..::Football III::..

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'I won't speak to the press again this season' - Ronaldo rages after Schalke scare

An angry Cristiano Ronaldo told reporters that he will not speak to the press again until the end of the season after he helped Real Madrid survive a scare against Schalke and qualify for the last eight of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Portugal international headed two goals as the defending champions twice came from behind against the German side and drew level with Lionel Messi on 75 strikes in the Champions League, but Madrid ultimately lost 4-3 on the night and came within one goal of a humiliating exit in front of their own fans.

Ronaldo was visibly annoyed throughout the game and was caught on camera by Canal Plus telling team-mate Karim Benzema "this is embarrassing" during the closing stages.

He then began to storm off the pitch at the final whistle, only to be called back by captain Iker Casillas to applaud the fans in the centre circle.

Clearly unamused, he waited briefly before heading for the tunnel and appeared momentarily before the media later on.

"I'm not going to talk," he said in the mixed zone. "I won't talk to the press again until the end of the season."

Unhappy at recent reports over his recent dip in form and clearly disgusted at his side's poor performances of late (which also include a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Club on Saturday), the 30-year-old forward is thought to be considering his future at the Spanish side and now wants to focus fully on helping his team challenge for La Liga and the Champions League in the remainder of the current campaign.

 

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Casillas: Madrid have hit rock bottom

Iker Casillas admitted Real Madrid had hit “rock bottom” after his side’s Champions League defeat to Schalke on Tuesday completed a miserable 10 days for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.The Blancos lost 4-3 on the night but edged out the Germans 5-4 on aggregate courtesy of a 2-0 win in the first leg in Gelsenkirchen.

The loss means Madrid have now gone three games without a win in all competitions, after a draw and a defeat to La Liga rivals Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao, respectively.

Casillas, who was arguably at fault for three of Schalke’s four goals, said: “It’s true we have hit rock bottom in a most resounding way. But the positive is that we will be in the draw next Friday.

“When that draw is made we will forget what has happened over the past 10 days – they have been dramatic.“We must think about tomorrow, we cannot look back, nor dwell on the 22 successive wins [earlier in the season] or anything else we have achieved.”

In Casillas’ defence, he produced a late save from Benedikt Howedes that kept Madrid in the competition but the Spain international admitted he had not performed well.

“I believe a goalkeeper is always to blame [after conceding four times],” he added. “This was not one of my best games but it’s not the moment to think about myself.”

 

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Di Matteo: Great disappointment at Schalke exit

Schalke coach Roberto Di Matteo expressed “great disappointment” that his side failed to edge Real Madrid out of the Champions League on Tuesday.The Bundesliga outfit pushed the defending champions all the way but, despite winning 4-3 on the night, exited the tournament 5-4 on aggregate.

"Our squad did everything this evening. We had a very young team on the pitch, we expressed ourselves well. To win at Madrid, scoring four goals and not go through, we feel great disappointment,” he told Sky.

Former Madrid forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar threatened a famous upset with a stunning 85th-minute strike that meant Schalke needed to score just once more to progress on away goals.

The holders' 2-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen in the first leg ultimately proved enough to see them through - but the Bernabeu faithful were less than impressed, greeting the final whistle with a deafening chorus of jeers as Madrid's relative slump in form continued.

Cristiano Ronaldo had twice saved the hosts in a poor first-half showing as his headers cancelled out goals from Christian Fuchs and Huntelaar - the Portuguese's double making him the highest goalscorer in European competition.

Karim Benzema put Real ahead on the night shortly after half-time, only for Leroy Sane to curl home an exquisite equaliser for Schalke, before Huntelaar's superb finish set up a grandstand ending to the game.“It was a great match for the spectators. We played very well but it's a strange feeling, to play that well and crash out nonetheless,” said Di Matteo.

“We hit the crossbar in the first leg and we hit it here, too. Luck was not on our side today. I want my team to play more football - and that's what we did here today."

Schalke are fifth in the Bundesliga and must now target a place in the competition next season, according to the Italian.He added: “Our objective is to get our injured players back and return to the Champions League.”

 

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Modric: Madrid have to suffer sometimes

Luka Modric insists that Real Madrid's 4-3 Champions League defeat at home to Schalke on Tuesday is no cause for concern.

Carlo Ancelotti's side reached the quarter-finals thanks to a 2-0 win in Germany in the first leg three weeks ago but were given an almighty scare at the Santiago Bernabeu, after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's strike put S04 one away goal away from qualification.

