..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United: Rashford winner boosts Van Gaal's top-four hopes

Marcus Rashford was Manchester United's hero again as his goal secured a 1-0 win away to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

The teenager, who scored four times in his first two United appearances this season, struck in the first half to seal the derby spoils and reignite his side's hopes of a top-four finish.

City lost captain Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi to injury this week and suffered further blows when both Raheem Sterling and Joe Hart had to be taken off in what proved to be a frustrating game for the Etihad Stadium faithful.Sergio Aguero hit the post with a header but clear-cut chances were few and far between as United defended diligently against a flat City attack, while attempting to use the pace of Anthony Martial on the break to stretch the home side.

Wilfried Bony almost turned in Yaya Toure's cutback and Jesus Navas fired narrowly over, but United held out for a first win at the Etihad since December 2012.

Louis van Gaal's side are now just a point behind fourth-placed City, who remain 15 behind league leaders Leicester City and are now almost certainly out of the title race.

Navas fired a half-volley narrowly wide after United failed to clear Sterling's cross, but chances were scarce in a cagey opening period.

David de Gea saved well with his legs when Navas drilled in a low shot after David Silva picked him out at the far post, but City were dealt a sucker punch as the visitors snatched the lead in the 16th minute.Juan Mata fed Rashford, who skipped easily past the challenge of Martin Demichelis before slotting beneath Hart from close range.

Manuel Pellegrini was forced into an early change, with Sterling - who appeared to pick up a groin injury - replaced by Fernando, and matters could have been worse for City just before half-time had referee Michael Oliver chosen to penalise Demichelis when he bundled Rashford to ground inside the area.

City were struck by another blow when Hart, having stretched to beat Martial to Demichelis' poor backpass, had to be carried off with heavy strapping on his right leg within three minutes of the restart.

Replacement Willy Caballero did well to parry a Martial shot before Rashford just failed to convert Matteo Darmian's cross, as United looked to score a killer second.Aguero had been quiet throughout but came within inches of an equaliser when he nodded Yaya Toure's cross onto the post, with De Gea beaten by the effort.

Another Aguero header went wide of the far post before Michael Carrick just managed to poke the ball away from Bony after Toure's pass, as City began to turn up the heat on Van Gaal's side in the closing stages.But the visitors saw out the final 10 minutes with the backing of a vociferous away following to collect a potentially pivotal three points in their Premier League season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp: Liverpool still have a chance to finish in top four

Jurgen Klopp refused to wave the white flag on Liverpool finishing in the Champions League places despite his side’s capitulation against Southampton, which saw them surrender a two-goal lead to lose 3-2.

The Reds should have secured maximum points at St Mary’s Stadium after a commanding first half, in which strikes from Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge handed them a comfortable cushion on Sunday afternoon.

After the break, however, it was the hosts who were dominant and they secured victory in the last 10 minutes.

Saido Mane kickstarted the comeback before Graziano Pelle levelled matters on 83 minutes. The Senegal international then struck moments afterwards to derail Liverpool’s push for a top-four spot.

Klopp refused to accept the chance to qualify for Europe's premier club competition had slipped away from his charges, but maintained it would be a massive ask to finish so strongly."There are still 27 points for us to get from nine games? If we can get all of them, there’s a chance, if not it’s difficult," he said after the match.

"It is difficult and we don’t have to dream of things like this – we have to play football and win games. If we play like we did in the first half, we can win games.
"If we play like we did in the second half, it’s a little bit more difficult."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Augsburg 1-3 Dortmund: Ramos shines in Aubameyang absence

Goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Gonzalo Castro and Adrian Ramos secured a 3-1 comeback victory for Borussia Dortmund over struggling Augsburg at the WWK Arena.

On-loan Real Sociedad striker Alfred Finnbogason gave the hosts an early lead before Mkhitaryan equalised on the stroke of half-time.Castro then fired Dortmund in front on 69 minutes, with Ramos making the game safe soon after.

The result keeps Thomas Tuchel's men within five points of leaders Bayern Munich and capped a memorable week in which they also progressed to the last eight of the Europa League at the expense of Tottenham, booking a meeting with Liverpool and former boss Jurgen Klopp.

