..::Football II::..

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Pastore: Playing Messi will be emotional

The Argentine praised his compatriot for being the best player in the world, and insists les Parisiens can make it into the semifinals despite the Blaugrana's quality.
Javier Pastore has voiced his excitement about playing against international teammate Lionel Messi when Paris Saint-Germain hosts Barcelona on Tuesday night.

Les Parisiens will be hoping to emulate AC Milan's home win against the Blaugrana but avoid the subsequent collapse at Camp Nou when the two European giants clash in their Champions League quarterfinal in April.

"He's the best player in the world!" Pastore responded when asked about Messi by PSG's official website. "He shows it match after match. For us Argentines, he is a reference and an example. I am delighted to be playing against him, it will be a very special moment for me. There will be a little emotion there for me.

"We will have to remain focused [against Barca] for 90 minutes. You have to stay calm when they have the ball. Barcelona are a team that exploit the smallest error from the opposition to score. From that moment, it is very hard to come back."

PSG is naturally the underdog against the 2010-11 Champions League victors, but Pastore is confident that a semifinal berth is not beyond the squad.

"At this level of the competition, every team is strong, but anything is possible," he added. "We need to play two great matches of football.

"If we stay focused we will have reason to hope we'll go through. It's the only way of getting through this round."

 

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Xavi named in Barcelona Champions League squad

The Spain international looks to have recovered from a hamstring problem in time to face the Ligue 1 leaders, while Jordi Alba is also set to return.

Barcelona star Xavi has been named in the club's 21-man squad for its Champions League quarterfinal first-leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

The midfielder has been struggling with a hamstring problem and missed the Blaugrana's 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday evening. Barca left back Jordi Alba also appears to have shaken off fitness problems of his own in time to be fit for the European encounter at Parc des Princes.

The likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and David Villa were left out of the starting line-up on Saturday, which had a second-string feel to it despite the caliber of some starters, including Lionel Messi, who scored in his 19th consecutive Liga match.

Victor Valdes will return between the sticks having missed the Celta clash through suspension, while Carles Puyol and Pedro remain on the sidelines through injury.

Barca's morale has also been boosted by the news that Tito Vilanova is set to travel with the squad having returned to Spain after undergoing cancer treatment in the United States and took his second training session since coming back on Sunday morning.

 

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Van Persie: Fatigue could affect FA Cup tie against Chelsea

The Manchester United striker has suggested that both sides' busy schedules could play a part in Monday's replay, with Manchester City waiting in the semifinals at Wembley Stadium Manchester United striker Robin van Persie believes that fatigue could play a part in Monday's FA Cup quarterfinal replay against Chelsea with both teams having just played Saturday.

After a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford, the two clubs will meet again at Stamford Bridge just two days after their latest Premier League fixtures in a match that starts early in the day. Van Persie believes the 48-hour rest period is not enough and admitted that the close proximity of the games added to the risk of muscular injuries due to tiredness.

"These games are just too close to each other," van Persie told reporters. "People have to realize they can't expect a great game of football because it is not possible.

"Normally on the second day your muscles are quite bad, but now we have to play at this certain time.

"It is a shame but we can't do anything about it because there are Champions League games in midweek and Chelsea are still in the Europa League."

Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has also bemoaned the fixture congestion after he was forced to make eight changes to his side for the 2-1 loss to Southampton at the weekend.

"When you don't have one or two players you have to manage the squad," Benitez said. "The day after a game you feel tired, two days after you feel even more tired.

"That is the reality. The second day will be really tough for everyone."

 

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Rodgers: Liverpool does not need to sell Suarez

The Reds boss has acknowledged the importance of keeping the Uruguayan at Anfield and claims the club is under no pressure to allow him to leave in the near future.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that there is no need for the Reds to sell Luis Suarez despite persistent speculation linking the striker with a host of top European clubs.

Suarez played a key part in the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, winning the penalty that Steven Gerrard converted to put Rodgers' team ahead.

The Uruguayan is in the running for Player of the Year honors, and Rodgers says that there is no pressure that might force the club to cash in on its prize asset despite the fact that it looks set to miss out on Champions League qualification once again.

"It is very important [we keep him]," Rodgers told reporters. "He is a wonderful player. We don't have to sell him. There is nothing like that.

"He is very happy. We don't need to sell him for the money. We are trying to build a good group here and we want to keep striving forward, so there is no need to sell him."

Rodgers paid tribute to the 26-year-old's display after a tiring week that included significant amounts of traveling to represent Uruguay during the international break.

