Only Ibrahimovic knows where he will be next season, says Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc says only Zlatan Ibrahimovic knows where he will be next season.

Ibrahimovic has yet to agree to a new deal at the Parc des Princes with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign.

The 34-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, with West Ham, Arsenal and Manchester United reported to be among those interested. 

And speaking ahead of PSG's Champions League quarter-final first leg with Manchester City, Blanc told the media: "Concerning the future destination of Ibrahimovic, only Zlatan can answer.

"We have some players who are at the end of their contracts. You have to ask them about their futures, because they decide.

"Whatever the offers, when you are at the end of your contract, you have the luxury to choose your destination. 

"So these players will choose their destinations. We have to ensure that the destination is the good one."

Read More »

'I can't say what I think' - Simeone responds to Torres red

Diego Simeone would not risk criticising the officials over Fernando Torres' red card in Atletico Madrid's 2-1 loss to Barcelona on Wednesday.

Torres was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession by referee Felix Brych after putting the visitors ahead in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Camp Nou.

Defender Filipe Luis was left angry with the decision which led to Atletico playing just under an hour with 10 men, with Luis Suarez eventually scoring twice in the second half to secure the victory for the holders.

Simeone stressed he did not lay any blame at the feet of his striker and compared the incident to last season's Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid, when Brych issued a controversial second booking to Arda Turan minutes before Javier Hernandez scored the decisive goal.

"I'm not angry with Torres, for sure. It's for you to find out [if it was fair]," he told a media conference.

"It was similar to Arda Turan at the Santiago Bernabeu last year. The referees are there to decide.

"I'm not saying everything I want to say, that's for sure. I'm trying to think about what to say about the game and the refereeing."

Suarez escaped punishment for a kick out at Juanfran during the first half in an ill-tempered encounter, and Simeone said of the Barca forward: "It was more than two incidents, but I can't say what I think."

Simeone was nonetheless delighted with the application of his players and has backed the fans at the Vicente Calderon to cheer them to a comeback in next week's second leg.

"I feel very happy to be the coach of Atletico, hopefully these boys want to continue in this team," he added.

"Barcelona knew how to handle the ball in the second half, we were stuck in our area and it was more difficult to get out.

"We're alive. This will create expectation and hope in the people in Madrid. It will be a nice game.

"I'm happy for the team I have. It's a very difficult pitch and an extraordinary opponent. We'll look to turn it around at the Calderon and the fans will explode in song, I'm sure."

FacebookTwitterGoogle+

Read More »

Guardiola 'happy' with Bayern's narrow first-leg lead

Pep Guardiola was happy with the performance of Bayern Munich after they battled to a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Benfica on Tuesday.

The hosts took the lead in the first two minutes at the Allianz Arena when Juan Bernat's left-wing cross was headed in by Arturo Vidal, but a second goal proved elusive against a team Guardiola described before the game as having Europe's best defence.

Benfica striker Jonas, who misses the second leg through suspension, twice went close to scoring a priceless away goal, but Bayern's backline remained resolute and Guardiola was satisfied with the tight victory, picking out winger Franck Ribery for particular praise.

"It was a hard game, but I am happy with our game," Guardiola told the media after the match. 

"Benfica have a lot of quality. Ribery played extraordinarily well today.

"In the knockout stage the more important game is the second one which we will play in Lisbon.

"I have watched many Benfica games during the last few days. They are a really strong side and so I am happy."

When asked if he believes a 1-0 lead is a dangerous scoreline to take into the second leg, Guardiola denied that was necessarily the case.

"That depends on our performance in Lisbon. We will head there with the intention of winning," the Spaniard said.

"When you get to the Champions League quarter-finals, it's always the second leg that's key."

Read More »

Torres' red was decisive - Suarez

Luis Suarez admits Fernando Torres' red card was a big boost for Barcelona in their 2-1 Champions League win over 10-man Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Torres opened the scoring at Camp Nou in the first half, before picking up two yellow cards in quick succession for fouls on Neymar and Sergio Busquets before the break.

Suarez scored twice in the second half to secure a victory for the holders, giving them a slight advantage ahead of the second leg of the quarter-final at the Vicente Calderon, and the Uruguay international said the sending-off proved to be key.

"It was decisive because everyone knows the quality player Fernando is," he told TV3. "He made two heavy fouls. It was a shame because it would have been good to have 11 against 11.

