..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba: I don't feel like I've sealed the Serie A title

Paul Pogba has played down claims that he sealed Juventus' fourth successive Serie A title with his spectacular strike in Monday's 1-0 over Sassuolo.

The France international scored a sublime half-volley with just eight minutes to go in Turin to send the Bianconeri 11 points clear at the summit of the standings with 12 rounds of the season remaining."I don't feel like I'm the 'Scudetto man'," Pogba told Sky Sport Italia. "But we have won a difficult game. It was very important in terms of the league."

Pogba has played an integral role in Juve's march towards a fourth consecutive Scudetto, netting seven times in 22 Serie A appearances, but he insists that he should not yet be considered a key member of Massimiliano Allegri's squad.

"I don't feel like a leader, only one of many players within an extraordinary group," he added."I can improve. If I want to be a great player, I must do more, both on the field and in training."

Pogba celebrated his crucial matchwinner by cupping his hands around his ears, an apparent reference to the fact that not only has his recent form been criticised, but also the boos and whistles that came from certain sections of Juventus Stadium during a frustrating encounter with Sassuolo.

The midfielder admitted afterwards that he was trying to make the point that Juve need unwavering support from their fans."I thank all of my team-mates and the fans, because without them we will not go far," he added.

"We need them also when we're playing badly. There are always difficult moments but we need them and their support."Even when we're playing badly, we want to make them happy. We need them behind us. It's very important."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Welbeck winner well deserved

Arsene Wenger says Danny Welbeck was a worthy matchwinner in Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final win at Manchester United on Monday.

Welbeck was a surprise selection to lead the Gunners attack given Olivier Giroud's fine form of late, but the England international justified his inclusion by scoring the game's decisive goal just after the hour mark.

Wenger believes that it was a hugely significant strike not only for the former United striker, who only left Old Trafford for the Emirates last summer, but also the entire squad, ahead of next week's crucial Champions League last-16, second-leg trip to Monaco.

“Danny worked extremely hard today and he was rewarded with a good goal," the Gunners boss told BBC Sport.

“We want to compete in every competition and I believe the result today can give us some good morale for the cup, the Premier League, a very important Champions League game away from home.

“I think the most important thing is when your team performs at a good level and that is what we did.

“[The key was] to start without apprehension because we have been caught a few times here,” he added.“To be on the front foot, closing down, play at a high pace and I felt we did that well.

The Arsenal boss was also cautiously optimistic of defending the FA Cup won last year after being drawn against Bradford or Reading.“Last year we played a tricky game at Wembley in the semi-final. We expect that again,” he said.

“We have played Bradford before we know about that. But let’s enjoy tonight.
“I feel we played a good game tonight, on the front foot from the start and that we deserved to win the game.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lucas Silva: No crisis at Real Madrid

Lucas Silva has dismissed claims that Real Madrid are a club in crisis, claiming Carlo Ancelotti's men are merely experiencing "a moment of instability".

Los Blancos enjoyed a 22-game winning streak in all competitions earlier in the season, as they recovered from a slow start in La Liga to storm to the top of the standings, as well as claim the Fifa Club World Cup and cruise through their Champions League group.

However, Madrid have suffered a number of notable defeats since the turn of the year and their latest, a 1-0 loss at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, allowed Barcelona to displace them at the summit of the Primera Division.

Lucas Silva, though, sees no reason to panic, arguing that Madrid just have to work harder in order to get back to their brilliant best."There is no crisis," the January arrival from Cruzeiro told reporters on Monday. "We’ve been through a moment of instability but we are calm.

"Sometimes things don’t work out as you want them to. We need to work hard and do more running in our games so that we can get out of this phase we’re in and start gaining more consistency."

Lucas Silva was speaking on the eve of Madrid's Champions League clash with Schalke at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spanish side lead 2-0 after the first leg in Gelsenkirchen three weeks ago but the Brazilian, who is set for his first European outing on home soil, insists that the Blancos will not make the mistake of assuming that they are already through to the quarter-finals.“We have a small advantage from the first leg but we have to start strong at the Bernabeu," the 22-year-old said. "We want to win and not suffer any surprises.

