..::Football IV::..

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Martial wants to leave Manchester United, claims agent


Anthony Martial is looking to leave Manchester United after three seasons at Old Trafford, according to the France international's agent.

Martial moved to Old Trafford from Monaco in 2015 and made an instant impact in his debut season under Louis van Gaal with 11 goals in 31 Premier League games.The forward, however, has found a starting spot hard to come by with Jose Mourinho on the bench, with 12 of his 30 league appearances in 2017-18 coming off the bench.

And while Martial's agent Philippe Lamboley assures that United are keen to keep him at the club, he feels the time is right for a change. "After considering all possibilities and options, Anthony wants to leave Manchester United," Lamboley explained to RMC Sport."There are many reasons, for now it is too early to discuss it. Anthony will talk soon to go through that.

"Man United want to extend Anthony's deal and they do now want him to leave, but we have not come to an agreement for several months. I think that when Man United, who are the most powerful club, cannot come to an agreement after eight months it is because they really don't want to make him a key player.

"The decision is related to that. It is a decision that has been thought through thoroughly. However, it is important to remember that he is under contract, Man United have the last word and we will respect the club's decision."While the agent was reluctant to discuss the motivation behind Martial's transfer request, he did hint at frustration at a lack of playing time.

"We do not have the same vision of Anthony's future. Right now Anthony is disappointed because he has shown for three seasons the love he feels for the club and its fans. On top of that, I can tell you that without the fans' unconditional support Anthony would have already asked for a transfer," he added. "I think he has done his best over the last three years. It is important to remember that this season he scored 11 goals and gave 10 assists in five months. He was chosen Player of the Month three times by fans.

"Where will he play? Right now I don't think that's the most important question. Anthony just wants to play, to feel happy and connect with his coach, that is essential."

 

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'Spain had no choice but to sack Lopetegui' - Allardyce


Former England manager Sam Allardyce believes Spain had no option but to sack Julen Lopetegui, regardless of the timing on the eve of the World Cup.

La Roja have been hit by a tumultuous 24 hours in Russia, with Lopetegui relieved of his duties by the Spanish Football Federation (SEF) after it was revealed he would be taking over at Real Madrid come the end of the tournament.

Luis Rubiales, president of the SEF, claimed he only became aware of Lopetegui's decision to replace Zinedine Zidane at Santiago Bernabeu five minutes before Tuesday's official announcement.

So angry was he at the apparent lack of transparency that he missed the voting for the 2026 World Cup hosts at FIFA Congress in Moscow on Wednesday, instead opting to fly to Spain's base in Krasnodar to fire Lopetegui in person.

And Allardyce - who himself was dismissed from the England job in sensational circumstances following a meeting with an undercover journalist where it was claimed he gave advice on how to "get around" player transfer rules - has no sympathy for Lopetegui and holds Madrid as culpable in derailing the national team's chances in Russia.

Speaking at the launch of the William Hill Arms Pub, Allardyce told Goal: "If I was the Spanish Football Federation I would be furious with Real Madrid. It's right on the eve of the World Cup and it has left them in a very embarassing and difficult situation. "I couldn't see any other option for them than to sack him if they had no idea this was happening. It's a very difficult predicament that they would not have been expecting to be in, and let's hope it doesn't affect the players when they get there."

Lopetegui has been replaced for the tournament by former Madrid captain Fernando Hierro, who spent a year playing under Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers during the latter years of his career.

And the former Everton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace coach feels Hierro will still be able to get the best out of his players given how many, if not all, of them will have been through the sackings of mutiple managers in the past.
"If they are comfortable with the man that replaces him then they will be able to get on with it," he said. "Managers come and managers go."Spain kick off their World Cup campaign in Sochi on Friday against Portugal before rounding off Group B with fixtures against Morocco and Iran.

 

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Argentina must lessen burden on Messi, says Guzman


Argentina goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman told his team-mates they needed to lessen the burden on star Lionel Messi at the World Cup.

