..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp: Dortmund could've put five past Madrid

Borussia Dortmund "could have scored five goals" in their 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday, according to boss Jurgen Klopp.

The Schwarzgelben were without star striker Robert Lewandowski due to suspension and the team's other attackers were unable to compensate for his absence at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Goals from Gareth Bale, Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo ruined the evening for the visitors and Klopp - who guided the team to the final last season, knocking out the Blancos in the last four - was left to rue missed opportunities and slack defending.

"We were not compact enough," the coach told Sky. "We stood deep and we stood wide, but we were not compact enough.

"Real always score at home. So when they do it does not matter with regards to the early goal. We could have scored five, but we did not.

"With the second and third Madrid goals, it is a fact that we had the ball both times but we gave it away cheaply.

"We ran a lot and we really fought for at least one goal but we did not get it. We certainly had better situations to get into a game and, if we go out next week, certainly some wasteful attacking from this match will be to blame.

"We will fight and give our everything again in the second leg."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Late Pastore goal a 'devastating blow' for Chelsea, says Cahill

Gary Cahill admitted the late Javier Pastore goal in Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain is a "devastating" blow.

PSG took the lead at Parc des Princes through Ezequiel Lavezzi, only for the visitors to pull level through an Eden Hazard penalty.

But a David Luiz own goal put the hosts back in front, before Pastore beat Petr Cech at his near post at the death to give his side a huge boost ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

"[It was a] horrible time to concede then, a sloppy goal, unlike us and it was a big blow at 2-1," Cahill told Sky Sports.

"Obviously it was difficult to come here. 2-1 would have been okay going back to Stamford Bridge I suppose, but the blow at the end is devastating."

Cahill remains optimistic that Chelsea can still win the tie at Stamford Bridge, despite the two-goal deficit.

He added: "It will be tough but we're at home at Stamford Bridge and we've been playing well there.

"We need to, we've got a big task ahead of us and we need to approach it in the right manner and be on the front foot, but obviously it's a disappointing night for us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Isco revels in 'excellent' Real Madrid win

Isco revelled in Real Madrid's "excellent" display after they romped to a 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Gareth Bale grabbed an early opener before Isco doubled the lead before half-time, with Cristiano Ronaldo rounding off the scoring to equal Lionel Messi's record for goals scored in a single Champions League season.

Isco was chosen to start alongside Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso after Angel Di Maria was ruled out not long before kick-off and - as well as praising his team-mates for the win - the attacking midfielder admits being chosen to start was a surprise.

"It’s an excellent result. I’m very happy that I scored and also for the clean sheet," the 21-year-old told reporters.

"Pepe and the rest of the defence performed to a very high level. So did the rest of the team. It’s a deserved victory.

"I was surprised to be called when Angel felt sick but we must always be ready to play. I enjoyed having the chance to show the coach I can play in any formation and in any position.

"I loved being applauded off by the fans at the end."

Dortmund knocked Madrid out in the semi-final stage last season but face a seemingly impossible task to repeat that feat ahead of the second leg next Tuesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Defeat can be Juventus catalyst - Conte

Juventus coach Antonio Conte says his side can use their defeat to Napoli as a catalyst in their quest for domestic and European success.

The Bianconeri face Lyon on Thursday in the first-leg of their Europa League quarter-final on the back of a surprise 2-0 loss to Rafa Benitez's side on Sunday.
Lyon boss Remi Garde suggested Juve will be a mountain to climb for his club, with Conte endorsing that view, while admitting he is expecting a reaction from his players."Juventus are a mountain to climb? We'll look to make it insurmountable," the trainer told reporters.

"I hope the defeat to Napoli gives us the strength to face the final sprint in the best way. I'm expecting a great display tomorrow."Lyon have had success in recent times and possess fine players. We've studied them and are aware of their strong and weak areas.

"We’ll face Lyon aware of the importance the first leg holds in the eventual destiny of getting through to the next round. We should be proud at being respected by teams like Lyon who, up until a few years ago, were ahead of us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

On-loan Arsenal defender Djourou set to seal Hamburg switch

Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka has confirmed that on-loan Arsenal defender Johan Djourou will remain at the club beyond the end of the season.

The Switzerland international joined the Bundesliga side in a temporary switch from the Gunners in July, though the deal was reported to include a clause allowing the German outfit to buy him outright.

