..::Football IV::..

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Atletico Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: Griezmann gives Simeone's men narrow victory

Antoine Griezmann came off the bench to give Atletico Madrid a narrow 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday.Real had beaten Real Sociedad 1-0 earlier on Saturday, but Atletico remain a point ahead of their local rivals after the Frenchman's decisive strike.
Manager Diego Simeone was absent from the touchline after receiving a ban for his part in the throwing of a ball to disrupt a Malaga attack last weekend, and seven changes from their midweek Champions League win over Bayern Munich resulted in a disorganised first-half showing.

But Griezmann needed just 34 seconds after coming on as a substitute to settle the game, registering his 21st league goal of the season - five of which have come in 1-0 wins.

Attention will now turn to Tuesday's semi-final second leg in Munich as Atletico look to defend another 1-0 lead, given to them by Saul Niguez's stunner, which would take them into a second Champions League final in three years.Rayo have been outscored by just six teams in La Liga this term, but they could not break down Atletico's iron-cast defence and remain at threat of relegation.

Angel Correa brought a stunning early save out of Rayo goalkeeper Juan Carlos, but it was Atletico's only sight of goal in an otherwise badly disjointed opening half an hour.

Sensing their much-changed opponents were struggling, Rayo began to pour forward with typical reckless abandon, but Miku found Jan Oblak tough to beat and Adri Embarba oddly opted to cross after bursting clear on goal in the left channel.

Correa was Atletico's only bright spark and he brought the crowd to their feet with a stunning flick over his man, but the finish summed up his side's efforts as he scuffed it straight at the keeper.

Koke was introduced in place of Gabi at half-time as Atletico sought control of the game, but Rayo remained on top and Javi Guerra ought to have done better than shoot straight at Oblak after latching on to Bebe's cross.

Simeone's assistant German Burgos responded by throwing Griezmann and Fernando Torres on and the Frenchman had an instant impact, chesting the ball down and smashing a 20-yard half-volley past a helpless Juan Carlos.

Griezmann's addition especially had Atletico in full stride and he zipped down the right flank before squaring for an open Torres, but the in-form striker took the effort on his weaker left foot and could not beat the keeper.

But one was enough for the fourth game in row, with fixtures against rock-bottom Levante and Celta Vigo to come as the title race goes down to the wire.

 

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Hummels denies asking to join Bayern

Mats Hummels has denied approaching Bayern Munich over a summer move after asking to leave Borussia Dortmund.

The centre-back ended long-standing speculation over his future earlier in the week as BVB issued an official statement confirming Hummels' desire to join their fierce rivals.

The club insisted at the time that no official approach had been made though former Bayern president Uli Hoeness claimed on Friday that the player had already set a move in motion.

He said: "When somebody comes knocking on your door, Bayern would be ill advised to not open that door."

Hummels, who was the subject of protests and boos from fans throughout Saturday's 5-1 win over Wolfsburg, has now vehemently denied the comments.

"I have not offered myself anywhere," he told reporters. "That is the greatest piece of nonsense I've ever heard."

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge moved to clarify Hoeness's comments following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.

"Maybe Uli has not understood it correctly," he said. "We were knocking on his door, not Hummels knocking on our door.

"Mats has not moved offensively towards us but we asked him whether he could imagine himself moving to Bayern."

 

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Real Sociedad 0-1 Real Madrid: Bale rescues Madrid again

A late header from Gareth Bale kept Real Madrid's La Liga title challenge alive as they battled to a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday

Zinedine Zidane's side went into the match just a point behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and knowing that victory would take them top of the table for at least a few hours, with both their rivals playing later in the day.

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema injured and one eye perhaps on the visit of Manchester City in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg, Madrid struggled to break down a resilient Sociedad side who beat Barca at Anoeta just three weeks ago.Bale missed three clear-cut chances, while Jese Rodriguez was also thwarted by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and a stubborn home defence.

But the Welshman, whose late goal secured the 3-2 comeback with over Rayo Vallecano last week, steered in a powerful header in the 80th minute to salvage a win which piles pressure back on Barca and Atletico.

