..::Football IV::..

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Robben confident Memphis will recover from Man Utd struggles

Arjen Robben says he expects Memphis Depay to prove his talent if he secures a move away from Manchester United.

Memphis has failed to impress at Old Trafford following his move from PSV in 2015, being relegated to the bench by Louis van Gaal and finding playing time limited under current coach Jose Mourinho.

A great deal had been expected of the young forward, who impressed in the Eredivisie and attracted a lot of attention with his displays in the 2014 World Cup.
But Memphis has been linked with a move to Everton in January, while some Serie A sides are also said to be interested.

Netherlands team-mate Robben is disappointed that things haven’t gone his way in England, but hopes he can recover if he joins another club.

“He is a very talented player,” he told Goal. “It's a pity it didn't work at Manchester until now. He's playing very few matches. I'm expecting something to happen next time, maybe he will make a move in the winter break.”While Memphis underwhelms, Robben continues to shine at Bayern Munich after missing the first weeks of the season due to injury.

The 32-year-old has scored six goals and provided three assists in 13 games in all competitions this term, and says he has had no difficulty in adapting to Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics.

“I've been happy about the switch to 4-2-3-1 and I think everybody saw it worked very well. But this is not an issue for me.“The last three years we played very flexible, nearly every game. Often there were little changes. You need these surprises to make it difficult for the opponent.

“You always have to stay flexible. We have many players and the coach has to decide. As a player, it's difficult. But I've been very happy over the last few games, because it was a lot of fun.

“We had a lot of movement in the attack and we created a lot of chances, scored three goals and then five. That's very good. We’ve always played with this system, not only with Pep but as well with Louis van Gaal and Jupp Heynckes. We had another attacker, a No.10 and that worked very well.”

 

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Conte hints at Chelsea transfers

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has hinted the Premier League leaders could add to their ranks in the January transfer window.

N'Golo Kante, Michy Batshuayi, Marcos Alonso and David Luiz all joined ahead of the 2016-17 campaign, but with Oscar seemingly on his way to China, Conte is ready to re-enter the market to boost Chelsea's title hopes.

"We must be very pleased for the achievement we have reached now, but it is logical that I look with my club for a solution to arrive in a good position at the end of the season," Conte said.

"I do not know what will happen in January but in this situation it is important to talk with my club. We have a fantastic relationship."I have my idea, but I prefer to discuss this with the club."

Chelsea have been in stunning form in recent weeks, winning 11 Premier League games in succession, but Conte feels there is still plenty of room for improvement, particularly in front of goal.

"I think we could have scored more goals against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but we only got one, and it was the same at Sunderland," the former Italy and Juventus coach added.

"We can improve and be more clinical because when you have this type of game you are at risk until the end."Chelsea play host to Bournemouth in the league next Monday.

 

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'I might retire at 65' - Buffon intends to keep on playing

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has made it clear retiring is not on his mind just yet and has joked he could play on until he is 65-years-old!The Italy international will turn 39 in January and has a contract with the Serie A champions until the end of next season.

However, Buffon, who has previously suggested he would call time on his career after the 2018 World Cup, is adamant he still feels young and plans to keep going for the forseeable future.

"I still do not feel like an old guy at the age of 38," Buffon told Tuttosport.
"Will I say farewell to the game in 10 years' time or in 15 years' time? Who knows, I might retire at the age of 65...

"I have not lost an awful lot in my life, but the defeats have taught me more than the victories. Whenever I lose, I focus on the ability of my opponent and on the mistakes I made.

"Not looking for excuses is the right thing to do. I have made a lot of mistakes and I still make mistakes, but I am not ashamed to look for the reasons behind those mistakes.

"I turned down drugs when I was 13. A guy in Parma offered me them to have a bit of fun. I said no and three years later he died of an overdose. I believe in doing the right things, that is my character and personality."

