..::Football IV::..

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Kompany out for four months, reveals Belgium physio

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will be sidelined for four months with his latest injury, Belgium's team physiotherapist has revealed.

The centre-back suffered a torn thigh muscle and damaged his groin in City's 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday, ruling him out of Euro 2016.

And now Belgium's national team physio Lieven Maesschalck has confirmed that he will miss the start of Pep Guardiola's reign at the Etihad Stadium, with a September return scheduled.

"Vincent Kompany is out for four months, but he will come back stronger," he told reporters.

The 30-year-old's absence from Guardiola's squad in the opening months of the 2016-17 season will increase speculation regarding defensive reinforcements for City.

It's possible that Jason Denayer will be brought back from his loan at Galatasaray, while interest in transfer targets Everton's John Stones and Athletic's Aymeric Laporte could increase.

Kompany has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season for Manuel Pellegrini, with the highlight coming in the League Cup final win over Liverpool.

 

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Barcelona 5-0 Espanyol: Catalans one step closer to retaining La Liga

Barcelona's quest to retain La Liga remains in their own hands going in to the last day of the season, after rivals Espanyol were dispatched 5-0 at Camp Nou.

Luis Enrique's men ensured there would be no repeat of the 2007 'Tamudazo' derby, where a draw in the penultimate match of the season allowed Real Madrid to win that year's league under Fabio Capello.

A brilliant early free-kick from Lionel Messi sent Barca on their way, before Luis Suarez scored twice in the second half to make it 11 goals from his last four league appearances.

Substitute Rafinha Alcantara and Neymar wrapped up the victory with strikes in the closing stages as Barca eased to a fourth straight win, in which they have scored 21 goals without conceding.

A good day for Barca got even better as closest rivals Atletico Madrid suffered shock 2-1 loss at relegated Levante to crash out of the title race, although Real Madrid defeated Valencia 3-2 and remain just a point off the pace.

Real are now the only team who can catch Barca, who go into the final weekend of the season knowing a win at Granada will ensure they are crowned champions again.

Barca's post-Clasico wobble is now well and truly behind them and they were on their way after eight minutes when Messi – who had won the free-kick himself – curled a magnificent effort into the top corner.

The hosts thought they had made it two a few moments later, but Ivan Rakitic was denied by the offside flag as he helped Messi's shot over the line in a crowded six-yard box after Suarez's initial effort had been saved.

Neymar came close with a free-kick of his own, while Felipe Caicedo shot straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen – starting in place of the injured Claudio Bravo in Barca's only change – at the other end.

Messi had a strong claim for a penalty turned down when Ruben Duarte appeared to trip him as he attempted to collect his own blocked shot in the area but Barca doubled their lead inside seven minutes of the restart when a loose pass from Pape Diop was seized upon by Dani Alves, allowing Suarez to take one touch and finish comfortably.

Suarez then netted his 37th league goal of the season just after the hour mark, freeing himself from the attention of Javi Lopez to head in Neymar's corner, and score the 1000th in this La Liga campaign.

With 16 minutes to go, Espanyol goalkeeper Pau inexplicably let a harmless Neymar cross find Rafinha at the far post, leaving him with the simplest of tasks to tap home his first league goal of an injury-interrupted season.

Neymar got on the scoresheet himself after 83 minutes, slotting home at the far post after Alves and Suarez combined impressively to create the opportunity, and Barca will travel to Andalusia next week hoping for an equally influential MSN display as they close on the title.

 

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Real Madrid 3-2 Valencia: Ronaldo double sees Blancos beat stubborn Che

A brace from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to a 3-2 win over Valencia that ensures they go into the final day of the Liga season as Barcelona's only challengers for the title.

Ronaldo's 48th and 49th goals of another prolific season, which sandwiched a Karim Benzema strike, earned Zinedine Zidane's side an 11th-straight league win to keep them within a point of champions Barca, who hammered Espanyol 5-0.

