Barclays Premier League Fixture 2017.04.10
Barclays Premier League Fixture 2017.04.10
Crystal Palace Vs Arsenal
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..::Football IV::..
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Mourinho admits top-four finishes are not enough for Man Utd
Jose Mourinho is eager to ensure that Manchester United do not become “happy fighting for the top four”, insisting that major titles are still his priority.The Red Devils have collected more silverware this season, with the Community Shield and EFL Cup returned to the Old Trafford trophy cabinet.They are also through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with Mourinho determined to savour further success in Europe.
He is, however, also looking to push the club into Champions League contention through their Premier League standing, with it important that the club keep striving for ongoing improvement on all fronts.The Portuguese said after a 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light: “After Liverpool and Manchester City’s victories, it was a difficult win.
“It’s almost mathematically impossible so it was important for us to win and that was the main objective. We are still fighting for our situation in the Premier League, but the Europa League will become a more fundamental competition for us.“I think it is as difficult as finishing fourth, that is the only competition that we can win now and we have to fight for that.
“I don’t want to our club to be just happy with fighting for the top four and Champions League, we want to fight for trophies.”United have moved back into fifth place in the Premier League table, four points behind arch-rivals Manchester City with a game in hand.
They will, however, slip down to sixth once again if Arsenal emerge victorious in a London derby with Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
Jose Mourinho is eager to ensure that Manchester United do not become “happy fighting for the top four”, insisting that major titles are still his priority.The Red Devils have collected more silverware this season, with the Community Shield and EFL Cup returned to the Old Trafford trophy cabinet.They are also through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with Mourinho determined to savour further success in Europe.
He is, however, also looking to push the club into Champions League contention through their Premier League standing, with it important that the club keep striving for ongoing improvement on all fronts.The Portuguese said after a 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light: “After Liverpool and Manchester City’s victories, it was a difficult win.
“It’s almost mathematically impossible so it was important for us to win and that was the main objective. We are still fighting for our situation in the Premier League, but the Europa League will become a more fundamental competition for us.“I think it is as difficult as finishing fourth, that is the only competition that we can win now and we have to fight for that.
“I don’t want to our club to be just happy with fighting for the top four and Champions League, we want to fight for trophies.”United have moved back into fifth place in the Premier League table, four points behind arch-rivals Manchester City with a game in hand.
They will, however, slip down to sixth once again if Arsenal emerge victorious in a London derby with Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
Date set for Mane surgery as Liverpool face anxious wait on recovery
Liverpool winger Sadio Mane’s operation to rectify the meniscus damage in his left knee is pencilled in for Tuesday morning.
The Senegal international, who picked up the injury during an awkward tussle with Leighton Baines during the 3-1 Merseyside derby victory over Everton on April 1, will travel to London for the procedure.
There was initial hope that surgery could be avoided, but the decision to correct the problem and give Mane enough time to recuperate ahead of the new campaign was the most sensible course of action. A two-month recovery period is anticipated.
Jurgen Klopp managed to extract the positives from what has been a significant hindrance to Liverpool by pointing out the club’s top scorer will have “a long break” and will be “ready for the next season.” Mane’s influence for the Anfield side since his £30 million summer switch from Southampton has been sizeable.
The 25-year-old has recorded 13 goals and five assists in the Premier League and has been essential to Liverpool’s status as the division’s best attack.
Mane’s speed, willingness to take his markers on, reading of space, exceptional decision-making and work off the ball has greatly assisted the team’s implementation of Klopp’s full-throttle blueprint.
His absence during the Africa Cup of Nations illustrated just how much of an impact he has made during his debut season on Merseyside, with the Reds failing to win in the top-flight during his unavailability.The 2-1 victory at Stoke on Saturday is the first occasion, at the fifth time of asking, that Liverpool have picked up maximum points without Mane.
Liverpool winger Sadio Mane’s operation to rectify the meniscus damage in his left knee is pencilled in for Tuesday morning.
The Senegal international, who picked up the injury during an awkward tussle with Leighton Baines during the 3-1 Merseyside derby victory over Everton on April 1, will travel to London for the procedure.
There was initial hope that surgery could be avoided, but the decision to correct the problem and give Mane enough time to recuperate ahead of the new campaign was the most sensible course of action. A two-month recovery period is anticipated.
