..::Football IV::..

[King GBN]

Lazio 0 AC Milan 0 (0-0 agg, 4-5 on penalties): Donnarumma the spot-kick hero
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Luiz Felipe missed wildly after Gianluigi Donnarumma made two crucial saves to book AC Milan's Coppa Italia final berth at Lazio's expense.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero as AC Milan won a dramatic penalty shoot-out 5-4 against Lazio to punch their ticket to the final of the Coppa Italia.

In a two-leg semi-final that failed to produce a goal, the Rossoneri's goalkeeper saved two spot-kicks before Luiz Felipe blazed over wildly in sudden death to hand the initiative to Milan.

That allowed Alessio Romagnoli, a boyhood Lazio fan and former Roma player, to coolly stroke home the winning penalty and spark wild celebrations from the visitors, who will now face holders Juventus in May's final in Rome.

For Donnarumma it marks the continuation of a dramatic season that has seen him involved in a love-hate relationship with Milan's supporters, who unfurled a banner telling the goalkeeper to "get out" in a 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Verona in December.

But the youngster was pivotal to their success at Stadio Olimpico, saving from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Lucas Leiva in the shoot-out, sparing the blushes of Ricardo Rodriguez and Riccardo Montolivo – who failed from the spot for Milan - as well as Nikola Kalinic after the striker missed a sitter in extra-time.

Gennaro Gattuso's side, who are 13 matches unbeaten, will now head into a huge week that takes in the Milan derby with Inter and the Europa League last-16 first leg against Arsenal, while Lazio will look to rebound against Juve in Serie A.

Donnarumma came to Milan's rescue twice in the early stages, first tipping Ciro Immobile's looping header from Senad Lulic's deep left-wing cross over the top before saving Lucas Biglia's low effort from an acute angle with his legs.

Milan were all at sea defensively and a woeful Rodriguez pass was picked off by Milinkovic-Savic, who curled narrowly wide from 25 yards.

The visitors finally worked an opportunity in the 18th minute when Suso finished a mazy run with a long-range daisy-cutter that Thomas Strakosha kept out.

Re-awakening from their mini slumber, Lazio once again forced the issue - Immobile almost turning home from near the right byline after Donnarumma gave up on a long ball from Lucas.

The goalkeeper made up for that error, though, saving low from Immobile's drive after a free-flowing Lazio move.

In a match of ever-shifting momentum, Milan nearly broke through in the 56th minute when Suso slipped Davide Calabria in on the right of the area, but Strakosha made the save.

The visitors spurned another great chance when Hakan Calhanoglu fired wide at the end of a lightning break.

Lazio were left incensed that the referee blew at the end of normal time with substitute Felipe Anderson on a counter-attack and their misery almost worsened when a deflected Calhanoglu free-kick forced the best out of Strakosha - Romagnoli somehow nodding wide inside the six-yard box from the resulting corner.

The biggest chance of the night came with three minutes of extra-time remaining, though, Kalinic played in one-on-one from a rapid counter only to blaze hopelessly over the crossbar.

That led to a shootout and after Strakosha saved from Rodriguez and Montolivo the omens looked bad for Milan.

Donnarumma emphasised his status as one of the best young keepers in the game, though, by keeping out Milinkovic-Savic and Lucas' efforts.

The next seven spot-kicks were scored before Luiz Felipe's woeful effort silenced the home fans, and Romagnoli kept his cool to seal a repeat of the 2016 final between Milan and Juve.

Key Opta Stats:

- This will be the second Coppa Italia final in the last three seasons for Milan and the 12th in their history.

- Milan have not conceded a goal in the last 584 minutes (all competitions).

- Lazio have not conceded goals in their last three Coppa Italia games - the last time they had such a run was in January 2004.

- Milan are unbeaten in their last 13 games (all competitions) – their longest run since December 2009.

- The last time Milan went to penalties in the Coppa Italia was in December 1995.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lazio 0 AC Milan 0 (0-0 agg, 4-5 on penalties): Donnarumma the spot-kick hero

Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero as AC Milan won a dramatic penalty shoot-out 5-4 against Lazio to punch their ticket to the final of the Coppa Italia.

In a two-leg semi-final that failed to produce a goal, the Rossoneri's goalkeeper saved two spot-kicks before Luiz Felipe blazed over wildly in sudden death to hand the initiative to Milan.

That allowed Alessio Romagnoli, a boyhood Lazio fan and former Roma player, to coolly stroke home the winning penalty and spark wild celebrations from the visitors, who will now face holders Juventus in May's final in Rome.




For Donnarumma it marks the continuation of a dramatic season that has seen him involved in a love-hate relationship with Milan's supporters, who unfurled a banner telling the goalkeeper to "get out" in a 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Verona in December.

But the youngster was pivotal to their success at Stadio Olimpico, saving from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Lucas Leiva in the shoot-out, sparing the blushes of Ricardo Rodriguez and Riccardo Montolivo – who failed from the spot for Milan - as well as Nikola Kalinic after the striker missed a sitter in extra-time.Gennaro Gattuso's side, who are 13 matches unbeaten, will now head into a huge week that takes in the Milan derby with Inter and the Europa League last-16 first leg against Arsenal, while Lazio will look to rebound against Juve in Serie A.

