..::Football IV::..

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LA Liga Fixtures 2019.02.16

LA Liga Fixtures 2019.02.16

Celta Vigo Vs Levante

Rayo Vallecano Vs Atletico Madrid

Real Sociedad Vs Leganes

Barcelona Vs Real Valladoid​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2019.02.16

Serie A Fixtures 2019.02.16

Cagliari Vs Parma

Atalanta Vs AC Milan​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2019.02.16

Bundesliga Fixtures 2019.02.16

Hoffenheim Vs Hannover

Schalke Vs Freiburg

Stuttgart Vs Leipzig

Wolfsburg Vs Mainz

Hertha Berlin Vs Werder Bremen​

 

[Heisenberg]

'Verratti would be great for Man Utd' - PSG star considered to be perfect Matic partner


Marco Verratti would be “great at Manchester United”, says Dimitar Berbatov, with the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder considered to be the perfect partner for Nemanja Matic.The Italy international gave a demonstration of his talent to at Old Trafford during Tuesday night's Champions League clash.

His control over proceedings in the middle of the park, alongside Marquinhos, helped to keep contain the threat of Paul Pogba prior to the Frenchman losing his head and getting sent off.

Verratti’s efforts also contributed to a 2-0 victory for PSG which has put them in complete control of a heavyweight last-16 encounter.

The 26-year-old has long been considered one of the finest performers in European football, even when fitness issues have impacted his form and ability to produce his best.Berbatov is among his many admirers and would love to see the Italy international on United’s books, even if a transfer is highly unlikely as his current club will be reluctant to sell.

The former Red Devils striker told Betfair that the 26-year-old, who has been heavily linked with Barcelona in the past, reminds him of some of the world's greatest midfielders of recent years: “Marco Veratti was very impressive in the centre of the park for PSG.“What I like about him is that his first thought is always to go forwards, but if that's not on, he's happy just to keep the ball, controlling the tempo and almost putting the other team to sleep.

“The Italian is an unbelievable talent; he reminds me of Xavi and Iniesta in many ways.“He'd be great at United next to Nemanja Matic in midfield, allowing the Serbian to do the dirty work while he controlled the game. Can't see PSG selling though!”

United will be expected to dip back into the transfer market when the next window swings open this summer.A new midfielder may figure prominently on their wish list, alongside the centre-half additions which have been mooted for some time.

Verratti, though, is unlikely to be making his way to Old Trafford, with his current contract at PSG due to keep him in the French capital until at least 2021.

2nd leg eke kana line ekak thiyennee united.aparade injury karaganne nathuwai red card daganna nathuwai inna thibba

 

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2nd leg eke kana line ekak thiyennee united.aparade injury karaganne nathuwai red card daganna nathuwai inna thibba

Ow bro.ath kiyanne baha.onama deyak wenna puluwanHope for the best
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Barcelona 1 Real Valladolid 0: Hit and miss as Messi gets job done

Lionel Messi netted his 30th goal of the season before missing his second penalty of the game as leaders Barcelona returned to winning ways in LaLiga with a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid.

Gerard Pique won the 43rd-minute spot kick that proved the difference between the sides but, following back-to-back draws against Valencia and Athletic Bilbao in the top flight, Ernesto Valverde's men were again short of their fluent best.Those previous results and Atletico Madrid's win over third-bottom Rayo Vallecano earlier on Saturday meant Barca went into the game with their now-restored lead at the top trimmed to four points.

Former Blaugrana goalkeeper Jordi Masip impressed in goal for Valladolid, not least after substitute Philippe Coutinho won a second penalty and he plunged to his left to deny Messi.

Referee Juan Martinez Munuera rejected earlier penalty claims from Kevin-Prince Boateng on his first LaLiga start but was persuaded by Pique's slightly theatrical fall under Michel's clumsy challenge.Masip guessed correctly to his left but was beaten for power and accuracy by Messi, before Pique made himself useful in his own box – getting a vital touch with Enes Unal poised to convert Nacho's cross.

Sergi Guardiola dragged a shot wide as Valladolid continued to acquit themselves well in the second half, although they were indebted to a stunning reaction save from Masip as he denied Messi on the half-volley.The visiting keeper scrambled from his line effectively to snuff out danger after Boateng sprung a flimsy offside trap in the 55th minute.

