Santana: Hard leaving Dortmund for Schalke

The Brazilian has admitted that the intense rivalry between the two Ruhr outfits forced him to give plenty of thought to the prospect of a transfer to Gelsenkirchen

Felipe Santana has admitted that leaving Borussia Dortmund for Schalke this summer was "a hard decision" but the defender insists that he is "prepared" for any abuse he might receive from either set of supporters.

The two Ruhr clubs have a fierce rivalry and the Brazilian knows that he could well be targeted by the crowd during this season's derby matches.

"It was a hard decision," Santana told newfromfootball. "For me, personally, though, the change has been good because I have got a new chance. And now remains to be seen what will happen.

"But since I have been here, I have been warmly welcomed and my personal contact with the fans has been good from the start.

"Since I arriuved, I have not experienced any catcalls against me and I hope it stays that way. But even if I should be booed, I'm prepared for it.

"What happened with Dortmund, happened. But I'll always be grateful to Dortmund for what I have experienced with the club. Everything I've learned there, with all the people with whom I have worked - I will remember it all fondly.

"But everyone has to find their own way, and I have found my way here. I wish Dortmund all the best but now I'm at Schalke 04 and that's what is important now."

Indeed, Santana's current focus is on nailing down a regular berth in the Schalke starting line-up, revealing that he has not been guaranteed anything by the club.

"I've always said that there is nothing in my contract that says that I have to play every game. I have to fight for it.

"Unfortunately, I was slightly injured last week, but I'm fit again and I hope it stays that way and that I'll have a good start to the season."

Santana singned a three-year contract after Schalke agreed to pay a reported €1 million for his services.

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Zoff: Gomez the signing of the summer

The former Italy boss is a big admirer of the Germany international, even if he does not feel that the striker will be able to lead the Viola past the Bianconeri

Dino Zoff believes that Fiorentina have pulled off the biggest transfer coup of the summer in signing Mario Gomez from Bayern Munich.

The Viola have paid a reported €16 million for a player who scored 75 times in 115 Bundesliga appearances for the Bavarians. Consequently, Zoff feels that it is very much a case of money well spent.

"The best signing of the market has been made by Fiorentina," the goalkeepering legend told TuttoJuve.com. "I like Mario Gomez a lot and he is a player of great international importance.

"His arrival in Italy with [Carlos] Tevez and [Gonzalo] Higuain represents a reversal of the recent trend [of top players leaving Italy]. They are great players that will help improve our football."

The former Italy boss is also envisaging a titanic tussle for the title this term, even though he still feels that Juventus will make it three titles in a row.

"Because of way they in which they have operated within the transfer window, Juventus, Fiorentina and Napoli are the Scudetto contenders," the 71-year-old reasoned.

"Inter and Milan will challenge, but I see them behind them behind the others.

"The Bianconeri, in particular, are the strongest team, and will certainly step up and are again the team to beat this year.

"The Viola and the Azzurri [Napoli] have closed the gap to the Bianconeri, but Conte's team is still currently a step above the others."

Juventus finished nine points clear of Napoli last season, with Fiorentina a further eight points adrift, in fourth.

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Pellegrini will bring out the best in Manchester City, says Navas

The 27-year-old signing from Sevilla linked up with his new team-mates for the Asia Trophy in Hong Kong, and believes his new manager's 'clear vision' will be crucial

Manchester City new signing Jesus Navas is backing Manuel Pellegrini to get the best out of both him and his colleagues in the Premier League next season.

The 27-year-old winger, one of a spate of summer arrivals at the Etihad, joined up with last season's runners-up for their Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong this week.

However, looking ahead to the impending season, Navas had nothing  praise for his new manager.

“Manuel [Pellegrini] is a great coach. He has clear ideas and a clear vision, and he will get the best out of all of us,” the Spain international told the club's official website.

“I’m very happy to be here and I think we can enjoy [the Premier League] a lot this season.

“It is important to get fit for the start of the season. As I said, I’m very happy here and I’m sure we will do big things this season.”

Navas added that he has been pleased with the welcome he has received since arriving at the club from Sevilla.

“My team-mates were extremely friendly to me and it’s important to have this feeling,” he stated.

“It was really important [settling in here in Hong Kong]. The Premier League starts in a few weeks so it is important to get fit and ready for the action.

“We’re happy to win this title, but the most important thing is to get fit for the Premier League.

“I have never been [to Manchester] but I have been told it rains a lot, but it also rained a lot this week in Hong Kong so I will be fine with the weather.”

City paid a reported €17.2 million to sign Navas, who has been capped 28 times by his country, from Sevilla earlier this summer.

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Sammer: Bayern not worried about other clubs

The former Germany international insists that die Roten are paying little heed to what others are demanding of the treble winners this season

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has made light of the weight of expectancy upon the shoulders of Pep Guardiola, claiming that neither the club nor the coach care what anybody else thinks about them.

Die Roten romped to a sensational treble last season but there are those that now expect the the former Barcelona boss to take the Bavarians to another level.

Guardiola's first competitive outing as coach did not go as expected, though, with Bayern suffering a surprise 4-2 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup on Saturday, but Sammer insists that they will be paying little heed to the doubters and naysayers.

"We're not worrying about other clubs and the opinions of others," the former Germany international told Die Welt. "We have clear ideas.

