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El Clasico: Luka Modric mocks Gerard Pique after Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Barcelona
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April 11, 2021
![[Image: Luka-Modric-mocks-Gerard-Pique.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Luka-Modric-mocks-Gerard-Pique.jpg)
Pitchside camara has picked Luka Modric mocking Gerard Pique after Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday.
Pique feels Barcelona deserved a spot kick, after Ferland Mendy appeared to pull down Martin Braithwaite in the dying minutes of the game.
However, referee Gil Manzano waved play on and VAR did not intervene in the decision.
Pique returned from injury but could not make Ronald Koeman’s XI for the game was only able to make the bench.
At the end of the game Pique was shaking hands with Real Madrid players when Modric noticed he was queuing up for the referee.
Footage picked up Modric mocking his the Spaniard, asking “You’re waiting for the ref to complain huh?”
But Modric’s comment did not, however, stop the veteran defender from asking the match officials some questions regarding some of their decisions during the game.
On the course of taking to the referee Pique got himself booked, picking up a yellow card despite not playing a single minute in the match.
Benzema opened scoring for Real Madrid in the 13th minutes and Toni Kroos doubled the hosts lead from a free kick but Barca pulled one back through Oscar Mingueza on the hour mark.
With the victory Real Madrid moved up to first spot on the league table ahead of Atletico Madrid on goal difference with Barca one point behind.
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Champions League: Chelsea suffer fresh injury blow ahead of Porto clash
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April 11, 2021
![[Image: Christensen.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Christensen.jpg)
Chelsea have suffered a fresh injury setback after their defender, Andreas Christensen, picked up a hamstring injury in training ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash with FC Porto on Tuesday night in Sevilla, Spain.
Christensen sustained the injury before Chelsea’s Premier League 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.
The centre-back was missing from the Chelsea squad that defeated Crystal Palace at the Selhurst Park Stadium as they boosted their top-four hopes.
His absence from the match was a surprise after the Blues manager, Thomas Tuchel, confirmed he had a fully fit squad.
However, the 25-year-old was replaced by Kurt Zouma at the defence line.
A brace from Christian Pulisic and a strike from Kai Havertz and Zouma gave Chelsea all three points against the host.
Tuchel will welcome back Thiago Silva on Tuesday against Porto.
Tuchel’s men had won Porto 2-0 in the first-leg last week.
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El Clasico: What Gerard Pique told referee after Barcelona 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid
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April 11, 2021
![[Image: Gerard-Pique-told-referee.jpg]](https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Gerard-Pique-told-referee.jpg)
Details of the interaction between Gerard Pique and referee Gil Manzano has emerged.
Real Madrid defeated their fiercest rivals 2-1 in the El Clasico on Saturday and climbed top of the league table above Atletico Madrid on goal difference.
Going into the game, both sides knew a win would see them go to the top of La Liga and the home side started the game composed.
Zinedine Zidane’s side led 2-0 at half-time, courtesy of first-half strikes from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos.
Oscar Mingueza pulled one back for the visitors 15 minutes into the second half
Gerard Pique was named on the bench and did not play a single minute in the game.
But that did not stop him walking onto the pitch and having a go at referee Gil Manzano, fuming at the match official after the final whistle.
Pique was mad at the referee for adding only four minutes extra-time.
Marca reports that the veteran defender felt that more stoppage time should have been played.
Pique also felt that his team should have been awarded a spot kick after Ferland Mendy appeared to pull down Martin Braithwaite in the dying minutes of the game.
During the game, referee Manzano had spent around five minutes trying to fix his technology due to poor condition, meaning Pique did have reason to protest.
Pique told the referee, “Let me speak, let me speak, you gave us a little extra time, and you’ve been off the field for a long time.”
Real Madrid’s next game will be against English reigning champions, Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Anfield. The reverse fixture ended 3-1 in favour of the La Liga giants.
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Quote:[b]Roy McDonough: UK's 'Dirtiest' Footballer Slept With Over 400 Women
Britain's dirtiest ever footballer bedded more than 400 women, headbutted opponents, picked up 22 red cards, and used to lick his moustache to see if he had got lucky the night before.[/b]
Roy McDonough may not be a name that rolls off the tongue for football fans, but he found himself in trouble with the authorities more than renowned hardmen such as Graeme Souness, Vinnie Jones and Roy Keane.
McDonough, now 62, used to drink 20 pints a night in his heyday and earned himself the nickname 'Red Card Roy' for his aggressive playing style.
His party trick was downing a pint of Guinness in less than seven seconds while standing on his head on a moving train.
McDonough made his name in the 80s and 90s as a lower league striker for the likes of Southend United and Colchester United, but he was more famous for his off the pitch antics.