And now Slomka, HSV's third manager in a disappointing season, has confirmed that the 27-year-old centre-back will remain in Hamburg.

"I am happy that he's staying with us for the next few years as he's a stabilising influence at the centre of our defence," the 46-year-old coach told reporters.

No details of the deal have been released, although local media reports have indicated that Djourou has agreed a contract that will keep him with Hamburg until 2016.

The Swiss defender has made 22 appearances for Hamburg this season but has been unable to prevent them from enduring a nightmare campaign, currently sitting second from bottom of the Bundesliga with six games to play.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham to move into new stadium in 2017

Tottenham have announced that they hope to be able to move into a new 58,000-seater stadium by the middle of 2017.

Construction is expected to begin on the 'Northumberland Development Project', located next to the club's current home at White Hart Lane, later this year.

And chairman Daniel Levy believes it is "feasible" to expect the stadium to be opened in time for the start of the 2017-18 season.

"We have fantastic, strong support," Levy told the club's official website. "Our current 36,000-seater stadium sells out and the waiting list for season ticket holders is currently in excess of 47,000.

"We have the smallest capacity stadium of any club in the top 20 clubs in Europe, let alone the current top four Premier League clubs.

"We cannot stress strongly enough how critical the new stadium is over the long term to these raised expectations."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Atletico confirm Diego Costa did not tear hamstring

Atletico Madrid have been boosted by the news that Diego Costa did not tear his hamstring in Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Barcelona.

The Spain international, who had been a doubt for the quarter-final first leg with a knee problem, was forced off just 27 minutes into the game at Camp Nou.

Atletico quickly confirmed via their official Twitter account that the forward had suffered "a hamstring muscle injury in his right thigh", immediately prompting fears that the 25-year-old was facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

However, the Rojiblancos have now revealed that there was "no tear", meaning Costa could be fit for next week's return leg at the Vicente Calderon.

Costa himself, though, was pessimistic about his chances of facing Barca in the Spanish capital on April 9, stating upon his arrival at Atletico's training ground on Wednesday morning that he would not be fit "on time".

The Brazil-born attacker is the Rojiblancos' top scorer this season, with 33 goals in 43 games in all competitions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kaboul: I'm not joining Arsenal

Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul has insisted that the rumours of a potential move to Arsenal are "100 per cent not true".

Earlier on Wednesday the Daily Star had reported that Kaboul had told friends he is keen on joining the Gunners when his contract expires this summer.

Such a transfer would have carried with it echoes of Sol Campbell's acrimonious move across north London as a free agent in the summer of 2001.

But Kaboul Tweeted: "I can confirm 100% that the rumour about me joining Arsenal is not true!!!"

Tottenham offered Campbell a new contract which would have made him the highest-paid player in the club's history, but he elected to join Arsenal instead and went on to win two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

Campbell was never forgiven by Spurs fans and labelled "Judas" by many, suffering vitriolic abuse whenever he returned to play at White Hart Lane.

Kaboul is currently in his second spell with Tottenham, having spent two seasons at Portsmouth before returning to the club in January 2010.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ter Stegen's agent: Barcelona deal cannot go through now

Marc-Andre ter Stegen's agent does not believe that the Borussia Monchengladbach starlet's proposed move to Barcelona will now go through.

The Germany international had already agreed to join the Blaugrana at the end of the season but the deal is now in jeopardy after it was announced on Wednesday that the Catalans have been banned from signing any players for the next two transfer windows because of Fifa regulation breaches relating to the acquisition and registration of players under the age of 18.

Ter Stegen's representative, Gerd vom Bruch, had initially claimed that he was confident that the reported €12 million switch would still go through but now he cannot see how the goalkeeper can complete his move to Camp Nou.

"If I have read the Fifa announcement in the right way, Marc-Andre's transfer [to Barcelona] will not be done in summer," the agent told SportBild.

Ter Stegen claimed earlier in the day that even if he is blocked from joining the Liga champions, he has no intention of seeing out the final year of his contract with Monchengladbach.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Europa League 1st Leg Fixtures 2014.04.03

UEFA Europa League 1st Leg Fixtures 2014.04.03

Porto Vs Sevilla

AZ Vs Benfica

Lyon Vs Juventus

Basel Vs Valencia

​

 

[unicornx]

Klopp: Dortmund could've put five past Madrid

Borussia Dortmund "could have scored five goals" in their 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday, according to boss Jurgen Klopp.

