..::Football IV::..

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'Arsenal are allowed a blip!' - Man Utd legend Neville defends Wenger

Arsenal fans should not overreact after their team’s north London derby defeat, according to Gary Neville, who expects this season to be a "blip" in the club's timeline.

The Gunners fell to a 2-0 defeat at White Hart Lane on Sunday, with Mauricio Pochettino’s men confirming that they will finish above their bitter rivals for the first time since Arsene Wenger took over as Arsenal manager.The club are sixth in the Premier League, six points behind fourth-place Manchester City, though they do have a game in hand.

Neville, though, insists that the club’s progression to the FA Cup final – they will face league leaders Chelsea at Wembley after defeating Manchester City in the last four – means that their league “blip” must be forgiven.

"If they won the FA Cup this year, would that be seen as a successful season? I'd say probably yes,” Neville said on his podcast."People will argue their league performance has been the worst it's been for 15-20 years but maybe they are allowed a blip."

Protests have marred Arsenal’s season thus far, with several supporters calling for Wenger’s resignation.However, Neville does not believe that the Frenchman’s position has changed, and says that he may well continue at the helm next season.

“I don’t think it leaves Wenger in a different position,” he added."There won't be a straw that breaks the camel's back with Arsene Wenger. It's a more the long term principle of whether the board and the manager feel it's the right time - and no-one knows the answer to that. We'll just have to wait and see - it is a unique situation where a manager has been there for so long.

"The board have got an incredible amount of loyalty to him and rightly so. The manager seems to be in a strong position, where he can almost dictate when he finishes. Everyone wants an answer today but I can't see that happening while the FA Cup and league campaigns are still going on."

 

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Falcao: I'm staying at Monaco to win titles in Europe and France

Radamel Falcao says he has no intention of leaving Monaco as long as they are aiming for domestic and European glory.

The Colombia international has been solid for the Ligue 1 side since returning from unsuccessful loan spells at Manchester United and Chelsea.With 28 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions this season, Falcao is back to his best with the French side.

Although his contract expires at the end of next season, he has no thoughts about planning a move away just yet as they near the end of an excellent season.Sitting top of the French league and in the semi-finals of the Champions League against Juventus this week, Falcao believes success will come.

"I feel very good here," he told L'Equipe. "My wife and my daughters do too, both in the club and in the city. We have adapted, we have a fulfilling social life and all helps bear the fruit of my work here since the beginning of the season. I hope we can continue to live here.

"[A new contract] depends on [vice-president] Vadim Vasilyev and the owner. I feel very good, happy and the results are good.

"If Monaco's goal is to win titles in France and Europe - and that's why I'm here - I will be delighted stay."Falcao, 31, is the third highest goalscorer in the French top-flight with 19 goals, behind Alexandre Lacazette on 24 and Edinson Cavani, who has 31 this term.

 

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Mbappe's uncle name-drops Juventus, Man Utd, Barcelona and Madrid as £110m race hots up

Kylian Mbappe's uncle has put Europe's top clubs on red alert after mentioning the likes of Juventus, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona as possible transfer destinations for his nephew.

PSG and Manchester City are also noted as potential options for Mbappe, although Goal understands Pep Guardiola's side are put off by his astronomical £110 million asking price.

The teenage France international has scored 14 league goals this season and is reportedly the name at the top of many transfer wishlists in the summer window.And although Pierre Mbappe insists the player is happy to remain with Champions League semi-finalists Monaco, he concedes that as many as six clubs could all be in for the 18-year-old.

He said, as quoted by Tuttosport: "Are Juventus an option for the future? Yes, Juve are, as well as the two teams in Manchester, PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona... in the future, they could all be options. You never know, but my nephew is already at a great team and he's very happy at Monaco.

"When the time comes [to discuss a possible move away], we will talk with our family. We are football people, I do not think Kylian will need an agent for discussions over his future."

When asked about Juve specifically, who Monaco face in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, and whether Mbappe knows enough about the club, his uncle added: "He's been following Juventus for a long time now, well before the draw came in. He always watches Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid...


"What does he like about Juve? The history, their record, their mentality, their capacity to defend as a team and their ability to continue to win over the years while relying on young talents like Pogba, Morata or Dybala. And he likes Buffon. I wouldn't be surprised if he asked him for his shirt after the game."

