..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Mata: That was my best performance for Manchester United

Juan Mata has hailed his performance against Liverpool as his best in a Manchester United shirt.

The Spanish midfielder scored twice at Anfield, his second a brilliant scissored volley past Simon Mignolet, to help Louis van Gaal's side claim a valuable three points as they attempt to finish in the top four.

The result sees United stay in fourth place, five points ahead of Liverpool, and Mata believes his display was his best showing since he joined from Chelsea back in January 2014.

He told Sky Sports: "I think so [that it was Mata's best game for Man United]. Because of the rivalry it's a massive game. In the history of English football it's probably the biggest.

"To come here, win and score two goals is an unbelievable day for me. It [Mata's second goal] has to be high. It was very important. After Gerrard was sent off we needed to score another goal because we knew Liverpool would push until the end."

Michael Carrick added: "We're delighted with the win. Second half wasn't our best at all. First half we were excellent and the little magician produced again for us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Gerrard: Defeat was all my fault

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard says he was at fault for his side's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday after he was sent off less than a minute after coming on as a half-time substitute at Anfield.

The 34-year-old started the match on the bench but was introduced in place of Adam Lallana before the start of the second half, with United leading 1-0 after Juan Mata's exquisite first-half finish.

However, Gerrard was sent off just 38 seconds into his appearance for a stamp on Ander Herrera, and United went on take all three points, with Mata doubling his tally with a stunning bicycle kick.

Gerrard subsequently gave a post-match interview and accepted that he was to blame for the club's defeat, while he refused to contest Martin Atkinson's decision.

"I just need to accept it, the decision was right," he told Sky Sports. "I've let my team-mates and the manager down today and even more importantly let the supporters down so I take full responsibility for my actions.

"I tried to jump his tackle and I've seen his studs and I've reacted wrong, so I've been in the game long enough to know that when you do something like that - especially at that moment in the game with 45 minutes to play, with a great opportunity to get back in the game - I take full responsibility for it."

Gerrard was also at a loss to explain why he chose to stamp on Herrera, and apologised to his team-mates.

"I don't know (what caused it)," he added. "Probably just a reaction to the initial tackle but I don't really think I should say too much more on it really. I think I've come here to speak now, just to apologise to everyone in the dressing room and all the supporters because I take full responsibility for today's result."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus: We don't need to sell Pogba

Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta has insisted the club don't need to sell Paul Pogba amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Bianconeri director Pavel Nedved revealed on Saturday that the Ligue 1 champions had made a bid for the midfielder, while revealing Barcelona and Real Madrid are also interested in the player.

But after the Serie A champions beat Genoa 1-0 on Sunday in the absence of their star man, who was missing with a hamstring injury that will keep him out until May, Marotta said the club had no interest in selling the France international.

"Pogba is a young player with lots of promise but he is realising his potential," he said."We want to win and we don't necessarily have to sell our best players. It is clear that players of this quality attract interest from other clubs but we don't seek buyers and there has been no contact."

Carlos Tevez scored the only goal of the game at Juventus Stadium to extend the club's lead at the top of Serie A to 17 points and Marotta said the win proved his side can operate without Pogba.

"We are celebrating a win without Pogba. That says to me that the group is crucial even if the player is important."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tevez is transformed on match day, says Chiellini

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has hailed Carlos Tevez's "transformation" on match day after the Argentine once more made the difference for the titleholders in their 1-0 win over Genoa on Sunday.

The striker scored a wonderful first-half goal to extend the club's lead at the top of Serie A to 17 points and cap off a fine week for himself and Massimiliano Allegri's men.

Tevez scored twice on Wednesday night as Juve beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0 in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

"We have players of such quality in attack and Tevez again showed how decisive he is," Chiellini said after the game."He has been important since his first day, not just with words, but with his attitude on the pitch.

“On match day he is transformed, working so hard not only going forward, but also helping out at the back."Tevez didn't have it all his own way at Juventus Stadium, however, after seeing his second half penalty saved by goalkeeper Eugenio Lamanna as the Bianconeri were forced to grind out the win.

