..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Mandzukic: Carvajal didn't bite me

Atletico Madrid forward Mario Mandzukic has dismissed reports that Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal tried to bite him during Tuesday's Champions League clash at the Vicente Calderon.

The two were shown coming together in the Blancos box during the second half of the 0-0 draw in the Spanish capital and it was subsequently suggested that Carvajal had sunk his teeth into the Croatia international.

Dani Carvajal promptly took to Twitter to protest his innocence, writing: "I saw that after the game I was accused of biting an opposition player. Let me make clear that I have not bitten anyone, nor did I attempt to do so."

That did not stop speculation of an imminent Uefa investigation into the incident but Mandzukic has now come out in the Madrid full-back's defence.

"Yesterday's match was very hard and both teams gave everything," he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. "But, for me, there was no controversy: no bite, no nothing."

Mandzukic had also been at the centre of the game's other controversial clash, with the former Bayern Munich man having been left with blood streaming down his face after being caught by the flailing arm of Sergio Ramos as the two competed for a cross to the back post six minutes into the second half.

The Atleti attacker appeared to suggest at the time that he had been deliberately elbowed by the Spain centre-half but has now clearly drawn a line under both incidents ahead of next week's return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Minor' referees shouldn't get big matches - Miranda

Atletico Madrid defender Miranda has slammed the performance of "minor" referee Milorad Mazic in the 0-0 draw with Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The Serbian official made several controversial decisions in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between the two Madrid clubs in another competitive meeting between the sides.

Mazic decided not to punish Blancos defender Sergio Ramos for an alleged elbow on Mario Mandzukic that left the striker with blood pouring from a cut near his eye.

Miranda believes that referees from "minor" leagues should not be allowed to officiate major Champions League ties and says the tie could go either way in the second leg."I won't talk about referee, but I think referees from minor leagues should not be in charge of this kind of game," he is quoted as saying by AS.

"We had chances to win but Madrid also had theirs. We had a very bad first half and we were better in the second."Now we have to go get the win [in the second leg]. It's a tough game and we will go for the win. We can qualify by scoring a goal."

Atletico meet Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu at 20:45CET on April 22.

 

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Blind: Manchester United will challenge for the title next season

Daley Blind says Manchester United are ready to challenge for the Premier League title next season ahead of their clash with leaders Chelsea on Saturday.

United sit third in the table after a commanding 4-2 win over reigning champions and local rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

That result continued an impressive run of six consecutive league victories which has seen Louis van Gaal's side take maximum points from their games against Tottenham and Liverpool.

A place in the top four and a return to the Champions League next season now appears a formality with United eight points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge.

Asked whether his side could challenge for the title next season, Blind replied: “I think Manchester United is always a club that is fighting for the title, so it’s an easy answer.

“You want to do better every time and if you see how we play, I think we have improved a lot.

“We are still improving and we really are one team, which is an important thing. We have to go on this way and keep in our mind that every game is a final.”

The midfielder, who has more recently been operating as a left-back, added that United will not be distracted by Chelsea's charge towards the Premier League title this season.

He continued: “We don’t have to watch for Chelsea. We have to watch for our own games. We have to look at ourselves. Every game is a final until the end and we have to believe in ourselves.”

The Dutchman also played down the significance of the dominant derby display on Sunday, but enjoyed his first taste of victory against rivals City.

“Of course other teams were watching it, but we have to watch ourselves this season, watch our own games, focus on that and then we will see where it ends.

“It’s a great feeling, of course. A derby is always special. When we win a game like this, it’s special. It’s a great feeling.”

 

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UEFA Europa League Quarter-Finals 1st Leg Fixtures 2015.04.16

UEFA Europa League Quarter-Finals 1st Leg Fixtures 2015.04.16

Sevilla Vs Zenit

Club Brugge Vs Dnipro

Wolfsburg Vs Napoli

Dynamo Kyiv Vs Fiorentina

​

 

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Mandzukic: Carvajal didn't bite me

Atletico Madrid forward Mario Mandzukic has dismissed reports that Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal tried to bite him during Tuesday's Champions League clash at the Vicente Calderon.

The two were shown coming together in the Blancos box during the second half of the 0-0 draw in the Spanish capital and it was subsequently suggested that Carvajal had sunk his teeth into the Croatia international.