Donnarumma came to Milan's rescue twice in the early stages, first tipping Ciro Immobile's looping header from Senad Lulic's deep left-wing cross over the top before saving Lucas Biglia's low effort from an acute angle with his legs.

Milan were all at sea defensively and a woeful Rodriguez pass was picked off by Milinkovic-Savic, who curled narrowly wide from 25 yards.The visitors finally worked an opportunity in the 18th minute when Suso finished a mazy run with a long-range daisy-cutter that Thomas Strakosha kept out.

Re-awakening from their mini slumber, Lazio once again forced the issue - Immobile almost turning home from near the right byline after Donnarumma gave up on a long ball from Lucas.The goalkeeper made up for that error, though, saving low from Immobile's drive after a free-flowing Lazio move.

In a match of ever-shifting momentum, Milan nearly broke through in the 56th minute when Suso slipped Davide Calabria in on the right of the area, but Strakosha made the save.The visitors spurned another great chance when Hakan Calhanoglu fired wide at the end of a lightning break.

Lazio were left incensed that the referee blew at the end of normal time with substitute Felipe Anderson on a counter-attack and their misery almost worsened when a deflected Calhanoglu free-kick forced the best out of Strakosha - Romagnoli somehow nodding wide inside the six-yard box from the resulting corner.

The biggest chance of the night came with three minutes of extra-time remaining, though, Kalinic played in one-on-one from a rapid counter only to blaze hopelessly over the crossbar.That led to a shootout and after Strakosha saved from Rodriguez and Montolivo the omens looked bad for Milan.

Donnarumma emphasised his status as one of the best young keepers in the game, though, by keeping out Milinkovic-Savic and Lucas' efforts.The next seven spot-kicks were scored before Luiz Felipe's woeful effort silenced the home fans, and Romagnoli kept his cool to seal a repeat of the 2016 final between Milan and Juve.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Atletico Madrid 4 Leganes 0: Griezmann century piles pressure on Barca

Antoine Griezmann scored his 100th goal for Atletico Madrid, the striker hitting a hat-trick for the second game in succession as a 4-0 thrashing of Leganes moved Diego Simeone's men within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Griezmann scored all four goals to reach triple figures for Atletico as a sixth straight league win increased the pressure on the Catalan giants ahead of Sunday's crucial clash between the top two at Camp Nou.

With Barcelona due in action at Las Palmas on Thursday, Atletico needed a victory to cut the cushion enjoyed by Ernesto Valverde's side, and in-form Griezmann did the honours in supreme style.




The striker opened the scoring with a fine finish from Koke's superb throughball, having earlier been denied by the woodwork with a free-kick that curled a touch too much.Griezmann scored his next set-piece though, blasting into the top-right corner to net his 101st Atletico goal and ensure a 0-0 draw at Butarque earlier in the season was forgotten.

The striker wrapped up his treble with a powerful header from a left-wing Filipe Luis cross and struck his fourth from a Diego Costa centre to give a rampant Atletico further hope ahead of their weekend visit to Barcelona.


A Costa snapshot required a save from Ivan Cuellar in the first minute and Saul Niguez thumped a drive just wide as Atletico hinted at the dominance to come by making a rapid start.But Leganes should have taken the lead in the 11th minute, Javier Eraso missing from close range when he was found unmarked six yards out from a Gabriel Pires cross.

Atleti took heed of that warning and Griezmann was unlucky not to score with a cute free-kick that beat Cuellar but cracked the outside of the post.Griezmann, having scored a hat-trick against Sevilla on Sunday, would not be denied when he ran through on goal after 25 minutes, though.

Koke's superb first-time pass bisected the Leganes defence, with Griezmann staying cool to hold off captain Martin Mantovani and finish past Cuellar with ease to bring up three figures for Atletico in all competitions.

Griezmann's earlier set-piece proved a sighter as he doubled the Atletico lead before the break.From a similar position to the right of the D, Griezmann fired around the wall and into Cuellar's top-right corner, the goalkeeper unable to keep out the powerful strike.

Cuellar denied Griezmann his hat-trick before the half-time whistle, with Nordin Amrabat stinging the palms of Jan Oblak after the restart.

Griezmann was proving too hot to handle, however, with the striker completing his second treble in four days after 55 minutes.The Frenchman dummied a pass from Costa to allow Filipe Luis to run clear down the left and deliver a measured cross for the former Real Sociedad star to thump home a bullet header.Griezmann's 15th LaLiga goal of the season followed after 67 minutes, the striker beating Cuellar with a controlled volley from Costa's cross as Atleti ran riot.

Cuellar saved from Costa and Diego Godin's strike was correctly ruled out for offside, but Atletico's nine goals in their last two LaLiga matches is a sufficient sign the LaLiga title is not yet Barca's.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham 6 Rochdale 1: Llorente hat-trick settles replay after VAR farce

Fernando Llorente's hat-trick fired Tottenham into the FA Cup quarter-finals after sealing a 6-1 victory in a fifth-round replay against Rochdale marked by controversial video assistant referee (VAR) deliberations.

The Spaniard's second-half strikes restored the Premier League side's control of the contest after an opening period that threatened to descend into farce due to a number of dubious refereeing decisions involving VAR.

There were lengthy pauses in play while referee Paul Tierney consulted VAR, before disallowing a goal for Erik Lamela after six minutes. A penalty for Spurs was also rescinded.