 

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Juventus much more than Higuain, says Montella

Vincenzo Montella says he has more than Gonzalo Higuain to worry about when AC Milan meet Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana.Milan meet Juve in Qatar on Friday, looking to avenge their defeat in May's Coppa Italia final.

Montella knows Higuain, the Serie A champions' €90million striker, is a huge threat and feels the Argentina international is worthy of his large price-tag, but the Rossoneri coach also has concern about strike partner Paulo Dybala, among others."Juventus are not just about Higuain," Montella said to Tuttosport."Paulo Dybala, for example, is one of the best in the world.

"Can we beat them? Well, we have done already, but they are a team that has been built to win the Champions League. Massimiliano Allegri has a complete team that can play in so many ways.

"As for the €90m spent on him [Higuain], it is the law of supply and demand."It has made the gap between the value of the players much wider but if we think about what buys you an average player and what buys you a player like Higuain, that right there is this difference.

"It is because the fans identify with being champions, therefore they want a champion."Montella hopes his team can repeat their Serie A win over Allegri's men in October and rejected the assertion Milan lacked Juve's experience in finals.

The Milan boss added: "I want to see the right attitude. Against Juventus it is not enough to be at 90 per cent, you need 100 per cent and a little bit more."Then it takes a bit of luck - Juve have won five and a half league titles.

"But it is not true this Milan are not used to finals. Only last May, they played in the Coppa Italia final and then I think my team in the league have played several matches as if they were a final.

"Even against Roma, for example, the mentality was like that. Apart from the result [a 1-0 away loss], I was pleased with my players."It will be different from when we beat Juventus in the league, but I won't tell you whether and how I will change my Milan and give away any advantages.

"It is not thanks to me that we will be in Doha. I would like to say a final thank you to my predecessors [Sinisa] Mihajlovic, [Cristian] Brocchi and the players that were here a year ago."

 

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'I am not closing the door to anything' - Payet open to Marseille return

Manchester United are closing in on a transfer for highly rated young Benfica defender Victor Lindelof.

Goal understands that Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira was expected to travel to Manchester on Monday to meet with United officials to iron out the final details of a move.

Jose Mourinho has marked the centre-half as his number one target in the January transfer window and the Portuguese side are said to be willing to let him leave for around €45 million.

Lindelof, a 22-year-old Sweden international, is also able to operate from right-back and has started in 13 of Benfica's 14 Primeira Liga games, and all six of their European fixtures.

Paris Saint-Germain and Inter had also been linked with the youngster, who is one of Jose Mourinho's priorities for the coming window

 

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'I am not closing the door to anything' - Payet open to Marseille return

Dimitri Payet has fuelled speculation surrounding his future at West Ham by refusing to rule out a potential return to former club Marseille.

The 29-year-old has been linked with several big clubs including Manchester United after starring for West Ham last season, before helping France reach the Euro 2016 final.

However, Payet - who played for Marseille from 2013 to 2015 - has suggested he could be interested in moving back to Ligue 1.He told SFR Sport: “I am not closing the door to anything.”

Should Payet look to leave West Ham, it is understood that it would take a huge offer to lure him away from the London Stadium.

West Ham co-chairman David Gold said in July that the club would not entertain offers less than £50m for Payet.

Marseille have since been taken over by Frank McCourt, the former owner of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, and have big plans to return to the top of French football.

“Marseille have a new project which seems interesting,” Payet added. “Aside from that, we are obviously waiting to see the first few things that the new owners do, but Marseille knows how attached I am to the club.

“When I talk about it, I say the best possible things, because that is what I think, so why not.”Payet has scored two Premier League goals for West Ham so far this season.

 

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Brazil-Colombia friendly for Chapecoense confirmed for January 25

The proposed friendly between Brazil and Colombia in order to raise money for Chapecoense will take place in Rio de Janeiro on January 25, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed.

Chapecoense players, backroom staff and directors were among the 71 people who lost their lives when a flight carrying them to Colombia for the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional crashed last month.