Despite the absence of leading scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on compassionate grounds following the death of his grandfather earlier in the week, Dortmund still managed to look superbly fluent going forward as they secured their eighth league win of 2016.The hosts, meanwhile, remain above the relegation zone on goal difference only after slumping to their seventh home league defeat of the season.

Roared on by a vocal home crowd, Augsburg began brightly and created the game's first opening on seven minutes when Caiuby bustled his way into the box and stung Roman Burki's palms with a fierce drive.

The Dortmund goalkeeper was unable to rescue his side again eight minutes later, however, as the lively Caiuby got away down the left and drove in a low cross which Finnbogason side-footed home at the far post.The high-flying visitors improved steadily as the half wore on, however, with Mkhitaryan a constant threat down the right.

Ramos was narrowly off-target with a header from Lukasz Piszczek's cross and Marco Reus then managed to get in behind the home defence only to see Alex Manninger push his low shot around the post.

On the stroke of half-time, however, the equaliser finally arrived as Reus and Nuri Sahin combined on the edge of the box to create an opening for Mkhitaryan and he found the net with a toe-poked finish.

Substitute Markus Feulner blazed over the bar for the home side early in the second half, while at the other end, a stretching Ramos just failed to slide home another fine cross from Mkhitaryan.

With Dortmund almost monopolising possession, Augsburg were forced deeper and deeper and their defence finally cracked again on 69 minutes.Mats Hummels' long ball was brought down and laid back superbly by Ramos and substitute Castro rifled home from just inside the box.

Six minutes later, the game was effectively ended as a contest when Ramos, making only his fourth league start of the season, bundled home the third goal from close range after Manninger palmed his head back into danger.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp enters Liverpool history books... for the WRONG reason

Jurgen Klopp entered the history books at Liverpool on Sunday... but for all the wrong reasons.

Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge put Liverpool two goals to the good at half-time against Southampton, only for second-half subsitute Sadio Mane to inspire Southampton to a remarkable 3-2 win.

The turnaround means Klopp is the first Liverpool manager in Premier League history to oversee a loss after leading by two or more goals at half-time, after winning 112 of the previous 115 occasions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal hails 'real striker' Rashford after derby winner

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hailed derby-day goalscorer Marcus Rashford as a "real striker" after he hit the winner in a 1-0 victory at Manchester City.

Rashford beat Martin Demichelis before slotting past Joe Hart to put United back in contention for a place in the Premier League's top four, with Van Gaal's side now a single point behind their local rivals in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

The teenager missed out on a call-up to Roy Hodgson's England squad this week but Van Gaal was full of praise for his man of the moment, who has scored five goals since making his senior debut last month.

"He is a real striker and that's why I let him stay in that position, because he can make goals but he is also an attacking point and he runs also the channels," Van Gaal told Sky Sports"I like him very much but still he is 18 years old, so we have to wait and see how consistent he is."

The Dutchman was delighted with his team's overall performance after United won for the third time in their last four Premier League matches."I am very happy," Van Gaal said. "I think we played very good, second half we had three chances to score the second, then we have fought until the end.

"A lot of players had cramp - it's logical when you play Thursday. You see Liverpool did similar too with Southampton 2-0 in the first half, then 3-2 in the second half because they were not recovered.

"I think it is fantastic. I'm happy because it is not easy to win here."When I see the dressing room I think it shall give a boost and real belief, it was fantastic to see in the dressing room.

"It was a long time ago since Manchester United have won here so it was fantastic for the fans that we have won."Van Gaal also thinks Rashford should have been awarded a penalty when he appeared to be brought down by Demichelis in the box.

"You know that [it is a penalty], you have seen it so you can judge it," he said. "I have seen it from the bench and I think it was a penalty. We need video referees I think."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kane hoping for Leicester slip-up in title race

Harry Kane is hoping to see Leicester City falter in the title race after Tottenham kept up the pressure at the Premier League summit with a convincing 3-0 win over AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.

In-form Kane drilled home the opener on 43 seconds and added a second with an impressive finish after 16 minutes, making it five goals in his last three league games.Christian Eriksen added a third from close range early in the second half as Spurs moved back to within five points of Leicester with seven matches remaining.