Dani Carvajal promptly took to Twitter to protest his innocence, writing: "I saw that after the game I was accused of biting an opposition player. Let me make clear that I have not bitten anyone, nor did I attempt to do so."

That did not stop speculation of an imminent Uefa investigation into the incident but Mandzukic has now come out in the Madrid full-back's defence.

"Yesterday's match was very hard and both teams gave everything," he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. "But, for me, there was no controversy: no bite, no nothing."

Mandzukic had also been at the centre of the game's other controversial clash, with the former Bayern Munich man having been left with blood streaming down his face after being caught by the flailing arm of Sergio Ramos as the two competed for a cross to the back post six minutes into the second half.

The Atleti attacker appeared to suggest at the time that he had been deliberately elbowed by the Spain centre-half but has now clearly drawn a line under both incidents ahead of next week's return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That's Spanish love

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Fiorentina: Babacar snatches priceless away goal

Khouma Babacar snatched a priceless away goal for Fiorentina as they drew 1-1 with Dynamo Kiev in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

It appeared as though Fiorentina's wastefulness would prove costly as Jeremain Lens' deflected effort put the hosts into a 1-0 half-time lead.

But Babacar, who replaced Mario Gomez in the 77th minute, provided a neat overhead finish in the second minute of injury time to earn a well-deserved draw.

Vincenzo Montella's men were seeking a swift response back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Juventus and Napoli that saw them eliminated from the Coppa Italia and their Champions League hopes severely damaged.

The Serie A side caused plenty of problems in the first half at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex, with Mohamed Salah and Matias Fernandez coming the closest.

It was Dynamo - who are unbeaten at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League - who led at the break, though, thanks to Lens' strike, which took a kind touch off Nenad Tomovic.

But it was not to be for Sergei Rebrov's side, as Babacar had the final say.

The home team were subject to a partial stadium ban due to racist behaviour of fans in the last round against Everton, but there was plenty of atmosphere in the Ukrainian capital.

Fiorentina looked to quieten the supporters and started much the brighter. The lively Salah led a three-on-two break before picking out Joaquin on the left, and he cut inside but saw his shot expertly blocked by the sliding Yevhen Khacheridi - the visitors' calls for a penalty falling on deaf ears.

Dynamo were dealt a blow when Vitorino Antunes limped off in the 24th minute, Salah shooting tamely at Oleksandr Shovkovskiy from a good position soon after.

Fiorentina continued to create the better chances and Fernandez played a neat one-two with Gomez before curling wide of the right-hand post from the edge of the penalty area.

The Italians' profligacy was punished as Dynamo broke the deadlock nine minutes before the break.

Lens cut in from the right and his speculative effort clipped the heel of Tomovic and looped over Norberto Neto in the Fiorentina goal.

The start of the second half saw Fiorentina once again look the more threatening, although their final delivery was letting them down.

Dynamo were perhaps lucky not to concede a penalty in the 58th minute when Borja Valero was bundled to ground by Domagoj Vida.

Valero then saw a header hit the outside of the post when he did well to turn Marcos Alonso's cross goalwards in the 76th minute.

But Fiorentina finally got the goal their play deserved when Dynamo failed to deal with Fernandez's cross from the right and Babacar took advantage of the uncertain defending to hook the ball into the net from point-blank range.

 

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Sevilla 2-1 Zenit: Suarez the hero as holders complete turnaround

Sevilla came from behind to defeat Zenit 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

The reigning champions fell behind to Alexander Ryazantsev's 29th-minute opener at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Thursday and for a long while looked set to face the prospect of having to overhaul a deficit in Russia next week.

Unai Emery's men - perhaps fatigued from coming from 2-0 down to snatch a point against Liga leaders Barcelona on Saturday - struggled to find the final pass and were frustrated by a well-organised Zenit side.

But Carlos Bacca - introduced with 26 minutes remaining - nodded in a 73rd-minute equaliser before Barcelona loanee Denis Suarez struck a stunning volley to settle the contest.

Suarez's thumping 87th-minute strike came from outside the penalty area and sparked wild celebrations as Sevilla grabbed a late win that gives them the upper hand heading into next Thursday's second leg.

Zenit - who were without Russian Premier League top scorer Hulk and first-team regulars Danny, Domenico Criscito and Igor Smolnikov through suspension - do have an all-important away goal to their name, though.

Sevilla controlled the early stages but it was the visitors who created the first real opening when Oleg Shatov saw a fierce effort saved by Sergio Rico.

