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..::Football IV::..
- Thread starter Wolverine GTR
- Start date
Southampton Starting Line-up
Forster
Cedric
Stephens
Yoshid
Target
Ward-Prowse
Romeu
Davis
Redmond
Gabbiadini
Tadic
&
Manchester United Starting Line-up
Romero
Bailly
Smalling
Jones
Darmian
Fellaini
Tuanzebe
Mkhitaryan
Mata
Rooney
Martial
Another draw
Romero
pattama saves set 1kak kala
Good luck for the next match Manchester United!
Romero
Good luck for the next match Manchester United!
Lacazette opens up on Atletico Madrid links
Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has conceded a move to Atletico Madrid could be a tempting option as he ponders a transfer abroad.
Club president Jean-Michel Aulas acknowledged on Tuesday that they are ready to cash in on the talisman if the right club comes along, with Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico all credited with an interest in signing Lacazette.
The 25-year-old does not want to leave at all costs, but Atletico could prove to be hard to turn down."I have already done a lot for the club, I am keen to see how things are elsewhere, that is true," Lacazette told OLTV.
"I want to wait until the end of the season to discuss things with my agent and make the right choice for my future. You need to have some proposals on the table in order to make a choice, so I prefer to wait until the end of the season.
"Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs that have been linked in the press. They have a great coach, nice fans, a project and they obviously have Antoine Griezmann.
"But I do not want to leave at all costs."
Atletico are not in a position to sign any players during the upcoming transfer window due to a FIFA ban, but they are hopeful the punishment will be lifted by Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a final verdict on their appeal expected by June.
Lacazette has 34 goals in 43 appearances for Lyon this season.
Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has conceded a move to Atletico Madrid could be a tempting option as he ponders a transfer abroad.
Club president Jean-Michel Aulas acknowledged on Tuesday that they are ready to cash in on the talisman if the right club comes along, with Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico all credited with an interest in signing Lacazette.
The 25-year-old does not want to leave at all costs, but Atletico could prove to be hard to turn down."I have already done a lot for the club, I am keen to see how things are elsewhere, that is true," Lacazette told OLTV.
"I want to wait until the end of the season to discuss things with my agent and make the right choice for my future. You need to have some proposals on the table in order to make a choice, so I prefer to wait until the end of the season.
"Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs that have been linked in the press. They have a great coach, nice fans, a project and they obviously have Antoine Griezmann.
"But I do not want to leave at all costs."
Atletico are not in a position to sign any players during the upcoming transfer window due to a FIFA ban, but they are hopeful the punishment will be lifted by Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a final verdict on their appeal expected by June.
Lacazette has 34 goals in 43 appearances for Lyon this season.
Coutinho is Liverpool's Hazard, says Mignolet
Simon Mignolet has hailed Philippe Coutinho's creativity and feels the Brazil international is as important for Liverpool as Eden Hazard is to Chelsea.Coutinho has been in sublime form in 2016-17 and has netted 12 goals in 30 Premier League appearances.
The attacking midfielder's performances have been vital to Liverpool's Champions League ambitions, with Jurgen Klopp's men to secure a top-four finish with a win over Middlesbrough on Sunday, and Mignolet has nothing but praise for his team-mate.
"They cannot really put one marker on to him. Philippe can distribute the ball in a brilliant way," Mignolet told the Liverpool Echo.
"In the Premier League you need creative players to open games up. You look at Chelsea, they have Eden Hazard. Manchester City have Raheem Sterling, David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne.
"He is a good boy who works hard. He is very important to us. "It was a big positive that he signed that new contract. We all hope he stays at Liverpool for many years to come."
Simon Mignolet has hailed Philippe Coutinho's creativity and feels the Brazil international is as important for Liverpool as Eden Hazard is to Chelsea.Coutinho has been in sublime form in 2016-17 and has netted 12 goals in 30 Premier League appearances.
The attacking midfielder's performances have been vital to Liverpool's Champions League ambitions, with Jurgen Klopp's men to secure a top-four finish with a win over Middlesbrough on Sunday, and Mignolet has nothing but praise for his team-mate.
