..::Football IV::..

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Atletico Madrid 2 Getafe 0: Costa scores but then sent off on LaLiga return

Diego Costa scored and was sent off on his LaLiga return as Atletico Madrid beat Getafe 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano.The Spain striker, who netted in the Copa del Rey win over Lleida on Wednesday, struck his side's second goal after Angel Correa's opener before picking up a second yellow card for his subsequent celebration.

Costa's dismissal was one of the flashpoints of an ill-tempered clash in the capital, in which eight other players were booked and referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero was forced to speak with the Atletico coaching staff shortly before a half-time tussle between the players.


Head coach Diego Simeone started Costa, who had recovered from a knock picked up at Lleida, alongside Antoine Griezmann but it was Correa who broke the deadlock with a clever finish in the first half.

Costa was involved in an argument with Juan Cala as he left the pitch at the interval and he was booked for raising an arm to Djene Dakonam just six minutes before his goal and ensuing red card.Atleti were fairly untroubled in the closing stages despite their man disadvantage, though, meaning they move to within six points of leaders Barcelona in the table, having played a game more.


Getafe had failed to score in their previous nine league meetings with Simeone's Atletico, but their bright start saw Jan Oblak forced into two saves from Amath Ndiaye in the opening 10 minutes.

Atletico pressure began to build, though, and Correa made no mistake with their first clear-cut opportunity in the 18th minute, placing a crisp shot into the bottom-left corner with the outside of his foot after a fine run and pass from Griezmann.

The half descended into an ill-tempered affair, with the referee's refusal to book Djene for two fouls from behind leading to angry confrontations with Costa and the Atletico coaching staff, before Griezmann was booked for an innocuous challenge to further incense the home players.

Cala and Stefan Savic were both booked for their part in the ensuing argument and the Getafe defender was involved in a further heated exchange with Costa on the touchline, prompting Oblak to lead the striker down the tunnel.

Costa had been rather subdued on the pitch but he missed a great chance to double the lead just before the hour mark, shouldering Damian Suarez off the ball to get free in the area, only to send a half-volley sailing over the crossbar. The 29-year-old then became the latest Atleti player to be booked for catching Djene with a raised arm as tempers threatened to flare again, before his match came to a premature end in quite remarkable fashion.

Sime Vrsaljko surged down the right and sent a low cross towards the far post, where Costa arrived to send a composed first-time finish past Arsenal loanee Emiliano Martinez.The striker celebrated by hurdling the advertising boards and celebrating with the fans right in front of the first row of seats, a decision that earned him a second yellow card and saw him stride off the pitch in bemused fashion.

Griezmann threatened a third with a late free-kick as Atleti saw out the closing stages with little difficulty, though, to ensure their winning start to 2018 continued despite Costa's rather mixed homecoming.

 

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'One of Alexis and Ozil will stay' - Gabriel expects Arsenal contract boost


Arsenal can expect “at least one” of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to stay put, says former Gunners defender Gabriel.

As things stands, the north Londoners are running the risk of losing two key creative talents for nothing in the summer.January moves have been mooted for both star turns, but Arsene Wenger remains adamant that no sales will be sanctioned.

That means Arsenal will need to agree contract extensions if Sanchez and Ozil are to be retained past the end of the season, and Gabriel believes compromises will be reached.The Brazilian told FourFourTwo: “The team would lose a lot if they left."I would bet at least one of them stays. Don’t ask me which one, though!"While Arsenal are fighting hard to keep their Chilean and German playmakers, they offered less resistance when it came to Gabriel’s future.

The Brazilian was acquired from Villarreal from £11.3 million, but was rarely given a regular run in which to show his true colours.Having been offloaded back to Spain at Valencia in the summer of 2017, the 27-year-old centre-back believes he should have been given more of a chance by Wenger.

