..::Football III::..

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Ramos: Madrid put heart & souls into Bayern thrashing

Sergio Ramos says Real Madrid players put their "heart and souls" into their Champions League semi-final thrashing of Bayern Munich.

The experienced defender and forward Cristiano Ronaldo each scored doubles to guide the Blancos to an emphatic 4-0 victory over the holders at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

The 5-0 aggregate triumph sees Madrid to return to the final of Europe's premier club competition, which will be held at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, for the first time in 12 years.

Ramos was quick to praise the collective effort of Carlo Ancelotti's men following a superb performance that keeps the club on course to win La Decima this season.

"Scoring was gratifying on a personal level but the most important thing tonight was the collective effort," Ramos told RTVE. "It was a physical game, contested to the full, but it had the Real Madrid seal of quality.

"I was fortunate enough to score twice and, what's more, to do so in a competition like this. Everyone left their heart and souls out on the pitch. It's a dream to be going to the final.

"We played the game we all hoped to this evening and now the next goal is to win the trophy."

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid will face off in their semi-final on Wednesday to determine who will play Madrid in Lisbon.

 

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Ancelotti praises 'perfect' Real Madrid after Bayern thrashing

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed his team's "perfect" display after they reached the Champions League final on Tuesday.
Doubles from Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo saw the Liga giants to a 4-0 second-leg thrashing of Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena, completing a 5-0 aggregate win.

Ancelotti was predictably delighted after the Blancos executed their counterattacking style in dream fashion in Germany.

"We played a perfect match, especially in the first half, because we defended well and attacked efficiently," the Italian told a news conference.

"We are happy because we beat a tough team who won the title last year."

Ramos headed in two first-half goals, the first from a Luka Modric corner and the second following Angel Di Maria's free kick before Gareth Bale set up Ronaldo on the break.

Ronaldo completed the scoring on 90 minutes with a clever free kick under a jumping Bayern defensive wall and their coach was full of praise for his attacking trio, though he was left aggrieved at the booking which will see Xabi Alonso miss the final

"Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano sacrificed themselves for the team tonight," Ancelotti added.

"The president, Florentino Perez, is happy and congratulated everyone. We are just sad that Xabi Alonso will miss the final. The yellow card was unfair. Xabi very important for us and everyone is sad he will miss the final."

 

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Hazard ready to start for Chelsea against Atletico, says Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Eden Hazard has returned to fitness and is ready to start the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

The Belgium international suffered a calf strain during the 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the last round and has not featured since, missing the first leg in Spain and the top-of-the-table Premier League clash with Liverpool at the weekend.

But Mourinho has now revealed Hazard is in contention to start against Atletico on Wednesday.

"Hazard is ready, it's my decision if he starts but he's ready," he told reporters.

Chelsea know a win will see them reach the Champions League final in Lisbon, having drawn the first leg at the Vicente Calderon 0-0, and Mourinho insists he "trusts" his players to get a result at Stamford Bridge.

"It's a knockout game, a game where maybe one goal is the difference. Everybody needs to be at the top level. During the 90 minutes the players are more important than the manager but I trust them and that helps me."

John Terry and Petr Cech also trained ahead of the crunch clash, and could feature at Stamford Bridge, with Mourinho confirming the former will start the second leg.

He said: "His partnership with (Gary) Cahill is fantastic, he deserves more than the Champions League has given him up until now. He starts tomorrow."

 

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Verratti: I'd like to work with Ancelotti again - but I'm happy at PSG

Marco Verratti has admitted that he would like to work with Carlo Ancelotti again - but insists that he has no intention of leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

The Italy international has established himself as one of the most promising young players in world football since departing his native Pescara for the Parc des Princes in the summer of 2012.Consequently, he is constantly being linked with Serie A champions Juventus, while there is also talk that former PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti would like to be reunited with the 21-year-old midfielder at current club Real Madrid.

Verratti is flattered by all of the speculation but says that he sees no reason to leave PSG."Clearly I am pleased to be of interest to a club like Juve, but I repeat I am very happy in Paris," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"Every year rumours seem to emerge that I am going to Juventus, so this story has been going for a long time."I also speak to Ancelotti often and we have an excellent rapport. I grew up a lot under his tutelage and I'd love to work with him again.

"As I said, though, I am happy at PSG and would only look around if I was told I no longer had a place in the project."

 

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Wenger: Arsenal not assured of top-four finish yet

Arsene Wenger has urged his Arsenal side not to take anything for granted in their quest to finish fourth in the Premier League.