Jurgen Klopp managed to extract the positives from what has been a significant hindrance to Liverpool by pointing out the club’s top scorer will have “a long break” and will be “ready for the next season.” Mane’s influence for the Anfield side since his £30 million summer switch from Southampton has been sizeable.
The 25-year-old has recorded 13 goals and five assists in the Premier League and has been essential to Liverpool’s status as the division’s best attack.
Mane’s speed, willingness to take his markers on, reading of space, exceptional decision-making and work off the ball has greatly assisted the team’s implementation of Klopp’s full-throttle blueprint.
His absence during the Africa Cup of Nations illustrated just how much of an impact he has made during his debut season on Merseyside, with the Reds failing to win in the top-flight during his unavailability.The 2-1 victory at Stoke on Saturday is the first occasion, at the fifth time of asking, that Liverpool have picked up maximum points without Mane.
Crystal Palace 3 Arsenal 0: Allardyce's men pile more misery on Wenger
Crystal Palace battered Arsenal 3-0 on Monday to edge away from the Premier League's relegation zone and pile even more pressure on beleaguered Arsene Wenger.
Sam Allardyce had lost 15 times to Wenger in the league previously but the hosts' resurgence under the former England manager continued with their fifth win in six games - which now includes the scalp of Arsenal having also beaten league leaders Chelsea.
Palace opened the scoring with their first shot on target, Andros Townsend turning in a low cross from his fellow winger Wilfried Zaha after Arsenal failed to deal with a long ball.
Zaha and Townsend were both involved in Palace's second goal too, with the former picking out Yohan Cabaye for a brilliant finish, and Luka Milivojevic converted a penalty for his first Premier League goal to complete an impressive victory over a limp Arsenal side.
Wenger's men have now lost four successive away Premier League games, conceding three goals in each, and their chances of qualifying for the Champions League - as they have every season under the Frenchman - are fading fast, with a seven-point gap to make up on fourth-placed Manchester City.
Palace's crushing win increases their cushion from the bottom three to six points, although they stay 16th, while Allardyce's men have a game in hand on the two sides immediately below them in the table, Hull City and Swansea City.
Milivojevic shot narrowly wide after six minutes as an unchanged Palace side made a bright start, before Wayne Hennessey turned a firm Mohamed Elneny drive around his right-hand post.
Under-pressure Wenger could then only sit and watch as Palace took the lead after 16 minutes. Christian Benteke won a long Hennessey kick and Townsend and Cabaye combined to find Zaha on the right.
Despite the winger slipping as he delivered a low cross, Townsend arrived late to lift a clipped first-time finish past Emiliano Martinez on his 250th club football appearance.
Alexis Sanchez tested Hennessey and the Chilean bent another effort wide of the far post as Arsenal sought an immediate response.
But Palace continued to threaten and Benteke forced a sharp near-post save from Martinez after 41 minutes, with the resulting corner flicking narrowly wide via an Arsenal defender.Danny Welbeck almost equalised for the visitors shortly before half-time when fed by Mesut Ozil but the striker's shot across goal went wide, then Hennessey easily claimed Gabriel's header.
Wenger had never before lost a Premier League game against Palace but the hosts had the ball in the net again five minutes after the interval, although a raised flag disallowed Benteke's rebound finish.Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey were introduced in a double switch from Wenger after 58 minutes but Palace soon added a second goal to take full control.
Townsend fed Zaha and, although the winger was again off-balance as he pulled the ball back, Cabaye's powerful dipping strike gave Martinez no chance.
The Arsenal keeper then brought down Townsend in the box and Milivojevic beat him with a sweetly-taken penalty to nudge Palace closer to Premier League safety.
For Wenger the pressure continues to grow with another abysmal display doing nothing to keep the angry Gunners fans from pushing him closer to the Emirates' exit door.
Crystal Palace battered Arsenal 3-0 on Monday to edge away from the Premier League's relegation zone and pile even more pressure on beleaguered Arsene Wenger.
Sam Allardyce had lost 15 times to Wenger in the league previously but the hosts' resurgence under the former England manager continued with their fifth win in six games - which now includes the scalp of Arsenal having also beaten league leaders Chelsea.
Palace opened the scoring with their first shot on target, Andros Townsend turning in a low cross from his fellow winger Wilfried Zaha after Arsenal failed to deal with a long ball.
