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Wolverine GTR

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    Rooney congratulates Chicharito after Madrid derby winner


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    Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has congratulated Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez after the Real Madrid forward's late Champions League winner against Atletico.

    The 26-year-old, who is on loan with Carlo Ancelotti's side having been deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, missed a host of chances over the 90 minutes after being given the nod to start the crucial quarter-final second leg.

    But the Mexico international's persistence was duly rewarded as he popped up to tap home Cristiano Ronaldo's lay-off to send Madrid through to the last four where they will face either Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Juventus.

    And Rooney, along with United team-mate Michael Carrick, was quick to praise his old strike partner, taking to Twitter to pass on his congratulations as Chicharito scored his sixth goal of the season for the Madrid giants.
     

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    Simeone: We controlled the game until the red card

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    Diego Simeone felt his Atletico side were in control of the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid until Arda Turan’s red card swung it in the hosts' favour.

    Turan was dismissed for a second yellow card with 14 minutes to go at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the tie goalless and seemingly heading for extra time.

    The sending-off rejuvenated Madrid who grabbed an 88th-minute winner through Javier Hernandez to squeeze Carlo Ancelotti's men into the semi-finals.

    And while Simeone refused to criticise Turan for the red card, he admitted it was a game-changer.

    “There’s no sense in talking about Arda’s red card, it will change nothing,” he said at the post-match press conference. “But until then we were controlling the game.”

    Despite the defeat, Simeone was full of praise for his players.

    “We competed well, I am proud,” he added. “We have a team of men who work, have pride and I am very grateful. Except the first 10 minutes when we did not play well, I don't think it was a bad game. The other team had the ball but we had the feeling we covered the gaps very well.

    "If you lose giving everything then you must be happy. When the team works like today, I have nothing to say. There are many coaches that envy me for having this team. We congratulate our rivals and now we have to think about the game against Elche on Saturday."
     

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    Chicharito: I've never scored a more important goal

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    Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez says he has never scored a more important goal than the one he bundled in as Real Madrid edged past Atletico Madrid in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final.

    The Mexican striker has endured a difficult season on loan from Manchester United, having made only four starts under Carlo Ancelotti in 2014-15 prior to this month.

    Injuries to fellow attackers have seen him start three consecutive games for the Blancos, however, and Chicharito scored the decisive effort for the reigning European champions on 88 minutes to secure their first win over Atletico this campaign at the eighth attempt to reach the semi-finals.

    "It's a Madrid derby and recently these matches have not brought many positive moments as Real hadn't won one since the Decima win in last season's Champions League final," he told Canal Plus.

    "It might have been me who scored the goal but it belongs to everyone - those who have had confidence in me, my team-mates and my family. This goal is for all of them.

    "This is the most important goal of my career, yes, because only the present is important. I might have scored other important goals in my career, but what matters is the present.

    "This gives me confidence and Cristiano Ronaldo gave me a great assist. Atletico are truly a worthy rival. Thank God we got the win we deserved, though."

    Real Madrid will find out their Champions League semi-final opponents - Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Juventus - on Friday at 12:00CET when the draw is held in Nyon.
     

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    Monaco eliminated by bad luck, says Jardim

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    Leonardo Jardim has blamed bad luck for Monaco's exit from the Champions League at the hands of Juventus on Wednesday.

    The principality club - who shocked Arsenal in the last 16 - headed into the second leg of their quarter-final 1-0 down, having seen Arturo Vidal convert from the penalty spot in Turin last week.

    Monaco wanted a penalty of their own to level affairs at Stade Louis II when Geoffrey Kondogbia went down in the box in the first half, but the referee ignored the spot-kick appeals and Juve held them to a goalless stalemate to reach the last four.

    Jardim reserved praise for his eliminated players but expressed his frustration at the officiating in their clashes against the Scudetto holders, who reached their first Champions League semi-finals since 2002-03.

    "We're sad, but we have to stay strong because we played so well," the Monaco coach, who took over from Claudio Ranieri last summer, told beIN Sport. "We weren't inferior to Juventus.

