Football - International Friendlies Results

MONDAY 30TH MARCH
FT Indonesia 2 - 1 Myanmar
FT Thailand 2 - 3 Cameroon
FT Saudi Arabia 2 - 1 Jordan
FT Qatar 1 - 0 Slovenia
FT Colombia 3 - 1 Kuwait
FT FYR Macedonia 0 - 0 Australia
FT Guyana 2 - 0 Grenada
FT Belarus 0 - 0 Gabon
FT Oman 1 - 4 Algeria
FT Bahrain 2 - 1 Philippines

TUESDAY 31ST MARCH 2015
FT Puerto Rico 0 - 3 Canada
FT Japan 5 - 1 Uzbekistan
FT Korea Republic 1 - 0 New Zealand
FT Switzerland 1 - 1 United States
FT Russia 0 - 0 Kazakhstan
FT Sweden 3 - 1 Iran
FT Ukraine 1 - 1 Latvia
FT Luxembourg 1 - 2 Turkey
FT Slovakia 1 - 0 Czech Republic
FT Austria 1 - 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
FT Ghana 1 - 1 Mali
FT Italy 1 - 1 England
FT Netherlands 2 - 0 Spain
FT Jamaica 3 - 0 Cuba
FT China PR 1 - 1 Tunisia
FT Liechtenstein 1 - 0 San Marino
FT Portugal 0 - 2 Cape Verde Islands
FT Estonia 1 - 1 Iceland

Pep Guardiola is Special - Rummenigge

The ex - Barcelona boss, Pep Guardiola, took charge of the German club after they claimed a historic treble in the 2012-13 season, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League under Jupp Heynckes.

However, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes the Spaniard has changed the philosophy of the club in the way they play-particularly offensively.

"But he changed it a bit, the feel on the pitch - his style is very dominant, very offensive and spectacular. It works," said Rummenigge.

"I like him a lot and we are very happy with having him in Munich."

"I would say he is special in the fact that he is looking like a genius in his role - very sensible and he is working very hard every day."

Pep Guardiola won his first Bundesliga title in his first season with Bayern.

Ghana loss against Senegal for the 2nd time in 2 months - match ratings

The Blackstars of Ghana faced the Taranga lions of Senegal in Stade Oceane du Le Havre in France last night.

Substitute Moussa Konaté scored 2 second half goals to give the Taranga lions a 2 goal lead before Ghana striker , Richmond Boakye Yiadom scored a consolation for the Africa Cup Finalist.

FC Sion striker Moussa Konaté put the Teranga Lions ahead on the 66 minutes after coming on for Demba Ba.

Senegal met Ghana earlier this year in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage match in Mongomo.
Senegal beat Ghana 2 - 1 in that match - they continue their dominance over the Ghanaians in 2 months later after beating them yet again in France.

Senegalese coach A. Cisse won his first match in charge of the Taranga Lions.

Ghana lineup:
Razak Braimah(GK)
(DF) Harrison Afful, Frank Acheampong/Jeffrey Schlupp, Jonathan Mensah/Daniel Amartey, John Boye,
(MD) Mubarak Wakaso/ Mohammed Rabiu, Afriyie Acquah/Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu,
(FW) Kwesi Appiah/ Richmond Boakye Yiadom, Jordan Ayew
Coach: Avram Grant

Senegal lineup:
Abdoulaye Diallo (GK),
(DF) Cheikh Mbengue, Kara Mbodji, Lamine Sané, Zargo Touré /Lamine Gassama
(MD) Sadio Mané, Idrissa Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Mame Biram Diouf /Pape Souaré
(FW) Demba Ba /Moussa Konaté, Moussa Sow /Pape Kouly Diop
Coach: A. Cisse

Cristiano Ronaldo not efficient enough - UEFA averaged goals per game

Top scorer in UEFA club competitions with 78 - Ronaldo

When it comes to Europe's club competition, the current top goal scorers have had the opportunity to score more goals than their predecessors due to their participation in many continental matches.
But when it comes to average goals per game, the 'oldies' top the chart with pure and more goals in their matches played.

Real Madrid and Portuguese forward, Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed former club mate Raul Gonzalez in the all time scorers in UEFA club competitions with 78 goals. 

Ronaldo has 74 goals in 116 UEFA club matches.

However, the world's best player doesn't fall in the all time list of goals per game.
He lags behind some great and unexpected names.

Top goals per game averages in all UEFA club competitions
0.90: Radamel Falcao (FC Porto, Club Atlético de Madrid) – 38 goals in 42 games.
0.87: Gerd Müller (FC Bayern München) – 62 goals in 71 games.
0.86: Stéphane Guivarc'h (AJ Auxerre, Stade Rennais FC, Newcastle United FC) – 24 goals in 28 games.
0.82: Ivan Mráz (ŠK Slovan Bratislava, AC Sparta Praha, FK Dukla Praha) – 18 goals in 22 games.
0.86: Ferenc Puskás (Budapest Honvéd FC, Real Madrid CF) – 37 goals in 43 games.
0.83: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid CF) – 50 goals in 60 games.
0.81: Jupp Heynckes (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach) – 45 goals in 55 games.
0.80: Kees Kist (AZ Alkmaar, Paris Saint Germain) – 20 goals in 25 games.
0.80: Denis Law (Manchester United FC) – 20 goals in 25 games.
0.80: Kevin Hector (Derby County FC) – 16 goals in 20 games.

