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..::Football IV::..
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Huddersfield 0 Vs 2 Manchester United
Manchester United Goal(s)
R.Lukaku 03',55'
Manchester United Goal(s)
R.Lukaku 03',55'
Congratulations Manchester United!
Lukaku,Mata,Sanchez
Next UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Sevilla away match eka
Good luck for the next match Manchester United!
Lukaku,Mata,Sanchez
Next UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Sevilla away match eka
Good luck for the next match Manchester United!
Huddersfield Town 0 Manchester United 2: Lukaku sends visitors through after VAR controversy
A double from from Romelu Lukaku secured a 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round win for Manchester United against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, despite another controversial moment involving VAR.The Belgium international struck early in each half to secure a quarter-final spot for Jose Mourinho's side and end their run of back-to-back away defeats.
Victory came despite Juan Mata seeing a first-half strike disallowed after a VAR referral, with the contentious decision prompting more debate about the merits of video technology.United, who were without the ill Paul Pogba or goalkeeper David de Gea, took the lead three minutes in when Mata's pass was finished in style by Lukaku.
Huddersfield, winners in the home Premier League game against United in October, were largely the better team in the first half but could not trouble Sergio Romero unduly, and they were given a boost when Mata's goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR consultation.United put the game beyond Huddersfield's control 10 minutes after the restart, though, as Lukaku struck again to seal safe passage to the last eight and give his side a morale boost ahead of Wednesday's Champions League trip to Sevilla.
Huddersfield started the better of the teams, enjoying 67 per cent of the possession in the opening quarter of an hour, but it was United who made the most of the first early chance.
Mata played a fine throughball to Lukaku, who charged into the penalty area before cutting back on his right foot and firing low past the wrong-footed goalkeeper Jonas Lossl.Huddersfield were targeting the United left to good effect and Tom Ince came close to equalising when Florent Hadergjonaj crossed from that side, though he just failed to get clean contact on the ball as he slid to meet it.
United soaked up the pressure well and thought they had snatched a second goal just before half-time, when Mata rounded Lossl and finished after being picked out by Ashley Young, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR referral judged him offside by virtue of his knee.
The home crowd were buoyed by the decision and were firmly behind Huddersfield as they kept up their pressure early in the second half, but another slick United counter-attack made it two and sapped the fans' energy.
Lukaku played the ball to Alexis Sanchez and raced onto the Chile international's fine return pass, before striding into the area and slotting past Lossl at his right-hand post.As well as quietening the home support, it was a goal that seemed to relax Mourinho's men, who eased through the closing stages with minimal fuss to seal their place in the quarter-final draw.
And United even managed to hand Eric Bailly a first appearance since November after the centre-back came off the substitutes' bench in the final moments to mark his return from injury.
Paris Saint-Germain 5 Strasbourg 2: Cavani at the double in bounce-back win
Paris Saint-Germain bounced back from their midweek Champions League loss to Real Madrid with an ultimately convincing 5-2 win over a spirited Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
A home game against mid-table opponents always appeared on paper to be a perfect hangover cure for PSG, who had suffered a 3-1 reverse in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Yet Unai Emery's side did not have it all their own way, with Strasbourg - one of only two sides to beat the runaway leaders in the league this season - taking a sixth-minute lead through Jean-Eudes Aholou.PSG responded with goals from Julian Draxler, Neymar and Angel Di Maria before the break, lifting the mood inside the ground after the early goal had triggered a chorus of boos from the home fans.
While Stephane Bahoken scored to briefly give Strasbourg hope, Edinson Cavani bagged a late brace to make sure PSG restored their 12-point lead over Monaco at the top of the table.
Strasbourg had arrived in the French capital hoping for a repeat of their shock 2-1 triumph in the reverse fixture, and the early signs were promising when they stunned their hosts by scoring first.
Aholou arrived in the box at the ideal time to convert Kenny Lala's cutback cross from the right, the former's first-time strike giving goalkeeper Alphonse Areola no chance.However, the goal only served to jolt PSG into life. Draxler capitalised on a loose ball running into his path to sweep in an equaliser with his left foot before Emery watched his side strike twice in as many minutes to take control of the contest.
Neymar put PSG ahead when he finished at the second attempt, the Brazilian seizing on the initial save from Alexandre Oukidja to tap into an unguarded net, though not before he had cheekily lifted the ball over two incoming defenders who were desperately trying to prevent the goal.The home crowd were still celebrating when Strasbourg gifted their opponents a third straight from the re-start, Di Maria curling home with his left foot having robbed possession from the dawdling Pablo Martinez.
Neymar steered a first-time shot too close to Oukidja early in the second half, while Di Maria was guilty of missing the target completely when teed up by Dani Alves.
The misses did not prove costly in the end though, despite receiving a brief scare when Bahoken cut the deficit in half with a first-time drive that flashed in at Areola's right-hand post.Just as they had done in the opening half, PSG responded in impressive fashion to conceding, Cavani finally getting his name on the scoresheet with a clever dink thanks to Javier Pastore's clinical through ball.
The Uruguayan striker rounded out the scoring by chipping Oukidja for a second time, taking his tally for the season to 30 as PSG rediscovered their scoring touch ahead of a meeting with Marseille in Le Classique next Sunday.
Paris Saint-Germain bounced back from their midweek Champions League loss to Real Madrid with an ultimately convincing 5-2 win over a spirited Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
A home game against mid-table opponents always appeared on paper to be a perfect hangover cure for PSG, who had suffered a 3-1 reverse in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Yet Unai Emery's side did not have it all their own way, with Strasbourg - one of only two sides to beat the runaway leaders in the league this season - taking a sixth-minute lead through Jean-Eudes Aholou.PSG responded with goals from Julian Draxler, Neymar and Angel Di Maria before the break, lifting the mood inside the ground after the early goal had triggered a chorus of boos from the home fans.
