..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Butland: Stoke need three wins to survive


Stoke City need to win three of their final five games to have a chance of staying in the Premier League, according to Jack Butland.Paul Lambert's side succumbed to a fourth straight loss on Saturday, going down 2-1 against Tottenham as Christian Eriksen scored twice for the visitors at the bet365 Stadium.

The result means Stoke remain second from bottom in the table but they now trail 17th-placed Crystal Palace by four points, a worrying gap considering time is running out to retain their top-flight status.

However, goalkeeper Butland insists the players must forget about recent results and instead focus on picking up points - starting with next Monday's trip to West Ham.

"We need three wins, we know what we need to do and we'll set out to do just that. If the team can play like we did yesterday then I firmly believe we'll win games," the England international told the club's official website."We're in a relegation fight, we're going to be physical, but we've also felt that nothing is going our way at the moment and we're not getting results our performances have deserved.

"We caused them [Tottenham] problems, created opportunities and if things go slightly differently then we win the game."It's similar to last week; things just haven't gone our way and that happens when you're down there. Of course, we're disappointed not to have any points, but we stay strong and fight next week.

"We can't feel sorry for ourselves; we must keep believing and battling because it's up to us to turn that spirit into the right results the fans deserve."Stoke have not registered a league win since a 2-0 triumph over fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town on January 20.

After West Ham, they face tough games against Burnley and Liverpool before finishing their campaign with potentially pivotal fixtures with relegation rivals Palace and Swansea City.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd warned by Giggs they face massive transfer market in Man City fight


Manchester United have been warned that they face a massive summer in the transfer market, with Ryan Giggs seeing a big gap to be closed on Manchester City.

The Red Devils claimed derby bragging rights at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, with a Paul Pogba-inspired fightback from two goals down allowing them to delay a Premier League title party.City will, however, secure the crown at some stage, leaving United and the rest of the chasing pack trailing in their wake.

Giggs acknowledges that Jose Mourinho has a big job to oversee if an Old Trafford challenge is to be sustained in 2018-19, with it vital that the right additions are made in order to counter the ongoing development which will be made by noisy neighbours.The United legend told Matchday Live on Star Sports: “They have to [improve]. They have to next year, they have to do that.

“Otherwise, City will win the league again, because of the quality that they’ve got, the transfer window, they’re going to improve, they’re going to get better players.“Every season, whoever wins the Premier League, the teams beneath them have to improve.“So Manchester United have to next year.”

United are already being linked with several high-profile signings, with more funds set to be made available to Mourinho.City, though, will also be looking to strengthen after dominating the domestic scene in 2017-18.

The Red Devils will need no reminding that they cannot afford to fall short again, despite the claims of their manager being happy to settle for second this term, and Giggs’ words will have to be heeded when the next recruitment window presents itself.

 

[Alucard_SxE]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals 2nd Leg Fixtures 2018.04.10

UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals 2nd Leg Fixtures 2018.04.10

AGG
(1-4)

Roma Vs Barcelona

AGG
(0-3)

Manchester City Vs Liverpool

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsene Wenger criticism ‘a bit unfair’ - Aubameyang


Criticism of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ‘sometimes a bit unfair’, according to striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.The Emirates outfit have come under condemnation for their performances in recent years, with fans calling for the resignation of the French tactician.

After failing to qualify for the Uefa Champions League for the first time in his 22-year reign, the Gunners are on the verge of missing out again as they are currently 13 points adrift of the top four, with six English Premier League games left this season.

But with Wenger’s side posting improved results in recent weeks, the January signing hopes the fans, some of who have failed to attend home games this campaign, can revise their decision."It's a difficult question. Sometimes I think it's a bit unfair," Aubameyang told Sky Sports."We're playing better in these last games and I hope the people can see this."

Aubameyang’s arrival in the winter has seen Alexandre Lacazette’s chances in the first team reduced. But the former Borussia Dortmund would like to partner the France international whom he says complement his game."I hope we will have the opportunity to play together - it's something I said when I first arrived that I hoped to play with him.

"We have different styles, but I think they're styles that complement each other - he's a very good player and a very kind person."We were once rivals in our days in France, but we're now friends and I hope we can play well together and score lots of goals."

Aubameyang endured a topsy-turvy start has his Arsenal career but has since adapted to life in the English top-flight, scoring a total of six goals in seven games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aubameyang talks up Tuchel: He’s a bit like Guardiola


Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has hailed the managerial qualities of former Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel.The 44-year-old has been out of work throughout this season after leaving BVB last summer, where he had been Aubameyang’s boss for two seasons.

