..::Football III::..

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Jones, Young return from injuries for United U21s

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal's hopes of a strong finish to the season received a boost on Monday as he watched Phil Jones and Ashley Young end their injury lay-offs in Under-21 action.

The pair had been sidelined since January due to respective ankle and groin problems but returned in United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford.Injury-plagued defender Jones completed 76 minutes in an unconvincing display in front of Van Gaal and United assistant Ryan Giggs in the directors' box.

Young, however, fared much better as he played out the entire match, staking his claim for a spot in United's squad for the trip to Premier League high-flyers Tottenham on Sunday.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who has not featured for Van Gaal's side since February, also saw out the match, which ended United U21s' 100 per cent home record in the league.

 

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UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals 1st Leg Fixtures 2016.04.05

UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals 1st Leg Fixtures 2016.04.05

Bayern Vs Benfica

Barcelona Vs Atletico Madrid

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Herrera excited by Rooney's imminent United return

Ander Herrera believes the return of captain Wayne Rooney will be a major boost in Manchester United's bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Rooney has been out of action since February with a knee injury, but the England international recently revealed that he is close to making a comeback.

United are fifth and just one point adrift of rivals Manchester City with seven matches remaining, and Herrera is confident Rooney's return can bring the best out of the team's other forwards as they chase a Champions League place.

"Wayne is the top scorer for us this season and he usually is the top scorer of this club," Herrera told reporters. "We are going to count on him hopefully for the next game, so it is better for everyone.

"I always say that when you have competition in the team it is better for everyone in the team. It is going to be better for Anthony [Martial], it is going to be better for Marcus [Rashford], it is going to be better for Jesse [Lingard] - players who can play there.

"When you see that you can lose your position, it is better. Even for me. I think I give my best when I feel that my position is not secure, so I think it is better for everyone."

 

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Man City goalkeeper Hart trains ahead of PSG clash

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has taken part in training ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

The England international suffered a calf injury against Manchester United in March and missed Saturday's win over Bournemouth as Willy Caballero deputised.

But City have confirmed the former Birmingham City man returned to training on Tuesday, suggesting he could be available for the trip to Parc des Princes.

Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure remain doubts after both missed training while Raheem Sterling will definitely be out after he also picked up an injury in the derby defeat to United.

 

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Napoli rocked by four-game Higuain ban

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has received a four-game ban for his altercation with a referee during last weekend's 3-1 defeat against Udinese.

The Argentine's suspension represent a hammer blow to Napoli's Serie A title hopes with the league's top scorer now due to miss upcoming games against Verona, Inter, Bologna and Roma.

Higuain was shown a second yellow card with 15 minutes remaining for kicking out at Felipe, prompting the striker to scream at and put hands on the referee.

The 28-year-old continued to remonstrate with the official and had to be forced from the field in tears by team-mates and opposition players.

The Italian football authorities have come down hard on the Serie A top goalscorer, banning him for the next four games and handing him a €20,000 fine, with just seven matches of the season left.

The striker was defended by Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri after the game, who insisted that "the league has seen much worse".

Napoli currently sit six points behind Serie A leaders Juventus with seven games remaining. Higuain has netted 30 of his side's 63 league goals this term.

 

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Costa to Atletico 'almost impossible' - Cerezo

Diego Costa is unlikely to return to Atletico Madrid from Chelsea, according to the Liga club's president Enrique Cerezo.

Costa, who is currently serving a three-match suspension, has been linked with a move back to Atletico in recent weeks amid speculation that he is unsettled at Stamford Bridge.

The Spain international scored 64 times in 133 games for Atletico, helping the club to the 2013-14 La Liga title before joining Chelsea, but Cerezo believes it is “almost impossible” to negotiate with Chelsea and therefore can't see a return on the cards for Costa.

"He has a contract with Chelsea," Cerezo told Al Primer Toque Onda Cero. "There are many times when, as much as a I want a player, there is a contract."To negotiate with Chelsea can be really tough, almost impossible."

