..::Football III::..

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Reus and Piszczek back in Dortmund training

Borussia Dortmund duo Marco Reus and Lukasz Piszczek are both back in training for the Bundesliga club, coach Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.

Attacker Reus has not featured since the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich earlier this month because of adductor problems, while right-back Piszczek has been out since February due to an ankle injury.

The return of the pair will be a boost for a Dortmund side who still have hopes of securing a Europa League place at the end of a season that was recently confirmed as Klopp's last at Signal Iduna Park.

However, it is unclear whether either player will be available for the meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, with Tuesday's DFB-Pokal semi-final with Bayern Munich seemingly a more realistic return date.

"If it is not enough for Saturday yet for Marco, it would be nice if he was available on Tuesday," Klopp said.Meanwhile, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been forced to train away from the team due to a throat infection.

"Ilkay will train, but not with the team," Klopp added. "He has a slight pharyngitis and we have to look at whether he is still infectious."

 

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Henry continues Hernandez criticism

Thierry Henry remains adamant that Javier Hernandez should have thanked Cristiano Ronaldo for setting up his Real Madrid winner on Wednesday night rather than celebrating by himself.

The Manchester United loanee netted the only goal of the two-legged tie against Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, having been set up by a pass from his Portuguese team-mate.

Henry criticised him after the game for acting as if the glory was all his own and took to Twitter on Thursday to expand on his point of view.

"Football is a team game," the Frenchman wrote. "Yes, [Hernandez] scored the all-important goal, but the work of [Ronaldo] made it possible. It cannot be underestimated.

"I love it when players celebrate and acknowledge the player that made the assist. The pass can be just as important as the goal."

The former Arsenal star then went on to post a link to a video compilation of passes by Danish legend Michael Laudrup, hailing "the significance of the final ball".

 

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Casillas: I'll stay at Madrid even if I'm not No.1

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas says he would not quit the club even if he loses his position as the club's first-choice goalkeeper.

The Spain international has spent his entire career at the Santiago Bernabeu and still has another two years to run on his contract with the European champions.

However, his form has come under increasing scrutiny in the last year and speculation is rife that Madrid will sign David de Gea from Manchester United this summer.Casillas, though, insists he is going nowhere and claims he will not shy away from a fight for the No.1 jersey.

"I hope to fulfil my contract and a commitment that is signed has to be signed until the end," he is quoted as saying by AS."But I have to earn it and train myself for it. I will strive and I will fight for the position. "Now I am at an age at which things are seen in a different way, so if I am not the starter, I will have a commitment with the younger ones.

"Why wouldn’t I continue at Madrid if I am not the starting goalkeeper?"
For now, Casillas is concentrating on helping Madrid become the first side to successfully defend the Champions League, with Carlo Ancelotti's men having booked their place in the last four of this year's tournament with a 1-0 aggregate win over city rivals Atletico.

"Atletico always make it difficult, but we deserved to pass through to the next round," the shot-stopper stated."Things are decided by details and you have to fight and struggle. Aside from having great players, they are a team of fight, struggle and effort."

Madrid will have former winners Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Juventus for company in the semi-finals and Casillas thinks that there is very little to choose between the sides.

"We are talking about four great teams, four champions of Europe," he added. "There are very nice and exciting semi-finals that lie ahead."

 

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Henderson signs new long-term Liverpool contract

Jordan Henderson has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool, the club has confirmed.

Henderson had been the subject of speculation regarding his future, with his contract set to expire in 2016, but the midfielder has now set his sights on challenging for the Premier League title.

"There has been talk about it for a while now," he told the club's official website.

"It's brilliant news for me to commit my future to this football club - I really feel that it's a good time for us to look forward to the future, with the squad we've got, the manager, the size of the club and the fans we've got. I really think, over the next few years, we can challenge and start winning trophies.

"That's the next phase; we've improved massively over the last few years, and I think the next phase for us is to start challenging for titles and trophies as well."