Chiellini was quick to praise the character of the side, though, and feels they have mastered the art of winning games even when they're not at their best."Against Palermo and today we saw a Juve side that might not have been sparkling, but was tough and knew how to win.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tevez goal extraordinary - Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri hailed Carlos Tevez's "extraordinary" goal following Juventus' 1-0 win over Genoa.

The striker scored twice in the 3-0 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday and followed that up with another goalscoring display on Sunday.

Tevez scored the only goal of the game in the 25th minute with a fine solo effort and saw a second half penalty saved, but Allegri was quick to praise his efforts after the game."He scored an extraordinary goal, suited to his remarkable season," the coach told Sky Sport Italia.

"He has great technique, I leave him free to move around a bit more and I think that’s important for him."You can tell a champion by the way he moves and shakes off the marking, even without having to run that much.

The result leaves Juve 17 points clear at the top of Serie A, while they remain in the running for both the Coppa Italia and the Champions League, and Allegri admitted success on all three fronts is not an impossibility."The lads and club deserve the credit for what they are doing this season.

"It's an intriguing end to the campaign and we hope to achieve as many objectives as possible. You never know in football.

"If we are able to get full points in the next two games, then we’d have a pretty strong lead. However, as things stand we haven’t won anything yet and still have to play in the Champions League and Coppa Italia."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Injured Robben to miss 'several weeks'

Bayern Munich have confirmed winger Arjen Robben has been ruled out for “several weeks” after tearing an abdominal muscle.

The Netherlands international lasted just 24 minutes of Sunday’s shock 2-0 home defeat by Borussia Monchengladbach before being forced off following a heavy challenge from the visitors’ Tony Jantschke.

The news compounds a miserable fortnight for Robben who only returned to training this week after sustaining a back injury against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on March 12.

Although beaten on Sunday, retaining the Bundesliga title appears a formality for Pep Guardiola’s side but the possible absence of Robben in the Champions League could have a serious impact on their chances of going deep in the competition.Next up for Bayern is a quarter-final tie with Porto with the first leg scheduled for April 15 in Portugal.

Robben will also miss the Netherlands’ two fixtures over the next 10 days – the European Championship qualifier at home to Turkey and the glamour friendly with Spain.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rodgers: Gerrard red down to frustration

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers claims that frustration may have played a role in Steven Gerrard's quick-fire sending off in the club's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

Gerrard - who replaced Adam Lallana at half-time - was dismissed after just 38 seconds for a stamp on Ander Herrera in his final game against the Reds' biggest rivals prior to his summer move to LA Galaxy.

The hosts were trailing 1-0 through Juan Mata's strike when Gerrard was dismissed, and fell 2-0 behind in the 59th minute through a spectacular scissor-kick from the Spaniard.

Daniel Sturridge halved the deficit, but a comeback never materialised, though Rodgers praised his side's reaction to Gerrard's dismissal.

"Steven apologised to the players and me in the dressing room," he told Sky Sports. "It was probably frustration, we didn't put a tackle in in the first half but the players adjusted well.

"I was disappointed with the first half, our start position was way too deep. They were excellent and deserved their lead. But the players showed incredible bravery in the second half and showed character.

"Without playing great, we still had a good chance. We needed some luck but it wasn't to be. We will get a reaction after this and finish the season strongly."

Another ugly incident somewhat marred the end of an enthralling game after Martin Skrtel appeared to stamp on United goalkeeper David de Gea, though Rodgers attempted to play down the incident.

"I have seen the Martin Skrtel incident," Rodgers added. "The ball was played through but it probably looks worse in slow motion.

"It looks like he is trying to get a nick on the ball, to get a toe on it the ball went into the goalkeeper's hands. Martin is not that type of player, he was just a fraction out.