While Stephane Bahoken scored to briefly give Strasbourg hope, Edinson Cavani bagged a late brace to make sure PSG restored their 12-point lead over Monaco at the top of the table.
Strasbourg had arrived in the French capital hoping for a repeat of their shock 2-1 triumph in the reverse fixture, and the early signs were promising when they stunned their hosts by scoring first.
Aholou arrived in the box at the ideal time to convert Kenny Lala's cutback cross from the right, the former's first-time strike giving goalkeeper Alphonse Areola no chance.However, the goal only served to jolt PSG into life. Draxler capitalised on a loose ball running into his path to sweep in an equaliser with his left foot before Emery watched his side strike twice in as many minutes to take control of the contest.
Neymar put PSG ahead when he finished at the second attempt, the Brazilian seizing on the initial save from Alexandre Oukidja to tap into an unguarded net, though not before he had cheekily lifted the ball over two incoming defenders who were desperately trying to prevent the goal.The home crowd were still celebrating when Strasbourg gifted their opponents a third straight from the re-start, Di Maria curling home with his left foot having robbed possession from the dawdling Pablo Martinez.
Neymar steered a first-time shot too close to Oukidja early in the second half, while Di Maria was guilty of missing the target completely when teed up by Dani Alves.
The misses did not prove costly in the end though, despite receiving a brief scare when Bahoken cut the deficit in half with a first-time drive that flashed in at Areola's right-hand post.Just as they had done in the opening half, PSG responded in impressive fashion to conceding, Cavani finally getting his name on the scoresheet with a clever dink thanks to Javier Pastore's clinical through ball.
The Uruguayan striker rounded out the scoring by chipping Oukidja for a second time, taking his tally for the season to 30 as PSG rediscovered their scoring touch ahead of a meeting with Marseille in Le Classique next Sunday.
EIbar 0 Barcelona 2: Suarez and Alba seal points as Orellana sees red
Luis Suarez's 17th LaLiga goal of the season helped Barcelona return to winning ways with a hard-earned 2-0 win at 10-man Eibar.On the back of consecutive league draws against Espanyol and Getafe, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde resisted the urge to shuffle his pack and named an XI it would be no surprise to see line up for Tuesday's Champions League match at Chelsea.
It was just as well, with Barca forced to repel wave after wave of attacks from Jose Luis Mendilibar's relentlessly high-pressing side.Respite arrived courtesy of Suarez's well-taken 16th-minute goal, which was beautifully created by Lionel Messi's left boot.
Messi hit the post after Eibar's Fabian Orellana struck an effort against the crossbar, although the gifted but temperamental Chilean right-winger undermined the hosts' efforts by receiving his third red card in 12 appearances against Barca midway through the second half.
Remarkably, that did not check Eibar's ambition but Jordi Alba was able to seal the points two minutes from time.Valverde's team have now equalled a club record by going 31 LaLiga games unbeaten and enjoy a 10-point lead at the summit, at least until Atletico Madrid host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Eibar went straight for Barcelona from kick-off, with Jose Angel heading over from Ruben Pena's cross inside the first minute. The hosts' bold approach left room for the league leaders at the other end and Alba had a shot blocked after Suarez rounded goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.
There was still no escaping the fact Mendilibar's men were making the sharper start, with Orellana and Kike Garcia finding room in behind left-back Alba to fire goalwards in quick succession.
It meant the opening goal came both against the run of play and with a touch of genius, as Messi's sumptuous throughball left centre-back Anaitz Arbilla splayed on the turf and Suarez skipped past Dmitrovic more effectively on this occasion to finish.
Eibar were not cowed and lively right winger Orellana unleashed a dipping effort against the bar before Joan Jordan dragged wastefully wide from the edge of the box.To repeat the theme of his afternoon, the wandering Dmitrovic found himself rounded by Suarez again in the 36th minute and cut the ball back for Messi to rattle the far post.
A deft flick from Pape Diop sent Orellana into space down the right in the 55th minute and Takashi Inui lashed wide from his cutback.Barcelona were struggling to halt Eibar's rumbling momentum, only for Orellana to foolishly do it for them.
The 32-year-old previously received red cards versus Barca while playing for Xerez and Celta Vigo and, having made a rash lunge on Andres Iniesta inside the opposition penalty area, he punched the ball away in frustration when Diop was punished for a 66th-minute foul on Sergio Busquets and received a second booking for dissent.
Mendilibar was furious, initially it seemed with his player, and continued haranguing the officials before being sent to the stand himself.His players continued to push in vain despite the deck being stacked against them, ambition that contributed to a game-sealing second.
Philippe Coutinho - who will be cup-tied in midweek - picked out fellow substitute Aleix Vidal with a superb cross-field ball and, although Dmitrovic denied Messi from a cushioned pass into the box, Alba was on hand to slot home.
Luis Suarez's 17th LaLiga goal of the season helped Barcelona return to winning ways with a hard-earned 2-0 win at 10-man Eibar.On the back of consecutive league draws against Espanyol and Getafe, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde resisted the urge to shuffle his pack and named an XI it would be no surprise to see line up for Tuesday's Champions League match at Chelsea.
It was just as well, with Barca forced to repel wave after wave of attacks from Jose Luis Mendilibar's relentlessly high-pressing side.Respite arrived courtesy of Suarez's well-taken 16th-minute goal, which was beautifully created by Lionel Messi's left boot.
Messi hit the post after Eibar's Fabian Orellana struck an effort against the crossbar, although the gifted but temperamental Chilean right-winger undermined the hosts' efforts by receiving his third red card in 12 appearances against Barca midway through the second half.