James Rodriguez was handed the chance to impress from the start by Zidane and the Colombia star came closest to a goal in the first 10 minutes, forcing Rulli into a good low save at his near post after a fine Luka Modric pass.

Bale twice headed half-chances past the near post but Madrid were too often sloppy in the final third, a problem summed up when James shot straight at Rulli when teed up by Jese.

Nacho almost found a breakthrough as he burst into the area following Bale's flick-on, but Rulli did enough to block his effort before Aritz Elustondo cleared the danger.

Sociedad continued to frustrate the visitors after the break, but Bale spurned a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock when he shot straight at Rulli from just eight yards out after Yuri Berchiche made a mess of clearing a James cross.

Modric's excellent run and pass sent Jese through to the right of the area, but his cross-cum-shot was parried by Rulli and eventually cleared, as Zidane brought on Isco in a bid to find a crucial breakthrough.But it was Bale who soon made amends for his earlier misses to find a way through with a moment of inspiration for Madrid.

Isco found Lucas Vazquez wide on the right and Bale converted his cross high past Rulli at the near post with an emphatic header with just 10 minutes of normal time left to play.

Sociedad pushed for an equaliser and Keylor Navas, largely a spectator throughout, made a fine low stop to hold on to Mikel Oyarzabal's header from Asier Illarramendi's cross.

But Madrid held on to keep the pressure on Barca and Atleti and can now turn their focus on their crucial midweek meeting with City.

 

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Arsenal 1-0 Norwich City: Welbeck secures Gunners win amid fan protests

A goal from substitute Danny Welbeck helped Arsenal to a narrow 1-0 victory over Norwich City as Arsene Wenger's men took a big step towards securing Champions League qualification amid fan protests against the Frenchman.

It was Norwich who had the better of a quiet first half, but Welbeck netted just before the hour mark shortly after coming off the bench with what was the Gunners' first shot on target.

Arsenal were relatively comfortable from that point on, though, and are now unbeaten in eight Premier League games as they move up to third, three points ahead of Manchester City and eight clear of West Ham and Manchester United.City and United are in action against Southampton and Leicester City respectively on Sunday, before next week's crucial clash between Arsenal and Manuel Pellegrini's men at the Etihad Stadium.

On his 750th league game in charge of Arsenal, some fans in a divided home support held up banners protesting against Wenger in the 12th and 78th minutes - referencing the 12 years since their last title - even though the Frenchman said his critics were going "too far" prior to the match.

Norwich, who made five changes, kicked off having sunk to second bottom in the table after a win for relegation rivals Newcastle United and a draw for Sunderland earlier on Saturday and a third-straight defeat ensures they stay two points adrift of safety with only three games remaining.The visitors had an early opportunity when Nathan Redmond's low shot was crucially saved by the legs of Petr Cech.

Unchanged Arsenal did not produce a shot on target in the first half for the fourth time in their last nine home matches, with Olivier Giroud denied by a vital Russell Martin block and Mohamed Elneny's deflected effort drifting wide.

Cech thwarted Redmond again as half-time approached, pushing away his stinging strike before the lively winger cut inside from the left and drilled his third shot of the half narrowly wide.

Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker limped off early in the second half, with Gabriel coming on shortly before Welbeck was introduced by Wenger in place of Alex Iwobi, with the decision to withdraw the Nigerian booed by the disgruntled home fans.

But the move proved to be inspired as Welbeck put Arsenal in front just 188 seconds after his arrival. Hector Bellerin's cross was headed down by Giroud and the England forward swivelled to drive his finish into the bottom corner with the aid of a slight deflection off Sebastien Bassong.

Arsenal's claims for handball in the penalty area against Gary O'Neil were ignored, while Gabriel made a crucial challenge to deny substitute Dieumerci Mbokani at the other end.

Alexis Sanchez shot straight at John Ruddy and the goalkeeper then made a superb diving stop to keep out Elneny as Arsenal claimed a one-goal win at an unsettled Emirates Stadium that boosts their hopes of reaching Europe's elite club competition once again.

