..::Football IV::..

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Bayern contacted Pochettino, claims Hamann


Bayern Munich have contacted Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino with an eye to the Argentine succeeding Jupp Heynckes, Dietmar Hamann has claimed.

Pochettino has won rave reviews for his work with Spurs, turning the London club into Premier League title challengers since taking over in 2014. That record has not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the sides linked with the manager should he leave his current employers.

According to Hamann, however, Bayern are keen to turn to Pochettino if Heynckes decided to end his interim term at the Allianz Arena at the end of the season. "I know Bayern have been in contact with Pochettino and that he was an option - and might still be," the former Liverpool and Germany midfielder explained to Sky.

"Some say the Bayern coach should be a German, it might be one area of importance, but not the only one."Even Pep [Guardiola] was not perfect. It is about picking the best coach possible.

"For me, that man is Pochettino." While Pochettino is still waiting for his first trophy as a manager, he took Tottenham to second place in last year's Premier League campaign to mark a second successive qualification for the Champions League.

Spurs currently lie third in the league, and narrowly missed out on a berth in the Champions League quarters after losing out to Juventus in a thrilling last-16 tie.

 

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McTominay grateful for Mourinho's faith after breaking into Man Utd line-up


Scott McTominay hopes to repay Jose Mourinho for the manager's instrumental role in his elevation to the Manchester United first team.

The midfielder made his Premier League debut last season and has clocked up 17 appearances this term, including a start away to Sevilla in the Champions League's round of 16.Mourinho has not always been known for promoting young talent during his time in charge of Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid.

But McTominay knows he owes his rise to prominence to the Portuguese boss.
"Obviously, there are numerous different factors that have contributed in terms of my development but the main one is Jose Mourinho," the 21-year-old told United's club magazine.

"He's had the faith to put me in for important matches and trusted me in really big games, so all credit goes to him. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have had chances to play and show people I'm hopefully capable of being a Manchester United player in the future.

"There's nothing better for me than being selected in the big games. The Champions League game at Sevilla, the Champions League game before that, Liverpool, Chelsea and even the other cup games as well.
"It's really good for me to be trusted by the manager. I hope to repay him as he's done really well to push me forward."

 

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Liverpool can win the Champions League, says Sadio Mane


Sadio Mane is ‘convinced’ that Liverpool can win the Champions League title this season.

Jurgen Klopp’s men thrashed Porto 5-0 on aggregate in the round of 16 to qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition. And the 25-year-old who registered a hat-trick in Portugal is optimistic that the Reds can go as far as lifting the trophy for the first time since 2005.“There are almost only top clubs left in the race," Mane told Liverpool Echo.

"We are all aware that if you want to become a champion you must be champions.“We've got the quality to beat every team in the world. And we'll try exactly that."Why should Liverpool not be on top in 2018? We want to win the Champions League. I am convinced we can do it for the first time since 2005."

The former Southampton player has netted 14 goals and contributed six assists this season in 32 appearances, forging a good partnership with Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Brazil forward Roberto Firmino.
The former Southampton player has netted 14 goals and contributed six assists this season in 32 appearances, forging a good partnership with Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Brazil forward Roberto Firmino.

 

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Alli best in the world for his age – Pochettino


Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli is the world's best player for his age, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Alli, 21, has been named the PFA Young Player of the Year in the past two seasons and is enjoying another good campaign for Spurs.The England international has scored six goals and provided nine assists – the most of any Spurs player – in the Premier League this season.

Pochettino was full of praise for Alli, who turns 22 next month, and said he found criticism of the midfielder hard to understand."When you compare Dele Alli, 21 years old, with all the players in the world – not only in Europe, in the world – I think he is the best," he told UK newspapers.

"In his age. In his form. Assists and everything. But, and I don't understand why, there is still that feeling [to criticise him]. "Tell me one 21-year-old that is better than him, and all that he achieves. Maybe you can find similar. But better than him? Maybe I am not objective because he is my player but, for me, he is amazing."

Manchester City star Leroy Sane, the 22-year-old who has scored eight and assisted 11 in the Premier League this season, is the favourite to win the Young Player of the Year prize this campaign.

While Pochettino wants even more from Alli, he hailed the midfielder's development since arriving at the club in 2015."We expect more from him? Yes, of course. But from the day that he made his debut with us he has made himself one of the best in the world," he said.

"Maybe it's not important for the people who criticise him to listen to me because I am only a simple coach. But I promise you, I am the most critical person with my players. It is difficult to criticise Dele."