Messi, 30, will again lead the South American nation at the showpiece tournament, where they face Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.But the Barcelona forward will be heavily relied upon as he looks for his first senior international trophy.

Guzman, who replaced the injured Sergio Romero in Argentina's squad, said his team-mates needed to ease the pressure on Messi as much as they could.

"Of course Leo is a very important figure to us. We have to know how to be with him. He has to let us too," he told a news conference Wednesday."And we have to, somehow, take away the responsibility he already has. He feels it too.

"We also have several figures to be a friend to him and make him feel good."Guzman added: "I'll try to be with him at any moment. I will try to lift him up if I see he's doubtful. And we hope to be able to celebrate, next to him, each game.

"We have to be calm that Leo's fine." Looking for a first World Cup trophy since 1986, Argentina begin their campaign against Iceland Saturday.

 

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FIFA World Cup 2018.06.14 Group Stage Fixture

FIFA World Cup 2018.06.14 Group Stage Fixture

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Group A
(Opening Day Match)
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Russia Vs Saudi Arabia

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Time to kick off!

Good luck everyone!

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Seri wants Napoli move but Premier League clubs interested, claims Nice star's agent


Jean Michael Seri would prefer a move to Serie A club Napoli over the Premier League, according to the Nice midfielder's agent.

Ivory Coast international Seri has impressed during his time in Ligue 1, with a proposed move to La Liga heavyweights Barcelona falling through in August 2017.Seri remained at Nice, making a total of 43 appearances across all competitions last term - scoring twice and recording 10 assists.

He now looks set to leave the French club, however, and his agent Franklin Mala claimed Napoli is the ideal destination for the 26-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea, but insisted last season's Serie A runners-up must act swiftly."We hope to have positive news from Naples in the next few hours," Mala told CalcioNapoli24 on Thursday.

"There's been informal contact with Napoli, but still no step forward. We're ready to meet Napoli. "Napoli are in pole position, Seri prefers Naples to anywhere else. Napoli need to speed up in every way to close the deal.

"His €40 million (£35m/$47m) release clause expires on July 15, so they have to pay it by that date. After July 15, Nice can ask for any amount."There are two Premier League teams in for Seri but I can't say anything else."

 

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Kroos: Germany focused despite Ozil and Gundogan row


Germany's World Cup preparations have not been hampered by the criticism and media scrutiny over Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan's meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to Toni Kroos.

The Real Madrid midfielder said the mood in the Germany camp is positive ahead of their World Cup opener against Mexico on Sunday, despite Ozil and Gundogan being booed by sections of their own supporters during friendly matches against Austria and Saudi Arabia.

Erdogan was pictured shaking hands with Ozil at a meeting with the Premier League's contingent of players of Turkish descent, where Gundogan referred to him as "my president", sparking negative reaction from critics of Erdogan's human rights record.

The story has dominated the headlines around Joachim Low's team in the build-up to the World Cup, but Kroos told reporters: "The mood is basically really good.

"Of course, the topic will have occupied the two. But I have a good impression of both of them and the feeling in the team is that it's no longer an issue."What is talked about in talk shows may not interest us here. We are here to play football."

Kroos himself was critical of Germany's performance following a 1-0 friendly defeat to Brazil in March and also identified flaws in their play during their final World Cup warm-up game, which ended in a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia.

Despite claiming Germany's recent form has been mixed, Kroos has been pleased with the attitude of the squad."That was not a fundamental criticism, but related to the game," he said of his comments on the Brazil defeat.



"Although we did not do some good things against Saudi Arabia, I had the feeling that everyone wanted it. You cannot criticise the attitude - and that will be the same at the World Cup.

"We are aware that we still have to go a step further. But there is a lot of anticipation."We have often proved that we are there when it starts."

 

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Salah to start for Egypt with Cuper '100 per cent' confident Liverpool star is ready


Mohamed Salah is in line to start Egypt’s opening game of World Cup 2018 against Uruguay, with Hector Cuper “100 per cent” confident the Liverpool forward is over a shoulder injury.The 25-year-old has been a fitness doubt for the Pharaohs since picking up an untimely problem in a Champions League final clash with Real Madrid on May 26.