Shatov's chance spurred Zenit on and Ryazantsev was only inches away from giving them a 19th-minute lead when he nodded Milan Rodic's excellent cross just wide.

Ryazantsev did get the opener 10 minutes later, though, with a superb follow-up effort delighting the small group of travelling supporters.

He cut in from the left wing and initially shot with his right foot at Rico, who could only parry in his direction, and Ryazantsev surged past Nicolas Pareja before firing the rebound into the roof of the net on his left foot.

Emery made two half-time substitutions in a bid to liven his side, as Suarez and Stephane M'Bia replaced Coke and Vicente Iborra.

And the changes made an early impact as M'Bia only just missed a low cross from Aleix Vidal on the right.

Suarez was closer to an equaliser in the 65th minute when he wriggled his way past two defenders and beat Zenit goalkeeper Yuri Lodygin with a left-footed strike, only for defender Ezequiel Garay to block his effort at the near post.

But it was another substitute who levelled proceedings, as Bacca nodded in from three yards following Vidal's superb delivery.

Vidal beat Garay to cross from the byline and Bacca met it sweetly, as Nicolas Lombaerts - stood on the goalline - could only watch it fly in.

Sevilla were buoyed by the goal and Grzegorz Krychowiak shot over with an overhead kick, before Suarez made his telling contribution, reading M'Bia's header before thrashing into the bottom-left corner in style.

The hosts could have even scored a third, with Neto clearing a late Bacca effort as they finished strongly.

 

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Club Brugge 0-0 Dnipro: Stalemate in Belgium leaves tie on a knife-edge

Club Brugge and Dnipro played out a 0-0 draw in Belgium on Thursday to leave their Europa League quarter-final poised on a knife-edge.

Michel Preud'homme's Brugge are chasing an unprecedented treble as they sit at the top of their domestic league having already won the Belgian Cup against Anderlecht last month.

But they will have to retain their interest in continental glory with a positive result in Ukraine next week, against opponents who produced the sharper work this time out.

Dnipro enjoyed the better of the first half, although Jose Izquierdo should have given Brugge a 27th-minute lead.

Clear chances remained elusive after the break, with Dnipro unable to find the away goal that would have aided their quest to reach a first Uefa semi-final.

Brugge headed into the game unbeaten in a Europa League campaign that began against Brondby in July, but their visitors made a confident start.

Dnipro captain Ruslan Rotan spurned a good chance to put his team in front when lofted over from Valeriy Luchkevych's 10th-minute cutback.

At the other end, Izquierdo skipped past a pair of challenges and saw his curling shot deflected behind.

Yevhen Konoplyanka was at the heart of much of Dnipro's early impressive work and he drove at the home defence before unleashing a blocked shot that prompted a penalty box scramble.

The game's first clear opening fell Brugge's way as Obbi Oulare - preferred to Tom De Sutter in attack - dropped deep to thread a superb throughball into Izquierdo's path. The winger broke free of the Dnipro defence but goalkeeper Denys Boyko stood firm to deny him.

Brugge midfielder Victor Vazquez sent a vicious, dipping long-range shot just over in the 38th minute before Luchkevych and Nikola Kalinic wasted headed chances for Dnipro to make their superiority count.

Preud'homme's men began the second period with greater intent and Davy de Fauw - who endured a torrid first half defensively - was left unattended to head a 47th-minute corner wide.

Dnipro showed their prowess on the break a few moments later but Kalinic could not make contact with Rotan's cross-shot.

A flurry of yellow cards either side of the hour hindered the game's flow but both teams pressed gamely for the breakthrough - making light of their respective pre-match injury struggles.

Rotan came close to finding it once more, with Brugge's Mat Ryan grasping his 77th-minute header at the second attempt.

That chance was crafted by another brilliant run from Konoplyanka and the playmaker was twice denied the goal his efforts deserved by Ryan in the closing minutes as an increasingly ragged Brugge held on.

 

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Wolfsburg 1-4 Napoli: Higuain and Hamsik inspire emphatic win on Benitez's birthday

Gonzalo Higuain and Marek Hamsik inspired Napoli to a 4-1 demolition of Wolfsburg in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

Goals from Higuain, Manolo Gabbiadini and two from Hamsik put the Italian side firmly in control of their quarter-final, and gave Rafa Benitez plenty to celebrate on his 55th birthday.