List of Top goals per game averages in UEFA champions league/ European Champions club's cup
0.97: Gerd Müller (FC Bayern München) – 34 goals in 35 games.
0.86: José Altafini (AC Milan, Juventus) – 24 goals in 28 games.
0.85: Ferenc Puskás (Budapest Honvéd FC, Real Madrid CF) – 35 goals in 41 games.
0.84: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid CF) – 49 goals in 58 games.
0.82: José Águas (SL Benfica) – 18 goals in 22 games.
0.80: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) – 75 goals in 94 games.
0.76: Jean-Pierre Papin (Olympique de Marseille, AC Milan) – 28 goals in 37 games.
0.75: Eusébio (SL Benfica) – 47 goals in 63 games
0.74: Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF) – 60 goals in 81 games.
0.68: Marco van Basten (AFC Ajax, AC Milan) – 19 goals in 28 games.

Euro 2016 Qualifiers - Full details here

UEFA EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS

• England make it 5 out of 5 in Uefa Euro 2016 Qualifiers.

• Harry Kane scores on his England debut.

• Slovakia make it 5 wins in a row as they beat Luxembourg 3 - 0.

• Holders Spain keep up pressure with a narrow win.

England
4-0
Lithuania

FYR Macedonia
1-2
Belarus

Slovakia
3-0
Luxembourg

Spain
1-0
Ukraine

Slovenia
6-0
San Marino

Switzerland
3-0
Estonia

Liechtenstein
0-5
Austria

Montenegro
0-0
Russia
Match abandoned

Moldova
0-2
Sweden

Awful scenes at Montenegro - keeper hit by flare as Referee suspends game

Akinfeev taken off by stretcher

Igor Akinfeev, 28, was hit on the back of the head by a flare and was taken off by a stretcher.

German referee Deniz Aytekin immediately halted the match and sent both sets of players off the pitch.

Akinfeev plays his club football for CSKA Moscow.

Montenegro were level with Russia in Group G on five points prior to kick-off.

Referee Deniz Aytekin halted the game

Rampaging Brazil down France in their own backyard

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
Date: Thursday, 26th March
Kick off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Stade de France
        France V Brazil
                FT 1 - 3
                  90 +5
  Varane 21'
                         Oscar 40'
                         Neymar 57'
                         Luiz Gustavo 69'

Match details :
• Varane scores from a header to give the host a lead in the first half.

• France lose for the first time since the 2014 World Cup.

• Neymar with his eighth goal in seven games.

• Dunga unbeaten since taking charge of Brazil after world cup.

Oscar Emboaba scored his 12th international goal as Brazil cruised on a 1 - 3 win.

Raphael Varane's goal was his first for his country.

UEFA EURO 2016 will be hosted by France.

They have failed to progress further than the
quarter-finals stage at the past four tournaments they have qualified for - an early group stage exist in 2010 world cup and a group stage exist in EURO 2008.

However they were eliminated by Germany at FIFA world cup 2014 while at Euro 2012 they also went out to eventual champions Spain.

France face Denmark in their next international friendly.

Neymar netted his 43rd goal for Brazil and is just a goal behind Zico in the all time scorers in Brazilian history.

Former Brazil boss Felipe Scolari resigned after seeing his team trashed by Germany in a world cup record, 7-1 in the semi-finals and a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands in the third and fourth playoff.

Dunga took charge of Brazil in July and maintains his 100% winning streak.

Dunga is looking forward to redeem the country's image from the world cup thrashing by the Germans.

Dunga took charge of Brazil from 2006 - 2010 in his previous spell.

Brazil revenged a 3 - 0 defeat to France at FIFA world cup final in 1998 by defeating them by 3 - 1 in Stade de France.

John Terry gets Chelsea contract extention

Chelsea skipper John Terry whose current contract with Chelsea runs until the end of the season, has been offered a new contract extention which will make him stay at the club until the end of 2015/16 campaign.

Terry has won 13 major honours with the West Londoners since making his debut in 1998, winning the Champions League, Europa League,
three Premier League titles, five FA Cup trophies and three League Cup victories.

His Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho earlier this year said John Terry will definitely get his contract
extention.

Jose Mourinho said: "This new contract is not to say 'thank you very much'.

"It is because John continues to perform. He is a top defender."

John Terry has played 40 games so far this season and doesn't look like looking back.

"He is at the top his game and well deserves his contract extention'' - Jose Mourinho said.

He captained Chelsea to a capital one cup triumph ealier this month against Tottenham Hotspur before seeing the club being eliminated from the last 16 stage by Paris St Germain and an FA Cup shocker against Bradford City earlier this year.

Messi At An NBA Match with fellow Argentines

Argentina face El Salvador and Ecuador in the United States for their international friendlies.

Lionel Messi together with his international team mates were in the stance as Washington Wizards and the Indiana Pacers met in an NBA game on Wednesday.

Messi was seen sitting in the middle of his Barcelona mate Javier Mascherano and Juventus striker Carlo Tevez.

