Mazzarri blames defeat on heavy workload

<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUQXSQXvNoc/U-fKwZ8yYlI/AAAAAAAAAEc/XvKaUjwoXGQ/s1600/595469header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Mazzarri blames defeat on heavy workload" border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUQXSQXvNoc/U-fKwZ8yYlI/AAAAAAAAAEc/XvKaUjwoXGQ/s1600/595469header.jpg" title="Mazzarri blames defeat on heavy workload" width="320" /></a>Inter coach Walter Mazzarri put Inter's 3-1 friendly defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday down to a challenging week of training.<br /> <br /> The Serie A outfit had gone in front at the Commerzbank-Arena through Ruben Botta, but on-loan Chelsea man Lucas Piazon levelled for Frankfurt.<br /> <br /> Haris Seferovic then netted twice before half-time as Inter succumbed to defeat in their penultimate friendly before their return to competitive action in the UEFA Europa League play-offs in 10 days' time.<br /> <br /> Mazzarri, while disappointed with the result, felt the hard work put in by his players during the week had been detrimental to their short-term cause.<br /> <br /> "Was this down to the heavy workload during the week? I don't want any excuses," he told Inter Channel.<br /> <br /> "My fitness coach told me we needed to work on strength right now, as otherwise we'd lack sharpness later on in the season. I think the lads paid that price and they looked pretty heavy-legged.<br /> <br /> "We weren't sharp and I hope that is only down to the fitness work. At this stage of the season it's easy to do well in one game and badly the next. If you lack just a tiny bit of sharpness and focus, then you can trip up.<br /> <br /> "Up until our goal Eintracht hadn't created any chances, but we have to be more concentrated in some situations. Perhaps we subconsciously let go after taking the lead.<br /> <br /> "In the second half we focused on damage limitation."

Chelsea coach Eintracht Frankfurt Europa League football Haris Seferovic Inter news news sports Serie A UEFA Walter Mazzarri Mazzarri blames defeat on heavy workload

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri put Inter's 3-1 friendly defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday down to a challenging week of training. The Serie A outfit had gone in front at the Commerzbank-Arena through Ruben Botta, but on-loan Chelsea man Lucas Piaz…

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Ramsey aims to emulate Lampard and Gerrard

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592773header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592773header.jpg" /></a>Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey wants to match the goal-scoring exploits of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard over the next few years.<br /> <br /> Ramsey struck 16 times in all competitions for the London club last season, easily his best haul since his move from Cardiff City in 2008.<br /> <br /> The last of those goals was also arguably Arsenal's most important in nine years, as Ramsey burst into the box in extra-time in the FA Cup Final to score the winner against Hull City and ensure Arsenal secured their first major trophy since 2005.<br /> <br /> Just like Lampard in the 2009 FA Cup Final and Gerrard in the 2005 UEFA Champions League decider, Ramsey produced the goods when it mattered most and the Welshman wants to become Arsenal's answer to the famous English midfield duo for years to come.<br /> <br /> "I see myself as that midfielder who can score goals for Arsenal and I think that's important," Ramsey told The Telegraph on Thursday.<br /> <br /> "It's proven over the years to be important for successful sides to have goal-scoring midfielders and, hopefully, I'll do the same this season.<br /> <br /> "The likes of Gerrard and Lampard have done it for many years on a consistent basis and that will be my aim now to do that.<br /> <br /> "I've always felt I'd be a goal-scoring midfielder. Before my serious injury, I had broken into the team and scored a few goals. I've always believed in my ability to do that and I've always been in goal-scoring situations.<br /> <br /> "But I haven't been as composed as I was last season. I just felt like I had a lot more time in front of goal, whereas in the past I rushed a few decisions and shots that I made."<br /> <br /> Arsenal will return to Wembley on Sunday for the Community Shield against Manchester City and the Wales international is determined to start the new season on a high note.<br /> <br /> "Our season starts on Sunday and we'll be going out to win the game," he said.<br /> <br /> "It will be a good marker because we let ourselves down last year against the bigger teams. If we improve on that this season, we'll have a great chance [to win the Premier League] and we'll be right there at the end."

