Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

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Ronaldo catches Suarez in European Golden Shoe standings

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Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the top of the European Golden Shoe standings following his two goals in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Celta de Vigo in La Liga on Monday evening.

The Portuguese attacker has now netted 20 goals in the Spanish top flight this term to move level with Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, who was not in Premier League action at the weekend.

Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa failed to find the net in his side's hard-fought 1-0 win over Malaga and has to settle for third spot for now.

Giuseppe Rossi sits fourth, but is unlikely to add to his tally any time soon after picking up a knee injury in Fiorentina's victory against Livorno.

French attacker Antoine Griezmann makes his first appearance in the top 10 after scoring once in Real Sociedad's 2-0 win over Bilbao.


Rank
Player          
Country
Club
League
Weight
Goals
Points
1
C. Ronaldo
 POR
Real Madrid
 ESP
2
20 (+2)40
=
Luis Suarez
 URU
Liverpool ENG
2
20
40
3
Diego Costa
 ESP
Atletico Madrid
 ESP
2
19
38
4
Giuseppe Rossi
 ITA
Fiorentina
 ITA
2
14
28
5
Nerijus Valskis *
 LTU
Suduva
 LTU
1
27
27
6
Sergio Aguero
 ARG
Manchester City ENG
2
13
26
7
Alfred Finnbogason
 ISL
Heerenveen
 NED
1.5
17
25.5
8
Antoine Griezmann
 FRA
Real Sociedad
 ESP
2
12 (+1)
24
9
Vladimir Voskoboinikov *
 EST
Kalju Nomme
 EST
1
23
23
10
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
 SWE
Paris Saint-Germain
 FRA
1.5
15
22.5
=
Marko Devic
 UKR
Metalist Kharkiv
 UKR
1.5
15
22.5
=
Philipp Zulechner
 AUT
Grodig
 AUT
1.5
15
22.5
History & How It Works

Players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Diego Forlan have won the European Golden Shoe in the past few seasons, with the Argentina international as the latest winner of the award following his 46 goals in 2012-13.

Other noteworthy winners include the likes of Francesco Totti, Luca Toni, Ronaldo, Marco van Basten, Eusebio and Gerd Muller.

The weightings are determined by the league's ranking on the Uefa coefficients, which in turn depend on the results of each league's clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons. Goals scored in the top five leagues according to the Uefa coefficients are multiplied by a factor of two, and goals scored in the leagues ranked six to 21 are multiplied by 1.5. Goals in all other leagues are worth one single point.

This measure has prevented players from so-called weaker leagues from winning the European Golden Shoe, since a goal scored in, for example, Armenia, Estonia or Azerbaijan, carries less weight than a goal scored in Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga or the Premier League.

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Monday, January 6, 2014

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Arsenal: Juventus join chase for Spanish striker

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Juventus are reportedly lining up a summer bid for young Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The talented 21-year-old is a highly rated prospect at the Bernabeu, but faces a great deal of competition for places with so many world class attacking players at the club already.

The likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur had been linked with loan moves for the player, though manager Carlo Ancelotti ruled out the possibility of Morata leaving the club this January.

However, Juventus now seem likely to register an interest next summer, with the Italian giants keen to strengthen their options upfront as they seek to establish themselves among the very best clubs in Europe.

With the likes of Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella likely to leave the club, Morata could make an excellent purchase for manager Antonio Conte.

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

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Ronaldo: I'd play for Mourinho again

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Real Madrid's superstar said that he would be happy to work with his former coach , Jose Mourinho in the future.

The relationship between the pair was reportedly a distant one by the time Mourinho left the Santiago Bernabeu for Chelsea at the end of last season.

But anyway Ronaldo insists that he was happy to have been coached by a such great manager and the 28-year-old revealed he is open to a reunion one day.

"Forgive Mourinho? I forgive everyone. We never had a confrontation and I have never spoken ill about anyone," he told A Bola TV.

"I would work with Mourinho again and with other coaches I have had, like [Sir Alex] Ferguson, [Manuel] Pellegrini, and [Laszlo] Boloni. I learned a lot from them."

Ronaldo has been named on the final three-man shortlist of contenders for the Ballon d'Or and admitted he would love to win the award.

"Like last year and the year before, I always think I deserve the Ballon d'Or. I'd like to win it every year."

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Real Madrid want Gundogan

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Real Madrid have a "considerable" interest in signing Ilkay Gundogan, according to the Borussia Dortmund star's father and representative, Irfan.

Xabi Alonso out of contract at the end of the season, Los Blancos are reportedly keen to strengthen in midfield, with Gundogan said to be one of their primary transfer targets.

The Germany international has seen his campaign blighted by a persistent back problem but Irfan is confident that talks over a move to the Santiago Bernabeu will begin as soon as Iklay is fully fit.

