..::Football III::..

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Sherwood: I'll keep Vlaar in the shop window

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood says he plans to keep Ron Vlaar "in the shop window" by playing him at every opportunity, despite his contract expiring this summer.

Vlaar's current deal expires at the end of the 2014-15 season and, while the 30-year-old has hinted at prolonging his stay after the appointment of Sherwood, no extension appears to be forthcoming.

Manchester United have repeatedly been linked with a move for Vlaar, but Sherwood - who has guided Villa to the FA Cup final - insists the defender "has got every opportunity to stay" at the club.

He does, however, concede that he will need to speak with Vlaar over his future sooner rather than later.

"Once he's on the pitch he's in the shop window so I want to make sure I keep him in that shop window, not only for his benefit but for the benefit of the football club because Ron Vlaar on the pitch will enhance us," Sherwood said.

"I want to make sure I keep him on that pitch. I'm sure he wants to stay there as well.

"If there's a contract decision to be made, whether he stays at this club or joins somewhere else, we're going to make an adult decision.

"Ron is a man of a lot of experience now and I'm sure we will have a quite honest and frank decision to make."

 

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Pastore better than Ibrahimovic this season, says Thiago Silva

Javier Pastore has been better than Zlatan Ibrahimovic this season, according to Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva.

The 25-year-old has scored five goals and notched 13 assists in 30 Ligue 1 matches, helping the champions to maintain their pace at the top of the table alongside Lyon.

And Thiago Silva believes the Argentine has been the standout star of the French top flight in 2014-15 - even better than team-mate Ibrahimovic or top scorer Alexandre Lacazette.

"Pastore has had his best season with PSG. He's the best player in the championship. For me, even better than Lacazette," the Brazil international told Le Parisien."Look at the number of assists he has had. He is the most important guy at PSG.

Even more than Zlatan? Yes, because it is Pastore who gives Zlatan the ball!"
PSG saw off Metz 3-1 on Tuesday to maintain their three-point lead over Lyon at the top of the Ligue 1 table and while Thiago Silva was delighted with the display in the absence of Ibrahimovic, he is looking forward to the Swede's return from suspension against Nantes.

"We deserved to win the match," said the defender. "Even without Zlatan, we scored three goals. I really feel everything is going well."I'm very confident ahead of Nantes on Sunday. Plus we'll have Zlatan with us. That means we can score even more goals."

 

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Bale future 'depends on the whim of the president' - Calderon

The future of Gareth Bale "depends on the whims" of Florentino Perez, according to former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon.

Bale has received heavy criticism this season for his performances from both the Spanish media and supporters. As a result, the Wales international has been linked with a summer exit, with Manchester United widely rumoured as potential suitors.

Calderon, who preceded Perez at the helm of the Santiago Bernabeu outfit, says the current president is unlikely to admit a mistake in shelling out €100 million for Bale in 2013 by selling him this summer, though he concedes there is no guarantee.
"It will depend on the whims of the president," he told ITB Times UK when asked
whether Bale would be sold.

"But you have to have in mind that he much protects the players that he signed. He has always defended those he has brought to the club. He doesn't like to admit that he has made a mistake."He does the same with the players he inherited from us. He didn't like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder because we bought them...

"He wants to show that what he can do nobody can. Indeed, he signed Kaka even though he was injured just to prove he was capable of doing what the other [presidents] couldn't."Calderon believes Bale has been affected by the burden of his price-tag in the Spanish capital but is confident he will prove his quality.

"Florentino has always liked to stand out by doing things nobody else does. He always said that Real Madrid need to sign Ballon d'Or [winners] and pay more than the rest of clubs because it is a sign of prestige," he said."I don't know whether Bale is worth €100m but his price has been a handicap for him. Breaking a world record and being more expensive that Cristiano Ronaldo has put him under the spotlight.

"People thought he had to score more goals than Ronaldo and that is impossible. That has been bad for him but I don't think he has been a bad signing."He is a good player although some people had accused him of being selfish."

