Liverpool return to scene of memorable triumph

Liverpool return to scene of memorable triumph

Liverpool return to the scene of the greatest moment in their recent history in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday as Tottenham Hotspur go to Italy just three days before the English League Cup final.

The Ataturk Olympic Stadium will forever be remembered by Liverpool fans as the scene of their remarkable triumph in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, when they came from 3-0 down to draw level at 3-3 with AC Milan before winning a penalty shoot-out to lift the European Cup for the fifth time.

On this occasion, the only prize on offer in the round-of-32, second leg is a berth in the last 16, and Liverpool hold the upper hand in the tie after a late Mario Balotelli penalty secured a 1-0 win at Anfield last week. The Reds are unbeaten in seven games while Besiktas - who are playing at the Olympic Stadium while their own ground overlooking the Bosphorus is rebuilt - were knocked off the top of the Turkish Super Lig at the weekend after losing 1-0 to Eskisehirspor.

"We want to start a new winning streak starting with the Liverpool game," Besiktas coach Slaven Bilic told Turkish media after the weekend loss. "We did not show the fight and work rate we usually do, I expect all my players to put in a lot more effort on Thursday."

Spurs face four-day challenge
Meanwhile, Tottenham face a make or break few days in their campaign as they go to Florence having to score in the second leg of their tie against Fiorentina after drawing 1-1 at White Hart Lane. The match in Italy will be a huge test of Spurs' resolve with Fiorentina unbeaten in 10 games and with the small matter of the League Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley following on Sunday.

"It will be a difficult game," said Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. "I think this is our first final before Sunday as Fiorentina are only one game from going into the next round. We know that we need to score, but we are confident."

Top goalscorer Harry Kane was one of those who sat out last week's first leg and may be kept back again with one eye on the Chelsea game. "We'd be gutted if we go out of the Europa League," added midfielder Nabil Bentaleb as he insisted that Spurs are not taking the continental competition lightly.

"We're going to go on Thursday to Fiorentina to win that game. If we start thinking like this we're not going anywhere. We have to keep that hunger we have inside us to want to win everything."

Toffees on the verge
Everton already have one foot in the next round as they host Swiss side Young Boys having won 4-1 in Bern last week with Romelu Lukaku scoring a hat-trick. As they struggle in the league, they could be forgiven for being distracted by Sunday's trip to Arsenal, but midfielder James McCarthy said Everton minds are only on continuing their European run.

"We have a big lead but we won't take any prisoners. We have come back from a great result in Europe and we need to try and get the wins at home. The fans have come out in their numbers and we need to go again on Thursday," he told the club's website.

Meanwhile, Celtic also go to Italy needing to score as they face Inter at the San Siro after a thrilling 3-3 draw in Glasgow.

Inter have the edge in the tie and have been gradually improving recently under Roberto Mancini but Celtic captain Scott Brown is hopeful the Scottish champions can pull off a shock. "We will probably go there, try to press them high up the park again and prey on their mistakes. If we do that who knows what can happen," he said.

Other second-leg ties to look out for on Thursday include holders Sevilla's trip to Germany to defend a 1-0 first-leg lead against Borussia Monchengladbach. Meanwhile, a week after their 1-1 draw with Roma, Feyenoord welcome the Serie A side to Rotterdam.

Five key talking points from Manchester City v FC Barcelona

Five key talking points from Manchester City v FC Barcelona

ROGER BOGUNYÀ 

The managers' approaches, Suárez's finishing and Messi's excellence all played their part in the result at the Etihad



FC Barcelona got a great result in Manchester, a 2-1 win that leaves them within touching distance of a place in the Champions League quarter finals. Here are five key factors that we’ve picked out from Tuesday’s game.

• The managers’ approaches. Both Luis Enrique and Pellegrini went for attacking methods. That was not much of a surprise as far as Barça are concerned but perhaps it was somewhat from Man City. The Chilean opted to start with two strikers, Agüero and Dzeko, a brave and unexpected choice. But Barça won the tactical battle by swarming the midfield with Sergio, Rakitic and Iniesta and with Messi dropping back to great effect.

• Suárez’s finishing. The Uruguayan had only ever scored once against Man City, but he got two more tonight. He produced a fine finish for the opener and was in the right place for the second. And he had chances to get even more goals in the first 45 minutes.

• Stunning from Messi. He may have missed a penalty, but the Argentinian provided a terrific assist for the first goal and broke through the City rearguard in the build-up to the second. He finished with an extraordinary 90% in completed passes and created danger every time the ball came near him.

• Second half resistance. Man City came out much stronger after the break. But lack of accuracy in their shooting, the security generated by Ter Stegen and some fine interventions from the centre backs, especially Piqué, presented Man City from getting any further back into the match than Agüero’s 69th minute goal.

• Keeping control. Agüero’s goal didn’t stop FC Barcelona from controlling the game towards the end. Mathieu and Adriano injected some fresh blood into the team and when Clichy was sent off it was as good as game over. And they even managed to force a penalty in injury time.

Messi's great performance in Manchester in detail

Messi's great performance in Manchester in detail

WWW.FCBARCELONA.COM 

The Argentine was the foundation upon which the victory in the Etihad was built 



Lionel Messi put in a complete performance against Manchester City. Aside from the penalty, an excellent save by Joe Hart, the Argentine showed that even though he is the all time top scorer in the Champions League and is second top scorer this season with eight goals, he not only shines in this area of the game. He played an important role in both Luis Suárez’s goals and was a constant threat to the home side’s defence.