Argentine NBA star Luis Scola's Pacers edged the Wizards 103-101 after George Hill's two-pointer with 2.7 seconds left on the clock.

Four- time ballon d'Or winner Messi was reported to have injured his foot in the weekend's El Clasico win.
But Messi has brushed off all injury scares and will feature in his country's two international friendlies against El Salvador and Ecuador.

Gheorghe Muresan and Lionel Messi

Skrtel banned for 3 matches

Skrtel's stamp on De Gea

Liverpool Slovakian defender Daniel Skrtel has been banned by the FA for 3 games.

The defender had his appeal on violent conduct over the stamping on Manchester United's keeper, David De Gea when both sides met on Sunday 22nd March at Anfield.

Daniel Skrtel,30, appeared to have stamped on United's goalkeeper De Gea in stoppage time.

The Referee of the day, Martin Atkinson and his officials didn't see the incident.

However, the FA disciplinary panel after watching a footage of the game found Daniel Skrtel guilty.

The desciplinary panel of the FA rejected Skrtel's appeal and has banned the defender for 3 games.

Skrtel will miss Liverpool's game against Arsenal on April 4 and against Newcastle United - both in the English premier league. He will also miss their FA Cup quarter-finals replay against Blackburn Rovers.

Fellow club mate and captain, Steven Gerrard will miss all games due to suspension after being sent off in the same game.

Liverpool have refused to comment on the disciplinary panel's verdict.

Daniel Skrtel earlier urgued the charge as accidental.

Daniel Skrtel denies stamping on De Gea

The two clashed late in stoppage time 

Sunday 22nd March saw a game between two of English most successful clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in a Premier league game.

In the second half additional time, Liverpool defender Daniel Skrtel in search of an equaliser appeared to have stamped on United's goalkeeper, David De Gea.

The incident happened in the stoppage time of the game.

The Referee Martin Atkinson didn't see the incident but three former top officials after reviewing the tape said it was a sending off situation.

The defender was charged by the Football Association for violent conduct on Monday.
The Slovakian defender however had until Wednesday to respond to the charge.

Skrtel if found guilty will be suspended for 3 - games which will see him miss Liverpool's game against Arsenal on the 4th of April, a game against Newcastle and FA Cup replay against Blackburn Rovers.

Steven Gerrard will miss all those games through suspension.

The "heated" game saw Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard being sent off for stamping on United's Ander Herrera after just 40 seconds after his introduction into the game in the second half - he replaced injured Adam Lallana.

The game ended as Manchester United came out triumph with a 2 - 1 win away at Liverpool.
Goals from Man Utd's Spaniard Juan Mata - who scored a brace and Liverpool's English striker Daniel Sturridge with a consolation for Liverpool deep inside the second half.

Gareth Bale attacked by Real Madrid fans - club to take legal action soon

Camera captured angry fans attacking Bale

Real Madrid CF will take legal action against club fans who attacked some of the players after their defeat in the El Clasico against Barcelona.

A statement from the club stated"Real Madrid will take any applicable legal action against the individuals responsible,"

One fan has been suspended from the club pending on investigation, the club added.

Real Madrid also added it had identified the persons responsible for what it called "aggressive and violent actions against several of our players".

A television in Spain captured the scene as ex - Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale was being attacked by angry supporters.
The images appeared to have captured some aggressive fans striking the Bentley of Gareth Bale and team mate Jesse Rodriguez.

Welsh star, Gareth Bale has been in the headlines of many Spanish media over his form.
Bale scored both 2 goals in Real Madrid's win against Levante a week ago.

Bale has been criticised by Real Madrid fans and the Spanish media for the past few months.

International break - fixtures for the week

Brasil face France on Thursday 

WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH 

Denmark V USA

Germany V Australia

Scotland V Northern Ireland

THURSDAY 26TH MARCH

Bahrain V Colombia

Iran V Chile

France V Brazil

FRIDAY 27TH MARCH

Canada V Guatemala

SATURDAY 28TH MARCH

Morocco V Uruguay

El Salvador V Argentina

SUNDAY 29TH MARCH

Mexico V Ecuador

Brazil V Chile

France V Denmark

MONDAY 30TH MARCH

Colombia V Kuwait

Qatar V Slovenia

Macedonia V Australia

TUESDAY 31ST MARCH

Canada V Puerto Rico

Russia V Kazakhstan

Switzerland V USA

Sweden V Iran

Ukraine V Latvia

Austria V Bos-Herce

Luxembourg V Turkey

Slovakia V Czech Rep.

Italy V England

Netherlands V Spain

Portugal V Cape Verde Islands

WEDNESDAY 1ST APRIL

Ecuador V Argentina

Mexico V Paraguay

UEFA Congress in Vienna - UEFA Presidency key agenda

Annual UEFA Congress will be held on Tuesday at Austrian capital, Vienna - UEFA Presidency, UEFA Executive Committee and FIFA Executive Committee key items on the agenda.

UEFA PRESIDENCY - Michel Platini is the only candidate in the election for the UEFA Presidency, and is seeking a third four-year term after his election in Dusseldorf in 2007 and
re-election in Paris four years later.

UEFA President becomes FIFA Vice President automatically.

