..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger on Welbeck miss: I can't understand it

Arsene Wenger cannot understand how Arsenal did not score an equaliser in Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Watford, with Danny Welbeck missing a fantastic chance in the 90th minute.

Goals from Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura gave the visitors a shock two-goal lead at the Emirates Stadium before England international Welbeck, introduced as a 68th-minute sub, pulled one back with two minutes remaining.

The former Manchester United striker then had the chance to equalise but could only fire over after Alex Iwobi had struck the post and, when asked about the miss Wenger struggled to find an explanation.

He told reporters: "It was difficult to understand how we didn’t score. I want to watch it again. It was a typical cup game against a team who comes here to fight and take their chances, with us trying to score. It was just like that, there’s not a lot more to say.

"This had nothing to do with confidence. Of course there is confidence in the team. The recent results haven’t shown that but we’ve played against good teams and the recent results were 2-2 at Tottenham with 10 men and a 4-0 win at Hull. I don’t see why we shouldn’t have any confidence.

"Our long, long run has come to an end in a very sad way because I don’t think that we deserved to lose. We have to look at ourselves for the first goal. The second goal was a fantastic shot.

"I felt that it was a real cup game where they defended very well and took their chances on the break, the few chances they had. As long as we didn’t score the first goal they kept their belief.

"They were physically very strong but we had enough chances to win the game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal on WORST run of home defeats in 13 years

Arsenal suffered defeat to Watford on Sunday as they continued an unwanted home record that has seen them fail to win their last three matches in all competitions at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's side were beaten 2-1 by Quique Sanchez Flores's men having previously lost to Swansea City and Barcelona, courtesy of two goals from Lionel Messi, at home in what is proving a dismal run of form in front of their own fans.

And the pressure is bound to build on Wenger after crashing out of the FA Cup, with Arsenal having now lost three times in a row at home for the first time in over 13 years...

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ferguson reveals his 'most influential person' in the Premier League

Sir Alex Ferguson claims Leicester City’s assistant manager and head of recruitment Steve Walsh has been the most influential person in the Premier League this season.

Walsh oversaw the signings of Jamie Vardy, a £1 million arrival from Fleetwood in 2012, Riyad Mahrez from Le Havre, and N’Golo Kante from Caen which have all been a major factor in Leicester City’s surprise title challenge this season.

And speaking at a Cheltenham Festival preview lunch, which The Sunday Times reported on, Ferguson claimed: “The most influential person in the Premier League has been Steve Walsh.”

The former Manchester United manager, who won 13 Premier League trophies at Old Trafford, has also tipped Leicester City to secure the title this season and believes Kante has been the division’s standout player “by a long way”.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger tells media: You can't say FA Cup exit is a disaster!

Arsene Wenger has refused to accept the media labelling Arsenal's FA Cup exit as a "disaster", claiming reporters have altered their valuation on the tournament.

Arsenal were eliminated from the competition at the quarter-final stage on Sunday, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Watford after second-half goals from Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura.Danny Welbeck pulled one back two minutes from time but there was to be no third successive FA Cup triumph for the Gunners this term.

Wenger, however, was unwilling to participate in reporters' discussions regarding his personal disappointment, suggesting their opinions on the competition's importance had flipped once his side were no longer participating.

"When we’re in it [the media] say it’s only the FA Cup," he told the club's official website. "You cannot say that it’s a disaster on the other end of the scale."

The Gunners have failed to win at home for a month, collecting three defeats and a draw in the process, and the Frenchman admits he is concerned by their current form at the Emirates.

"A little bit, yes," he said. "I agree with you that we do not make enough of our domination, of our possession in the final third."Up next for Arsenal is a trip to Camp Nou to face La Liga leaders Barcelona in their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg tie, already trailing by an aggregate 2-0 scoreline.

Wenger says he hopes the result against Watford will have no bearing on his players' performances."We have shown that we can always respond. This team has a great spirit and a very strong attitude," he said.

"They play at the moment with the idea that you cannot afford any negative results. We can deal with that and we will deal with the fact that we have a good opportunity to show on Wednesday that we are up for it."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: I've had good options since Chelsea sacking

Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire to return to management this summer and claims he has listened to “lies” about his future.

The 53-year-old was sacked by Chelsea in December, seven months after guiding the club to the Premier League title last season.

Mourinho has remained silent on the continued links with Manchester United but admits has “options” ahead of his new job.

“I was lucky enough to have good options since I left Chelsea in December,” the Portuguese told BT Sport’s Fletch & Sav show.