Luis Suarez replaced the ex-AC Milan attacker with an hour played and he was soon thwarted by Masip in a one-on-one.Messi's frustrations approached boiling point as he was booked for protests following a robust challenge from Anuar Mohamed.

He would prove the match-winner, even if Masip did his mood no favours five minutes from time, calmly pouching his headed follow-up from the penalty save.

 

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Atalanta 1 AC Milan 3: Two-goal Piatek lands blow in fight for fourth

Krzysztof Piatek continued his incredible scoring form with a decisive brace as AC Milan secured a potentially pivotal 3-1 win at Atalanta on Saturday.

On target in each of his previous three appearances, Poland international Piatek struck either side of half-time to help secure a come-from-behind victory that moved Milan four points clear of the hosts, who slipped down to seventh.His first cancelled out Remo Freuler's 33rd-minute opener before Hakan Calhanoglu completed the quickfire turnaround with a thunderous drive 10 minutes after the interval.

That set the stage for Piatek to extend his prolific start with the Rossoneri to by making it six goals in his past four matches and, although the 23-year-old was later withdrawn following a knock to his foot, Gennaro Gattuso's side were able to sew up a crucial result in the fight for Champions League qualification.
Franck Kessie, facing his parent club, fluffed two good chances to open the scoring in the early stages, blasting a shot wastefully high and nodding a Suso cross wide of the near post.Atalanta were otherwise on top during the first half and deservedly led when Freuler forced a first-time effort through Gianluigi Donnarumma following Josip Ilicic's fine build-up play.

Piatek, though, ensured parity was restored on the stroke of half-time with a sublime flicked finish across Etrit Berisha from Ricardo Rodriguez's cross.Atalanta looked to be reasserting control until, out of nothing, playmaker Calhanoglu rifled an unstoppable bullet into the bottom-right corner.

The visitors were buoyed and Piatek put the seal on their impressive fightback by bravely rising between goalkeeper Berisha and Duvan Zapata to head in Calhanoglu's corner, stretching Milan's unbeaten streak to seven Serie A matches.

 

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Newport County 1 Manchester City 4: Foden nets brace as upset is averted

Manchester City averted an FA Cup upset and clinched a place in the quarter-finals as Phil Foden scored a brace in a 4-1 win over Newport County.

The League Two side frustrated the Premier League champions throughout a goalless first half at Rodney Parade and came agonisingly close to taking the lead despite City dominating possession on an uneven surface they initially struggled to adjust to.Newport's admirable resistance was broken when Leroy Sane fired home from close range early in the second half, the winger scoring his 12th goal of the season on an afternoon when his customary flair was in short supply.

Foden then scored a brace either side of an 88th-minute Padraig Amond goal that gave Newport brief hope and extended his record of netting in every round of the competition.

Riyad Mahrez added a fourth in second-half stoppage time to secure a scoreline that somewhat flattered City, who survived some nervous moments in South Wales but will fancy their chances of going all the way after avoiding a potential banana skin.

City's hearts were in their mouths after 14 minutes. A long Newport throw was flicked on by Jamille Matt and Tyreeq Bakinson applied a far-post header but Ederson flung himself across his goal and parried the ball away.Sane and David Silva were both denied shooting opportunities in the Newport box as the visitors struggled to find their best rhythm on a bobbly surface.

Sane did hit the crossbar with a rising shot from close range after a neat one-two with Silva and City were denied a penalty when another Sane shot hit County captain Mark O'Brien's arm towards the end of a goalless first half.The second half was six minutes old when Gabriel Jesus played Sane in and the Germany international struck a left-footed shot from the corner of the six-yard box that hit goalkeeper Joe Day in the face on its way into the Newport net.

Day should have done better with Foden's shot from the edge of the box after 75 minutes but nothing should be taken away from the City teenager, who carried the ball from just inside his own half before putting the game beyond Newport with a low finish.City substitute Aymeric Laporte gifted Amond the chance to poke the ball over Ederson and into the net with two minutes left, but Foden responded by dribbling past three Newport defenders and rifling into the net from just inside the box.

Mahrez then latched onto a cute through-ball from John Stones before lashing City's fourth past Day - another goal the keeper will want to avoid seeing again after he was beaten close to his body.

 

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Rayo Vallecano 0 Atletico Madrid 1: Griezmann downs derby rivals again

Antoine Griezmann earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win against derby rivals Rayo Vallecano for the third consecutive time in this fixture, moving Diego Simeone's side back up to second place in LaLiga.