Remarkably, that did not check Eibar's ambition but Jordi Alba was able to seal the points two minutes from time.Valverde's team have now equalled a club record by going 31 LaLiga games unbeaten and enjoy a 10-point lead at the summit, at least until Atletico Madrid host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Eibar went straight for Barcelona from kick-off, with Jose Angel heading over from Ruben Pena's cross inside the first minute. The hosts' bold approach left room for the league leaders at the other end and Alba had a shot blocked after Suarez rounded goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.
There was still no escaping the fact Mendilibar's men were making the sharper start, with Orellana and Kike Garcia finding room in behind left-back Alba to fire goalwards in quick succession.
It meant the opening goal came both against the run of play and with a touch of genius, as Messi's sumptuous throughball left centre-back Anaitz Arbilla splayed on the turf and Suarez skipped past Dmitrovic more effectively on this occasion to finish.
Eibar were not cowed and lively right winger Orellana unleashed a dipping effort against the bar before Joan Jordan dragged wastefully wide from the edge of the box.To repeat the theme of his afternoon, the wandering Dmitrovic found himself rounded by Suarez again in the 36th minute and cut the ball back for Messi to rattle the far post.
A deft flick from Pape Diop sent Orellana into space down the right in the 55th minute and Takashi Inui lashed wide from his cutback.Barcelona were struggling to halt Eibar's rumbling momentum, only for Orellana to foolishly do it for them.
The 32-year-old previously received red cards versus Barca while playing for Xerez and Celta Vigo and, having made a rash lunge on Andres Iniesta inside the opposition penalty area, he punched the ball away in frustration when Diop was punished for a 66th-minute foul on Sergio Busquets and received a second booking for dissent.
Mendilibar was furious, initially it seemed with his player, and continued haranguing the officials before being sent to the stand himself.His players continued to push in vain despite the deck being stacked against them, ambition that contributed to a game-sealing second.
Philippe Coutinho - who will be cup-tied in midweek - picked out fellow substitute Aleix Vidal with a superb cross-field ball and, although Dmitrovic denied Messi from a cushioned pass into the box, Alba was on hand to slot home.
Wolfsburg 1 Bayern Munich 2: Lewandowski spot-on after Robben's penalty miss
Robert Lewandowski came off the bench to extend Bayern Munich's winning run to 13 matches by scoring a last-gasp penalty to earn a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Wolfsburg.
Bayern looked set to be heading for a draw at the Volkswagen Arena after Arjen Robben had seen an earlier penalty saved, but Gian-Luca Itter showed his inexperience with a tug on the Dutchman, handing the visitors another spot-kick, which Lewandowski tucked past Koen Casteels.
It was the Poland international's 16th goal in 15 Bundesliga matches against Wolfsburg, a record which includes 12 in his last six against the Wolves, and opened up a 21-point advantage over Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig – who take on Eintracht Frankfurt on Monday – at the summit.
Bayern have not suffered defeat since going down 2-1 to Borussia Monchengladbach on November 25 but they looked in danger of losing when Wolfsburg defended stoically after Daniel Didavi's opener.
That goal was missed by a section of the home supporters who did not take their seats until after 19 minutes and 45 seconds – a reference to the year of the club's founding – over poor results, and they were unable to cling on for an impressive draw despite Casteels saving a spot-kick from Robben in the 55th minute.
The former Netherlands international made up for his failure to convert by setting up Sandro Wagner for Bayern's equaliser, and then prompting a foul from Itter which allowed Lewandowski to send Jupp Heynckes' men into Tuesday's Champions League tie with Besiktas in fine form.
Heynckes made eight changes to his starting XI with one eye on midweek, Thiago Alcantara making his first appearance since November having been sidelined with a knee injury
Sven Ulreich signed a new contract until 2021 last Sunday and was making his 200th Bundesliga appearance at the Volkswagen Arena, but it took just eight minutes for him to be beaten.Yunus Malli swung a deep cross in from the left and Didavi towered over Juan Bernat at the back post to connect with a header that the diving Ulreich was unable to keep out, the goal scored against an eerie backdrop in the absence of Wolfsburg's ultras.
Casteels took no chances with a free-kick from Robben that threatened to sneak in, before Wolfsburg fans involved in the boycott filtered back into the stands.Bayern dominated possession but were unable to test Casteels again before the break, with Franck Ribery receiving just a yellow card for catching Steffen in the face with his hand after referee Sascha Stegemann reviewed video footage.
Bayern had a glorious chance to level 10 minutes after the restart when Steffen fouled Tolisso in the box as the Frenchman tried to follow up an effort from Wagner, but Robben saw Casteels tipped the spot-kick onto his right-hand post.The Dutchman remained positive and surged past Itter on the right, cutting back for Wagner to head in his second goal since joining from Hoffenheim in January.
Thomas Muller's introduction for Thiago helped breathe some life into Bayern as Wolfsburg sat back and attempted to hang on to a point, but Lewandowski denied them after replacing Wagner.He found a gap low to Casteels' left from the spot after Itter was penalised for pulling Robben back, leaving Wolfsburg with one win in their last eight Bundesliga outings ahead of a huge clash with third-bottom Mainz on Friday.
Robert Lewandowski came off the bench to extend Bayern Munich's winning run to 13 matches by scoring a last-gasp penalty to earn a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Wolfsburg.
Bayern looked set to be heading for a draw at the Volkswagen Arena after Arjen Robben had seen an earlier penalty saved, but Gian-Luca Itter showed his inexperience with a tug on the Dutchman, handing the visitors another spot-kick, which Lewandowski tucked past Koen Casteels.
It was the Poland international's 16th goal in 15 Bundesliga matches against Wolfsburg, a record which includes 12 in his last six against the Wolves, and opened up a 21-point advantage over Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig – who take on Eintracht Frankfurt on Monday – at the summit.
