Goal Zone: April 2014

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Gareth Bale delighted with first season at Real Madrid

Gareth Bale has admitted that he would never have imagined his first season at Real Madrid going so well after they reached the Champions League final on Tuesday.

The Welshman moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from Tottenham Hotspur in a world-record £85m deal last summer and has since scored 20 goals in 35 appearances, including a late winner in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

His form has helped Madrid stay in the La Liga title race and a 5-0 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich in a European semi-final means that Carlo Ancelotti's side are still in with a chance of the treble.

At the Allianz Arena, Bale feels that Sergio Ramos's early headed goal was a pivotal moment as it allowed Real to play on the break, which they did to great effect, thrashing the Bavarians 4-0 in Germany.

"It's an amazing feeling," he told Sky Sports News. "At the start of the season it's hard to imagine. We set out to try and win every competition we're in and we're in a great position now.

"We always have belief in ourselves. To get an early goal was very important for us to give us confidence. They were going to come at us then and we could exploit the counter-attack.

"It was a perfect game-plan for us and thankfully we got the win. I think we played a good game in both legs and we're happy to be in the final now.We're just focused on each and every game as it comes. We don't get carried away with ourselves too easily."

Madrid are six points behind leaders Atletico Madrid in the Spanish table, but do have a game in hand.

Roy Keane: Cristiano Ronaldo was "cheap"

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has claimed that the £80m that Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo was "cheap".

The Portuguese forward hit his 50th and 51st Champions League strikes for Los Blancos as they beat Bayern Munich 4-0 in the semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

Speaking to ITV Sport, the former Ireland captain said: "This boy with that much talent, £80 million looks cheap for him."

Ronaldo moved from United to the Spanish capital in 2009.

Atletico Madrid preparing bid for Tim Krul

Atletico Madrid have reportedly identified Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul as a target ahead of the summer transfer window.

Diego Simeone's side are preparing for life without Thibaut Courtois, who is expected to return to parent club Chelsea when his loan spell finishes at the end of the current season.

The leaders of La Liga are now searching for possible replacements, and Krul was watched by Atletico's sporting director Jose Luis Caminero during Monday's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, according to talkSPORT.

Atletico are believed to be willing to offer up to £10m to secure the services of the Dutchman ahead of next season.

Reports last week suggested that Krul was considering his future at Newcastle.

Atletico Madrid announce pre-season tour of America

Atletico Madrid have announced that they will travel to North America as part of their preparations for the 2014-15 season.

The Madrid outfit, who currently top La Liga, will face MLS outfit San Jose Earthquakes on July 27, before tackling Mexico's Club America three days later.

"This summer, the first team will tour North America due to the second edition of the EuroAmerican Cup, and will play against the San Jose Earthquakes and Club America from Mexico on July 27th and 30th respectively," read a statement from the Spanish outfit.

Atletico are currently travelling to London ahead of tomorrow's Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Bayern Munich 0-4 Real Madrid : Los Blancos thump Bayern to reach Champions League final

Real Madrid have knocked out defending champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League following a 4-0 win at the Allianz Arena this evening, giving them a 5-0 win on aggregate.

The Spanish side added an away goal to their one-goal lead from the first leg just 16 minutes into the tie when Sergio Ramos headed in from a Luka Modric corner.

The defender claimed his second of the night four minutes later with another header, this time converting from a Pepe flick forward following an Angel di Maria free kick.

Cristiano Ronaldo was able to increase the visitors' lead further before the break, scoring his 15th goal in the competition this season after Gareth Bale pulled the ball back to him on a counter-attack.

Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery both tried to apply the pressure inside the Real final third during the first half, but had no real chances before the half-time whistle.

Needing five goals to progress to the final, the defending champions started the second half brightly, as Philipp Lahm curled the ball in for David Alaba, but his header was deflected behind.

Robben continued to look lively, and came within inches of getting one back for the Bundesliga champions just before the hour mark, but his 25-yard effort was just wide.

Iker Casillas continued to come under pressure in the Real goal as the home side piled forward, but the keeper saved efforts from Ribery and Toni Kroos just three minutes apart.

Fabio Coentrao had a chance to add a fourth for Carlo Ancelotti's side, trying to smash the ball past Manuel Neuer after the Bayern defence failed to clear, but the keeper made the stop.

The hosts continued to push for a consolation as the final 10 minutes approached, but they were unable to get the better of the Madrid defence.

However, it was the Spanish side that finished with a flourish as Ronaldo claimed his second of the evening, sealing an emphatic victory.

