..::Football IV::..

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PSG to face Monaco in Coupe de France semis

Paris Saint-Germain have been drawn at home against Ligue 1 title rivals Monaco in the Coupe de France semi-finals.

Unai Emery's men set up a repeat of the Coupe de la Ligue final – which they won last week – by beating third-tier outfit Avranches 4-0 to reach the last four on Wednesday.

Hatem Ben Arfa scored twice, with Lucas Moura and Javier Pastore also on target in an away win that ensured PSG will play Ligue 1 leaders Monaco, who are three points ahead of them with eight games left to play.

Despite trailing in the league, it was PSG who got the better of Leonardo Jardim's men in Saturday's Coupe de la Ligue showpiece, Emery's men winning 4-1 at Parc Olympique Lyonnais courtesy of goals from Julian Draxler, Angel Di Maria and a double from Edinson Cavani.Monaco beat Lille 2-1 in their Coupe de France quarter-final on Tuesday to enter the draw for the last four.

The big two being drawn against each other means Angers host Guingamp in the other semi-final.

Coupe de France semi-final draw:

Angers v Guingamp
PSG v Monaco

 

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'I was furious' - Zidane angry about Madrid lapse

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane admits he was "furious" after his side allowed Leganes back into their La Liga clash on Wednesday.The league leaders were cruising after scoring three times in the opening 23 minutes, only to concede twice before half-time.

Alvaro Morata completed his hat-trick after the break to see Madrid regain complete control on their way to a 4-2 win, but the way the Liga giants let Leganes fight back annoyed Zidane."We made a very good start, we scored two goals and in three minutes the game changed due to the way they reacted," he told a news conference.

"It was because of a lack of concentration, but then we controlled the second half better and we must forget those two minutes, although they could have proved costly."At the time I got angry, I was furious. We let the opposition back into the game and that's football because you never know what can happen.

"In two minutes we made things difficult for ourselves, but we got the fourth goal early in the second half and we controlled the match. I'm not worried about that."Morata scored a hat-trick after James Rodriguez's opener as Madrid maintained their two-point lead over Barcelona atop the table.

Real host the Madrid derby on Saturday before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

 

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Michael Keane deserves sensational Manchester United return

Manchester United are in the midst of an identity crisis. Their long-standing position at the top of the Premier League's food chain has fallen since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson by those that have followed and the club's core principles have slowly been picked apart.

The somewhat chaotic nature of Jose Mourinho's debut season of Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford - shoehorning the world's most expensive player into a distinctively average first XI competing only for the Europa League - looks certain to end outside a place in the elusive top four.

And while the Portuguese continues to stitch the soul back into the club, much will be made about the toothlessness of the attack and the need to reinforce the attacking unit once the lunacy of the summer transfer window resumes. Mourinho, though, is likely to begin the restructure from the back.A number of defensive targets have already been mooted for a switch to Old Trafford, though none as regularly as former United graduate Michael Keane.

Having spent over a decade at his boyhood club, his association was ended by Louis van Gaal halfway through the 2014-15 season as his loan move to Burnley was turned into a permanent one, having been deemed not ready to challenge the likes of Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Marcos Rojo in the first team.

Since then, though, Keane has led the Clarets into the Premier League and seen his consistency rewarded with two senior England caps - the 33rd England international to be produced by United's academy.

”It's inevitable really, these things happen," Keane replied when questioned on the speculation linking him away from Turf Moor, following his appearance for the Three Lions.A summer move to the Premier League elite also now seems inevitable, having assembled the attributes needed to ply his trade at the top of English football, and Mourinho could do far worse than to build his backline around the 24-year-old.

"I'm a United fan and I always will be," Keane conceded during a recent interview."It was always United." The club now have an opportunity to sign a player comparable to Manchester City's John Stones, but for half the price.

As you'd expect, Keane has registered more tackles, interceptions and clearances than Stones this season in the Premier League, such is the nature of playing for a team in the wrong half of the table. Keane is one of only two Burnley players to have played every minute of the campaign, amassing almost 600 defensive actions.

However, Keane's composure and ability to read the game has been showcased against the best the league has to offer this season - something which former United centre-half Rio Ferdinand has highlighted on more than one occasion this term.
“He’s like I was at 24: a great sponge. He’s from a great family and had a good school upbringing," Ferdinand said of Keane in his Sunday Times column earlier in the season.