Salah’s tears in Kiev suggested that he knew his international dreams were in danger of being dashed, but a positive period of rehabilitation has got him back in contention sooner than expected.

With Egypt resting much of their ambition on the shoulders of a talismanic presence who fired them to a first finals in 28 years, they are understandably keen for him to be involved as much as possible.

National team coach Cuper told reporters on the progress being made by his star turn: “Salah is doing very well indeed, he's recovered very quickly. We'll see how it goes today. I can almost assure you 100 per cent he'll play.

“We’re trying to make him feel confident. The doctors are giving him the option to play or not. I know him very well, and I’m sure he’s not afraid. “A risk of playing a match is something we can’t hide. In terms of him on the pitch, he’ll have full guarantees. If we do see at the last minute there’s an issue, we’ll see if it can be resolved.”

Salah has worked tirelessly in an effort to get himself back to match fitness in time for a first World Cup outing in Russia.Some training sessions have seen him working alone with medical and coaching staff, with Cuper adamant that individual exercises away from the group should not be considered a sign that he is lacking competitive edge.

He added: “Salah has three training sessions per day. He does training with the doctors, by himself and with specific exercises.“He’s recovered from his injury but he still trains a lot. He has to do physical training and mental training. Why? That’s what he feels he needs to recover.”

If Salah is ready to face Uruguay, then a man who netted 44 times across all competitions for Liverpool during the 2017-18 campaign will be in the strongest possible position to make his mark on the grandest of sporting stages.

With further Group A fixtures to come against hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia, a fast start from the Reds icon, who is being billed as a potential Ballon d’Or winner, could put him in contention for the Golden Boot – a prize he has already claimed in the Premier League this season.On Salah’s chances of outscoring some illustrious rivals, Cuper said: “He could be the top scorer and one of the greatest players.

“He’s shown he’s got great personality, talent and character. No-one thinks he can’t [be top scorer]. We’ll see great players here and he can be the greatest player [of all] at this World Cup.”

 

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'There's no way to stop Salah' - Liverpool star branded 'a miracle' by Mido


Mohamed Salah’s development at Liverpool has been “a miracle”, says Mido, with the Egyptian now one of few global superstars that can be considered unplayable on their day.

The 25-year-old moved to Anfield from Roma in the summer of 2017 after rebuilding his reputation in Italy following a forgettable stint at Chelsea.Few, however, could have predicted the impact he would make on Merseyside, with a remarkable debut campaign delivering 44 goals and countless individual honours.

Salah’s season did on an injury low in the Champions League final, with an untimely ailment still being worked on ahead of World Cup duty, but he is ready to shoulder the expectations of a nation in Russia and further ehance his standing on the grandest of stages.

Mido told The Guardian of an illustrious countryman who has quickly become a national hero in Egypt: “He’s the kind of guy who says: ‘Come on, even if I have the whole nation on my shoulders, I don’t mind that.’“He’s a great guy and I think the way he developed as a person, comparing Salah of Chelsea and Salah of Liverpool, is a miracle.

“I saw him at Chelsea and he was a shy boy. I even said on TV that if he keeps that character, unfortunately he will never be a big player, but that his quality can make it to the top.“Three years ago when Liverpool wanted to sign Salah and he went to Chelsea, I went on Twitter and said: ‘Salah is 10 times better than [Raheem] Sterling’, and people laughed at me.

“Sterling is a very good player, he’s developed so much under [Pep] Guardiola, but Salah is unbelievable, one of the very few players that if it’s his day, there’s no way to stop him.”

Manchester City star Sterling did impress in 2017-18, earning a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, but Salah topped the England international by some distance as he took the main PFA Player of the Year prize.He is now looking to carry his club form into World Cup 2018, with Egypt still sweating on his fitness ahead of an opening Group A encounter with Uruguay on Friday.

