Tuesday 29 April 2014
Champions elect: Magnificent Madrid maul Bayern to march towards La Decima
The Spanish giants comprehensively outplayed holders Bayern Munich to edge ever nearer to a 10th European Cup success
Not since the days of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Raul have Real Madrid been in a Champions League final, but they will finally get a dig at La Decima in Lisbon next month after a scintillating first-half performance blasted Bayern Munich out of sight on Wednesday.
The second leg of their semi-final clash at the Allianz Arena was poised to be a tight affair, but Madrid had very different ideas. The 4-0 win which rounded off a 5-0 aggregate triumph was completely and utterly deserved, and served as a warning that this is a side primed for the grandest of successes come May 24.
All of the pre-match talk suggested that the Blancos only needed one goal to make it mission impossible for Bayern. They got it in the 16th minute, when Luka Modric’s right-wing corner was headed precisely home by the unmarked Sergio Ramos.
source: goal.com
Madrid exposed Bayern's limitations, admits Rummenigge
The Bayern supremo admitted his side were second-best on the night as the Spanish giants marched into the final with a 5-0 aggregate win
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge felt his side’s limitations were exposed by Real Madrid as Pep Guardiola’s men were hammered 4-0 at Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.
Title holders Bayern came into the Champions League semi-final second leg attempting to erase a 1-0 deficit but were ruthlessly caught out at the other end as two Sergio Ramos headers and a double from Cristiano Ronaldo saw Madrid ease to victory.
The nature of the loss will again raise questions about Guardiola’s philosophy and Rummenigge admitted some of Bayern's weaknesses were highlighted by Carlo Ancelotti's attacking approach.
He told Sky: “We showed too little passion to cause problems for the opponent.
“We were unlucky to concede from two set pieces. After that it was clear that Real would probably go to the final.
“You have to state it clearly: Real Madrid is a great team at the moment. And they have shown us some of our limitations today. Real Madrid has limited our offense. And they have regularly caused trouble for our defence with their quick players.
“This was one of those matches. We must keep our nerve."
source: goal.com
Bayern Munich 0-4 Real Madrid (Agg 0-5)
The Spain international scored two first-half headers before the Portuguese star broke Lionel Messi's goalscoring record as Pep Guardiola's side crashed out
Real Madrid roared into the Champions League final as Sergio Ramos scored twice in a 3-0 win over holders Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The Spain international buried two first-half headers to put Carlo Ancelotti's side 3-0 up on aggregate before Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 15th goal in this season's tournament to wrap up the win and break Lionel Messi's record for strikes in one campaign.
Ronaldo then drilled a free kick under the wall in the dying minutes of the match to cap a perfect night for the Spanish giants, who will now face Chelsea or Atletico Madrid in their first Champions League final since 2002.
The only disappointment from a wonderful evening for Real came in the 38th minute, as playmaker Xabi Alonso was booked for a rash tackle on Bastian Schweinsteiger, meaning he will miss the final.
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer presented Real with an early opportunity as his clearance from a ball over the top went straight into the path of Gareth Bale - restored to the starting XI after illness - however, the Welshman could only fire high over the crossbar.
But it did not take long for Ancelotti's men to make the crucial breakthrough, which came in the 16th minute when the unmarked Ramos met Luka Modric's perfectly placed corner with a bullet header.
And just four minutes later, Real doubled that advantage to take control of the tie as Pepe flicked Angel Di Maria's right-wing free kick towards Ramos, who netted his second goal of the game with a diving header.
Bayern did finally threaten the Real goal midway through the first half, Franck Ribery flashing an effort across the face of goal, but the visitors’ threat on the counter was perfectly illustrated shortly after by a fine break from Ronaldo, although the Portuguese could only fire wide from the edge of the area.
The hosts failed to heed the warning offered by Ronaldo, though, and he duly netted his milestone goal by coolly finishing off a scintillating team move that saw Bale charge through the heart of the Bayern defence before laying the ball off for the 29-year-old.
Ronaldo then went close with an audacious effort from 40 yards following another botched Neuer clearance.
Bayern were allowed more of the ball following the restart but struggled to break down a determined and organised Real defence. Arjen Robben curled an effort narrowly wide from the edge of the area, before Toni Kross lashed a decent effort just over the bar.
However, a miserable night for Bayern coach Pep Guardiola was capped off in the 90th minute, as Ronaldo drove a low 20-yard free kick under the wall for his 16th Champions League goal of the campaign that ends Bayern's chances of winning a second straight treble.
source: goal.com
Monday 28 April 2014
Sassuolo 1-3 Juventus: Tevez and Llorente fire Conte's side to the brink of the title
Juventus moved a step closer to retaining their Serie A title after coming from behind to beat Sassuolo 3-1 on Monday.
Simone Zaza handed the relegation-threatened hosts a shock lead after just nine minutes but Carlos Tevez rifled home an effort 10 minutes before the break to restore parity.
Claudio Marchisio's clever close-range finish put Juve in front just after half-time and Fernando Llorente's brilliant backheeled finish 15 minutes from time sealed victory for Antonio Conte's side at a rain-soaked Citta del Tricolore.
With three games now remaining, the champions now hold an eight-point lead over Roma, while Sassuolo remain above the drop zone only due to their superior head-to-head record with Bologna.
Victory for Juve is another step towards a third consecutive Scudetto and Conte's men will finish the job if they beat Atalanta at home in seven days' time, or if Roma fail to win at Catania 24 hours earlier.
Juve made an uncharacteristically slow start to the game and Nicola Sansone flashed a shot narrowly wide in the second minute before setting up the opening goal seven minutes later.
Sansone supplied strike partner Zaza, whose shot took a deflection off the foot of Angelo Ogbonna and skidded off the wet surface before creeping under the body of Gianluigi Buffon at the near post.
It took until the 22nd minute for Juve to muster a meaningful effort, Tevez firing a volley wide of the left-hand post after being teed up by Giorgio Chiellini.
It was Argentine Tevez who levelled matters 10 minutes before the break, finding a pocket of space on the edge of the box and unleashing a shot that whistled beyond Gianluca Pegolo via a slight deflection off Alessandro Longhi.
The hosts responded strongly, Zaza forcing a fine save out of Buffon at the near post as Sassuolo ended the first half with a flourish.
The home side's positivity was punctured 13 minutes after the interval, however, as Marchisio caressed a low finish beyond Pegolo after being picked out by Pirlo's deft chip over the Sassuolo backline.
Marchisio stung the palms of the goalkeeper 10 minutes later from Paul Pogba's lay-off, while Tevez struck the crossbar with a curling effort 13 minutes from time.
Juve did claim the third goal that their second-half dominance merited when Llorente turned home substitute Stephan Lichtsteiner's cross in the 76th minute with a delightful backheel.
Conte's focus will now shift to overturning a 2-1 deficit in Juve's Europa League semi-final second leg at home to Benfica on Thursday.
source: goal.com
Sunday 27 April 2014
Villarreal 2-3 Barcelona: Messi caps brilliant comeback to keep champions in the title race
The home side led 2-0 until just past the hour mark, but two own goals and a fine finish from the Argentine sealed a priceless three points for Gerardo Martino's men
Lionel Messi sealed a brilliant Barcelona comeback as they came from 2-0 down to beat Villarreal 3-2 on Sunday and keep their title hopes alive.
The champions trailed 2-0 after the first hour thanks to goals from Cani and Trigueros, but two own goals from Gabriel Paulista and Mateo Musacchio put Gerardo Martino's men back in the contest.
And with just 12 minutes to play, Messi finished a fine team move involving Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas to secure a priceless three points for the Blaugrana at the end of a deeply emotional week for the Catalan club.
Sergio Busquets struggled to hold back tears during the emotional minute's silence which preceded the match in honour of Tito Vilanova, who lost his battle with cancer this week. The Villarreal team donned shirts which paid homage to the late Barcelona boss.
The early proceedings were understandably subdued, but Messi had the first chance of the game in the 17th minute, with Asenjo producing an important save with his feet.
Barca continued to dominate possession, as usual, although Giovani dos Santos – who came through the ranks at Camp Nou – was unable to punish his former side at the other end after a quick Villarreal break, with Marc Bartra blocking a shot on the line.