“He’s very mature for his age – one you’d want your daughter to bring home.“He never blames others, which is refreshing, because not all the younger generation of players are like that.“Michael is a throwback – and other youngsters should look at him for inspiration.”

United chiefs would have to pay considerably more than the £2.5 million Keane joined Burnley for, though compared to the record-breaking fee they forked out to regain the services of Paul Pogba prior to the season, Keane's £25m price-tag is a steal.There's likely to be conflict over the 24-year-old's signature this summer, though should Mourinho and his team show serious interest in the England international, there is likely to be only one outcome.

There is an inevitability about Keane's return to Old Trafford, and under Mourinho's tutelage he may find the platform he needs to find his true potential. Should the move transpire, it would be a well-deserved one for the centre-back.

 

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Free-falling Netherlands drop to lowest-ever FIFA ranking

Netherlands have dropped to their lowest ever position in FIFA's latest World Ranking, following a dismal run under now-sacked head coach Danny Blind.

Having failed to qualify for the 2016 European Championships in France, they are now also in real danger of missing out on a spot in the 2018 World Cup and are down to 32nd in the rankings.Netherlands now sit fourth in a six-team group, six points behind leaders France, having won just two of their five qualifying games.

Meanwhile Brazil have returned to the top of the pile for the first time in seven years following recent wins over Uruguay, and Paraguay and booking their seat on their plane to Russia.

The Selecao were the biggest movers in regards to points - up 127 - while Macedonia were the biggest movers in terms of rankings - up 33.There were a total of 129 games played across the month, leading to movement throughout the rankings.

Just 19 of the 211 member associations remained in the same position as their March placings, with Switzerland - moving from 11th to ninth - the only side to break into the top 10.Peru - 17th - Curaçao - 70th, Swaziland - 88th, and Papua New Guinea - 156th, all registered new personal bests.

United States rose seven places to 23rd, Northern Ireland rose nine places to 26th and Greece also enjoyed a seven-place swing up to 39th, one place above Nigeria.England remained 12th following their 1-0 defeat to Germany and 2-0 win over Lithuania.

Uruguay, however, dropped six places to 15, having lost to both Brazil and Peru in March.

 

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Spain 10th placeTop of the table enna one kohomahari​

 

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'Liverpool should be more like Chelsea' - Klopp admits his side lack experience

Jurgen Klopp wants his Liverpool side to be more like Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Antonio Conte's Blues took another big step towards the title with a battling 2-1 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, maintaining a seven-point advantage over Tottenham at the summit.City applied ample pressure during the second half as Chelsea held firm, Eden Hazard's brace proving decisive, while Liverpool were unable to hold on at Anfield as Josh King secured a late 2-2 draw for Bournemouth.

The Reds lie third in the table, 12 points behind Chelsea having played a game more, and Klopp believes his team could take on some more streetwise qualities.
Asked if Liverpool could learn lessons from the champions elect, Klopp said: "Probably. [If it was] Chelsea, for example, the opponent would not have the ball three times in the last 20 minutes, I think.

"Yes, we don't have this experience. Probably you need things like this to get more experience, even though [the result] was not that good.

"On the other hand, we've still scored the most goals in the Premier League so far, so it's part of the game that we try to create moments all the time. We have to get more experience in this, for sure."

Liverpool have seven matches remaining – one fewer than City immediately below them, while fifth-placed Arsenal and Manchester United in sixth have two games in hand – and travel to Stoke City on Saturday.

 

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Kante backs Hazard for PFA Player of the Year prize

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante says team-mate Eden Hazard deserves to win the PFA Player of the Year award.

The Belgium international scored both goals for his side as they secured what could prove to be a valuable 2-1 win over Manchester City on Wednesday that keeps them seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Kante is among the favourites to claim the prize, having maintained the exceptional form he produced in Leicester City's remarkable title triumph of last season, but the France midfielder says Hazard deserves it more."For me, it's easy to say one player from Chelsea," he told Sky Sports News. "We can all see what Eden Hazard is doing. He's a different-class player."

Chelsea will be crowned champions for the second time in three seasons if they win six of their remaining eight matches, and Kante has urged his team-mates not to expect second-placed Spurs to drop points and make their lives easier.

"We still have eight games and we have to win six," he said. "Tottenham are a good team playing very well, so it's not done and we have to fight."Maybe Tottenham and Liverpool are going to come back so we have to focus on our game and play game-after-game for the title.


