..::Football III::..

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Sevilla victory was no miracle, says Emery

Unai Emery resents any insinuation that Sevilla's progress into the Europa League semi-finals for the second consecutive season is a miracle.

The reigning champions headed into Thursday's quarter-final second with Zenit looking for a record fourth title in the second-tier European competition, leading 2-1 after last week's first leg.

Carlos Bacca put Sevilla into the lead early on but goals from Rondon and Hulk looked set to send the tie into extra-time, but Kevin Gameiro eliminated Andre Villas-Boas' men with an effort five minutes from time.

"It wasn't a miracle," Emery, who guided his players to Europa League glory last May, told Cuatro. "The team worked hard during all the match and our fans are celebrating now. It wasn't luck, we fought for the second goal when Gameiro came on.

"I didn't want extra-time. I always believed that we could score another goal using our counterattacks."

Sevilla's match-winner Gameiro - who scored his 15th goal of his season at the Stadion Petrovskij - was thrilled to be the man to secure his team's spot alongside Fiorentina, Napoli and Dnipro in Friday's semi-final draw.

"It was a great moment for me," the Frenchman said. "We fought tooth and nail and now we are on next round. I can't wait for the semi-finals so that we can reward our fans by trying to win this cup again."

 

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De Laurentiis has 'annoyed' Napoli stars – Benitez

Napoli boss Rafael Benitez saw his side progress to the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday but hit out at club president Aurelio De Laurentiis for commanding the team to go on a training retreat.

A 2-2 home draw against Wolfsburg saw the Serie A side progress 6-3 on aggregate, yet after their Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Lazio, the players were forced to attend the camp by the president.

The Spaniard has now slammed the decision as being old fashioned and out-of-touch with the wishes of his squad.

"It's something that was used in 1970," he told the media. "I am not against a training retreat per se, but I am against it as a punishment that has no effect other than to annoy the players.

"We proved last year that we can win without it."

Ex-Liverpool boss Benitez will have his contract expire in the summer and has hinted that, in order for the club to progress, more investment is needed in the squad.

"We have reached a point where it is difficult to take that extra step up, but it's important for the fans to see their team do well in Europe," he added.

"The supporters want to win titles and play in the Champions League. We're still in the running for a top-three finish in Serie A and now we must concentrate on the game with Sampdoria [on Sunday]."

Napoli currently lie five points shy of third-placed Roma, who occupy the final Champions League berth in Serie A.

 

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Ada Champions League Draw 1ka​

 

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Falcao's wages a problem for Juventus, says Marotta

Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has acknowledged that Radamel Falcao's wages could prove to be too much of an obstacle for the Serie A champions.

The Monaco man is currently on loan at Manchester United, but the Premier League side seem unlikely to make his move permanent come the end of his temporary spell.

Juve are closely monitoring Falcao's situation and could make a move for the Colombia international if he were to become available this summer.However, Marotta has admitted that negotiations will not be easy due to the 29-year-old's hefty wages.

"The situation with Falcao is complicated," Marotta told Sky Sports.
"His wages cannot be overlooked. At the moment, signing him seems to be a utopia."

The Juve director then went on to discuss a potential move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani and made it clear that they are unlikely to bring in the Uruguay international as PSG are not willing to sell."We really like Cavani, but at the moment he is not available."

Juve are in the market for a new attacker due to the ongoing uncertainty about the future of Carlos Tevez, who is being heavily linked with a return to Boca Juniors, even though the Argentine has insisted nothing has been decided as of yet.

"Boca Juniors? There is nothing happening. People talk too much," the Serie A top scorer told reporters. "I would rather enjoy this moment and focus on achieving our goals."

 

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Mancini the right man for Inter, insists Santon

Davide Santon has insisted that Roberto Mancini remains the right man for Inter irrespective of their relatively disappointing performances this campaign.

The 50-year-old replaced Walter Mazzarri as the man in charge at the Giuseppe Meazza side back in November, but he has so far been unable to turn things around with Inter sitting 10th in Serie A with seven games to go.

Nevertheless, Santon - who returned to the club in January after leaving San Siro in 2011 for Newcastle United - is confident Mancini can help Inter return to the top.

"Mancini is a lovely man. He talks to the players a lot and he's won things wherever he's been," the full-back told SportMediaset."I think he's the right man to take us forward."

The Italy international also discussed the potential signing of Yaya Toure from Manchester City this summer and believes the Cote d'Ivoire international would be a fine addition for Inter."The coach and the club know what they're doing in terms of transfers, we'll see," he added.

