..::Football III::..

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FA Cup Fixture 2016.03.08

FA Cup Fixture 2016.03.08

Hull City Vs Arsenal

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UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg Fixtures 2016.03.08

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg Fixtures 2016.03.08

Wolfsburg Vs Gent

Real Madrid Vs Roma

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Carrasco: Atletico want to finish above Real Madrid

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco has admitted that Atletico Madrid's objective this season is to finish above fierce rivals Real Madrid in La Liga as Barcelona run away with the title.Atletico are second in the table, eight points adrift of defending champions Barca, who look set to finish on top of the pile again this term.

Carrasco was on the scoresheet in Sunday's 3-1 win at Valencia as Atletico maintained their four-point buffer ahead of third-placed Madrid, a gap the Belgium international is keen to extend.

"The first goal is to be above the Real Madrid and the second fight to win the league," Carrasco told Cadena Ser."I do not know if we can, but we must win every game."

Atletico, who beat Madrid at the Bernabeu on February 27, are undefeated in six La Liga matches and seven in all competitions as they prepare to host Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday before welcoming Champions League opponents PSV to the Vicente Calderon three days later.

 

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Cicinho: Pjanic would be a good fit for Real Madrid

Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic would be able to walk straight into the Real Madrid first team, according to former Giallorossi and Los Blancos defender Cicinho.

The two clubs do battle again at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, after Real downed the Italians 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.

And the Brazilian full-back, who is in the unique position of having represented both teams, believes Pjanic would have no trouble slotting in if he was signed by Zinedine Zidane's side in the summer.

"Pjanic would fit at Real Madrid. He plays more or less like [Luka] Modric," he told Goal.


"If Real Madrid sign him, he will play very well.

"Pjanic is a key player to Roma. If Real Madrid stop him, Roma will lose a lot."

The 35-year-old, who is still playing in Turkey, also had some thoughts on Barcelona, and specifically his two compatriots currently starring for the treble-winners.

"Aleix Vidal's arrival to Barcelona will make Dani Alves work a lot more. But if he keeps his head, he will play for sure," he said.

"Neymar will be one of the best players in the world in the next year. He still needs to work.

"It could be too soon [for the Ballon d'Or] as there are some great players like Cristiano Ronaldo or [Lionel] Messi who are one step above. Luis Suarez is doing very well this season too."

 

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Vardy: Job not done yet

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy insists his side have not achieved anything yet as they attempt to win the Premier League this season.

With nine games remaining, Leicester are five points clear of second-placed Tottenham and eight ahead of third-placed Arsenal.

Vardy's 19 league goals have been key to their lofty position, but the England international insists the club's fairytale season is not yet guaranteed a happy ending.
"There are no easy games and there is no easy run-in," he said."Everyone is in the Premier League for a reason and every club deserves to be there. They can all beat each other as we have seen from this season.

"So we will just make sure that we concentrate on ourselves, keep putting 100 per cent in for each other, and hopefully that will get us over the line."

Vardy said Leicester were keeping it simple and trying to enjoy the end of a remarkable season."No-one gave us a chance at the start of the season. Everyone said we were relegation fodder," he said.

"It was every newspaper and every pundit, wasn’t it? There you go. We just go into every meeting focusing on the next team we’ve got to play."We’ll look at ways at how we can break them down and hopefully come away with the three points.

"The pressure that we had was up until we knew we were safe. Now we’re just enjoying it. Simple as that."We’ve been on a good ride and we’re just going to keep enjoying it as it is."

 

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Ronaldinho is the best player in history – Nani

Fenerbahce winger Luis Nani has revealed his belief that Ronaldinho is the greatest footballer in history.

Speaking during a question and answer session with the Europa League's official Facebook page, the Portugal international stated that, at the peak of his powers, the Brazilian had no equal.

“The best player in history? Ronaldinho,” Nani said. “Because when he was at his best nobody could compare.“He always had a smile on his face as well. He had skill, scored fantastic goals and put magic into the game.”