Lucas Silva has settled quickly into his new surroundings following his €14 million move from Brazil, admitting that he feels just as comfortable out wide as he does deputising in the middle of the park for Toni Kroos."I've played in both positions - in Kroos' position and out wide - and I'm relaxed about wherever I play," he added.

"It's the coach who decides that. I've played my first games, I've got a lot to improve and need to continue developing my game. "But I feel relaxed and I feel ready."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter need Champions League money, admits Bolingbroke

Inter CEO Michael Bolingbroke has admitted that qualifying for the Champions League on a consistent basis is vital for their ambition to become a force to be reckoned with again in Europe.

The Serie A side currently find themselves in a precarious financial situation and could face significant punishments for failing to meet Uefa’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions.Bolingbroke is optimistic about Inter's future, though, and feels increasing revenue by playing Champions League football year after year is the way forward.

"I would like to qualify for the Champions League. Ultimately, part of our plan is to become one of the top 10 clubs in the world in revenue within five years," Bolingbroke told Goal."A critical part of that is consistent participation in the Champions League. If it doesn't start next year, it will probably start the year after that.

"But I hope it starts next year. We still sit comfortable in the league. If we don't make the Champions League this year, it doesn’t mean our plans are not going to work, though."

The Inter supremo also had his say on Inter's plans to potentially renovate or leave San Siro following city rivals AC Milan's announcement that they aim to build a new stadium

"What Milan have announced is that they 'would like' to move. Apparently they've got the plan, they've got the place and also the design. But it all must be approved with the council. There are a number of regulatory hurdles. So it might not be happening.

"But if it does happen, we've said that our first choice will be to stay at San Siro. We would renovate San Siro. That would be a major project, but leaving San Siro is also an option for us. Although our first choice is staying at San Siro.

"We need a home. It would be great for the club to have our own stadium. It would be great for the fans if they have their own stadium. San Siro is always our first choice, but if it's not, there is always a Plan B."Bolingbroke then went on to offer Roberto Mancini his backing and vowed the Nerazzurri coach will be given the chance to sign some new players ahead of the 2015-15 campaign.

"Mancini has not had a summer transfer window to build his team yet. This summer he will be able to build the team he wants, so they can play the formation that he wants. And I think then he will have his own team around him."I look forward to next season. I think next season will be a great season for us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Gutierrez: Pardew told me to leave Newcastle after second cancer op

After making his return to the Newcastle United first-team, Jonas Gutierrez has revealed how he was told to move on by former boss Alan Pardew.

Gutierrez made his comeback on Wednesday against Manchester United, after recovering from testicular cancer.

The Argentine was given a rousing reception by the St James' Park faithful, but has now explained how former boss Pardew was happy to see him move on during his period of rehabilitation.

"He told me to look for a team a moment after the second operation at the end of 2013," he told Marca. "This hurt me a lot.

"You have to be more human and not look only at the football side and business.

"I only look to the future and each of us has to look at themselves and their conscience."

Pardew parted company with Newcastle in January in order to take charge of fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lahm rejects criticism of Guardiola system

As Bayern Munich prepare for their Champions League last-16 second-leg meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk , Philipp Lahm has defended their attacking style.
Bayern are favourites to progress to the quarter-finals after a goalless draw in the opening meeting in Lviv three weeks ago.

Last season, Pep Guardiola's side reached the semi-finals and were well in the tie after a 1-0 loss at Real Madrid in the first leg, before the Spanish giants tore Bayern apart 4-0 in the return at the Allianz Arena.

The nature of that defeat caused some to question Guardiola's tactics, but Lahm has defended his coach's philosophy."This discussion is unnecessary," he told Perform . "In the 17 games before, plus the previous season, everyone hailed our style of play.

"We conceded four goals in the first leg [first 17 league games] of the season. This system is risky when not all of the players do what they are supposed to do.

"If more players do not fulfil their positions, then it looks like against Wolfsburg [when Bayern lost 4-1].

"Then we get problems. If it works - and it worked for over a year and a half very well - this system is top."

