Olympique Lyonnais vs ESTAC Troyes Preview

Olympique Lyonnais-Troyes Preview: Visitors hope to be giant-killers in cup clash

The second-division side visit Lyon on Wednesday hoping to reach the Coupe de la Ligue final at the favourites' expense.

Ligue 2 outfit Troyes face their toughest opponents yet as they visit Olympique Lyonnais in the Coupe de la Ligue semi-finals on Wednesday.

Jean-Marc Furlan's men have already defeated top-flight opposition in the shape of Valenciennes and Evian in this year's competition and can lay sole claim to the underdog mantle as the only non-Ligue 1 side left.

But standing between them and a place in the final is the daunting prospect of a trip to Stade de Gerland to face 2001 winners Lyon.

The top-flight side's path to the last four has seen them dump out Reims and Olympique de Marseille, and they will feel confident of progression to the final against their first lower-league opponents of the tournament.

Troyes were relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of last season and will have bad memories of their last trip to Lyon, losing 4-1 at the beginning of a difficult 2012-13 campaign.

Lyon had been on a run of 12 matches unbeaten in all competitions until a 2-0 defeat at Rennes on Sunday.

The result leaves them sixth and 20 points adrift of leaders and fellow Coupe de la Ligue semi-finalists Paris Saint-Germain.

In the second tier, Troyes are showing few signs of making an instant return to Ligue 1, sitting 11th with just two victories from their last 10 league matches.

Lyon could be without Yoann Gourcuff for a second game in a row, while Troyes are not thought to have any fresh injury concerns.

The winner will face either Nantes or PSG in the final.
 

source

Read more...

Roma vs SSC Napoli Preview

Roma-Napoli Preview: Wounded Partenopei seek redemption in cup.

Rud Garcia's men are chasing a 10th Coppa Italia title but will need to overcome Rafa Benitez's men over two legs, with the first at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday

Roma's quest for a 10th Coppa Italia title continues on Wednesday with a semi-final first-leg clash against a wounded Napoli side.

Rudi Garcia's charges have lost just one match in all competitions this season - to Serie A leaders and champions Juventus - giving them cause for confidence as they look to book their place in a second successive final.

The Giallorossi's efficient displays have seen them eliminate Sampdoria and Juve with consecutive 1-0 home victories, while Napoli have dumped out Atalanta and holders Lazio.

The capital-based club last won this competition in 2008, when they picked up a 2-1 victory over Inter in the final, while Napoli's latest success came four years later when they triumphed 2-0 against Juventus in what was their first final appearance since 1997.

Roma's aforementioned strong form sees them occupy second spot in the Italian top flight, nine points behind Juve with a game in hand, and they will be well rested after their fixture against Parma was abandoned due to adverse weather conditions on Sunday.

Third-placed Napoli wasted a chance to close the gap on Roma at the weekend, though, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat at Atalanta.

The hosts last lost at home to Napoli in February 2011, when Edinson Cavani scored two second-half goals to complete a league double over Roma.

Miralem Pjanic found the net twice as Roma claimed a 2-0 victory when the sides met in the league earlier this campaign.

Federico Balzaretti is nearing a return from injury for Roma but is unlikely to feature on Wednesday, while the Partenopei are likely to be without long-term absentees Valon Behrami and Giandomenico Mesto.

New signing Jorginho, who made his debut in last week's quarter-final win over Lazio, will be keen to prove his worth to the team having been omitted from Napoli's Europa League squad.
 

source

Read more...

Real Madrid CF vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid Preview: Rojiblancos target history books.

Carlo Ancelotti's men will be looking for Copa del Rey revenge, although their local rivals' Liga form suggests they will be in for a stern semi-final test

Atletico Madrid will make history on Wednesday if they can record a third successive victory over city rivals Real Madrid.

The two sides, who met in last season's Copa del Rey final, face each other in the first leg of the competition's semi-finals, with Diego Simeone's side having won the last two meetings.

If the Rojiblancos can repeat the feat at the Santiago Bernabeu it would be the first time they have ever won three consecutive matches against Real, and would boost the holders' chance of retaining the trophy.

Having ended Atletico's 17-year wait for the trophy, Simeone has continued to revolutionise the team, guiding them to the top of La Liga's table for the first time since 1996.

