..::Football III::..

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Cole has contract terminated at Roma

Roma have confirmed the termination of full-back Ashley Cole 's contract by mutual consent. The ex-England international moved to the Stadio Olimpico in July 2014 but struggled to hold down a regular place under former Roma coach Rudi Garcia.

The Frenchman was sacked last week after a poor first half to the campaign and Cole has also now departed after agreeing the early termination of a deal that was due to expire in June.

"AS Roma can today confirm that Ashley Cole's contract has been terminated by mutual consent," read a statement from the Serie A club."The club would like to thank Cole for his commitment during his stay in Rome and wish him the very best for his future career."

Cole made just 16 appearances in all competitions for Roma, and is reportedly due to join former England team-mate Steven Gerrard at LA Galaxy in MLS.

 

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Del Bosque defends Casillas: All goalkeepers make mistakes

Vicente del Bosque has no doubt Iker Casillas has already put his latest goalkeeping error behind him and will be ready for Spain's Euro 2016 bid.

At the 2014 World Cup, the experienced goalkeeper committed costly mistakes in the 5-1 defeat to Netherlands and the 2-0 loss to Chile as the defending champions failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Casillas was again in the spotlight on Saturday when he failed to deal with a deflected shot and gifted Bakary Sare the only goal in Porto's defeat at Vitoria Guimaraes.

However, the Spain coach remains confident it will have no lasting effect on the 33-year-old and he will be ready to aid the national team's European Championship and compete for a starting berth with David de Gea.

"Casillas made a mistake, but the important thing is that he is well and arrives at Euro 2016 in good form," Del Bosque told Cadena COPE."I think he's already cured of fear. All goalkeepers make mistakes, it's impossible not to.

"[He] doesn't normally face a lot of shots [and it] requires more concentration."
Del Bosque hinted Athletic Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz and Paco Alcacer of Valencia could make his squad for the tournament in France having impressed with their displays in a Liga season which he feels is more competitive than usual.

"Many Spaniards are scoring goals. Aduriz is fantastic and Alcacer has not lost his eye for goal," Del Bosque added."We will look to forwards who have had a good season and complement what we want.

"I would not say there are three teams that are very good because a few others are having excellent season, making it a very tight league, which is what you want."

 

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Sampaoli steps down as Chile boss

Jorge Sampaoli has stepped down as coach of Chile in the wake of a disagreement with newly elected Football Federation of Chile (ANFP) president Arturo Salah.

Sampaoli became unsettled following the resignation of former ANFP president Sergio Jadue in November amid a corruption investigation during which he also came under the spotlight.

The 55-year-old's attempt to negotiate a reduction in the exit clause in his contract, which runs until 2018, was initially refused by Salah, who confirmed his intention to retain the Argentinian's services.

Sampaoli subsequently claimed he was being "held like a hostage" by the ANFP in one of a number of subsequent interviews in which he declared his desire to leave the role, and the terms of his departure have now been agreed.

Salah said in a statement: "Now we will dedicate ourselves to our priority, to do everything possible to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018."Sampaoli's stock has risen considerably over the past year, during which time he led Chile to their first ever major honour on home soil at the 2015 Copa America.

The 55-year-old earned a nomination for the FIFA Coach of the Year award, which he was beaten to the by Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, and was linked to the manager's job at Premier League champions Chelsea last month.

 

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'Zidane appointment came at ideal time' - Pavon

The appointment of Zinedine Zidane comes at the right time for Real Madrid, Zidane's former team-mate Francisco Pavon says.Pavon and Zidane played together in the Galacticos side who swept to Champions League glory in 2002.

Zidane was appointed by Real Madrid after the club parted company with Rafa Benitez, who was in charge for just six months.

Speaking to 4G Radio, Pavon said: "Zidane is the ideal piece and has come at the right time."

He added that Zidane "was a magnificent player and an exemplary partner. He has always been a great guy."Pavon was referred to by club president Florentino Perez in his infamous "Zidanes y Pavones" comment about buying stars and developing young talent.

"I was not bothered by that term," said Pavon."Always have a model, either way, and that model was pretty good."