"They cannot really put one marker on to him. Philippe can distribute the ball in a brilliant way," Mignolet told the Liverpool Echo.
"In the Premier League you need creative players to open games up. You look at Chelsea, they have Eden Hazard. Manchester City have Raheem Sterling, David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne.
"He is a good boy who works hard. He is very important to us. "It was a big positive that he signed that new contract. We all hope he stays at Liverpool for many years to come."
James can be to Man Utd what Hazard is to Chelsea and Ozil to Arsenal
Manchester United being linked with James Rodriguez is hardly a new thing. The club has been a huge admirer of the Colombian over a period of years, even before Jose Mourinho took charge last summer and brought his links to James’ agency Gestifute with him.
It is no surprise, then, that United are said to have upped their interest in the Real Madrid star and could make a serious move for his signature this summer. And there are plenty of reasons to believe that such a deal would be one of the key steps Mourinho’s side could make towards being a Premier League challenger once more.
To many, James is now a shadow of the youngster who stole the spotlight at the last World Cup, with his €80 million transfer from Monaco to the Spanish capital weeks later not having materialised as the parties involved would have hoped. But in truth, there are still plenty of indications that the 25-year-old might be ready to reach for the stars with United.
His first season with Madrid was a runaway success, but it was following the arrival of Rafa Benitez as coach that things began to go off the rails somewhat for James. Having played for Colombia at the Copa America and refused to return early from his holidays, there remained a disconnect between the player and his club boss for the duration of the Spaniard’s short spell in charge.
After Zinedine Zidane succeeded Benitez, the first-team squad found itself in need of attributes that were not in keeping with James’ qualities, and it has been in 2016-17 that he has begun to regain his feet – and his place at times – as he bids to return to the performance level of three years ago.
When he has been at his best he has had everything: pace, vision, guts, workrate, as well as those magic feet in most attacking situations. As such, if the potential £50 million fee being touted around is realistic then United are right to be tempted.
His qualities could be just what United need at the moment. With regular breakdowns of attacks around the edge of the area, it is the ability of somebody to be cool and calm but also instinctive and brave that has been missing from their game.
Moreover, Paul Pogba has found the expectation of being both instigator and developer of attacks too much in his first season since finalising an £89.5 million move from Juventus, and the addition of James just ahead of him would do wonders for the Frenchman in his quest for increased space and reduced burden.
Some have questioned James’ ability to deal with increased physicality, and rightly so since it is a concern which is raised over every player being brought into the rough-and-tumble arena of the Premier League for the first time. But he has proved in La Liga, on international duty and in his days back in South America that he can ride whatever challenges come his way and keep coming back for more.
If Mourinho is serious about embracing the United ethos of playing attacking football while also pressing his own case for the need to be well structured and frugal, then James could be just the kind of player he should be looking to sign.
Some have asked if a move for James would rule out a push for Antoine Griezmann, but the Atletico Madrid star could easily be added to the roster too in a more attacking position and indeed could revel in the opportunities James is known for making. It could, though, spell the end of Juan Mata’s time in Manchester if the Colombian were to arrive, with the dynamism supplied by James being superior to what the former Chelsea star has been able to add in recent times.
When Ander Herrera played a man-marking role on Eden Hazard in United’s 2-0 win over Chelsea in April, the Blues were left looking somewhat one-dimensional and without a cutting edge. It is a similar look United have had for much of 2016-17, and James’ signing could help to free up the sort of avenues in the Red Devils’ side which Hazard does for the Blues, or Mesut Ozil does when on form for Arsenal.
At 25, his peak is still ahead of him, he has one of the most mesmerising skill-sets in world football, and he has exactly the kind of instincts Mourinho has been unable to coach into many of his attackers this term. James might well be the perfect addition to this Manchester United team.
Southampton 0 Manchester United 0: Stand-in Romero shines in De Gea's absence
Sergio Romero staked his claim in David de Gea's absence as he pulled off a string of superb stops - including an early penalty save - to help Manchester United claim a 0-0 Premier League draw at Southampton.