However, Real will be without Xabi Alonso in the final, after he picked up a yellow card in the first half.

Jose Mourinho slams critics of Chelsea style

Jose Mourinho has defended the way Chelsea have played in recent games following criticism aimed at his side.

In the first leg of their Champions League semi-final Chelsea held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in the Spanish capital, before adopting a counter-attacking approach to beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

Despite being criticised for his style, Mourinho believes that he is only finding the balance which will deliver success.

"You know, at this moment, football is full of philosophers - people who understand much more than me, people with fantastic theories and philosophies," the Chelsea boss told reporters.

"It's amazing. But the reality is always the reality - a team that doesn't defend well or doesn't score lots of goals, if they concede lots of goals, is completely in trouble. A team without balance is not a team.

"When they have the ball, we have to try and stop them scoring. When we have the ball, we want to try and score. This is football - the football that I know."

Ahead of the second leg of their semi-final, Atletico manager Diego Simeone has also defended Mourinho's tactics.

Brendan Rodgers: We're in a "brilliant position"

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has called for his players to enjoy the "brilliant position" that they are in as the Premier League run-in reaches its climax.

The table-topping Reds were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea on Sunday to hand the initiative to Manchester City, but the Northern Irishman said that he has reminded his squad of their achievement after an 11-game winning streak was halted by Jose Mourinho's side.

The Mirror quotes him as saying: "We want to win, of course, and we are in a brilliant position. But we must enjoy it - this is brilliant, the supporters are loving it, we are showing the real scale of the club and what these players are about, and that is just as important.

"It's good to be involved in this and it's the only way you gain experience. No matter where we finish, we will look to build on it, and press on from this position.

"We will embrace it. We still have work to do. We will go again and progress from here, but we are enjoying this position."

Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace on Monday evening.

Bayern Munich to offer Loic Remy alternative to Premier League stay

Bayern Munich are believed to be considering rivalling a handful of Premier League clubs for the signature of French international striker Loic Remy this summer.

The 27-year-old has scored 13 goals during a loan spell at Newcastle United this season, but has dashed the Magpies' hopes of signing him permanently from Queens Park Rangers by admitting that he would like to play for a bigger club.

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are all apparently interested in the former Marseille forward, but The Mirror claims that Bayern will offer him the option of leaving England to join them in a £15m move.

The Bavarians have already secured the services of Borussia Dortmund frontman Robert Lewandowski for next campaign, but also want to add Remy to a new-look attacking lineup which is unlikely to include Mario Mandzukic, who faces being sold when the transfer window reopens.

Remy would not be first choice at the Allianz Arena, but could be tempted by the excitement of joining one of Europe's most prestigious clubs, and the larger pay packet that Bayern would be willing to give him.

Arjen Robben: Bayern Munich have been "punished"

Arjen Robben has said that Bayern Munich were "punished" during their 4-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League this evening.

The 5-0 aggregate loss ends the German side's hopes of retaining the title that they won in London last year.

The winger told reporters: "We have been punished tonight. But we have to lift our heads, because we have a cup final coming up [against Borussia Dortmund]. We received a 4-0 beating today. Accept it. Cry about it. Go home. Then move on."

Real will play either Atletico Madrid or Chelsea in next month's final in Portugal.

Andros Townsend to have further tests on ankle injury

Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend is due to have further tests on the ankle injury that he suffered against Stoke City on the weekend.

The 22-year-old left the Britannia Stadium wearing a protective boot on Saturday following his side's 1-0 win in the Premier League.

The latest setback for the England international could see him ruled out of this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Townsend has scored three goals in 38 games for both club and country this season.

Spurs continue their league campaign this Saturday when they face West Ham United at Upton Park.

Gareth Bale: 'Cristiano Ronaldo proved that he is world's best player'

Gareth Bale has insisted that teammate Cristiano Ronaldo proved that he was the best player in the world by firing Real Madrid into the Champions League final.

The 2013 Ballon D'Or winner scored twice at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening to help Los Blancos to a 5-0 aggregate win over Bayern Munich, and set a new record of 16 goals in the competition in a single season.

Ronaldo's first came after a blistering counter attack which also involved Bale, and his second was a 90th-minute free kick, and Bale is hoping that there will be more goals from the Portuguese on his home turf in Lisbon on May 24, as Madrid desperately pursue their first European trophy since 2002.

He told Sky Sports News: "That's why he's the world's best player. It's an honour to play with him and to learn from him.

