Goal Zone

Monday, March 31, 2014

David Moyes defiant ahead of Bayern Munich tie

David Moyes has insisted that his Manchester United team are a match for any opponent.

The Red Devils take on Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League tomorrow night, with the German visitors regarded by many as the big favourites to advance through to the semi-finals of the competition.

However, Moyes believes that despite their poor Premier League form this season, United are "as good a side as any".

"We go into the game knowing, on our day, we're as good a side as any. We need to show it more often," he told reporters.

United have beaten Bayern just twice from their nine previous meetings.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: 'Toni Kroos staying with Bayern Munich'

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has insisted that Toni Kroos will remain with the club beyond the summer.

The revelation will be a blow to Manchester United manager David Moyes, who was reportedly keen to sign the German international as part of his rebuilding process at Old Trafford.

It had also been claimed that the 24-year-old would give consideration to a switch to Old Trafford, even though the Red Devils are unlikely to be in next season's Champions League.

However, when asked about the midfielder's future earlier today, Rummenigge told reporters: "Toni Kroos is sure to play in a Bayern Munich shirt next year as well."

Kroos could be in the Bayern starting lineup that will take on United in the Champions League tomorrow night.

Manchester City to begin stadium expansion

Manchester City have announced that the first phase of work to expand the Etihad Stadium will start imminently.

The Premier League club were recently granted planning permission to increase the capacity of their ground from 47,670 to 62,170.

The development plans, which have been split into two phases, will see expansion to both the north and south stands.

City have enlisted international engineering company Laing O'Rourke to begin work on the South Stand, which is due to increase the stadium's capacity to 54,000 for the start of the 2015-16 season.

Jurgen Klopp: 'We are as strong as last season"

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted that his side are as strong as last season.

Klopp led his side into the Champions League final during a successful 2012/13 campaign, but injuries and a drop in form has left the German side trailing already-champions Bayern Munich by 23 points in the Bundesliga this season.

However, the German is confident that his team can enjoy a successful end to the campaign.

"That's not the way I see it. It's been a very difficult season from the beginning. We have faced extraordinary challenges and an unprecedented injury crisis. I've never seen anything like it," he told Marca.

"But in spite of everything, we are on the road to achieving all the goals we set ourselves at the start of the season. So you can't talk about us playing worse or not being as strong as we were.

"We're second in the Bundesliga, we're in the Cup semi-final and we have made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, just like last year."

"And don't forget, we came top in the toughest Champions League group just like we did last season... we never give up."

Dortmund face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Wednesday.

Marouane Fellaini escapes punishment over alleged spitting incident

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini will face no punishment from the Football Association for allegedly spitting at Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta.

The incident is understood to have happened on March 25 during City's 3-0 win at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

However, the FA has decided not to charge the Belgian after reviewing video footage from the game.

"Having reviewed all available footage, the FA has decided that there is no case to answer," read a statement from English football's governing body.

Fellaini has failed to score in 18 appearances for United following his summer move from Everton.

Agent: 'Patrice Evra keen on Serie A'

The agent of Patrice Evra has hinted that the Manchester United defender could join a Serie A club in the summer.

The 32-year-old Frenchman is due to be a free agent at the end of the season.

While Evra has held talks with United over a new deal, Federico Pastorello suggests that the full-back is interested in the Italian top flight after spending the early part of his career with lower-league sides Marsala and Monza.

"Patrice has to decide what to do with his future," he told Tele Radio Stereo. "He is very close to United, but lately things have changed a little.

"Could he come back to Italy? Patrice has always highly regarded Serie A and so, if he were to leave England, it could be a possibility. But at the moment it is still too early to talk about next season."

Evra joined United from Monaco in 2006.

Diego Godin praises Barcelona

Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin has praised Barcelona ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first leg between the two sides on Tuesday.

Atletico travel to the Camp Nou for the first leg this week, before welcoming the Spanish champions to the Vicente Calderon one week later.

"Barcelona has many strengths. It's true that in the last moments it was said that their game was uncertain, but they are there, in the Champions' quarter-final, in the cup final, fighting for the league," Inside Spanish Football quotes the centre-back as saying.

"They are at a great time now, very confident after winning the derby. All the players have a great quality and as a team, they have been playing many years together and doing it well. They know each other very well."

Atletico were 2-1 winners over Athletic Bilbao at the weekend.

GOAL ZONE 'PLAYER OF THE WEEK' is..........

Congratulations MARCO REUS, GOAL ZONE 'PLAYER OF THE WEEK'.........

The lethal German MARCO REUS wins Our Player Of the week,bagging a sensational hat-trick to help Borussia Dortmund record a come-back win,after going two goals down at Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga.

