Bayern deny move for Pirlo

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has rubbished reports linking his club with a move for Italy international Andrea Pirlo.

Reports in Italy claimed Bayern had made a bid of 10million euros for the Juventus midfielder, who was a key figure in Italy's Euro 2012 campaign, but Rummenigge says the reports are without foundation.

"FC Bayern have neither made an offer to Juventus, nor have FC Bayern had any contact with the player or his agent," he said in a statement published on the Bundesliga club's website.

Bayern have made six new signings already this summer and are not expected to add any further new faces to their squad for next season.

Xherdan Shaqiri is the only new midfielder, joining the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery in the Bavarians' squad.

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POLAND VS. RUSSIA | UEFA 2012

PROBABLE LINEUPS

POLAND Tyton Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch Murawski, Polanski Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus Lewandowski

RUSSIA Malafeev Anyukov, Igna'vich, A.Berezutskiy, Zhirkov Shirokov, Denisov, Zyryanov Dzagoev, Kerzhakov, Arshavin

After their 1-1 draw against Greece in the opening game of Euro 2012 on Friday, Poland will be without first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who received his marching orders after bringing down Dimitris Salpingidis in the box. Przemyslaw Tyton will be named as his replacement versus Dick Advocaat's side after impressing with his penalty stop from Giorgos Karagounis' spot-kick to earn his team a point.

• Poland are still awaiting their first ever victory at the finals of a European Championship. Their record currently reads two draws, two defeats. 

• Following his strike against Greece, Robert Lewandowski now has 15 goals in 43 international appearances. 

• When the sides last met in August 2007, late strikes from Jacek Krzynowek and Jakub Blaszczykowski earned the Poles a 2-2 friendly draw in Moscow.

• The goal conceded by Poland when Greek substitute Dimitris Salpingidis netted a second-half equaliser in the opening match was the first the Poles have conceded in their last five matches.

• Russia's impressive 4-1 win over Czech Republic means they are now 15 games unbeaten, leaking in only five times along the way.

• Following his double in Friday's win, Alan Dzagoev (pictured right) has now netted five goals in his last three competitive international appearances.

• Russia's win over the Czechs was an exact role reversal to how they started Euro 2008 when they lost their opening encounter 4-1 to Spain before then going on to win their next three fixtures. Spain then knocked them out of the competition with a 3-0 win in the semi-finals.

• If Advocaat's side win against Poland, they will be through to the quarter-finals regardless of the result between Greeze and Czech Republic.

Source: goal.com/en/match/71165/poland-vs-russia/preview

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Asian Handicap 101: Why Is It Preferred?

In modern-day sports betting, there are a lot of exciting options to choose from. Punters usually go for betting options that give them more thrills in their bets. An enjoyable option available in sports betting these days is the use of Asian handicap odds. Obviously coming from Asia, the use of Asian handicap in football sports betting has become popular throughout the rest of the world among sportsbooks and punters alike. Here in this article, Asian handicap is explained the easy way through the explanation of 3 of its advantages.

1: Asian Handicap Removes Draws

Perhaps a dilemma faced by some punters out there is the instance of a football match concluding in a Draw. Naturally, A Draw result can be sometimes frustrating especially when it happens on a high-profile match because punters usually pick from two possible propositions only. That is exactly what Asian handicap odds are trying to resolve. Those odds work by giving the weaker side a certain number of points as handicap. When a match with Asian handicap odds results in a Draw, the weaker team technically wins because of the handicap. Because of that, punters are always left to choose between two propositions only.

2. Asian Handicaps Have Higher Yields for Weaker Teams

It is common knowledge in sports betting that weaker teams have bigger odds, in general. Asian handicaps could encourage more punters to risk their chances by enlarging the fixed odds of weaker teams in football. Since no one could predict the winner of every football match correctly anyway, risking in Asian handicap odds could either bring suspense or excitement.  When the weaker team wins in a match, punters who picked it using Asian handicap odds become big winners.