 

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'Fixed and stronger' - Man Utd star Ibrahimovic eyes comeback after surgery

Zlatan Ibrahimovic vowed to return to action stronger than before following an operation on his knee.

Manchester United's top goalscorer this season tore his anterior cruciate ligament, meaning he could be on the sidelines for around nine months.

There were concerns that the injury could put a stop to his career, though his agent Mino Raiola insisted the striker will play again.

After a successful operation on Monday, Ibrahimovic himself has reiterated that he is not finished just yet."Fixed, done and stronger," he wrote on an Instagram post showing his hospital tags. "Once again thank you for the support. We will enjoy my game together soon."

Ibrahimovic has scored 17 goals in 28 Premier League games for the Red Devils this term - 28 in 46 in all competitions.

 

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See you soon Zlatan!​

 

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Bayern hit out at 'false' Sanches fee claims

Bayern Munich have denied that they must pay Benfica €5million when Renato Sanches next makes a competitive appearance.A report in Portugal this week claimed the Bundesliga champions will owe the additional fee when the midfielder plays what would be his 25th game for the club.

Such a payment would see Sanches' overall price reach €40m, matching the club record transfer of Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao in 2012.However, Bayern insist the claims are "false" and have made it clear they will not release any details about Sanches' contract.

"On the media reports that FC Bayern Munich will have to pay an additional payment of €5million to his former club, Benfica, upon the next appearance of Renato Sanches, FC Bayern makes clear: this story is false," a club statement read.

"Nor is there a payment due upon the next performance of Renato Sanches in any subsequent games."In addition, FC Bayern will not disclose any information about the contract."

Portugal international Sanches was signed by Bayern last year for an initial fee of €35m, although his price could reportedly reach as much as €80m depending on certain bonuses.

Bayern deputy chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen stated last May: "The transfer fee is €35million, plus possible bonus payments that could become due if for example the player is named in the World Team of the Year or FIFA World Player of the Year."


The 19-year-old has struggled for regular football under Carlo Ancelotti in his first season in Germany, making only five starts in the Bundesliga.

 

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Real Madrid 3 Atletico Madrid 0: Ronaldo hat-trick points champions towards Cardiff

Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved himself to be the man for the big occasion as his hat-trick gave holders Real Madrid a commanding 3-0 advantage in their Champions League semi-final against city rivals Atletico Madrid.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has seemingly saved his best for Europe's premier competition this season, scoring five of Madrid's six goals in their pulsating quarter-final triumph over Bayern Munich, and he headed the opener after 10 minutes at a raucous Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid's fans unveiled a huge banner celebrating the 2014 and 2016 final triumphs over their neighbours before kick-off and Ronaldo ensured the knife-edge tension of those extra-time and penalty shootout wins would be removed from this tie.

The contest fell into a familiarly fractious and cagey rhythm after the interval, but Madrid's talisman intervened to render the last European match at the Vicente Calderon a formality.

Ronaldo rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner in the 73rd minute and claimed the matchball four minutes from time, meaning a grim catalogue of misery in this European fixture continued for Diego Simeone's side.

The hosts should have led in the seventh minute. Right-back Dani Carvajal exchanged passes with Isco and darted into the box, forcing a save from Jan Oblak before Karim Benzema was unable to turn in from close range.It mattered little as Madrid made short work of Atletico's famously misery rearguard soon afterwards.

Sergio Ramos' initial cross was cleared by Diego Godin, but Casemiro clattered the loose ball into the turf and back towards the six-yard box, where Ronaldo stole in front of Stefan Savic to head home.

Atletico were rattled and needed a fine save from Oblak in the 16th minute after Raphael Varane glanced Toni Kroos' corner low to the goalkeeper's left.Oblak's opposite number Keylor Navas was out sharply to thwart Kevin Gameiro, with the Atletico forward's attempt to round him lacking conviction.

Madrid continued to make most of the running – Benzema hooking an overhead kick beyond the crossbar in the 29th minute after Ronaldo tormented Atletico's makeshift right-back Lucas Hernandez to send in the cross.