Since losing to fellow top-four Everton at the start of April, Arsenal have reached the final of the FA Cup and won all three Premier League games to build a four-point cushion between themselves and the fifth-placed Toffees.

However, Wenger warned that their place in the Champions League for the 17th consecutive season is not guaranteed and urged his charges to continue their fine form against West Brom on Sunday.

"[The Newcastle win] is a step forward but we need to make another one because we have another home game [on Sunday]," he said."It is another opportunity to win again. What is important is to focus on our performance. Game-by-game, they look strong and convincing now.

"We have to live with reality. We have shown quality but at the moment we have 73 points, we can make 79. Let's finish as high as we can and analyse after where we can improve, what was right and what was wrong."

Wenger also highlighted this month's FA Cup semi-final win against Wigan on penalties as a turning point, after Arsenal required an equaliser eight minutes from the end of normal time to avoid an upset. That has left the London club on the brink of a first piece of silverware since 2005, with Hull City awaiting them in next month's final.

"Wigan was a big game of pressure because the last thing you want is to be 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go of an FA Cup semi-final against a Championship team," he added.

"It was certainly important on the confidence front."

 

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Southampton boss Pochettino set for Tottenham talks

Tottenham will step up their managerial search this week and plan to intensify their interest in Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino, Goal understands.

Spurs have been informed that first choice Louis Van Gaal is all but certain to join Manchester United, after the Netherlands coach agreed a deal to take charge at Old Trafford after the World Cup.

Pochettino has been at the forefront of the Londoners’ thoughts ever since they decided to replace Tim Sherwood at the end of the season - despite awarding the Englishman an 18-month contract in December.

The Argentine has been made aware that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy plans to grant him an interview and the 42-year-old has delayed contract talks with Southampton amid interest from White Hart Lane.

Pochettino has one year left on his Saints contract but the club is preparing for a summer of upheaval, with star players including Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana expected to leave.

He is admired in north London for the high tempo, attacking style of play he has introduced at Southampton, with the club comfortably sitting in eighth place in the Premier League table.

Pochettino’s experience in the Premier League is also valued as Spurs look to rebuild this summer following a difficult campaign and target a top-four finish next term.

Tottenham are expected to meet with more than one candidate and are also considering Frank de Boer, but sources in Holland claim the Ajax coach has major doubts over a move to White Hart Lane.

De Boer has just guided the Amsterdam giants to a fourth successive Dutch title under his management and has been linked with European giants Barcelona and Inter.

Contrary to reports, Tottenham sources insist the club have no interest in Moyes after the Scot was sacked last week, 10 months into the six-year contract he signed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at United.

Tottenham initially wanted Van Gaal to replace Sherwood but for a while feared the legendary coach was holding out for a potential vacancy at Old Trafford. The 62-year-old agreed a deal with United executives in Portugal and is expected to be confirmed as the club's next manager.

Sherwood has led Spurs to 11 victories in 18 league games this season but was informed earlier this month that the club plan to appoint a new manager in the summer.

 

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'I will listen to their offer' - Frank de Boer opens door to Tottenham move

Ajax manager Frank de Boer has described Tottenham as a "sleeping giant", adding that he will "listen to their offer" after the Eredivisie season finishes.

De Boer led the Godenzonen to their - and his - fourth consecutive Eredivisie title with a 1-1 draw at Heracles on Sunday, a feat unmatched by one manager in the Netherlands, and has been heavily linked with the Spurs job.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is expected to meet Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino as he considers a managerial change at the end of the season, while De Boer has previously said that he would want to manage Spurs.

Speaking to NOS, De Boer said: "I want to add something to a club, build something. - I won't be talking to other clubs til after May 3.

"After the last match on May 3 I will think about this possibility. I will have talks and will listen to their offer. After that I will decide on how I feel."

De Boer has been at Ajax since 2010 - his first managerial job - after playing 432 times for the Dutch champions and has fuelled speculation that he is inclined to move to England.

He added: "I see a perspective at Tottenham Hotspur, just as Liverpool and Newcastle United sometimes are, they are sleeping giants.

"I want to add something to a club, so that people can see that this was the work of Frank de Boer. Liverpool is a great example of that. What Brendan Rodgers is doing now."

De Boer is highly sought-after and has been linked with replacing Claudio Ranieri at Monaco, but the 43-year-old played down interest in the job at the Ligue 1 club.

"I don't have anything with Monaco, that's a club that has arrived already," he insisted.

