When times are tough at the Santiago Bernabeu, and a comeback is needed, the spirit of Juanito is summoned.

For those who don’t know, Juanito was a former Real Madrid player who was adored at the club, noted for a real never-say-die attitude, and a true fighting spirit (in more ways than one).

Real Madrid lost the quarter-final first leg of the 1979-80 European Cup 2-0 to Celtic, but came back at home in the second leg, with Juanito scoring the third goal in a 3-0 triumph.

Comebacks like this became known as very much a Real Madrid thing, with Juanito starring in others, over Borussia Monchengladbach, Anderlecht and Inter Milan in the years that followed.

Madrid had gone down 2-0 to Inter at the San Siro and that’s when Juanito uttered the words that have lived on until this day.

Per Sid Lowe’s Fear and Loathing in La Liga book, Juanito said “in Italian that was half-invented, half-Spanish with an ‘Italian’ accent: ‘noventi minuti en el Bernabeu son molto longo‘.”

Or, in English: “90 minutes at the Bernabeu is a very long time.”

They certainly can be, and proved to be on this occasion for Inter, who lost 3-0.

Juanito was also a madman, a lunatic. He was banned for five years from European games for a brutal assault on Lothar Matthaus.

He sadly died in a car accident in April 1992, and Madrid fans have called upon the “spirit of Juanito” ever since.

The stats show that this is by and large, irrelevant, as Real Madrid have now failed to comeback from a first-leg deficit 15 times in a row in major cup competitions.

But, regardless, the spirit of Juanito prevails. Madrid-based daily AS’ correspondent (read: chief Real Madrid fan) Tomas Roncero, tried to summon it using an Ouija board earlier this season.

They had lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, so Roncero “made contact with Juanito” and said the former player told him that Madrid would mount a “remontada” or comeback, in the second leg, to win 3-0. They didn’t.

Jose Mourinho, while Real Madrid coach, wasn’t impressed with the whole carry-on, and refused to be in a video produced by the club after they lost 4-1 to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in 2013.

Real Madrid wanted to invoke the spirit of Juanito, of course, but Mourinho prefered to focus on the football instead. He said, per The Guardian:

I did not want to do the video because I think the best way to motivate the fans is with football. You motivate them by playing well, being serious. I know who Juanito is and I respect that. People work in other areas at the club and they think [a video] is good. I am a football coach, that is how I motivate them. They do videos, I do football. The best way to motivate the fans [would have been] to get a better result in Dortmund.

Mourinho being nonplussed, at best, angered, at worst, by the idea of the spirit of Juanito, is appropriate, because Saturday’s game against Valencia still harked back to the coach’s era at the club.

It was under the Portuguese that an element of Madrid’s fans fell out of love with goalkeeper Iker Casillas, a row that has rumbled on ever since.

Casillas was left fuming during the 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu when the fans behind his goal whistled him, after he should have done better with Paco Alcacer’s opener.

“That’s enough, for f—‘s sake,” he said, per Sport, to Madrid fans behind his goal.

Whether they like Casillas or not, they have to accept that when they take on Juventus on Wednesday night, he will be between the sticks.

When they take on Juventus, the Italian champions, boosted by the return of Paul Pogba, the presence of over 4,000 fans and a 2-1 lead from the home leg in Turin, they need to get behind the team.

The time for whistles and complaints is over. Put them on hold.

In the second half against Valencia, Real Madrid launched a comeback, earning a draw from two goals down. It was not enough, but the front pages of AS and Marca hailed the spirit the team showed.

That is the spirit they need against Juventus. The shouted support the fans offered Gareth Bale, when he was fighting off three Valencia players in the corner of the pitch, rather than the whistles he is usually served up.

That is the spirit they need. Not the spirit of Juanito.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1Ffkg8l
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Brazil legend Ronaldo believes that something is missing for the world game.

The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan star cited three players that he likes but wishes there were more at that level. 

He told Marca, as per Goal.com: “As Zinedine Zidane said, I think Messi is incredible, Ronaldo is amazing and Neymar is incredible but I think world football is missing some stars”

Ronaldo also said that he had no desire to follow his former Real team-mate Zidane into coaching. 