Offers of support flooded in from across the globe, with teams in Europe and elsewhere in South America offering to loan the Brazilian side players for free.


Chapecoense will take on Barcelona after being invited to participate in next year's Joan Gamper Trophy, while a match between Brazil and Colombia will also be played for the benefit of the club and the families of those who died.

The two nations will meet at the Estadio Nilton Santos – the stadium which played host to the Olympic Games earlier this year – next month, with Tite in charge of a Brazil squad formed only of domestic-based players.

"Because it is not a date for FIFA internationals, we will work with the players of Brazilian teams so as not to embarrass a club or player that has to deny the call because of a championship being in progress," said Brazilian national team co-ordinator Edu Gaspar.

Tite added: "It will be a special match, but we will use it to take a closer look at some player who have not had the opportunity in other team selections."

The iconic Maracana was touted as a potential venue for the match but the Estadio Nilton Santos was preferred due to the "smaller and more efficient operating structure", according to director of CBF competitions Manoel Flores.

 

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‘I could have fun in that team’ – Payet drops Arsenal hint

Dimitri Payet has suggested that he would be keen to move to Arsenal – but has insisted that Arsene Wenger has never made a move for him.


The West Ham star has frequently been linked with a move across London, with reports suggesting that his compatriot and Arsenal boss Wenger believes the France international would be ideal for the Gunners.“I read that Wenger considers me the missing piece of the Arsenal’s game, but he’s never told me that!” Payet told RMC.

“We conceded five or six at home against them. When you see them playing, as a technical player, you could only have fun in that team. They’re candidates for the title every year.”

Following suggestions that he could move back to Marseille, which he did little to repel, Payet - whose West Ham side are struggling in the Premier League - also revealed that he misses playing in the Champions League.

“The situation at the club affects me, but I’m an ambitious person,” he continued. “I’m in a fight with my club and I’m giving everything for them, to get out of this difficult situation, but I’m not closing the door to anything. “I miss the Champions League ... I’ve got some great years ahead of me and I want to enjoy them by playing in important competitions.”

He is not, however, ready to go to war with manager Slaven Bilic over a move away from West Ham.

“If I’m forced to leave West Ham, it will be done according to the rules – the club will have its share of the cake,” he added. “My coach understands that today’s situation does not suit me.


“I will ask the questions at the right time.”It has been reported that Payet has a release clause worth as little as £15 million if West Ham are relegated from the Premier League.

The Hammers currently find themselves 13th in the standings, only five points above the drop zone and 10 behind sixth-placed Manchester United - who currently occupy the last European qualification spot.

 

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Herrera vows to fight for Manchester United future

Ander Herrera has vowed to fight for his Manchester United future and insists he is not taking his place at the club for granted.The midfielder has become a key part of Jose Mourinho's plans, starting six consecutive Premier League matches as United's form has improved.

Herrera, 27, has spent two-and-a-half years at United, but feels the club's ability to sign the world's top talent means no player can ever feel secure.

Asked if he wanted a long stay by Inside United, he said: "Yes, but you never know because if I want to keep playing for United you have to play very well because United is the biggest club in England.

"The club has the capacity to bring any players here so you have to always be at your highest level if you want to keep playing for this club. "It's not easy but I hope I can and I will fight for it."

Herrera feels the main difference between La Liga - where he started his career – and the Premier League is the pace of the game."Maybe the rhythm of the game here is a little bit higher sometimes," he said.

"In Spain and other countries they think more about tactics or defending the goal, but here in England everyone wants to attack and that's good for the fans as well.
"I don't think there is a big difference, football is football everywhere and the good players are good players everywhere."

However, Herrera feels his former club – Athletic Bilbao – are similar to sides in England.He added: "First of all the stadium and also the fans – for example they celebrate and cheer for every corner like the people do in England.