Kane was thrilled to make a strong response to Claudio Ranieri's side beating 1-0 Crystal Palace on Saturday and hopes his team's title rivals will drop points in the weeks ahead.

"There was a lot of talk about us having to get the result," Kane told Sky Sports.
"There's still so long left [in the season]. Leicester keep winning games but so do we, so we just have to carry on doing that and then when we get to the last few games of the season, see what happens."Hopefully they will slip up and lose a few points, but either way we have to carry on winning and we have got some big games coming up.

"I would rather have the five-point lead but with Leicester usually playing first we know what we have to do and there are still a lot of points up for grabs."We started very well and looked comfortable through the game. We controlled the play after the early goal and I think that was key. We grew into the game and got better and better. It was a solid 3-0 victory.

"The service into me all game was excellent as well. As a striker all you can do is get into those positions and ask for good passes and the deliveries were perfect. It's great to go into the international break on the back of this."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 4-0 Sevilla: Zidane's men triumph in action-packed clash

The Santiago Bernabeu crowd was treated to a thrilling 90 minutes of football, as Real Madrid finally prevailed 4-0 over Sevilla in a match which had it all.

Karim Benzema marked his injury comeback with an early strike, before BBC colleagues Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale got in on the act to kill off the Andalusians after the break.

Allegations over his involvement in a money-laundering investigation and being left out of the France squad have made this a tough week for the striker, but he marked his return to full fitness with a fine goal to set Madrid on their way.

Sevilla had failed to win away once in La Liga this season before Sunday and, when Kevin Gameiro missed a penalty after several fine saves from goalkeeper Sergio Rico had kept his side in the match, the chance of halting that run looked unlikely.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a spot-kick of his own in the second half but recovered to steer in from close range just after the hour mark, before Gareth Bale finished a move involving both of his attacking partners just two minutes later and Jese Rodriguez added a late fourth.

The defeat is a blow to Sevilla's Champions League hopes, but Madrid - who cruised through the latter stages and could have scored more - are back to within a point of second-placed Atletico Madrid, and 10 of leaders Barcelona.

Benoit Tremoulinas almost caught out Keylor Navas inside the first three minutes, as his dipping cross came off the top of the crossbar and had to be cleared by Marcelo.

But Benzema promptly marked his return with a moment for the Santiago Bernabeu to savour. Bale bent a right-footed cross into his path and the France international blasted a half-volley past Rico from 12 yards to give Madrid the lead.
Rico denied Bale a second as he stretched a fingertip to turn the Wales forward's low shot onto the post, before Bale turned in Cristiano Ronaldo's header only to be unjustly flagged for offside.

Ronaldo twice had Rico at full stretch after cutting in from the left but Raphael Varane handed Sevilla a way back into the match when he grabbed hold of Adil Rami's shorts in the penalty area, only for Navas to save low to keep out Gameiro's spot-kick.

Madrid pushed for a second after the break and Ronaldo was given the chance to do just that after Luka Modric's charge into the area was halted by Jose Antonio Reyes, but the Portuguese blazed the resulting penalty over the bar.

Toni Kroos rasped a half-volley just wide and Bale nodded a corner onto the crossbar when unmarked six yards from goal, before Gameiro swept home Tremoulinas' pass only to see the offside flag rule out his equaliser.Just two minutes later, Madrid finally found a way through. Danilo placed a low cross towards the far post, where Ronaldo was on hand to bundle the ball home and give his side some breathing space.

And Bale made it 3-0 almost immediately afterwards, as Benzema chipped Ronaldo's pass over Rico to allow the ex-Tottenham man a simple finish which took him to 43 goals in La Liga - the highest tally reached by a British player.

Sevilla pushed forward for a consolation and came close through Gameiro's fierce drive which fizzed over the bar, but Jese capped the victory as the ball broke back into his path after he tried to tee up Ronaldo, allowing him to sweep low past Rico from six yards.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Milan 1-1 Lazio: Early goals through Parolo and Bacca sees hosts held

Milan and Lazio played out a 1-1 draw at San Siro that does little for the ever-declining continental qualification hopes of either side.Marco Parolo, who scored twice against Milan last season, headed Lazio ahead from an early corner but the visitors' lead was short-lived.