The statistics from the game only serve to back this up:

- 69 complete passes from 76 attempted, a success rate of 91%

-10 successful dribbles from 13 attempted

- He was involved on 114 occasions (Only beaten by Iniesta with 117)

-He won the ball 7 times  (only beaten by Piqué, Sergio and Dani Alves)

-In defence he cleared the ball 5 times (only beaten the four defenders and Sergio)

El Barça da un recital e indulta al Manchester City 1-2

1-2: El Barça da un recital e indulta al Manchester City

El Barça aplasta al City con un gran Luis Suárez en la primera parte, pero lo deja con opciones para la vuelta

Doblete del uruguayo y penalti fallado por Messi en la última jugada del partido

Joan Poquí | Manchester (Enviado especial) 

Una exhibición del Barça en la primera parte, con doblete de Luis Suárez, pudo haber dejado sentenciado el pase del Barça a los cuartos de final de la Champions, pero una serie de ocasiones desperdiciadas y, sobre todo, un penalti fallado por Messi en el último instante, dejan al City con alguna opción después de un partidazo de fútbol, vibrante y que acabó con el público inglés ovacionando a los dos equipos.


Messi ofreció un recital, igual que Suárez, pero tuvo la desgracia de fallar esa pena máxima, cometida por Zabaleta sobre él mismo, y la eliminatoria sigue abierta gracias a un gol de 'Kun' Agüero logrado en los mejores momentos del City, antes de quedarse con diez. Un gol insuficiente pero que mantiene las constantes vitales del conjunto 'citizen'.

El recital del primer tiempo lleva la rúbrica de Luis Suárez, autor material del estropicio de la primera parte, pero es colectivo. Posesiones largas, circulación rápida, recuperaciones rápidas tras las escasas pérdidas, concentración y tensión competitivas máximas y hasta detallazos técnicos como un control de espuela de Rakitic o un recorte de Neymar a Zabaleta que sentó al lateral argentino, que no le perdonó y anduvo buscando sus tobillos toda la noche.

Ciertamente, Pellgrini no mentía cuando dijo que iba a intentar tener el balón. El problema del City es que sus posesiones fueron inocuas, con David Silva desaparecido, un Djeko combativo pero aislado ante la defensa azulgrana y un Kun agazapado hasta el último minuto del primer acto, cuando aceleró y pasó a Milner, cuyo remate fue detenido por Ter Stegen.


El Barça fue todo lo contrario. Bien aposentado, supo aprovechar la fragilidad del doble pivote del City (nefastos Fernando y Milner) y de un Demichelis que continúa siendo una calamidad. Pero, aunque las pérdidas de balón del City en la media eran terreno abonado para la pegada del tridente barcelonista, los goles llegaron en jugadas de ataque estático.


Suárez, auténtica bestia negra del meta Hart, al que acribilló en el Mundial del pasado verano, inauguró el marcador a centro de Messi desde la derecha, un balón de los de toda la vida de extremo a 'nueve' pero a pierna cambiada: centro de un zurdo desde la derecha. El control de Suárez, afortunado, descolocó a Kompany, que dejó toda la portería para el charrúa, que marcó con la izquierda.


El segundo, que llegó después de otra ocasión a pase de Neymar que desperdició tratando de chutar por debajo del cuerpo de Hart, lo marcó con la derecha. Otra vez cambió de ritmo Messi para encontrar la subida de Alba, que centró al área pequeña y encontró al 'killer' Suárez presto para marcar.


Neymar y Alves tuvieron el 0-3 antes del descanso. Neymar se quedó solo ante Hart tras pase largo al hueco de Leo, pero trató de colocar el balón por encima del portero. Y unos minutos después, Alves robó un balón en terreno inglés y, con el tridente esperando el centro, le salió un centro-chut que se estrelló en el larguero.


Habiendo llegado con un marcador no del todo desastroso a la segunda parte, el City salió en tromba del vestuario. Djeko cabeceó a las manos de Ter Stregen desde la frontal de la pequeña completamente solo y el 'Kun' cruzó demasiado después de jugada personal.

La entrada en juego de Agüero, con libertad de movimientos entre líneas, estaba haciendo daño a un Mascherano impreciso y al Barça. El argentino acortó distancias tras un balón largo de Clichy que le llegó después de que Mascherano no llegase al despeje. El 'Kun' fusiló a Ter Stegen. Luis Enrique reaccionó situando a Mathieu de central y a Mascherano en la media, protegiendo mejor el eje. El sacrificado, Rakitic.


En estas circunstancias de partido, emergieron Piqué, mariscal de la defensa, e Iniesta, necesario para apostar una dosis de control. Cualquier posibilidad de que el conjunto de Pellegrini diese la vuelta al partido quedó en nada cuando Clichy, que ya tenía una tarjeta, no dudó en entrar con una plancha terrible sobre el tobillo de Alves, con lo que dejó a los suyos con diez. 


Y, si en la primera parte el Barça había perdonado, en el último minuto tuvo la sentencia definitiva desde el punto de penalti. Leo volvió a fallar desde los once metros. Hart detuvo su lanzamiento y el argentinio cabeceó fuera el rechace.