Modric, who made his return to action after three months out through injury, was delighted that his side scraped through and is keen to move on from the poor performance.

"It's very important that we qualified for the next round," the Croatia international is quoted as saying by AS.

"We did not play well but sometimes you have to suffer. I don't look for reasons, it's very early now. I'm with the team now and I'm very happy.

"We need to play as a team and hopefully we'll return to how we did it at the beginning of the season. We have the quality and I think we'll see the best version of Madrid in the next game."

Madrid, who were knocked off top spot in La Liga by Barcelona over the weekend after a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao at San Mames, will hope to get back to winning ways when they meet Levante on Sunday.

 

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Huntelaar: Madrid didn't have much confidence

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar hailed Schalke’s enterprising display against Real Madrid on Tuesday but expressed regret the German side failed to make it through to the Champions League quarter-finals.Netherlands international Huntelaar scored twice against his former club as Schalke won 4-3 on the night but exited the competition 5-4 on aggregate.

The visitors were excellent throughout and could have caused one of the biggest upsets in recent times had Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas not partially redeemed himself for some earlier errors with a string of late saves.

Huntelaar told Uefa.com: “Of course we are happy about our game today, but we could have achieved more. We conceded too easily and we should have taken our lead into the break. They didn't feel comfortable at all.

"We had the chance to get more goals, especially with the big opportunity of [Benedikt] Howedes at the end. We did everything we could, but unfortunately we didn't succeed.

"We entered the pitch looking for a miracle and started to press them. That went really well and the Real fans turned against them. You could see that they didn't have much confidence." Young midfielder Leroy Sane was also on the scoresheet and he was another to express a mixture of pride and disappointment.

He said: “We played very well. We weren't afraid and produced a good passing game. We should have scored once more. In the end we are more disappointed, than happy. It's very sad.”

Defender Howedes added: “We played a great game. We were very brave and were not overawed by a world-class team like Real Madrid. Congratulations to my team, we deserved more today.”

 

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Ancelotti: I'm not thinking about the sack

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insists that he is not worried that his side's poor run of form could cost him his job.

The European champions went on a 22-game winning streak prior to the Christmas break but have been out of sorts since the turn of the year and were knocked off top spot in La Liga by Barcelona at the weekend.

They scraped through to the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday - despite a 4-3 home loss to Schalke in the last 16 - and Ancelotti has stressed that he is not fearing the sack.

"I'm not thinking about the sack," the Italian coach told reporters after the game.

"I keep doing my job, trying to do it better. I need to do better. We must say it clearly: we are playing very badly. It is pretty hard to understand, after what we did up until December.

"We need to look at our defence. That's where all our errors are. No team has put four past us at home. We lacked organisation.

"I'm very sorry, as everyone saw, we played very badly and it's bad for our image. All the criticism we get is justified.

"We're professionals, we don't make ourselves look ridiculous. It's not easy to explain what happened. We've lost confidence.

"What happened with the fans is normal. We are the first to say that we played badly and the whistles are deserved."

Luka Modric made a long-awaited return from injury in the game against Schalke and Ancelotti was delighted to see the Croat back in action.

"Modric returned and that was the only good thing tonight. He will be very important for us."

Real Madrid will attempt to get back to winning ways when they host Levante on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00CET.

 

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Mourinho takes swipe at 'aggressive' PSG

Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie by claiming the French champions are the "most aggressive" team Chelsea have faced this season.

Laurent Blanc's side travel to west London with the tie finely poised after a 1-1 draw in Paris in mid-February.

Mourinho was unhappy with the treatment dished out to Eden Hazard at Parc des Princes, with the Belgium international being fouled a record nine times throughout the game - though the referee issued just two yellow cards to PSG players during the clash.

"The most agressive team we've played this season is Paris Saint-Germain," the Chelsea boss told reporters on Wednesday.

"I have to be fair, I thought an English team would never be surprised by aggressive play because we have it in our country.

"We've played against sides from the Championship in the Cup, against teams from League One and Shrewsbury [Town] from League Two, but the most aggressive team was PSG.

"For me, that was a real surprise. With players of such quality, I was expecting more football and less aggression."

Mourinho also criticised the assertion that PSG dominated the opening leg, claiming that they "dominated in everything except the result".

"It depends on your concept of football. If dominate is the number of chances, yes, Paris had more chances," he said. "If dominate is to make foul after foul. Or to move the ball without progression."