Carlos Bacca hit back with a fine drive within six minutes to level the scores and Giacomo Bonaventura had a series of chances, but was unable to find the winning goal, while Senad Lulic was dismissed with six minutes to go for a second bookable offence.

Goalkeepers Federico Marchetti and Gianluigi Donnarumma were both in excellent form to ensure that the spoils were shared, which increases the pressure on beleaguered Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, especially as club owner Silvio Berlusconi was in attendance.

The draw leaves Milan 11 points outside the Champions League places, while Lazio, who were eliminated from the Europa League in midweek, remain two spots and seven points below the Rossoneri in the table after playing out an eighth successive draw away from home in all competitions.

Donnarumma, called up to the Italy Under-21 squad for the first time this week, took his place in the Milan goal after recovering from a head injury sustained last weekend, while on-loan Alessandro Matri started for Lazio against his parent club.The visitors built up early pressure and forced a string of corners after Antonio Candreva's strike deflected onto the roof of the net.

Lazio opened the scoring from that succession of set-pieces after eight minutes, Parolo rising highest and powerfully heading in Lucas Biglia's precise cross.Bacca equalised six minutes later, the Colombia international breaking a run of four games without a goal or even a shot on target.

Luiz Adriano did superbly to hold the ball up inside the penalty area and Bacca latched onto his lay-off to thunder a terrific strike into the bottom corner with the outside of his right boot.

Bonaventura's header deflected wide after 27 minutes before Bacca's shot from a tight angle bobbled off-target and Bonaventura then smacked the crossbar with a 25-yard free-kick in the closing minutes of a frantic first half.

Seconds after the restart Bacca's shot was blocked by Marchetti and the goalkeeper tipped over a thumped drive from Bonaventura as Milan started the second half on top.Donnarumma made a fingertip save to deny Felipe Anderson after 66 minutes as Lazio sought the decisive goal to earn their first win at Milan in Serie A since 1989.

Marchetti made a brilliant stop moments later from Bonaventura's close-range volley as the hosts pressed but, even after Lulic earned a second booking for hauling down Keisuke Honda, Mihajlovic's men could not make the breakthrough and the points were shared.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Victory over Man City worth 'more than three points' – Carrick

Michael Carrick declared Manchester United's 1-0 derby victory over Manchester City was about far more than three points in the context of their season.

Marcus Rashford scored the only goal of the game as United secured a win that takes them to within a point of City in the table and puts them firmly back in the race for the top four.

Louis van Gaal's side have faced a difficult week, having only just salvaged an FA Cup replay against West Ham before being knocked out of the Europa League by fierce rivals Liverpool on Thursday.And Carrick admits that winning at the Etihad Stadium could be pivotal in helping United salvage something from a disappointing campaign so far.

"It was a good first half, a great goal from Marcus, an unbelievable finish," he told Sky Sports. "It has been a tough week. there were bodies cramping out there.

"It was a great result and a good way to bounce back from Thursday night. It is more than three points, as it was a must-win today."It gives us a real boost, something to go at and momentum for the final stages of the season."

Morgan Schneiderlin was keen to heap praise on Rashford's all-round contribution and insists his side fully deserved their victory."It's amazing for him," he said. "It's not just because he scored, it's his whole game, the way he keeps the ball up front. He's a great prospect for Man United. We're very happy for him.

"We deserved the win. In the first half we didn't let them play, we did some good pressing and we had a few chances."The legs were a bit tired but we showed good character and mental strength. We're very happy to win, especially for the fans, and we're closing he gap to third and fourth.

"It can change from one week to another but we are confident we can do it. A club like United must be in the Champions League."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

PSG 0-2 Monaco: Visitors spoil champions' title party

Newly-crowned Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Monaco courtesy of a couple of defensive blunders leading to goals in quick succession on Sunday.

Laurent Blanc's men surged to their fourth straight league crown little over a week ago, but still put out a near full-strength starting XI to battle their fierce rivals.

However, les Parisiens were unable to find their breakthrough and it was instead Monaco who bided their time to strike, Vagner Love capitalising on slack marking from David Luiz to silence the Parc des Princes crowd.

