..::Football III::..

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Ronaldo needs freedom, he's not a striker - Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti considers Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo to be the greatest forward in the history of football, but suggested he needs a free role to be at his best.

Ronaldo has faced some criticism this season, particularly for his performances in matches away from the Santiago Bernabeu, despite scoring 40 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions for Madrid.

The Portuguese was beaten to the 2015 Fifa Ballon d'Or award by Barcelona great Lionel Messi in January, losing out after winning the accolade for 2013 and 2014 while coached by Ancelotti.

The Italian, who will take charge at Bayern Munich next season, says Ronaldo will not produce his best results if used as a central striker, despite receiving praise from Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane for his performance in the position in the 4-0 win over Roma in the Champions League on March 8.

"He is one of the best players ever, the best forward in the history of football. I have never coached a better player than him," Ancelotti wrote in his column for Sina Sports ."There is an offensive position that is not the best for Cristiano Ronaldo – the centre-forward role."Cristiano did not like playing with his back to goal, he prefers to find space on the flanks and attack the opposition goal.

"Cristiano will always be able to find his place, because he has a special talent for getting around the pitch."[Under me] the team played a 4-3-3 with Cristiano starting on the left wing, but we soon found out he needed more freedom to cover more of the pitch and be where the action was.

"We'd often see Cristiano on the two attacking wings and even as a playmaker. Cristiano has to have total freedom so that he is able to believe in what he can do. Giving Cristiano freedom in attack is positive because it makes him even more unpredictable.

"To ensure that his team-mates offer him the best support possible, he has to feel as though he is free at every moment and in any part of the pitch."

 

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Koln 0-1 Bayern Munich: Lewandowski strike enough for Guardiola's men

Bayern Munich showed little sign of a Champions League hangover as they returned to Bundesliga action with a 1-0 win at Koln on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola's side required extra-time to see off Juventus in midweek in a dramatic 6-4 aggregate win, but their European exertions did little to dampen a typically energetic performance.

A confident start was rewarded when Thiago Alcantara's low cross was only half-cleared on the edge of the box, allowing Robert Lewandowski to pick his spot for his 25th Bundesliga goal of the season.

While not a vintage performance from the leaders, one goal proved enough against a Koln side that has now lost three consecutive home games in the league, despite Anthony Modeste and Leonardo Bittencourt both spurning decent opportunities after the break.

The win moves Bayern eight points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who visit Augsburg on Sunday, and one step closer to a fourth consecutive Bundesliga crown, with Guardiola looking to compete on all fronts as his final season in Bavaria reaches its conclusion.

Lewandowski was one of four Bayern starters to play the full 120 minutes on Wednesday, but he was as sharp as ever in handing his side the lead on 10 minutes, pouncing on Dominique Heintz's poor touch on the edge of the area to curl home.

Douglas Costa bent a 30-yard free-kick just wide 12 minutes later as Bayern's confidence grew, with Koln struggling to get out of the own half for much of the first period, much to the frustration of lone striker Modeste.

A wayward header from Heintz's cross was as close as the Frenchman came to bothering a Bayern defence that had previously conceded just once in their last four league games.Marcel Risse fared little better by blazing a free-kick high over the crossbar three minutes before half-time, ensuring goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remained untested.

However, Neuer was the hero of the second half, and had his palms warmed eight minutes after the break courtesy of Bittencourt's tame shot after the winger had combined well with Modeste, who also headed over moments later and saw Risse's low cross just drift agonisingly out of his reach.

Modeste should have done better when he got in ahead of Neuer to latch on to a high ball behind the defence, only for his goalbound effort to be blocked by the backtracking David Alaba, much to the relief of the visitors, who again had Neuer to thank in the last moment of the match.

After Kingsley Coman blazed wide, Koln sped up the other end with time running out but Bittencourt could not get enough of a touch on Risse's cross and Neuer preserved a hard-earned win.

 

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Sporting Gijon 2-1 Atletico Madrid: Late comeback dents visitors' title hopes

Carlos Castro and Antonio Sanabria dented Atletico Madrid's faint title hopes with late goals to earn struggling Sporting Gijon a 2-1 victory in La Liga.

Second-placed Atletico, who are eight points adrift of leaders Barcelona, were uncharacteristically sluggish after their European exploits and Sporting made them pay late on with two goals in the final 11 minutes at El Molinon.

Atletico had looked on course to earn a slender victory after Antoine Griezmann's stunning first-half free-kick, the France international curling home his 17th of the league season.

