News - Archive

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has talked up Marseille's title chances ahead of the meeting between the sides on Sunday.

The capital club go into the clash five points clear of third-placed Marseille in Ligue 1, but their attacking talisman believes Elie Baup's side will pose a threat at Parc des Princes.

Speaking to PSGTV, Ibrahimovic said: "They are a good team. They are in the top three in the table, along with Lyon and us. They are one of our main competitors for the title. 

"They are a good team, they score a lot of goals, but they also mark a lot. This will be an exciting match."

Werder Bremen are looking to offer a new deal to midfield starlet Ozkan Yildirim.

The German youth international's current deal expires in the summer, and they are now looking to renew his contract.

"I know both parties have an interest in a deal. Ozkan (Yildirim) is able to see his future being bright at Werder Bremen," Werder executive Klaus Filbry confirmed to Kreiszeitung Syke.

"He knows the club always backed him during these months, this and last season when he was out injured."

Yildirim said: "At first I would like to focus on my performances. The rest is nothing I have had thoughts on.

"But, of course, I can imagine signing a new contract."

Barcelona's beleaguered stars are determined to bounce back after suffering a 2-0 defeat at AC Milan in Wednesday's Champions League clash.

It was an unusual spluttering display from the runaway leaders in La Liga, thanks to a disciplined and energetic showing from the Italians at the San Siro.

The Spanish newspaper Marca, based in Madrid, said the Spanish team had "played their worst game in five years" under the headline "this is not Barca", while even the Barcelona sports daily Sport claimed "worst Barca".

Schalke have launched a protest over the inclusion of Didier Drogba in Wednesday's Champions League clash against Galatsaray.

The German side were in impressive form in Turkey as they battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the last-16 European tie.

However, they raised concerns over the eligibility of the former Chelsea striker, who signed for Galatasaray at the end of January after ending his short stay with Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua amid claims he had not been paid his salary.

Shenhua countered that Drogba was in breach of his contract and it fell to FIFA to provisionally clear the way for the Ivorian to make his Galatasaray debut last week.

The Frenchman was present at a routine board meeting on Thursday and his future was not on the agenda.

It is understood that Wenger, who joined the club in 1996, will continue to have the long-term support of the board.

Arsenal announced a new £150m deal with Emirates airline in November last year which will bring in £30m a season from shirt and stadium sponsorship.

It's believed the Arsenal board are prepared to approve around £70m of spending on new signings in the summer transfer window, although an exact figure has not been discussed.

Three Tottenham supporters have been taken to hospital after a group of men attempted to smash their way into a pub in Lyon.

The pub in question, the Smoking Dog, is an English-style bar in Lyon's Old Town and was, according to reports, filled with around 140 fans of the north London club.

The attack, which occurred around 24 hours before Andre Villas-Boas' side meet the Ligue 1 outfit in the Europa League last 32, saw several windows broken by force and fans injured by the flying glass.

Theo Benneworth, who was in the Smoking Dog pub with a group of Spurs fans when the attacks happened, told Goal.com how the violence came in two separate waves.

Barcelona have confirmed Eric Abidal is available to play for the first team once again after completing his recovery from a liver transplant.

The defender has not made an appearance since February 26 last year in a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

He has been training with the squad since December after undergoing a specific training programme leading up the end of 2012.

After undergoing tests to check his liver is healthy in January, Abidal was given the all-clear and is likely to make his return in a Barca shirt in late February or March.

Abidal's return could help lift the doom and gloom following Barca's 2-0 defeat to AC Milan on Wednesday in the Champions League last 16 first leg.