Victory moves Madrid above neighbours and Champions League final opponents Atletico, who lost 2-1 at already-relegated Levante to drop out of the title race, and means they visit Deportivo La Coruna next weekend knowing that a 12th win on the spin could see them overhaul Luis Enrique's team in the most dramatic of circumstances. Madrid were comfortable for much of Sunday's game at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Valencia indebted to goalkeeper Diego Alves for restricting Ronaldo and co to three goals.

Ronaldo opened the scoring with an excellent finish midway through the first half, before Benzema added a second shortly before the interval.

Valencia reduced the arrears early in the second half through Rodrigo - who was later sent off - but Ronaldo's 33rd Liga goal of the campaign just before the hour sealed the points, although Madrid did endure a nervy final eight minutes thanks to Andre Gomes' late goal.

Ronaldo struggled to get involved in the early stages, but he was on hand to break the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Just seconds after forcing Alves into a good save low to his right, Ronaldo collected Marcelo's pass and shot unerringly back across the keeper from 20 yards.

The out-of-favour James Rodriguez played as if he had a point to prove after being recalled to Zidane's starting XI, and an excellent free-kick delivery from the Colombian almost provided Madrid with a second soon after Ronaldo's opener, only for Sergio Ramos to nod wide.

Valencia should have been level when Joao Cancelo tamely side-footed over when it seemed easier to score, and the Portuguese's misery was compounded when he inadvertently set up Benzema for Madrid's second three minutes before the break.

Alves initially made a superb save from Benzema's flicked effort, before the ball rebounded off Cancelo and back to the Frenchman, who swivelled and tucked past Alves at his near post.

Madrid sought to put the game beyond doubt early in the second half but they were frustrated by Alves, who made a brilliant reaction stop from Benzema's powerful header.

However, Valencia skipper Dani Parejo served a warning when he clipped the crossbar with a free-kick that had Kiko Casilla well beaten, before the visitors pulled a goal back in the 55th minute.Raphael Varane failed to clear a low cross from the left properly, and Rodrigo side-footed home from 18 yards.

But Madrid restored their two-goal lead just four minutes later and, somewhat inevitably, it was Ronaldo who got the goal, as he latched onto a slide-rule pass from the impressive James and fired high past Alves with his left foot.

Ronaldo was then withdrawn for Alvaro Arbeloa, making his final Madrid appearance at the Bernabeu, before Gomes pulled one back and Rodrigo saw red for dissent in an eventful ending to an entertaining match.

 

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Levante 2-1 Atletico Madrid: Late Rossi strike ends Atleti's title challenge

Atletico Madrid's La Liga title dream ended with a shock 2-1 loss at relegated Levante on Sunday.

The result left Diego Simeone's men three points behind Barcelona, but Luis Enrique's side have a superior head-to-head record and cannot be caught by Atletico, while Real Madrid are now two points ahead of their cross-city rivals.

Simeone's charges were high on confidence after winning their last six league games and reaching the Champions League final – where they will meet Real – at the expense of Bayern Munich on Tuesday, but were brought down to earth with a bang as Giuseppe Rossi netted a late goal to shunt them down to third in the table.

The Argentine coach opted to rest star attacker Antoine Griezmann, with Angel Correa getting the nod alongside Fernando Torres up front as they took on opponents whose relegation had already been confirmed.

It was Torres who gave Atletico a stunning start with a goal after just two minutes, but the visitors were unable to push on at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia.

Levante fought hard to give their fans a fine farewell in their last home game of the season and Victor Casadesus levelled the scoring just past the half-hour mark.

Stefan Savic and substitute Griezmann had chances to win it for the away side after the break, but Levante eventually emerged victorious as Rossi scored late on to seal a remarkable win.

Atletico opened the scoring through Torres after just two minutes. Koke split Levante's defence with a clever throughball and the experienced striker lifted the ball over goalkeeper Diego Marino with a deft touch to net his 10th Liga goal of the season.