 

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Wenger admits 'maybe' Welbeck penalty was lucky call


Arsene Wenger was able to recall his time-honoured response when asked whether Danny Welbeck dived to win a penalty in Arsenal's 3-1 Europa League last-16 win over AC Milan, though he admitted his side may have been fortunate based on Milan's reactions.Leading 2-0 from last week's first leg at San Siro, the Gunners fell behind to a stunning Hakan Calhanoglu strike 10 minutes before half-time.

Milan's hopes of a memorable comeback were short-lived as Welbeck converted from the penalty spot four minutes later having gone down under negligible contact from Ricardo Rodriguez.

An error from Gianluigi Donnarumma saw Granit Xhaka extinguish the fading prospects of Gennaro Gattuso's side and Welbeck added his second four minutes from time.

Attention after the match turned back towards the penalty decision and, not for the first time in his illustrious career, Wenger claimed he did not see a key incident.
"Honestly, I don't know. I will watch it again promise I will give you an honest answer," he told BT Sport.

"Maybe, looking at the reaction of the Italian players, maybe we got a little bit lucky."The positive of the situation is straight away at 1-0 down you could see the response of the team. We released our handbrake a little bit and played positively.

"Were we lucky on the penalty? Maybe, I don't know."I don't want to accuse Danny Welbeck of diving before I have seen the situation. He looked genuine, [thinking] it was a penalty. I will watch it again."

Wenger lost senior central defender Laurent Koscielny during the opening stages when the France international cramped up having taken a kick to the back.

In the context of that loss and the torrid form in which Arsenal entered the tie, the veteran French coach was particularly pleased with the character his team showed.
"It's much better. We needed that to recover our form from a bad week," Wenger added.

"It shows that the team is healthy and has responded. We had a difficult game but in the end we won it.

"It was open and we played a little bit with a handbrake. Instead of turning the ball forwards we played backwards and played too much to protect the result."Then you put yourself in danger. We were playing against a good side who have not lost in 14 games in the Italian championship."

 

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Varane confirms interest from Man Utd


Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane admitted Manchester United were, at one point, interested in his services.The France international arrived at Santiago Bernabeu in 2011, when current United boss Jose Mourinho was still in charge of the Liga giants.

Varane has been linked with a potential switch to United ever since Mourinho took over at Old Trafford, and the 24-year-old confirmed there had been interest from the Premier League club.

Asked on El Larguero if he had been called by Mourinho to go to United, Varane said: "No, not directly."There were contacts, but not directly."Varane also had praise for a United star in Romelu Lukaku, lauding the Belgium striker for how difficult he made life for opponents.

While he pointed to the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Didier Drogba, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski, Varane said it was tough to face Lukaku.

"I feel more comfortable with fast players because I try to control the depth," he said. "For my qualities, it's what I prefer."When they are stronger I try to pass in front, that I cannot play. Like Lukaku, for example. He is the strongest forward in the world. It is pure power."You have to play differently. I try to be more complete to annoy any striker."

 

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'Brilliant' Lukaku one of the best in the world - Duffy


Brighton defender Shane Duffy has praised former Everton team-mate Romelu Lukaku for the start he has made at Manchester United.The Belgium international has struck 24 times in his debut season at Old Trafford and on Saturday will come up against his former colleague in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Republic of Ireland international Duffy is relishing the opportunity to lock horns with a man he knew from his time at Goodison Park, though he is acutely aware of the damage the striker can cause.

“The goals he has got show what he can do,” Duffy told the Daily Express . “We were both at Everton at the same time. He’s done brilliantly and is now regarded as one of the top strikers in the world.

“He’s still young. He has a lot of pressure on him trying to deliver goals for Manchester United – it’s not an easy task.”Duffy also praised Seagulls manager Chris Hughton for elevating his game to its current level.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him, for what he has done for me personally, and at this club to bring them from where they were when he first came in to now,” he said.

“Now he is getting the credit he fully deserves. He’s brought my game on to a level I thought I could probably never get to.“He has both sides of it – the coaching and managing a squad. He is very level-headed – you don’t know if he’s happy or not! What you see is what you get and that’s why he has respect from everyone in the game.”

Brighton sit 11th in the Premier League and are chasing their first ever FA Cup triumph.

 

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Champions League draw: Manchester City face Liverpool in quarter-finals


Liverpool have been drawn to face Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, two-time defending champions Real Madrid have been tasked with a clash against Juventus - a repeat of last season's final - while Barcelona will tackle Roma and Sevilla's reward for ousting Manchester United is a meeting with Bayern Munich.It is, however, the clash between the two Premier League clubs that is the tie of the round.




The Reds swept past Porto 5-0 over two legs to reach the last eight of the competition while Pep Guardiola's men defeated Basel with almost equal ease, seeing the Swiss off 5-2.