Carvajal brought down Yannick Carrasco at the other end, giving Antoine Griezmann the opportunity to flight a wonderful free-kick into the Madrid box that a stretching Godin volleyed over.

A highly satisfactory half for Madrid ended with a couple of their players in the wars – Casemiro left with a bloodied lip after defending a 40th-minute corner before Carvajal limped off with an apparent hamstring injury in stoppage time.

The second half resumed at an undulating pace, with Isco and Saul Niguez earning bookings for clumsy fouls on Hernandez and Carvajal's replacement Nacho respectively, but both team struggled for precision with the final ball as the occasion began to weigh heavily.

Isco was a touch fortunate to escape a second booking when he caught Koke late – an argument Atletico boss Simeone made in animated fashion on the touchline – and Zinedine Zidane responded by sending on Marco Asensio in place of the Spain playmaker.

It was a change that married itself to growing tension inside the Bernabeu until Ronaldo took it upon himself to expel the anxiety.

Benzema did well to hold up a Marcelo cross, but Ronaldo still had plenty to do with a bouncing ball and Filipe Luis in close attendance.

He steadied himself to rip a venomous strike beyond the helpless Oblak and leave Atletico staring at a bitter, localised brand of European disappointment once more – one made all the more potent when substitute Lucas Vazquez set up Ronaldo for his seventh Champions League treble.

 

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Cristiano Ronaldo hailed as 'an absolute machine' by Ferdinand following hat-trick

Cristiano Ronaldo has been branded ‘an absolute machine’ by Rio Ferdinand following his latest hat-trick heroics for Real Madrid.

The Portuguese superstar was at his talismanic best for the Blancos as they secured a commanding 3-0 lead over cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.

Ronaldo’s seventh treble in Europe’s premier club competition carried them to victory, with the current holder of the Ballon d’Or breaking the 50-goal mark in the knockout stages.

Ferdinand worked alongside the 32-year-old during his time at Manchester United and believes that he continues to raise the bar when it comes to mind-boggling consistency.

He told BT Sport: “An absolute machine. A devastating finisher.“What it’s down to is not just talent, he aligns that with sheer dedication and hard work and that’s how you get your rewards.”

Ferdinand claimed prior to the Atletico contest that Ronaldo will only be fully appreciated once he hangs up his boots.

He has faced criticism at times again this season but has silenced those doubters with his remarkable efforts on the field and dedication to continuous improvement off it.“When he retires we’ll really understand what this guy has done for football,” said former England international Ferdinand.

“He’s got that experience now. He knows what he needs to do in the big games and have that cutting edge and make the difference. He does it with his eyes closed.

“You can see this guy is relentless. I spoke to him in midweek, 'what is it that actually makes you who you are?'“'Hard work and determination' is all he said.And it’s true, it’s the basics that got him where he is and then it’s the talent that separates him.”

As the records continue to tumble around Ronaldo, he is now just one goal short of reaching another notable landmark, with a 400th effort for Madrid set to be recorded in the not too distant future.

 

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Simeone not ready for Atletico to give up Champions League dream after Madrid mauling

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone is refusing to give up on his side's Champions League hopes despite a crushing 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their semi-final tie with city rivals Real Madrid.Cristiano Ronaldo thrilled the Santiago Bernabeu with another hat-trick to follow the treble that downed Bayern Munich in the previous round.

It means next week's second leg, a match that will be the last European match played at Atletico's Vicente Calderon, should be a formality for Zinedine Zidane's men.

However, despite the weighty deficit leaving Atletico staring at heartache to go with the 2014 and 2016 final defeats to Madrid – their neighbours also prevailed in a 2015 quarter-final – Simeone retained a steely determination in the face of his team's famed defensive resilience falling apart.

"The second leg is still to come," he said. "Many people will believe it's not possible, but for me it is."Football is marvellous, as unexpected things happen sometimes. I think we still have a chance.

"It's very, very difficult, but football has these things. Until the last drop of possibility we have we will play for it, no doubt."

Simeone named Kevin Gameiro alongside top scorer Antoine Griezmann in an attacking line-up and the appearance of Fernando Torres, Nico Gaitan and Angel Correa as second-half substitutes underlined his desire to leave with an away goal.Those ambitions were frustrated as Madrid and Ronaldo picked Atletico apart during the final 20 minutes, but Simeone has no regrets.