Bayern have not suffered defeat since going down 2-1 to Borussia Monchengladbach on November 25 but they looked in danger of losing when Wolfsburg defended stoically after Daniel Didavi's opener.
That goal was missed by a section of the home supporters who did not take their seats until after 19 minutes and 45 seconds – a reference to the year of the club's founding – over poor results, and they were unable to cling on for an impressive draw despite Casteels saving a spot-kick from Robben in the 55th minute.
The former Netherlands international made up for his failure to convert by setting up Sandro Wagner for Bayern's equaliser, and then prompting a foul from Itter which allowed Lewandowski to send Jupp Heynckes' men into Tuesday's Champions League tie with Besiktas in fine form.
Heynckes made eight changes to his starting XI with one eye on midweek, Thiago Alcantara making his first appearance since November having been sidelined with a knee injury
Sven Ulreich signed a new contract until 2021 last Sunday and was making his 200th Bundesliga appearance at the Volkswagen Arena, but it took just eight minutes for him to be beaten.Yunus Malli swung a deep cross in from the left and Didavi towered over Juan Bernat at the back post to connect with a header that the diving Ulreich was unable to keep out, the goal scored against an eerie backdrop in the absence of Wolfsburg's ultras.
Casteels took no chances with a free-kick from Robben that threatened to sneak in, before Wolfsburg fans involved in the boycott filtered back into the stands.Bayern dominated possession but were unable to test Casteels again before the break, with Franck Ribery receiving just a yellow card for catching Steffen in the face with his hand after referee Sascha Stegemann reviewed video footage.
Bayern had a glorious chance to level 10 minutes after the restart when Steffen fouled Tolisso in the box as the Frenchman tried to follow up an effort from Wagner, but Robben saw Casteels tipped the spot-kick onto his right-hand post.The Dutchman remained positive and surged past Itter on the right, cutting back for Wagner to head in his second goal since joining from Hoffenheim in January.
Thomas Muller's introduction for Thiago helped breathe some life into Bayern as Wolfsburg sat back and attempted to hang on to a point, but Lewandowski denied them after replacing Wagner.He found a gap low to Casteels' left from the spot after Itter was penalised for pulling Robben back, leaving Wolfsburg with one win in their last eight Bundesliga outings ahead of a huge clash with third-bottom Mainz on Friday.
Man Utd to face Brighton & Chelsea away to Leicester in FA Cup quarter-final drawManchester United have been drawn at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup quarter-finals, while Chelsea will head to Leicester City.
Premier League leaders Manchester City will be at home to Southampton in the last eight, if they overcome Wigan Athletic away from home on Monday night.The final last-eight tie will pit either Sheffield Wednesday or Swansea City at home to Rochdale or Tottenham Hotspur, who play on Sunday.
In a repeat of the 1983 FA Cup final, Jose Mourinho's United will take on Brighton at Old Trafford after Romelu Lukaku scored twice to see off Huddersfield in the fifth round.
Brighton are in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986 after beating Coventry and will be hoping to cause an upset. When the two teams met in the 1983 final, United won 4-0 in a replay after a 2-2 draw in the first match at Wembley.
The last two Premier League champions will clash at the King Power Stadium, with Leicester playing host to Chelsea, who both overcame lower league opposition in the last 16.Southampton will be away from home in the last eight, but must wait to learn their opponents as Premier League leaders City are not in cup action until Monday.
There is the potential for a semi-final quartet of Chelsea, City, United and Spurs, although Mauricio Pochettino's side have some way to go before thinking about the last four.Spurs take on Rochdale on Sunday and, if they win that game, will then have to travel to the winners of Sheffield Wednesday or Swansea, who drew 0-0 at Hillsborough.
Inter in a fragile moment, says Spalletti
Defeat at Genoa marked the latest blow against Inter's Champions League ambitions and Luciano Spalletti has identified low confidence.
Andrea Ranocchia's bizarre own goal knocked the wind out of Inter in their lacklustre 2-0 Serie A loss at Genoa, according to head coach Luciano Spalletti.
The match at Stadio Luigi Ferraris was goalless until the final attack of the first half, when Milan Skriniar's clearance struck centre-back partner Ranocchia and flew into the Inter net on Saturday.
Goran Pandev scored against his former club in the 59th minute and an Inter side lacking injured duo Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic were devoid of attacking inspiration for the most part.
"It was a game in the balance and in the first half the best chances came to us, but when you happen to have such an episode as the one just before the interval, in a period like this, it is not easy to regain confidence," Spalletti told a post-match news conference.
"However, we came back from the locker room to try to play the game and stay in their midfield.
"But we needed more balance. We could not handle the ball with the quality we should have. The lack of tranquillity caused everything to turn against us."
Inter still have only one win in 2018 and will drop out of the top four in Serie A if Lazio beat Verona on Monday.
Spalletti acknowledged a drain on their confidence.
"The team did not make a bad performance, we had to stay in the game and then wait for the right moment to take the lead," he added.
"We are in a fragile moment, we have to grow from time to time. It is not easy to turn things around suddenly.
"We are trying to work to do something different and I think we are going in the right direction.
"It would have been useful to consolidate these changes but we cannot reject the choices made. They were not decisive in the defeat."
Defeat at Genoa marked the latest blow against Inter's Champions League ambitions and Luciano Spalletti has identified low confidence.
Andrea Ranocchia's bizarre own goal knocked the wind out of Inter in their lacklustre 2-0 Serie A loss at Genoa, according to head coach Luciano Spalletti.
The match at Stadio Luigi Ferraris was goalless until the final attack of the first half, when Milan Skriniar's clearance struck centre-back partner Ranocchia and flew into the Inter net on Saturday.
Goran Pandev scored against his former club in the 59th minute and an Inter side lacking injured duo Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic were devoid of attacking inspiration for the most part.