 

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Henriquez: I don't want to go back to Manchester United

Angelo Henriquez has revealed he would like to sign for Dinamo Zagreb on a permanent deal rather than return to Manchester United when his loan agreement ends this summer.

The Chilean striker moved to Old Trafford in August 2012 but has never made a senior appearance for United, instead spending the last two seasons on loan with Wigan Athletic and Real Zaragoza respectively.

But Henriquez has hit the ground running since moving to the Croatian capital in August, scoring 11 goals in 17 appearances, and admits he would relish the chance to extend his stay with Dinamo beyond this season.

"Dinamo is making an effort to buy my contract from Manchester United, which means they are satisfied with me," he told the club's official website.

"I feel great at Dinamo and in Zagreb, I feel great on and off the pitch and that is why I want to stay here. People here accepted me, I've gained many friends, Zagreb is beautiful city and the fans love me too.

"We are on the way to win the double and to compete in Champions League qualification and I am looking forward to being a part of that."

 

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Ronaldo claims European goal record

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the all-time leading goalscorer in European competition after netting twice in Real Madrid's Champions League tie with Schalke at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Ronaldo pulled clear of Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and former Madrid team-mate Raul when he nodded home Toni Kroos' right-wing corner in the 25th minute.

And he moved further ahead with another goal on the stroke of half-time, rising highest at the far post to power in Fabio Coentrao's excellent left-wing centre.

His goals were both equalisers after Schalke had twice led on the night through efforts from Christian Fuchs and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who found the net later on to give his side a 4-3 win on the night.

However, Madrid progressed to the next round thanks to a 2-0 win over the Gelsenkirchen outfit in the first leg in Germany.

Ronaldo netted in the first leg of the last-16 clash last month to draw level with Argentina attacker Messi and former Spain skipper Raul on 76 strikes in Europe overall. Messi will get the chance to reclaim the record when Barca meet Manchester City at Camp Nou next week.

Raul needed 168 games with Real and Schalke to reach 76 goals, while Ronaldo required just 117 and Messi only 95 to hit the same number.

Ronaldo and Messi are also now level with 75 goals in the Champions League, with Raul's long-standing record of 71 now relegated to third place.
Ronaldo's 78 overall is made up of 75 Champions League strikes, one in the competition's qualifiers which does not count in his overall tally for the tournament and two in the Uefa Super Cup against Sevilla back in August.

Messi, meanwhile, has scored 75 of his 76 in the Champions League, with the other coming in Barca's Uefa Super Cup success against Porto in 2011.

 

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Congratulations CR7!​

 

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Mourinho: No specific plan for Ibrahimovic

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says his side cannot focus solely on Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germainon Wednesday. Ibrahimovic worked with Mourinho at Inter Milan, but has never scored against a team managed by the Portuguese in seven attempts.

And the former Real Madrid boss says he has no intention of setting up his team to specifically counter the threat posed by the 'fantastic' Sweden international.

Mourinho told reporters: "I don't have a plan for him as he's very difficult to play against. He's such a good player but we're focused on the team.

"This is what we're going to do. We know Zlatan is a fantastic one. We're going to focus on the team and ourselves."

Mourinho has also called on the Stamford Bridge crowd to roar the side home in the decisive tie, with the scores currently locked level at 1-1 after the first leg.
"I think somebody tomorrow has to be a little bit magic and that's the crowd," he added.

"We played the (League Cup) semi against Liverpool and it was fantastic. The crowd was an extra. We had a fantastic stadium supporting the home team. Hopefully we can have that in our favour."Meanwhile, Mourinho has confirmed that Nemanja Matic is set to feature against PSG after recovering from an ankle knock.

"We're happy he's back," he said. "He's fit to play and he is important. He's had no football for two weeks and no training because he was injured. He's going to play tomorrow in his normal position."

 

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Blanc hoping for Courtois off day

Laurent Blanc has admitted he has his fingers crossed that Thibaut Courtois has an off day when Paris Saint-Germain face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The two sides drew 1-1 in the first leg of their last-16 clash on February 17, with the all-important away goal giving the Blues the upper hand ahead of Wednesday's second leg.

It could well have been very different, though, had Courtois not produced several saves to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani at the Parc des Princes.
The performance of the Belgium goalkeeper did not go unnoticed, with Blanc hoping the 22-year-old has a night to forget in west London.