The clubs have played twice already this season, with City getting the better of Jurgen Klopp's men 5-0 when the sides met in September - a match infamous for Sadio Mane's challenge on home Ederson, which left the goalkeeper with a gruesome injury and saw the Liverpool attacker sent off.

Klopp's side have better memories of their meeting in January, though. The Reds won a storming match at Anfield 4-3, with Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Roberto Firmino, Mane and Mohamed Salah all on target. Leroy Sane had levelled for City at 1-1, but their late rally through Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan proved fruitless.

"I’ve said it before and it’s still the truth, it’s always common in a draw that you’ll get your neighbour, more or less, but to be honest I don’t mind, really," Klopp told the club's official website. "It is exactly like it was before – we take what we’ve got. Now it’s Manchester City, let’s go.

"We’ve lost once and we’ve won once against them in the league – and I don’t think they thought before the best draw they could have got is Liverpool. That’s a sign for us and how strong we can be.

"We are for sure not the favourites in this round, but in the last eight there are not a lot of favourites - maybe two of them, Bayern and Barcelona – but thank god it’s football and nothing is decided. "We have a few games to play until then, but I am really looking forward to it and we will give it everything.”

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: "It's a very difficult one. We like to travel and to go to another country in the Champions League but it is what it is.

"We know each other very well, they are a very offensive team, the truth is it is going to be a great couple of games and we are going to see good football."
It is just the second time in history that City have reached the last eight of the competition. In 2015-16, they defeated PSG 3-2 on aggregate but lost to Real Madrid in the semi-finals.Liverpool, on the other hand, have won the European Cup on five occasions.

The other eye-catching tie sees Juventus seek revenge upon Real Madrid for the 4-1 defeat they suffered in last season's final at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff.

Cristiano Ronaldo's double that day sent Zinedine Zidane's side en route to become the first team to win the Champions League in successive years, but they have endured a disappointing season domestically and are out of the title running in La Liga.

Barcelona lead the way in Spain by eight points and can afford to focus their energy on Roma, while Bayern - 20 points clear in the Bundesliga - can do likewise for their tie against Sevilla.

Man City v Liverpool and Barcelona v Roma will be played on April 4 and 10, while the other two ties will be played on April 3 and 11.

 

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Europa League draw: Arsenal pitted against CSKA Moscow in quarter-finals

Arsenal have been drawn to face CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid, who are the favourites to win the competition along with the Premier League outfit, have been paired with Sporting CP in the last eight. The other ties see RB Leipzig tackle Marseille and Lazio face Salzburg.

The Europa League now looks the Gunners' most realistic chance of reaching the Champions League next season, as they lie 12 points shy of fourth-placed Tottenham, though they face a Russian side that dumped out Lyon from the competition on away goals at the last-16 stage.

Arsenal beat Milan 5-1 on aggregate over two legs, winning 2-0 in Italy and 3-1 in north London.CSKA lie third in the Russian league table, level on points with second-placed Spartak Moscow, and eight points behind leaders Lokomotiv.

Atletico thumped Lokomotiv over two legs, winning 8-1 on aggregate, while their quarter-final opponents, Sporting, beat FK Viktoria Plzen 3-2 on aggregate, despite a 2-1 second leg defeat.

RB Leipzig overcame Zenit St Petersburg, while Marseille beat Athletic Bilbao. Lazio defeated Dynamo Kiev, and Salzburg beat Borussia Dortmund.
These fixtures will be played on April 5 and 12.

The Europa League semi-final draw will take place on April 13, and the final will be played on May 16 at Groupama Stadium in France.

 

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Rojo signs Man Utd contract extension


Manchester United have confirmed Marcos Rojo has signed a contract extension that will see him tied to the club until at least 2021.

The Argentina international's deal with the Red Devils was set to expire in June 2019, and his struggle to land a regular spot in Jose Mourinho's starting XI amid recent injury problems has seen him linked to other clubs, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly interested in the 27-year-old.But Rojo has opted to extend his Old Trafford deal even further, with an option to stretch it by another year, and he says he is happy to stay at the club.

"Since I joined Manchester United, it has been everything I thought it would be and more," he told United's website. "I am extremely happy to extend my stay at this great club.

"When I joined, my aim was to help the team win trophies and we have done that over the past couple of seasons. I am working hard to get back on the pitch. I would like to thank the fans for their support and the manager for the confidence and help he has given me both on and off the pitch."Meanwhile, Mourinho expressed his delight at ensuring the former Sporting centre-back stays put for the time being.