Son Heung-min put Spurs ahead but the League One visitors levelled through Stephen Humphrys and boos rang out around Wembley at half-time as the Spurs fans voiced their frustration amid the confusion.

In stark contrast, the second half was a procession for Mauricio Pochettino's men, who raced ahead through Llorente's trio of goals before Son, who was influential throughout, added a fifth.Substitute Kyle Walker-Peters scored his first Tottenham goal in injury time to cap off what proved to be an emphatic win.


A chaotic first half exploded into life when Tottenham put the ball in the net after six minutes. Son's cross ricocheted off the legs of Llorente and Lamela stroked the ball past Josh Lillis.

Rochdale looked dismayed by the early setback but after a two-minute delay Tierney, having delayed the game to consult VAR, disallowed the goal for a pull on the shirt of visiting defender Harrison McGahey by Llorente in the build-up to the goal.

The League One side then hit the post through Matt Done's low shot but Tottenham's class began to shine through after 23 minutes when Lamela split the opposition defence before rolling the ball to Son, who rattled the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

Two minutes later Tierney consulted VAR again before awarding Spurs a penalty for a foul by Done on Kieran Trippier, but Rochdale were let off the hook when Son's spot-kick was ruled out for a feint during the run-up that earned the Korean a yellow card.

On the half-hour mark the visitors drew level through Humphrys, who deftly controlled Andrew Cannon's cross and rounded Michel Vorm before rolling the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

Cannon almost gave the visitors a sensational half-time lead when he crashed a shot onto the post in injury time but the ball bounced clear and Spurs breathed a sigh of relief.Spurs' nerves were settled within two minutes of the restart when Lucas Moura sailed through Rochdale's half and slid the ball to Llorente, who skilfully chipped the ball over Lillis and into the empty net from just inside the penalty area.

Llorente added his second and Tottenham's third six minutes later after Moura and Son combined to present him with a simple chance from the edge of the six-yard box and he toe-poked the ball home with his left foot before Lillis could react.It was 4-1 just before the hour mark when Son got to the byline and hung the ball up tantalisingly in front of goal with a chipped pass before Llorente nodded it into the net.

Unselfish play from Lamela gave Son the easiest of chances six minutes later and he turned the Argentine's low cross into the unguarded net from three yards out.
Lamela rattled the frame of the goal with a curling free-kick in the closing stages but the contest - and Rochdale's hopes of an upset - had long since ended.

There was time for one last memorable moment in the 93rd minute when Walker-Peters scored his first goal for Tottenham, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner from 10 yards out after Dele Alli played him in.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Paris Saint-Germain 3 Marseille 0: Di Maria at the double as holders put Neymar injury aside

Paris Saint-Germain put the disappointment of Neymar's foot surgery to one side to thump rivals Marseille 3-0 and reach the semi-finals of the Coupe de France.

The Ligue 1 leaders announced on Wednesday that the world's most expensive player will miss next week's second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid, which they trail 3-1, after the decision was made for him to have surgery on a cracked metatarsal.

While Neymar's prolonged absence may prove fatal to their Champions League hopes, PSG reaffirmed that it will have little impact on their domestic success as Angel Di Maria's double saw them into a fourth successive Coupe de France semi-final.Di Maria settled the contest with a pair of deflected strikes, the first a vicious shot from outside the box, either side of half-time.

Deserved gloss to the scoreline was added courtesy of a wonderful team move finished off by Edinson Cavani, as Marseille again suffered at PSG's hands having lost by the same scoreline in the weekend’s Ligue 1 meeting, where Neymar suffered his injury.

The win keeps PSG firmly on course for a domestic treble and they will be one of just two top-flight teams in the last four after shock triumphs for third-tier Chambly and Les Herbiers, while a free-flowing second-half showing will perhaps give Unai Emery added hope they can fight back against Madrid even without their world-record signing.


PSG started very brightly and, after Yuri Berchiche had an effort beaten away by Steve Mandanda, Cavani wasted a gilt-edged chance to give them the lead.The Uruguay international met Di Maria's pull back after the Argentina winger was sent clear down the left, but he only succeeded in fizzing a shot over the bar.Aymen Abdennour was then fortunate not to concede a penalty when the Marseille centre-back appeared to handle in the area.

Most of the pressing was unsurprisingly done by PSG, but Marseille remained dangerous on the counter-attack and Florian Thauvin curled an effort well over the crossbar.Di Maria then showed Thauvin how it should be done as he bent one towards goal from the edge of the area, only to be denied by a brilliant diving save from Mandanda.

But Mandanda could not replicate the same heroics on the stroke of half-time, the Marseille goalkeeper beaten as Di Maria unleashed a fierce half-volley that took a slight deflection off Adil Rami and flew into the bottom-left corner.Javier Pastore replaced Kylian Mbappe ahead of the restart and three minutes into the second half Di Maria effectively put the tie to bed - but in far less spectacular fashion.

Marseille failed to deal with Yuri's cross from the left, which eventually fell to Di Maria, and his side-foot effort deflected off Hiroki Saki and under Mandanda.Di Maria then lashed narrowly wide from long range and Julian Draxler went agonisingly close to scoring one of the goals of the season as his bicycle kick from Marco Verratti's lofted pass was only just off target.



