..::Football III::..

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Besiktas 1-3 Club Brugge (agg 2-5): Treble-chasing Belgians eliminate Bilic's men

Club Brugge kept their dreams of achieving a treble in 2014-15 by beating Besiktas 3-1 on Thursday, winning the Europa League last-16 tie 5-2 on aggregate.

After coming from behind to win the first leg 2-1, the Belgian outfit produced another display of determination to fight back from a goal down at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium and reach the last eight of Europe for the first time since 1995.

Michel Preud'homme's men looked to be heading out when Ramon levelled the tie at 2-2 in the 48th minute, putting Besiktas ahead on the night and on away goals in stunning fashion.The Brazilian left-back found the top-right corner with a magnificent effort from 30 yards to give Slaven Bilic's men the advantage in Istanbul.

Yet they were pegged back by a cool Tom De Sutter finish 13 minutes later, the striker racing through before beating Tolga Zengin one-on-one.

And the tie was ended when substitute Bolin Bolingoli netted a late double before Besiktas midfielder Olcay Sahan was sent off as Brugge kept their hopes of a repeat of their run to the 1976 final very much alive.

Brugge saw an early chance go to waste when De Sutter broke clear in the fifth minute, only for his near-post effort to be turned wide by Zengin.

Gokhan Tore then drew a low stop from Mathew Ryan at the other end with a shot from the edge of the area, before De Sutter spurned another good opportunity by heading wide from Laurens De Bock's left-wing cross.

Besiktas dominated possession without really threatening the visiting defence, with Demba Ba's powerful off-target strike late in the first half summing up a disappointing opening 45 minutes.

But Besiktas frustration turned to ecstasy just three minutes after the restart, when Ramon broke the deadlock with a stunning left-footed drive that left Ryan helpless.Zengin was fortunate not to gift the initiative back to Brugge when his clearance bounced off De Sutter and wide of the goal moments later.

However, after Mustafa Pektemek had blazed over at the other end, De Sutter finally got his goal as he latched on to Timmy Simons' header forward and confidently slotted home.

Besiktas pressed to try to force the tie into extra time but with the play stretched Bolingoli took advantage by rounding Zengin and rolling the ball into the empty net 10 minutes from time.

Bolingoli dispossessed Necip Uysal and stroked beyond Zengin in the 90th minute to add further gloss to an excellent away performance, with Sahan then dismissed in added time for lashing out at Obbi Oulare.

 

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Sevilla 2-1 Villarreal (agg 5-2): Suarez seals progression against 10-man visitors

Sevilla have kept the defence of their Europa League crown alive following a 2-1 win over Villarreal on Thursday and a 5-2 aggregate triumph.

Leading 3-1 from the first leg, Unai Emery's men were rarely troubled and their progression was never in doubt once captain Vicente Iborra rolled into an unguarded net.

Giovani dos Santos netted a stunning free kick to give Villarreal something to shout about with 17 minutes to go.

But the hosts were effective on the counter and Denis Suarez's header killed off any visiting hopes of a memorable comeback, after Villarreal defender Eric Bailly had been shown a second yellow card.

A fifth-straight win in this season's competition has the holders looking in good shape, but Villarreal will have a chance for revenge when they host an immediate rematch in this weekend's La Liga action.

Sevilla failed to replicate the blistering start they made to last week's first leg when they took the lead after just 13 seconds, but they still looked the more purposeful during the early exchanges at a rain-lashed Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Iborra twice going close.

Mario Gaspar and Tomas Pina mustered Villarreal efforts on goal, both of which were comfortably dealt with by Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico.

The visitors did start to force their way into the game as the half wore on, but they continued to look vulnerable out wide and only a last-ditch intervention from Ivorian defender Bailly prevented Sevilla from taking the lead just before the break.

With the hosts content to sit back and hit on the counter, Villarreal found it increasingly difficult to find a way through in the second half and, when Mario and Pina did manage to find another sight of goal, Rico was again equal to their efforts.

As they continued to commit bodies forward in a desperate attempt to salvage their European dream, Marcelino's men inevitably left gaps at the back and they were hit with a classic sucker-punch on 69 minutes.

Colombian striker Carlos Bacca has been Sevilla's main goalscorer this season, but he turned provider on this occasion, timing his run perfectly as the visitors' defence pushed up and then squaring unselfishly for Iborra to side-foot home from close range.