"Knowing that it would be a difficult game, we could have scored another, but they have to now get a goal there [in the second leg]."

Atletico boss Diego Simeone was left incensed on the sidelines when Busquets escaped a booking for a late lunge shortly after Torres' dismissal, and the game proved to be ill-tempered throughout, with the visitors issued eight bookings in total to Barca's three.

Suarez was also fortunate to escape punishment for a petulant kick out at Juanfran during the first half, but Barca technical director Robert Fernandez insisted afterwards that Atleti could have seen more players sent off in the second period.

"The referee has harmed both of us," he said. "A number of Atletico players deserved one more card. It was a difficult game to referee.

"The first goal calmed us down and gave us strength to look for the win. We knew it would be a very close game."

Read More »

Vitoria proud of Benfica despite Bayern defeat

Benfica coach Rui Vitoria described his pride at the performance of his team despite losing the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final 1-0 to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

An early header by Arturo Vidal proved to be the only goal of a tight match, with Benfica now having a difficult task in the second leg at the Estadio da Luz next week.

Benfica will also go into the return fixture without their prolific striker Jonas, who has scored 32 goals in all competitions this season, and saw his side's best chance saved by Manuel Neuer.

"I'm a proud coach," insisted Vitoria after the match.

"I just hope the people in the [Estadio da Luz] scream the same way as they shouted here.

"We're going to be in the round until the end, that I can guarantee. We hope to score goals in the second leg.

"[Even] without Jonas, for sure we will still have a competitive team."

Jonas was disappointed with his missed chance but insisted his team can qualify for the semi-finals.

The striker will miss the second leg after picking up a second-half yellow card, his third of the tournament.

"I had the opportunity, but the ball did not go in and it stays in our memory," the striker said.

"[We will] try to make a good game in Lisbon.

"We have 27 quality players in the squad and we will surely make a good game."

Read More »

Chelsea appoint Conte on Three Year Deal

Antonio Conte has been named new Chelsea head coach on a three-year contract.

Chelsea have appointed Antonio Conte as their new head coach to replace Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge from the start of next season.

The Premier League champions have long been linked with a move for the Italy head coach and he has now signed a three-year deal which will see him join them after Euro 2016.

Chelsea had been in the market for a new permanent boss ever since the sacking of Jose Mourinho last December.

They appointed Hiddink as interim coach until the end of 2015-16 and had since been linked with Massimiliano Allegri, Diego Simeone and Conte as permanent options before eventually landing the latter.

Conte started his coaching career with Arezzo and also enjoyed spells with Bari, Atalanta and Siena before taking charge of Juventus in 2011.

The 46-year-old guided the Turin side to three consecutive Serie A titles, but resigned in July 2014 to take the vacant Italy job ahead of the Euro 2016 qualification campaign.

He becomes the fifth Italian to take charge of Chelsea, following in the footsteps of Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri, Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Di Matteo.

Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League with seven matches to play, meaning they are highly unlikely to be in Europe for Conte's debut campaign at the helm.

Read More »

UCL(1st leg): Bayern Munich 1 vs 0 Benfica| Highlights Download

Arturo Vidal's early header has put the Bundesliga champions in the driving seat ahead of the return match in Portugal next Wednesday.

Bayern Munich will carry a 1-0 advantage into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Benfica after claiming a narrow success at the Alianz Arena on Tuesday.

DOWNLOAD

Read More »

UCL (1st leg): Barcelona 2 vs 1 Atletico Madrid| Highlights Download

Fernando Torres went from hero to villain for the away side with a goal and a red card, and in his absence the home team finally broke down stiff resistance to take the win.

 Barcelona had Luis Suarez to thank as they battled back to a 2-1 Champions League victory overAtletico Madrid, with the Uruguayan hitman netting both the hosts' goals in an enthralling contest.

DOWNLOAD

Read More »

Milan pay tribute to club legend Cesare Maldini

AC Milan have paid tribute to club legend Cesare Maldini, who has died at the age of 84.

Maldini made his Milan debut in September 1954 and won the Serie A title in his first season at the club, going on to win three further league crowns.

He also played a key role in Milan's first European Cup victory in 1963 at Wembley, making a total of 412 appearances for the club.

Milan praised Maldini's "immense achievements", with the defender later going on to coach his son, Paolo, while in charge of Italy's national team.