"Tomorrow we know that we must score at least one goal against Chelsea to qualify. We know that. We have more experience than last year. Chelsea, we know, are better than last year.

"Courtois had a very good game in the first leg. I hope he will be less effective tomorrow night. As it stands Paris will be eliminated. It is up to us to secure our qualification."PSG went into the first leg under a degree of pressure amid a stuttering Ligue 1 campaign which has seen Marseille and Lyon emerge as rivals at the top of the table.

Since that game, however, Blanc's side have made a marked improvement and sit just a point behind les Gones at the top of the table, with midfielder Blaise Matuidi in confident mood.

He added: "It is necessary that we approach the game with a single goal: to score. I think we are better now than before the first leg against Chelsea."

 

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Guardiola: I could lose my job

Pep Guardiola has admitted he could lose his job if Bayern Munich are beaten by Shakhtar Donetsk in the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.Bayern are favourites to advance to the quarter-finals following a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Ukraine, which they secured despite seeing Xabi Alonso sent off.

However, Guardiola is well aware of the expectations at the Allianz Arena, and believes even reaching the final might not be enough to secure his future at the club.
He said at his pre-match press conference: "I am still young, but I know what would happen if we do not go through to the next stage.

"I am the coach of a really big club and I know that it is a problem if we don't progress to the quarter-finals or the semi-finals, even the final. That is part of the business and I am prepared for it."

That said, the former Barcelona coach remains supremely confident of reaching the next stage and is refusing to contemplate the possibility of defeat."I am very optimistic, I have already said that we will win this game and I have not changed my mind. We are playing at home and we will have success.

"Perhaps there will be surprises for us, we do not know yet what kind of game they will play - defensively or not. Tomorrow we will have to win the game, we know this.

"If we lose tomorrow, the Champions League campaign is over for us. Unfortunately just one of the two teams will be allowed to progress and I am confident that it will be us."Bayern warmed up for Wednesday night's clash by beating Hannover 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

 

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Ozil: Manchester United made mistakes and Arsenal exploited them

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil says that his side expertly capitalised upon Manchester United's mistakes as they reached the FA Cup semi-finals on Monday.

The Gunners overcame nine years of failure at Old Trafford to emerge 2-1 victors, with former United striker Danny Welbeck scoring the deciding goal.

The Germany international pointed to his side's efforts when out of possession as a key factor in their win and paid tribute to what he said was a "passionate" display.

He told Goal: "We weren't given much of a chance, if you believe the statistics of previous matches against United, but with a passionate team performance, we are now going to Wembley.

"United offered us mistakes and we exploited them well. We concentrated on our work off the ball and followed the manager's gameplan.

"I look forward to the semi-finals at Wembley and, of course, [hope to] return there in May [for the final]."

 

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Thiago Silva reveals future Brazil stars

Brazil international Thiago Silva says the national team has a promising future in defence and backed three youngsters to lead the Selecao's next generation.
The centre-back, 30, captained his nation at last summer's World Cup but lost his place in the side after suffering a hamstring injury in August, with new coach Dunga picking David Luiz and Miranda at the heart of the defence.

But with the pair aged 30 and 27 respectively, it won't be too long before Brazil's next back of young talent are knocking on the door for international recognition and Thiago Silva has noted three young defenders with huge potential.
“Brazil has uncovered some very good young defenders.,” the Paris Saint-Germain defender told Foot Mercato.

“There are two or three names that come to mind. Samir at Flamengo reads the game very well. He's left-footed and it's not easy to be a left-footed defender.
“Then there is Marlon at Fluminese. He's a very good defender who is coming to prominence in Brazil.

“And finally there's Elivelton, who also plays for Fluminense. He's another youngster who has similar characteristics to Marlon. As he's young, he can still improve his technique. I am sure that those three will join a European club soon.”
Twenty-year-old Samir made his U21 debut for the Selecao last year and helped his side to the Copa do Brasil in 2013.

Marlon, 19, made 16 starts for Fluminense in Brasileirao 2014 as well as making six appearances for Alexandre Gallo’s Brazil at the Under-20 South American Championship this year, and is rumoured to be attracting attention from Italian giants AC Milan.

Team-mate Elivelton played 46 times for Fluminense last year but lost his place in the side and has moved north to join Nautico on loan.

 

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Manchester City step up Alderweireld interest

Manchester City are ready to swoop to sign Southampton loanee Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid this summer, Goal understands.