 

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Van Gaal will be satisfied with Manchester United season - but it could have been a lot better, says Yorke

Louis van Gaal will be satisfied with securing a return to the top four in his first season at Manchester United, according to former Red Devils star Dwight Yorke.

Liverpool's loss to Hull City on Tuesday leaves United heavy favourites to wrap up Champions League qualification with their four remaining Premier League matches despite being comprehensively defeated by Everton on Sunday.

And despite presiding over another trophyless campaign at Old Trafford after an unprecedented €180 million-plus spending spree, Yorke believes Van Gaal will be content with his team's progress - though he concedes the former Netherlands boss will doubtless be far from completely pleased.

"I think he'll be reasonably happy. I think the manager will think it could have been a lot better," said Yorke, who won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his four years in Manchester.

"It's been a difficult transition for him coming to the club, but you can see the progress he has made in the last three or four months where the team has picked up results, and certainly our aim, we know that we're a bit off in terms of winning the Premier League.

"But getting the Champions League spot was the main aim and we're on course to do that with four games to go.

"The manager knows winning the Premier League is going to be a huge challenge but getting into the Champions League is a good base for us to start again."

 

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Torres: Atletico Madrid a step closer to the Champions League

Fernando Torres believes he has taken Atletico Madrid a step closer to a return to the Champions League after scoring the winning goal against Villarreal on Wednesday.

The former Liverpool star capitalised on a mistake from Eric Bailly on 74 minutes to score the only goal of the game at El Madrigal, after coming on as a substitute midway through the second half.

With the champions now seven points ahead of fifth-placed Valencia - having played a game more - Torres is confident that Atleti will qualify for Europe's top tournament again.

"Today, we had a lot of the ball but we didn't create chances and they seemed comfortable," the striker said to Canal Plus after the match.

"It was a close game that could have gone either way, but you cannot say the result is unfair.

"The goal means our objective for next season is much closer. It's important to qualify for next season's Champions League. The sooner, the better.

"You always want to contribute more. We all have to demand more from ourselves."

 

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Rodgers: Liverpool will sign marquee players this summer

Brendan Rodgers expects to be backed by Liverpool's owners in the transfer market as he bids to strengthen his squad this summer.

A 1-0 defeat to Hull City on Tuesday all but ended the Reds' hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, with he club now seven points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United with four matches left to play.

Rodgers admits that he is keen to reinforce his squad when the transfer window re-opens and believes that the club's powerbrokers will give him the funds needed to acquire his preferred targets.

"We have to look to improve the squad again which every big club will do," Rodgers told reporters. "For fans and players it's great to get those marquee players – and there are maybe one or two we need. The owners will support that.

"If they’re available and affordable within the model then we will look to get them.

"Every season you have to look to try and improve and this is another. We can't hide away from fact we’ve lost over 50 goals from last season, and any team is going to struggle to maintain the levels with that."

Goal understands that Liverpool have moved into pole position to sign Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven ahead of Manchester United, and Rodgers admits that he must recruit attacking players to cope with the injury-enforced absences suffered by Daniel Sturridge and the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

"Even with Suarez and Sturridge we weren't tipped to be in top four last season," he added.

"Now the challenge is even greater for us with Luis gone [to Barcelona] and Daniel injured. The players have given their best to meet that challenge and standard but we're not at that.

"That is the challenge for me for next year – building a team that can get us through the rough waters."

 

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Rummenigge: I am convinced Lewandowski will play against Barcelona

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has indicated that he believes striker Robert Lewandowski will be able to play in the Champions League against Barcelona.

The Poland star was injured in a clash with Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitch Langerak in the DFB-Pokal defeat at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. He has since been diagnosed with a broken upper jaw and nose, not to mention concussion.

As a result, it had been expected that he would miss next month's semi-final matches against the Liga leaders, yet Rummenigge is optimistic that the 26-year-old, who famously scored four goals in the semi-final first leg against Real Madrid two seasons ago, will be able to feature.

