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Mourinho admission rocks Inter

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Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed he wants to move to Real Madrid just three days before his Nerazzurri side take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League final (Bayern Munich 23/10, draw 9/4, Inter Milan 6/5 within 90 minutes).

The former Chelsea boss has long been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu and Inter president Massimo Moratti admitted earlier this week he expected Mourinho to depart the Giuseppe Meazza over the  summer.

However, the Portuguese tactician was not expected to make an announcement about his future until after Inter’s European showdown with Bayern on Saturday but he has now confirmed he would welcome a move to Madrid.

“I want to go to Real Madrid, 100%,” Mourinho told Spanish publication Marca. “If I didn’t get there, I would leave football with a void in my career.

“Only Real can see me leave Milan after two incredible years of work. If I go, I do it with a clear conscience after having changed the club.”

Mourinho has already led Inter Milan to Serie A Success and Coppa Italia glory and he is now looking to cap an already sensational season by delivering Inter their first ever Champions League trophy.

Inter Milan have won the old European Cup, with their last appearance in Europe’s top final coming way back in 1972, where they were beaten by Dutch giants Ajax.

The Italian side remain favourites to pick up the Champions League trophy despite Mourinho’s bizarrely timed admission. Mourinho led his charges to victory over Chelsea in the early knock-out stages and they have
impressed throughout their European campaign this season.

The Italian giants also managed to see off holders and heavy favourites Barcelona in the semi-finals thanks to a rigid strategy and Mourinho will surely have a game plan ahead of the showdown with the German giants, who struggled to get past Italian opposition in the shape of Fiorentina in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s Croatian striker Ivica Olic admits he is desperate to score in the Champions league final, despite being an Inter Milan fan (Olic 15/8 to score anytime in the Champions League final).

Olic revealed he had a trial with the Serie A giants as a 17-year-old and they were keen on snapping him up but he decided instead to move to German outfit Hertha Berlin as he felt it would be better for his career development.

Olic has a habit of scoring important goals for Bayern and the 30-year-old hit a hat-trick in the German side’s semi-final victory over Lyon, although without the suspended playmaker Franck Ribery to create openings in the Inter defence the Croatian forward may struggle to find the net against Inter.

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Seize the moment, says Robben

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Arjen RobbenArjen Robben will tell his Bayern Munich team-mates they must take whatever chances come their way in the Champions League final against Internazionale on Saturday (23/10 Bayern Munich 9/4 draw 6/5 Inter Milan).

Holland winger Robben knows games at the highest level are often decided by fractions and believes the Bundesliga giants must be clinical in front of goal to have any hope of winning Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2001.

Robben has weighed in with some crucial goals en route to the Santiago Bernabeu and says Bayern must stick to their attacking principals (11/2 Robben – First and Last Goalscorer).

He also expects the Serie A champions not to sit back as much as they did when holding out against Barcelona with 10 men at the Nou Camp in the second leg of the semi-finals.

“I don’t expect Inter to defend as much as they did against Barcelona, though of course they also had a player sent off,” said Robben.

“We have to play our own game. We can’t change our tactics. We’ve played the whole season the same way and that’s what we will do in the final as well.”

He added: “On the day you have to sometimes be a bit lucky, but at least you have to be sharp in front of goal and the chances you get you have to take.”

The game takes on extra significance for Robben because he will be lining up against his former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, at the home of Real Madrid – the club he left in August 2009.

The 26-year-old, a title winner with Spain’s capital club, says he is relishing the chance to go back to Madrid and help Bayern win the Champions League – but not for personal gains.

Bayern remain on course for the treble and Robben is keen to put the team before any personal accolades.

When asked if he had a point to prove, Robben said: “Yes, but not particularly in this game. I can already be satisfied about this season. But of course this is the highest occasion for a football player, also as an individual, so hopefully I can have a good game. But it’s not to show people, it’s to win the title.”

He added on uefa.com: “That’s the most important thing. If I have a terrible game and we win in the end it’s all good.”

Robben said he and his team-mates did not expect to reach the final this season but that they did not want to waste a golden opportunity to win a major European trophy.