He said he would sleep with a different woman every week and lived by the mottos: "Win or lose, on the booze," and: "No f***er is going to outdrink me."
The former striker's candid book is aptly called Red Card Roy: Sex, Booze and Early Baths, the Life of Britain's Wildest Ever Footballer.
When he began his career at Birmingham City, his teammates dubbed him the 'German porn star' due to his long hair and moustache.
In his revealing book, McDonough said: "It was a nickname I did my very best to live up to."
He claims to have slept with a staggering 400 women, including orgies with fellow teammates. Twice he had to seek medical help after contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
During one 18-month period during his marriage to first wife Jackie, he reckons he bedded at least 39 girls, suffering from a curse of "failure to keep my trousers zipped up". He says he inherited that from his dad.
McDonough said: "I'd patrol the club like a kid in a candy store, picking out whenever sweet little thing I fancied tasting, before ruthlessly moving in for the kill, telling them what we were going to do, and where we were going to do it.
"I’d say: 'When we get in luv, I’m going to look after you downstairs, then all hell is going to break loose.'
"Alternatively, I could be really classy and ask: 'So, how many times do you want to f*** tonight, darling?'"
When he was hungover, McDonough would give his "moustache a quick lick in the morning to find out if I'd done the deed".
McDonough bagged 144 goals in 661 professional appearances, but it may have been even more if he could have controlled his temper better.
He admits he would "not make it past the warmup" in the modern game and received his first red card aged just 16 when he lifted a referee up by the throat in the Birmingham Schools' Cup final.
It would see McDonough banned from football for six months, but there would be many more run-ins with the footballing authorities in an era when players could get away with almost anything.
He claims his violence was never pre-meditated, except when he sought revenge on fellow ex-footballer Tony Pulis for a previous disagreement with a kung fu kick to the head.
McDonough said: "I’ve been nutted, kicked up in the air, elbowed, spat at, but it was never a problem if defenders were up-front with you. It was the sneaky, cynical ones I didn’t like.
"The violence wasn’t pre-meditated, it was self-preservation. I never set out to hurt anyone, well only once."
McDonough admits he spent most night "f***ed out of my brains".
He often drove home blind drunk yet never had an accident and he was only once caught by police, for which he received a 30-month driving ban.
McDonough is now a business development manager living with his second wife Lizzie in Spain.
The sleeping around has stopped and by his own admission, he is much calmer these days.
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/uks-dirtiest-footballer-sent-22-23880238
![[Image: 13381006_1roymcdonough_jpegfdf48c2a7614c...39726e205e]](https://www.nairaland.com/attachments/13381006_1roymcdonough_jpegfdf48c2a7614cd7346a88639726e205e)
![[Image: 13381007_0roymcdonough_jpegb7725c1947cf4...c16da89d4c]](https://www.nairaland.com/attachments/13381007_0roymcdonough_jpegb7725c1947cf40006a4ed2c16da89d4c)
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PSG snubbed €300m offer from Real Madrid to buy Neymar - Neymar's former agent claims
![[Image: 60744fd9b9c93.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/60744fd9b9c93.jpg)
Wagner Ribeiro, Neymar's agent has claimed PSG rejected a €300 million (£260m/$357m) bid for Neymar in 2019.
According to Wagner Ribeiro, Paris Saint-Germain made it clear that even "a billion" would not be enough to get the Brazilian.
PSG smashed the world transfer record in the summer of 2017 to sign Neymar away from Barcelona in a €222m (£192m/$264m) deal.
Since Neymar's move to PSG there have been reports he could come back to Spain, with Barcelona his former club also interested.
Ribeiro, a former agent of Neymar, told L'Equipe: "At that time, he was close to going to Real Madrid. Madrid were willing to pay €300m for him. Florentino [Perez] told me, but Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] refused. 'Not for a billion, he's not going to go!' He told me."
Ribeiro added: "He is happy there. No club in the world can offer you what PSG offers. Only they can afford Neymar. Madrid has financial problems. Barca? Even worse. In Italy and United or City? I don't think so.
"In Paris he makes a good living and plays for a very good team. This season they will win the Champions League and Neymar will land the Ballon d'Or."
Neymar has scored 83 goals in 106 appearances, helping PSG win domestic honours and reach the Champions League final.
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[b]Tuchel: Now Is The Time For Chelsea To Win The Champions League[/b]
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel believes that his side have what it takes to win the Champions League this season.
The Blues currently lead 2-0 after their quarter-final first leg with Porto, and the German is only thinking about silverware despite his side not being favourites in the competition.
"I've come here to win titles," Tuchel said on Monday. "I'm here to win games, that's what I ask of myself.
"The time is now. Although if I'm honest we could talk about it for hours and hours. Tomorrow, we have to play and there are no games more difficult than the next one."