However, the visitors struggled to create a chance of note in the second period and were ultimately punished by a Sanabria set-piece and Castro's late tap-in – the substitute having earlier hit the crossbar.

The win temporarily moves Sporting out of the bottom three and sends Diego Simeone's side to their first defeat in eight league matches, while handing Barcelona the chance to extend their lead when they meet Villarreal on Sunday.

Atletico – who made five changes from the side that battled past PSV on penalties in the Champions League this week – could have been ahead inside the first minute, but Griezmann lost his balance at the crucial moment.

Tuesday's exertions seemed to have an impact on the visitors after that, though, and Sporting took advantage with Sanabria and Jony posing a threat to Atletico's resolute back line.For all Sporting's pressure, however, they were made to rue their profligacy when Griezmann fired Atletico in front just before the half hour.

After Pablo Perez had been penalised for a foul on Saul Niguez on the edge of the penalty area, Griezmann took full advantage with an inch-perfect free-kick that curled into the top-left corner beyond the despairing dive of Pichu Cuellar.

Sporting's struggles in front of goal continued to trouble them after the restart, with Sanabria and Lora both wasting good openings.The hosts continued to enjoy large swaths of possession, but Simeone's side were able to soak up that pressure until Sanabria finally found a way through after seeing an earlier effort hit the post.

With 11 minutes to play, Matias Kranevitter gave away a needless free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and Sanabria punished him with a powerful effort that fizzed past Jan Oblak.

And Castro completed their comeback after 89 minutes as he tapped home Jony's low cross from close range, the substitute's blushes spared having hit the bar with a similar chance moments earlier.

 

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Chelsea 2-2 West Ham: Fabregas penalty rescues Blues

Cesc Fabregas scored a dramatic penalty with one minute remaining as Chelsea fought back twice to draw 2-2 with West Ham at Stamford Bridge, denying the visitors the chance to move into the Premier League's top four.

Manuel Lanzini's magnificent strike had West Ham in front, but Fabregas scored with a free-kick just before half-time to level matters.

Slaven Bilic introduced Carroll and he converted Dimitri Payet's pass after 61 minutes to seemingly seal victory, but Fabregas intervened with a controversial late spot-kick that was awarded for Michail Antonio's challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

A win would have put West Ham fourth in the table ahead of the meeting between their two closest challengers for a Champions League spot – Manchester City and Manchester United – on Sunday.

Instead, they stay fifth and miss the chance to defeat Chelsea for the first time in 10 attempts at Stamford Bridge.

Fabregas' late strike ensures Guus Hiddink's men avoid what would have been a first defeat in 14 Premier League matches since Jose Mourinho's sacking last December after a 10-day spell that had also seen them crash out of the FA Cup and Champions League.

Loic Remy was handed just his second league start of the season in place of the suspended Diego Costa - with captain John Terry and Oscar also coming into the team - and the forward forced Adrian to get down and save with his legs from a tight angle early on.

But it was the visitors who opened the scoring in stunning fashion after 17 minutes when persistence from Diafra Sakho – one of the visitors' three changes – and Payet opened up space for Lanzini outside the area.

The Argentine did the rest, curling a magnificent strike past the despairing dive of Thibaut Courtois for his sixth goal of the season.

West Ham almost made it two when Sakho's pass was brilliantly flicked on by Payet, but Aaron Cresswell's tame finish was deflected wide by Branislav Ivanovic's block as a key chance went begging.

Willian was just off target with a long-range free-kick at the other end as Chelsea, who had physio Jon Fearn back on the bench for the first time since the Eva Carneiro controversy, looked for a way back into the match.

The equaliser arrived three minutes into first-half stoppage-time from another set-piece. Fabregas stepped up from just outside the box after Winston Reid was booked for a challenge on Oscar and delivered an exquisite strike into the top corner, with West Ham's protests that he had moved the ball back to ensure he had more room ignored by referee Robert Madley.
West Ham were inches away from re-taking the lead when a fast break led to Sakho playing in Cresswell, who lashed an effort against the crossbar from a tight angle.

Bilic brought on Carroll for Sakho and within 84 seconds of being on the pitch, the substitute scored.

A precise pass from in-form Payet sent Carroll through and his first-time, left-footed finish was not cleanly struck but had enough on it to bounce past Courtois.

John Obi Mikel and Fabregas both headed over from close-range opportunities, while the influential Spain midfielder saw an overhead kick fall inches wide as Chelsea tried to find an equaliser.
It was almost game over in the closing stages, but Carroll had a header dramatically cleared off the line from Payet's corner.

