..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

'Costa is saving his goals for Chelsea's season finale!' - Conte

Antonio Conte believes Diego Costa will fire Chelsea to glory as they prepare for their FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham.

The Blues head into Saturday's game off the back of a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United, with Costa putting in one of his most disappointing performances of the season as his run of games without a goal stretched to six.

Costa's run without goals is the worst of his Chelsea career, but Conte gave the biggest vote of confidence to his striker yet as he warned of a difficult week for his players. "No, no [I am not worried about his form]." Conte said at a press conference Stamford Bridge "I think he is keeping the goals for the finale of the season. It is the right moment to score.

"The pressure is normal in our job. When you arrive at the end of the season and you are in a good position to reach a good target, or a fantastic target, because a good target is to reach the Champions League and a fantastic, extraordinary target is to win the league.

"It is normal to have this pressure, but I prefer to have this pressure instead of fighting for sixth, seventh, eighth place and to have this pressure."Chelsea are preparing for not only FA Cup glory but Premier League success, as they face three games in eight days. The Blues's lead at the top of the table has been cut to four points after Tottenham's run of seven straight wins. And Conte admits that it will be tough to juggle his squad in the coming days as his side compete for domestic glory on two fronts.

"It’s not a simple situation now for us, because you have to consider that you have to play a semi-final in a great competition and then after two days and a half you have to play against Southampton, and Southampton have rested for 10 days.

"But sometimes it is very strange to face these types of situation, because I think the FA Cup is a great competition. There is a great tradition for this competition, it is the oldest competition in the world, and we want to respect this.

"But I think also when you get to quarter-final, semi-final and there is a clash with a game that you have to play in the league, this is a situation very clear for us, that we are in trouble, to face this situation.

"But we are ready, and then also I have to take the best decision, to find the right balance. Don’t forget we have to play Saturday against Tottenham, Tuesday versus Southampton and then against Everton. This week is very heavy for us and I think it’s very important for us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Rashford can be 'world star' like Neymar and Ronaldo'

Marcus Rashford can be a "world star" like Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo, according to former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes.

England international Rashford netted the winner in United's Europa League quarter-final tie against Anderlecht on Thursday, taking his tally for the season to 10 goals in all competitions.

And with key man Zlatan Ibrahimovic injured in that clash, Rashford has the opportunity to start in a striking role for United - a position Scholes hopes he can prove himself in.

"Rashford will be a brilliant centre-forward, there is no doubt about that," Scholes told BBC Radio 5 Live. "His pace is incredible. He's almost the club's most important player now at the age of 19.

"What we saw against Anderlecht was that raw pace, the excitement, skill and ability to fly past people as if they are not there."He probably needs to work on his composure with the chances he is getting, start putting his chances away - I am sure he will.

"He has always been a centre forward. When I saw him playing for the young United teams, he was scoring 30-40 goals a season. I know this lad can finish and score goals."I am just a little bit worried that he is so quick he may get shoved out wide, which is not a bad thing.

"You look at Cristiano Ronaldo's record and players like Neymar, he has that kind of ability. It is a lot to live up to, but he has that in him - he can be a world star."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

FA Cup Fixture 2017.04.22

FA Cup Fixture 2017.04.22

Chelsea Vs Tottenham

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.04.22

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.04.22

Bournemouth Vs Middlesbrough

Hull City Vs Watford

Swansea Vs Stoke City

West Ham Vs Everton

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[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.04.22

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.04.22

Malaga Vs Valencia

Villareal Vs Leganes

Osasuna Vs Sporting Gijon

Espanyol Vs Atletico Madrid​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2017.04.22

Serie A Fixtures 2017.04.22

Atalanta Vs Bologna

Fiorentina Vs Inter​

 

[bike-o-fobia]

HALA MADRID!!!!

Hope the history will repeat again...

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Budesliga Fixtures 2017.04.22

Budesliga Fixtures 2017.04.22

Bayern Vs Mainz

Frankfurt Vs Augsburg

Ingolstadt Vs Werder Bremen

Hamburg Vs Darmstadt

Hertha Berlin Vs Wolfsburg

Monchengladbach Vs Dortmund​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Phenomenal Mbappe will score two past Juventus - Raggi

Monaco defender Andrea Raggi believes the presence of Kylian Mbappe gives Monaco a good chance of beating Juventus in the Champions League semi-finals.

