Showing posts with label news football. Show all posts

Saturday, 4 June 2016

Sane sympathises with Reus as Euro 2016 opportunity knocks

Leroy Sane says he feels sympathy for Marco Reus, after the Borussia Dortmund star's injury paved the way for him to take a place in Germany's Euro 2016 squad.

Two-cap Schalke attacker Sane made Joachim Low's selection as the World Cup winners look to add a fourth European Championship to their collection, after Reus failed to shake off an adductor injury in time.

Bayer Leverksuen's Julian Brandt and Karim Bellarabi, as well as Sebastian Rudy of Hoffenheim, also missed out of selection - with Sane preferred among Low's attacking options after scoring nine goals in 42 games for Schalke last season.

"You obviously feel for your team mates who don't make it," Sane told the DFB's official website.

"They are all great football players and wonderful colleagues.

"It's particularly unfortunate for Marco Reus, as another injury prevented him from taking part in a big tournament.

"I got along really well with all four of them and I feel for each of them. The coach has to make a decision and I can imagine that he didn't have an easy time making it."

Sane will not have time to dwell on his colleagues' misfortune, however, with a potential key role to play as Germany seek a first European crown in 20 years, starting with a Group C clash against Ukraine next Sunday.

"At first you're obviously somewhat reserved," he added. "You watch everything closely but stay in the background.

"On the pitch it's all different though. The older players demanded me to perform to my abilities. They told me that I should show myself.

"I'm the type of player who voices his concerns on the pitch anyway. When I see a dangerous situation building up behind a player, then I will let him know.

"Obviously us players try to help each other on the pitch. Age doesn't matter in that regard."

Payet confirms West Ham stay

Dimitri Payet says it is "very likely" he will still stay at West Ham for next season.

Playmaker Payet took the Premier League by storm in his first campaign in English football, with the former Marseille man's performances earning him a spot on the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year prize.

The 29-year-old was also rewarded with a recall to the France squad and has been linked with a big-money move away from the Hammers, despite the fact he signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal with the club in February.

But Payet, who is currently away on international duty in the build-up to Euro 2016, poured cold water on such speculation when asked about his future at a media conference on Saturday.

"Journalists have placed me everywhere!" he said.

"But I currently have no contact [with other clubs] and I signed a very long contract with West Ham. It is very likely that I'll still be here next season."

Payet also insisted that he can improve further after a sensational debut campaign in the Premier League.

"It's true that the last two years have been the best [of my career], but I still hope to progress," he added.

"You can always learn and I work hard to be able to raise my level."

Zidane happy to fulfil Ancelotti's prophecy

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane is hoping to emulate one of his predecessors Carlo Ancelotti in Saturday's Champions League final.

Zidane was assistant to the Italian when Madrid saw off city rivals Atletico 4-1 following extra time in Lisbon to lift the European Cup for the 10th time two years ago.

Now, Zidane is in charge - having taken over from Rafael Benitez in January - and Madrid stand on the brink of a second title in three seasons.

Atletico provide the opponents once again at San Siro and Zidane fondly recalled a chat between himself and Ancelotti prior to the 2014 showdown.

"When the match begins I'll be more tense, but that's usual. It's part of the coaching job and I like it," the Frenchman said.

"I like this kind of pressure. I've experienced it as a player, but as a coach it's completely different.

"Carlo Ancelotti used to tell me that often, before the final in Lisbon he said to me 'I hope you get to experience this some day as coach' and, well, here we and I keep thinking of Carlo."

Zidane sees an improvement among his players in recent months, but says that will count for little once Saturday's game kicks off against a difficult and stubborn Atletico side.

"I think we're a bit better in every dimension, but in a final that's meaningless really," he said. "I'm happy because we've done a huge job in the meantime and I really, really believe in hard work.

"The players have done an amazing job, now we have a final ahead of us. We just have to give our all and tomorrow we'll see what happens but we know we're ready.

"They [Atletico] do well against everyone, not just Real Madrid. We know how they're working, there's a good reason why they're in the final. They're doing a really good job and the same applies to us.

"Tomorrow there's a match on and let's see who wins it."