Asked if Lewandowski will play against Barcelona on Wednesday, Rummenigge told B5 Aktuell: “That will be the case - I am pretty convinced of it. He will have an individual mask made and that should ensure he will play against Barcelona.”
While Arjen Robben has been ruled out for the rest of the season, the CEO revealed that Franck Ribery may be able to play some part in next week's first-leg clash with Barca.

“Our hope is that he can at least make the squad on Wednesday," Rummenigge added. "Our doctors are working day and night to make this possible.”

 

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'Blanc 100 per cent certain to stay at PSG' - agent

Laurent Blanc's agent insists that his client is 100 per cent certain to stay at Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The 49-year-old coach succeeded Carlo Ancelotti at the Parc des Princes in 2013 and led the capital club to the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de la Ligue glory in his first season in charge.

PSG are currently on course to record a domestic treble this term but Blanc's position once again came under scrutiny after this month's 5-1 aggregate loss to Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

However, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi publicly backed the coach on Tuesday and now Blanc's representative, Jean-Pierre Bernes, has stated that the World Cup winners will still be in Paris next season.

"He wants to stay at PSG," the agent told RMC. "There is no reason at the moment why Blanc would leave, especially after seeing the interview with the president yesterday.

"He is fortunate to be at a club that gives him the means to win the Champions League. For me, he will 100% stay."Bernes also dismissed the notion that Blanc was to blame for PSG's Champions League exit, arguing that nobody could have done a better job against Barca.

"We do not know when PSG will win the Champions League," he added. "But what is certain is that this season, no coach in Blanc's position could have beaten Barca."

 

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'Ribery won't return for France' - agent

Franck Ribery's agent does not believe that there is any chance of the winger reversing his decision to stop playing for France.

The 32-year-old attacker missed last year's World Cup with a back problem before then deciding to call time on his international career, much to the disappointment of Uefa president Michel Platini, who argued that players did not have the right to refuse the call of duty from their countries.

However, Ribery's representative, Jean-Pierre Bernes, says his client's decision was the right one, arguing that he was unfairly criticised throughout his France career.

"I do not think there's a chance of seeing Ribery in the national team again," the agent told RMC. "He made a choice and he is going to stick with it until the end.

"In France, we were not always very kind to him. In life, one is not obliged to attack a person.

"Franck is very emotional guy and the climate of permanent criticism was not good for him."Ribery is currently out of action with a persistent ankle problem but Bernes is confident that the forward will return before the end of the 2014-15 campaign.

"I got him on the phone yesterday [Tuesday]," he added. "He is still injured.
"He returned playing previously while he was still injured. He wanted to play with the pain but it got worse. "He is in a recovery phase now but I think we will see him again before the end of the season."

 

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Ancelotti: I'd be happy even if Ronaldo didn't score again

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says he would be happy with Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts this season even if he failed to score again in 2014-15.

The Portugal star has a staggering 50 goals in 47 appearances so far this term but has failed to score in his last three matches.

Against Almeria on Wednesday, the Santiago Bernabeu announcer credited Mauro dos Santos's own goal as a Ronaldo finish, prompting the 30-year-old to wave a finger to indicate he was not the scorer despite his battle against Lionel Messi to win the Pichichi prize hotting up.

Ancelotti, however, says Ronaldo's contribution to the campaign has already been strong enough to mean he does not need to score again to earn his coach's thanks.

"If Cristano doesn't score from today until the end of the season I would still be happy. He has already scored 50 goals this season," he told a press conference after the match.

Madrid's 3-0 win over Almeria has moved them back to within two points of Barcelona and Ancelotti is refusing to give up the title race - despite his already impressive trophy cabinet.

"We are convinced that we can win the four remaining games in La Liga. We are not worried about Barcelona's results," he said.

"My cupboard is already full, but I have ambition for this club, the players, the fans."