"Marcos has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of seasons, and has always shown great professionalism," the coach said. "Although his injury has kept him sidelined over these past few weeks, Marcos is working hard to return to full fitness."He is always ready to put his body on the line for this club and I am delighted he has signed a new contract."

Rojo has been limited to just 10 appearances for United in all competitions this season, having last played against Huddersfield Town in February.

 

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Congratulations Rojo!​

 

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Struggling Morata left out of Spain squad as Alonso earns first call-up


Julen Lopetegui's latest Spain squad has several notable absentees in Javi Martinez, Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata, while Chelsea's Marcos Alonso is in line for his first cap.

Spain face Germany and Argentina in international friendlies on March 23 and 27, and Lopetegui's squad for the World Cup - which is just three months away - is starting to take shape.On that front, it is bad news for Martinez, Fabregas and Morata.

Martinez's absence comes as something of a shock given his strong recent form at club level for Bayern Munich, while Fabregas and Morata have paid for their ineffective displays with Chelsea by missing out.Morata has been particularly disappointing of late, with the striker having not scored a goal since facing Brighton and Hove Albion in December.

Diego Costa, the man he was signed to replace at Stamford Bridge, has been faring rather better at Atletico Madrid, scoring three in his last six across all competitions and generally performing well.

Costa's former Chelsea team-mate Alonso is enjoying another impressive campaign, however, and he has been rewarded with a first call-up to the senior side.Villarreal midfielder Rodri Hernandez and Valencia captain Dani Parejo are the other newcomers.

They will be expected to numb the blow of losing Sergio Busquets to injury.

Spain squad:

Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao), David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli); Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Marclos Alonso (Chelsea), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona); Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Dani Parejo (Valencia), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Rodri Hernandez (Villarreal); Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Rodrigo Moreno (Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid).

 

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'I won't run away or cry' - Mourinho remains defiant in face of Man Utd criticism


Jose Mourinho insists he will not "run away or disappear" from his responsibilities after launching an impassioned defence of his Manchester United tenure.The Portuguese has faced severe criticism over his tactics in the wake of United's dismal Champions League last-16 exit to Sevilla on Tuesday.

Mourinho was particularly panned for the defensive mindset the Red Devils set up with in the 2-1 defeat, as Wissam Ben Yedder's double put the tie beyond United, and his comments that it is not a new situation for the club attracted further scrutiny.

But, armed with a collection of notes that he referred to, Mourinho delivered an emotional 12-minute diatribe fighting back against his critics in his latest media conference, pointing to United's recent history and that of Manchester City to explain his team's recent struggles."I say to the fans that the fans are the fans and have the right to their opinions and reactions. But there is something that I used to call football heritage," he said.


"And what a manager inherits is something like the last time that Manchester United were in the Champions League final, which didn't happen a lot of times, was in 2011. Since 2011, 2012, out in the group phase, the group was almost the same group we had this season, Benfica, Basel and Galati from Romania. Out in the group phase.

"In seven years with four different managers, once not qualify for Europe, twice out in the group phase and the best was the quarter-final, this is football heritage. And, if you want to go to the Premier League, the last victory was 12-13 and in the four consecutive seasons United finish seventh, fourth, fifth and sixth. So, in the last four years, the best was fourth."This is football heritage. It means that when you start the process you are here, you are there or you are there, it is heritage.

"Those stats are real. I give you a couple more: In the last seven years the worst position of Manchester City in the Premier League was fourth, in the last seven years Manchester City was champions twice and, if you want to say three times, they were second twice. That's heritage.

"Do you know what is also heritage? It is that Otamendi, Kevin de Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva, Sterling, Aguero, they are investments from the past, not from the last two years. Do you know how many United players left the club last season? See where they play, how they play, if they play. That's football heritage and, one day, when I leave, the next Manchester United manager will find here Lukaku, Matic, of course De Gea from many years ago, they will find players with a different mentality, a different quality, a different background, with a different status, with a different know-how.

"And, for some reason, you go to the Champions League quarter-final like today and there are four clubs that are always there, always there. Barcelona is always there in the past seven, eight years, Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich and then, of course, appear now and again, another club like my Inter, like some other clubs like Monaco last season."Mourinho went on: "Life is good, I have an amazing job to do.

"Yesterday I met a new person working in the club - different area to me, nothing direct with me - a person that came from another club. I asked, 'Why did you decide to come?'

"He told me 'Because I did a fantastic job in another club and I know that I have a huge job to do so I have a challenge'. "I said well done, my decision was based on something similar. I could be in another league where the title is in the pocket, practically won before a ball is kicked.

"But I'm not there, I'm going to be here. No way are you going to change my mentality. For me, I don't know if you know the expression, there is a quote I like; 'In every wall is a door, every wall is a door'.