A stunning reflex save saw Mandanda keep out Pastore's diving header, but the final flourish came in style as Draxler nodded a Verratti chip down for Cavani to fire into the bottom-right corner in an illustration of the kind of football they will need to produce to deliver a Champions League turnaround next week.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3: Guardiola routs Wenger again in 100th game in charge

Manchester City delivered another sublime show of attacking brilliance as Pep Guardiola's side marked the manager's 100th game in charge with a 3-0 demolition of hapless Arsenal.City beat Arsenal by the same scoreline in Sunday's EFL Cup final win at Wembley, giving Guardiola a first trophy after 18 months in English football.

And the runaway Premier League leaders - now 16 points clear of rivals Manchester United - blew Arsenal away before the break, becoming the first team to score three goals away to the Gunners in the first half of a Premier League match.


Arsenal made a decent start but Leroy Sane fed Bernardo Silva for a glorious opener after 15 minutes, and the Germany international was then involved in a stunning team goal as David Silva - who was on target at Wembley - added a second.

Sane scored the third before the break, finishing off another superb move, as Arsenal were regularly sliced open at a half-empty Emirates, the stadium adorned with blue lines in the snow.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a second-half penalty saved and another heavy defeat increases the growing pressure on Arsene Wenger, whose side are 10 points outside the Champions League qualification places, as sensational City close in on the title.


Henrikh Mkhitaryan urged Arsenal to "fight" for Wenger in the build-up to the game and Ederson had to save an early sighter from the Armenia international, while Vincent Kompany deflected a cross from Aaron Ramsey into the chest of City's goalkeeper.But the visitors scored with their first meaningful attack, Bernardo Silva netting a brilliant strike.

Sane drove at the Arsenal defence with pace and skill, slipping in the Portugal international, who worked the ball on to his left foot and bent a glorious curler into Petr Cech's top-right corner.Ederson beat away Granit Xhaka's long-range free-kick, the goalkeeper then diving to his right to cling on to a sharp Ramsey strike.But City's clinical cutting edge sliced Arsenal open with another breathtaking attack after 27 minutes.

Sane was at the heart of it again, bamboozling Shkodran Mustafi and feeding Sergio Aguero, who laid the ball into David Silva's path. The Spain international's first touch was perfect, the second lashing a left-footed finish beyond a helpless Cech.

City were rampant, a glorious third arriving within five minutes, Sane this time on target.Aguero's clever touch on the halfway line created acres of space in the Arsenal defence, Kevin De Bruyne sliding Kyle Walker clear to square a low cross for Sane to roll the ball home.Nicolas Otamendi's poor challenge on Mkhitaryan offered Arsenal a lifeline shortly after the restart - the Gunners having been booed off at the break - but Ederson dived to his left to keep out Aubameyang's tame penalty.

With the game won before the break, City were understandably less incisive, some sloppy passing marring their second-half display, while Walker limped off with 20 minutes remaining.

Cech denied Aguero his 200th goal for the club but Guardiola could not have hoped for a more comprehensive victory to mark his City century, with Wenger left to wonder how to fix a team that has been heavily beaten three times by the league leaders this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'We are a bit low on confidence' - Wenger bemoans Carabao Cup hangover as Arsenal struggle again


Arsene Wenger accepts his Arsenal side suffered a damaging blow to their confidence after losing the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City.

A flat Arsenal were demolished again by City on Thursday, the Gunners conceding three goals in the first half of a home game in the Premier League for the first time.A second 3-0 loss to City in five days means Wenger's men have been beaten in three of their last four games across all competitions, leaving the Frenchman under increasing pressure.

With Arsenal 10 points outside the Champions League qualification places, progressing in the Europa League is the sole remaining goal for Wenger's men, who have lost seven games in all competitions already in 2018.

But the veteran manager highlighted City's attacking quality — Leroy Sane was involved in all three goals in a breathtaking display — as Arsenal struggle for belief.
"Not a lot to talk about, it was a game with a team of top quality full of confidence, we are a bit low on confidence," Wenger told Sky Sports . "First half was difficult for us after what happened on Sunday. "But they took advantage of our lack of confidence and I must say our team put a real physical effort in, technically as well. We are going through a difficult period, their quality made it difficult for us.

"It's tough but it's explainable by the fact [of] what happened on Sunday, the consequences of the hype about our performance, it hits you. But I think the players put in huge effort today and unfortunately we had some weak defending."

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a penalty saved by Ederson early in the second half, a moment Wenger said could have been a turning point for Arsenal."We come back second half and get the penalty," Wenger added. "We need it to go in to have a chance to come back and it was a blow for us.

"We want to focus on the next game, we played twice against the best side in the country at the moment, it was difficult for us after a not-good performance in the first game."We have quality and we want to show that. Confidence is that you have done it before and my confidence is in the quality of the players."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Las Palmas 1 Barcelona 1: Calleri penalty cancels out Messi opener

Leaders Barcelona opened the door for Atletico Madrid in the LaLiga title race as they were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw away at relegation-threatened Las Palmas.

After Antoine Griezmann inspired Atletico to a 4-0 win on Wednesday, Ernesto Valverde's side knew a win would restore their seven-point cushion before they face their nearest rivals at the Camp Nou on Sunday.Lionel Messi thundered in a 21st-minute free-kick to put Barcelona in front and, in the process, score for the first time at the Estadio Gran Canaria.