 

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'Man Utd should ignore World Cup and sign Bale' - Yorke urges Mourinho to make move on Madrid


Manchester United “don’t need to look at the World Cup”, says Dwight Yorke, with Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale the most obvious player they should be targeting over the summer.The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the Wales international and his concession after a fourth Champions League triumph that he will be weighing up his options only helped to fan the transfer flames.

United would be one of few sides able to put the necessary financial package in place to lure Bale away from Madrid, while also offering the required level of ambition to a global superstar.

Yorke feels those at Old Trafford should be doing all they can to get a deal done, with the 28-year-old precisely what Jose Mourinho’s side need at this stage.Yorke, speaking exclusively to 888sport, said: “United and Jose don’t need to look at the World Cup.“No player suits us more than Gareth Bale. Yes there will always be some exciting candidates to look at but Bale is someone who excites me.

“He is the right age, in his prime, and will be the perfect addition.”United have already put deals in place for Brazil international Fred and Portuguese teenager Diogo Dalot, but Yorke believes much more is required if a side which finished 2017-18 without a trophy is to compete for major honours next season.

He added: “We don’t know too much about Dalot and Fred and they haven’t been tested yet in our league.“Jose has looked to improve as United always does and to do his business as early as possible.

“Every team each year looks to improve themselves by 10 per cent, but City have set the benchmark and now it’s down to United to respond to that.“That’s what we’ll see this summer and the same goes for Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham as they look to close the gap.

“A lot of work needs to be done. But I don’t believe that City are 19 points better than United.“United had some great results and beat City away and against Liverpool and Tottenham and Chelsea.“They beat all of the big teams: it was just inconsistency that frustrated everyone.

“Whether that gap can be bridged remains to be seen but I don’t personally believe they are 19 points better than us.”

United now know who they will be facing when they endeavour to prove Yorke right, with the 2018-19 Premier League schedule having been released.Read the full 888sport interview with Dwight Yorke, including his thoughts on Rashford providing England’s World Cup X-Factor

 

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Ibrahimovic: Pogba's time to shine alongside Messi & Ronaldo


Zlatan Ibrahimovic is backing former Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba to light up the 2018 World Cup alongside stars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 25-year-old has not enjoyed the easiest of build ups to an international showpiece in Russia, with his club form having faced criticism throughout the 2017-18 campaign.Pogba has since been jeered by his own supporters during a pre-tournament friendly clash with Italy, with debate raging within his native France as to whether or not he should be a World Cup starter.

Ibrahimovic believes the all-action midfielder is capable of not only starting but starring, with Kylian Mbappe another member of an exciting Les Bleus squad ready to take a global gathering by storm.The enigmatic Swede told FIFA's website when asked to pick out players capable of making a major impact this summer: “I think Pogba for sure, who everybody knows is fast and skilful.

“Mbappe, an upcoming star who still has more to give to get to the top, but he will for sure arrive there…there are so many players who are exciting at the moment that for sure some other star that nobody has been talking about will dominate.”

While looking for Pogba and Mbappe to prove their worth, Ibrahimovic acknowledges that the stage is also set for the world’s best to put in talismanic performances for their respective nations.He added: “Remember it’s not an individual game we are playing, but a team game.

“I think Neymar, after being injured and coming back, will have a lot of hunger to play and will lift his team and they will push for him.“I think with Messi, the picture is normal: he is the best and the team follows him. Ronaldo, the same thing. Let’s see what happens.

“It’s a long season. Players have been playing for 10 or 11 months and now this is the final stage. Let’s see who is physically and mentally 100 per cent. Those things are very decisive. It doesn’t matter how skilful you are if you are not 100 per cent healthy.”

There will be plenty of superstars on show to entertain a global audience this summer, but Ibrahimovic will not be among them after eventually taking the decision not to come out of international retirement with Sweden.
He admits that he was never truly close to returning to the fold, but maintains that Russia 2018 will not be the same without him.