3. Asian Handicaps Provide More Possibilities

Because of the varying degrees of Asian handicap figures, some punters still end up losing in their bets even though their chosen team wins the match by one goal. That makes Asian handicap exciting – punters are compelled to choose their bets wisely. Also, Asian handicap odds do not just take winning and losing into account. It also considers the importance of the amount of points a certain team gains during the match, since point handicaps could change everything in the end. Thus, punters using Asian handicap odds do not just wish that their chosen team would win. Rather, they also hope that their chosen team would score more points ahead of its opponent.

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Conte: It's tough for any team to play against this Juventus side

The Bianconeri boss has expressed his satisfaction with his side's victory over Roma, and feels that any team will have a difficult game against the Old Lady when they're on song

 

Antonio Conte has voiced his delight with Juventus' 4-0 Serie A win over Roma on Sunday evening, and is of the opinion that the Bianconeri can compete with the best teams in the world on their current form. The Turin giants moved three points clear of second-placed AC Milan in the league table following this weekend's results, while also securing Champions League qualification, much to the coach's satisfaction.
"We played a great game, with the attitude possessed by great teams. The team played with a manner and authority that deserved the victory," Conte said at a press conference.
"It’s tough for anyone to play against a Juve side on this kind of form. It was an important victory and we’ve taken a little step towards a dream that we’re all chasing together. 
"We’ll now start to think about Cesena, a game in which we’ll have everything to lose. But for now we’ll enjoy the fact we’ve managed to directly qualify for the Champions League, our first target of the season."
Juventus lock horns with Cesena on April 25 in their next Serie A game.

 

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Football liga match preview Fiorentina Vs Inter Milan

ITALY SERIE A: 12BET odds Fiorentina Vs Inter Milan 4/22 6:30PM GMT+8 

Fiorentina are going into this match at full force and will try to follow up their impressive victory against Palermo. While Inter is the total opposite and they will need 3 points in this encounter if they want to remain as contenders on defending the Scudetto but they have key players that will not be able to play.

Probable starting XIs:


Fiorentina : Artur Boruc, Alessandro Gamberini, Cesare Natali, Matija Nastasic, Mattia Cassani, Valon Behrami, Riccardo Montolivo, Andrea Lazzari, Manuel Pasqual, Alessio Cerci, Adem Ljajic

Inter Milan: Julio César, Javier Zanetti, Lucio, Cristian Chivu, Yuto Nagatomo, Esteban Cambiasso, Dejan Stankovic, Joel Chukwuma Obi, Ricardo Alvarez, Diego Milito, Mauro Zárate

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Brescia's Omar El Kaddouri interested in Lazio but dreaming of Barcelona

The former Anderlecht midfielder has been linked with several Serie A sides in recent months and he freely admits that he now feels ready for the top flight

Brescia's Omar El Kaddouri has expressed his interest in a move to Lazio, but admitted that he dreams of one day playing for Barcelona.


The 21-year-old Brussels native is considered one of the most promising young players currently plying his trade in Serie B and his performances this season have reportedly attracted the attention of the Biancocelesti, as well as Juventus, Roma, Napoli and Palermo. El Kaddouri is doing his utmost to just concentrate on his football but admits that he is flattered by talk of a move to Lazio.


"It's nice," he told Corriere dello Sport. "I do not know if the rumours are true or not, but for now I'm focused on the present at Brescia. 


"But we're talking about beautiful and important stages to play on; of clubs at which you can continue to develop and Lazio are one of those clubs."


El Kaddouri revealed that he now feels ready to make the step up to Serie A, while at the same time confessing that he hopes to end up at Camp Nou sooner or later.


"My dreams? One is to play for Morocco at the World Cup; the other is to play for Barcelona, which would be fantastic," he enthused.


"I have no fear but I'm not presumptuous sort. Football is a sport, it's fun. Serie B is not easy, though. But it helps you grow. I have played nearly every game this year, so I believe that I'm ready for Serie A.