"We've still got one match to go and hopefully he can score a few more goals."

The Champions League goalscoring record broken by Ronaldo previously belonged to his great rival, Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who netted 15 times in the 2011-2012 campaign.

Robben not interested in Chelsea and Atletico Madrid tie

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has claimed that he is not interested in the second Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid this evening.

The first leg ended in a 0-0 stalemate last week, and the Dutch winger was critical of both teams.

He told Sky Sports News: "I don't really care [who wins]. I watched the 90 minutes last week and I couldn't watch it – the match had nothing to do with football.

"The two managers (Jose Mourinho and Diego Simeone), I respect them and everybody has their own way, but I think Real Madrid will win the Champions League and I wish them all the best."

Robben's side were beaten 4-0 by Los Blancos in Tuesday evening's semi-final.

Xabi Alonso appeals for change of rules after suspension

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has urged UEFA to change their suspension rules after being denied an appearance in the Champions League final.

The Spaniard picked up a booking in the first half of Madrid's 4-0 victory over Bayern Munich, which saw the club reach the final of the competition for the first time since 2002.

However, Alonso believes that it is unfair for him to miss the final in Lisbon after being booked just three times in the whole of this season's Champions League campaign.

"The rule is not fair at all, because you are playing for 13 games, three yellows cards is more than easy to be shown. It needs to be changed," Alonso told reporters.

Real will face either Atletico Madrid or Chelsea in the final.

Adnan Januzaj named in preliminary Belgium squad for World Cup

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has confirmed that Adnan Januzaj will be in his preliminary squad for this summer's World Cup.

It was recently revealed that the Manchester United winger had committed his international future to Belgium, despite also being eligible to play for Albania, Turkey, Serbia and Kosovo.

Wilmots has now claimed that the 19-year-old has a good chance of making his final selection for Brazil.

"Adnan has played 27 games for Man United. He has showed his qualities," he told Het Laatste Nieuws.

"The fact I pick him in my initial 27-man squad for Brazil is normal, given his performances but I first want to see how he behaves on the training pitch."

Belgium have been drawn in Group H with Algeria, Russia and South Korea for the 2014 World Cup.

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Petr Cech declares himself fit for Atletico Madrid clash

Petr Cech has claimed that he is fit to keep goal for Chelsea against Atletico Madrid tomorrow night.

Last week, manager Jose Mourinho had ruled his number one goalkeeper out for the remainder of the season with a dislocated shoulder that he suffered during the first leg in Spain.

However, the 31-year-old made a surprise return to training this morning and when asked by a reporter if he was ready to play, Cech replied: "Of course".

Cech initially took part in a warm-up with his fellow keepers, before doing some work on his own away from the main group.

Diego Costa plays down Chelsea talk

Spanish forward Diego Costa has hinted that he will remain with Atletico Madrid next season.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 35 times this season, has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea when the transfer window opens.

During last week's Champions League semi-final first leg against the Blues, some Chelsea supporters were heard chanting "see you next year" to the Brazilian-born forward.

However, Costa has insisted that he is "very happy" at the Vicente Calderon.

"I didn't understand anything. I heard my name and asked what they said. I wasn't paying much attention. But I'm very happy here," Inside Spanish Football quotes Costa as saying at a promotional event for the club's pre-season tour of North America.

Atletico travel to Chelsea for the second leg of their semi-final this evening, with the score goalless from the clash in Madrid last week.

Real Madrid target Paul Pogba

Real Madrid assistant Zinedine Zidane will reportedly play a major part in the Spanish club's pursuit of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba this summer.

The former Manchester United youngster is widely regarded as one of the best young talents in European football, with a number of clubs reportedly interested in his services.

According to France Football, however, Madrid's interest has been strengthened by Zidane, who is believed to have played a key role in the acquisition of Isco from Malaga last summer.

Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the 21-year-old, but it is understood that Juve will not entertain offers of less than £40m for the powerful midfielder.

Kaka wants AC Milan stay

Brazilian international Kaka has said that he wants to remain with AC Milan next season.

The experienced attacker only rejoined the Italian outfit from Real Madrid last summer, but has been strongly linked with a move at the end of the campaign.

A number of MLS sides have reportedly made contact, but the 32-year-old has insisted that his "intention" is to stay at the San Siro.

"I personally have done well but it hasn't been enough in the general context. I can improve for next year and my intention is to stay," he told Tiki Taka.

"I like the club, I am used to other things, but the situation is this and we must live it, plus, we have this special derby to play.