OTHER AGENDA:

The Congress will also be asked to approve the annual reports of the UEFA President and UEFA Executive Committee, and UEFA administration, as well as the annual consolidated statement of accounts for 2013/14 and the budget for 2015/16. Reports will also be given by the chairmen of the various UEFA standing committees that contribute to shaping UEFA's policy.

FIFA Executive mandates are all four - year - terms.
FIFA Executive Committee vice - presidency reserved for the four British associations - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) is concerned, David Gill (England), and Trefor Lloyd Hughes (Wales) , are the two contesting for election.

FIFA congress will be held in Zurich from 28 to 29 May.

FA to restrict plan on non - EU players

FA chairman Greg Dyke today outlined new proposals to change the rules governing home grown players in English football.

Dyke said, in 2014, just 23 English players were playing Champions League football. That compares with 78 Spanish players, 55 from Germany and even 51 from Brazil – and the numbers will only get worse. If we want to maintain a national side capable of competing against the world’s best, we need change.

The Commission identified some factors affecting the lack of opportunities for young English talents in the top flight clubs as -

A lack of quality coaching.

An absence of quality facilities at grassroots level.

A lack of opportunities for home grown players to play competitive first team football between the ages of 18 and 21.

The regulation of the English players market’s effectiveness in preserving the desired balance of British, EU and non-EU players.

under proposal by the FA on Monday :

• The minimum number of home-grown players in a club's first-team squad of 25 will increase from eight to 12, phased over four years from 2016.

• At least two home-grown players must also be 'club-trained' players -
defined as any player, irrespective of nationality, that has been registered
for three years at their current club from the age of 15.

• Only the best non-EU foreign players will be granted permission to play in
England, with the process for dealing with work-permit appeals to be
tightened.

SPAIN - PRIMERA DIVISIÓN RESULTS

SPAIN - PRIMERA DIVISIÓN
SUNDAY 22ND MARCH 

FT Deportivo 0 Espanyol 0

FT Villarreal 0 Sevilla 2

FT Real Sociedad 3 Córdoba 1

FT Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 1

SATURDAY 21ST MARCH

FT Atletico Madrid 2 Getafe 0

FT Rayo Vallecano 1 Málaga 0

FT Levante 0 Celta de Vigo 1

FT Ath Bilbao 2 Almería 1

FT Granada CF 0 Eibar 0

FRIDAY 20TH MARCH

FT Elche 0 Valencia 4

CLASICO - BARCA EXTEND LEAD ON LA LIGA TABLE

Luis Suarez celebrates his clasico winner

SPANISH BBVA LA LIGA
Barcelona V Real Madrid
Date: Sunday, 22nd March
Kick off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Camp Nou
FT 90' +3
Mathieu 19'
Ronaldo 31'
Suárez 56'

Referee Attendance
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz 98,760

MATCH DETAILS :
▪ Messi 43 goals this season; Ronaldo 42

▪ Messi 21 El Clasico goals; Ronaldo 15

▪ Cristiano Ronaldo scored Madrid leveller with his seventh goal in his last eight visits in the Nou
Camp.

▪ Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu netted his first La Liga for Barcelona since arriving from Valencia last summer.

▪ Luis Suarez scored the match winner - his sixth goal in his last seven La Liga appearances.

▪ Barcelona avenged their 3 - 1 loss against Real Madrid with a 2 - 1 win.

Premier League Results - Manchester United 5 points clear off Liverpool

ENGLAND - PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 21ST MARCH

Manchester City 3 - 0 West Brom

 Aston Villa 0 - 1 Swansea City

 Newcastle 1 - 2 Arsenal

 Southampton 2 - 0 Burnley

 Stoke City 1 - 2 Crystal

 Tottenham 4 - 3 Leicester

 West Ham 1 - 0 Sunderland

SUNDAY 22ND MARCH

 Liverpoo 1 - 2 Manchester United

 Hull City 2 - 3 Chelsea

 QPR 1 - 2 Everton

Bayern lose to Mönchengladbach at Home - BUNDESLIGA RESULTS

Germany - Bundesliga
Saturday 21st March

Hannover 96 2 - 3 Borussia Dortmund
FT

Freiburg 2 - 0 Augsburg
FT

Stuttgart 3 - 1 Eintracht Frankfurt
FT

Köln 1 - 1 Werder Bremen
FT

Paderborn 0 - 0 Hoffenheim
FT

Schalke 04 0 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen
FT

SUNDAY 22ND MARCH

FT Mainz 05 1 - 1 Wolfsburg

FT Bayern München 0 - 2 Borussia M'gladbach

Exquisite Mata scissor kick wins for Manchester United

Premier League
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool V Man Utd
Date: Sunday, 22nd March
Kick off: 13:30 GMT
Venue: Anfield
             FT 90' +5
                        Mata 14'
Gerrard 46'■
                        Mata 59'
Sturridge 69'

Attendance :       Referee :
44,405               Martin Atkinson

MATCH DETAILS :
▪ Steven Gerrard's red card was the 16th between the sides.

▪ Gerrard sent off for just 40.80 seconds after coming on.

▪ Manchester United midfielder, Juan Mata scores twice - one from a scissor Kick.

▪ Wayne Rooney missed a penalty in injury time.