The Schwarzgelben were without star striker Robert Lewandowski due to suspension and the team's other attackers were unable to compensate for his absence at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Goals from Gareth Bale, Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo ruined the evening for the visitors and Klopp - who guided the team to the final last season, knocking out the Blancos in the last four - was left to rue missed opportunities and slack defending.

"We were not compact enough," the coach told Sky. "We stood deep and we stood wide, but we were not compact enough.

"Real always score at home. So when they do it does not matter with regards to the early goal. We could have scored five, but we did not.

"With the second and third Madrid goals, it is a fact that we had the ball both times but we gave it away cheaply.

"We ran a lot and we really fought for at least one goal but we did not get it. We certainly had better situations to get into a game and, if we go out next week, certainly some wasteful attacking from this match will be to blame.

"We will fight and give our everything again in the second leg."

Moda haraka paradila tawath kiawanawa :3

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Porto 1-0 Sevilla: Mangala puts Portuguese in pole position to progress to last four

Porto edged towards the last four of the Europa League with a deserved 1-0 victory over Sevilla in their Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Coach Luis Castro said in the build-up that Porto's status as favourites in almost every game they play has hampered them this season - the reigning Primeira Liga champions sit third in their domestic division, 15 points adrift of leaders Benfica - but they put in a commanding display at Estadio do Dragao on Thursday.

After dominating the early stages, Porto finally took the lead just after the half-hour mark as captain Eliaquim Mangala powered a diving header in from an audacious Ricardo Quaresma cross.

Castro's side almost went into the break with a two-goal lead, but Steven Defour's effort from distance was nudged on to the post by former Porto keeper Beto to keep Sevilla in the game.

The away side should have levelled late on as Kevin Gameiro skewed wide from close range, and although Porto will be without Fernando following his late dismissal for a second bookable offence, they take a narrow advantage to Seville for next week's second leg.

With Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Nacional typifying Porto's faltering domestic campaign, Sevilla - who had won six league games in a row before Saturday's 1-0 loss at Celta Vigo - arrived in Portugal looking to compound their misery in the Europa League.

The hosts enjoyed an encouraging start, however, keeping Sevilla camped in their own penalty area for long periods, but the Spaniards' defence stood firm despite a flurry of Porto corners.

Unai Emery's team weathered the storm and almost broke the deadlock with their first chance in the 27th minute, as Vicente Iborra flicked on Ivan Rakitic's left-wing free kick, only for home keeper Fabiano to block the header.

The visitors were made to rue that miss four minutes later, though.

Quaresma - who scored in Porto’s 3-2 aggregate win over Napoli in the last round - delivered a brilliant cross with the outside of his right foot and Mangala directed it into the goal with a ferocious diving header.

Beto did well to deny the hosts a second in the 45th minute, as he acrobatically tipped Defour's long-range effort on to his left post.

Sevilla appeared more willing to venture forward in the second half and they nearly capitalised on an error by Mangala in the 49th minute, as Coke charged down his clearance before seeing a shot deflected wide from an acute angle.

Goalscoring chances were more infrequent than the first half, but Porto striker Jackson Martinez did go close with just over an hour gone with a half-volley that flashed over the bar from close range.

And with 15 minutes to go, Sevilla substitute Gameiro missed a massive chance to equalise as he pounced on a rebound, only to scuff his effort and miss the target.

Porto's position was put in jeopardy in the 87th minute as Fernando picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Gameiro, but Queresma almost extended their lead in injury time as he struck a half-volley onto the post after his initial free kick had been blocked by the wall.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AZ 0-1 Benfica: Hosts hit by Salvio sucker punch

A below-par Benfica showed their European nous against AZ to clinch a 1-0 victory and seize the advantage in their Europa League tie.

Jorge Jesus' men have reached the semi-final and the final of the competition in their last two attempts and look on course to go one better this term after a hard-fought away win in Netherlands on Thursday.

While they showed little of the attacking threat that saw them score nine goals in four Europa League games before their trip to the AFAS Stadion, they ground out a victory that puts them in the driving seat in the tie.

Benfica rarely threatened before the break but were able to keep an occasionally lively AZ front line at bay before taking their golden opportunity soon after the interval.