The 24-Year Old attacking midfielder fired hime in the 30th minute to give his side hope after going two goals down in the first 19minutes. Reus continued his rout after the break,converting from the spot to pull his side level,before finally finishing off an Aubameyang assist 8minutes from time to earn his side 3 valuable points and keep them in the race for 2nd place,having already lost out the Bundesliga title to rivals Bayern Munich.

GOAL ZONE 'PLAYER OF THE WEEK' POLLS......

14%BALE

2%PIZARRO

38%KAKA

0%KOKE

46%REUS

Garry Monk tips Jonathan de Guzman for Netherlands World Cup place

Swansea City manager Garry Monk has claimed that midfielder Jonathan de Guzman could force his way into the Netherlands squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The 26-year-old, who is on loan at the Liberty Stadium from Villarreal, scored twice in Swansea's 3-0 victory over Norwich City on Saturday.

"He was our best player," Monk told ITV Sport. "He typified everything that I asked of the team for this week - not just on the ball, but off the ball.

"The two goals that he got were special and very good finishes and he showed another string to his bow - that he can be asked to play in other positions.

"I think if he continues to play like that he'll give himself a very good chance of getting in the World Cup squad."

De Guzman has won eight international caps.

Stewart Downing: 'West Ham United fans must remain positive'

West Ham United winger Stewart Downing has called on fans to show more support as the team battles against relegation from the Premier League.

Sections of supporters inside Upton Park booed their own players on Wednesday night despite seeing their side beat Hull City 2-1.

Downing has now urged fans to provide a positive atmosphere around the club during the final few weeks of the season.

"You need your fans onside because the biggest thing at a football club is the fans. We've not given them much to shout about during a difficult season, but they've stuck with us the whole way through and I'd ask them to stay with us right to the end," he told West Ham's official website. "If we keep getting results, we'll stay in the Premier League.

"I won't let it affect me as an experienced player, but it can affect the younger ones, so I would ask the fans to stick with the players at home and we'll try to get them results."

West Ham, who are currently eight points clear of the relegation zone, return to action tonight (Monday) when they travel to fellow strugglers Sunderland.

Phil Jones confident of Manchester United progress

Phil Jones has insisted that Manchester United will get better as long as the club sticks together.

The Red Devils made a return to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday thanks to a 4-1 victory at home to Aston Villa.

Despite a number of disappointing results during David Moyes's first season in charge, Jones is confident that results overall will change sooner rather than later.

"We have not done anywhere near as well as we would have liked this season but we can only stick together, keep doing the right things and it will change," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"The manager deserves [support from the fans]. He picks the team but we have got to take responsibility, and we will do."

United return to action on Tuesday night when they host Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Ilkay Gundogan offered new Borussia Dortmund deal

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed that the club have offered midfielder Ilkay Gundogan a new contract.

The 23-year-old, who has a year remaining on his current deal, has reportedly attracted the interest of Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Dortmund want to finalise terms with the German international before the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

"Ilkay Gundogan is an important player of our squad we want to keep at our club," Watzke told Sport-BILD weekly.

"We have submitted a contract offer to Ilkay Gundogan and we are expecting to hear from him about it.

"And we are certainly not going to need to wait until the summer to see him reply."

Gundogan joined Dortmund from Nuremburg in 2011.

Samir Nasri in contract talks with Manchester City

Samir Nasri has revealed that he has opened talks with Manchester City over a new contract.

The 26-year-old French midfielder has just over a year to run on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite admitting that nothing has been signed yet, Nasri is eager to commit himself to the Premier League title challengers.

"We have just started talks so far. We didn't find any agreement yet. But it should be sorted out," he told French television show Canal Football Club.

"I want to stay. I can feel people appreciate me and the coach is trusting me."

Nasri joined City from Arsenal in 2011 for around £25m.

Everton's Roberto Martinez expects top four race to go down to the wire

Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes that the race for fourth will go down to the final day of the season in May.

The Merseyside outfit are four points adrift of a Champions League spot in the Premier League table following Sunday's 3-1 win over Fulham.

Arsenal, who currently occupy fourth place, will travel to Goodison Park to take on their Merseyside opponents this Sunday.

"I think it will go down to the last day," Martinez told reporters. "Nobody will stop fighting. Every game in this league is down to small margins. With the amount of points we have that we have a realistic chance to fight for that [top four] aim."

Everton have seven games left to play in the league.

Thibaut Courtois to reveal future "soon"

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has revealed that he will "soon" announce his long-term plans.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid from Chelsea, where he has developed into one of the best stoppers in European football.

As it stands, Courtois is due to return to his parent club at the end of the season, but it is believed that Atletico are keen to secure his services on a permanent deal.

"I'll let you know my decision; I'm going to announce it soon. For now, I'm just focused on the games we have left," he told Onda Cero.

Real Madrid have also been linked with the stopper.