    "We showed all of Europe that we deserved our place here and we were eliminated because of decisions unrelated to the players' performances. Juve only qualified because of a questionable goal scored in the first leg."

    Monaco join Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Porto as the eliminated teams from Europe this week, with Juventus joining Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in Friday's semi-final draw.
     

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    Madrid were clearly the best team - Kroos

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    Toni Kroos felt Real Madrid were "clearly the better team" despite requiring a late goal from Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez to squeeze past Atletico and into the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.

    The German World Cup-winner was in bullish mood afterwards and claimed the game should have been settled long before Chicharito turned home Cristiano Ronaldo's 88th-minute pass for the only goal of the tie.

    "Over the two legs, we were clearly the better team," he told Sky. "We should have scored earlier, we had one or two chances in the first half and some more good chances in the second. We did not give up any opportunities and we were patient. We then scored at the perfect time."

    Atletico were content to play on the break although their challenge was severely hampered by the 76th-minute dismissal of midfielder Arda Turan for two yellow cards.

    Asked if he was surprised by Atleti's defensive mindset, Kroos added: "No, not at all. We know them. They probably hoped for a corner or a set-piece. But you have to admit they have been pretty successful with this approach against us lately.

    "We know it is difficult to play against Atletico but we did well over the two legs. We progressed deservedly."
     

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    Henry hits out at Chicharito: He should have thanked Ronaldo

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    Thierry Henry has criticised Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez for not immediately celebrating with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring Real Madrid's winner against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

    The on-loan Manchester United striker swept the ball home from close range after being set up by Ronaldo but the Mexican wheeled away towards the fans on his own, while his Madrid team-mates followed alongside the Portugal star.

    Henry has hit out at Chicharito for celebrating "like he won the World Cup" and insists the 26-year-old should have been quicker to acknowledge Ronaldo's run and pass.

    "I don't know about his future there. To be fair to him, he doesn't usually play. Tonight was his opportunity and we don't even know if he's going to play after that," Henry told Sky Sports.

    "He had a couple of chances in the game before that but I can tell you he can thank Ronaldo tonight. I know he went on to celebrate alone and everything but he can thank Ronaldo. For me, he has to.

    "That is, for me, Ronaldo's goal. What I don't like after [the goal] is it seems like he won the World Cup [with his celebration]. Turn around and celebrate with Ronaldo."

    Madrid now remain in the frame to retain their Champions League title and could meet Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Juventus in next month's semi-finals.
     

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    UEFA Europa League Quarter-Finals 2nd Leg Fixtures 2015.04.23

    UEFA Europa League Quarter-Finals 2nd Leg Fixtures 2015.04.23


    AGG
    (1-1)

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    Fiorentina Vs Dynamo Kyiv
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    AGG
    (4-1)

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    Napoli Vs Wolfsburg
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    AGG
    (1-2)

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    Zenit Vs Sevilla
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    AGG
    (0-0)
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    Dnipro Vs Club Brugge
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    panchaz

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    The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
    Simeone: We controlled the game until the red card

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    Diego Simeone felt his Atletico side were in control of the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid until Arda Turan’s red card swung it in the hosts' favour.

    Turan was dismissed for a second yellow card with 14 minutes to go at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the tie goalless and seemingly heading for extra time.

    The sending-off rejuvenated Madrid who grabbed an 88th-minute winner through Javier Hernandez to squeeze Carlo Ancelotti's men into the semi-finals.

    And while Simeone refused to criticise Turan for the red card, he admitted it was a game-changer.

    “There’s no sense in talking about Arda’s red card, it will change nothing,” he said at the post-match press conference. “But until then we were controlling the game.”

    Despite the defeat, Simeone was full of praise for his players.

    “We competed well, I am proud,” he added. “We have a team of men who work, have pride and I am very grateful. Except the first 10 minutes when we did not play well, I don't think it was a bad game. The other team had the ball but we had the feeling we covered the gaps very well.