The 36-year-old frontman added: “It was clear that I was not going to be in the national team playing, but like I said four years ago and I say it again now: the FIFA World Cup without me is not worth watching! I really mean that.“But it is now possible that I will be present anyway, and I will enjoy the World Cup from close up.”

 

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Mourinho: England can rule the world


Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes England are capable of ending their long wait for international glory by winning the 2018 World Cup.

The Three Lions have been starved of success since 1966, with penalty shoot-outs and costly red cards proving to be their undoing down the years.Expectations have eased as a result, with Gareth Southgate’s current squad facing considerably less pressure than many of their predecessors.

Mourinho, though, believes that this could be the group to get England back on top of the global game, with Premier League and Champions League experience set to work in their favour.

The Portuguese told reporters on a side set to open their campaign against Tunisia on Monday: "They have a good group of young but experienced players."All of them play in the most competitive competition in the world, the Premier League, all of them playing for the best teams with experience of playing in the Champions League, which is a high level of football, obviously.
"Yes, I think they can do it."

England are not considered to be among the pre-tournament favourites, with that list headed by the likes of Brazil, Spain, France and Germany.Mourinho believes that a European or South American heavyweight will ultimately reign supreme, but he is eager to point out that those with the best teams on paper may not get their hands on the most illustrious of prizes.

"They have good squads but good squads don't always make good teams," he added on the sides fancied to go far.
"Sometimes not such good squads, in theory, can make better teams…[but] I don't think the underdogs will make a big surprise."In the end, the top teams in South America and Europe are the ones that will be fighting for the title."

While keeping a close eye on events in Russia, as he prepares for punditry duty, Mourinho will also be piecing together his plans for 2018-19 at Old Trafford, with United having discovered their fixture list for the new Premier League season.

 

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Lampard & Gerrard England's golden generation? 'Nonsense', claims Ince


Paul Ince has rubbished talk of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard having graced England’s golden generation, with the former Manchester United and Liverpool branding such a billing as “nonsense”.It is widely acknowledged that a squad pieced together in the early 21st century is the best, on paper, that the Three Lions have produced in the modern era.

A team bossed by Sven Goran Eriksson went to three major tournaments, but made it no further than the quarter-finals at any of them – despite being able to call upon the likes of David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

Ince made it to the semi-finals with England at Euro ’96, before seeing penalty heartache strike again at the 1998 World Cup, and he believes those teams were better than the ones which followed and attracted so much attention.

A man who earned 53 caps for his country told Planet Football: “People talk about the Gerrard and Lampard team as being the Golden Generation for England, but that is nonsense.

“The team I was a part of was the golden generation and I think we proved that with the performances we put in when it mattered most, in major tournaments.

“I look at the 2002 and 2006 World Cup performances from the so-called Golden Generation and they were not comparable to the way we played against Holland and Germany at Euro 96 or the performance we put in against Argentina in 1998.
“That was the Golden Generation and the FA messed it up by sacking two excellent managers in Venables and Hoddle.

“Some of things England managers have been getting up to in the years since have put into perspective the so-called reasons why the FA got rid of those two managers, but the damage was done and it cannot be repaired.“Hoddle was so inventive as a manager. We all respected him as a great player, but working with him was fascinating.

“He spent time with Wenger at Monaco and brought all that experience with him into the England job, and you can only learn from someone like that, whatever level of the game you might be working at.

“He was a manager before his time. Some of things he brought to the England squad were introduced to Premier League clubs a few years later and people only realised how good he was when he was gone.”

England have disappointed at recent international tournaments, with Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson flopping, but Gareth Southgate’s class of 2018 have the chance to make amends in Russia.

 

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Daniel Amokachi explains why Morocco bid for 2026 World Cup flopped


Nigerian legend Daniel Amokachi believes failure to secure a united African vote was the reason why Morocco’s bid to host 2026 World Cup failed.Morocco lost out to a joint bid fronted by the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico, who will now host the global sporting showpiece in eight years' time.

