Nigerians Abroad: Anichebe, Ideye seek United scalp

Newcastle travel to Leicester on Saturday in the knowledge that another loss would see them inch closer to the relegation places at the bottom of the table. The Magpies have lost seven games on the bounce, making them the league’s worst team on form, while Leicester were spunky in their midweek loss to Chelsea. Sammy Ameobi will hope to pitch in to some degree at least to stave off the threat of relegation.

QPR are swiftly running out of games in which to save themselves from the drop, and their next stop is Anfield. They face a Liverpool side desperate to hold on to fifth, and though the Reds have not been an awesome attacking force this year, on their day they are well capable of causing a backline containing Nedum Onuoha plenty of problems.

West Brom should face a perilous trip to Old Trafford. The Baggies are seven points clear of the relegation zone, but are still to travel to Arsenal and face champions-in-waiting Chelsea, so could do with a result here. They will however need their pair of Nigerian strikers to get firing – Victor Anichebe has been preferred in recent weeks to record-signing Brown Ideye, but neither is in particularly sparkling form at the moment.

Llorente: Juve must attack Real Madrid

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente says his side cannot afford to sit back and defend their way past Real Madrid if they are to reach the Champions League final.

The Old Lady, who can claim their fourth consecutive Scudetto with a point at fifth-placed Sampdoria on Saturday, are on the hunt for their first European title since 1996.

And Spain international Llorente has called on his team-mates to take a proactive approach when they host the reigning European champions in Turin on Tuesday.

"We can't defend forever. We have to attack and we know how to do that," he told AS.

"People are used to winning the league but it's not easy. But the Champions League semi-final gives the season greater importance. 

"It's a unique chance for us. Hopefully we can play two great games. We know that Madrid have spectacular players up front. There isn't room for the smallest of errors. You can't give them any space either, because Madrid are lethal."

Joint-top scorers in Serie A with 63 goals in 33 outings this season, Carlos Tevez has once again spearheaded the Juve attack, hitting 20 goals to leave him top of Italy’s scoring charts.

And Llorente says the Argentine's form has been an inspiration to everybody at the club.

"He's in a great run of form. He also has a character that is contagious in the dressing room. He has so much confidence that it rubs off on the rest of the team. He gives us a lot."

Juve and Madrid also met in the semi-finals in 2002-03 edition, when the Italians emerged victorious, while Madrid beat the Italian champions in the final in 1997-98 thanks to a single goal from Predrag Mijatovic.

Mancini: Inter need time to rebuild

Inter coach Roberto Mancini says the club need time to rebuild if they are to become title-contenders once again.

The Nerazzuri, without a Scudetto since 2010, have endured a frustrating campaign, with Mancini installed in November after previous coach Walter Mazzarri managed just 16 points from their first 11 matches of the season.

Though they are set to miss out on Champions League football once again, Mancini says he is convinced president Erick Thohir will eventually put together a side that can end the dominance of Juventus, who are set to claim their fourth consecutive Serie A crown - but he warns it will take time.

"We have to grow. I have seen a lot of improvement,” Mancini told La Repubblica.

"The president is driven and positive. He is well aware that it takes time to build a team and that difficult times are part of [the process].

"He is not like us Italians, who only think about winning the Scudetto tomorrow. Our objective must be to start something that can lead to winning the Scudetto. Everybody must get this into their heads.”

Inter come into the weekend ninth in Serie A, thee points behind fifth-placed Sampdoria and Italy’s final Europa League slot.

Warri Wolves stun MK Etancheite with Etebo's late goal

Warri Wolves have qualified for the play-off of the Caf Confederation Cup as they won 1-0 against MK Etancheite of Democratic Republic of Congo at the 80,000 capacity Stade des Martyrs on Friday evening to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

 A last minute goal from Oghenekaro Etebo ensured that Wolves qualified for the next round and thus secured their second road win of the campaign in volatile Kinshasa

 Wolves led 2-1 after the first leg played two weeks ago in Warri but the club from DR Congo threatened fire and brimstone after they almost left Nigeria with a draw.

 The last Nigerian club on the continent strove and puffed before they secured the win they needed to qualify for the playoffs spot at the expense of their hosts in Kinshasa.

 Wolves altered their formation and some of the players they used in the first leg and this rattled their hosts who expected their foes to parade same set of players that they played against in Warri.

 Abu Azeez, Ojo Mine, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Michael Egbeta and Onyekachi Okafor were some of the new introductions that rendered MK Etancheite powerless in Kinshasa.

 They have qualified for the next round and will hit the group stage if they beat their next foes-one from the drop outs of the Caf Champions league in the second round.

 Wolves are yet to be beaten in this year’s competition after six games.   