David Silva praises Iniesta's Copa del Rey heroics

Andres Iniesta's man-of-the-match performance in Barcelona's Copa del Rey win on Sunday night was news to many, but not to his national compatriot David Silva.

The 32-year-old was at the heart of Barca's impressive display at Vicente Calderon, Luis Enrique's side running out 2-0 winners after extra time against Sevilla.

Speaking in Madrid ahead of Spain's Euro 2016 preparations, Silva led the praise for Iniesta, but not simply on the basis of his performance at the Vicente Calderon.

"For us, it's not news that Andres played like he did. We're no more optimistic because of his performance against Sevilla," said Silva.

"We're always aware of the quality he has, and we'd be just as optimistic if he hadn't have performed at such a level."

Iniesta's performance in the Spanish capital helped Barcelona complete the double, having picked up the Liga title on the previous weekend.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque admits he would be content if his side reach at least the semi-finals of Euro 2016, even if some people would label a trophy-less tournament a failure.

Del Bosque and Co. go into next month's Euros as back-to-back winners, having triumphed in 2008 against Germany and then in 2012 against Italy.

However, the 65-year-old said on Friday his 23-man squad was not "perfect", and has now gone on to state a last-four finish would be an acceptable achievement.

Speaking on El partido de las 12 via network COPE, Del Bosque said: "If we make the semi-finals I would be happy, I'm telling you the truth.

"Even though some would consider not winning it a failure.

"What I do not want is for us to get nervous and despair to creep in.

"Unrest is a bad counsellor."

On his squad, Del Bosque added: "In these past eight years we have taken many lists and they have not really been disputed.

"This one, maybe, has been the most talked about. We have tried to take the best list possible, for the good of the team.

"We have not given anyone any awards, we just want to take the best we could."

Barcelona star Neymar insists he is happy at the Catalan giants amid constant speculation he is contemplating a Camp Nou exit.

Neymar, 24, scored the second goal in Barca's 2-0 Copa del Rey triumph against Sevilla on Sunday - his eighth trophy in just three seasons with the club.

However, Neymar has been linked with a move away from Barca, with the Brazil international yet to sign a contract extension with the Spanish champions.

But as Barca celebrated their domestic double in front of the Camp Nou faithful on Monday, Neymar reiterated his desire to stay at the club.

Speaking to the Barca fans, Neymar said: "It has been a great season for us. It was a difficult one, because we were sad after being eliminated in the Champions [League].

"But we did all we could to win the other two cups, and here they are.

"Thank you for celebrating one year more with us. Thank you for everything.

"I am happy at this club and I am part of Barca. Go Barca, and go Catalunya!"

360 Official: Walter Mazzarri named as new Watford head coach

Watford have announced that former Inter Milan boss Walter Mazzarri will become head coach from 1 July after the departure of Quique Sanchez Flores.

The 54-year-old Italian, who has also managed Sampdoria and Napoli, has signed a three-year contract at Vicarage Road.

Spaniard Flores left after less than a year with the Premier League side.

Watford finished 13th in a season where they also lost in the FA Cup semi-finals to Crystal Palace.

Mazzarri is the Hornets' eighth manager in the past four years.

Watford's chief executive Scott Duxbury told the club's official website:

"Walter has been the target of a number of approaches for his services, so we're delighted to secure him as head coach here at Watford.

"We're thoroughly looking forward to working with such a highly regarded coach, with the progress and development of the club always remaining the highest priority."

The Red Devils' 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday sees the resultant European qualification spot go to the seventh placed team in the Premier League.

Manchester United's FA Cup win has secured a place in the Europa League for West Ham.

Jesse Lingard's extra-time strike saw the Red Devils beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday, denying Alan Pardew's men a place in Europe next season.

Having finished fifth in the league, United have already bookeda spot in the continental competition next season, meaning the Europa League qualification spot up for grabs in Saturday's final drops to the next unqualified team in the English top flight.

Europe here we come!@ManUtd's@EmiratesFACupwin means we have qualified for the Europa League!#WeAreGoingAbroadpic.twitter.com/t18Aji3Ywe— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official)May 21, 2016.