He is my friend and we talk a lot about football even today. Today he is a coach, but that’s one thing I don’t want in any way.

The pressure is the same, just not the one which you get on the pitch.

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or twice and has been three times named FIFA World Footballer of the Year during his celebrated career.

[Goal.com]

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1H9vpFg
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Argentina legend Diego Maradona believes Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are on the “same level” in terms of quality, but he says goalkeepers are more afraid of the Real Madrid man.

Both have hit extraordinary levels of consistency in recent times, with no player other than Portugal’s Ronaldo or Argentina’s Messi winning the coveted Ballon d’Or in the last seven years.

In terms of contributions to goals, the pair are unmatched across Europe this season, per Squawka:

Maradona believes Ronaldo’s ability in front of goal put him alongside Barcelona’s Messi at the top of the world game, per Guillem Balague of Sky Sports’ Revista de La Liga:

Cristiano is a predator in front of goal. You can’t let Cristiano shoot from anywhere in the opposition half. 

Goalkeepers are scared of him. You have to be honest, goalkeepers are scared of Cristiano. They are not so scared of Messi in those areas because he doesn’t have the same power as Cristiano. 

Cristiano is an incredible professional. I think at this present time he is right up there at Messi’s level. 

It’s not the case that Messi is better than Ronaldo or Ronaldo is better than Messi. I think they are at the same level.

In La Liga this season, Ronaldo has his nose in front in terms of goals scored, having netted 42 times compared to Messi’s 40, per WhoScored.com.

However, it looks likely that Messi’s Barca will take the title, as they sit four points ahead of second-placed Real with just two games remaining.

The world’s two best players could well be set to meet in this year’s Champions League final in Berlin, a showdown Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes the pair deserve:

Barca’s place in the final is effectively already sealed following their 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in their semi-final first leg.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid host Juventus in the second leg of their semi-final at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, and they will need to turn around a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.

Widely considered as one of the best players of all time, Maradona also waded into the argument surrounding the best managers currently working in football.

The 54-year-old believes that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is better than Bayern’s Pep Guardiola, per Balague:

For me, Mourinho is the greatest without a shadow of a doubt because he knows what you’re going to say before you say it. 

It’s extremely dangerous! That’s what makes him Mourinho. That’s what makes him the greatest. 

Pep or Mourinho? I say Mourinho. I think Pep needs a little more time, as Mourinho has had, to be Mourinho. 

Mourinho and Guardiola have already sealed their respective domestic titles this season. At 44 years old, Guardiola is eight years Mourinho’s junior and has five domestic titles and two Champions League wins as a manager.

The Portuguese Mourinho has won eight domestic titles—two with Porto, three with Chelsea, two with Inter Milan and one with Real—and also has two Champions League titles to his name.

Neither looks likely to add to his European trophy cabinet this season, Chelsea having been knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage and Bayern on the brink of going out to Barca.

However, they are both at the top of their games, and as Maradona notes, Mourinho has had more time in management, hence his better record.

There is little doubt that Messi, Ronaldo, Mourinho and Guardiola will go on to win many more titles and awards in their respective careers.

The comparison between the two pairs of greats is largely pointless, but for Maradona, Mourinho has the edge over Guardiola, while Messi and Ronaldo are inseparable.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1ItrHJv
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

An expensive summer awaits Manchester City, who are being linked with a £70 million raid for Paul Pogba, not to mention potential deals for Kevin De Bruyne and Roberto Firmino.

Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star suggests City owner Sheikh Mansour will offer a British-record transfer fee for Pogba, whose potential departure from Juventus is likely to be one of the stories of the summer. Cross believes a contract of £250,000 per week after tax will be sent the Frenchman’s way.

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail also reports this story but believes Pogba “will have the pick of Europe’s elite” if he opts to leave Turin. Pogba is an obvious choice to replace Yaya Toure, who continues to be linked with a move to Inter Milan or Paris Saint-Germain, reported by Sky Sports News (h/t Andy Hunter of the Guardian).

Pogba is built to shine in any of Europe’s top leagues. At just 22 years old, he’s already physically dominant and possesses the turn of pace needed to get away from opponents. He passes quickly and moves forward to support attacks without compromising his defensive duties. City’s recent success has been built around Toure’s powerful runs forward ending in vital goals, something Pogba would be more than capable of replicating.