Zaha and Townsend were both involved in Palace's second goal too, with the former picking out Yohan Cabaye for a brilliant finish, and Luka Milivojevic converted a penalty for his first Premier League goal to complete an impressive victory over a limp Arsenal side.
Wenger's men have now lost four successive away Premier League games, conceding three goals in each, and their chances of qualifying for the Champions League - as they have every season under the Frenchman - are fading fast, with a seven-point gap to make up on fourth-placed Manchester City.
Palace's crushing win increases their cushion from the bottom three to six points, although they stay 16th, while Allardyce's men have a game in hand on the two sides immediately below them in the table, Hull City and Swansea City.
Milivojevic shot narrowly wide after six minutes as an unchanged Palace side made a bright start, before Wayne Hennessey turned a firm Mohamed Elneny drive around his right-hand post.
Under-pressure Wenger could then only sit and watch as Palace took the lead after 16 minutes. Christian Benteke won a long Hennessey kick and Townsend and Cabaye combined to find Zaha on the right.
Despite the winger slipping as he delivered a low cross, Townsend arrived late to lift a clipped first-time finish past Emiliano Martinez on his 250th club football appearance.
Alexis Sanchez tested Hennessey and the Chilean bent another effort wide of the far post as Arsenal sought an immediate response.
But Palace continued to threaten and Benteke forced a sharp near-post save from Martinez after 41 minutes, with the resulting corner flicking narrowly wide via an Arsenal defender.Danny Welbeck almost equalised for the visitors shortly before half-time when fed by Mesut Ozil but the striker's shot across goal went wide, then Hennessey easily claimed Gabriel's header.
Wenger had never before lost a Premier League game against Palace but the hosts had the ball in the net again five minutes after the interval, although a raised flag disallowed Benteke's rebound finish.Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey were introduced in a double switch from Wenger after 58 minutes but Palace soon added a second goal to take full control.
Townsend fed Zaha and, although the winger was again off-balance as he pulled the ball back, Cabaye's powerful dipping strike gave Martinez no chance.
The Arsenal keeper then brought down Townsend in the box and Milivojevic beat him with a sweetly-taken penalty to nudge Palace closer to Premier League safety.
For Wenger the pressure continues to grow with another abysmal display doing nothing to keep the angry Gunners fans from pushing him closer to the Emirates' exit door.
Wenger: Crystal Palace defeat a big worry
Arsene Wenger admitted he is worried about Arsenal's top-four chances after another poor performance saw them comfortably beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday.
A fourth successive away Premier League defeat - the first time Wenger has endured such a run at the club - leaves Arsenal seven points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualfication.
Goals from Andros Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and a Luka Milivojevic penalty condemned Arsenal to a heavy defeat and only West Ham, Sunderland and Middlesbrough have collected fewer points than Arsenal in the last eight league games, leaving a muted Wenger demanding an improvement from his players.
"Our fans are very unhappy and they come here hoping to see us win a game," Wenger - who said there is no news about his contract situation - told Sky Sports.
"Every defeat is a big worry. I've managed over 1,000 games and we are not used to this, it's a big worry. Unfortunately it is like that and we have to respond very quickly and not accept it."I am determined to put things right, the worry is not me, it is that we lost a big game and it is a big worry."
The Frenchman saw his side fail to record a single shot on target in the second half and Wenger felt his team's inability to win decisive duels was costly, while the lack of protection for his defence ensured Christian Benteke wreaked havoc in attack for the hosts.
"I felt that we created quite dangerous situations but defensively we were exposed at times and offensively we couldn't finish," Wenger said. "In the second half they were stronger than us but the second goal was unfortunate and the penalty killed our game.
"Benteke was up for it and he was a handful. I think they were sharper than us in the duels and in many decisive situations tonight. It's not the right moment to analyse the game, we had a lot of the ball and possession, but they won the decisive duels and they were stronger, especially Benteke.
"What we say in the dressing room remains in the dressing room. They won more decisive duels than us. It's damaging of course but top four is difficult for us, it is a difficult defeat and it has consequences on our chances to be in the top four."
Arsene Wenger admitted he is worried about Arsenal's top-four chances after another poor performance saw them comfortably beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday.
A fourth successive away Premier League defeat - the first time Wenger has endured such a run at the club - leaves Arsenal seven points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualfication.
