..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Zenit double not my last Dortmund goals - Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski insists he still has plenty to offer Borussia Dortmund this season, after scoring twice in the 4-2 win over Zenit on Tuesday.

The Poland international hit a second-half double, after Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan had secured an early lead in Russia, to put BVB in full control of their Champions League last-16 tie with Luciano Spalletti's men.

Lewandowski is set to join Bayern Munich in the summer when his contract at Signal Iduna Park expires, but he says that Tuesday's goals will not be his last in Schwarzgelben colours.

"Of course I'm satisfied with the game, with the result and my two goals. But the last word has not been spoken. That was not my last goal," the forward told the club's official website.

"We'll continue to play in the Champions League and I hope to score a few more."

Lewandowski went on to warn his side not to allow complacency to creep into their game in the second leg, after Zenit almost forced their way back into the match in the second half with goals from Oleg Shatov and Hulk.

"The coach [Jurgen Klopp] is right when he says we're not yet in the next round, even though we won 4-2. We must show we are the better team in the second leg, too," continued the 25-year-old.

"In the first half, Zenit had no opportunities to score, while in contrast we had a good start with two goals in the first five minutes. But I think we could have played better in the second half, since we made too many mistakes.

"The fourth goal was very important - at 3-2, Zenit could believe they could get a draw. Away goals count double in certain cases, as with the game between Bayern and Arsenal last year.

"We still have important games in the Bundesliga, the cup and Champions League. I want to win as many as possible. It doesn't matter that I'm going away after the season ends."

 

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Carrick: Manchester United can still progress in the Champions League

Michael Carrick insists Manchester United can still reach the Champions League quarter-finals despite their 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos.

David Moyes' side face a tough task of progressing in Europe after goals from Alejandro Dominguez and Joel Campbell handed the Greek champions a fully deserved victory in Athens on Tuesday evening.

"It's a disappointing night," Carrick told ITV. "To lose like we have is hugely disappointing.

"I feel we still have a chance going back to Old Trafford but obviously it's not going to be easy.

"We've lost the game and we can here hoping to win but we haven't done that. We are not out of the tie by all means but it's not ideal."

United managed to register only one shot on target in their defeat to the Greek side, and Carrick admits his team-mates must take responsibility for their sub-par performances this term.

"We haven't been getting the right results," said the midfielder.

"As players we've got to stand up and take it on the chin. You take the good times and the bad times.

"As players we haven't been getting good results and as a club that's everyone involved. That’s how we are judged and we know that.

"We're still in the tie, we’'e going home, we're not out of it at all, so we look forward to the second leg."

 

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Dortmund were tactically perfect against Zenit, beams Reus

Borussia Dortmund attacker Marco Reus claims his side's tactics "worked perfectly" in their 4-2 win over Zenit on Tuesday.

The Bundesliga side raced into an early lead through Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, before Robert Lewandowski scored twice in the second half to put paid to Zenit's efforts at a comeback.

Reus was proud of the way BVB performed in the clash in Russia, but warned that the goals from Oleg Shatov and Hulk after the break proved that Jurgen Klopp's men cannot afford to sit back in the return leg at Signal Iduna Park.

"We started very well. Our tactics worked perfectly, we took an early 2-0 lead and put in a fine display, especially in the first half," the Germany international told Uefa's official website.

"In the second period we slacked off a bit and this should serve as a lesson to us for the return leg. Our 2-0 advantage was deserved, as was the final result, I think. I always say it doesn't matter what the individual does, but to win as a team, and that's what we have shown today.

"We should take it game by game. Today we took the first step towards the next round, but you could also see that an away team is always capable of scoring. We did a lot of the work today and so a lot of things would have to happen for us not to go through in the return leg. Nevertheless, we have to be on our guard.

"I am, of course, feeling good about my performance. It was important that the team won and we are very happy. We will take it one match at a time. In a couple of weeks we have the return leg in our stadium and we want to go through then."

Defender Lukasz Piszczek was pleased with his side's reaction following the humbling Bundesliga defeat to Hamburg at the weekend, but reserved special praise for Lewandowski, who will join Bayern Munich in the summer.

"We had quite a good start with the two goals and that made life a bit easier for us. But we were also very focused the whole time and were a bit unlucky to concede those two goals," he said.

