..::Football IV::..

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'Dani Alves is the world’s best attacking right-back'

There is no better attacking right-back in the world than Dani Alves according to former Juventus attacking midfielder Liam Brady.The Brazilian defender put in a top-class performance in the second leg of Juventus 4-1 aggregate win over Monaco to advance to the Champions League final, scoring a brilliant goal in the process.

The performance came on the heels of excellent outings against his former team Barcelona in the quarter-final round, as Juventus ousted the Catalans 3-0 on aggregate.And former Arsenal and Juve star Brady believes those performances showed the quality Alves had, while adding the move to Italy has revived his career.

"I think [Dani Alves] is the best attacking right-back in the world,” Brady told RTE. “I think he's had his problems temperament wise. He's lost the head a few times. He's chased after referees, gotten himself into trouble a few times.

“I think maybe he had gone a bit stale at Barcelona. He needed a change.“He's really become a hero to Juventus fans over the two legs of the semi-final. He's been probably the most influential player in it.”

Looking ahead to the final, Alves and Juventus face a difficult challenge in Real Madrid, who will be aiming to become the first team in the Champions League era to win back-to-back titles in the competition. However, Brady believes Juventus has the ability to take home the trophy when the sides meet in Cardiff on June 3.

"I think Juve have the tools to win this trophy now. They've got a very strong defence, a brilliant goalkeeper, really hard-working midfield, and they've got Dybala up front who can create that bit of magic, and Higuain who can take a chance.

"It's the final we all wanted. Two great teams with European pedigree. Great to see them back where they belong, Juventus."

 

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Mourinho: I want more from Manchester United fans

Jose Mourinho has demanded a cauldron-like atmosphere when Manchester United host Celta Vigo in their Europa League semi-final second leg.

The United manager has called out United's fans previously this season, saying after a dour 2-0 win over Hull City in the EFL Cup semi-finals: "I need to be better, the players have to be better and the stadium has to be better."

And Mourinho again highlighted his supporters' efforts ahead of the crucial continental clash, lamenting a lack of atmosphere at their previous Europa League game against Anderlecht, in comparison to their recent Premier League win over champions-elect Chelsea."I see a difference between games," Mourinho told a news conference. "I don't think the Old Trafford atmosphere is consistent.

"Against Chelsea, they wanted to play from the first minute to the last. Against Anderlecht, it was not warm enough."With a 1-0 lead from the first leg at Balaidos, United have one foot in the Europa League final.

Europe's secondary competition is the only major trophy to elude the Red Devils in their history and winning the trophy also represents their best avenue into next season's Champions League."I am not speaking about myself. I am thinking about the club and the players," Mourinho said.

"Trophies are very important for the club, and it is very important to be in a European final. "It is important for the club to fight for the only trophy that the club has never won before. For this group of players, which is a new group for European success.

"It is very important for the club and players. Tomorrow we will fight hard. It has been a long journey - match number 14 in the Europa League - and we want to win."

 

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Real Madrid were never afraid of Atletico comeback, insists Marcelo

Real Madrid full-back Marcelo insists his side were never afraid of failing to reach the Champions League final despite their 2-1 second-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Diego Simeone's side scored twice in the first 16 minutes through Saul Niguez and Antoine Griezmann to give themselves hope of a stunning comeback at the expense of the holders.

However, a goal from Isco shortly before half-time effectively killed the contest and Madrid saw out the second half in more comfortable fashion to progress to the final with a 4-2 aggregate win.Marcelo felt Madrid fully deserved to progress and is relishing the chance to fight for a LaLiga and Champions League double in the last three weeks of the season.

"We conceded two goals but in the end we were superior. At the start we let in goals that we didn't want but we knew that it was going to be difficult. We started to take control," he told BeIN Sports.

Asked if he feared an aggregate defeat, he replied: "Not at any moment. We're Real Madrid and we're going to fight until the end, always respecting the opposition. "Now we think about LaLiga and there are only amazing games left."