Lahm conceded that the heavy defeat to Real last season was a painful lesson, but says his team-mates are fully focused on putting those memories behind them this time around."Defeats are also part of our game as everyone knows especially everyone who works for this club," he said.

"It was not a bitter elimination because it was not early in the competition or a bitter elimination because it was close. It was a bitter elimination because it was a defeat in a semi-final."Of course it annoys you because we wanted to play the finals, But this year we already have the next chance to accomplish that.

"We won the double and seven players from our team won the World Cup later. So they won a special triple. It was a very good season again and now we are trying to charge again."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus defender Caceres out for around 10 weeks

Juventus defender Martin Caceres has been ruled out for around 10 weeks after undergoing surgery on a fractured ankle.

The Uruguay international sustained the injury during training on Sunday and went under the knife a day later.

Serie A champions Juve revealed that Caceres also underwent a procedure to correct a shoulder problem, but should return before the end of the season if all goes to plan.

A statement on the club's official website said: "Martin Caceres this morning underwent a double operation after sustaining a malleolus fracture in Sunday afternoon's training session at Juventus Centre."The surgical procedure of osteosynthesis was applied to the fracture and the defender was also subjected to arthroscopy on his left ankle, a necessary course of treatment following the twist he suffered yesterday.

"In addition, he underwent an arthroscopic capsuloplasty procedure, designed to stabilise his right shoulder."The operation was successfully performed by Flavio Quaglia and Roberto Ravera at Turin's Fornaca Clinic. Caceres is expected to make a full return to fitness in approximately 10 weeks' time."

The Turin giants also revealed that goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been ruled out of Monday's Serie A clash with Sassuolo as he is suffering from flu-like symptoms.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi could leave Barcelona, admits club director Braida

Lionel Messi could still leave Barcelona, the club's sporting director Ariedo Braida has admitted.The 27-year-old has a contract with Barca until June 2018 but has a limited fee release clause of €250 million.

Messi was linked with a possible departure from Camp Nou earlier in the season as his relationship with head coach Luis Enrique deteriorated.

And while Braida remains confident the Argentina international will remain committed to Barca, he accepts that the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, backed by billionaire owners, could one day make an offer to meet the staggering release-clause fee.

"I think that it is nearly impossible to see Messi leave Barcelona, but it could happen with clubs like PSG and Manchester City around, who have a lot of money to spend," Braida, who has replaced Andoni Zubizarreta at Barcelona, told Esport 3.

"Strange things happen every now and then."Messi is not simply a footballer. He is a phenomenon, an extraterrestrial. He is up there with Pele and Diego Maradona."He has incredible speed and takes aim at goal in an impressive way."

Braida was general director at AC Milan for 28 years and recently joined a new technical committee at Barca to help oversee planning for the first team, with former sporting director Zubizarreta dismissed after a trophyless campaign and question marks over his transfer policy.

The 68-year-old has now claimed he came close to poaching the four-time Ballon d'Or winner during his time at San Siro."Did I try to sign Messi for Milan in the past? I got a call from someone when he was still a little kid and tried to sign him.

"I have 30 years' worth of contacts and know a lot of people around the world."
Messi made his official first-team debut at Barcelona in 2004-05 and has since developed into one of the best players in the history of the game. The Argentina international is Barcelona's all-time leading goalscorer as well as in La Liga and Champions League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schneiderlin: No contact with Arsenal but clubs are interested

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin insists that he has not been in contact with Arsenal but says there is a lot of interest in him.

The France international was a target for Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham last summer but Southampton refused to sell him, prompting an angry outburst by the France international.

Spurs' hopes of signing Schneiderlin have subsequently faded as they fear that he will sign for another club at the end of the season and have turned their attentions to James McCarthy.

Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with a move for the 25-year-old, who has played a key role for the Saints this season. but he says that he is yet to speak to Arsene Wenger.

"I haven't had contact with Wenger. Clubs are interested in me but I've not given my word to anyone," he told Canal Plus.

Schneiderlin also says that the experience of Yohan Cabaye, who left Newcastle for Paris Saint-Germain but has struggled to become a regular at Parc des Princes, would not put him off moving to a big club.