 

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Mertesacker rated "50-50" for Chelsea clash

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has been rated as "50-50" for Sunday's Premier League clash with leaders Chelsea by manager Arsene Wenger.

The Germany international sustained an ankle injury in Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Reading.

Wenger revealed the former Werder Bremen man has not trained all week, giving Arsenal a concern at the back as they seek to narrow the gap with Chelsea to seven points.

"Mertesacker is still in the treatment room," Wenger told reporters. "I don't know if he's available. He is 50-50 at the moment. He has not practised at all."

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still sidelined with a groin problem and Mikel Arteta is likely to be short of fitness despite returning to training.

Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium with Wenger hoping for a first win over managerial foe Jose Mourinho, who he has not beaten in 12 attempts.

The hosts approach the game on the back of nine straight wins and with just three defeats to their name in 2015.

"We have passed many tests recently. We have another test on Sunday against Chelsea that we want to pass," Wenger added.

"We have an opportunity to show our improvement is consistent. Our first target is to continue to win and strengthen our position.

"We have been close to beating them a few times. The result on Sunday will just be down to the performance on the day."

 

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Juventus were Italian-style ugly, says Evra

Patrice Evra thinks Juventus did a typical Italian job on Monaco in Wednesday's Champions League clash, claiming the Sere A side had played the "ugly" but effective football.

The Bianconeri arrived at the Stade Louis II with a slim advantage after last week's 1-0 victory in Turin, which came courtesy of a second-half penalty from Arturo Vidal.Knowing that a draw would be sufficient to see them through, Juve were content to sit back, invite their hosts on to them and try to strike on the break.

Despite a few scares in the first half, the tactic worked well and Massimiliano Allegri's men secure a scoreless draw that saw them reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2002-03.

Consequently, Evra refused to make any apologies for the way in which Juve had gone about their business, arguing that French clubs could learn a lot from the Italian approach.

"I'm not scientist but for Paris Saint-Germain to lose to a big club like Barcelona and Monaco to lose to an experienced team like Juventus, but I think that in France we're okay being the country that finishes second," the French defender told beIN Sports after the game.

"We'll have to take the next step, to have a different mentality. You have to respect the opponent but be more aggressive on the pitch."I think the French teams sometimes doubt themselves. They play some beautiful games but when it comes down to it, do not go through.

"We must give a nod to Monaco, who deserved more tonight. But, from our point of view, we never really doubted ourselves.

"We played the Italian way - it's solid, it's ugly, but it works. I am happy and at the same time a little sad for Monaco. It was strange to return to Stade Louis II, where I spent many happy years."Evra's compatriot, Paul Pogba, was forced to watch on from the sideline, with the midfielder having picked up a hamstring injury in the last-16 win at Borussia Dortmund that ruled him out of action for 50 days.

As it stands, the semi-finals, which take place on May 5/6 and 12/13, would come too soon for the 22-year-old and Evra has warned his team-mate not to attempt a premature comeback.

"He's hungry but he has an injury that requires attention," the left-back added. "He must not rush his return and instead have faith in the medical staff. He must only return if he's 100 per cent."

Juve will have Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich for company in Friday's draw for the semi-finals.

 

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Wenger: I regret selling Fabregas

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he regrets allowing Cesc Fabregas to leave but has called on fans to respect the Chelsea midfielder on Sunday.

The 27-year-old left the Emirates Stadium in 2011 for Barcelona but - after struggling to nail down a place in the first team - he returned to the Premier League last summer under Jose Mourinho's tutelage.

Wenger has in the past suggested he doesn't wish he had tried to swoop for Fabregas rather than allow the Blues, who are on the verge of becoming English champions, to take the Spaniard but he has not conceded he wish he had not sold him in the first place.

"My regret is him leaving here," the Frenchman told reporters. "But I want every player to be respected."