He added: "They were the better team, above all, in how well they took their chances. So I must congratulate them.

"I feel relaxed more than anything. We'll try for something impossible. We're Atletico Madrid and we're capable of doing it."

 

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Ronaldo keeps getting better – Asensio lauds Madrid star

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to exceed expectations with his Real Madrid heroics, according to team-mate Marco Asensio.

Ronaldo struck a hat-trick in the first leg of his side's Champions League semi-final against Atletico, guiding Madrid to a 3-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

The Portuguese forward has now scored eight goals in his past three European outings, helping champions Madrid put a foot in the final.Asensio, who came off the bench in the first leg, said Ronaldo continued to meet the lofty challenges set for him.

"Cristiano just keeps getting better and he always exceeds any expectations people put on him," he said."We have to thank the fans because whenever we have a crucial game, they're there driving us on."

Ronaldo headed in a 10th-minute opener before two second-half goals put Madrid in complete control of the tie.Asensio felt the 3-0 win was just what Zinedine Zidane's team deserved for their display.

"We produced a very complete performance. The result was a fair reflection of what happened out on the pitch," he said."We're very happy with the result, which puts us in a great position ahead of the return leg, but we have to treat the game at the Calderon very seriously.

"We knew how important it was not to concede a goal at home. We managed to keep a clean sheet and score three goals."

 

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UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg Fixture 2017.05.03

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg Fixture 2017.05.03

Monaco Vs Juventus

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UEFA Europa League Semi-Final 1st Leg Fixture 2017.05.03

UEFA Europa League Semi-Final 1st Leg Fixture 2017.05.03

Ajax Vs Lyon

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Pogba, Bailly, Smalling and Jones train for Manchester United ahead of Celta trip

Manchester United have been given a major boost ahead of their Europa League clash with Celta Vigo after Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all took part in training.

The quartet all participated in United's final session at the Aon Training Complex on Wednesday before the squad fly out to northern Spain for the first leg of the semi-final on Thursday.

Pogba had been expected to return after sitting out the Premier League draws with Manchester City and Swansea City, but there had been concerns that Bailly would be forced to miss this week's game after going off in the second half of the meeting with Paul Clement's side.

Smalling and Jones, meanwhile, have not featured for United since they suffered respective knee and toe injuries while on England duty in March and manager Jose Mourinho had not anticipated them being available.

"I don't think they will. That's my personal opinion," said Mourinho, who has been publicly critical of the duo's "cautious" approach to their comebacks.

Luke Shaw was absent from the session, with the full-back reportedly set to see a specialist about a foot ligament injury, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah is out with a dislocated shoulder.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are recovering from knee ligament damage.

 

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Bayern don't need big-money signings - Hitzfeld

Bayern Munich will not need to spend heavily into the transfer market ahead of next season, according to former coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

The Bundesliga champions will be bolstered for the 2017-18 campaign having already agreed moves for Hoffenheim duo Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy as well as securing a permanent move for Kingsley Coman at the end of his loan from Juventus.Bayern are believed to be interested in adding a striker to their ranks, but Hitzfeld does not think the club will sign a player who can rival Robert Lewandowski.

Furthermore, the 68-year-old says experienced wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, 33 and 34 respectively, do not need replacing as they are still capable of making the difference at the highest level."I do not believe that a major change will take place at Bayern," Hitzfeld told Sky.

"In attack they have a superstar in Lewandowski."Robben and Ribery are getting older but are still at the absolute top level."If you buy world-class attacking players you only get someone who is going to make a fuss."

There were reports of discontent at the Allianz Arena after Carlo Ancelotti's side went five games without a win in all competitions, suffering elimination from the Champions League and DFB-Pokal.


Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge backed Ancelotti and a 6-0 victory at Wolfsburg on Saturday ended that run and secured a fifth straight Bundesliga title for the Bavarians, alleviating much of the pressure that had mounted.

 

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David Villa signs contract extension with NYCFC

New York City FC captain David Villa has signed an extension that will keep him under contract through 2018, the MLS club announced Wednesday.The 2016 MLS MVP has recorded 46 goals and 15 assists over 70 league appearances since the club kicked off in 2015.

