>>>>> FOOTBALL NEWS >>>>> Sevilla coach Unai Emery insisted his sides UEFA Europa League semi-final tie against Valencia is not over, despite a 2-0 first leg win. First-half goals from Stephane MBia and Carlos Bacca ensured Sevilla left the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan with a two-goal advantage ahead of next weeks second leg. It is an old saying that a two-goal lead in football is the worst a team can have, and Emery was under no illusions their lead was not a tie-winning one. Benfica coach Jorge Jesus was delighted with his sides win over Juventus in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final tie. The Portuguese champions produced an impressive performance at the Estadio da Luz on Thursday, overcoming Juve 2-1 to hold a slender advantage ahead of next weeks return leg in Turin. Benfica stormed out of the blocks, taking a third- minute lead courtesy of defender Ezequiel Garay, who headed past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The home side dominated for the remainder of the first half but were eventually pegged back in the 73rd minute, when Carlos Tevez wriggled his way through the penalty area. However, Benfica hit the front with six minutes remaining after substitute Lima unleashed a powerful drive inside the area. Cristiano Ronaldo is fully fit and ready to help Real Madrid fight for honours after returning in their 1-0 win over Bayern Munich. The Portuguese superstar had not featured since Reals 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions quarter-final first leg on April 2, originally with a knee injury before then sustaining a thigh issue. However, Reals talisman was involved in Wednesdays semi-final first-leg triumph over the reigning European champions, and stated that all is well despite the clubs doctors not sharing his opinion. Everton manager Roberto Martinez has endorsed predecessor and sacked Manchester United boss David Moyes to recover from his setback. Moyes tenure at United was forgettable, steering the club to their worst Premier League season ever, which saw him fail to see out the first of a six-year contract as club owners ran out of patience in April. Martinez, meanwhile, has developed what Moyes grew over 11 years at Goodison Park, and enhanced it brilliantly - putting Everton within striking distance of the UEFA Champions League. Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has undergone emergency surgery on Thursday, according to reports in Spain. Spanish media outlet Radio Nacional have reported Vilanova was rushed to the Clinica Quirons emergency room in Barcelona for surgery after being hospitalised last week when his health deteriorated. While no other details have been released, Radio National also reported the 45-year-old cancer patient had suffered gastric complications and remains in a serious condition. Vilanova has been fighting cancer in his parotid gland for more than two years after having a tumour removed in 2011. The Spaniard was forced to stand down from his managerial position ahead of the 2013-14 La Liga campaign after suffering a relapse. Former first-team coach Rene Meulensteen believes David Moyes decision to overhaul Manchester Uniteds backroom staff engineered his downfall. Moyes 10-month reign as manager came to an end on Tuesday after Uniteds hierarchy decided to sack him after a disastrous Premier League campaign, which has left the club languishing in seventh position. The final straw proved to be Sundays 2-0 defeat at Everton, a result that crushed Uniteds hopes of qualifying for next seasons UEFA Champions League, with fourth-placed Arsenal 13 points clear with four matches remaining. Upon his arrival at Old Trafford, Moyes disposed of Meulensteen, assistant Mike Phelan and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele. Valencia president Amadeo Salvo has slammed the referees, following their 2-0 UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg loss to Sevilla. Salvos club fell to two goals three minutes apart during the first half at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, and the president did not hold back in blaming the men in charge from Slovenia. Central referee Damir Skomina, was joined by compatriots Bojan Ul (assistant), Jure Praprotnik (fourth official) and Italian Gianluca Cariolato. But Salvo said UEFA got it wrong, and needed better quality referees for such a crucial clash. Were disgusted, he said. Juventus coach Antonio Conte was left to rue defensive lapses that cost his side in the opening leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final. Benfica hold a slender advantage heading into the return leg in Italy after running out 2-1 winners at the Estadio da Luz on Thursday. Juve, who will host the Europa League decider at Juventus Stadium, gained the ascendency and seemed destined to take a winning result back to Turin after Carlos Tevez cancelled out Ezequiel Garays third-minute opener with 18 minutes remaining. However, another defensive error saw the Portuguese champions regain their lead six minutes from time courtesy of Limas thunderous effort. Juventus are well placed to reach the UEFA Europa League final despite their defeat to Benfica, according to striker Carlos Tevez. Antonio Contes Juve were beaten in Lisbon on Thursday, going down 2-1 to recently crowned Portuguese champions Benfica at the Estadio da Luz. However Juve, who will host the Europa League final, remain in the tie after Tevez claimed an away goal for the Italian giants - his first goal in European competition in five years. My goal isnt the important thing, as it matters only that we are still in the running for qualification, Tevez told Sport Mediaset. Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has stated there has been no approach from Manchester United for his services. The German has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford following David Moyes departure earlier this week, but Klopp has reiterated that he is committed to Dortmund. During his five-year tenure at the Signal Iduna Park, Klopp has guided Dortmund to two league titles, DFB Pokal glory and the club were also beaten finalists in the UEFA Champions League last season. Uniteds search for a new manager began after Moyes was sacked on Tuesday, but Klopp has again stated that he is happy in Germany and stressed that he has had no contact with the Premier League champions. Giuseppe Rossi is fit and ready to make his Fiorentina return following a knee injury, according to his agent. The 27-year-old damaged knee ligaments in January during a Serie A clash with Livorno and had been a doubt for the remainder of the season and the FIFA World Cup. However, the striker has responded well to treatment and is back in full training with Vincenzo Montellas men. Rossi could now feature in Fiorentinas final four league games of the season and the Coppa Italia final against Napoli as he bids to put himself in the running for Cesare Prandellis squad for Brazil. Swansea City coach Garry Monk hopes Michu will return before the end of the season, but conceded he will not feature this weekend. The Spain international has started just three Premier League games since December after struggling with an ankle injury and, although close to a return, Monk says he will not be fit in time to face Aston Villa on Saturday. Michu scored 22 goals last term after joining from Rayo Vallecano, but has found the net just six times this time in an injury-hit campaign. Hes nearly there, but he just cant seem to get that swelling down, Monk said. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Yohan Cabaye is relishing the prospect of picking up the second Ligue 1 title of his career. PSG, who signed the midfielder from Newcastle United in January, will be crowned champions for the second season running with victory over Sochaux on Sunday following Wednesdays win over Evian. Cabaye, part of the Lille side that won Ligue 1 in 2011, is excited to add to his personal medal haul so soon into his PSG career. We just need one victory to get the title and that is the most important thing, said the 28-year-old. It would be a good thing to be champion with PSG. Clarence Seedorf believes a strong team ethic is behind Milans upturn in fortunes, though the club is still not at the level he expects. Seedorf replaced Massimiliano Allegri as head coach in January and, after a somewhat indifferent start, the Serie A giants have finally started to show signs of improvement under the Dutchman. By Milans standards, the 2013-14 campaign has been largely forgettable, and they currently sit seventh some 39 points adrift of leaders Juventus. Yet, there may be a small beacon of success come the end of the season as five straight league victories has propelled Milan to seventh and back into contention for a UEFA Europa League spot. And Seedorf believes the plaudits belong to the team for their work in reversing the clubs fortunes. Ivica Olic has ended speculation over his future by penning a new two-year deal with Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg. The Croatia striker had been heavily linked with a move to Premier League outfit Stoke City, with manager Mark Hughes openly admitting the Staffordshire club were pursuing a deal. However, 34-year-old Olic - who would have been a free agent at the end of the season - has opted to extend his stay at the Volkswagen Arena. He told the clubs official website: I am very happy that I now have clarity about my future and I will continue to play at Wolfsburg. Luis Suarez is excited about the potential of his Liverpool team-mates, and has nothing but praise for team captain Steven Gerrard. With three games of the Premier League season remaining, the Anfield club are on the verge of their first league title since 1990, with Suarezs 30 goals playing a huge part in their success. He has been ably supported by a crop of young talent, however, including the likes of strike partner Daniel Sturridge, teenage attacker Raheem Sterling and full-back Jon Flanagan. Brazil legend Roberto Carlos has predicted a starring role at the upcoming FIFA World Cup for Barcelona genius Neymar. Neymar has been the centre of several controversies off the field this term over his €57.1million close-season move from Santos. On the pitch, however, the Brazil international has contributed nine goals in 25 La Liga appearances and continues to shine for the national side. Current Sivasspor coach Carlos - who was a star for Barcas rivals Real Madrid during his playing career - has predicted Brazil will flourish on home soil when the FIFA World Cup takes place later this year. Milan chiefs have reiterated that the club is not for sale, despite rumours of a takeover by Singapore businessman Peter Lim. Italian media claimed on Thursday that the billionaire investor had offered €500million for a majority stake of the San Siro outfit. As well as Lim, reports claim that Chinese beverage magnate Zong Qinghou is also eyeing a potential takeover. However, Finvinest - controlled by Milan chairman Silvio Berlusconi - have issued a denial and insisted there will be no control in ownership, having previously also moved to quell the rumours in March. Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has urged his side to create the right climate to allow Lionel Messi to flourish at the FIFA World Cup. Messi has faced criticism in recent weeks after falling well below his usual extraordinary performance levels for Barcelona, notably in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final defeat to La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid and the 2-1 loss to rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final. The 26-year-old silenced the doubters to an extent after his match-winning goal secured a come-from-behind victory over Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on Sunday.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 06:35:37 +0000
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