“Yes, I was lucky enough to have not just options but good options but I made a decision to wait calm in my corner, not disturbing, just waiting, reading a few lies, listen to a few lies.

“The reality is that I want to work and normally July, mid-July, new pre-season starts and somewhere I want to be there.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham: Kane hits double as Spurs march on

Tottenham closed the gap to the leaders to two points with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League after Harry Kane netted either side of half-time.
Kane displayed his intentions within the opening three minutes, latching onto a through-ball before watching his chipped effort strike the top of the crossbar.

On the stroke of the half hour mark, Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan parried Erik Lamela’s effort onto the foot of the post, as he turned Kyle Walker’s low pass goalwards. After near-constant pressure, Tottenham took the lead on the stroke of half-time as Kane collected Dele Alli’s quickly-taken free-kick before firing past Guzan.

Two minutes following the interval, Spurs put a cushion between the division’s bottom club as Kane netted his second of the day after meeting Alli’s accurate ball into the centre of the box.

Villa went close to pulling back a consolation goal in the dying moments but Rudy Gestede could only strike the frame of the goal from close range.

After criticism for leaving a number of key players out of Tottenham's 3-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League on Thursday, Kane, Lamela, Alli and Mousa Dembele were restored to a starting line-up from Mauricio Pochettino that included seven changes.

Two of the returning players combined to create the first opening inside five minutes, with Lamela sliding a pass through for Kane, whose attempt to clip an effort over the onrushing Guzan hit the crossbar.

Alli rifled a 25-yard shot straight at the Villa goalkeeper as Tottenham continued to apply the early pressure, while Eriksen sent a shot from a similar distance wide in the 18th minute.

Garde's team got the fans on side with some attacking spells of their own, but needed a pair of saves in the space of two minutes from Guzan to stop Kane converting.

The Villa goalkeeper made another important contribution on the half-hour mark, stretching out an arm to Lamela's attempt to steer Kyle Walker's cross inside the post onto the woodwork.But Tottenham finally broke the deadlock when Kane latched onto Alli's pass and stroked the ball across Guzan and into the bottom-right corner.

Kane added his second straight after the restart, steering Alli's excellent cross from the left into the roof of the net.The goal hit Villa hard, with a drop-off in their desire to press the opposition immediately evident.

Walker sent a powerful effort straight at Guzan, while Lamela had a shot deflected wide in the 75th minute as Tottenham showed far less urgency when going forward.

Villa had chances to make a game of it before the final whistle, Ayew and Gestede hitting the frame of the goal within seconds of one another with six minutes remaining.Lescott also volleyed onto the upright, but it was not Villa's day as they succumbed to a fifth straight defeat.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Title meant Ibra responded to criticism in best possible way – Maxwell

Maxwell believes it is possible Zlatan Ibrahimovic will stay with Paris Saint-Germain beyond this season after he silenced critics with his fourth Ligue 1 title in a row on Sunday.

Ibrahimovic, who is out of contract in June, has once again fired PSG to the brink of the Ligue 1 title and his goal in midweek secured a quarter-final spot in the Champions League at Chelsea's expense.Veteran full-back Maxwell, who also played alongside Ibrahimovic at Ajax, Inter and Barcelona, is a keen admirer of his fellow 34-year-old's talents.

"Zlatan has done great things this year. He's in very good shape physically," Maxwell told Telefoot. "If you criticise a player like him... the criticisms were not right but he responds in the best possible way."I don't know [if he will stay], it depends on him and the club."

Maxwell has been a reliable presence at the back for Laurent Blanc's team, but he could look to move on when the 12-month contract extension he penned last year expires.

Nevertheless, the Brazilian has stated he is focused on Champions League glory for now but believes PSG's chances would be hit badly if they were to draw defending champions Barcelona."For me, perhaps it's time to try something new, you never know. I'm focused on the end of season," he added.

"We are proud to be qualified for the quarter-finals [of the Champions League], and it's not valued as it should be here in France."We must avoid Barcelona, they are a very strong team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United: Martial keeps hosts alive after Payet stunner

A brilliant strike from Dimitri Payet put West Ham United on the brink of the FA Cup semi-finals, but Manchester United were saved by Anthony Martial's late heroics to tie 1-1 at Old Trafford.

A moment of magic from Payet had West Ham seven minutes from a famous victory that would have sent them to Wembley, but Martial struck from close range to force a replay.