The hosts then claimed the lead on the stroke of half-time, as Cani coolly slotted his first-time shot into the bottom-right corner after collecting Jonathan Pereira's precise ball.
Barcelona began the second half in impressive fashion and looked likely to draw level as Messi's influence on the game grew.
The forward first saw a 25-yard curling effort palmed away by Asenjo, before the goalkeeper kept out two free kick attempts from the Argentina star.
Villarreal were able to double their lead, though, as Trigueros rose brilliantly to steer a pinpoint header past Jose Manuel Pinto from Javier Aquino's cross.
Barcelona finally scored in the 65th minute, with Gabriel diverting Dani Alves' cut-back past his goalkeeper.
Another own goal was to follow, as Barca equalized after Musacchio headed Alves' delivery beyond Asenjo's reach.
And they completed their unlikely comeback in the 83rd minute, as Busquets' lofted ball was headed across by Fabregas, with Messi on hand to steer the winner home.
The match was soured by a banana being thrown at Alves during the second half, which the Brazilian proceeded to pick up and eat before taking a corner.
Barcelona are now four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid - who they play on the final day of the season - with three games to go, after Diego Simeone's side beat Valencia 1-0 earlier on Sunday.
source: goal.com
Luis Suarez named PFA Player of the Year
Eden Hazard, who won the PFA's Young Player of the Year award, was named as runner-up, while Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure secured third place
Liverpool striker and Premier League top scorer Luis Suarez has been named the PFA Player of the Year.
Suarez finished ahead of second-placed Eden Hazard, who won the PFA's Young Player of the Year award, while Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure ended in third spot after the voting process.
The Uruguay international has netted 30 league goals this season to lead the division's scoring charts and fire Liverpool towards what could be a first league title in 24 years.
With two games remaining this term, Suarez still has the chance to equal, or even better, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer's joint record of 31 goals in a 38-game season.
In addition to his monumental goal haul, the former Ajax frontman has registered 12 assists – the most in the Premier League.
Suarez's award cements an incredible turnaround in affection for the 27-year-old, who was booed on two occasions during last year's PFA ceremony.
He began the campaign by serving the remainder of a 10-game suspension for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, which followed a race row involving Manchester United's Patrice Evra that also produced a lengthy ban.
But Suarez has put past controversies firmly behind him to light up English football and become only the second Liverpool player to be crowned Player of the Year in the Premier League era.
source: goal.com
A Starting XI of the Fastest Players in World Football
It's true, speed is becoming a crucial part of a player's toolbox in the modern day game.
Look at the recent Ballon d'Or nominees, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Franc Ribery. They all have huge amounts of pace and hold the ability to run past players in seconds.
If you look at the FIFPro starting XI, there are many players who possess a great amount of speed and it helps them hugely week in-week out.
You may ask yourself, what would a team look like if all of the world's fastest players came together?
This team combines both speed and quality.
The formation is a 4-3-1-2.
1. GK - Joe Hart
2. RB - Ignazio Abate (AC Milan)
3. CB - Marvell Wynne (Colorado Rapids)
4. CB - Thiago Silva (Paris St Germain)
5. LB - Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
6. LM - Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
7. CM - Ramires (Chelsea)
8. RM - Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
9. AMC - Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
10. ST - Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)
11. ST - Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
Giggs hails Mata 'masterclass' in Manchester United win
The Red Devils' stand-in manager admits that he lost sleep over his team selection but praises the Spaniard, who started on the bench against Norwich City, for his mentality
Ryan Giggs says that Juan Mata delivered a "masterclass" during his 30-minute display in Manchester United's 4-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday.
The Spaniard started as a substitute during Giggs's debut as United's stand-in manager but came off the bench to score twice after Wayne Rooney had put last season's title winners two goals in front.
The interim boss admits that he lost sleep over his decision to leave out several high-profile players, including Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini, who both failed to make the matchday squad.
"That was a tough one, as it was leaving so many players out," Giggs told reporters.
"[Mata] was disappointed [not to start] and I'd expect that. It would be strange if he wasn't but he just showed the class that he's got both as a player and as a professional.
"He put on a half-hour masterclass, he was brilliant and I was really happy for him because it's not easy because he's got a big price tag.
"To not start the game was disappointing for him and I'm really pleased that he came on and made such an impact."
Ladbrokes
Source: goal.com
Lock and load: Ronaldo rockets will have Bayern quaking in their boots
The Portuguese hit two stunning strikes in the 4-0 win over Osasuna and looks back to his best ahead of Real Madrid's important date in Munich on Tuesday
Amid the joy, there was reservation. Beating Bayern Munich on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu had given Real Madrid the upper hand in the teams' Champions League semi-final tie, yet Cristiano Ronaldo's fragile fitness remained a cause for concern ahead of Tuesday's trip to Bavaria. Not now.
Ronaldo missed Madrid's Copa del Rey final win over Barcelona mid-month with a thigh injury and only returned in the match against Bayern earlier this week. And although he played a key pass in the build-up to Karim Benzema's goal in the 1-0 win, it was far from a vintage performance from the Portuguese. The 29-year-old missed one glorious chance in the first half and looked some way short of his supreme self. "He was only 50 per cent fit," coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted afterwards.
On Saturday, however, he was not only in the side, but back to his brilliant best as well. The 2013 Ballon d'Or winner opened the scoring with a stunning strike as he cut in from the left and blasted a lobbed effort into the far corner from long range. Replays showed that the Portuguese had been slightly offside when the ball was played, while his shot also looked to have taken a deflection en route to the net.
No matter. Seven minutes into the second half, Ronaldo recreated a carbon copy of the goal, except this one was onside, with no deflection - and much more spectacular. If Bayern had been watching, they won't have enjoyed what they were witnessing.
If any side in Europe can hurt Pep Guardiola's great team, it's Madrid - and Ancelotti's side showed that earlier this week. Real's 1-0 lead means they are favourites to advance in this tie anyway, while on this form they will also be expected to score in Germany.
Should that happen, Bayern will need three goals to progress to the final in Lisbon next month. And against a Madrid side who have tightened up significantly in recent weeks, that may be a big ask.
Bayern won't sit back. The Bavarians like to take the initiative with their possession philosophy and will need to in any case because they are behind in this tie. That will play into Madrid's hands, however, and on the counterattack, Ancelotti's side are often devastating - as they were on Wednesday.
Ronaldo is a big part of that and, although the Portuguese took a knock in the first half against Osasuna, it turned out to be only that. Gareth Bale, meanwhile, was kept in reserve along with Benzema, while Angel Di Maria and Cristiano were withdrawn early to keep them fresh for Tuesday.
Both of Pep's semi-final defeats as Barca boss came after first-leg defeats on the road that the Blaugrana were unable to overturn at Camp Nou and it's no longer the case in Europe that the team playing at home in the second leg has the advantage,
Already a goal up and the best there is in terms of counterattacking football, Madrid are in a strong position ahead of Tuesday's game and Ronaldo's rockets against Osasuna present yet another problem for Pep's team. Because not only are Madrid dangerous on the break, but they can also do damage to their rivals from long range.
Saturday's success was a big boost for Los Blancos, while Ronaldo's return to full fitness and his finest form are ominous signs for last season's treble winners. "This time we're going to get to the final," Cristiano said this week, after Madrid missed out at the semi-final stage of the Champions League in 2011, 2012 and 2013. On this evidence, it looks likely.
Guardiola and Bayern have been warned.
source: goal.com
Friday 25 April 2014
Tito Vilanova has died at age 45
The ex-Barcelona coach was hospitalised following a drastic downturn in his health which required emergency surgery, but was unable to survive his battle with cancer
Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45 after losing his battle with cancer, the club have confirmed.
The ex-central midfielder was admitted to hospital on Thursday following a downturn in his health which required an operation on his stomach, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirming the trainer was "fighting" for his life.
However, Vilanova, whose post-playing career was plagued by cancer, passed away on Friday afternoon.
Vilanova's public health problems began during his final season as Pep Guardiola's assistant when he was diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland.
He took over from his long-time friend for the 2012-13 season but suffered a relapse just six months into his tenure as head coach.
He underwent surgery in December 2012, with Jordi Roura taking his place on the bench while he recovered in New York, before returning in March 2013 to see out the rest of the reason and guide Barca to La Liga glory.
