Новости за 21.05.2018

At Christmas in 2001, Fernando Torres was asked to do a photoshoot in Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, two of the busiest squares in Madrid. He was 17 and had played for Atletico Madrid’s first team for about six months, which he felt was enough to merit the kind of fame that gets you surrounded by people in public.“Are you mad?” Torres asked when the press officer explained the request.“It’ll be fine,” came the reply. “No one knows who you are.”The press officer was right. Torres went to the popular squares... Читать дальше...

Radja Nainggolan has been left out of Belgium's 28-man provisional squad for the World Cup, head coach Roberto Martinez has confirmed. The Roma midfielder is the most high-profile omission from Martinez's initial group, which will be reduced to a final 23 after the friendly match against Portugal on June 2. Nainggolan has had a difficult relationship with Martinez but was restored to the national team set-up for the friendly match with Saudi Arabia in March. However, the 30-year-old reportedly... Читать дальше...

Andres Iniesta was pictured sitting alone on the Camp Nou pitch after playing his final match for Barcelona on Sunday. The powerful images showed the 34-year-old bidding his own personal farewell to the famous stadium after 22 years at the club. Iniesta played 81 minutes of the 1-0 LaLiga win over Real Sociedad before being substituted to tumultuous applause from the crowd. He later gave an emotional speech to fans and team-mates, which he finished by paying tribute to Barca, Catalonia and Fuentealbilla, his home town. Читать дальше...

If a year is a long time in politics, it’s an eternity in football. Little over 12 months ago, almost any Juventus supporter would have arguedthat Alex Sandro was the best left-back in the world. While fans of any club will constantly champion their own players ahead of any other, Sandro's continually excellent form meant that this was much more than mere bias.Like his compatriot Marcelo, the Bianconeri star had played with consistency and ferocity, displaying all of the attributes needed to excel in that role. Читать дальше...

The 34-year-old, who came through the ranks at Barcelona and made his debut in 2002, announced earlier in the season that he wouldbe leaving the La Liga champions after winning 19 major titles in 16 years.He left the pitchto a standing ovationin the 81st minute of Barça's 1-0 win overReal Sociedad, which was the last game of the 2017/18 La Liga campaign. Iniesta was applauded off the pitch by everyone inside the stadium (like, obviously), and was visibly emotional afterwards.Once Barcelona had been... Читать дальше...

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says Jurgen Klopp's team could change their lives by winning the Champions League final. The Reds take on holders Real Madrid in Kiev on Saturday in a bid to be crowned champions of Europe for the sixth time. Gerrard inspired Liverpool to their dramatic triumph over AC Milan in 2004-05, the last time they won the trophy, while he also tasted defeat to the same opponents in the final of 2006-07. The ex-England international thinks winning the competition... Читать дальше...

No two finalists have ever met with more European Cup or Champions League titles between them. The collective weight of history will tip the scales at 17 on Saturday in Kiev. Real Madrid with 12, Liverpool with five. But deeds past rarely seem to rest heavily on shoulders decked out in famous white or red; they simply propel the current incumbents forward towards glory. Sometimes all it needs is a mention of a place or a name for fans of all generations to swap fervent stories of nights experienced on location or from afar... Читать дальше...

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has warned there must be an overhaul of the playing squad if they are to improve drastically next season. Conte's future remains in doubt despite the Blues having beaten Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup final, courtesy of an Eden Hazard penalty. It has been suggested throughout the season the Italian's relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy has soured since their Premier League title win last term, thanks largely to disagreements over transfer strategy. United... Читать дальше...

Liverpool great Craig Johnston said Jurgen Klopp's Reds cannot afford to lose goalscoring sensation Mohamed Salah amid links to Real Madrid. Salah has enjoyed a breathtaking maiden campaign, the former Roma forward endearing himself to the Anfield faithful with 44 goals in all competitions this season. The Egyptian star scored a record 32 Premier League goals to scoop the Golden Boot, while he also claimed the PFA Players' Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season. Читать дальше...

Lionel Messi praised Antoine Griezmann as "one of the best" amid reports linking the Atletico Madrid forward with Barcelona. Griezmann is widely linked with a switch to the LaLiga champions in the close-season after another prolific campaign for Atletico. Messi talked up the France international as one of the world's best and he would seemingly be happy to have the 27-year-old at Camp Nou. "It's obvious that I like him. He's one of the best right now," the Argentina star told RAC1. "I don't know if there's anything with him or not... Читать дальше...

France defender Benjamin Mendy sees no reason why his nation cannot win the World Cup in Russia. Didier Deschamps' men will be among the favourites for the showpiece event, where they will face Australia, Peru and Denmark in Group C. Mendy believes in his team's chances of success as they bid for a second World Cup crown and first since 1998. "The goal is victory. The French team must win this cup," the Manchester City defender told Canal +. "With the team we have, there is no reason not to go... Читать дальше...

New York Red Bulls continued their fine form with a 3-1 win at 10-man Eastern Conference leaders Atlanta United, while Houston Dynamo came from behind to beat Chicago Fire in MLS. Bradley Wright-Phillips scored twice in the second half as the in-form Red Bulls rallied past Atlanta for their fourth consecutive win on Sunday. Atlanta hit the front in the 26th minute via Ezequiel Barco and the hosts thought they made it 2-0 five minutes later thanks to Josef Martinez. However, Martinez's goal was... Читать дальше...

