Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Juventus can end Real Madrid's Champions League reign - Lirola

The Spanish full-back, who is currently on loan at Sassuolo, believes that the Bianconeri are a more balanced side than los Blancos
Pol Lirola would be forgiven for having mixed emotions about Juventus being in the semi-finals of the Champions League. After all, the teenage full-back could have been involved in a potentially history-making season had he not been sent out on loan to Sassuolo last summer.
However, Lirola is not only hoping that Juve go all the way, he believes that they will, claiming that the Serie A league leaders are the best team left in the Champions League.
Indeed, after watching the Old Lady eliminate Barcelona in the last eight, the Catalan feels that Juve will prove far too balanced a side for both Monaco, whom Massimiliano Allegri's men face on Wednesday, and defending champions Real Madrid.
"Honestly, I said before the first game against Barcelona that Juventus would go through," Lirola explains in an exclusive interview with Goal.
Juventus BBC Barcelona
"Then, after the performance in Turin, I was sure that they would go through because you do not score three goals against this Juve. They're too strong at the back.
"The thing that impressed me most, however, was how the team attacked Barcelona right from the start of the game in Turin. They were devastating going forward.
"In my opinion, they can now get past Monaco and reach the final, where they will face Real Madrid, who will beat Atletico [after triumphing 3-0 in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday].
"This Juve side has everything in place to win the Champions League.
"If you want to win or even draw against a team like this, you have to play the game of your life and hope that they are not on their game.
"They really should end up playing Real in the final because in attack they are frightening. I think [Paulo] Dybala, [Gonzalo] Higuain, [Mario] Mandzukic and [Juan] Cuadrado can really hurt Real.
"Indeed, whereas the Bianconeri defense is phenomenal, the same cannot be said of Real Madrid, who concede a lot of goals."
Lirola believes that the strength of Juve's attacking arsenal is often overlooked because of the preoccupation with their evergreen backline.

However, the 19-year-old is delighted that the footballing world is now fully aware of the brilliance of Dybala, after the Argentine's decisive double against Barca.
Lirola was struck by the striker's sensational skills during his very first training session with Juve's first team, following his permanent transfer to Turin two summers ago.
"Dybala is an absolute phenomenon," he enthuses. "Buffon is absolutely right: Dybala is among the top five players in the world. Technically, he's exceptional.
"Obviously, though, for their position on the pitch, I pay greater attention to Stephan Lichtsteiner and Dani Alves.
"They interpret the full-back role very differently but they are two champions.
"I watch all of Juve's games and I try to study their movements to understand their secrets!"
Despite an ill-timed injury in January, Lirola has enjoyed an encouraging campaign at Sassuolo, even scoring the club's first ever goal in continental competition, against Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League.
Pol Lirola Sassuolo
However, he freely admits that his goal is to return to Turin and try to force his way into the first team, which, as he himself admits, will be easier said than done.
"I was out for about a month and a half and lost a little rhythm but now I want to finish the season as best I can, looking to play as much as possible and pick up more experience, which will be useful in terms of helping me start next year well," he explains.
"I'm here on a two-year loan and I'm happy. It's the ideal environment for a young player that wants to develop and grow.
"However, my dream is to go back to Juve one day and play, even if I know that I will have to work hard to manage that, because Juve really do have an incredible squad."
One that Lirola imagines will be full of European Champions when he does eventually return to Turin.