Messi perde pênalti, mas Barça fica perto das quartas em noite de Suárez

Messi perde pênalti, mas Barça fica perto das quartas em noite de Suárez

Uruguaio faz dois e deixa time culé com boa vantagem sobre o City. Enquanto argentino vai bem, Neymar tem desempenho regular. Volta será no dia 18 de março

O Barcelona deu um passo importante para garantir vaga nas quartas de final da Liga dos Campeões. Nesta terça-feira, com dois gols de Luís Suárez, o time culé venceu o Manchester City por 2 a 1, na casa do rival, e pode perder até por 1 a 0 que garantirá vaga na próxima fase da competição. O placar poderia ser até maior se Lionel Messi não tivesse perdido um pênalti já nos acréscimos. O jogo de volta, no Camp Nou, será no dia 18 de março. Sergio Agüero descontou para os Citizens, que tiveram o lateral Clichy expulso na etapa final.

Apesar do pênalti desperdiçado, Messi também teve boa atuação no duelo em Manchester. O argentino criou os principais lances de ataque do Barça, atuando mais no setor de armação. Quem não esteve bem foi Neymar. Bem marcado pelo argentino Zabaleta, o brasileiro acertou apenas um bom lançamento para Suárez, que perdeu uma ótima chance diante de Hart.

Os primeiros minutos de jogo já davam um panorama do que seria a partida. O Barcelona iniciou tomando a iniciativa e buscando os espaços na defesa do City. Os ingleses até tentavam marcar para sair nos contra-ataque, mas não repetiam, por exemplo, o bom esquema armado pelo Málaga, no último sábado, quando a equipe venceu os culés por 1 a 0, pelo Espanhol.



O Barça teve duas chances aos 10 e aos 12. Uma com Messi, que teve o chute travado, e outra com Suárez, que errou o alvo. Na sequência, aos 15, o uruguaio aproveitou corte errado de Kompany após cruzamento na área e bateu cruzado para vencer Joe Hart. Na comemoração, o camisa 9 culé nem ligou para as vaias da torcida dos Citizens, rivais nos tempos de Liverpool. 

A equipe espanhola seguiu pressionando. O trio formado por Neymar, Suárez e Messi comandava as ações e levava o Barça ao ataque. Aos 30, Messi fez ótima jogada e rolou para Jordi Alba pelo lado esquerdo da grande área. O jogador cruzou na medida para Suárez, que surgiu entre os zagueiros e deu um leve toque para marcar o segundo do Barça.

O segundo gol desarticulou de vez o City. O Barça dominava completamente a partida e buscava ampliar o resultado nos contra-ataques. Aos 43, Daniel Alves quase fez mais um. O lateral aproveitou bobeada da defesa, avançou até a entrada da área e bateu colocado. A bola explodiu no travessão e saiu pela linha de fundo.

Sem alterações, o City voltou um pouco melhor do que o Barcelona. Em dois lances seguidos, em cabeçadas, Dzeko teve a chance de diminuir o marcador. Em uma delas, completamente sozinho na entrada da pequena área, Ter Stegen fez a defesa. A pressão seguiu e o bósnio chegou a reclamar de pênalti no início da etapa final. O árbitro mandou o lance seguir.


Os ingleses ainda assustaram uma outra vez, em finalização de fora da área de Agüero, antes de diminuir o marcador, aos 24. O argentino aproveitou bola escorada por David Silva, invadiu a área e tocou na saída de Ter Stegen. Quatro minutos depois, Clichy errou o tempo de bola e deu um pontapé em Daniel Alves. Como já havia recebido o amarelo, o jogador acabou expulso.

Após o lance, Daniel Alves acabou deixando a partida para a entrada de Adriano. Irritado com a alteração de Luis Enrique, o camisa 22 deu um pontapé em uma garrafa de água na beira do gramado. Com um a mais, o Barça tocou a bola, buscou espaços, mas ousou pouco.

Nos acréscimos, Messi fez boa jogada, invadiu a área e foi derrubado por Zabaleta. Um gol poderia ser fatal para o City. O argentino correu para a bola, bateu colocado e Hart caiu para defender. Na sobra, o camisa 10 conseguiu testar de cabeça, mas errou o alvo. No fim, após o apito final, o 2 a 1 foi até comemorado pelos donos da casa.

Lyon reclaim lead, Etienne and Marseille split points

Lyon reclaim lead, Etienne and Marseille split points

Lyon moved back to the top of the French Ligue 1 standings thanks to a 1-0 win over Nantes. Nabil Fekir scored the only goal of the game in the 66th minute to ensure his side leapfrogged Paris Saint-Germain and reclaimed top spot after the capital club had beaten Toulouse on Saturday. Lyon were awarded a late penalty after keeper Remy Riou felled Fekir but Maxime Gonalons fired wide with the last kick of the match.

A late equaliser from Mevlut Erding earned Saint-Etienne a 2-2 draw against Marseille. All the goals came in the second half, with Les Verts taking the lead through a penalty from Max Gradel.

But the introduction of Michy Batshuayi changed the game - the Marseille substitute netting twice within five minutes of his introduction in the 62nd minute. The visitors were unable to claim the three points, though, and slipped four points behind Lyon after Erding made sure Saint-Etienne's pressure paid off with an injury-time header.