"I've played against Yaya Toure and when Manchester City won the title he scored a double at St James' Park."He impressed me and he's still a great player with pace and ability that can win games."

 

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'Schweinsteiger has lost midfield battle and will leave Bayern'

Former Germany international Dietmar Hamann expects Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

The Germany international had to settle for a spot on the bench in the 6-1 Champions League win over Porto on Tuesday as Pep Guardiola preferred Xabi Alonso in midfield and Hamann thinks the presence of the Spanish midfielder could force out Schweinsteiger.

"The game against Porto was quite meaningful for two players in particular," Hamann told Kicker."Schweinsteiger has apparently lost the battle for a place in midfield to Xabi Alonso. I do not think Schweinsteiger will still be playing for Bayern next year."

Hamann also revealed his doubts that injured winger Franck Ribery - shortlisted for the 2013 Ballon d'Or - could usurp Thomas Muller in the starting XI."It will also be quite tricky for Ribery," he added. "If you have to make a choice between Ribery and Muller once Robben returns, I would always pick Muller."

Ribery has not featured for Bayern since picking up a knock in their 7-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on March 11.

 

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Moyes: I knew Fellaini would come good

David Moyes insists that he is unsurprised by Marouane Fellaini’s recent resurgence at Manchester United, and says he keeps in contact with his former midfielder.

Fellaini was Moyes’ first major signing at Old Trafford, with the Real Sociedad boss spending just over €32 million to acquire his signature from Everton.

The Belgian quickly became a pariah, however, after a series of below-par displays following his move from Goodison Park.

But Fellaini has enjoyed a remarkable upturn in form under Louis van Gaal, scoring six goals in all competitions to become a key player in the Dutchman’s squad, and Moyes admits he is delighted with the 27-year-old’s performances.

“I am not surprised at Fellaini because I thought he had made a big impact on England over the years," Moyes told the Express.

"He will not be everyone's cup of tea, but he can affect games and you want players who can affect games.

"He texts me quite regularly and I always text him back and tell him how well he is doing. I'm really pleased for him."

 

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Barcelona can win treble - David Villa

Former Barcelona attacker David Villa believes the Catalans have what it takes to win the treble again this campaign.

Luis Enrique's men currently sit top of La Liga, qualified for the last four of the Champions League this week and have a Copa del Rey final to look forward to,
Barca last won the treble under Pep Guardiola in 2008-09 and Villa thinks a similar performance could be on the cards this season."Barcelona are capable of winning the treble," the ex-Spain international, who now plays for New York City FC, told Marca. "They're leading in Spain, they're through to the Champions League semi-finals and are in the cup final.

"They have a great chance of doing so, but there's a long way to go yet. I hope they enjoy great success; it would make me really happy."The 33-year-old then went on to laugh off criticism that Barcelona are less attractive to watch than in the past, stressing that winning is all that matters.

"The only way to do things is winning. Barca are winning and achieving things, even if they have changed their style, but for me they haven't."They play well, score goals, and concede very few. I'm sure that the fans are more than happy with them."

 

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Champions League draw: Barcelona versus Bayern Munich, Real Madrid against Juventus

Barcelona were paired with Bayern Munich in Friday's Champions League semi-final draw in Nyon, while Real Madrid will have to deal with Juventus.

Luis Enrique's side cruised past Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals to book their ticket for the final four, while the Bundesliga outfit pulled off a fine comeback to see off Porto.

The semi-final encounter sees Bayern coach Pep Guardiola return to the club where he enjoyed so much success between 2008 and 2012.

The sides last met in the Champions League in 2012-13, when Bayern recorded a 7-0 aggregate win in the semi-finals on their way to European glory. Barca proved to be the stronger of the two in 2008-09, recording a 5-1 win on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

Holders Madrid previously locked horns with Juventus in the group stages in 2013-14, with the Santiago Bernabeu side beating the Italians 2-1 at home and then recording a 2-2 draw in Turin in the second encounter. Juve and Madrid also met in the semi-finals in 2002-03, when the Serie A side emerged victorious, while Madrid beat the Italian champions in the final in 1997-98.The first leg will be played on 5/6 May, with the second leg scheduled for 12/13 May.