The 18-year-old has been sensational this season, scoring 22 goals in 36 in all competitions, with five coming in the knockout stages of the European tournament.
Mbappe scored three times over two legs as Monaco beat Borussia Dortmund to a spot in the last four, setting up a clash with the Serie A side.

As the Ligue 1 side look to reach their first final since 2003-04, 32-year-old Raggi expects the rising France international to be at his clinical best once again."He is a true phenomenon," he said. "When you face him in training you have to cross yourself and hope that something goes wrong and stops him. In one-on-ones he is very fast and has great technique. He is a serene boy.

"He didn’t feel any pressure against Manchester City or Borussia Dortmund. I hope he sustains the pressure against Juve, so he’ll score two against them as well.”Juve beat Monaco 1-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the competition on their way to the final two years ago, and Raggi says his team are after revenge.

"Juve are at the top level and even stronger than they were two years ago. Having said that, so are we, and this is our chance for revenge.

“We never did got over the 2015 elimination and this is the right chance to make up for it, with interest, seeing as there’s a place in the final at stake. “Two years ago, in Turin they were happy to draw Monaco, but I think now they’ll be slightly less pleased. We scare everyone now.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bale in Real Madrid squad for El Clasico

Gareth Bale will return to the Real Madrid squad for Sunday's Clasico against Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu, head coach Zinedine Zidane has confirmed.

Bale was absent from Madrid's dramatic extra-time triumph over Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, the second match he missed due to a calf problem sustained during the first leg at the Allianz Arena.

But the 27-year-old Wales forward returned to training on Friday and Zidane told a pre-match news conference on Saturday he will have a part to play against Madrid's bitter rivals.

"Bale will be with us tomorrow," he said. "Then you will see if he starts or not."If Bale is restored to the Madrid forward line, it will be alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in prime goalscoring form.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner netted a decisive hat-trick as 10-man Bayern were dispatched 4-2 on the night and 6-3 on aggregate, taking his tally over the course of the tie to five.

Ronaldo is aiming to add to a career haul of 16 Clasico goals as Madrid look to strengthen their grip on the title race – they lead LaLiga by three points ahead of Barca - and Zidane paid tribute to the 32-year-old's inspirational qualities.

"Physically, mentally and morally he's very, very ready for a big game," he said. "Him like all the other players, but we always talk about Cristiano in the big games
"Again, he showed it the other night in the Champions League. The energy he gives this team is amazing. It's very important, very positive."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dyche backs Rooney to replace injured Ibrahimovic

Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes Wayne Rooney can help to fill the void at Manchester United following Zlatan Ibrahimovic's injury.

Ibrahimovic suffered what appeared to be a serious knee problem in United's Europa League victory over Anderlecht, although no official news has yet been released by the club.

Rooney was on the bench for Thursday's quarter-final as he recovers from an ankle issue and there has been intense speculation about the forward's future after he was left out of the England squad in March.

Dyche's side welcome Jose Mourinho's men to Turf Moor for a Premier League game on Sunday and the Burnley boss backed United's skipper and record goalscorer Rooney to compensate for Ibrahimovic's expected long-term absence.
"They're not short of options, without a shadow of a doubt," Dyche told reporters.

"The one everyone thinks is not that good anymore, I think he's decent - the boy Rooney, I always think he ain't bad. I certainly think if they chose to play him, I don't think he would let anyone down.

"You get to an age where you're questioned regardless of performances. He's a top-class player; you can't achieve what he's achieved in the game and not be a top-class player. You can't cheat the system. Whatever his journey forward is he will remain a top-class player in my eyes."

Burnley collected one of their meagre haul of four away Premier League points at Old Trafford in October - with former United goalkeeper Tom Heaton in inspired form during a 0-0 draw - and Dyche is expecting another tough day for his team."On that day I think they were the best side we've played this season," Dyche added. "We had to give every bit of air in our lungs to try and get something. Tom made saves and the defensive unit just stuck to the task.