Montpellier boosted their hopes of breaking into the top four with a 2-0 win against Guingamp. Morgan Sanson opened the scoring for the visitors in the second minute before Kevin Berigaud wrapped up the points early in the second half.

Reims made it just one win from their last seven league games after being held to a goalless draw by bottom side Metz.

Kane to the rescue, Everton snatch point

Kane to the rescue, Everton snatch point

Harry Kane again provided the heroics for Tottenham as he equalised with the final kick of the game to prevent West Ham collecting a third successive win at White Hart Lane. The England U-21 international, brimming with confidence having scored 11 in his previous ten English Premier League games, saw a last-gasp penalty saved but tucked away the rebound to secure what could prove to be a vital 2-2 draw for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

The visitors had been the better side for much of the game and held a two-goal lead with ten minutes remaining courtesy of Senegalese pair Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho. But Danny Rose halved the deficit to set up a grandstand finish and the stage was set for Kane when he was brought down in the box by Alex Song at the end of stoppage time.

It was the Hammers who broke the deadlock, after Mousa Dembele's under-hit pass was collected by Enner Valencia. The ball was worked to Mark Noble who then threaded a ball into the run of Aaron Cresswell, with the full-back's cross headed home by the unmarked Kouyate.

Christian Eriksen was introduced at the break as Pochettino hauled off the ineffectual Dembele but it was Sakho who wasted the best chance at the start of the second half as he failed to beat Lloris one-on-one having been slipped in by Noble. The Hammers' top goalscorer made amends shortly afterwards, however.

Noble collected a deep cross and played the ball to the back post where Sakho arrived to coolly slot home his 11th goal of the season. Kane thought he had tucked home a 12th goal in his last 11 league appearances to give Spurs a foothold with 15 minutes remaining but he was flagged offside.

The goal did come five minutes later as Rose fired into the ground to beat Adrian, who had flapped at a ball into the box and was out of position. With almost all of the five minutes of added time played, Song clipped the back of Kane's heels as he looked to break clear and the referee pointed for a penalty. With Kane in electric form, many would have expected him to score but Adrian kept out his well-struck penalty, only to see the forward sweep home the rebound with the last kick of the game.

Foxes denied by Toffees
Leicester were denied a vital victory in their push for survival as Everton grabbed a last-gasp equaliser at Goodison Park. Leicester looked set to register their fifth win of the season when David Nugent and Esteban Cambiasso put them 2-1 up after Steven Naismith had broken the deadlock. But with less than two minutes left Christian Atsu crossed for Romelu Lukaku, whose diving header flew past Mark Schwarzer after taking a big deflection off Matthew Upson.

Jeffrey Schlupp was Leicester's most dangerous player in the opening stages, firing a low drive at Howard. Schlupp burst into the box moments later and it needed the combined efforts of three Everton players to stop the Ghanaian. Everton wasted the few chances they had in the first half. Barkley curled a 20-yard free-kick into the Park End and Lukaku did the same moments later. Andrej Kramaric came close at the other end when he curled his shot a foot over Howard's goal.

The game was a far more entertaining affair in the second period. Just two minutes after the break, Howard parried Matty James' shot, but Schlupp dragged the follow-up wide. Four minutes later, Everton took the lead. Lukaku held the ball up brilliantly and laid the ball off to Naismith, who squeezed his shot between Wes Morgan and Robert Huth and the ball trickled past Mark Schwarzer.

Nigel Pearson made a double change, bringing Nugent and Jamie Vardy on. Just over one minute later, the pair combined to equalise. Vardy pulled away down the right and drove a low shot goalwards which Howard spilled straight into the path of Everton fan Nugent, who tapped in. Lukaku should have put Everton back in front when he meandered through the Leicester defence, but he somehow contrived to clear the bar from ten yards.

The hosts were punished immediately by the Foxes. Howard flapped at a cross and Vardy pulled the ball back to Cambiasso, who drilled the ball in from inside the box. The Everton fans groaned as Lukaku wasted yet another chance to score as the former Chelsea striker could only muster a weak shot after being played in by Naismith. The Belgian made a telling impact in the dying minutes, though, when his diving header hit Upson and flew in to steal a fortuitous point for Roberto Martinez's side.

Liverpool extend unbeaten run
Philippe Coutinho's exceptional strike helped Liverpool overcome Southampton 2-0 in what could prove a crucial result in the chase for a UEFA Champions League place. There was no lack of vim and vigour on display in miserable conditions at St Mary's, where Brendan Rodgers' side moved within two points of the top four as the season enters the home straight.

Raheem Sterling wrapped up the points by adding to Coutinho's early wonder goal, extending Liverpool's unbeaten Premier League run to ten games, including seven wins.

Hitz: There was no going back

Hitz: There was no going back

Goalscoring hero Marwin Hitz admitted there was no going back when he went up from his goal for a corner in the dying stages of Augsburg's 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen. Hitz became only the third goalkeeper in the history of the German Bundesliga after Frank Rost and Jens Lehmann to score a goal from open play when he converted in injury time.