 

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Napoli 0-2 Inter: Jovetic stunner helps Mancini's men to semis

Inter gained a measure of revenge over Napoli to move into the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia courtesy of a 2-0 win at Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday.

Napoli beat Inter in the quarter-finals last year but goals from Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic - either side of Dries Mertens' dismissal - capped a frustrating night for Maurizio Sarri and his Serie A leaders.

Inter failed to muster a shot in the first half and were perhaps fortunate to be level at the break as goalkeeper Samir Handanovic continued his fine form to deny Mertens and Jose Callejon.

Roberto Mancini's men rallied after the break and, despite bringing leading scorer Gonzalo Higuain off the bench, Napoli fell behind when Jovetic produced the visitors' first moment of real quality with 74 minutes on the clock.

Inter's first win over Napoli in eight attempts was made slightly easier in the final stages as Mertens was shown a second yellow card for diving inside the penalty area amid minimal contact from Miranda.And Jovetic then turned provider for Ljajic, who sealed the tie with a cool finish on the break in stoppage time.

Mancini's side await the winners of Juventus and Lazio in the semis, while 2014 Coppa winners Napoli are left to focus on Serie A and the Europa League.

While Napoli rested Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne, Mancini dropped Mauro Icardi to the bench and named Juan Jesus in place of Jeison Murillo following the Colombian's own-goal at Atalanta on Saturday.

Chances proved few and far between until Mertens - handed a rare start in Sarri's forward line - tested Handanovic with a curled effort 14 minutes in.As Inter struggled for attacking impetus, Callejon's side-footed effort was saved by Handanovic after a clever pullback from Ivan Strinic.

The visitors were given two more let-offs when Callejon and Mertens failed to pick the right pass in the final third although Inter saw penalty appeals waved away when Kalidou Koulibaly looked to handle inside the area shortly before half-time.

Jovetic had Inter's first effort on target from distance shortly after the hour - Pepe Reina equal to it - before Gary Medel's sent an effort over the crossbar during Inter's first prolonged spell of pressure.

Higuain was brought on with 19 minutes of normal time remaining but Napoli fell behind soon after the Argentine's introduction as Jovetic curled a stunning strike past Reina.Jovetic opted against playing in Rodrigo Palacio and instead placed the ball into the top right-hand corner to register his first goal since mid-December.

With dangerman Higuain leading the line, Napoli piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser - the striker glancing Mertens' cross wide before almost following up on the Belgian's saved shot with his head.

But Mertens' dismissal for simulation three minutes from time both summed up Napoli's desperation, before Ljajic doubled the advantage as tensions boiling over on the sidelines with Sarri and Mancini clashing at the end of an entertaining contest.

 

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PSG 2-1 Toulouse: Ibrahimovic sends holders into last 16

Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench to fire Paris Saint-Germain into the last 16 of the Coupe de France, though the holders had to come from behind to record a 2-1 win over Toulouse.The striker - who had scored the only goal in the Ligue 1 fixture between the two teams on Saturday - converted an 89th-minute penalty to keep alive his side's hopes of consecutive clean sweeps of France's domestic trophies.

Toulouse shocked their hosts by taking an early lead, defender Francois Moubandje starting and finishing a move that badly exposed PSG's broken offside trap.

However, David Luiz levelled matters with a powerful header before Ibrahimovic grabbed the winner, keeping his cool from the spot after Layvin Kurzawa had been tripped in the area by Uros Spajic.

Defeat was tough on Toulouse, who must be sick of the sight of PSG. They have now lost all three meetings this season by a combined score of 8-1, with the sides scheduled to meet again in the Coupe de la Ligue semi-finals next week.

The visitors perhaps scored too early. They hit the front after just 11 minutes, as Moubandje's well-timed pass left Regattin in a one-on-one situation with PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.

But, rather than go for goal Regattin instead squared the ball for the supporting full-back - who had continued his forward run into the box - to tap into an unguarded net.

Stunned at conceding, PSG spent the rest of the first half trying to get back on level terms. David Luiz's free-kick was comfortably palmed clear by Mauro Goicoechea, while the Toulouse goalkeeper was also called into action to turn away a long-range strike from Kurzawa.Moubandje came close to doubling both his and Toulouse's tally with a fierce right-footed drive early in the second half, forcing Sirigu into an acrobatic save that also triggered PSG's substitutes to be sent out to limber up.