"The club president Silvio Berlusconi and the rest of the club will always remember fondly his charisma, kindness and warm smile," a Milan statement read. 

"The club sends its condolences to the Maldini family and the loss of such a key figure in Rossoneri history has left everyone at AC Milan moved and saddened."

Milan added there are "high hopes" that Maldini's 19-year-old grandson, Christian, will become the third generation of the family to play for the club.

Read More »

Rooney 99 not out: The numbers behind Man Utd's 1,000 league goals at Old Trafford

When Anthony Martial hit the target against Everton on Sunday, he etched his name into the Manchester United record books by scoring the club's 1,000th goal at Old Trafford in the Premier League era.

The France international scored at the back post after 54 minutes, converting Timothy Fosu-Mensah's cross after Marcus Rashford's flick set up the opportunity.

United are the most successful club in the history of the Premier League, winning the title on 13 occasions under legendary manager Alex Ferguson and there have been a plethora of memorable goals at the Theatre of Dreams over the past 24 years.

The sight of Steve Bruce heading in a 96th-minute winner against Sheffield Wednesday that proved the catalyst in their 1992-93 winning title season, and also acted as a precursor to the coining of the term 'Fergie Time', is one that will live long in the memory.

So are the images of Wayne Rooney berating referee Neale Barry before surging forward and unleashing an unstoppable 30-yard volley past Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given, Eric Cantona's deliciously deft chip over Sunderland's Lionel Perez and Cristiano Ronaldo's scarcely believable swerving free-kick against Portsmouth.

Using Opta stats, we take a look at some of the numbers behind the 1,000 United goals scored at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

TOP SCORERS AT OLD TRAFFORD

It is perhaps little surprise that Rooney, who is closing in on Bobby Charlton's all-time record of 249 United goals, leads the way with 99 Premier League goals at Old Trafford. What is surprising is that the captain's tally is way out in front and some 40 more than nearest challenger Paul Scholes, while United legends Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andrew Cole and Cantona do not even make the top five.

99 - Wayne Rooney
59 - Paul Scholes
57 - Cristiano Ronaldo
53 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
50 - Ryan Giggs
49 - Andrew Cole
48 - Ruud van Nistelrooy
37 - Eric Cantona  

HAT-TRICK HEROES

Ronaldo enjoyed a goal-laden six-year spell in Manchester, but the Portuguese superstar scored just one Premier League Old Trafford hat-trick. Van Nistelrooy managed four, including in a 4-1 win against Charlton Athletic in May 2003 that put United on the brink of the title. His tally is matched by Dimitar Berbatov, who memorably scored all of United's goals in a 3-2 win over rivals Liverpool in September 2010.

4 - Ruud van Nistelrooy
4 - Dimitar Berbatov
3 - Andrew Cole
2 - Wayne Rooney
2- Dwight Yorke

BRILLIANT BRACES

Sometimes, a player falls just short of taking home the match ball, indeed for Rooney that has happened on 21 occasions at Old Trafford.

21 - Wayne Rooney
16 - Cristiano Ronaldo
10 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
8 - Paul Scholes
7 - Ryan Giggs 

SPOT ON

Van Nistelrooy was famed for his clinical edge from 12 yards and he scored more penalties than any other at Old Trafford, although his miss against Arsenal in 2003 was one of the reasons the Gunners went unbeaten en route to the title that season.

12 - Ruud van Nistelrooy
10 - Wayne Rooney
8 - Cristiano Ronaldo
7 - Eric Cantona
6 - Denis Irwin

HOW DO OTHERS COMPARE?

United are, unsurprisingly, the first team to reach 1,000 home Premier League goals but how does that tally against others?

1,000 - Manchester United
916 - Arsenal
900 - Chelsea
868 - Liverpool
761 - Tottenham

THE LANDMARKS

Martial made history with the 1,000th goal, but there are others who hold notable milestones.

1st goal - Denis Irwin (vs Ipswich Town, August 22, 1992)
100th goal - Eric Cantona (vs Nottingham Forest, December 17, 1994)
500th goal - Ryan Giggs (vs Middlesbrough, February 11, 2004)

MOST OLD TRAFFORD GOALS IN A SEASON

One of Ronaldo's most memorable campaigns came when he plundered 31 league goals in United's league and Champions League double in 2007-08, a particularly prolific one on home turf.