"I'm not going to run away, disappear, cry, because I heard a few boos. I won't disappear from the tunnel running immediately, the next match I'll be first to go out.
"I respect the fans, I'm not afraid of anything. When I was 20 years old, I was nobody in football, I was someone's son.

"And now, at 55, I am what I am, I did what I did because of work, because of my talent and my mentality, so they can be together. I understand that for many, many, many years it was really hard for people that don't like me to say, 'Here he is again, he wins again'."So, for those months I win nothing, 10 months nothing. Last title I won was 10 months ago. I beat Liverpool, Chelsea, lose to Sevilla - it's their moment to be happy.

"I also learn that in my religious formation to be happy with the others' happiness even if the others are your enemies."

 

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'I won't run away or cry-Mourinho'

 

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FIFA approves use of VAR for 2018 World Cup


FIFA has approved the use of video assistant referees for the first time at the World Cup during a meeting of the organisation's council in Bogata.

Earlier this week, VAR won official approval from the International Football Association Board [IFAB], football's rule-making body, at its annual general meeting in Zurich.

The FIFA Council convened on Friday in Colombia, where president Gianni Infantino confirmed the decision had been taken to use the technology.

"We also spoke about football, we're going to have our first World Cup in 2018 with [the] video assistant refereeing system," Infantino said during a news conference.

"This has been adopted and approved and obviously we are extremely happy with that decision."Video review is already in use in Germany's Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A, Major League Soccer in the United States and Canada, and Australia's A-League, while it has been trialled in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in English football.

FIFA also used the system at last year's Confederations Cup and Club World Cup.The technology is designed to help referees with four key decisions: goals, penalties, straight red cards and cases of mistaken identity.

There has been criticism of video review, however, over the amount of time taken for referrals during matches, as well as complaints over confusion caused for coaches and fans.

Infantino has previously spoken of his desire to see VAR used at the World Cup, although predecessor Sepp Blatter posted a tweet to express his disapproval.La Liga has already confirmed that video review will be used in Spain next season, but UEFA said it will not roll out the system yet in the Champions League.

 

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Mourinho tells struggling Manchester United stars to 'grow up'

Jose Mourinho has told his embattled players to "grow up" and start living up to the pressure of representing Manchester United.

The Portuguese faced heavy criticism over his negative tactics in the Red Devils' shock Champions League last-16 exit to Sevilla on Tuesday, but came out fighting during an epic 12-minute tirade at a news conference previewing United's FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton and Hove Albion.

During the embargoed section of his press briefing, though, Mourinho had some choice words for a squad that flopped in Europe and find themselves 16 points adrift of rivals Manchester City in the Premier League.

Mourinho did not go so far as to call out the players he perceives to be under-performing, opting instead to praise Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku, but warned his squad they must be stronger to survive at Old Trafford.

"If you want to make a real top team, with a top mentality, you need to grow up and the best way is to have this kind of feeling," he said."Players have to learn how to cope with that level of expectation and that level of pressure. They have to survive, and when they survive, they become stronger.

"I said we are not one of the top teams, not one of the favourites to win. I told you that with these words because I cannot tell you with different words while I am still in competition."I cannot be in a competition, go there and say we have no chance. I couldn't tell you.

"You cannot expect me to say 'this and that player, they have to do better'. I prefer to say that Matic and Lukaku are performing at a high level until the last match."But I cannot tell you the ones that are not performing. I cannot tell you before a Champions League match."

Mourinho, though, rejected suggestions that United were favourites to progress against Sevilla, and claimed the team that is fifth in LaLiga are better equipped for success that his squad.

"We went out to a side that's more successful than Manchester United in the last seven years in Europe," he added.

"We went out to a side that has a huge tradition in knockout competitions, a side in the Spanish cup final. We're out to a team that knocked out Atletico Madrid in two legs.

"We were knocked out by a team that's brilliant in their approach for many years, with their scouting system, the way they invest with every Euro."Do you think they didn't have any players who could play in my team? In Sevilla, there are many players who would play in my team."

 

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FA Cup Quarter-Finals 2018.03.17

FA Cup Quarter-Finals 2018.03.17

Swansea Vs Tottenham

Manchester United Vs Brighton

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Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.03.17

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.03.17

Bournemouth Vs WBA

Huddersfield Vs Crystal Palace

Stoke City Vs Everton

Liverpool Vs Watford

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LA Liga Fixtures 2018.03.17

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.03.17

Deportivo Vs Las Palmas

Valencia Vs Alaves

Real Sociedad Vs Getafe

Real Betis Vs Espanyol​