http://gty.im/465817314 Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to avoid the press until the end of the season, following Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Schalke. The Spanish champions lost 4-3 to the German side at Santiago Bernabeu, but scraped through on after a 2-0 first leg win. Ronaldo scored two in the game to make him the highest goalscorer in European competitions, but after a run of poor results; fans and media men close to the club have labelled both he and his team-mates with criticism. Ronaldo, looked visibly frustrated after the game as white hankerchiefs came out as fans…
Author: Staff Writer
http://gty.im/465794280 Real Madrid were pushed to the very end by Bundesliga side Schalke on Tuesday evening, narrowly progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 5-4 aggregate win. Carlo Ancelotti’s side approached the tie with a 2-0 first leg lead but their recent form had seen them gain much criticism from a number of fans, pundits and coaches close to the club. The visitors broke the deadlock when former Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar flicked the ball in for Christian Fuchs, who smashed the ball past Iker Casillas. The Spanish keeper would have a night to forget as he…
http://gty.im/465700816 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has sat down with board members to short-list his defensive targets for the summer transfer window. Frenchman Wenger has improved his defensive options this season having signed Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal, however, he remains keen on adding some extra cover and eventually replacing out-of-form Per Mertesacker. A number of targets have been linked with a move to the Emirates stadium, but it is understood Wenger has a short-list of four names. Dynamo Kiev’s Austrian international Aleksandar Dragovic, Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic and Man United duo Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are understood to be those…
http://gty.im/465786692 Jose Mourinho has said that his Chelsea players are ‘comfortable’ ahead of the Champions League last-16 second leg with Paris Saint Germain. The sides are tied at 1-1 at present but the Premier League side have a slight advantage after Branislav Ivanovic’s away goal at Parc des Princes in February. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Blues boss Mourinho called on his players to use their experience and feel comfortable heading into the game on Wednesday evening. “Experience helps us to sleep well tonight. You feel comfortable to play. It’s something that you do a lot of times. “This…
http://gty.im/465786716 Brazilian defender Rafael has sent out a reminder to Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal about his capabilities with a superb lob for their U21 side against Tottenham Hotspur. Van Gaal has held several meetings with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward this week and has discussed the future of numerous players at Old Trafford. Having joined the club in 2008, the Brazilian defender has been a relative mainstay in United’s side, having made 167 appearances. However, since Dutch boss Van Gaal arrived in the summer, he has settled for just nine appearances this season. And with Rafael entering the final…
http://gty.im/465785560 Radamel Falcao will start for Manchester United’s Under-21 side against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening. The Colombian striker moved to Old Trafford this summer under a wave of expectation after his exploits with Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco. However, he has failed to make an impact in English football, scoring just four goals in 20 games for the Red Devils in all competitions. His future continues to be discussed with reports claiming United will not take their option of a permanent move up and allow him to return to Monaco. Falcao was an unused substitute for Louis van Gaal’s…
http://gty.im/464033352 Pedro Rodriguez has said he could be forced to consider his future at Barcelona this summer, amidst interest from Premier League sides. The 27-year-old Spanish international has been a key player for Barca since he was handed his debut by former boss Pep Guardiola in 2008, whilst his form has seen him hold down a regular spot with Spain. However, the arrivals of Neymar and Luis Suarez in recent years at Camp Nou have seen the Tenerife born winger replaced and it was fully expected that he will be sold this summer. Pedro, whose current deal expires in 2016,…
http://gty.im/465237298 Wolfsburg head coach Dieter Hecking has insisted that Kevin De Bruyne will not be joining Manchester United in the summer. De Bruyne left Chelsea last year after failing to establish himself in the first team due to limited opportunities, but he has since made a name for himself at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, helping them to a current second place. His performances have warranted interest from a number of top European clubs and one of those is said to be Man United, who have given the assignment of watching the Belgian international on a weekly basis to a club scout. The German…
http://gty.im/465705626 Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has defended Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria after he was sent off in Monday night’s FA Cup clash with Arsenal. Argentine midfielder Di Maria was sent off for two quick bookings in the cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal, the second for pulling the shirt of referee Michael Oliver. When asked if the former Benfica player has the same temper in Spanish football during his time at Real Madrid, Calderon told BBC Sport: “No he wasn’t like that, I was really surprised to know what he did. “He was a really good player with…
http://gty.im/465511414 Arsenal will attempt a summer move for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic, according to ESPN. The 26-year-old centre-back has gained a rapid reputation in recent seasons, although he has played largely in the shadow of Mats Hummels. Subotic has one season left on his current deal at Signal Iduna Park and it is understood that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a summer move. The Frenchman is keen to replace Per Mertesacker this summer after his inconsistent form this season, whilst Brazilian Gabriel Paulista has struggled thus far to settle in North London. Subotic joined Dortmund from…