"It was a game in the balance and in the first half the best chances came to us, but when you happen to have such an episode as the one just before the interval, in a period like this, it is not easy to regain confidence," Spalletti told a post-match news conference.
"However, we came back from the locker room to try to play the game and stay in their midfield.
"But we needed more balance. We could not handle the ball with the quality we should have. The lack of tranquillity caused everything to turn against us."
Inter still have only one win in 2018 and will drop out of the top four in Serie A if Lazio beat Verona on Monday.
Spalletti acknowledged a drain on their confidence.
"The team did not make a bad performance, we had to stay in the game and then wait for the right moment to take the lead," he added.
"We are in a fragile moment, we have to grow from time to time. It is not easy to turn things around suddenly.
"We are trying to work to do something different and I think we are going in the right direction.
"It would have been useful to consolidate these changes but we cannot reject the choices made. They were not decisive in the defeat."
Genoa 2 Inter 0: Pandev piles misery on old employers
Inter old boy Goran Pandev ensured his former club's 2018 woes returned as Genoa secured a 2-0 victory at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.The 34-year-old forward coolly dispatched the hosts' second goal in the 59th minute to land a sapping blow against Inter's bid for a Champions League place.
Luciano Spalletti's side won for the first time since the start of December when they beat Bologna 2-1 at San Siro last week but that result now appears to have been a false dawn.
Ivan Perisic joining Mauro Icardi on the injury list did little for their creative capabilities and Andrea Ranocchia's bizarre own-goal in first-half stoppage time left the Nerazzurri with an uphill task.Pandev's goal means Inter lie fourth on the back of Roma's 2-0 win at Udinese earlier on Saturday and will drop out of the Champions League spots if Lazio beat Verona on Monday.
The veteran Macedonia international rolled back the years with a mazy run in the ninth minute, although the angle was against him by the time he managed to test Samir Handanovic.
Pandev unwittingly went closer shortly afterwards when his raking ball into the box bounced between Genoa midfielder Oscar Hiljemark and Handanovic and looped up to hit the crossbar.Inter's first opening arrived in the 19th minute but Yann Karamoh's sliced finish was not a fitting way to greet Antonio Candreva's chipped cross after raiding into the Genoa box.
In the absence of Icardi and Perisic, Candreva looked the most likely Inter player to make something happen and the Italy winger forced Mattia Perin to save from a sweetly struck 31st-minute effort.
Ranocchia was already booked by the time he caught Andrej Galabinov with a flailing arm five minutes before half-time but referee Michael Fabbri elected not to consult VAR.He might have been better receiving his marching orders because, on the stroke of the interval, Milan Skriniar clumped Ervin Zukanovic's cross against his centre-back partner and the ball flew past a helpless Handanovic.
Joao Cancelo got back to make a vital aerial challenge early in the second half when Pandev stole behind Ranocchia and looked poised to head home Aleandro Rosi's cross.Just before the hour, Pandev got the goal his endeavours deserved. A wonderfully cushioned touch took the sting out of Diego Laxalt's speculative shot and he took the time and space it afforded him to calmly finish.
Spalletti sent on Rafinha in place of the ineffective Matias Vecino to try and force a response and Inter might have pulled a goal back when Roberto Gagliardini charged into the box to meet Cancelo's cross but glanced wide.Karamoh was the Nerazzurri's match-winner last time out and, although he twisted skilfully past Genoa substitute Stephane Omeonga, he sent a vicious shot dipping narrowly over.
Zukanovic cleared a curling attempt from Eder off the line and might have added gloss to the scoreline for Serie A's 12th-placed side when he powered over from a corner, before Pandev took his standing ovation 10 minutes from time.
Inter old boy Goran Pandev ensured his former club's 2018 woes returned as Genoa secured a 2-0 victory at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.The 34-year-old forward coolly dispatched the hosts' second goal in the 59th minute to land a sapping blow against Inter's bid for a Champions League place.
Luciano Spalletti's side won for the first time since the start of December when they beat Bologna 2-1 at San Siro last week but that result now appears to have been a false dawn.
Ivan Perisic joining Mauro Icardi on the injury list did little for their creative capabilities and Andrea Ranocchia's bizarre own-goal in first-half stoppage time left the Nerazzurri with an uphill task.Pandev's goal means Inter lie fourth on the back of Roma's 2-0 win at Udinese earlier on Saturday and will drop out of the Champions League spots if Lazio beat Verona on Monday.
The veteran Macedonia international rolled back the years with a mazy run in the ninth minute, although the angle was against him by the time he managed to test Samir Handanovic.
Pandev unwittingly went closer shortly afterwards when his raking ball into the box bounced between Genoa midfielder Oscar Hiljemark and Handanovic and looped up to hit the crossbar.Inter's first opening arrived in the 19th minute but Yann Karamoh's sliced finish was not a fitting way to greet Antonio Candreva's chipped cross after raiding into the Genoa box.
In the absence of Icardi and Perisic, Candreva looked the most likely Inter player to make something happen and the Italy winger forced Mattia Perin to save from a sweetly struck 31st-minute effort.
Ranocchia was already booked by the time he caught Andrej Galabinov with a flailing arm five minutes before half-time but referee Michael Fabbri elected not to consult VAR.He might have been better receiving his marching orders because, on the stroke of the interval, Milan Skriniar clumped Ervin Zukanovic's cross against his centre-back partner and the ball flew past a helpless Handanovic.
Joao Cancelo got back to make a vital aerial challenge early in the second half when Pandev stole behind Ranocchia and looked poised to head home Aleandro Rosi's cross.Just before the hour, Pandev got the goal his endeavours deserved. A wonderfully cushioned touch took the sting out of Diego Laxalt's speculative shot and he took the time and space it afforded him to calmly finish.