▪ United Striker Wayne Rooney hasn't scored at Anfield in 10 years.

▪ Daniel Sturridge scored Liverpool's consolation with a powerful near post drive.

▪ Liverpool could have ended the match with 9 - men after injury time stamp on Manchester United's keeper, David De Gea.

▪ Football and Brasil legend Pelé was a guest of honour at Anfield.

BARCA TO MEET MADRID IN THEIR 263RD CLASICO

Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare for their 263rd 'Clásico'

"This is one of the most special games of the year, because of the rivalry between us and because we're usually playing for titles against them. They're another great team, with great players and that makes it so much more special."

Karim Benzema "gives balance"
to Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo -
says Gerard Pique.

Facts:
However, Barcelona have not lost at home to their rivals while leading the league since 1929-30.

Real Madrid have won the last two Clasicos, and could make it three in a row for the first time since 1978.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has scored 17 La Liga goals in 2015, 2 more than Real Madrid front trio Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Cristiano Ronaldo combined. All with 5 goals each.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid - but plays for his first ever home clasico.

FOOTBALL : RESULTS FROM AROUND EUROPE

ITALY - SERIE A

FT Chievo 1 - 0 Palermo

FT Milan 3 - 1 Cagliari


NETHERLANDS - EREDIVISIE

FT Go Ahead Eagles 0 - 2 Vitesse

FT Willem II 2 - 1 Dordrecht

FT Heracles 1 - 4 Heerenveen

FT AZ 2 - 1 Cambuur


SCOTLAND - PREMIERSHIP

FT Dundee 1 - 1 Aberdeen

FT Celtic 3 - 0 Dundee United

FT Partick Thistle 1 - 0 Inverness CT

FT Ross County 2 - 1 Kilmarnock

FT St. Johnstone 2 - 0 St. Mirren

FRENCH LIGUE 1 - SATURDAY'S RESULTS

FRANCE - LIGUE ONE

FT Olympique Lyonnais 1 - 2 Nice

FT Bastia 0 - 0 Guingamp

FT Caen 0 - 0 Metz

FT Evian TG 1 - 0 Montpellier

FT Rennes 0 - 0 Nantes

FT Toulouse 2 - 1 Bordeaux

SPANISH LA LIGA - Saturday's results

Spain - Primera División
SATURDAY 21ST MARCH

FT Atlético Madrid 2 - 0 Getafe

FT Rayo Vallecano 1 - 0 Málaga

FT Levante 0 - 1 Celta de Vigo

FT Athletic Club 2 - 1 Almería

FT Granada 0 - 0 Eibar

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA RESULTS

Germany - Bundesliga
Saturday 21st March

Hannover 96 2 - 3 Borussia Dortmund
                              FT
                                     19' P. Aubameyang (G)
L. Stindl (G) 31'
                                   57' S. Kagawa (G)
                                   61' P. Aubameyang (G)
L. Stindl (G) 82'

          Freiburg 2 - 0 Augsburg
                             FT

          Stuttgart 3 - 1 Eintracht Frankfurt
                             FT

                  Köln 1 - 1 Werder Bremen
                             FT

       Paderborn 0 - 0 Hoffenheim
                             FT

       Schalke 04 0 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen
                             FT

English Premier League Results

Premier League
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
    Man City V West Brom
Date: Saturday, 21st March
Kick off: 12:45 GMT
Venue: Etihad Stadium
               FT 90' +3
                          McAuley 2' ■
         Bony 27'
Fernando 40'
          Silva 77'

MATCH DETAILS :
▪ Referee Neil Swarbrick sends off 'wrong' West Brom player McAuley instead of Graig Dawson.

▪ Wilfried Bony scores first Manchester City goal in Man City's controversial win.

▪ Fernando nets City's 1,000th Premier League goal.

Manchester City are 3 points behind leaders Chelsea.

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
    Tottenham V Leicester
Date: Saturday, 21st March
Kick off: 15:00 GMT
Venue: White Hart Lane
                FT 90' +4
Kane 6'
Kane 13'
                                Vardy 38'
                                Morgan 50'
Kane 64' (pen)
Schlupp 85' (og)
                                Nugent 90'

MATCH DETAILS :
▪ Harry Kane tops goal scoring chart with 19 goals.
▪ Kane takes tally to 29 goals for season.

▪ Foxes concedes penalty with score at 2-2.

▪ Leicester's Vardy scores first goal since September 2014.

▪ Leicester City remain bottom of the Premier League.

England - Premier League
Saturday 21st March

FT Manchester City 3 - 0 West Bromwich Albion

FT Aston Villa 0 - 1 Swansea City

FT Newcastle United 1 - 2 Arsenal

FT Southampton 2 - 0 Burnley

FT Stoke City 1 - 2 Crystal Palace

FT Tottenham Hotspur 4 - 3 Leicester City

FT West Ham 1 - 0 Sunderland

Falcao down into tears - former agent says

Falcao moved to tears by struggles at Man United,
former agent says.

"When he was going to play this match with the youth team he called me," his former agent Espindola said.

"We talked for 20 minutes while he was arriving at the stadium and he told me, 'I have never experienced anything like this, I don't know how to manage the situation. I feel weird.'