    "If you lose giving everything then you must be happy. When the team works like today, I have nothing to say. There are many coaches that envy me for having this team. We congratulate our rivals and now we have to think about the game against Elche on Saturday."


    labbak control kara :growl: , bus eka park karagena hitiya arenna eeye hariyata 1 chance ekak wath Atletico lata aawey naha.. Real elatama gahuwa
    main players la 4 kuth nathuwa :) :)
     
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    Wolverine GTR

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    Zenit 2-2 Sevilla (agg 3-4): Gameiro keeps holders alive after Hulk wonderstrike

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    Kevin Gameiro's late goal sealed Sevilla's place in the Europa League semi-finals after their 2-2 draw with Zenit on Thursday secured a 4-3 aggregate win.

    After scoring Sevilla's winner in a 2-1 first-leg victory last week, Carlos Bacca found the net again with an early penalty in the second leg to put the Liga side in command on Thursday.

    Zenit looked short of ideas, but the Russian Premier League leaders were gifted a way back into the tie when Beto, making his return from injury, inexplicably dropped a cross and Salomon Rondon turned the ball home just after half-time.

    Three-time winners Sevilla then lost composure and Zenit capitalised, with Hulk putting them in front in the match in spectacular fashion with a sensational long-range lob to seemingly take the tie into extra-time.

    Gameiro had the final say, though, coming off the bench to fire home five minutes from time to seal a 4-3 aggregate victory, which keeps Unai Emery's men on course to retain Europe's secondary club competition.

    Bacca was preferred to Gameiro in attack and the Colombia international made the most of his inclusion when he was on target again from the penalty spot after six minutes to extend Sevilla's advantage.

    Referee Nicola Rizzoli pointed to the spot after Luis Neto upended Vitolo with a rash sliding challenge and Bacca fired a fine penalty high into the top-left corner.

    Zenit were stunned by that early setback and Portugal midfielder Danny was unable to restore parity when he surged into the penalty area before unleashing a shot which his compatriot Beto kept out at the near post.

    The lively Bacca was denied a second goal on the night when his shot from a tight angle was bound for the back of the net after he rounded keeper Yuri Lodygin - Igor Smolnikov making a crucial intervention.

    Danny, one of four Zenit players returning after sitting out the first leg due to suspension, clipped the outside of the post in stoppage time at the end of a frustrating first half for the home side.

    Sevilla looked comfortable, but Beto gave Zenit a lifeline when he spilled a routine cross from Oleg Shatov and Rondon was on hand to apply a simpele finish just three minutes into the second half.

    After appeared so assured in the first half, the Spanish side now looked jittery at the back and Hulk produced a moment of class 18 minute from time to embarrass Beto once again.

    There seemed to be little danger when the Brazil forward picked the ball up more than 40 yards out, just in front the right touchline, and tried his luck with an audacious left-footed effort that just cleared the goalline via the underside of the crossbar.

    Rondon had a chance to settle the tie, but Beto denied him on this occasion as Sevilla came under extreme late pressure.

    Emery's side had been dangerous on the break all night, though, and Gameiro took a pass from Vitolo before firing into the far corner of the net to dump Zenit out and put Sevilla a step closer to the final in Warsaw on May 27.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Fiorentina 2-0 Dynamo Kiev (agg 3-1): Gomez and Vargas send Viola through

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    Mario Gomez and Juan Vargas helped Fiorentina to a 2-0 win over Dynamo Kiev and secured their place in the Europa League semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate triumph.

    Fiorentina are aiming to qualify for their first European final in 25 years, having finished as Uefa Cup runners-up to Juventus in 1990, and remain on course following a first win in five matches in all competitions.

    The Serie A outfit piled on the pressure in the early stages - Gomez seeing a goal disallowed for offside following a goalkeeping blunder, before Marcos Alonso found the crossbar.

    Fiorentina were boosted when Jeremain Lens received his second booking for an alleged dive on the edge of the penalty area, although television replays suggested he may have had cause to feel hard done by.