Levante first threatened in the 12th minute when Verza tested Jan Oblak with a powerful shot from outside the area that went straight at the Atletico goalkeeper, but it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous early on.

Torres was only denied by a last-ditch tackle from Juanfran, before the goalscorer fired just wide having cut inside from the left-hand side of the area, while he was unfortunate not to get his head to the ball after Marino missed Koke’s corner.

The first hint of a major surprise came in the 31st minute when Casadesus beat Oblak with a strong header from a searching Mauricio Cuero cross to level the scoring.

Atletico came close to restoring their lead when Savic diverted a header from Jose Jimenez just wide early in the second half after a corner from the right.

The home side could have taken the lead midway through the second half after Casadesus found Jose Morales with a lofted throughball, only for the midfielder to see his headed attempt land on the roof of the net.

The title challengers pushed hard for a second-half winner and Griezmann – who had replaced Correa at half-time – perhaps should have restored his side's lead after some good work from Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, but Marino pulled off a fine save to keep the score level.

Torres was next to be denied by the Levante goalkeeper, while Ferreira-Carrasco aimed inches wide from a dangerous position.

Rossi then struck in the closing stages of the game to stun Atletico, coolly slotting home after being set up by Morales to leave the visitors' focus firmly on European glory in Milan on May 28.

 

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Liverpool 2-0 Watford: Goals from Allen and Firmino enough for Reds win

Liverpool continued their excellent form at Anfield as goals from Joe Allen and Roberto Firmino completed a fine week with a routine 2-0 Premier League win against Watford.

The Reds steamrollered Villarreal 3-0 on Thursday to book a Europa League final against Sevilla in Basel, and they continued their strong domestic home form against the Hornets on Sunday.

The much-changed hosts took the lead deep in the first half when Allen timed his run perfectly to finish off Christian Benteke's cushioned header after quick thinking by Philippe Coutinho.

Firmino then sealed the points, beating Heurelho Gomes with a deflected strike, while Odion Ighalo had Watford's clearest chances, but the out-of-form forward saw his best effort saved superbly by Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool have now lost only one of their past 12 Premier League fixtures at Anfield and their top-six dreams are still alive due to their latest home win, while Watford remain 13th.

Ighalo almost opened the scoring with a spectacular strike after seven minutes, seizing on Allen's loose pass and sending a long-range lob just over the crossbar.
The young Liverpool side struggled for cohesion in the final third, but Coutinho provided a warning with a bending effort that just cleared the post.
And Jurgen Klopp's men took the lead after 34 minutes.

Watford were caught cold by a quickly taken free-kick as Benteke nodded Coutinho's cross into Allen's path and the Wales international beat Gomes to the ball, stabbing home with the game's first shot on target.

Coutinho should have doubled Liverpool's lead shortly after half-time, the playmaker miscuing his finish terribly after playing a one-two with Benteke.

Gomes then saved from Coutinho after more good link-up play with Benteke.Liverpool were indebted to goalkeeper Mignolet, who made a wonderful fingertip save to deny Ighalo after 55 minutes, the 16-goal striker's goalless run stretching to 12 league games.

Almen Abdi whipped a free-kick over the crossbar after 67 minutes as Watford, who have scored just four goals in their last nine away Premier League matches, sought an equaliser.Substitute Steven Berghuis then shot straight at Mignolet from an excellent position, but Liverpool's win was confirmed after 76 minutes.

Sheyi Ojo's pressing forced a mistake by Ikechi Anya, which led to Firmino advancing on goal, the Brazilian hitting a deflected shot that Gomes got a hand to and should have kept out, despite it taking a nick off Anya.

Benteke almost added the goal his industrious display deserved with eight minutes to go, but Gomes shovelled his shot around the post, then Jordon Ibe struck the outside of the woodwork as Liverpool cruised to victory.