The final will take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on June 6.​

 

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Patta Draw 1ka

Specially Barcelona Vs Bayern hoda fight 1kak yai & Pep ge Camp Nou return 1ka​

 

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Europa League draw: Napoli meet Dnipro, Sevilla face Fiorentina​

Napoli were paired with Dnipro in Friday's Europa League semi-final draw in Nyon, while Sevilla will take on Fiorentina.​

Rafael Benitez's men saw off Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals to book their ticket for the last four, with Dnipro proving to be too strong for Club Brugge.The Liga side, meanwhile, defeated Zenit 4-3 on aggregate in the last eight, whereas Fiorentina eliminated Dynamo Kiev.​

Sevilla are the defending champions following their win after penalties over Benfica last season, having also won the trophy in 2006 and 2007.Fiorentina last made it to the final of the Europa League in 1989-90, when it was still named the Uefa Cup, with Juventus beating the Artemio Franchi side 25 years ago.​

Napoli previously enjoyed Europa League success in 1988-89, when Diego Maradona guided them past Stuttgart.It's the first time in Dnipro's history that the Ukrainian side have made it to the semi-finals of the competition.​

The first legs will be played on May 7, with the second legs scheduled for May 14.
The final will take place at the National Stadium in Warsaw on May 27.​

 

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Napoli nam aniwa final select wei kiyala hithenawa & Sevilla Vs Fiorentina thamai match 1ka​

 

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Marseille 3-5 Lorient: Bielsa's men collapse to fourth straight loss

Marseille's Ligue 1 title hopes appear to be all but over after a late collapse saw Lorient claim a thrilling 5-3 win and inflict a fourth successive defeat upon them.

Marcelo Bielsa's men were already eight points adrift of Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain before kick-off and, although they raced back after falling 2-0 behind early on, two late goals from the visitors ensured another miserable day for the 10-time French champions.

Jordan Ayew , a product of Marseille's academy, put Lorient ahead after just nine minutes with a fine 30-yard half-volley, before Francois Bellugou nodded in the second shortly after.

The elder of the two Ayew brothers, Andre , pulled one back for the hosts just before the hour mark and Jeremy Morel restored parity in the 67th minute, heading in from close range.

But Marseille proved their own worst enemies a minute later, as Romain Philippoteaux pounced on Nicolas N'Koulou's loose pass, before charging forward to slot home and, although Michy Batshuayi brought the hosts level again with 14 minutes to play, there was still time for it all to go horribly wrong.
Jordan Ayew added his second with six minutes left, slamming home emphatically at the end of a solo run and Mathias Autret clinched victory soon after, lifting Lorient out of the bottom three in a remarkably close battle to avoid the final relegation spot.

 

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Mainz 2-0 Schalke: Pressure on Di Matteo increases

Stefan Bell's double helped Mainz sink Schalke 2-0 on Friday to pile the pressure on under-fire coach Roberto Di Matteo.

Schalke had already fallen 12 points off the pace for a Champions League place in the Bundesliga and are now effectively out of the running with just four games to go.

There were positive signs for Schalke in the early stages of the contest at the Coface Arena as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar saw two chances go begging.

Centre-back Bell proved far more clinical at the other end, though, putting Mainz ahead just shy of the half-hour mark when he knocked in from close range after a Jonathan Geis corner caused havoc.Mainz were two to the good three minutes later. Another Geis corner proved integral as Bell headed in the teasing delivery.

Both sides hit the crossbar in the final twenty minutes, with Mainz's Jairo Samperio and Schalke's Julian Draxler going close for their respective teams, but the score remained 2-0.

Mainz subsequently hoisted themselves into the top half of the table, while Schalke are now winless in six.

 

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Lahm: Barcelona the team to beat

Philipp Lahm believes Bayern Munich have drawn "the team to beat" in the Champions League by being pitted against Barcelona in the semi-finals.

The Bundesliga champions beat Porto 7-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the competition to make it to the final four and Lahm is desperate to make it to the final in Berlin and emerge victorious - even though it means knocking out Pep Guardiola's former club.

"At the moment, it looks like Barcelona are the team to beat," the Bayern skipper was quoted as saying by TZ.

"They have some great players and have impressed so far. They concede very few goals and score plenty of goals..."But when you make it to the semi-finals, you want to reach the final as well."Our experience from previous semi-finals has taught us that it will not be easy.

"We have a history against Barcelona. We keep meeting each other time and time again in the Champions League."

The winner of Bayern and Barca's semi-final will face either Real Madrid or Juventus in the final in Berlin on June 6.

 

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'Juventus vs Real Madrid is great news for football'

Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno believes Juventus' return to prominence in the Champions League is "great news for football".Madrid were paired with Juve in Friday's semi-final draw after the Bianconeri reached the last four for the first time since 2003.

Butragueno is delighted to see Massimiliano Allegri's men challenging once more for European football's biggest prize.