However, the struggling hosts were gifted the chance to equalise straight after the break, Jonathan Calleri confidently converting a penalty after Matias Aguirregaray had seemingly been fouled at a corner, and Barca could not find a way to restore their lead against a resolute home side.

While the draw sees Barca extend their unbeaten league record, they are now just five points clear of Atletico in second.And it is now only three wins in their last seven outings in all competitions for the Catalans, a run that will concern Valverde ahead of a critical run of fixtures, with the visit of Atletico coming just 10 days before the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Chelsea.


After Atletico's one-man demolition job on Leganes 24 hours earlier, a much-changed Barca knew the pressure was on to respond before they face Diego Simeone's in-form side.

Luis Suarez - risked from the start despite being just one yellow card away from a suspension - was unable to give his side an early lead as the visitors butchered a two-on-one opportunity.Messi stole possession and appeared certain to set up the opener, only to delay squaring the ball to his unmarked team-mate.

Leandro Chichizola capitalised on the delayed pass to bravely Suarez's block the eventual effort, though there was little Las Palmas' goalkeeper could do about Barcelona's opener midway through the half.Having gone over the wall with an earlier set-piece strike, Messi opted for power over precision with his second free-kick. Chichizola had a clear view of the attempt, yet still could not prevent it flashing into the top right corner of his goal.

The hosts saw their keeper escape punishment when, having charged out of his penalty area to clear, the ball struck his outstretched hand, referee Antonio Mateu judging there was no intent despite the clear deflection denying Suarez the chance to shoot into an unguarded net from a tight angle.

The official was again required to make a big call immediately after the break, spotting an infringement as Aguirregaray attempted to head home at the near post.


Calleri successfully scored from the spot, firing in his seventh goal of the season to draw Las Palmas level and force a frustrated Valverde to send for his big guns from the bench.Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Raikitic and Ousmane Dembele all came on, yet Barcelona struggled to find a way to get through a determined home team that saw all four members of their starting defence pick up bookings.

Aguirregaray summed up the home side's brave display when he produced a desperate tackle from behind on Messi, securing Las Palmas a point that will also be celebrated in the Spanish capital.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola backs Henry to enter management after Arsenal thrashing


Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola backs Thierry Henry to become a manager — if that is something the former striker wants to do.

Arsenal lost perhaps their best chance at silverware this season with a humiliating 3-0 loss in the Carabao Cup final to Man City on Sunday, then fell further out of the top-four race with another loss to City by an identical scoreline four days later.

The defeat heaped further pressure on Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, as Arsenal remains 10 points back of fourth place with the Europa League looking the only possible route back to the Champions League.

An Arsenal legend, Henry's name has been floated by pundits as a possible replacement for Wenger as the London's club finds their season falling apart.

Currently an assistant under Roberto Martinez with the Belgium national team, Henry has previously said it is his "dream" to manage Arsenal.And he has a believer in his former manager at Barcelona as Guardiola believes Henry has the ability to succeed, should he want to step into the coach's box.

"If he wants to be manager, he has the talent to do it," Guardiola said after City's victory over Arsenal. "But he has to decide, not me."In the meantime, Guardiola has sympathy for the Gunners' current boss as Wenger's side have now lost four of their last five games in all competitions, with their seven 2018 defeats more than any other Premier League club.

But despite inflicting a second heavy defeat on Wenger in the space of five days, Guardiola spoke of his history with the under-fire Frenchman and the respect he has for him.

"He knows my admiration of him," Guardiola added. "We fight and play many times at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here in the Premier League."I know all the managers can be in that situation. I'm sure he is going to take the right decision for him, for the players, for the club."

While the heavy defeat certainly looked bad for Wenger and the Gunners, Guardiola singled out one moment in the second half as key.Arsenal, down 3-0 by half-time, were awarded a penalty in the second half after Nicolas Otamendi brought down Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the box.

However, Ederson was there to make a diving stop on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's spot-kick to deny the Gunners a foothold back into the match.
And Guardiola praised his keeper for the stop, which helped him secure a victory in his 100th game as Man City manager."If Ederson had not saved the penalty the game would have been completely open," Guardiola said.

"We made an amazing three goals, nice goals. We can't deny it was a tough game after beating Arsenal four days ago."With the victory, City now move 16 points above second place Manchester United in the table, as they march to what looks like a near-certain Premier League title.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zidane-like Milinkovic-Savic better than Pogba, says agent


Mateja Kezman believes Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is now better than Manchester United's Paul Pogba as he tipped the in-demand Lazio star to become the most complete player on the planet and challenge for the Ballon d'Or.Milinkovic-Savic is one of the most sought-after players in Europe amid links with Premier League giants United and Champions League holders Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old midfielder's agent and former Chelsea forward Kezman has already revealed there is "huge" interest in the Serbia international – Ligue 1 powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain also reportedly are circling.

And Kezman heaped further praise on his client, who has scored nine Serie A goals and 11 across all competitions for Lazio this season, comparing him to three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and 1998 Ballon d'Or winner Zinedine Zidane."When Sergej came to Italy, he was compared with Pogba, because at that moment it was probably the easiest comparison to make in terms of characteristics," Kezman told Mozzart Sport.

"I do really respect Pogba, let's be clear, and other linkers who can run and work for the team, but I think now Sergej has different and better quality than Pogba."Over the last six months, he has made enormous progress at Lazio. If he retains his health, he can become the most complete player on the planet.