To their credit, Villarreal responded almost immediately, Dos Santos bending a superb free kick around the wall and into the far corner of Rico's net.

But it came too late in the day to be anything more than a consolation for the men in yellow, especially when the overworked Bailly received his marching orders after tangling with Iborra on 75 minutes.

Substitute Suarez iced the cake for Sevilla when he headed home their second goal 10 minutes later, confirming a place in the last eight for the Andalusians and striking a potentially significant psychological blow ahead of their crunch La Liga clash with the same opponents this coming weekend.

 

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Inter 1-2 Wolfsburg (agg 2-5): Bendtner sends Mancini's men packing

Wolfsburg completed a commanding aggregate win over Inter as they won 2-1 at San Siro on Thursday to seal a 5-2 last-16 triumph.

Dieter Hecking's men, who sit second in the Bundesliga table, appear set for Champions League football next season but qualified for the last eight of Europe's second-tier competition on Thursday for the first time since 2009.

The German side, who came from behind to win last week's first leg 3-1, took a 24th-minute lead through Daniel Caligiuri.

Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was on top form throughout the contest at San Siro, although he was finally beaten 19 minutes from time by Inter forward Rodrigo Palacio.

But substitute Nicklas Bendtner had the final word for the visitors, lashing in on the turn with a minute to play and ensuring Inter's winless run extended to five matches.

The Italian giants lie eighth in Serie A and have a serious battle on their hands to be involved in any sort of European football next season.

Coach Roberto Mancini kept faith with Juan Pablo Carrizo despite the goalkeeper being at least partly responsible for all three of Wolfsburg's first-leg goals.

Inter - who left Xherdan Shaqiri on the bench as he battles a thigh complaint - saw Hernanes' fierce effort well saved by Benaglio in the fifth minute.

At the other end, Carrizo had to be alert, rushing off his line to claw the ball from the feet of Bas Dost after the forward's heavy first touch.

Mancini called for a rousing atmosphere and the Inter fans delivered as their team began to grow into the game, with Mauro Icardi ballooning over before he drew another good stop from Benaglio.

But Wolfsburg, who remained a threat on the counter, scored a crucial away goal in the 24th minute when Kevin De Bruyne skipped down the left and centred for Caligiuri.

The midfielder's shot hit Carrizo's legs and looped into the net in agonising fashion for the hosts as the Bundesliga team moved three goals in front on aggregate.

Both sides had their keepers to thank as half-time approached, with first Carrizo keeping out an excellent curling Caligiuri effort before Benaglio made himself big to deny Fredy Guarin.

Wolfsburg could have doubled their lead six minutes after the break when De Bruyne broke free but his attempted square ball for Dost was cut off by Carrizo.

The ex-Chelsea man also shot wide, while Inter continued to be thwarted by Benaglio, who made a fine stop with his feet to deny Palacio before Hernanes missed the target.

Inter did get a goal in the 71st minute, as Palacio volleyed in Hernanes' lobbed pass, but Wolfsburg were never in danger of a late collapse and they secured their progression in style as fellow sub Maximilian Arnold set up Bendtner to finish emphatically.

 

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Wolfs la meh sare hoda place 1kakata enawa​

 

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Dynamo Kiev 5-2 Everton (agg 6-4): Yarmolenko & Co. send Toffees crashing out of Europe

Everton were comprehensively dismantled as Dynamo Kiev fought back from a 2-1 first-leg defeat to reach the Europa League quarter-finals, winning 5-2 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate.

Though Andriy Yarmolenko opened the scoring with a phenomenal dipping shot midway through the first half, Romelu Lukaku got one back for Roberto Martinez's side with a similarly impressive effort from the edge of the area.

But Everton's defence was thereafter repeatedly exposed, with Lukasz Teodorczyk and Miguel Veloso scoring a quickfire double to ensure that the tie was firmly in the hosts' favour at half-time.

Things did not look up for the Toffees in the second half, with Oleg Gusev putting another past Tim Howard with his second bite of the apple shortly after the restart. Antunes then compounded Everton's misery with a fine goal from long range.

Phil Jagielka got one back when he headed in a late corner but it was too little, too late for the Merseysiders, whose exit marked the end of Premier League representation in this season's competition.