"No, because I want to play at the highest level, Cabaye is an excellent player who joined PSG to win titles," he added.

"We players, we like competition. I think he does not regret his choice at all."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benzema: I want to win Ballon d'Or

Real Madrid attacker Karim Benzema has revealed that he dreams of winning the Fifa Ballon d'Or at some point in the future, although he realises it would take some extraordinary performances to achieve his goal.

Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi and Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the prestigious individual award in recent years, with the Argentine bagging the trophy four times in the last seven years and Benzema's team-mate emerging victorious on the remaining three occasions.

Nevertheless, the France international refuses to bury his dream of once being regarded as the best player in the world."Winning the Ballon d'Or remains one of my objectives," Benzema told BeIn Sports.

"I am not going to lie about it. The Ballon d'Or is always in the back of my mind. Every player dreams of winning it."What I would need to do to win it? I would have to win a lot of titles and score 80 goals or so in one year!"

The 27-year-old then went on to admit that he went through a difficult period after joining Madrid from Lyon in the summer of 2009."I was quite happy with my move to Madrid, but after the first few weeks I felt lost without my family.

"It was very difficult for me. I had to put in a lot of hard work, things I did not necessarily do at Lyon. It was like another dimension.

"All the hard work has helped me develop. I know what I am worth now. This is my sixth year at Real Madrid. Had I been just any other player, I would not have stayed at Madrid this long."Benzema also briefly discussed the upcoming Clasico later this month and stressed that Barcelona are an opponent he likes to come up against.

"The Clasico is the best game there is in the entire world. Everybody has to be at 100 per cent. It's the biggest game out there. Things go really fast and you feel enormous pressure.

"Barcelona are an opponent that suit me, though."Madrid travel to Camp Nou on March 22.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Robben: Mourinho vital for my career

Bayern Munich attacker Arjen Robben has hailed Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as an "important" influence on his career.

The Netherlands international worked under the Portuguese coach during his time at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2007, but was eventually allowed to leave to join Real Madrid.

Robben has since gone on to become one of the best attackers in the world, though, and he has no hard feelings toward his former mentor."Mourinho was very fair, very good," the Bayern star told Daily Mail.

"The only problem was the injuries. He could not count on me. It was frustrating for both of us and it became difficult. But in a football point of view, he was very important. He helped me mentally."I think I had a positive development at Chelsea. I was very young when I arrived, only 20, and the problem I had was injuries.

"At the time, you hear people say you are made of glass. I was angry because I felt like I was always having to defend myself. I know now something was wrong with my body.

"I'm a very explosive player and need everything to be right. I started working with an osteopath the last year I was in Madrid and have stayed with him. I have control of my body now and know when I can 'go'."

Robben also praised Louis van Gaal, with whom he worked at Bayern and the Netherlands' national team, having played a key role in guiding the Oranje to third place in the 2014 World Cup, and has a lot to thank the 63-year-old for.

"From the first day Van Gaal made me feel important. He gave me an important role and I had a great first year. I am very thankful to him.

"He is a coach who makes individual players better. That is rare nowadays.
"I have a lot of confidence he will be a success at United. He needs time to build his team. When he qualifies for the Champions League - and he has a realistic chance of winning the FA Cup - if that happens, he has had a great season."

The Dutchman then went on to voice his admiration for his current coach at Bayern, Pep Guardiola."I've had the privilege to work with a lot of great coaches and Guardiola is certainly one of them. I'm 31 but over the last 18 months I feel I've made steps forward.

"He is just crazy about football. In my first conversation with him he told me it was important I started to enjoy football. He didn't want me to relax but to appreciate what was in front of me. He said: 'Enjoy football, enjoy your life'. Straight away he gave me confidence."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal to face Bradford or Reading in FA Cup semi-finals

Arsenal will face Bradford City or Reading in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley.

The Gunners beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday night, with Danny Welbeck scoring the decisive goal against his former club, and they will meet either Bradford or Reading, who played out a goalless draw on Saturday.

Liverpool were also held to a stalemate by Blackburn Robvers on Sunday afternoon, and the winners will now face off against Tim Sherwood's resurgent Aston Villa.