Costa, who was dropped by Spain for their recent international friendlies against Italy and Romania, is at Chelsea alongside another former Atletico fans' favourite in Radamel Falcao.

The Colombia international's loan spells with Manchester United and Chelsea from Monaco have failed to take off due to form and fitness woes.Falcao was an unused substitute for Saturday's 4-0 win over Aston Villa, having scored once in 11 competitive appearances for Chelsea – the last of which came last October.

But Cerezo rubbished the idea that Falcao has been offered to Atletico in a bid to resurrect his career."Radamel Falcao? He’s been injured and we don't know the extent," Cerezo added.

"Nobody has offered Falcao to us. If his agents have been in contact with the club, I don't know about it."

 

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Martial refuses to entertain Mourinho to Manchester United talk

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is adamant that rumours suggesting Jose Mourinho could replace Louis van Gaal as manager next season are not affecting his performances.

Recent reports have suggested United are ready to appoint former Chelsea boss Mourinho as their new manager following a hit-and-miss campaign under Van Gaal.

Martial's form since joining from Monaco in September has been a rare highlight for United this season, and the France forward insists his focus is on giving his all for Van Gaal and not a potential change in the dugout."Mourinho? As long as the current coach is there, I don't think about it," the 20-year-old told France Football.

"If Mourinho must arrive, he will arrive. But for the moment the coach is still there.
"Every coach has their good and bad sides. Van Gaal has given me a lot of confidence and I try hard to pay it back to him every day."Martial has scored 13 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions for United this season.

 

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Ibrahimovic: City have fantastic players

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Manchester City have the quality to hurt Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

City travel to the French capital on Wednesday for the first leg of their maiden quarter-final tie in Europe's premier competition on the back of an inconsistent campaign domestically.Ibrahimovic is likely to provide PSG's major threat in the tie, with the 34-year-old striker boasting 38 goals from 41 appearances this term.

Famously outspoken when it comes to the merits of opposing teams and players, Ibrahimovic gave credit to City – likening their development under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour to PSG's after his own club were bought by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011.

He identified Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure as key performers for Manuel Pellegrini's side, although his former Barcelona team-mate Toure is an injury doubt for Wednesday's match.

"They are a similar project to PSG with a few more years of experience," the Sweden international told UEFA.com.

"They are a good team, a very good team. They have had a lot of success in the years since the project began and they have fantastic individual players.

"I played with Yaya Toure. I like him, I like him a lot. And then you have Silva, Aguero – the whole team is strong. You don't watch out for one [particular player], you need to watch out for the team."

Ibrahimovic has confirmed his intention to end a trophy-laden spell at PSG when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.But, despite already having the Ligue 1 title in the bag, he is fully focused on the task at hand against City and feels in prime form having scored in both legs to knock Chelsea out in the previous round.

"I am coming into the quarter-finals very relaxed," he said. "The game is obviously pretty important for everybody – for me, for the club, for the city, for the country – but I am pretty relaxed and confident.

"I feel fresh – physically I feel good, very focused and confident."

 

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Simeone: I imagine I'll return to Inter in the future

Diego Simeone says he expects to take charge of Inter in future but admits he is happy at Atletico Madrid at the moment.

The former Argentina midfielder has been linked with a number of major European clubs as a result of his impressive four years at the Vicente Calderon, though Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has said he expects him to remain in charge "for a long time".

Simeone is in no hurry to call time on his spell in La Liga but admits he is tempted by the prospect of a return to San Siro, where he won the Uefa Cup in 1998 as a player.

"During my career I expect to go to many places, whether it is now or in the future," he told Sport Mediaset . "Not right now, because I am happy here, but there will be an opportunity to return to Milan."It is not a dream. It is a situation I have imagined, just like how I imagined that I would return to Atletico."