Beyond himself, the German is confident that his players and the club are on the same page as he is, and are similarly hungry for silverware.
"You won't find any team who don't want to reach the semi-finals," Tuchel said. "There's nothing to hide. This is a team with the culture and structure to win titles and games.
"This club have the history and the mentality for that."
Source: https://www.marca.com/en/football/champions-league/2021/04/12/6074b979e2704e88918b4571.html
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Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Bayern Munich (3-3 agg, PSG win on away goals)
13/04/2021
![[Image: paris-saint-germain-forward-neymar_zw14o...uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/c2/ad/paris-saint-germain-forward-neymar_zw14o2oryskqzv4yq7lcpua0.jpg?t=-780914408&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar
Paris Saint-Germain took their revenge as they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League at the expense of last year's winners Bayern Munich, losing 1-0 on the night but sneaking through on away goals.
A dazzling first-half performance from Neymar could have seen the Brazilian score a hat-trick for PSG before the break, but for brilliance from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and two shots against the Bayern woodwork.
It therefore became worrying for the hosts, who were beaten by Bayern in the 2019-20 final, when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting nudged the visitors ahead at the Parc des Princes and back to 3-3 on aggregate in the 40th minute.
But Bayern were without their injured talisman Robert Lewandowski and head coach Hansi Flick could have used his immense goal threat as the Bundesliga side chased the second goal they needed, ultimately without avail.
Neuer had to save well from Neymar in the early stages after Kylian Mbappe's run down the left and cut-back caused Bayern's defence to panic.
The goalkeeper made his second huge save from Neymar in the 27th minute when Mbappe's clever pass found the Brazilian 12 yards from goal, with the goalkeeper charging out to block brilliantly.
A third followed when Neymar showed quick feet on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a blistering left-footed effort. Neymar then curled a delicious shot against the bar and moments later hit the foot of the right post from Mbappe's pass.
Yet entirely against the run of play, Choupo-Moting headed Bayern ahead. Keylor Navas was only able to parry a tame shot from David Alaba, and Choupo-Moting was alert to reach the ball first and nod over the line.
PSG raced forward to thrilling effect early in the second half, with Kylian Mbappe feeding Angel Di Maria to the right of goal, and the Argentinian's prod beyond Neuer and across goal was agonisingly out of the reach of the stretching Neymar as an empty goal beckoned.
Navas did well to thwart Thomas Muller just after the hour as Bayern, heading out on the away-goals rule, looked for the strike that would put them ahead in the tie.
They continued to forage, but whereas a 1-0 win over the Parisians was enough for glory last August in Lisbon, here it meant Bayern's title defence was over.
What does it mean?
Mauricio Pochettino led Tottenham to the Champions League final two years ago, and could his mid-season arrival at PSG be the trigger for the Ligue 1 outfit to finally rule Europe?
His team have had sketchy moments in their domestic competition, but here they were an entirely cohesive unit against the side that lifted the trophy last year, resisting an injury-depleted Bayern side who gave everything but came up short.
Neymar gave Pochettino a giant hug after the final whistle. The Bavarians achieved a treble last season, but their reign is over and PSG now have similar goals for their season.
With Neymar and Mbappe, nobody will fancy facing them next.
Glorious Neymar
Bayern led the shot count 13-10 and had 55.5 per cent of possession, yet PSG edged the xG (expected goals) battle by 1.7 to 1.6, indicating they had marginally the better chances.
Neymar's five shots before the interval - three of which were on target with the other two striking the goal frame - showed he was on his 'A' game.
The former Barcelona man made three key passes too.
Mbappe was caught offside six times, the highest tally of any player in the Champions League this season, but that has probably not put off Real Madrid. His two first-leg goals proved priceless.
Lewy blues for Bayern
With Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry absent, Bayern lacked the required bite in attack across the two games.
Nobody particularly let the side down, but Choupo-Moting was never going to carry the same threat as Bayern's prolific Pole.
Playing against his old club, Choupo-Moting got the goal he wanted, but he had just 20 touches across the whole game. Neymar, by contrast, had 85 and Mbappe had 45 as PSG's front two made the ball stick in the Bayern half.
Key Opta Facts
- PSG have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second season in a row, after managing to reach the last four only once in their previous 11 campaigns in the competition before that (their first in 1994-95).
- Bayern are the third reigning Champions League winners in a row to fail to reach at least the semi-final stage in the following season in the competition, something that has not happened since four successive teams failed between 2004-05 & 2007-8 (Porto, Liverpool, Barcelona, Milan).
- PSG failed to score at home in the Champions League for the first time in 24 games, since a 0-0 draw with Real Madrid in October 2015.
- Bayern mustered 45 shots over their two clashes with PSG, the joint-most any team managed against an opponent in two games in the Champions League this season (level with Sevilla v FK Krasnodar).