That proved decisive when Chelsea were awarded a penalty with one minute remaining. Substitute Loftus-Cheek surged through on goal and went down under pressure from Antonio, with Madley pointing to the spot despite furious West Ham protests.

Fabregas then stepped up and calmly sent Adrian the wrong way to claim a controversial point.

 

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Crystal Palace 0-1 Leicester City: Mahrez goal puts Foxes eight points clear

Leicester City took another big stride towards the Premier League title as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal of the game - his 16th of the season - in the 34th minute, picking up on a low cross from Jamie Vardy and firing home left-footed.

Though Alan Pardew's men had their fair share of pressure they were unable to prevent the extension of their winless run in the top flight to 13 games, while the Foxes are now eight points clear the top ahead of Tottenham's game against Bournemouth on Sunday.

After a scrappy opening, Mahrez missed a golden chance to grab the lead on 18 minutes when, having been played in behind the Palace defence by Danny Drinkwater, his low shot was partially blocked by Wayne Hennessey before being cleared.

Palace responded with a bright spell of attacking possession, Wilfried Zaha bobbling a volley wide of the far post after being picked out by Yannick Bolasie, and the hosts were punished for that miss after 34 minutes. Vardy turned into space in the area and drilled the ball across the box, with Mahrez arriving to sweep home from close range while Hennessey was out of position.

Bolasie almost restored parity within two minutes but Kasper Schmeichel reacted well to parry his deflected shot away at the near post.

Pardew introduced Bakary Sako and Martin Kelly at half-time to inject some life into Palace but Leicester almost doubled their lead within three minutes of the restart, Shinji Okazaki firing just over on the turn after good work from Marc Albrighton.

Bolasie was proving a real handful as Palace began to pile on the pressure in their search for an equaliser and Wes Morgan produced one impeccable challenge to deny him a one-on-one following a long clearance forward.

Schmeichel showed safe hands when grasping Sako's bouncing drive from distance and Damien Delaney almost snatched a point when he rattled the crossbar in injury time with a volley from close range but Palace could not avoid a sixth consecutive league defeat at home.
After a scrappy opening, Mahrez missed a golden chance to grab the lead on 18 minutes when, having been played in behind the Palace defence by Danny Drinkwater, his low shot was partially blocked by Wayne Hennessey before being cleared.

Palace responded with a bright spell of attacking possession, Wilfried Zaha bobbling a volley wide of the far post after being picked out by Yannick Bolasie, and the hosts were punished for that miss after 34 minutes. Vardy turned into space in the area and drilled the ball across the box, with Mahrez arriving to sweep home from close range while Hennessey was out of position.

Bolasie almost restored parity within two minutes but Kasper Schmeichel reacted well to parry his deflected shot away at the near post.

Pardew introduced Bakary Sako and Martin Kelly at half-time to inject some life into Palace but Leicester almost doubled their lead within three minutes of the restart, Shinji Okazaki firing just over on the turn after good work from Marc Albrighton.

Bolasie was proving a real handful as Palace began to pile on the pressure in their search for an equaliser and Wes Morgan produced one impeccable challenge to deny him a one-on-one following a long clearance forward.

Schmeichel showed safe hands when grasping Sako's bouncing drive from distance and Damien Delaney almost snatched a point when he rattled the crossbar in injury time with a volley from close range but Palace could not avoid a sixth consecutive league defeat at home.

 

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8 points clear on topLeicester City patta​

 

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Wenger would never sign Ibrahimovic – Merson

Former Arsenal attacker Paul Merson claims Arsene Wenger would never try to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic because the Swede would likely question the manager's methods.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker has been linked with a move to the Premier League when his contract runs out in the summer, with many seeing Ibra as the solution to the Gunners' troubles in front of goal.Merson, however, believes that Wenger has no interest in signing the hugely decorated striker due to his controversial attitude.

“He gets asked about Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” Merson told Soccer Saturday. “All you have to do is turn around and sayL 'I'd love to get him, if he wants to come to London I want him' - and the fans would be happy.

“If you don't get him, then you don't get him - but don't say: 'Oh, I'm not sure.'
"Ibrahimovic is a winner. He's won 13 trophies in so many leagues. Of course, Wenger isn't going to sign him because he's going to question him."He doesn't want someone sitting in the dressing room questioning him. He doesn't want people to come in after the game and start tearing it up. He just wants people to come in and recover."

Before Ibrahimovic, Arsenal were linked with a swoop for Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, another move that did not materialise.