Gusev and Antunes had early efforts on goal for Dynamo and it was no surprise to see the home side take a 21st-minute lead through the excellent Yarmolenko. The forward was afforded too much time and space and took advantage by cutting inside Gareth Barry before smashing past goalkeeper Tim Howard with his left foot from distance.

His outstanding strike brought the match to life and Everton almost mustered a quick response when Ross Barkley dragged a left-footed strike against the right post, while Yarmolenko was only denied a second by an excellent reaction save from Howard.

Martinez's side regained their aggregate lead just before the half-hour mark, though, as Lukaku pounced on a loose ball, took a touch and curled into the left corner from outside the penalty area for his eighth Europa League goal in five matches.

Dynamo's response was superb, however, as Poland forward Teodorczyk - one of three changes the hosts made from the away leg - scored from close range in the 35th minute. Gusev's ball into the penalty area from the left hit Yarmolenko but Teodorczyk reacted quicker than both Seamus Coleman and Antolin Alcaraz, sweeping home from seven yards.

A shell-shocked Everton then conceded again just two minutes later, as Veloso beat Alcaraz to win a hopeful long ball. Jagielka intervened but could only nod the ball back into the path of the Portuguese, who saw his shot from the edge of the penalty area deflect off the onrushing Coleman, over a helpless Howard, and in.

Still trailing by only one goal on aggregate, Everton sat back at the start of the second half, knowing just how crucial another away goal could be.

But, as a result, they invited Dynamo pressure and Serhiy Sydorchuk took advantage, skipping down the right before cutting back for Gusev who, although his initial effort was blocked by Coleman, reacted swiftly to tuck away the rebound via the right post.

Everton threw bodies forward after falling two behind as Christian Atsu drew an excellent save from Dynamo goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskiy, while Barkley was again denied by the woodwork.

Lukaku and Leon Osman had penalty claims waved away before Antunes provided yet another highlight for the hosts when he hammered a strike into the top-right corner from distance.

And that meant that Jagielka's late header - which came just after Yarmolenko hit the post - was no more than a small source of joy for the frustrated travelling fans, who were left to rue Everton's sloppy defending.

 

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Roma 0-3 Fiorentina (agg 1-4): Garcia's side implode as Viola reach last eight

Roma's season took another turn from bad to worse as they suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Fiorentina to crash out of the Europa League on Thursday.

Rudi Garcia's draw specialists held a slender edge over their Serie A counterparts after claiming a 1-1 scoreline in first leg of the last-16 tie but that was obliterated amid a shambolic first-half display.

Gonzalo Rodriguez opened the scoring from the penalty spot and defensive errors allowed Marcos Alonso and Jose Basanta to put Fiorentina 3-0 up, effectively ending the tie after 22 minutes.

On the back of a 2-0 league reverse at home to Sampdoria over the weekend and having last witnessed a victory on home turf in November, the Roma support that remained in the ground after the early collapse made their displeasure clear.

The iconic Curva Sud became virtually deserted, as the club's ultras used their feet to display their anger.

Fiorentina, who were also winners at the Olimpico in the Coppa Italia last month, were left to reflect on a clinical evening's work and an 11th consecutive unbeaten away outing in Europe, while Adem Ljajic's late dismissal rubbed salt in Roma's painful wounds.

Roma's away-goals advantage was wiped out early on as Jose Holebas foolishly went through the back of Matias Fernandez in the seventh minute, leaving referee Cuneyt Cakir with little option other than to point to the spot.

The Turkish official ordered Rodriguez to retake after converting his initial effort due to encroachment - Basanta collecting a booking that will rule him out of the quarter-final first-leg during the ensuing protests - but the former Villarreal man kept his cool to send Lukasz Skorupski the wrong way for a second time and open the scoring.

Roma chased the equaliser, but they soon fell further behind in farcical circumstances.

Skorupski rushed from his goal to stop a back-header from Vasilis Torosidis from going out of a corner, but in doing so palmed the ball the ball to Alonso, who dribbled towards an unguarded net to finish.

Basanta was then given ample room to plant home a header from Fernandez's right-wing corner and droves of Roma fans were streaming towards the exits.