Atletico had lost their past two league games, including a derby defeat at home to Real Madrid last weekend, and they gave another below-par performance at Vallecas on Saturday.Rayo, who remain in LaLiga's relegation zone after a third straight loss, had the better chances with Adrian Embarba and Raul de Tomas calling Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak into action.

But Atletico marked Simeone's new contract with three points after Griezmann's 74th-minute volley deflected in to give the striker his eighth goal in his past six appearances against Rayo.
Saul Niguez headed off target from Griezmann's early cross but the first big chance fell to Rayo with Embarba unable to beat Jan Oblak after being sent by De Tomas.Atleti were indebted to Oblak for an even better save in the 34th minute, the goalkeeper twisting to deny Embarba after another incisive De Tomas pass.

Simeone sent on former Rayo loan star Diego Costa for his first appearance since the start of December as Atletico fielded the fit-again striker with Griezmann, Alvaro Morata and Thomas Lemar across the front.But Rayo continued to threaten with Oblak quick off his line to deny De Tomas after he ran on to a sensational long ball from Alejandro Galvez.

De Tomas had a weak penalty appeal turned down after a challenge from Jose Gimenez and Atletico finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute.Morata won the ball in the box and Griezmann pounced on the loose ball with goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski beaten by a decisive deflection on the match-winning strike.

Rayo had one big chance to claim a deserved point in added time but Oblak held on to Abdoulaye Ba's header.

 

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Sala funeral to take place in Argentina

Emiliano Sala's funeral will take place in Argentina on Saturday in a private ceremony in his hometown of Progreso.

The Cardiff City striker's body was found in the wreckage of the plane that had gone missing and was eventually found to have crashed over the English Channel on January 21.Sala had been travelling back from Nantes after saying goodbye to his team-mates as he headed to Cardiff, along with pilot David Ibbotson, who remains missing, to link up with his new team following his club-record transfer.

The 28-year-old's body was recovered from the plane and identified on February 7, with the football world having been paying tribute to Sala following the confirmation of his tragic death.

A post-mortem examination later concluded that Sala's passing was caused by injuries to his head and trunk, with the striker having to be identified by means of fingerprint evidence analyses.Sala's body was flown to Buenos Aires on Friday afternoon ahead of the funeral on Saturday, which is scheduled to take place at 10:00 GMT (07:00 local time).

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock and chief executive Ken Choo are both expected to attend the private ceremony.The BBC reports that Sala's body will then be taken 44 miles to Santa Fe, where it will be cremated at around 15:30 GMT (12:30 local time).

Ahead of the arrival of Sala's body, his boyhood club San Martin de Progreso posted an emotional tribute on Facebook on Tuesday, writing: "We are waiting for you...like the first day you left but this time to stay with us forever.

"You went and you are an example for everyone. Eternally in our hearts."Another of Sala's former clubs Nantes also paid tribute to the Argentine as they wore an all-black kit for their Ligue 1 clash with Nimes on February 10, with Sala's name printed on the back of every shirt.

They had also previously announced that they will retire their No.9 shirt in his honour. With pilot David Ibbotson remaining missing, the 59-year-old's family are still hopeful of resuming the search to locate his body.

A GoFundMe page is accepting donations, with the family stating they "are relying on the kindness of the good hearted people to help us raise the much needed funds to help us find our beloved Dad, Husband and Son".

 

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Sanchez admits worry amid struggles with Manchester United


Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez admitted having failed to bring more joy to the Premier League club and their fans has left him worried.

Sanchez has struggled for form and fitness since arriving from rivals Arsenal in January last year, with the 30-year-old scoring just five goals as a United player.Caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he cannot help Sanchez after the former Barcelona star's disappointing performance in Tuesday's 2-0 first-leg loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

And ahead of Monday's FA Cup fifth-round meeting with Chelsea, Sanchez said he is determined to showcase his best at Old Trafford."He (Solskjaer) hasn't spoken to me a great deal about what I have to do on the pitch, but I think I'm an experienced player and I think I know what I need to do and what I shouldn't do," Sanchez told the BBC.

"I'm a player that, if I'm not in contact with the ball, I lose that spark, and sometimes I want to play in every game. You're in, you're out, and I'm used to playing."It's not an excuse because if I go on for 10, 20 minutes, I have to perform because that's what I'm here for, to make a difference."I would like to have brought more joy to the club. Yes, it worries me because I believe in my abilities as a player, I want to show it."