Simeone, linked with Chelsea earlier this season, has stated previously he would consider taking charge of Lazio, a club with whom he enjoyed a hugely successful playing spell.The 45-year-old signed a new deal with Atleti last year, which expires in 2020.

 

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Arsenal tracking AC Milan starlet Locatelli

Arsenal are interested in highly rated AC Milan midfielder Manuel Locatelli, Goal understands.

The 18-year-old is considered to be one of the most promising Italian players of his generation and has been hailed as "Milan's playmaker of the future" by the club's honorary chairman, Silvio Berlusconi.

According to sources in Italy, the Gunners have been tracking Locatelli for several months, with manager Arsene Wenger having been impressed by the youngster's talent.

While preliminary contact with the central midfielder's agent is said to have been made, the two clubs are yet to speak as it is understood that Milan are determined to keep hold of Locatelli, whom they expect to become a key player for them.

The Rossoneri have even given the teenager guarantees regarding first-team football, something Arsenal cannot match with the club seeing him as more of a long-term option.

Gunners first-team coach Neil Banfield, who has scouted European targets in the past, has run the rule over Locatelli personally, with the youngster frequently shining in the youth teams.

Locatelli is yet to make his Serie A debut for Milan despite being included in the matchday squad on eight occasions - the majority of which have been since the turn of the year - but has regularly turned out for the Milan and Italy youth teams and has shown enough to suggest he has a big future in the game.

 

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Napoli appeal Higuain four-game ban

Gonzalo Higuain's four-match ban is to be appealed by Serie A title hopefuls Napoli, the club's lawyer has confirmed.Mattia Grassani said an application to the Court of Appeals will be made after Higuain was dismissed in his side's 3-1 loss at Udinese on Sunday.

The defeat left Maurizio Sarri's side six points behind league leaders Juventus, with Higuain hit with a four-game ban after the striker put his hands on the chest of referee Massimiliano Irrati following his red card and having to be restrained and led away by team-mates."We have asked to make an application to the Court of Appeals over Higuain's ban," Grassani told ANSA. "When we have the paperwork we can precisely delineate our defensive strategy.

"After we receive the documents we'll have seven days to appeal, by reading the content of the report."

Grassani added that the appeal is not expected to be heard until late next week, meaning Higuain will miss Napoli's match against Serie A's bottom side Verona on Sunday.

 

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Bayern Munich 1-0 Benfica: Early Vidal strike puts Guardiola's men in charge

Bayern Munich will carry a 1-0 advantage into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Benfica after claiming a narrow success at the Alianz Arena on Tuesday.

Arturo Vidal gave Bayern the lead in the second minute, powerfully heading home a delicious Juan Bernat cross to put the Bundesliga champions in control.
But a second proved elusive, with Jonas twice coming close to equalising and giving Benfica a priceless away goal to take into the return game, which takes place at the Estadio da Luz next Wednesday.

The Primeira Liga leaders also had a penalty appeal rejected when a cross hit Bayern captain Philipp Lahm on the arm on the box.Benfica have not reached the semi-finals since the 1989-90 season and face a tough task to overturn their first-leg defeat, with Bayern seeking a last-four place for the fifth-straight year.

Pep Guardiola's team have now won 11 successive Champions League home games, extending their club record, while Benfica have now failed to beat the Bundesliga champions in seven attempts.

Guardiola had hailed Benfica's defence as the best in Europe before the game, but it took Bayern less than two minutes to break the visitors' resistance.

Bernat delivered a terrific left-wing cross into the box and Vidal made a late run into the box to head home a simple opening goal.

Douglas Costa tested Benfica's goalkeeper Ederson Moraes, who was deputising for injured fellow Brazilian Julio Cesar, after 10 minutes as Bayern dominated the early stages.

Thomas Muller forced another save from Ederson with a volley after 20 minutes, then Benfica had a penalty appeal rejected on a rare attacking foray when a sliding Lahm blocked a cross from close range with his arm.