"He has remarkable attributes and you'll not find another player in the world with that power, muscular structure and height combined with technique and tactical awareness. He has the touch of a Brazilian and some of the things he does remind me of Zinedine Zidane.

"Milinkovic-Savic is the most effective midfielder in Europe right now, as he can score goals in a variety of ways and has a good head on his shoulders. I've played with Arjen Robben, Frank Lampard and some of the best in Europe and I think Sergej can surpass them if he keeps this up."He could soon be a candidate for the Ballon d'Or."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Donnarumma should leave' - Raiola wants Barca and Real Madrid target out of AC Milan


Gianluigi Donnarumma's agent Mino Raiola believes the teenage goalkeeper should leave AC Milan.

Donnarumma was tipped to depart the Rossoneri last year, amid links with La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as Paris Saint-Germain.However, the 19-year-old Italy international instead signed a contract extension with the Serie A club, agreeing terms on a new four-year deal in July.

While Raiola - who has made no secret of his difficult relationship with Milan's CEO Marco Fassone and director of sport Massimiliano Mirabelli - obeyed his client's wishes in negotiating the terms, he feels Donnarumma should still consider a San Siro exit.

"Gigio made a choice, to stay at AC Milan, and I respect it," he said in an interview with RAI."If he should ask me to leave I would work on it immediately because there are important requests. "In my opinion, Gigio should leave Milan."

Donnarumma, who made his first-team debut at the age of 16, declared his happiness at Milan in December after reaching the milestone of 100 appearances for the club. The talented teenager played a starring role as Gennaro Gattuso's side reached the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday, saving two penalties in a dramatic 5-4 shootout success over Lazio.

Reports in Italy have linked Napoli's veteran Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who is available on a free transfer at the end of the season, with a move to Milan.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Jackson Martinez released by Chinese side as €42 million flop


Jackson Martinez’s forgettable spell in China has been brought to a close, with Guangzhou Evergrande effectively releasing the €42 million flop for free.Despite having failed to make a mark at Atletico Madrid, the Colombian was taken to China as a big-money addition in February 2016.

A prolific spell at Porto had helped the 31-year-old to establish a reputation as a fearsome frontman, with 94 goals netted in just 143 outings in Portugal.

That stint was followed by just three efforts in 22 appearances for Atletico, but Evergrande still thought enough of Martinez to make him a marquee signing.They have been left to rue that decision, with the South American having endured an injury-ravaged two years in Asia.He has managed just four goals and two assists after being restricted to only 16 games.

Evergrande have now decided to cut their losses, with Martinez omitted from their 31-man squad for the new Chinese Super League season.They may have broken the CSL transfer record to land the experienced frontman – a bar which has been raised considerably since – but he is now considered to be surplus to requirements.

It may be that Martinez is given the opportunity to return to Europe after reaching a career crossroads, although he does have plenty to prove.Any interested parties will unquestionably seek assurances regarding his fitness and commitment to rediscovering past form before entering into contract talks.Martinez has shown in the past that he can be a useful asset in the final third of the field, but slumps in Spain and China will have tarnished his image in the eyes of those seeking to bring added firepower into their respective ranks.

 

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Manchester United lurk as Barcelona forced to wait on new Umtiti deal


Barcelona have agreed terms with Samuel Umtiti over a new long-term contract, but the Catalans’ need to delay completion of the deal leaves the door open for Manchester United to make an audacious move.The French defender is already tied to the Blaugrana until 2021 but his current terms include a €60 million buyout clause which the club are keen to raise as part of a new deal.

And while the two sides have come to an agreement over fresh terms, Barcelona have been forced to hold off completing the deal until July 1 due to the constraints of UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) laws.

Having splashed out a club-record €160m on the signing of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in January, Barca are not in a position to pay out on Umtiti’s new deal this season without breaking the artificial ceiling put in place by FFP.

As a result, they have come to a gentlemen’s agreement with Umtiti’s representatives that will see the already-negotiated terms being signed off on the first day of the 2018-19 financial season.The same tactic was used by the leaders of La Liga in 2016 when agreeing a new contract with then-striker Neymar in January of that year ahead of the official signing of the deal the following July.

However, employing such an approach with Umtiti leaves Barca open to being usurped in the next four months as rival clubs have the opportunity to snap up the 24-year-old France international for €60m under the terms of his existing contract.And that could leave the door open for United, who are thought to be on the lookout for defensive additions this summer.

While United would not be able to register Umtiti until July 1 themselves, Barcelona would be in no position to stop the Premier League club from agreeing a more lucrative package with the player ahead of a summer move so long as the English side meet the buyout figure.

Old Trafford supremo Jose Mourinho has reiterated on numerous occasions that he will not be asking the club’s money-makers to add any more forwards this summer following the January arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, with midfielders and defenders figuring higher on his priority list ahead of the 2018-19 season.

United have been widely linked with Umtiti in recent transfer windows, with the arrivals of Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof since Mourinho took over at the Theatre of Dreams having proved insufficient in solving the club’s issues in their own half of the field.

And they may now be tempted into meeting the release clause in the centre-back’s existing deal, with a verbal promise and a handshake being all that Barcelona can offer in response until the beginning of July thanks to their huge purchase of Coutinho during the winter transfer window.