Isco's goal came about after a quite brilliant piece of skill from Karim Benzema that left three Atletico defenders for dead to the left of the penalty area.

Marcelo praised his team-mate's contribution, adding: "Karim helped us with his magic that he has and we're very happy to go through."We are happy. On this pitch, the fans are very important. I hope they keep supporting us because they help our game."

 

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Isco: Beating Atletico to reach final tastes much better

Real Madrid hero Isco said overcoming neighbouring rivals Atletico to reach the Champions League final "tastes much better".

Zinedine Zidane's side were sitting pretty after a 3-0 win in the first leg, but Atleti roared back at the Vicente Calderon as goals from Saul Niguez and Antoine Griezmann put the whiff of a comeback in the air.However, that was extinguished shortly before the break when Isco tucked in on the rebound to send Los Blancos to their third European Cup final in four years.

With success in La Liga also in their hands, Madrid are aiming to become the first team to retain the Champions League in the modern era and Isco believes they have overcome a major hurdle.

"We are very happy, what we have achieved is not easy, we have eliminated a great rival," Isco is quoted as saying by Marca. "Getting to the final this way tastes much better.

"It was what we expected, they scored two goals from our mistakes, we started very badly, but then we recovered and we played well."Our goal set them back and it was already very difficult.

"After going 2-0 down, we finally entered the game. It was a shame that we had to concede those two goals to understand the game."The final few minutes of the game were played out in a biblical downpour, but Madrid's players remained on the pitch after the full-time whistle to thank their fans in an uncovered section of the stadium.

"It is something they deserve," Isco said. "They have endured the downpour like champions. We have no trouble thanking them."

 

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Zidane: Real Madrid are absolutely not favourites in Champions League final

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane denied suggestions his team are favourites going into in the Champions League final against Juventus.

The Liga giants booked their spot in the decider despite a 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, as they claimed a 4-2 aggregate win.The final in Cardiff on June 3 will see Zidane face one of his former clubs in Juve, where he starred as a player from 1996-2001 before a move to Madrid.

But the Frenchman said there was no way the holders merited favouritism against the Serie A champions, who have conceded just three goals in 12 Champions League games this season.

"Real Madrid are absolutely not the favourites. It's very difficult to score against this Juve side," Zidane told Mediaset Premium ."The defence isn't their only strength, either. They have great players in attack, too."

A goal from Isco just before half-time against Atletico settled Madrid, who had fallen 2-0 behind after 16 minutes in the second leg, and it proved enough to help them through.Zidane said the finalists deserve their spot as he paid tribute to Juve for their role in his development.

"I became a man and a better player at Juve. It's a great club. Facing them in the final will be special, because I still have Juventus in my heart," he said.

"It'll be a wonderful final, we've had a similar path and both teams deserve to be there."Now there's time to prepare, but on Sunday we already have an important Liga game [at home to Sevilla]."

 

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Klopp insists Barcelona target Coutinho will not leave Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists Philippe Coutinho will remain at the club despite interest from Barcelona, with the owners backing his desire to keep the star midfielder.

Coutinho, 24, signed a five-year deal with the Premier League club in January, but speculation of a possible move to Barca persists.

But Klopp is remaining calm over the Brazilian's future, saying no player he wanted to retain would be let go in the off-season."When did he sign his new contract? So that would be a nice idea," the German told UK newspapers, before jokingly adding: "With a £400million clause."

Klopp continued: "There are absolutely no plans. What our owners say is there is the absolute opportunity not to sell anybody if we do not want to."That means we can bring in others players and it is a good situation.

"We have a stable squad with a good basis. We want to bring a few in with fresh blood but nobody will leave us without our say, so I am completely relaxed about this."

Coutinho has 10 goals and six assists in 29 Premier League games this season, helping Liverpool into third in the table.Klopp's men face West Ham and Middlesbrough to finish the campaign as they eye a top-four finish.

 

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'It's the most important match in Man Utd's history' - Mourinho


Jose Mourinho has branded Manchester United’s Europa League semi-final second-leg encounter against Celta Vigo as the club’s most important fixture in history.