“Madrid’s interest in my son is considerable and they want to negotiate for him," he told AS.

"But, at the moment, we can’t do anything until Ilkay has completely recovered from his back injury.

"When he is playing regular football we can begin talks.”

Gundogan suffered a recurrence of a back problem on international duty at the start of the season but is hopeful of making his return to action when the Bundesliga resumes in January.

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Ronaldo: I like living under pressure

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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he thrives under the pressure of being a leader for both club and country.

The 28-year-old has scored a total of 27 goals for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this term, and led Portugal to the World Cup with a brilliant hat-trick in the play-off tie with Sweden.

However, the former Manchester United man says he enjoys being a focal point for both of his teams.

“You have to be proud and focus on everything you do. Sometimes I like living with pressure,” he is quoted as saying by AS.

“It will not be easy to fulfil my goals, I know it will be tough, but I’ll try. If you don’t try, you don’t reach your goals.”

Ronaldo scored a total of 69 goals for club and country in 2013 but is determined to try to beat his tally next year.

“It’s always going to be tough and will to beat it as ever.”

Portugal have been handed a tough looking World Cup group alongside Germany, the USA and Ghana but Ronaldo believes his nation could be a surprise package.

“Portugal are not favourites and that gives us an advantage.”

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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

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Di Maria: I've not asked to leave Real Madrid

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Angel Di Maria has admitted that he knew Gareth Bale’s arrival would have an impact on his playing time for Real Madrid but has rejected rumours he wants to leave the club.

Bale's arrival in September for a world-record €100 million raised questions about Di Maria's status at los Blancos and prompted suggestions that he might leave the Bernabeu.

Di Maria, who scored and made an assist in Madrid's 3-2 victory over Valencia, says he expected to play less frequently, but denied that he was looking for a way out of the club.

“I knew that a €100 million player was coming and he had to play,” Di Maria told reporters.

“No I have not asked out. My head is at Real Madrid. You [journalists] put that I was going to Tottenham or another club. You know where these reports come out."

The Argentine international also refuted claims that he had requested a renewal to his contract.

He added: ”I’m happy at Real Madrid. I never asked for a renewal. A player who does not play cannot request a renewal.”

Di Maria has played in 15 of 17 league games for Carlo Ancelotti's men this season.

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Mourinho wants Real Madrid keeper

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Mourinho wants Diego Lopez at Chelsea


Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is considering making a move for Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez as he aims to replace current first-choice Petr Cech.

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Sunday, December 22, 2013

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Bale: It's easier at Real Madrid than Tottenham

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Gareth Bale says he is finding life at Real Madrid easier as the team does not rely on him to the extent Tottenham did last season.

The Welshman moved to the Blancos for a world record fee in September and Spurs struggled for consistency in his absence, resulting in Andre Villas-Boas' sacking this month.

With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Isco and fellow ex-Spurs midfielder Luka Modric alongside him at Santiago Bernabeu, Bale believes he is able to focus on his own performance instead of worry about the rest of the team.

"At Tottenham I was always trying to get onto the ball and make everything tick, whereas here everybody's doing that," the 24-year-old told The Telegraph.

"There are world-class players all around the pitch and you're able to concentrate just on your game rather than bringing the whole team forward, and I'm enjoying that."

After a slow start to life in the Spanish capital, Bale has found his feet and scored nine goals in all competitions and he puts his sluggish first few games with the Blancos down to a lack of fitness having been injured in July and August.

"It was difficult not having a pre-season, you miss a lot of ball sessions and running and everything," he added.

"Once I felt I was able to do that physically and mentally, I felt I was able to show what I was able to do."

Bale is not expected to face Valencia on Sunday after missing Saturday morning's Real Madrid training session.

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Wenger hunting for 2 Real Madrid stars

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Arsenal want Casillas & Morata


Arsene Wenger is planning an ambitious Real Madrid double-swoop to land goalkeeper Iker Casillas and striker Alvaro Morata as he looks to sustain Arsenal's title push.
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Friday, December 20, 2013

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Ribery: I don't care whether Ronaldo attends Ballon d'Or gala

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Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has insisted that he does not care whether or not Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo will attend next month's Fifa Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich.

Much has been made of the Portugal star's potential absence from the event following a conflict with Fifa president Sepp Blatter, but Ribery has made it clear that Ronaldo's final decision on whether to travel to Switzerland or not is not of any interest to him.

"I have not been in touch with Ronaldo and I have not discussed him with any colleagues either. Why should I? I don't care whether he attends the gala," Ribery told Sport Bild.

"I feel honoured to be among the final three candidates and that's why it's only logical for me that I will travel to Zurich."

Ribery did admit, though, that the decision by Fifa and France Football to extend the voting deadline for the prestigious award could well hurt his chance of collecting the main prize.