 

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Real Betis 0-2 Barcelona: Rakitic & Suarez send Luis Enrique's men top

Ivan Rakitic and the in-form Luis Suarez were on target as Barcelona moved to within two wins of retaining the Liga title with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over 10-man Real Betis.

For the second weekend running, Real and Atletico Madrid played before Barca and respective wins over Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano turned up the heat on the champions.Luis Enrique's men initially struggled to muster a response as Barca failed to display their usual fluent, attacking style of football at the Benito Villamarin.

However, Heiko Westermann's dismissal for a second yellow card 10 minutes before the break threatened to undo Betis' hard work in the opening period and Barca subsequently broke through five minutes after the break.

Rakitic had been regularly booed due to his previous association with Betis' fierce rivals Sevilla, but he had the last laugh by tapping in after costly miscommunication between German Pezzella and goalkeeper Antonio Adan.And Suarez, who had scored eight times over Barca's past two matches, wrapped up the win late on with his 35th Liga goal of the season.

Barca may not have hit the heights they did in 8-0 and 6-0 wins over Deportivo La Coruna and Sporting Gijon in their previous two matches, but they stay top, level on points with Atleti and one above Real Madrid with two games left.

It was Betis who had the better opportunities in a lacklustre opening, Ruben Castro's bending effort was deflected for a corner from which Claudio Bravo smartly tipped Bruno's header over the crossbar.

Barca struggled for fluency and Luis Enrique cut a frustrated figure in the technical area as his side toiled against a stubborn defence.The visitors saw Andres Iniesta slice wide after good work by Neymar, before the Brazil captain shot tamely at Adan when in a promising position in the area.

Betis were dealt a blow in the 35th minute, though, when Westermann received a second yellow card and subsequent red for chopping down Rakitic.The numerical advantage should have paid dividends a minute after the break.Neymar picked out the run of Suarez, but the usually clinical forward shot wide of the left-hand post when one-on-one.

Barca did have the lead in the 50th minute, though, after shambolic Betis defending.Lionel Messi clipped a harmless pass into the area, but Pezzella failed with a woeful attempted acrobatic clearance and the on-rushing Adan also missed the ball to leave Rakitic to tap into the empty goal.

It was one-way traffic after the opener and Suarez was again uncharacteristically wasteful, the Uruguay forward shooting straight at Adan after being teed up by Messi. But Suarez finally got on the scoresheet with nine minutes remaining, latching on Messi's exquisite throughball and sliding past Adan.

Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was replaced by Marc-Andre ter Stegen late on seemingly as a precaution, but Barca had already done more than enough to secure the points.

 

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Helping Tottenham win the league of no consequence to Hiddink

Guus Hiddink says Chelsea will not hold back against Leicester in their last match of the 2015-16 Premier League, even if it means handing the title to Tottenham.

The Blues' London rivals are in still in with a chance of catching up with the Foxes before the season comes to an end, but the Dutch coach says he will not chance the team's approach.“We will play our game, at our utmost,” Hiddink told a press conference.

With only three games left to play, however, a win against Manchester United would spell victory for Leicester, and the Chelsea boss congratulated Claudio Ranieri's side on their ability to cope with the pressure.

“I think they deserve a lot of credit,” he added. “Pressure can cause a team to implode and they don't – I think this is a very, very important quality this team and their manager have.

“Normally teams can show a lack of effort and [you ask] 'why don't they fight?', but this team is fearless and they don't get passive.”

 

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Arsenal should be doing better, concedes match-winner Welbeck

Danny Welbeck says Arsenal know they should be performing better after their 1-0 win over Norwich City was marred by protests against manager Arsene Wenger.

On his 750th Premier League game in charge of Arsenal, some fans in a divided home support held up banners opposing Wenger in the 12th and 78th minute - referencing the 12 years since their last title.

Prior to Saturday's match, which was won thanks to Welbeck's strike 188 seconds after coming off the substitutes' bench in the second half, the Frenchman had launched a staunch defence of his record and said his critics were going "too far".

But Welbeck acknowledges that Arsenal should be producing more and reveals there is significant disappointment amongst the playing squad at their failure to challenge for the title.