"He was away on international with Uruguay, he came back late on Thursday, but was in training on Friday," Rodgers said. "I've got to say I noticed how tired he looked; his face, his body, he just looked totally shattered. But he came in today and his willingness to work for the team and sheer quality were incredible. He frightens defenders."

 

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Gerrard: Liverpool responded to Rodgers team talk

The Reds captain scored a penalty and made a vital goal-line clearance to help clinch an important 2-1 victory against Aston Villa after his side fell behind in the first half.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was pleased with the Reds' response to manager Brendan Rodgers' halftime team talk after the Reds came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

The visitors went behind after 31 minutes when a well-worked move was finished off by Christian Benteke, but Jordan Henderson and Gerrard scored second-half goals to turn the game on its head after the break. The England midfielder felt Liverpool was unfortunate to be trailing at halftime and believes Rodgers' advice put them on the right track to bagging an equalizer soon after the restart.

When asked what the manager told his team at halftime, Gerrard told Sky Sports: "Keep doing what you're doing, play with more belief and take a few more risks in their final third and it came off today.

"After the manager spoke, that's what you need to do, go out and score straight after halftime and that gave us the belief and confidence to go on and win the game.

"We had to show a lot of character and raise it a little bit after halftime, but we felt a bit hard done by to be behind at the break.

"We thought we should have been at least level but found ourselves one down so we had to give and extra 10 percent."

Gerrard made a vital goal-line clearance with a header to deny Benteke a second goal and admitted that the incident was just as important in sealing victory as dispatching the penalty won by Luis Suarez.

"One of my close friends before the game gave me stick about my hair and said I might score the winner with my head today," Gerrard said. "The penalty was the winner but I think the headed clearance won us the game so he was right in the end. That's what the celebration was about."

The Reds now sit three points behind their Merseyside rival Everton in the race to secure European football and Gerrard hopes his teammates can mount a late push to improve their finishing position.

When asked about his targets for the rest of the campaign, he replied: "Just to win every game, finish as high as we can and maybe nick fifth or sixth. That's what we'll try and do."

 

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Messi: Difficult to play after international breaks

The Argentine claims it is always tough to return to first team affairs after spending time away representing the Albiceleste.

Lionel Messi admitted games can often be difficult following international breaks after Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday.

The Argentine forward scored his 43rd Liga goal of the season at Balaidos - meaning he has now found the net against every league opponent in 2012-13 - but it was not enough as the Blaugrana failed to win on their return to action.

“Games after the international break, especially away from home against a team that have so much at stake like Celta, are always difficult,” Messi said after the match.

“It’s not easy to come back and play, because practically all of us are called up to national teams and we can’t prepare for the match in the way we would have liked.”

Elsewhere, Cristian Tello, whose appearance against Celta was vindicated with the opening goal, spoke of his delight at being entrusted with a starting berth.

“Leo doesn’t surprise me, he’s the best. I hope he stays at the level for a long time,” the young attacker added.

“I’m very pleased that the gaffer has confidence in me and I hope to continue growing. It was a difficult match because it was do or die for them. The result isn’t bad.”

 

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I'm back in top form, claims Robben

The winger believes he is playing at his best again after a difficult few months, while Xherdan Shaqiri puts the Bavarians success down to effective squad rotation.

Arjen Robben says he is "in top form" again after starring in Bayern Munich's emphatic 9-2 Bundesliga victory over Hamburg on Saturday.

Although the Bavarians were not crowned Bundesliga champions, with Borussia Dortmund defeating Stuttgart, they did cruise to a massive win at the Allianz Arena to put them within touching distance of the league title.

Speaking after the match, the Netherlands winger claimed Jupp Heynckes' rotation system was paying dividends for both himself and the rest of the squad.

"The fans saw a great game. It was one of those weird games that you don't experience often. We played very well, but Hamburg were also very weak and, quite frankly, we exploited them," Robben told reporters. "It's very good for the club now that there is a better squad [at the coach's disposal]. It's not just about the team on the pitch.

"The players are demonstrating a better rhythm on the pitch and it makes you feel stronger. Now I am back in top form."

Xherdan Shaqiri took full advantage of a rare start against HSV as he struck for the opener and assisted on another goal, and he hailed the versatility of the Bayern side after the game.

