, making his debut in the 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in November.

He went on to make 14 appearances after impressing the Dutch manager, but new boss Jose Mourinho made it known to the young left-back that he is not in his immediate plans following Shaw’s return from a broken leg.

As a result he has been snapped up by Championship side Wolves, who are now managed by legendary former Inter and Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga.Wolves are unbeaten so far after four games of their league campaign this season, sitting two points off the top with eight points.

Borthwick-Jackson joins James Wilson and Adnan Januzaj in being sent out on loan by United after the attacking pair joined Derby and Sunderland respectively for the rest of the season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp: Origi has no rhythm - he must sort his skills

Jurgen Klopp has called for Divock Origi to "sort his skills" after Liverpool fired blanks in a 2-0 defeat at Burnley on Saturday.The Reds had no trouble in front of goal during the opening round of the new Premier League season, they beat Arsenal 4-3 at the Emirates Stadium.

But Daniel Sturridge and Origi, who replaced the England international in the 65th minute at Turf Moor, were unable to break down Sean Dyche's stubborn Championship winners on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of a League Cup tie away to second-tier Burton Albion, Klopp claimed there is plenty more to come from Origi in 2016-17, as the Belgium international seeks to regain full match fitness following an ankle injury suffered in April.

"Physically, he can make another step," the manager said. "But on the other side, he has no rhythm at the moment, which you can see.

"Saturday was clear, we could have played another 20 minutes and not scored. He needs to find that rhythm again. He is so skilled, but he needs to use them all in the right moment. "He is not a very experienced player, he needs to sort all of his skills."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Drogba: I was in training, not in Aston Villa talks

Didier Drogba has laughed off reports linking him with a move to Aston Villa.Social media went into overdrive when Villa owner Tony Xia claimed the Championship club were closing in on a "world class" striker.

Chelsea great Drogba emerged as a possible arrival, given he worked under Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo at Stamford Bridge, with the pair winning the 2012 Champions League.

But the 38-year-old Montreal Impact striker dismissed the speculation, using Twitter to apparently distance himself from any possible move.

"Just come out of training at @impactmontreal & a million messages & trending on Twitter saying I was in Birmingham today," Drogba wrote.Drogba has scored eight goals in 15 MLS games for the Impact this season.Villa, meanwhile, have started life in England's second tier with one win, two draws and a defeat.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Allardyce: I'll talk to Guardiola about Hart

Sam Allardyce hopes to hold talks with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola regarding the future of England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Guardiola has demoted Hart, England's regular number one, to the bench and preferred Willy Caballero in goal for the first three games of his Etihad Stadium reign.

City are widely tipped to complete the signing of Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo this week, leaving Hart's future at a club where he made his debut almost 10 years ago looking bleak.Allardyce offered the consolation that he will include the 63-cap Hart in his squad to face Slovakia in England's opening 2018 World Cup qualifier when it is named over the weekend.

But the former Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers boss is eager to get the inside track on a situation he concedes will hurt Hart's prospects of retaining a starting berth with his country if it is for the long-term.

"Absolutely — eventually, in the end, [playing regularly] is critical for a player," the England manager told reporters."If it's a short period of time, maybe not. Then they come back in the team and everything’s goes fine.

"If it goes for a longer period of time then I think it's difficult then to select them, based on how they feel, never mind from a training point of view — can they go and play at that level having not played for their own team for a considerable amount of time? So it is a concern.

"I'll go and speak to them about that – Pep and Joe - sooner or later. Certainly when Joe joins us because he'll be in the squad."If I can get the chance to go and see Pep I'd like to listen to him anyway."The impressive progress of two of England's brightest young talents is likely to be on the agenda when that meeting happens.

John Stones was an unused substitute throughout Euro 2016 but has performed with impressive authority since joining City from Everton in a move that made him the Premier League's most expensive defender. Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling has put a chastening campaign in France behind him to star in Guardiola's side.Allardyce is keen to see Stones making good on his potential at a club he believes is the right place for him to develop

"Potential is something that’s going to be great in the future," he said. "I want it right now - and I think he’s got a great chance of becoming that right now."With all due respect to Everton, working with Manchester City is the level he has to get to because you don't realise [Guardiola] does focus quite a lot on defending."

On Sterling, he added: "There’s always that time in football where people say that when you have the dip, it’s how well do you overcome it."And when you do overcome it, you then end up being a much better player and generally your career lasts a lot longer after getting through that period.