However, before reinforcements were sent on, skipper for the night David Luiz levelled the scores when his header from a corner left Goicoechea motionless.

Ibrahimovic came on after 64 minutes and seemed to have scored with his first touch. The Swede had the ball in the net when volleying home a rebound inside the penalty area, only for the referee's assistant to have his flag up.

Goicoechea bravely dived at Edinson Cavani's feet to keep the scores level, while Sirigu at the other end was spared the embarrassment of being beaten by shot from inside Toulouse's half when Aleksandar Pesic's ambitious effort drifted just wide.

But, just as extra time seemed likely, Spajic foolishly stuck out a leg and Kurzawa, going away from goal, tumbled over it. Ibrahimovic promptly sent Goicoechea the wrong way, sending PSG through to the next round.

 

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Chelsea & Man City learn FA Cup fourth round opponents

Chelsea will face MK Dons in the fourth round of the FA Cup after the Championship side won their third-round replay, while Manchester City will take on Aston Villa.

Villa recorded a 2-0 victory at home to League Two promotion contenders Wycombe Wanderers after a 1-1 draw in the original tie and the Dons cruised to a 3-0 triumph over local rivals Northampton Town.

West Brom were narrow 1-0 winners over Bristol City and host Peterborough United next, and there will be a south-coast clash between Portsmouth and Bournemouth after the former secured a surprise victory over Ipswich Town.

On Wednesday, Liverpool and Exeter City will meet at Anfield and Leicester City will take on Tottenham to complete the fixture list for the next round, which will take place on the weekend of Friday, January 29.

 

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'Complete striker' Benteke has a future at Liverpool - Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has labelled the out-of-favour Christian Benteke a "complete striker" and dismissed suggestions the Belgian could be allowed to leave Anfield.

Benteke has found himself out of Klopp's first-choice starting XI in recent weeks and has scored just seven goals in all competitions since his big-money move from Aston Villa before the start of the season.

However, speaking ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay against Exeter City, Klopp hailed the quality of the 25-year-old and insisted he is not for sale."He needs to stay cool - of course he has a future here," said Klopp.

"We don't score enough goals, so I understand why you ask about the striker - in your mind the only striker we have. He is on the bench and that seems to be strange, but not in my opinion.

"We have to think about how we create chances. First of all we cannot hope that we can get the ball into the box and then maybe Christian will finish it.

"He always has the possibility to play, but you have to look how it fits. For example we had games with Roberto [Firmino] and Christian at No.10 and No.9. It did not work, but that does not mean we can never play like this."To have Christian on the bench is a quality sign."

Klopp also reiterated the fact that he almost signed Benteke when he was manager of Borussia Dortmund. "I met him, plus his agent, at Dusseldorf airport," he added.

"We saw a lot of games he played in, his technical skills, his heading and his finishing skills. From all those things he is a complete striker but you have to work for it."He hasn't finished his development, and we as a team haven't."

 

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Darmian keen to emulate Evra and Neville

Matteo Darmian is keen to follow in the footsteps of former Manchester United greats Patrice Evra and Gary Neville and become a key figure at Old Trafford.

The Italy international joined United from Torino ahead of the 2015-16 campaign and has since become an important first-team member under manager Louis van Gaal.However, the 26-year-old realises he still has plenty of work to do if he is to equal the success of Evra and Neville at United.

"They are two full-backs who have created football history, not only at Manchester United but in the world," Darmian told the official United website. "I've seen them both play, they have both been two very important pillars for United. They've contributed to the success of the club.

"Patrice played in Italy last season so I had the possibility of more contact with him. I played against him twice in the derbies [against Juventus], and in Italy he is proving to be a champion just like he was at United.

"Obviously, Neville was captain at United and a legend at the club, the victories he had, the trophies he won. His story speaks volumes."Making comparisons with other great players is always difficult. They are both champions. Instead of comparing them, it's nicer to refer to them as idols to follow.

They were so great it's almost impossible to reach what they achieved, but they can be an incentive to always give more and always work to your best to try to at least get a bit closer to what they did.