"Obviously everyone is very disappointed," the England striker told Sky Sports."We knew it was a great opportunity for us to go for the title this season and it is difficult to handle the way it is ending. We know in ourselves and as a club that we should be doing better than this.

"As a player you have to focus on the match and not too much on the surroundings. Fans are so important to football clubs and you have to respect that everyone has got an opinion, but we have got to do our stuff on the football pitch.

"We want to finish above Spurs but they want to finish above us. It is going to be difficult. We want to win our final two games and see what happens at the end of the season."

Arsenal are now unbeaten in eight league matches and sit three points clear of Manchester City and eight ahead of West Ham and Manchester United after a victory that moves them closer to Champions League qualification.

Welbeck was thrilled to make an impact in an important game, scoring his fourth goal in 10 league appearances this term."Obviously when you are on the bench you want to come on and make an impact and thankfully I got the goal," he said. "It was a difficult game, they were trying to avoid relegation and fighting to the end but we had to get the three points.

"Obviously it is down to the manager, but I just want to play every single game as players do. After being out for such a long time I am building up my fitness. "I prefer to play as a striker but I will do my best and try to win the game for my team as long as I am on the pitch."

Arsenal face City in a crucial match at the Etihad Stadium next Sunday.

 

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Bale can match Ronaldo's run - Zidane

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has backed Gareth Bale to put his injury problems firmly behind him and emulate the consistency of Cristiano Ronaldo .

Bale headed home a late winner against Real Sociedad on Saturday to keep Madrid's league title hopes alive, just a week after he scored twice to seal a 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Ronaldo, who was forced to miss the trip to Anoeta with a hamstring problem, had played every minute in La Liga this season prior to this weekend, while Bale's campaign has been blighted by calf and back problems.

But Zidane is confident the Wales forward can now match Ronaldo's consistent fitness levels and has expressed his delight at seeing the former Tottenham forward make the difference once more."I'm happy for him. He's had a lot of injury problems. When I see him play for 90 minutes I'm very happy," Zidane said.

"He had problems but he can do what Cristiano does and play a lot of games.When you see an important player score a good goal it bodes well for [the Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City on] Wednesday.

"He could have scored in the first half, you have to suffer and fight and that's what the boys did. They were a very difficult opponent, I'm happy with the effort and the result."

Madrid were also without Karim Benzema on Saturday, with the France international nursing a hamstring complaint, meaning Bale started alongside Lucas Vazquez and Borja Mayoral in attack.With Toni Kroos rested and Marcelo also missing, Zidane was thrilled with the way his rotated squad performed.

"It means everyone is very important. It's important to know that you have 20 or 21 who can always play. It's always difficult when you play every three days," he added.

"We've done our job and that's the important thing. We'll see what the others do. The important thing for us is the victory - without victories, it becomes more difficult. Now we have to rest well and think about Wednesday."

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2016.05.01

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2016.05.01

Swansea Vs Liverpool

Manchester United Vs Leicester City

Southampton Vs Manchester City

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Thawath tough match 1kakbut nothing is impossible!

Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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LA Liga Fixtures 2016.05.01

LA Liga Fixtures 2016.05.01

Athletic Bilbao Vs Celta Vigo

Espanyol Vs Sevilla

Deportivo Vs Getafe

Valencia Vs Villareal​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2016.05.01

Serie A Fixtures 2016.05.01

Juventus Vs Carpi

AC Milan Vs Frosinone

Empoli Vs Bologna

Palermo Vs Sampdoria

Sassuolo Vs Hellas Verona

Lazio Vs Inter​

 

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Half Time

Manchester United 1 Vs 1 Leicester City

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Hoda fight 1kak yanawa

2nd half 1keth meetath wada improve wela play kaloth pattaGood luck Manchester United!
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Full Time

Manchester United 1 Vs 1 Leicester City

Manchester United Goal(s)

Anthony Martial 8'

&

Leicester City Goal(s)

Wes Morgan 17'
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Congratulations Manchester United!

1 point unath godak watinawa

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Van Gaal: I WILL be at Manchester United next season!

Louis van Gaal is adamant he will still be Manchester United manager next season, no matter what happens at the end of the season.