Two minutes into the second half, Benfica had their lead, as Eduardo Salvio opened his account for the season with a vital away goal.

After Oscar Cardozo's effort was well saved by Esteban Alvarado, the loose ball fell to Salvio, who produced an excellent finish to edge the visitors in front.

It leaves AZ with an uphill task to progress, given that Benfica have won 10 of their last 11 games at the Estadio da Luz - keeping clean sheets in all those victories.

In a low-key start, AZ had the better of the opening exchanges with Roy Beerens having en effort saved by Artur Moraes before curling a shot from the left-hand side wide of the far post.

While the visitors grew into the game, Aron Johannsson was next to threaten as he drew a smart save from Artur following positive play again from Beerens, with the Benfica goalkeeper required again to beat away Steven Berghuis' strike soon after.

For Benfica, it was a case of lacking a final ball, as they failed to create anything for wily striker Cardozo.

Things were made more difficult for the visitors when Ruben Amorim was taken off injured, although they would have gone ahead at the break had Guilherme Siqueira and Rodrigo not blazed efforts over the crossbar from inside the area.

After a first half with few efforts on target, Benfica needed just three minutes of the second to take the lead, as Salvio pounced on Cardozo's saved effort to angle an effort home.

It killed any momentum that AZ may have had and Jesus' men will be more than happy to take their slender advantage back to Lisbon, especially given that AZ have not won on the road in any competition since mid-February.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Basel 3-0 Valencia: Delgado double puts Swiss side on brink of last four

Basel took a huge step towards the last four of the Europa League with a 3-0 quarter-final first-leg win over Valencia on Thursday.

In a game played behind closed doors at St Jakob-Park because of crowd trouble in the victory at Red Bull Salzburg in the last 16, the hosts made light of the lack of home support to give themselves a great chance of a spot in the last four for the second year in succession.

A first-half brace from Matias Delgado - a rasping effort in the 34th minute and a beautifully guided close-range finish four minutes later - and Valentin Stocker's impudent stoppage-time chip put Murat Yakin's side in complete control of the tie heading into the second leg in Spain next week.

Valencia, who were perhaps lucky not to be reduced to 10 men in the early stages when Philippe Senderos bundled into David Degen inside the area, offered very little going forward in the first half but were improved in the second.

Eduardo Vargas squandered their best opening midway through the second half, heading wide from eight yards after getting on the end of Fede Cartabia's cross from the left.

Despite enjoying much of the ball in the closing stages, Juan Antonio Pizzi's side could not break down their stubborn opponents and now have it all to do at Mestalla next Thursday.

Basel felt they should have had a penalty in the 11th minute when Senderos collided with David Degen as he bore down on goal, but referee Martin Atkinson waved away the home side's vociferous appeals.

Marcelo Diaz tested Vicente Guaita from 20 yards seven minutes later but the Valencia goalkeeper was equal to his effort, recovering well to smother the ball at the second attempt.

The hosts were dominant and Guaita was called into action again in the 24th minute, brilliantly tipping Fabian Schar's fizzing strike from distance around the post.

He could do nothing about Delgado's opener, however, the Argentine picking up Philipp Degen's ball before thumping a shot beyond the despairing dive of the keeper into the bottom left-hand corner.

Four minutes later it was two, Delgado touching home Stocker's devilish cross from the left.

The visitors showed signs of improvement after the break, Paco Alcacer and Vargas both fluffing chances to convert from Cartabia's low cross from the left.

Vargas then stretched Basel's Yann Sommer for the first time in the 55th minute, the keeper parrying away the striker's effort that bounced awkwardly in front of him.

The Chilean ought to have earned his side a crucial away goal in the 69th minute, heading a bouncing delivery wide from close range when completely unmarked.

And Valencia's frustrating evening was summed up at the death, as Sommer parried Seydou Keita's effort before Basel broke forward, captain Stocker coolness personified as he dinked the ball over the advancing Guaita to leave the Swiss outfit with one foot in the semi-finals.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Olympique Lyonnais 0-1 Juventus: Bianconeri's Europa League bid boosted by Bonucci

Leonardo Bonucci gave Juventus a priceless 1-0 win in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final at Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday.

The Italy defender often found himself in the role of replacement playmaker for much of the evening as the French side worked hard to shackle Andrea Pirlo’s influence from deep.