- Choupo-Moting has scored more goals in his two Champions League appearances against PSG (two) than he scored in his 10 games for them in the competition (one).
What's next?
PSG are back in Ligue 1 action when they tackle Saint-Etienne on Sunday. Bayern go to Wolfsburg on Saturday.
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Chelsea 0-1 Porto (2-1 agg): Taremi strike in vain as Blues reach last four
13/04/2021
![[Image: mehditaremicropped_7rmqjp65hfs416b2otz1q...uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/1e/a8/mehditaremicropped_7rmqjp65hfs416b2otz1qubvx.jpg?t=-779028760&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) Mehdi Taremi scores a sublime late winner
Mehdi Taremi's stunning stoppage-time volley was in vain as Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the Champions League despite a 1-0 defeat to Porto.
Chelsea took a giant stride towards the last four with a 2-0 win at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan last week and finished off the job at the same venue on Tuesday.
Porto were devoid of ideas in a drab quarter-final second leg until substitute Taremi's sublime acrobatic strike gave them a glimmer of hope.
That proved to be too little, too late, though as Chelsea set up a showdown with Real Madrid or Liverpool in what will be their first appearance of the last four in Europe's premier club competition for seven years.
Porto, with leading scorer Sergio Oliveira back in the side, swarmed all over Chelsea in a positive start and Edouard Mendy was fortune to get away with a poor pass trying to play out from the back.
Mason Mount's speculative shot looped just wide and Reece James flashed wide in rare counter-attacks from the Blues, with Porto not allowing them to settle.
Corona wasted a golden opportunity to halve the deficit when he blazed high and wide after Ben Chilwell failed to deal with a high ball in a frantic first half which the Primeira Liga champions had the better of, but failed to test Mendy.
An unmarked Christian Pulisic wasted a chance to put the London club out of sight when he failed to make a proper connection with Chilwell's cross early in the second half.
Wilson Manafa blocked a Mount shot after the in-form midfielder surged into the penalty area, with Chelsea posing much more of an attacking threat.
Sergio Conceicao introduced Taremi after 63 minutes and the striker had half a chance soon after coming on, but failed to generate enough power on a header that was comfortably saved by Mendy.
Taremi gave Porto victory on the night with a brilliant bicycle kick in the 93rd minute, but the damage had already been done.
What does it mean? Disciplined Blues march on
Chelsea looked untroubled as Porto had plenty of the ball but were unable to break the Premier League side down until a moment of magic from Taremi.
This was a first Champions League defeat of the season for the Blues, but that will not be a concern for Thomas Tuchel as he eyes two trophies just a few months after replacing Frank Lampard.
Taremi's thunderbolt was only Porto's second shot on target as they were unable to end a 17-year wait to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Rock-solid Rudiger
Chelsea defended superbly and Antonio Rudiger was outstanding at the heart of their defence along with the returning Thiago Silva and captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
The centre-back read the game superbly, won 11 aerial duels and made 10 clearances, with N'Golo Kante and Jorginho providing a strong shield in front of the back three.
Oliveira unable to inspire Porto
Porto would have been hoping the return of Oliveira could spark them into life after he missed the first leg.
The midfielder was industrious, but did not make the sort of impact Conceicao might have been counting on in the final third.
Key Opta facts
- Chelsea have reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the eighth time, more than any other English side in the competition's history.
- There were just three shots on target in this match (one for Chelsea, two for Porto), with two of these coming in added time at the end of the match (Christian Pulisic for Chelsea and Mehdi Taremi's late winner).
- Jorginho made eight tackles in this match, the most by a Chelsea player in a Champions League game since N'Golo Kanté against Barcelona in March 2018 (also eight).
- This was just Porto's second 'away' victory in the Champions League knockout stages (D6 L13), after their win at Deportivo in the 2003-04 semi-final.
What's next?
Chelsea face Premier League leaders Manchester City in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday, while Porto travel to Nacional this weekend.
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Zidane demands 'maximum intensity' from Madrid against Liverpool
![[Image: svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMzYiIGhla...0iMS4xIi8+]](http://contripeople.com/data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMzYiIGhlaWdodD0iMzYiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIi8+)
13/04/2021
![[Image: zidanecropped_oxrrjjomc1jy1ljrpgbq8xv8e....uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/e/c7/zidanecropped_oxrrjjomc1jy1ljrpgbq8xv8e.jpg?t=134529703&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane
Real Madrid must perform at "maximum intensity" to get past Liverpool and reach the Champions League semi-finals, head coach Zinedine Zidane has warned.
Los Blancos claimed a 3-1 first-leg win in Spain thanks to two goals from Vinicius Junior and one from Marco Asensio, with Mohamed Salah grabbing an away goal for the Premier League champions.
