Messi:Bayern even stronger than last year The Argentine is aware of the Bundesliga champion's strength and is relishing the prospect of a potential final against Real Madrid
Lionel Messi has stressed that Barcelona must be on top of its game against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final at Wembley.
The Argentine attacker feels Bayern has been in impressive form so far in the 2012-13 campaign and believes it is even better than last year, when it lost the final to Chelsea on penalties.
"Any opponent in these semifinals was going to be tough, but Bayern this year are very, very good. They have been playing at a very high level and scoring a lot of goals," Messi told The Times of India.
Category: News Views: 1251 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 14:30
Super Lig: Trabzonspor 1:0 Eskisehirspor Trabzonspor made it three wins in their past four Super Lig outings when they got past Eskisehirspor 1-0 on Monday.
A fifth-minute goal to Adrian Mierzejewski was all Tolunay Kafkas' men needed for maximum points at the Eskisehir Ataturk Stadyumu.
They climbed above their opponents on the table to eighth on 40 points, with Eskisehirspor one point shy in 10th.
Both are well clear of the relegation zone - with Istanbul BB the closest side in the danger area in 16th spot on 33 points.
Category: News Views: 968 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 14:28
Russian Premier League: Rostov 0:3 Terek Grozny Rostov's struggles in the Russian Premier League continued on Monday, as Terek Grozny claimed a 3-0 win over the relegation candidates.
Ailton Almeida scored in the 10th minute for the visitors to the Stadion Olimp 2, putting away the assist from Oleg Ivanov.
Their advantage was doubled just four minutes later in disastrous fashion for Rostov, as striker Jan Holenda got the final touch into his own net.
Four minutes after the half-time interval, Adilson made it three and Almeida got an assist to top off a horrible day for Rostov.
The losers remain within one point of the relegation playoff spots, while Terek Grozny are three points shy of the European playof
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Category: News Views: 923 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 14:27
Liga Sagres: Olhanense 1:2 Vitoria Guimaraes A brace from Algerian forward El Arbi Hillel Soudani has guided Vitoria Guimaraes to a 2-1 away win over Olhanense in Liga Sagres on Monday.
Soudani put the struggling hosts to the sword in the space of four minutes late in the first half, scoring in the 37th and 41st minutes to give Guimaraes a distinct advantage.
Olhansense's Brazilian substitute Djalmir gave them hope of salvaging something from the contest in the 63rd minute, as he scored just two minutes after being injected into the match for countryman Pepe.
But they couldn't find the all-important equaliser - leaving Olhanense in 14th spot, level on points with the relegation-placed Moreirense (15th) and just one above cellar-dwellers Beira Mar.
Category: News Views: 913 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 14:26
La Liga: Celta de Vigo 2:1 Real Zaragoza Celta de Vigo climbed off bottom spot in La Liga in dramatic fashion, winning an all drop-zone affair over Real Zaragoza 2-1 on Monday.
With all on the line for the two struggling sides, it was Mario Bermejo's 92nd-minute winner that decided the contest at the Estadio de Balaidos - ensuring Zaragoza ended the day in bottom spot on goal difference.
Celta de Vigo are now level with their opponents on 27 points, two points from 17th-placed Granada in a safe position.
Zaragoza would have been eyeing that safe position as early as the full-time whistle, though, when Cristian Sapunaru found the back of the net on 26 minutes - converting Apono's assist for the visitors.
Category: News Views: 1020 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 14:24
SPL: Hibernian 0:0 Aberdeen New Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes saw his side earn a point in his first SPL match in charge, holding Hibernian to a 0-0 draw at Easter Road.
In their relegation-group clash, Hibs had the better of the chances - but McInnes' men were able to earn a point - although neither are in danger of the drop.
Hibs' Scottish Cup hero Leigh Griffiths - who had fired his side into the Cup final over Falkirk last week - missed clear-cut opportunities to put away the visitors.
His fellow attacker, Irishman Eoin Doyle, also came close when he hit the woodwork early in the second half, but Aberdeen managed to keep their sheet clean.
Aberdeen stay one point above Hibernian - 42
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Category: News Views: 970 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 14:23
Fergie: Consistency was the key Manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes consistency was a key influence in Manchester United's 20th league title victory.
A first-half hat-trick from Robin van Persie secured a routine win on Monday night, their 27th victory in 34 games so far this term.
United dropped just seven points since the turn of the year, conceding only six goals in the process, and are on course to break Chelsea's record points haul of 95 - and Ferguson congratulated his squad on their imperious form.
"It's amazing, 13th championship in the Premier League. I think we deserved it. Our consistency has won us the league. Fantastic performance from our players tonight," he told Sky Sports.
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Category: News Views: 996 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 14:21
Rooney reveals inspiration behind title success Alex Ferguson's men clinched the 2012-13 Premier League title after coasting to a 3-0 success against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday.
It came less than a year after the club's rivals, Manchester City, scored two injury time goals on the final day of the season to defeat QPR 2-1 and claim a stunning title success.
That incredible triumph saw United miss out on the title on goal difference only, and Rooney believes that hurt provided the motivation to win the club's 20th English league championship.