Bonucci's persistence was rewarded in the 85th minute as he lashed home after Paul Pogba bundled a poorly defended corner goalwards.

Juventus substitute Mirko Vucinic - on for injured top scorer Carlos Tevez - cut a particularly relieved figure having blazed over from close range a minute earlier.

Jimmy Briand wasted Lyon's best chance and botched a clear opportunity on the break alongside Steed Malbranque shortly before Bonucci's strike to ensure boss Remi Garde suffered an unsatisfactory 48th birthday.

Juventus welcomed back Tevez from a domestic ban and their Serie A talisman had the opportunity to end his five-year European goal drought in the fifth minute.

Strike partner Pablo Daniel Osvaldo flicked into his path deep inside the Lyon box but the Argentine found neither the required power nor direction with his header.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made his 700th appearance for Juventus and displayed typical excellence to deny Malbranque at his near post when the experienced playmaker darted into the visitors' box.

Lyon should have led from the resulting 26th-minute corner. Arnold Mvuemba's delivery was met by Bakary Kone and Briand lifted the loose ball onto the roof of the net from close range.

Tevez had another sniff of an opening when Pirlo lifted a trademark pass behind the Lyon defence, but Buffon's opposite number Anthony Lopes raced from his line to snuff out the danger.

Buffon helped Samuel Umtiti’s 53rd-minute free kick around the post as Lyon began the second period on the front foot.

Juventus found a response through Tevez but it came at a price. The forward turned and ran at the home back line before driving into Lopes' arms, then immediately signalled to be replaced having apparently pulled a muscle in his leg.

As the hour arrived, Briand almost flicked a Pirlo free kick into his own net but Lopes pushed clear superbly at full stretch.

Vucinic replaced Tevez but it was another attacking substitute, Sebastian Giovinco, who sparked Juventus' most enterprising period.

First, the diminutive forward combined with Pirlo at a short corner that saw Kwadwo Asamoah's strike from the edge of the area deflected narrowly wide.

Giorgio Chiellini wasted a good opening from a clever set-piece, though Vucinic's inexplicable miss from six yards looked to have ended the Italians' chance of a win.

However, Juve finally grabbed a crucial goal with five minutes of normal time to go, with Bonucci bundling home after Lopes saved from Pogba, and the Italian champions will go into the second leg high on confidence, having won all but three of their 21 games at home this term.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sevilla boss Emery optimistic despite Porto defeat

Unai Emery remains optimistic about Sevilla's chances of progressing to the semi-finals of the Europa League in spite of Thursday's defeat at Porto.

Eliaquim Mangala scored the only goal of the game at the Estadio do Dragao to make the Portuguese side favourites to reach the last four.

However, Emery says he saw enough in the first leg to convince him that Sevilla have every chance of turning the quarter-final tie around at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

"We are optimistic we can do better and the tie is still open going into the return," the Rojiblancos boss told GoIT.

"We knew the importance of standing firm, particularly early, and I thought we did well in that regard. Other than the goal, they did not cause us much danger.

"Right now we're at a disadvantage, but we have to feel more confident [at home] and find our best form.

"Moreover, we will have the fans with us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Jesus: Benfica still have it all to do against AZ

Benfica boss Jorge Jesus insists his side’s tie against AZ is far from over despite recording a key 1-0 victory in Alkmaar on Thursday night.

Eduardo Salvio’s goal on 48 minutes proved to be the winner to put the Portuguese league leaders in control of the tie, but their coach says there will still be a lot of work to do in the second leg.

Jesus told Record: “I am satisfied to come away with a 1-0 lead and the display from my team was pleasing, but when you face teams at this level you know they are capable of doing damage away as well as at home.

“We must remember that prior to this game; AZ had not lost in 10 Europa League matches. They played a good game and have some strong players – they are still dangerous.

“Admittedly, AZ started the match with momentum; they were causing us difficulties early on.

“Early in the second half we entered our best period and scored the goal. From that point on, it was probably closer to going 2-0 than it was to going 1-1, which is positive.

“It is a win for our travelling fans. I am sure they will all leave here satisfied with the victory for Benfica and I send them my thanks for being here and helping us to win.”

Home coach Dick Advocaat seemed demoralised after the full-time whistle, suggesting that Benfica were at a different level to his AZ side.

The ex-Rangers boss told RTL7: "In the first 25 minutes we competed well with Benfica, but after that you could simply see a big difference in quality.