Gabriel added: “The injuries definitely didn’t help, but I think I deserved more opportunities at Arsenal.“I felt down as the only way I played was if my team-mates were injured."I didn’t feel OK with that at all.“I played one of my best games against Manchester City [in last season’s FA Cup semi-final] and was very happy,

"But then came the derby with Spurs and I gave away a penalty, and didn’t really play again."I wasn’t happy but I’m not mad. I’ll always be grateful to Arsenal.”Gabriel made 64 appearances for the Gunners across two-and-a-half seasons, netting one goal.

 

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Barcelona agree record €160m deal with Liverpool for Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho will become Barcelona’s most expensive signing after a deal worth €160 million was agreed with Liverpool, which is the new British transfer record.La Liga’s leaders will part with €120m as a guaranteed base fee, with another €40m in performance and appearance-related add-ons that are expected to be triggered.

The 25-year-old will move ahead of Ousmane Dembele as Barca’s highest-cost recruit, also surpassing Paul Pogba as the biggest player trade involving an English club.Liverpool failed in their exhaustive efforts to convince Coutinho, who did not travel with the squad to a warm-weather camp in Dubai , to remain on Merseyside until the end of the season at the very least.

The Brazilian declined their proposed incentives and offer of a higher wage , repeating his intention to move to Camp Nou with immediate effect.

Having approached the Reds on July 20 with the first of three unsuccessful summer bids bloated by improbable clauses, Barca finally succeeded in their pursuit of the playmaker on Saturday.
Liverpool were definitive in their stance that Coutinho was not for sale at any price in the summer, rejecting his transfer request in the process, but with their No.10 maintaining his desire to depart and Barca finally tabling an acceptable package for his services, Jurgen Klopp agreed to sanction his sale.

The Brazilian made 201 appearances and scored 54 goals for Liverpool after signing in January 2013 from Inter Milan for just £8.5m.He is now the third most expensive footballer in the world, behind Paris Saint-Germain pair Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

 

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Milner: Time Liverpool landed silverware after six-year drought


James Milner admits it is “time Liverpool put another bit of silverware on the board” following a six-year trophy drought.The Reds last emerged triumphant in the 2012 League Cup with Kenny Dalglish on the bench.

They have come agonisingly close to claiming the Premier League title since then, while also suffering semi-finals defeat in League and FA Cup competition and a final setback against Sevilla in the Europa League.

Milner hopes 2018 will see Liverpool get back on the trophy trail, with a 2-1 derby victory over Everton on Friday having kept their FA Cup dreams alive as they head towards the fourth round stage.The Reds’ vice-captain told the club’s official website after netting from the penalty spot against the Toffees: “We want to win trophies – that’s why we’re all here. This is one that we can win.

“It’s the early stages and there are a lot of tough games to come, I’m sure.“Everyone loves the FA Cup, whether you’re playing a top team like Everton or a lower-league side it’s never easy. It’s a fantastic competition to win and it’s time we put another bit of silverware on the board.”

While Milner opened the scoring against Everton, it was £75 million record signing Virgil van Dijk who snatched a dramatic winner.The Netherlands international has been drafted in for his defensive qualities, amid plenty of struggles for the Reds in that area, but he has already shown himself to be of value at both ends of the field.

Milner added on a fairytale debut for his new colleague: “That’s why he has been brought here.“He is a top player and to step in like he did, into a big game like that, is the reason why he has come – to play in those sorts of games.

“He handled the occasion fantastically and defended well. He has already shown he is going to be a big threat in the other box.“I’m delighted for him; you always want your debut to go well and it couldn’t have gone much better for him.”

Liverpool will be hoping for more of the same from Milner and Van Dijk in their next outing, with an ongoing effort to secure a top-four finish set to see Jurgen Klopp's side welcome Premier League leaders Manchester City to Anfield.

 

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Herrera: 'Incredible' Lingard can get even better for Man Utd


In-form Jesse Lingard has been doing “incredible” things for Manchester United but can get even better, says Ander Herrera.The England international midfielder has been in sparkling form of late, with his efforts in front of goal earning widespread praise.

Lingard netted another spectacular strike in a 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Derby on Friday, with that effort taking him on to 11 for the season – matching his previous total across 83 appearances for United prior to the 2017-18 campaign.