 

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Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal: Top four hopes bashed in Pellegrini's send off

Manchester City were held to a 2-2 Premier League draw by Arsenal in Manuel Pellegrini's final home game, keeping Manchester United's hopes of Champions League football alive.

United cut the gap to City to one point by beating Norwich City 1-0 on Saturday and can now go a point clear of their neighbours with victory over West Ham on Tuesday following Sunday's entertaining game at the Etihad Stadium.

Sergio Aguero opened the scoring, netting for the sixth straight league game in the eighth minute, but Olivier Giroud's first goal in 16 Premier League appearances restored parity two minutes later.

The visitors were forced to withdraw Danny Welbeck shortly after with an injury that will likely give England manager Roy Hodgson cause for concern and City appeared poised to leapfrog Arsenal into third place and all but end United's top-four hopes when Kevin De Bruyne fired in from the edge of the area in the 51st minute.

However, Alexis Sanchez opened the door for United by converting at the end of a wonderful one-two with Giroud to score his sixth goal in his last seven league matches and put the Gunners five points clear of Louis van Gaal's men.

City could not find a way through the Arsenal defence for a third time and now face a nervous wait to see what United do in the final game at Upton Park ahead of their last-day trip to Swansea City.

Aguero broke the deadlock after City had spent the opening exchanges camped in Arsenal territory, delivering another demonstration of his finishing prowess with a fine strike from just inside the area.

The Argentina international met Fernandinho's clever knock down with a fierce shot past Petr Cech and into the bottom-right corner.

But Giroud responded almost instantly, taking advantage of some poor City marking to power Mohamed Elneny's corner beyond Joe Hart and break his duck after former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy had conceded the set-piece by heading a cross narrowly wide of his own goal.

Arsenal's cause was dealt a blow in the 21st minute as Welbeck limped down the tunnel, the striker appearing to injure his right knee during a battle for the ball with Bacary Sagna.

City had the better of the closing stages of the first half but struggled to created chances, however, six minutes after the restart De Bruyne restored the hosts' advantage with a fine solo effort, bursting in from the left and letting fly from the edge of the area.

Theo Walcott failed to find the finish to beat the onrushing Hart at the other end but Sanchez atoned for his team-mate's miss in superb fashion in the 68th minute.

The Chile forward linked up brilliantly with Giroud, who played Sanchez in to emphatically level matters with a confident finish.

De Bruyne then tested Cech with a curling free-kick before playing in Aguero with an exquisite chipped pass, only for the striker to send his half-volley wide of the left-hand post.

Arsenal held on despite Wilfried Bony striking the crossbar late on, meaning City's prospects of returning to the Champions League are now out of their hands.

 

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Knee injury threatens Welbeck's Euro 2016 hopes

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck was substituted off after picking up a knee injury versus Manchester City, with Jack Wilshere taking his place.

The 25-year-old forward has just recently returned from a long lay-off owing to a problem with his knee but was forced off the field inside the opening 20 minutes at the Etihad.

Manager Arsene Wenger refused to rule out his player taking part in the European Championship in France in June but was not forthcoming with confidence after the final whistle.

"Welbeck has a knee problem," he told Sky Sports. "He has a sign of a meniscus injury. We hope it's not that. Let's hope we have good news tomorrow"

Welbeck tussled with former Gunner Bacary Sagna in his wide-left position and felt his knee buckle during the coming-together with the France international.

The England attacker, who has won 35 caps for the Three Lions scoring 14 goals, was replaced by injury-prone midfielder Jack Wilshere after seeking medical attention.

His fellow international team-mate has featured in just six minutes of league football this term after injuring himself in pre-season.

The extent of Welbeck's injury is unknown with a scan set for Monday, but will be a concern for the player with Euro 2016 on the horizon.

 

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Pellegrini pays tribute to City fans after most snub lap of honour

Manuel Pellegrini paid tribute to the Manchester City fans, telling them not to change despite most leaving before the team's lap of honour after his final home game in charge.