Former Fiorentina man Ljajic led a futile bid for a home fightback, blasting at goalkeeper Neto from close range before curling over from outside the area and Borja Valero denied Roma a lifeline by clearing Miralem Pjanic's header from the goalmouth as home efforts became increasingly frantic.

Mohamed Salah hit the crossbar and post either side of Gervinho spurning a chance to tap into an open goal as the second half became more notable for the irate Roma fans blasting their team.

Ljajic's petty foul on the Egyptian earned him a late second yellow card to sum up a malaise and frustration surrounding Roma that does little for Garcia's long-term job prospects.

 

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Dinamo Moscow 0-0 Napoli (agg 1-3): Partenopei progress to Europa League quarter-finals

A two-goal first-leg cushion proved to be crucial for Napoli as an entertaining goalless draw at Dinamo Moscow ensured their progress to the Europa League quarter-finals.Having won 3-1 in Naples last week, Rafael Benitez's men saw out the job in Thursday's last-16 second leg at the Arena Khimki.

Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon hit the woodwork inside the opening quarter of an hour, which was as close as the Serie A side came to increasing their advantage.

The only thing missing from an end-to-end opening period was a goal, but Napoli were relieved to see two Dynamo efforts ruled out for offside - one of which for Christopher Samba may have been marginally onside.

With their lead still intact, Napoli appeared more content to sit back after the break and Kevin Kuranyi wasted a good chance for Dynamo to set up a nervy ending.

Napoli's progression will be a relief to Benitez, who had questioned his side's ability to challenge on three fronts following last weekend's 2-0 loss to Verona.
The Spaniard saw his side let Dynamo off the hook early on when Christian Maggio inexplicably failed to make clean contact with a header from Manolo Gabbiadini's corner when unmarked eight yards out.

Mertens was then desperately unlucky not to open the scoring when his dipping effort from 25 yards beat goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov, but crashed off the crossbar.

The visitors' pressure continued as Gabbiadini threaded a pass through to Callejon on the right of area and the Spaniard's placed effort across the goalkeeper hit the outside of the post.

Having rode their luck Dynamo thought they had taken the lead when Samba headed in Mathieu Valbuena's free-kick, only for the centre-back to be flagged for offside - with replays suggesting he may have been on.Dynamo had another goal chalked off when Aleksandr Kokorin chested past Mariano Andujar, but the striker was clearly in an offside position.

The hosts ended the half well and continued to probe after the break, with only a fine block from Raul Albiol denying Kokorin an effort on target after good link-up play with Kuranyi.

Albiol's defensive partner Miguel Britos then made a crucial interception from Alexander Buttner's cross with Kokorin ready to pounce.Napoli remained a threat, though, and Gonzalo Higuain - who scored a hat-trick in the first leg - ran on to a route one pass from Andujar before rounding the on-rushing Gabulov and chipping over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Kuranyi missed a great chance to bring Dynamo within one when he headed William Vainqueur's right-side cross over from eight yards with 20 minutes remaining.

With time running out Napoli controlled possession well and they could have stolen a win on the night when Callejon shot tamely at the goalkeeper having been played in by Marek Hamsik.

 

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Pochettino: Tottenham must prove Manchester United defeat was a one-off

Tottenham are ready to put right the wrongs from their defeat by Manchester United when they host Leicester City on Saturday, says Mauricio Pochettino.

A heavy 3-0 loss at Old Trafford dealt a blow to Spurs' top-four ambitions in the Premier League, leaving Pochettino baffled at their abject display.

"This week you don't need to speak too much; it's an easy week," the Tottenham boss told reporters. "We are all agreed about what happened at Old Trafford so it's easy to fix that.

"We are all disappointed after that game. We know how we need to change or to fix that and, for me, after nine months here, it has been one of the easier weeks.

"We need to show that it hasn't damaged us too much and to try to give our best and get the three points. It's important to fix many problems and try to show on Saturday against Leicester that it was only a temporary problem [against United]."

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson, meanwhile, urged his players not to give up on their survival bid but admits that they face a "big task" with only 10 games remaining of the season.

Pearson's side are seven points adrift of Sunderland, who are directly above the relegation zone, with a game in hand, having won just four times in the top flight following promotion from the Championship, but the Foxes boss takes hope from their six remaining home matches.

"There will be results that surprise people and we have to make sure some of those go our way rather than our other competitors," he remarked.