Having failed to sign a world-class striker in recent years, Merson has been left questioning his former boss' approach to player recruitment.He continued: “Last year [Karim] Benzema didn't come in and he said [Olivier] Giroud's going to get more goals then Benzema. Seriously?

“All he has to do is come out in a press conference and say: 'I am under pressure and I need to change things around here.'“Results need to change. Then everything changes and everyone is off his back."

 

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Luis Enrique: Barcelona wanted to avoid Atletico Madrid

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has acknowledged he would rather not have drawn Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Catalans saw off Arsenal in the round of 16 to make it to the quarter-finals, only to be paired with their domestic rivals for the second time in three seasons during Friday's draw.

Diego Simeone's men proved to be too strong in the quarter-finals of the competition in 2013-14, a season in which they reached the final before bowing out of the competition.

And Luis Enrique admitted he was not overly happy to be drawn with Atletico again as he did not want to face a Spanish opponent at this stage."You are bound to meet a tough opponent like Atletico Madrid when you reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League," the 45-year-old told a press conference

"Nobody wanted to play against a team from the same country, but I reckon it was inevitable because we have so many good Spanish teams."I think it can be a positive that we know Atletico very well. Both teams have no surprises for each other.

"Of course, we were hoping for an easier opponent, but you will have to beat all rivals if you are to win the Champions League. All that matters is making it to the final."

 

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Simeone frustrated by Liga scheduling after Sporting defeat

Diego Simeone took a swipe at the Liga schedulers for staging Atletico Madrid 's clash with Sporting Gijon on Saturday but refused to blame them for their 2-1 defeat.

After needing extra-time and penalties to beat PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday, Atletico were back in action within four days, while their title rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid both play 24 hours later.Atletico started well at El Molinon thanks to Antoine Griezmann's 17th league goal of the season, but they tired late on and saw victory slip away.

Sporting levelled through Antonio Sanabria before substitute Carlos Costa snatched all three points, denting Atletico's faint title hopes.

Simeone told his post-match news conference: "We are pleased to be prime time. We are prime time because we played at 16:00 and we have been watched in China. So, I am delighted because we are prime time."But I do not like to look for excuses.

"We have always been aware of our goal. The aim of the club is to be third and we work in order to reach the club’s goal. We know in terms of numbers this defeat make things much tougher in order to have any chance to be champions in La Liga."

He added: "I congratulate my players, they have put in an enormous effort. "We gave everything we had but in the last 10 minutes they pressed a lot. Sporting have very good players, they have lacked a little luck but if they go on like this they will achieve their goal [of survival].

"I want to congratulate Sporting because they played very well. We had control in the first half, but in the second they pressed and in the last 10 minutes we could not get out of that pressure."

 

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Guardiola: Bayern's title difficult to defend

Pep Guardiola has admitted Bayern Munich's Bundesliga title will not be easy to defend following their slim 1-0 win against Koln on Saturday, a few days after their extertions against Juventus.

Bayern came back from two goals down to force an additional 30 minutes against their Italian counterparts in the Champions League ealier this week, before strikes from Thiago Alcantara and Kingsley Coman booked their place in the quarter-finals.Having expended so much energy during the crucial clash in midweek, Guardiola admitted die Roten struggled against their hosts and face a fight to defend their title at the end of the season.

However, the Spaniard had praise for his troops after they extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points over Borussia Dortmund, who travel to Augsburg on Sunday.

"Huge compliments to the players. After 120 minutes and an emotional game against Juventus, it was very difficult to come here two-and-a-half days later," Guardiola told reporters after the match.

"We did well in the first 30 minutes, with our goal and many good balls from the byline. Our start to the second half was also good, but in the last 25 minutes [Koln coach] Peter Stoger brought another attacker on and they played many long passes.

"They were very dangerous, also in counter-attacks. But all in all we controlled the game. It is one more victory for us."I realised how difficult it is to defend our title in the Bundesliga. We must fight until the last match, but it's another win that put us in front."

Matchwinner Robert Lewandowski felt they did well to hold on for the triumph, adding: "When you're only 1-0 up, it's always dangerous."It's important that we have the three points."

 

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Chelsea penalty decision 'unacceptable', fumes Bilic

Slaven Bilic described referee Robert Madley's decision to award Chelsea a late penalty in their 2-2 draw against West Ham as "unacceptable".Cesc Fabregas netted from a free-kick and then a hotly-disputed spot-kick at the end of each half as Chelsea battled back twice to level the scores at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The penalty, with one minute remaining, came after Michail Antonio challenged substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek, with Bilic adamant the infringement took place outside of the penalty area.