Pellegrini is to be replaced by Pep Guardiola at the end of the season but could now leave having failed to secure a top-four finish after City's quest to clinch a Champions League berth suffered a setback with a 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne twice gave City the lead, only for the hosts to be pegged back on each occasion by Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez.

The result means Manchester United can now leapfrog City into fourth place if they win their game in hand away at West Ham on Tuesday.

Fans quickly departed the Etihad Stadium following the full-time whistle, with smatterings of supporters remaining to applaud Pellegrini - who has won one league title and two League Cups in his time with the club - and his players.

Speaking on the pitch afterwards, Pellegrini said: "It was not our way that we wanted to finish the season, we wanted to qualify for the final of the Champions League and win today [Sunday] for next season's Champions [League].

"[I've had] three wonderful years, unforgettable years, all I can say for the fans is thanks for all, I will never forget you and don't change."I'm sure next season you will be very successful in all the competitions. Thanks for all and I see you."

 

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'Wenger out' activist escorted from Etihad after banner altercation

Arsenal fans clashed in the Etihad Stadium away end during their encounter with top-four rivals Manchester City on Sunday, after an argument over a banner denouncing head coach Arsene Wenger.

The French boss has come under scrutiny from a small portion of fans in recent weeks, with a selection of the north London faithful voicing their frustration against West Brom at the end of April.

However, despite a select few criticizing Wenger's running of the club, the overall majority of Gunners fans appear to support the long-serving boss, resulting this week in an ugly scene against their Champions League rivals away from home.

A banner reading: "Arsene, thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye" was the catalyst for the scuffle, with the main protagonist seen turning round and confronting other fans sitting behind him in the stands.

Officials on duty had already removed several other banners which the group had attempted to sneak into the ground to put on display.

However, the supporters groups managed to unveil their banner attacking Wenger to the annoyance of the surrounding fan base.

One key member of the group was later escorted from the stadium following on from the altercation as Arsenal twice came from behind to save a point and further cement their top-four credentials.

 

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Verona 2-1 Juventus: Toni marks farewell with Panenka as Juve streak comes to an end

Legendary striker Luca Toni helped Hellas Verona spring an upset as he opened the scoring in a 2-1 defeat of Serie A champions Juventus on Sunday.

An astonishing run of 25 wins in 26 outings had led Massimiliano Allegri's men to a fifth straight Scudetto, but they were unable to cope with the 38-year-old Toni on Sunday.

The World Cup-winning striker announced this week that he would bow out after this game and he capped it in style, opening the scoring with a cheeky penalty just before the interval.Toni then also started the move that led to rock-bottom and relegated Verona's second goal, with Federico Viviani eventually finding the net.

Juventus - without a host of key players, including Mario Mandzukic, Paul Pogba, Alvaro Morata and Gianluigi Buffon - scored with the last kick of the game, a Dybala penalty.

But that only came after Alex Sandro's stoppage-time red card as Allegri was left to lament a poor showing immediately after extending his contract with the champions.

Verona did well to contain the Juventus attackers early on and they got the first chance of a tense match when Luca Marrone fired straight at goalkeeper Neto from the edge of the area and Toni hit the post following fine work from Luca Siligardi down the left.

Dybala should have put Juventus ahead shortly before the interval after dancing through the home defence, but the Argentina international aimed inches wide with only Verona goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini to beat.

And Toni got his goal in the 43rd minute when he beat Neto from the spot. Alex Sandro brought down Eros Pisano inside the area, leaving referee Fabio Maresca no other choice but to award a penalty and the 38-year-old coolly chipped the ball through the middle to open the scoring.

The home side continued to impress after the break and Viviani doubled the lead in the 55th minute with a superb finish, latching onto Artur Ionita's sublime pass from the right and thundering his shot in the top corner past a helpless Neto.