The visitors, who beat Real Sociedad last time out, are now unbeaten in 23 matches in all competitions, underlining the size of the task facing Carlo Ancelotti's men.

But, although Simeone's side have won the last two clashes, it is the Blancos who have dominated the last five years, with 10 consecutive derby wins prior to the Copa del Rey final loss in May 2013.

Wednesday's meeting is the first of three matches between the two sides this month and, were Atletico to avoid defeat in all three, they would put themselves into a strong position in both competitions.

Simeone has Arda Turan available following injury, but David Villa has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring problem during Sunday's win over Sociedad.

Ancelotti is expected to name Iker Casillas in his side having used the 32-year-old throughout their Copa campaign, while Cristiano Ronaldo may play given he will miss the next league match due to suspension.

The Italian will also have Gareth Bale available after the Wales international returned to training on Monday following a leg injury.

source

Read more...

Admit It Mourinho, You Think Chelsea Will Win The League

The Blues' 1-0 win over Manchester City was their seventh top-flight win in their last nine games as they completed the league double over the title favourites.

"I am not saying we are better than them," he declared. "We beat them twice but they are the best team." Manchester City, he admitted, were the best side Chelsea had played this season, "no doubts about it."

But when it came to putting his side into the title race after as convincing a 0-1 win away as you could possibly find - at a side who simply do not lose at home - Jose Mourinho preferred instead to list all the games Chelsea have failed to win this season.
 

Chelsea are "evolving" goes his now familiar refrain. Keep saying it Jose and you might start to believe it. The wry smile on his face as he delivered the message, however, suggests otherwise.

"There are two big horses and a little horse," he said. "A horse that next season can race.

"We can win it if they lose it."

There is only so long the manager can file his team as a work in progress. If we are expected to believe that then Chelsea need to stop beating the title contenders orthey might just be mistaken for one themselves.

There was a lingering perception that Chelsea would do to Manchester City as West Ham did to them last week; spoil the match and stop City playing. Half right. Chelsea spoiled nothing; they were brilliant in every department. But they did indeed knock the Pellegrini machine out of sync. Where West Ham owed scarcely-believable fortune for evading defeat at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea owed nothing of the sort. "A victory against a very good team is better than a victory against an ordinary team," Mourinho said satisfactorily. He extracted a measured, precise, disciplined performance out of his troops on Monday night. They stopped a goalscoring locomotive in its tracks like Superman with an outstretched hand. 

Rarely do players carry the message of their manager like these Chelsea players do in their deeds for Mourinho.

Ramires, lurking on the counter, typifies Mourinho's approach and is becoming one of his more distinctive lieutenants.
 
In Eden Hazard, Chelsea have their own Cristiano Ronaldo as Mourinho had at Real Madrid. "Ronaldo and Messi are Ronaldo and Messi," proffered Jose. "I keep saying he has to improve. He needs to have his feet on the ground."

Vital for a team who cedes possession like Chelsea did at City is a player who not only carries the ball and buys time for the other 10, but who can affect proceedings when sought. The dexterous Belgian toyed with City's back-four. He nullified Pablo Zabaleta's threat to counter-attack through his very existence. Those two players in particular, wide of the midfield duo, gave Manuel Pellegrini discomfort. He favours sending Zabaleta and Aleksandr Kolarov forward at every available opportunity. Although Ramires and Hazard did not always track them back, they were nonetheless ready to carry the ball forward into the unoccupied territory as soon as City surrendered it.

City, instead, failed to consistently go behind Chelsea and hurt them with meaningful attacks. Only three times did they as much as hit the target. That is testament to Chelsea's bravery in quelling them. Nemanja Matic was the pick of the midfielders on show. "I knew that he was ready to come to the Premier League," said Mourinho. "That's why we did it now. We didn't want to lose him." John Terry and Gary Cahill were rock solid, keeping a ninth clean sheet in 17 league matches together this season and, with David Luiz and Matic, putting a lockdown on the offensive midfield area so often the playground of David Silva.

City are still, probably, favourites for the title but this is not only an encouraging display for Chelsea - it is also one for Arsenal and anyone else who fancies themselves as champions elect.