The former Manchester United attacker was also quizzed on his time with club legend Sir Alex Ferguson, and the 29-year-old had no qualms about naming the Scot the best manager he has ever worked under.“Working with Sir Alex is something I'll never forget,” he went on. “He's the best I've worked with.

“I learnt so much from him on the training ground. Even today, talking about him is inspirational and a motivation. I'm so happy to be part of his story.“He is someone I'll remember all my life.”

 

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Lukaku perfect for Manchester United - Saha

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha believes Everton star Romelu Lukaku would be the perfect signing for the Old Trafford club.

Lukaku has been in superb form this season, netting 18 goals in 28 Premier League appearances, and has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park.And Saha has advised United to make a move for the prolific Belgium forward.

"I have to admit that I rated Lukaku highly when he was at Chelsea, when he was young. I could see he was not ready, but now he has performed really well at Everton," Saha told IBTimes UK

"And definitely he will bring something to the United side because he is strong, he has got that presence to trouble the central defenders.

"With someone like Lukaku on United's side, especially his presence around the box, along with [Anthony] Martial playing on the left and [Wayne] Rooney also linking with Lukaku, it will be great.

"It would be nice to have him at United. In terms of strikers, in terms of options, in terms of diversity and attacking options, Lukaku will be a right fit for United."

 

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Messi returns but no Tevez in Argentina squad

Lionel Messi has returned to the Argentina squad for this month's World Cup 2018 qualifiers, but there is no place for Carlos Tevez.

The Barcelona star was forced to sit out the 1-1 draw with Brazil and 1-0 victory over Colombia in November due to a knee injury, but has been recalled by Gerardo Martino, along with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, who also missed those matches.Tevez, however, has failed to force his way back into the set-up after struggling for form with Boca Juniors.

Argentina, who took just five points from their opening four qualifiers, take on Chile in Santiago on March 24 before a home clash with Bolivia four days later.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres UANL), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad).

Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Leonel Vangioni (River Plate), Javier Pinola (Rosario Central), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Matias Kranevitter, Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid), Enzo Perez (Valencia), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Erik Lamela (Tottenham), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica).

Forwards: Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei China Fortune), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Angel Correa (Ateltico Madrid).

 

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David Silva gets pain-killing injections to boost Man City title bid

David Silva has been receiving pain-killing injections as he bids to help Manchester City claw their way back into the Premier League title race.

The Spain playmaker has played on despite persistent ankle trouble for a couple of years, but the issue has been more acute this season and particularly in recent weeks.

It is understood the 29-year-old needs a spell on the sidelines to help ease the problem, but he has had to play through the pain barrier thanks to injuries elsewhere in the City midfield, with Kevin De Bruyne, Jesus Navas, Fabian Delph and Samir Nasri all out of action at one time or another.

The Blues have fallen 10 points adrift of league leaders Leicester City and manager Manuel Pellegrini had just five midfielders to call upon - for five midfield positions - for much of a busy February.

The City medical staff have worked hard to ensure Silva can contribute as much as possible on the pitch without putting his long-term fitness at risk, but the man dubbed ‘Merlin’ has lost a little of his magic in recent weeks as the amount of games have taken their toll.

Silva missed seven weeks of the season after suffering a heavy blow to the ankle while on international duty with Spain in October, and has only performed at a level approaching his best in patches in the intervening months.

Pellegrini admitted in February that Silva was yet to fully recover from that initial lay-off, having suffered a slight recurrence which ruled him out of the FA Cup third round clash at Norwich City at the start of January.

Silva flew to Spain after suffering more trouble during the 3-1 home defeat to Leicester in February, and was cleared to face Tottenham the following weekend thanks to the combined efforts of the Spain and City medical teams.

Pellegrini had revealed Silva’s injury to the press following that home loss to the Foxes, but the midfielder left the Etihad Stadium with no limp or any other outward signs of discomfort.

But the extent of the ongoing issue was apparent in photographs taken in the Wembley changing room after City beat Liverpool on penalties to win the League Cup.

Silva, who was withdrawn 20 minutes into extra-time against the Reds, can be seen with heavy strapping on his right ankle as he joined in the post-match celebrations.