Spalletti sent on Rafinha in place of the ineffective Matias Vecino to try and force a response and Inter might have pulled a goal back when Roberto Gagliardini charged into the box to meet Cancelo's cross but glanced wide.Karamoh was the Nerazzurri's match-winner last time out and, although he twisted skilfully past Genoa substitute Stephane Omeonga, he sent a vicious shot dipping narrowly over.
Zukanovic cleared a curling attempt from Eder off the line and might have added gloss to the scoreline for Serie A's 12th-placed side when he powered over from a corner, before Pandev took his standing ovation 10 minutes from time.
Conte: Chelsea will need a 'perfect game' to stop Barcelona and Messi
Antonio Conte acknowledged Chelsea must produce the "perfect game" to get the better of Spanish giants Barcelona in their Champions League last-16 tie.Premier League champions Chelsea welcome La Liga leaders Barca and Lionel Messi to Stamford Bridge for the opening leg on Tuesday.It has been a difficult season for Conte and Chelsea amid uncertainty over the Italian's future following back-to-back defeats in the league, though the Londoners have responded with wins over West Brom and Hull City.
Conte, however, insisted Chelsea face a huge challenge against Barca, who stayed undefeated in Spain courtesy of Saturday's 2-0 win at Eibar , which moved Ernesto Valverde's men 10 points clear."On one hand you know this team are one of the best in the world – maybe they are favourites to win this competition," Conte said. "On the other hand we must be excited because we have a great opportunity to play a massive game against a really strong team and to show which is our level.
"For sure we are talking about one of the best teams in the world. We have to try to, I repeat, have the perfect game. The perfect game to try to make the best decisions for this type of team, because this is a different opponent. They have fantastic characteristics with the ball, but they can have weaknesses without the ball and we have to try and exploit this."Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has led the way this season with a La Liga-high 20 goals for Barcelona.But Conte believes it would be dangerous for Chelsea to focus solely on stopping Messi, who has never scored against the Blues.
"I hope to continue this tradition [of Messi not scoring against Chelsea] but I repeat we are talking about a fantastic player and we must have great respect," Conte added. "But at the same time we must try to be excited to play this type of game and this challenge.
"We are talking about one of the best players in the world but, for sure, we have to work together, work with the team and not only with one player to try and stop him. Because I think that when we feel this type of challenge to man-mark [a player], Messi can become very dangerous."
Three of the four Premier League clubs in the last 16 of the Champions League have already played, with Liverpool and Manchester City both earning impressive wins away from home while Tottenham were held to a 2-2 draw against Juventus in Turin.
Antonio Conte acknowledged Chelsea must produce the "perfect game" to get the better of Spanish giants Barcelona in their Champions League last-16 tie.Premier League champions Chelsea welcome La Liga leaders Barca and Lionel Messi to Stamford Bridge for the opening leg on Tuesday.It has been a difficult season for Conte and Chelsea amid uncertainty over the Italian's future following back-to-back defeats in the league, though the Londoners have responded with wins over West Brom and Hull City.
Conte, however, insisted Chelsea face a huge challenge against Barca, who stayed undefeated in Spain courtesy of Saturday's 2-0 win at Eibar , which moved Ernesto Valverde's men 10 points clear."On one hand you know this team are one of the best in the world – maybe they are favourites to win this competition," Conte said. "On the other hand we must be excited because we have a great opportunity to play a massive game against a really strong team and to show which is our level.
"For sure we are talking about one of the best teams in the world. We have to try to, I repeat, have the perfect game. The perfect game to try to make the best decisions for this type of team, because this is a different opponent. They have fantastic characteristics with the ball, but they can have weaknesses without the ball and we have to try and exploit this."Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has led the way this season with a La Liga-high 20 goals for Barcelona.But Conte believes it would be dangerous for Chelsea to focus solely on stopping Messi, who has never scored against the Blues.
"I hope to continue this tradition [of Messi not scoring against Chelsea] but I repeat we are talking about a fantastic player and we must have great respect," Conte added. "But at the same time we must try to be excited to play this type of game and this challenge.
"We are talking about one of the best players in the world but, for sure, we have to work together, work with the team and not only with one player to try and stop him. Because I think that when we feel this type of challenge to man-mark [a player], Messi can become very dangerous."
Three of the four Premier League clubs in the last 16 of the Champions League have already played, with Liverpool and Manchester City both earning impressive wins away from home while Tottenham were held to a 2-2 draw against Juventus in Turin.
LA Liga Fixtures 2018.02.18
LA Liga Fixtures 2018.02.18
Real Sociedad Vs Levante
Atletico Madrid Vs Athletic Bilbao
Espanyol Vs Villareal
Real Betis Vs Real Madrid
Real Sociedad Vs Levante
Atletico Madrid Vs Athletic Bilbao
Espanyol Vs Villareal
Real Betis Vs Real Madrid
Serie A Fixtures 2018.02.18
Serie A Fixtures 2018.02.18
Torino Vs Juventus
Benevento Vs Crotone
Bologna Vs Sassuolo
Napoli Vs Spal
Atalanta Vs Fiorentina
AC Milan Vs Sampdoria
Torino Vs Juventus
Benevento Vs Crotone
Bologna Vs Sassuolo
Napoli Vs Spal
Atalanta Vs Fiorentina
AC Milan Vs Sampdoria
Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.02.18
Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.02.18
Augsburg Vs Stuttgart
Monchengladbach Vs Dortmund
Augsburg Vs Stuttgart
Monchengladbach Vs Dortmund
Messi the best but 'not invincible', says Pedro
Barcelona star Lionel Messi may be the world's best but he is "not invincible", according to Chelsea forward Pedro.Pedro spent eight seasons playing alongside Messi at Camp Nou, but he faces the Argentina international when Chelsea host Barca in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
While the Spain international talked up Messi, he hopes his team-mates can find a way to stop the 30-year-old — who has failed to score in eight games against Chelsea.
