Madrid aim to put out Bayern fire

When Real Madrid visit the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night to face Champions League holders Bayern Munich, the Liga giants will be entering "hell" according to die Roten CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The former Bayern player and club chief says Munich will be on "fire" for the second leg of the two sides' semi-final, and it will be up to Madrid's horde of superstars to put out the flames.

Speaking at a post-match dinner after the first leg, Rummenigge said: "Bayern have a quality when playing at home that makes teams think they are in hell.

"This [a 1-0 defeat at the Bernabeu] is certainly not the ideal result. But don’t be sad. On Tuesday, we and 70,000 fans will stand behind you, and Munich will be on fire."

Tuesday, 29 April 2014 11:15

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Oops I did it again: Gerrard error hands Man City title advantage

Uh oh. It's happened again.

Steven Gerrard's costly error on Sunday gave Chelsea exactly the opportunity they needed to turn over Liverpool at Anfield and inadvertently hand Manchester City the advantage in the title race.

A typical Mourinho display full of dogged defending and underhand tactics frustrated the usually free-flowing attacking flair of Brendan Rodgers' side until Gerrard's slip allowed Demba Ba to roll the visitors in front.

Willian tapped home a second goal in the last minute to ensure this season's title race is far from done and dusted.

Monday, 28 April 2014 10:26

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Rodgers and Mourinho gear up for title clash

Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Sunday in what promises to be another dramatic day in the race for the Premier League title.

The Reds go into the game on top of the pile, five points clear of Jose Mourinho’s men with the Blues boss threatening to field a weakened team, with an eye on Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Victory for Liverpool will see them put one hand on the trophy, but manager Brendan Rodgers knows defeat will open up the title race once again.

Sunday, 27 April 2014 11:12

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Giggs embarks on managerial era at Manchester United

Ryan Giggs has been at Manchester United since the age of 13, has won hoards of trophies in his time at the club and now, at age 40, embarks on his managerial career at Old Trafford.

The Welshman took over from David Moyes, who was sacked on Tuesday, and is initiially in place on an interim basis for the club's final four matches of the season.

Saturday, April 26, 2014 12:56

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Klopp and his 1000 reasons to avoid Manchester United job

Jurgen Klopp has already denied interest in the vacant Manchester United managerial position and seems set on emphasizing it as much as humanly possible.

The Borussia Dortmund boss said on Thursday that "There are about 1000 reasons why I am super happy to work with this club," seemingly ending all hope of the Red Devils tempting one of Europe's most sought-after managers to Old Trafford.

Friday, April 25, 2014 12:42

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مقابلتي على موقع سكوبات

كان لي شرف ان اقبل مقابلة لطيفة مع موقع سكوبات عن طريق الزميل وليد خلف,تحدثت فيها عن اسباب اختياري للرسم الرياضي و عن أمور أخرى.

  عنوان المقابلة  هو : عمر المومني في حوار مع سكوبات: لم أهرب من السياسة و المواطن الأردني جبار.

من هنا رابط الحوار:

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Real Madrid have a snail of a time in the Bernabeu

Real Madrid triumphed 1-0 over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night after shutting up shop and keeping Pep Guardiola's boys away from Iker Casillas's goal.

The Bundesliga champions were criticised for their style of play, often for the lack of tempo and incision in their build-up and drew a blank on the night.

Though Real sacrificed possession, their counterattacking threat was evident and were unfortunate not to at least score a second through either Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria. The story though, was of a sluggish Bayern.

Thursday, 24 April 2014 12:30

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Mourinho parks his bus in Madrid

Jose Mourinho took his Chelsea side to Atletico Madrid for their Champions League semi-final first leg, with a starting line-up that can be best described as 'conservative'.

The Blues duly delivered a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon, in a game of few chances which saw even Chelsea-target Diego Costa fail to find the back of the net.

Wednesday, 23 April 2014 13:40

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Moyes shown the door as Giggs takes over Manchester United

Tuesday morning heralded a momentous changing of the guard at Old Trafford as David Moyes was sacked as Manchester United manager just 10 months into a six-year contract.

The Scot has paid the price for overseeing United's worst campaign in the Premier League era, with club legend Ryan Giggs tasked with guiding the club through the final four matches of the season.