A free kick from Marcus Rashford means that the Red Devils carry a 1-0 advantage into the match, with the Old Trafford club potentially only 180 minutes away from winning the competition for the first time.

With United struggling to finish in the top four in the Premier League and a Champions League berth on offer if they can win in Europe, Mourinho refuses to underestimate the importance of the competition to his side.“For Celta, it's - in their words - the most important match of their history," he said.

“My feelings, it's also the most important match of our history. It doesn't matter what happened before, how big the matches we played before.“I don't believe Celta dreams more than us, want to win more than us. I really don't believe. In this aspect, I don't think there will be a difference between both teams."

The winner will likely face Ajax in the final in Stockholm, with the Dutch club holding a commanding 4-1 advantage over Lyon ahead of their second leg in France.

 

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UEFA Europa League Semi-Final 2nd Leg Fixtures 2017.05.11

UEFA Europa League Semi-Final 2nd Leg Fixtures 2017.05.11

AGG
(1-4)

LYON Vs Ajax

AGG
(1-0)

Manchester United Vs Celta Vigo

​

 

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Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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Manchester United Vs Celta Vigo

Manchester United Starting Line-up

Sergio Romero
Daley Blind
Eric Bailly
Matteo Darmian
Antonio Valencia
Ander Herrera
Paul Pogba
Marouane Fellaini
Marcus Rashford
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Jesse Lingard

&

Celta Vigo Starting Line-up

Sergio Alvarez
Facundo Roncaglia
Gustavo Cabral
Jonny
Hugo Mallo
Daniel Wass
Pablo Hernández
Nemanja Radoja
John Guidetti
Pione Sisto
Iago Aspas
​

 

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Good Luck Manchester United!

Kohomahari win karamu

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Half Time

Manchester United 1 Vs 0 Celta Vigo

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Full Time

Manchester United 1 Vs 1 Celta Vigo

Manchester United Goal(s)

M.Fellaini 17'

&

Celta Vigo Goal(s)

F.Roncaglia 85'

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Congratulations Manchester United!

We're in to the UEFA Europa League Final!

& Its Ajax Vs Manchester United

btw ada Manchester United performance nam madiBailly red cardNervy finish 1kak una Celta goal 1ken passe & last seconds wala Celta chance 1ka

Team 1kak widiyata meeta wada godak improve wenna wenawa Final Showdown 1kata against Ajax

Good Luck for the Final Manchester United!​

 

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Lyon 3 Ajax 1 (4-5 agg): Lacazette brace in vain as Dolberg sends Dutch side into final

Kasper Dolberg's exquisite goal proved vital as 10-man Ajax clung on seal their place in the Europa League final despite a 3-1 defeat to Lyon, who saw their dramatic attempt at comeback fall short.

Ajax, winners of the UEFA Cup in 1992, held a 4-1 lead from the first leg in Amsterdam, and Dolberg's sixth Europa League goal of the campaign - a subtle dink over Anthony Lopes - furthered their advantage 27 minutes into a thrilling contest.However, naive defending from Peter Bosz's young side allowed Lyon back into the tie - Alexandre Lacazette netting twice in the space of 76 seconds on the stroke of half time.

Ajax substitute Donny van de Beek went agonisingly close to putting the tie to bed in the second half when he rattled the woodwork, before Rachid Ghezzal moved Lyon within a goal of forcing extra time, his header from Maciej Rybus' looping cross deflecting in off Nick Viergever.

Matters were made worse for Viergever when he picked up a second yellow card moments later, but the undermanned visitors clung on for a 5-4 aggregate triumph amid sustained late pressure from Lyon to set up a final against Manchester United on May 24.

Having weathered an early Lyon storm, Ajax had the better of the opening stages - Amin Younes and Hakim Ziyech both failing to make the most of gilt-edged chances.But the visitors did not have to wait too long to take the lead.Quick-thinking from Andre Onana freed up Younes to play in Dolberg who - after timing his run to perfection - lofted a sublime finish over the onrushing Lopes.