"Mathematically we need six wins, so we just need to focus on our way and win six games as soon as possible for this title."

 

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Lingard signs new four-year Man Utd contract

Jesse Lingard has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United, the club have announced, in a deal thought to be worth £100,000 a week.

The winger’s previous contract was set to expire in the summer of 2018, but United have moved to tie him down until 2021 with a financial package which will pocket the 24-year-old a total of nearly £21 million over the course of the next four years.

The two parties had first begun negotiating a deal last autumn and Jose Mourinho’s outfit were keen to reach a final agreement with Lingard before the 2016-17 season drew to a close. The attacker has so far made 70 appearances for the club, including 29 in the current campaign.

Lingard is delighted to have committed to fresh terms, telling the club's official website: “Manchester United has always been a big part of my life. I have been with the club since the age of seven and I feel great pride every time I pull the shirt on. To have scored in two cup finals for my boyhood club were immensely proud moments for me and my family.

"As a team, we have already won a major trophy this season and I look forward to helping us win many more under this great manager. I would like to say a special thank you to the fans for the great support they have always given me and the team.”

Mourinho added: "Jesse has been with the club since the age of seven. He has good intelligence which, when combined with his energy and ability, makes for a player with a great future ahead of him. Jesse is a popular member of the squad and I am delighted he has signed a new contract."

Lingard was a member of the Red Devils' FA Youth Cup-winning team in 2011 which also featured the likes of Paul Pogba, Michael Keane, Ravel Morrison and Sam Johnstone.

After loan spells with Leicester, Birmingham and Brighton, Lingard made his United debut in August 2014 but lasted just 25 minutes of Louis van Gaal’s first game in charge due to a serious knee injury which kept him out of action for six months.

He then made his real breakthrough in 2015-16, scoring six goals in 40 games for United including the winner in the 2-1 FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace.Lingard has netted on his two club appearances at Wembley this season also, in the Community Shield win over Leicester and the EFL Cup triumph against Southampton.

The wide man has also played four times for England since Gareth Southgate succeeded Sam Allardyce as head coach last autumn.

 

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Congratulations Lingard!

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Griezmann tired of constant Man Utd and Madrid transfer talk

Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann admits he is beginning to grow tired of the constant speculation surrounding his future.The France international has been heavily linked with La Liga leaders Real Madrid and Premier League side Manchester United for large parts of this season.

Griezmann has discouraged talk of a move to England by suggesting that he is put off by Manchester's typically rainy climate, while he has repeatedly stressed that he is happy with life at the Vicente Calderon.

And the 26-year-old is in no mood to continue public discussions over a possible transfer.

"I don't know what to say – it's always the same questions," he told the media on Thursday."I've said it so many times, I've done a lot of front covers saying that I see myself here. I've already answered, I'm not going to do so again.
"I'm not fed up with it – but I nearly am."

Atletico meet Madrid in the second league derby of the season on Saturday, knowing that a defeat would see them slip 13 points behind the leaders having played a game more.

Griezmann, however, is refusing to abandon hope of a title push given that champions Barcelona so nearly managed to throw away a clear advantage in the closing months of last season."We've been working in the last few days to reach the derby in the best way possible. It's a very important game for the fans," he said.

"We hope it goes well. I hope we win."I don't know – you never know. Last year, we were nine points off the top and in three matches we were level."We'll try to win all the matches that we have left. We want to qualify for the Champions League – it's our objective."

 

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'I'm not joining Barca!' - Isco reassures Real Madrid fans

Real Madrid midfielder Isco has moved to quell rumours that he is nearing a move to Barcelona after a photo blunder fuelled speculation that he was on his way to Catalonia.

The Spain international has been linked with a move away from Madrid in recent weeks, with Barca touted as a possible destination, and the rumour mill was sent into overdrive on Thursday when he was curiously pictured with Barcelona-branded crisps.

Isco removed the photo on Instagram before posting a new image without the crisps, but supporters were left feeling suspicious about the star's future intentions.

However, he has since dismissed the speculation and outrage, stressing his commitment to Los Blancos in a series of Twitter posts.

"I'm not joining Barca, you annoying people!" Isco wrote on his personal Twitter page."This was a photo to say that we're going to beat them."The 24-year-old added that he had not even tried the snacks and that it was all a joke with his friends.