Category: News Views: 731 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 14:20
Champions League: Bayern Munich Vs Barcelona - Betting Tip
Barcelona was knocked out from the domestic Cup, unlike Bayern which will play in the finals. During the Champions League this season Bayern was more convincing. So far these two teams met in this competition twice in 2009, and then was 1-1 in Munich, while at Nou Camp the host won with 4-0. Begins: 23.04.2013 – 20:45 CET
Category: Betting Tips Views: 2975 Added: BetterDate: 23.04.2013 - 02:01
Mancini laments goal-shy Manchester City City, who will see the championship go to rivals Manchester United if Alex Ferguson's men win at Aston Villa on Monday, scored 93 times last season but have managed just 59 so far this campaign.
Mancini boasts a forward line of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko and admitted that with such an array of talent his side should have scored more goals.
"If you want to win you need to score," he told the Manchester Evening News.
"We didn't score enough goals to win the title – a te
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Category: News Views: 820 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:41
Ramsey puts Arsenal resurgence down to defence Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has put his side's good run of form down to an improvement in defensive performances.
Arsene Wenger's side beat London neighbours Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage on Saturday to move into third place in the Premier League, with the Welshman saying the team are now defending more as a unit, helping them to pick up 16 points from the last 18.
Ramsey reserved special praise for centre-back duo Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, who scored Arsenal's decisive goal on Saturday.
He told the club's official website: "We're defending high up. Communication is good between the team and the two of them. Everyone is working for each other at the moment and I think everyone can see that.
Category: News Views: 802 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:40
Juventus hit with fine for racist chanting
The reigning champions recorded a 1-0 victory over their rivals thanks to an Arturo Vidal goal, but the chants - apparently aimed partly at Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng - from some sections of the home crowd soured the victory.
The Italian FA have now acted quickly to punish the Turin side, with a statement on their website confirming: "A fine of 30,000 euros is issued to Juventus because fans, in the 26th minute of the first half, directed expressions of racial discrimination towards an opposition player.
Category: News Views: 817 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:39
Comparing Ronaldo and Messi is unfair - Deco Former Barcelona midfielder Deco believes comparisons made between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not fair on either player.
The Clasico rivals are widely regarded as the two greatest players in the world, but the former Portugal international believes trying to choose between them is impossible.
Having played with both during his career, Deco believes they have very different characteristics that separate them from other players in the game.
"It is a privilege to have played with both of them," he told Perform.
"But I think it is unfair to compare as they have different styles, and are so good with their styles, that it would be unfair to judge who
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Category: News Views: 828 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:38
Moyes maintains Europa League ambition Everton boss David Moyes still believes his side can qualify for the UEFA Europa League despite the defeat at Sunderland.
Paolo Di Canio's revitalised charges ran out 1-0 winners at the Stadium of Light on Saturday but Moyes insists his players can bounce back.
"We are going to try and qualify for the Europa League," the 49-year-old told the Liverpool Echo.
"As soon as we lose a game then everyone is going to say, 'Everton can’t make the Champions League' and they are probably right but the points total we can still get could still get us there."
Everton are in sixth place, five points behind Tottenham and six points off a top-four spot - making UEFA Champio
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Category: News Views: 854 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:37
Billy Jones hails Premier League improvement with West Brom The former Crewe and Preston defender made his 40th appearance for the club against Newcastle this weekend and marked the occasion with a goal, securing a point for his side in the process.
Upon his move from the Championship to The Hawthorns, Jones said he felt confident initially but explained that a run in a strong West Brom team has also given him a good deal of self-belief.
He told The Birmingham Mail: "The important thing was to feel like a Premier League player – and I do feel more so now.
Category: News Views: 904 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:35
არსენალმა პერსის პატივი უნდა სცეს ლონდონის "არსენალის” ფრანგი მწვრთნელი, არსენ ვენგერი იმედოვნებს, რომ მისი გუნდის ფეხბურთელები და გულშემატკივრები გუნდის ყოფილ მოთამაშეს, რობინ ვან პერსის "მანჩესტერ იუნაიტედთან” მატჩში კარგად დახვდებიან.
"ჩვენ ყოველთვის პატივს ვცემთ გუნდის ყველა ყოფილ მოთამაშეს და გამონაკლისი არ არის, არც რობინ ვან პერსი”-განაცხადა ფრანგმა.
"რაც შეეხება მანჩესტერთან დუელს. ჩვენ გამოვალთ მოედანზე, რათა ავიღოთ სამი ქულა. არ აქვს მნიშვნელობა სჭირდებათ თუ არა მათ ეს მატჩი ჩემპიონობისთვის”.
ამ დროისთვის, "მანჩესტერ იუნაიტედი” ეთამაშება "ასტონ ვილას” და 3-0 ამარცხებს. გამარჯვების შემთხვევაში, ისინი დღეს ოფიციალურად გახდებიან პრემიერლიგის 2012/2013 წლის სეზონის ჩემპიონები.
Category: ახალი ამბები Views: 714 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:30
Arsenal appeal against Giroud dismissal The Frenchman was given his marching orders in the dying stages of the match after he caught the ankle of Fulham defender Stanislav Manolev when stretching for the ball.