However, his continued health problems saw him step down as coach of the Catalans last summer, with Gerardo Martino taking the reins in his place.
Vilanova has largely - and understandably - been out of the spotlight since he left his position at Camp Nou but rumours of his ill health have sadly been revealed to be true. He is survived by a wife and two children.
Following confirmation of his death, Barcelona president Bartomeu said in a statement: "Tito will be a reference as a man and in terms of football for Barcelona forever. We thank him for everything he taught us. Rest in peace."
The Catalan club, for whom he worked for several years before being promoted to head coach in 2012, also sent their condolences to the family of Vilanova.
"The club wishes to express its most heartfelt sympathy to his family, who are being joined in these moments of mourning by Barcelona members and fans all around the world, as well as the rest of the footballing and sporting world.
"The Vilanova family has asked for respect for their desire for the strictest intimacy in the moments after his death."
Barcelona have announced that the funeral will take place on Monday at 20:00CET, while Camp Nou will be open to those who wish to pay their respects over the weekend.
source: goal.com
Roma 2-0 AC Milan: Pjanic & Gervinho end Rossoneri's run to keep title dream alive
The Bosnian opened the scoring after a scintillating run right through the heart of the Rossoneri defence but his Ivorian colleague punished poor handling from Christian Abbiati
Roma dented AC Milan's hopes of Europa League qualification as they cruised to a 2-0 win on Friday to keep the Serie A title race alive.
The Rossoneri headed into the game on the back of five straight wins, a run which has seen them move into seventh and within striking distance of a place in Europe's second-tier club competition.
But the visitors' winning streak was brought to an end by an impressive performance from Roma, which moves them within five points of leaders Juventus, who visit Sassuolo on Monday.
A draw or a defeat for Roma at the Stadio Olimpico would have handed Juve the chance to seal a third straight Scudetto, but goals from Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho kept the capital club's hopes intact for at least another week.
Pjanic opened the scoring in the 43rd minute for Rudi Garcia's side, highlighting a virtuoso midfield display with a breathtaking individual goal.
The visitors rarely threatened to equalise and Gervinho pounced on Christian Abbiati's error 20 minutes into the second half to wrap up the points and take their title fight a week further.
Unchanged from their 1-0 win at Fiorentina last week, the hosts had the better of a scrappy first half, full-back Dodo going close after 20 minutes when he volleyed over the bar from just inside the area.
Garcia's men continued to enjoy greater possession in the opening period and may have taken the lead if not for the defensive work of Adil Rami, who blocked a seemingly goal-bound effort from Pjanic after the Bosnian had skipped into the box.
However, the former Lyon man did find the net in spectacular fashion just before the half-time interval.
Having played a one-two with Francesco Totti midway inside the Milan half, Pjanic elegantly surged beyond Sulley Muntari, Riccardo Montolivo and Rami before coolly slotting past Abbiati.
Milan started the second half brightly and spurned a half-chance as Montolivo fired wide from Kaka's pull-back.
Pjanic remained a danger, though, and was denied a second as Abbiati produced a strong save after the 24-year-old had collected Totti's square pass from a free kick.
But the Milan goalkeeper was at fault as Roma doubled their lead, failing to handle a well-struck Totti effort and presenting Gervinho with the simple task of netting from two yards.
Clarence Seedorf's men offered little in the way of a replay as Roma eased to a comfortable win that plunges Milan's hopes of salvaging something from a disappointing season into doubt.
source: goal.com
Benfica 2-1 Juventus: Lima hands semi-final advantage to Portuguese champions
Carlos Tevez cancelled out Ezequiel Garay's opener to put the visitors in control but the Brazilian struck with just six minutes remaining to give Jorge Jesus' men a slender lead
Lima scored a sensational late winner as Benfica earned a dramatic 2-1 victory over Juventus in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final at the Estadio da Luz on Thursday night.
The Brazilian striker picked the ideal time to strike in Lisbon, with his powerful 84th-minute finish giving the Eagles the upper hand heading into next week's return in Turin.
Benfica – who lost last season's final to Chelsea – took the lead in the third minute thanks to Ezequiel Garay's header.
Juventus had no shortage of motivation either, with this year's final to be held in Turin, and after a good second half, levelled proceedings when Carlos Tevez netted a well-taken finish with 17 minutes left.
The goal – Tevez's first in European competition since scoring for Manchester United in April 2009 – looked like it would give the Serie A outfit a crucial draw, but Lima had other ideas.
Benfica goalkeeper Artur Moraes then superbly kept out Claudio Marchisio as the hosts held on for a win that continues their push for a quadruple.
Having already sewn up the Primeira Liga title, Benfica have booked a spot in the Taca de Portugal final and will contest a Taca da Liga semi-final against Porto on Sunday.
It took less than two minutes for Jorge Jesus' men to take the lead as Garay powerfully headed in Miralem Sulejmani's corner from the left.
Slack marking from Leonardo Bonucci allowed Garay a free header, with the defender's decision to push his opponent, instead of challenge him in the air, sure to be questioned by coach Antonio Conte.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon could not keep the effort out, despite getting two hands to it, and he will have been pleased to see Sulejmani slice an effort wide after a quick Benfica counterattack in the 11th minute.
Juventus – missing star midfielder Arturo Vidal to a knee injury – struggled to make inroads despite a good spell of possession, with Tevez not troubling Artur with a tame 20-yard effort.
An excellent slaloming run from Tevez on the half-hour mark was indicative of Juve's first-half struggles, as the sharp build-up play amounted to nothing, and when they did create another chance, defender Stephan Lichtsteiner was in an offside position when he wasted a free header.
Juve came close to levelling proceedings 10 minutes into the second half, with Artur doing well to tip Paul Pogba's header wide after Marchisio's clever centre.
The Serie A leaders kept pressing, as Lichtsteiner's teasing ball across the face of goal had to be well cleared by Maximiliano Pereira before they were eventually rewarded by Tevez.
Marchisio's ball sent Kwadwo Asamoah free down the left and his cut-back to Tevez allowed the forward time before shooting. And he read the situation superbly, taking a touch to evade the sliding Luisao, before slotting through the legs of Artur to break his European drought.
Lima responded in style for Benfica, though, with the forward hammering a first-time strike home from the edge of the penalty area into the top-right corner, after Ivan Cavaleiro's clever dummy.
Lazar Markovic then shot wide for Benfica and there was still time for Juve to draw level again, only for Marchisio to fire against Artur when played through, before defender Giorgio Chiellini also wasted a late chance.
The result will lift Benfica ahead of Sunday's crucial cup clash, while Juventus are likely to rest players in Monday's Serie A visit to Sassuolo.
source: goal.com
Lichtsteiner: Juventus conceded silly goals
The Switzerland international has acknowledged his side defended poorly in the 2-1 Europa League defeat to the Portuguese champions on Thursday
Stephen Lichtsteiner has voiced his frustration with Juventus' defensive performance in their 2-1 Europa League defeat against Benfica on Thursday.
The Serie A champions conceded two goals in a match for only the second time in 18 fixtures as the Portuguese giants recorded a vital win in the first leg of their semi-final tie courtesy of Ezequiel Garay and Lima.
Lichtsteiner feels Juventus should have done more to prevent the "silly" Benfica goals, which came either side of a Carlos Tevez strike.
"When you lose, it's never a good result," the Swiss defender told Sky Sport Italia.
"The important thing was to score here and we had the chance to net a second or third. We didn't manage it, but those chances leave us confident for the second half.
"Unfortunately we conceded a silly goal after two minutes which was avoidable. On the second goal we were all lined up in defence, but weren’t focused enough and at this level that gets punished.
"But we feel confident that we'll be able to play the final at our home."
The return takes place in Turin on May 1.
Valencia can repeat Basel comeback
The Frenchman is hopeful Juan Antonio Pizzi's men can turn the tie around in next week's return after Thursday's 2-0 first-leg defeat
Jeremy Mathieu is confident Valencia can still reach the Europa League final despite their 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their semi-final tie with Sevilla.
First-half goals from Stephane M'Bia and Carlos Bacca saw Sevilla emerge victorious at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, as Valencia failed to capitalise on their own clear-cut openings, with Jonas and Eduardo Vargas spurning great chances late on.
