Pellegrini and the possible arrival of Guardiola City: "Not a problem for me"

Manchester City coach, Manuel Pellegrini, said rumours of the Spanish press that Josep Guardiola will replace him in the position he is demised next season.

"Do not talk about rumours. It's not a problem for me," said the Chilean coach at a news conference.

Pellegrini also had words for the alleged offer the City made ​​to FC Barcelona Lionel Messi: " Any coach in the world would like to have Lionel Messi, but do not talk about rumors. "

Concerning the two defeats suffered by his team in recent weeks, the engineer said " . It was not a good week for us, we lost two games against Liverpool was an ugly defeat and against Juventus we improve a little, but not the result we really wanted " .

"You never know which team will win the Premier League, Liverpool came here and won, before they lost to Crystal Palace and Palace lost to Sunderland," he added.

Anyway, it was positive about what's next for the club at this time. " Southampton is having a great season, they are unbeaten away from home and have great players. We must play well if we want to win. If we win we will recover at least one position, and then we have the possibility to reach semi-finals of the Capital One Cup. We have two games at home to recover our level. "

FIFA unveils nominees for the 11th World

FIFA announced on Thursday 55 nominees perfect 11, 2015, a list that governs the Real Madrid with 12 representatives from 11 of the 10 Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

In the list there are 14 teams, three in the Spanish league, four of the Premier, two of the Bundesliga, one of Serie A, one of Ligue 1, one of the Portuguese league, one from Argentina and one of the league MLS.

Eleven elite players, "regardless of nationality or color of the shirt you defend every weekend, joined by the talent and the recognition of his colleagues, that is the FIFA FIFPro World XI," the agency on its official website .

The award, which rewards the best 11 players of the season, has known this Thursday at 55 finalists, the product of choice among almost 25 000 active players in 70 countries across the globe. "From players for players" it is the motto of the vote.

A total of five goalkeepers, 20 defenders, 15 midfielders and 15 forwards were announced as finalists in a joint initiative between FIFA and FIFPro, the representative of professional players in the world, which has lasted seven years.

On 11 January they will be announced the 11 members of the dream team for 2015, as part of the Gala Golden Ball FIFA.

The 55 selected players are:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy / Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain / Porto), David De Gea (Spain / Manchester United), Keylor Navas (Costa Rica / Real Madrid CF) and Manuel Neuer (Germany / Bayern Munich).

Defenders: David Alaba (Austria / Bayern Munich), Jordi Alba (Spain / FC Barcelona), Jerome Boateng (Germany / Bayern Munich), Daniel Carvajal (Spain / Real Madrid CF), Giorgio Chiellini (Italy / Juventus), Dani Alves (Brazil / FC Barcelona), David Luiz (Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain), Diego Godín (Uruguay / Atletico Madrid), Mats Hummels (Germany / Borussia Dortmund), Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia / Chelsea FC), Vincent Kompany ( Belgium / Manchester City), Philipp Lahm (Germany / Bayern Munich), Marcelo (Brazil / Real Madrid CF), Javier Mascherano (Argentina / FC Barcelona), Pepe (Portugal / Real Madrid CF), Gerard Pique (Spain / FC Barcelona ), Sergio Ramos (Spain / Real Madrid CF), John Terry (England / Chelsea FC), Thiago Silva (Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain) and Raphael Varane (France / Real Madrid CF).

Midfielders: Thiago Alcántara (Spain / Bayern Munich), Xabi Alonso (Spain / Bayern Munich), Sergio Busquets (Spain / FC Barcelona), Eden Hazard (Belgium / Chelsea FC), Andres Iniesta (Spain / FC Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany / Real Madrid CF), Luka Modric (Croatia / Real Madrid CF), Andrea Pirlo (Italy / New York City FC), Paul Pogba (France / Juventus), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia / FC Barcelona), James Rodriguez ( Colombia / Real Madrid CF), David Silva (Spain / Manchester City), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast / Manchester City), Marco Verratti (Italy / Paris Saint-Germain) and Arturo Vidal (Chile / Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Argentina / Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Wales / Real Madrid CF), Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid CF), Douglas Costa (Brazil / Bayern Munich), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Real Madrid CF) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden / Paris Saint-Germain), Robert Lewandowski (Poland / Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (Argentina / FC Barcelona), Thomas Mueller (Germany / Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil / FC Barcelona), Arjen Robben (Netherlands / Bayern Munich), Wayne Rooney (England / Manchester United), Alexis Sanchez (Chile / Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay / FC Barcelona), Carlos Tevez (Argentina / Boca Juniors).

ManCity willing to madness for Messi and there would already have the offer ready!

PlayStation stuff, from fantasy, call it what you want, but it seems willing to bring to the table Manchester City to clinch Leo Messi goes beyond the wildest imagination. You enter the pantheon of those football the measure to the tune of millions, perhaps a universe that has nothing to do with sports, but that it is woven with so much sensational as incredible.