Yet he did not know he was even going to play until shortly before kick-off. A serious knee injury had kept him sidelined since November but coach Markus Weinzierl chose him over Alex Manninger, saying afterwards: "I didn't realise I'd put our goalscorer in goal."

It was Weinzierl who sent Hitz forward in the 94th minute at the Augsburg Arena, and Hitz explained the rest to reporters.

I used to always prefer to take shots on goal rather than be stood in goal during training. Maybe that's paid off.

Marwin Hitz, Augsburg's goalscoring goalkeeper.

"He waved me forward and I stood near the back post because I was sure nobody would spot me there," he said. "I then ran into the middle, but the corner was too short and it was cleared. We kept possession and I thought I may as well stay up because it was too far to go all the way back, and there I was in the right place.

"I've always been a goalkeeper but when I was younger, I used to always prefer to take shots on goal rather than be stood in goal during training. Maybe that's paid off."

Once the ball did hit the back of the net, he did not want to wait around and leave his own goal gaping as his natural goalkeeper instincts set in.

"I just wanted to celebrate quickly and then run back, but my team-mates swamped me so I just had to celebrate a bit more with them," he said. "But I was already concerned about the kick-off again. I'm not the sort to celebrate like crazy when we score goals, which is why I wanted to get back into my goal as quickly as possible and follow the game."

The goal and consequent draw ensured Augsburg kept their place above Leverkusen in the standings.

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

In our regular Sunday feature, FIFA.com presents you with some of the biggest names in football who will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week.

22. Sergio Romero (28) was Argentina’s last line of defence at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, where La Albiceleste reached the final for the first time since 1990. He played in all seven of his team’s matches, conceding just four goals and emerging as the hero of the semi-final shoot-out victory over the Netherlands. The athletic goalkeeper also starred for his country at South Africa 2010 and at the 2011 Copa America, as well as at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2008 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, both of which were won by Argentina. A product of Racing Club’s youth academy, Romero represented the senior side for one season before joining Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar, where he captured the Eredivisie title and Johan Cruyff Shield. In 2011, he signed for Sampdoria and has since – following a twelve-month loan at Monaco – established himself as the Genoa side’s No1.

23. Joe-Max Moore (44) took part in three World Cups with the United States, in 1994, 1998 and 2002. In 1999, the diminutive forward helped the Stars and Stripes to finish third at the FIFA Confederations Cup, having previously appeared at the Olympic Football Tournament at Barcelona 1992. Moore pulled on the jerseys of Saarbrucken, Nuremberg, Everton, Emelec and New England Revolution during his club career.

24. Denis Law (75) is a living legend of Scottish football, having played at the 1974 World Cup and having earned the European Footballer of the Year award in 1964. The prolific goal machine started out at Huddersfield Town, before moving on to Manchester City and Torino. In the summer of 1962, the Aberdeen native returned to English football, beginning a productive 11-year spell with Manchester United during which he would claim two Charity Shields, an FA Cup, two English League titles and a European Cup, finishing top scorer of the last-named competition.

25. Jenny Bindon (42) played for New Zealand at the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ tournaments, as well as at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. The USA-born keeper turned out for Three Kings United, Glenfield Rovers and Bay Olympic during her domestic career.

26. Griedge Mbock Bathy (20) was a key member of the French side that lifted the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2012, at the culmination of which she was awarded the adidas Golden Ball. The solid defender subsequently helped her team-mates to secure a third-place finish at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where this time she finished second in the voting for the Golden Ball. Mbock Bathy has turned out for Guingamp since 2010.

27. Kakha Kaladze (37) was a tremendous ambassador for Georgian football throughout his playing days. After turning professional with Dinamo Tbilisi, with whom he bagged five Georgian League titles and four Georgian Cups, the five-time Georgian Footballer of the Year moved to Dynamo Kiev, where he added three Ukrainian League crowns and three Ukrainian Cups to his CV. In 2001, the talented defender was transferred to AC Milan, where he collected more silverware in the shape of a Serie A title, an Italian Cup, an Italian Super Cup, two UEFA Champions League trophies, two UEFA Super Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup.

28. Christian Poulsen (35) participated in Korea/Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010 with Denmark, as well as in the UEFA EURO in 2004 and 2012. The defensive midfielder rose to prominence with Copenhagen, where he gained a Danish League winners’ medal, prior to putting pen to paper with Schalke, where he hoisted the German League Cup. A successful two-year stint at Sevilla, during which he held aloft the Copa del Rey, Super Copa de Espana, UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup, was followed by spells at Juventus, Liverpool, Evian and Ajax, where he landed two Eredivisie titles and a Johan Cruyff Shield. In September 2014, Poulsen returned to Copenhagen.

Real beat Elche as Sociedad win seven-goal thriller

Real beat Elche as Sociedad win seven-goal thriller

Second-half goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo earned Real Madrid a 2-0 win at struggling Elche that moved them four points clear at the top of the Spanish La Liga.

Benzema, who had earlier had a goal ruled out for offside, tapped home the opener before Ronaldo powered home a header to seal the points. Victory ensured the visitors took full advantage of Barcelona's home defeat to Malaga to further strengthen their hold on top spot.

A last-minute winner from captain Xabi Prieto saw Real Sociedad win a seven-goal thriller against Sevilla 4-3. Imanol Agirretxe volleyed David Moyes' side in front shortly after a quarter of an hour, but Timothee Kolodziejczak headed in an equaliser just before half-time.