He said: “It’s funny, the club didn’t expect us to be in the final this year. The main goal was to win the championship and that’s what we did. But now we’re in the final, it’s a unique opportunity and you have to try and win it.

“You have to give all on this day and I think we will see 22 players who will play for their lives.”

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Holloway slams Hammers talk

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Blackpool manager Ian HollowayBlackpool have been handed a boost ahead of the Championship play-off final against Cardiff on Saturday after boss Ian Holloway distanced himself from the vacant managerial position at West Ham (Holloway 33/1 Next Permanent West Ham Manager).

Holloway has been linked to the Hammers job following an excellent season at Bloomfield Road in which he has guided the club to within 90 minutes of the Premier League (Blackpool 6/5 Promotion) following a top-six Championship finish and play-off semi-final win against Nottingham Forest.

However, ahead of Saturday’s Wembley showdown against Cardiff City, (Blackpool 21/10,Cardiff 13/10, draw 9/4 90 Minutes) Holloway has pledged his long-term future to the Seasiders.

He said: “It’s an honour to be linked with something like that but it’s not genuine is it? If it was genuine then my chairman (Karl Oyston) would be talking to me about it. I think a lot of journalists are quite lazy. They look at things and think ‘oh, we can throw that name in’.

“At the end of the day it’s the people at the top of the clubs who make these decisions. You read the stories but these newspapers will be wrapping someone’s chips tomorrow. Never believe what you read in the papers. I don’t.

“I’m doing a job as well as I possibly can and I’m more than happy to keep doing it.”

Holloway’s outburst comes on the back of Blackburn’s denial that West Ham have made an approach to take Sam Allardyce (16/1) to Upton Park, while Portsmouth have paved the way clear for Avram Grant (1/10) to leave Fratton Park and take the job by saying they will not demand any compensation.

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Capello keeps keepers guessing

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Portsmouth goalkeeper David James insists he is none the wiser as to which of England’s three goalkeepers will be the number one shot-stopper in South Africa (England have World Cup betting odds of  11/2 to take the top prize in South Africa).

James has been selected as part of boss Fabio Capello’s 30-man provisional squad with fellow keepers Joe Hart, of Manchester City, and West Ham’s Rob Green. All three keepers look set to make the final 23-man squad, as it would be a strange move indeed from the Italian tactician if he were to travel to the World Cup with just two goalkeepers.

“I genuinely don’t know where I am. Mr Capello does not give too much away,” said James. “The way he sets his squad out means it is no longer a case of a first XI with an additional number of players.

“All I know is that I am totally fit and happy with myself and my form. And I’d like to think that other people are also happy with me.”

In some ways it is perhaps not such a surprise that the keepers, and maybe even Capello, are at this time unsure of who will be the number one at the 2010 World Cup. Football pundits have been divided on the issue for some time, with good cases to be made for all three to take the number one jersey.

At 39-year’s-old, James is the oldest man in the squad and the most experienced of the three keepers involved, with 39 international caps to his name.

Rob Green, 30, has nine caps, while 22-year-old Joe Hart has just one international cap – in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in 2008.

Green started England’s last friendly fixture, a 3-1 win over Egypt, and some have suggested he will be the main man in South Africa. England goalkeeping legend and the country’s all-time most-capped player, Peter Shilton, has voiced his concern that the goalkeepers don’t know who the number one is and has backed Green.

Shilton feels if Capello confirmed who his top stopper is now, it would give the chosen number one a massive confidence boost ahead of the tournament in South Africa.

At the start of the 2009/2010 season many expected James to be the number one by the time the World Cup came around but the Portsmouth veteran has suffered with injuries over the course of the season and has played less football than either Hart or Green.

However, James has done it all before and is as good a shot-stopper as any, although there may be occasional questions about his decision making but these have grown less frequent as he has matured.

Joe Hart, who spent the 2009/2010 season on loan at Birmingham City, was named as the Premier League?s top keeper in the PFA Team of the Year and many believe the youngster has proved himself enough ahead of the international showpiece.