The 25-year-old is now considered to be a key part of Jose Mourinho’s plans, with Herrera expecting even greater things to come as confidence flows and belief builds.“His goal was amazing. It was incredible. I have already said it but he never gives up,” the Spaniard told reporters of his Old Trafford team-mate following another star showing against Derby.

“His movement is good and he shoots very well with both feet and when you keep trying and are optimistic with yourself, and you try and try and try, sooner or later you get the result and the result was another fantastic goal.“His movement is also important. He's very quick as well and no-one can touch him.

“He wants to improve and become a better player and you can see that in every training session. He's showing that in games too. He is in fantastic form and can get better.”

Lingard opened the scoring for United against the Rams, with Romelu Lukaku stepping off the bench to wrap up a fourth-round berth.The Belgian has endured a difficult time of late, but Herrera believes the burly Belgian is another showing signs of promise as the Red Devils improve as a collective.

He added: “Romelu played very well. He held the ball up well and gave us a target in the second half. The second goal by him was incredible and also the assist from Anthony was very good.

“But we cannot just single out two or three names because the whole team played amazing. I felt really good on the pitch, having the ball, moving the ball, receiving the ball, turning, shooting, crossing. I think we did almost everything well, although you always have things to improve.“For me, we played one of our best games of the season, full of control, good play, good movement of the ball. Everyone was feeling good on the pitch, participating well in the game.

“That’s why after 80 minutes I could not believe that we were not winning. After that, football was fair with us and we scored two but it could have been six or seven.”

 

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Allegri unsure over severity of Dybala injury


Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri concedes the severity of the injury picked up by Paulo Dybala in the 1-0 win at Cagliari remains unclear.Dybala left the field in tears and clutching his hamstring early in the second half, although the fact he was able to walk off will be encouraging for Allegri, who also lost Sami Khedira to a head knock.

The Argentina international will now be sent for tests as Allegri waits to discover how long he will be without the striker.

"We don't know how bad it is now, but he will have tests," he told Mediaset Premium ."Fortunately we go into a two-week break now and he'll evidently need to rest more than the others during that time, so hopefully he will be fresh for the final weeks of the season."

Juve had to rely on a 74th minute strike from Federico Bernardeschi to overcome a spirited Cagliari side, who felt the goal should have been disallowed for a Medhi Benatia elbow on Leonardo Pavoletti in the build-up. The hosts were further incensed when they were denied a penalty following allegations of handball against Bernardeschi, imploring referee Gianpaolo Calvarese to use VAR to no avail.

"We didn't react as well as we should’ve done, the second half was very physical," added Allegri. "It was very important that we bring home the result, so I compliment the players, as we are still in Napoli's slipstream and have broken away from Inter and Roma.

"After going 1-0 up, we could’ve added another goal, or at least done better to control the ball rather than allow Cagliari opportunities to equalise."I will say that Cagliari did not deserve to lose. VAR is an instrument that was meant to reduce controversy, but instead it has increased it because people don't accept the referee's decision."

The win, which closes Juventus within a point of leaders Napoli, was Allegri's 200th in Serie A and 100th league win in charge of Juve.

 

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Coutinho was insistent on Liverpool exit, confirms Klopp

Jurgen Klopp conceded Philippe Coutinho made it known to everyone, including his team-mates, that he wished to leave Liverpool to join Barcelona, making it impossible to keep him at Anfield any longer.

The Brazil star's imminent switch to Camp Nou was announced on Saturday, the 25-year-old agreeing a five-and-a-half-year deal and moving for a reported fee of €160 million, while his Barcelona release clause has been set at €400m.Coutinho had long been a target for the La Liga giants, who were rebuffed several times in their attempts to sign him back in July and August.

Having handed in a transfer request, the attacker was always on borrowed time at Anfield and Klopp was disappointed to see him finally leave. However the manager saw no choice over the matter as Coutinho told him, the club's owners and even his own team-mates that he wished to depart.