Wenger also suggested he expects star attacker Alexis Sanchez to give the likes of Eden Hazard, Harry Kan, Diego Costa, David de Gea and Philippe Coutinho a run for their money in the Player of the Year awards.

"It's Alexis's first season so he will compete very closely with Hazard for Player of the Year," Wenger added.

Alexis has enjoyed a superb debut season at the Emirates following his €40 million move from Barcelona, scoring 22 goals in all competitions and providing 11 assists, while Hazard has sparkled for Chelsea, hitting 18 goals and laying on 14 assists.

 

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Oscar: Title just the beginning for this Chelsea side


Chelsea midfielder Oscar says the Premier League title is just the beginning for Jose Mourinho’s side as the Blues close in on a first crown since 2010.
A 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday saw Chelsea extend their lead at the top of the table to 10 points with just six games remaining.

Wins over Arsenal and Leicester in their next two games will be enough to crown Chelsea champions and, Oscar admits, could start a period of Premier League dominance for the Blues.

“Hopefully yes. This squad is really young and we've been playing together for a long time,” he told Goal.

“We are improving as the time goes by. This is good for the players and for the club. We know each others’ movements on the pitch."

Chelsea travel to the Emirates next where they will face an Arsenal side unbeaten in the Premier League since February, and Oscar is expecting a tough test against the Gunners.

“We know we are very close to the title but there are some challenges ahead,” he added. “If we manage to lift this trophy and keep this level of performances we certainly will do some other good seasons like this one.

"Arsenal have improved a lot. They have won almost every match they played recently. So we know they are a real threat. The good think is we've been doing well and we know that we are up to any challenge."

 

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Kane has carried Spurs this season - Phillips

Tottenham would have been battling mid-table obscurity this season were it not for Harry Kane and his goalscoring exploits, according to Kevin Phillips.

The England international is the Premier League's joint-top scorer alongside Chelsea's Diego Costa with 20 goals, and took his season tally to 30 in all competitions with a late strike against Newcastle last weekend.

And Phillips, the last Englishman to net 30 times in a Premier League campaign with Sunderland back in 1999-00, believes Tottenham's current sixth-place position would not be possible without Kane.

"I would love to see Harry go on and win it, and good luck to him - although I think it's going to be difficult for anyone else to win the European Golden Boot when Ronaldo and Messi are around," the 41-year-old told The Mirror.

"Now the big question is whether he can keep it up. In 1999-2000, I scored 30 goals in the Premier League and the following year I was called a failure when I scored 18, which I thought was very harsh.

"To score 18 goals a season in any major league now is a success. I don't think Harry needs to score 20 goals next year not to be called a failure because times have changed.

"But he's had an outstanding season, he's been fantastic, and he's done it the hard way - because speaking to the people at Leicester, he wasn't a great success when he came here on loan.

"He's been incredible, especially with the pressure at a big club like Tottenham. He's carried them this year - without Harry's goals, they may only have been mid-table.

"When I look at young strikers coming through, he is the future of English football. But the next Alan Shearer, as some people are talking? Let's not get too carried away, let's see what happens next year."

 

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Hummels fed up of Manchester United talk

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels admits he is fed up of speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.

The Germany international has been the subject of intense rumours throughout a disappointing season for Dortmund, who currently sit ninth in the Bundesliga standings.

Goal understands that Hummels remains a long-term target for the Red Devils, but the man himself is tired of addressing the rumours having revealed he is considering a move away from Signal Iduna Park recently.

"I don't want to talk about that topic constantly," Hummels told Bild. "I did it a few weeks ago - and that must be enough."

Meanwhile, members of the Dortmund hierarchy also refused to comment on reports linking the 26-year-old with a switch to Old Trafford.

Director Michael Zorc said of a potential bid from United: "I can't confirm this."

The club's CEO Hans-Joachin Watzke told Bild: "The decision of where Hummels plays next season is only possible through BVB."