    That incident occurred five minutes before half-time, and Fiorentina wasted little time in taking advantage, with Gomez finding the net three minutes later.

    Dynamo's threat was limited throughout, and, with the exception of a late Sergiy Rybalka effort, they showed little sign of forcing extra-time, or snatching victory, and Vargas wrapped up the win in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

    Fiorentina, who made nine changes from their 1-0 Serie A defeat to Verona on Monday, looked dangerous early on and came close to opening the scoring when Gomez just failed to get on the end of a Joaquin cross after two minutes.

    Gomez looked to have put the Italian side in front three minutes later when goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovsky clumsily spilled the ball into his path from a fierce Borja Valero strike for a simple tap-in, but the linesman's flag had already been raised for offside.

    Shovkovsky redeemed himself somewhat when he got down well to keep out Mohamed Salah's low drive, but was unable to stop a Alonso strike that rattled the crossbar after 10 minutes.

    Fiorentina continued to put their visitors under considerable pressure, and Valero saw a 20-yard strike deflected wide, before Shovkovsky pushed over a Gomez effort from the centre of the box, although the German did slip as he pulled the trigger.

    Dynamo offered little in attack throughout the first half and their chances of progression took a huge blow when Lens was deemed to have dived on the edge of the box five minutes from the break, receiving a second yellow card as a result.

    Fiorentina made the extra man pay almost immediately - Gomez guiding in a Joaquin cross with an untidy finish.

    Salah caused all sorts of problems for Dynamo at the beginning of the second half, and arguably should have been awarded a penalty when his strike appeared to deflect off the arm of Danilo Silva onto the post.

    Dynamo sat back and looked to be waiting for their golden opportunity to pounce.

    That moment seemed to have arrived when Rybalka let fly with five minutes left on the clock, but Neto dived to his right to preserve his clean sheet.

    Dynamo applied some late pressure to ensure a nervy finish for Fiorentina, but Vargas powered his way into the box to rifle home a second from a tight angle deep into stoppage time to ensure there was no way back for the visitors.
     

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    Napoli 2-2 Wolfsburg (agg 6-3): Klose & Perisic restore some pride but Benitez's men advance

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    Napoli are through to the Europa League semi-finals after their 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg on Thursday earned a 6-3 aggregate win.

    Having already won the competition with Valencia – in its previous guise as the Uefa Cup – and Chelsea in 2013, Rafa Benitez could match Giovanni Trapattoni's record of three tournament wins after his Napoli side cruised into the semi-finals thanks to goals from Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens.

    Wolfsburg dominated the opening half and could have wiped out their three-goal deficit in the first half but Ivan Perisic and Nicklas Bendtner both failed to take their chances.

    Napoli made them pay five minutes after the break as Callejon converted a Gonzalo Higuain pass - albeit with the aid of a deflection.

    The hosts were a completely different side in the second half and Mertens extended their lead after 65 minutes with a cheeky flick after Mariano Andujar had blocked his original shot.

    A stirring fightback from the Bundesliga outfit saw Timm Klose and Perisic score in quick succession, but it was not enough to stop Napoli extending their unbeaten home run in European matches to 12 games.

    Wolfsburg got the quick start they wanted and could have been ahead inside the opening minute.

    Daniel Caligiuri raced down the right and delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area for Perisic – one of five changes – who poked goalwards only for Andujar to claw the ball away.

    The visitors were playing with a freedom brought out by their demoralising first-leg defeat but, as in Germany seven days earlier, they struggled in the final third.

    As Napoli failed to find any momentum, Wolfsburg wasted a second chance to give themselves a lifeline after 32 minutes, Bendtner rising above Raul Albiol but heading the wrong side of Andujar's right-hand post.

    The former Arsenal striker did much better with his next effort in the closing minutes, firing low towards the bottom-right corner only for Andujar to pull out a good save with his left hand.