"I don't think we were lacking concentration when we conceded, those two goals were a bit of a fluke for Zenit. We stood up well and were unlucky in those situations. We did well and I hope we play as well in the return leg.

"Robert [Lewandowski] is a world-class player. We are happy he is still with us and hope he will continue to play as well as he did today and over the past few weeks.

"We had to show a reaction after that match in Hamburg, as there were a lot of mistakes. It was not good for us, but we knew we had a very important match coming up and strongly focused on getting a very good result. We managed that."

 

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Van Persie: My Manchester United team-mates make it difficult for me

Robin van Persie believes his Manchester United team-mates are making it "more difficult" for him to find space and admits he has been forced to adjust at the expense of his own game.

United are in danger of being dumped out of the Champions League following their 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos on Tuesday evening.

And Van Persie, who squandered a gilt-edged chance to pull a goal back for David Moyes’ side late in the second half, admits he is struggling in his role under the Scot.

"Sometimes I try to find ways to do more but in the areas I wanted to play, my team-mates were often there. This makes it difficult for me,” Van Persie told NOS.

"Then I have to change my tactics to suit my team-mates, and play outside my zone. It's a pity.

"We played too slow and could therefore create little.

"I rushed that shot. That's a shame because I don't get a lot of chances so when you get one, you have to score."

But despite his admission, Van Persie refuses to blame Moyes for United's poor performances this season.

"He's working hard at it, and so are we. Sometimes we play well, but not all the time. We don't have luck on our side.

"It's easy to point the finger at someone, but I'm not like that. We have to do better."

 

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'The worst we've played in Europe' - Moyes reeling after Olympiakos defeat

David Moyes admits Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos was his side’s worst performance in Europe this season.

Goals in each half from Alejandro Dominguez and Joel Campbell sealed victory for the Greek champions, leaving United with a difficult task of progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Moyes’ men registered just one shot on target on Tuesday evening and the Scot admits his players deserved to lose the fixture.

"It was a really poor performance,” the Scot said. "I didn't see that performance coming. The one good thing is there's still a second game.

"Old Trafford's seen some great nights in the past and we'll hopefully see another one.

"I take responsibility, it's my team and we have to play better.

"That's the worst we've played in Europe, we didn't deserve to get anything.

"We just never really got to grips with things and to a man you could hardly pick any body out. We just didn't perform tonight."We came into the game on good form, with a good mindset, but it didn't show."I still didn't think we were necessarily two goals worse off in the game but we didn't offer enough on the night to create a goal."

The Champions League represents Moyes' last realistic chance of winning a major trophy in his first season at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils out of both domestic cup competitons and trailing Premier League leaders Chelsea by 15 points.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Worst thamaiOlympiacos match 1ka play karapu widiya dakkhama match balana 1ka epa wenawa

Team 1ke hama player kenekma 100% agollangen balaporotthu wena de team 1kata dunna nam mehema wenne nahameh season 1ka purawatama une oka thamaiplayersla 2nnek witharak 100% agollangen balaporotthu wena de deela anith kattiya game 1ke nathnam kohomada match 1ka dinanne

Full squad 1kama wenas karanna wenawa meh play karana widiyataSpecially Cleverly,Valancia & Young mehgollangen Balaporotthu wena de wenne naha

Do Something Moyes!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

me parath epl team tika last 16 walin kapeida manda

Anemanda broChelsea gana thamai hopes thiyaganna puluwan.

Arsenal latath 2 goal deflect 1kak Bayern home waladi recover karanna thiyenneBayern home wala kohomath lesi wenne naha.Manchester United latath 2 goal deflect 1kak recover karanna thiyenneHome play kalath playerslage dan thiyana performance balanakotanam hopes thiyaganna baha Quater-Finals gana

Anyway Hope for the best thamai!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League 2014.02.26 Round of 16 1st Leg Fixtures

UEFA Champions League 2014.02.26 Round of 16 1st Leg Fixtures

Schalke Vs Real Madrid

Galatasaray Vs Chelsea

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Schalke 1-6 Real Madrid: Ronaldo, Bale & Benzema embarrass hosts

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema pummelled Schalke into submission as Real Madrid planted one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-1 win on Wednesday.