The Colombian star striker, 29, has scored four goals in 21 appearances for the club since joining on loan from Monaco in the summer.

Espindola engineered Rademel Falcao's move to River Plate in the early 2000s.

Falcao signed for Manchester United on a loan deal for a fee believed to be around £6M.

His former agent, Espindola, said the
£260,000-a-week forward called him after being selected to play for United's Under-21 side against Spurs earlier this month.

Rademel Falcao came off the bench in the 83rd minute of Sunday's 3-0 home win over Tottenham but his previous appearance had been in February.

His former agent however criticised his current manager Louis van Gaal over the players current situation.
"He is a coach that kills your confidence, he destroys it," said Espindola. "This is happening with other great players that were at a high level and with Van Gaal have gone downhill."

Today's Matches and Results

France - Ligue 1
FT PSG 3 - 1 Lorient

Germany - Bundesliga
FT Hamburger SV 0 - 1 Hertha BSC

Spain - Primera División
FT Elche 0 - 4 Valencia

Netherlands - Eredivisie
FT Utrecht 3 - 4 NAC Breda

Scotland - Premiership
FT Motherwell 4 - 0 Hamilton Academical

England - Championship
FT Wolverhampton 2 - 0 Derby County

FRENCH LIGUE 1 FIXTURES

French Ligue 1
Saturday 21st March
Olympique Lyonnais 16 : 00 Nice

Bastia 20 : 00 Guingamp

Caen 20 : 00 Metz

Evian TG 20 : 00 Montpellier

Rennes 20 : 00 Nantes

Toulouse 20 : 00 Bordeaux

Sunday 22nd March
Saint-Étienne 14 : 00 Lille

Reims 17 : 00 Monaco

Lens 21 : 00 Olympique Marseille

ITALIAN SERIE A FIXTURES

Italy - Serie A
Saturday 21st March


Chievo 18 : 00 Palermo

Milan 20 : 45 Cagliari

Sunday 22nd March
Empoli 12 : 30 Sassuolo

Juventus 15 : 00 Genoa

Napoli 20 : 45 Atalanta

Udinese 20 : 45 Fiorentina

Lazio 20 : 45 Hellas Verona

Sampdoria 20 : 45 Internazionale

Cesena 20 : 45 Roma

Parma 20 : 45 Torino

SPANISH PRIMERA DIVISIÓN FIXTURES

Spain - Primera División
Saturday 21st March
Atlético Madrid 16 : 00 Getafe

Rayo Vallecano 18 : 00 Málaga

Levante 20 : 00 Celta de Vigo

Athletic Club 22 : 00 Almería

Granada 22 : 00 Eibar

Sunday 22nd March
Deportivo La Coruña 12 : 00 Espanyol

Villarreal 17 : 00 Sevilla

Real Sociedad 19 : 00 Córdoba

Barcelona 21 : 00 Real Madrid

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Germany - Bundesliga
Saturday 21st March
Hannover 96 15 : 30 Borussia Dortmund

Freiburg 15 : 30 Augsburg

Stuttgart 15 : 30 Eintracht Frankfurt

Köln 15 : 30 Werder Bremen

Paderborn 15 : 30 Hoffenheim

Schalke 04 18 : 30 Bayer Leverkusen

Sunday 22nd March
Mainz 05 15 : 30 Wolfsburg

Bayern München 17 : 30 Borussia M'gladbach

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

England - Premier League
Saturday 21st March
Manchester City 13 : 45 West Bromwich Albion

Aston Villa 16 : 00 Swansea City

Newcastle United 16 : 00 Arsenal

Southampton 16 : 00 Burnley

Stoke City 16 : 00 Crystal Palace

Tottenham Hotspur 16 : 00 Leicester City

West Ham United 18 : 30 Sunderland

Sunday 22nd March
Liverpool 14 : 30 Manchester United

Hull City 17 : 00 Chelsea

Queens Park Rangers 17 : 00 Everton

Uefa Europa League Draw - Two former winners meet

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

Full draw:
Sevilla v Zenit St Petersburg

Dnipro v Club Brugge

Dynamo Kiev v Fiorentina

Wolfsburg v Napoli

The draw for the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals has been made in Nyon, putting together two former winners.

Former winners left in the competition are Sevilla from Spain, Italy's Fiorentina and Russian side Zenith St Petersburg.

Champions League Draw - Madrid Derby in Champions league Quarters

Full draw:
Paris St-Germain v Barcelona

Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid

Porto v Bayern Munich

Juventus v Monaco


10 time Champions Real Madrid will meet city rivals Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in a repeat of last season's final.

Monaco, who edged past Arsenal on away goals, play Juventus, while German champions Bayern Munich face Porto.

Paris St-Germain's reward for beating Chelsea in the last 16 is a tie against Barcelona, the conquerors of English champions Manchester City.

The first legs are on 14-15 April, with the return matches on 21-22 April.

Real Madrid won their 10th European Cup as they ultimately overwhelmed Spanish champions Atletico in a compelling 4-1 win in Lisbon after extra time last season.

PSG Serge Aurier banned for 3 European matches

Serge Aurier - PSG

Ivorian full back Serge Aurier has been banned by UEFA for three European games.

The Paris Saint-Germain Player will miss both legs of their quarter-final tie next month.