"They're a fine side, in my opinion. There's a bit of noise about them being up and down but I still think they're a really good side with a top-class manager."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern Munich 2 Mainz 2: Leaders held to give Leipzig hope in title chase

Bayern Munich capped a bad week by opening the door further for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga title race as the champions were held to a 2-2 home draw by Mainz.

Carlo Ancelotti's men suffered an exit from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage in midweek, losing 6-3 on aggregate to Real Madrid in controversial circumstances, Arturo Vidal harshly sent off in the second leg while two of Cristiano Ronaldo's goals appeared offside.

Though their European campaign ended in disappointment, Bayern have appeared on course for another procession to the Bundesliga title for some time, but Leipzig can now cut the gap at the top to six points by beating Schalke on Sunday, with the top two still to play each other in the penultimate game of the season.

The hosts appeared to have a Champions League hangover when Mainz took the lead in the third minute through Bojan Krkic, his first goal since joining on loan from Stoke City.

Franck Ribery set up Arjen Robben to restore parity, but Bayern shot themselves in the foot before the break, Daniel Brosinski converting from the penalty spot for Mainz following Joshua Kimmich's foul on Yoshinori Muto.

Thiago Alcantara denied Mainz a win that would have boosted their survival hopes, but Bayern could not complete the comeback and have the added worry of a David Alaba injury to deal with ahead of Wednesday's DFB-Pokal semi-final with Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern shockingly fell behind as they were punished for sloppy defending, a miserable week for Vidal continuing as he conceded possession to Bojan, who evaded the challenge of Thiago before firing low underneath Sven Ulreich.

Muto then saw a cross deflected onto the top of the net as Mainz pressed to double their advantage, and a second would have arrived had Ulreich not produced a fine one-on-one save to deny Levin Oztunali after a quick counter.

And Mainz's inability to take that chance was punished as Ribery and Robben combined in trademark fashion, the Frenchman laying off for the Netherlands winger to fire across the face of goal and in.

But Bayern were dealt a blow immediately after the leveller as Alaba was withdrawn through injury, Kimmich replacing him at the back.Robert Lewandowski had an opportunity to complete the turnaround, but was unable to get a touch on a centre from Thomas Muller.

Muller then had a chance to put Bayern ahead himself, only to flash a fierce drive past the post after a rapid break from Robben, before Bojan blasted high and wide from just inside the area.

However, Mainz retook the lead five minutes before half-time as Brosinski converted from 12 yards.Muto was felled by Kimmich and Brosinski snuck his effort underneath Ulreich's right hand and into the bottom corner.

Ulreich could have done better in his efforts to save the spot-kick and he was at fault again as Alexander Hack saw a goal-bound effort blocked after the Bayern goalkeeper had failed to claim a ball into the box.Ribery was replaced by Kingsley Coman at half-time and Bayern began the second half looking reinvigorated.Thiago forced a fantastic save from Jannik Huth with a fierce volley before Robben curled narrowly over.

Coman stung the palms of Huth with a long-range drive, but Mainz continued to frustrate Bayern until the 73rd minute when Thiago levelled matters, firing a low effort in off the left-hand post.

Referee Frank Willenborg waved away penalty claims after a risky challenge on Lewandowski by Hack, but Mainz dealt with the late pressure from Bayern with little difficulty to give Leipzig a little more reason for hope in their title pursuit.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bournemouth 4 Middlesbrough 0: King on target again as Boro slide towards the drop

Joshua King, Benik Afobe, Marc Pugh and Charlie Daniels helped Bournemouth to a resounding 4-0 win over sorry 10-man Middlesbrough, whose battle against relegation looks doomed to failure.

King handed his side an early lead at Vitality Stadium with his 11th Premier League goal of 2017, before Afobe made the most of some good fortune to make it two after just 16 minutes.

Gaston Ramirez's 20th-minute dismissal after two yellows effectively ended the away side's hopes of getting anything from the game, with Pugh and Daniels pouring even more salt in their wounds after the interval.

Eddie Howe's side look all-but safe following Saturday's victory, climbing to 12th place in the Premier League table with four games left, a comfortable seven points clear of 18th-placed Swansea City.