Luiz was culpable again as the visitors doubled their lead three minutes later, the defender hauling down Fabinho inside the box for the latter to step up confidently to the spot and dispatch a Paneka to seal the win.

Leonardo Jardim's men had travelled north boasting an impressive record of just one defeat in their last 12 league games against the capital club, but they looked destined to suffer a heavy defeat having been totally outplayed in the first half. They were a different side after the break, however, with Love's close-range finish and Fabinho's penalty securing their first win in four games and extending the gap between themseleves and third-placed Nice to five points.

PSG almost took the lead in the fourth minute when Edinson Cavani saw his volley from a Marquinhos cross brilliantly parried at point-blank range by Danijel Subasic.

In the ensuing scramble, Zlatan Ibrahimovic did manage to force the ball into the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.Moments later, Cavani came within inches of sliding home a superb ball whipped across the face of goal by Angel Di Maria.

Monaco's five-man defence was really struggling to cope with PSG's attacking movement and survived another scare on 21 minutes when an intricate passing move created an opportunity for Cavani, but Ricardo Carvalho managed to block the Uruguayan's goalbound strike.

Cavani's next effort was an acrobatic bicycle kick that flashed over the bar and, shortly afterwards, only Elderson Echiejile's head kept Di Maria's shot from finding the net.

The occasional breakaway apart, the visitors found themselves on the back foot for the entire first half and would have been delighted to go into the break on level terms. Monaco improved significantly at the start of the second half, however, as PSG seemed to take their foot off the gas.

Tiemoue Bakayoko and Thomas Lemar both drew saves from Kevin Trapp before Love stunned the home fans by firing his side in front on 65 minutes.
Lemar raced away down the left and drilled in a low cross which the former CSKA Moscow striker converted from close range.

Three minutes later, Fabinho made it 2-0 from the penalty spot. Luiz was too casual in trying to clear his lines and, after being dispossessed by Fabinho, hauled the Brazilian down.

The 22-year-old took responsibility himself and calmly sent Trapp the wrong way.
Ibrahimovic and Cavani both went close with late headers for the hosts, but Monaco held out to secure a hard-earned victory in the champions' back yard.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal: Europa League exit will help Manchester United

Manchester United's Louis van Gaal has praised his players for battling to a derby win just three days after taking on Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford helped the side bounce back from Europa League disappointment in perfect fashion, as his goal downed Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. And Van Gaal highlighted the strength of his team for playing again in such a short time frame.

“We played a very good first half with a goal and also had more chances and we didn’t receive a lot of chances against us,” he told Sky Sports.

“In the second-half we had to start again, we started well but after that we had to fight till the end because we were tired from playing on Thursday. They played on Tuesday so that is two days more rest which is important.

“I am a very proud manager today. This victory was necessary, the gap was four points and now is one point, plus we are equal with West Ham which is important, what is possible? I cannot say. “We do not have Thursday matches now and that is a positive thing.”

With just eight games remaining, the two Manchester sides look set to battle fiercely for the last Champions League place along with West Ham.

City currently hold the initiative with 51 points, with the Hammers and United following on 50.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

4th Place Battle

CITY
West Ham
Manchester United​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid ready for 'special' Clasico - Zidane

Real Madrid proved they are ready for the Clasico with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Sevilla, according to coach Zinedine Zidane.

Goals from Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Jese Rodriguez saw Madrid close to within a point of second-placed Atletico Madrid after their defeat to Sporting Gijon.

Madrid's first game after the international break is against La Liga leaders Barcelona at Camp Nou on April 2 and Zidane is full of confidence ahead of that showdown given the standard of their display on Sunday.

"I'm very happy with the game. We've had one of the best weeks in terms of training. This is the fruit of the players' labour. We played one of the best games since I've been here," he said.

"Every game is different, I'm counting on every player until the end. Everyone is important."We can do great things playing like this and the players know that, but in football every game is different.

"Clasicos are always special. We have to keep improving and it was important to head into it with a victory. We're ready, it'll be a great game."

Zidane paid special tribute to Benzema - who scored just six minutes into his first appearance since January - and goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who capped a fine display when he saved Kevin Gameiro's penalty."Benzema played very well. He helped us a lot with a magnificent goal. I'm very pleased with his performance," Zidane said.