Liverpool famously recovered from a 3-0 deficit to knock Barcelona out of the semi-finals two years ago, but that was one of just two out of 13 occasions in which they have progressed after losing the first leg of a European tie by two goals or more.
Madrid have only lost one of their previous 16 knockout ties when winning the first leg by such a margin, while they have scored at least one goal in each of their past 23 games in the competition beyond the group stage.
With history seemingly on their side, and following an impressive 2-1 win over Barcelona that lifted them to within a point of LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid, Zidane's side could perhaps be forgiven if they are unable to match the same level of effort at Anfield.
However, Zidane is not prepared to accept any such compromise in their standards, nor to begin prioritising one competition over another.
"We don't think like that. We only have this game with Liverpool in our heads. We want to go through," he told reporters.
"We're not going to waste our resources. Real Madrid always go out on the pitch to win. We've used so much energy against Liverpool and Barcelona but we're going to have to play at our maximum intensity again, and we're ready for that."
Madrid will be without Eden Hazard, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, with Federico Valverde battling to be fit and several players admitting to being tired after the wins over Liverpool and Barca in a gruelling week.
"The team is always united against difficulties," said Zidane. "This shows the character they have. It's a very strange season for many reasons. But we can't do anything other than recover well. We'll keep going until the end.
"We know what type of game we have coming up. What we are going to try and do is continue what we're doing and compete as a team. We're going to need to compete and attack well as a unit. We're ready for this return leg."
With Carvajal and Vazquez sidelined, Zidane is expected to choose between Valverde – nominally a midfielder – and Alvaro Odriozola at right-back on Wednesday.
"Fede has recovered and he's at 100 per cent with the team. We'll see tomorrow how we use him," Zidane said.
"Odriozola has played little, it's true, but now I'm not going to say anything about the team."
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Borussia Dortmund have made it clear they do not want to sell Haaland – Raiola
12/04/2021
![[Image: haaland-on-his-return-to-action_zvmumktq...uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/91/b1/haaland-on-his-return-to-action_zvmumktqqpgf1ji9vb0uy0g5h.jpg?t=-1876392952&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) Erling Haaland has been linked to a number of clubs, including Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund have made it clear they do not want to sell Erling Haaland in the next transfer window, the striker's agent Mino Raiola has said.
Haaland has become arguably the most in-demand player in Europe following a spectacular individual season for Dortmund, despite the team's inconsistencies.
Haaland has scored 33 goals and provided nine assists in 34 appearances in all competitions this term. Among players in Europe's top-five leagues, only Robert Lewandowski (50), Harry Kane (45) and Kylian Mbappe (43) have been directly involved in more goals.
With the 20-year-old excelling at Signal Iduna Park and with Dortmund facing a battle to qualify for next season's Champions League, rumours have persisted that the player could seek to leave before next season.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona have been touted as the most likely destinations for Haaland, who could command a fee in the region of €150million, according to reports.
Raiola, however, says Dortmund are insistent they are not prepared to sell the forward this year, although he indicated he would be prepared to speak with interested parties.
"I can confirm that I have held some talks in Dortmund," Raiola told Sport1. "There's no war between Dortmund and us, absolutely not.
"My relation to [Dortmund directors] Michael Zorc, Aki Watzke and Sebastian Kehl is as good as it was before.
"Zorc has made it clear that Dortmund do not want to sell Erling this summer. I respect his opinion, which does not automatically mean that I share it. BVB made their views very clear. That's okay for us."
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Rumour Has It: Man Utd in Ronaldo-Pogba swap deal with Juventus
14/04/2021
![[Image: cristiano-ronaldo-torino-v-juventus_pv3n...uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/6b/58/cristiano-ronaldo-torino-v-juventus_pv3nkbwrlv5y1cuzs2f84fq8t.jpg?t=-1666664952&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) Cristiano Ronaldo, Torino v Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo's future beyond this season has been a hot topic of discussion.
The 36-year-old Portuguese forward appears set to exit Juventus after three seasons in Turin, despite being contracted for another year.
Ronaldo has been linked with former club Real Madrid and a switch to the United States, but there may be another option.
TOP STORY – RONALDO IN UTD-JUVE SWAP DEAL
Manchester United want to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this off-season and would consider a swap deal with Juventus for Paul Pogba, according to Calciomercato.
Ronaldo played for United from 2003 to 2009 in the earlier part of his career, making almost 300 appearances for the Red Devils before his blockbuster move to Real Madrid.
Pogba, who spent time at Juventus from 2012 to 2016, has also been the subject of transfer speculation.
Juventus have this week been linked with a mega swap deal with United as they look for a transfer shake-up this off-season.