"I think it's the first time since the introduction of the award that they have extended the voting deadline. It's obviously a shame for me and could be a disadvantage.

"I do not have any fear, though. I am calm about the outcome."

The winner of the Fifa Ballon d'Or will be announced on January 13.
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Hierro : Xabi Alonso still key player for Madrid

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Real Madrid icon Fernando Hierro has insisted that Xabi Alonso remains a key figure to the Santiago Bernabeu side and has urged his former team to sort the midfielder's contract situation as soon as possible.

The 32-year-old's current deal with Madrid is due to expire at the end of the season and a number of sides are closely monitoring Alonso's situation in the Spanish capital.

Hierro feels Alonso still has a lot to offer, though, and has told Madrid to wrap up talks sooner rather than later in order to keep the Spain international on board.

"Without doubt Alonso should sign a new deal at Madrid," Hierro was quoted as saying by AS.

"He’s a vital player for Real Madrid, because of the role he plays, his experience, his importance, his personality and how he understands the game."

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

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Wenger: Signing Ozil made up for missing out on Higuain

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that the signing of Mesut Ozil has more than made up for the disappointment of missing out on Gonzalo Higuain.

The Frenchman spent the early part of the summer attempting to secure the services of 'El Pipita', who has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances for new club Napoli, but, after failing to meet Real Madrid's valuation of the Argentina international, eventually lured Ozil away from the Santiago Bernabeu instead.

The former Blancos team-mates will face-off on Wednesday in Italy, with both sides looking to progress to the last 16 at the expense of the other but, whatever the outcome, Wenger is adamant that he has no regrets over missing out on Higuain.

"Am I happy with the player I got in Ozil? Very much," he told reporters. "There were a lot of statements that were not true about Higuain.

"He has joined [Rafa] Benitez. He is in good hands and shows he is a great striker [but] we have Olivier Giroud who shows as well that he is a great striker."

Despite recording four victories from their five games, Arsenal still have work to do in order to ensure qualification.

However, the Premier League leaders need only to avoid defeat by a three-goal margin to progress and a point would ensure top spot in a group that also includes last year's runners-up, Borussia Dortmund.

Wenger added: "Our priorities are simple: First, qualify, if possible top [of the group]. For me, the first priority is to qualify. If we finish top, it is even better."
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Monday, December 9, 2013

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Ronaldo : Ballon D'or is not important

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Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that winning the Ballon d'Or is not the most important thing in a footballer's career.

The Portuguese has scooped the award once - in 2008, for his title-winning exploits at Manchester United - but has repeatedly come off second best to Lionel Messi in recent years.

Ronaldo is the favourite to regain the prize this year but the 28-year-old insists that he is not overly concerned with individual accolades.

"The Ballon d'Or is not the most important thing in a footballer's career," the Blancos forward told beIN Sport. "There are many more years.

"It is important for many players and I can understand that, but it's just an individual trophy.

"Of course, it would be nice to win but it would not be the end of the world otherwise. Moreover, great players who deserved it have never won it."

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Saturday, December 7, 2013

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Ozil: I can handle Arsenal pressure thanks to Real Madrid spell

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Mesut Ozil is confident he can live up to his price tag and guide Arsenal towards the Premier League title.

The German moved from Real Madrid for a club-record €50 million fee on transfer deadline day to much fanfare, and has since notched three goals and six assists as the Gunners moved four points clear at the top of the table.

And Ozil insists he is unfazed by any pressure to perform after spending three seasons at Liga giants Real Madrid, where a similar must-win attitude was prevalent.

I've played for Real Madrid, where the pressure is so huge because you have to go and really win absolutely every game," he told the Daily Mirror.

"So after having played there for three years, pressure doesn’t scare me. That’s why I don’t really feel the pressure. The second thing is that what I do on a daily basis is what I love.

"I love playing football so I go out to play football and I don’t really feel ­pressure. Of course, there are some days when things don’t work out as well as on other days but that doesn’t have anything to do with pressure."

Ozil also hailed Arsene Wenger, adding that he hopes the Arsenal manager extends his stay at the Emirates Stadium.

"He was the one who convinced me to come here and now I can say that I couldn’t be any happier than to be here," added Ozil. "He really loves ­football. I hope he will stay here for many more years and be successful.

"I think this really has been the perfect step for me to come and join this club. We have some very talented players here and this is why I think we can achieve something great. We have to develop further to achieve this, but we can do it."

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Hamann: €71m are not enough for Suarez

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Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann feels €71.5 million is not enough to prise striker Luis Suarez away from Anfield.

"No, absolutely it's not enough," he told to reporters when asked if €70m was a fair figure. "I think €65-70m was the figure they would have wanted at least in the summer, and you see how he's playing now, I don't think €70m would be enough."