Boro, meanwhile, face an enormous task to prevent an immediate drop back to the Championship after extending their winless streak in the league to 16 games, their last victory coming against Swansea in December.

They remain 19th in the table on 24 points from 33 games, nine points behind Hull City in 17th place, and have games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool still to come.

Bournemouth started the match with attacking intent and went a goal up after just two minutes via King. Pugh played a clever one-two with Daniels down the left before sending in a low cross and the Norway international beat goalkeeper Brad Guzan with a tidy finish at his near post.

The hosts continued to dominate proceedings after their early opener and Afobe made it two, tapping home from close range after the ball ran kindly from a challenge between Adam Clayton and Harry Arter.

And things went from bad to worse for Boro when Ramirez received his second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Pugh, having previously gone into the book for simulation inside the box.

Marten de Roon nearly pulled one back for the visitors with a superb long-range strike, but Artur Boruc was on hand to push his volley wide for a corner.

Bournemouth kept on pushing for more after the interval and Afobe should have doubled his personal tally after a superb cross from Ryan Fraser, only to see Guzan pull off a superb save and keep out his header from six yards out.

There was no denying the home side in the 65th minute, though, Pugh cutting inside from the left before curling a shot into the far corner after being set up by Lewis Cook.

It was Daniels who had the last word, however, as the defender fired a low shot past the helpless Guzan after a free-kick to make it 4-0 and cap a dismal outing for Steve Agnew's beleaguered Boro.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Ham 0 Everton 0: Toffees' poor away form continues

Everton's disappointing away form continued as they struggled to a 0-0 Premier League draw against West Ham at London Stadium.

Ronald Koeman's men had won their previous two matches, both at Goodison Park, but failed to produce an attempt on goal in a quiet first half against the Hammers.

And they did not improve after the break, failing to register a shot on target, with Maarten Stekelenburg saving from Manuel Lanzini in one of the few moments Everton's goalkeeper was tested.

Premier League top goalscorer Romelu Lukaku was particularly subdued as Everton made it six away Premier League games without a win, a stark contrast with their current seven-match winning streak at Goodison.

The draw is a blow to Koeman's hopes of finishing fifth above Manchester United and Arsenal to secure the most favourable entry into next season's Europa League.

The Toffees edge above Arsenal into sixth with the point and now sit two behind United, but they have played three games more than the Gunners and Jose Mourinho's side.

West Ham, meanwhile, stay 13th and move on to 38 points as they edge closer to making mathematically sure of safety. The Hammers have only won one of their last 10 league matches.

Adrian, back in goal for West Ham as one of four Slaven Bilic changes, avoided a calamitous early moment when he made a hash of controlling Edimilson Fernandes' throw-in before pouncing on the ball at the second attempt with Lukaku lurking.

Havard Nordtveit's deflected shot was well saved by Maarten Stekelenburg – in for Joel Robles in Everton's only change - at the other end, while Cheikhou Kouyate and James Collins were both narrowly off target with efforts as the hosts finished the first half strongly.

Despite being in control of possession, Everton did not muster a single shot in the first half, prompting Koeman to make a double change at the break, Gareth Barry and Ademola Lookman replacing Tom Davies and Idrissa Gueye.

Lanzini saw his powerful shot bravely blocked by Phil Jagielka as West Ham continued to look the more likely team to score, before the hosts brought on Diafra Sakho for Jonathan Calleri, who had been ineffective in his first league start of the campaign.

Lookman collected Ross Barkley's pass and fired wide for Everton from outside the penalty area, with Koeman bringing on Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Kevin Mirallas in his final change soon after.

The match remained in the balance going into the closing stages, Lanzini cutting inside from the left and testing Stekelenburg from 25 yards, while Lookman's dipping strike had Adrian worried at the other end before flying just over.

Everton had a late claim for a penalty turned down when Collins tugged Ashley Williams' shirt as they challenged for a corner, while Jose Fonte headed straight at Stekelenburg for West Ham as neither side managed to produce a dramatic conclusion to an uninspiring contest.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Paris Saint-Germain 2 Montpellier 0: Cavani and Di Maria send Emery's men top

Paris Saint-Germain moved above Monaco into top spot in Ligue 1 after beating Montpellier 2-0 at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.