Prieto restored La Real's lead from the penalty spot at the start of the second half, but Sevilla turned the game around thanks to a header from Carlos Bacca and a penalty from substitute Kevin Gameiro. However, with nine minutes remaining, Alejandro Arribas put the ball through his own net to make it 3-3 and Prieto struck again in injury time to decide the game.

Villarreal moved within one point of Sevilla as Luciano Vietto came off the bench to secure an under-par Yellow Submarine side a 1-0 victory over Eibar. Elsewhere, Aritz Aduriz netted a late winner as Athletic Bilbao edged a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano.

O Real Madrid quer aumentar a vantagem na liderança em Elche

NOTÍCIA | JAVIER GARCÍA

Os brancos procuram uma vitória no Martínez Valero para aumentar para quatro os pontos de vantagem sobre o Barcelona. 

Em estádios como o Martínez Valero ganham-se Ligas. O Real Madrid está consciente disso e sabe que neste momento da temporada todos os jogos começam a ser decisivos. Assim, enfrenta o jogo desta noite (20:00 h portuguesa) com a intenção de conseguir a vitória em Elche e aumentar para quatro pontos a vantagem sobre o Barcelona, que perdeu contra o Málaga.

O confronto acontece depois das importantes vitórias contra o Deportivo e Schalke 04. Agora, o objectivo é dar continuidade a essa linha num jogo que será de intensidade máxima. “Será um jogo difícil que acontece no final de uma semana em que estivemos bem e assim queremos continuar ”, advertiu Ancelotti,  que alcança os 100 jogos oficiais no clube. 

O MADRID PROCURA A VIGÉSIMA VITÓRIA NA LIGA. 

O técnico italiano convocou 20 futebolistas; entre eles os canteranos Diego Llorente e Álvaro Medrán. Continuam de fora Ramos, Coentrão, Modric, Khedira e James. Por seu lado, Cristiano Ronaldo já é o terceiro melhor marcador da história madridista, e enfrenta um adversário a quem marcou quatro golos no jogo da primeira volta.

 O adversário
O Elche recebe o conjunto branco em trajectória ascendente. Os comandados por Fran Escribá ocupam a décima sétima posição, com 23 pontos, e vão tentar continuar a somar pontos para se distanciarem dos lugares de descida. “É difícil mas temos muita ilusão na vitória. Há que estar muito concentrados e imprimir intensidade", assinalou técnico. Jonathas, com nove golos é a principal arma ofensiva.  

Dortmund pick up third consecutive win

Dortmund pick up third consecutive win

Borussia Dortmund picked up their third win in a row to pull away from the Bundesliga's relegation zone while leaving Stuttgart rooted to the bottom of the standings with a 3-2 victory at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Dortmund in front in the 25th minute, but a Florian Klein penalty brought Stuttgart back on level terms. Ilkay Gundogan restored Dortmund's lead before Marco Reus gave Dortmund a deserved cushion late on. Georg Niedermeier made things a little more interesting in stoppage time, but Stuttgart could count themselves fortunate to get two goals as their future looks bleaker with every game.

Dortmund were quick to stamp their authority on the game with Nuri Sahin seeing his header turned behind by Sven Ulreich before Aubameyang saw a goal disallowed for offside. Only Dortmund were doing any attacking and it seemed inevitable that they would make the breakthrough sooner or later. It happened in the 25th minute when Aubameyang tucked in Shinji Kagawa's pass from eight yards out, this time with the offside flag staying down.

Stuttgart showed some rare signs of life, and suddenly they were given a lifeline when Sahin took Niedermeier's leg from under him as he was preparing to tuck a loose ball into a practically unguarded goal from three yards out. Klein converted the penalty right into the bottom left-hand corner, beyond the reach of Roman Weidenfeller who dived the right way.

Few inside the stadium really seemed convinced that Stuttgart were going to be able to build on their equaliser, though, as Dortmund hit straight back. They regained the lead five minutes before half-time when Kagawa's backheel was helped on by Carlos Gruezo to Gundogan, who slotted his shot inside Ulreich's near post.

Dortmund continued to have an air of superiority in the second half, but struggled to translate that into goal. Kagawa saw his angled shot saved by Ulreich after good work from Reus and Aubameyang before Reus pounced on a weak backpass from Timo Baumgartl to round Ulreich and make it three late on.

It gave a more realistic look to the result, even though Niedermeier's header from a corner in the first minute of stoppage time gave Stuttgart some unexpected and ultimately unfulfilled hope.

PSG take down Toulouse to go top, Bastia win

PSG take down Toulouse to go top, Bastia win

Paris Saint-Germain moved to the top of France's Ligue 1 as Adrien Rabiot's brace helped guide them to a 3-1 win over Toulouse. Rabiot's double had the champions two ahead and, while Wissam Ben Yedder pulled a goal back for the visitors, PSG captain Thiago Silva sealed the win.

Both Lyon and Marseille could remove Les Parisiens from the summit with wins on Sunday but Laurent Blanc's men look to be finding their form at the right time after making it six league games unbeaten.