Of the 211 Fifa member nations, 200 cast a vote at the 68th Fifa Congress in Moscow on Wednesday, with the winners needing a majority of 104. Eleven African countries among them South Africa, failed to vote for the Morocco bid.

Others countries are Guinea, Liberia, Benin, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Namibia.“We were very hopeful but, at the end of the day, if you lose a certain number of votes from your own continent, and from some of our Arab brothers, who flipped coins, then you have no chance," said Morocco bid ambassador Amokachi.

Canada, Mexico, Morocco and the US were exempt from voting, while Ghana was absent after the country's government said it had disbanded its football association amid allegations of widespread corruption.

 

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Croatia will be tough - Mikel ahead of Nigeria's World Cup opener


John Obi Mikel is expecting a 'tough' encounter when Nigeria square up against Croatia on Saturday.

The Super Eagles open their 2018 Fifa World Cup campaign on Saturday and they face Zlatko Dalic’s men at the Kaliningrad Arena.And team captain Mikel believes, although they can match a fantastic Croatia side, the tie will not be a stroll in the park.

“Croatia are a fantastic team with fantastic players, but we have good players too,” Mikel was quoted as saying on ESPN.“It's going to be a game of tactics. We have to play our game and make sure we control the game like we always do."It's going to be tough, but we know how we play and how we want to play, so we are going to have to continue playing that way."

Gernot Rohr’s men have been less than convincing in their build-up to the tournament, losing to Serbia, England, Czech Republic and sharing the spoils with DR Congo.“When people say you can't do something, you want to prove them wrong," he continued.

"We have no pressure. We want to do exactly what we want to do. We put pressure on ourselves to do well because we want to do well.”Nigeria last won their opening game at the global tournament in 1998 against Spain, and will be hoping they match the feat when face the Fiery Ones on Saturday.

 

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Real Madrid hit back as Lopetegui swaps Spain 'sadness' for 'happiest day'

The whole situation is still surreal. Julen Lopetegui was expected to be speaking to the press on Thursday ahead of Spain's World Cup opener against Portugal in Sochi. Instead, however, he was presented to the media as the new Real Madrid coach.

Los Blancos had announced on Tuesday that Lopetegui would be the successor to Zinedine Zidane, who stepped down on May 31 after winning three successive Champions League crowns. The Basque boss was set to take over after the World Cup.

But that news did not sit well with Spain and in an emergency press conference arranged for Thursday morning, RFEF president Luis Rubiales announced that Lopetegui would be sacked with immediate effect.

That left Fernando Hierro in charge of La Roja for the World Cup, which Spain start against Portugal on Friday, and Lopetegui free to be unveiled by Madrid on Thursday in a press conference which started straight after the tournament's opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Flanked by his wife and three children, former Real players including Raul and Alvaro Arbeloa, plus a string of VIPs and president Florentino Perez, Lopetegui was presented after a short speech from the club chief and a video from his time as a player and a coach.

“Lopetegui has been a great coach, but we can’t accept this behaviour," Rubiales had said on Wednesday. "This has been done without our knowledge. The Federation cannot be left outside the negotiation of one of its employees and find out just five minutes before a public announcement.”

However, Perez refuted those words and although he admitted the negotiations had taken place over a number of hours, he said that he personally had contacted Rubiales to inform the RFEF president of the decision.

"This is an event we had hoped would take place after the World Cup and after another triumph for our national team," he said, stating that the announcement ahead of the World Cup was made in order to avoid speculation and leaks.

And he added: "It was an absurd reaction [from Rubiales]. There is not one single argument that justifies Julen not being on the bench for the national team." Perez also said he believed Madrid had been "transparent" throughout and claimed that some were trying to tarnish the club's image.

Perez also reeled off a list of other international coaches – including Luiz Felipe Scolari, Luis Aragones, Louis van Gaal and Antonio Conte – who agreed deals to take over clubs sides after a major tournament. "But none of those clubs were Real Madrid," he said.For his part, Lopetegui claimed he had told Rubiales earlier. "He was the first to know," he said. "Then there were congratulations. The players took it fantastically well." After that, he went on to add, it had all been surreal.