As a result, Slaven Bilic's Hammers, who finished seventh in the table, will now have a chance to play in the competition as they will feature in the qualifying round next term, while Southampton, who were sixth, are now sure of a place in the group stage of the tournament, having initially booked a spot in the qualifiers.

The east London side failed to make it to the group stage this season after they made it to the final qualifying round but crashed out against Astra with a 4-3 aggregate defeat.

Drinkwater would 'understand' Euro 2016 exclusion

Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater admitted he would "understand" if he was left out of England's final 23-man squad for Euro 2016.

Drinkwater's impressive form in Leicester's Premier League-winning campaign saw him named in Roy Hodgson's provisional squad for next month's European Championship in France.

The 26-year-old played in 35 of their 38 league games, scoring three goals and setting up eight others as Leicester claimed a top-flight crown for the first time in their 132-year history.

However, when asked if he would be disappointed to miss out on selection to players who had not appeared as much this season, Drinkwater said: "No, not really.

"The midfield has a lot of quality and the players we are talking about have ridiculous quality. They have played at the top level so I would understand.

"If it happens I will understand and I'll work hard again next season and see where it goes. But in the meantime making the final 23 is the next challenge.

"I think that is every player's aim and there are 26 players fighting for 23 places so it's going to be tough.

"I'm just going to train how I usually train and work really hard and if I'm in the 23 I'm in the 23.

"There are games to play and everyone needs to stay fit and I need to keep my fitness, and hopefully I'll be there at the end.

"This season has been a massive positive for me and making the final England squad would be the icing on the cake.

"But even if I don't make the 23, England have got a massive chance of winning the Euros and I'd love to be involved."

#Euro2016: Rooney not consulted over England squad, insists Hodgson

Roy Hodgson says he does not consult Wayne Rooney over who is selected for England after the captain's fellow Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford received his first call-up.

Rashford, 18, was one of five attackers named in the 26-man provisional squad ahead of Euro 2016.

But Hodgson has not been relying on any feedback from England's record goalscorer prior to the tournament in France.

"I don't consult with Wayne Rooney over selection, that would not be correct," the manager said after announcing his squad.

"His responsibility is as a player, then captain. I am not certain I want him involved in who I should pick.

"Myself, Ray Lewington and Gary Neville watch so much football it is not necessary to bring in a fourth man."

Hodgson also insisted he does not consider Rooney to be an automatic starter at the Euros despite his status within the England set-up.

"Wayne Rooney is the captain and has done a fantastic job - 109 games and 51 goals - there are not many players in Europe who will reach that success. We are very grateful for the goals he has scored for us in qualifying.

"I have to select teams against Turkey, Portugal and Australia. Rooney is an important player but who knows what's going to happen in those games.

"To my knowledge, he isn't certainly demanding he will play in the opening game [at the Euros] and I am under no pressure to select him in the opening game unless I deem him the right man for the job."

After weeks of playing down Arsenal's lack of success this season, manager Arsene Wenger gave a brutal assessment of his team's campaign.

Wenger - who previously said he was proud of his record of keeping Arsenal in the top four as rivals like Manchester United and Chelsea falter - said his side's second-placed finish was not what he wanted from this season.

Arsenal won their final game of the season 4-0 against an already relegated Aston Villa on Sunday and leapfrogged arch-rivals Tottenham into second place as a result but Wenger said that topping his club's cross-town London rivals was nothing to write home about.

"We are second in the league and we want to be first," the Frenchman said.

"But if you're not first, you might as well be 10th or 12th.

"You might as well say first is good and the rest is rubbish.

"In sport, when you work in a football club you know that every win you have to fight and prepare more."

Wenger defended his team's record, saying their points-haul of 71 was respectable, despite being 10 off champions Leicester who Arsenal beat twice.

"We want to win more. We want to be first. But as well, we have made over 70 points in the Premier League and it is not easy," he said.

"You have to say Leicester have pulled off an exceptional win. They lost only three games. But we have beaten them twice.

"So you should look at all the other teams. We are not happy by being second but 18 other teams behind us would be happy to be in our position."