"Messi is the best player in the world, but he's not invincible," Pedro told UK newspapers."Obviously, it's Barcelona. It's Leo Messi. It's very difficult to stop this guy because he's very quick, very clever. But, look, it's not impossible."He's on another level. No one can do what he does. For this reason, to have played with him is special. Special for me, and something to tell my sons in the future because, probably, he'll be considered the best in history."
Chelsea stunned Barcelona in the semi-finals in 2011-12, on the way to their one and only Champions League crown.Pedro, who headed to Stamford Bridge in 2015, said he still remembered the tie, which the Premier League outfit won 3-2 on aggregate.
"I remember these games so well. Chelsea were always horrible opponents, very difficult in these games: compact, strong in defence, pressed very well," he said.
"For that reason, we always found it difficult against them.
"For the players of Barcelona, they'll be thinking this tie is going to be very tough, this game for them, because Chelsea are strong. Chelsea are compact, and it's never easy to play against us."
Barcelona star Lionel Messi may be the world's best but he is "not invincible", according to Chelsea forward Pedro.Pedro spent eight seasons playing alongside Messi at Camp Nou, but he faces the Argentina international when Chelsea host Barca in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
While the Spain international talked up Messi, he hopes his team-mates can find a way to stop the 30-year-old — who has failed to score in eight games against Chelsea.
"Messi is the best player in the world, but he's not invincible," Pedro told UK newspapers."Obviously, it's Barcelona. It's Leo Messi. It's very difficult to stop this guy because he's very quick, very clever. But, look, it's not impossible."He's on another level. No one can do what he does. For this reason, to have played with him is special. Special for me, and something to tell my sons in the future because, probably, he'll be considered the best in history."
Chelsea stunned Barcelona in the semi-finals in 2011-12, on the way to their one and only Champions League crown.Pedro, who headed to Stamford Bridge in 2015, said he still remembered the tie, which the Premier League outfit won 3-2 on aggregate.
"I remember these games so well. Chelsea were always horrible opponents, very difficult in these games: compact, strong in defence, pressed very well," he said.
"For that reason, we always found it difficult against them.
"For the players of Barcelona, they'll be thinking this tie is going to be very tough, this game for them, because Chelsea are strong. Chelsea are compact, and it's never easy to play against us."
Salah credits Jurgen Klopp for scoring form at Liverpool
Mohamed Salah has credited Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for his goal scoring form.
The Egypt international boasts of 30 goals in all competitions this season, including his 22 in the top-flight which is just one less than Harry Kane who tops the English Premier League goals’ chart.
And the former Chelsea flop who also boasts of eight assists thus far has praised the tactics of the German for the laudable feat.“With the boss here, I play a little bit closer to the goal, more so than at any other club or more than any of my other coaches have asked me to," Salah told Liverpool's official matchday programme.
“So I am always in front of the goal to give me the opportunity to score. The manager is always telling me to stay close to the goal in training."I don't want to say too much because we still have a long way to go in the season and I don't want to give too much away. But yes, it's something we have worked on in the training sessions.
"You cannot score 10 goals from 10 balls - that's impossible and I know that I have missed many chances too this season. But I am trying to improve.“I am always trying to see my weaknesses and then work on them and I am always trying to score in different ways.
"The coaches help me so much to do that and I also work hard alone after the training sessions."
Mohamed Salah has credited Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for his goal scoring form.
The Egypt international boasts of 30 goals in all competitions this season, including his 22 in the top-flight which is just one less than Harry Kane who tops the English Premier League goals’ chart.
And the former Chelsea flop who also boasts of eight assists thus far has praised the tactics of the German for the laudable feat.“With the boss here, I play a little bit closer to the goal, more so than at any other club or more than any of my other coaches have asked me to," Salah told Liverpool's official matchday programme.
“So I am always in front of the goal to give me the opportunity to score. The manager is always telling me to stay close to the goal in training."I don't want to say too much because we still have a long way to go in the season and I don't want to give too much away. But yes, it's something we have worked on in the training sessions.
"You cannot score 10 goals from 10 balls - that's impossible and I know that I have missed many chances too this season. But I am trying to improve.“I am always trying to see my weaknesses and then work on them and I am always trying to score in different ways.
"The coaches help me so much to do that and I also work hard alone after the training sessions."
'Conte one of the world's best managers' - Valverde defends Chelsea boss
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is "one of the best managers in the world", according to his opposite number at Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde.
The two giants of European football will face-off on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at Stamford Bridge.Despite two convincing home wins in the last seven days, the pressure remains on Conte after an indifferent defence of the Premier League title his side won last season.
The former Juventus boss continues to be linked with a move away from west London, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan all reportedly interested in his services next season.But Valverde insists his team will not be taking the Blues lightly while leaping to the defence of Conte.
"Antonio Conte is one of the best coaches in the world," he told a press conferene. "He's got a fantastic CV, not just here in England after winning the league with Chelsea, but with Juve and with his national team."His teams are well drilled tactically. They know what to do in every moment and it's a real challenge.
"We're planning to change our dynamic a little bit away from home. They're physical, they defend well. They've got players who can hit you well on the counterattack."Tuesday's clash will mark the 13th time Barca have faced Chelsea in the Champions League, with the Premier League outfit holding the recent edge.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last seven games against the Blaugrana, though Barca have won three of the five knockout ties between the teams across two legs.
Valverde admits he is looking forward to adding another chapter to their rivalry, but took time to remind his hosts of previous results."History counts," he said.
"The main players change during the game. [Lionel] Messi, [Andres] Iniesta might still be there, but I think it's good that there's been a little rivalry, it gives us a little bit more expectation."