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insisted the Premier League champions would only sign players that could improve their "high-quality squad" in the off-season. City spent more than £200million ahead of the 2017-18 season and Pep Guardiola's men delivered in the Premier League, winning the title with a record-breaking campaign. But the big-spending outfit are unlikely to repeat that this close-season, with Al Mubarak suggesting there would be more caution about their spending. "In terms of improving the squad... Читать дальше...

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic believes the Red Devils need to sign some more experienced players so they can challenge for Premier League and Champions League silverware. United's season ended with a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley, having finished second and 19 points adrift of record-breaking champions Manchester City in the Premier League. Jose Mourinho's men were also shocked by Sevilla in the Champions League last 16 despite another lavish campaign of spending... Читать дальше...

AC Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli claimed Marouane Fellaini will not re-sign with Manchester United as he talked up a move for the soon-to-be free agent. Fellaini's contract at Old Trafford expires in June, though United manager Jose Mourinho has remained confident that the Belgium international will remain in Manchester. However, the 30-year-old could be set for Italy after Mirabelli hinted at a transfer as he praised the towering midfielder. "Fellaini could be an important player... Читать дальше...

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone defended Antoine Griezmann after the star forward was whistled by fans on Sunday. Griezmann, linked with a move to LaLiga champions Barcelona, was whistled by supporters during Atletico's 2-2 draw against Eibar at the Wanda Metropolitano. But Simeone insisted the France international – who came on in the second half – had strong support at Atletico, saying it was only a minimal part of the crowd targeting him. "They whistled 50 or 40 out of 60,000. The support for him was enormous," he said. Читать дальше...

Jesse Lingard has described losing in the FA Cup final as the worst feeling he has experienced in football. Lingard was the match-winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace in the 2016 final, which proved Louis van Gaal's last match in charge. But Saturday's showpiece saw Chelsea come out on top thanks to a first-half Eden Hazard penalty, leaving United without silverware this season. Lingard's focus will now turn to the World Cup as he goes on England duty, but the midfielder... Читать дальше...

Gary Cahill has called for a resolution on Antonio Conte's future amid continued speculation the Italian could leave Chelsea. Conte finished his second season in charge of the Blues with a 1-0 FA Cup final win over Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday. But Conte was forced to answer yet more questions about his future in the wake of the victory, hinting he has been offered other jobs but remains committed to Chelsea. Captain Cahill accepts the rumours have had an unsettling impact on Chelsea... Читать дальше...

Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis hit out at coach Maurizio Sarri for failing to clarify his future, saying: "Time has run out." Sarri's side beat Crotone 2-1 in their final Serie A game of a season in which they finished second after having topped the table earlier in the campaign. De Laurentiis expressed his frustration with Sarri, who has been linked with Chelsea, where Antonio Conte is thought to be ready to leave. When asked whether Sarri would remain at the club, De Laurentiis told Kiss Kiss Radio: "Ask him. Читать дальше...

Ernesto Valverde has paid tribute to the departing Andres Iniesta after he played his last game for Barcelona in Sunday's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad. With the LaLiga title already secured, the focus was shifted to 34-year-old Iniesta with an emotional Camp Nou paying tribute to one of their finest ever players. The curtain eventually came down on Iniesta's Barca career in the 81st minute, the midfielder leaving the field to a rapturous reception and handing over the captain's armband to Lionel Messi in a symbolic gesture. Читать дальше...

Four players were sent off in extra-time before Ajaccio beat Le Havre 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out at the end of a chaotic Ligue 2 play-off at the Stade Francois Coty. Players from both sides were involved in a huge fracas after Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his second goal of the game to give Le Havre a 2-1 lead in extra-time, after efforts from Ghislain Gimbert and Mateta produced a 1-1 draw in normal time. Mateta's celebrations after scoring from a penalty, which was awarded when Ajaccio's Mathieu Coutadeur confronted the referee during play... Читать дальше...

Paul Pogba played down reports of an imminent transfer from Manchester United to Paris Saint-Germain - but did suggest he would like to play for the French club at some stage in his career. Speculation over the possibility of the Ligue 1 champions swooping to sign Pogba resurfaced after he was pictured taking part in a photoshoot at the Eiffel Tower. However, the 25-year-old insisted his presence in Paris had nothing to do with a potential move to his homeland. Pogba's second season back in Manchester ... Читать дальше...

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the European Golden Shoe for a fifth time. The Argentina international claimed the prize after scoring 34 goals in LaLiga this season, helping his club to a 25th league triumph. Messi - who came off the bench in Barcelona’s final-day win over Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on Sunday - also won the award last year, as well as in 2010, 2012 and 2013. His impressive tally came from 32 starts and saw him top the charts ahead of Mohamed Salah, who netted 32 goals in a stunning debut season for Liverpool... Читать дальше...

AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso said his side is lacking "a bit of malice" as he outlined his aims for next season in the aftermath of a 5-1 final-day victory over Fiorentina. Goals from Hakan Calhanoglu, Nikola Kalinic, Giacomo Bonaventura and a brace from Patrick Cutrone made sure of Milan's place in next season's Europa League and gave the San Siro faithful a day to celebrate at the end of a tumultuous season. Gattuso has been credited with turning the club's campaign around and he paid tribute... Читать дальше...