"They've had a lot of success and become legends of a very important club, that's probably their greatest achievement, all the trophies that they won here and having become points of reference of this club."Darmian has made 25 appearances in all competitions for United this season.

 

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Lampard: Chelsea need a squad revamp

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard believes the reigning Premier League champions need a major squad overhaul in order to be able to challenge for top honours again.The Stamford Bridge side finished eight points clear of Manchester City last term to claim the title, but they have been nowhere near their best form this campaign.

Guus Hiddink's men sit 14th in the league table with 25 points from 22 games, just four points clear of the relegation zone, and Lampard feels they need several new signings in order to return to the top.

"From seeing some of the games I saw when I was back in England over the Christmas period, I think they need a new injection around the team," Lampard told reporters.

"It's strange because a year ago, you're thinking, 'They've got a great squad and if they add to it they can really go.' "Now you're thinking, 'They need to revamp, to change some players.'

"I think that will happen in the summer. I think there will be three or four or five players and positions in the team that change around."

Chelsea opted to replace Jose Mourinho with Guus Hiddink earlier this campaign in an attempt to get back on track after their underwhelming start to the season and Lampard is confident they will bounce back."We're not used to their current situation. I was really fortunate to be part of a really good era. A bad season was like second, third, or fourth at the most, so I think it's shocking," he added.

"Chelsea are very used to change, but what they've always had is results, so I'd like to see them get back to the top half of the table very soon. I think the club will come back.

"They're a huge club and there's obviously been issues there. You see that when they fire the manager who won the league six months before. I know a lot of people at the club. They will come back."

 

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Life is so much easier with Messi - Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says Lionel Messi makes life easy and hailed him as the embodiment of the achievements of the club's youth system.

The attacker joined the Catalan side at just 13, making the long-distance move from Argentina before rising through the club's youth academy and leading them to unparalleled success.

The 28-year-old helped fire the Blaugrana to a European and domestic treble last season, winning the Champions League for the fourth time and following it up by claiming the Ballon d'Or for the fifth time in January.

And Bartomeu has hailed his influence on the team since he emerged into the first team.

“He’s obsessed with the team’s results," Bartomeu said of the Argentina captain.
“He symbolises La Masia’s achievements. Life is so much easier with Messi."Since he made it into the first team in 2004, alongside Andres Iniesta, things have gone great for us."

Messi stood alongside Barca team-mate Neymar in the final three of the Ballon d'Or for 2015, with Cristiano Ronaldo the other contender. It was the fourth time in six years the European and world champions have occupied two of the top three places, a run which pleases the president."If it’s not a monopoly, what I can say is that we have dominated the Ballon d’Or for the last ten years, with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and now Neymar," he said.

"We have more than 450 million fans around the world. Our decisions are all based around the ball."That’s not a new way of doing things. It’s all come from the Masia and Johan Cruyff."

 

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Barcelona see Suarez ban appeal rejected

Luis Suarez will miss Barcelona’s cup game against Athletic Bilbao after the appeal against his two-game suspension was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Luis Enrique had not named him in his original squad for the game, but it was expected that he would make the trip if the CAS sided in Barca's favour.

The Uruguayan was handed the ban after the referee’s report alleged he’d incited a bust up in the tunnel after the 4-1 win over Espanyol in a Copa del Rey earlier this month. “I’m waiting for you, come here! You’re a waste of space,” he reportedly shouted at Espanyol’s players.

However, Barca claim those words did not come from Suarez and took their appeal to the CAS, who ultimately rejected the appeal on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old served the first game of his ban during last week’s 2-0 win over Espanyol at Cornella-El Prat.He will now miss the first leg of the quarter-final tie with Athletic, but will be free to return for the second leg which takes place at Camp Nou next week.

Lionel Messi is also out of Barca’s trip to San Mames after Luis Enrique decided not to risk him.The Argentine was taken off at half time of Sunday’s La Liga win over the Basque side due to a pain in his hamstring, but tests later revealed there was no injury.

However, Enrique has decided to leave Messi in Barcelona as a precaution, meaning Neymar will be the only member of the club’s feared front line available against Athletic

 

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Messi: Neymar destined to win Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi has little doubt Barcelona team-mate Neymar will win the Ballon d'Or at some point in the future.