Jose Mourinho, who has made no attempts in hiding his displeasure at their congested end to the season, has already confirmed that Romero - United's goalkeeper throughout their Europa League campaign - will start in the upcoming final against Ajax in Stockholm.
And Mourinho did little to quell transfer rumour's that De Gea's appearance against Tottenham on Sunday will be the Spaniard's last for United when he dropped the former Atletico Madrid man from the matchday squad at St Mary's.
Romero wasted no time in making the most of his opportunity, a fine save from Manolo Gabbiadini's sixth-minute penalty the first in a succession of fantastic stops throughout.
Gabbiadini's poor effort represented Southampton's third penalty miss in the Premier League this season and a failure to make their domination count almost proved costly for the hosts when Anthony Martial rattled the upright.
However, it was Romero who was the star of the show as his inspired form proved that United could well be in safe hands should De Gea leave in the close-season.
Mourinho's indifferent approach to Wednesday's fixture looked set to backfire inside five minutes - Eric Bailly, shoehorned in at right-back, blatantly handling on the edge of United's area.
Despite the ball hitting Bailly's arm outside of the box, referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot, but justice was done as Romero dived low to his right to keep out Gabbiadini's tame effort.
Bailly found himself involved at the other end moments later, striking straight at Fraser Forster at the culmination of a powerful run, while Martial should have done better after terrific play from Wayne Rooney.
Romero was at his best once more after the interval, doing well to parry attempts from Dusan Tadic and Oriol Romeu away from danger.
James Ward-Prowse was the next to test United's stand-in goalkeeper, who pulled off a brilliant stop to tip the England midfielder's long-range effort wide.
United could have opened the scoring against the run of play just after the hour mark, only for Juan Mata to shoot over following more fine hold-up play from Rooney.Martial's sublime strike looked set to put United ahead soon after, only for the base of the left-hand post to come to Southampton's rescue.
United were handed a blow when Marouane Fellaini hobbled off injured late on, somewhat justifying Mourinho's pre-match grumbles as both sides settled for a point.
OFFICIAL: Walter Mazzarri leaving Watford job
Walter Mazzarri is leaving his role as Watford head coach at the end of the season.
Watford have confirmed the 55-year-old's time in charge of the club will come to an end after their final Premier League game of the season at home to Manchester City on Sunday.
Mazzarri, formerly head coach of Napoli and Inter, signed a three-year contract when he took charge in July 2016 but will now depart after only one season in the job.
"After the board discussed with Walter Mazzarri the club's future goals and aspirations, it was decided he will be stepping down from his position as the club's head coach after the final game of the 2016-17 season," read a statement from Watford chairman Scott Duxbury on Wednesday. "We thank Walter and his staff for the contribution they have made to Watford football club over the past year."
Watford avoided relegation from the Premier League this season, but have slipped to 16th in the table after a miserable run of five consecutive defeats.That comes after they finished 13th in 2015-16, their first season after winning promotion, a result which still led to the surprise departure of Quique Sanchez Flores, who is now at Espanyol.
Aside from the three relegated clubs, only Burnley have scored fewer than the 40 goals Watford have netted in this season's top-flight.Mazzarri's replacement will be Watford's eighth head coach since 2013, the others having been Gianfranco Zola, Giuseppe Sannino, Oscar Garcia, Billy McKinlay, Slavisa Jokanovic and Flores.
Walter Mazzarri is leaving his role as Watford head coach at the end of the season.
Watford have confirmed the 55-year-old's time in charge of the club will come to an end after their final Premier League game of the season at home to Manchester City on Sunday.
Mazzarri, formerly head coach of Napoli and Inter, signed a three-year contract when he took charge in July 2016 but will now depart after only one season in the job.
"After the board discussed with Walter Mazzarri the club's future goals and aspirations, it was decided he will be stepping down from his position as the club's head coach after the final game of the 2016-17 season," read a statement from Watford chairman Scott Duxbury on Wednesday. "We thank Walter and his staff for the contribution they have made to Watford football club over the past year."