"I do not even want to remain anxious and wait too long, the fans can rest easy because there are no games or anything, it will be a personal choice and that of my family, but the biggest desire is to stay."

Kaka has scored nine times for Milan this season.

Andre Schurrle: 'Chelsea critics are jealous'

Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle has claimed that critics of the team's defensive approach during their victory over Liverpool are jealous of their success.

Jose Mourinho's side soaked up large periods of pressure during Sunday's match at Anfield on their way to securing a 2-0 win.

"Winning is what matters," Schurrle told BBC Sport. "It's the most important thing.

"You can play perfect football, have lots of one-touch stuff, and you lose. But that's not what you want - you want to win. There's no point in playing well and losing. If our plan is to win playing this way, and we win, then it is perfect.

"If people look at us and say 'Chelsea can't play', even when we win, it's just because they're jealous."

Chelsea face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday evening.

Real Madrid preparing £70m Luis Suarez bid

Real Madrid will reportedly bid £70m for Liverpool forward Luis Suarez at the end of the season.

The Uruguayan international, who moved to Anfield from Ajax in 2011, has scored 30 times in 31 league games for Liverpool this season.

According to The Sun, Madrid have identified the 27-year-old as their main transfer target this summer and are prepared to part with £70m to land the forward.

While Liverpool are desperate not to lose their leading striker, it is understood that the player himself could be lured by Carlo Ancelotti to the Bernabeu.

Should Suarez arrive in Spain, Karim Benzema is expected to depart, with a number of Premier League clubs reportedly interested in the French international.

Louis van Gaal's demand for five coaches stall Manchester United talks

Louis van Gaal's potential appointment at Manchester United has reportedly hit a stumbling block due to his determination to bring in five new coaches.

The Netherlands boss, who will be released by the Dutch FA after this summer's World Cup in Brazil, has been widely tipped to become a permanent successor to recently-sacked David Moyes.

United have placed veteran Ryan Giggs in charge of the first team until the end of the season, alongside former players Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, who have returned to the club in a coaching capacity.

It is understood that the United hierarchy are keen to keep the 'Class of '92' members within the coaching setup, but Van Gaal is believed to have outlined his own staff should he be handed the role at Old Trafford.

According to The Telegraph, United may switch their attention to Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after Van Gaal told the club that he wanted Holland assistants Patrick Kluivert and Danny Blind at the North-West outfit, as well as goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek, analyst Max Reekers and physiotherapist Jos van Dijk.

Giggs kicked off his short-term managerial stint by guiding United to a 4-0 win over Norwich City last Saturday.

Petr Cech, John Terry train with Chelsea

Chelsea duo Petr Cech and John Terry have trained with the squad ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Goalkeeper Cech had been expected to miss the rest of the season after dislocating his shoulder during last week's 0-0 draw in Spain.

Blues captain Terry was also a major doubt due to an ankle injury that he picked up at the Vicente Calderon.

Meanwhile, Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o have also trained following spells on the sidelines with calf and knee problems respectively.

Premier League 'to borrow third trophy should title race go to the wire'

Premier League officials could reportedly borrow a trophy from a previous title winner should three teams still be in contention on the final games of the season.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have just three points separating them in the table, with their final matches due to be played on May 11.

Reports have claimed that presentation ceremonies will be organised for all three teams, but the Premier League have just two trophies, one of which is with current champions Manchester United and the other is based in the league's headquarters.

According to the Daily Mail, officials are likely to ask Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City or Blackburn Rovers to temporarily hand over their Premier League trophy for celebrations.

A replica piece of silverware from league sponsors Barclays that is used for promotional commitments could also be an option.

Villarreal give supporter lifetime ban for throwing banana at Dani Alves

Villarreal have confirmed that a supporter has been given a lifetime ban for throwing a banana at Barcelona defender Dani Alves during Sunday's clash.

The alleged racist attack occurred while Alves was lining up to take a corner, but the Brazilian has received praise for taking a bite out of the fruit in response.

A statement from the Spanish club said: "Villarreal CF wants to communicate that the club deeply regrets and condemns the incident that happened yesterday during the match against FC Barcelona in which a fan threw an object onto the field of El Madrigal.

"Thanks to the security forces and the invaluable assistance of the Yellow crowd, the club has already identified the author and has decided to withdraw his season tickets, permanently banning his access to El Madrigal stadium."

Barcelona eventually went on to clinch a 3-2 victory.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Tuesday, April 29, 2014