In an interview with Voetball International, De Boer moved to clarify some of his comments to NOS, saying: "Spurs have indicated that they would like to talk to me after this season. I told them that I first want to end this season with Ajax in a positive way. And after that, I would like to listen to Tottenham. Nothing more, nothing less.

"They didn't contact my agent Guido Albers yet. And let me be very clear about this: I don't have any intention to leave Ajax. We have a fantastic squad and I'm enjoying my work here at Ajax."

Tottenham and Ajax have a notable working relationship following the transfers of Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen in the last two summer transfer windows.

 

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Tottenham la LVG try karanne nathuwa De Boer or Mauricio Pochettino wa gatthoth.....LVG wa apita set weida manda​

 

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I'm not jealous of Atletico - Falcao

Monaco striker Radamel Falcao has insisted that he is not jealous of Atletico Madrid's success this season.

The Colombia star left the Vicente Calderon last summer for Stade Louis II and Diego Simeone's side have thrived without him, leading La Liga and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

However, the former Porto man says he is happy for his old club and wants to see them prosper."I don't have any envy of Atletico," he told Mundo Deportivo.

"I feel mostly very happy for what is happening at the club. I made some great friendships and had some important moments while I was there."In the life of a footballer you have changes and you can't have everything. I'm very happy for what they are doing and I want the best for them."

Falcao is currently on the sidelines after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage but is hoping to play a part in this summer's World Cup.

 

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Diego Costa: Chelsea will have to attack

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa is confident that Chelsea will not deliver a defensive performance in their upcoming Champions League semi-final.

Jose Mourinho's men sat back in the first leg of the tie, earning a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon and triumphed at Liverpool on Sunday using similar tactics.However, the Spain interantional is expecting the west Londoners to attack more when the two sides meet on Wednesday, with a place in the final up for grabs.

"I'm not nervous, it's a great game, let's enjoy it and play," he told reporters.
"I will be a different match to the one at home, they will have to come out and attack more."Atletico Madrid are currently two victories away from sealing their first Liga title since 1996 and Costa is dreaming of lifting the trophy at the Calderon.

"I want to win the league and it would be good to do it in front of our fans against Malaga," he added.

Atletico Madrid's next two Liga matches are a trip to Levante and a home clash with Malaga.

 

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Van der Sar hails Van Gaal: He's the best I've ever played for

Edwin van der Sar has claimed Manchester United could not find a better manager than Louis van Gaal.

Van Gaal will quit his post as the Netherlands' head coach after this year's World Cup and has agreed to take over at Old Trafford, following the sacking of David Moyes earlier in April.

an der Sar, who won the Champions League and three Eredivisie titles with Van Gaal, before finishing his career at United, rates his compatriot ahead of other former bosses, such as Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I will say more about Louis and United once his appointment is official," the former goalkeeper is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

"But I have made it clear here before that Louis van Gaal is the best manager I have ever played for.''

Franz Beckenbauer was president of Bayern Munich when the Bavarian club lured Van Gaal to Germany and believes the veteran coach would be "perfect" for United.

"He would be perfect for Manchester United because he is an internationally experienced coach and he understands English football," Beckenbauer reportedly told the Daily Mail.

"I don't know if it's a rumour or if they're really trying to sign [Van Gaal] but if they agree with Louis I think it would be a good part of the future.

"He won a lot of titles so he is experienced and he is ambitious. He has the personality. He has everything."

Van Gaal won the Bundesliga-DFB Pokal double with Bayern in the 2009-10 season but was sacked in April of the next campaign as the German giants slumped to third.

But Beckenbauer remains convinced the Dutchman is "one of the best coaches in the world", despite Van Gaal's reputation for arrogance.

"If you ask him a stupid question then it can be that his answer is a bit arrogant but if you treat him with respect, then respect comes back to you," the 68-year-old said.

"I like him. He was also very successful with Bayern Munich. In the end there was a little discussion about the way he was handling his job so that's why they went separate ways. But for me he's one of the best coaches in the world."

 

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Simeone: Nothing wrong with Chelsea parking the bus

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has defended Jose Mourinho from accusations that Chelsea have been simply 'parking the bus' in recent games and insists that a variety of styles is what makes football great.

The Blues left 10 men behind the ball for much of the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Vicente Calderon and came away with a 0-0, then employed similar tactics at Premier League title rivals Liverpool at the weekend en route to a 2-0 win.

The system has seen Mourinho come under fire for a perceived lack of attacking intent, but Simeone insisted that such focus on defence is difficult and believes it would be dull if every club played in the same fashion.