ROUND-UP
- The Independent reports Harry Kane's preference, if he was to leave Tottenham, is to remain in England and join either United or Manchester City.
- Juve forward Paulo Dybala has attracted interest from Premier League pair United and Chelsea, claims Tuttosport.
- United are also keen on an off-season move for Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to The Mail. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United have also been linked with Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate, Sevilla star Jules Kounde and Villarreal defender Pau Torres.
- The Daily Mail reports Bayern Munich are bullish they can sign Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland as Robert Lewandowski's heir if he remains in Germany for one more season amid widespread interest this upcoming off-season. Haaland has been heavily linked with City, United, Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
- Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is wanted by Argentine giants Boca Juniors, reports TyC Sports. Torreira is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid.
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Neymar says PSG renewal no longer an issue amid Barca links
14/04/2021
![[Image: neymar-cropped_1em0jtf2pkdu61xeextij30fm...uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/dc/80/neymar-cropped_1em0jtf2pkdu61xeextij30fmu.jpg?t=-834120440&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) PSG star Neymar
Neymar said his contract renewal with Paris Saint-Germain is "no longer an issue" as the star pledged his future to the Ligue 1 giants following their Champions League progress.
PSG forward Neymar – who arrived from Barcelona for a world-record €222million in 2017 – is contracted until 2022 but both parties have been in negotiations regarding a fresh deal in the French capital.
Neymar has continually been linked with a return to LaLiga powerhouse Barca, but the Brazil international confirmed his intentions to re-sign with PSG.
"This [renewal with PSG] is no longer an issue," Neymar told ESPN Brazil after PSG eliminated holders Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.
"Obviously I feel very comfortable and at home here at PSG. I feel happier than I was before."
PSG lost 1-0 in the return leg on Tuesday, but they still advanced on away goals after the blockbuster tie ended 3-3.
Neymar was named man of the match after he had more shots (six), more shots on target (three) and made more key passes (three) than any other PSG player, hitting the crossbar and then the post during the first half.
After PSG moved through to their second successive Champions League semi-final, Neymar celebrated with team-mate Leandro Paredes in front of Bayern star Joshua Kimmich.
"It's funny because I didn't even celebrate to mess with him, it was more with Leo and I ended up celebrating with him. It was fate that put me close to [Kimmich]," Neymar said.
"He said that their team was better, that they would win. He was sure that they would go to the semi-finals."
PSG's elimination of Bayern is the first instance in Champions League history of the previous season's losing finalists eliminating the holders in the knockout stages.
French giants PSG have reached the semi-finals for the second season in a row, after managing to reach the final four only once in their previous 11 campaigns in the competition before that – their first in 1994-95.
PSG, though, failed to score at home in the Champions League for the first time in 24 games, since a 0-0 draw with Madrid in October 2015.
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PSG not Champions League favourites, insists Pochettino
14/04/2021
![[Image: pochettino-cropped_1ne5j2cc1c9pu114zurgb...uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/6e/d6/pochettino-cropped_1ne5j2cc1c9pu114zurgbrlkbt.jpg?t=-844360440&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino does not believe his team are favourites to win the Champions League after eliminating holders Bayern Munich.
PSG advanced to the semi-finals for the second successive season on away goals after the blockbuster tie ended 3-3 following Tuesday's 1-0 loss at home to Bayern.
Ligue 1 champions PSG exacted some revenge after moving through to the final four, having lost last season's decider to Bayern.
PSG will face either Manchester City or Borussia Dortmund in the semis, while Chelsea are set to meet the winner of the Liverpool-Real Madrid clash.
Pochettino, though, dismissed the idea that PSG are the main contender to win the Champions League this season.
"I don't think so," Pochettino told reporters when asked if PSG are favourites. "We have beat Barcelona in last 16 in two games, we have beat Bayern now in two games too.
"I think we deserved to win both ties, but I don't think PSG are the main contender to win Champions League. There are still rivals in. We have qualified and Chelsea did today as well.
"We will see in the ties Man City versus Dortmund and Liverpool versus Real Madrid. Any team which is in semi-finals has the same options to win."
PSG's elimination of Bayern is the first instance in Champions League history of the previous season's losing finalists eliminating the holders in the knockout stages.
French giants PSG have reached the semi-finals for the second season in a row, after managing to reach the final four only once in their previous 11 campaigns in the competition before that – their first in 1994-95.
PSG, though, failed to score at home in the Champions League for the first time in 24 games, since a 0-0 draw with Madrid in October 2015.
Asked to pick between City and Dortmund, former Tottenham boss Pochettino – who led Spurs to the 2018-19 Champions League final – added: "We have faced Barcelona in last 16, playing two games, and we have disqualified Barca. We have also eliminated Bayern Munich in quarter-finals.