"After the death of my mother," he said, while breaking into tears, "it was the saddest day of life." And after a long pause to regain his composure, he added: "But today is the happiest day of my life."

Later came the stock question about whether Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's finest footballer, to which he replied: "He is a player I would always want by my side. The best in the world is at Real Madrid." On several occasions, he had previously said Lionel Messi was the best ever, but he has to play a different tune now.

Lopetegui also wished Spain every success at the World Cup and said he hoped – and believed – that La Roja can go on to win the trophy. For him, that particular dream died on Wednesday. But a new one starts now and having started his career as a young goalkeeper at Real, he said: "I feel I'm back at home."And after the trauma of the past few days, that is probably just what he needs right now.

 

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Lopetegui mourns 'the saddest day of my life' after Spain sacking


Former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has admitted that the news he would be sacked from his post made Wednesday "the saddest day of my life". Lopetegui steered La Roja through World Cup qualifying with ease and went into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.

The RFEF, however, made the decision to relieve him of his duties after going public over a deal to take the Real Madrid job at the end of the World Cup.

And he confessed that while he is delighted to join the Blancos, the manner of his Spain exit has left a bitter taste.

"Yesterday was the saddest day of my life, since the death of my mother... but this is the happiest day," Lopetegui told reporters on Thursday. "I know which club I am joining, the demands are huge, so we will give our all to fight to live up to the history of the club, and to improve it.

“Today is the happiest day of my life. I came here when I was 18 years old with my brother in Castilla. I left home to be at Real Madrid. I've lived & drank Madrid.

"I have complete loyalty & I am very clear on what loyalty is. I hope Spain have a magnificent World Cup."Lopetegui knows Madrid well, having played for Castilla for several seasons as a player and also coaching the club's B team at the start of his career on the bench.

He boasts European Championship medals at both Under-19 and 21 levels from his time directing Spain's youth divisions, and was most recently in charge of Porto prior to taking the national team job in 2016.

 

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Griezmann announces decision to stay at Atletico in video documentary


Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has confirmed he will stay at the club despite interest from Barcelona, revealing his decision in a lavish video documentary.The France international's future had been the subject of fierce speculation in recent weeks.Griezmann had been continually linked with a move to Catalunya, while he kept a tight silence on the subject throughout France's World Cup preparations.

But on Thursday he finally spoke out in a bizarre production to reveal his future lies at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The player spoke to his father and brother in the documentary screened by Movistar as they gave him advice on his next move.He also stroked his horses and played basketball with his sibling as the tension built ahead of his final decision."My fans, my team, my home," he finally exclaimed in a message that was also released simultaneously on his Twitter page and shared by his relieved club.

"I have decided to stay," said Griezmann.

"They are doing everything they can to keep Atletico growing and so that they can play the Champions League final, hopefully at home [in 2019].

"They are making an effort to bring top players. This is going to make a difference."
One of those players is Griezmann's international team-mate Thomas Lemar, who appears bound for Atletico after the club announced on Tuesday that an agreement has been reached to sign Monaco star.

"I feel there are things to do with Atletico," Griezmann added. "If they [Atleti] buy good players we can win the Champions League here and enter the history of the club. Here, I would make history. At Barcelona, I would just be one more.

"The decision I make is taken with 100 per cent certainty, as I did at Real Sociedad or when I came here. I will not regret it."Griezmann scored 29 goals in 48 games for Atletico last season, as Diego Simeone's men battled to second place in La Liga and also lifted the Europa League.

Though the 27-year-old won the Europa League, he is still searching for a La Liga and Champions League crown with the capital side after joining from Sociedad in 2014.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Premier League fixtures 2018/19: Arsenal host Manchester City on opening weekend

Unai Emery's Arsenal will face reigning champions Manchester City at the Emirates on the opening day of the 2018/19 Premier League season on August 11.