Juan Antonio Pizzi's men were beaten 3-0 in the first leg of the quarter-final with Basel before an astounding 5-0 triumph in the return at Mestalla sent them through, and Mathieu believes his side are fully capable of repeating that feat against Sevilla.
"All of us will need to be at our best to try and turn this tie around. We did it against Basel and I think we're capable of doing it again," the defender told the official Uefa website.
"When the ball just won't go in it's hard to tak,, but at Mestalla it will.
"That's what happened against Basel, it was an incredible night and Thursday has to go the same way."
The return in Valencia is scheduled to take place on May 1.
source: goal.com
Thursday 24 April 2014
Europa League semi-final first leg - Benfica vs Juventus
Former Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez may be fit to face Benfica in the Europa League semi-final first leg after missing Juventus's last two games with a thigh injury.
Midfielder Arturo Vidal could also return for the Bianconeri after a knee problem.
Benfica, who beat Tottenham in the last 16, will be without Eduardo Salvio.
The Argentine midfielder broke his arm in the 2-0 win over Olhanense on Sunday that sealed the Portuguese title.
Both sides are keen to secure European silverware with Juventus's last continental success coming in the 1996 Champions League and Benfica still waiting to add to the European Cup they won in 1962.
The visitors, who have the added incentive of 14 May's final being in their own Juventus Stadium, are eight points clear of Roma at the top of Serie A with four games remaining,
Tevez, who moved to Turin in June from Manchester City after spells with Manchester United and West Ham, is Juve's top goalscorer in the league, netting 18 times so far in his first campaign with the club.
The tie's winners will face either Sevilla or Valencia in the final.
source: bbc.com
Adnan Januzaj chooses to play for Belgium over England
According to the Daily Mirror Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj revealed is keen to play for his native country in the world cup, to be held in Brazil.
Januzaj, who was born in Brussels to Kosovan and Albanian parents, was being deemed a strong contender to feature in Roy Hodgson’s England world cup squad.
However, Belgium coach Marc Wilmots revealed on twitter Januzaj has committed his international future to Belgian national team.
Wilmots tweeted, "I have received official confirmation that Adnan Januzaj wishes to play for the Belgian national team for the rest of his career!”
"This is good news and I am delighted that such a talented player is available for selection for the Red Devils," Wilmots tweeted.
Januzaj has scored four goals and delivered four assists in 33 appearances since making his debut in the Community Shield in August.
Source: brecorder.com
Arsene Wenger WILL sign new Arsenal contract - and is planning a huge summer spending spree
Arsene Wenger will sign a new Arsenal contract, and is proving it by planning a huge spending spree in the summer transfer window.
Wenger has left Arsenal in no doubt that he is staying because he is lining up big transfer targets as he looks to strengthen his squad for a title challenge next season.
Gunners boss Wenger, 64, has kept fans guessing about his future because he has still not put pen to paper on a new deal despite telling the board months ago that he was staying.
But Wenger, who is still hoping to nail down a top four finish and win the FA Cup, has already been told he has got £70m-plus to spend this summer and is determined to spend big.
The Frenchman accepts his squad needs strengthening in several areas as he look to bring in a big name striker, new right back, midfield general, wide player and new keeper.
Wenger believes the club’s poor recent form is down to injuries and that has left him convinced that he needs reinforcements to keep up with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Arsenal like Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic who could be available and they are in the hunt for a successor to Bacary Sagna who looks set to leave on a free transfer.
They are also looking for a long term successor to Mikel Arteta and Wenger wants to bring in a powerful player with a physical presence in midfield.
Wenger is also keeping tabs on Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley who is a target for Everton this summer but his future is now unclear with a new manager set to come in at Old Trafford.
Arsenal have been scouting Real Sociedad’s French prospect Antoine Griezmann as he looks to inject more pace into his squad.
They also rate highly young right back Calum Chambers at Southampton even though he could cost £10m-plus.
Wenger may not announce the new contract until after the FA Cup final and the fans are still sweating on a Champions League place and winning a trophy.
But after the turmoil at Manchester United, Wenger’s moves behind the scenes have left everyone at the Emirates convinced that he is staying to try and build a new era of success.
source: mirror.co.uk
The undisputed star of the champions-elect - why Suarez should win Player of the Year
The striker has been the key figure in Liverpool's rampant march to the top of the Premier League, dazzling fans with a series of all-action, goal-laden performances
Vilified in the English media, Luis Suarez was not a realistic candidate for the Player of the Year award last season. He scored 23 Premier League goals and provided 11 assists in a swashbuckling Liverpool team, but saw his chances evaporate when he decided to bite a chunk out of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic's arm. A hefty 10-game suspension imposed by the FA followed, as did national disgust.
Yet here he is, just under 12 months later, the darling of the Kop. He has been scoring for fun, has taken on greater responsibility for the team and has firmly established himself as one of - if not the best - out-and-out striker in Europe. Put simply, no other player can win the award this season. Liverpool are on the verge of ending a 24-year wait for a league title, and it is mainly down to Suarez.
Many pre-season predictions saw the Reds labelled as top four contenders, but little more. Sir Alex Ferguson even claimed in his autobiography that eight signings were needed to turn the club he 'knocked off their perch' into title contenders once again, while he also criticised the appointment of Brendan Rodgers. It is not the only thing he has got wrong recently.
This season, Rodgers' side have swept every challenger aside with the kind of attacking abandon usually reserved for an all-star basketball side.
Manchester City scored two on Merseyside. No matter, as Liverpool scored three. The same happened at Norwich. It is catching, infectious and it fills Liverpool supporters and neutrals with glee. The 'we're going to score one more than you' mantra is back and Suarez is the embodiment of the motto.
In a simply staggering season he has hit 30 goals and laid on 21 more, despite missing the opening six matches. In 30 games, he has scored a goal every 89.8 minutes.
He also has six braces to his name and three hat-tricks – racked up against Norwich, Cardiff and West Brom – while he has created 80 chances on his own.
No other player in the Premier League comes close. He doesn't just deserve the Player of the Year award; he may just be in with a shout for the Ballon d'Or next season if he can keep this up. Yet Liverpool are not a one-man team.
He has been aided by the superb displays of Sturridge, who has 20 goals and nine assists of his own, and Young Player of the Year nominee Raheem Sterling, who looks to have booked his seat on the plane to Brazil with his electric displays this term.
But it is Suarez who is the undisputed star of the champions-elect. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet acknowledged as much earlier this week.
“To score 30 league goals in a season is amazing," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"Everybody knows what Luis can do and the goals he contributes to the team are very important for us.
"He doesn't surprise me anymore. I see him every day in training.
"It's not an accident, it's not luck, the reason he has scored so many goals is down to his ability. He is so good and we're very pleased to have him."
Arsenal are a club who know all too well what Suarez can do, having launched an ultimately doomed bid for the Uruguayan in the summer, in the midst of uncertainty over his future. A widely ridiculed bid worth £1 over £40 million was submitted and snubbed, despite it triggering a clause of sorts in his contract.
In the immediate aftermath of the offer, Suarez even gave interviews in which he publicly declared his desire to swap Anfield for the Emirates. Yet the club stood firm and Suarez was eventually persuaded to sign a four-and-a-half year deal in December.
Upon penning the contract, he told the BBC: “I believe I can achieve the ambitions of winning trophies and playing at the very highest level with Liverpool. My aim is to help get us there as quickly as possible.”
Such has been his desire to guide the Merseysiders' to the league summit, he has become a reformed man.
It appears he has learned from his previous misdemeanours; he was also banned after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra and has been caught up in various diving storms. For his country, he was cast as the villain of the 2010 World Cup, having denied Ghana a semi-final spot by deliberately palming a goal-bound header away in injury time and then celebrating when the subsequent penalty was missed.
Yet, despite a pantomime fall and miracle recovery against Norwich last weekend, he is now leading Liverpool like the role model he should always have been.
He has picked up just five yellow cards in his 30 appearances this term – half of his total last season – and he is taking greater responsibility defensively. Indeed, he has made three goal-saving blocks this term, and has also won 40.12 per cent of all of his duels.
Suarez, it would appear, is the complete striker. Of his 30 goals, 20 have come with his right foot, seven with his left, and three with his head. One of the latter, against West Brom, came from outside the box and left Boaz Myhill grasping at air as he dived full-length in a vain attempt to keep it from hitting the top corner.