Watford avoided relegation from the Premier League this season, but have slipped to 16th in the table after a miserable run of five consecutive defeats.That comes after they finished 13th in 2015-16, their first season after winning promotion, a result which still led to the surprise departure of Quique Sanchez Flores, who is now at Espanyol.
Aside from the three relegated clubs, only Burnley have scored fewer than the 40 goals Watford have netted in this season's top-flight.Mazzarri's replacement will be Watford's eighth head coach since 2013, the others having been Gianfranco Zola, Giuseppe Sannino, Oscar Garcia, Billy McKinlay, Slavisa Jokanovic and Flores.
'I will stay here' - Pochettino dismisses Spurs exit talk amid Inter rumours
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists he is staying at the club after heavy speculation linking him with the Inter job.
Pochettino urged Spurs fans not to worry after reports listed him as a candidate to replace the sacked Stefano Pioli at San Siro for next season, with Inter ready to spend big.
The 45-year-old's stock continues to rise after guiding Tottenham to a second-place finish in his third season at the club in 2016-17.But Pochettino stressed he is far from finished at Spurs and also rejected claims there is a buy-out clause in his contract."There are many, many rumours, but I am committed with the club," said Pochettino, who has a contract with Spurs until 2021.
"There is no reason to leave. There is no buy-out clause in my contract and I will stay here next season."You will see on July 3 at the start of pre-season, I will stay here. Don't worry."
Having challenged for the title in each of the last two seasons, Pochettino is desperate to take Spurs one step further next season, when they will play at Wembley while the club's new stadium is being built.
"We were so close again this season, but like last season it was not enough," he said."I am sure next season we will try again to fight. We need to do better, be stronger, improve in every area to try to win."
Tottenham are away to Leicester City on Thursday, before the final game of their Premier League season at relegated Hull City three days later.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists he is staying at the club after heavy speculation linking him with the Inter job.
Pochettino urged Spurs fans not to worry after reports listed him as a candidate to replace the sacked Stefano Pioli at San Siro for next season, with Inter ready to spend big.
The 45-year-old's stock continues to rise after guiding Tottenham to a second-place finish in his third season at the club in 2016-17.But Pochettino stressed he is far from finished at Spurs and also rejected claims there is a buy-out clause in his contract."There are many, many rumours, but I am committed with the club," said Pochettino, who has a contract with Spurs until 2021.
"There is no reason to leave. There is no buy-out clause in my contract and I will stay here next season."You will see on July 3 at the start of pre-season, I will stay here. Don't worry."
Having challenged for the title in each of the last two seasons, Pochettino is desperate to take Spurs one step further next season, when they will play at Wembley while the club's new stadium is being built.
"We were so close again this season, but like last season it was not enough," he said."I am sure next season we will try again to fight. We need to do better, be stronger, improve in every area to try to win."
Tottenham are away to Leicester City on Thursday, before the final game of their Premier League season at relegated Hull City three days later.
'He's a phenomenon for his age' - Benzema likens Monaco star Mbappe to Neymar
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has compared Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe to a young Neymar.
Mbappe has developed into a key figure at Monaco since breaking into the first team and has played a large role in their successful season so far, with Leonardo Jardim's side on the verge of Ligue 1 glory.Benzema is impressed with the 18-year-old's rise to prominence but has also warned his compatriot not to get carried away.
"What Mbappe is doing in Ligue 1 and has done in the Champions League is exceptional," Benzema told L'Equipe."The last player who seemed as good at this level was Neymar.
"He is a phenomenon for his age, but he needs to establish himself in the long term. At the start, the superlatives come quickly. I was branded in the same way when I made my debut in Lyon's first team aged 17.
"You have to keep the same standard when you grow and are in difficult times. It is then that you see if you can make a step up, even more so if you are at a very big club or if you remain a good player as many have after shining very young."
Mbappe has netted an impressive 25 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions this season.