An inventive chipped free-kick over the wall by Thiago Alcantara almost freed Muller before Vidal planted a header into the ground and just over the crossbar as the one-way traffic continued.Jonas, who was later booked and will miss the second leg, had Benfica's first shot on target after 55 minutes but it was well dealt with by Manuel Neuer, then Bernat's speculative shot went wide.

The visitors, who had won 19 of their last 20 games in all competitions, were pressing hard and Jonas had a close-range strike well blocked as Rui Vitoria's men sought a crucial away goal.

Ederson denied Franck Ribery with his legs after 80 minutes as Bayern looked to kill the tie off and Benfica could not break down a stubborn Bayern back line, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg.

 

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Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid: Catalans claw back victory thanks to lethal Suarez

Barcelona had Luis Suarez to thank as they battled back to a 2-1 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid, with the Uruguayan hitman netting both the hosts' goals in an enthralling contest.

Luis Enrique's side were still smarting from a 2-1 Clasico defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday, and Camp Nou was stunned into silence once more when Fernando Torres struck the opening goal of the game - and his 11th in 15 games against Barca - with Atletico's first shot on target after 25 minutes.

Torres made preserving his side's advantage far more difficult when he picked up a needless second booking just 10 minutes after scoring, and Barca began to turn up the pressure, with Lionel Messi close to converting a fine overhead kick and Neymar rattling Jan Oblak's crossbar.

Atleti's admirable resistance was eventually broken when Suarez steered home Jordi Alba's effort on 63 minutes, and the Uruguay striker finished off a fine team move 16 minutes from time to give Luis Enrique's side the lead with his seventh goal in five home Champions League games this season.

Diego Simeone's team have now lost seven games in a row against the European champions but will still consider themselves to be in with a chance of reaching the last four when the two reconvene at the Vicente Calderon next Wednesday.

Barca created the best early chance when Neymar headed over the crossbar from six yards out after rising highest to meet Dani Alves' cross from the right.Antoine Griezmann, deployed in a more central role, dragged a shot just wide of the near post, but Atletico were much more clinical moments later.

Koke prodded the ball behind Gerard Pique - who had stepped out to close the midfielder down - into the path of Torres, who struck a low shot home through the legs of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Griezmann was denied a second for Atleti as Ter Stegen got fingertips to his bouncing low effort from the edge of the area, but an increasingly frustrated Camp Nou was given a lift when Torres, who had earlier hacked down Neymar, was given a second yellow card for bundling over Sergio Busquets from behind.

Barca looked to up the tempo early in the second half. Messi chested down Neymar's cross before steering an overhead kick just wide of the far post, before the Brazilian curled an effort onto the crossbar from just inside the area.

Messi, subdued in the first half, looked far brighter against Atleti's 10 men, and he forced Oblak into a good low save to his left shortly after Filipe Luis did brilliantly to hook the ball away from the Argentinian's feet from two yards out.

Neymar bent another shot a whisker wide after cutting in from the left, but just as Barca were beginning to look frustrated once more, they found a fortunate equaliser. Alba miscued a volley from Alves' cross straight into the path of Suarez, who turned the ball into the net from point-blank range.

Barca, buoyed by their breakthrough, turned on the style to make it 2-1 with 16 minutes to play. The ball broke to Alves after a fine run from Messi, and his cross landed perfectly on the head of the unmarked Suarez, who powered the ball past Oblak's despairing dive.

Messi was denied a late penalty shout after tumbling under pressure in the crowded area as Barca were made to settle for a result which keeps the tie intriguingly poised ahead of the second leg.

 

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Ferdinand: Torres a disgrace & Simeone should destroy him!

Rio Ferdinand has criticised Fernando Torres after the Atletico Madrid striker was sent off during his side’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Barcelona.

The striker scored the opener to stun the hosts at Camp Nou but was given his marching orders after just 35 minutes after picking up a second yellow card for a clumsy foul on Sergio Busquets.