Prior to the first leg of United's Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich, Giggs sidestepped questions from the media on whether he had designs on the manager's job at Old Trafford.

But with Moyes no longer 'The Chosen One', it seems the 40-year-old will get his chance to shine in the hotseat, even if only briefly.

Tuesday, 22 April 2014 12:49

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Klopp rejects Manchester United despite the insistence of the Glazers

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The famous Azerbaijani show "Doktor Ziya & Rustam Efserli"

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Grim Reaper visits Moyes on Everton return

David Moyes endured a miserable return to Goodison Park on Sunday as his Manchester United side were beaten 2-0 in a dismal display by the Red Devils.

Goals from Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas did the damage as Roberto Martinez's men cruised to a comfortable victory and handed Moyes an 11th Premier League defeat of the season.

The Scot was booed on his first return to Everton and also had to cope with a visit from the Grim Reaper with a supporter dressed as Death sitting right behind the away dugout.

Monday, 21 April 2014 11:53

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Mourinho stung as title turns to Rodgers

Jose Mourinho had quite the bee in his bonnet after his incredible record of unbeaten Premier League games at home as Chelsea manager came to an end on Saturday.

In a result that handed the advantage in the title race firmly to Liverpool, on-loan Reds forward Fabio Borini scored the decisive penalty as Sunderland beat the Blues 2-1 and the Portuguese sarcastically "congratulated" Mike Dean and his officiating team as well as Gus Poyet's side after the game.

While the Chelsea boss was stung by what he saw as an unfair defeat, it was all smiles for Brendan Rodgers, who has had no such bad luck and looks to have had the title dropped in his lap after Liverpool's 3-2 win over Norwich City on Sunday.

Sunday, 20 April 2014 14:57

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Moyes set for Everton return

David Moyes returns to Goodison Park for the first time on Sunday as Manchester United take on Everton.

The Red Devils go into the game nine points behind the Toffees and with Roberto Martinez calling for the home fans to produce a hostile atmosphere.

Moyes, meanwhile, says he deserves respect from the Everton fans after they booed him when the two sides met at Old Trafford in December.

Saturday, April 19, 2014 08:14

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Bayern Munich are only human

After being crowed German champions back in March and cruising into the Champions League semi-finals, Bayern Munich have surprisingly stuttered in recent weeks.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won just two of their last six games prompting Franck Ribery to confess the German giants have lost focus.

"Perhaps we were crowned champions too early in the season. It has affected our focus," Ribery told ARD. "We are not machines, we're all human beings. We get tired as well.

Friday, April 18, 2014 11:56

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Berlusconi handed community service

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has been handed a year’s community service, an Italian court has ruled.

The 77-year-old was convicted of tax fraud and given a four-year sentence, later reduced to one, due to a 2006 amnesty.

However, the former Italian prime minister is too old to go to prison and will now undertake community service in a home for the elderly instead.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014 12:02

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Brilliant Bale leaves Neymar & Messi in the shade

Gareth Bale claimed the headlines with a brilliant late winner as Real Madrid clinched the Copa del Rey after beating Barcelona 2-1.

The Welshman struck in the 85th minute, showing stunning pace to surge past Marc Bartra before poking past Pinto to seal a dramatic win.

There was more drama to come with Neymar passing up a chance to equalize, hitting the post moments later, on a night when the Welshman lefts his rivals in the shade.

Thursday, April 17, 2014 11:49

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Mertesacker the BFG spares Wenger's blushes

Arsenal were indebted to Per Mertesacker, affectionately known as 'BFG' by Gunners supporters, as the gargantuan German headed past Wigan keeper Scott Carson to wipe out the Latics' FA Cup semi-final lead and help them towards victory at Wembley.

Barely 20 minutes prior to levelling the scores, the former Werder Bremen centre-back has scythed down Callum McManaman inside the box to gift Wigan a penalty, but made amends with his back-post header deep into the second half.

Arsenal continued to lay siege to Wigan's goal in extra-time but, unable to find a breakthrough, booked their place in the final via a confident penalty shoot-out display – relieving the pressure on Arsene Wenger as his side bid to end their nine-year wait for silverware.

Sunday, 13 April 2014 09:48

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Arsenal protest at FA Cup final ticket allocation

Arsenal have expressed their frustration after being allocated just 25,000 tickets for the FA Cup final against Hull City in May.