However, at 23-years-old and with just one full season of Premier League football behind him (although he did enjoy a brief spell as City’s number one in the 2008/09 season before the arrival of Shay Given), there are question marks over his experience, with the goalkeeping position one of the most stressful in major international competitions – especially if penalties are required.

England face two friendly fixtures ahead of their first game against the USA in Group C on June 12  (England 8/15 to beat the USA in the World Cup betting market).

Capello will lead the Three Lions in warm up fixtures against Mexico (May 24) and Japan (May 30), with whoever starts in goal in those games the most likely candidate to be England?s first choice when the tournament gets underway.

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Fabregas ‘wants to leave Arsenal’

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Cesc Fabregas has given the clearest indication yet that he will join Barcelona this summer after telling manager Arsene Wenger he wants to leave Arsenal, according to reports (6/1 Arsenal – Premier League 2010-11 outright).

The news will come as a devastating blow to the Frenchman’s hopes of building a title-winning team around the influential Spain midfielder.

Fabregas, who has been undergoing treatment in Spain on the leg injury which ended his campaign, has made no secret of his desire to re-join the club he left in 2003 when aged just 16 and said recently he wanted his future resolved before the World Cup starts on June 11 (Spain – World Cup 2010 Specials).

Reports have suggested he has contacted the Emirates boss to inform him that he wants to quit the Gunners.

Fabregas’ bombshell comes on the same day vice president Rafael Yuste announced Barca were also in talks to sign highly-rated Valencia striker David Villa in an attempt to win back the Champions League trophy next season (4/1 Villa – Top La Liga Goalscorer World Cup 2010).

He told the Catalonian radio station Ona FM: “Negotiations are progressing well, especially in the case of Villa.”

Yuste suggested the Catalan giants had not made the progress they would have liked on the capture of Fabregas, but that they were sure he wanted to move back to the Nou Camp.

He added: “The situation with Cesc is different because even if you have the will of the player it is very important to talk to his club and, if you can, find an agreement. But what makes it easier is that both players want to come to Barca.”

Fabregas has only won one major trophy since arriving in north London – the FA Cup in 2005 – and the chance to play alongside Spain team-mates such as Andres Iniesta and Xavi is understood to be behind his reason for wanting to leave (21/10 Spain – Top European Team).

Reacting to Fabregas’ initial comment about wanting to return, outgoing Barca president Joan Laporta said: “It is remarkable that the player has said that.

“If the technical secretary [Txiki Begiristain] believes we must make an effort, we will do and will talk to Arsenal.”

The speculation intensified on Monday when Dimitri Selcuk, the agent of current Barca midfield enforcer Yaya Toure, revealed his client could be used as a makeweight in the deal to take Fabregas back to Spain.

He said: “There is a one in a thousand chance that Toure will be involved in the move for Cesc with Arsenal.”

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Moratti resigned to Mourinho exit

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Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed that he expects manager Jose Mourinho to leave the club after this weekend’s Champions League final (Inter 6/5 with totesport to win the trophy in 90 minutes).

The Italian giants face Bayern Munich (23/10) in European club football’s showpiece event on Saturday, with both teams looking for a treble after winning the league and cup in their domestic competitions.

But whatever the outcome at the Bernabeu, Moratti feels that the former Chelsea boss will be on his way this summer, with Real Madrid constantly being linked to the talented tactician.

“It is difficult to make percentages with a personality so explosive,” the Inter president told Italian radio. “No one knows what he’ll decide. Either it’s a surprising thing that we don’t expect or unfortunately one we do expect.”

The 47-year-old has enjoyed success since taking over at the San Siro in 2008, winning consecutive Serie A titles and the domestic double this season with a 1-0 victory over Roma in the Coppa Italia final.

A victory over the Germans in the Champions League final on Saturday would likely bring the curtain down on his time at Inter, and maybe in Italy, as the self-styled ‘Special One’ has made it clear that he does not like the way football is played in Italy.

The Portuguese manager has a history of moving on after success, leaving Porto after guiding them to Champions League glory and Chelsea after two Premiership crowns, and so even a victory in Europe’s premier club competition is unlikely to keep him at Inter if he decides it is time to depart.

