Guardiola Delighted With Bayern Reaction To Porto Defeat

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says he is proud of the way his side bounced back from their Champions League disappointment to see off Hoffenheim 2-0 at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Saturday.

The reigning German champions suffered a shock 3-1 reverse to Porto on Wednesday, leaving them facing a tough return leg to secure a European semi-final.

And Guardiola says his injury-ravaged side had to battle fatigue in the second half as they claimed their ninth victory in their last ten league outings.

“We played in the first half, showing great control,” Guardiola said.

“The second half was very complicated, our legs were tired. I am very proud of my players. Now next Tuesday we have a very important game in the Champions League. Of course it will be hard, but that's a big goal for us.”

Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez and Mehdi Benatia were once again amongst a long list of high profile absentees as Bayern struggle to deal with a long list of injuries, but Guardiola was delighted with the impact of man-of-the-match Sebastian Rode.

The 24-year-old opened the scoring and no Bayern player ran more than his 12.1 kilometres. He played 87 passes, with an accuracy of 93%, and only Rafinha (139) bettered his total of 109 touches.

"For me it has been a huge amount of fun,” Rode said.

“I played from the start and scored a goal - which is of course twice as nice. Most important are the three points and the good feeling for Tuesday.”

Philipp Lahm sat out after suffering a stomach bug while Guardiola rested Jerome Boateng, Xabi Alonso and Thiago.

The victory leaves Bayern 13 points clear of second-placed Wolfsburg, who host Schalke on Sunday.

400 Goal Messi Does More Than Score – Luis Enrique

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has praised Lionel Messi for delivering more than just goals on the day he scored his 400th for the club.

The Argentine reached the milestone in the final minute of his side's 2-0 victory over Valencia on Saturday after he created the opener for Luis Suarez after just 55 seconds – it was Messi’s fourth assist for the Uruguayan this season.

And his coach stressed that the club’s all-time leading scorer once again proved he does more for the Blaugrana than hit the net.

"Messi was supportive, just like the other attackers," Luis Enrique said.

"They have done what we always ask of them. And Leo showed once again that he is more than just the goals. He worked very hard today - both in defence and attack."

Barca were made to struggle against a Los Che side intent on a return to a Champions League football and Luis Enrique went on to stress the importance of Claudio Bravo’s penalty save from Dani Parejo which would have given the visitors a tenth-minute equaliser.

"It was a different game than the others we have played at the Camp Nou this season. We made a wonderful start. But Valencia had a lot of chances,” he said.

"Their best chance was the penalty that Bravo saved and then they had more, but in the second half we stepped a level.”

"We all know what happened last season when Atletico Madrid beat Barcelona to the title and from the very start I have seen the will of the players to win trophies.”

"I am satisfied with all my players… their attitude is unquestionable.”

Keshi Is Desperate For Eagles Job, Says Semitoje

Former Nigeria defender Isaac Semitoje has said coach Stephen Keshi is desperate to land Super Eagles job, while questioning the Nigeria Federation’s decision to retain him after his failed attempt to qualify the country for Equatorial Guinea 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The much anticipated unveiling of the coach of the senior national team gaffer  by the NFF on Friday was not done leaving many to question the future of the Nigeria job.

Keshi was expected to sign a new contract to handle the team that he led to Africa Cup of Nations victory in 2013 at the Glass House after months of negotiations.

However, the ceremony was a non-affair as only three members of the NFF executive showed up at its headquarters.

The former Glostrup FK player feels his former colleague is making a fool of himself while advising him to set up an academy if he is genuinely interested in developing football in the country.

“It’s like Keshi is desperate for the job – and it is clear the NFF is no longer interested in his services,” Semitoje told Punch.

 “The NFF should reject him because coaching the national team is not his birthright. Keshi should also reject the job because he won’t receive support from the NFF.

“He should stop disgracing other Nigerian coaches by hanging around the NFF to be given the   job.

“If he’s highly interested in developing our football, he should set up an academy   to discover talented players for the country.”

“Keshi needs a fresh challenge after winning the Africa Cup of Nations and taking Nigeria to the World Cup,” he added.

“He should go to another country to prove himself. He can manage a club in the domestic league to prove a point.

“Austin Eguavoen has been coaching clubs in the domestic league. Keshi should emulate him.