The former Germany international also believes the striker is content at Anfield but has warned his former club he could leave if they do not secure a top-four finish this season.

"Well he seems to be happy. You can't play that kind of football [performance against Norwich] if you're not happy, so he's seems very happy to be where he is at the moment," he added.

"I don't think he'll leave in January - I don't think that's an option - Liverpool have to keep him if they want to finish it in the top four. But that remains to be seen.

"If they don't finish in the top four then there might be a chance for him to leave. He's given his service now, done his utmost to get Liverpool into the top four and unfortunately they haven't managed it so far.

"If they don't [qualify for the Champions League] then I think it's a similar situation [to last summer].

"It would take a ridiculous bid, and then there might be a chance he'd leave. I don't think you can blame the boy.

"If he wants to leave in June, if he wants to play in the Champions League - and Liverpool weren't to finish there - then I think there's a chance he will leave."

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Friday, December 6, 2013

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Capello: Ronaldo deserves Ballon d'Or

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Fabio Capello believes that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or for playing a key role in Portugal's qualification for the World Cup.

The 28-year-old attacker has been in sensational goalscoring form all year and currently has 25 goals in 18 appearances for Real Madrid so far this season.

However, Capello believes it was his remarkable four-goal haul in Portugal's play-off triumph over Sweden, which included a hat-trick in the second leg in Solna, which should see Ronaldo break a run of two successive runners-up finishes to Lionel Messi in the battle for the Ballon d'Or.

"This year Cristiano definitely deserves it," the Russia boss told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

"In recent years, he always deservedly came second to Messi but this season he has done really decisive things.

"Against Sweden in the play-offs, he carried his Portugal to qualification for the World Cup. It was impressive."

Although Messi is again in contention, Ronaldo's main rival for the annual Fifa award is believed to be Franck Ribery, who won a treble with Bayern Munich last season.

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Monday, December 2, 2013

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Sergio Ramos : I dont wanna leave Madrid

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Sergio Ramos has stressed that he has no intention of leaving Real Madrid any time soon amid recent suggestions that he has set his sights on a transfer away from the Santiago Bernabeu side.

A number of reports claimed that Ramos has fallen out with club president Florentino Perez over a wage dispute and consequently wants to leave Madrid.

However, Ramos has now insisted that he has a perfectly good relationship with Perez and is keen to retire at the Bernabeu outfit.

"I’ll repeat, our differences were nothing to do with the contract. I’ve got three years here and I’m relaxed and I’m not looking to leave," the defender was quoted as saying by AS.

"I feel privileged and if I could, I would retire here.

"I’m not going to talk about the differences between us because it’s a personal matter, but I can say we have a great relationship. I’ll never forget who the president here is and I know he’s in charge."

Ramos, 27, has a contract with Real Madrid until June 2017.

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Saturday, November 30, 2013

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Capello : Real Madrid made a mistake by selling Ozil

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Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello feels that the Santiago Bernabeu side were wrong to sell Mesut Ozil to Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

Madrid opted to cash in on the Germany international on deadline day after bringing in Gareth Bale and Isco, but Capello believes they would have been better off had they held on to the 25-year-old.

"I don’t know what happened with Ozil. I think that he is an extraordinary player and he was very important for Real Madrid," Capello told Onda Cero.

"He’s a world-class player. They made a mistake selling him."

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

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Gareth Bale amazing goal vs Galatasaray

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Fantastic goal from free kick
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Sunday, November 24, 2013

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Bale: Ronaldo deserves Ballon d'Or

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Gareth Bale has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or and labelled his Real Madrid team-mate "the best player in the world".

Ronaldo grabbed his 25th goal for Madrid this season in a 5-0 win over Almeria on Saturday.

The Portuguese has also been in prolific form for his country, with a hat-trick against Sweden last week securing a place at the World Cup finals for Paulo Bento's side.

"For me, he is the best player in the world and I don't think anyone is near him," Bale said of Ronaldo.

"He deserves that award (the Ballon d'Or). The goals and the performances he has put in, especially when you think of the pressure he is under, for Portugal the other day, it shows what a true, true world-class player he is.

"Since I've been here he's been nothing short of unbelievable. The amount of goals he's scored is just mind-blowing this season."

Bale moved to Madrid during the close-season for a world-record fee and is grateful for the assistance Ronaldo has provided.

"There is no rivalry at all. We get on very well," added the Welshman. "He's helped me out a lot on and off the pitch.

"Since I've been here he's had nothing bad to say to me; he's just given me encouragement every game, given me confidence.

"He has been sharing his first experiences when he first came here and they have really helped me along. He's been absolutely brilliant.

"We're enjoying playing together and I think that the goals and assists show that we're playing well together. There's still a lot more to come from us both and hopefully we can have a successful season by doing that."

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