"We conceded a goal very late which is gutting anyway - no matter how you concede it - but to concede it like that for a penalty outside the box makes it unacceptable," Bilic told Sky Sports.

"It was outside, way outside. It was clear Antonio didn't want to foul him like this. He touched him – I'm not talking about that – but it wasn't even close to the line. It was like one metre [outside].

"We can say 'it is hard, at full speed, the player went down in the box' and everything, but we are not getting those kind of penalties."

Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll scored the goals for West Ham, who missed the chance to move into the top four ahead of the match between Manchester City and Manchester United – their two closest rivals for a Champions League spot – on Sunday.However, Bilic could not fault his players' effort after they came so close to a first Premier League win at Stamford Bridge in 10 attempts.

"It was a fantastic game for West Ham fans and for me to watch," added the Croatian. "We were better when we led 1-0 but at 2-1 we were also close to scoring a third goal.

"We played fantastic and the game was very good. I think that we did great and we deserved three points from this game because apart from one part of the second half we were the much better team.

"We could have put pressure on Manchester City and a gap on the teams below. We are capable and we are having chances against any team. That approach should take us far."

 

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Roma 1-1 Inter: Mancini's men denied boost in Champions League bid

Roma, who welcomed Antonio Rudiger back from injury and brought Miralem Pjanic back into the side, threatened first when Diego Perotti fired just over after good wing play from Stephan El Shaarawy set up the chance.

Inter – without injured captain Mauro Icardi - made a decent response, with Adem Ljajic shooting straight at Szczesny against his parent club and Perisic sending an effort just over.Brozovic could not trouble Szczesny from a decent opening, before Roma had the ball in the net at the other end.

Pjanic floated a wonderful ball over the top and Mohamed Salah showed great composure to control and flick his finish over Samir Handanovic, but he had strayed narrowly offside.

The hosts finished the first half on the front foot and persistence from Salah gave El Shaarawy a chance to shoot, but Handanovic made a solid stop from his acrobatic volley.El Shaarawy forced Handanovic into action again with 30 seconds of the second half gone, but it was Inter who moved into the lead after 53 minutes.

Brozovic slipped through a pass to Perisic and his left-footed strike found the far corner, despite Szczesny getting a hand to the ball.Luciano Spalletti responded by bringing on Dzeko, who had been left out of the team even though he had scored against Udinese last time out.

The striker was quickly involved in the action with two chances in quick succession. His header from Perotti's cross was first well saved by Handanovic after appearing to touch the hand of Miranda on the way through, before he poorly lashed a shot over when Salah's pass had given him a presentable opportunity.

Roma continued to press and El Shaarawy found the side netting, while Salah was denied by another Handanovic save after a neat turn in the area.The assault continued and Inter defender Yuto Nagatomo had to hack clear from the line during a goalmouth scramble, before the equaliser arrived.

A scuffed effort from Dzeko inadvertently set up Nainggolan and he stretched to fire a low shot into the bottom corner to claim a point, keeping his side in pole position to reach the Champions League.

 

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Rio Ferdinand urges Premier League elite to sign relegation-threatened defender

Rio Ferdinand has urged all of the Premier League’s elite to snap up Swansea City centre-back Ashley Williams this summer.

The 31-year-old has been at the wrong end of the Premier League for almost the entire season as Swansea have been caught in the relegation battle.

But Francesco Guidolin’s picked up a vital victory on Saturday evening as Brad Guzan’s howler allowed Federico Fernandez to score the decisive winner.

And Ferdinand took the opportunity to praise Williams’ display at the back, and believes he would be a solid acquisition for any club with Champions League aspirations.

Williams, whose contract expires in 2018, has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Liverpool in the past.

 

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I need to become a goal scorer like Ronaldo, admits Martial

Anthony Martial believes he needs to develop a goalscoring instinct like Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 20-year-old joined from Monaco last summer in a deal that could eventually cost Manchester United £61.5 million.

Martial has scored 12 goals in 38 appearances, but insists his record needs to improve.

“I must continue to work hard in training,” he told Sky Sports.

“I need to think more like a goal scorer. Sometimes I get so immersed in the game because I love general play so much.

“Someone like [Cristiano] Ronaldo focuses on scoring. To progress, perhaps I also need to think more about scoring.”