 

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Marotta: Juventus discussing Dybala deal with Palermo

Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that the club are in talks with Palermo over signing star striker Paulo Dybala but added that agreeing a deal is proving "difficult".

Dybala has been one of the revelations of the Serie A season, having netted 13 times in 30 appearances, and his fine form has attracted interest from not only the Bianconeri, but also Inter, Arsenal and Chelsea, with the forward's agent claiming that the Blues have already bid €41 million for his client.

Juve are desperate to strengthen their forward line, with top scorer Carlos Tevez reportedly considering returning to Boca Juniors, and are reportedly leading the race to land Dybala.

However, while Marotta freely admits that the Italian champions want to sign the forward, he is not getting his hopes up just yet as Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini is seeking €50m for his most prized asset.

"Dybala? We are speaking with Zamparini but the negotiations are difficult," the Juve director is quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Still, Juve have received a financial boost following their qualification for the semi-finals of the Champions League courtesy of their 1-0 aggregate win over Monaco.
Former coach Antonio Conte reportedly quit the club last summer because of a dispute over transfer policy, famously stating before his departure: "When you got and sit in a €100 restaurant, you can't think about paying only €10."

Marotta thus alluded to that comment and the negative fan reaction to Conte subsequently being replaced by Massimiliano Allegri while discussing the 0-0 draw at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday.

"I think of this group and how much it has grown in recent years," he added. "I remember last July, when myself, president Andrea Agnelli and Allegri were being criticised.

"Now we're sitting at the €100 table with great satisfaction and the knowledge that we've done extraordinary things."In these past few years, we've improved the quality of the squad."

Moratta also said that while Juve have Liga leaders Barcelona, reigning European champions Real Madrid and German titleholders Bayern Munich for company in the last four of the Champions League, Allegri's men should not be discounted.

 

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Dybala meh yana widiyata Juventus join wei wage.​

 

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Iniesta: I'm unsatisfied with my form

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has admitted that he is not happy with his form at the moment.

The Spain international drew plenty of plaudits for the wonderful, jinking run from inside his own half that ultimately led to Neymar opening the scoring in Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou.

Iniesta was pleased with the assist - his fourth in Europe this season - but he does not feel he is performing at the peak of his powers at the moment, as underlined by the fact that he has yet to score or create a goal during Barca's 2014-15 Liga campaign to date.

"I'm happy with the way it worked out," he is quoted as saying by AS. "The truth is that it was a nice, fast and improvised run, but it's good that it resulted in a goal for Neymar."Personally, though, I think I have room for improvement. I'm unsatisfied with my form right now."

However, Iniesta is buoyed by the way in which Barca are presently performing, with Luis Enrique's men top of La Liga, already through to the final of the Copa del Rey and now looking forward to the semi-finals of the Champions League."We're feeling very good going into the decisive stretch of the season," the World Cup winner stated.

"We could have 10 games left and we will play them all with a positive attitude."
Up first for Barca is Saturday's Liga showdown with city rivals Espanyol at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

Iniesta is expecting a competitive encounter but does not believe it will be an overly aggressive affair.

"I do not think that the derby is a war," the 30-year-old added. "But it will be a special and tough game."I hope things go well and we get the victory."

 

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Wanyama: Wenger wants to sign me for Arsenal

Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama claims Arsene Wenger wants to sign him for Arsenal this summer.

Wenger will press ahead with a move for Morgan Schneiderlin when the transfer window re-opens, despite the emergence of Francis Coquelin this season.

But Wanyama insists he has been made aware of interest from Arsenal and admits he is keen to experience Champions League football again.

“Wenger has been talking about me. And he has let it be known he would like to sign me this summer,” Wanyama told The Sun.

“Arsenal are a great club and I’d love to play Champions League football as I loved being on that stage with Celtic. But we’ve had a fantastic season at Saints and I want to stay focused on helping the club qualify for Europe.