"By the way, I have not even tried them!" he added, to reassure Madrid fans.

 

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Wenger: Arsenal will announce my future - but I don't know when

Arsene Wenger says it will be down to Arsenal to announce whether he will remain at the club beyond the end of the season.

Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season and has come under intense pressure to end his 20-year reign, with the FA Cup now Arsenal's last chance of winning silverware this season.

The Frenchman has revealed a decision has been made on his future, but has consistently refused to announce it publicly despite huge debate over his next move.

And with under two months to go until the end of 2016-17, Wenger could not even confirm the announcement will be made before the season's conclusion as he spoke ahead of Monday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.Asked whether the announcement would come from him or Arsenal, Wenger said: "From the club.

"I have nothing to add. Of course [I am planning for pre-season games], but no [that does not suggest anything] - that suggests that I do my job, which is to plan for the future of the club.

"I cannot tell you now [if the announcement will be before the end of the season] because I don't know. I'm focused now on the next game."Wenger was then asked on three consecutive occasions whether he could confirm the existence of a two-year contract offer from Arsenal, but the 67-year-old refused to budge.

"I have spoken enough about that," he said. "I have nothing to add on that. I cannot tell you anything more than I said many times."I can understand that the subject is maybe of an interest but to me what is of interest is what is happening on the football pitch.

"Sport is about your next performance. It is down to you to change things."What is to be professional is to focus on what is important - that means performance."

 

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Former Manchester United star Cole undergoes kidney transplant

Former Manchester United and England striker Andrew Cole has undergone a kidney transplant operation.

The club announced on Friday the 45-year-old has had surgery at the Manchester Royal Infirmary as part of his treatment for a condition called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.United added that Cole will take a break from his role as a club ambassador as he recovers.

"Andrew and his family would like to thank the club and fans for their support," United said in a statement. "They also request that he can continue with his treatment in private, and ask that their privacy is respected."Cole, who earned 15 caps for England, won five Premier League titles and the Champions League in a glittering career at Old Trafford after making his breakthrough at Newcastle United.


He suffered kidney failure and was later diagnosed with his current illness in 2014, after initially contracting an airborne virus.

 

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Get well soon Cole!​

 

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Pochettino turns up heat on Premier League leaders Chelsea

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino claims Chelsea would find it difficult to accept if they failed to win the Premier League this season.Antonio Conte's side hold a seven-point lead over second-placed Spurs as they head into their final eight matches of the 2016-17 campaign.

Conte claimed this week there is greater pressure on Chelsea than their London rivals to win silverware, and Pochettino has suggested the Blues would have few excuses if they surrendered their lead at this stage.

"When you are seven points above the second-placed team with eight games to go, it is normal in the end to win the league," Pochettino told a news conference ahead of his side's clash with Watford on Saturday."It is difficult enough to affect your own team, even when you are with them every day.

"Now it is up to them to win the league. We are in a position where we need to do our job, win games and put pressure on them."But it's true that if after the last eight games of the season they haven't won the league, it will be tough for them to accept."

Pochettino was quick to stress, however, that he was not attempting to engage in a mind-game battle with their title rivals."I don't believe in mind games," he said. "The 'mind game' is to provide my team with belief and character, which we showed at Swansea [in a 3-1 victory].

"So it is very difficult to affect other teams or managers by playing mind games, as you call them in England. We are strong enough. We are the closest team in the league to Chelsea – that is the reality."We are in a different project [from Chelsea], we are a different club. Our history is massive, bigger than many other clubs' in England.

"From when we arrived [in May 2014], the mentality has improved every single day. Many good things have happened here in the last two and a half years. I am so happy and feel very proud of our club and our fans.

"Maybe after all the work we have done, one day we will start to be rewarded for the way we play football. That is the way we believe we can win in the future."

 

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Arsenal mull over defensive targets as scout watches Chelsea - Man City clash

Arsenal had a scout in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to watch Chelsea play Manchester City, Goal understands.

The Gunners have scouts across the world who regularly send reports back to Arsene Wenger and his scouting team, but it is of particular note that one was present in south-west London to witness the title favourites edge past Pep Guardiola’s side.

It’s considered common practice for the Gunners to cover big games in the Premier League and abroad with France-based scout and former Arsenal defender Gilles Grimandi spotted at Monaco’s Stade Louis II stadium several times this season casting an eye over Ligue 1’s most exciting attacking team.