21 - Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-08)
17 - Wayne Rooney (2009-10, 2011-12)
16 - Ruud van Nistelrooy (2002-03)
16 - Cristiano Ronaldo (2008-09)
16 - Dimitar Berbatov (2010-11)  

THE PREMIER LEAGUE OPPONENTS

Scoring goals as a visitor at Old Trafford is no easy feat, but United fans will be disappointed to see that a Liverpool hero has the most success on their hallowed turf.

5 - Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
4 - Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
4 - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

INDIVIDUAL BRILLIANCE

Sometimes, a hat-trick is just not enough. These United stars all achieved sensational individual feats with more than three goals in a game.

5 - Andrew Cole (vs Ipswich Town, March 4, 1995)
5 - Dimitar Berbatov (vs Blackburn Rovers, November 27, 2010)
4 - Wayne Rooney (vs Hull City, January 23, 2010)
4 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (vs Everton, December 4, 1999)
4 - Andrew Cole (vs Newcastle United, August 30, 1999)  

TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

As well as individual feats, United have handed out plenty of hammerings in wonderful team displays at Old Trafford - the biggest of which came in a 9-0 demolition of Ipswich Town in 1995 when Cole achieved his five-star display.

9-0 - vs Ipswich Town, March 4, 1995
8-2 - vs Arsenal, August 28, 2011
7-0 - vs Barnsley, October 25, 1997
7-1 - vs West Ham, April 1, 2000
7-1 - vs Blackburn Rovers, November 27, 2010  

Read More »

Rooney 99 not out: The numbers behind Man Utd's 1,000 league goals at Old Trafford

When Anthony Martial hit the target against Everton on Sunday, he etched his name into the Manchester United record books by scoring the club's 1,000th goal at Old Trafford in the Premier League era.

The France international scored at the back post after 54 minutes, converting Timothy Fosu-Mensah's cross after Marcus Rashford's flick set up the opportunity.

United are the most successful club in the history of the Premier League, winning the title on 13 occasions under legendary manager Alex Ferguson and there have been a plethora of memorable goals at the Theatre of Dreams over the past 24 years.

The sight of Steve Bruce heading in a 96th-minute winner against Sheffield Wednesday that proved the catalyst in their 1992-93 winning title season, and also acted as a precursor to the coining of the term 'Fergie Time', is one that will live long in the memory.

So are the images of Wayne Rooney berating referee Neale Barry before surging forward and unleashing an unstoppable 30-yard volley past Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given, Eric Cantona's deliciously deft chip over Sunderland's Lionel Perez and Cristiano Ronaldo's scarcely believable swerving free-kick against Portsmouth.

Using Opta stats, we take a look at some of the numbers behind the 1,000 United goals scored at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

TOP SCORERS AT OLD TRAFFORD

It is perhaps little surprise that Rooney, who is closing in on Bobby Charlton's all-time record of 249 United goals, leads the way with 99 Premier League goals at Old Trafford. What is surprising is that the captain's tally is way out in front and some 40 more than nearest challenger Paul Scholes, while United legends Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andrew Cole and Cantona do not even make the top five.

99 - Wayne Rooney
59 - Paul Scholes
57 - Cristiano Ronaldo
53 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
50 - Ryan Giggs
49 - Andrew Cole
48 - Ruud van Nistelrooy
37 - Eric Cantona  

HAT-TRICK HEROES

Ronaldo enjoyed a goal-laden six-year spell in Manchester, but the Portuguese superstar scored just one Premier League Old Trafford hat-trick. Van Nistelrooy managed four, including in a 4-1 win against Charlton Athletic in May 2003 that put United on the brink of the title. His tally is matched by Dimitar Berbatov, who memorably scored all of United's goals in a 3-2 win over rivals Liverpool in September 2010.

4 - Ruud van Nistelrooy
4 - Dimitar Berbatov
3 - Andrew Cole
2 - Wayne Rooney
2- Dwight Yorke

BRILLIANT BRACES

Sometimes, a player falls just short of taking home the match ball, indeed for Rooney that has happened on 21 occasions at Old Trafford.

21 - Wayne Rooney
16 - Cristiano Ronaldo
10 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
8 - Paul Scholes
7 - Ryan Giggs 

SPOT ON

Van Nistelrooy was famed for his clinical edge from 12 yards and he scored more penalties than any other at Old Trafford, although his miss against Arsenal in 2003 was one of the reasons the Gunners went unbeaten en route to the title that season.