After six weeks out with injury, he netted on his return to Juve’s first team on Saturday, per Squawka:

Pogba’s injury-hit season has yielded eight goals in 23 Serie A matches, reported by WhoScored.com. He’s maturing all the time, and it’s likely his next club will reap the benefits of his peak years, making his decision pivotal. There’s no doubt Pogba would be a statement signing for any elite side. City will face a difficult battle, however, but B/R UK’s Rob Pollard thinks his arrival makes sense:

De Bruyne, Firmino Double Deal for City?

De Bruyne and Firmino represent far easier targets to lure. Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star indicates the former would cost £35 million after his terrific season with Wolfsburg, while Firmino of Hoffenheim would be available for £18 million.

Squawka highlights why De Bruyne’s price tag has rocketed in recent months:

He is an endlessly creative player when working under the right conditions. De Bruyne needs runners moving forward ahead of his position in attacking midfield, as he loves to control the ball, look up and quickly swipe possession on. He almost stops while the game progresses around him before bursting into life with a game-changing pass.

The 23-year-old has a point to prove in the Premier League too after failing to make the grade at Chelsea.

Hetherington suggests City centre-back Vincent Kompany has recommended De Bruyne to the club after playing with him for Belgium. The developing youngster would fit in with City’s style of play and could thrive with the side, known for their sweeping moves through midfield, perhaps slotting in alongside David Silva behind Sergio Aguero.

Following his breakout season in 2013/14, Firmino has also produced some spectacular moments this term, highlighted below:

The Brazilian has nine goals and six assists in 32 matches and is also built of stronger stuff than many expect. His passing, dribbling and vision has helped Hoffenheim to an impressive ninth position this campaign, but he’s rapidly outgrowing the club. 

Firmino averages 2.7 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match, reported by WhoScored, and could work as an attack-minded central midfielder alongside a more defensive player. 

Talk of Pep Guardiola taking over City continues to run throughout the media, reported by Cross. If manager Manuel Pellegrini is to be replaced, it’s likely the new boss will want to shape the squad in his own image. Either way, City need to spend big to compete with Chelsea next season.

A failure to do so will provide Manchester United and Liverpool with an opportunity to close the gap on the Etihad Stadium club.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1KzOIIi
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Liverpool are reportedly looking to Lyon hotshot Alexandre Lacazette to solve their striker crisis, with a £20 million bid reportedly ready to launch—as Izzy Horsefield of the Daily Express writes.

The Reds have been haunted by the ghost of Luis Suarez this season, with the club’s misfiring strikers looking like costing them a place in next season’s Champions League.

However, manager Brendan Rodgers won’t want their return to this year’s European stage to be a fleeting fancy, and Lacazette may be the answer.

The French striker has scored 27 goals in just 31 league games this season—per WhoScored.com— with his pace, power and finishing ability causing nightmares for Ligue 1 defenders.

His style is similar to that of Barcelona’s Suarez, as he’s incredibly direct whenever he gets on the ball.

The best strikers in the world all have one thought in their mind when they’re out on the pitch: find a way to score.

Luckily for Lacazette, he finds a way more often than not.

Such dynamic ability in front of goal hasn’t gone unnoticed, either, and Liverpool will have to fight off competition from rivals Manchester United to secure the striker’s signature.

Plus, journalist John Smith believes that a £20 million bid won’t be enough to get the 23-year-old to Anfield, as Lyon are desperate to keep hold of their star man:

A big offer would be hard to turn down for the French club, though, and while other suitors may be in line for Lacazette, the Reds’ promise of regular first-team football will be a tempting lure.

His capture will once again give Rodgers a front two to strike fear into Premier League opposition, and Guillem Balague exclusively told Bleacher Report that’s exactly what he needs:

The Reds will undoubtedly be landing a striker or two in the upcoming transfer window, but it’s getting the right player in that’s of paramount importance.

Rickie Lambert wasn’t right, Mario Balotelli wasn’t right—is Lacazette the answer?

Mateo Kovacic

Inter Milan’s young sensation Mateo Kovacic has been at the heart of Liverpool’s transfer rumours of late, with a £7 million bid reportedly tabled by the Reds for his signature.