"This is the first thing you can see if you go to San Mames. Historically Athletic's style has been quite direct and can be similar to English football too."
Herrera made his Spain debut against England last month.

 

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Everton 0-1 Liverpool: Last-gasp Mane gives Reds vital win

Sadio Mane's dramatic injury-time winner helped Liverpool keep pace in the Premier League title race and earn Merseyside derby bragging rights in a 1-0 win at Everton on Monday.

There had been little excitement during a largely forgettable encounter at Goodison Park until Mane pounced on the rebound after Daniel Sturridge's shot struck the post in the 94th minute to earn a big three points for the Reds.

Neither side produced much in the final third during a drab first half and, although Everton edged proceedings, there were no shots on target in the opening 45 minutes - only the second time that has happened in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool improved after the break and Roberto Firmino should have done better with the game's first clear-cut chance that was saved by Maarten Stekelenburg, while the Brazilian saw a volley brilliantly saved by Everton's substitute goalkeeper Joel Robles.

But Mane's late intervention rendered those misses irrelevant and Liverpool are now unbeaten in 12 games against Everton, while the gap to in-form leaders Chelsea remains at six points ahead of the Christmas period.

A limp Ashley Williams header was all Everton - who were fortunate not to have Ross Barkley sent off for a lunge on Jordan Henderson - could muster and they remain in ninth place.

Everton set the early tempo in a frenetic opening that produced little quality in the final third, the hosts full of energy as they looked to hurry their neighbours.It seemed to do the trick as the visitors struggled for any sort of fluency and Klopp was visibly frustrated as he barked orders from the sideline to no avail.

As the half wore on Divock Origi was finally presented with a sight of Stekelenburg's goal but he blazed Nathaniel Clyne's cross high and wide.

The Toffees were no better with Enner Valencia, Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley all failing to test Simon Mignolet, while Ramiro Funes Mori headed the clearest opening for either side wide from the half's only corner two minutes before the break.

Liverpool had a great chance five minutes after the restart when Firmino shrugged off Funes Mori on the edge of the penalty area, but his attempted lob was well saved by Stekelenburg and in the chaos that ensued Mane and Clyne both failed to convert.

Everton lost their Dutch goalkeeper to injury just after the hour and they were lucky not to see Barkley sent off after 68 minutes for a mistimed lunge that saw him catch Henderson flush on the ankle.

With chances at a premium Williams should have done better with a free header after 75 minutes - Everton's first on target of the match.

Firmino was denied by a superb reflex save from substitute keeper Robles as the pressure on Everton's goal began to grow and in stoppage time their resolve was broken.

Substitute Sturridge held off the challenge of Leighton Baines before firing low past Robles, the ball hitting the upright and rebounding to Mane for a simple tap in.
Firmino almost added a second, but one goal was enough to see Liverpool back into second place.

 

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Points more important than performance for Klopp in scrappy derby win

Jurgen Klopp was more than happy to accept Liverpool's scrappy 1-0 win at Everton in a largely forgettable Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The Reds looked set to drop more points to in-form Premier League leaders Chelsea as Monday's encounter entered stoppage time, but Sadio Mane ensured Liverpool took all three points with a tap in after substitute Daniel Sturridge's effort had struck the post.

Klopp acknowledged the encounter was far from a classic, but felt his side were worthy winners and was delighted to give the visiting supporters bragging rights in the city.

"It was quite intense but we are very happy and deserved to win in a difficult game," Klopp told Sky Sports. "The best thing you can do on a night like this is win and you saw how happy our fans were.

"We didn't give a lot of chances away, I can't remember one chance for Everton.
"The plan of Everton was wild football. They were chasing us everywhere, it is really difficult to play against this. We couldn't handle it at first. We will be better at reacting against this in a few months."We were much better in the second half, we could have scored earlier but actually I don't care.

"We needed someone who could shoot and Daniel Sturridge did that. If you only win games when you are brilliant you won't win many games. It was a battle and we were ready for it."