The Chile international also made it clear that he still has the drive to perform at a high level. "I don't know how people see me, but football is what I've loved from being a kid and it's my passion," Sanchez added.

Having underwhelmed after replacing injured team-mate Jesse Lingard on the stroke of half-time, the former Barcelona and Arsenal star admitted that he picked up a knock after an assistant referee ran into him while warming up during United's Champions League fixture against PSG, though he was quick to downplay the impact on his performance.

"The referee's assistant, when we had a counter-attack, came flying down the line, and I had my foot there and he crashed into me. Bang," Sanchez said."And I went back to the dugout and I said to [reserve goalkeeper] Sergio Romero: 'I've just been whacked and I'm about to go on'. I've got bruising but that's not an excuse for not being on my game in the way that I normally am."

 

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."I would like to have brought more joy to the club. Yes, it worries me because I believe in my abilities as a player, I want to show it."

Keep trying SanchezEverything gonna be fine​

 

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Man Utd confirm Sir Alex Ferguson to return as manager for special 1999 reunion match


Manchester United have confirmed that Sir Alex Ferguson will return to the dugout for a special reunion match to mark the 20th anniversary of the club's treble-winning campaign.

A United Legends side - managed by their legendary Scotsman - will play Bayern Munich Legends at Old Trafford on May 26 in a repeat of their famous 2-1 Champions League final comeback win that sealed their third major trophy of the 1998-99 season.The funds raised will go towards charity via the Manchester United Foundation.

Ferguson left United at the end of the 2012-13 season, winning the Premier League - a feat the club have failed to achieve since his retirement.The Red Devils remain the only English side to achieve a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble, and did so under the Scotsman's guidance.

The treble-winning side lost just three times in the 1998-99 Premier League - away to Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday and at home to Middlesborough - and were unbeaten after Boxing Day en route to beating the Gunners to the title by one point.United's route to the FA Cup saw them face five Premier League opponents in Middlesborough, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal before beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the final courtesy of goals by Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes.

Fulham were the only lower-league opposition they came across, and they required replays to beat Chelsea and Arsenal, with Ryan Giggs scoring that famous extra-time solo strike to beat the Gunners after Dennis Bergkamp's penalty was saved by Peter Schmeichel to force the game beyond 90 minutes.

Their Champions League victory remains arguably their most famous final triumph, however, progressing from the 'group of death' that included Bayern Munich and Barcelona despite drawing four games, and subsequently beating Italian sides Inter and Juventus to reach the showpiece against Bayern.

There, trailing 1-0 after 90 minutes and with three minutes of stoppage-time awarded, Sheringham and current United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struck in the first and third minutes of injury time to seal a historic comeback and, in the process, the treble.

The only disappointment for United during that famous season was their inability to turn the treble into a quadruple, after being knocked out in the fifth round of the League Cup by eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur, having beaten Bury and Nottingham Forest in the previous two rounds.The news of Ferguson managing his former players for the one-off game is a huge positive, given the 77-year-old's health issues in 2018.

The one-time Aberdeen boss underwent emergency brain surgery after being admitted to hospital on May 5 but has since made a recovery and, as well as regularly being seen attending matches involving United, he has also been offering advice to Solskjaer during his interim spell in charge.

 

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Welcome back SAF!​

 

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FA Cup Fixtures 2019.02.17

FA Cup Fixtures 2019.02.17

Bristol City Vs Wolves

Doncaster Vs Crystal Palace

Swansea Vs Brentford​

 

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Spanish La Liga Fixtures 2019.02.17

Spanish La Liga Fixtures 2019.02.17

Real Madrid Vs Girona

Valencia Vs Espanyol

Villareal Vs Sevilla

Real Betis Vs Alaves​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2019.02.17

Serie A Fixtures 2019.02.17


Spal Vs Fiorentina

Empoli Vs Sassuolo

Genoa Vs Lazio

Udinese Vs Chievo

Inter Vs Sampdoria

Napoli Vs Torino​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2019.02.17

Bundesliga Fixtures 2019.02.17

Frankfurt Vs Monchengladbach

Leverkusen Vs Fortuna​

 

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FA Cup Fixture 2019.02.18

FA Cup Fixture 2019.02.18

Chelsea Vs Manchester United

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Good Luck Manchester United!
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