Some respite may be on the horizon, however, with De Bruyne returning to light training on Tuesday as he works towards a return to first-team action in April.

Nasri, who underwent surgery in November after suffering a nasty tendon injury, is also nearing a return having not played a minute of competitive football since October 17.

 

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Hull City 0-4 Arsenal: Giroud & Walcott send Gunners through

Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott were both at the double as Arsenal beat Hull City 4-0 in an FA Cup fifth round replay on Tuesday night, though the injury was somewhat overshadowed by injuries to three key players.

Per Mertesacker, Gabriel and Aaron Ramsey were all forced off in what could prove to be a pyrrhic victory for the visitors, who eased past a Hull side lacking in imagination and potency.

Giroud had failed to score in 11 appearances before he capitalised on a calamitous error by Hull captain David Meyler to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead in a fifth-round replay they controlled from start to finish.

Giroud put the tie out of Hull's reach with a second after 71 minutes before Theo Walcott's double rounded off the scoring, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will need to check on the fitness of the injured trio ahead of Sunday's home quarter-final with Watford.

Strong performances from fringe players Alex Iwobi and Mohamed Elneny ensured Arsenal had too much for Hull on the night, but a depleted squad is the last thing Wenger needs.

With their Premier League ambitions seemingly fading and a daunting Champions League clash with Barcelona looming next week, the Frenchman can at least console himself with a last-eight clash against the Hornets as Arsenal bid to win this competition for a third year in a row.Walcott had the ball in the net inside the first three minutes but Hull, who struggled to get an early touch, were saved by the offside flag.

Arsenal were able to glide through Hull's defence with ease and Joel Campbell skipped into the box before side-footing a curling shot just wide.A clash of heads between Mertesacker and Nick Powell left both players bleeding, and the lengthy stoppage for treatment typified a first half that was lacking flow or rhythm from either side, before the German had to eventually come off.

Powell recovered in time to hit a free-kick that bounced out to Meyler, whose shot from the edge of the box drew a brilliant one-handed save from the diving David Ospina.

But just as Hull looked to be heading in level at half-time, Meyler made a careless pass across the face of his own goal where the advancing Giroud gratefully tucked it into the net.

The Gunners continued to press, with Kieran Gibbs crashing a superbly struck shot onto the crossbar from long range just before half-time, and Elneny's dipping effort forced a good save from Eldin Jakupovic after the break.

After Ramsey almost levelled the match by nearly putting the ball into his own net, Arsenal made sure of their place in the quarter-finals when Walcott raced clear and sent over a cross that deflected off Harry Maguire to Giroud, who scored from close range.Ramsey then had to be taken off before Walcott added a third, finishing a flowing move started by Campbell with a trademark cool finish into the corner of the net.

Iwobi rounded off a fine performance by providing an assist for Walcott's second of the night, which the England forward finished emphatically to cap off an assured display.

 

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Wolfsburg 1-0 Gent (agg. 4-2): Schurrle seals place in quarters

Andre Schurrle struck late in the second half to ensure Wolfsburg's Champions League continued, as the Bundesliga club overcame Gent 1-0 in the second leg of their last 16 clash.

The winger netted from Julian Draxler's assist in the closing stages of a low-key second leg to seal a 1-0 home victory on Tuesday and a 4-2 aggregate triumph for Dieter Hecking's men in the last-16 tie.

Having fallen three goals behind in the first leg, two late strikes had given Gent faint hope in the tie, but they never came close to completing the turnaround in Germany.

Wolfsburg are down in seventh in the Bundesliga, but have impressively overcome their domestic struggles to reach the last eight in what is only their second Champions League campaign.

Gent, meanwhile, go out after making the knockout stages in what has been a memorable campaign after they had previously never even made it to the group stage.

Wolfsburg, boosted by their first-leg goalscorers Draxler and Max Kruse being passed fit to play, came closest to finding a first-half breakthrough when Josuha Guilavogui's long-range drive was beaten away by visiting goalkeeper Matz Sels.