"You can see that almost every player is interchangeable. That has certainly been our key to success," Shaqiri said.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2013.04.01 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2013.04.01 Fixtures

Fulham Vs QPR

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La Liga 2013.04.01 Fixtures

La Liga 2013.04.01 Fixtures


Athletic Bilbao Vs Granada

Real Betis Vs Getafe​

 

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FA Cup Quater-Final Replay 2013.04.01

FA Cup Quater-Final Replay 2013.04.01

Chelsea Vs Manchester United

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Xavi named in Barcelona Champions League squad

 

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FA Cup Quater-Final Replay 2013.04.01

Chelsea Vs Manchester United

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patta gamek yayi

 

[මුගටියා]

Chelsea 1 vs 0 Manchester United

Manchester United passing anthimai!

 

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Full Time

Chelsea 1 Vs 0 Manchester United

Chalsea Goal(s)

Ba 49'
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anemanda.......Manchester United Attaking nam hodatama madi
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Chelsea 1 vs 0 Manchester United

Manchester United passing anthimai!

 

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Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: Brilliant Ba books another Wembley date for Blues

LONDON -- Chelsea dumped Manchester United out of the FA Cup to set up a mouthwatering semifinal clash against Manchester City. A brilliantly constructed and executed Demba Ba volley was the difference between the two heavyweights as Rafael Benitez’s team triumphed 1-0 in the quarterfinal second leg clash.

Another key moment for the Blues was a stunning save of the season contender from Petr Cech that denied Javier Hernandez an equalizer midway through the second half.

This Bank Holiday replay, coming just 48 hours after both clubs were involved in away league fixtures, did not come to life until the second half but there was plenty of drama to overshadow handshake-gate involving the two managers and the saga of the returning Rio Ferdinand.

Juan Mata was the architect of Chelsea’s comeback in the first leg at Old Trafford and he was equally influential on home turf, with his most notable contribution the delicious chipped pass that set up Ba for the game's only goal. The FA Cup holder did not score the second goal that the team's dominance merited but still booked a date with Man City at Wembley on April 14 to keep alive the club's hopes of defending its crown.As expected, both managers made wholesale changes to the teams that started in league clashes less than 48 hours previously.

Sir Alex trumped Benitez in the rotation stakes by bringing in seven new players to the Chelsea manager’s six, although Wayne Rooney was surprisingly not one of them. The forward was omitted from the United matchday squad for the second consecutive match with what Sir Alex claimed was a groin injury picked up on England duty. David De Gea, Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia were the only United players to start both Saturday’s 1-0 win at Sunderland and then again today.

Benitez notably dropped John Terry, Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres to the bench as he significantly reshuffled his attacking options, with Ramires, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Demba Ba restored to the team, along with David Luiz and Ashley Cole.Before the match began, there was the chance for both sets of supporters to vent their feelings towards Ferdinand, returning to the pitch for the first time since his withdrawal from England’s World Cup qualifiers.

The defender was roundly jeered by the home fans at the end of the warmups, again when the teams were read out shortly before kickoff and then whenever he touched the ball as the match began. The large United contingent responded on nearly every occasion with chants of ‘Rio, Rio, Rio’.

Ferguson sprung a tactical surprise with Phil Jones anchoring alongside Carrick, Tom Cleverely tucked in on the left of midfield and Antonio Valencia deployed at right back with Nani in front of him.

Even without Jones providing extra screening, Benitez had warned that it simply would not be possible to have a classic because of the demands on the players, and so it initially proved as both sides struggled to settle into a rhythm.Chelsea was forced into an early change after Ashley Cole pulled up with a hamstring injury while chasing Danny Welbeck. He looked in severe pain as he hobbled off, to be replaced by Ryan Bertrand.

It took 30 minutes for the game’s first real opening, which came when Hazard played in Ba on the right. The striker shot powerfully to De Gea’s near post, but the United keeper was alert and smartly kept it out. Hazard looked the most likely player to conjure an opening. Running with the ball from the left, he skipped past Jones and shared a one-two with Oscar before smashing his shot narrowly over the bar.

Petr Cech nearly became the victim of a hopeful Javier Hernandez long-ranger. It did not wobble in the air as much as the goalkeeper’s reaction suggested, but the captain’s blushes were saved by his right leg.Chelsea had ended the first period marginally in charge and took control early in the second through a superbly constructed goal that blew the cobwebs off what had been a tepid encounter.