Playmaker Payet, who has wowed fans throughout his first season in England, had put West Ham in front with an incredible 30-yard free-kick earlier in a second half that also saw both teams have good claims for a penalty turned down.

Martial's intervention means United are still in the FA Cup, a competition that represents their best chance of silverware as they sit behind West Ham in sixth position in the Premier League and are 2-0 down to Liverpool after the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.West Ham, meanwhile, will be still dreaming of the trophy if they can join Crystal Palace, Everton and Watford - who defeated holders Arsenal on Sunday - in the last four.

The visitors could have taken an early lead, but Emmanuel Emenike dragged his shot just wide after being played in by a hooked pass from Andy Carroll, who was brought into the team as one of three changes from Slaven Bilic.

Even though United were getting forward, it was the visitors who were creating the better chances, with Carroll's thumping header from Aaron Cresswell's cross only narrowly over.

Emenike then rose to divert another Cresswell delivery into the arms of David de Gea in what proved to be the only attempt on target in the first half, before Ander Herrera was off-target with a volley at the other end after Martial set him up from the left.

United were unhappy not to be awarded a penalty from referee Martin Atkinson when Martial found Herrera and the midfielder's shot bounced off Winston Reid's leg and arm as he slid to block just before the hour mark.

Darren Randolph then got out quickly to deny Marcus Rashford, before West Ham were denied what they thought should have been a spot-kick when Payet cruised past Marouane Fellaini and went down under pressure from Rojo, who appeared to be trying to pull out of the challenge but did make contact.

But Payet produced a moment of brilliance with 22 minutes remaining. After being fouled by Daley Blind around 30 yards from goal, he stepped up and delivered an astonishing, dipping free-kick that clipped the post on its way past De Gea.

The under-fire Van Gaal brought on Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger in an attempt to find an equaliser and one arrived just as the hosts looked to be heading to defeat. Jesse Lingard played in Herrera down the right and he stood up an excellent cross to the far post, allowing Martial to hook home with his left foot.

Michael Carrick drilled an effort just wide as United threatened an unlikely comeback, while De Gea made a vital stoppage-time stop from Michail Antonio to ensure the two teams now have to do it all again at Upton Park.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Mainz: Tuchel's troops hot on Bayern's heels

Borussia Dortmund continued their pursuit of the Bundesliga title as they secured a 2-0 result against Mainz courtesy of goals from Marco Reus and Shinji Kagawa.

Thomas Tuchel's side were able to maintain their five-point gap behind leaders Bayern Munich on Sunday as the title race heats up.

Reus was on hand to open the scoring for the hosts after he latched onto Gonzalo Castro's ball from midfield, sweeping home confidently beyond Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius.

BVB were made to wait until the second half to make all three points safe when Kagawa picked up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's cut-back before slotting into an empty net.

Dortmund were on top from first whistle to last, with Karius called into action to deny Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, among others.

Marcel Schmelzer got a chance to break the deadlock midway through the first half after cutting inside from the left and dancing past two opponents, but Karius did well to keep out the full-back's right-footed shot.

Castro prevented Mainz from taking a surprise lead shortly after when he cleared Stefan Bell's low shot off the goalline, with Dortmund custodian Roman Burki already beaten.

But Reus was on hand to put Dortmund ahead on the half-hour mark, as he coolly slotted his 10th Bundesliga goal of the season beyond Karius after latching onto Castro's clever throughball.

Karius then did well to rush off his line and gather before Mkhitaryan could tap home Schmelzer's low cross from the left, preventing a second Dortmund goal shortly after Reus' opener.

Mainz's keeper again showed his class early in the second half when he denied Kagawa from close range, blocking the Japan international's toe-poke from five yards out with his legs.

Aubameyang was next to be frustrated by Karius in the 51st minute, with Dortmund's top scorer denied twice in the space of 30 seconds.Reus tried his luck from a difficult angle at the hour mark, before Mkhitaryan blazed over.

Reus then wasted a gilt-edged chance after being set up by Mkhitaryan, before Kagawa eventually sealed a vital win, tapping home from close range after some good work from Aubameyang.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal 'disappointed' with fan reaction to Fellaini substitution

Louis Van Gaal has described as "disappointing" Manchester United fans' attitude towards Marouane Fellaini after the midfielder was substituted during his side's FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham United at Old Trafford.

Fellaini bore the brunt of the frustrations of United's support during the 1-1 draw and was sarcastically cheered off the field when he was replaced in the 76th minute by Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The German World Cup winner excelled in Fellaini's place in midfield and played a key role as United fought back from a Dimitri Payet goal down to claim a late leveller through Anthony Martial.