“He can come back later to coach the national team. Samson Siasia, who was sacked by the NFF after we failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, is back with the Under-23 team. Keshi shouldn’t make coaching the Eagles a do-or-die affair,” he concluded.

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: Hazard Moves Mourinho's Men Closer To The Premier League Title

Eden Hazard's 18th goal of the season ensured Chelsea took another giant stride towards winning the Premier League title by beating Manchester United 1-0 to move 10 points clear at the top of the table.

Hazard demonstrated why he is a strong favourite to be crowned the PFA Player of the Year when he rounded off a slick move with a clinical finish to give Chelsea the lead during a first half in which they were distinctly unimpressive.

Wayne Rooney, moved back into a midfield role, wasted a great early chance when he fired into the side-netting and Radamel Falcao struck the woodwork as United missed the chance to move above Arsenal into second place.

Louis van Gaal's side remain on course to secure a place in the UEFA Champions League with five games remaining, but any slight hopes they may have had of winning the title are surely gone after their six-game winning league run came to an end at Stamford Bridge.

Victory for Chelsea stretched their unbeaten run to 14 games in all competitions and there appears to be no stopping Jose Mourinho's men in their quest to secure a first Premier League title for five years.

Kurt Zouma and Oscar came into Chelsea's starting line-up at the expense of Brazil duo Willian and Ramires, who dropped to the bench.

Falcao made his first start since February for United, while Luke Shaw also returned to the starting line-up along with Paddy McNair, as Michael Carrick, Daley Blind and Phil Jones were ruled out due to injury.

Rooney had a great opportunity to open the scoring after only three minutes when Shaw cut the ball back and the England captain fired into the side-netting.

David de Gea clearly thought Rooney had scored as he celebrated with clenched fists at the other end, and the Spain goalkeeper ought to have had another moment to forget when he handled Cesc Fabregas' cross just outside the area, but the officials did not spot his infringement.

De Gea had very little to do in the first half, but he was picking the ball out of the net when Hazard opened the scoring out of the blue eight minutes before half-time.

Falcao was robbed of possession by John Terry on the halfway line and Fabregas picked out Oscar, whose clever backheel set Hazard free and the winger surged into the area before firing under De Gea with his left foot.

Didier Drogba almost doubled Chelsea's lead early in the second half when he raced away and went close with a deflected shot that looped over De Gea and Hazard arrived beyond the back post to hit the crossbar from a tight angle.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois palmed away a stinging drive from McNair on the hour mark and Juan Mata was denied an equaliser against his former club with an effort that looped just over the crossbar.

There would be no further chances for the Spain midfielder, who was given a great reception by both sets of fans when he replaced by Angel Di Maria.

Van Gaal opted against bringing on Robin van Persie, back on the bench after two months out, and United were unable to break down a stubborn Chelsea side.

Ander Herrera was booked for simulation after going down in the area late on and that proved to be the last action, as Chelsea celebrated another hard-earned victory that means a positive result against Arsenal next weekend would leave them just one win from the title.

 

No Hiding Place For Dolphins In Akure, Says Akinbobola

Top brass of the Ondo State Football Agency has predicted doom for the Port Harcourt based outfit ahead of Sunday’s Nigeria Premier League game

Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency, Akin Akinbobola has assured that Sunshine Stars will triumph over Dolphins in Sunday’s Nigeria Premier League encounter.

The Akure Gunners ranked ninth on the log will be hoping to cage the visitor who are yet to win a league game this season in the Week Four encounter.

While tasking the players to put in their best towards ensuring resounding victory against the Port Harcourt based team, the ODSFA boss said he has no doubt that his team would emerge victorious.

“For our team to come out victorious on Sunday, the players  need to put in extra ordinary performance,” Akinbobola said through his media aide Wahab Bankole.

“Dolphins FC are a big club side in the country and we must approach the match with all sense of seriousness and determination.

“Our players must be determined and focused for the entire duration of the match. I have no doubt in my mind that if every stake holder put all hands on deck, then, the victory  is assured.

“On our part, we are doing everything to motivate the players in a bid to get the best out of them. We have done everything within our reach to make the players happy at all times as we recognize th

Inter Have More To Lose Than AC Milan - Mancini

Roberto Mancini claims Inter have more to lose than AC Milan when the two meet at San Siro on Sunday.