 

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James' Madrid career looks over as transfer ban is reduced

The end is nigh for James Rodriguez at Real Madrid. The Spanish side were reluctant to let any of their players leave in the summer due to their transfer ban which meant they could not register new players until 2018. But now that sanction has been reduced, the Colombian looks likely to depart.

James signed for Madrid in the summer of 2014 after an excellent World Cup with Colombia, but after an impressive debut season in 2014-15 under Carlo Ancelotti, he has struggled to hold down a place at the Spanish side and has slipped way down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In the final of the Club World Cup against Japanese side Kashima Antlers on Sunday, a new ruling allowed Madrid to become the first team to use four substitutes in an official match. Not even that, however, was enough for James to get on the pitch for Zinedine Zidane's side.

"I can't assure I will stay at Real Madrid," the 25-year-old said afterwards. "I have offers and seven days left to think about my future. I am happy in Madrid, but I want to play more. I have a bitter feeling as I wanted to play the final, but I am happy for the title. It's the 15th title of my career."

But, just like the Champions League crown earlier in 2016, it came with little protagonism from the South American playmaker. James was an unused substitute in Milan as Madrid claimed their 11th European Cup and stayed on the bench for the entirety again in Yokohama on Sunday.

He has also fallen behind Isco in the battle for a starting spot. The Spain midfielder was so impressive in the 3-0 win away to Atletico in La Liga last month and is now ahead of the Colombian in Zidane's thoughts.

Madrid's coach is asked about James' future in every single press conference and sometimes on several occasions. "It is a problem," he admitted earlier in December. "He is not playing much and he wants to play more."

James, who admitted during his time at Banfield in Argentina that Zidane was his idol as a youngster, said in the summer that he was willing to keep working to make his Madrid dream work out.

However, he has grown frustrated at a lack of opportunities since then. In total, he has appeared 16 times, starting only nine matches and scoring two goals this term, but when everyone is available, he is nowhere near Zidane's first-choice XI.

Madrid had been unwilling to consider any major departures due to their transfer ban for the irregularities in the signing of young players which was set to see no new players registered until 2018.

But, with that sanction now reduced, Real can now sign in the summer. And, given the substantial size of their squad and the fact that they rarely buy players in January anyway, James now looks likely to leave. The only question now seems not if, but when - in January or at the end of the season.

 

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'Ozil needs to buck his ideas up' - Wright

Mesut Ozil ‘needs to buck his ideas up’ in the opinion of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, with the Germany international currently ‘letting down fans who continue to fight his corner’.

The World Cup winner has earned plenty of plaudits this season, with his creative talents allowing him to make match-altering contributions when in the right frame of mind.

He can, however, be virtually anonymous if contained by clued up opponents and put in as many forgettable displays as he does memorable ones.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, Ozil’s contribution was minimal during their 2-1 defeat to fellow Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City on Sunday.

Wright believes he needs to raise his game considerably next time out against West Brom on Boxing Day, with a number of other under-performing stars also owing manager Arsene Wenger and an expectant fan base a markedly improved performance.

He wrote in a column for The Sun: “Mesut Ozil in particular has come in for tons of stick — and there has got to be a reaction from him to that.

“We all know the quality he’s got, so there can be no excuse for the performance he served up at the Etihad.“I’m not interested in all the stuff being chucked around about how he was walking. That’s pretty much irrelevant.

“He does need to start delivering more than he is right now, though, because frankly he is letting down all those fans who continue to fight his corner.

“But while Ozil needs to buck his ideas up, he’s far from the only one. The problem for Arsenal is a collective one, not individual.“And they need to stick together like never before now — there is no hiding place after the City defeat.”

Ozil has netted nine times for Arsenal in all competitions this season, but has offered little to the cause during back-to-back defeats against Everton and City.