 

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I need to become a goal scorer like Ronaldo, admits Martial

Yes you can​

 

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Wenger impressed by 'intelligent' Iwobi

Arsene Wenger has taken the time to praise "intelligent" Alex Iwobi in the aftermath of Arsenal's 2-0 Premier League win over Everton on Saturday.The Nigeria international found the net shortly before the interval for his first goal at senior level after Danny Welbeck had opened the scoring.

Iwobi continued to look dangerous throughout the game and Wenger was impressed with the 19-year-old's performance at Goodison Park."Alex is an intelligent boy who loves football," the Gunners boss told reporters. "He is very passionate about the game, keen to learn and very humble as well.

"He is 19 years old and has been at our club since the age of eight. I took him with us in pre-season and I liked what he did.

"After that he has improved very quickly. He did very well. I integrated him and played him."Arsenal put in a strong display and Wenger was delighted to see his team get things right.

"I believe we have a game based on movement, mobility, technical level and attacking football," he added."We have to get the balance right. Sometimes it is not right. Let us not forget some players were out for the whole season basically.

"Welbeck is only just coming back, Iwobi is just coming into the side. [Mohamed] Elneny is giving us good balance. We just bought him in January."Arsenal lost Mesut Ozil to injury late in the game, but Wenger is hopeful the Germany international's injury is nothing serious.

"Mesut went off with ankle problem, but it looks more a kick than a ligament problem," the Frenchman stressed.

 

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Guardiola's arrival has affected Man City's focus, admits Zabaleta

Pablo Zabaleta has admitted that the impending arrival of Pep Guardiola in the summer has affected Manchester City's focus.The Catalan will leave Bayern Munich when his contract expires in the summer and replace Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium.

Confirmation of Guardiola's appointment arrived at the start of February, coinciding with a drop in City's form in the Premier League, and Zabaleta would not deny that it had affected the players.

"We have got to deal with the situation," the Argentine told reporters. "But it is not easy for anyone because there is a lot of speculation about new players coming in and some players going out.“So what we have got to do is focus more.

“We have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time.We know how difficult this competition is, so it is another step forward for the club.“But in the league, Leicester keep winning their games. The gap is big at the moment, but there are big games coming up in this period and we must try to win them all.

“We have to do what we can and then see if Leicester and Spurs drop some points, but at the moment we can’t even think about winning the league."This situation we are in means we can only think about the next game.”

Pellegrini's side currently lie fourth in the table and trail leaders Leicester by 15 points ahead of Sunday's derby against Manchester United.

 

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Newcastle target Carrick with Manchester United contract set to expire

Newcastle United are one of five clubs who have approached Michael Carrick over a summer move, but the midfielder still hopes to extend his stay with Manchester United.

The England international's current deal at Old Trafford ends in June, but Goal understands that Newcastle have been monitoring his situation for some time and will consider him as one of their transfer options in the summer.

But Carrick, who turns 35 in July, is keen to remain with United. He has seen his game time reduced since the arrival of Louis van Gaal as manager in 2014 and been sidelined regularly in recent months as the Red Devils' schedule has grown more taxing, yet he still believes he serves a purpose in the engine room.

United have allowed the former West Ham and Tottenham star's contract to run closer to its expiry than ever before during his 10-year stay, and that has attracted the interest of a great number of Premier League rivals.

Newcastle could hold a greater attraction for Carrick than the other four options, since he was born in Wallsend, just five miles from St James' Park. However, the Magpies' final decision may also depend on their Premier League status as well as the opinion of manager Rafa Benitez, who recently signed a deal until the end of the season to replace the sacked Steve McClaren.

Carrick has played 411 times for Manchester United since his 2006 switch from Spurs, winning the Premier League on five occasions as well as the Champions League in 2008.

 

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Carrick ta new deal 1kak denna oneCarrick thamai apita inna hodama Mid Player​

 

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Van Gaal criticised on Manchester United's own television channel

Former Manchester United defender David May has criticised Louis van Gaal’s style of play on the club’s own television channel.

The Dutchman has been under constant pressure due to United’s lack of attacking prowess this season, although traditionally, pundits on MUTV tend not to air negative views about the team.

But in a preview show ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby, May, who was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble-winning side in 1999, urged United to show more of an attacking threat than what has been displayed at times this season.

“I would rather get beat 3-0 and have a right good go than be a boring draw. I am fed up of half-times 0-0s, let's go out and have a go,” he told MUTV.

“I would like United to be on the front foot as we were against Liverpool. That is what Man United is all about, attacking. I don't want it to be cagey where we think we will sit back and a point is a good thing.”