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has compared Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe to a young Neymar.
Mbappe has developed into a key figure at Monaco since breaking into the first team and has played a large role in their successful season so far, with Leonardo Jardim's side on the verge of Ligue 1 glory.Benzema is impressed with the 18-year-old's rise to prominence but has also warned his compatriot not to get carried away.
"What Mbappe is doing in Ligue 1 and has done in the Champions League is exceptional," Benzema told L'Equipe."The last player who seemed as good at this level was Neymar.
"He is a phenomenon for his age, but he needs to establish himself in the long term. At the start, the superlatives come quickly. I was branded in the same way when I made my debut in Lyon's first team aged 17.
"You have to keep the same standard when you grow and are in difficult times. It is then that you see if you can make a step up, even more so if you are at a very big club or if you remain a good player as many have after shining very young."
Mbappe has netted an impressive 25 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions this season.
Mourinho vows to keep Madrid target De Gea at Manchester United
Jose Mourinho has pledged that Manchester United will do all they can to keep goalkeeper David de Gea at Old Trafford amid reported interest from Real Madrid.
De Gea was left out of the squad for United's Premier League encounter with Southampton on Wednesday - with stand-in keeper Sergio Romero in outstanding form to help Mourinho's men claim a 0-0 draw.
Romero has already been guaranteed his place in United's starting XI in their Europa League final against Ajax on May 24, and Mourinho revealed in the pre-match build-up that third-choice shot-stopper Joel Pereira is likely to feature against Crystal Palace in the final Premier League clash of the season.
That news did little to quell rumours of De Gea's imminent departure, with his appearance against Tottenham last time out possibly his final in a United shirt, but Mourinho moved quickly to confirm the Spaniard is still firmly in his plans.
"[When will] David [play]? I think the first match against LA Galaxy in pre-season," Mourinho told BBC Sport."I hope to play Joel Pereira against Palace and Sergio in the Europa final. David is top of the world and obviously we want to keep him."Romero was on top form at St Mary's Stadium, an early save from Manolo Gabbiadini's penalty setting the tone for a superb display.United's chances were few and far between, though Anthony Martial did rattle the woodwork midway through the second half.
And Mourinho said that, despite an imperfect display, he was pleased with his side's desire to prove themselves ahead of the Ajax clash - signalling out Romero for individual praise."We played a good team, a team who tried to win and tried to finish well. I think we did more than ok," Mourinho added.
"I think all of them gave me positive feelings. Sergio had a very good performance, more than very good."The team wasn't perfect but individually they gave me good things. They showed me they want to be an option for the final."
Southampton boss Claude Puel - whose future on the south coast has been called into question -meanwhile, was left to rue his side's failure to make their domination pay.
"It's a shame our performance was not enough in the first half. But in the second half in terms of opportunities, we deserved to score and had seven or eight shots on target," Puel said."We needed to be clinical perhaps, but we played good football and had chances to win the game.
"It's a third penalty miss. It's very important as it can give confidence and we needed confidence at the beginning of the game. It's a problem perhaps for us but in the second half I'm happy with our comeback."
Monaco 2 Saint-Etienne 0: Mbappe and Germain fire Jardim's men to Ligue 1 title
Monaco won the Ligue 1 title for the first time since 2000 after Kylian Mbappe and Valere Germain scored in a 2-0 home victory against Saint-Etienne on Wednesday.
After beating Lille 4-0 and surpassing 100 league goals on Sunday, Monaco knew a draw would be enough to end Paris Saint-Germain's four-year dominance of Ligue 1.
And Monaco were put on track to claim their eighth league title when Mbappe gave his side the lead after 19 minutes, beating the offside trap and racing on to a sublime pass by strike partner Radamel Falcao to score.
Mbappe's 12th league goal since the start of February ensured Monaco have now scored in 31 successive league games - a Ligue 1 record for a single season.
Leonardo Jardim's men added to the party mood at Stade Louis II with a second goal in added time, substitute Germain tapping into open goal to secure a 10th successive home victory.