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Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey wants to match the goal-scoring exploits of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard over the next few years. Ramsey struck 16 times in all competitions for the London club last season, easily his best haul since his move from…

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Promes agrees Spartak switch

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592797header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592797header.jpg" /></a>Spartak Moscow have announced the signing of promising Dutch forward Quincy Promes on a four-year contract from Twente.<br /> <br /> Promes burst onto the scene in the Eredivise last season with 11 goals in 31 appearances as Twente qualified for the UEFA Europa League with a third-placed finish.<br /> <br /> The 22-year-old's domestic form attracted attention from then-Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal and earned him an international debut against France at Stade de France in March.<br /> <br /> Promes was also included in Van Gaal's provisional squad for the World Cup in Brazil, but failed to make the final 23.<br /> <br /> His form attracted the attention of a number of clubs, but it is Spartak have won the race for his signature and Promes is looking forward to the next chapter in his career.<br /> <br /> "I am happy that all the formalities are settled and I am now a Spartak player," he told the club's official website.<br /> <br /> "For me as a young player, this move is certainly a step forward.<br /> <br /> "Here I get the opportunity to grow and develop as a professional, playing in a strong league, and I hope to be able to benefit from a new team.<br /> <br /> "This is a very big club with a great history."<br /> <br /> Twente have moved quickly to replace Promes with the signing of South Africa international Kamohelo Mokotjo from Zwolle on a four-year deal.

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Spartak Moscow have announced the signing of promising Dutch forward Quincy Promes on a four-year contract from Twente. Promes burst onto the scene in the Eredivise last season with 11 goals in 31 appearances as Twente qualified for the UEFA Europa L…

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Bruce not ruling out more signings

<a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592653header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/soccer/2014/8/8/592653header.jpg" /></a>Hull City boss Steve Bruce is not ruling out making even more additions to his squad before the transfer window closes.<br /> <br /> After leading the club to a maiden FA Cup final last term, Bruce has strengthened significantly with over £20million worth of investment in his first-team squad.<br /> <br /> Jake Livermore's permanent arrival from Tottenham after a successful loan has been supplemented by the signing of attacking pair Tom Ince and Robert Snodgrass as well as promising defenders Harry Maguire and Andrew Robertson.<br /> <br /> And speaking after Hull secured a UEFA Europa League play-off berth with a 2-1 win over Trencin on Thursday, Bruce confirmed he will go after further signatures if suitable targets become available.<br /> <br /> "I always knock the door, I think every manager is never ever finished," he explained.<br /> <br /> "The day I say no is the day I may as well pack it in. We always look to improve.<br /> <br /> "I had five [on Thursday] not stripped, the two we've brought in - Maguire and Robertson - [Nikica] Jelavic, [Maynor] Figueroa, [George] Boyd.<br /> <br /> "We've got healthy competition all round but always if there’s a bit of quality then I'll try."<br /> <br /> One area Bruce is reportedly keen to strengthen is his attack with Matt Fryatt leaving for Nottingham Forest after slipping behind Shane Long and Jelavic in the pecking order.<br /> <br /> Yannick Sagbo is Bruce's only remaining out-and-out frontman other than his first-choice pairing.<br /> <br /> While keeping tight-lipped on his potential striker search, Bruce praised Long's efforts against Trencin despite the Irishman finding himself repeatedly thwarted by Slovakian goalkeeper Milos Volesak.<br /> <br /> The Hull boss added: "Strikers keep getting there, two or three of the chances he [Long] got there himself with his blistering pace to be fair to him and he made them himself.<br /> <br /> "He'll be disappointed that he hasn't scored knowing him but like any striker they've got to keep getting there, next week let's hope it's his turn and he sticks a couple in."

FA Cup football news news sports UEFA Bruce not ruling out more signings

Hull City boss Steve Bruce is not ruling out making even more additions to his squad before the transfer window closes. After leading the club to a maiden FA Cup final last term, Bruce has strengthened significantly with over £20million worth of inve…

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