Warri Wolves stun MK Etancheite with Etebo's late goal

Warri Wolves have qualified for the play-off of the Caf Confederation Cup as they won 1-0 against MK Etancheite of Democratic Republic of Congo at the 80,000 capacity Stade des Martyrs on Friday evening to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

 A last minute goal from Oghenekaro Etebo ensured that Wolves qualified for the next round and thus secured their second road win of the campaign in volatile Kinshasa

 Wolves led 2-1 after the first leg played two weeks ago in Warri but the club from DR Congo threatened fire and brimstone after they almost left Nigeria with a draw.

 The last Nigerian club on the continent strove and puffed before they secured the win they needed to qualify for the playoffs spot at the expense of their hosts in Kinshasa.

 Wolves altered their formation and some of the players they used in the first leg and this rattled their hosts who expected their foes to parade same set of players that they played against in Warri.

 Abu Azeez, Ojo Mine, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Michael Egbeta and Onyekachi Okafor were some of the new introductions that rendered MK Etancheite powerless in Kinshasa.

 They have qualified for the next round and will hit the group stage if they beat their next foes-one from the drop outs of the Caf Champions league in the second round.

 Wolves are yet to be beaten in this year’s competition after six games.   

The perfect signing: Pogba to PSG would send out a message to the rest of Europe

First it was Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, then it was Edinson Cavani followed by David Luiz. Each season since QSI took control of Paris Saint-Germain, they have made a notable marquee signing, and this summer could be no different as the French champions line up Juventus star Paul Pogba.

A fee of €80 million has already been agreed between the clubs but personal terms are yet to be finalised with the 22-year-old, who has already established himself as one of the game’s outstanding figures in his role.

While there are areas of the squad that need addressing more urgently than the three-man midfield Blanc favours, the potential addition of Pogba is one that PSG cannot pass up.

Unlike the €50 million signing from Chelsea of David Luiz, which appeared a needless and foolhardy show of defiance after Uefa had imposed Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions upon the side, the arrival of the France international is a move that would help propel the club a little closer to the Champions League crown they so crave.

Pogba is already a world-class central midfielder who has developed in a culture of playing in leading teams. His qualities are unquestionable and settling in would pose little problem to someone who was born and raised in the east of Paris.

Mentally, PSG can only be impressed with what they have seen - although Pogba famously stormed out of Manchester United after failing to hold down a first-team spot at the age of 19. 

While Sir Alex Ferguson might have complained his young charge showed him a reckless lack of respect, that has since become understood as the mentality of an ambitious winner; exactly what PSG are going to need if Zlatan Ibrahimovic likely hangs up his boots in 2016, when his contract expires.

I think Di Maria will stay, says Van Gaal... but it's up to him

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has suggested that Argentine winger Angel Di Maria could leave Old Trafford this summer.

Di Maria has endured a difficult first season in England after joining from Real Madrid for €75 million last year and has recently lost his place in the side to Ashley Young.

Van Gaal admits that he would consider a transfer request should the 27-year-old submit one.

"The manager and the club is always dependable on the opinion of the player himself," the Dutchman told reporters when asked about Di Maria's future. "The player decides; we shall see what he decides.

"He cannot say that he has had a marvellous season here. The decision is not only to him because now we have a contract so we shall speak always with every player, evaluation, as I always do. Then we speak with each other about the future and that is with every player."

Di Maria reached the Champions League final with Real Madrid last term and also played in the last game of the World Cup, as Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany after extra time in Brazil. It has been suggested that such a long season in 2013-14 may have had an impact on his form this time around.

"I hope [that is the case]," said Van Gaal when the suggestion was put to him. "You cannot always say that is the main factor. Of course, it plays a role and I hope it is that, because then we can have a fantastic season next season. You have to adapt to our philosophy and that is also difficult for him, probably. Normally he shall have a fantastic season, I believe in that.

"I am pleased with his attitude, so that is not a problem," he added. "I think Di Maria shall stay and he is working very hard."

The former Benfica man has started 19 Premier League games for the Red Devils, scoring three goals. 

Asked if he expected more from his No.7, Van Gaal replied: "A player has to contribute. What we expected, as a team and as a staff, from each other. Normally Di Maria should have played but the last weeks he doesn't play any more and the team is winning. Now we are losing so the chance of him coming back is higher; it is always like that. The issue that he is not always in the line-up is also for him a disappointment, but for me a disappointment.

"I like every player who wants to perform how we want him to perform. He can convince me of the way of playing or I have to convince him and that is in every club – that is what I have done. I am not a dictator that says: 'You have to play like that.' No, you can play but we have team functions and that is obligated to perform. You can play as you want to play but then I have to judge with other players in that position."