    Wolfsburg's wastefulness in front of goal was punished early in the second half as Callejon controlled a pass from Higuain and fired into the top-right corner, albeit with the aid of a deflection off Ricardo Rodriguez.

    Mertens doubled Napoli's lead with 25 minutes remaining as he flicked home after Andujar had saved his first effort from a superb Higuain knock-down.

    With Napoli appearing set for a comfortable end to the tie, Wolfsburg finally found their finishing skills as Klose and Perisic netted to bring them level at the San Paolo..

    Klose rose majestically to head home a Max Arnold corner after 71 minutes, and from the visitors' next attack, Josuha Guilavogui crossed for Perisic to nod past Andjuar from close range.

    The goals saved some pride for Dieter Hecking's side, but it is Napoli who progress to the last four as they look to lift the trophy for the first time since 1989.
     

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    Dnipro 1-0 Club Brugge (agg 1-0): Dramatic Shakhov strike sends hosts through

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    Dnipro booked their place in the Europa League semi-finals by defeating Club Brugge 1-0 in Ukraine on Thursday.

    Brugge coach Michel Preud'homme predicted a "poker game" on the back of a goalless first leg in Belgium and there was little on display to quicken the pulse for the most part at Kiev's Olympic Stadium.

    Yevhen Seleznyov passed up Dnipro's best chance during the first half but the hosts found regular openings hard to come by despite a typically inventive display from Yevhen Konoplyanka.

    Dnipro passed eight hours without conceding a goal shortly before half-time and their miserly efforts were rewarded with eight minutes to play.

    Brugge botched a short free kick and a measured throughball from the excellent Ruslan Rotan found Yevhen Shakhov, who cut inside Brandon Mechele and lashed a left-footed effort that clipped the defender and found the top-left corner.

    Playmaker Konoplyanka was Dnipro's most influential performer in the first leg and he served notice of his intentions during the opening stages, embarking upon a mazy run into the Brugge box before being crowded out.

    Lior Refaelov was unable to get a shot off when he broke into the Dnipro box after 19 minutes and Brugge were largely restricted to probing on the counter-attack during the first-half.

    Leo Matos was unable to work visiting goalkeeper Mat Ryan from Ruslan Rotan's free-kick, looping his back-header onto the roof of the net.

    The best chance of the opening period arrived shortly after the half hour as Konoplyanka engineered space on the left for Seleznyov - selected ahead of Nikola Kalinic in attack - to head past the near post.

    An increasingly ragged Brugge defence scrambled clear when Konoplyanka drilled the ball dangerously into the six-yard box, meaning the sides played out a third consecutive goalless half.

    Roman Bezus made way at half-time for Dnipro, with Shakhov taking on the attacking role behind Seleznyov, but it was Konoplyanka once more who caused problems for Brugge.

    He collected a quickly taken and wonderfully flighted 48th minute set-piece from Rotan to arrow an angled shot towards the bottom corner.

    Ryan got down to save superbly, although the officials inexplicably awarded a goal-kick.

    Seleznyov thumped emphatically into the net on the end of another fine Rotan pass in the 55th minute but was correctly flagged offside.

    Obbi Oulare and Kalinic came on as their respective sides chased a winner and the Brugge man offered his team-mates a fleeting moment of encouragement with a muscular turn and shot from distance.

    But it was an earlier substitute who would prove to be the hero for Dnipro, as Shakhov ensured Belgian Pro League leaders Brugge's hopes of adding the Europa League to their Belgian Cup crown crumbled.
     

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    Sherwood hopeful of permanent deal for Cleverley

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    Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood hopes his side can come to an agreement with Manchester United to secure a permanent transfer for loanee Tom Cleverley.

    The midfielder was signed by Sherwood's predecessor, Paul Lambert, but struggled to make an impact at Villa Park under the Scot.

    However, following the new boss's arrival, the 25-year-old has produced performances that have convinced the ex-Tottenham man to pursue a permanent deal.

    "We're certainly interested in talking to Tom when the time is right," Sherwood told the press.