Kruse had previously shot just wide after a sharp turn, while the visitors – who were enjoying plenty of possession – saw Danijel Milicevic lash an attempt over and had Moses Simon's effort easily claimed by Koen Casteels.

The match became increasingly tactical as the opening period progressed, with the onus on Gent, whose star striker Laurent Depoitre was only fit for the substitutes' bench, to make the running - but they struggled to penetrate the hosts' defence.

After the break, the Belgian champions could not deal with a Ricardo Rodriguez corner and Sels had to react quickly to save Luiz Gustavo's snapshot.Gent had to find two goals to progress and Casteels comfortably stopped an effort from substitute Kalifa Coulibaly, who had netted in the first leg, but the attacking fightback never arrived.

The tie was then brought to an end as a contest with 16 minutes to go. Draxler showed great poise down the right to work his way into the box and his precise cut-back was tucked away by Schurrle from eight yards – his second goal of the European campaign.

It was Wolfsburg who were more likely to find a second goal in the final minutes, with Kruse having an effort blocked, while Sels denied Christian Trasch and substitute Vieirinha in a comfortable win for the hosts.

 

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Real Madrid 2-0 Roma (agg 4-0): Ronaldo & James send Blancos through

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodrguez eased Real Madrid into the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite a difficult night against Roma.

Madrid's chances of domestic glory have taken a major hit since they won at the Stadio Olimpico on February 17, leaving the Champions League as their best hope of silverware this season

And, after a first half in which Madrid attempted 18 shots without success, Ronaldo – scorer of four goals in a 7-1 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday – broke the deadlock, before teeing up James for the second.

It could have been a very different outcome had Roma – enjoying a run of seven consecutive Serie A wins – taken their chances at the Santiago Bernabeu, though.

Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah blew golden opportunities to reduce the aggregate deficit during the opening period, before the latter was equally wasteful at the beginning of the second.

Ronaldo and James made Luciano Spalletti's men pay for that profligacy with two goals in four minutes to see Madrid into the last eight for the sixth season in succession.

Gareth Bale returned to the Madrid starting XI having scored from the bench against Celta and was on hand to set up Marcelo, himself involved from the start for the first time following a spell on the sidelines, for an early chance.

The Brazilian full-back could only guide Bale's left-wing cross wide, and Dzeko should have punished that miss after 14 minutes, but failed to find the target from close range.

It was Zinedine Zidane's men who controlled possession for much of the first half and Wojciech Szczesny had to be alert to get down and keep out Luka Modric's low drive from 25 yards, which took a deflection on its way through.

Miralem Pjanic called for Roma to produce a "perfect" performance in the build-up to the fixture, but the Italians saw another glorious opportunity go begging as the match approached the half-hour mark – Salah finding the side-netting as goalkeeper Keylor Navas made himself big, although the whistle should arguably have been blown for an earlier foul on Danilo.

Ronaldo drifted in from the left to force another crucial save from Szczesny and the Pole ensured the scores remained level – on the night, at least – at half-time when he dived to his left to deny Casemiro.

A period of frantic activity in the Roma box led to an acrobatic effort from James that was well saved by Szczesny, before Salah left the visitors' with the feeling that it was not going to be their day.

Having fired just wide from a promising position before the interval, the Egyptian's second chance suffered the same fate after the ball fell into his path to leave him one on one with Navas.

Madrid continued to pull the trigger from all angles and Szczesny kept out efforts from Ronaldo and Marcelo, while Alessandro Florenzi tested Navas at the other end after knocking the ball beyond Sergio Ramos.

Ronaldo's 64th-minute goal came after good work by Lucas Vazquez on the right – the substitute sending in a cross that the Portuguese lifted over the on-rushing Szczesny, who took a blow to the face as he came to meet the ball.

And it was game over four minutes later, when Ronaldo brought the ball forward before spreading wide for James to fire between Szczesny's legs.

Ronaldo should have made it 3-0 moments later, but his uncharacteristic miss mattered little as Madrid sailed into the last eight.

 

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Arsenal injury crisis threatens to wipe out season... and it could be a bloodbath v Barca!