The Blancos opened the scoring in Germany early on when Bale's ball was flicked through die Knappen's defence by Ronaldo for Benzema to pounce and bury in the back of the net, before the Welshman grabbed a goal of his own, weaving into the box then finishing in the bottom corner.

Ronaldo had plenty of chances to add his name to the scoresheet but struggled to find the net, but finally slammed one his shots home as the second half plodded along, with Benzema converting from a tight angle on a Madrid counterattack shortly afterwards.

Sergio Ramos carved open Schalke's decimated defence with 20 minutes still remaining and Bale duly delivered the visitors a fifth at the Veltins Arena, burying the ball neatly into the back of the net.

Ronaldo capitalised on lackadaisical Schalke defending by waltzing in a sixth for Madrid with a minute left on the clock, although Klaas-Jan Huntelaar bagged the goal of the night by volleying home an absolute beauty in stoppage-time for the hosts.

The comfortable victory sees Jens Keller's men facing almost-certain elimination from Europe at the last 16 stage and eases any pressure on Carlo Ancelotti's side - who hade only won one of their last 25 visits to Germany in Uefa competition - ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 18.

Keller had spoken in the build-up about the Germans' need to be "brave" against a side he ranks as arguably the second best in the world - behind Schalke's Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich - but there was little his side could do about Madrid's opener.

Ronaldo's flicked pass was deflected into the area for Benzema and the Frenchman coolly slotted past Ralf Fahrmann to give the visitors a perfect start.
Schalke should have levelled a minute later, however. Draxler darted in behind the visitors' defence to direct Jefferson Farfan’s right-wing cross past Casillas, but the Spaniard launched himself across goal to palm it away, before Meyer blazed the rebound over.

Madrid made the most of that let-off and doubled their lead 21 minutes in, with Bale showing his class.After cutting in from the right, the Welshman cleverly slalomed his way between Felipe Santana and Sead Kolasinac before squeezing a shot into the bottom-right corner, capping a wonderful solo run.

Ronaldo almost made it 3-0 just after the half-hour mark, but after jolting past Kolasinac and shooting from 20 yards, his low drive came back off Fahrmann’s right-hand post.

Ronaldo finally got a deserved goal in the 52nd minute and he netted in style as the Ballon d'Or winner dazzled Joel Matip with three stepovers before charging into the area and rifling in a left-footed effort.A fourth arrived just five minutes later as Benzema doubled his tally for the match, passing into an empty net after playing a one-two with Ronaldo and bursting around Fahrmann, but things soon got even worse for the hosts.

With 21 minutes remaining, Bale raced on to an intricate throughball from Ramos and confidently caressed the ball past the goalkeeper with his left foot.The visitors added a sixth for good measure as Ronaldo latched on to Benzema's pass, skipped past Fahrmann and passed home.

There was still time for Schalke to get a consolation as Huntelaar fired in a superb volleyed effort from the edge of the area, but Real had already long since killed off the tie.

 

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Real Madrid pattama gahillak gahala

 

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Galatasaray 1-1 Chelsea: Blues favourites despite Chedjou equaliser

Fernando Torres' first-half strike gave Chelsea a narrow Champions League advantage to take back to Stamford Bridge despite a spirited Galatasaray fightback in Istanbul.

After a week in which Chelsea boss Mourinho was captured on camera lamenting his striking options in what he thought was a private conversation, the visitors displayed some of their flair and vigour to score what could prove to be a priceless away goal.

They made an ideal start to their last-16 clash, silencing the vociferous home crowd by taking the lead through Torres' simple ninth-minute finish.

Making his first start since January 11, the Spaniard scored a sixth goal from his last five starts in the competition, but Chelsea failed to maintain their momentum as Gala coach Roberto Mancini altered his side's tactics and personnel.

As Chelsea's threat dwindled, Aurelien Chedjou netted a second-half equaliser - with Mancini showcasing his managerial acumen against old foe Mourinho to keep alive the Turks' hopes of progression.

Having dominated much of the pre-match build-up, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba was involved in Galatasaray's first threatening moment, slipping in Burak Yilmaz who failed to connect properly with his effort.