Spain's all-time leading scorer, Villa became the first player in NYCFC history when he departed Atletico Madrid to sign with the expansion team in June 2014.

"Three years ago, we started a very good project to build this amazing club and they chose me to be the first captain, which I'm still so proud of," Villa said in a news release. "When I look back to those first days in 2014, it's really amazing to see how far we’ve come in such a short space of time and to know that there is so much potential for us to continue growing, on and off the field.

"I'm so happy here in this city and at this club, I am fit and I can do things on the pitch — I'm not ready to go to the sidelines. That's why continuing here and signing this contract was a really easy decision for me."

Villa already has five goals and three assists in seven games to kick off the 2017 season after scoring 23 times last season. NYCFC sits third in the Eastern Conference with a 4-3-1 record.


"It's really good news for me, it's good news for the club and it's good news for David, especially when you look at the way he's been playing and the amount of goals he's scored," NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said. "The club wanted to give him another year and he wanted to stay for another year. All of the parties are really happy and I’m personally really pleased that he will be with us for that time."

 

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Real Madrid suffer La Liga blow as Carvajal suffers hamstring injury

Real Madrid have confirmed defender Dani Carvajal suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League semi-final win over Atletico Madrid.Carvajal limped off during first-half stoppage time at the Santiago Bernabeu and subsequent tests revealed a grade two tear to his right hamstring.

Madrid did not put a time frame on his absence but the Spain right-back is at risk of missing the rest of the season, with Zinedine Zidane's side aiming to complete a LaLiga and Champions League double.

The Champions League final is on June 3 in Cardiff and could represent a target for Carvajal's return.
The 25-year-old has made 40 appearances in all competitions for Madrid this term.

 

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Man Utd defender Luke Shaw to miss rest of season

Luke Shaw is to miss the rest of the season with the foot injury sustained in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Swansea City, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed.The England defender hobbled off after just nine minutes of the contest at Old Trafford, with Mourinho stating after the match that he expected Shaw to have a "big injury".

Shaw is now set for further assessment on his injury and will play no part in United's run-in as they attempt to secure a place in the top four of the Premier League and win the Europa League.

"Luke Shaw is out for the season," said Mourinho ahead of Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg against Celta Vigo."It's an important injury, obviously, but we are still waiting for a second opinion for the medical department to decide what to do."He's out for the season, that's confirmed."

It marks further frustration for the 21-year-old, who has been in and out of the first team this season.

Arriving from Southampton in the summer of 2014, Shaw sustained a horrific leg break in a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven during the 2015-16 season which sidelined him for a nearly a year. Since returning, he has struggled to recapture his pre-injury form, with Mourinho openly criticising his performances and desire to fight for the cause with his persistent injury struggles.

While Shaw is unavailable, United confirmed that Paul Pogba, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly – who was also injured versus Swansea – all trained on Wednesday."Bailly is ready to play. He is the kind of personality that fights against every problem unless it's impossible he is ready to play," added Mourinho.

"Smalling and Jones are back and Pogba. It's very important in relation to the Europa League, they are on time. We have two matches in one week against Celta, it's important to have everybody back."Juan Mata was unexpectedly named among the substitutes against Swansea after it was originally thought he could miss the rest of the campaign with a groin injury.And Mourinho says the Spain playmaker is ready to feature against Celta.

"Mata was injured for a while, but he is ready to play. He is experienced. He is one of the few players that played European semi-finals and finals so it's nothing new to him," said the Portuguese.

"The only risk is that probably he cannot play 90 minutes. That's the risk, if he starts he doesn't finish the game."If he comes from the bench it is no problem for him, so he's selected and he can perfectly play."

 

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Get well soon Luke!​

 

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Ajax 4 Lyon 1: Traore at the double for awesome Amsterdammers

Ajax took a huge step towards securing a place in the Europa League final with a magnificent 4-1 win over Lyon at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

Bertrand Traore, Kasper Dolberg and Amin Younes did the damage for Ajax – on-loan Chelsea man Traore scoring in each half – as Hakim Ziyech's sublime left foot supplied three assists.