"We have to refocus on our next game and we knew there would be one or two defeats on reaching our points total."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Harinam Skrtel tath Red Card.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: Drogba & Remy enough to replace injured Diego Costa

Jose Mourinho insists Loic Remy and Didier Drogba are more than capable of keeping the Chelsea goals flowing in the absence of the injured Diego Costa.

Costa scored his 19th Premier League goal of the season against Hull City on Sunday but was substituted on 75 minutes with a hamstring injury, and Mourinho afterwards admitted he is not yet sure of the severity of the problem.

Replacement Loic Remy scored the winner in the 3-2 victory that keeps them six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, and Mourinho is confident his side can secure a first league title since 2010 without Costa.

"Remy, every time he plays for us he gives us everything," the Portuguese told Sky Sports. "Sometimes his movement, sometimes his defensive contribution, sometimes the goal to give us extra two points. I'm pleased for the boy, he's a fantastic kid.

"Costa has a problem, no doubts about it. The team needs goals and a striker comes off with 15 minutes to go... He has experience with the hamstring injuries and he knows clearly that he has an injury but if he cannot play the next game in 15 days against Stoke we have Remy, we have Drogba."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hazard: We're not champions yet

Eden Hazard insists Chelsea are still a long way away from securing the Premier League title.

The Belgium international scored the opening goal as the Blues beat Hull City 3-2 on Sunday, a win that moves the club six points clear of second-placed Manchester City, while they also have a game in hand on their title rivals.

Hazard, though, moved to play down any talk of Chelsea having already won the title after the victory at the KC Stadium, insisting that they must not get ahead of themselves before the season is over.

"The win is important after the draw with Southampton," he told Sky Sports. "We have nine finals to play. We have to win everything if we want to bring the trophy to Stamford Bridge.

"We know when you play away it's always difficult, I remember last season this game was difficult and it was the same today.

"We must take game after game and see at the end."

Loic Remy scored the winner with his first touch, having come off the bench to replace the injured Diego Costa, and the striker spoke of his delight at getting on the scoresheet.

"Of course, it's a good moment for me so far. The work of all the team, we're working at training everyday for success," he said.

"It's really important to win this sort of game and we're still top of the league. We'll see at the end of the season.

"It's always frustrating when you're on the bench but we can make the difference - the guys on the bench. No matter who's playing we have to be ready as soon as the manager needs us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola defends bungling Neuer as Bayern suffer shock defeat

Pep Guardiola refused to criticise goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after his error in Bayern Munich's 2-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach, pointing the finger at his attackers instead.

Neuer inexplicably allowed a Raffael effort to squirm over the goalline 30 minutes into the clash at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, a setback from which Bayern never recovered.

That error came just six minutes after the forced withdrawal of the injured Arjen Robben and the Bundesliga's runaway leaders lacked fluency in the final third without their Dutch star.

Raffael doubled his tally 13 minutes from time, handing Bayern their first Bundesliga home defeat since April 2014, but it was the champions' forwards who drew the ire of Guardiola, not Neuer.He told reporters: "We didn't lose due to Manu, but because we had problems in attack.

"It's the Bundesliga and people think it's always easy, but I know how difficult it is.
"We'll analyse the game and after the international break we'll get back to winning ways."

Neuer himself was also quick to lament Bayern's ineffectiveness in attack, acknowledging that the hosts did not deserve anything due to the simple fact that they failed to craft any clear-cut opportunities."Gladbach were very good and defended excellently," the goalkeeper said. "We didn't create any genuine chances. That wasn't good enough.

"Obviously we wanted to do much better and we've missed a chance because Wolfsburg dropped points [in a 1-1 draw at Mainz] today. "But it won't darken our mood. We know what we're aiming for this season. We'll look to the future and we're optimistic."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ramos: Missed chances cost Real Madrid in El Clasico

Sergio Ramos felt Real Madrid missed the chance to win El Clasico after squandering numerous first-half opportunities.