Higuain broke the deadlock with a contentious strike after 15 minutes, before turning provider for Hamsik to double Napoli's advantage in the first half.

Hamsik then added a second just after the hour following calamitous defending from Josuha Guilavogui, with substitute Gabbiadini adding a fourth with 13 minutes to play.

Nicklas Bendtner pulled one back for the Bundesliga side late on, but they face an uphill struggle to make the semi-finals when they travel to Naples on April 23.

A positive start from the hosts saw Kevin De Bruyne and Bas Dost cause problems, with the latter denied by Faouzi Ghoulam's crucial interception after 10 minutes.

Despite their early pressure, Wolfsburg found themselves behind five minutes later - albeit in controversial circumstances.

A diagonal pass from Dries Mertens was brought down by Higuain, seemingly with the aid of his arm, and the striker profited with a neat finish into the top-left corner.

The Argentina international was again influential midway through the opening half, taking a pass from Christian Maggio 30 yards from goal before delivering a sensational pass behind the Wolfsburg defence for Hamsik to stroke home.

Wolfsburg managed to regain some of their composure before the break, and went agonisingly close to halving the deficit when Andre Schurrle's drive was tipped onto the crossbar by Mariano Andujar in stoppage time.

Higuain should have extended Napoli's lead three minutes after the break having been spun away from two defenders, but Diego Benaglio made a superb stop having raced off his line.

A third was not too far away, though, with Guilavogui guilty of handing a goal to the visitors.

Jose Callejon anticipated an under-hit pass and raced onto the loose ball. He then delivered a low cross for Hamsik and the Slovakia international made no mistake from seven yards.

Substitute Ivan Perisic attempted to get the hosts back into the game as he found room 35 yards out, but his ambitious drive was wide of goal.

While Wolfsburg were wasteful, Napoli were thoroughly efficient and they added a fourth after 77 minutes as Gabbiadini drifted away from two defenders to head Lorenzo Insigne's cross under Benaglio's foot.

There was time for a late consolation for Dieter Hecking's side as Bendnter tapped home after excellent work by Perisic, giving Wolfsburg a glimmer of hope.

 

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'Difficult to keep Manchester United target Clyne,' says Koeman

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman admits the club will find it "difficult" to keep Manchester United target Nathaniel Clyne at the club this summer.

Goal understands that Louis van Gaal has recently stepped up his efforts to lure Clyne to Old Trafford, with the club willing to pay £25 million (€35m) to acquire his signature, while Javier Hernandez has also been mooted as a potential makeweight in any part-exchange deal .

Clyne revealed earlier this week that he wants to play Champions League football and Koeman admits that he faces a battle to convince the 24-year-old to remain at St Mary's.

"It's up to the press how they take that kind of comments. I would like to play in the Champions League as well, it's the aspiration for every player, it's a normal aspiration," he told reporters.

"If you don't mention that there's something wrong. We're discussing with his agent to keep Clyney at the club. We know it's difficult because I read in the press that there's interest."

Southampton retain a slim hope of qualifying for the Champions League this season and sit sixth, just five points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City, and Koeman hopes that securing a top-four finish will convince Clyne to stay.

"Maybe that can be an influence in his final decision," he added.

"I think always players need to have aspirations. We hope one day we'll compare to the big ones."

Champions City have lost three of their past four league matches, but Koeman believes Manuel Pellegrini's men remain favourites to clinch fourth-place.

"The door is always a little bit open. It's difficult because even if Man City have been struggling in recent weeks with results they have now two home games and they have enough quality to be in the top four," the Dutchman said.

"If we win all of [our games] it's a big chance to finish fourth in the league, but to win all the last six games is difficult."

 

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Klopp: No applause when I told players of Dortmund departure

Outgoing Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed that there was no applause of appreciation when he informed his players that he would be quitting at the end of the season - and that he was enthused by such professionalism.

It was announced on Wednesday that the 47-year-old coach and BVB had mutually agreed to an early termination of his contract, which had been scheduled to run until 2018.

Despite reports of dressing-room disharmony at Signal Iduna Park, Klopp explained that he no longer felt that he was the right man for Dortmund, who are currently languishing in 10th place in the Bundesliga, but added that his commitment will not waver between now and the end of the season.