After struggling for game time under Diego Simeone last season, the Belgium international has impressed while on loan with the Saints this term, forming a key part of the Premier League's tightest defence.

City's director of football, Txiki Begiristain, feels that Alderweireld would be an excellent signing and there is room for the reigning English champions to make a deal happen.

Southampton have the option to sign the centre-back permanently for €8.4 million at the end of his loan but Atleti could cancel that clause by paying a €2.1m fee, which would then allow them to sell to the highest bidder.

The Spanish side believe they could extract as much as €19.6m from City for Alderweireld's signature.

The player himself would be happy to link up with Manuel Pellegrini's side and could yet attempt to force through a deal, with his priority this summer to stay in the Premier League.

As previously revealed by Goal, Manchester United and Arsenal have also been monitoring the Belgian defender.

 

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Pedro: I am going through a difficult period at Barcelona

Barcelona attacker Pedro has admitted that he is unhappy with his current situation at the Catalans and is considering a potential summer exit.

The 27-year-old has been struggling to secure regular first-team action this season due to the stiff competition for places, with head coach Luis Enrique preferring an attacking partnership consisting of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Pedro has started just 12 times in La Liga this term and has suggested that he could be on his way out of Camp Nou.

"I am going through a difficult period," the attacker told BeIn Sports."It is clear that I am having a tough time to find a place in the team at the moment. I have had few chances to play this season.

"I will consider my options in the summer and will then talk with the club to discuss my future.

"But I am focused on Barcelona for now and keen to play my part. I must wait for my chance and take it when it comes."The Spain international has a contract with the Liga leaders until June 2016.

 

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Dybala will be as good as Messi - Zamparini

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini believes Paulo Dybala has what it takes to reach the same level as Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi in the future.

The 21-year-old has been in sublime form in 2014-15 - netting 12 goals in 25 games, while creating seven more - and has been linked with clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester United in recent months.

Zamparini has little doubt the Argentine youngster is destined for greatness, but has warned potential suitors that the attacker will not be available on the cheap."For me, Dybala is the Messi of the future," Zamparini told Radio Anch'io.

"I value him at €40 million, but we will have to wait and see what happens at the end of the season."There has been a lot of talk about Dybala, but his agent is just doing his work. I have a good relationship with him.

"The transfer fee we will receive for Dybala will be reinvested. We have an ongoing project. Even if Dybala were to leave, other important players will arrive."
The attacker's contract with Palermo is due to expire in June 2016.

 

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Falcao falters again in ineffective Manchester United U-21s outing

Radamel Falcao was a surprise starter for Manchester United Under-21s against Tottenham on Tuesday evening but he again struggled to make an impact as Warren Joyce's side claimed a 1-1 draw.

The Colombian was an unused substitute during United's FA Cup loss to Arsenal on Monday evening and has scored just four goals in 20 appearances since joining on a lucrative season-long loan deal from Monaco.

And although he featured from the start in Tuesday's Under-21 Premier League clash, the former Atletico Madrid striker again produced an ineffective performance that eventually saw him taken off after 72 minutes.

Victor Valdes, who is yet to have made a first-team appearance for the club since signing on a free transfer in January, and Rafael both also started as United named a strong starting XI.

Falcao was involved in the early exchanges as he inadvertently blocked a goal-bound effort from James Wilson to stop United taking the lead.

And Spurs would capitalise to go in front soon after as Kenny McEvoy pounced on Joe Rothwell's loose pass to slot home past Valdes.

But United hit back after 32 minutes, with Rafael, who has found himself out of the first-team picture at Old Trafford of late, scoring with a sensational lobbed effort from range to make it 1-1.

Joyce's side almost went in front through Sean Goss although unfortunately for Falcao, the Colombian was again in the way as he diverted the midfielder's effort straight into Spurs goalkeeper Luke McGee's hands.

Falcao was then replaced after 72 minutes, with United failing to go on to find a winner meaning both sides stay level at the top of the table on 24 points.

 

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Falcao U21 walawath hariyata peform karala nahaneaparade neh meh miss wena chancesIthin kohomada Falcao gana sure 1kak thiyanne

Chances nam deela thiyanawa ona tharam.....Issarahatath chances dei denna puluwan hama welawakama eth ayegen balaporotthu wena de wenne nahaneManchester United main strikersla 3denagen 2nk down.RVP injured & Falcao out of form.Only hope 1ka Rooney thamai.

Common Falcao do something!​