"It is with great reluctance that we – as a team and club – prepare to say farewell to a good friend, a wonderful person and a fantastic player in Philippe Coutinho," he told the Liverpool's official website."It is no secret that Philippe has wanted this move to happen since July, when Barcelona first made their interest known.

"Philippe was insistent with me, the owners and even his team-mates this was a move he was desperate to make happen."Despite that, we managed to keep the player here beyond the summer window, hoping that we would be able to persuade him to stay and be part of what we are looking to do.

"I can tell the Liverpool supporters that we, as a club, have done everything within our means to convince Philippe that remaining part of LFC was as attractive as moving to Spain, but he is 100 per cent certain his future – and that of his family – belongs at Barcelona."It is his dream and I am now convinced there is nothing left at our disposal to change his mind."

Coutinho moved to Merseyside in 2013 and went on to make 152 Premier League appearances, netting 41 goals, with Klopp lauding his input."Philippe has made a fantastic contribution to this club over his five years of service and as disappointed as we are he doesn't want to extend that, the relationship we have for him means with a heavy heart we wish him well," added the German.

"The player remained dedicated and committed to helping us win matches, producing good performances and training hard each day at Melwood after the summer window had closed, despite failing to convince us to allow him to leave during that period and that level of professionalism reflects positively on him."
Klopp conceded the news would come as a blow to Reds supporters, who have seen other favourites lured away by big-spending suitors, including Fernando Torres and current Barca hero Luis Suarez.

But he urged the Anfield faithful to remain upbeat about Liverpool's prospects, with Klopp's team in the top four of the league and through to the last 16 of the Champions League, having also progressed in the FA Cup at rivals Everton's expense on Friday."Of course, it is totally understandable that supporters will be disappointed; this is always the case when you have to say goodbye to someone special," said the former Borussia Dortmund boss.

"But, as hard as it is sometimes to accept, it is part of life and part of football – individuals have their own dreams and their own goals and objectives in life.

"Players will come and players will go, that is football, but as a club we are big enough and strong enough to continue with our aggressive progression on the pitch, even when we lose an important player.

"We have never been in a better position in recent times, as a club, to react in the right way. We will use our size and strength to absorb moments like this and still move forward.

"I have been here long enough now to know in the history of Liverpool, key players have left before – but the club always goes on. You cannot transfer the heart and soul of Liverpool football club, although I am sure there are many clubs who would like to buy it."I have so much belief in the talent we have here already and even more faith, together with our owners, that we will make continued investment into the playing squad, which will allow more growth and more improvement.

"So as we bid farewell to Philippe, we continue on our path of progress and development as we work towards our common goal of bringing trophies back to Anfield."

 

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Atletico Madrid vs Getafe 2-0 All Goals & Highlights

 

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Norwich City vs Chelsea - 0-0 - All Goals & Highlights

 

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Manchester City vs Burnley 4-1 All Goals & Highlights

 

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AC Milan VS Crotone 1-0 All Goals & Highlights

 

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FA Cup Fixtures 2018.01.07

FA Cup Fixtures 2018.01.07

Newport County Vs Leeds United

Shrewsbury Vs West Ham

Tottenham Vs AFC

Nottingham Forest Vs Arsenal​

 

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LA Liga Fixtures 2018.01.07

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.01.07

Laganes Vs Real Sociedad

Barcelona Vs Levante

Athletic Bilbao Vs Alaves

Villareal Vs Deportivo

Celta Vigo Vs Real Madrid​

 

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Barcelona 3 Levante 0: Messi equals Muller record ahead of Coutinho's arrival

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paulinho were on target as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 home win against Levante on Sunday which saw LaLiga's leaders stretch their advantage over Atletico Madrid back to nine points.

Barcelona ended 2017 with a crushing Clasico win at Real Madrid - who are now 17 points off the pace, albeit with two games in hand - and they continued the club-record start to a season with ease, although there was no sign of Philippe Coutinho.

A deal worth a reported £142million was announced by Barca on Saturday, but Ernesto Valverde's men had more than enough to beat Levante prior to the Brazil international's formal arrival at Camp Nou.