Furthermore, the former Mainz man does not want his imminent exit to distract his troops from finishing a hitherto disappointing campaign strongly, so he was glad that they have already turned their attention to Saturday's clash with Paderborn.
“Today it was training as usual," he stated on Thursday. "When I told the team [of my decision], there was no applause.

“I am not on a farewell tour and I expect a fully competitive atmosphere on Saturday.“It is a normal football game on Saturday that, however, is extremely important for both of us."

Despite their poor campaign, Dortmund are just six points off a Europa League qualification place, while struggling Paderborn currently occupy the relegation play-off berth.

 

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Koke: Mandzukic deserves credit for defending Carvajal over bite claim

Koke believes that Atletico Madrid team-mate Mario Mandzukic deserves credit for defending Dani Carvajal over claims that the Real Madrid defender bit the striker during Tuesday's Champions League clash.

Uefa looked set to open an inquiry into images of Carvajal seemingly moving his mouth towards Mandzukic's outstretched arm during the second half of the 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon.

However, the Croatia international promptly defused the situation by taking to Twitter the following morning to say: "There was no controversy: no bite, no nothing."Koke feels that Mandzukic should be lauded for his old-school attitude to on-field clashes.

"It's to Mandzu's credit that he did what he did, by saying there was no bite," the midfielder is quoted as saying by AS. "I think it's great he came out in [Carvajal's] defence."There's no point in going on about it. What happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch."

Koke is instead looking forward to next week's second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, believing that Atletico still have every chance of progressing to the semi-finals thanks to the away-goals rule."There are no favourites, but if there were it would be Madrid," the Spain international added. "They won the competition last year and they're playing at home.

"But we're still in it. We'll give it everything to go through. It's 0-0 and they're in front of their own fans but, at the end of the day, it's 11 against 11 and if we score it'll count as double."From the first leg we learned that they will come out with a lot of intensity, as we saw during the first half.

"In the second half we were able to match that intensity. They are a great team and we will have to come out as strong as them or even more so."

 

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Wenger: Rosicky & Arteta will stay at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger believes Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky will remain at Arsenal beyond this season.

The long-serving duo see their contracts expire this summer and although they have been linked with moves away from the Emirates Stadium, Wenger says he expects both to stay.

Despite revealing he wanted to leave the Gunners in January, Rosicky has featured prominently in the second half of the season, prompting talk of a new deal that would see him complete 10 years at Arsenal.

And, asked whether he felt Rosicky and Arteta would remain at the club, Wenger told reporters: "I think yes. That'll be sorted out at the end of May."

Arteta sustained a serious ankle injury in November and has not played for the Gunners since the 2-0 Champions League group stage win over Borussia Dortmund.

And although the 33-year-old is back playing for the Arsenal Under-21s as he aims to regain full fitness, Wenger says he is not yet ready for first-team football.

"Arteta is out and Chamberlain is not available for selection. Everybody else is alright. Ox out for 2 weeks," he added.

The Gunners face Reading in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley this Saturday.

 

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Martinez hints at Everton interest in Cleverley

Roberto Martinez has hinted at interest in bringing Tom Cleverley to Everton, despite the Manchester United midfielder's current loan deal with Aston Villa.

Cleverley, who previously played under Martinez on loan at Wigan, will become a free agent at the end of the season when his contract with the 13-time Premier League champions expires.

Tim Sherwood has reportedly been impressed by Cleverley since taking charge at Villa Park but Martinez refused to rule out a move for the 13-time England international come the summer.

"We know the situation with Tom," he told reporters. "He's a player that I know well and have worked with him.

"At the moment he's fighting for something very important and is trying to achieve the aim for his club.

"Obviously that deserves respect. I wouldn't expect anybody to speak about my players and I would never do that [to anyone else]."

 

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Cavani: I'm staying at PSG

Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani has insisted he has no plans to leave the club at the end of the season.

The Uruguay international has often played in a wide role since moving to France from Napoli in the summer of 2013 and subsequently struggled to find his best form.

The former Palermo star operated in his preferred role as a centre forward in the absence of the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Wednesday night, but still put in another disappointing showing.Cavani missed several good opportunities as PSG fell to a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final and appeared desperately short of confidence.

His continued struggles have seen him linked with Juventus and several Premier League sides recently but the 28-year-old has again looked to distance himself from talk of a summer exit.

"There's too much talk about my future," he told Sky Sport."I'll stay here and respect my contract and think about doing well for PSG."