Having fallen behind to a Jeremy Mathieu header, the visitors came roaring back, Cristiano Ronaldo equalising to start a period of Madrid pressure which saw the Ballon d’Or winner denied by a wonderful save from Barca goalkeeper Claudio Bravo while Gareth Bale also saw a close-range effort ruled out due to a tight offside decision.

They were to prove pivotal moments as Barca had the better of the second period and made it count when Luis Suarez expertly sealed a 2-1 win which puts the Catalans four points clear at La Liga's summit.

Ramos told Canal+: “We played a great rival and in the second half they were in control. We are disappointed not to have taken the chances we created in the first half. They are top but it is only four points.“If we have learned anything it is that you can never give up. We have lost the league before having had a seven-point advantage and so have they. So we have to keep going.”

It was a typical Clasico with players looking to gain an advantage at all times but referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz emerged with great credit despite brandishing 11 yellow cards.

Ramos added: “This type of game requires concentration by all – players and the referee. You can’t blame anything on him. If there is one referee I admire it is him.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Masterful Mathieu and Madrid's woodwork woe - all the stats from El Clasico

Barcelona moved four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Sunday after beating their arch-rivals 2-1 at Camp Nou.Here are some stats from another enthralling El Clasico:

- Andrés Iniesta was the Barcelona captain for the first time in a game against Real Madrid in his career.

- Only Lionel Messi (nine) has hit the woodwork more than Bale (six), Benzema (six) and Cristiano Ronaldo (four) in La Liga this season.- Real Madrid have hit the woodwork more often than any other side in La Liga this season (23).

- Three (Bartra, Pepe and Mathieu) out of the last nine goals in El Clasico in all competitions have been scored by defenders.- Jérémy Mathieu has scored in three out of his last four La Liga appearances against Real Madrid, all of them from headers.

- No player has scored more La Liga goals against Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid than Mathieu (three, as many as Lionel Messi and Carlos Bacca).

- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 15 goals in El Clásico (all competitions), as many as Raúl, and just behind Messi (21) and Alfredo Di Stefano (18).- In the last 18 clásicos (all competitions), neither side have been able to keep a clean sheet.

- Karim Benzema has assisted more Cristiano Ronaldo goals in all competitions this season (eight), than any other player.- Luis Suárez has been involved in two goals (one goal and one assist) in his two appearances against Real Madrid.

- Both Barcelona (five) and Real Madrid (six) had more bookings in this game than in any other match in all competitions this season.- Messi has assisted 13 goals against Real Madrid, more than any other player in the clásicos since the turn of the century.

- Barcelona averaged tonight against Real Madrid their lowest possession this season in all competitions (52.36%).

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ancelotti: Real Madrid ran out of ideas in Clasico

Carlo Ancelotti admitted Real Madrid ran out of ideas in Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.

Jeremy Mathieu and Luis Suarez scored either side of a Cristiano Ronaldo strike to give the home side the win in the Clasico as they opened up a four-point gap over their arch-rivals at the top of La Liga.

The Madrid coach thought his side held the upper hand for the most part, but when it came to the crucial final 30 minutes, they had no answer to Barca's counter-attacking style.

"I think we have watched two teams at a very high level," Ancelotti said. "I think we played very well until the second goal. After that, the game became very difficult.

"We did very well in the first half, we had good control of the game, we were solid at the back, but in the end we lacked a cool head to earn a draw. We played a lot of long balls and had too few ideas.

"It's hard to say if the best team won. We were better for the first hour, but for the last 30 minutes the counter-attacks of Barcelona were devastating. I think both teams deserved to do something important, but it's Barcelona who won. Good for them.

"They also have good ideas at set pieces. Suarez has great skill, he found the right space and scored. I do not think the goals were down to our defensive errors."

The Italian insists the league is not over and maintains that if his side continue to work hard, they can catch Luis Enrique's men.