Of those goals, three have come from a free-kick but, staggeringly, he has not scored from the spot, with Steven Gerrard the designated penalty taker at Anfield.
Suarez's captain is also nominated for this award. Indeed, it would be quite the fairytale were Gerrard to finally end his Premier League trophy drought and win the top individual prize in England in the same year. But, for the latter, he would be better off deferring to the Uruguayan.
He has come a long way in 12 months, and there is simply no-one better than Suarez currently playing in England.
source: goal.com
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Champion League - Benzema Goal vs bayern Munich 1-0
Real Madrid 1-0 Bayern: Benzema gives Ancelotti's men slender first-leg advantage
The Frenchman turned home Fabio Coentrao's cross in the first half to seal a win against Pep Guardiola's side, who dominated possession but failed to find a breakthrough
Tuesday 22 April 2014
Atletico captain Gabi frustrated by Chelsea tactics
The midfielder was disappointed by the Rojiblancos' inability to break the Blues down at the Vicente Calderon but believes the tie remains open ahead of the return clash in London
Atletico Madrid captain Gabi admitted his frustration at Chelsea's spoiling tactics after the first leg of their Champions League semi-final ended in a 0-0 draw.
The two sides went into the game boasting the best defences in La Liga and the Premier League and a war of attrition duly ensued, with little in the way of goalmouth action.
Atletico enjoyed 62 per cent of the possession on the night, though, and 26 shots on goal compared to just five from the Blues, in a clash that will not linger long in the memory.
The result favours the English club heading into the second leg, with forward duo Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o set to return for Jose Mourinho's men, and Gabi admitted the Rojiblancos had been left bitterly frustrated by the way the first leg unfolded.
He told reporters: "We're not satisfied, but the tie is still open. Atletico wanted to win from start to finish. We knew they would not concede a goal easily and we come away with a bad taste."
Colchoneros defender Juanfran was quick to echo the sentiments of his team-mate, but added that he remains confident of going to Stamford Bridge and securing either a victory or a score draw.
"We are not happy," he admitted. "We wanted to get the win. But they played a defensive game because they think they can win at Stamford Bridge.
"However, we also think we can win. I knew that tonight wouldn’t be easy. But tonight's result means it will be a great match at Stamford Bridge."
Atletico remain unbeaten in the competition this season, but the 0-0 draw means they have failed to win at home for the first time in this season's Champions League campaign.
Source: goal.com
Mourinho gamble leaves Chelsea chances on a knife edge
Chelsea went to the Vicente Calderon and defended well to earn a clean sheet but they have gained no advantage in the tie
They came, they saw, they defended. This was a performance of so little ambition by Chelsea that it would be a surprise to find one person who enjoyed it other than Jose Mourinho and his staff. The Portuguese planned for this one without key attackers Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o and so there was never going to be an all-out siege on the Atletico Madrid goal. In that respect, a diligent display from the Chelsea number was rewarded with a clean sheet.
Above all else, parity remains in the tie.
But it's not that simple. The limited scope of Chelsea's intentions at the Vicente Calderon represents a huge gamble for Mourinho and his team. It is one thing defending stoutly at home in the first leg of a Champions League tie before attempting to nick the second, it is another thing altogether to attempt the pattern in reverse.
Mourinho has won the Champions League twice - with Porto and Inter - and on those occasions he played every first-leg knockout tie at home. He knows how to win the tournament but he has never done it in this order.
Chelsea have taken heart from their 0-0 draw but Atletico, despite failing to erode those English foundations, will be more pleased with the outcome.
A home clean sheet is the most important element in any Champions League knockout tie. In the quarter-finals, three of the four teams who went through avoided conceding in their own back yard. That zero beside Chelsea's name rather than the one next to Atletico's counts for more.
Atletico, themselves, are not an electrifying team. This was not a just case of Chelsea stifling them and disrupting the rhythm of their game. In honesty, they lacked the guile and intuition to break down what was in front of them. It showcased their attacking limitations when faced with a puzzle like Mourinho set.
source: goal.com
Manchester United sack David Moyes
The Scot oversaw the club's worst campaign in the Premier League era and missed out on Champions League qualification, and leaves Old Trafford just a season into his six-year deal
Manchester United have sacked manager David Moyes with immediate effect after owners the Glazer family finally lost patience with the Scot.
The 50-year-old, who created a host of unwanted records during his brief stint at Old Trafford, becomes the first United manager to be dismissed since Ron Atkinson in 1986.
Announcing Moyes' departure on their official Twitter account, United added: "The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role."
Moyes had endured a torrid campaign in charge of the reigning Premier League champions, with Sunday's abject 2-0 loss to former club Everton guaranteeing that the Red Devils will miss out on a place in the Champions League next season.
Defeat at Goodison Park was their 11th of the season - just one fewer than relegation battling West Brom - and left the club languishing in seventh place in the table.
Sunday's result marked the first time both the Toffees and Liverpool have completed a league double over United, while local rivals Manchester City managed that feat for the first time since the Premier League's inception.
Moyes had been handpicked by Sir Alex Ferguson to take over upon his retirement, urging those in attendance of his final match at Old Trafford to "stand by our new manager".
But with United having struggled so much under Moyes, the club's hierarchy were increasingly worried that he was no longer the right man to entrust this summer's £200 million warchest to.
Veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs could take over first-team duties for the remainder of the season, while there is even speculation that Sir Alex could return to the dugout he vacated just a year ago.
source: goal.com
Sunday 20 April 2014
Why Barcelona should consider selling Messi
The Argentina captain is at odds with the club over a new contract but with the need for renewal urgent around Camp Nou, should the Catalans take the money and run?
The current contractual stand-off between Barcelona and Lionel Messi is only likely to end one way - with the top scorer signing a mammoth new deal which will be the richest in football. There is a long way to go, however, on that front and the Catalans might well consider their options despite the transfer ban looming.
The club are believed to be offering Messi a five-year contract worth €200 million. That equates to €40m per season. Messi is alleged to be unhappy at the terms offered. He feels he is worth more than that. With his current deal expiring in 2018, his transfer value will never be higher.
Last summer Barca legend Johan Cruyff suggested that Messi should be sold in order to accommodate Neymar in the line-up. He also accurately predicted that Barca would suffer from playing the two together. After the season Barcelona have endured something has got to give.
There are rumblings in the Spanish press this week that Barca are laying the ground work for a Messi sale over the summer. It would be the costliest transfer in the history of football.
Paris St-Germain and Manchester City are the only two clubs who could do a deal for Messi in the current market but it could be a gamble worth taking for Barcelona. Would they rather take €200m for Messi and rebuild their team - transfer ban notwithstanding - or give him €200m with no guarantee that his best days are ahead of him?
That transfer ban will hurt them this summer more than any other because they are in need of a drastic overhaul. They need players in practically every position and so they desperately need to have it overturned. The appeal process continues and Barca expect that their legal team will achieve a favourable result.
And maybe Messi is in need of a fresh challenge himself. Four Ballons d'Or and a wealth of titles have been accrued during his time at Barcelona. He has smashed every record in the book. On a sporting level, there is not a lot for him left to achieve at Camp Nou. The way Messi has played this season suggests that life without him for Barcelona is not as unthinkable as it once was. Pep Guardiola reportedly walked away from Barca after failing in his attempt to clear out what he saw as distracted and under-motivated players. Messi, legitimately, finds himself in that category today.
The 26-year-old has scored 25 league goals this season but there are indications that all is not well. He has struggled for the best part of a year with various knocks and niggles. His output on the field has noticeably decreased. Barca are enduring a torrid season and Messi cannot be absolved from blame. He endured derision for failing to cover the ground in the Barca's Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid. Radomir Antic, the former Barca coach, suggested that Messi deliberately failed to keep up as a means of punishment to Tata Martino who fielded him out of position.
Messi remains behind only Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world but there are reasons for Barca to contemplate selling.
source: goal.com
Valverde looks the part for brave Barcelona
The Catalans needed a monumental effort to come from a goal down and claim all three points after what was a difficult week for the club and may just have found their next coach
Luck had evaded them for more than an hour. Interred in a negative dynamic following a 10-day period which had seen their season turned to shreds, Barcelona finally found an answer when it looked as if they were about to lose for a fourth time in a row.