    "Tom, his representatives and Aston Villa are willing to put this on the back burner. They know how important it is to stay in the Premier League because, after all, Tom wouldn't want to join a club in the Championship.

    "[But] I think there's a good chance we will try and do a deal and see if it is right for both parties.

    "I've been pleased with Tom, I like him. I like what he adds to the side. He has a lot of energy [and] he links the ball very well.

    "I think he can add goals to his game but he is certainly one of the names I put on the teamsheet straight away."
     

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    No bids for Southampton stars - Koeman

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    Ronald Koeman insists he has received no bids for any of his Southampton stars in the wake of speculation linking Victor Wanyama with Arsenal.

    The Kenya midfielder rejected a report that emerged earlier on Thursday that included quotes attributed to him claiming that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to sign him.

    Rumours have also linked right-back Nathaniel Clyne with a summer move to Manchester United, but Koeman is adamant there has been no serious interest in his players.

    He said on Friday: "I've spoken to Victor. He says it's not true what they put in the press and I believe the player but it's a good signal for everybody that we have to be focused on the football side and not about the future, about contracts.

    "If you're doing well like we do then there is always interest in players, but still all the players have contracts for next season and, until now, there is no serious bid for the players.

    "We will see what happens. We don't have the pressure to sell players."

    Koeman has responded to the latest transfer rumours regarding by sitting down with his squad and calling for concentration levels to be high as Southampton chase a top-six finish in the Premier League.

    "We had a meeting with all the players because what we need is now to have the focus on the last five games we play, a European position [is] on the table," said Koeman added as he faced the media ahead of Saturday's game against Tottenham, which pits sixth versus seventh.

    "We have a massive game this Saturday and no interest in rumours, in talking in press about future, about contracts, to have the focus on the football side."
     

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    I won't talk about the Premier League - Klopp

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    Outgoing Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp insists he is not interested in speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League.The Bundesliga club confirmed last week that he would leave his post at the end of the campaign after seven seasons in charge.

    Dortmund have already appointed Thomas Tuchel as Klopp's successor, who has been mentioned as a potential target for the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.But the 47-year-old told a press conference prior to Saturday's game with Eintracht Frankfurt: "I'm not interested in what the Premier League thinks of me. I'm just looking forward to the rest of our season."

    The former Mainz coach's comments come after Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hit back at suggestions he could be replaced by the German in the summer on Friday.

    Klopp's decision to leave Dortmund came on the back of disastrous season which sees the club sat ninth in the table having finished in second place last season.
    BVB were also knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage by Juventus but could still win the DFB-Pokal, with Bayern Munich awaiting them in the semi-finals.
     

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    Rodgers: I'm the man for Liverpool - not Klopp

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    Brendan Rodgers says he is the right manager to take Liverpool forward following reports Jurgen Klopp could take over at Anfield.

    The Borussia Dortmund coach will leave his current post at the end of the season and has subsequently been strongly linked with the Anfield hotseat after the Reds were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

    The result was the culmination of an underwhelming campaign after last season's challenge for the Premier League title and has seen Rodgers become the first Liverpool boss since the 1950s not to win a trophy in his first three years at the club.

    But the Northern Irishman is adamant he still has the backing of the Reds' American owners, Fenway Sports Group, and says speculation linking Klopp with a move to Merseyside is inevitable.

    "I don't think there's anyone better [to manage Liverpool]," Rodgers told reporters. "Three months ago I was a tactical genius so I never get too carried away. I have a strong relationship with the owners.

    "When you are at a club like Liverpool, there will be lots of names mentioned. It goes with being at a big club."

    Liverpool's signings last summer have been heavily criticised this season, with the seven new first-team recruits struggling to fill the void left by Luis Suarez, who joined Barcelona in August.

    However, the club - and their much-maligned transfer committee - are already pressing ahead with plans for another big spending summer.

    "Our ambition is to be better and plan forward and that means bringing in players in the summer. Plans to do that are well under way," added Rodgers.