Man Utd defender Luke Shaw to miss rest of season

Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho has announced that the defender will play no further part in their run in due to a foot injuryJose Mourinho Luke Shaw Manchester United Sunderland 09042017
Luke Shaw is to miss the rest of the season with the foot injury sustained in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Swansea City, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed.
The England defender hobbled off after just nine minutes of the contest at Old Trafford, with Mourinho stating after the match that he expected Shaw to have a "big injury".
Shaw is now set for further assessment on his injury and will play no part in United's run-in as they attempt to secure a place in the top four of the Premier League and win the Europa League.
It marks further frustration for the 21-year-old, who has been in and out of the first team this season. 
Arriving from Southampton in the summer of 2014, Shaw sustained a horrific leg break in a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven during the 2015-16 season which sidelined him for a nearly a year. Since returning, he has struggled to recapture his pre-injury form, with Mourinho openly criticising his performances and desire to fight for the cause with his persistent injury struggles.
While Shaw is unavailable, United confirmed that Paul Pogba, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly – who was also injured versus Swansea – all trained on Wednesday.
"Bailly is ready to play. He is the kind of personality that fights against every problem unless it's impossible he is ready to play," added Mourinho.
"Smalling and Jones are back and Pogba. It's very important in relation to the Europa League, they are on time. We have two matches in one week against Celta, it's important to have everybody back."
Juan Mata was unexpectedly named among the substitutes against Swansea after it was originally thought he could miss the rest of the campaign with a groin injury.
And Mourinho says the Spain playmaker is ready to feature against Celta.
"Mata was injured for a while, but he is ready to play. He is experienced. He is one of the few players that played European semi-finals and finals so it's nothing new to him," said the Portuguese. 
"The only risk is that probably he cannot play 90 minutes. That's the risk, if he starts he doesn't finish the game.
"If he comes from the bench it is no problem for him, so he's selected and he can perfectly play."

Monaco 0 Juventus 2: Higuain answers critics to put Allegri's men in control

Juventus took a huge step towards the Champions League final by earning a two-goal win over Monaco, courtesy of Gonzalo Higuain.
Gonzalo Higuain, Juventus
Gonzalo Higuain ended his woe in the Champions League knockout stages with a crucial double as Juventus recorded a 2-0 away win over Monaco to take full control of their semi-final tie.

Juve striker Higuain came into the match having only netted twice in his last 24 knockout games in the competition, but banished his reputation as a player who does not shine in big games by scoring the same amount in a single match at Stade Louis II.
The Argentina international scored with a first-time finish in both halves, the impressive Dani Alves creating both goals to take the sting out of Monaco, who had started strongly.
After keeping out a Monaco side who had scored 12 goals in the knockout stages this season, Juve's rock-solid defence have now conceded just twice in 11 Champions League games this season.
And Massimiliano Allegri's men are now strong favourites to reach what would be their second final in three years when the two teams meet for the second leg in Turin next Tuesday.
Real Madrid are the likely opponents for the winners of this tie in Cardiff after defeating Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their semi-final
Juve had more of the early possession but it was Monaco, led by star man Kylian Mbappe, who threatened first with two good opportunities.
First, Mbappe could only send a free header straight at Gianluigi Buffon, before the Italy goalkeeper – making his 100th Champions League appearance for Juve – had to beat away a close-range volley from the teenager, both chances created by Nabil Dirar.
Radamel Falcao and Kamil Glik went close with headed efforts for the hosts, but it was Juve who took the lead with a wonderful team goal after 29 minutes.
The move started all the way back with Buffon and picked up in pace when an impressive flick from Paulo Dybala allowed Alves to find Higuain, who charged towards goal before playing it back to the former Barcelona defender down the right.
Alves then sent a lovely return backheel into Higuain's path, which the Argentina international took in his stride, firing a low finish into the far corner from 15 yards.
The goal slowed Monaco's momentum and Juve's Dybala had a free-kick saved by Danijel Subasic prior to the interval.
But Monaco should have equalised early in the second half, Falcao failing to beat Buffon with an effort lacking power after Bernardo Silva had impressively set him up.
Juve then wasted an excellent chance of their own, Claudio Marchisio – starting in place of the suspended Sami Khedira – capitalising on a loose pass and racing in on goal only to be denied by Subasic's legs.
But the visitors did double their lead just before the hour mark, with Higuain striking again.
Alves was once more the creator, exchanging passes with Dybala before sending in a cross from the right, Higuain sliding in at the back post to convert left-footed from six yards.
Leonardo Jardim brought on Joao Moutinho, Valere Germain and Almamy Toure as he looked for a way back into the tie.
But Juve, who themselves withdrew Higuain, prevented Monaco from creating any chances of note until Buffon had to make a crucial save as the match entered stoppage time.
Germain latched on to Moutinho's free-kick and powered a header at goal, but the veteran goalkeeper tipped it over as the visitors kept yet another clean sheet and took a huge step towards the final.