Both clubs have again endured disappointing seasons in Serie A: Milan are ninth in the table with eight games remaining, with Inter a point behind in 10th.

Europa League qualification seems to be out of reach for the duo, leaving them with little more than pride to play for. 

But Mancini said: "The derby is an important game, even if it's a little 'poor' compared to previous years.

"As far as we're concerned, it must be the foundation for a relaunch.

"Who has more to lose? Inter are the 'home' team, so arguably it would be worse for us to lose, but in truth the situations are very similar.

"I had hoped Inter would be higher up the table by now and still in the running for silverware. At times our campaign has been negative."

Mancini will have to cope without the suspended Fredy Guarin and Marcelo Brozovic, while Dodo, Hugo Campagnaro and Jonathan are all unavailable.

"It's a shame I can't use the same XI that beat Verona," Mancini added. "But those who play will do well and we hope to continue along that path."

Bayern Are Not Interested In Klopp - Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer has hailed the coaching skills of Jurgen Klopp but stressed Bayern Munich are not interested in appointing him.

Klopp announced this week that he will step down as head coach of Borussia Dortmund in the summer after seven years at the club, whom he guided to two Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal and the final of the Champions League.

Beckenbauer hopes to see the 47-year-old stay in the German top flight once his time at Signal Iduna Park comes to an end but says the champions are not about to offer him Pep Guardiola's post.

Speaking at an event to mark a new media deal between the club and MSN, Bayern's honorary president said: "I hope he will stay in the Bundesliga.

"Everybody [will] ask… but not Bayern Munich, because we have an excellent coach with Guardiola. Everybody would be very happy to have the interest of Jurgen Klopp, to get him.

"I hope he takes his challenge in the Bundesliga because we need him - he is an excellent coach, an excellent guy, a very, very good character."

Beckenbauer also said he understands Klopp's decision to step down given Dortmund's significant struggles on the pitch in 2014-15.

"First of all, I understand him personally because seven years, to be the coach of the same team, it is a long, long time," said the 69-year-old.

"He has the same motivation but the players, they are just not into this like five years ago. The way they played this season he realised it's very difficult to bring them back to the old performance. He said: 'Okay, I did a lot in the last seven years but now it's finished'.

"It was the same with me – I was coach of German national team for six years but then I realised they had no motivation any more and before anyone realised I was not motivated any more, I quit, I stopped. My decision. Same with Jurgen – he found out his job is done. Now he needs another challenge."

Hazard Can Reach Cristiano Ronaldo's Level, Says Ferreira

Former Chelsea defender Paulo Ferreira believes Eden Hazard can reach the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Belgium international has been a pivotal figure in Chelsea's Premier League title campaign this season, with 12 goals and eight assists in 31 appearances.

And Ferreira, who made over 200 appearances for the Blues, insists Hazard is on the right track to become the world's best player.

"They are different players in my opinion but if he keeps doing like he's doing he has a good chance to reach that level as well," Ferreira told talkSPORT.

"I'm very pleased to have a player like him. This is the type of player you need in the squad, doing very well in every game and helping the team.

"He's a talented player and he can decide games."

Verratti: Messi More Beautiful To Watch Than Ronaldo & Hazard

Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti says Lionel Messi is the toughest player he has faced and the most captivating to watch, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Eden Hazard.

The Ligue 1 champions have faced Barcelona three times in this season's Champions League alone, with Messi helping the Catalans to a 3-1 win at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

Though he missed that match through suspension, Verratti is in no doubt that the Argentine is the best opponent he has ever faced, ahead of Real Madrid sensation Ronaldo and Chelsea favourite Hazard, formerly of Lille.

"Yes, the toughest and the most beautiful to watch," he told L'Equipe when asked if Messi was his sternest adversary.

"I have played against greats, like Ronaldo and Hazard. But I love watching Messi's touch of the ball, his style."

Verratti has regularly been earmarked as Italy's long-term successor to Juventus stalwart Andrea Pirlo and the 22-year-old says he would love to emulate the playmaker's career.

"Our style of play is still a bit different," he said when asked if he agreed with the comparisons.

"Pirlo has won everything: the World Cup, the Champions League... it's a great honour to be compared to him. I hope to have his career."