Goals from Andros Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and a Luka Milivojevic penalty condemned Arsenal to a heavy defeat and only West Ham, Sunderland and Middlesbrough have collected fewer points than Arsenal in the last eight league games, leaving a muted Wenger demanding an improvement from his players.
"Our fans are very unhappy and they come here hoping to see us win a game," Wenger - who said there is no news about his contract situation - told Sky Sports.
"Every defeat is a big worry. I've managed over 1,000 games and we are not used to this, it's a big worry. Unfortunately it is like that and we have to respond very quickly and not accept it."I am determined to put things right, the worry is not me, it is that we lost a big game and it is a big worry."
The Frenchman saw his side fail to record a single shot on target in the second half and Wenger felt his team's inability to win decisive duels was costly, while the lack of protection for his defence ensured Christian Benteke wreaked havoc in attack for the hosts.
"I felt that we created quite dangerous situations but defensively we were exposed at times and offensively we couldn't finish," Wenger said. "In the second half they were stronger than us but the second goal was unfortunate and the penalty killed our game.
"Benteke was up for it and he was a handful. I think they were sharper than us in the duels and in many decisive situations tonight. It's not the right moment to analyse the game, we had a lot of the ball and possession, but they won the decisive duels and they were stronger, especially Benteke.
"What we say in the dressing room remains in the dressing room. They won more decisive duels than us. It's damaging of course but top four is difficult for us, it is a difficult defeat and it has consequences on our chances to be in the top four."
Ancelotti wants to beat Real Madrid at all costs - Bayern chief Rummenigge
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Bayern Munich's impending Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid has been on Carlo Ancelotti's mind for a while, but feels his side may be the only ones capable of beating the defending champions.
The Bundesliga champions host the Liga leaders for the first-leg on Wednesday, as Ancelotti comes up against his old club Madrid, who are now managed by the Italian's former assistant Zinedine Zidane.While Bayern chief executive Rummenigge understands the strength of Madrid, he feels Ancelotti has an incredible desire to get one over his old paymasters and guide his team into the last four.
"I have met all kinds of different coaches at Bayern Munich," he told DPA.
"He has made a big impression on me with his composure and the way he looks at his work.
"He has a beautiful memory in winning the Champions League in Lisbon (with Real against Atletico Madrid) but he has been thinking about this game for some time now and wants to win it at all costs.
"It will be a very difficult quarer-final for us. We will have to deliver two super games to have a chance of reaching the semi-finals."If there is anyone capable of eliminating the defending champion then maybe it is us."
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Bayern Munich's impending Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid has been on Carlo Ancelotti's mind for a while, but feels his side may be the only ones capable of beating the defending champions.
The Bundesliga champions host the Liga leaders for the first-leg on Wednesday, as Ancelotti comes up against his old club Madrid, who are now managed by the Italian's former assistant Zinedine Zidane.While Bayern chief executive Rummenigge understands the strength of Madrid, he feels Ancelotti has an incredible desire to get one over his old paymasters and guide his team into the last four.
"I have met all kinds of different coaches at Bayern Munich," he told DPA.
"He has made a big impression on me with his composure and the way he looks at his work.
"He has a beautiful memory in winning the Champions League in Lisbon (with Real against Atletico Madrid) but he has been thinking about this game for some time now and wants to win it at all costs.
"It will be a very difficult quarer-final for us. We will have to deliver two super games to have a chance of reaching the semi-finals."If there is anyone capable of eliminating the defending champion then maybe it is us."
Barcelona the toughest team Juventus could have faced, says Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon says Barcelona are the toughest team Juventus could have been drawn to face in the Champions League quarter-finals.Juve are at home for the first leg on Tuesday in a mouth-watering tie that is a repeat of the 2015 final, which Barca won 3-1 in Berlin.
Buffon thinks Juve have closed the gap on Luis Enrique's side since then, but acknowledged the huge task awaiting his side."I think we know that in these two games we are meeting the strongest team we could face," Buffon said at Juve's pre-match media conference.
"But it is also true that it is the Champions League and it will be nice to measure ourselves against them."I have never seen the final in Berlin again, but I have clear memories of that night which give me reasons to be positive ahead of this match.