European elimination to Atletico Madrid last week had been followed by a disappointing defeat at Granada on Saturday and then a Copa del Rey final loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday. Things could barely get any worse. Or so it seemed.
But on a cool night in the Catalan capital on Easter Sunday and following the club's worst week in recent memory, many supporters stayed away. Barca gave the official attendance figure as 57,000, but there were far fewer fans than that inside the famous old stadium - and some of those greeted coach Gerardo Martino with jeers before the game. It wasn't a positive panorama.
Meanwhile, in the opposition dugout sat Ernesto Valverde: Athletic boss, one-time Barcelona player and one of the chief candidates to succeed the Argentine at Camp Nou in the summer. Long admired by the Catalan club for his attractive football, Valverde is a former team-mate and firm friend of Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta - and on Sunday did his chances of a move to the Blaugrana no harm at all.
Athletic approached the game without fear and were the stronger side in the opening minutes, only for the Catalans to take control for the remainder of the first half and somehow squander a number of excellent opportunities.
Pedro and Lionel Messi both missed good chances, but Barca were working hard to get back in track following a tough 10-day spell.
Athletic had their moments as well, with the Basque side making like difficult for the Catalans on a number of occasions - most notably a stunning overhead kick by Aritz Aduriz which rebounded off the post with Jose Pinto a mere spectator.
Aduriz, a player considered by the Barca board as a possible striking solution at Camp Nou, gave Athletic the lead early in the second half and many members of the Camp Nou crowd waved their handkerchiefs in disapproval at the current state of affairs at their cherished club.
But their team are made of strong stuff and, in the absence of the injured Neymar, it was Alexis Sanchez and Pedro who combined to level the scores. Dani Alves ran into the box and squared to the Chilean, whose scuffed shot fell to Pedro - and this time he couldn't miss.
Alexis has been largely ignored lately, while Pedro has been benched for much of the time too to make way for the ineffective Cesc Fabregas and the expensive Neymar, but both delivered on Sunday, running themselves into the ground for the Catalan cause.
Food for thought, perhaps, for Martino, as Barca took the lead minutes later through a Messi free-kick and survived a late scare (thanks to a brilliant block by Javier Mascherano) to claim all three points and remain in the title race, albeit as outsiders now.
Still suffering in defence, the Barca board will have glanced enviously towards Athletic's Aymeric Laporte, a superb young centre-back who is interesting the Catalan club and would fit seamlessly into the Blaugrana back line.
Valderde's valiant brand of attacking football also fits the bill on this evidence and if, as expected, Tata walks away this summer, the Basque boss looks the part to take over at Camp Nou in time for next season.
source: goal.com
Hopeless Moyes sinks to new low
The former Everton boss returned to Goodison Park to see his side humiliated at the hands of Roberto Martinez's men, as the champions collapsed yet again this term
How embarrassing from Manchester United. How feeble. How hopeless. Just how? How on Earth has it got quite this bad?
Champions in name for only a fortnight longer, it will be 12 months on Tuesday since this team picked up title No.20 against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. A year is a long time in football.
This collapse from David Moyes' side against Everton, the one team over any you thought he could summon a semblance of fighting spirit against, was par for the troubled course this term. United never got close to their hosts.
And what of those hosts, who have confirmed beyond any doubt that this United side are the worst from the north west in this division, and by some distance too. Roberto Martinez may not quite reach Champions League football this season, but he is building a squad with the ability to compete for it time and again. This was outstanding stuff from Everton. Their manager described it as "special". You couldn't argue otherwise.
Yet the most frightening thing for those at Old Trafford is that it never really looked in doubt. From the boos that greeted Moyes as he walked out to Z Cars before kick off to his walk back down the tunnel he used to call his own at full time, this was always Everton's day.
Their first league double over United in 44 years. The first season ever that United have lost all four games against their Merseyside rivals. Two more ignominious records broken for Moyes. Stick them on the bill with the rest.
After the final whistle the United boss "couldn't fault" how his team had played, so let me. Perhaps only David de Gea and Juan Mata will emerge from this with an ounce of credit to their names. For the rest it was inexcusably poor.
Basic errors in defence permeated through to a wholly disinterested midfield which were outfought and outthought by the home side. Wayne Rooney, who threatened only once - the shin of James McCarthy, was proof that the most talented player on the pitch can also be the worst.
Martinez, who spoke highly of his opponents before and after the game, admitted he expected a fightback from United when his side went 2-0 up after Kevin Mirallas exploited Alex Buttner's pitiful attempt at an offside trap. The fight never came. The towel had long been thrown in on this game, this season.
Surely that is the least you would expect from Manchester United. Two decades of never saying die for this football club are long over and the foundations upon which they became the most formidable club in the country are crumbling.
And so again to that question of how, and where United go from here. With only four games to go, it can't get any worse. This season can't end soon enough.
source: goal.com
Liverpool show nerve and poise of champions to capitalise on Chelsea slip
The Merseysiders kept their collective heads to beat Norwich and take a potentially decisive lead in the race to claim what would be their first league title in 24 years
As all around them lose their heads, Liverpool continue to hold their nerve with the performances of champions.
The dream is edging agonisingly closer to reality for Liverpool and their supporters. Brendan Rodgers’ side came into this game knowing it was theirs to lose, but produced a performance full of grit and heart to move five points clear at the summit of the Premier League table.
This is what title races are about. The journey of twists and turns, highs and lows. At times, it felt like the Reds were comfortable here, by the end the 2,000 Reds fans who travelled to East Anglia were taking up a collective praying position.
The resurrection of this historic club is almost complete. The Reds could even win the title next weekend if they beat title rivals Chelsea and other results go their way.
In any case, the feeling is inescapable, the momentum unstoppable. Liverpool are flattening everything before them on their way to a first title in 24 years.
Their supporters won’t appreciate the comparisons, but the inevitability resembles the way Manchester United used to hit their straps under Sir Alex Ferguson. It is now 11 wins in a row - three more to go. ‘We go again,’ as Steven Gerrard will no doubt be urging his troops once more.
Long after the final whistle, the travelling supporters could be heard roaring their support for the Reds. ‘We’re gonna win the league’ - the same chant that had the Kop rocking to its foundations during the dramatic win over Manchester City by the same scoreline last weekend.
The last week has proven the utter unpredictability of the Premier League, especially towards the end of the season. Nobody could have predicted that bottom side Sunderland would draw at Manchester City before becoming the first team to beat Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge in 78 games.
How are Liverpool coping with the pressure? Better than their rivals, that’s for sure.
That Black Cats’ win in west London was the warning that Rodgers would have passed on to his players before kick-off here.
It looked like it was heeded as the Reds got off to a blistering start. Raheem Sterling shimmied inside and smashed the visitors ahead from 25 yards out in the fourth minute and seven minutes later the game looked as good as over when the winger teed up Luis Suarez for the second.
Suarez has now scored 30 league goals this season in as many appearances. He has been the difference in turning them into true title contenders and has embodied Liverpool’s play with his wonderful attacking movement and total desire to win.
But Norwich fought back bravely. Gary Hooper and Robert Snodgrass scored goals to get the hosts back in the game either side of Sterling’s second strike of the afternoon, which looped in off Bradley Johnson following a mazy dribble.
It was nerve-jangling in the extreme in the final minutes as the Canaries slung balls into the Liverpool box, even goalkeeper John Ruddy coming up for the final set-piece of the game.
By then, the Reds were playing with five at the back and time felt like it stood still for their players as they headed balls away, smashing it to safety at every opportunity. It was a far cry from the champagne football of the first 20 minutes but no less important.
While Chelsea and City choke, it’s hard to see Liverpool dropping more points. They can even afford a draw next week against Jose Mourinho’s men in the knowledge they will still be champions if they win their final two fixtures against Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
For most of the season they have been exhilarating in their quick attacking transitions and counter-attacking football, while their unconvincing defending - on display again today - has ensured some thrilling fixtures to capture the imagination of the neutral.
Rodgers will hope for a more mundane spectacle against Chelsea at Anfield next weekend. He probably won’t get it - but he should be confident that his Liverpool team have the mentality of champions.
source: goal.com
As all around them lose their heads, Liverpool continue to hold their nerve with the performances of champions.