Urby Emanuelson was unfortunate not to make it three minutes later, volleying just wide, but Juve began to stir and Simone Zaza had a shot pushed onto the post before he found the net, only to be denied by the referee, who had spotted a push in the area.

There was good news for Juventus when Giorgio Chiellini came off the bench to make his comeback from injury, but he could not help them salvage a result, despite Dybala pulling one back in the last minute when he converted a penalty just moments after Alex Sandro received his second booking of the evening.

But it could not detract from Toni's moment. The striker earned an ovation from fans, team-mates and opponents alike as he was withdrawn in the game's dying embers before emerging to thank the crowd again upon the final whistle.

 

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Hiddink criticises Diego Costa over casual finishing

Interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has accused Diego Costa of being too relaxed in front of goal during their tie with Sunderland.

The Spain international opened the scoring at the Stadium of Light in the 14th minute before the Black Cats equalised through a stunning strike from Wahbi Khazri, but Nemanja Matic put Chelsea back in the lead on the stroke of half time.

The relegation threatened home side were buoyed by the crowd into a fantastic come back as goals from Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe finished off the Blues.Hiddink admits that Sunderland wanted it more and his Spanish striker was a culprit, having wasted a number of opportunities in front of goal.

“For them [Sunderland] it felt like that [they had a 12th man with crowd],” Said Hiddink. “It was not hostile, it was very enthusiastic but my players are experienced in that and they should have coped.“Yes, I think that is maybe the difference [Costa's casual finishing]. They desperately wanted this game and maybe we are a little bit too relaxed.

“In normal very, very tight situations he is used to scoring. He took too much time and when you take too much time they start thinking [they can win] then the moment is over.”

Chelsea couldn’t be accused of lacking passion in their last match with Tottenham after they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 and it has been nicknamed “The Battle of Stamford Bridge” - with 12 players getting booked but couldn’t replicate that spirit against the Black Cats.

Hiddink was complimentary about opposition forward Defoe, who scored the decisive goal and praised Sunderland’s ruthlessness. “Yes, that’s the case [Sunderland wanted the win more]. When you saw us playing first half but maybe they got 3 or 4 chances, Sunderland, and they materialised.

“You could say that they wanted it desperately and we wanted to win of course but you see a little bit of a lack of sharpness in finishing it off [from Chelsea].”Chelsea now face a record low points total for Premier League champions while Sunderland have hauled themselves out of the relegation zone.

 

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Herrera: Rooney's still world class… even if he is slower than Martial & Rashford!

Ander Herrera believes that Wayne Rooney is still world class, despite not possessing the pace of other Manchester United forwards.

Rooney was again the provider in the Red Devils’ win at Norwich, racking up his fifth assist of the Premier League season with a pass to Juan Mata, and despite his lack of goals this season, Herrera believes that his team-mate can be the difference in the race for fourth place."Wayne is a world-class player," Herrera told reporters after the game at Carrow Road.

"He’s a very good captain and he’s not selfish, so you always have to have Wayne in the team and in the dressing room. Some of the big players are so selfish sometimes but Wayne isn’t and that’s so important."

The Spain international believes that Rooney’s strengths are his selfishness and ability to create chances from deep; attributes which make up for the mobility that he has lost in recent years."I know Marcus [Rashford] and Anthony [Martial] are quicker, but we know Wayne’s qualities," said Herrera.

"He can assist, he can hold the ball very well and he can play as one midfielder more [an extra midfielder] when we have the ball. That’s important when you are a team that likes to be the protagonist in the game.

Goalscorer Juan Mata joined his team-mate in praising Rooney, claiming that he should be in Roy Hodgson's plans for Euro 2016."Wayne does not have anything to prove. He is a great player and will always be a great player. He can play as a striker, a winger and a midfielder as he has shown in the last few weeks," Mata is quoted as saying by the Mirror.
"I would imagine that [England manager] Roy Hodgson is very happy with the positions that Wayne can play in. Also with the experience he can bring to the dressing room."[Against Norwich] Wayne got an assist and showed very good movement. He played a great ball. Wayne is important for us no matter which position he plays in.