Although Tuchel has been tentatively linked with succeeding Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium, he has been widely associated with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Aubameyang believes it would be a successful marriage.“He’s one of the best coaches that I’ve had,” he said. “I can’t deny his talent.“He could be very good for PSG. If he goes there, we’ll need to see how he manages the dressing room, because I think it’s always hardest at big clubs.”

Aubameyang felt that he had a strong rapport with the German due to his mentality.
“He’s someone a bit crazy, a little like me,” he said. “You could say that his style is a bit like that of Guardiola. In any case, they play with the same spirit.

“He likes to keep the ball with a style of play that likes to see the ball move forward, no matter what happens.“I think he’s got the stuff. Now, it’ll be up to him to prove it.”Despite being on the verge of a domestic treble, PSG boss Unai Emery is expected to be relieved of his position in the summer after successive defeats at the last-16 stage of the Champions League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zidane admits misfiring Benzema is stuck in a Real rut


Zinedine Zidane has conceded that Karim Benzema is stuck in a rut, with the Real Madrid striker enduring another testing campaign.

Being forced to operate in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo has never been easy for the France international, with his contribution often overlooked.He has become a target for terrace taunts as a result, with a demanding fan base expecting more from a proven frontman.

Benzema has struggled to silence his critics this season, netting just nine times across all competitions, and his manager admits that a fellow Frenchman needs to rediscover his spark.

Zidane told reporters ahead of Real’s Champions League quarter-final second leg clash with Juventus on Wednesday: “I see him the same as always, the only thing is that he himself is going through a bit of a rough time because of all the things being said about him.

“He would like to score more goals, but he is working well in training, he is always there with his teammates and he is focused. “But he would like to score more goals and to get out of this rut.”Benzema is taking in his ninth season with Real and has plundered 189 goals across 409 appearances.

He has failed to reach double figures only once since 2007 and 20 efforts just twice – with his debut campaign at the Bernabeu delivering nine goals and last season 19.Ongoing questioning of the 30-year-old frontman may, however, edge him towards the exits, with speculation having followed him around for some time.

Real are expected to embark on another elaborate spending spree this summer – with European success having masked domestic struggles – and Benzema could be among those moved on to create space for new arrivals.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fernando Torres likely heading to MLS or China - agent


Atletico Madrid forward Fernando Torres will likely head to Major League Soccer or China following this season, his agent has said.

Torres announced on Monday that he would be departing Atletico following the season's end, drawing a close to his second spell with his boyhood club.The 34-year-old will now consider his future, with the striker set to be subject of interest from around the globe.

Speaking to Radio Marca on Tuesday, Antonio Sanz, director of communication with Torres' representatives Bahia Internacional, said the striker is likely destined for North America or Asia. "There is no team yet," Sanz said. "But we do have ideas."One option is what you said [the United States] and another [China]."

Sanz went on to say that Torres would not be continuing his career in Europe, nor would he be moving to a club in the Middle East.Torres has scored seven goals in 34 appearances for Atletico Madrid this season.Over his two spells at Atletico, Torres has scored 113 goals in 330 appearances, making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2001.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Roma 3 Barcelona 0 (4-4 agg): LaLiga leaders stunned as Giallorossi head through on away goals

Roma reached the semi-finals of the Champions League with a stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona to secure an improbable aggregate win on away goals.

The Giallorossi had trailed 4-1 after the first leg, but they blew LaLiga's leading side away at the Stadio Olimpico as goals from Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas clinched a dramatic triumph.Dzeko was sublime throughout and netted early before winning a penalty after the break for De Rossi to pull Roma to within one goal of the last four.


An out-of-sorts Barca still looked as though they would do enough to scrape through as chances came and went for the hosts, but Manolas - who, like De Rossi, had put through his own net at Camp Nou - headed home eight minutes from time to put Eusebio Di Francesco's side in the driving seat.Although the visitors suddenly mustered a challenge, they could not force a decisive goal and Lionel Messi and co crashed out in scarcely believable circumstances.

Roma last reached the last four of Europe's premier club competition in 1983-84 when they lost to Liverpool in the final, and they will now fancy their chances against anyone - including the Reds and former star Mohamed Salah, who defeated Manchester City in Tuesday's other quarter-final.


Roma tackled their task with gusto but their quest for goals immediately left gaping holes at the back and Messi's pass freed Sergi Roberto for the game's first opening, Alisson smothering a low drive.

But Dzeko took his chance at the other end after six minutes. The former Manchester City man ran beyond Samuel Umtiti to meet De Rossi's pass and toe an untidy finish past Marc-Andre ter Stegen, generating ample noise and belief in the stands.