    "There's no need to clarify. There's a group of people who will identify and recruit players just like at most clubs."

    As well as looking to secure new arrivals, Liverpool are also working to tie down their current stars, with Rodgers hopeful that Raheem Sterling will join Jordan Henderson in committing his future to the club.

    "The likes of Jordan and Raheem are very important players," he remarked. "The club is working very hard behind scenes to sign them up."

    On the injury front, Adam Lallana is back in contention to face West Brom and Jon Flanagan has returned to training but Mamadou Sakho, Lucas Leiva and Daniel Sturridge all remain sidelined.
     

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    Pardew: Liverpool want Bolasie? It'd cost them €56m

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    Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew says that it would take at least €56 million for him to even consider selling Yannick Bolasie this summer.

    The winger has been linked with a close-season switch to Liverpool after a fine campaign for the Eagles this term and, while his boss accepts that "everyone has a price", he insists he would demand a huge fee.

    "If someone wants to give me €56m-€84m [for Bolasie], somewhere in there, that would be good," Pardew told reporters. "I'd take it and we'd build the team around that money.

    "Everyone has a price, of course. I can think of a situation I had at Newcastle in the last hour of the transfer window - a team that wasn't great and not far away from the relegation zone and we accepted €42m for Andy Carroll.

    "Now, at that time, I said to the chairman it was a gamble because we were by no means secure but we did it and we spent the money wisely and ended up with a very, very good team. It is about the right price for the right player and then you have to build on that.

    "If a manager wants to ring me up, I'll talk to them and give them a proper price."

    On the other side of transfer speculation, Pardew declared himself "surprised" to have been linked with a swoop for Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

    "I'm surprised at that because there's been no contact between me and Newcastle and certainly not with me and the player or the agents that represent him," the ex-Toon manager said.

    "I don't know where it's come from and, quite frankly, it's unwelcome. I have a great situation with the goalkeepers here. Tim's a great goalkeeper but he's a Newcastle goalie and I'm pretty confident that's where he'll stay.

    "I don't understand that one. As far as we're concerned we're looking at a number of players for next season but a goalie isn't one of them."
     

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    Bayern rocked by Badstuber injury blow

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    Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber has been ruled out for up to four months with a torn thigh muscle, the club have confirmed.

    The 26-year-old's career has been blighted by injuries - with him missing nearly 600 days of action between 2012 and 2014 following multiple anterior cruciate ligament problems - and he will now be absent for the rest of 2014-15."I am very disappointed, but nevertheless I am positive and will come back healthy," he said in a statement on Thursday.

    "I know what FC Bayern has done for me and I will come back as an important part of the team."

    The club's CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: "I am so sorry for Holger. He worked so hard for his comeback - and now this. But we know Holger is a fighter."Bayern have already been hit by a crippling injury list, which has left the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger on the sidelines, along with a host of other first-team players.

    Such has been the extent of their problems, club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt and his medical team resigned following the 3-1 defeat to Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

    The doctor claimed he and his staff had been made responsible for the defeat by coach Pep Guardiola - accusations the Spaniard has strenuously denied.

    Bayern ultimately recovered by winning the second leg 6-1 on Tuesday to book their place in the semi-finals but remain without several of their key men ahead of the season's closing stages.
     

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    Adam Johnson charged with sex offences with a child under 16

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    Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one offence of grooming.

    Police arrested the 27-year-old in March and, despite initially being suspended by Sunderland, returned to play for the Black Cats against West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

    A statement from Durham Police on Thursday read: "Adam Johnson, a professional footballer aged 27 from Castle Eden, County Durham has this afternoon been charged with three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 years old, plus one offence of grooming.

    "Johnson was initially arrested on Monday, March 2 and was charged after he answered his police bail today at Peterlee police station.

    "He will appear at the magistrates court in Peterlee on the morning of Wednesday, May 20."

    Johnson will be due in court on the same day on which Sunderland take on Arsenal in a Premier League match.
     
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