A dejected Lyon were handed a lifeline just prior to the interval, though - Lacazette thumping home from the penalty spot after going down under pressure from Matthijs De Ligt.That goal sparked Lyon into life, and they had their second a minute later when Lacazette steered in Nabil Fekir's cross-cum-shot to complete the turnaround.

Ajax's youthful defence was carved open again after the restart, but Mouctar Diakhaby could not apply the finish after connecting with Mathieu Valbuena's free-kick.

ekir should have turned from provider to goalscorer with 25 minutes remaining, yet Ajax escaped unscathed as the forward skewed over from close-range.Van de Beek was a whisker away from settling the tie with a blistering strike that struck the upright - and Lyon had a third moments later.Ghezzal's header deflected in wickedly off the unfortunate Viergever, who received his marching orders soon after for a late lunge on Rybus.

But for all their dominance, Lyon could not make the numerical advantage count - Lacazette and Maxwel Cornet both going close as Ajax stood firm to claim a place in a European final for the first time since 1996.

 

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Manchester United 1 Celta Vigo 1 (2-1 agg): Mourinho's men squeeze through to Europa League final as tempers flare

Manchester United edged into the Europa League final with a 2-1 aggregate win over Celta Vigo as their 1-1 draw at Old Trafford saw late red cards for Eric Bailly and Facundo Roncaglia.

Argentine Roncaglia had just levelled on the night for Celta five minutes from time when a brawl ensued, the defender and Bailly dismissed for pushes that sparked a mass confrontation between the sets of players.

Celta had a chance to advance at the death but John Guidetti failed to turn Claudio Beauvue's square pass into the back of the net and book a place in the final in the city of his birth, with Jose Mourinho's side holding on to set up a date with Ajax by the skin of their teeth.

It was by no means vintage from United at any point and their start was particularly anxious, but they gave themselves a two-goal aggregate cushion in the 17th minute – Marouane Fellaini turning in Marcus Rashford's sumptuous cross for the club's 100th goal of the season.

Although falling further behind on aggregate had a noticeable impact on Celta, they continued to cause United problems at the back with Daniel Wass and Guidetti going close either side of the interval.

Celta's purposeful attacking play ultimately resulted in a goal for Roncaglia, but things soon got out of hand as he and Bailly saw red for raising their hands – the Ivorian consequently ruled out of the final.

United managed to hold on in desperate fashion as Guidetti was left with his head in his hands, but their lack of conviction might have alarm bells ringing despite securing passage to Stockholm.

For all of United's dominance in the first leg, they endured a very shaky start at Old Trafford.An early Daley Blind error ultimately went unpunished, but a few moments later he was tormented by Iago Aspas, who evaded the Dutchman and forced Sergio Romero into a crucial save from a tight angle.

But United suddenly burst into life and calmed their supporters' growing unease. Rashford cut in from the left and produced a wonderful delivery to the far post, where Fellaini headed past the suspect Sergio Alvarez.

That goal certainly took some of the sting out of their previously vibrant attacking play, though Celta remained a threat.Luckily for United, Celta were generally restricted to long-range efforts, with Pablo Hernandez and Pione Sisto both testing Romero.But Sisto really worried United just before the break, flashing a ferocious ball across the face of goal, only for the stooping Wass to head agonisingly wide.

Celta began the second period much like they started the first, though they had Alvarez to thank for keeping them in the tie shortly after the break as he pushed Henrikh Mkhitaryan's rasping 25-yard drive over the crossbar.United had a lucky escape themselves just before the hour, Guidetti sending a 12-yard half-volley wide of the left-hand post after good play by Sisto.

Rashford did brilliantly at the other end a few moments later, turning Gustavo Cabral inside out, dribbling past Roncaglia and seeing his chipped effort blocked by Alvarez.

The goalkeeper made another smart stop in the 70th minute, getting down to his right to keep Fellaini's effort from squeezing inside the post.Roncaglia then forced a tense finish when he headed Theo Bongonda's cross into the bottom-left corner five minutes from time.