The dream is edging agonisingly closer to reality for Liverpool and their supporters. Brendan Rodgers’ side came into this game knowing it was theirs to lose, but produced a performance full of grit and heart to move five points clear at the summit of the Premier League table.
This is what title races are about. The journey of twists and turns, highs and lows. At times, it felt like the Reds were comfortable here, by the end the 2,000 Reds fans who travelled to East Anglia were taking up a collective praying position.
The resurrection of this historic club is almost complete. The Reds could even win the title next weekend if they beat title rivals Chelsea and other results go their way.
In any case, the feeling is inescapable, the momentum unstoppable. Liverpool are flattening everything before them on their way to a first title in 24 years.
Their supporters won’t appreciate the comparisons, but the inevitability resembles the way Manchester United used to hit their straps under Sir Alex Ferguson. It is now 11 wins in a row - three more to go. ‘We go again,’ as Steven Gerrard will no doubt be urging his troops once more.
Long after the final whistle, the travelling supporters could be heard roaring their support for the Reds. ‘We’re gonna win the league’ - the same chant that had the Kop rocking to its foundations during the dramatic win over Manchester City by the same scoreline last weekend.
The last week has proven the utter unpredictability of the Premier League, especially towards the end of the season. Nobody could have predicted that bottom side Sunderland would draw at Manchester City before becoming the first team to beat Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge in 78 games.
How are Liverpool coping with the pressure? Better than their rivals, that’s for sure.
That Black Cats’ win in west London was the warning that Rodgers would have passed on to his players before kick-off here.
It looked like it was heeded as the Reds got off to a blistering start. Raheem Sterling shimmied inside and smashed the visitors ahead from 25 yards out in the fourth minute and seven minutes later the game looked as good as over when the winger teed up Luis Suarez for the second.
Suarez has now scored 30 league goals this season in as many appearances. He has been the difference in turning them into true title contenders and has embodied Liverpool’s play with his wonderful attacking movement and total desire to win.
But Norwich fought back bravely. Gary Hooper and Robert Snodgrass scored goals to get the hosts back in the game either side of Sterling’s second strike of the afternoon, which looped in off Bradley Johnson following a mazy dribble.
It was nerve-jangling in the extreme in the final minutes as the Canaries slung balls into the Liverpool box, even goalkeeper John Ruddy coming up for the final set-piece of the game.
By then, the Reds were playing with five at the back and time felt like it stood still for their players as they headed balls away, smashing it to safety at every opportunity. It was a far cry from the champagne football of the first 20 minutes but no less important.
While Chelsea and City choke, it’s hard to see Liverpool dropping more points. They can even afford a draw next week against Jose Mourinho’s men in the knowledge they will still be champions if they win their final two fixtures against Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
For most of the season they have been exhilarating in their quick attacking transitions and counter-attacking football, while their unconvincing defending - on display again today - has ensured some thrilling fixtures to capture the imagination of the neutral.
Rodgers will hope for a more mundane spectacle against Chelsea at Anfield next weekend. He probably won’t get it - but he should be confident that his Liverpool team have the mentality of champions.
source: goal.com
Atletico's four decades of pain - 40 years after doing the hurting
Atleti have waited a long time to regain their place amongst the continent's elite, but the scars of their 1974 European Cup semi-final are still felt by Celtic
Atletico Madrid will line up in the semi-final of the Champions League this week against Chelsea.
Ironically, it will mark the 40th anniversary of their last appearance at this stage of Europe’s premier club competition – again against British opposition - although it is unlikely that tie will be commemorated in any way.
In 1974, Atletico faced Scottish champions Celtic for a place in the final against either Bayern Munich or Ujpest Dozsa of Hungary.
Wins over Galatasaray, Dinamo Bucharest and Red Star Belgrade in the first three rounds had brought them this far. But the Hoops, better in terms of personnel and experience, were a different proposition, necessitating a very different approach from the La Liga winners.
Celtic, the first British club to win the European Cup in 1967, reached the 1970 final and had themselves lost another semi-final to Inter, on penalties, two years before. They were the favourites to progress, the catalyst for arguably the most cynical and clinical display ever seen on the European club stage.
Atletico’s approach to the tie, under the guidance of coach Juan Carlos Lorenzo, was simple and basic: gain a result in Glasgow, then win the home leg in Madrid.
What no-one, even seasoned European campaigners like Celtic’s inspirational captain Billy McNeill expected, was the lengths Atleti would go to achieve their goal.
McNeill recalled: “Atletico were champions of Spain but they weren’t Real or Barcelona. They were Spain’s third team. We fancied our chances.
“Big Jock (Stein) had done his homework, as usual, and found out they had a South American manager who had filled his team with South Americans. We thought ‘well, they’ll be able to play a bit.’
“We’d played Leeds United, we’d played Inter Milan. We had played teams who knew what that competition meant and had played their very best football to try and get to those finals.
“What we didn’t bank on was how little the Spaniards wanted to play in Glasgow. They just came out to stop us from playing: They just constantly fouled, breaking any flow to the game, which meant we couldn’t get any continuity to our game. It was stop-start for 90 minutes.
“What shocked us, everyone, were the lengths they would go just to stop us playing. It was just so crude, brutal at times. Our forwards took some punishment, and Jimmy Johnstone in particular was just massacred.”
Johnstone was a potential match winner for Celtic, regardless of who the opposition were – as long as they played somewhere within the parameters of the laws. Atletico arrived armed with their own book of rules.
‘Wee Jinky’ was targeted from early on as a threat which needed to be nullified. His ‘markers’ lived up to that billing. Systematically, they took turns at chopping him down. With his socks rolled around his ankles, the Scotland star made an appealing target for the Spanish side's hatchet men.
“How Jimmy survived it, I’m not sure,” McNeill continued. “It wasn’t through anything the referee did, that’s for certain. But his job was impossible because of how clinical the Spaniards chose to be. They just kicked him in turn. They kicked him black and blue.”
Atletico’s spoiling tactics nullified Celtic’s attacking options. Whether it was blocking ‘keeper Denis Connaghan’s attempts to throw the ball out, deliberately kicking the ball away, or through niggling, time-wasting fouls and interruptions in play, Madrid’s game plan worked to perfection.
The game ended 0-0, although los Colchoneros marginally came out ahead in the crime count. They had three players sent off, another eight booked.
However, with the match over, the animosity and anger boiled over in the tunnel. A fight erupted, and in a scene more akin to a gang battle, punches and kicks were delivered by both sets of player.
The police stepped in, but not as any kind of neutral peace keepers. They decided to take their own retribution against the Atletico players. One inspector even held Atletico’s Argentine striker Ruben Ayala to enable Celtic players Dixie Deans and David Hay to have a punch at him. They duly accepted.
For the second leg Atletico had no fewer than six players suspended. Weakened? Not a bit.
Coach Lorenzo’s master plan to get his team to the final meant he had used reserve and second-string players in Glasgow. With arguably a better line-up fielded in Madrid, Celtic’s resistance was eventually worn away. Thirteen minutes from time Heraldo Becerra centred and Jose Garate beat Connaghan from close range. As Celtic threw tired men forward, Garate then turned provider on the break, Adelardo firing home a tie-clinching second.
Atleti had achieved what they had set out to achieve, a place in the final of Europe’s premier club competition. The manner in which they had gained that result, however, left much to be desired.
In Brussels, Lorenzo's men held Bayern Munich (a team that made up the core of West Germany’s World Cup winning side a few weeks later) to a 1-1 draw. Two days later in the Belgian capital, in front of just a third of the original audience, Uli Hoeness and Gerd Muller scored two apiece to take the famous European trophy back to Germany for the first time.
Thus, Atletico remain the only team to have ever lost a European Cup final in a replay. Not a fact offered up readily with fans of that generation. But then who would, after that semi-final in the East End of Glasgow
source: goal.com
Saturday 19 April 2014
Soccer results, April 19
In another twist to this unpredictable English Premier League season, last-place Sunderland damaged Chelsea's title hopes with a 2-1 upset at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
After surprise losses to Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in recent weeks, Chelsea again stuttered against weaker opposition, as Jose Mourinho's 77-match unbeaten home streak as Chelsea boss came to an end in a major boost for league leader Liverpool.