"My future will be decided at the end of the season with the club. Until then, I must think only of working and growing [as a player]."


El Kaddouri, who arrived at Brescia from Anderlecht in 2008, has been capped at Under-21 international by Belgium.

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Lazio's Klose insists he's not putting country before club

It has been claimed that the German's priority is being fully fit for Euro 2012 but he insists he is desperate to aid his club's attempts to qualify for the Champions League

Lazio forward Miroslav Klose insists that he is doing his utmost to return to action before the end of the Serie A season.
It was reported earlier this week that the Germany international is reluctant to rush his recovery from a thigh problem as he does not want to jeopardise his hopes of being fully fit for Euro 2012.
However, Klose claims that he is determined to play some part in the Biancocelesti's push for a Champions League place.
“I’m doing everything to return," the striker is quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "The healing process is progressing in a very, very satisfying way."
“But I have my training program, which I will stick to, and I won’t make the mistake of trying too much too soon; only when the doctors give the green light will I again return to the field.
“Before my injury I was in excellent shape and I’m benefiting from that now.”
Klose, who arrived at the Stadio Olimpico on a free transfer from Bayern Munich last summer, had netted 13 times in 26 Serie A appearances for Lazio before injury struck.

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Giovinco will play for a big club next season, declares agent

The Italy international, who is co-owned by Juventus, is attracting the interest of several top Italian and European sides, according to his representative, Andrea D'Amico

Sebastian Giovinco's agent has claimed that the Parma attacker will be playing for a "big club" next season. The Italy international initially arrived at the Ennio Tardini on loan from Juventus in 2010 but the deal was made permanent last summer. However, the Bianconeri retain a 50 per cent stake in Giovinco and his representative, Andrea D'Amico, has admitted that even if he a mooted return to Turin does not materialise, his client will leave the Gialloblu this summer.

“His ownership has to be sorted out between Juventus and Parma,” the agent told Radio Lombardia. “It seems to me that Juve are not in a hurry to do so; otherwise they would have already met with Parma.

"The guy is tempting a lot of big Italian and European sides and Parma would be in a strong position if they go into talks with Juventus backed by an important offer from another club.

“But whatever happens, Giovinco will certainly be playing for a big team next season."

However, while D'Amico claimed that Giovinco will be on the move, he insisted that AC Milan forward Maxi Lopez, signed on loan from Catania in January, is going nowhere.

"He will stay at Milan," the agent added. "He has proven that he is a player who deserves to be with the Rossoneri."

Milan had hoped to pick up Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez during the last transfer window but were ultimately forced to settle for Lopez.

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Vicenza retire No.25 jersey in honour of Morosini

One of the late midfielder's former clubs have made the decision of withdrawing the number he wore during his first spell with the Biancorossi

Vicenza have announced that they will retire the No.25 jersey in honour of former player Piermario Morosini, who sadly passed away on Saturday after collapsing during a Serie B match.

The 25-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest after 34 minutes of Livorno's clash with Pescara and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. On Sunday, the club made the following statement: "To honour the tragic death of former player Piermario Morosini, Vicenza have decided to withdraw the No.25 shirt.  "We feel that it is a gesture of respect for the memory of a beloved and unfortunate athlete." Morosini made 81 appearances for Vicenza between 2007 and 2009, and also during the first six months of 2011. He wore the No.25 shirt during his first stint with the second-tier outfit, but the number has been vacant since the start of the season.

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All Italian matches postponed following Morosini death

There will be no games this weekend in Italy's top flight after the 25-year-old tragically passed away after collapsing during his team's Serie B match against Pescara

This weekend's entire Italian football calendar, inlcuding week 33 of the Serie A season, has been postponed after the tragic death of Livorno's Piermario Morosini on Saturday afternoon. The FIGC have confirmed the news with Italian football in mourning after the 25-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital after collapsing during a Serie B fixture against Pescara. Morosini had been on-loan to the Tuscan outfit from Udinese, with his parent club due to face Inter on Saturday evening.  It had originally been thought that all fixtures would go ahead, with a minute's silence being observed at each match, but Antonello Valentini, director general of the FIGC, has confirmed that all football scheduled for this weekend will be rearranged for a later date.