Surprisingly, Barca star Messi has never scored in 655 minutes of action against Chelsea, although Valverde knows his team will offer plenty of support to the Argentina international as he seeks to end that unhappy sequence."This tie is important for Leo, for me, for everyone. For Barcelona. It'll be tough, but it's important because we want to qualify," he said."Leo perhaps hasn't had much luck against Chelsea before, but Tuesday is a different game."
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is "one of the best managers in the world", according to his opposite number at Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde.
The two giants of European football will face-off on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at Stamford Bridge.Despite two convincing home wins in the last seven days, the pressure remains on Conte after an indifferent defence of the Premier League title his side won last season.
The former Juventus boss continues to be linked with a move away from west London, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan all reportedly interested in his services next season.But Valverde insists his team will not be taking the Blues lightly while leaping to the defence of Conte.
"Antonio Conte is one of the best coaches in the world," he told a press conferene. "He's got a fantastic CV, not just here in England after winning the league with Chelsea, but with Juve and with his national team."His teams are well drilled tactically. They know what to do in every moment and it's a real challenge.
"We're planning to change our dynamic a little bit away from home. They're physical, they defend well. They've got players who can hit you well on the counterattack."Tuesday's clash will mark the 13th time Barca have faced Chelsea in the Champions League, with the Premier League outfit holding the recent edge.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last seven games against the Blaugrana, though Barca have won three of the five knockout ties between the teams across two legs.
Valverde admits he is looking forward to adding another chapter to their rivalry, but took time to remind his hosts of previous results."History counts," he said.
"The main players change during the game. [Lionel] Messi, [Andres] Iniesta might still be there, but I think it's good that there's been a little rivalry, it gives us a little bit more expectation."
Surprisingly, Barca star Messi has never scored in 655 minutes of action against Chelsea, although Valverde knows his team will offer plenty of support to the Argentina international as he seeks to end that unhappy sequence."This tie is important for Leo, for me, for everyone. For Barcelona. It'll be tough, but it's important because we want to qualify," he said."Leo perhaps hasn't had much luck against Chelsea before, but Tuesday is a different game."
Man Utd target De Vrij free to leave Lazio this summer
Stefan de Vrij will not be returning to Lazio after his contract expires this summer, the Serie A club have confirmed.
The 26-year-old Netherlands international, who is a rumoured target of Manchester United, has been in negotiations with Lazio over a new deal but was unable to come to an agreement.The club’s sporting director Igli Tare confirmed a breakdown in talks, with Lazio having pulled their final offer off the table.
And with De Vrij's current deal set to come to an end at the culmination of the campaign he is free to depart Stadio Olimpico
"Lazio have withdrawn the proposal we made for a new contract to De Vrij," Tare told Mediaset Premium."We are withdrawing for reasons that we will explain later on. It was a choice made after many months of negotiations, but there is also a limit to how things went.
Though De Vrij has been free to discuss offers from other clubs since the turn of the year, Tare insists that the decision to pull out talks with one of their star assets is not down to him agreeing terms elsewhere."He has been an exemplary professional and we thank him for that. He gave a lot to the club, just as we gave a great deal to him, but our paths will divide in June.
"It’s not an issue of him agreeing terms with other clubs, but of being fair in negotiations. We did things the right way, but things changed at the last moment.
"We no longer wish to continue along this path."Though De Vrij is not returning, he was in the starting XI for Lazio as they faced Hellas Verona on Monday evening.
There has been reported interest from multiple Premier League sides for De Vrij, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City joining the Red Devils as the teams who would like to secure the defender’s signature.De Vrij also is rumored to have interest from Lazio’s Serie A rivals Juventus and Inter.
The centre-back joined Lazio in July 2014 from Feyenoord for a reported fee of €7.5 million and has gone onto play spend four seasons with the club.He already has four goals this season, which has equaled his career-high from Feyenoord in 2013-14.Internationally, he has been capped 31 times by the Netherlands and has scored three goals.
Stefan de Vrij will not be returning to Lazio after his contract expires this summer, the Serie A club have confirmed.
The 26-year-old Netherlands international, who is a rumoured target of Manchester United, has been in negotiations with Lazio over a new deal but was unable to come to an agreement.The club’s sporting director Igli Tare confirmed a breakdown in talks, with Lazio having pulled their final offer off the table.
And with De Vrij's current deal set to come to an end at the culmination of the campaign he is free to depart Stadio Olimpico
"Lazio have withdrawn the proposal we made for a new contract to De Vrij," Tare told Mediaset Premium."We are withdrawing for reasons that we will explain later on. It was a choice made after many months of negotiations, but there is also a limit to how things went.
Though De Vrij has been free to discuss offers from other clubs since the turn of the year, Tare insists that the decision to pull out talks with one of their star assets is not down to him agreeing terms elsewhere."He has been an exemplary professional and we thank him for that. He gave a lot to the club, just as we gave a great deal to him, but our paths will divide in June.
"It’s not an issue of him agreeing terms with other clubs, but of being fair in negotiations. We did things the right way, but things changed at the last moment.
"We no longer wish to continue along this path."Though De Vrij is not returning, he was in the starting XI for Lazio as they faced Hellas Verona on Monday evening.
There has been reported interest from multiple Premier League sides for De Vrij, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City joining the Red Devils as the teams who would like to secure the defender’s signature.De Vrij also is rumored to have interest from Lazio’s Serie A rivals Juventus and Inter.
The centre-back joined Lazio in July 2014 from Feyenoord for a reported fee of €7.5 million and has gone onto play spend four seasons with the club.He already has four goals this season, which has equaled his career-high from Feyenoord in 2013-14.Internationally, he has been capped 31 times by the Netherlands and has scored three goals.