Referee Andre Marriner had already sent off Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell earlier in the match, which was decided by Per Mertesacker's first-half goal.
The club's choice to appeal comes in contrast to comments made by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger after the match.
"It looked like it [a deserved red card]. I spoke with Giroud and he said he
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Category: News Views: 742 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:27
League Cup win has not hindered Swansea - Britton Swansea City's Leon Britton has denied suggestions that his team-mates are tired after their League Cup efforts this season.
The Swans won the competition in some style, convincingly disposing of Bradford City in the final, but are currently on a five-match winless run in the Premier League.
Their last victory came against Newcastle on March 2, the longest current run of any top-flight side without a win, but Britton does not think the cup run has damaged their season.
"I don't think it's a case of us not getting up for games and being mentally drained," he told BBC Sport.
"I just think we are going through a bit of a sticky patch where we're not
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Category: News Views: 717 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:26
Suarez charged by FA for Ivanovic bite Liverpool forward Luis Suarez has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic and now faces a lengthy ban.
The incident took place in the 66th minute of the Premier League clash on Sunday as both players challenged for the ball in the penalty area, but it was originally missed by referee Kevin Friend and his assistants.
A last-minute header from the Uruguay international sealed a 2-2 draw for Brendan Rodgers' side, who are now seventh in the Premier League.
However, the FA subsequently reviewed the incident and in a statement confirmed that the usual punishment for violent conduct of a three-match suspension is "insufficient" due to the extreme nature of the cas
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Category: News Views: 701 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:24
International Friendly Preview: Brazil - Chile Ronaldinho will have another chance to earn selection for the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup when Brazil host Chile in an international friendly.
The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year retained his place in a South American-based squad scheduled to play Chile on Wednesday.
Ronaldinho, 33, was overlooked for friendlies against Italy and Russia earlier in the year but was recalled for Brazil's match with Bolivia on April 6.
The Atletico Mineiro forward put in a man-of-the-match display, setting up three goals as Brazil ran out 4-0 winners.
Santos star Neymar, Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato and rumoured Tottenham Hostpur target Leandro Damiao of Inter
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Category: News Views: 732 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:22
Lucescubacking Bayern-Dortmund Champions League final Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu has tipped Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich to prevail over their respective Spanish counterparts to set up an all-German Champions League final.
In the first legs of the semifinals, Barcelona travels to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday before Jose Mourinho's side visit Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday in a repeat of their group stage encounter earlier this season. Lucescu, whose Shakhtar side was comfortably dispatched by Dortmund in the last 16, says Jurgen Klopp's men have the edge over Madrid due to their recent meetings with the Blancos.
Category: News Views: 666 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:15
Di Maria warns of Dortmund danger The Argentine winger believes the Spanish power will be once again subjected to an arduous 90 minutes in Germany in this week's Champions League semifinal first leg.
Angel di Maria has warned that Real Madrid will need to be at the top of its game to overcome Borussia Dortmund in Wednesday's Champions League clash.
Los Blancos travel to Signal Iduna Park this week as their quest for La Decima intensifies, but the Argentina winger has warned that Jurgen Klopp's side is likely to pose a significant threat - just as it did during the group stage.
"We have two very important matches against Borussia Dortmund and we know it will not be easy. We struggled against them in the group stage and I believe that it will be the same this t
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Category: News Views: 740 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:13
Roura hopeful over Messi fitness Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura is hopeful Lionel Messi will recover from a hamstring injury in time to face Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
The Argentine star picked up the problem during Barca's 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in their first-leg clash in the previous round and has featured just once since, when he came on to fire the Catalan club to victory in the return fixture.
And the Camp Nou coach is desperate to see Messi return for the game at the Allianz Arena, hailing his impact on the Liga leaders.
"There’s no doubt that a player of Leo’s quality has an effect on the way on the way you attack," Roura told a press conference.
"If, unfortunately, he can’t play we have won important games without him. But there is no doubt tha
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Category: News Views: 752 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:11
Manchester United wins 20th Premier League title Manchester United has won the Premier League title after securing a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday.
It is the club's 20th league crown, and Sir Alex Ferguson's 13th of his 27-year reign at the club. With 12 points in their final four games, United would pass Chelsea's Premier League record of 95 points for the season.
The Red Devils moved 16 points clear of Manchester City, who have five games le
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Category: News Views: 768 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:09
Manchester United 3-0 Aston Villa The Dutchman scored three inside 33 minutes to kick start the party atmosphere at Old Trafford, as the struggling visitors failed to contain Sir Alex Ferguson's rampant charges Robin van Persie scored a first-half hat trick as Manchester United won a record-breaking 20th league title in style with a commanding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday.
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Manchester United wins Premier League
The Dutchman slotted home from two yards inside two minutes before latching on to Wayne Rooney's 50-yard pass to score one of the goals of the season with a stunning volley from outside the area. The hat trick was completed after just 33 minutes with a neat finish from six yards after more fine work from Ryan Giggs.
Category: News Views: 679 Added: SkyDate: 23.04.2013 - 01:07