"I think Fellaini played - again - a good match," the United manager told reporters. "He performed well in our gameplan. That [reaction] was disappointing but that was the only moment I was disappointed because they were supporting our side."

Fellaini was booked and also lost possession 11 times during the course of the first half alone - more than any of his team-mates.

He was also roundly criticised for his display against Liverpool in the 2-0 Europa League loss on Thursday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fan dies of heart attack during Borussia Dortmund-Mainz game

One supporter died of a heart attack and another was rushed to hospital during Borussia Dortmund's home match against Mainz on Sunday.

Dortmund claimed a routine 2-0 win thanks to goals from Marco Reus and Shinji Kagawa, but events at Signal Iduna Park were overshadowed by tragic events in the stands.

Much of the game was played out in front of a subdued crowd as news of the heart attacks filtered through, with Dortmund confirming the tragedy afterwards.
"There have been two tragic incidents inside the stadium during the game," a statement read.

"Unfortunately, one of the people did not make it and passed away. We have been informed that the second person's situation is stable."Our thoughts are with the victims' families."Reus, meanwhile, confirmed that the players were unaware of the tragedy until after the final whistle.

"The players did not know anything about what happened and we were a bit annoyed that the entire stadium went silent," the told Sky."The coach told us immediately after the game what had happened. All of a sudden this match is no longer important."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Las Palmas 1-2 Real Madrid: Casemiro takes the points in pulsating finish

Casemiro spared Real Madrid's blushes against Las Palmas as he scored late on to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory at the Estadio de Gran Canaria.Las Palmas appeared to have claimed a hard-earned point when Willian Jose netted a well-taken 87th-minute equaliser to cancel out Sergio Ramos' excellent
first-half header.

But Madrid midfielder Casemiro had other ideas, as he headed Jese Rodriguez's corner beyond home goalkeeper Javi Varas just two minutes after Willian Jose's leveller to snatch all three points for Zinedine Zidane's side.

Madrid skipper Ramos was then sent off for a second bookable offence in an action-packed ending, but the visitors held on for a third-straight league win that puts them back to within four points of second-placed Atletico Madrid and 12 behind runaway leaders Barcelona.

Las Palmas should have gone ahead early on following some sloppy play from Luka Modric inside his own half, but Willian Jose failed to take advantage as Keylor Navas made a smart save. Cristiano Ronaldo came close to opening the scoring midway through the first half after a quick Madrid counter, only to see his shot parried by Varas.

Madrid would grab the lead from the resulting corner, though. Isco curled in the set piece and Ramos beat his marker to the ball and glanced home his second goal of the season.Ronaldo again came close on the half-hour mark when he saw his shot from just inside the area take a deflection before going narrowly wide.

Pedro Bigas wasted a chance to restore parity when he wildly volleyed over after a dangerous corner from the right shortly after Ronaldo's effort.

Alvaro Arbeloa nearly surprised Navas when he inadvertently directed a free kick toward his own goal, but the Madrid keeper was alert and prevented an equaliser.
The Costa Rica stopper was again called into action shortly when he was forced to rush off his line to deny Nili at the edge of the area.

Momo was next to try his luck for Las Palmas from an indirect free-kick inside the area, only for Navas to once more show his class with a fine save.The home side pushed hard for a late equaliser and eventually managed to beat Navas in the 87th minute when Willian Jose found the net with a clever dinked finish.

Madrid were not to be denied, though, as Casemiro restored their lead two minutes later when he headed home, before Ramos was shown his second booking, meaning he will miss next weekend's clash with his former club Sevilla.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Carrick: Manchester United live to fight another day

Michael Carrick feels Manchester United showed character to fight back after going a goal down in Sunday's FA Cup encounter with West Ham.

Dimitri Payet gifted West Ham the lead with a well-taken free-kick, but Anthony Martial eventually levelled the scoring as it ended 1-1 at Old Trafford.A replay at Upton Park will now decide who will progress to the semi-finals, and Carrick is delighted United are still in the race to win a trophy.

"We were well aware of the importance of this match going into the game and wanted to go through in this competition. We haven't quite done it yet but we live to fight another day," Carrick told BT Sport.

"We'll take the draw in the end, but we were pressing for a winner and definitely wanted to win the game. I always felt we would get back in it but we just couldn't get a winner. Of course there's relief, it's a big opportunity."It's the FA Cup and we all want to go far in this competition. To go 1-0 down in the second half and then be pushing for a winner is positive.