Ancelotti opted to hand the likes of Asier Illarramendi, Jese Rodriguez and Keylor Navas a starting berth on Wednesday but says he will not rest players in their next game against Sevilla despite the looming Champions League final with Juventus.

"Illarramendi played very well in Vigo last Sunday. He has total confidence from his coach," the Italian added.

"Sevilla? I will play the best XI. It is a very important match for us. We will work to win."

Finally, the former AC Milan boss stressed that Martin Odegaard need not be rushed into first-team action after the teenager was an unused substitute against Sergi's side.

"Odegaard is still very young and he has all the time left to still make his debut," he added.

 

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Tevez is dragging Juventus to the title - Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon has thanked Carlos Tevez for "dragging" Juventus to Serie A glory following their 3-2 win over Fiorentina on Wednesday.

The Argentine scored twice against Vincenzo Montella's side to take his tally to 26 in all competitions this season and move Juve to within one point of defending their Scudetto crown.

And Buffon says the whole team is indebted to Tevez for his performances throughout the campaign, telling Mediaset Premium: "Tevez? He's fantastic, from the start of the season he's helped us win games. He's dragging us to the title. We'll be forever grateful.

"We're happy. Tonight was a game with many hidden pitfalls. We were at a disadvantage, it wasn't easy to recover.

"With patience and tenacity we've overcome a team who gave everything.

"We can be proud of this year, we've made fantastic progress."

A point from Saturday's trip to Sampdoria would be enough to secure Juve's fourth consecutive title.

 

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Mourinho: Every team wants to be like Chelsea

Jose Mourinho believes every team wants to be like Chelsea after they moved to within three points of the Premier League title.

Second-half goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires saw the Blues come from behind to beat relegation-threatened Leicester City on Wednesday night.

A win against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday will seal a first league title since 2010 and Mourinho once again brushed off the recent accusations that his team are boring.

"I think it’s phenomenal what [the players] are doing, top of the league since day one, it’s not easy," he told Sky Sports.

"To play against a team that is having a fantastic run, winning 12 points out of 12, playing at home, [with] big enthusiasm, self-confidence, to be losing at half-time, come in the second half and to do it the way my boys did it, I think it’s fantastic.

"I know what I feel in relation to the work in the last two years, and with the work these boys are doing since pre-season day one, so I don’t need other people to recognise what we are.

"I know exactly what we are and I think, in a very pragmatic way, we are what every team would like to be."

Chelsea have led the Premier League standings since the end of August and Mourinho called on the home supporters to push his team over the line as they look to clinch the league crown on Sunday.

He added: "I think it was a very good performance, a very good victory, and now I think Stamford Bridge instead of celebrating, Stamford Bridge has to be ready to push the team next Sunday.

"We need to win and we need Stamford Bridge not to be celebrating the title, because we do not have the title, we need Stamford Bridge to push us strong to the three points we still need."

 

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Inzaghi: I don't want to quit AC Milan

AC Milan head coach Filippo Inzaghi insists he does not want to "give up" as pressure mounts on his position at the club.

The Rossoneri suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Genoa on Wednesday to extend their winless run in Serie A to four matches and leave them in 10th in the table, five points behind city rivals Inter.

Speculation is growing that Inzaghi will not see out the season at San Siro, with Bee Taechaubol's takeover of the club edging closer and Primavera boss Christian Brocchi reportedly primed to take charge until the end of the campaign.

Inzaghi, however, remains defiant and has called on his players to finish the season strongly in order to honour the famous Rossoneri shirt.

"I'm here to talk about a game that wasn't played well. Genoa deserved to win. We'll see what the club decides," he told Radio 1. "I certainly do not want to give up.

"I'm sorry for everyone. We must accept it and try to fight to return Milan to their place, the only recipe I know is that of working.

"We need to see a Milan that is trying to finish with dignity because to wear the shirt of Milan is always prestigious."