The player who didn't take part of the Champions League 2nd leg round of 16 encounter against Chelsea on the 11th of March, took to his Facebook page to make "insults comments" about the referee Bjorn Kuipers on Ibrahimovic's sending off.

The 22-year-old will miss both legs of PSG's quarter-final games and should PSG qualify to the semifinal, he will miss the 1st Leg.

PSG knocked out Chelsea on away goals.
2-2, the match ended.

United is my last Job - Louis Van Gaal

The Dutchman who is contracted with Manchester United until 2017 after joining the club last summer, will end his decorated career when his contract come an end at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal has coached some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Ajax, Bayern München and Barcelona in his career.

The 63-year-old has won seven league titles with four different clubs in three separate countries, but says he will retire whenever his reign at Old Trafford comes to an end.

"This is my last job. For sure," he told the Telegraph.

"I have to pay attention to my kids, my grandchildren but also to my wife. They
deserve it. Now I cannot pay that attention.

"I was not at the birthday of my grandson for example. I don't like it.

Louis Van Gaal also said he planned to retire to Portugal with wife Truus and "play golf, eat
fantastic food".

LOUIS VAN GAAL'S HONOURS:
European Cup x 1 (Ajax 1995) league title x 7 (Ajax 93-94, 94-95, 95-96, Barcelona, 97-98, 98-99, AZ, 08-09, Bayern Munich 09-10)

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - The only remaining English club is out

EUROPE
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
                                  
Dinamo Moskva 0-0 Napoli 
agg: 1-3
Full Time

Dynamo Kyiv 5-2 Everton
agg: 6-4
Full Time

Roma 0-3 Fiorentina
agg: 1-4
Full Time

Internazionale 1-2 Wolfsburg
agg: 2-5
Full Time

Ajax 2-1 Dnipro
agg: 2-2
Full Time - Dnipro win on away goals

Beşiktaş 1-3 Club Brugge
agg: 2-5
Full Time

Torino 1-0 Zenit
agg: 1-2
Full Time

Sevilla 2-1 Villarreal
agg: 5-2

Full Time

Juventus ease through against Dortmund

Champions League
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Dortmund V Juventus
Date: Wednesday, 18th March
Kick off: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Signal Iduna Park
               FT 90' +2
                Agg 1-5
                      Tévez 3'
                      Morata 70'
                      Tévez 79'

MATCH DETAILS :

▪ Carlos Tevez scored twice - the opening and last goals.

▪ Alvaro Morata gave the visitors their second.

▪ Pogba was taken off with injury in first half.

▪ Dortmund have never beaten Juve at home.

Champions League last eight
Atletico Madrid - knocked out Bayer Leverkusen on penalties.
Barcelona - beat Man City 3-1.
Bayern Munich - beat Shakhtar Donetsk 7-0.
Juventus - beat Borussia Dortmund 5-1.
Monaco - beat Arsenal on away goals.
Real Madrid - beat Schalke 5-4.
Paris St-Germain - beat Chelsea on away goals.
Porto - beat Basel 5-1.

LINEUPS
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Weidenfeller 1
Papastathopoulos 25
Subotic 4
Hummels 15
Schmelzer (Kirch 45') 29
Bender (Ramos 63') 6
Gündogan 8
Kampl 23
Reus 11
Mkhitaryan (Blaszczykowski 63') 10
Aubameyang 17

Substitutes
Kehl 5
Kagawa 7
Immobile 9
Blaszczykowski 16
Ramos 20
Kirch 21
Langerak 22

JUVENTUS
Buffon 1
Lichtsteiner 26
Bonucci 19
Chiellini 3
Evra 33
Vidal 23
Marchisio 8
Pereyra 37
Pogba (Barzagli 27') 6
Morata (Matri 78') 9
Tévez (Pepe 81') 10

Substitutes
Ogbonna 5
Pepe 7
Llorente 14
Barzagli 15
Padoin 20
Storari 30
Matri 32

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES

ROUND OF 16
19th March, 2015

Dinamo Moskva 18:00 Napoli

Roma 19:00 Fiorentina

Dynamo Kyiv 19:00 Everton

Ajax 21:05 Dnipro

Torino 21:05 Zenit

Internazionale 21:05 Wolfsburg

Sevilla 21:05 Villarreal

Beşiktaş 21:05 Club Brugge

Juventus ease through against Dortmund

Juventus ease their way through 

Champions League
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Dortmund V Juventus
Date: Wednesday, 18th March
Kick off: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Signal Iduna Park
              FT 90' +2
               Agg 1-5
                       Tévez 3'
                       Morata 70'
                       Tévez 79'

MATCH DETAILS :
▪ Carlos Tevez scored twice - the opening and last goals and assisted Alvaro Morata's goal.

▪ Alvaro Morata gave the visitors their second.

▪ Pogba was taken off with injury in first half.

▪ Dortmund have never beaten Juve at home.

▪ Carlos Tevez now has 23 goals in all competitions this season.

▪ Borussia Dortmund lifted the 1997 champions league trophy after beating Juventus.

▪ Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon made just two saves all night.