"We've got 10 games left, six at home. Our home form has not been what we would like but, if we get into the latter stages in contact, then we can be relatively positive.

"What's important going into the last 10 is the clarity within our ranks as to what we need to achieve. The priority for us is to improve home form.

"It's a big task for us and, with the points we have and the shift in form we have to achieve, I wouldn't be in any doubt that not many people will share my belief but it's important the players remain upbeat because 10 games left is a sizeable chunk of the season.

"We're in a difficult situation but we've still got games left and, ultimately, our results have to substantially improve.

"We've been competitive. If you saw us play every week, you wouldn't necessarily recognise us as a side propping up the table but that's the reality, that's life, there's no point sticking your head in the sand. We've 10 games left and we've got to do something about it."

 

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'I lost my head' - Villas-Boas apologises for touchline row

Andre Villas-Boas has apologised for a touchline row with the Torino bench after Zenit edged past the Serie A side to reach the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

The Russians reached the last eight of a European competition for the first time since 2008 - the year they won the old Uefa Cup – despite losing 1-0 to Torino in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

The 2-0 victory in the home leg proved decisive as Villas-Boas' men moved through 2-1 on aggregate, although there was a nervous moment when Fabio Quagliarella had an effort cleared off the line in stoppage time after Kamil Glik's 90th-minute opener.

Despite his side's progress, the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss was involved in an angry argument with the Torino bench at full-time, for which he moved to apologise after the game.

"I lost my head," Villas-Boas admitted to Sport Mediaset.

"I got it completely wrong and I apologise for my behaviour. I was angry with the Torino team manager, but it was not the behaviour of a coach and I am sorry."

On the match itself, the Portuguese tactician said it was not his intention to see his side play so defensively to hold on to their first-leg lead.

"It is not that we wanted to sit back that much, but we made mistakes when attacking and didn't make the most of the spaces," said Villas-Boas.

"We didn't play the way we intended to. Torino's pressing was more effective than in Russia and we were forced to play long balls from the goalkeeper.

"Defensively we did well and the goal we conceded at the end was a move out of desperation. Other than the final minutes, Zenit were pretty much in control throughout and our performance required character."

Torino coach Giampiero Ventura said the red card received by Marco Benassi early in the first leg in Russia had proven decisive to the tie's outcome.

"We pushed for 90 minutes, scored at the end, forced two goal-line clearances and had a goal disallowed," he said.

"If we had drawn the first leg 0-0 it would have been entirely understandable, but that red card ultimately proved decisive.

"I had already feared that the dismissal in the first leg would change the tie and in this game my theory was confirmed because Torino were entirely on a par with Zenit.

"I am sorry for the fans, as we saw the stadium packed and wanted to give them another great emotional night. We came close."

 

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Emery: Sevilla thrive in Europa League

Sevilla coach Unai Emery has lauded his team for continuing to thrive in the Europa League after they knocked out Villarreal on Thursday.

The reigning champions held the upper hand heading into the last-16 second leg on home turf having won the opening fixture 3-1 at El Madrigal, and Vicente Iborra made any comeback from Marcelino's men all the more unlikely by scoring in the 69th minute.

Giovani dos Santos triggered the possibility of a shock fightback with an equaliser on the night shortly afterwards, but Denis Suarez finished off the tie with seven minutes remaining to ensure their place in Friday's quarter-final draw.

Emery, who guided Sevilla to unlikely Europa League glory last year, is delighted his team are continuing their dream of replicating their back-to-back Uefa Cup triumphs in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

"We wanted to push the match in a way that we would become stronger as it wound onwards," he told Gol TV. "We lacked a bit of control - and the late absence of Ever Banega hurt us - but we stayed focused and waited for our chances to come.

"We hope to continue growing within Sevilla, continuing our evolution. The players are eager to grow as footballers and take the next step. These are the sort of games that we go into with great enthusiasm.

"We thrive in it and we're very happy right now. We don't care who we draw in the last eight in particular, we'll prepare for whoever we get and let the hype lift us."

Villarreal have an immediate opportunity to get revenge on their continental vanquishers as they host Sevilla on Sunday in La Liga.

 

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Mancini: Inter's Europa League exit all my fault

Roberto Mancini has insisted the blame for Inter's feeble exit from the Europa League to Wolfsburg on Thursday lies at his feet.