 

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Arbeloa: Ronaldo rage doesn't bother me

Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa insists he was not perturbed by Cristiano Ronaldo's angry reaction to his goal against Almeria on Wednesday.

The Portugal star reacted petulantly again at the Santiago Bernabeu as Arbeloa turned home Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez's cross with Ronaldo arriving behind him, prompting him to rifle the ball back into the net before walking back to the centre circle.

Arbeloa, however, says he understands Ronaldo's desperation to end a barren spell in front of goal that has seen him score just once in his last five matches - especially as he is scrapping with Lionel Messi for the top-scorer prize.

"I'm not upset about Ronaldo's reaction after my goal," Arbeloa told reporters. "It just shows you his ambition to score. No one can be upset about that. He's fighting with Leo Messi for the Pichichi."

James Rodriguez opened the scoring with a brilliant volley just before half-time and Arbeloa believes the Colombian is beginning to prove his true quality after coming in for some criticism in the early part of the season.

"With James, there are some people who spoke prematurely," he said. "He's a really great player."

Madrid are now back to within two points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga and Arbeloa is determined to fight them every step of the way for the title - even though they have a Champions League semi-final date with Juventus looming on the horizon.

"Barcelona are very strong, but our goal is win all games," he said.

"Juventus will not be easy for us. They're a great team who will win Serie A."

 

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La Liga 2015.04.30 Fixtures

La Liga 2015.04.30 Fixtures

Rayo Vallecano Vs Valencia

Granada Vs Espanyol​

 

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Serie A 2015.04.30 Fixture

Serie A 2015.04.30 Fixture

Empoli Vs Napoli​

 

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Barcelona 6-0 Getafe: Messi, Neymar and Suarez continue title march

 

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Tevez is dragging Juventus to the title - Buffon

Tevez patta form eke enne

 

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Torres quality made the difference for Atletico - Simeone

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said Fernando Torres made the difference for the reigning La Liga champions in their 1-0 win over Villarreal on Wednesday.

Torres had scored against both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey since his 18-month loan move from Milan in January, but had scored just once in the league so far.

However, the former Chelsea man doubled his La Liga tally for the season against Villarreal, firing in the winner at El Madrigal to help Atletico consolidate third spot.
"It was an important match for the team in which we started very well," Simeone was quoted as saying on Atletico's website.

"I saw the team was strong, with chances to hurt them. The key was to persist.
"Fernando finished extraordinarily well, with impressive calmness and coldness.
"We needed it, he needed it and we are all happy for the team, first, and obviously for Fernando.

"We benefited from that particular moment where Fernando finished with quality to decide a game that was open with two teams looking for gaps at the front."

 

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Pogba could face Real Madrid - Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri has revealed Paul Pogba could return for the first leg of Juventus' Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.The midfielder has been absent since suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the club's quarter-final tie.

He was initially expected to be out of action for up to two months but is ahead of schedule with his recovery, meaning he may play a part against the Champions League holders.

Allegri said: "Pogba? He’ll have another test on Thursday but I think all will be OK, meaning he should join up with the team next week."

Juventus responded to Sunday's shock derby defeat to Torino by coming from behind to see off Vincenzo Montella's faltering Fiorentina side in Serie A on Wednesday.A Gonzalo Rodriguez penalty put the Viola in front, but Fernando Llorente equalised three minutes later and Carlos Tevez fired the runaway leaders ahead on the stroke of half-time.

The striker struck again in the second period after Rodriguez missed another spot-kick to ensure that Josip Ilicic's late free-kick was too little, too late for the Florence outfit.

Juve lead second-placed Lazio by 14 points with five games remaining, meaning a draw would be enough to clinch the Scudetto this weekend.

"We'll look to claim the point we need in Genoa and then focus on the Champions League and Coppa Italia [final against Lazio on June 7]," the former Milan boss added.

"I'm happy with how the game went and the team's performance. These lads are having an extraordinary term."