Arsenal fought hard to book their place in the FA Cup quarter-final, but the injury count from this victory over Hull City threatens a bloodbath against Barcelona next week.

The Gunners won 4-0 at the KC Stadium on Tuesday evening as Olivier Giroud celebrated the birth of his second child with two goals to end an 11-match goal drought before Theo Walcott added two of his own late on.

Arsenal face Watford at home in the last eight on Sunday with a very real chance of making history by becoming the first club to win three FA Cups in a row since Blackburn in the 1880s.

But this is rapidly looking like the only competition that Arsene Wenger's side can win this season given they are eight points behind Premier League leaders Leicester and travel to Barcelona next Wednesday 2-0 down after the first leg.
As excellent as this performance was – particularly in the second-half as the visitors controlled the game and scored some fine goals – it was ultimately a sour night for the north London club.

Their chances of a dramatic comeback in either the Premier League or the Champions League received a massive hit as three players were forced off due to injury.

Could this happen to any other club?

Per Mertesacker was the first to go as he came off in the first-half having failed to recover from a heavy blow to the head in a challenge with Nick Powell that left blood pouring out of a wound above his eye.

After the break, he was joined on the treatment table in the away dressing room by Gabriel after the Brazilian centre-back limped off with a calf injury and then Aaron Ramsey was also withdrawn after suffering an apparent thigh problem.

Wenger must have thought that Arsenal’s injury problems were behind them, with most of the first-team squad fit again after the club had appeared cursed earlier in the campaign.
But now he is without several key players, particularly at the back, in a critical moment in the season.

The Gunners will rue their bad luck again, but surely there is something more substantial at play. Are the players overtrained? Are they properly rested and prepared between matches? Are the sports scientists doing their jobs? It happens too often to be a coincidence.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is out for several weeks with a calf injury while the same problem kept Laurent Koscielny of this trip to Hull.

With Mertesacker and Gabriel injured here, Calum Chambers and Nacho Monreal ended the game in central defence. If they have to play there against Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar next week, there could be carnage in Catalonia.

Ramsey joins the likes of Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla as midfield absentees and Wenger must surely be wondering whether he will ever be able to pick his first-choice line-up from a virtually fully-fit squad.

Arsenal should be celebrating a convincing victory to end a four-match winless streak in all competitions. Instead, another injury crisis threatens to wipe out what remains of their season.

 

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Chelsea boss Hiddink defends Costa conduct

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has defended the behaviour of star striker Diego Costa ahead of the club's Champions League last-16 return leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG's official Twitter account took a light-hearted dig at the Spain striker in a Vine, in which they asked fans to "spot the fraud" among a slideshow of masked superheroes and Costa wearing a protective mask for a broken nose.

Costa has never been sent off for Chelsea, but his on-field antics have drawn heavy criticism and he has twice been retrospectively banned for three domestic matches during his time at Stamford Bridge.However, Hiddink leapt to the defence of the Spain international, believing his actions do not go "over the edge".

"I'm very proud of him the way he's playing and, going not over the edge, but he likes to fight in the real way of the game," Hiddink said ahead of Wednesday's second-leg at Stamford Bridge.

"That's what we like. I protect him and support him when he's doing what he has done in my period at Chelsea."He scored recently in not the worst league in the world. In the Premier League he frequently is scoring now, since December, January.

"Before he had also this problem not scoring, as did the team. Let's see and hope he can make it to the European level as well."Chelsea will have to overturn a 2-1 disadvantage from the first leg should they wish to progress to the Champions League quarter-final.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani scored for the hosts at Parc des Princes, while the Blues' solitary strike came via John Obi Mikel.

 

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Wenger upbeat over injured Arsenal trio

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gave a positive early assessment of three injuries to key players following Tuesday's 4-0 FA Cup victory over Hull City at Emirates Stadium.

Having gone into the game missing centre-back Laurent Koscielny through injury, Arsenal then lost fellow defender Per Mertesacker during the first half due to a cut head, Brazilian stopper Gabriel in the second half with a muscle problem, and midfielder Aaron Ramsey later in the game.

Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott scored two apiece to secure Arsenal an FA Cup quarter-final against Watford, after which they will face Barcelona at Camp Nou in the Champions League.Wenger told BT Sport: "I'm in shock because we lost our two centre-backs and then Ramsey.

"Mertesacker just has a concussion and Gabriel looks alright. Ramsey has a thigh injury, so I'm a bit more concerned about him."

The result ended a run of five winless games for Arsenal and ensured they continue to compete for silverware on three fronts this season.

Arsenal won 3-0 at Vicarage Road in October and the triumph over promotion-chasing Hull left Wenger confident that his players are performing well enough to ensure a repeat of that result."Apart from the injuries, we played well," he said."Watford are a good side and it will be an interesting tie. Let's see if we can recover one or two injuries and play the way we played here."

Giroud's double ended a run of 11 Arsenal appearances without a goal and Wenger was quick to congratulate the 29-year-old, saying: "We have great confidence in the squad. Giroud's goal will help him and give him euphoria."I made the decision to play him because he always wants to play."

Giroud, who welcomed the birth of his second child on the eve of the game, said: "My wife had a delivery yesterday, but I wanted to play this game and I'm very happy for the team. We played a good game and got a clean sheet, so we are very pleased."I'm pleased to be back on the score sheet, and I feel well on the pitch. We had good team cohesion, and we want to win our third FA Cup in a row."

Despite the win, there were still signs of unrest among the home fans, with a banner unfurled at full-time which demanded the Frenchman leave the club.

 

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Zidane delighted by Real Madrid performance

Zinedine Zidane was impressed to see all areas of his Real Madrid team contribute in the Champions League victory over Roma.

Second-half Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez goals gave Madrid a 2-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, sending them into the last eight with a 4-0 aggregate triumph.

It could have been very different for Zidane's side, with Mohamed Salah missing two clear-cut chances for the visitors, while Edin Dzeko and Alessandro Florenzi also failed to make the most of good opportunities.But the Bernabeu boss was thrilled to keep a clean sheet and praised a number of the key performers in his attacking ranks.

"It was a difficult game, but in the end we got our objective which was to go through and we didn't concede a goal," he said.

"Over the 90 minutes many things could have happened because we were up against a team with good and fast footballers. But we got the job done, have achieved our goal and now we are thinking about the next game.

"We are a squad of 26. Casemiro played well, like everyone else, but he was especially good defensively. Lucas Vazquez was also important. He gives everything whenever he plays and he always competes that is a good thing for a coach."I am happy with James goal because he is training well and scoring is important for a player like him.

"Every time he is on the pitch, Ronaldo wants to show his best and to score – he did that."Zidane called for unity after some home supporters whistled at various sections of the match to show their disapproval.

"It is important that the supporters are with the team," he said. "They always want more of their players and players always try to do more."Real Madrid are back in action with a La Liga game at Las Palmas on Sunday.

 

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Ibrahimovic: PSG were born the day the Qataris arrived

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims the club's history should only be traced back to when the current owners took over in 2011.

The Ligue 1 champions have experienced a transformation in fortunes since Qatar Sports Investments arrived in the French capital, winning three league titles and three cup crowns.A domestic treble last season saw some tip PSG for a Champions League push this term and Laurent Blanc's men head to Stamford Bridge with a 2-1 advantage over Chelsea in their last-16 tie on Wednesday.

And Ibrahimovic has drawn comparisons between PSG and Chelsea, whose Champions League win in 2012 was the culmination of almost a decade of investment from Roman Abramovich.

"The project was launched three years ago [Ibrahimovic's first season at the club]," he told a news conference. "With all due respect for what went before at PSG, I think the club was born the day the Qataris arrived.

"Chelsea have followed much the same pattern but 10 years before. Just look at how long it took them to win the Champions League."What has happened at PSG is exceptional. The club bought many players to assemble a great team.

"Experience plays a big part. We must leave time. They will chase the Champions League until they get it - with or without me."A challenge was proposed that I wanted to take. I am now part of the club's history, individually and collectively."