The former Santos star had to settle for third place behind Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in 2015, but is still developing and improving at Barca, having scored 19 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions this season.And the Argentina international is convinced the 23-year-old Brazil star is destined to become the best player in the world.

"I believe Neymar will win the Ballon d'Or one day," Messi told France Football."He possesses all the qualities you need and is a player of extraordinary class.

"He will one day be what he wants to be. Everything is possible for him. He is quick, has great technique and is excellent in one-on-ones. He really has it all."
Neymar and Messi have formed a lethal attacking trident at Barcelona alongside Luis Suarez following the latter's arrival in 2014 and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is thoroughly enjoying life at Camp Nou.

"Every time I get the ball, Neymar and Suarez are making themselves available, which gives me more space and more options to create something. We know each other very well," he added.

"Neymar was the first to arrive of the two and we got to know each other really well, creating an amazing connection."Then Luis joined us as well and immediately adapted. It all went quite natural. We have a great relationship.

"When I play out wide, I get into one-on-one situations more often, whereas there's less space in the middle of the pitch because there are more players out there. But Luis, Ney and I have the ability to stretch defences and open up spaces, leading to a lot of one-on-ones with the goalkeeper. We have so many options between the three of us."

 

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Berahino future in West Brom chairman's hands - Pulis

Saido Berahino's future is in the hands of West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace, according to Tony Pulis.Berahino threatened to go on strike in September after West Brom rejected a deadline-day approach from Tottenham.

That situation was quickly resolved, but Berahino has endured a difficult campaign - scoring three goals in just eight Premier League starts - and has been heavily linked with a move away from the Hawthorns in the January transfer window.

Tottenham have again been credited with an interest, as have Stoke City, Chelsea and Leicester City. However, it is Newcastle United that appear to have emerged as the favourites to sign him, as they are said to be willing to pay €18 million to land him.However, the manager maintains the decision over a transfer is not his, but lies with those above him.

"The valuation will be determined by the chairman," he said."The chairman will decide whether Saido goes or stays. The chairman will make decisions, financially.

"As much as it's the player, it's the financial deal and like I say, we'll leave it with Jeremy to sort it."Berahino did not feature during West Brom's 1-0 win over Bristol City in Tuesday's FA Cup third round replay, but Pulis insisted his absence was due to illness rather than because of an impending transfer.

"If he hadn't been ill, he'd have been playing," Pulis said. "He's not been well, he's picked up a bug the same as Lambert and a few of the other lads over the past few weeks."We want to keep Saido if we can."

 

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Andreas Pereira admits he needs to leave Manchester United

Andreas Pereira is looking for a way out of Manchester United, as the youngster fears lack of playing time will hurt his Olympic Games chances.

The 20-year-old midfielder has played just nine times since moving to Old Trafford from PSV in 2014, and is not considered part of Louis Van Gaal's first-team plans.

And he confessed that the only way he will guarantee his chances of representing Brazil at Rio 2016 is by playing regularly.

"I am a United player, I have heard through the media that there are several clubs interested, he told Globo.

"I don't know if United will want to loan me out but I am working hard to get more opportunities. Manchester will decide."

Pereira, who helped his country to second place in the 2015 Under-20 World Cup, affirmed that pulling on the Selecao jersey in a home Olympics would be an incredible sensation.

"Working hard in United... well, it is clear I need to play more for the Brazil scouts, so I need to have more chances. Playing the Olympics is a massive dream," he said.

"[Van Gaal] asks me to keep working hard, that at some point the opportunity will arise. I am focused and doing my best.

"Of course, sometimes I get frustrated by not playing, but the manager is always talking to me. I need to play more time, and the club will decided [my exit] with my agent."

 

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De Gea reveals the save that became the turning point in his Manchester United career

David De Gea believes his save from Juan Mata’s free-kick in February 2012 was the turning point in his Manchester United career.

The Spaniard endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford after joining from Atletico Madrid in June 2011, and now admits there were times in his debut season where he felt like returning to La Liga.