"So if he's through that period and his talent begins to blossom again... because he’s not at the peak of his career yet. He's 21."He's a terrific talent, like many of the players in England. We’ve just got to enhance the talent, play as a team and win."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mustafi and Alcacer not for sale, says Valencia boss Ayestaran

Pako Ayestaran has insisted that neither Shkodran Mustafi nor Paco Alcacer are up for sale during the current transfer window. The German defender has been strongly linked with Arsenal, while Alcacer's name has come up repeatedly in connection with a move to Barcelona.

Valencia need to sell in order to meet Financial Fair Play regulations, but their coach is adamant the pair have a future at the Mestalla.

"Mustafi is not for sale and will not be leaving the club," he told reporters following a 4-2 home defeat to Las Palmas on Monday to start the team's La Liga campaign on a negative note. The Arsenal target did not start in the defeat, heightening speculation he may be leaving for the Emirates.

Ayestaran, however, clarified before kick-off that his omission was due to his fitness, and he came on at half-time with Valencia already 3-2 down.

Alcacer, meanwhile, played the entire 90 minutes, and his coach said he had been told the forward was not for sale either. "With Alcacer I can be as firm as with Mustafi, [club president] Lay Hoon already said it," he added.

"The president has said in public that Alcácer and Mustafi are not for sale and I have to believe her".

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Mustafi and Alcacer not for sale, says Valencia boss Ayestaran

Valencia have become so shit it makes me vomit

They certainly have the talent and the brilliance to drop down any team but lack a good game plan.
In the las palmas game they were excellent. Was so close to scoring many times. But again the phase of the game comes to action here.
You can't win games by having a same kind of tempo all the time. The opponents get used to it. Valen were so damn quick that many EPL clubs wouldn't be able to stop them but palmas adopted and with a bit of luck held them and finished with a brilliant counter

La Liga have been so damn interesting for the underdogs the opening day
EPL too.

 

[Alucard_SxE]

What a freakin day

1. Hapoel vs Celtic 2-0 - Hapoel shoud've finished off celtic but somehow celtic managed to hold on and qualify for the group stage. Good on you brendan

2. Monaco vs Villareal 1-0- Was expecting a much more enthusiasm from both sides but was a dead game. injury time penalty won for monaco. They'll do good this time with Falcoa back on form

3. Legia vs Dundalk 1-1- I thought Legia will finish off for good in this home game. They had a lot of chances but failed to score. Goal of the day by that dundalk player. Check it out. A brilliant Volley Legia managed to draw somehow in injury time playing with a red card.

4. Plzen vs Ludo 2-2 - WTF was Plzen doing? They should've played much much better. poor performance with the late conceding

5. Roma vs Porto 0-3 - Surprise of the day Porto were brilliant in the opening 30 mins & scored a goal making roma attack. They were doing fine until the straight red for de rossi Then all went wrong for roma got another straight red in the second half. Even then they looked like scoring. Sad to see Totti having trouble with coping it up. porto finished the game with late 2 goals. Roma did give up a good fight with 2 men down but it wasn't enough. The ref was a bit harsh on the first red imo. Maybe they'll do better in the europa league. hope they win it.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Milan reject Chelsea's Romagnoli bid

AC Milan have confirmed that they have rejected an approach from Chelsea for defender Alessio Romagnoli.

The Serie A side claim the Blues bid "in excess of €35 million" for the 21-year-old Italy Under-21 international, but that they have turned the offer down.Antonio Conte is determined to strengthen his defensive options before the end of the transfer window, having previously declared himself unhappy at the lack of depth.

Having seemingly failed to wrap up a deal for Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, the Blues have now turned their attention to Romangnoli. The 21-year-old Italian, who has been compared to Serie A greats such as Alessandro Nesta, joined the Milan last season for a fee of £21m.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke confirm interest in Man Utd defender Jones

Stoke City are interested in signing Manchester United defender Phil Jones.
England international Jones, 24, has yet to make a first-team appearance under Jose Mourinho, with Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind all seemingly preferred options at the back.

And Mark Hughes now appears keen to bring Jones to Stoke, with Potters assistant Mark Bowen confirming there was a level of interest for the defender who hasn't feature for United since January."I remember Sam Allardyce talking about him when he broke through and said he was the new Duncan Edwards," he told the Stoke Sentinel.

"He did well as a youngster, got the big move, but it hasn't worked out for him there. I don't know how close we are or how far down the line it's gone."He's played the majority of his career at centre half, but in his younger days he went into midfield as well.

"I don't know what's gone wrong, but he's gone from even a player Fergie [Sir Alex Ferguson] was talking about as being someone who could have been one of the greats."But we have a bit of reputation for bringing players like that into this set up and then thriving. Fingers crossed, something may happen."

Jones managed just 10 Premier League appearances last season having struggled with injury issues and was left out of the squad for United's two opening wins of 2016-17.