Chelsea could not hold onto its lead after Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring, as Connor Wickham leveled from the rebound six minutes later following Marcos Alonso's long-range effort. Fabio Borini then scored from the spot after Cesar Azpilicueta brought down U.S. forward Jozy Altidore in the box with eight minutes remaining.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace claimed a fifth consecutive win with a 1-0 defeat of West Ham to secure its place in the top flight next season and Swansea secured a vital 2-1 win at Newcastle that piled more pressure on Magpies manager Alan Pardew.
Peter Whittingham's second-half penalty gave Cardiff a precious point in a 1-1 draw against Stoke, and Aston Villa could record only a goalless home draw with Southampton.
Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone made 14 saves as Chelsea blew the opportunity to dislodge Liverpool from top spot. The Reds will have the chance to extend their lead to five points at Norwich on Sunday.
Other European leagues: Bayern Munich ground out a hard-fought 2-0 victory over last-place Eintracht Braunschweig to end the champions' three-game winless streak in the Bundesliga.
Claudio Pizarro broke the deadlock in the 75th minute and Mario Mandzukic secured the win with four minutes remaining.
-- Mario Balotelli set a career best with his 14th goal of the Serie A season and set up another score as AC Milan beat visiting Livorno 3-0 for its fifth straight win.
Still, Milan remained five points behind city rival Inter Milan in the race for fifth place and the final Europa League berth, after Inter beat 10-man Parma 2-0.
Paul Pogba scored as Juventus stayed on course for a third consecutive title with a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Bologna.
source: sfgate.com
Friday 18 April 2014
Gerrard, Sturridge & Suarez nominated as Liverpool dominate PFA Player of the Year shortlist
The winner will be announced on Sunday, April 27 and Suarez is favourite to be crowned the top footballer in England following a blistering season
Three Liverpool players have been shortlisted the Player of the Year award, formally announced by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) on Friday lunchtime.
Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez are joined by Yaya Toure, Eden Hazard and Adam Lallana on the list of six candidates who have been nominated by the players' union.
The winner will be announced at the 41st PFA awards at Grosvenor House on Sunday, April 27.
Suarez is favourite for the award thanks to a blistering season which has propelled Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table.
The Uruguayan has scored 29 goals in 29 league matches so far this season to help put the Reds on the brink of their first title since 1990, and would be the first South American to lift the individual award since its inception in 1974.
He represents Liverpool alongside Gerrard and Sturridge.
Gerrard has previously won the award in 2005-06, while Sturridge has also been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award and will be hopeful of emulating Gareth Bale, who won both gongs last season.
Yaya Toure, whose 18 league goals from midfield have been key for Manchester City this season, would be the first African player to be honoured by the PFA's main award.
Hazard has been named on the list two months after his manager at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, complained that the Belgian had never won a Player of the Month award, which is awarded by the Premier League.
The 24-year-old has often been the stand-out performer in the Blues' attack this season, scoring 14 goals in 33 league matches. He, like Sturridge, has also been named on the Young Player of the Year shortlist.
Adam Lallana has also made the list following an outstanding season for Southampton, which has seen him thrust into the reckoning for Roy Hodgson's England squad for this summer's World Cup.
Last year, Bale, then at Tottenham, won both the PFA Footballer of the Year and PFA Young Footballer of the Year awards, as well as the Football Writers' gong.
PFA delegates delivered the ballot forms to the 92 Premier and Football League clubs in March, before all votes were counted by Beever & Struthers Chartered Accountants this week.
Source: goal.com
Yaya Toure: I don't get recognition because I'm African
The Ivory Coast international believes "proper recognition" only comes from fans and says he wants to prove players from Africa are as good as those from Europe and South America
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure believes he is not recognised as one of the world's best players because he is African.
Toure, who has won league titles in England, Spain and Greece, as well as the Champions League with Barcelona, was among the six names shortlisted for the Professional Footballers' Association’s Player of the Year award on Friday.
Following the club’s Capital One Cup victory at Wembley in March, Samir Nasri claimed Toure would be considered as the best midfielder in the world if he wasn’t African.
“I think what Samir was saying was definitely true,” Toure told BBC’s Football Focus.
"To be honest, proper recognition has only come from the fans.
“I don't want to be hard and I don't want to be negative, but I want to be honest.
"If you go to any part of Africa now, people will say 'yes, we know him [Lionel Messi]', but when you come to Europe and say 'Yaya Toure' people will say 'who is that?' Some will say they know my name but not know my face. But they will know Messi's face.
"I am very proud to be African, I want to defend African people and I want to show to the world that African players can be as good as the Europeans and South Americans."
Source: goal.com
Bayern Munich-bound Robert Lewandowski nets his 100th goal for Borussia Dortmund
The Poland striker's latest effort could well set up a cup final date against his future employers, if they beat second division Kaiserslautern tonight
Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski may be leaving the club this summer, but the Polish hitman is making sure he goes with a bang, after netting his 100th goal for the club on Tuesday evening.
Jurgen Klopp's men have endured a difficult season, thanks largely to injuries, which have seen them stumble their way through the current Bundesliga season, while they were knocked out of the Champions League last week by Real Madrid at the quarter-final stage.
But 25-year-old poacher Lewandowski has seen his reputation continue to soar, having helped himself to 25 goals in 43 games for Die Borussen, in what has been another impressive campaign.
And in Tuesday night's German Cup semi-final win against Wolfsburg at the Westfalenstadion, he notched his 100th goal in four years with the club.
The Poland international would then celebrate by lifting his shirt over his head, revealing an under-shirt with the number 100 on it.
source: mirror.co.uk
Wednesday 16 April 2014
Real Madrid deserved Copa del Rey success - Ronaldo
The Portuguese says that his team-mates must enjoy their triumph at Mestalla but points out that there are still two titles for which to play, La Liga and the Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo believes that Real Madrid fully merited their 2-1 win over Barcelona to lift the Copa del Rey.
The Ballon d'Or winner was restricted to the stands because of injury but Carlo Ancelotti's men secured the crown regardless, with Angel Di Maria and Gareth Bale scoring either side of Marc Bartra's equaliser.
"We deserved to win because we played better and we created more goal chances but we still have two titles to fight for," Ronaldo told reporters after the game at Mestalla.
"It was a great struggle to reach the final. We are very happy, we have been great, we have to enjoy this day and then think about the league."
Speaking of his injury situation, the Portuguese seemed upbeat. "I'm much better, I don't feel pain anymore," the 29-year-old explained.
Wednesday's victory sealed a 19th Copa del Rey title for the capital club, who currently sit second in La Liga behind Atletico Madrid and have a Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich on the way.
source: goal.com
Copa Del Rey: Real madrid 2 - Barcelona 1 Maria 11, Bale 85 - Bartra 68 www.jcbolasepak.com
The Italian was delighted with the way in which his troops responded to the unavailability of their star forward, praising Gareth Bale for the "most important goal" of his career
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says that the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo helped to motivate his side in their Copa del Rey victory over Barcelona on Wednesday.
The Portugal international missed the Clasico clash through injury but saw wingers Angel Di Maria and Gareth Bale both score as Los Blancos ran out 2-1 winners at Mestalla.
"We deserved the title," the Italian told reporters. "We pressed high up the pitch and we took advantage on the counter. We played really well and all the players worked hard so congratulations to them.
"Cristiano's absence motivated the players," he added. "It made them work even harder. They all did well. You have to play as a team to beat Barcelona and we did that.
"Barcelona tried but we knew how to play against them. We needed to be compact and we were. We will take strength from this for the other two competitions."
Madrid face Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League later in April and are still in the race for La Liga, although Atletico Madrid lead the Primera Division by three points with five rounds remaining.
Barca, meanwhile, look likely to end the season empty-handed following this loss, their European elimination and their defeat at Granada on Saturday which saw the Catalans lose ground in La Liga.
However, Ancelotti remarked: "I don't think their cycle is finished. They played a good game and, even though things haven't gone that well for them this season, they will fight until the end in La Liga and remain a dangerous rival."
The Italian preferred to praise his players as a group but believes that Bale's winner was the most significant strike of the Welshman's career to date.
"He played a very good game and it's definitely his most important goal but all of the players did well," he enthused. "It was a fantastic night and the fans from both teams made it an extraordinary spectacle."
source: goal.com