"We must continue with our strategy. I think the team has improved a lot in this regard. Now the league is more complicated, for sure, but we will not give up.
"Right now, Barcelona has the advantage, but in football anything can happen. We won't prioritise the Champions League over La Liga because both are as important as each other."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mascherano: Ronaldo boiled over in Clasico spat

Javier Mascherano played down a spat with Cristiano Ronaldo as Barcelona edged a typically tetchy Clasico 2-1 against Real Madrid on Sunday night.

Ronaldo was chopped down by the Argentina midfielder on the hour mark with the Portuguese reacting with a petulant, albeit soft kick. Mascherano promptly went down clutching his face with referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz opting to book the former Liverpool man and let off Ronaldo, who was already on a yellow.
Of the incident, Mascherano told reporters: "He boiled over a little but it wasn’t with bad intent. These sorts of things happen out on the pitch."

Barca were not at their fluent best on Sunday but found a way to win – a quality Mascherano feels should not be undervalued, adding: "Football isn’t just about possession. This club has a way of playing and we respect that but football has many facets; it’s about pressurising, about suffering when you have to and being tactically smart."We have to be a complete team and that’s what we are right now.

"Teams like Madrid push you to the limit, both physically and mentally. We made a great effort, especially as we played in midweek. We came out on top and we’re very happy.

"If you’re not careful with Madrid they’ll get on top of you. They’re the best in the world at that. We started well. We controlled the game and scored, and that’s when they began to push forward. We gave them too much space and lost the ball too often. In the second half we re-organised ourselves. We scored and started playing our own game."The win puts Barca four points clear of Madrid at the top of La Liga, but Mascherano knows there is much work still to do.

"There’s a long way to go and we have the Champions League too. We’d be wrong to ease off. We’ve given ourselves a good chance and we just have to keep going."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Suarez: Clasico winner my most important goal

Luis Suarez described his winning goal against Real Madrid on Sunday as his most important yet for Barcelona.

The Uruguayan was put in behind by a long Dani Alves pass and a sublime first touch set him up for a fine finish past Iker Casillas in the 56th minute to secure a 2-1 win for Barca on Sunday, after Cristiano Ronaldo had cancelled out Jeremy Mathieu's earlier strike.Suarez was delighted with his winnig goal, stating it was the most crucial goal of his short Camp Nou career so far.

"For now it is the most important goal I have scored with the club and has an extra importance, because of the opponent," he told TV3. "The squad is very happy."

With a four point lead at the top of La Liga and just 10 league games remaining, Barca are in a great position, but Suarez said it was important for his team to stay focused and avoid becoming complacent.

"We know that the league is very difficult," he said. "We must seize this advantage against a very strong team like Real Madrid. As in all leagues, you never know what can happen if you relax a little."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool vs Manchester United 1:2 2015 Full Highlights & Goals

​

 

[rcccc]

Mourinho: Drogba & Remy enough to replace injured Diego Costa

Jose Mourinho insists Loic Remy and Didier Drogba are more than capable of keeping the Chelsea goals flowing in the absence of the injured Diego Costa.

Costa scored his 19th Premier League goal of the season against Hull City on Sunday but was substituted on 75 minutes with a hamstring injury, and Mourinho afterwards admitted he is not yet sure of the severity of the problem.

Replacement Loic Remy scored the winner in the 3-2 victory that keeps them six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, and Mourinho is confident his side can secure a first league title since 2010 without Costa.

"Remy, every time he plays for us he gives us everything," the Portuguese told Sky Sports. "Sometimes his movement, sometimes his defensive contribution, sometimes the goal to give us extra two points. I'm pleased for the boy, he's a fantastic kid.

"Costa has a problem, no doubts about it. The team needs goals and a striker comes off with 15 minutes to go... He has experience with the hamstring injuries and he knows clearly that he has an injury but if he cannot play the next game in 15 days against Stoke we have Remy, we have Drogba."

international break eka lanwuna gaman Costa injured ​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona 2:1 Real Madrid│ All Goals & Full Highlights │El Clasico 2015

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hull City vs Chelsea 2-3 All Goals & Highlights