 

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Bernardo Ribeiro dies: Second player in two days passes away

Football has been hit by another tragedy as Brazilian Bernardo Ribeiro passed away on Sunday, after suffering a heart attack during a match in his native country.

Ribeiro, who played at Australia's Newcastle Jets and also enjoyed spells in Albania, Italy and Finland, was playing in an amateur match in Minas Gerais state when he collapsed.

The 26-year-old, who represented Friburgense in this year's Rio State Championship, was rushed to hospital but medics failed to revive him and he was pronounced dead on arrival.

"The Nova Friburgo sporting community is in mourning," his club said in a press statement.

"Friburgense Athletic Club says farewell to a great athlete and human being, loved by every single player, member of the technical staff, director and club official. Our deepest sympathies to the Frizao family and all the family of Bernardo Ribeiro."

Newcastle Jets and Michael Bridges, who played alongside Ribeiro in Australia, also paid tribute to the late footballer.

 

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R.I.P Bernardo Ribeiro!​

 

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Simeone proud of Atletico despite end of title dreams

Diego Simeone remains proud of Atletico Madrid's achievements this season after their La Liga title dreams came to an abrupt end on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Levante.

Atletico consequently dropped to third place in the table and can no longer catch leaders Barcelona on the last day as they sit three points behind Luis Enrique's men with an inferior head-to-head record.Nevertheless, Simeone - who served the second game of his three-match touchline ban - preferred to look at the positives of his side's season.

"I have told the players that I am proud of what they have achieved," Simeone was quoted as saying by AS. "What we have to do now is to try to finish second. If we cannot get second place, we will have to settle for third.

"We have been enjoying a great season and we have again been able to compete with Barcelona and Real Madrid - I am happy with that. "We were obviously missing something today. It hurts that we are out of the title race, but I am happy that we were battling for the title until the penultimate game.

"Levante deserved their win. I can only speak highly of them. This is the beauty of the game. Levante were already down, but they never stopped fighting. "A team that just played a Champions League semi-final can lose. But the game against Bayern on Tuesday is no excuse."

Atletico meet Celta Vigo next week, before they take on arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final at the San Siro on May 28.

 

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Ibrahimovic coy on PSG future

Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed to commit to Paris Saint-Germain when asked about his future at the Ligue 1 awards night on Sunday.The PSG striker has been central to the club’s dominance of the domestic scene, but faces an uncertain future with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Ibrahimovic has been linked with Premier League giants Manchester United as well as a return to his former club AC Milan.The Sweden international said while he was not actively seeking a return to Milan, he counted them as the biggest club he has played for and admitted he never wanted to leave them when PSG came calling.

"[My playing future] depends on others, not just me," Ibrahimovic said."What I want is to play, as for where that is, we will see. Soon you'll know everything and all this speculation will be over.

"I have a good relationship with Milan. I love Milan and in my view it's the biggest club I ever played for."I didn't want to leave Milan. My exit from Milan is the past and this is the future. Let's see what happens."Ibrahimovic took out the Ligue 1 player of the year award on the night, the third time he has won the award in four seasons.

The 34-year-old has scored 35 goals in 29 league appearances this season, helping PSG win a fourth successive title.PSG boss Laurent Blanc won coach of the year, while Steven Mandanda of Marseille was awarded the goalkeeper of the season.

Renne’s Ousmane Dembele won the young player of the year, and Angers midfielder Pierrick Capelle took out the goal of the season for his effort against Guingamp.

 

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Pellegrini: Man City have improved under me

Manuel Pellegrini insists Manchester City have improved under him, despite the fact that they could miss on securing Champions League football for next season.

Pellegrini's men drew 2-2 with Arsenal on Sunday in the Chilean's final home game in charge ahead of Pep Guardiola's arrival in the summer.