Cavani has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season including two in the 4-0 Coupe de la Ligue final win over Bastia last Saturday.

 

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Wenger: I want Walcott to stay at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger says he believes Theo Walcott has a great future and wants the England international to stay at Arsenal.

Walcott has struggled for starts since completing his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury in January, with Wenger often deploying summer signing Danny Welbeck ahead of him in wide positions.

Tensions mounted when Walcott took to Twitter in March to contradict his manager's suggestion that talks over a new deal had commenced but Wenger is adamant he wants to keep the winger at the club.

"I believe he will have a great future and I want him to stay here," he told reporters ahead of the Gunners' FA Cup semi-final clash with Reading.

"Walcott is getting better every week and will have a great goalscoring record in the future."

Goal understands Walcott is one of a number of potential replacements that Liverpool have earmarked for starlet Raheem Sterling, who recently admitted he is flattered to be linked with a move to Arsenal.

 

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Robben: I'll miss Jurgen Klopp

Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has admitted that he will miss Jurgen Klopp when he leaves Borussia Dortmund this summer.The BVB boss confirmed on Wednesday that he and the club have agreed to terminate his contract at the end of the season, three years before the end of his deal.

Though Dortmund have struggled this year, his earlier success forged a strong rivalry between his side and the Bavarians and the Dutchman is hoping to deny him one last trophy as the two clubs prepare for their DFB Pokal semi-final.
"I will miss him, I have a lot of sympathy," he told Bild."But we want to ensure that Klopp leaves without a title."

Klopp led Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga triumphs in 2010-11 and 2011-12 and beat the Bavarians 5-2 in the 2012 Pokal final.

 

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Three signings will turn Manchester United into champions, insists Neville

Gary Neville believes Manchester United are three signings away from challenging for the Premier League title.

Louis van Gaal's side currently occupy third place in the table after a solid second half of the season, with many tipping the Red Devils to mount a serious challenge for the league in the 2015-16 campaign.

Van Gaal revealed on Wednesday that United's summer transfer plans are well underway , with the likes of Mats Hummels and Memphis Depay on the club's radar, and Neville believes three signings would be enough to transform the club into title contenders.

He said, as quoted by the Daily Mirror : "If you asked me three months ago, I would have said [United] were a long way behind.

"Now, it's not as far. Two or three months ago, they would have been thinking Chelsea are a long way in front of us. Now the recruitment battle that will happen in the summer becomes critical.

"If they get that right, United will feel confident they can challenge Chelsea for the title next season.

"I don’t think this summer is a case of United rebuilding or total restructure of the squad. They need to continue to improve in two or three positions: a central defender, a midfielder and a winger.

"It is a case of trading well, rather than wholesale buying. I don’t expect another €209 million spend. I don’t think it is required."

 

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Three signings will turn Manchester United into champions, insists Neville

Three Worldclasss signings​

 

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Rooney: I am captaining Manchester United my own way

Wayne Rooney is taking inspiration from past Manchester United leaders but insists he must captain the team his "own way".

The striker has led the charge as United have won six on the bounce in the Premier League to rise to third, with Daley Blind hailing his team talk before beating champions Manchester City.

Rooney says he has studied past United skippers and also former England captains John Terry and Steven Gerrard but is keen to make his own mark as he aims to improve both club and country.

"You have to do it your own way," Rooney told reporters. "You can obviously look how people have done it before you but I have to be my own person and do what I feel is the best way for me to captain the team.

"Giggsy wasn't captain here full-time in my time at United, but the things he's done have been a big help and still now. There were also leaders like Roy Keane, Gary Neville and David Beckham.

"There was Steven Gerrard and John Terry who were fantastic captains. But you can't say I want to be like him or I want to be like someone else."

March's 3-0 win over Tottenham was regarded as a turning point in United's season, having beaten rivals Liverpool and City since, with both Marouane Fellaini and Louis van Gaal revealing Rooney's impact.

The 39-year-old confirmed he spoke to the players before the game but insists any speech was off the cuff.

He added: "I didn't even write anything down for my wedding! The team spirit in the dressing room is fantastic, but there are though obviously times when you have to speak up.

"I did that before the Tottenham game because I felt I had to. We had a bad defeat in the FA Cup against Arsenal and I just wanted to reiterate what our targets were for the remaining games of the season.

"The players responded to that and we have had some good results."