Barcelona went on to win the game against the 10-men of Atletico, with Luis Suarez scoring twice in the second half, and Ferdinand had no sympathy for Torres after the game.

"Tonight he was a disgrace really. He'll be embarrassed, he's let them down,”he told BT Sport.

“He's on a yellow already, why give the referee the opportunity to even think about giving him the yellow card? As a manager you destroy him in the changing room after."

Michael Owen was also critical of the former Liverpool man and felt that his sending off had cost his side dearly against Luis Enrique’s men.

"It's fascinatingly poised. This result wouldn't have been like it was if Torres hadn't have been sent off, I'm sure of that,” he added.

“He's cost his team big time tonight. He made a couple of shocking decisions. Both yellow cards, Barcelona players going nowhere. He's let everybody down."

 

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Torres red card was 'totally unfair', says Filipe Luis

Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis was left angry with Fernando Torres' red card in their 2-1 Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

Torres opened the scoring at Camp Nou with a clinical finish but collected two yellow cards in the space of six minutes in the first half for fouls on Neymar and Sergio Busquets.

Luis Suarez scored twice to secure a first-leg advantage for the European champions and, though he believes they are "still alive" in the quarter-final, Filipe Luis felt that referee Felix Brych's eagerness to reach for his pocket cost his side.

"It could be a lot worse but a lot better as well," he told BT Sport when asked for his view of the result. "The red card was totally unfair, it was his second foul and his second card. But it's not easy to play against Barca in the Champions League."We had to do an epic game. We have the second game so we have to be alive to that. We're still alive.

"They scored twice, they won the game, they did what they wanted. We tried to defend but we know it's really difficult, usually they'll have a chance and they had a lot of chances. Fortunately they only scored two."

The former Chelsea defender is confident Atletico have the strength in depth to replace Torres in the second leg at the Vicente Calderon but accepts they face a tough task to reach the last four.

"Torres is a brilliant guy, he scored a lot of goals against Barca, they're his favourite team, we'll miss him but we have other players who can play there," he added.
"It's possible, but it's really difficult."Club captain Gabi felt Atleti were the dominant side during the match until the dismissal of Torres.

"The sending-off was very harsh," he told Atresmedia. "Until then, we dominated the game."The first half was ours. The second was theirs, with the extra man."

 

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Neuer: Sometimes 1-0 has to be enough

Manuel Neuer was satisfied with Bayern Munich's performance after edging the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Benfica 1-0 at the Allianz Arena.

Pep Guardiola's side were in front within two minutes of kick-off on Tuesday when Arturo Vidal headed in a fine Juan Bernat cross, but the visitors were a regular threat on Neuer's goal.

The Bayern shot-stopper made an excellent save from prolific striker Jonas, who will miss the second leg through suspension after being booked, and the goalkeeper was happy with the result, which he compared to Bayern's 1-0 Bundesliga win against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday."It was just like in Frankfurt last weekend," Neuer said. "We only had a few good chances.

"Benfica’s defence did a good job. Their four-man defence works pretty well."Guardiola had described Benfica's defence as the best backline in Europe before the match, and Rui Vitoria's men held firm to stay in the tie ahead of next Wednesday's second leg.

"In the end we were unable to score a second goal, but sometimes a 1-0 has to be enough," Neuer reflected.Bayern are attempting to reach the semi-finals of the competition for the fifth successive season.

 

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Only Ibrahimovic knows where he will be next season, says Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc says only Zlatan Ibrahimovic knows where he will be next season.Ibrahimovic has yet to agree to a new deal at the Parc des Princes with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign.

The 34-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, with West Ham, Arsenal and Manchester United reported to be among those interested.

And speaking ahead of PSG's Champions League quarter-final first leg with Manchester City, Blanc told the media: "Concerning the future destination of Ibrahimovic, only Zlatan can answer.

"We have some players who are at the end of their contracts. You have to ask them about their futures, because they decide.