He said: "It's an honour playing a semi-final in the most prestigious competition. Juventus are a legendary club. It's great news for football and for this competition that Juventus return to this level."Juve edged past Monaco in the quarter-finals while a late Javier Hernandez goal was enough to see Madrid overcome city rivals Atletico.

Madrid went into the second leg of that game without Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale and Butragueno is hopeful the pair can return in time for the opening game against Juve on May 6.

"It is a very balanced tie, we played against them and they are very competitive," he added. "Hopefully we can recover our injured players so we can face this tie in the best shape possible. "

 

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Beckenbauer: Bayern are underdogs against Barcelona

Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbauer believes his side are the underdogs in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

The Bundesliga champions impressed on Tuesday with a 6-1 win over Porto in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, ensuring a 7-4 aggregate triumph.Yet the Bayern legend is even more impressed by the Catalans, who saw off Paris Saint-Germain with ease in the quarter-finals."Barcelona are the favourites for me," Beckenbauer told reporters. "It's not that Bayern do not stand a chance, but they are not the favourites."

Sporting director Matthias Sammer, on the other hand, thinks it will prove to be an even tie where both sides have as much chance as each other to make it to the final in Berlin."I am really looking forward to it. I think it's a 50-50 tie," he said. "Both sides have an attack that's among the best in the world. Barcelona have some superb players, but so do Bayern.

"It's all about focusing on our own strengths. Guardiola's return to Camp Nou? Coaches are always the centre of attention, but they are not the ones taking to the pitch."There is nothing better in football than big games like this."

 

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Luis Enrique excited by Pep's 'special' return to Barcelona

Luis Enrique acknowledged Pep Guardiola ’s return to Barcelona will be a special occasion but batted away talk of his side being unlucky in Friday’s Champions League draw.

Barca were paired with Bayern Munich in next month's semi-finals, meaning Guardiola will make an emotional first return to Camp Nou in charge of the German side."It’s special as it’s the first time Pep will face Barca. He will face his former players too," Luis Enrique told reporters.

Many of the current Barca squad were mainstays of the team which Guardiola led to two Champions League titles, three La Ligas and two Club World Cups in a glittering four-year spell which ended in 2012.

Although Guardiola could guide Bayern to the Bundesliga title this weekend - his second in as many seasons - there remain critics of his work at the Allianz Arena.
The last-four clash will, therefore, be an interesting gauge of the progress he has made since moving to Germany.

"Bayern aspire to the same as us and have the best coach," added Luis Enrique, who denied his side had been unfortunate in drawing Bayern.

"I always think after the draw of the bad luck for whoever has been drawn to play against Barcelona."I don’t care about playing the first leg at home or away. We will go out to win both games.

"Now I am just interested in the three La Liga games before the semi-finals."
The first of those comes on Saturday when table-toppers Barca take on city rivals Espanyol.

 

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Barcelona are better than Bayern, says Guardiola

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has branded Barcelona the "strongest" after the two teams were paired together in Friday's Champions League semi-final draw.The 44-year-old guided Barcelona to numerous trophies between 2008 and 2012 before taking a one-year sabbatical.

The upcoming Champions League tie will be Guardiola's first return to Camp Nou with another club and he has nothing but respect for his former team.

"Obviously, Barcelona were one of the options. I have enjoyed a lot of success at Barca, but I am very happy to be here at Bayern. It's fine for me. Barcelona are of course the best out there," the Spaniard said at a press conference."I am grateful to get this chance to return to Barcelona with Bayern. It is something very special.

"I cannot say anything bad about Barcelona. I have nothing but respect for Barca. I will never forget these two games."We will need the entire team to beat Barcelona. Believe me, they are the strongest.

"I am very happy for Luis Enrique. He is a great coach and a fine human being."Barcelona's mentality and philosophy has not changed. They are still very much the same team."

Bayern and Barca last met in the Champions League in 2012-13, when the German champions recorded a 7-0 win on aggregate.

 

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Mourinho tells Real Madrid: Forget about signing Hazard

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard is not going anywhere, manager Jose Mourinho has warned Real Madrid.

The Belgium international has lit up the Premier League this season, recording 18 goals and 10 assists to help the Blues close in on securing the title.

Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane confessed on Wednesday that he is "keeping an eye" on Hazard's progress at Stamford Bridge but Mourinho is adamant that his star man will not have his head turned.

The Portuguese told reporters: "He just signed a new contract. We didn't put a gun to his head.

"He likes Chelsea, he likes the team, he likes the league. He made a commitment to the future of the team by signing a very good contract. I don't think he's interested in going. I don't care [about Zidane's comments]."

Asked how much Hazard is worth, Mourinho replied: "That's a good question. I have my idea about it."