Mourinho was seen to shed a tear after claiming the Scudetto on Sunday and Moratti believes it showed the human side of a man who is totally driven to succeed.

“He is a complete man who also has a sentimental part that he keeps hidden because he is the boss,” Moratti said. “The tears showed his affection and gratitude for the players.”

There are plenty of other betting opportunities with totesport for the Champions League final. Mourinho’s sides, Inter included, are always defensively sound and so an early goal might be all that is required for the Italians to secure the treble.

An Inter 1-0 victory can be backed at 11/2, while 2-0 trades at 7/1. A goal-less draw is also on offer at 7/1 and if you feel Bayern might sneak it by the odd goal then they can be backed at 15/2 to win 1-0.

A 1-1 draw, taking the final into extra time, is also priced at 11/2.

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Roque ready to keep miracle going

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Roque Santa Cruz has hailed his nation Paraguay (1/2 to qualify from Group F) ahead of this summer’s World Cup and says he is hopeful they can keep the “miracle” going when they head to South Africa.

This will be the fourth time in a row the nation has appeared at the finals of the tournament, their recent qualification record eclipsed only by the two powerhouses of South American football, Brazil and Argentina.

The Paraguayan league gets very few spectators coming to watch the games and matches are often played in front of just a few hundred people.

Despite the likes of Columbia, Chile and Peru having recognised leagues and as such more money to invest in their national team it is Paraguay who have somehow managed to turn out a decent side every four years in time for the World Cup.

In South Africa they will once again be up against nations with much better resources as they try to make a name for themselves.

Santa Cruz, speaking after scoring the winner for Paraguay in their 1-0 victory over North Korea, says it is miraculous Paraguay are able to compete with South American nations, let alone the world’s best.

“It’s a miracle, it’s something Paraguay has been blessed with and we are very proud, coming from such a small country, to be involved in such a great tournament,” Santa Cruz told reporters.

“It’s probably because we are so down-to-earth. The football is not the best, we don’t have a lot of resources, we have don’t infrastructure or stadiums like other countries have.”

The Manchester City forward will be leading his nation in South Africa this summer despite a difficult season back in England where injuries have restricted his participation.

The 28-year-old managed only three goals in the whole of last season as he struggled to hold down a first-team spot when he wasn’t in the treatment room.

However, Santa Cruz (100/1 Top Goalscorer) believes he is over his injury problems and is hopeful he will find the goal regularly enough to help Paraguay achieve their dream of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

“Fitness-wise I feel very good, and it’s good for me to have 90 minutes behind me,” he said.

“Paraguay have never been involved in the quarter-finals, that is what we want to achieve and see if we can go on from there,” he said. “It would be a good World Cup if we could do that.”

Paraguay will certainly fancy their chances of reaching the first knock-out round at the World Cup having been drawn alongside Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia.

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Ribery loses red card appeal

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Bayern Munich’s hopes of turning over the ‘Special One’ in the Champions League have been rocked by the news Franck Ribery will be out through suspension (23/10 Bayern Munich 9/4 draw 6/5 Internazionale – match betting).

The Frenchman will be forced to serve a three-match ban after the Court of Arbitration for Sport threw out Bayern’s appeal to have it overturned and the France winger will now have to watch from the stands.

Ribery was initially serving a one-match ban following his sending off against Lyon in the first leg of the semi-final but somewhat foolishly the Germans decided to appeal and it was increased to three games.

How they will be wishing they had not bothered because the skillfull winger will be a huge loss as they try to plot the downfall of Inter and Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu.

A CAS statement read: “A hearing was held at the CAS headquarters today, during which the parties and their legal representatives were heard.

“The CAS Panel has dismissed the appeal and confirmed the three-game suspension imposed by the Uefa appeals body on the Bayern Munich player Franck Ribery.

“Accordingly, the player will not be eligible to play in the final of the 2010 Champions League.”