 1.2 million a week salary, amounting to about 62 million a year. Ah, clarification: image rights and bonuses already included. It is of such magnitude that the check the owner of Manchester City Mansour would be willing to disconnect in order to have the flea in their squad and, in parallel, finally looking to excel even in Europe (where the citizens have always reeled).

The Sun also reports that the deal at exorbitant between Barcelona and Sky Blues would have already started: a first meeting of the Argentine star and his entourage with the States General of the British company but could be forced to wait until 2018 (the year of natural Argentine ace out of contract): otherwise would need a buyout clause of 250 million. Then the sheikh might be inclined to save money by offering only 170 million next summer: we therefore confirm whether what was written actually corresponds to the truth.

Probable line Napoli-Inter: Lights at the San Paolo, is thrill Scudetto

And 'here the super challenge. At St. Paul, in the Monday Night of the fourteenth day of Serie A, challenge Napoli and Inter , two of the main candidates for the Scudetto.

30 points in the standings for the Nerazzurri, just two less training Neapolitan, chasing the success that would mean overtaking.

For the occasion Sarri dusts off all 'titolarissimi': a term back in vogue in Naples Mazzarri after time, given the tendency - very rare in football today - former technical Empoli relying on an eleven-based. Space, therefore, by Reina in goal, defense hinged on Koulibaly (returning from suspension) and Albiol in the center, with Hysaj Ghoulam and external.

Midfield and attack are the usual: untouchable trios Allan-Jorginho-between Hamsik and Callejon-Higuain-Insigne front. Gabbiadini definitely out, to evaluate the possible recovery of Mertens, target market right the Nerazzurri.

The chameleon Inter Mancini should respond with a form equivalent to the Neapolitan. In median Guarin the leading candidate to take the place of a Kondogbia struggling with a muscle strain. The Colombian will join the two mastiffs Medel and Felipe Melo: of the latter, however, hangs the 'threat' Brozovic.

You go forward towards the possible exclusion of Icard and the launch of Trident 'light', with the center and Jovetic and Ljajic Perisic like wings. Untouchable hinge defensive consists Miranda Murillo and protection of Handanovic, remain to choose the two full-backs.

Favorite Nagatomo and Juan Jesus, although the Brazilian is undermined by compatriot Telles. Only bench, apparently, for D'Ambrosio, Naples Caivano. Many doubts as always for Mr. Mancini.

The Legend Lomu

Monday '- Auckland - will celebrate the funeral of Jonah Lomu. He died nine days ago at age 40 of heart failure. In focus today we remember one of the most 'great sportsmen of all time

 There are few athletes in history that are identified by their sport. Think of a discipline, and you immediately think of a name. Jonah Lomu is one of them. He was not the most 'great rugby player ever. 

Jonah Lomu was, simply, the rugby. Like Michael Jordan in basketball, Maradona in soccer, Manuel Estiarte in water polo, Lomu has gone beyond the historical era of which he was the protagonist, he has shot down all boundaries of space and time and placed in the legend, with the difference that - compared to samples just mentioned - has never won anything. Five years, or rather something less, lasted its upward most of the All Black 'famous, a laughable amount of time when compared to the media coverage that has had on public opinion. And that damn 18 November 2015 in which no longer has' opened my eyes, in every part of the world's admiration for the struggle that he fought for years has given way to dismay

John Hart: '' He 'returned home Tuesday', stave well. E 'went to bed and nothing presaged the tragedy. Wednesday 'morning we found him lifeless. He has had a cardiac arrest, obviously caused by his poor health ''

Jonah Lomu is gone in 40 years and romantic that fortunately the world is full of sport, have preferred to think he'd hurry to break through the gates of Heaven as he did with the defences. 118 kilograms distributed over 196 cm in height, a personal best in the 100 meters in 10 seconds and eight, thirty-seven tries in 73 test matches with the shirt of New Zealand. Power and elegance, technique and speed: the guy originally from Tonga, but born and raised in a suburb of Auckland, was a war machine, created to revolutionized the world of rugby. Before he was a rugby discipline as noble as undervalued. Organization of almost amateur, fans grouped only in some areas of the world. Then came the world of 1995 - in the post-apartheid South Africa - and while the national home lifted the trophy, the undisputed king of that issue will reveal 'a twenty year old who lost the final with his All Blacks but sign' irreversibly fate of that sport. Unmistakable look, three-quarter-wing role, the more 'rookie in the history of New Zealand: the goal in the semifinal against England, dragging away and literally trampling opponents of opponents, will remain the symbolic image of an era: one where Jonah Lomu put at the disposal of the whole world the spectacle of rugby modern sense. And the federation Zealand - recently constituted at a professional level - I think 'well of making his first name a trademark, - for fear that the Americans with their football - the NFL - the lusingassero and convincessero cross the ocean to make it a star. He did not need. Who at that time he crossed the field New Zealand had to overcome two fears: the terrific Haka staged by the All Blacks before the test match and then Jonah Lomu - black man par excellence in a definition rather obvious.