Coutinho's predecessor as Barca's record signing, Ousmane Dembele, made his first start since September after recovering from a torn hamstring in another positive development for Valverde.

Messi drew level with Gerd Muller as the most prolific player for a single club in Europe's top five leagues by scoring his 365th LaLiga goal on his 400th appearance in the Spanish top flight, neatly volleying in an early opener.And Suarez's strike was also a milestone goal, a powerful volley before half-time his 132nd for the club, moving him above Samuel Eto'o to become Barca's seventh-most prolific goalscorer.

Barca had beaten Levante 4-1, 5-0 and 7-0 on their three previous league Camp Nou trips but the visitors battled hard to keep the score down as captain Andres Iniesta made his 650th appearance for the hosts, although Paulinho added late gross by finishing off Messi's magical assist.


No Levante player has scored in LaLiga since November 19 and although the visitors made a bright start at a wet and half-empty Camp Nou, Barca opened their 2018 LaLiga account through talisman Messi after just 12 minutes.

Jordi Alba headed Messi's chipped pass back into the path of the Argentina international, who cushioned a bouncing volley across Oier Olazabal and in off the post.Jefferson Lerma miscued a shot wide and Ivi's effort deflected off target as a lively Levante sought an immediate response.

Dembele then stung the palms of Oier with a 20-yard shot after a driving run at the other end, Suarez turning the rebound over when he should have hit the target.
Suarez made amends after 38 minutes, however, collecting a Sergi Roberto pass and lashing in an unstoppable volley to score for the fifth successive LaLiga game.

Levante started the second half as well as they did the first, Marc-Andre ter Stegen making a fine save high to his left to tip over Ivi's strike. With Barca surprisingly sloppy in possession and open at the back, Jason set up Shaquell Moore for a fine chance but Ter Stegen saved again to maintain his fourth consecutive LaLiga clean sheet.Suarez wasted a couple of chances to make Barca's victory more comfortable and forward Jose Arnaiz was handed a league debut in the last five minutes.



But it was Paulinho who wrapped up the scoring in the third minute of stoppage time, Coutinho's compatriot tapping in from six yards after Suarez dummied a cross from Messi, who beat three defenders in typically stunning fashion before delivering a superb low cross.

 

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Tottenham 3 AFC Wimbledon 0: Kane double snuffs out hint of upset

Harry Kane's surprise inclusion paid dividends for Mauricio Pochettino as the Tottenham captain struck twice to douse a potential FA Cup upset and help beat AFC Wimbledon 3-0 at Wembley.

The England international had been widely expected to be left out on Sunday, but he captained the hosts from the start and scored a pair of quickfire second-half goals, which eased Spurs' passage into the fourth round.

Wimbledon at Wembley conjures memories of the 'Crazy Gang' and their famous Cup win of 1988 and Jimmy Abdou struck the crossbar in a goalless first half to suggest the improbable may be on the cards once again.




But Kane's double – scored in the space of 111 seconds – and Jan Vertonghen's first Spurs goal since October 2013 saw off the League One side and helped Pochettino avoid the kind of headaches brought on by last season's 4-3 epic in this competition against Wycombe Wanderers.

Pochettino took Spurs to the semi-finals of this competition last term and, with the Premier League seemingly beyond them, he may hope to go even better this time around.


But the sluggish nature of the Spurs support cast's performance in this contest may give him cause to seek January reinforcements.Kane being paired with Fernando Llorente in attack left the hosts with the more rudimentary looking approach and they struggled to break down Wimbledon's stubborn resistance, despite hogging more than 90 per cent of possession in the opening 15 minutes.

The Spurs captain was crowded out and Erik Lamela was denied by George Long after good set-up play from Llorente, but Spurs were sloppy and Wimbledon went closest to a first-half goal when they finally came out of their shell.

A string of corners gave the Dons confidence and Abdou forced Michel Vorm into an excellent save, curling at the top corner from 20 yards after Lyle Taylor's lay-off, only for the Dutchman to paw the ball onto the crossbar and hold Liam Trotter's follow-up.It stung Spurs into some renewed vigour, but Long parried Kane's long-range effort clear and got enough on Lamela's deft one-on-one attempt to preserve his clean sheet at the break.