However, new developments have seen the Reds’ chances of landing the midfielder hit a wall, as Inter have demanded a much bigger fee for their star.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, via George Bellshaw of Metro, the Italian giants have told Liverpool to pay £16 million to secure the services of Kovacic.

However, it doesn’t look like the transfer is going to be as simple as that.

Earlier this year, Kovacic’s agent Nikky Vuksan dismissed all chances of his player leaving the San Siro—per Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express:

It is not going to happen. Mateo extended his contract with Inter in January. Could it be that clubs are negotiating? No, that is not possible without Mateo and me knowing about it. Also, I have a player at Liverpool, Dejan Lovren (so I would know about it). Both the English and Italian media speculate and find new clubs that want Kovacic every week. He’ll stay at Inter. Also, if there was something going on, believe me journalists would be the last to find out.

One journalist who does know a thing or two, however, is beIN Sports’ Tancredi Palmeri, who suggested that Liverpool would have to pay a lot more than £16 million to land the midfielder:

Seen as a replacement for Steven Gerrard in the heart of the side, Kovacic is enjoying an excellent season for Inter. However, at just 21 years of age, he still has a lot to learn.

Rodgers is undoubtedly a good manager to develop under, and if the Liverpool boss wants Kovacic, he should go all out to sign him.

A few talented players have slipped through the Reds’ fingers over the past few transfer windows, and if Rodgers doesn’t act fast and meet Inter’s demands, he can add Kovacic’s name to that list.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1ItV5ho
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Italian teams have fared well in the Europa League this season, with both Napoli and Fiorentina reaching the semi-finals of the competition. Now that winning the tournament offers a direct route through to the following season’s Champions League, it is seen as a potentially lucrative opportunity rather than a tiring chore.

With four fixtures remaining, the top four in Serie A appears settled. Juventus have been crowned champions, while Roma, Lazio and Napoli are set to battle it out for the two Champions League berths beneath the Bianconeri. One of those three will miss out and thus end up in one of the three Europa League berths.

The other two Europa League spots are up for grabs, however. Just four points separate Fiorentina in fifth from Torino in ninth, with Sampdoria, Genoa and Inter Milan squeezed between them. It makes for a fascinating end to the season.

Here I will analyse all five teams’ chances of earning a place in next season’s Europa League. The assessment will be based on four areas:

Coach: quality of their coach and performance of their coach thus far this season.

Players: quality of their players, including potential match-winners.

Form: How have they been performing of late?

Fixtures: What games do they have left to play?

Begin Slideshow

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1H6XKPk
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Serie A giants Inter Milan and AS Roma, as well as Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco, are among 10 clubs who reached a settlement agreement with UEFA regarding Financial Fair Play violations on Friday.  

The Guardian‘s Owen Gibson announced the news:

UEFA later confirmed the news by releasing a statement on its official website:

The Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) Investigatory Chamber today announced that ten clubs, for which investigations were opened following non-compliance with Financial Fair Play (FFP) break-even regulations, have individually agreed to settlement agreements.

The clubs are AS Monaco FC, AS Roma, Besiktas JK, FC Internazionale Milano, FC Krasnodar, FC Lokomotiv Moskva and Sporting Clube de Portugal and, for minor breaches, FC Rostov, Kardemir Karabukspor and PFC CSKA Sofia.

The CFCB Investigatory Chamber also announced that VfL Wolsburg have been found (following the submission of additional financial information) to have satisfied the break-even requirement and are no longer under investigation.

Specifically, UEFA’s sanctions aim to ensure each club on the list manages to break even as quickly as possible, while each club will also have to deal with both financial and sportive punishment.

Roma, Inter and Monaco have all agreed to limit the amount of players they’re allowed to place on the “A” list for participation, per UEFA’s official website, while each club will also be limited in the amount of new players they’re allowed to sign for the foreseeable future.

Rome were also given a fine of up to €6 million, while Monaco will pay up to €13 million, and Inter could pay as much as €20 million.

Those fines will not impact the club’s books, and they won’t count against their goal of breaking even in the foreseeable future.

For all clubs involved, the 2018-19 season is targeted as the date by which breaking even has to be accomplished.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1zKqt9R
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J