Speculation regarding his future, as contract talks rumble on, is also proving to be an unwelcome distraction, with performances on the field being overshadowed by events off it.

 

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'Not every Swede is Zlatan, but Lindelof is perfect for Man Utd' - Blomqvist

Victor Lindelof would be ‘perfect’ for Manchester United, according to his fellow Swede and former Red Devils winger Jesper Blomqvist.

The 22-year-old centre-half is being heavily linked with a big-money move to Old Trafford during the January transfer window, with a €45 million (£37.8m) deal being mooted.

United are reportedly ready to open talks with the player, with Goal revealing on Monday that Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira was due in Manchester to talk terms.

A January switch is seemingly on the cards, with Jose Mourinho aware of the need to bolster his defensive ranks – with Eric Bailly due to jet off on Africa Cup of Nations duty in the new year.

Blomqvist is confident his countryman will be a success in English football – with the potential there for him to become the next Rio Ferdinand - but has warned that ‘not every Swede is Zlatan Ibrahimovic’.

He told the Manchester Evening News: "I was watching the November match between Sweden and France on TV and caught a glimpse of Jose Mourinho in the stand and my first thought was that it could only be Victor Lindelof he was looking at."My second thought was what a great signing that would be for the player and Manchester United. It would be perfect.

"He's quick, confident with the ball, likes to play and is very strong. For United fans, I think the best comparisons would be with Rio Ferdinand and Ronny Johnsen. I'm not saying he is at their level yet, but he is very capable of getting there."

The 1999 Treble winner added: "He's a mature player and a mature person. One thing I do like about him is that he hasn't gone an easy route with his career.

"I think making the decision to go to Portugal at that age and making a success of it and then doing what he did for the [Sweden] U21s shows the character of the player.

"Obviously, a move to Manchester United is a different level again. Not every Swede is Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- but you get the feeling that Victor would handle it OK."

Lindelof has only made 49 senior appearances for Benfica, netting one goal, but has already graced the Portuguese top-flight, the Champions League and Euro 2016.

 

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'Mourinho best in the world and getting it right at Man Utd' - Saunders

Jose Mourinho remains "the best manager in the world" in the eyes of Dean Saunders, with the Portuguese having helped Manchester United to "turn the corner".

The Red Devils endured a tough opening to the 2016-17 campaign, with a fast start followed by a frustrating period of inconsistency that led them to fall off the pace for a top-four spot.

Fortunes have improved of late, though, with four successive victories secured in all competitions.Three in the Premier League have lifted United back to within four points of the Champions League places, with momentum building behind them.

Saunders expects the Mourinho "machine" to kick on from this point, but concedes that they have left themselves a lot of catching up to do on those edging clear at the summit.

He told Sky Sports News: "They've spent a lot of money and are just off the pace.They could put it right but I just think they'll be disappointed with where they are lying right now.

"They've turned the corner. [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic is scoring every week, the two centre-backs look good, [Paul] Pogba's looking like a different player on the left of a three-man midfield.

"They're starting to look like one of Jose Mourinho's teams, which are hard to play against. He's starting to get it together.

"Mourinho took a bit of criticism but I have to say he's probably the best manager in the world so don't underestimate what he's doing behind the scenes."He'll be getting that team functioning and before long it'll be like a machine.Whether they've given themselves too much to do remains to be seen but there's still a long way to go."

United will be looking to stretch their winning run on Boxing Day when they welcome former boss David Moyes and his struggling Sunderland side to Old Trafford.

 

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Barcelona 'have no plan B' if Luis Enrique leaves, we want him to renew - Bartomeu

Barcelona have no "plan B" if head coach Luis Enrique decides to leave Camp Nou at the end of the season.

Luis Enrique has guided Barca to La Liga and Copa del Rey doubles in each of his two seasons in charge, as well as the 2014-15 Champions League.

His contract expires in June and, though Barca are happy to put negotiations off until the end of the campaign, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu admits they might be ill-prepared if he opts to leave.