The Gunners booked their place in the showpiece with victory over Wigan Athletic in the semi-final where they were handed 49,000 tickets.

However, the Football Association have confirmed both finalists will receive 25,000 tickets with 20,000 given to volunteers while 17,000 tickets will be handed to Club Wembley members.

Tuesday, 15 April 2014 12:24

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Rodgers' Liverpool juggernaut powers on

Liverpool's remarkable season chugs on - their first title win since 1990 is edging ever closer.

Manchester City threatened to derail Brendan Rodgers and his side after coming back from two goals behind at Anfield on Sunday.

But the Reds fired up the engines once again to rally back and find a winning goal, via Philippe Coutinho, to move seven points clear of third-placed City.

Just four games now stand in the way of the Anfield club as they strive to bring an end to 24 years without a top-flight title.

Can they do it? All the signs suggest they most certainly can...

Monday, 14 April 2014 11:00

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Guardiola prepares for Madrid return

During his time at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola had some enjoyable battles against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And the 43-year-old is now preparing for another test in the Spanish capital as Bayern Munich will meet Madrid in their Champions League semi-final tie.

Will Guardiola guide Bayern to the final in Lisbon?

Saturday, April 12, 2014 12:00

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Moyes the Champions League castaway

Manchester United have been cast into the wilderness following Wednesday night’s Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.

With David Moyes’ men seven points behind fourth spot in the Premier League, winning the Champions League this year was their only real hope of staying in the competition for another season.

And now it will be 18 months, at the very least, before United will be back facing the best Europe has to offer.

Thursday, April 10, 2014 12:00

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Valencia stage stunning Europa League revival

Valencia staged a remarkable comeback against Basel to set up a Europa League semi-final clash with Sevilla.

Juan Antonio Pizzi's men headed into the second leg after a 3-0 defeat in Switzerland last Thursday but despite a semi-final place looking well out of reach, the Spanish club managed to score three goals in 90 minutes before Paco Alcacer completed his hat-trick in extra time, while Juan Bernat rounded off the 5-0 win with a late effort.

Friday, April 11, 2014 12:00

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Can Moyes catch Guardiola?

Manchester United have kept themselves alive in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich - but can David Moyes' men stun Pep Guardiola's side at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening?

Wednesday, 9 April 2014 12:00

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Archie Andrews

I heard that they killed Archie Andrews. They are killing too much cartoon characters these days

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Magic Honda extends AC Milan's run

After a shaky start, Clarence Seedorf looks like he's getting AC Milan on the right track.

Monday night's 2-1 win over Genoa was the club's third straight victory in Serie A, while two of their January arrivals found the target.

Adel Taarabt's superb drive from 25 yards opened the scoring after 20 minutes, while Keisuke Honda netted his first goal for the club with a delicate chip over Mattia Perin.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 12:00

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Wenger surrenders as Arsenal are put to the sword

Sunday's encounter between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park was expected to be an evenly matched contest between two sides battling to claim Champions League football – instead it turned out to be a procession.

Arsene Wenger and his men were vanquished with relative ease, outmatched in almost every department and virtually unfurling the white flag before the referee had even called time on the first half.

Goals from Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku handed Everton a first-half advantage, before Mikel Arteta netted a killer own goal on the hour mark, as the Toffees' devastating attacking put Arsenal, and their meek resistance, to the sword.

Everton, now a point behind Arsenal but with a game in hand on the north Londoners, are firmly in the driving seat to clinch fourth place.

For Wenger, it might not be the only time he is forced to surrender to Martinez; the Frenchman is under increased pressure at the Emirates Stadium and there is a growing campaign – recently voiced by club legend Ian Wright – to see the Spaniard replace him.

Monday, April 7, 2014 09:00

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Hazard's wife hotfoots it to Paris

Eden Hazard's Chelsea is a subject for much debate after his revelations to Interieur Sport on Saturday.

The Belgian sensation, who had previously appeared to pour cold water on a move away from Stamford Bridge, insisted that it could be his wife that decides if he leaves for Paris Saint-Germain.

He said: "If my wife tells me to go to Paris then I'll have to take this into consideration. The Parc des Princes is a real stadium and a special place where I've known my first sensations as a player."