"We don't choose one or other rival. The one we play, we will try to beat them. If you are wondering we can or not beat them, we will see."
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'It is anyone's competition': Tuchel bullish about youthful Chelsea's Champions League prospects
13/04/2021
![[Image: thomas-tuchel_k36zh7l5u3u11u5c8us1qua2m....uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/fe/61/thomas-tuchel_k36zh7l5u3u11u5c8us1qua2m.png?t=-847626280&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) Thomas Tuchel
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel said the Champions League is "anyone's competition" to win after his side reached the semi-finals with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Porto.
Porto won the second leg 1-0 on Tuesday but it was not enough to overturn Chelsea's 2-0 first-leg victory.
Chelsea will play either Liverpool or Real Madrid in the semi-final, while Paris Saint-Germain will meet either Manchester City or Borussia Dortmund.
As Chelsea prepare for their eighth Champions League semi-final – the most of any English club – Tuchel told reporters: "We're in the competition and in the semi-final it is anyone's competition.
"In the semi-final, you need players fit, momentum, luck in the games.
The German added: "It is a very big achievement. You see when Chelsea was last in the semi-final.
"We are not used to being there. Once you are there, you play for the final. This is clear."
Chelsea will be appearing in their first Champions League semi-final since 2013-14 with a younger brigade of players compared to their upcoming opponents.
"When you look on the scoresheet last week, you saw two players [Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell] who scored their first goals in the competition," Tuchel said.
"When you look at Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, [Karim] Benzema or [Mohamed] Salah score, it is their 50th or 100th goal or something. We arrived with a very young team.
"We want a young team to turn it around. What a young team can do it run, fight and hang in there. It is an adventure for them. It is a big step to be here."
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Neymar and Mbappe have no excuses to leave PSG as Champions League semis beckon, insists Al-Khelaifi
13/04/2021
![[Image: neymarmbappe-cropped_z3eojyuosu601ar9ero...uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/c/a5/neymarmbappe-cropped_z3eojyuosu601ar9eroqdhvs1.jpg?t=-773532376&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) PSG duo Neymar (L) and Kylian Mbappe ®
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insists Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have "no excuses to leave" as the French giants mount another Champions League challenge this season.
PSG reached their second successive semi-final after eliminating holders Bayern Munich on away goals on Tuesday after the tie ended 3-3.
Bayern won the second leg 1-0 in Paris, but PSG exacted some revenge after moving through to the final four, having lost last season's final to the Bundesliga champions.
Neymar – named man of the match – has been linked with a return to Barcelona following his world-record €222million exit in 2017, while star team-mate Mbappe has long been tipped to join Real Madrid.
Al-Khelaifi was asked about the future of the duo amid ongoing contract negotiations as PSG look ahead to a semi-final showdown with either Manchester City or Borussia Dortmund.
"We have invested a lot in this club to win the Champions League and all the trophies at stake," Al-Khelaifi told RMC Sport.
"Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have no excuses to leave. We really have everything to win all tournaments. We're a great team today.
"We have respect for others but we are there with them. We work. And it's not over. We need to keep going, to stay calm because the Champions League is not over.
"We need to work more every day. The confidence is there. The secret is work. The details also make the difference."
PSG's elimination of Bayern is the first instance in Champions League history of the previous season's losing finalists eliminating the holders in the knockout stages.
Mauricio Pochettino's PSG have reached the semi-finals for the second season in a row, after managing to reach the final four only once in their previous 11 campaigns in the competition before that – their first in 1994-95.
PSG, though, failed to score at home in the Champions League for the first time in 24 games, since a 0-0 draw with Madrid in October 2015.
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Mount: Chelsea 'ready for anyone' in Champions League semis
13/04/2021
![[Image: mountcropped_1do25num8n6t91vjzysgceqtsm....uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/67/91/mountcropped_1do25num8n6t91vjzysgceqtsm.jpg?t=-773996888&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) Mason Mount embraces Marcos Alonso
Mason Mount declared Chelsea are "ready for anyone" and confident they will beat Real Madrid or Liverpool in their first Champions League semi-final for seven years.
Mehdi Taremi's spectacular stoppage-time volley snatched a 1-0 victory for Porto in the quarter-final second leg on Tuesday, but Chelsea progressed 2-1 on aggregate at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
Thomas Tuchel's well-drilled Chelsea were untroubled until Taremi found the back of the net with a sublime acrobatic strike, which was only Porto's second shot on target in a drab encounter in Seville.
Chelsea have now reached the last four of the Champions League eight times, more than any other English team.
Mount, who scored in the first leg at the same venue last week, said the London club are not finished yet as they eye two trophies – with an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City to come on Saturday.