"They were much stronger than us, especially in the way they approached the game. Now we have two more years of experience at this level which allows us to play in such games with a different mentality."That makes me cautiously optimistic, even if they are stronger on paper. The distance to them has narrowed."
"We already have clarity about who our opponents are and the ability of the team we will be facing, so it shouldn't take us by surprise," added the Italy international."Barcelona are probably the most difficult team to knock out over two legs, because often if whether they win or lose is down to their own performance."Barcelona have a philosophy and style of play that has been established for many years and has led to the triumphs and success we all know about.
"We have had a different path in the last 10 years, we have had some difficulties but we are finally back at the forefront where we deserve to stay and where our history says we deserve to be."
The Juventus goalkeeper was also quick to pay tribute to Barca's "devastating" attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
Buffon said: "I don't know how many teams play with three out-and-out strikers like Barcelona."I don't want to disrespect the other Barcelona players, but when you have players like Neymar, Messi and Suárez up front it's difficult not to focus on their attack.
"They help each other, they make assists for each other, they play together with a lot of joy and they work together for the team, so everything is very difficult for their opponents. They are unselfish players who have earned a huge amount of respect.
"They have devastating attacking power which any coach would love to have at his disposal."
Gianluigi Buffon says Barcelona are the toughest team Juventus could have been drawn to face in the Champions League quarter-finals.Juve are at home for the first leg on Tuesday in a mouth-watering tie that is a repeat of the 2015 final, which Barca won 3-1 in Berlin.
Buffon thinks Juve have closed the gap on Luis Enrique's side since then, but acknowledged the huge task awaiting his side."I think we know that in these two games we are meeting the strongest team we could face," Buffon said at Juve's pre-match media conference.
"But it is also true that it is the Champions League and it will be nice to measure ourselves against them."I have never seen the final in Berlin again, but I have clear memories of that night which give me reasons to be positive ahead of this match.
"They were much stronger than us, especially in the way they approached the game. Now we have two more years of experience at this level which allows us to play in such games with a different mentality."That makes me cautiously optimistic, even if they are stronger on paper. The distance to them has narrowed."
"We already have clarity about who our opponents are and the ability of the team we will be facing, so it shouldn't take us by surprise," added the Italy international."Barcelona are probably the most difficult team to knock out over two legs, because often if whether they win or lose is down to their own performance."Barcelona have a philosophy and style of play that has been established for many years and has led to the triumphs and success we all know about.
"We have had a different path in the last 10 years, we have had some difficulties but we are finally back at the forefront where we deserve to stay and where our history says we deserve to be."
The Juventus goalkeeper was also quick to pay tribute to Barca's "devastating" attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
Buffon said: "I don't know how many teams play with three out-and-out strikers like Barcelona."I don't want to disrespect the other Barcelona players, but when you have players like Neymar, Messi and Suárez up front it's difficult not to focus on their attack.
"They help each other, they make assists for each other, they play together with a lot of joy and they work together for the team, so everything is very difficult for their opponents. They are unselfish players who have earned a huge amount of respect.
"They have devastating attacking power which any coach would love to have at his disposal."
De Gea to miss out again but Manchester United set to welcome Valencia back against Anderlecht
Manchester United are expecting to have Antonio Valencia back for their Europa League quarter-final match against Anderlecht.Valencia has missed two matches with an ankle problem but Jose Mourinho is counting on him for Thursday's first leg in Belgium.
Sergio Romero is set to continue in goal after David de Gea missed Sunday's 3-0 Premier League win at Sunderland with a minor hip injury, while United's other absentees - Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Juan Mata and captain Wayne Rooney – are all still out."We played with the players available [against Sunderland]," Mourinho said to MUTV.
"Not one single player stayed in Manchester because we were thinking about resting them, or because we were thinking about rotation or about Anderlecht. Not at all."These are the players available at the moment and, when I look to the others, I just expect Valencia to be ready to play and no more, I don't think.
"I don't think any one of the other boys will be ready to play."De Gea's injury is not serious and Romero every time he plays he plays so well. The fans are used to having Romero in goal in the Europa League - that becomes the most important competition for us after winning the League Cup.
"The Europa League is the competition we can still win, so when Sergio plays in the Europa League and when we are giving him this confidence to play, it's because we know that his answer is positive. He looked like he was really comfortable against Sunderland."Valencia has played 35 matches across all competitions for United this season.