Manchester City are beatable - even at home after a run of 11 wins in 12. When they are described in superhuman terms, it serves only to highlight the flaws in the opposition around the Premier League. All too quick to make excuses and write off a visit to the Etihad.

Mourinho, to his credit, gave City their dues in the build-up and said that Chelsea would try to win the match if they could. No mind-games there. "This is a good feeling," he said. "We played against the best team in this country."  

Chelsea had the confidence to face City head on and beat them convincingly. Mourinho's characteristic fervour remains undiminished. "We love the big games," he said. "When you love it, you feel extra motivated." Chelsea have blown the title race wide open. Let us know when you're ready to admit that much Jose. 

source

Read more...

Bayern Wasting Gotze Is A Striker, Says Beckenbauer

The FCB legend has voiced his frustration with Pep Guardiola's decision to occasionally use the gifted midfielder up front.

Franz Beckenbauer believes Bayern Munich are wasting Mario Gotze by playing him as a striker.

The former Borussia Dortmund star has featured as Bayern's lone-frontman on a number of occasions this term, including the 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach last month.

Guardiola often favoured a striker-less system during his time with Barcelona, but the club's honorary president is adamant the 21-year-old is better suited to a deeper role.

"It doesn't make much sense to play Gotze as a striker," Beckenbauer told Sky90.

"You are not doing the little guy any favours when you put him up front against three giant defenders. Gotze is nowhere to be seen any more when one of them coughs. It's simple as that.

"Bayern would be wasting his potential in this position. Of course, he could play there, but you don't get the best out of him in that position.

"I think he'd be at his best behind a striker. He is much more dangerous in that position."

Gotze has netted six goals in 14 Bundesliga appearances so far this term.

source

Read more...

College Basketball Star Arrested For Public Indecency

Oklahoma State University basketball star, Stevie Clark was arrested yesterday on public indecency charges in Stillwater.

According to reports, the freshman was pulled over after urinating out of a moving vehicle. Clark was arrested on charges of 'outraging public decency' and was detained over night.

Despite the charge of public indecency, Clark will not be tried as a sex offender, the report says.

Clark, who is in his first year at the university has already been in trouble this year after being caught with illegal drugs on his way to practice. 

Clark was the 12th best high school point guard in the nation and the 70th best player overall according to rivals.com

He is originally from Oklahoma City and has averaged 5.3 points per game in his short collegiate career. Clark is also averaging over two assists and 15 minutes on the floor per game.

Read more...

Mourinho: Hazard Is The Best Young Player In The World

The Portuguese praised the Belgium international's contribution in the Blues' 1-0 victory against Manchester City, while he says the side is still evolving and improving.

Jose Mourinho believes Eden Hazard is the best young player in the world after he helped Chelsea record a 1-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The 23-year-old was one of several players to impress as the Blues ended City's 100 per cent home record, and Mourinho believes the Belgian attacker, in time, can emulate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"He needs to keep his feet on the ground," Mourinho told reporters. "He still has to improve but he is probably the best young player in the world with legs to go there [to the level of Messi and Ronaldo].

"Give him time, and Willian, [Andre] Schurrle, [Mohamed] Salah too. Give them time. They need good results and so this result is very important for them."

Mourinho believes his side are still evolving and learning, with Monday's victory over City an important lesson in their development, but suggested his side remain the underdogs in the race for the title.

"We are a team in evolution but this is the kind of performance that helps the team to grow up a lot. Tactically and mentally I think it was fantastic," continued the former Real Madrid boss.

"A victory is a victory but a victory against a very good team is better than against an ordinary team. This is also good for the Champions League because we have big opponents so this is a good feeling and a good experience. Today was special.

"We love the big games. When you love it maybe you feel extra-motivated. The best thing for our evolution is to play matches under pressure, to be close to the leaders, and today we came here and played against the leaders and we deserved it.

"There are two horses and a little horse - a little horse that still needs milk and work and to learn how to jump. There are two big horses and the last horse, a horse that next season can race.

"We have beaten the best team twice. In the first game we won because Fernando [Torres] was bright; now we won because we were the best team." 

source

Read more...

Zaha Can Be The Next Ronaldo,Says Solskjaer

The Cardiff City boss believes that the 21-year-old, on loan from Manchester United, could emulate the Real Madrid star if he shows the same dedication as the Portugal captain.

Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that Wilfried Zaha has the potential to be as good as Cristiano Ronaldo.

After making just three appearances for Manchester United this season, the 21-year-old winger was sent out on loan to Wales for the remainder of the campaign.

Zaha made an instant impact in his debut against Norwich City on Saturday to help secure Solskjaer's first Premier League victory as a manager and the Norwegian claims that his loan signing could be an Old Trafford great if he remains dedicated.

"He is one of the best I have seen with the ball," the Cardiff boss told reporters.

"He has quick feet and is brave like Cristiano and wants to go forward.

"But he has got to make a ­decision about how good does he want to be and how much does he love this game. He can grow up to become a proper player like Ronaldo if he wants.

"I have never seen anyone work as hard as Ronaldo. Before training, after training, he was an exceptionally dedicated man and proved to everyone what ­dedication gets you.

"I am not afraid of using Sir Alex Ferguson or Cristiano as an example when I have to because to get the best out of your talent you need to be dedicated.

"It's a desire and attitude from within. It's what you've got in your heart and Cristiano's always had it."  

source

Read more...

Chelsea Can't Compete With Manchester City Spending - Mourinho

The Portuguese believes Monday's opponents have more power in the transfer market but questioned why his side are more disliked over previous spending sprees.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says his side cannot compete with Manchester City's spending and feels that his side have received disproportionate criticism in the past for spending money.

In the early years of Roman Abramovich's reign at Stamford Bridge, the Blues were accused of buying success, with the Portuguese winning a Premier League and League Cup double in the first season of his first spell at the club.

But Mourinho argues that City's spending of over £600 million on players in the past six years has not received the same level of hatred, though he insists that the difference in treatment does not bother him.

"In my time we were accused of buying the title, no? Because our owner was Mr Abramovich, just arrived in the country. Maybe now people see City in a different way," the 51-year-old told reporters.

"I'm not sure if it's because it's taken them six years to get to this stage while we won straight away and I don't care. I don't envy the fact that they have this kind of protection, or whichever word. It's the way it is. Teams with success, people tend not to like them, no?

"Financially, no, we can't compete. Back then it was a free world. There was no Financial Fair Play. If your club was a rich one, your owner a rich one, there were no rules. It was an open situation but times change.

"Many things people considered wrong 50 years ago are something very normal now."

Manuel Pellegrini's side have been in impressive form of late, having scored 68 goals this season, and the Blues boss accepts that Monday's opponents are skilled at shutting down other teams.

"I don't know if other teams have been scared of City, whether it's not so much that they don't attack them and more that they can't," Mourinho observed. "Maybe they can't.

"I want to attack them, I can tell you that, but, after 10 minutes, people might say I'm not attacking. If I don't, it's because I can't."

Asked if Chelsea may have to concede the title for City this year, Mourinho was philosophical, arguing that second place would be a better finish than that for which they had planned.

"If we finished second doing the formation work, it's an acceleration of our process," he claimed. "It's good."

source

Read more...

Robben Refusing To Believe Title Hype

The Netherlands international has urged his team-mates not to get carried away - despite sitting 13 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

Arjen Robben has insisted that Bayern Munich are not yet certain of retaining their Bundesliga crown, despite restoring their 13-point lead at the top of the division.

The Bavarians beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 on Sunday, which leaves Pep Guardiola's side way out in front of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and odds-on favourites to win the division again.

Nevertheless, Robben has warned his team-mates not to get carried away and is wary of teams raising their performance levels against Bayern in a bid to pull off a major scalp.

"Everyone wants to beat the leaders, the champions," the Dutchman was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"Therefore, it is crucial that we remain focused.

"No-one’s going to give us anything for free."

Robben has been in sublime form for Bayern this term, scoring seven goals in 14 Bundesliga appearances so far. 

source

Read more...

Ronaldo Red Card Was Unfair, Insists Marcelo

The Brazil international feels the referee was wrong to dismiss the Ballon d'Or holder and believes Madrid were unlucky not to win.

Real Madrid defender Marcelo has hit out at referee Miguel Ayza for his decision to send off Cristiano Ronaldo during Sunday's 1-1 La Liga draw against Athletic Bilbao.