But after returning to the side, De Gea produced a stunning finger-tip stop to deny Mata in United’s 3-3 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

“[There were] some moments where you think ‘that’s not my place, I have to come back to Spain’. The weather, the language. There were difficult moments, but I fight,” De Gea told Avtex Sports.

“Juan Mata, the free-kick, probably was the point [where] everything changed. I played better, better, better.”

De Gea also believes his performance against Andy Carroll in United’s 2-2 draw with West Ham at Upton Park in April 2013 showed how far he had progressed.

“This game was a tough game against Carroll,” said the 25-year-old. “And I felt strong in the moment, I’d worked hard.”

 

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Celta 0-0 Atletico Madrid: All square in tense Copa del Rey clash

A frustrating performance saw Atletico Madrid held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at the hands of Celta in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday.

Having earned a 2-0 La Liga win at the Estadio de Balaidos earlier this month, Atletico found life harder this time around, with the hosts enjoying the better of a tightly contested first half.

Jackson Martinez came closest to breaking the deadlock by diverting an early chance over, while Iago Aspas saw a vicious effort parried away by goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya moments later.

Martinez came close again just after the break, but Liga leaders Atletico, who made five changes from the win over Las Palmas at the weekend, largely struggled to break down a spirited home defence. And Celta were unfortunate not to take a slender leader when Gabi cleared off the line following Augusto Matias Fernandez's error eight minutes from time.

Despite their lacklustre showing, Diego Simeone's men will nevertheless be confident of progressing heading into the second leg at the Vicente Calderon, having won their last nine home games in all competitions.

Eduardo Berizzo, though, will be encouraged by his side's performance as Celta look to reach their first semi-final spot in 15 years.

A typically high-tempo start from Atletico was nearly rewarded inside five minutes as Martinez – on his return to the starting line-up - poked a low Filipe Luis cross over from eight yards. Celta responded to that early scare just a minute later, with Moya beating away a strong Aspas drive following a neat one-two with John Guidetti.

The hosts, still missing talismanic forward Nolito, grew in confidence, but laboured to test an Atletico backline that had previously been breached just once in six league and cup outings.

Moya had to be alert on 28 minutes to prevent Pedro Pablo Hernandez connecting with Jonathan Castro's low cross as Celta continued to probe, while Gabi's speculative 30-yard effort nine minutes later was as close as Simeone's men came to mustering a response.

Celta were nearly made to pay for their attacking impotence three minutes after the break, with goalkeeper Ruben Blanco producing a fine save to turn Martinez's curled strike round the post. A drilled effort from Aspas on the edge of the area was well gathered by Moya as Celta continued to ask questions of their opponents, before Atletico substitute Angel Correa powered a header over two minutes later.

Atletico's top scorer Antoine Griezmann, who found the net the last time the two sides met, saw a below-par performance result in him being replaced 10 minutes from time And a frustrating shift was nearly made worse when a mistake from Fernandez almost resulted in an own goal, only for Gabi to hook it away after his team-mate had deflected it past Moya as he rushed off his line.

 

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Leicester 0-2 Tottenham: Son show sends Spurs into next round

Son Heung-min scored one and set up another as Tottenham eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory over Leicester City in the third meeting between the two sides in the space of 10 days.

The South Korea international opened the scoring with a blistering effort 39 minutes in, before turning provider for Nacer Chadli midway through the second half.

Leicester were poor throughout a first half of few chances and it was Spurs who took a deserved lead courtesy of Son's outstanding strike.

Claudio Ranieri's side, unbeaten in their three meetings with Tottenham this season prior to Wednesday's third-round replay, started sharply in the second half and would have been level had Michel Vorm not pulled off a fine save to deny Demarai Gray a first Leicester goal.

For all the hosts' pressure, however, they were undone once more shortly after the hour mark, Son slipping a neat through-ball into Chadli, who coolly converted Tottenham's second.

Substitute Harry Kane squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to put the result beyond all doubt soon after when he drilled a low strike straight at Kasper Schmeichel, but the miss mattered little as Tottenham held firm to set up a trip to League One side Colchester United in the next round.

Both managers made wholesale changes from the starting line-ups they fielded in their respective Premier League fixtures at the weekend, and that was reflected by a cagey start to proceedings.