"I'm a football man and I respect different ways of setting up a team for a match," the Argentine told reporters. "It always depends on what you believe is the best way for a specific game or a specific opponent.

"I know that to defend well is not easy, so I congratulate teams who do that well. At the same time, to attack well isn't easy, either. So you have to congratulate coaches who get their sides doing that."Football evolves, it changes all the time. There is no 'best way' of playing, nobody can give you the 'truth' about football.

"It also depends on the manager spending a lot of time with his players, talking different set-ups and tactics, different approaches and styles. But, in the end, it's important the team, the club, the institution wins, regardless of how it is achieved.
"There is no 'one way' to play football. If we all played the same way, it would be very boring. You can play 10 at the back or 10 up front. What matters is the result."

The winner of the clash at Stamford Bridge between Atletico and Chelsea will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

 

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Bayern were awful - Guardiola

Pep Guardiola described Bayern Munich's performance as "awful" after his team exited the Champions League with a 4-0 embarrassment at home to Real Madrid.
The Bavarians were completely outgunned as doubles from Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo condemned the holders to an ignominious 5-0 aggregate elimination at the semi-final stage on Tuesday.

Guardiola, whose side put up much more of a fight in the 1-0 loss last week at Santiago Bernabeu, sought no excuses for the Allianz Arena humiliation."Everything happens in football from playing well," the former Barcelona boss told reporters."I've have had several hard defeats in my career and this is one of them."We conceded goals from set pieces, but we played awful, it's the only reason we lost. There's no other reason, it's just football.

"When you are playing bad, you concede a lot. We came out very energised, it was a back-and-forth game, we could have scored with our chances, but we didn't. Us playing bad is the only one explanation for this defeat."

Bayern, who already have the Club World Cup and the Bundesliga won this season, have one final chance to claim silverware in the DFB-Pokal final on May 17 against Borussia Dortmund, in what will be a repeat of last year's Champions League final.

 

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Mourinho: Rodgers congratulated me on Chelsea's win over Liverpool

Jose Mourinho says Brendan Rodgers has congratulated him for Chelsea's 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

In the immediate aftermath of Chelsea's controversial 2-0 win on Sunday, Rodgers accused his opposite number of "parking two buses" in order to keep a clean sheet, with Liverpool frustrated by their counterparts' tactics.

But Mourinho insists the Reds boss has now revised his view, with the Northern Irishman taking time out to praise his opposite number on Tuesday, 24 hours before Chelsea's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

"Brendan is a manager and someone I consider my friend. I met him a long time ago when he was a very young coach coaching kids and I consider him a friend," he told reporters.

"Of course I know his words after the match but I also know his words today and today he told me congratulations for a great victory and a great performance.

"This is important to me especially because he is someone I consider a friend and I like. So I forget what he said after the match and instead what he said today.

"He watched the match on video again and now he understands what happened."

 

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Ronaldo breaks Messi’s Champions League goals record for a season

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken Lionel Messi's goals record for a single Champions League season following his double in Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old's two goals in his side's superb second-leg victory at the Allianz Arena took his tally for the 2013-14 season to 16.

Ronaldo has now netted one more than Messi's previous record, with the Argentine registering 14 times in 11 games during the 2011-12 tournament.

Remarkably, the Portuguese has bettered the Barcelona forward's tally in just 10 outings this term, having missed the group game at home to Galatasaray.

No player has ever scored at such a rate in Europe's premier club cup competition.
Messi's average during his record-breaking 2011-12 season was a goal every 70.71 minutes, while Ruud van Nistelrooy was even more prolific during Manchester United's run to the quarter-finals in 2003.

The Dutchman netted 12 times in total, giving him an average of a goal every 57 minutes.

Ronaldo, 29, has hit double figures in the Champions League in three consecutive seasons after netting 12 and 10 strikes in 2012-13 and 2011-12 respectively.

The former Manchester United man will now get the chance to add to his total in the final in Lisbon next month, with Madrid to meet either Chelsea or Atletico in the competition's showpiece in Portugal.

 

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Congratulations CR7!

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UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals 2nd Leg 2014.04.30 Fixture

UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals 2nd Leg 2014.04.30 Fixture

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Chelsea Vs Atletico Madrid

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Hazard ready to start for Chelsea against Atletico, says Mourinho

 

[charitha chandi]

'I will listen to their offer' - Frank de Boer opens door to Tottenham move

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Supiri awoth..! I would like to see Tottenham becomes more strong..! EPL is the best league..!