"It was a great free-kick [from Payet] but I thought we showed character to get back into the game and push for a winner. We were building pressure and probably had more opportunities.

"The final pass didn’t quite happen for us and we didn’t work the goalkeeper enough. "It’s the FA Cup, it was end-to-end at times and there was a lot happening in the box but I thought it was a good cup tie.

"With penalty decisions, sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't, so one goal each way is probably fair I think."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arbeloa: Madrid do not fear Barcelona or Bayern Munich

Alvaro Arbeloa insists Real Madrid do not fear facing Barcelona or Bayern Munich ahead of Friday's Champions League draw in Nyon.

Madrid topped their group and then saw off Roma 4-0 on Tuesday to book their ticket for the quarter-finals.And Arbeloa is adamant the 2014 winners fear nobody, but did admit that city rivals Atletico Madrid posed a threat to even the biggest sides in Europe.

"We do not fear anyone in the Champions League. We are ready and will take on any opponent. If we draw Barcelona or Bayern, we will be ready," the defender was quoted as saying by AS."If we want to go all the way in the Champions League, we will have to improve. We cannot afford to just let the league slip away.

"It would be good news for all teams that are still in the Champions League if Atletico Madrid lose to PSV [in the round of 16]."Madrid recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win over Las Palmas in La Liga on Sunday and Arbeloa acknowledged they suffered at the Estadio de Gran Canaria.

"It is true that we suffered and that some players were still feeling the Champions League win over Roma. We have to improve," he added."But I do not agree that we lacked ambition. We scored after Las Palmas equalised and created chances.

"We should not forget that Las Palmas beat Getafe 4-0 and that they made Barcelona suffer here as well."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger blasts job speculation: 'It's becoming a farce!'

Arsene Wenger has hit out at further speculation regarding his future as Arsenal, claiming the mounting pressure has become a "farce".The Gunners' hopes of lifting the FA Cup for a third consecutive year were dashed on Sunday as they were beaten 2-1 by Watford at the Emirates Stadium.

Goals from Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura were enough to see Quique Sanchez Flores' side progress to the semi-finals, with Arsenal only about to reply two minutes from time through Danny Welbeck.

The north Londoners remain eight points off top spot in the Premier League and face an uphill task when they head to the Camp Nou to take on La Liga leaders Barcelona in the Champions League last-16 in midweek.

Despite increased hostility surrounding his job, Wenger was in defiant mood following the latest defeat, telling reporters: “The next game is always a big challenge and you are always in the middle of a drama. It is becoming a farce. We have lost a game.

"We are sad and we want to focus on the next game. Arsenal have lost games before in history and we will lose again in the future. We will stick together and cope with it and prepare for the next one with complete belief."We want to make the impossible possible [in Barcelona] and we know we play against a very strong, strong side and it’s important we go there and focus and show a very good response.

"Supporters stand behind the club and we want to fight until the end of the season for every single game. That is what we did. What is going on at the moment is very, very difficult to take for the players but judge us at the end of the season."We have come to the end of a very, very long run in the FA Cup, so it is very sad, but we want now to focus on the next game.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter confirm Icardi out with knee ligament damage

Inter striker Mauro Icardi could be set for a lengthy absence after the Serie A club confirmed he has suffered medial knee ligament damage.Icardi sustained a sprain to the ligament during Saturday's 2-1 Serie A win over Bologna.

Inter tweeted on Monday to confirm the 23-year-old's injury, which almost certainly rules him out of this weekend's crunch clash against top-three rivals Roma, while reports in Italy suggest the Argentine will be out of action for a month.

Icardi has scored 12 goals in 26 Serie A appearances for Roberto Mancini's side this season, helping Inter to fifth in the table with nine games to go.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho rumours unfair on Van Gaal, says Ince


Paul Ince insists talk of Jose Mourinho replacing Louis van Gaal is detrimental to Manchester United's cause this season and the current manager must be trusted.

United have struggled for consistency all season and find themselves at risk of missing out on Champions League qualification for the second time in three years with nine games left to play.

Mourinho has long been linked with the Old Trafford role and recently claimed claimed he is keen to return to work in July, but Ince feels faith must be put in Van Gaal for the good of the team.
"It's not nice as a manager when [you hear] talk about other managers coming in," he said. "You've seen it with Manchester City and Pep Guardiola and City have been terrible, apart from beating [Aston] Villa.