Willian then went close for Chelsea, almost taking advantage of a woeful Fernando Muslera kick to open the scoring.

However, the Gala goalkeeper managed to get his head to the shot and divert it wide in what was an unwelcome scare for the hosts.

But, in a timely reminder to Mourinho of his abilities, Torres showed his class after nine minutes by calmly stroking home from close range.

Appropriately, Mourinho had also said in midweek that "a team with 11 (Cesar) Azpilicuetas would probably win the competition", and it was the Spaniard who surged down the left wing before cutting back for Torres to finish.

In what was an open first half hour, both sides threatened in spells but it was the visitors who caused more problems on the break with the energetic trio of Willian, Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle looking lively in particular.

The latter's cutback was put over the crossbar by Ramires after 27 minutes before Petr Cech was called on to smother Izet Hajrovic's effort soon afterwards.

As the home side enjoyed their best spell of the half, Yilmaz then had the ball in the net but saw his effort ruled out due to the presence of two balls on the pitch after a break in play.

Chelsea captain John Terry had carried the ball back onto the pitch after conceding a throw-in, and failed to get it back out of bounds before the hosts resumed play.

Terry was booked but Gala fumed that what would have been an equaliser was chalked off.

Mancini made his second change of the game at half-time, bringing Semih Kaya on in place of Hakan Balta, presumably in an attempt to limit Chelsea's fluid counter-attacks.

It appeared to work as Gala began the half brightly, although Selcuk Inan contrived to prod Wesley Sneijder's delivery against the post with the goal at his mercy before Chedjou finally did level for the Turkish side.

With neither Terry nor Cech dealing with Sneijder's corner, defender Chedjou stole in to nudge home unmarked from inside the six-yard box.

The hosts pressed for a winner in the latter stages but were unable to find a second goal - with Chelsea perhaps grateful in the end to leave the Turk Telekom Arena on level terms at the halfway point in the tie.

 

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Drogba: I wish I'd scored against Chelsea

Didier Drogba has stressed he would have loved to score in Galatasaray's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Wednesday, but insists the result was a good one.

Fernando Torres opened the scoring for the Blues before Aurelien Chedjou equalised in the second half as the spoils were shared in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 encounter.

Drogba admits it was "special" to face his old Chelsea team-mates and believes Roberto Mancini's side are fully capable of achieving a positive result in the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

"It was a special game to play against my team-mates," he told Sky Sports. "It was a great game, a good result, Chelsea are a better team on paper but we showed we can cause them problems.

"We will now go to Stamford Bridge and hope to get a result.

"I had to keep my emotions to one side, it was like an old day training at Cobham against your team-mates. I wish I had scored but there's another game to come so we'll see.

"It will be difficult going to Chelsea but it's possible to qualify. They are good on the counterattack and we were naive, but 1-1 is not a bad result for us."

Wesley Sneijder, who set up Galatasaray's equaliser, conceded he did not see as much of the ball as he wanted in his position on the left of attack but is confident he can impose himself further in the return leg in March.

"In the first half, everything went over the right flank. During half-time I said we had to play more on the left and so we did," he told NOS.

"My position on the left side is nice when you get the ball a lot, but tonight it wasn't. In that case I have to work more for my team, but this is the second round of the Champions League so you always have to work hard. Especially when you face Chelsea.

"I think the result was deserved. In the return leg I hope I can get the ball a lot more. I feel that I'm in great shape, but my role in the team is a bit different. I have to sacrifice myself for the team. When we lose the ball I have to return to my position, but I think that's going very well."

 

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'It was a s**t game' - Keller left reeling after Madrid rout

Schalke boss Jens Keller was left reeling after his side's thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday, slamming the 6-1 loss as "a s**t game".

Two goals each for Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale embarrassed the Bundesliga side in their Champions League last-16 first leg, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's fine late volley serving as scant consolation to the beleaguered hosts.

With Sead Kolasinac, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Roman Neustadter all suffering injuries during the contest, Keller was left with little to shout about at the final whistle - although he did stress the defeat would serve as an important learning curve for youngsters Julian Draxler and Max Meyer.

"We had a very young team on the pitch and they learned a lot," he told Sky. "Guys like Julian Draxler, Max Meyer, Sead Kolasinac or Joel Matip know now that at this level you have to be even more focused and you are allowed even fewer mistakes.