“Then we’ll see where I end up in the summer.”

Reports suggest that Tottenham are also interested in Wanyama and the 23-year-old says he is open to being reunited with Mauricio Pochettino.“If I get the chance, maybe," he added. "You never know what will happen in the future. It’s nice to be linked with other clubs as it means I’m playing well."

 

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Guardiola wouldn't leave Bayern for Man City - Rummenigge

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says he can see no reason why Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola would consider leaving the Allianz Arena "for a club like Manchester City".

Guardiola still is under contract to the German champions until the summer of 2016 but has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad, given current boss Manuel Pellegrini is under intense pressure due to a meek Premier League title defence and another disappointing showing in Europe.

Indeed, it has been reported that City director Txixi Begiristain - who previously worked with Guardiola at Barcelona - has already held talks with his former colleague about relocating to Manchester.

However, Rummenigge is completely unconcerned by all of the speculation, revealing he remains optimistic Guardiola will actually extend his contract with Bayern.

"I don't worry about the rumour," the German champions chairman told Bild. "It's just proof of his quality. "But I can't imagine that Guardiola leaves for a club like Manchester City. I am sure that he will be team manager at Bayern at least until June 30, 2016."We are very proud that this coach is our man. He is the best and most sought-after coach in the world. He has satisfied all our expectations.

"We have an plan: We will bring this season to an end and then talk in the second half of 2015. "Our goal is to extend his contract. And I think we have good chances that he will still be our coach beyond 2016."

Guardiola, who won a domestic double in his first season in Germany, has repeatedly refused to commit himself publicly to Bayern beyond the end of his current deal.

The Catalan coach is also currently focused on the Bavarians' bid for a treble, with his side having reached the semi-finals of the Champions League by overturning a 3-1 first-leg deficit in their last-eight clash with Porto with a stunning 6-1 demolition job at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

 

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Arsenal & Man Utd wouldn't want Simeone, says Carragher

Jamie Carragher thinks Diego Simeone would struggle to get a job at an elite Premier League club because he does not play the right type of football.

Fierce rivals Real Madrid eliminated Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side from the Champions League on Wednesday, with a late Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez goal proving decisive.

Atletico attempted to strangle the tie over the 180 minutes, while Arda Turan was sent off in the second half of the second leg, but they were unable to repeat their heroic run to the final last season.

Despite Jose Mourinho's battling style seeing Chelsea thrive at the top of the Premier League, Carragher does not believe Simeone’s rigidly physical tactics would attract the attention of Arsenal, Manchester City or Manchester United.

"I love watching him [Simeone] on the sidelines. I love watching his team play, a team of men. But there's no way a top team - an Arsenal, a Man Utd, a Man City - will watch that and think 'that's the type of football we want to play,'” he told Sky Sports.

“He's with an underdog now. It's different. He's not coach of Real Madrid or Barcelona. He's coach of Atletico. They're fighting against the odds.

“I admire him so much but talk of him going to a bigger club… I don't think clubs will look at that and think 'we want our team to play like that'. I don't think top teams, giants of European football and in our league will want their teams to play like that."

Simeone has won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Europa League, the Uefa Super Cup and the Supercopa de Espana since taking the reigns at Atletico.

 

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Gomis nearing Swansea City return

Swansea boss Garry Monk hopes to have striker Bafetimbi Gomis back from his hamstring injury in the coming weeks after making good progress in his recovery.

Gomis was not available for last weekend's defeat to Leicester City after being substituted in the 17th minute of Swansea's 1-1 draw with Everton on April 11.

The Frenchman was not expected back until mid-May, but Monk is hoping to see the 29-year-old in action before then.

"Bafe is getting there," the Swansea boss told reporters. "We haven't got a date, but it shouldn't be too much longer, he should be on the pitch doing rehab next week.

"He won't have lost a great deal of fitness so it shouldn't take too long to get up to speed after that."