Jonathan Meades' looping header had to be tipped over by Vorm, but Spurs began to click through the gears and Mousa Dembele smashed the post – Long lucky to see the ball not rebound in off him – and Son Heung-min was inches away from converting Eric Lamela's cross shortly after replacing Llorente.

Spurs were energised and finally took the lead in the 63rd minute, Kieran Trippier feeding the onrushing Moussa Sissoko in the right channel and Kane gleefully converting the Frenchman's cut-back.

Less than two minutes later, Kane had a second, sweeping home after Kyle Walker-Peters' shot deflected into his path.And a seven-minute spell of destruction was completed when Taylor was caught in possession and Vertonghen blasted into the top corner from 30 yards via a deflection off Dons skipper Barry Fuller.

Dele Alli, of MK Dons stock, came on to give the away fans something to shout about, gripes that will likely be revisited when they head to stadium:MK next weekend.

Son had a shot deflected onto the post and Georges-Kevin N'Koudou ought to have had a late penalty, but Spurs will have been thankful to avoid any slip-ups, having made clear their determination to add silverware to match their lofty reputation.

 

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Fred talks up Man City move: I'm waiting for Guardiola's call


Manchester City target Fred is "eagerly waiting" for the phone call of manager Pep Guardiola.

Goal understands that the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder has been identified by Guardiola as a potential summer recruit, as he seeks to find a replacement for Fernandinho and deepen a position in which Yaya Toure, who will be a free agent in the summer, also currently operates.Fred has also been linked with Arsenal, with reports suggesting that he is valued at £30 million by his Ukrainian employers.

However, it appears that the 24-year-old is desperate to join the Premier League champions-elect, who currently lead the English top-flight by 15 points.
"For sure, I would grow a lot with him," he told Globoesporte. "I have a lot of room to grow.

"I have not received (his call) yet, I'm just eagerly waiting. He'll call me soon!"
Fred has made 24 appearances in all competitions this season, and played 90 minutes as Shakhtar became the first - and as yet only - team to beat City in 2017-18 in the Champions League.

 

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Bolt to have Dortmund trial in bid to earn Manchester United move


Sprint star Usain Bolt will undergo a trial with Borussia Dortmund in a bid to earn a professional contract at Manchester United.The Jamaican, an all-time athletics legend after winning eight Olympic golds, retired after damaging his hamstring in his last ever race at the World Championships in London last year.

After recovering from that injury, the 31-year-old has reiterated his desire to switch sports, claiming he has held talks with the club's legendary former manager Alex Ferguson over a possible United deal, while his long mooted Dortmund trial is still on the cards.

"The injury is now fine and I'm back fully fit," Bolt, the 100 metres world-record holder, told the Express."In March we're going to do trials with Dortmund and that will determine what I do with that career, which way it goes. If they say I'm good, and that I need a bit of training, I'll do it.

"It makes me nervous. I don't get nervous but this is different, this is football now. It'll take time to adjust but once I play a few times I'll get used to it. It was the same when I started track and field."I was nervous for a while until I started getting used to the crowd, people and everyone around and it falls into place.

"One of my biggest dreams is to sign for Manchester United. If Dortmund say I'm good enough, I'll crack on and train hard. I've spoken to Alex Ferguson and I told him he needs to put in a good word. He told me if I get fit and ready, he will see what he can do."

Bolt, who won 11 World Championship gold medals in a glittering sprinting career, indicated he has sought advice from Paul Pogba over a potential football career.
"I do think I have a chance," Bolt added. "I watch a lot of football, I understand it, I play it. With training, I could be good.

"Me and Pogba talk a lot. I watch and ask him a lot of questions. I want to play but it has to be in the top league. I'm not content to be average."It's going to be hard because my career has been so great but if I could win a Champions League or something, it'll be close to anything I achieved in athletics.