Tottenham should have taken the lead 10 minutes prior to the interval in the first true chance of the game, when Ben Davies' excellent cross was met by Erik Lamela, but the winger was unable to direct his header goalwards.

However, Spurs did not have to wait long to go ahead, Leicester youngster Ben Chilwell allowing Son too much space on the edge of the area and the forward duly dispatched a fantastic finish past Schmeichel.
Ranieri turned to Shinji Okazaki - who netted when the sides drew 2-2 in the first FA Cup encounter - at half-time in order to add some energy to a lacklustre display.

That change almost paid dividends as Okazaki won possession high upfield before laying it off to Andy King, who teed up Gray, but Vorm was equal to the youngster's curling effort.

At the other end, Schmeichel could do nothing to prevent Chadli extending Tottenham's advantage soon after, the Belgian sliding home a neat finish from close range after being set up by Son.

Mauricio Pochettino introduced Kane on the hour mark and the England striker got through on goal with just under 20 minutes remaining, but he was unable to squeeze a finish past Schmeichel.

Gray did test Vorm once more late with a long-range strike that dropped onto the roof of the net, but any semblance of a Leicester fightback ended there as they slumped out in lacklustre fashion.

 

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Lazio 0-1 Juventus: Lichtsteiner keeps Coppa defence on track

Stephan Lichtsteiner's second-half goal put Juventus through to the Coppa Italia semi-finals at the expense of Lazio.

Lichtsteiner's strike against his former club sealed an 11th-straight win in domestic competitions for the holders, who overcame Lazio in last season's Coppa final to seal a domestic double.

Balde Keita missed a terrific early chance for Lazio, shooting over the crossbar from close range, and Simone Zaza should have put Juventus in front shortly after the break but found the side netting after Alvaro Morata had forced a save from Etrit Berisha.

Juventus took the lead on 65 minutes when Zaza's shot came back off the post and Lichtsteiner pounced despite Berisha's best efforts to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Inter await Juve in a blockbuster semi-final after they defeated Napoli on Tuesday.

Massimiliano Allegri rested Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Gianluigi Buffon, while Stefano Pioli handed a debut in defence to new signing Milan Bisevac.

Juve wing-back Lichtsteiner had the game's first effort on six minutes, but his long range strike was straight at Berisha.

The hosts should have been ahead after 12 minutes. Senad Lulic's pass freed Keita down the left but after advancing on goal he shot over from just eight yards.

Paul Pogba then crashed a header over the bar before Berisha denied Zaza at his near post.

Juve, flawless since their Champions League defeat to Sevilla, were pressing hard for the breakthrough and Berisha dived low to his left to keep out a fierce drive from Pogba on the half-hour mark.

Allegri's men then wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring on 51 minutes.

Zaza and Morata combined beautifully and when Berisha saved from the Spaniard, Zaza should have converted the rebound but somehow hit the side netting from four yards.

But Juve eventually did take the lead on 65 minutes. Zaza's curling effort beat Berisha but rebounded off the post to Lichtsteiner, whose low shot crept over the line despite the goalkeeper's last-ditch attempt to deny him.

Juve should have sealed their last-four place when Stefano Sturaro raced clear, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide.

Lazio struggled to create clear openings against a resilient Juve defence and the Serie A champions closed out a comfortable victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sassuolo 1-1 Torino: Acerbi salvages point for Europa League hopefuls

Sassuolo's bid for a Europa League spot suffered another setback as they extended their winless run at home to four games in all competitions with a 1-1 draw against Torino.

The visitors began brightly in a contest that was postponed in December due to heavy fog, with Andrea Belotti wasting an early chance by poking wide from close range before making amends after 22 minutes by sweeping home Marco Benassi's low cross for his third league goal in two games.Sassuolo responded and would have levelled through Federico Peluso were it not for Kamil Glik's goal-line clearance.

But the hosts were not to be denied and restored parity six minutes before the break when goalkeeper Salvador Ichazo parried Davide Biondini's effort into the path of Francesco Acerbi, who applied a cool finish.

Sassuolo had the ball in the net again 10 minutes from time only for Peluso's effort to be chalked off for offside, before Nicola Sansone diverted a free header wide as Torino held on for a well-deserved point.