Ibrahimovic's PSG contract expires at the end of the season and a host of clubs are said to be interesting in luring the Sweden captain, but the 34-year-old is not concerned that he could end his glittering career without lifting the Champions League trophy."I'm just warming up," he quipped. "Age is just a number. I feel young. I've never had better statistics.

"The Champions League was an early obsession but I became more mature.
"Whether I win it or not, it does not make me a better player. I'm still the same. But if I win I'd be very happy.

"I'm lucky to play in a fantastic club with fantastic players. Without them it is impossible to have success."

 

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Manchester United legend Van der Sar is back for one last game!

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is making a comeback at age 45, coming out of retirement to play for his old amateur side VV Noordwijk one more time.

The ex-Netherlands international's last game was the 2011 Champions League final, which United lost 3-1 to Barcelona, but he remains a member of the Dutch club - who have suddenly found themselves in an injury crisis between the sticks.

With regular keeper Mustafa Mare Zine out of action, Noordwijk petitioned the Dutch FA (KNVB) to allow Van der Sar dispensation to play on Saturday against Jodan Boys, which was granted.

"He stll thinks warmly of the club and is here regularly," said Pieter Vink, technical director at Noordwijk, to Voetbal in de Bollenstreek.

"After some deliberation he agreed to keeping goal next Saturday against Jodan Boys. We assume that it is basically only for one game. We are thrilled that Edwin wants to help us in this way."

Van der Sar's return is expected to be shortlived but fans of the keeper, who holds the record for the most Netherlands international caps at 130, will have one last chance to see him in action.

 

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Liverpool vs Manchester United is 'England's Clasico' - Luis Garcia


Liverpool must give everything to win "the Clasico of England" against Manchester United on Thursday, according to veteran midfielder Luis Garcia.

The two great rivals will meet in European competition for the first time this week when Anfield plays host to the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

Both sides face an uphill battle to break into the top four in the final two months of the Premier League season, meaning victory in Europe's secondary tournament represents their best chance of securing a Champions League spot for next term.

And Garcia, who won the Champions League and European Super Cup during his three-year spell on Merseyside, has urged his former club to embrace the occasion against United in order to keep their hopes of reaching the final in Basel alive.

"It's the Clasico of England, I think," the former Barcelona player told Omnisport. "After a disappointing season in the Premier League, to have that game, win that game and go through would be fantastic for the club, for the supporters and for the players.

"It's a fantastic game against Manchester United. I think it's one of the games that the supporters are going to look forward to.

"It's a fantastic chance to get in the Champions League next year and it's probably the only one because the fourth position in the league is very far away.
"Winning that competition can give you that so I think the club knows, the players know and they're going to give everything.

"It's not easy, we saw in the last game it was very tight and it's going to be tighter as Liverpool go through, but it's a competition that Liverpool can win."

Garcia feels getting back into the Champions League is essential to Liverpool's transfer plans at the end of the season, but he also believes the return to form and fitness of Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino could prove key to their chances.

"We're in that moment when you don't know if they're going to reach the Champions League, it's getting far away," he said, with Liverpool six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City. "Chelsea is recovering and they're going to be another contender to fight for those four or six positions.

"Liverpool needs to be there for next year. I think it's very important because the top players want to play in the Champions League and if you are not there, they don't think about coming. It's difficult of course, but we knew that from the very beginning.

"Now Sturridge is getting fitter, Coutinho came back from an injury and Firmino has been scoring goals. I think the team is looking better and hopefully they can get those two or three wins in a row and close the gap on fourth position."

Despite their inconsistent league form, Garcia believes Jurgen Klopp's impact on the team is beginning to show in the intensity with which they play.

"It was a big change when the new manager arrived," the 37-year-old, now at A-League side Central Coast Mariners, added. "The team looked different, approached the games different, started to get some good results, but right now the consistency needed in the Premier League isn't arriving.

"I think what you can see is the intensity of the games that Liverpool have, the running, the closing, the pressing. Every time you see a player lose the ball, they have three players around to try to press and I think that's something he's changed."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg Fixtures 2016.03.09

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg Fixtures 2016.03.09

Zenit Vs Benfica

Chelsea Vs PSG

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