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Football liga match preview AC Milan Vs Genoa

ITALY SERIE A: 12BET odds AC Milan Vs Genoa 4/15 12AM GMT+8 

Probable Lineup:


Milan: Christian Abbiati, Daniele Bonera, Alessandro Nesta, Mario Yepes, Luca Antonini, Antonio Nocerino, Mark van Bommel, Sulley Ali Muntari, Urby Emanuelson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Stephan El Shaarawy

Genoa: Sebastian Frey, Giandomenico Mesto, Andreas Granqvist, Kakha Kaladze, Cesare Bovo, Marco Rossi, Miguel Veloso, Juraj Kucka, Giuseppe Sculli, Rodrigo Palacio, Bischofe de Almeida Ze Eduardo

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Leonardo unsure about PSG future: 'I don't know if I'll stay here for 10 years or until June'

The Brazilian conceded he does not know whether he will remain with the Parisians on a long-term basis, but did reveal that he has not been approached to make a return to Inter

Leonardo has admitted that he is unsure about what the future holds for him at Paris Saint-Germain.

The former Inter and AC Milan coach was snapped up by the Ligue 1 giants last summer to become their new sporting director, where he helped spearhead the club's expensive recruitment drive, but reports in Italy have begun to circulate that he is keen to return to the preninsula.

He told French radio station RMC: "I have great relationships with my former clubs but I am not in contact with Inter to go back and work there. 

"It's been 23 years since I left Brazil, and I have never left a country for personal reasons.

"I am very happy in Paris, but I don't know if I'll stay at PSG for 10 years or until June."

Before his move to PSG, Leonardo spent two seasons in charge of Milan and Inter with varying degrees of success, including a Coppa Italia victory with the Nerazzurri last term.

However, Inter president Massimo Moratti also remained tight-lipped on the subject of his former coach returning to San Siro for a second stint.

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Bologna Vs Cagliari football liga match preview

ITALY SERIE A: 12 BET odds Bologna Vs Cagliari 4/13 2:45AM GMT+8

Last weekend's goalless draw at bottom-side Cesena moved Bologna to 15th place, six points clear of the drop zone with seven games remaining. Di Vaio, who has been an inspiration for the Rossoblu so far, will miss the encounter on Thursday through suspension. The Italian forward has scored 10 goals in 31 league appearances.

Cagliari travel to the Renato Dall' Ara stadium also looking to take a big step towards Serie A safety. The Sardinians moved two places and one point clear of Bologna after last weekend's 2-2 draw against Inter Milan. The result followed their 2-0 triumph over Atalanta. Cagliari have lost just one of their last four league games. The visitors will have to do without striker Mauricio Pinilla, who must serve a one-match ban.

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Fiorentina Vs Palermo football liga match preview

ITALY SERIE A: 12BET odds Fiorentina Vs Palermo 4/12 2:45AM GMT+8 

Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi hopes his team's triumph at AC Milan last weekend will be a turning point in their season and spark a successful bid to avoid the drop.The win - courtesy of Carvalho Amauri's late winner - was significant considering it halted a five-match winless run for the Viola and marked Fiorentina's second victory on the road this season.The result lifted the Viola to 15th place, five points clear of the drop zone, ahead of tomorrow's game against Palermo.

Palermo head into the encounter in Florence on the back of Saturday's 2-0 loss to Juventus.The result dropped the Sicilians to 11th place, four points clear of Fiorentina.The visitors will be bolstered by the return from suspension of defender Matias Aguirregaray, midfielders Massimo Donati and Edgar Barreto as well as striker Abel Hernandez.