City's failure to beat Arsenal means finishing inside the top four is now out of their hands as Manchester United, who sit just two points behind in the Premier League table, have a game in-hand over their rivals.

But Pellegrini, who has lifted one league title and two Capital One Cups during his three-year spell in charge, is adament City have got better under his tutelage, particularly in the Champions League after reaching the semi-finals this season for the first time in their history.

"In my time here we have improved a lot in the Champions League,” Pellegrini told BBC. “Also, for me, it's been about our style of play. There have been a lot of positive things but we must qualify again for the Champions League this season."

City could be fifth before the final day of the campaign, should United move into fourth with victory over West Ham at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday.

Pellegrini felt his side deserved to beat Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium but while he couldn't his frustration at them failing to put distance between themselves and United, he has urged his charges to keep their heads up ahead of their final game against Swansea.

"We should have won that game, and I think we deserved it. We played very well. Our first 25 minutes were some of the bets here this season. But Arsenal's goals were good," he added."Things are now out of our hands but we will find out on Tuesday. We must keep our heads clean and chins up and try to win our last game.

"This is different to the game against Real Madrid. We wanted to reach the Champions League final but it was out first semi-final in that competition.”

 

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Ranieri: Leicester will be fearless in Champions League

Claudio Ranieri has vowed to play without fear when Leicester City debut in the Champions League next season.

By winning the Premier League, Leicester are certain to miss out on drawing some of the game’s biggest names in the group stage of next season’s competition, and Ranieri says his side will give the prestigious club tournament everything they can.

"I believe when the draw is made for the Champions League a lot of teams will want to play against us because we are in Europe for the first time and they think we are underdogs," Leicester manager Ranieri said."We are underdogs but we are dangerous. Underdogs can be dangerous teams.

"I am confident because this team three years ago won the Championship and the Championship is very tough. They run all the time."

Ranieri is headed for Italy at the conclusion of Leicester’s triumphant Premier League campaign, but admitted he will be on the lookout for players who can add to his title-winning squad as he looks to improve the team’s depth.

"I hope we can find good players and make some replacements because next season there will be three cups and the Premier League and it will be important to be able to make good changes and give some rest to the players," he said."I will ask for the same attitude, the same concentration. We know you can win or lose, but when I see the players play with such spirit I am happy."

 

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Sheringham: Man Utd lack fear factor under Van Gaal

Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham says his former club currently lack the killer instinct and fear factor of the teams he used to play in.Sheringham won three Premier League titles with United after signing from Tottenham in 1997 and was part of the famous 1998-99 treble-winning side.

That United team was one of many under Sir Alex Ferguson which had the ability to win games at the death and prevail when not particularly playing well because opposition sides felt intimidated.But Sheringham sees none of those characteristics in Louis van Gaal's current XI, and believes opponents now expect to get something out of games against United.

United are fifth in the Premier League table but have their Champions League destiny in their own hands with a game in-hand over fourth-placed Manchester City, as well as an FA Cup final to look forward to against Crystal Palace.

But Sheringham is more concerned about the Red Devil's style of play under Van Gaal, which he believes doesn't live up to the club's traditions."They are not really playing with the flamboyance you'd expect of a Manchester United team," Sheringham told Sky Sports.

"I used Leicester [City] as an example years ago when they were one of the struggling teams in the Premier League and if we went there and it was 0-0 with five minutes to go the Leicester fans would have still been absolutely delighted that they were holding Manchester United to a draw.

"It doesn't have that sort of feel to it at the moment. People feel they can beat United, who just don't have that scare factor. Teams think they can go there and get a result."That's not Manchester United's feeling. The feeling always was that we would take you on and blow you out of the water.

"You would have to try and live with us. Yes they are getting result and yes it's okay, but at Manchester United it has to better than that."

 

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Manchester United next thiyenne must win matches 2kak.Specially West Ham away match 1ke mona weida manda​