Although there is no indication as to which player in particular the scout would have focused on, defence remains a priority for Arsenal and is an area where the club are looking to strengthen in ahead of next season.

Wenger himself remains heavily involved in the planning and preparation for the summer’s transfer activities and chief transfer fixer Dick Law continues to hold talks with agents and members of the current playing staff over new contract extensions.

When asked if he was getting ready for Arsenal’s pre-season, Wenger replied: “Of course. My job is to plan for the future of the club.”

Kurt Zouma - The Ivorian defender has been tracked by Arsenal since his days with French side St Etienne. Armed with excellent aerial abilities and brute upper body strength, Zouma would be the perfect fit alongside Shkodran Mustafi or Laurent Koscielny as the latter comes to the final stage of his Gunners career.

It would take a huge offer to land the 22-year-old centre back but stranger things have happened. The William Gallas deal in 2006, which saw Ashley Cole go the other way, is an example that both clubs will do business together.

Vincent Kompany - There is also the possibility of Arsenal being tipped off about the Belgian defender starting his first game since November on Tuesday night.


Kompany has suffered an injury-plagued season at the Etihad, having made just six appearances across all competitions but despite his injury issues, Kompany possesses an array of defensive qualities which could tempt Wenger to sign him from a club where it appears his days are numbered.

 

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Mourinho: 'Killer' Chicharito would have scored 20 goals with Man Utd

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez could have been prolific if he stayed at Manchester United, according to Jose Mourinho.The Red Devils boss told reporters that the Mexican international could have hit double figures with little trouble this season had he still been at Old Trafford.

"We have good players, they are creative players, they can create, but they are not the kind of guy that is naturally a killer," Mourinho said.

"I give a simple example — in the way we play at Old Trafford, in the way we dominate opponents, in the way we play in the box, I think Chicharito would have scored 20 goals easy."Even coming from the bench for the last 10 or 20 minutes, he would have 20 goals.

"He is the guy that naturally the ball comes here, rebound here, rebounds there, boom, goal."The goalkeeper saves, he goes there, boom, goal. The cross is coming, he anticipates the first-post header, goal."

Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hit for double digits for United in the Premier League this term, something that Mourinho said Hernandez could have matched had he not been sold to Bayer Leverkusen for £7.3 million in 2015.
"I think Zlatan's number of goals [27] is a number for every striker," he said."I think all the others, and I am not just speaking about the strikers, I am speaking about the attacking players with freedom, they have to reach always reach a certain number of goals which, when added between them, means a lot of victories, a lot of points, but no-one has reached that level."Hernandez has scored 27 goals in 51 league appearances for Leverkusen.

 

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Klopp: Liverpool can cope without Mane

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted his side can cope with the loss of injured forward Sadio Mane, who will miss the rest of the Premier League season.

Mane will sit out the remainder of the campaign due to a knee injury, which requires surgery following an awkward tangle with Leighton Baines during last week's Merseyside derby victory over Everton.

The news has come as a blow to Liverpool's top-four hopes, having watched Mane scored 13 goals and add five assists in 27 appearances.

However, Klopp believes Liverpool have shown they are capable of performing in the Senegal international's absence – pointing to the chances created without Mane in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

"I know everyone was talking before about how we miss Sadio Mane and we do miss Sadio Mane but he doesn't help us too much in defending and we created enough chances to have scored more," Klopp said ahead of Saturday's trip to Stoke City.

"Again, around the second goal, Sadio would not have been too much involved in defending so the influence of missing Sadio was not too big. "That's why it felt like it did at the end. It could have been good. It could have been the perfect game in terms of the result, a bad start, coming back at this stage of the season with a sick Phil [Coutinho] and a tired Roberto [Firminio], all that stuff. "It could have been the perfect result but unfortunately between perfect and difficult to accept – sometimes it is only a second. That's how it was in this game."

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.04.08

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.04.08

Tottenham Vs Watford

Manchester City Vs Hull City

Middlesbrough Vs Burnley

Stoke City Vs Liverpool

WBA Vs Southampton

West Ham Vs Swansea

Bournemouth Vs Chelsea

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LA Liga Fixtures 2017.04.08

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.04.08

Espanyol Vs Alaves

Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid

Sevilla Vs Deportivo

Malaga Vs Barcelona​