All eyes will be on a tough start for Arsene Wenger's successor, with only his second top-flight game in charge set to see Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea a week later (August 18).Wolves play Everton at Molineux in their first game back in the Premier League after winning the Sky Bet Championship.

Craven Cottage will host top-flight football for the first time since 2014 as Fulham return to the Premier League by welcoming Crystal Palace.Fulham are due to travel to Tottenham in their second game on August 18, but Spurs have confirmed this match will be played at Wembley while their new stadium is completed.

Neil Warnock's Cardiff, promoted behind Wolves, will kick their campaign off with an away trip to Bournemouth on the opening weekend.Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will face their first Manchester derby of the new season at the Etihad on November 10.December 1 is set to be another derby weekend, with Liverpool playing Everton at Anfield and Arsenal hosting Tottenham at the Emirates.

Opening Day Fixtures

Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Arsenal v Manchester City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton

Final Day Fixtures

Brighton v Manchester City
Burnley v Arsenal
Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
Fulham v Newcastle United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Liverpool v Wolverhampton
Manchester United v Cardiff City
Southampton v Huddersfield Town
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton
Watford v West Ham United

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0: Cheryshev, Golovin star in World Cup opener despite Dzagoev blow

Denis Cheryshev scored a brace and Aleksandr Golovin starred as Russia kicked off their first home World Cup with a rampant 5-0 Group A win over a lacklustre Saudi Arabia side in Moscow.

Yuri Gazinskiy and Cheryshev struck first-half goals to open their international accounts at Luzhniki Stadium, Artem Dzyuba adding a third 89 seconds after his introduction as a second-half replacement, but an injury to star man Alan Dzagoev will cause concern for Russia.

Dzagoev hurt his hamstring in the opening period and could be a doubt for the rest of the tournament, depending on the results of a scan.Gazinskiy headed in Golovin's cross to score the first goal of the 2018 event, with Dzagoev's replacement Cheryshev lashing in the second before the interval.

Russia started the World Cup as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament but the hosts were a class above Saudi Arabia, Dzyuba's header stretching the lead in the 71st minute.

Cheryshev showed he could be the man to fill Dzagoev's shoes with a fantastic injury-time goal, finding the top corner with a sublime shot with the outside of his left boot, before Golovin bent in a brilliant free-kick to finish the match in style.

Juan Antonio Pizzi's men struggled to create a chance of note, failed to record a shot on target and gave away possession on countless occasions, enabling Russia to record their first World Cup win since 2002.Russia took the lead in the 12th minute with the first shot on target of the World Cup.


Golovin kept a cleared corner alive and delivered a floated cross to the back post, with Gazinskiy exploiting slack Saudi marking to plant a firm header past Abdullah Al-Mayoof.But there was a major blow for the hosts mid-way through the half as star playmaker Dzagoev limped off with a hamstring injury, to be replaced by Cheryshev.

Russia had a penalty appeal turned down in the 35th minute, but Saudi captain Osama Hawsawi got enough on the ball when he challenged Golovin to avoid censure from VAR.

Stanislav Cherchesov's side did not let Dzagoev's injury affect them and they scored the second goal their enterprising play deserved three minutes before the break.After a fine team move, Roman Zobnin slipped the ball to former Real Madrid winger Cheryshev, who evaded a pair of poor challenges in the box before slamming an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net.

Salman Al Faraj headed a decent chance over the crossbar as Saudi Arabia sought a reply after the interval.

But Russia's win was all but sealed in the 71st minute with Golovin again the creator, the CSKA Moscow midfielder producing a lovely centre from the right that allowed Dzyuba to nod in within two minutes of his introduction.Russia were not done and two terrific injury-time strikes fired a message to Group A rivals Egypt and Uruguay, who meet on Friday.

Cheryshev was a threat throughout and he hit an early contender for goal of the tournament with a brilliant strike that gave helpless Al-Mayoof no chance.And the Saudi goalkeeper was beaten again in the fourth minute of stoppage-time, Golovin adding to his two assists with a curling free-kick that left brought the home fans to their feet once again.