"Kolasinac is at the hospital, maybe he has a broken jaw. Kevin-Prince Boateng is injured, Roman Neustadter has knee problems. It was a s**t game plus we have all these new injuries now.

"We started well until we conceded the first goal. Then we made error after error and a team like Real Madrid exploit that without any mercy."

The second leg takes place at Santiago Bernabeu on March 18.

 

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Mourinho: I'd return to Inter after Chelsea

Jose Mourinho admits he would consider a return to Inter if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich no longer wanted him at Stamford Bridge.

The 51-year-old spent two seasons with the Italian club and left in 2010 having won Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia in his final campaign.

"Right now I'm fine at Chelsea, but in the future Abramovich could decide that my adventure here is over," Mourinho told Mediaset.

"That day I could go back to Italy and it's normal for me to think about Inter. But only Inter, not another Italian club."

Mourinho joined Real Madrid after his spell at San Siro, before returning to Stamford Bridge last summer to takeover from interim coach Rafa Benitez.

 

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Schalke rout was "the perfect match", says Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised the 6-1 Champions League hammering of Schalke on Wednesday as "the perfect match".

The Spanish giants were simply irresistible in the first leg of their last-16 clash at the Veltins Arena, blowing Schalke away with two goals apiece from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

The trio took their cumulative goals total for the season to 70 before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored a brilliant volley in second-half stoppage time against his former team that was nothing more than a consolation for the Germans.

The result equalled the Blancos' best-ever away win in the Champions League and Ancelotti was understandably elated to be taking what looks almost certain to be an unassailable five-goal cushion back to Santiago Bernabeu.

"The match was perfect," he told Canal Plus. "It was fantastic. We all played well together, working as one. I'm proud of all my team. It's hard to lose a game like that."Everything has gone well tonight - defensively and in attack. The front three especially looked very dangerous.

"Is the tie over? You have to have respect for everything - the opposition and their fans. Football is strange. We have to play. The first leg was very good, and the advantage is great, but we have to play well."Madrid now turn their attentions to the weekend derby clash with Atletico Madrid, but Ancelotti admits it will be tough to consider rotating the team after Wednesday's supreme display.

"All the squad are fresh. We may change some things, but it's not easy to change a team that's doing so well. I hope to repeat this performance on Sunday," he added.

 

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Eto'o: I don't have to explain anything about my age

Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has hit out at allegations suggesting he is older than 32 years old.

Jose Mourinho was left fuming after a private conversation was recorded by Canal Plus and revealed the Blues boss saying: "The problem with Chelsea is we lack a scorer. I have one [Eto'o] but he's 32. Maybe 35, who knows?"

But when questioned about Mourinho’s comments after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Galatasaray on Wednesday, Eto’o told Mediaset: "I do not have to explain anything.

"I triumphed with all the teams I played for, I'm the player I am and I want to help Chelsea to win a cup this season."

At the Turk Telekom Arena on Wednesday, Fernando Torres’ early opener was cancelled out by Aurelien Chedjou’s strike after the break and Eto’o has urged Chelsea to take advantage of playing at home in the second leg.

"It’s a good result for us," said the striker. "In the return leg, however, we must be very careful and take advantage of the home advantage. We need a goal to qualify."

 

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Ronaldo: Bale, Benzema & I did great

Cristiano Ronaldo was eager to heap praise on the entire Real Madrid side after their resounding 6-1 win over Schalke on Wednesday, but admitted that the attacking trio of him, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale did particularly well.

Two goals apiece for Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema sealed an emphatic first-leg win in the Champions League last 16 encounter, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar firing home a consolation with a superb volley in the dying minutes.

Madrid's attacking trio stole the headlines in a ruthless display in Gelsenkirchen, but Ronaldo insists the whole team deserved praise for their efforts.

"All three of us [Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale] did well and not just in terms of scoring the goals," he told Canal Plus. In general, the entire team, from Iker [Casillas] to the defenders and midfielders, everyone did their job well.

"We have played some very good games this season and this was one more. Schalke were not at their best level. We are happy as we are now very close to reaching the next round."