Monaco move six points clear of deposed champions PSG and will finish the season with 95 points if they win their last game of the campaign at Rennes on Saturday.
Alexander Soderlund and Habib Maiga had early efforts for Saint-Etienne as Monaco made a nervous start to the game.
Ligue 1's newly-crowned Young Player of the Year Mbappe had Monaco's first chance after 17 minutes, but the striker's powerful shot was beaten away by goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.The teenager would not be denied moments later, however, as he sent Monaco on their way to glory.
Falcao's throughball was perfectly timed for Mbappe to beat the offside trap, run clear of the Saint-Etienne defence, round Ruffier and slot in his 15th Ligue 1 goal of the season.
The duo were both involved again as Monaco almost doubled their lead on the half-hour mark, but, after Ruffier could only parry Mbappe's shot, Falcao saw his rebound effort blocked.
Falcao whipped a 30-yard drive narrowly over the crossbar and Thomas Lemar hit an ambitious effort just off target shortly after the interval as Monaco sought to extend their lead and make certain of their title triumph.
Ruffier then dived low to his right to turn a Falcao header around the post as Jardim's side continued to press, before 18-year-old Arnaud Nordin was denied by Danijel Subasic after breaking rapidly down the right wing from inside his own half.
Monaco's focus slipped as the minutes ticked away and Germain somehow shot wide from six yards after swapping passes neatly with Mbappe.
That lapse was quickly forgotten as Germain made amends, tapping home Lemar's pass with the last kick of the game to ensure Monaco recorded their 29th league win of the season and secure a famous title triumph for Jardim and his players.
Monaco won the Ligue 1 title for the first time since 2000 after Kylian Mbappe and Valere Germain scored in a 2-0 home victory against Saint-Etienne on Wednesday.
After beating Lille 4-0 and surpassing 100 league goals on Sunday, Monaco knew a draw would be enough to end Paris Saint-Germain's four-year dominance of Ligue 1.
And Monaco were put on track to claim their eighth league title when Mbappe gave his side the lead after 19 minutes, beating the offside trap and racing on to a sublime pass by strike partner Radamel Falcao to score.
Mbappe's 12th league goal since the start of February ensured Monaco have now scored in 31 successive league games - a Ligue 1 record for a single season.
Leonardo Jardim's men added to the party mood at Stade Louis II with a second goal in added time, substitute Germain tapping into open goal to secure a 10th successive home victory.
Monaco move six points clear of deposed champions PSG and will finish the season with 95 points if they win their last game of the campaign at Rennes on Saturday.
Alexander Soderlund and Habib Maiga had early efforts for Saint-Etienne as Monaco made a nervous start to the game.
Ligue 1's newly-crowned Young Player of the Year Mbappe had Monaco's first chance after 17 minutes, but the striker's powerful shot was beaten away by goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.The teenager would not be denied moments later, however, as he sent Monaco on their way to glory.
Falcao's throughball was perfectly timed for Mbappe to beat the offside trap, run clear of the Saint-Etienne defence, round Ruffier and slot in his 15th Ligue 1 goal of the season.
The duo were both involved again as Monaco almost doubled their lead on the half-hour mark, but, after Ruffier could only parry Mbappe's shot, Falcao saw his rebound effort blocked.
Falcao whipped a 30-yard drive narrowly over the crossbar and Thomas Lemar hit an ambitious effort just off target shortly after the interval as Monaco sought to extend their lead and make certain of their title triumph.
Ruffier then dived low to his right to turn a Falcao header around the post as Jardim's side continued to press, before 18-year-old Arnaud Nordin was denied by Danijel Subasic after breaking rapidly down the right wing from inside his own half.
Monaco's focus slipped as the minutes ticked away and Germain somehow shot wide from six yards after swapping passes neatly with Mbappe.
That lapse was quickly forgotten as Germain made amends, tapping home Lemar's pass with the last kick of the game to ensure Monaco recorded their 29th league win of the season and secure a famous title triumph for Jardim and his players.