"It does have an effect in players. 'Is the manager going to be here? Is he not going to be here?'.

"A this talk of Mourinho - we don't even know if it will be Mourinho, it could be Giggsy or anyone or Van Gaal [staying] - it's hard to say what change that could have as you would be changing the whole system again.

"[The new manager] will bring in new players and [the club] start again. Manchester United have always been about consistency and it would be important to keep Van Gaal now."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Odegaard should have joined Monchengladbach, not Madrid - Eberl

Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl believes Martin Odegaard's development has been hampered by his move to Real Madrid.

Teenage sensation Odegaard was heavily linked with Gladbach and a host of other leading European clubs before moving from Stromsgodset to Madrid in January 2015.The Norway international became the youngest debutant in the Spanish club's history at just 16 years and 157 days old, appearing as a substitute on the final day of last season in a 7-3 win over Getafe.

Odegaard has been restricted to apperances for Madrid's second-string Castilla team this term, and Eberl believes the midfielder would already have Champions League experience under his belt had he opted to join Borussia.

"Sure, you could say what would Gladbach be able to do against the biggest clubs in Europe?," Eberl told Kicker.

"But I am convinced Odegaard would be a Bundesliga player in Gladbach."He would have played Champions League with us. At Real he has a hard time at the moment."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba has too much quality - Evra

Paul Pogba 's biggest problem is that he has too much natural ability, according to Juventus team-mate Patrice Evra.

The France international has developed into a leading figure at the heart of the Serie A champions' midfield, especially following the departures of Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo at the end of last season.

Pogba has previously hailed Evra as an important figure in his emergence as one of European football's most coveted talents over the past three seasons, and the veteran left-back has offered the 22-year-old further advice to stop him becoming frustrated when he makes a rare mistake.

"Pogba's problem is that he has too much quality," Evra explained to La Gazzetta dello Sport . "When he makes a mistake he gets frustrated because everyone thinks a player of his calibre can't make a mistake.

"I always tell him to remain calm, work hard and listen to [head coach Massimiliano] Allegri. He always asked for the ball against Bayern Munich. We need people like that, but when he makes a mistake people only focus on that. We must let him work in peace."

Juve head to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich, having fought back from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw in Turin.

Evra believes that result means Bayern will have an increased respect for last season's finalists and has urged his side to approach the game with the right mentality."I don't think they fear us but they certainly have more respect for us and will play in a different manner," he said. "We must take advantage of that.

"I think that it showed us we can compete with Bayern. We were too cautious in the first 20 minutes. If we take the field and believe we can win 1-0 then we will do so, but if we think it will end 5-0 it is over.

"It is a question of mentality and we now know that Bayern are vulnerable. We aren't being arrogant as we respect our opponent but we can't forget we made the final last season. Everyone thinks that Juventus are already beaten, but we don't believe that is the case."

Juve are just three points ahead of Napoli at the top of the table as they pursue a fifth Serie A title in a row, but Evra claims he pays no attention to the results of Maurizio Sarri's side.

"When I hear people say our wins are in response to Napoli, that makes me laugh," he added. "I haven't thought about Napoli and don't look at the results as my only focus is on Juve. Every win pushes us forward towards another."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ter Stegen not to blame for early-season errors - Rakitic

Ivan Rakitic has backed Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to remain crucial to the Camp Nou club, despite errors creeping into his game this season.

Designated Barca's cup goalkeeper, Ter Stegen contributed to last season's treble success by playing all of their Copa del Rey and Champions League games, although he did not taste a minute of La Liga action as Claudio Bravo was given the nod.

Ter Stegen has come in for criticism this term, having conceded a 50-yard goal from Mikel San Jose in Barca's Supercopa de Espana defeat to Athletic Bilbao, as well as an Alessandro Florenzi effort from the touchline when Luis Enrique's men visited Roma in the Champions League.Both times Ter Stegen's positioning was in question as he was lobbed from long range, but Rakitic remains confident that the Germany international is good enough for the Catalan club.

Rakitic told Kicker : "He's incredibly ambitious, already one of the best goalkeepers in the world, although he is only 23."I am overjoyed that he is behind us. We trust him 100 per cent and I get along with him very well."

On Ter Stegen's early-season mishaps, Rakitic said: "These were not errors from him, because you have to congratulate the scorer, who scored from 50 metres.
"You couldn't do it a second time."He will not become the world's best goalkeeper overnight but Marc is working hard.

"Marc has huge qualities, it is very important for us that he is always ready."