The drama ramped up another notch as Bailly and Guidetti clashed a minute later, the Swede going to ground after receiving a hand to the face and Roncaglia retaliated by shoving the United man to also receive his marching orders.

Guidetti had the chance to finish United off with almost the last kick of the game from just outside the six-yard box, but he failed to sort his feet out with the goal at his mercy as Mourinho's men clung on.

 

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Chelsea got lucky with injuries, admits Conte

Antonio Conte has admitted that Chelsea's clean injury record has boosted their chances of becoming champions as they aim to seal the title against West Brom.

The Blues currently have no players injured and have had no long-term absentees all season, taking advantage of their lack of European commitments to select a consistent side with only limited rotation enforced.

Conte is hoping to seal a domestic double by beating Arsenal in the FA Cup final after Chelsea have sewn the league championship up and credited Chelsea's behind-the-scenes staff for the part they have played in keeping his key players fit.

“I think this season we are very good, and also we are also a bit lucky to have the possibility to avoid a lot of injuries," Conte said at a news conference at Stamford Bridge. "We didn't have a lot of injuries this season.

"When you have this type of situation, without a lot of injuries, usually you try to play not with the same players. To use 15 or 16 or 17 players. I think this season we worked very hard, but we are also very good and we are also very lucky.

"I think that all this season we worked very hard on the physical aspect, and the tactical aspect, to try to avoid this type of situation. To avoid having a lot of injuries.

"Our work is a bit of a secret because we don't have a lot of injuries. For this reason, I have to say thanks to my staff."

 

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Manchester United reach first Europa League final

Manchester United advanced to the Europa League final for the first time since the competition began in 1971.

Jose Mourinho's side held off Celta Vigo in the semi-final to move on to the final, where they will face Ajax on May 24 in Stockholm.

The Red Devils have won the Champions League three times, but are still searching for their first title in the second-tier European competition.
Sevilla are the most successful club in the Europa League, which was once known as the UEFA Cup, winning the tournament five times in the past 11 years.

 

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Valencia confirm Marcelino as new coach

Valencia have confirmed the appointment of Marcelino as their new head coach for next season.

Los Che have endured an underwhelming campaign in La Liga, having flirted with relegation under Pako Ayestaran before he was sacked and replaced by Cesare Prandelli, who quit in December after a row with the board over signings.

Voro has steadied the ship since January, leading the team to 13th in the table, but another bottom-half finish represents a poor return amid an estimated outlay of over €30million on players during the season.

Marcelino led Villarreal to top-six finishes in each of his seasons in charge at El Madrigal, guiding them to fourth last term before quitting on the eve of this campaign.

A former player at Valencia's local rivals Levante, Marcelino has signed a two-year deal at Mestalla.Voro will take charge of Valencia's two remaining games this season, at Espanyol and at home to Villarreal, but sneaking into the top half is beyond the six-time Spanish champions.

 

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'We need an answer next week' - Koeman gives Ross Barkley utlimatum

Ronald Koeman has told Ross Barkley he expects the attacking midfielder to make a decision on his Everton future in one week or the Toffees will be forced to sell the England international.Barkley is reported to have a new contract offer on the table, with his present deal having a year to run.

However, the 23-year-old is thought to be weighing up his future at Goodison Park, with Arsenal and Tottenham said to be contemplating a move.Everton have just two matches remaining in their season and Koeman feels the time has come for Barkley to make up his mind.

"The board has already been working for a long time [in the hope that] Ross will stay for a longer period," the Dutch manager said ahead of Friday's Premier League clash with Watford.

"It's up to the player but we don't wait until August. Next week we need an answer, if we go for a holiday, he will [either] accept a contract or we will sell the player. I think if you need [this much time] then you have doubts."

Asked if Barkley continuing to delay his decision is a concern, Koeman replied: "No, because I like to work with players who like to stay and we are already trying to get players in for next season in the front positions."I don't know it's up to the player and he needs to make a decision."