Asked to confirm his intentions for the end of the term, Luis Enrique told reporters: "I don't remember what I've answered on that before... next question."

This question followed a Bartomeu news conference, in which he outlined Barca's determination to see Luis Enrique stay."There is no plan B for the coach. We want him to renew," Bartomeu said. "We have been focused on games and competitions and that has been the most important thing for us.

"I said a while ago, in April, that we will eventually sit down and talk."We'd love to but we are going to give it more time as the main focus for us is competitions.

 

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Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Augsburg: Dembele on target but BVB held again

Stuttering Borussia Dortmund ended 2016 with an unbeaten home league record, but a 1-1 draw against Augsburg means they could be as many as 12 points adrift of the Bundesliga leaders heading into the mid-season break.

Thomas Tuchel's side's only loss at Signal Iduna Park in the calendar year came in the DFL-Supercup to Bayern Munich in August and, with Carlo Ancelotti's leaders facing second-placed RB Leipzig on Wednesday, Dortmund had the chance to crank up the pressure.

Mario Gotze fired an early warning by hitting the post, but the hosts' defence has been suspect at times this season and so it proved again when Ji Dong-won - who had a spell at Dortmund in 2014 - finished a swift Augsburg counter-attack to put the visitors in front.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the league's top scorer, perhaps should have levelled before half-time, yet Ousmane Dembele's calm finish did restore parity shortly after the restart.

Shinji Kagawa will feel he could have had a penalty and Aubameyang and Andre Schurrle missed chances as Tuchel, taking charge of his 50th league match with Dortmund, was left frustrated.

Dortmund now have just one win in five league outings and are fourth, nine points adrift of Bayern and Leipzig, while Augsburg - whose interim coach Manuel Baum has four points from two games - are 12th.

An impeccable moment of silence was held before kick-off in honour of the victims of Monday's attack in Berlin, and Dortmund enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges as Gotze rode a couple of challenges on the left of the box before seeing a deflected shot hit the near post.

Aubameyang then tested visiting goalkeeper Marwin Hitz with a low, dipping 30-yard free-kick.Augsburg gradually started to pose questions of their own, although Hitz had to palm away Kagawa's stinging edge-of-the-box drive.

But it was the visitors that took the lead in the 33rd minute. Martin Hinteregger led a swift counter and Daniel Baier picked out Ji, who smashed into the unguarded goal after Roman Weidenfeller saved his initial shot.Aubameyang wasted a great chance to level when he headed Marcel Schmelzer's pin-point cross wide of the left-post when unmarked in the area.

Marc Bartra saw tentative penalty claims for a shove from Dominik Kohr waved away as Dortmund remained frustrated at the break.It took little over a minute of the second half for Dortmund to level, though. Kagawa slipped in Dembele, who took a touch and coolly slotted into the bottom-left corner.

Dortmund poured forward in search of a second and Hitz made a fine stop from Aubameyang's wonderfully controlled acrobatic volley, before Kagawa was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty from Paul Verhaegh's trip.

Aubameyang's miscued effort caused panic in the Augsburg goal and the pacy forward was uncharacteristically wasteful with a high-and-wide effort when one-on-one.Hitz foiled Aubameyang again in the closing stages with Schurrle placing the rebound wide as Augsburg held on for a point.

 

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Atletico Madrid 4-1 Guijuelo (agg. 10-1): Torres scores as Simeone's side advance in style

Atletico Madrid made predictably light work of minnows Guijuelo in the Copa del Rey as a 4-1 second-leg victory at the Vicente Calderon saw their lopsided round-of-32 tie finish 10-1 on aggregate.

Guijuelo were hit for six in last month's opening game and, although Diego Simeone shuffled his pack, he still sent out an Atletico side with too much quality and know-how for their third-tier opponents.

Nico Gaitan and first-leg goalscorer Angel Correa got the procession under way before a collector's item arrived in the form of Juanfran's fifth goal in his 278th Atleti appearance.