Sunday, 6 April 2014 10:45

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Sir Alex ready to teach Moyes a lesson

It's not gone quite to plan for the 'Chosen One' at Manchester United.

The Premier League champions have stuttered domestically during the 2013-14 campaign under Sir Alex Ferguson's personal recommendation, David Moyes, with United languishing down in seventh in the table.

But there may well be light at the end of the tunnel...

It was announced on Friday that Sir Alex will take up a "long-term teaching position" at the iconic Harvard University and Moyes could do worse than take a lesson from the managerial great.

Saturday, 5 April 2014 10:30

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Barcelona closed for business

The news that Barcelona had been hit with a transfer ban for the next two windows has shocked the football world and thrown the Catalan club's plans for next season into doubt.

Though the club are adamant they will contest the sanction, it could see deals for goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and midfielder Alen Halilovic fall through.

It would spell particularly bad news for Barca if they are unable to sign the German shot-stopper, with Victor Valdes ruled out of action for the next seven months and heading towards the end of his contract.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has called the ban an "injustice", but a leading sports lawyer exclusively told Goal they have no hope of escaping punishment.

So, for now, it looks like the only shopping sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta will be doing is window shopping, as Barcelona are closed for business.

Friday, 4 April 2014 11:13

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Lavezzi profits from Ibrahimovic distraction

All the talk in the build-up to Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain revolved around one man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Could the striker upset one-time mentor Jose Mourinho? Could the Blues find a way to stop the talismanic frontman? Would he ever play in England?

Such was the Stamford Bridge outfit's preoccupation with the Sweden international, they appeared to forget that there were 10 other players on the field at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.

It took just three minutes for Ezequiel Lavezzi, completely unmarked inside the penalty box, to unleash a ferocious shot that flew into the back of the net to remind Chelsea that PSG are far from the one-man team they had been mistaken for.

Ibrahimovic's night was cut short by a hamstring injury that will rule him out of the return leg, though Lavezzi's screamer, coupled with a late goal from Javier Pastore that added gloss to the victory, prove that les Parisiens will be no pushovers even in the Swede's absence.

Thursday, 3 April 2014 10:39

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Moyes & Rooney see off Manchester United plane protests

Manchester United’s clash with Aston Villa at Old Trafford threatened to be overshadowed by protests after fans chartered a plan carrying a ‘Moyes Out’ banner.

While the plane flew over Old Trafford just after kick-off, the focus quickly turned to the action with the Red Devils coming back from a goal down to secure a 4-1 win.

Wayne Rooney was the driving force behind the victory, scoring twice, as United picked up all three points and ended a frustrating week on a high.

Sunday, 30 March 2014 12:56

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No way Jose! Ibrahimovic rules out PL move

Chelsea travel to the French capital to face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, a match that sees Blues boss Jose Mourinho take on former charge Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though he appears unlikely to ever coach the enigmatic Swede again.

Despite the Portuguese's praise for Ibrahimovic and attempts to lure him to the Premier League, the PSG frontman has categorically ruled out a move to England.

"It's impossible to get me to England [now]," said the 32-year-old. "If you ask the people behind this [PSG] project I do not think they would let me go."

So however much Mourinho may like Ibrahimovic at Stamford Bridge, and however much of a "pity" it is if he doesn't move to the Premier League, the Sweden international looks dead set to shun a transfer to England and will remain the main man in Paris.

Wednesday, 2 April 2014 11:46

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Man Utd look to class of '99 for inspiration

Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich is being billed as one of the biggest mismatches in the competition's recent history; the Bavarians are on a 53-match unbeaten run domestically, while United have slumped to seventh under David Moyes.

But, despite the hosts' struggles, die Roten have no intention of taking their threat lightly. "This is a difficult duel!" said Arjen Robben on Monday. "We need to perform from the first minute and put in a top performance. You need to be careful or you can lose against United."

The Dutchman knows just how dangerous the Red Devils can be, with his late volley at Old Trafford just enough to secure an away goals win over United in the 2009-10 campaign, despite the home side bossing proceedings.

Further back still, United claimed Champions League glory in 1999 despite appearing dead and buried. Sir Alex Ferguson's side were a goal down for much of the match, until Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer flipped the final on its head in stoppage time. Moyes will be looking for similar inspiration on Tuesday night if his side are to upset the form book.

Tuesday, 1 April 2014 11:00

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