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Catania Vs Lecce football liga match preview

ITALY SERIE A: 12 BET odds Catania Vs Lecce 4/12 2:45AM GMT+8

Catania finally lost a game after almost 2 months going unbeaten. The team could have finished with the good performances this season, and could start making gifts to other teams. Catania style of play resembles Roma to some extent, and we know what happened to Roma 3 days ago.

Lecce does not beed much more motivation, knowing they are 4 points to safety. The team does not have any absentees, the defense is the regular. Lecce will crowd up the midfield and defense in order not to allow too many goal chances to Catania. And of course the away team will use the fast Muriel and Di Micchele to make killer counters.

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Stramaccioni: Balotelli is an asset to football but he is a Manchester City player

The striker has been linked with a return to San Siro after his current boss, Roberto Mancini, admitted that the English club will probably try to sell the player in the summer

Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni believes Mario Balotelli is extremely talented but refused to be drawn on the club’s rumoured interest in re-signing the Manchester City forward.


Balotelli left the Nerazzurri for Eastlands in 2010 but his future in England is now in doubt after City manager Roberto Mancini admitted that the club will probably try to sell the volatile striker following his dismissal against Arsenal. That prompted immediate speculation of a return to San Siro, but Stramaccioni was doing his best to dodge the issue during his pre-game press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Serie A clash with Siena.

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Chievo Verona Vs AC Milan football match preview

ITALY SERIE A: 12BET odds Chievo Verona Vs AC Milan 4/11 2:45AM GMT+8  

AC Milan defender Mario Yepes admits it will be an emotional experience when he plays at the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium. The Colombian player spent two years in Verona before moving to the San Siro outfit. The Rossoneri will now look to make amends for Tuesday's 1-0 home loss to Tottenham in the opening leg of their Champions League last-16 match.

A defeat at Chievo could see red-hot Napoli join Milan at the top of the standings - Napoli lie three points behind Milan and host Catania this weekend. Not since 2004 has a Milan striker scored at the Bentegodi stadium and Antonio Cassano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will look to end that spell as they will lead the Rossoneri forward. Chievo, meanwhile, fell 4-1 at Cagliari to see their six-match unbeaten run come to an end last weekend.

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AC Milan will battle with Juventus right until the end, says Zanetti

The veteran believes that the Rossoneri will bounce back from Saturday's loss against the Viola, and feels that the Nerazzurri deserved better against Cagliari

Inter skipper Javier Zanetti is of the opinion that AC Milan have what it takes to get back to winning ways after their surprising 2-1 Serie A defeat at home against Fiorentina earlier this  week. The Rossoneri lost first spot in the table to Juventus following the Bianconeri's 2-0 win over Palermo, and Zanetti expects the two Italian giants to fight for the Scudetto right until the end.


"I honestly didn't expect Milan to lose against Fiorentina, but I think it was hard for them to come to terms with getting knocked out of the Champions League," Zanetti was quoted as saying on the Inter website. "They are still a great team, though, and I think they will do battle with Juventus right down to the wire." Zanetti then looked back at his side's 2-2 draw against Cagliari, and feels that the Nerazzurri deserved better. "Looking at the results at other grounds and considering what we did ourselves, maybe we deserved a bit more. We created a lot but we accept the draw, even though it harms our chances. We're already looking ahead to the next game." Inter's next match is the Serie A game at home versus Siena on Wednesday.

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Chievo Vs Catania football liga match preview

ITALY SERIE A: 12BET odds Chievo Vs Catania 4/7 9PM GMT+8 

Chievo are one win away from being able to plan for another season in Serie A with some confidence. Normally 40 points is the magic number clubs aim for at the start of the campaign, but ahead of Saturday's battle against Catania in Verona, Chievo have 39 in the bank as the season enters its final eight weeks.

Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo will be bolstered by the return of midfielder Paolo Sammarco from suspension. Rivals Catania are showing no signs of slowing down and travel to the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium riding an eight-match unbeaten run.

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At the end of the day, twelve (12) random players shall be chosen to get a MYR 50, absolutely free!

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