Gomis has stepped in to fill the void left by Wilfried Bony's departure to Manchester City in January, scoring four Premier League goals in his last seven appearances.

 

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Villas-Boas fumes over 'questionable' Sevilla penalty

Andre Villas-Boas was left fuming at the way Sevilla were able to take the lead over Zenit via a penalty call he branded "questionable".

Luis Neto was deemed by referee Nicola Rizzoli to have fouled Vitolo with a sliding tackle six minutes in, and Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca converted from the spot to give the Europa League holders the advantage in Thursday's quarter-final decider.

Goals from Rondon and Hulk in the second half gave the Russian hosts some hope as extra-time loomed, but Kevin Gameiro's late strike put Unai Emery's men into the semi-finals with a 4-3 aggregate win alongside Dnipro, Fiorentina and Napoli.

Villas-Boas, who won the competition with Porto in 2011, criticised the decision to penalise his player for what he felt was a fair tackle and lamented the absence of Ezequiel Garay in what he felt was a spirited showing from his side.

"We had no luck," the Portuguese complained to reporters. "It was hard to get back into the game after conceding a goal in the first few minutes.

"The 'penalty' was questionable, I don't think there was any contact at all. The team responded as best they could in the second half, playing with real spirit. We are disappointed but we must move on.

"We did everything we could. Without Garay in defence due to suspension, it hurt our defensive performance."

 

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Wolfsburg needed something sensational - Hecking

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking has lamented that his side were unable to do "something sensational" as they were predictably eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday.

The second-placed Bundesliga side needed a minor miracle to reach the semi-finals after they were battered 4-1 by Napoli in last week's first leg at the Volkswagen Arena.

Rafa Benitez's men went 2-0 up with two-thirds of the game gone to leave the Germans fearing another humbling, but Timm Klose and Ivan Perisic cancelled out earlier efforts from Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens to salvage some pride at the Stadio San Paolo for the visitors, though they were still eliminated 6-3 on aggregate.

"The deficit from the first leg was too big," Hecking told reporters. "I am very satisfied with how we played in the first half in particular, however, you need a fair bit of luck to do something sensational and we didn't have it."

Wolfsburg right-back Christian Trasch echoed Hecking's disappointment, though he hailed the way the players did not stop fighting when they were facing a 6-1 defeat over 180 minutes.

"This result is not the one we wanted," the defender said. "But the way we didn't give up after Napoli's goals proves the morale of the team is still strong."

Wolfsburg now turn their attention to Bundesliga action once again and they need to match or better whatever result Bayern Munich get against Hertha Berlin on Saturday when, 24 hours later, they clash with Borussia Monchengladbach if they are to delay Pep Guardiola's title celebrations.

 

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Mario Gomez: Defeating Dynamo Kiev was tough

Fiorentina hero Mario Gomez has revealed how much the team struggled to defeat "tough" Europa League opponents Dynamo Kiev on Thursday.

The Viola headed into the second leg having held the Ukrainians to a 1-1 draw last week, and goals from the former Bayern Munich striker and Juan Vargas secured a place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 triumph at the Artemio Franchi.

Having joined holders Sevilla, fellow Italian side Napoli and Eastern European opposition Dnipro in the final four of the tournament, Gomez expressed his relief at not making a mess of their final chance of silverware this season.

"It was so tough and at the end of the game you could see we were not accustomed to playing this sort of fixture," Gomez told Mediaset Premium.

"This is why I am ecstatic that we can give this gift to the fans and to the club. It's important to be a winning side as everyone here gives 100 per cent.

"God wanted me to score with my flukey ricochet, as two or three minutes earlier I had slipped when through on goal. That's football.

"We worked all together - and it's a shame we went out of the Coppa Italia - but now we are in the Europa League semi-finals and we'll see what happens tomorrow."

Fiorentina will discover their semi-final fate on Friday when the draw is made in Nyon.