"But I have to be more than average. It has to be in the top league because we have a lot of teams that have offered us deals, just random clubs. I want to be the best.

"I personally want to play on the wing but I know, listening to everybody and talking to footballers, that I will be put up top.

"I strive to be the best and if I get a chance to play for a team like Manchester United it will be a massive deal. I don't miss the sprint training. I miss the competition, and getting out on the track in front of the crowd, but not the training.
"I will definitely want to get up and go train and be excited just to play at Old Trafford."

 

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Bayern target Goretzka must make his future known – Schalke


Schalke expect midfielder Leon Goretzka to announce whether or not he will sign a new contract before the end of January, Clemens Tonnies has said.The Germany international's deal expires at the end of the season and he has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich.

Bayern head coach Jupp Heynckes admitted this week he is a fan of the 22-year-old, before sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirmed the Bundesliga champions were interested in signing him, prompting Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel to issue a strong rebuke.

Tonnies, the chairman of Schalke's supervisory board, says they have done everything to convince Goretzka to sign a new and improved deal and has urged the player to tell the club of his plans soon."We've done everything to ensure he stays," Tonnies told Welt am Sonntag . "In January, he wants to say what he's doing.

"Schalke have accepted the financial conditions of Leon and his management. He was also important for the sporting development of the team last summer and, after the first half of the season, we're in second place and in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal."Leon can and must decide now."

Tonnies thinks Goretzka could benefit from rejecting a move away this year in order to develop into a better player before a possible transfer in future."I firmly believe Leon Goretzka could have incredible development at Schalke.We're not blocking his way to an even bigger club in a few years," he said.
"I think he would be fine if he stayed."

Goretzka is the latest star of Schalke's impressive production line, which has given the likes of Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and Leroy Sane their breakthroughs in senior football over recent years."This shows the excellent youth work we do," said Tonnies. "However, it also means players like that arouse the interest of even bigger clubs. Unfortunately, that's the way things are going.

"There are clubs in England, Spain, plus Bayern, which are more attractive for good, young players. We have to admit that."

 

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Rennes 1 Paris Saint-Germain 6: Neymar leads Coupe de France thrashing

Paris Saint-Germain began the defence of their Coupe de France title with a dominant 6-1 win at Rennes, as Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Angel Di Maria all got on the scoresheet.The Parisians had scored four goals in four of the last five meetings between these sides, while PSG's winning run over Rennes stretched seven matches.

Unai Emery's side had reached that familiar goal tally by half-time at the Roazhon Park, efforts from Mbappe, Neymar and Di Maria followed by a stunning team move finished off by the world's most expensive player.There was no place for Edinson Cavani or Javier Pastore in Emery's matchday squad after the pair reported back late from the mid-season break, but it did not dent PSG's attacking verve.

Indeed, the club's top scorer could find himself out in the cold a little longer if this front three is allowed to continue such form, with Di Maria and Mbappe assisting each other's second goals after Benjamin Bourigeaud's penalty had sparked the visitors into another late flurry.

Emery's selection will be intriguing when PSG travel to Amiens in the Coupe de la Ligue on Wednesday, while January brings tricky Ligue 1 trips to Nantes and Lyon before focus turns to the Champions League tie with Real Madrid.


Whether those sides will be quite as welcoming as Rennes – beaten by the capital club 4-1 in December – is another matter. PSG's first foray forward ended in farce as Mbappe somehow scooped over the crossbar from four yards, but the teenage star soon reverted to type in the ninth minute, smashing home left-footed after Thiago Silva's pass arced perfectly over the Rennes backline. Neymar made it two eight minutes later, accepting a pass from Marco Verratti, swivelling past his man and slotting home.

The Brazilian was once again involved for number three, playing in Yuri Berchiche on the left flank – the full-back's brilliant cross taking out the defence again to leave Di Maria with a tap-in.Rennes goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo cut a frustrated figure as he sharply saved from Neymar, while Mbappe had a goal ruled out for offside, but PSG saved their best for shortly before half-time.