The Nerazzurri needed to overturn a 3-1 defeat from the first leg at the Volkswagen Arena but went behind after 24 minutes on home soil via the boot of Daniel Caligiuri.

Conceding first left Inter with the monumental task of scoring three goals to take the game to extra-time and, though Rodrigo Palacio's strike gave Mancini's men a faint glimmer of hope, Nicklas Bendtner wrapped up the result with a late half-volley.

The former Manchester City coach was keen to avoid making excuses and openly admitted that his team's defending is not up to scratch if they want to return to the elite of Italy or Europe.

"We must not concede goals, defending is the fundamental foundation," he told reporters in his post-match press conference. "The fault tonight is mine.

"Defence is the basis of everything: in Europe you can not give two chances and concede any goals in the first 20 minutes.

"We are as disappointed as the fans and they have every right to whistle at us. We had the chances to score more goals but, once we went behind, it became far more difficult.

"We never seem to end a match with a clean sheet. This alters how we can approach games right now. Unfortunately we keep making mistakes and conceding goals from them.

"Wolfsburg are a better team than us right now, but my regret is that we gave them too many chances on a silver platter over the two legs."

Hernanes echoed Mancini's suggestion that the fans were right to jeer them when full-time came at San Siro, with the defeat potentially signalling the last European game at the ground until at least 2016, with both Inter and AC Milan stuck in mid-table.

"It was not a nice end to our European journey," the Brazilian midfielder said. "The fans were right to whistle. We have been eliminated but now we need patience from supporters.

"We did our best, we tried to make the most of our opportunities, but clearly our best wasn't good enough. I'm sorry, at times like this we need to stand up straight and continue to try to put in good work."

Inter, who are winless in five games in all competitions, are back in action on Sunday at home to top-three challengers Sampdoria.

 

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Martinez: Everton defence not to blame for Dynamo Kiev hammering

Everton manager Roberto Martinez refuses to blame his defence for the Toffees' Europa League exit at the hands of Dynamo Kiev.

The Merseyside club held a slender 2-1 lead from the first leg at Goodison Park but were hammered 5-2 in Ukraine on Thursday to ensure that there are no English sides remaining in European competition this season.

Andriy Yarmolenko, Lukasz Teodorczyk, Miguel Veloso, Oleg Gusev and Antunes all breached Everton's back line as the home side ran riot but Martinez wants the whole team to take responsibility.

He told reporters: "The back five have been very strong in the last two games - the same back five only conceded one goal in the last two games from a corner in the first leg against Dynamo, and kept a clean sheet against Newcastle.

"I felt the communication experience between them would be important today. Both teams used the pitch in a good manner but the whole team didn't defend well enough.

"The second goal started from an attacking corner and sometimes those situations you can't completely control in the game. It wasn't a case of the personnel; I felt Dynamo built momentum with the home crowd and capitalised on that.

"A couple of times we made some defensive mistakes but there was also some incredible finishing from the opposition. Some of the goals, it would be difficult to see them again in the same game."

 

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Roma defeat is mortifying, says Garcia

Rudi Garcia described Roma's Europa League exit as "mortifying" and hopes that they can use the anger from the Fiorentina defeat on Thursday to turn their season around.

The Giallorossi have only won twice in the league since the turn of the year and were battered 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico by Vincenzo Montella's men, eliminating the last realistic chance of silverware they had in 2014-15 given Juventus' 14-point lead in Serie A.

The French coach has been under pressure due to Roma's poor results of late, with some even calling for him to resign with immediate effect after the 4-1 aggregate defeat in the last 16 of the Europa League, but he is defiant his team can use the result to galvanise themselves.

"It was a shock defeat," Garcia told Mediaset Premium. "Fiorentina deserve credit for making the most of our errors. I am mortified, though. We had the right desire, but we paid a heavy price for individual errors.

"Now we have to try to salvage the season by securing second place. If we qualify for the Champions League I think that it will be an acceptable campaign.

"There are 11 battles remaining in Serie A. It’s just the staff and the players. I will not let go of hope we can do it for a second - we have to lift our heads and get on with it, to use our anger positively. That's what I expect from my players.

"I spoke to them after the game. I told them that anyone with pride and character is welcome to follow me; anyone who is else will be left behind.