The Midlanders saw off local rivals West Brom in a tie which was overshadowed by a pitch invasion before the final whistle was blown, and again upon the full-time whistle.

The semi-finals will take place at Wembley on April 18 and April 19.

 

[rcccc]

Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal: Welbeck sends Wenger to Wembley as Di Maria sees red

patta match eka

 

[rcccc]

Arsenal to face Bradford or Reading in FA Cup semi-finals

 

[rcccc]

Dan ithin karanna thiyana 1kama de thamai EPL top 4 secure karaganna 1ka.​

next thyenne Tottenham,Liverpool match neda.aniwa win karanna weyi

Valencia ge error 1ka thamai & Di Maria illan kawa onama welaweHamadamath wage adath De Gea nisa goals 2ka 3nakma beruna

Anyway Good Luck for the Semi-Finals Arsenal!

De Gea nam patta machan. best gk in epl
​

 

[rcccc]

Schneiderlin: No contact with Arsenal but clubs are interested

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin insists that he has not been in contact with Arsenal but says there is a lot of interest in him.

The France international was a target for Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham last summer but Southampton refused to sell him, prompting an angry outburst by the France international.

Spurs' hopes of signing Schneiderlin have subsequently faded as they fear that he will sign for another club at the end of the season and have turned their attentions to James McCarthy.

Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with a move for the 25-year-old, who has played a key role for the Saints this season. but he says that he is yet to speak to Arsene Wenger.

"I haven't had contact with Wenger. Clubs are interested in me but I've not given my word to anyone," he told Canal Plus.

Schneiderlin also says that the experience of Yohan Cabaye, who left Newcastle for Paris Saint-Germain but has struggled to become a regular at Parc des Princes, would not put him off moving to a big club.

"No, because I want to play at the highest level, Cabaye is an excellent player who joined PSG to win titles," he added.

"We players, we like competition. I think he does not regret his choice at all."

Schneiderlin ganna puluwan nam patta

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 3-4 Schalke (agg 5-4): Blundering Blancos into quarters despite Huntelaar heroics

Real Madrid survived a fraught last five minutes to limp into the Champions League quarter-finals despite a 4-3 home defeat to Schalke on Tuesday.

Former Real forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar threatened a famous upset with a stunning 85th-minute strike that meant Schalke needed to score just once more to progress on away goals.

The holders' 2-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen in the first leg ultimately proved enough to see them through 5-4 on aggregate - but the Bernabeu faithful were less than impressed, as they greeted the final whistle with a deafening chorus of jeers as Real's relative slump in form continued.

Cristiano Ronaldo had twice saved Real in a poor first-half showing as his headers cancelled out goals from Christian Fuchs and Huntelaar - the Portuguese's double making him the highest goalscorer in European competition.

Karim Benzema put Real ahead on the night shortly after half-time, only for Leroy Sane to curl home an exquisite equaliser for Schalke, before Huntelaar's superb finish set up a grandstand ending to the game.

Real just about held on to deny Roberto Di Matteo's impressive Schalke side, but the pressure continues to mount on Carlo Ancelotti after another below-par display.

Ancelotti's men - who slipped off the top of La Liga at the weekend - were poor from the off, and Schalke capitalised to take a deserved lead in the 20th minute.

Tranquillo Barnetta's curling cross from the right found Fuchs at the back post and his shot was too powerful for Iker Casillas - who may feel he should have made the save having got two hands on the ball.

The visitors' joy proved short lived as Real struck back five minutes later, with Toni Kroos' outswinging corner met by Ronaldo's bullet header that flew into the far corner.Schalke were unfazed, though, and Huntelaar was desperately unlucky to see a stunning 20-yard half-volley rebound off the crossbar before the Dutchman deservedly restored the Bundesliga outfit's advantage soon after.

Meyer's original shot was parried by Casillas and Huntelaar pounced to slam home the rebound.

But once again Ronaldo saved Real, their talisman nodding home Fabio Coentrao's exquisite left-wing delivery just before the break.

