El Matador: Diego Costa switches to Spain

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has confirmed he wants to switch national allegiances from Brazil to Spain.

The 24-year-old has never represented the Selecao at any level and now has Spanish citizenship which entitles him to play for La Roja.

While Costa is ineligible for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers he has agreed to link up with the world champions and Vicente Del Bosque for future internationals.

Friday, October 4, 2013 11:49

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Oktoberfest: Bayern celebrate Manchester City thrashing

Bayern Munich are celebrating after enjoying a 3-1 thrashing over Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola’s side raced into an early lead through Franck Ribery before two goals in four minutes in the second half, from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben, put the German side in cruise control.

Alvaro Negredo pulled a late goal back for Manuel Pellegrini’s men but it was scant consolation on a bad night for City, and goalkeeper Joe Hart in particular.

Thursday, October 3, 2013 11:49

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Don't touch Neymar!

Tuesday's Champions League fixtures saw plenty of action with protesters interrupting Basel's match with Schalke after abseiling into the stadium, while up in Scotland Barcelona inched past Celtic.

Cesc Fabregas was the hero for the Catalans heading home late on to secure victory for the Spanish champions and ensure heartbreak for Neil Lennon's men.

However, the main talking point was not Fabregas' goal but the red card which saw Scott Brown sent off on the hour mark for a kick at Neymar, a decision that did not go down well with the home fans.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013 11:43

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Ghost buster: Wenger hopes to avoid being haunted by Napoli

Arsenal take on Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday with manager Arsene Wenger set to face Gonzalo Higuain, a man he tried, and failed, to sign in the summer transfer window.

The Argentine striker, is not the only familiar face for the Gunners as Rafael Benitez brings his Serie A side to the Emirates Stadium, including goalkeeper Pepe Reina another one-time transfer target of the Gunners.

Wenger's men go into the game in confident mood, two points clear at the top of the early Premier League table, but will be hoping the ones that got away do not return to haunt his men.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013 11:46

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Taco the net: De Gea criticised over diet & training mentality

The reasons behind David de Gea's unsettled start in the Premier League have been explained by Manchester United's former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.

The 22-year-old was criticised for some of his early performances at United and Steele has revealed the sub-par displays were down to a combination of poor diet and attitude in training.

"There were lifestyle issues," he told United We Stand fanzine. "He'd sleep two or three times a day. He'd have his main meal late at night. He'd eat too many tacos.

"We pushed protein drinks on him straight after training. We had him in the gym a lot. He hated it. They don't do the gym in Spain as much. We needed to build his core strength.

"He would finish training and want to go home. When I told him to come back in the afternoon he'd ask: 'Why?'

"There were times in his first season when he trained poorly. I told him that players made decisions for managers, not the other way around. That he should be first, not last out for training."

Monday, September 30, 2013 12:00

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من أجل توعية المرأة لفحص الثدي

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Iniesta: An emblem for Barcelona

Gerardo Martino has described Andres Iniesta as an "emblem" of Barcelona.

"In every club there are players who are images of their clubs. I see Iniesta as an image of Barca," said the Spanish club's boss.

"I think it's quite logical he should renew, I see him as one of the emblematic players at the club and we want him to stay."

Saturday, September 28, 2013 12:00

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Mourinho & Villas-Boas prepare for battle

Andre Villas-Boas pulled no punches in the assessment of his broken relationship with Jose Mourinho during his press conference on Thursday.

The two managers will meet on Saturday as Tottenham host Chelsea at White Hart Lane but Villas-Boas admits the bond he had with his opposite number during his time at Stamford Bridge, Porto and Inter has faded.

"We had a great personal and professional relationship before, that we don't have now,"said Villas-Boas.

"I don't think we need explanations on friendship and personal relationships. But our relationship broke down.

"I think we have the mutual respect for each other and we understand what we have been through cannot just disappear but it's not like it was before. I don't lose any sleep [over it]."

Friday, September 27, 2013 12:00

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Diego Costa the toast of Madrid after derby upset

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Isco, David Villa and Arda Turan were all on show in the first Madrid derby of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But it is Diego Costa who is the toast of the city after his goal saw Atletico upset their big spending rivals on Saturday night.

Costa broke free and stroked the ball past Diego Lopez after just 11 minutes at the Bernabeu to score his eighth goal of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti introduced Bale for his home debut at half time, but the former Tottenham man could not change the game as Atletico maintained their perfect start in La Liga.

Sunday, September 29, 2013 12:00

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Real 'robbery' gets Spain up in arms

Controversy reigned at Elche on Wednesday night as Real Madrid snatched the latest of winners from the penalty spot.

The home crowd, who had sang songs of Madrid's supposed cheating all evening, were incensed when referee Cesar Muniz pointed to the spot after Pepe took a tumble in the 94th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo duly converted, leaving Elche captain Albucar to brand it a robbery, Gerard Pique to make his disapproval known on Twitter, and the Spanish police to reveal that they had received more than 120 complaining tweets from disgruntled fans!

Thursday, September 26, 2013 12:00

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