"I talk about character because some players seem to be afraid of playing at the Stadio Olimpico. We need our home ground to return to being a welcome venue for us."

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan also sought solace in the need to consolidate second place in Serie A, with arch-rivals Lazio just one point off them in third place and Napoli, Fiorentina and Sampdoria a further four points adrift.

"At the moment everything is going wrong for us," the Belgian told Gazzetta TV. "But we have not thrown everything away, we are still second in the league."

Only three teams in Italian football can reach the Champions League, with the top two being guaranteed a spot in the group stage and the third-place side needing to win a play-off clash for a place in the competition proper.

 

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England must not repeat Wilshere mistake with Kane, warns Arnesen

England could win the World Cup in the next decade if people stop putting pressure on young talents such as Tottenham striker Harry Kane, says former Spurs director of football Frank Arnesen.

Kane, who has scored 26 goals in all competitions this season, received his first call-up to Roy Hodgson's Three Lions squad for their European qualifier against Lithuania on March 27 and friendly fixture against Italy.

English pundits have waxed lyrical about the 21-year-old this term, with suggestions even that Hodgson should "build" his team around Kane coming from another former Spurs man, Danny Murphy.

However, Arnesen, speaking at the launch the world's first Sporting Director Global Summit, told reporters: "With Kane, it is fantastic that something can happen like this. To score 26 goals is a big surprise in his first year.

"But he has not played a [senior England] game yet. That is a bit of a problem in England. They put the English players under pressure.

"Ryan Giggs or Gareth Bale were a bit in the shadow playing for Wales but [Paul] Gascoigne, [Wayne] Rooney and [David] Beckham were put under extreme pressure, with people saying: 'You guys have to give us the World Cup and the European Championship.' It is very difficult to live up to and it's not fair.

"Harry Kane has shown in eight months that he is the real deal but to become a [saviour] figure?

"Look at Jack Wilshere. Two or three years ago, he was No.1. Come on, give them a break.

"You don't hear that in other countries. You go over the top. That is the problem with the British press. Take it easy. You can be a great player for Tottenham but to be a great international player takes time."

Arnesen also claimed that Football Association chairman Greg Dyke's declared aim of England winning the World Cup in 2022 was not fanciful.

"To go in and say 'we're not fooling around' is fantastic," said the Dane. "England are the richest federation, the richest football nation in the world with all the TV money. If used wisely, with the sporting tradition England has, it is not unrealistic.

"But you don't go from not being able to get to the semi-finals to be world champions. You need to come further than you are now in the European Championship before winning something but I like the way [Dyke] said 'this is my goal'."

 

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Kane form 1ke inna kalema England national team 1ke chance 1ka denna thiyenne​

 

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Van Gaal: Manchester United will be my last job in management

Louis van Gaal says that Manchester United will be his last job in management, and he insists he plans to leave the club on a high.

The 63-year-old began his managerial career in 1986 – as an assistant at AZ – and has won the league title in three separate nations: Netherlands, Spain and Germany.

Van Gaal hopes to add to his tally of trophies in England but insists that he will retire when he calls time on his tenure at United.

"I am also old. This is my last job. For sure," he told The Daily Telegraph. "I have to pay attention to my kids, my grandchildren but also to my wife. They deserve it. Now I cannot pay that attention. I was not at the birthday of my grandson for example. I don't like it."

United are currently fourth in the Premier League and lie eight points behind leaders Chelsea, though the Blues have a game in hand, and Van Gaal insists that the main aim this season is qualification for the Champions League.

Having spent over €200 million last summer, the Dutchman admits that such a league finish would make it easier to attract marquee players, thus fuelling a potential title charge in 2015-16.

"That's our goal, yes, and it depends on how we end this season," Van Gaal replied when asked if the club can win both the Premier League and the Champions League. "We have to qualify for the Champions League and we have many tests next year.

"That also develops the level of your team, and of course how many players can come in to improve our selection."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba sidelined for Juventus until May

Juventus have been dealt a blow to their European and domestic trophy hopes as midfielder Paul Pogba has been ruled out with a hamstring injury until May.

The 22-year-old has been a key part of the Bianconeri's incredible Serie A record in 2014-15 – they are 14 points clear and look certain to wrap up the Scudetto over the coming weeks.