 

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Robben should renew at Bayern Munich - Boulahrouz


Former Netherlands international Khalid Boulahrouz believes Arjen Robben still has plenty to offer and hopes his compatriot will continue to play for Bayern Munich for a few more years.

Robben has developed into a key figure at the Bavarians since joining from Real Madrid in 2009, but his time at the club could come to an end in the not too distant future as the 34-year-old has only four months left on his current deal.

It remains unclear for now whether Robben will ink a renewal, but Boulahrouz believes the experienced attacker is best off staying in the Bundesliga as long as his body allows it.

"I don’t think he should go back to the Netherlands yet," Boulahrouz told Goal. "He can go back eventually but it also depends on his family. He has been playing in top competitions for so many years. In England, he was at the top level. In Spain, he was at the top level. In Germany, he is at the top level."There comes a day when your body cannot continue, you are tired. Even if you want to continue, your body will talk to you and say 'okay I cannot handle it anymore.'

"If he can continue then I would advise him to continue with Bayern Munich. They are one of the best clubs in the world and he already has a big reputation in Germany. He has been there for so many years, so why not.

"I think it feels like home to him, so why change club when you are comfortable.He looks strong in a physical way so I cannot see why he cannot continue for another couple of years. He was one of the best I have played with, he is fantastic."

Robben's success at Bayern reached its peak when he won the Champions League and scored a last-minute winner in 2013. That came just a year after he missed a penalty in the 2012 Champions League final, which saw his former club Chelsea win their first ever honour in the competition.

 

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'I prefer to go away' - Pochettino says he would leave Spurs if the fans didn't want him


Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said he would resign if fans turned on him as pressure continues to mount on Arsenal rival Arsene Wenger.Arsenal suffered another 3-0 defeat to Premier League champions-elect Manchester City on Thursday, having lost by the same scoreline in the EFL Cup final last week.

The Gunners – sixth and 30 points adrift in the Premier League – were booed off the Emirates Stadium as long-serving manager Wenger faces an uncertain future despite having another season to run on his contract, with Germany boss Joachim Low and Monaco head coach Leonardo Jardim linked.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are flying high – fourth in the standings and only four points adrift of second-placed Manchester United, while they are in the Champions League last 16 against Juventus.

But Pochettino, who insisted he was not referring to Wenger, said he would not overstay his welcome at the London club."If your own fans didn't want you, there is no point to carry on working because you are going to damage first of all your company, your club," said Pochettino ahead of Saturday's clash with Huddersfield Town.

"They are important, the fans, and at some point, you need to go away because the club is always more important than any person."And if I am the point that creates problems between all levels of the club, I prefer to go away."

Wenger was directly accused of overstaying his welcome at Arsenal by Peter Hill-Wood, the man who appointed him back in 1996 .

 

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Pogba isn't at war with Mourinho at Man Utd - Raiola


There is “no war” raging between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, according to ‘super agent’ Mino Raiola.

Reports of a rift at Old Trafford have surfaced on the back of an apparent breakdown in the working relationship between a high-profile player and his demanding boss.Mourinho has taken the decision to bench Pogba of late, with the Portuguese manager removing the 24-year-old from the firing line amid an indifferent run of form.

Questions have since been asked of the £89 million midfielder’s future role with the Red Devils, but any talk of a feud or possible summer transfer has been rubbished by Raiola.

The man in charge of managing Pogba’s career told Rai Sport on reports of meetings with Real Madrid: “I don’t take anyone anywhere, I’m not a taxi or a plane.“Of course, if things weren’t going well then I’d be ready to do my job, which is to find other solutions for the club and the player.“There’s no war with Mourinho though, Paul wants to win with Manchester United.”

While seeking to quash disruptive talk around Pogba, Raiola has also sought to address rumours regarding two other star turns in European football.It has been suggested that Inter striker Mauro Icardi and Juventus forward Paulo Dybala are two players Raiola would like to add to his stable of clients, but he insists that is not the case.

He said of an Argentina international at the San Siro: “Icardi is a very interesting player, but I’ve never had a relationship with him or his wife Wanda Nara.
“I’ve tried to contact him and say that certain rumours didn’t come from me. His agent is Wanda and I have to respect her.”Raiol added on Icardi’s fellow countryman in Turin: “I’ve also been associated with Dybala but I haven’t had any contact.“Inter and Juve can be calm, nobody is going anywhere.”

 

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Lautaro Martinez to Inter '90 per cent complete', claims Racing Club president


Lautaro Martinez's move to Serie A giants Inter is "90 per cent complete", according to Racing Club president Victor Blanco.The 20-year-old striker has been strongly linked with a move away from Argentina for several months and appeared to be closing in on a switch to Atletico Madrid towards the end of 2017.

But Atletico angered Racing by putting Martinez through medical examinations that had not been agreed to by his club, and negotiations subsequently stalled.

Inter took full advantage and Blanco revealed his expectation of Martinez moving to San Siro during an interview at the start of February.And now an agreement is said to be close, with the striker – who has scored two hat-tricks in his last five games across all competitions – set to link up with compatriots Mauro Icardi and Lisandro Lopez in a deal reported to be worth in excess of €22million.

"It's 90 per cent complete," Blanco said on Radio Rivadavia. "There is already a pre-agreement signed with Inter. He will leave for a sum which we believe corresponds to his value."I can see him going to the World Cup, even if it's ultimately up to [Argentina coach Jorge] Sampaoli to decide.