“I can't blame my boys for anything because they did everything they could. In the second half they brought on a player they paid €30 million for last summer – that is the difference. Their squad is full of internationals and they are a top European club.

“AZ have come very far in this tournament and that is great for our club but on a night like this you can see we have come up short.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Anelka: I was right to insult terrible Domenech

Nicolas Anelka says he has no regrets for insulting Raymond Domenech, which led to him being sent home from the France squad during World Cup 2010.

The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid attacker had a confrontation with the then Bleus boss at half-time during his country’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico.

Four years on, the free agent insists he still has no respect for Domenech’s coaching ability and has no remorse for what he said at the time.

Anelka ranted to RMC: "I insulted a coach who the whole of France had already insulted, a coach who had never won anything apart from Ligue 2 and the Toulon tournament!

“He didn't know victory. I respect the man because I think he's a good person but I have no respect for the coach because he is not up to scratch.”

After being sent home from the tournament in South Africa, Anelka was handed an 18-match ban by the French Football Federation (FFR), ending his international career.

He continued: “When you have been coached by Ancelotti and other greats, it's hard to be coached by Domenech!

“A coach who demands respect but is incapable of respecting the best scorer in the history of France [Thierry Henry] doesn't deserve any respect.”

The 35-year-old striker is currently without a club after being sacked by West Bromwich Albion last month.

The Premier League side acted Anelka had announced on Twitter he planned to terminate his contract, just a day after it was confirmed he would accept a five-match ban for making a quenelle gesture.

 

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England can win World Cup, insists Parreira

Brazil technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira believes England are capable of winning the World Cup, if they can escape Group D.

Roy Hodgson's side have been drawn against Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy - who eliminated them from Euro 2012 on penalties.

England have failed to get past the quarter-final stage of the World Cup since 1990, with many tipping them to fall at the first hurdle in Brazil later this year.

And, though Parreira - who won the tournament in 1994 - concedes the group will prove tricky, he believes they could challenge anybody in the tournament should they emerge from their pool.

"The group is very tough ... nobody can say right now who is going to survive in this group," he said.

"If [England] survive they can go very far in the competition. We played them twice, we lost one and we drew the second one.

"The team is very good, I rate them as one of the favourites together with Spain, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Germany."

Parreira highlighted captain Steven Gerrard as England's star performer, and believes the Liverpool man would command a place in Brazil's midfield.

"I like Gerrard very much; he is, for me, a wonderful player," he added. "He would play in the Brazilian team, yes. The Brazilian players love him, respect him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Conte: Incredible Giovinco made the difference against Lyon

Juventus boss Antonio Conte has hailed Sebastian Giovinco after his side battled to a late 1-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League.

The 27-year-old forward came off the bench after 62 minutes and produced a lively cameo as the Iitalian champions snatched a late winner through Leonardo Bonucci.

“There aren’t enough people who praise Giovinco, who in my view has incredible quality,” Conte told reporters after the match.

“He needs to believe in himself even more and realise he can make the difference at a big club like Juventus the same way he did at Parma.

“Those who came off the bench did very well and I am very happy.

“We came to Lyon not to defend ourselves, but to attack and get the win that would make the second leg a little more comfortable for us. We had a good mentality.”

Bonucci’s 84th-minute winner means Juventus will now expect to move a step closer to the Europa League final, which is being played in their home stadium.

Conte says he was impressed with the way his team responded after their recent Serie A defeat to Napoli on a night during which their French opponents made expressive play difficult by defending in numbers.

“We have moved on well after the Napoli game,” he said. “We are Juventus and the players know what it means to wear this shirt.

“It was a tough match; Lyon were above all trying to stop us from playing, with man-marking all over the field.

“Inevitably, they lost some intensity in the second half, while we also moved better and created several chances. In our recent matches, we have been playing better after half-time.

“This was a deserved result but we still haven’t achieved anything – there is a second leg still to play before we can even consider the semi-finals.”

Carlos Tevez had to be replaced after 56 minutes, with Mirko Vucinic coming on in his place, but Conte did not seem seriously concerned about the Argentine.

The Bianconeri boss said: “Carlos had already felt a little pain in his thigh during the last game he played against Parma.

“We agreed the moment he felt pain in that area again he should come off. We did not want to take any stupid risks with him.”