The Portugal international was dismissed after he got involved in a scuffle with Carlos Gurpegui and Ander Iturraspe in the 76th minute, but Marcelo feels the prolific international did not deserve a red card for his actions.

"It is tough to lose a player unfairly," Marcelo was quoted as saying on the official Madrid website.

"Cristiano’s sending off was unfair, but I am not going to talk about whether the referee had a good match or not."

The left-back stressed that even though Madrid always aim to win, a draw in Bilbao was still a good result for los Blancos.

"We won a point, which is very difficult here, but our mentality is to win every match," Marcelo continued.

"It is not always possible and we kept going until the end. Athletic Bilbao are a good team but we were unlucky and it’s a shame."

Madrid currently sit third in La Liga, trailing leaders Atletico Madrid by three points. 

source

Read more...

Atletico Display Title Mettle As Barcelona And Madrid Slip-up

Diego Simeone's side seized the opportunity to move top and lead La Liga by three points after both of their title rivals dropped points this weekend.

It was a game-changer. The weekend where Atletico silenced the doubters and the deficiencies of both Barcelona and Real Madrid were laid bare. La Liga is now a three-team race which promises to go right to the tape - and Diego Simeone's side look ready for the challenge.

Barca had led La Liga for the past 59 rounds over two tournaments, ever since the beginning of the 2012-13 season, but Saturday's 3-2 defeat for the Catalans at home to Valencia gave Atletico the chance to overtake them. And having failed to take advantage on two previous occasions in the current campaign, this time los Rojiblancos didn't disappoint.

It was an emotional day for the club. Fans at the Vicente Calderon paid tribute to their former player and four-time coach, Luis Aragones, who passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 75. Supporters laid out scarves and flowers outside Gate 8 (his number as an Atleti player), while a shirt bearing his name hung proudly in the dressing room and a huge replica was paraded around the pitch before kick-off amid songs and chants. But as the match started, the home fans stayed silent for eight minutes in a terrific tribute to their former hero.

Simeone had held back his emotions prior to kick-off, while some of the players looked overwhelmed by the occasion. But on the pitch, there was a job to be done and after 38 minutes, David Villa brought the tension to an end as he hit the opening goal with a left-footed finish from close range. Fitting, perhaps, that the man discarded by Barcelona in the summer should fire Atleti above the Blaugrana on their way to the league's summit. And appropriate, too, that the striker chosen by Aragones to replace Raul in the Spanish national team should be the one to open the scoring here, en route to such a significant result. Villa, who later went off with a hamstring injury, pointed to the sky in a moving celebration dedicated to his former Spain boss.

As the second half wore on, there were moments of anxiety. With 20 minutes remaining, Atletico still only led by a single strike and Real Sociedad were very much in it.

But not for long. Diego Costa burst through in typical fashion to make it 2-0 and bring his recent mini-drought to an end (he hadn't scored in the Primera Division since December) with his 20th Liga strike of the season. It was a timely return to form.

Joao Miranda made it three moments later as he headed home a corner and new signing Diego blasted in from eight yards for 4-0 just before the end to conclude a memorable victory which saw Atletico return to the top of La Liga for the first time in 18 years.

Diego's goal will have been especially sweet for Simeone, who brought back the Brazilian on deadline day in a loan deal from Wolfsburg. The Argentine coach can seemingly do no wrong at the moment and his proactive posture in the transfer market has helped Atletico to become even stronger in a month in which tough tests await in all three competitions: a two-legged semi-final versus Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, a second-round tie against AC Milan in the Champions League and tricky league games at Osasuna and at home to los Blancos.

Despite losing Radamel Falcao in the summer, Simeone signed shrewdly to add strength in depth to the current squad and the Argentine moved again in January - while both Barca and Madrid chose not to - by bringing in Diego and Jose Sosa to boost the club's midfield and attacking alternatives. Sosa started on Saturday, while Diego came off the bench to replace him in the second half and hit the fourth goal.

"Diego Ribas will give us what we need: personality in attack," Simeone said after the match. "He is agressive in his play [and] every time the ball passes his way, there is danger."

Sosa, meanwhile, endured a more frustrating evening, but is highly thought of by his coach and can cover a variety of roles. "He is a very dynamic player with a great shot, who can adapt to a number of different positions across midfield or operate as a playmaker," Simeone explained last month.

source

Read more...