Manchester United are expecting to have Antonio Valencia back for their Europa League quarter-final match against Anderlecht.Valencia has missed two matches with an ankle problem but Jose Mourinho is counting on him for Thursday's first leg in Belgium.
Sergio Romero is set to continue in goal after David de Gea missed Sunday's 3-0 Premier League win at Sunderland with a minor hip injury, while United's other absentees - Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Juan Mata and captain Wayne Rooney – are all still out."We played with the players available [against Sunderland]," Mourinho said to MUTV.
"Not one single player stayed in Manchester because we were thinking about resting them, or because we were thinking about rotation or about Anderlecht. Not at all."These are the players available at the moment and, when I look to the others, I just expect Valencia to be ready to play and no more, I don't think.
"I don't think any one of the other boys will be ready to play."De Gea's injury is not serious and Romero every time he plays he plays so well. The fans are used to having Romero in goal in the Europa League - that becomes the most important competition for us after winning the League Cup.
"The Europa League is the competition we can still win, so when Sergio plays in the Europa League and when we are giving him this confidence to play, it's because we know that his answer is positive. He looked like he was really comfortable against Sunderland."Valencia has played 35 matches across all competitions for United this season.
Milan chief confirms club have held talks with Barcelona over Deulofeu future
Milan have held talks with Barcelona to understand their intentions regarding Gerard Deulofeu as the Rossoneri look to sign the loanee, general manager Adriano Galliani has confirmed.Deulofeu's registration is owned by Everton but a return to Camp Nou has been touted for the Spaniard at the end of the season as the Liga side hold a buy-back clause on the 23-year-old, who left the club in July 2015.
A January loan switch to San Siro has reinvigorated Deulofeu, who has recorded two goals and three assists in 11 league appearances for Milan, and Galliani appears keen to keep the winger at the club on a permanent basis.
"In June, you will know, I do not know what will happen in the market, so I cannot say anything," Galliani told Milan TV. "I have spoken with the people in charge of Barcelona, but I will not tell you what they told me."
Deulofeu scored in Milan's 4-0 win over Palermo on Sunday and the Spain international said in March that he was not thinking about a potential return to Barcelona."Barcelona's interest? I expected that question!" Deulofeu told reporters. "It is great to hear these things, but if I didn't think in the present I would lose my mind."
Milan have held talks with Barcelona to understand their intentions regarding Gerard Deulofeu as the Rossoneri look to sign the loanee, general manager Adriano Galliani has confirmed.Deulofeu's registration is owned by Everton but a return to Camp Nou has been touted for the Spaniard at the end of the season as the Liga side hold a buy-back clause on the 23-year-old, who left the club in July 2015.
A January loan switch to San Siro has reinvigorated Deulofeu, who has recorded two goals and three assists in 11 league appearances for Milan, and Galliani appears keen to keep the winger at the club on a permanent basis.
"In June, you will know, I do not know what will happen in the market, so I cannot say anything," Galliani told Milan TV. "I have spoken with the people in charge of Barcelona, but I will not tell you what they told me."
Deulofeu scored in Milan's 4-0 win over Palermo on Sunday and the Spain international said in March that he was not thinking about a potential return to Barcelona."Barcelona's interest? I expected that question!" Deulofeu told reporters. "It is great to hear these things, but if I didn't think in the present I would lose my mind."
Barcelona better than Real Madrid for Juventus star Dybala, claims Zambrotta
Juventus star Paulo Dybala would be more suited to playing for Barcelona than Real Madrid, according to Gianluca Zambrotta.
Dybala is yet to sign a new deal in Turin after lengthy negotiations with Juve, but remains under contract until 2020.
That has not stopped speculation linking him with Barca and Real, though, with the 23-year-old already emerging as one of the game's biggest stars since his €40million move to the Italian champions from Palermo in 2015.
Dybala will come up against Barca in the first leg of Juve's Champions League quarter-final in Turin on Tuesday and Zambrotta, who previously played for both clubs, thinks Camp Nou would be a better eventual destination than Madrid.Asked who Dybala would be more suited to, Zambrotta told Omnisport: "Barcelona for sure.
"He is a young talent with a great character and he is proving it. He could easily play on either side as they are both huge clubs, but being a creative and Argentine number 10 he is closer to Messi than Cristiano Ronaldo. "He would be suited much better where once Ronaldinho played - on the Blaugrana side."