Ronaldo admits he should have added to his double on the night after striking the post and seeing three efforts blocked by goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann, but the Portugal captain insists he was simply happy to be back in action following his domestic suspension.

"I scored two goals but, as I said, the goalkeeper did well. I believe in my potential, my team-mates helped me and in the second half I was able to score twice," he continued.

"What has happened has happened, I was frustrated because I didn't deserve a three-match ban, but I'm happy now.

"We're now motivated for the derby [with Atletico Madrid], that's the main thing. We are Madrid and we'll try to win at the Vicente Calderon."

 

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Chelsea were in trouble, admits Mourinho

Jose Mourinho admits Chelsea “were in trouble” during the second half of their 1-1 draw against Galatasaray on Wednesday.

Fernando Torres had given Chelsea an early lead in Istanbul but Aurelien Chedjou netted an equaliser for the Turkish club following a prolonged spell of pressure in the second half.

“I can’t complain. The players were fantastic,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“This is Turkey, this is Istanbul, this is Galatasary, they're very emotional, we were playing against not just a big club but a big club with big players. And it’s not easy.

“We were a bit in trouble. The result is not amazing. The situation in the second leg is difficult.

“If Stamford Bridge can give us 10 per cent of what this public gave them, it would be fantastic for us. I just ask 10 per cent of what this stadium gave to Galatasaray. And we have to try and go through but the second leg will be difficult.”

Mourinho also believes Chelsea’s failure to build on their goal before the break proved costly and feels the fatigue shown by Torres and Andre Schurrle contributed to his side’s second-half display.

“The first half was our game, we had chances to kill the game,” said Mourinho.

“I’m not critical with my striker because my striker had a good game. But overall when we go to counterattack situations, we are missing the last pass, the last control, the last choice.

“Because in the first half we had many occasions to get a second goal, and the second goal would completely change the story of the game.

“My two dangerous players in the first half, Fernando and Schurrle, both were in trouble in the second half.

“Fernando because physically he was exhausted, and Schurrle a bit of that because he’s not playing a lot in the Premier League and because the yellow card put him in a difficult situation.”

 

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'Madrid are in it to win it' - Bale talks up Champions League chances

Gareth Bale says Real Madrid are "in it to win it" after Carlo Ancelotti’s men virtually guaranteed themselves a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-1 demolition of Schalke on Wednesday.

Bale and fellow forwards Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo each scored twice as Madrid ran riot in Gelsenkirchen in a one-sided last-16 first leg.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted the goal of the night with a wonderful volley late on but it was of scant consolation for Schalke, who were hopelessly outplayed on a sobering night for the home crowd.

Madrid’s long-held quest to become European champions for a 10th time looks to be gathering momentum and Bale was in bullish mood afterwards, talking up the Spanish giants' chances of achieving La Decima.

The Wales international told Sky: "It was a great performance. We were fully prepared and ready for this match. It is a great result.

"It is a team game and we work very hard for each other on the pitch. I think this is a key for this team to have improved this year.

"We are in it to win it. We want to win every competition we play. We know it is not going to be easy, because there are many great teams fighting for it. But we will give it a try."

Madrid will host Jens Keller's men in the second leg of the European tie on March 18.

 

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Higuain: Napoli must beat smaller teams

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has warned that his side must improve their record against "smaller teams" if they are to claim silverware this season.

A late equaliser against Genoa saw the Partenopei lose ground on Juventus and Roma in the Serie A title race on Monday after they had mustered a disappointing performance in the 0-0 Europa League draw with Swansea City last week.

Higuain admits Rafa Benitez's side will take time to gel fully after a number of signings over the past two transfer windows, but the Argentina international insists poor results against weaker opposition will continue to hold them back.

"I'm not too bothered about scoring, I just want the team to win. This season we have unfortunately lost too many points against smaller teams," Higuain told reporters at a sponsor event.

"We had practically won against Genoa and ended up drawing instead. Luckily there are still a lot of games until the end of the season. We want to get into second in the standings.

"I came here to win, but at the same time I'm aware that a lot of new players have arrived this year. But I still believe there is time to change our fortunes for the better this season.

"But again, we have to understand why we do well against big teams and lose against the smaller ones.

"Hopefully we can improve and learn from our mistakes. Now we need to think about Swansea."