"We need Keylor and it's important to have a goalkeeper like him."Barca's 2-2 draw with Villarreal means Madrid are back to within 10 points of the leaders, but Zidane maintains his side's aim over the remaining eight games is simply to overhaul Atletico in second.

"The objective is to move above Atletico," he said. "Now we're a lot closer. We have to have consistency in what we do. The attitude is fantastic, but sometimes we're missing consistency across the whole game, although that's part of football."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal keen to play down Schneiderlin showing

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal intends to be sparing in his praise of Morgan Schneiderlin after the midfielder impressed in Sunday's 1-0 derby win over Manchester City.

United closed to within a point of their fourth-placed rivals in the Premier League table, as Marcus Rashford's coolly taken 16th-minute strike was enough to secure a battling triumph.

Schneiderlin helped to drive United forward during the early stages but the majority of the France international's work came as he broke up play and protected his defence from mounting City pressure.

However, Van Gaal remains wary of lauding Schneiderlin, after the players' form fell away the last time he did so.

"I don't have to say that too loud because the last time I said I am very happy for Morgan Schneiderlin, after that he played not so well," the Dutchman said, before arguably going against those instincts.

"But he played a very good match. He was a lot of times available to receive the pass but also defensively was very firm and strict and he played also a very important position in midfield.

"I was very happy especially because I had to rotate. [Marouane] Fellaini could not play the fourth game in a row."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kalin ta wada hodata Schneiderlin play karanawa​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Conte tight-lipped on Chelsea links

Italy coach Antonio Conte has refused to be drawn on reports linking him to the managers' job at Chelsea, insisting he will remain fully focused on his role with the national team until the end of Euro 2016.

Conte has emerged as the front-runner to replace Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge this summer and announced last week that he would step down as Italy boss following this year's tournament in France.

Speaking ahead of his country's forthcoming international friendlies against Spain and Germany, Conte maintains that he will not be distracted by the prospect of taking the next step of a highly regarded career in the Premier League.

"[Moving to] England? I am not fascinated by anything right now. I am focused on the national team," he said.

"This experience helped me to improve myself.

"It has been a fantastic and extraordinary experience, I've always envied coaches who represented Italy.

"Now it's my turn, and I'm happy. We'll try to work as usual."

Conte has also defended his decision to confirm his forthcoming departure, although he admits it was a decision reached with some difficulty.

"I was, quite rightly and correctly from all points of view, asked to clarify my position before the Euros, as the contract would have expired automatically," he explained.

"I thought well and pondered the decision and from the moment I was 100 per cent sure of what I felt inside I informed [FIGC president Carlo] Tavecchio - the person who wanted me here and chose me. I informed him of my decision in a calm manner.

"I was conflicted because it's difficult to leave a group which is working so well.

"I will listen to my heart, like I did when I accepted the Italy job."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ranieri stay could keep Kante, Mahrez and Vardy, says Schwarzer

Claudio Ranieri's future could make all the difference in whether Leicester City are able to keep star players such as N'Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy at the end of the season, according to goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.The 64-year-old manager has guided the Foxes to a shock position at the top of the Premier League with only seven matches remaining.

Schwarzer - Leicester's number two shot stopper behind Kasper Schmeichel – feels that the Italy job soon to be vacated by Antonio Conte after Euro 2016 would be one that tempts Ranieri if he is offered it.

But Schwarzer underlined the importance of Ranieri staying at Leicester, which he feels could keep some of the stars who have helped them to the top-flight summit.
"Players really like him and really admire him for his passion, dedication and wisdom," the 43-year-old keeper said to Sky Sports.

"It is vitally important [for Leicester to keep Ranieri]. He has taken them to a completely different level."There are certain factors Leicester are going to have to deal with at the end of the season. Firstly, the manager, whether he stays or goes. He is at the stage of his career where he may never move on to bigger or better things.

"He has been mentioned for the Italian job and if that were offered to him - that would be a difficult one to turn down because it is such a prestigious job."He will be key to keeping hold of players such as Jamie Vardy, who has recently signed a new contract, Riyad Mahrez, N'Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater.