Zambrotta feels Juve's strikeforce – which also contains Gonzalo Higuain – has a formidable look as Massimiliano Allegri's men prepare to take on Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar."Dybala will be keen to play and perform in such an important competition," he said.
"Both of them [Dybala and Higuain], when they play together, are quality. "Higuain for his goalscoring rate and reliability in the box and Dybala for his creativity and character. They have gelled very well."
Juventus star Paulo Dybala would be more suited to playing for Barcelona than Real Madrid, according to Gianluca Zambrotta.
Dybala is yet to sign a new deal in Turin after lengthy negotiations with Juve, but remains under contract until 2020.
That has not stopped speculation linking him with Barca and Real, though, with the 23-year-old already emerging as one of the game's biggest stars since his €40million move to the Italian champions from Palermo in 2015.
Dybala will come up against Barca in the first leg of Juve's Champions League quarter-final in Turin on Tuesday and Zambrotta, who previously played for both clubs, thinks Camp Nou would be a better eventual destination than Madrid.Asked who Dybala would be more suited to, Zambrotta told Omnisport: "Barcelona for sure.
"He is a young talent with a great character and he is proving it. He could easily play on either side as they are both huge clubs, but being a creative and Argentine number 10 he is closer to Messi than Cristiano Ronaldo. "He would be suited much better where once Ronaldinho played - on the Blaugrana side."
Zambrotta feels Juve's strikeforce – which also contains Gonzalo Higuain – has a formidable look as Massimiliano Allegri's men prepare to take on Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar."Dybala will be keen to play and perform in such an important competition," he said.
"Both of them [Dybala and Higuain], when they play together, are quality. "Higuain for his goalscoring rate and reliability in the box and Dybala for his creativity and character. They have gelled very well."
OFFICIAL: Argentina sack manager Bauza
Argentina have sacked manager Edgardo Bauza after a string of poor results.
Bauza oversaw eight World Cup qualifiers for the Albiceleste, but after winning just three of those the national side are facing the possibility of failing to reach the 2018 tournament in Russia.
"We've reached an agreement. We've told Bauza he's ceased to be the national team coach," Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia told reporters.
Argentina sit fifth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, which would see them drawn into a play-off against an Oceania side. The Albiceleste are one point adrift of the automatic qualifying slots but just two points clear of sixth-place Ecuador.
Star Lionel Messi is poised to miss Argentina's next three qualifiers after earning a four-game suspension for verbally insulting an assistant referee in a 1-0 win over Chile last month. He served the first game of the ban in a 2-0 loss to Bolivia.
Bauza took over in August following the exit of Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who resigned after Argentina fell to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.
Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli, an Argentina native, has been heavily linked to the Albiceleste job in recent weeks.
Argentina have sacked manager Edgardo Bauza after a string of poor results.
Bauza oversaw eight World Cup qualifiers for the Albiceleste, but after winning just three of those the national side are facing the possibility of failing to reach the 2018 tournament in Russia.
"We've reached an agreement. We've told Bauza he's ceased to be the national team coach," Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia told reporters.
Argentina sit fifth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, which would see them drawn into a play-off against an Oceania side. The Albiceleste are one point adrift of the automatic qualifying slots but just two points clear of sixth-place Ecuador.
Star Lionel Messi is poised to miss Argentina's next three qualifiers after earning a four-game suspension for verbally insulting an assistant referee in a 1-0 win over Chile last month. He served the first game of the ban in a 2-0 loss to Bolivia.
Bauza took over in August following the exit of Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who resigned after Argentina fell to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final.
Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli, an Argentina native, has been heavily linked to the Albiceleste job in recent weeks.
UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals 1st Leg Fixtures 2017.04.11
UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals 1st Leg Fixtures 2017.04.11
Dortmund Vs Monaco
Juventus Vs Barcelona
Bartra injured in explosion near Borussia Dortmund bus ahead of Monaco clash
Marc Bartra has been taken to hospital after three explosions went off near Borussia Dortmund's team bus as they prepared to travel for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final against Monaco.A statement from the local police has confirmed the incident occurred as the team set off from their hotel for the first leg of their tie at Signal Iduna Park.