Bayern can take heart from the fact they brushed aside Lyon 4-0 in the second leg as Ivica Olic grabbed a hat-trick but it will be a different kettle of fish against Inter who will not surrender like the French did.

There is no doubt Olic will be needed again if Bayern are to have a chance and the striker is priced 13/2 First Goalscorer while a price of 40/1 is available on him repeating his heroics in Lyon.

Robben is also going to be a key man for Bayern (15/2 to score first goal) and he has shown throughout the tournament that when he is on his game he can hurt anyone. The question is which Robben will turn up in Madrid?

Ribery will be sorely missed but if Olic and Robben find their shooting boots then the Germans may have a chance of upsetting the odds.

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Gerrard asks for fans’ help

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Steven Gerrard with Liverpool fansSteven Gerrard says England are desperate for success at the World Cup – they are 6/1 to lift the trophy – this summer and he believes a vocal backing from the travelling fans out in South Africa will significantly boost their chances of glory.

Gerrard will form a key part of England’s attacking thrust from midfield in the tournament and the Liverpool man’s experience of big games will be vital if Fabio Capello’s men are to enjoy a run to the latter knockout stages of the competition. Gerrard is 8/1 to be England’s top goal scorer at the World Cup.

Gerrard has admitted that when the Three Lions receive the full backing of the England fans it can be a major boost to their chances but if they get on their backs then it can have the opposite effect.

He said: “The fans see that we’re working really hard to improve and we’re desperate to achieve something for them. That is what we do it for. It would be fantastic if we could send them home from South Africa really happy and really proud of the team.

“I’ve played in situations where the fans haven’t been behind the team and it’s difficult. It affects performance and individuals and it’s not helpful.

“But on the other hand, I’ve played in front of a packed Wembley when the fans are roaring us on to victory and it’s a massive help. If we can get that kind of support in the World Cup, it could be key for us in getting over this quarter-final hurdle and going further.”

Gerrard’s club form for Liverpool this season has fallen below his own high standards at times, but he remains one of England’s key players and will be relied upon to inspire Capello’s men in tight games alongside Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and co.

Meanwhile, Gerrard’s future at Anfield remains somewhat unclear following Liverpool’s failure to secure Champions League football next season.

With the ongoing uncertaintly over boss Rafa Benitez’s future as well, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester City and Chelsea are all thought to be monitoring Gerrard’s position should he decide to leave the club he has served so well over the past 11 years.

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Gerrard asks for fans’ help

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Steven Gerrard with Liverpool fansSteven Gerrard says England are desperate for success at the World Cup – they are 6/1 to lift the trophy – this summer and he believes a vocal backing from the travelling fans out in South Africa will significantly boost their chances of glory.

Gerrard will form a key part of England’s attacking thrust from midfield in the tournament and the Liverpool man’s experience of big games will be vital if Fabio Capello’s men are to enjoy a run to the latter knockout stages of the competition. Gerrard is 8/1 to be England’s top goal scorer at the World Cup.

Gerrard has admitted that when the Three Lions receive the full backing of the England fans it can be a major boost to their chances but if they get on their backs then it can have the opposite effect.

He said: “The fans see that we’re working really hard to improve and we’re desperate to achieve something for them. That is what we do it for. It would be fantastic if we could send them home from South Africa really happy and really proud of the team.

“I’ve played in situations where the fans haven’t been behind the team and it’s difficult. It affects performance and individuals and it’s not helpful.

“But on the other hand, I’ve played in front of a packed Wembley when the fans are roaring us on to victory and it’s a massive help. If we can get that kind of support in the World Cup, it could be key for us in getting over this quarter-final hurdle and going further.”

Gerrard’s club form for Liverpool this season has fallen below his own high standards at times, but he remains one of England’s key players and will be relied upon to inspire Capello’s men in tight games alongside Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and co.

Meanwhile, Gerrard’s future at Anfield remains somewhat unclear following Liverpool’s failure to secure Champions League football next season.

With the ongoing uncertaintly over boss Rafa Benitez’s future as well, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester City and Chelsea are all thought to be monitoring Gerrard’s position should he decide to leave the club he has served so well over the past 11 years.

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