Wahbi Khazri scored a second-half penalty which salvaged a 1-1 draw for Bordeaux at Rennes. Paul-Georges Ntep had put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute and they looked on course for all three points until Khazri converted from the spot in the 77th. The draw meant Les Girondins missed the chance to go level on points with fourth-placed Monaco, who defeated Nice 1-0 on Friday.

Bastia extended their unbeaten run to nine league games by coming from a goal down to beat Lille 2-1. Ryan Mendes' 17th-minute opener looked to have put their recent run in danger of ending, but Giovanni Sio replied within five minutes and then Floyd Ayite won it in the 40th.

Caen also kept up their recent fine form as a brace of goals from Emiliano Sala helped them to a 4-1 victory against Lens at the Stade Michel d'Ornano. Julien Feret gave the hosts a seventh-minute lead and Sala doubled their advantage in the 35th minute before Herve Bazile capped off a fine first-half display with a third one minute later.

Alharbi El Jadeyaoui pulled a goal back for Lens on the stroke of half-time by scoring from the penalty spot, but Sala scored his second and Caen's fourth 15 minutes from time to secure a fifth league win in their last six game.

The match between Evian and Lorient was postponed after heavy snowfall at the Parc des Sports d'Annecy.

Malaga beat Barcelona, Atleti cruise

Malaga beat Barcelona, Atleti cruise

Barcelona's preparations for their UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City were rocked as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at home against Malaga. 21-year-old Juanmi scored the only goal after just seven minutes following a glaring mistake by Dani Alves and Barcelona never recovered, producing a sluggish display which knocks a huge dent in their Spanish La Liga title hopes.

The Catalans passed up the opportunity to go top of the table and instead remain a point behind league leaders Real Madrid, who have the opportunity to extend their advantage to four points when they face Elche on Sunday evening. Barcelona must now regroup for the trip to Manchester and the last-16 European clash with City on Tuesday evening.

Antoine Griezmann's brace helped Atletico Madrid take full advantage of Barcelona's slip up as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Almeria. Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring with a controversial penalty before Griezmann's double ensured the game was over as a contest inside the first half-hour. Guilherme Siqueira was sent off in stoppage time for the Rojiblancos but it made little difference as they moved within three points of the Catalans.

Valencia tightened their grip on fourth place in the standings by beating Cordoba 2-1 thanks to a late winner by Pablo Piatti. Andre Gomes gave the visitors the lead towards the end of the first half but Nabil Ghilas levelled for the league's bottom side in the 72nd minute, only for Piatti to put Valencia in charge again with nine minutes remaining.

Elsewhere, Celta Vigo claimed a Galician derby double as second-half goals from Charles and Joaquin Larrivey earned them a 2-0 victory at Deportivo La Coruna. Celta, who also beat their rivals 2-1 in September, took the lead through Charles' deft chip 36 seconds into the second half, before Deportivo centre-back Alberto Lopo was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 73rd minute and Larrivey rounded off the win late on.

Ancelotti: Modric will be ready for El Clasico

Ancelotti: Modric will be ready for El Clasico

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that midfielder Luka Modric will be fit by the time his side face Barcelona in a crucial Spanish La Liga clash on 22 March.

Modric returned to training this week after three months out due to a torn thigh muscle. The Croatian's influence has been badly missed by the Madrid midfield in recent weeks as Barca have closed to within a point of Real at the top of the table, whilst Los Blancos were also dumped out of the Copa del Rey by city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Ancelotti has also been short on numbers in midfield as James Rodriguez faces two months on the sidelines due to a broken bone in his right foot, whilst Sami Khedira has a hamstring injury. "He feels good, but we will take it slowly," Ancelotti said on Saturday. "He hasn't done a full session with the team yet, but he will do next week and by the 22nd he will be ready. We hope he can play before the Camp Nou."

Ancelotti will oversee his 100th game in charge of the European champions tomorrow night when they travel to Elche. Despite winning four trophies in that time, the Italian's hold on the job has been questioned in recent weeks, particularly after Real were humbled 4-0 by Atletico earlier this month.

However, the 55-year-old said he wasn't concerned that talks over an extension to his contract, which runs until 2016, seem to have stalled and that the matter will be resolved at the end of the season. "I feel valued and happy here. There is no rush for the renewal of my contract, we have a year-and-a-half.

"Since I arrived here I knew we need to win, but that isn't something new, in all the teams I have coached the objective was to win titles. I don't think I will renew only if we win. The end of the season will be a good time to talk about the renewal, but if not then there is no rush. I have a contract here until 2016."

Bravo iguala a su compatriota Zamorano

Bravo iguala a su compatriota Zamorano

Mundodeportivo.com  


Claudio Bravo sigue igualando y batiendo registros en la portería del Barcelona en la Liga BBVA esta campaña. El meta se ha convertido en el chileno con más partidos en la máxima competición del fútbol español en el choque ante el Málaga de este sábado, igualando a su compatriota Iván Zamorano con 196 partidos en Liga.



El portero iguala así los números del histórico jugador chileno, que logró este registro defendiendo las camisetas de Sevilla y Real Madrid. El meta azulgrana lo ha conseguido con la Real Sociedad y el Barcelona. En este sentido, debemos destacar que Bravo podía haber superado antes a su compatriota si no hubiera militado en Segunda División con la Real Sociedad y lo hubiera hecho en Primera.