Champions League debutant Patrik Schick nodded high and wide following a corner, before squandering a huge opportunity with another header from Federico Fazio's cross that flashed past the left-hand post.And then it was Dzeko's turn to twice go for goal with his head; the first effort forcing Ter Stegen to turn the ball over the top, while the second looped awkwardly behind.

It was Dzeko's sublime centre-forward play that set up the second. He bullied his way past Gerard Pique into the area and then went to ground under a tug and a trip, allowing De Rossi to rattle home a penalty.

Radja Nainggolan's volley was held by Ter Stegen as Barcelona failed to stem the flow of chances, with De Rossi heading wide shortly afterwards.Ter Stegen parried a Stephan El Shaarawy effort away from the goal-line shortly after he arrived from the bench, but the decisive goal would soon arrive as Manolas nodded beyond the rooted goalkeeper from Cengiz Under's corner.

Although Barcelona pushed hard at the end of a dismal display, they could find no way through as they fell victim to one of the greatest comebacks in European history, Roma's three-goal turnaround matching Deportivo La Coruna in 2004 and Barca's own heroics last season against Paris Saint-Germain.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City 1 Liverpool 2 (1-5 agg): Guardiola sent off as Salah, Firmino seal semi-final spot

Pep Guardiola was sent off as Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool following a 2-1 quarter-final second-leg loss, which gave the Reds a 5-1 aggregate triumph.Jurgen Klopp's side claimed a famous victory to book their place in the semi-finals, with Mohamed Salah's record-breaking goal cancelling out Gabriel Jesus' early opener before Roberto Firmino struck the winner at the Etihad Stadium.

Trailing 3-0 from the first leg at Anfield and fresh from Saturday's bitter defeat to Manchester United, City made a lightning start in their quest for a famous comeback, with Jesus netting in only the second minute.


The home side totally dominated the first half but were denied a second by fine margins, with Bernardo Silva hitting the post and Leroy Sane seeing a goal harshly ruled out for offside.

Furious with referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz's decisions, Guardiola raced onto the pitch at half-time to confront the official and was promptly ordered to watch the remainder of the match from the stands.

Salah compounded City's frustrations with a simple finish 56 minutes in, becoming the first Liverpool player to score eight times in a single Champions League or European Cup season, and Firmino pounced on a Nicolas Otamendi error to seal their passage to the last four and match his team-mate's record tally.


Raheem Sterling was restored to a supremely attacking City line-up, and he needed just two minutes to make a telling impact, albeit amid some controversy. Referee Lahoz ignored Virgil van Dijk's appeal for a foul by Sterling, allowing the winger to race into space beyond the Liverpool defence and cut the ball back for Jesus, who rolled the ball home from the very area Van Dijk would have occupied.

City, backed by a vociferous home crowd, laid siege to the Liverpool goal in search of a second and were inches away when Bernardo Silva blasted an effort off the left-hand post.Loris Karius had surprisingly little to do despite City's dominance, but he escaped repercussions for a poor punch when Sane was flagged offside after finishing from close range, even though the ball had bounced into his path off James Milner.

Guardiola ran onto the pitch to remonstrate with Lahoz after no stoppage time was played, prompting the Spanish official to send the City boss to the stands, and matters got worse for the home side 11 minutes after the restart.

A much more composed Liverpool worked the ball through to Sadio Mane, whose run into the box was stopped by Ederson only for the City keeper to lose the ball, giving Salah a simple chipped finish in front of the travelling fans.



With the cause looking lost for the hosts, Firmino robbed Otamendi on the edge of the area and stroked a low finish past Ederson to send the travelling fans into delirium and seal a miserable week for City.

 

[unicornx]

That was an unbelieveable Suplexcity from Roma

 

[Alucard_SxE]

lol Barca

 

[shihankumara]

bimp

 

[shashindu77]

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Holy SHIIIIIIITTT!!! The fuck was THAT??? Almost gave me a heart attack

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 1 Juventus 3 (4-3 agg): Ronaldo penalty spares holders' blushes as Buffon sees red

Cristiano Ronaldo's stoppage-time penalty saved holders Real Madrid from a stunning Champions League exit against Juventus, the holders progressing 4-3 on aggregate after a night of high drama at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Juve seemed set to match the heroics of fellow Serie A side Roma against Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico 24 hours earlier after surging into a 3-0 lead in the Spanish capital, only for Lucas Vazquez to draw a foul in the box and Ronaldo to settle the contest from the spot.