"Our new coach is there now and he has let everyone at the club know how he wants to play. His opinion is characterised by competence, and I think that's what counts for us. Nothing else interests us.

"We are always assessed to determine whether we are successful but we can only focus on the path we have chosen and not worry about what people think about it."

Bayern wrapped up last season's Bundesliga title with a record six rounds remaining, but he is not expecting another procession this term.

"BVB has again made great transfers and is sure to have a good season," he said of his former club. "Schalke have also shopped well, like Bayer Leverkusen.

"So, just because last year was so extremely successful, that does not mean that this year will be the same."

Bayern begin the defence of their German title with a game against Borussia Monchengladbach on August 10.

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Sahin: Dortmund laid down marker against Bayern

Die Schwarzgelben finished second best to die Roten last season but they made a real statement of intent in defeating their rivals at the weekend

Nuri Sahin believes that Borussia Dortmund have laid down an early marker for this season's Bundesliga with their stunning 4-2 win over reigning champions Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup on Saturday.

Die Schwarzgelben were beaten by the Bavarians in the final of the Champions League May, after finishing a distant second to the treble-winning Roten in the German championship.

However, Dortmund appear well placed to challenge Pep Guardiola's side this term, having claimed a stirring victory at Signal Iduna Park courtesy of a Marco Reus double, a strike from Ilkay Gundogan and a Daniel van Buyten own goal.

"Bayern's preparations for the Supercup were great," Sahin pointed out. "They scored close to 60 goals in friendlies and cleaned up. That was really impressive and obviously the other clubs really respect that.

"However, we've laid down a marker for the Bundesliga. We've proven there's another way. I think that was in the interest of the entire league.

"We can be really pleased. In my eyes, we've capped off some really good groundwork by winning the Supercup. Bring on the season!"

Sahin also believes that Dortmund proved that they have strengthened significantly during the off-season.

"The game was important for our newcomers," the Turkey international enthused. "They've seen what sort of an atmosphere there is at Dortmund and have slotted in seamlessly.

"[Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang introduced himself with an assist, while Sokratis Papastathopoulos provided added stability towards the end of the game. All in all, it was a good day for us and the new boys."

Dortmund kick off their bid to reclaim the Bundesliga title with an away game against Augsburg on August 10.

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Martino didn't even tell wife about Barcelona approach

The Blaugrana trainer has explained that he was first contacted by the Catalans through the president of Paraguay, Horacio Cartes

New Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has revealed that he did not even tell his wife when club president Sandro Rosell first sounded him out about taking over at Camp Nou.

The former Newell's Old Boys boss was a surprise choice to succeed Tito Vilanova and the 50-year-old has admitted that the Blaugrana's offer also took him aback, coming as it did via the former president of Paraguay.

“It all came about through Horacio Cartes," Martino is quoted as saying by AS. "I met Rosell at a dinner at Cartes' house [when Cartes was President at Paraguayan club, Libertad].

"Later, when Barcelona were looking for a new coach but didn’t know how to contact me, Rosell called Cartes, and that's how it all began.

"I had no idea about what was happening until I'd spoken to Rosell. He told me he wanted to put me in touch with [Andoni] Zubizarreta and a few days later we started to talk. I didn't even mention it to my wife!"

Having never before coached in la Liga, Martino freely admits that he has been very much thrown in at the deep end.

"It's all very exciting, but I'm really enjoying it," he enthused. "It’s a great job to have and I am very excited by it but it also brings a great deal of responsibility.

"Making the leap from South America to Europe is a bit daunting. Under other circumstances, I would probably have already started my career in Spain before taking on a big job like the Barça post."

However, Martino fully expects Newell's Old Boys youth team product Lionel Messi to make his life very easy.

“Game after game, he just keeps surprising everyone - me included," the once-capped Argentina international enthused.

"You can tell that one day he eventually wants to go back to Rosario and maybe go back to Newell’s.

"As a coach, I can see what he might be thinking but I could never have imagined that I would be coaching him now, at Barca, like this."

Martino has penned a two-year contract with the Blaugrana, who won the Spanish title last year but were embarrassed by Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

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Messi: I didn't appoint Martino

The Argentina star has denied influencing the appointment of the former Newell's Old Boys boss as Tito Vilanova's replacement

Lionel Messi has rubbished suggestions he was behind Barcelona's decision to hire Gerardo Martino as the club's new coach.

The 44-year-old was confirmed as Tito Vilanova's replacement - who stepped down to continue his recovery from a cancer relapse - on Tuesday, after a successful stint in charge of Messi's childhood side Newell's Old Boys.

That has led to rumours the four-time Ballon d'Or winner had a strong influence in the club's latest appointment, something he was quick to dismiss after Barca were beaten 2-0 by Bayern in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.

He said: "I don't have anything to do with the signing of Martino and I have nothing to explain. It's [Barca president Sandro] Rosell and the club's thing. At that time, I said that he looked like a good coach, but I have nothing to explain.

"I don't know him personally and have never seen him or Luis Enrique, who was also linked. He seems to be a good signing as he has demonstrated with Newell's and Paraguay that he is capable. Hopefully he'll do well here.

"After Tito's departure, we must begin again. It will be a hard season for us."

Martino also enjoyed success with Paraguay, guiding the nation to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup - where they were beaten by Spain - and the final of the 2011 Copa America, only to be beaten 3-0 by Uruguay at the final hurdle.

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