The Red Devils remain in contention for a top-four finish and are in the FA Cup final but speculation over the Dutchman’s future at the club persists.

Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with replacing Van Gaal at Old Trafford but the 64-year-old is relaxed about his future and says he always felt it would take time to bring success to the club."I knew it would be like this. That’s why they hired me and we spoke about it," he told reporters.

"We always knew that the process would take three years. I wanted to sign only for two years."The club wanted me to sign for three years, not me. I signed for three years – so next year you will see me again.

"Every week for six months I have been sacked – and yet I am still here. But this has happened to me at every club I have been at. "I am doing the same job at United that I was hired to do at every club."People should assess the squad that I took over and make a comparison to the players we have now in terms of age.

"There is a big difference between what the people in the street think and the media. A big difference. I can only tell you my experiences and I don’t have to defend myself. I am a realistic man and so I only speak about facts."Van Gaal was also quick to defend his record since taking over in 2014 as he prepares to take on Leicester at Old Trafford on Sunday.

"The fact is that we finished fourth last year. At the moment we are fifth, but we are still able to finish third. On May 15 we will know for sure," he added."The fact is that we are in the FA Cup Final. The fact is that we were in the Champions League. We didn’t do that last year.

"The fact is that we went further in the Capital One Cup. So there are a lot of pluses. Yes, we are in fifth and we are fighting for the one position that is the most important.

"We also have the best home record in the league, but we are one of the lousiest away teams of the top clubs and that is something we need to improve."

 

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'Ronaldo needs rest or risks missing Euro 2016'

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo should miss at least three weeks due to his hamstring injury or risk aggravating it, a former Portugal team doctor said.

Ronaldo has been sidelined since late April but the Liga giants remain hopeful he may be fit to face Manchester City on Wednesday.

However, former Portugal doctor Nuno Campos said if reports were true, the 31-year-old needed a break or risk a setback that would rule him out of Euro 2016.
"If the diagnosis is indeed a micro-tear, he needs between 18 and 21 days," he told Portuguese newspaper Record.

"They need 12 to 14 days to heal completely and another five to seven days for muscle recovery work."It would be less time if it were just a contracture. If so, the problem does not stop him from playing against City."

Madrid's Champions League semi-final tie against City is delicately poised after a 0-0 first-leg draw at the Etihad Stadium.But Campos said there was a concern Ronaldo could suffer further damage and miss the European Championship, which starts on June 10.

"If you do, having a micro-tear is subject to aggravate the situation and there is a risk to the European [Championship]," he said.

 

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Benatia: If I have to leave Bayern, then I will

Medhi Benatia is open to the possibility of leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season amid the club's interest in Mats Hummels.Chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed the club's interest in the Germany international, although the defender has subsequently denied claims he has asked to join Bayern.Talk of Hummels' return to Bayern has sparked speculation over Benatia's future at Allianz Arena amid interest from Italian champions Juventus.

And former Roma centre-back Benatia left the door open to a Bayern exit following Saturday's 1-1 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach, with the Morocco international criticising the club's public pursuit of Hummels."Hummels? He is a great player and would be welcomed here," Benatia was quoted as telling Sky Sport Italia.

"In my case, if I have to leave Bayern at the end of this season, then I will leave."I will not do it like the managerial staff, who spoke about transfer rumours before an important game like the semi-finals of the Champions league [against Atletico Madrid].

"I am only thinking on finishing the season well and I want to live great emotions. I am talking about the Champions League, the Bundesliga title and the German Cup. In a player's career, it is important to live these moments."

 

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Ronaldo returns to Real Madrid training ahead of Manchester City clash

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Real Madrid training as he battles to be fit in time for his side's Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City.

The Portuguese star has missed Madrid's last three games due to a hamstring injury but has taken to social media in recent days to show he is working hard to regain his fitness.

Zinedine Zidane admitted prior to Saturday's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad that both Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were doubts for the clash with the tie delicately balanced at 0-0 after the first leg at the Etihad.

However, Real Madrid have now confirmed that Ronaldo, who is the top scorer in this season's Champions League with 16 goals already, is back in training as they begin their preparations for the clash at the Bernabeu.