Zanetti calls time on career

Javier Zanetti has confirmed he will call time on his 22-year career at the end of the season.

The 40-year-old will bow out at Inter having won Serie A five times, the Coppa Italia on four occasions, and the Champions League once.

"I feel that now is the right time to do it," he told La Nacion.

"Football has given me so much, and I have enjoyed every moment. Because after the achilles injury last April, I wanted to demonstrate that I could return and be competitive, but I could not.

"I feel complete and have realized that to retire at 40 is a priceless feeling. For me it is something that has immense value and now is the right time. Do I fear life after this? No, there is no fear."

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Liga leaders slip up in title race

La Liga fans must be wondering if anyone wants to win the title this season as all three sides fighting at the top of the table slipped up in an astonishing weekend of Spanish football.

Barcelona were the first side to drop points, drawing 2-2 at home to Getafe on Saturday, before Atletico Madrid appeared to relinquish their grip on top spot with a 2-0 defeat away to Levante.

Then, on Sunday night, Real Madrid failed to take advantage of their rivals' failings as they twice fell behind to Valencia, with a magical back-heel volley from Cristaino Ronaldo needed to salvage their title hopes in stoppage time.

The title is still in Ateltico's hands, but Barcelona and Madrid will be ready to pounce if Diego Simeone's men slip up on any more banana skins.

Monday, May 5, 2014 09:30

Tweet Follow @omomani

Man City move ahead in title race

Manchester City moved into pole position in the title race after beating Everton 3-2 at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men were forced to come from behind to secure the win but did enough to claim all three points that takes them top of the table on goal difference.

Chelsea’s title hopes faded into the distance on Sunday, however, after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Norwich, while Liverpool will hope to keep pace as they face Crystal Palace on Monday.

Sunday, May 4, 2014 20:51

Tweet Follow @omomani

Chelsea's season threatens to go down the toilet

Having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions and eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid, Chelsea's only hope for silverware this season is to win the Premier League.

The Blues, though, are third favourites for the title behind Liverpool and Manchester City, and Jose Mourinho has dismissed his side's chances of overcoming the odds to win the league.

Chelsea's woes were summed up by David Luiz, who said a trophyless campaign for the west Londoners would be considered "a s*** season", and even victory in all their remaining games may not be enough to save their aspirations from going down the toilet.

Saturday, May 3, 2014 11:30

Tweet Follow @omomani

Eusebio & Coluna salutes Benfica heroes

Benfica qualified to the Europa League final after surpassing Juventus.

Tweet Follow @omomani

Super Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on the trophy holder Bayern Munich and help his team to qualify to the Champions League final after they thrashed the German giants 4-0.

Tweet Follow @omomani

Tears for Suarez as Liverpool's title hopes fade

After watching his side squander a comfortable 3-0 lead, Luis Suarez could not contain his emotions at the final whistle as Crystal Palace dashed Liverpool's hope of securing the Premier League title on Monday evening.

The Uruguayan was consoled by both Kolo Toure and Steven Gerrard as he left the pitch, while Manchester City look to hammer home their title advantage by beating Aston Villa at home on Wednesday.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Mourinho's bus runs out of gas

Jose Mourinho suffered his fourth successive Champions League semi-final defeat as Atletico Madrid triumphed 3-1 over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

The Portuguese had lauded his side's efforts in the first leg, where they claimed a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon, but the lack of an away goal would prove costly as the Blues were forced to chase the game following Adrian's equalizer.

At 1-1, and in need of a goal, Mourinho threw on Samuel Eto'o in place of Ashley Cole, though the Cameroonian's first - and only - involvement of note was to gift Atleti a penalty.

After back-to-back clean-sheets at Liverpool and Madrid, Mourinho's 'parked bus' tactics finally came unstuck, with Diego Costa netting from the spot before Arda Turan wrapped up the win.

Unable to get out of first gear and find a response, Chelsea's bus well and truly ran out of gas as the Blues limped out of the Champions League.

Thursday, May 1, 2014 11:30

Tweet Follow @omomani

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

Tweet Follow @omomani

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

Tweet Follow @omomani