Real moved ahead for the first time on the night eight minutes after the break, Benzema showing great composure to beat a couple of defenders and rookie goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther before tucking into the unguarded goal. Schalke refused to lie down, though, as teenager Sane marked his European debut with a sublime left-footed effort that curled past a despairing Casillas.

Real responded well, but were made to endure a nervy ending when the returning Luka Modric's misplaced pass was picked up by Huntelaar, who slammed his shot off the underside of the bar from the edge of the penalty area.

The Bernabeu's discontent was in full evidence by this point and Casillas prevented a full-on mutiny when he denied Benedikt Howedes in the closing stages, as Real just about survived an almighty scare.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schalke la hoda fight 1kak deela neh​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Porto 4-0 Basel (agg 5-1): Portuguese power into last eight

Yacine Brahimi stepped up in the absence of Jackson Martinez to guide Porto into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals courtesy of a 4-0 win over Basel.

The Portuguese side earned a 1-1 draw in the Switzerland-hosted first leg on February 18, but Julen Lopetegui's men were in merciless form on Tuesday, with the tricky Algerian leading the way to a fine victory at Estadio do Dragao, which keeps them unbeaten in this season's competition.

Martinez, the scorer of 25 goals across all fronts this term, missed out due to a thigh muscle tear and, although Vincent Aboubakar started and scored in the Colombian's place, Brahimi took centre-stage in his absence, breaking the deadlock with a delightful 14th-minute free-kick.

While the hosts were somewhat wasteful in the first half, they ran riot after the interval as Hector Herrera quickly opened up a two-goal deficit – Brahimi instrumental again.Casemiro, another to catch the eye on the day, added the third with a spectacular free-kick of his own in the 56th minute.

And Aboubakar got in on the act 14 minutes from time, once again rendering goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik helpless with another incredible effort, ensuring an unhappy homecoming for Basel's Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa, who also saw veteran defender Walter Samuel sent off after a performance littered with rash challenges.

For all their sparkling play in attack, a fearsome Porto work-rate was also in evidence from the off as Casemiro robbed Basel of the ball and fed Cristian Tello on the edge of the area, with Samuel forced to cynically chop down the Barcelona loanee.Brahimi stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and nonchalantly caressed his effort beyond the static Vaclik and into the net.

Casemiro's audacious effort from distance landed on the roof of the net soon after, but Porto's momentum was checked slightly when captain Danilo was stretchered from the field after colliding with goalkeeper Fabiano.

The second half was barely two minutes in when Porto finally made their superiority tell and the impressive Brahimi was once again central.

The Algeria playmaker battled his way past two defenders on the left flank and teed up Herrera on the edge of the area, with the Mexican curling an unstoppable drive beyond Vaclik.

Porto's third arrived 10 minutes into the second period and it was another exquisite effort, this time courtesy of Casemiro, who ruthlessly smashed his 30-yard free-kick into the top-left corner.

And a night of stunning efforts in Portugal was capped by Aboubakar racing clear and hammering a right-footed effort into the top corner from 20 yards, securing a quarter-final spot for only the second time since Porto's trophy-winning campaign of 2003-04 as Basel's woeful outing was compounded by Samuel's late dismissal for two bookings.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Porto want to reach Champions League final, says Herrera

Porto midfielder Hector Herrera says his side are aiming to reach the Champions League final after securing a place in the last eight with a 4-0 win over Basel.

The Dragao outfit have not reached the quarter-finals since 2008-09, when they were eliminated by Manchester United, but redressed that record with a 4-0 victory over the Swiss titleholders on Tuesday that saw them through 5-1 on aggregate.

The Mexico international, who scored his side's second goal in the rout, was enthused by Porto's progression but is far from satisfied.

"We have achieved a beautiful goal and it's very important for the players and for the club to be among the top eight teams in Europe," he is quoted as saying by Record.

"We must continue to work in this way to stay in the competition. We're not only thinking of the quarter-finals, we're thinking of reaching the final.

"We started strong and focused, confident and certain in what we wanted to do. This team has been working well. We knew that we must always be at 100 per cent, with balance, for these kinds of games.

"In the Champions League, any team can surprise you."