UEFA Archives ⋆ Page 43 of 44 ⋆ LSU

Apr92018 by JBNo Comments

Fernandinho accuses Klopp of long ball tactics just like United

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has accused Liverpool of being a long-ball team ahead of their important tie with Klopp’s men on Tuesday. City find themselves 3-0 down after a defeat against Liverpool in the first-leg at Anfield, but Fernandinho believes that his side can turn the deficit around. ‘They are a team that like to play long balls,’ he said. ‘They try to keep the players around the middle. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‘There’s a feeling of sadness and disappointment because we played really well. But we must turn the page as soon as possible because we have another big challenge on Tuesday. ‘I could tell you many reasons why we didn’t win. At the end of the day, they scored three goals and we scored two, and that’s what counts. W...

Mar272018 by JBNo Comments

UEFA confirm Champions League and Europa League finalists can name 12 substitutes

Premier League, La Liga, UEFA

UEFA have confirmed that teams that make it to the final in the Champions League and Europa League can name 12 substitutes on the bench. The new rules which will take effect next season, also state that teams can make use of a fourth substitute in extra-time during the knockout phase. The governing body also announced that the current substitutes of 7 will be upgraded to 12 in the finals of the Champions League, Europa League and Super Cup. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Teams may also register three new eligible players without restrictions after group stages of the Champions League and Europa League group stages, which correlates with many domestic league legislatures. This means that you can play for one team in the group stages and then switch t...

Mar162018 by JBNo Comments

Marcos Alonso questions Chelsea transfer policy

Premier League, La Liga, UEFA

Marcos Alonso has questioned Chelsea’s lack of signings after their exit from the Champions League. The Blues were defeated 4-1 by Barcelona on aggregate with Lionel Messi scoring three goals all together on both legs. Speaking after the game, Alonso pointed out the club's lack of squad depth. It's a complaint that has been said several times by Antonio Conte throughout this campaign. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Alonso said: ‘It’s difficult as there are so many games this year and we have not got the deepest squad, maybe, and we have had new players this year. ‘We can only look forward and start fighting for fourth spot in the Champions League and try to win the FA Cup.’ Chelsea are currently fifth on the table and they look to qualify for Ch...

Mar142018 by JBNo Comments

Some United players were hiding, says Lukaku

Premier League, La Liga, UEFA

Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku has said some of his teammate "were hiding" after the Champions League second leg loss to Sevilla due to disappointment. "Something was wrong with some players, some players were hiding," Lukaku told BT Sport. "I think we started the game well, but then we let them get a bit of control in the game. We had a few half-chances but we didn't score. "Then they scored the first goal and from that moment on we tried to chase the game. Then they scored the second one which was a big blow. At the end we kept pushing, but it was not enough. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "We should have done much better today because with the quality that we have in the team, I think we should have gone through. But we didn't deserve it be...

Mar92018 by JBNo Comments

Barca confirm Iniesta might miss Chelsea clash

La Liga, Premier League, UEFA

Ernesto Valverde has suggested an hamstring injury could rule Andres Iniesta out of the second leg Champions League match with Chelsea. Iniesta had to be substituted in their 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the first half with a hamstring injury. The Barca captain is expected to be out of Barca's game against Malaga on Sunday and Valverde is unsure whether he will be available to face Chelsea in their last-16 tie. "He is training separately at the moment," Valverde said. "Obviously we do not want to rush things, it's too early to say if he will be available for next week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "We have similar players, although he is unique. We have similar profile players, Denis (Suarez) and (Philippe) Coutinho, Andre Gomes as well. "...

Mar82018 by JBNo Comments

Draxler blasts PSG coach Emery After Champions League exit

Ligue 1, La Liga, UEFA

Julian Draxler has admitted he is furious at Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery following their exit from the Champions League. The Ligue 1 leaders lost 2-1 in the second leg of their last-16 clash against Real Madrid, as goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro were enough to seal a 5-2 aggregate win for Real. The Germany international was set to be introduced earlier, but Edinson Cavani made it 1-1 on the night in the 71st minute. Draxler slammed his coach Emery for deciding not to bring him on at that stage but instead held back despite needing two more goals to equal the aggregate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "It was insensitive, " he said of Emery's decision. "I didn't know what was going on. I was surprised and angry. "The goal for 1-...

Mar82018 by JBNo Comments

Chiellini: It’s in Tottenham’s history to fail

UEFA, Premier League

Giorgio Chiellini believed history was on Juventus’ side against Tottenham, as they were able to come back to advance past Spurs in the last-16 of the Champions League after the 2-2 draw in the first-leg. Tottenham scored in the first half at Wembley Stadium through Heung-Min Son’s goal which gave them an advantage. Juventus, however, were able find the two goals they needed in the second half, with the Argentine duo of Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala finding the net. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spurs came close late to equalising through Harry Kane header, but the Bianconeri qualified on the night with 4-3 win on aggregate. "Tottenham have a lot of great players - Kane, (Christian) Erisken, (Dele)Alli - but we knew they always give up a lot o...

Feb272018 by JBNo Comments

UEFA confirm Premier League top four will qualify directly into Champions League from next season

Premier League, UEFA

UEFA has confirmed the top Premier League top four will automatically qualify for the Champions League group stages starting from next season. The changes also affects the top four sides in Spain, Italy and Germany with them also skipping the qualifying rounds. The fourth-placed teams in these leagues previously had to go through a two-legged qualifier to enter the group stages of the competition. Uefa officially announced the changes on Tuesday, along with the ones to the Europa League. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The new rule will now see 26 European teams qualify directly to the Champions League group stages compared to the 22 of the old format. As it currently stands, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham would qua...

Feb222018 by JBNo Comments

Ferdinand and Scholes slam weak Lukaku after Sevilla draw

UEFA, Premier League

Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes have criticised Romelu Lukaku after Manchester United's poor performance against Sevilla. Manchester United had David De Gea to thank after his important saves helped the club to a 0-0 draw with the Spanish side. United failed to create many clear-cut chances, with Lukaku volleying over an early chance before Marcus Rashford dragged an effort wide in the closing stages of the match. ‘Again, Lukaku has to be better,’ Paul Scholes told BT Sport. ‘When you play counter-attacking football, the ball has got to stick. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‘He was so weak. You’ve got to be strong, you’ve got to get hold of the ball. You’ve got to get your touch right and bring players in. Most of the time, he’s given the ball away...

Feb202018 by JBNo Comments

Conte admits Chelsea will suffer against Barcelona

UEFA, La Liga, Premier League

Antonio Conte admits his players are preparing to suffer against Barcelona and also described Lionel Messi as the world's best player. Chelsea host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Champions League match on Tuesday evening. Barcelona are among the favourites to win the competition with Conte saying his players must find a way to succeed without dominating the match. However, Messi has failed to score in eight games against Chelsea but Conte expects the Argentine to cause his side problems at the Bridge. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); When asked how Chelsea can stop Messi, Conte said: ‘This is a good question. we are talking about the best player in the world, Messi has the capacity to solve the situation, to create a chance wh...