That came after lengthy delay in which Gianluigi Buffon saw red for dissent at the decision – the veteran goalkeeper's first dismissal in his 117th, and likely final, outing in the competition.Mario Mandzukic's first-half brace, both headed efforts, sparked life into a contest that looked over after the first leg in Turin.

And when Keylor Navas – who seemed unsettled without suspended captain Sergio Ramos in front of him – fumbled a Douglas Costa cross at the feet of Blaise Matuidi, Massimiliano Allegri's side drew level in the tie with half an hour of the 90 still to play.Extra time beckoned but a clumsy challenge on Vazquez by Medhi Benatia saw referee Michael Oliver point to the spot, Buffon sent off for his vociferous protests, meaning Wojciech Szczesny came on to face the penalty.

Ronaldo – who hit a double including a superb overhead kick in Madrid's first-leg win – duly smashed home a nerveless spot-kick to maintain his sensational run of scoring in every game in this season's Champions League, on what was his 150th appearance in the competition, to spare the blushes of Zinedine Zidane's men.

Juve needed to strike early to give themselves hope and they did exactly that with a mere 76 seconds on the clock.Douglas Costa won the ball on the halfway line and fed Sami Khedira, the Germany international floating a perfect cross to the back post for Mandzukic to thump in a powerful header.

Navas parried Douglas Costa's cross-shot and the Costa Rica international made a vital save from Gonzalo Higuain on the rebound as Juve maintained their high-tempo start.Gareth Bale – preferred to Karim Benzema in attack – forced a smart stop from Buffon, the Wales star sending the loose ball into the side netting with an improvised backheel.

Madrid had the ball in the net after 13 minutes, Isco cutely chipping Buffon after the goalkeeper saved from Cristiano Ronaldo, before Mandzukic could only bundle a corner straight at Navas.

After the chaotic opening Madrid gradually gained control, Marcelo driving over the angle and Buffon denying Isco after the playmaker beat the offside trap to race on to Ronaldo's pass.

But just as Madrid seemed to be taking the sting out of the game Mandzukic scored another, the striker arriving at the back post again to head home Stephan Lichtsteiner's right-wing cross.Raphael Varane thudded a header against the crossbar from Toni Kroos' free-kick, but Madrid were reeling when the half-time whistle arrived.

Zidane responded by replacing Casemiro and Bale with Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez at the interval and Buffon scrambled to keep out Ronaldo's 58th-minute snapshot.Navas pushed away Higuain's shot but the goalkeeper's massive mistake then gifted Juve the leveller.

Douglas Costa's cross looked innocuous but Navas, under close attention from Matuidi, spilled the centre for the midfielder to nudge in his first Champions League goal since November 2016.With 12 minutes left, Buffon made a fine save low to his right to tip away Isco's deflected effort, then Ronaldo misjudged a back-post header when he looked set to convert.

But the Portugal superstar still managed to have the decisive impact after Benatia bumped Vazquez over as the substitute stooped to score.Buffon's aggressive response towards the official saw the 40-year-old dismissed in what could be his final Champions League appearance, leading to a long delay as Szczesny was readied.

The wait did not affect Ronaldo, though, Madrid's talisman hammering the penalty into the goalkeeper's top-left corner in the seventh minute of added time to settle a stirring contest and keep Zidane's chances of claiming a third consecutive Champions League crown alive in scarcely believable fashion.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern Munich 0 Sevilla 0 (2-1 agg): Heynckes' men seal routine progress to semi-finals

Bayern Munich avoided the pitfalls endured by some of their fellow European heavyweights as a goalless draw against 10-man Sevilla booked a place in the Champions League semi-finals.Last week's 2-1 comeback win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan proved enough as a spirited Sevilla were unable to respond with the away goals they needed.

Bayern wrapped up a sixth consecutive Bundesliga title with a 4-1 win at Augsburg on Saturday but this was a patient, workmanlike display with scant evidence of the thrills witnessed elsewhere in this week's quarter-finals.

Sevilla enjoyed enough openings in the first half to make life uncomfortable for their illustrious hosts but lacked composure in front of goal.

Joaquin Correa's header against the crossbar after half-time was the closest Manchester United's conquerors came to a breakthrough, although the Argentina forward's night ended in ignominy as he was set off for a horrible stoppage-time lunge on Javi Martinez.Bayern closed out an aggregate victory that will not live long in the memory with little fuss, increasing their chances of an unforgettable triumph in Kiev at the end of May.

James Rodriguez – so impressive from the Bayern bench in the first leg - grazed the top of the netting with a free-kick after Gabriel Mercado was a touch fortunate to see only yellow for hauling down Robert Lewandowski in the second minute.