With Champions League clashes and a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg at Fiorentina to come in the next month, however, Pogba's absence could hit their hopes of winning the treble hard before he returns for the final few matches of the season.

The France international limped off as Massimiliano Allegri's men breezed past Borussia Dortmund in the last-16 second leg and there were fears that a moderate spell on the sidelines could be on the cards.

Those fears have proven to be justified and Juventus - who signed Pogba as a teenager on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2012 - revealed the extent of his injury on Thursday.

"Paul Pogba, who was brought off during the first half of Dortmund-Juventus, has been medically examined," a statement on the club's website reads.

"Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the initial suspicion of a second-degree injury to Pogba's right hamstring. The recovery schedule for the midfielder is due to take 50 days."

If Juventus' timeline is accurate, Pogba will be fit to feature in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals should they reach the last four, although he is unlikely to be approaching full fitness until the middle of May.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Ronaldo should lose the cocky attitude' - Real Madrid legend Santillana

Real Madrid legend Carlos Santillana says Cristiano Ronaldo needs to lose his "cocky attitude" if he wants to retain the affection of the club's supporters.

Ronaldo has scored a staggering 293 goals in 285 games in all competitions since joining the Blancos from Manchester United in 2009 and last season he fired the Spanish side to a 10th European Cup.The Portugal international started 2014-15 in sensational form but his attitude and behaviour since the turn of the year has drawn a lot of criticism.

In particular, his decision to go ahead with his 30th birthday party celebrations just hours after the 4-0 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid upset some fans and reportedly some team-mates.

Santillana, who spent 17 years at the Santiago Bernabeu during his playing days, thinks Ronaldo should not be whistled by Madrid fans but should at least act less arrogantly if he truly wants to be embraced.

"Sometimes I don't like his attitude," the former striker told reporters on Thursday.
"It is something that Real Madrid's fans don't like, so imagine what rival fans think of him."We don't have to boo him, but he should correct his cocky attitude."

Ronaldo will be hoping to get Madrid supporters back on his side when Carlo Ancelotti's side face Barcelona in a crucial top-of-the-table clash with the Liga leaders at Camp Nou on Sunday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

2022 World Cup final confirmed for December 18

The 2022 World Cup final in Qatar will take place on December 18, Fifa’s Executive Committee has confirmed.

Concerns over the intense summer heat in the Arab nation forced the world governing body to set up a task force looking into a revised schedule, moving the tournament away from its traditional June-July time slot.

But while the task force suggested a final on December 23, the ExCo has announced that the showpiece will take place five days earlier to fall in line with Fifa president Sepp Blatter’s suggestion.

“The World Cup will not go on until the 23rd, definitely not, we have to stop at the 18th,” Blatter said at February’s International Football Association Board AGM. “I am against going to the 23rd.

Fifa also confirmed it is committed to fitting the tournament into a 28-day format as opposed to the standard 31-32 day duration in order to cause as little disruption as possible to domestic schedules.

"The Executive Committee today confirmed that the 2022 Fifa World Cup will be staged in November/December with the final to be on December 18, 2022, Qatar’s National Day," said a Fifa statement.

"In principle, it was agreed that the tournament should be played over a reduced timeframe, for instance 28 days.

"The working group for the international match calendar will meet in due course to finalise the international match calendar for the 2019-2022 cycle."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

FA confirm Arsenal cup semi-final date

Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final with Reading will be played on Saturday April 18 at 17:20 GMT, the Football Association (FA) have announced.

The Gunners' clash with Steve Clarke's side at Madejski Stadium will be followed by Aston Villa's meeting with either Liverpool or Blackburn Rovers on Sunday April 19 at 3pm.

Arsene Wenger's men are looking to defend the trophy they won in May and have so far beaten Hull, Brighton and Hove Albion, Middlesbrough and Manchester United to book their date with the Royals, who have defeated Bradford City, Sunderland, Derby, Cardiff and Huddersfield.

Liverpool, meanwhile, were frustrated by Blackburn in their sixth round tie, playing out a 0-0 draw at Anfield with the Championship side.

The Reds will head to Ewood Park for the replay on April 8 and will face Tim Sherwood's side if they can overcome their lower-league opponents, with Villa having defeated Midlands rivals West Brom in the quarter-finals.