Steve Tew: " I think that all those of my generation will remember that game World Cup where Jonah ran with a series of British clinging to him. But even more will remember the character. I got to attend the places he passed him and was a magnet for all. Probably was the first superstar of rugby "

Strange fate: the strongest of all was also the most fragile. In 1996, just a year after the world who revealed to the world, it was found to kidney dysfunction, initially underestimated. Then we realized what had really: nephrotic syndrome, a disease that would have weakened, while not preventing its participation in the World Cup of '99, the last with the shirt of New Zealand with which he came to a total of 15 destinations iridescent , a record still unbeaten although recently matched by South African Brian Habana. From then on, a long ordeal. In 2003, dialysis, kidney transplantation in 2004 - after a series of returns to the field - because an All Black is not spring, but now the real Jonah Lomu was gone. The final withdrawal from rugby - after a series of experiences in the minor leagues (in Europe) - arrives in 2010. A year later, the transplanted kidney fails and this time it is a donor. We have to live with the disease - and the affections - two sons after three marriages - give the force a living legend to go back and fight again. A few weeks ago - during the World English won just by the All Blacks - Lomu was, eternal ambassador of his sport. And - in the midst of many current champions - people asked him for an autograph to him.

Richie McCaw, the All Blacks captain (On Jonah Lomu): It '' a legend, probably the greatest of all times and not just by us in New Zealand. I imagine that the news of his death has shocked and touched fans in every corner of the earth. We lost a great man, an All Black. And I wanted to take this opportunity to remember "

Statues, biographies and films have not been able (and hardly will be in the future) to describe the full impact of this athlete in sports history. Someone to identify a sample, it lists the prize list. Jonah Lomu for this game is not worth. Because the more 'great rugby player in the world, never won a World Cup. But he puts all agree.

Simeone: "We sometimes; what we need is more accurately"

Diego Simeone , the Argentinian coach of Atletico Madrid , reviewed his team is still "deep and is having goal situations" in attack, so stressed that you need " It is to have more precision ", while praised his team knows it can" improve "its current level.

 "I believe that the team is still profound, is having scoring situations and what we need is to have more accuracy," said at a press conference after training in Majadahonda, where he said his team has "changed little" since its last defeat against Benfica so far with nine games without losing.

"The team retains its virtue, which is to defend well as a bloc That work is not only defense but also a great work of the offensive on the defensive Our strength over the years has never changed;. Be a strong team, with good block and from teamwork individuality and talent that will solve game situations occur, "he continued.

"We have come when we put the idea and expectations to fulfill the illusion that we had to be a troublesome team, if a team costing you and bother you play against Atletico Madrid. All these years we have achieved and we have had a constant regularity ", reviewed.

In that sense, beyond the five titles won at this time and their stability at the top of the table, he explained that "it is clear that the hardest thing in football is to maintain and above all keep winning, it is not simple, it seems, and it seems that good players can win, but not always the case. "

"I think stability is the great work of the sports management, club Atletico Madrid in general and especially the solid structure having the equipment the players who have been working with us for four and a half years, they have given us ability to keep and every player who reaches further boost the team in their game, "said Argentine coach.

Atletico is second in the standings. Are you a contender? he was asked in the press room. "We think the game by game, we seek to surpass ourselves and we know we can improve. In this objective we are," said Simeone.

Saturday will front the Espanyol , with all available unless the Colombian Jackson Martinez , down for the third straight game with a sprained ankle, and Gabi, who is serving one-match ban, and yet decide the eleventh, as the technician said that will wait until tomorrow to see how "the guys who played" recover and Galatasaray won 2-0 Wednesday.

"In consequence of what we think we need the party will work with the team's formation (...). I have decided the team, I have an idea, without leaving the structure, but we'll see how they continue to recover and see who starts tomorrow "said Simeone, who has opted for a 4-3-3 in the last two games.

Under that system, Atletico has improved at high pressure. He proved in the 0-1 victory against Betis and 2-0 win against Galatasaray, the most recent two games of his team. "We are improving in the forward pressure with three in the middle, which used to cost us more," agreed coach.

"We played mostly 4-4-2, because we had more good reference forward pressure, but I think the presence of Carrasco gives us strength on the offensive end to, from the loss of the ball, recover better, with effort Griezmann right in the same and obviously supported by all three of the medium, they are reading better how to push. "

"Possibly, also it favored because almost every team we play 4-3-3. Then, allows us to Tiago out forward and be one more in the middle to press. That favors us when rivals play us that way, in terms of pressure, then it is football and anything can happen, "he added.

Espanyol rival morning at the Vicente Calderon, Simeone reviewed that "is working well, have made many changes to the system and are slowly finding much better with the structure they are holding in recent matches," before highlighting several of the individuals, including Marco Asensio.

"Hernán Pérez band is a dominating and powerful player, Caicedo is in a very good time and Asensio is a guy who looks good, it looks increasingly controlling hurt and looks ahead, and those are the players that we have always He liked it. It's a dangerous guy and from your game you can make any associated or game against Espanyol, "he said.