A Rennes corner was scrambled to the edge of the box, where Verratti picked out a brilliant pass wide for Neymar, who drifted infield and played Di Maria in down the left channel.From there, one-touch mastery saw Di Maria sweep across the box for Mbappe, who set the ball back to Neymar arriving unchecked for the final flourish.

Bourigeaud converted clinically from the spot after substitute Thiago Motta had handled, the veteran not enjoying an eight-minute spell on the pitch which soon saw him withdrawn injured.



Rennes gallantly, and perhaps foolishly, suddenly pressed forward in attempts to keep their campaign alive, but it only allowed PSG to pick them off twice more.
Mbappe was given acres on the right to find Di Maria, who worked onto his left from 20 yards and swept into the bottom-right corner.

And Mbappe also had a second when Neymar drove through the middle before feeding Di Maria on the right, who played inside for the 19-year-old to convert – the €222million number 10 coming millimetres from a hat-trick soon afterwards as PSG began 2018 with a result that sounded an ominous warning for their domestic rivals this year.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Celta Vigo 2 Real Madrid 2: Gomez extends Zidane's away-day woes

Maxi Gomez scored an 82nd-minute equaliser for Celta Vigo to extend Real Madrid's winless away run in LaLiga to four matches in a 2-2 draw at Balaidos.

Defeat at Girona and goalless stalemates at Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao plunged Madrid into worrying run of away form, although a 3-0 home reverse to fierce rivals Barcelona in their last league outing is likely to have given them the bigger headache over the Christmas period.

But Zinedine Zidane's men were unable to break that streak on Sunday, despite the best efforts of Gareth Bale, who scored both of the visitors' goals in his first league start since September following calf and hamstring problems.


Iago Aspas hit the post for Celta before Daniel Wass opened the scoring with a wonderful chipped goal that Cristiano Ronaldo would have been proud of.But the hosts' lead lasted only three minutes, with Bale netting the leveller before firing Zidane's side in front two minutes later.

Celta were given a golden opportunity to restore parity when Keylor Navas conceded a penalty after 72 minutes, but the Costa Rica international atoned for his error by saving Aspas' spot-kick.However, there was another chance for Celta to claim a share of the spoils, and Gomez evaded a napping Madrid defence to power home a header eight minutes from time.

The European champions are now on their worst away run in a decade and trail leaders Barcelona by 16 points with only one game in hand.


Bale came close to opening the scoring in the second minute when he failed to get enough purchase on a close-range header.The former Tottenham man was then on hand to tee up Ronaldo for the first shot on target – a tame effort along the ground two minutes later – before Marcelo skewed a volley well clear of the crossbar.But Zidane's men almost fell behind after 13 minutes when Aspas drifted between Raphael Varane and Nacho to volley a Hugo Mallo cross against the right-hand post.

Wass should have done better when he fired well wide from a promising position after 25 minutes, but the Denmark international lit up Balaidos with a sublime finish soon after.The 28-year-old timed his run perfectly to pick up an Aspas throughball and, with Nacho chasing him down and Navas rushing off his line, Wass lifted a delightful chip over the goalkeeper.

Celta's lead was short-lived, however, thanks to two goals in as many minutes from Bale.Toni Kroos split the home defence with a pass that the Wales international diverted beyond Ruben Blanco for his first, before a well-judged Isco delivery found the net with a flick from Bale.

Casemiro was lucky to escape a red card shortly before the interval when a stray arm caught Mallo in the face, but Celta remained a threat and Jonny fired just over with one of the home side's better attempts at an equaliser.Ronaldo had a powerful header kept out by Blanco and Madrid's failure to build on their lead looked set to cost them dearly when Navas brought down Aspas in the box.

He escaped a red card for the infringement and dived to his right to keep out Aspas' effort, although the keeper was well off his line when the ball was struck.
Celta felt passionately that Navas should have been sent off for his foul on Aspas but they gained their revenge with Gomez's goal from a Wass cross in the closing stages.

Madrid pushed for the winner and will be left to rue Lucas Vazquez's poor attempt from space in the centre of the box, which was comfortably held by Blanco in the final minute of normal time.