Buffon reaches Champions League century with Juventus

Paolo Maldini made all of his 106 appearances with AC Milan, founding an elite club that the veteran goalkeeper joined on Wednesday
Gianluigi Buffon marked his 100th Champions League game in Juventus colours on Wednesday as the goalkeeper led his side into action against Monaco. 
The 39-year-old joined the Old Lady back in 2001, and has lifted the Serie A title seven times while finishing runner-up in the Champions League on two occasions. 
Buffon reaches Champions League century with Juventus
And he has now reached a century of appearance in the European competition, a feat attained by just one other Italian for the same club. Only Paolo Maldini has played 100 Champions League matches for one side, during his incredible career at AC Milan. 

The legendary left-back made a total of 106 appearances for the Rossoneri in the competition, a tally that will surely be surpassed by his former Italy team-mate.
Buffon and Juventus can still mark a treble in 2016-17, as they remain competitive in three competitions. 
Massimiliano Allegri's men could be crowned Serie A champions for the sixth consecutive campaign at the weekend, while they are also in the final of the Coppa Italia. 
Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, lie in wait in the Champions League showpiece should they overcome Monaco in the semi-final.

Mourinho: Europa League takes priority over Premier League

Deeming the continental competition key, the Red Devils boss could field a weakened side against the Gunners despite the race for the top four
Jose Mourinho has no problem with resting players against Arsenal at the weekend if it will help Manchester United reach the Europa League final.
United take on Celta Vigo in the first leg of their final-four clash at Balaidos on Thursday and then face a trip to Emirates Stadium on Sunday for a match that could have huge ramifications in the race to qualify for the Champions League via the domestic route.
Mourinho's side sit fifth in the Premier League, one point behind local rivals Manchester City and five clear of Arsenal in sixth, though the Gunners have a game in hand.
But the Portuguese insists winning the Europa League is United's priority, with the competition arguably offering a more realistic route to a return to European football's top table.
Marcus Rashford Jose Mourinho Manchester United Swansea

"I know that it's the only competition that Manchester United as a club never won and it'd be great to close the circle and say we are a club that won every single competition in the football world," said Mourinho.
"Thinking about us as a team I think it would be a good achievement with as many problems as we've had and would allow us to be back to the Champions League next season.
"The Europa League becomes for us now more important and of course it depends on the result, the way we analyse the situation tomorrow [Thursday] after the match, but if we have to rest players next weekend, we are going to do that.
"If we play the final, the players who play it would not be selected for the Sunday before the final."
Celta have lost all three of their LaLiga matches since confirming their place in the semi-finals with a 4-3 aggregate wih over Genk, but Mourinho remains wary given the way Eduardo Berizzo has rotated his side mid-table in that time.
"That Celta managed to be in the semi-finals, it says everything," he said.
"Because of their situation in LaLiga, a comfortable situation, they manage to think just about the Europa League, to rest players, to be in the maximum of their condition so [it will be] a difficult match for us.
"They are here to win, they've played three league games with their second team. I think it's very clear they have come to win."

VAN DIJK IN, ZOUMA OUT AT CHELSEA

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma will be loaned out next season to make room for Virgil van Dijk, the Telegraph reports.
Virgil van Dijk, Southampton
The article also claims that Andreas Christensen is part of the Blues' defensive plans next term and will not be used as a makeweight in any potential deal for the Southampton stopper. Zouma, however, will be allowed to leave temporarily to ensure plenty of first-team football following an injury-hit 2016-17 season.

CITY TO PAY £50m FOR COMAN

Manchester City are still very much interested in signing Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich, the Times reports.
Kingsley Coman
The France winger's move to Bavaria was made permanent last week, but City believe they can still capitalise on Carlo Ancelotti's apparent indifference to the youngster with a £50 million bid.