A point would have been enough to see the champions leapfrog Leonardo Jardim's men, but PSG cruised to a comfortable victory to boost their title chances and pile pressure on Monaco.

Edinson Cavani gave PSG the lead midway through the first half, turning home Blaise Matuidi's low left-wing cross.The Uruguayan's 31st league goal of the season ensured he has now scored against all 27 teams he has faced in Ligue 1.

And the points were made safe shortly after the interval when Angel Di Maria bent a lovely finish around Hilton and into the bottom corner to secure an eighth straight league win for PSG.

Monaco have the chance to reclaim top spot when they travel to Lyon on Sunday, but with the hosts fourth in the table it will be a tricky test for the Champions League semi-finalists.

A cagey opening saw both sides holding back and the first shot took 16 minutes to arrive, with Di Maria's long-range effort comfortable for Laurent Pionnier.

The Argentine then delivered a deft left-wing cross for Cavani to head home, but the striker was offside and the assistant's raised flag cut his celebrations short.

Matuidi scored a brace in PSG's dramatic 3-2 win at Metz last time out and the midfielder was denied by Pionnier after being played in by Marco Verratti.Thiago Motta hit the post with a deflected effort from a corner as PSG continued to press and the opening goal finally arrived after 29 minutes.

Maxwell and Di Maria combined to free Matuidi in the left channel and his low cutback was tucked away by Cavani with ease.

Montpellier almost responded immediately when Ellyes Skhiri's looping header came back off the crossbar with Kevin Trapp beaten, then Isaac Mbenza blazed over after pinball in the PSG box.That miss cost Montpellier as PSG doubled their lead three minutes into the second half.

Matuidi won possession back deep in the visitors' half and after Cavani's backheel freed Di Maria, his curling shot from 25 yards left Pionnier helpless.

Trapp had to save well from Paul Lasne's low drive as the visitors - who beat PSG at home earlier in the season - continued to create chances.Hilton cleared a Di Maria effort off the line after 61 minutes and Ryad Boudebouz almost scored a sensational solo effort, only for his drive to flash narrowly over the angle.

Pionnier blocked a Cavani effort with his legs, Di Maria fired wide and Serge Aurier headed over the crossbar as PSG sought to extend their advantage, but a 2-0 win proved enough for Unai Emery's men to claim top spot.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd confirm 'significant ligament damage' for Ibrahimovic and Rojo

Manchester United have revealed that both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo have both sustained "significant knee ligament damage" to effectively confirm that the duo will miss the remainder of the season.

The pair both suffered injuries during United's win over Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday evening.Rojo was stretchered off midway through the first half before Ibrahimovic landed awkwardly in the final seconds of normal time, though he was able to limp down the tunnel.

A statement read: "Detailed investigations on the injuries sustained by Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic during Thursday's Europa League match have confirmed significant knee ligament damage in both players that requires specialist opinions over the coming days."Estimations of time to full recovery will only be possible once definitive treatment plans have been decided after these consultations."

Goal revealed on Friday that Ibrahimovic will definitely miss the rest of the season, with some reports even suggesting he could be out until 2018, casting doubt on his United career.

The Swede is yet to commit to a second season at Old Trafford, and it remains to be seen as to whether the offer that was previously on the table for the 35-year-old remains following this setback.

Rojo's injury, meanwhile, further adds to the defensive headaches Mourinho has suffered in recent weeks with fellow centre-backs Phil Jones and Chris Smalling already on the sidelines.


Eric Bailly and Daley Blind are United's only fit senior central defenders, and Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe could earn opportunities before the end of the campaign.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea 4 Tottenham 2: Matic stunner seals Blues' progress to FA Cup final

Nemanja Matic's stunning strike put the seal on Chelsea's 4-2 FA Cup semi-final win over Premier League title rivals Tottenham as Antonio Conte's side kept their double dream alive.

It was a ruthlessly efficient display of finishing from the Blues at Wembley, which has been the scene of nothing but misery for Spurs this season, having faltered under the arch in their failed Champions and Europa League campaigns.