Mathieu Valbuena gave Lyon hope with an away goal midway through the second period, but that only encouraged Ajax and the Ziyech-Traore combination in particular to bring the house down with number four 19 minutes from time.

It was a vibrant display from Peter Bosz's youthful side, who delighted a sold-out crowd in Amsterdam on the club's first appearance in a European semi-final for 20 years.

After a bright opening, Lyon were unable to match their swashbuckling opponents for attacking muscle and head coach Bruno Genesio will rue top scorer Alexandre Lacazette being restricted to a substitutes' role following a hamstring injury.

The visitors did start on the front foot and almost led in the 11th minute – Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana turning behind with his leg after Lucas Tousart's cutback found Maxwel Cornet.

Ajax initially struggled to respond to the promptings of a fervent crowd, but managed to forge ahead after 25 minutes.Jeremy Morel brought down Dolberg on the right and Hakim Ziyech's left-footed delivery spun past Anthony Lopes via the faintest of glancing touches from Traore.

Younes embarked on a mazy run into the area and Mouctar Diakhaby cut out his ball across the six-yard box for Dolberg as Ajax sought to press home their advantage Teenage sensation Dolberg did just that in the 34th minute, latching onto Traore's header to punish Lopes' poor clearance with an unerring strike across the goalkeeper and into the bottom-left corner.

Lopes partially atoned for that lapse by getting down sharply to his left, preventing Younes from effectively settling the tie a minute before half-time.The Germany Under-21 international did not have to wait long after the restart to get his name on the scoresheet.

Ziyech was again the provider four minutes into the second half, slotting a measured pass into Younes' path and his deflected effort squirmed over the line before Lyon could clear.

Playing with ample swagger, Ajax were keen to punish Lyon further and the overworked Lopes saved impressively from Dolberg and Traore, but the visitors had a scarcely deserved lifeline in the 66th minute.Lasse Schone's poor defensive header was seized upon by Valbuena, who sashayed into space and drove high into the net.

Lyon being in possession of an away goal and needing more further fuelled the thrilling end-to-end feel, while Ziyech lifted over left-footed and Onana came out to thwart Fekir.

That save appeared all the more vital when Ajax netted a stunning fourth – Davy Klaassen lofting a ball down the channel for Ziyech to smash across goal where Traore finished gleefully.

A rasping drive from Lyon full-back Rafael Da Silva was pushed clear by Onana, but Dolberg and Traore continued to helm wave after wave of red and white attacks – the full-time whistle almost coming as a disappointment for Bosz's brilliant youngsters.

 

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Mourinho: Europa League takes priority over Premier League

Jose Mourinho has no problem with resting players against Arsenal at the weekend if it will help Manchester United reach the Europa League final.

United take on Celta Vigo in the first leg of their final-four clash at Balaidos on Thursday and then face a trip to Emirates Stadium on Sunday for a match that could have huge ramifications in the race to qualify for the Champions League via the domestic route.Mourinho's side sit fifth in the Premier League, one point behind local rivals Manchester City and five clear of Arsenal in sixth, though the Gunners have a game in hand.

But the Portuguese insists winning the Europa League is United's priority, with the competition arguably offering a more realistic route to a return to European football's top table.

"I know that it's the only competition that Manchester United as a club never won and it'd be great to close the circle and say we are a club that won every single competition in the football world," said Mourinho.

"Thinking about us as a team I think it would be a good achievement with as many problems as we've had and would allow us to be back to the Champions League next season.

"The Europa League becomes for us now more important and of course it depends on the result, the way we analyse the situation tomorrow [Thursday] after the match, but if we have to rest players next weekend, we are going to do that.
"If we play the final, the players who play it would not be selected for the Sunday before the final."

Celta have lost all three of their LaLiga matches since confirming their place in the semi-finals with a 4-3 aggregate wih over Genk, but Mourinho remains wary given the way Eduardo Berizzo has rotated his side mid-table in that time.

"That Celta managed to be in the semi-finals, it says everything," he said."Because of their situation in LaLiga, a comfortable situation, they manage to think just about the Europa League, to rest players, to be in the maximum of their condition so [it will be] a difficult match for us.

"They are here to win, they've played three league games with their second team. I think it's very clear they have come to win."