"Whenever he [Sampaoli] comes to see him, Lautaro is a real star. He has an unusual maturity for his age."Inter are currently wrapped up in a fight to win a Champions League spot for next season, with the club sitting fourth in the Serie A table and having won just twice in their last eight outings. The road ahead is also a tough one, with crucial clashes against red-hot Milan and league leaders Napoli next up.

 

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Everyone loves him - Zidane unconcerned by Isco woes


Zinedine Zidane is not worried about Isco's poor form nor his angry reaction to being substituted against Espanyol, and is adamant everyone at Real Madrid "loves" the Spain international.Isco established himself as a vital part of Zidane's team last season, as Madrid went on to claim a La Liga and Champions League double.

The former Malaga playmaker saw off the competition of James Rodriguez in the process, with the Colombian loaned to Bayern Munich for two years at the start of this season.But the current campaign has been somewhat disappointing for Isco, who has started just four La Liga games since the turn of the year.

One of those came in the 1-0 defeat at Espanyol on Tuesday, as he produced an underwhelming display and was substituted for Karim Benzema after 69 minutes, reacting in disgruntled fashion to his withdrawal.But Zidane insists there is no issue with the player and thinks such a reaction is to be expected.

"I don't think it was anything abnormal," Zidane told reporters at a news conference ahead of Saturday's match at home to Getafe."He wasn't happy about coming off, but that's the case with most players. He has a great attitude, trains well and everyone at the club loves him."There's nothing to worry about there. If a player is angry about being substituted then that is normal."

 

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'Wenger won't be at Arsenal next season' - Merson predicts imminent exit


Arsene Wenger will not be at Arsenal next season, says Paul Merson, with the Frenchman set to buckle under ever-mounting pressure.

Having fended off protests against his reign in 2016-17, the long-serving Gunners boss hoped FA Cup success and a new two-year contract would help to shift some of the focus off him.He has, however, fallen under the microscope again this season, with top-four struggles and a forgettable showing in the Carabao Cup final seeing further questions asked of his future.

Merson admits it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how Wenger could remain in a post he has occupied for over 20 years, with the strain beginning to show on a vastly-experienced coach.Pressed by Sky Sports on whether he sees the Frenchman at Emirates Stadium in 2018-19, the former Gunners star said: "No. As I sit here I say no.

"If they go to AC Milan and win next Thursday, and they go on and win the Europa League, for me that's a great season for where Arsenal are at the moment.If they win a European trophy it would be a phenomenal feat.

"But I can't see it. I don't even fancy them to go and beat Brighton on Sunday. I feel [Wenger] would've gone if he didn't have AC Milan on Thursday night. I feel he would've then gone if he got beat by Brighton.

"You've just got to look at his press conference the other day. It seemed to me that he was asking for the board to be loyal to him now, because he was saying, 'I've been loyal to this club, I could've gone anywhere in the world'."He was trying to tell the board that they should stay loyal to him now. But I feel there's a lot of pressure on him at the moment."

Wenger has often been accused of failing to match the ambition being shown by big-spending rivals, and Merson admits issues in the transfer market are at the heart of Arsenal’s current struggles.
He added: "The players he's brought in just haven't been good enough. Arsene's in charge, he runs it from top to bottom. That's the problem. I felt sorry for him last Sunday, as he put a team out there who acted as if they wouldn't be getting the blame."They know that Wenger is the man who will take the blame, and that's a problem. They're hanging their manager out to dry. Who's going to get the blame on Sunday if they lose? It'd be Wenger again, and it's gone beyond that now.

"I feel Arsenal have gone. Confidence is shot, and I don't think they'll be up for a fight against Brighton. I can't see Arsenal being able to live with them. For me, they're the worst team in England without the ball."

 

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Mata feels no threat from Alexis at Man Utd


Juan Mata does not consider Alexis Sanchez to be a threat to his position at Manchester United, with added competition embraced at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils bolstered their playmaking ranks during the January transfer window when acquiring a proven international performer from Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Sanchez arrived without the need for a fee to be paid, with his expiring contract in north London allowing United to negotiate a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The latest addition to the United ranks is expected to make quite an impression, but questions are already being asked of how best to use him and who misses out as a result of his presence.

Mata is among those who could come under threat, but the World Cup winner is not overly concerned at this stage, telling Sky Sports: “Competition is high, in a team like Manchester United there will always be some kind of competition for places.“Alexis is a great player and it’s fantastic news for us to have him with us.”
Mata has already seen his role change throughout his career, from a No. 10 to a deep-lying midfielder, and he is prepared to play wherever he is required at United.

“Since I came to United I am playing mostly in the right, but I am trying to adapt myself to different positions and try to give my football for the benefit of the team and that’s what I enjoy doing,” he added.

Mata has made 31 appearances for United across all competitions this season, seeing a 12-month contract extension triggered in the process, and admits he is hoping to help Sanchez carry the goal burden over the coming weeks having previously reached double figures in each of his three full seasons at Old Trafford to date.

A man with just three efforts to his name so far said: “Goals have always been part of my game and this season I haven’t scored as many as I would like but I’m doing assists and having the chances and that’s important as goals will come.”

Mata’s next opportunity to get on the scoresheet could some against Crystal Palace on Monday, with United looking to further secure their standing in second spot in the Premier League table.