Conte – whose name adorned a banner trailing a light aircraft flown over the stadium – sprung a surprise when he left Eden Hazard and Diego Costa on the bench, but Willian made the most of his inclusion with a fourth-minute free-kick and a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Spurs had twice fought back with Harry Kane's stooping flicked header from Christian Eriksen's pinpoint delivery, the Dane then teeing up Dele Alli to make it 2-2 in the 52nd minute.

It was Mauricio Pochettino's side who were forcing the issue and looking the more likely to win it, but Conte called on Hazard and Costa from the bench, with the Belgium international's low strike putting Chelsea ahead once more inside the final 15 minutes.

The Blues saved the best until last, Matic's thunderous drive bouncing in off the crossbar to put Chelsea into the final and strike a psychological blow in the top-flight title race, Conte's men four points clear of Spurs with six games left.

There was a tribute paid to Ugo Ehiogu before the match after the Spurs Under-23 coach passed away having suffered a cardiac arrest.Toby Alderweireld was booked early on for a foul on Pedro and Willian stepped up to send the set-piece beyond Hugo Lloris from 20 yards.Spurs initially struggled to respond, but N'Golo Kante had to be alert to block Kane's shot after the striker collected Eriksen's threaded free-kick.

It was the same Spurs combination that unpicked the lock in the 18th minute, Eriksen's inswinging cross deftly headed into the far corner by Kane.

Pochettino's side were much the more threatening after that, with Kane forging ahead again before Cesar Azpilicueta halted his run in the box.Eric Dier came much closer to putting the White Hart Lane club ahead as he leapt to meet Jan Vertonghen's cross, but the England midfielder saw his header drift narrowly wide.

The lively Eriksen tested Thibaut Courtois' handling – which proved sound – as he tried his luck from 25 yards five minutes before the interval.

But there was a sucker punch in store for the Spurs, Son Heung-min – playing out of position at left wing-back – bringing down Victor Moses and Willian coolly converting the spot-kick, while Lloris got away with handling the ball outside of his area in one final moment of drama before half-time.

A captivating last-four clash continued to deliver as Alli – who scored both goals when Spurs beat Chelsea 2-0 in January's Premier League match – made it 2-2 seven minutes after the restart, poking Eriksen's superb cross past Courtois.

Conte called upon Costa and Hazard on the hour mark, with Willian and Michy Batshuayi making way, while Son soon departed for Kyle Walker after an underwhelming outing for the South Korean.

It was Hazard who made the biggest impact, though, Chelsea's first second-half shot on target flying into Lloris' bottom-left corner after Spurs failed to properly clear a corner.

The French goalkeeper was then a spectator for Matic's rasping strike as Chelsea booked a final spot against either Manchester City or Arsenal, who meet on Sunday, while Spurs – who saw Kane's free-kick stopped on the line by Courtois – were left to reflect on a defeat for the seventh FA Cup semi-final in a row.

 

[ObeliX]

Chelsea vs Tottenham පට්ට මැච් එක ​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Monchengladbach 2 Borussia Dortmund 3: Guerreiro settles Bundesliga thriller

Raphael Guerreiro scored a dramatic late winner as Borussia Dortmund won 3-2 at Borussia Monchengladbach in a thrilling Bundesliga encounter to move into the third and final automatic Champions League qualification place.

Dortmund, knocked out of the Champions League by Monaco in midweek, left the league's top scorer Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang on the bench for Saturday's contest.

And it looked as if his services might not be needed when Marco Reus converted a 10th-minute penalty, awarded despite the foul from Mahmoud Dahoud - set to join Dortmund at the end of the season - on Christian Pulisic seeming to take place outside of the area.

But goals either side of half-time for Gladbach turned the game on its head, Lars Stindl's emphatic finish levelling matters before Dortmund captain Marcel Schmelzer turned into his own net, leading Thomas Tuchel to call for Aubameyang.
And 109 seconds after his introduction Aubameyang proved his worth with a superbly taken 27th league goal.