A man more accustomed to finding the net – Fernando Torres – made it four before half-time, by which point Raul Ruiz's red card had added to the sense of hopelessness surrounding the Guijuelo cause.

They creditably avoided further damage during the second period and found a consolation through substitute Antonio Pino's clever headed finish, as Simeone's men eased towards the mid-season break.

Torres swept over from the left-hand side of the penalty area in the 15th minute, before Gaitan made the breakthrough in a similar position after Thomas Partey darted across the Guijuelo area and Correa allowed the ball to run into the former Benfica man's path.

Gaitan was involved when Atleti doubled their lead five minutes later, heading Torres' chip into the box against the crossbar and allowing Correa to rifle a shot into the top corner.

Correa resumed his support duties before the half hour, threading a pass beyond a woefully static Hector and allowing Juanfran to stream forward and emphatically claim a rare goal.
The minnows almost made light of their meagre lot in the 32nd minute, when Atleti goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya saved sharply from Jorge Julia's header, but their situation became even more desperate moments later as Ruiz earned a second booking for dissent.

That decision from referee Javier Estrada Fernandez was derided by a section of the home support, seemingly keen to see something vaguely resembling a contest.
Correa caused further confusion within what remained of the Guijuelo defence in the final minute of the half, with a bout of penalty-area pinball presenting Torres with an easy chance to grab the fourth.

Saul Niguez – starting despite having played 90 minutes against Las Palmas at the weekend – planted a header over the bar from Gaitan's corner early in the second half.

The Calderon rose to warmly welcome Alessio Cerci in the 61st minute as the Italy winger replaced Saul and returned to the Atletico fray after loan spells with Milan, Genoa and a knee injury.

Attentions had turned towards more meaningful battles in the new year by the time Pino cleverly looped an 80th-minute header beyond Moya.

 

[Alucard_SxE]

James' Madrid career looks over as transfer ban is reduced

Hmm This is sad He couldn't evolve into the zizou's playing style. IMO he should've tried to evolve in to playing in the wing or as a bit of an attacker. When you have Kroos & Modric in your team while All three of BBC will feature in almost every game, + desperately needed central defensive mid, how can you get more game time? While he has done exceptionally good and had some game decider moments, he needs to play more frequently because he is a player of really good quality.

If he could evolve, he should stay. Main reason is modric is 31 and will play 3,4 years more and likely to retire. (contract up until 2020). And it feels like he'll drop down to a much more defensive role with time.
Kroos (whom I admire ) said that he has no intention to play after 31,32 years of age. got until 2021.
Both are likely to retire at Madrid. (Which is really rare but I think with Zidane, Perez and the board are valuing the players more than before.)
James is still 25. Definitely he can get better with age. After Kroos and Modric are gone, it'll come to Isco & James. That's why I think both of them should stay thinking for the future. No other team in the world has this kind of quality in the bench. Specially the young midfielders of James, Isco, Vazquez & Asensio.
Maybe a Loan move will be for the best.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Saul: We hope 2017 is better for Atletico

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul has praised a good year for the club but has said he hopes 2017 is even better after the Madrid side progressed to the Copa del Rey last 16.

Saul and Co. made light work of minnows Guijuelo 4-1 in the second leg on Tuesday as they won the lopsided round-of-32 tie 10-1 on aggregate.

The comprehensive victory capped off a fine year for Atletico heading into the mid-season break, after the Spaniards reached the final of the Champions League, while they finished just three points behind LaLiga winners Barcelona in 2015-16.
Reflecting on 2016, Saul said: "We could have won some titles that we fought for, but it's been a very good year for us.

"We hope that 2017 is better." Atletico are sixth in the La Liga standings, six points adrift of second-placed Barca and nine behind leaders Real Madrid.Saul and Atletico will resume their season against Eibar on January 7.