Mata seemingly had few options when he picked up the ball in a central area in the middle of the United half. But the Spaniard’s feet are in perfect sync with his sharp football brain, and he picked out Ba’s run with a perfectly weighted chipped pass. The Senegalese had plenty to do, but had the technique to match his confidence. A brilliant first-time hooked finish on the volley surprised De Gea as much as onlookers to put Chelsea ahead for the first time in the two-legged tie.United responded with typical vigor. Hernandez inspired one of the saves of the season from Cech with a diving header that had looked destined for the net. Robin van Persie and Ryan Giggs were then sent on in place of ineffective pair Tom Cleverley and Nani to save United’s FA Cup campaign.

Hazard gave United a let off after 67 minutes when he burst into the penalty area following a mistake from Carrick only to shoot a yard wide of the goal. It prompted a flurry of opportunities for the home side, but the team's finishing did not match its approach play as, time and again, chances sailed above and either side of the woodwork.

Mata ran the show late on but, despite late United pressure, the Chelsea survived without the security of a second goal.

 

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Fulham 3-2 QPR: Hosts see off second-half rally from troubled QPR

An early Dimitar Berbatov brace and a Clint Hill own goal were just enough to secure all three points for Fulham against a determined QPR side in an action-packed West London derby, with the Cottagers holding on for a 3-2 result.

An experienced and regimented Fulham side started the stronger of the two teams, carving out good early chances while keeping the QPR attacking force at bay.

Their pressure paid off when Christopher Samba was forced into scything down Ashkan Dejagah just inside the QPR penalty area after eight minutes, leaving referee Lee Probert with little choice but to point to the spot. Berbatov stepped up and coolly put the ball away past Julio Cesar to give the home side an important early lead.

Fulham's dominance continued in full force right from the restart as a lackluster QPR side looked nervous at the back, and that vulnerability culminated in a terrible mistake from Samba after 22 minutes that gifted Berbatov with his second goal of the game. The big Congolese defender took too long on the ball and lost possession inside his own penalty area, allowing the Bulgarian to break free in front of goal and calmly side-foot the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The lead was then extended to three goals with five minutes left to play in the first half, when, unable to deal with a cross from John Arne Riise, Hill put the ball into the back of his own net with his shoulder.

Down 3-0 after only 41 minutes, QPR looked dead and buried, but Taarabt was on hand to pull a goal back at the end of the first half with a wonderful solo effort that ended with him firing in an unstoppable low shot past an outstretched Mark Schwarzer.

Spurred on by Taarabt's goal, QPR started the second half in top gear and was rewarded with a penalty after 48 minutes when Giorgios Karagounis fouled Taarabt on the edge of the penalty area. The spot-kick responsibility was given to Loic Remy, but Schwarzer was able to palm the Frenchman's tame effort into the path of Damien Duff who cleared the ball from danger.

The visitors continued fighting at full force, though, and Remy was able to atone for his miss when he put his side back into the game just three minutes later with a rocket of a shot that bounced off the crossbar and over the line.

In stark contrast to the first half, QPR remained on the front foot for the remainder of the second half, and things went from bad to worse for Fulham when Steve Sidwell was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on Armand Traore with a little more than 10 minutes left to play.

Despite a plethora of chances, the visitors were unable to capitalize on the one man advantage and a visibly nervy home side was able to hold on for the remaining moments to secure a hard-fought win and deny QPR a memorable and important comeback and leave the club in dire trouble of being relegated.

 

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'Dortmund can win Champions League' - Reus

The 23-year-old believes BVB is capable of lifting the famous trophy and praised the team's performances in the tournament so far Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus insists his side has what it takes to win the Champions League ahead of its quarterfinal clash with Malaga on Wednesday.

The reigning Bundesliga champions came through a group including Manchester City, Ajax and Real Madrid - before dismantling Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 on aggregate in the last 16.

Jurgen Klopp's side is now four games away from the final and, speaking ahead of Dortmund's next European test against the Liga side, Reus is convinced die Borussen could indeed win the tournament.

"Yes, of course we could win it," he told reporters at a press conference.

"I believe we can do it because we have done well to come this far. Malaga is next and at this stage of the Champions League you have the ability to win it. Everything feels possible now. But Malaga is a good side. Small things will decide the outcome but we can definitely go much further.

"I've never played in London before. That would not be a bad way to start a game in London – with a Champions League final."

Reus also refused to rule out the prospect of leaving the club in the future, with rumors continuing to link a number of Europe's biggest sides with a bid for his services.

"You should never say never. But I have a five-year contract with a team I love. We have plans to win trophies here. I also love the city because everyone is so passionate about football."