The woodwork agonisingly denied Guerreiro seven minutes from time but he took full advantage of his second opportunity to seal the points, heading in Gonzalo Castro's free-kick to send Dortmund above Hoffenheim and into Wednesday's DFB-Pokal semi-final with Bayern Munich on the back of a victory.

Reus saw an early opportunity to give Dortmund the lead go begging when he headed over in the second minute.But he made no mistake when given the chance to redeem himself from 12 yards, with fortune on Dortmund's side as Wolfgang Stark pointed to the spot despite the contact between Dahoud and Pulisic appearing to occur outside the box.

Reus made no mistake in coolly dispatching the penalty and only Yann Sommer's reflexes prevented Ousmane Dembele from doubling from close range after he had been played in by Pulisic.

Dortmund suffered a blow when Nuri Sahin was forced off through injury and replaced by Mikel Merino, but they continued to dominate matters thanks largely to Pulisic.The United States international came to the fore again to set up Reus, whose effort was deflected wide.

For all Dortmund's dominance, they were pegged back two minutes before half-time.Merino sloppily gave the ball away in his own half and Andre Hahn duly teed up Stindl to lash into the bottom-right corner.

Gladbach carried their momentum into the second half and Roman Burki had to be alert to race off his line and deny Hahn after he had overpowered two Dortmund defenders to get to a loose ball.

But from the resulting corner Gladbach completed the turnaround, Oscar Wendt taking advantage of Dortmund's failure to deal with his first delivery as he powered in a second cross that was diverted beyond Burki by the unfortunate Schmelzer.Aubameyang was brought on to repair the damage and did so within two minutes of replacing Reus, latching on to Dembele's pass and taking the ball beyond Sommer before brilliantly firing in from a tight angle.

Pulisic and Sven Bender both tested Sommer as Dortmund sought to pull off a turnaround of their own, but they were grateful to Burki for preserving parity, the shot-stopper thwarting substitute Patrick Herrmann.

Guerreiro must have thought his luck was out when he turned smartly inside the box, only to see the ball hit the inside of the right-hand post and roll across the face of goal.

However, the Portugal international did have the final say, glancing into the bottom-right corner to give Dortmund something to celebrate at the end of a tough week.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Espanyol 0 Atletico Madrid 1: Griezmann makes the difference with landmark goal

Antoine Griezmann scored his 100th goal in LaLiga to help Atletico Madrid to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday.Both sides struggled to create any chances of note until Griezmann struck with 16 minutes left to clinch victory.

Diego Simeone's men were high on confidence heading into the game following their Champions League quarter-final win against Leicester City, having also won six out of their last seven LaLiga fixtures.

But Espanyol had every reason to be optimistic as well following their recent home form, with the Catalans emerging victorious in each of their last four league games at the RCDE Stadium.And it was a tight affair in Barcelona, with Griezmann eventually the hero after a clinical finish late in the second half.

This weekend's results leave Atletico in third place in the table with 68 points from 33 games, three points clear of fourth-placed Sevilla, while Espanyol sit ninth on 49 points.

Espanyol made an encouraging start to the game and threatened early on when Jose Jurado volleyed just over the crossbar after some good work from Gerard Moreno down the left, while they were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when Saul Niguez seemingly handled the ball inside his own area in the ninth minute.

Atletico’s first moment of danger came when Yannick Carrasco tried his luck with a powerful long-range strike from 25 yards out, but goalkeeper Diego Lopez responded well to prevent his side from going a goal down.

The home side remained arguably the more dangerous side of the two, though, and Pablo Piatti got an opportunity to break the deadlock early in the second half, seeing his low shot trickle just wide after taking a deflection off Stefan Savic.Diego Godin then had a chance to hand Atletico the lead when he beat his marker to the ball after a corner from the right, but the defender aimed his header just wide of the target.

The visitors slowly started pushing forward in search of the opener and Griezmann eventually found the net in the 74th minute, coolly slotting a shot past Lopez from a narrow angle for his 100th goal in the Spanish top flight.

Leo Baptistao could have levelled the scoring again when presented with a gilt-edged chance just minutes later, but goalkeeper Jan Oblak showed his class with a fine save to deny the attacker and ensure Atletico took home the full three points.