12 - Ruud van Nistelrooy
10 - Wayne Rooney
8 - Cristiano Ronaldo
7 - Eric Cantona
6 - Denis Irwin

HOW DO OTHERS COMPARE?

United are, unsurprisingly, the first team to reach 1,000 home Premier League goals but how does that tally against others?

1,000 - Manchester United
916 - Arsenal
900 - Chelsea
868 - Liverpool
761 - Tottenham

THE LANDMARKS

Martial made history with the 1,000th goal, but there are others who hold notable milestones.

1st goal - Denis Irwin (vs Ipswich Town, August 22, 1992)
100th goal - Eric Cantona (vs Nottingham Forest, December 17, 1994)
500th goal - Ryan Giggs (vs Middlesbrough, February 11, 2004)

MOST OLD TRAFFORD GOALS IN A SEASON

One of Ronaldo's most memorable campaigns came when he plundered 31 league goals in United's league and Champions League double in 2007-08, a particularly prolific one on home turf.

21 - Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-08)
17 - Wayne Rooney (2009-10, 2011-12)
16 - Ruud van Nistelrooy (2002-03)
16 - Cristiano Ronaldo (2008-09)
16 - Dimitar Berbatov (2010-11)  

THE PREMIER LEAGUE OPPONENTS

Scoring goals as a visitor at Old Trafford is no easy feat, but United fans will be disappointed to see that a Liverpool hero has the most success on their hallowed turf.

5 - Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
4 - Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
4 - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

INDIVIDUAL BRILLIANCE

Sometimes, a hat-trick is just not enough. These United stars all achieved sensational individual feats with more than three goals in a game.

5 - Andrew Cole (vs Ipswich Town, March 4, 1995)
5 - Dimitar Berbatov (vs Blackburn Rovers, November 27, 2010)
4 - Wayne Rooney (vs Hull City, January 23, 2010)
4 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (vs Everton, December 4, 1999)
4 - Andrew Cole (vs Newcastle United, August 30, 1999)  

TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

As well as individual feats, United have handed out plenty of hammerings in wonderful team displays at Old Trafford - the biggest of which came in a 9-0 demolition of Ipswich Town in 1995 when Cole achieved his five-star display.

9-0 - vs Ipswich Town, March 4, 1995
8-2 - vs Arsenal, August 28, 2011
7-0 - vs Barnsley, October 25, 1997
7-1 - vs West Ham, April 1, 2000
7-1 - vs Blackburn Rovers, November 27, 2010  

Read More »

Ajax pay tribute to Cruyff

Ajax paid tribute to late club great Johan Cruyff at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday.

Cruyff, who won eight Eredivisie titles and three successive European Cups during his time as an Ajax player, was diagnosed with lung cancer in November and died aged 68 in March.

Ajax were in action against PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie on Sunday in their first home fixture since the club icon's death.

Thousands of fans and former players joined together in a march to the stadium ahead of kick-off, while depictions of Cruyff's Ajax, Barcelona and Netherlands shirts, two of which included his favoured number 14, were displayed on the pitch.

Cards were held up to spell out the former star's name, while the ball was kicked out in the 14th minute of the match as the stadium joined in one minute of applause to pay further tribute.

Read More »

360 BREAKING NEWS: Hannover sack Schaaf

Hannover have confirmed the sacking of head coach Thomas Schaaf after the Bundesliga's bottom club lost a fifth successive league match on Saturday.

A 3-0 home defeat to Hamburg left Hannover 10 points adrift at the bottom of the table with only six matches remaining.

Following a run of defeats with only one goal scored in five games, Hannover confirmed that Schaaf - who signed an 18-month deal to coach the club in December 2015 - has been sacked.

Hannover director Martin Bader explained that Schaaf has been let go as the club wants to end the season with "impetus".

"Thomas has followed his work always very meticulously and focused," Bader said. "He, along with his coaching team, exhausted all possibilities to achieve positive results with the team. Unfortunately, this has not succeeded.

"After the 10th defeat in our 11th game we have therefore come to the conclusion that we do not want to end the season [in this way] and try to enter next season with a new impetus with the change in the manager position."

Schaaf's assistants Wolfgang Rolff and Matthias Honerbach have also been sacked, with youth coach Daniel Stendel placed in temporary charge.

Read More »