Asked who he would like to play Madrid or Liverpool at the semi-final stage, Mount told BT Sport: "We are ready for fight and battle. we get to sit down, watch and analyse it [the second leg at Anfield on Wednesday].
"The best team will go through and we will be ready for anyone."
The England midfielder added: "We're buzzing. We're in a good position, we know we're playing well. The focus in every game is 100 per cent.
"We're going into each game with confidence that we're going to win. We've got a big end to the season."
Chelsea's second-leg defeat was their first in the Champions League this season and just a second in 18 games in all competitions under Tuchel, who replaced Frank Lampard in January.
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Porto must be proud despite Champions League exit - Oliveira
13/04/2021
![[Image: sergiooliveiracropped_xxfivoch5s0f1b93sx...uality=100]](https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/46/d9/sergiooliveiracropped_xxfivoch5s0f1b93sxjouae0k.jpg?t=-766294856&operations=fit(650:)&w=650&quality=100) Porto midfielder Sergio Oliveira
Sergio Oliveira described Porto's Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea as "frustrating and sad", but said they must be "proud of our journey".
Mehdi Taremi's stunning acrobatic stoppage-time volley proved to be too little, too late as Porto could only beat the Blues 1-0 at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan on Tuesday.
A 2-0 victory in the first leg at the same ground in Seville ensured it was Thomas Tuchel's side who progressed to the semi-finals.
Porto showed no shortage of endeavour, but lacked ideas in the final third until substitute Taremi's sublime strike in the closing stages of the second leg.
The Primeira Liga champions could only muster two shots on target against a well-organised Chelsea side and midfielder Oliveira was left to rue their first-leg lapses.
He told TVI: "It's frustrating and sad, but it's football. We must be proud of our journey. Even in this tie, we had many moments when we were superior to Chelsea.
"We were penalised for two moments of a lack of attention, but it is part of football. These were team mistakes, not individual ones. The Champions League is over, now we have the [Primeira Liga] championship, which is our main goal."
Oliveira had no complaints over the way Chelsea set about finishing off the job.
He added: "With the advantage of two goals, I think Chelsea came to manage us.
They wanted to calm down the tempo and our intensity. If we were two goals ahead, I think we would have done the same.
"Unfortunately we scored close to the end. Our aim was to score the first goal as quickly as possible, unfortunately we were unable to do that."
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I didn't want to sit on the bench': Odion Ighalo reveals why he left Manchester United and turned down West Brom and West Ham's offers to stay in the Premier League
![[Image: 60758729406af.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/60758729406af.jpg)
Odion Ighalo has revealed why he left his boyhood club Manchester United and turned down offers from West Brom and West Ham's to stay in the Premier League.
The former Super Eagles of Nigeria captain joined Manchester United in January 2020 from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua on an initial six-month loan.
His deal was later extended in June 2020 until January this year, when he left for Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab after scoring five goals in 23 appearances for the Premier League club.
Speaking to Sky Sports about his departure, Ighalo says he is 'so happy' he was able to represent Manchester United but admits he left his dream club due to a lack of game time.
Asked if he could have stayed beyond January this year, Ighalo said: 'There wasn't much possibility because I wanted more playing time. At my age, I want to play and not just sit on the bench and not have any minutes.
'I didn't just want to be there picking up a salary - I wanted to be involved so I said to my agent that if an offer comes in, I will look at it and see what's best for me, which is what I did.
'I'm so happy that my path crossed with Manchester United - it's the club I love with all my heart and for all my life so playing for them was a big privilege that I do not take for granted.
'No matter the circumstances that led me to leave, I will always be grateful to the coach, my team-mates, the fans, and everyone around Manchester United. After my initial loan was extended, I did not play much which was perhaps a bit unfair but as I said, I am always grateful for the opportunity.'
![[Image: 60758756adec7.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/60758756adec7.jpg)
Ighalo also revealed that West Ham and West Brom both made offers to keep him in the Premier League when he was set to leave Manchester United,
'Yeah, there was the possibility of West Ham and West Brom to stay in the Premier League, which I thought about,' he added.
'But after being at Manchester United, the biggest club in England if not the world, what else could I possibly do in the Premier League?
'I had good offers to stay in England, but I just didn't think I could stay after achieving my dream of playing for the club I had supported since I was young.'
While there are reports that Paul Pogba, one of Ighalo's former United teammates could leave the club this summer, Ighalo believes the United board must do everything within their power to keep the 'influential' 28-year-old France midfielder.
'He's one of the best players I've played with and one of the best players at Manchester United. Apart from playing on the pitch, he's a good guy in the dressing room, a funny guy, he's always happy.
'The only time he isn't happy is when he's not playing and I can understand that - everyone wants to play. If Manchester United have the opportunity to keep him on a new, longer deal, they should because he is so influential.'
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