"Whatever the offers, when you are at the end of your contract, you have the luxury to choose your destination. "So these players will choose their destinations. We have to ensure that the destination is the good one."

 

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'I can't say what I think' - Simeone responds to Torres red

Diego Simeone would not risk criticising the officials over Fernando Torres' red card in Atletico Madrid's 2-1 loss to Barcelona on Wednesday.

Torres was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession by referee Felix Brych after putting the visitors ahead in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Camp Nou.

Defender Filipe Luis was left angry with the decision which led to Atletico playing just under an hour with 10 men, with Luis Suarez eventually scoring twice in the second half to secure the victory for the holders.

Simeone stressed he did not lay any blame at the feet of his striker and compared the incident to last season's Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid, when Brych issued a controversial second booking to Arda Turan minutes before Javier Hernandez scored the decisive goal.

"I'm not angry with Torres, for sure. It's for you to find out [if it was fair]," he told a media conference."It was similar to Arda Turan at the Santiago Bernabeu last year. The referees are there to decide."I'm not saying everything I want to say, that's for sure. I'm trying to think about what to say about the game and the refereeing."

Suarez escaped punishment for a kick out at Juanfran during the first half in an ill-tempered encounter, and Simeone said of the Barca forward: "It was more than two incidents, but I can't say what I think."

Simeone was nonetheless delighted with the application of his players and has backed the fans at the Vicente Calderon to cheer them to a comeback in next week's second leg."I feel very happy to be the coach of Atletico, hopefully these boys want to continue in this team," he added.

"Barcelona knew how to handle the ball in the second half, we were stuck in our area and it was more difficult to get out."We're alive. This will create expectation and hope in the people in Madrid. It will be a nice game.

"I'm happy for the team I have. It's a very difficult pitch and an extraordinary opponent. We'll look to turn it around at the Calderon and the fans will explode in song, I'm sure."

 

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Torres' red was decisive - Suarez

Luis Suarez admits Fernando Torres' red card was a big boost for Barcelona in their 2-1 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Torres opened the scoring at Camp Nou in the first half, before picking up two yellow cards in quick succession for fouls on Neymar and Sergio Busquets before the break.

Suarez scored twice in the second half to secure a victory for the holders, giving them a slight advantage ahead of the second leg of the quarter-final at the Vicente Calderon, and the Uruguay international said the sending-off proved to be key.

"It was decisive because everyone knows the quality player Fernando is," he told TV3. "He made two heavy fouls. It was a shame because it would have been good to have 11 against 11."Knowing that it would be a difficult game, we could have scored another, but they have to now get a goal there [in the second leg]."

Atletico boss Diego Simeone was left incensed on the sidelines when Busquets escaped a booking for a late lunge shortly after Torres' dismissal, and the game proved to be ill-tempered throughout, with the visitors issued eight bookings in total to Barca's three.

Suarez was also fortunate to escape punishment for a petulant kick out at Juanfran during the first half, but Barca technical director Robert Fernandez insisted afterwards that Atleti could have seen more players sent off in the second period.

"The referee has harmed both of us," he said. "A number of Atletico players deserved one more card. It was a difficult game to referee."The first goal calmed us down and gave us strength to look for the win. We knew it would be a very close game."

 

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Torres: This is one of the worst days of my football career

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres says his sending off against Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final tie was one of the lowest points of his footballing career. Torres opened the scoring for Atletico at Camp Nou in the first half on Tuesday but two yellow cards in quick succession saw him given his marching orders.

Barca were able to use their extra man to full effect, with Luis Suarez scoring twice in the second half to give the defending champions a 2-1 advantage going into next week's return leg at the Vicente Calderon.

"This is one of the worst days of my life as a footballer," the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker said. "I am sad to have left the team with 10 [men].

"In a way I feel responsible for the team not winning. I am certain that with 11 it would have been totally different."But I am proud to play in this team. The result is not all bad. At the Calderon, anything is possible."