Bartra is reported to be the only player or Dortmund staff member injured in the "bomb attack" and club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke described the fallout."We were shocked, but the team has been shocked the most," he said. "There was a bomb attack when the team left the stadium.
"Marc Bartra is slightly injured, he is in the hospital and it hit his hand."The Bundesliga club had just that moment confirmed that former Barcelona defender Bartra was the player injured as reports had claimed.The police agency had already stated: "We can confirm that there have been three explosions in the area of the team bus.
"In the run-up to the Champions League match of BVB against Monaco, there was an explosion near the BVB team team bus shortly after 19:00 local time."To our knowledge the windows of the bus are cracked - fully or partly - and one person was injured.
"It is not yet possible to say exactly what the explosion was or exactly where it exploded."Meanwhile, the club have also confirmed that the game has been postponed and will instead go ahead on Wednesday.
“Following tonight’s incident involving the Borussia Dortmund team bus," UEFA stated, "the Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Monaco has been postponed until tomorrow [17:45 UK time]."This decision was made after a meeting held at the Westfalenstadion between UEFA, representatives of the two clubs and local authorities.”
Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic commented on the "terrible" feeling in Dortmund, with uncertainty over the cause and reason for the team bus incident."We are in the stadium, in a safe, but the feeling is terrible," he told 24sata. "Rather than run out before the full stadium and play in Champions League match, we sit quietly in the locker room and think about where all of this leads.
"I do not know whether and when at all matches to play, but it is currently less important. I hope that Bartra, or anyone that was hurt, will be ok.
Borussia Dortmund's game with Monaco called off after explosion hits team bus
Borussia Dortmund's Champions League tie at home to Monaco on Tuesday has been called off after an explosion hit the hosts' team bus en route to the stadium.
Marc Bartra was hospitalised with a cut from the detonation, which has led to the game being moved by 22 hours to Wednesday night for security reasons.“Following tonight’s incident involving the Borussia Dortmund team bus," UEFA stated, "the Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Monaco has been postponed until tomorrow [17:45 UK time].
"This decision was made after a meeting held at the Westfalenstadion between UEFA, representatives of the two clubs and local authorities.”Police in Germany have confirmed that three explosions hit the Dortmund bus.
"In the build-up to the Champions League match between BVB and Monaco there was an explosion in the vicinity of the BVB bus shortly after 19:00," an official statement reads."The scene of the incident is Wittbraucker Strasse / Schirrmannweg in Dortmund-Hochsten.
"To our knowledge the windows of the bus are cracked - fully or partly - and one person was injured. "What kind of explosion it was and where exactly something has detonated is not clear at the moment."
The one person injured is former Barcelona defender Bartra and Spanish media outlets claim the player's mother says he's suffered an arm wound in the incident.
The severity of Bartra's arm injury is believed to be minor as details begin to emerge on the explosion in Germany.Monaco tweeted out a video showing fans of both teams in Signal Iduna Park applauding the absent BVB players in a show of support.
Borussia Dortmund's Champions League tie at home to Monaco on Tuesday has been called off after an explosion hit the hosts' team bus en route to the stadium.
Marc Bartra was hospitalised with a cut from the detonation, which has led to the game being moved by 22 hours to Wednesday night for security reasons.“Following tonight’s incident involving the Borussia Dortmund team bus," UEFA stated, "the Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Monaco has been postponed until tomorrow [17:45 UK time].
"This decision was made after a meeting held at the Westfalenstadion between UEFA, representatives of the two clubs and local authorities.”Police in Germany have confirmed that three explosions hit the Dortmund bus.
"In the build-up to the Champions League match between BVB and Monaco there was an explosion in the vicinity of the BVB bus shortly after 19:00," an official statement reads."The scene of the incident is Wittbraucker Strasse / Schirrmannweg in Dortmund-Hochsten.
"To our knowledge the windows of the bus are cracked - fully or partly - and one person was injured. "What kind of explosion it was and where exactly something has detonated is not clear at the moment."
The one person injured is former Barcelona defender Bartra and Spanish media outlets claim the player's mother says he's suffered an arm wound in the incident.
The severity of Bartra's arm injury is believed to be minor as details begin to emerge on the explosion in Germany.Monaco tweeted out a video showing fans of both teams in Signal Iduna Park applauding the absent BVB players in a show of support.