Arjen Robben cut in off the right looking for one of his trademark left-footed finishes, skimming a shot past David Soria's far post before the Sevilla goalkeeper tipped a Lewandowski header over.At the other end, Sevilla winger Pablo Sarabia stole in front of Rafinha but blazed over, while Correa failed to make a clean contact from Jesus Navas' 17th-minute cross.

Ever Banega, Wissam Ben Yedder and Correa combined for captain Sergio Escudero to steer a shot wide – another encouraging moment for the visitors who had been allowed to settle by an increasingly passive Bayern.Centre-back Mats Hummels tried to rouse them by firing just over from Robben country, while the Dutch winger teed-up his old ally Franck Ribery to force a sharp save from Soria.

Navas made a goal-saving challenge at right-back when Thomas Muller slid a low ball towards Ribery at the back post, but a last-ditch tackle by Rafinha on Sarabia in the final minute of the half underlined Bayern's continued unease.

Bayern's best move of the match in the 49th minute ended with Lewandowski sending a back-post header from Rafinha's chipped cross into the side-netting.
Soria saved with his boot when James tried to catch him out from a tight angle and the Sevilla goalkeeper punched unconvincingly from a Muller drive.Just as Bayern looked to be turning the screw, Correa rose to thud a header against the crossbar from an excellent free-kick by Banega, the playmaker who then drove forward to zip a low strike narrowly wide.

Jupp Heynckes' side were able to resume control of proceedings as Sevilla faded – a tired hack over from Steven N'Zonzi indicating there would be no repeat of the late Old Trafford drama long before Correa disgraced himself– and Bayern's veteran coach remains in contention for a stunning repeat of his 2012-13 treble.

 

[Apple Malli]

BUMP

 

[Wolverine GTR]

CSKA Moscow 2 Arsenal 2 (3-6 agg): Gunners progress as Welbeck, Ramsey snatch draw

Goals from Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey helped Arsenal secure passage into the semi-finals of the Europa League with a 2-2 draw against CSKA Moscow in Thursday's quarter-final second leg.

Fedor Chalov and Kirill Nababkin struck in the opening 50 minutes to threaten a dramatic turnaround in the tie, but Welbeck and Ramsey scored in the final quarter of an hour to seal a 6-3 aggregate victory.

In a week that has seen Roma shock Barcelona and Juventus almost beat Real Madrid in remarkable Champions League quarter-final matches, much of the pre-match talk in Russia focused on the need for Arsenal to put in a professional performance to defend their 4-1 first-leg advantage.




They were punished for slack defending in each half through Chalov and Nababkin, though, as Viktor Goncharenko's side showed signs they would punish the Gunners' complacency and snatch a spot in the last four.

But Welbeck, starting wide on the left in place of the injured Henrikh Mkhitaryan, started and finished Arsenal's first particularly slick move before Ramsey netted on the counter-attack deep into injury time.


CSKA looked unlikely to threaten the latest European comeback in a tepid first half-hour, with the best of the early opportunities falling to Alexandre Lacazette, who was denied by a good block from Aleksei Berezutski.

The home side were dealt a blow when the creative Alan Dzagoev was forced off with injury 38 minutes in, but they were given some hope in the tie barely 90 seconds later.Chalov reacted quickest to turn in the rebound after Petr Cech saved Nababkin firm downward header.

The Gunners goalkeeper would have hoped for a quicker response from his defenders after making the save, and there was a case of deja vu five minutes into the second half, when Nababkin beat Hector Bellerin to the loose ball to fire home after Cech had parried Aleksandr Golovin's drive from 30 yards.

The visitors responded with a spell of possession, but Mohamed Elneny's headed finish was correctly ruled out for offside at the end of one of their few promising attacking moves by that stage.Wenger brought on Calum Chambers for the ineffective Jack Wilshere in a bid to strengthen his side's defensive set-up, but more lacklustre work in their own box allowed 38-year-old Sergei Ignashevich to volley inches wide of the left-hand post.

However, just as CSKA threatened again, they were stunned by a brilliant piece of play from Welbeck. The England forward spun into space down the left, found Elneny and latched on to the Egyptian's superb throughball before curling a shot past Igor Akinfeev.

The goal quietened the atmosphere at the CSKA Arena and Arsenal saw out the closing minutes with ease.Akinfeev denied Welbeck a second with a fine save, and Ramsey dispatched a good finish with practically the last kick of the game after Elneny played him into clear space on the break.



The Premier League side must now await their fate in Friday's semi-final draw in Nyon, as they aim to keep their challenge for the trophy, and an automatic spot in next season's Champions League group stage, alive.