"There will be clubs really starting to take notice of these players and putting them on a list of players they might want to try and sign this summer."Leicester will have to do all they can to hold onto these players and try to build further."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Caballero reveals Demichelis anguish after Manchester derby horror show

Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero has revealed Martin Demichelis' state of mind after his horror show against Manchester United on Sunday.

Demichelis was left for dead as Marcus Rashford raced through to score the decisive goal, was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a foul on the young striker and also played a short back-pass to Joe Hart, which had the goalkeeper scrambling and resulted in a month-long lay-off for the England international.

The veteran centre-back was substituted not long afterwards, with City boss Manuel Pellegrini citing "nerves" as the reason for his withdrawal, and Caballero has shed some light on a chastening afternoon for his compatriot.

"I know Martin well and he is a really professional player," he told reporters. "Unfortunately, he feels really bad now about himself, and about the game, but he now has to go to Argentina for the international games, so I wish him all the best.

"We are a team, and when I have made a mistake and we have lost, I feel the same. The most important thing is not who makes mistakes, but who tries to react for the team.

"In this case it could have been Martin, but everyone makes mistakes during the season. We are a team and have to react, and to take our chances."

Caballero received a warm reception from the Etihad Stadium crowd when he replaced the stricken Hart on Sunday.

That represented something of a reversal of fortunes for the 34-year-old, who was an unpopular choice with many City fans when he was named in Pellegrini's starting line-up for the League Cup final against Liverpool.

But although he secured hero status after saving three shoot-out penalties at Wembley, he insists his confidence in his own ability has not altered as he prepares to deputise for Hart.

“I feel the same, that it's a great opportunity for me if I play," he added. "I don't feel any different after Wembley – I have always felt that I could play, and have always tried to do my best. Sometimes I could, sometimes I couldn't, but I have been training really hard and I feel comfortable.

"Winning at Wembley was a great achievement for me and for the club, but maybe I saw a difference in the papers and on the TV. I feel the same, though, as I did before the final.

“Maybe I got lucky, but now I have to just make sure I am ready if the boss needs me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sergio Romero quashes Man Utd exit rumours

Manchester United's Sergio Romero has insisted he is not considering a move away from Old Trafford, despite seeing his chances severely limited behind David De Gea.

The Argentina No. 1 joined the Red Devils in the summer, but after De Gea's transfer to Real Madrid fell through in bizarre circumstances on deadline day he has played second fiddle behind the ex-Atletico man.

Romero, however, is adamant he is committed to United even if he has barely featured for the first team.

"Nobody has talked to me, it came out in the press and that's it, I am focused on Manchester," Romero told reporters on arriving in Buenos Aires, when asked about rumours linking him to River Plate.

"In the games I have had to play I have proved I can do it. My dream is to grab that net and defend it and coming back to Argentina has not crossed my mind."

Despite his lack of club action, Romero has kept his place as Argentina coach Gerardo Martino's preferred goalkeeper.

And he is determined to keep that spot by impressing in the latest round of World Cup qualifiers, against Chile and Bolivia.

"I am in great shape, mentally and physically," he said.

"It depends on Tata [Martino] whether I play or not but I am ready to play."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Harry Kane must be the first name on England's team sheet - Shearer

Free-scoring Tottenham striker Harry Kane should be Roy Hodgson's first-choice pick to lead the England attack at this summer's Euro 2016 tournament in France, according to former Three Lions captain Alan Shearer.The 22-year-old scored a brace in a 3-0 win for Spurs against Bournemouth on Sunday to make him the Premier League's top scorer with 21 goals.

And Shearer believes Kane's stunning form this season - which is a continuation of his remarkable breakthrough campaign last year - makes him the ideal candidate to lead the line for England this summer.

"Harry Kane should be the first name on the team sheet for England. I don’t think anyone can argue with that," Shearer said via his Coral blog.

"The questions now are who plays with him if you play two up front? If you don’t, then who plays behind him?"

Shearer was also complimentary of Kane's fellow countrymen at Spurs, before adding his belief that the striker will go on to become a Premier League great.

"The England guys for Spurs were brilliant. Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Eric Dier, Harry Kane and Dele Alli were all absolutely superb."Kane is just 22 years old and already has 45 Premier League goals to his name and counting. He’s a top quality player and he’s going to be around for a long time."