Jose Mourinho says John Terry will be offered a new deal at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho says John Terry will be offered a new deal at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has confirmed captain John Terry will be offered a new contract with Chelsea.


Earlier this week Terry said he was hopeful of securing a deal but admitted he had yet to hold any talks with the club over an extension.

However, manager Mourinho believes the 34-year-old, who has started every league game this season, has won the right to play in the Premier League for another year.


Terry, who joined Chelsea 20 years ago as a schoolboy, had accepted the club's rule that over-30s will be offered only yearly contracts.

"I think everybody wants to stay and especially him who has been here all his life,” said Mourinho. “He accepted our policy of going year after year with a smile and he accepted it as a challenge.

"Last year he won the challenge and this year he is winning the right of getting a one-year extension. Sooner or later he will get the season contract he deserves."

Mourinho, meanwhile, added he was not talking about his own contract, despite media reports of an extension.

"I'm different. I have two more years of contract. I want to stay. I think the club is happy but... I don't need a contract right now," Mourinho said.

"I will stay (as long as) Mr Abramovich will want me to stay."

Wilshere returns, Wenger to focus on balance

Wilshere returns, Wenger to focus on balance

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has welcomed the return of England midfielder Jack Wilshere from three months out with an ankle injury, but warned the "balance of the team" must always come first.

The 23-year-old has not played since needing an operation after hobbling off in the defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on 22 November. Wilshere, though, has come through his rehabilitation quicker than expected, and is expected to be involved again at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Wenger has praised the way the player has dedicated himself to a speedy recovery. It was not so long ago the dynamic midfielder would have been a certain starter in the Arsenal XI. However, with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez all in impressive form as Francis Coquelin shields the defence, Wenger accepts there can be no guarantees of selection for anyone.

"Jack is a bit ahead of schedule and has worked hard with no big problems, so it's good to have him back," said Wenger. "It is always difficult to come back straightaway. What is good is that [he is] already back (earlier than expected). That injury was on the left ankle. He had all his problems on the right ankle. It is a straightforward injury - once it's healed, there's no problem." Wenger, though, added: "No matter who plays, you always worry first about the balance of the team, yes."

Arsenal can expect a stern test of their top-four credentials at Selhurst Park against a side which is now well organised and hard to break down under new manager Alan Pardew. Wenger said: "They have found confidence again and they made positive results and that is what it is about when you are a manager. We always expect a passionate afternoon there."

No matter who plays, you always worry first about the balance of the team.Arsene Wenger on not disrupting Arsenal's balance to include Jack Wilshere
Pardew has hailed midfielder Cazorla as Arsenal's stand-out player. The 30-year-old Spaniard has been linked with a transfer to Atletico Madrid, but Wenger insists the diminutive midfielder remains very much integral to Arsenal's future plans. "Until now he has been maybe the most consistent, since he has moved centrally his influence on the team has been bigger as well," Wenger said.

"He has extended his contract last year. I think he has still two years to go. You know our policy at the club, so I don't think there's anything special to worry about there. The suggestion (of a transfer bid) is only a suggestion. We have never been approached by anybody about him."

Wenger confirmed former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry had been back at the club this week working with the Academy as part of his first steps into a coaching career. "It is good for our young players to be coached by him, a legend of the club," said Wenger.

Asked if the French FIFA World Cup™ winner could one-day replace him as Arsenal manager, Wenger replied: "That would not be my problem, it would be a problem of the board to make that decision. Yes of course (he could be a future Arsenal manager). I have said that many times, but I have had many, many players who can do this job."

Leo Messi delighted with the way things are going

Leo Messi delighted with the way things are going

WWW.FCBARCELONA.COM 


"We are FC Barcelona and it is our duty to fight for the title" says the Argentinian 


"We don't want to end up empty handed like we did last year"



Leo Messi attended an event in Barcelona on Thursday afternoon, and used the occasion to discuss a variety of different issues. After scoring a hat-trick against Levante, he is oozing with confidence going into the most decisive stage of the season.

On his personal form:

“I feel fine. I’m happy with the way things are going. I want to keep helping the team. Last year was not a good one for us. There were too many setbacks on and off the pitch. But I hope all that changes this year.”

“I am not 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 years old anymore, when you’re body doesn’t feel the strain. You get older, and you feel it. Now I make more of an effort to look after myself at half-time and be careful about what I eat”.

“I have changed a lot since I first started out. I’m more mature, and I have learned things both on and off the pitch. Some of the old Messi is still here, but not much”.

On the team:

“We are working to win all of the titles at stake. We are Barça, and it is our duty to fight to win everything. We don’t want to end up empty handed like we did last season”.

“I think our attitude has changed since Anoeta. We’re hungrier. We take to the field in a different way. The team wanted to change things and we did that. It’s not that we weren’t trying in that game, but we just couldn’t get the right result”.

“We like to get quickly through on goal now and exploit the gaps that defences leave open. It doesn’t mean we’ve changed the Barça style of holding onto the ball, but we have also started using counter attacking tactics, which is not something we did that much before”.

“You can tell that the team has changed. Our morale is great at the moment, we’re playing top football. We know we haven’t won anything yet, but playing at this level, we know we are capable of doing so”.

On weekend opponents Málaga, who drew with Barça earlier this season:

“We are playing at home. You approach games differently when you’re at home and when you are away”.