▪ THE FINAL EIGHT
Monaco
Real Madrid
Bayern München
Barcelona
Porto
Atletico Madrid
Paris St-Germain
Juventus

LINEUPS
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Weidenfeller 1
Papastathopoulos 25
Subotic 4
Hummels 15
Schmelzer (Kirch 45') 29
Bender (Ramos 63') 6
Gündogan 8
Kampl 23
Reus 11
Mkhitaryan (Blaszczykowski 63') 10
Aubameyang 17

Substitutes
Kehl 5
Kagawa 7
Immobile 9
Blaszczykowski 16
Ramos 20
Kirch 21
Langerak 22

JUVENTUS
Buffon 1
Lichtsteiner 26
Bonucci 19
Chiellini 3
Evra 33
Vidal 23
Marchisio 8
Pereyra 37
Pogba (Barzagli 27') 6
Morata (Matri 78') 9
Tévez (Pepe 81') 10

Substitutes
Ogbonna 5
Pepe 7
Llorente 14
Barzagli 15
Padoin 20
Storari 30
Matri 32

Barca knock out Manchester City

Champions League
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Barcelona V Man City
Date : Wednesday, 18th March
Kick off : 19 : 45 GMT
Venue : Estadio de Camp Nou
             Agg : 3-1
 Rakitić 31'

MATCH DETAILS :
▪ Aguero penalty saved by Barca keeper Ter Stegen.

▪ Manchester City out of Champions league last 16 for the second year running.

▪ Mascherano had brought down Aguero on 77 minutes.

▪ Rakitic lobs Hart after sublime Messi pass to score the only goal of the match.

▪ Joe Hart made 10 saves in the game.

▪ Barca had 23 efforts on goal, while City managed 15.

▪ Barcelona reach the quarter-finals for a record eighth successive season

▪ Ivan Rakitić scores first UEFA Champions League goal after 19 games.

▪ Dani Alves will miss the first leg of Barcelona's quarter-final due to suspension.

Cristiano Ronaldo owes Joe Hart a hug - as the all-time record Champions League goalscorer, remains his. Thanks to a very impressive Joe Hart performance.

▪ THE FINAL EIGHT
Monaco
Real Madrid
Bayern München
Barcelona
Porto
Atletico Madrid
Paris St-Germain
Juventus

Draw comes off on Friday 20th March, 2015 at 12 : 00 CET at Nyon.

David Duncan signs a 2 - year contract with Asante Kotoko FC

David Duncan(middle) signing a new contract with Kotoko

David Duncan signed the contract on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of his lawyer, "Barbados" and the club's chief executive officer Opoku Nti.

David Duncan signs a 2 - year contract with Ghana giants Asante Kotoko.

He takes over from Masud Didi Dramani who was fired last month following a poor run of form in the league.

David Duncan after a 2 - week negotiations with the former African Champions, finally signed a 2 year deal with the club.

He has also managed a South African Club in the past.

The yet to be unveiled coach of the Porcupine Warriors has formerly coached Ghana sides Accra Great Olympics, AshantiGold and former Africa and Ghana champions Accra Hearts Of Oak.

David Duncan will be unveiled to the passionate fans of Asante Kotoko on Thursday morning at the club's secretariat.

Barcelona V Man City (match news and previews )

Champions League
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Barcelona V Man City
Date: Wednesday, 18th March
Kick off: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Estadio de Camp Nou
1st Leg : 2-1

Form guide (all competitions)
Barcelona: LWWWWW
Manchester City: WWLLWL

MATCH NEWS

Yaya Touré available after a three-match ban but Gaël Clichy will miss the tie due to a suspension.

Barcelona bidding to reach quarter-finals for record eighth successive season.

Barcelona have won 16 of their last 17 games whilst the English Champions City have lost three of their last four.

Barcelona face Real Madrid in a potential Spanish league decider on Sunday 22nd March 2015 at the Camp Nou but manager Luis Enrique is looking no further than the 2nd leg tie against English Champions Manchester City.

The Clásico is coming up for FC Barcelona but Luis Enrique is looking no further
than the second leg against a Manchester City FC side confident they can compete
with 11 men.

Possible lineups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Xavi, Rakitić, Iniesta;
Suárez, Messi, Neymar.

Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov,Fernando,
Fernandinho, Milner, Touré, Silva; Agüero.

Dortmund V Juventus (match news and previews)

Champions League
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Borussia Dortmund V Juventus
Date: Wednesday, 18th March
Kick off: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Signal Iduna Park
1st Leg : 1-2



Form guide (all competitions)
Dortmund: WLWWDD
Juventus: WWDLWW

MATCH NEWS:
Italian club Juventus, who won the first-leg in Turin 2-1, are unbeaten in 18 league games and currently sit on top of the Serie A log.

After a poor of run of form in the beginning of the season, Dortmund are now looking to be back on track with the Germans having gone six games unbeaten in the German Bundesliga.

Borussia Dortmund despite their shambolic performances in their domestic league - which left them in the relegation zone, were able to find their feet in Europe

However, Borussia Dortmund have failed to score in their last two domestic games.

"Juventus are a clever side, but they are not invincible. We know we need an
exceptional game,"  - Jorgen Klopp 

''They are unbeaten at home in Europe this season, "We face the greatest challenge there is in football, to score against an Italian team which will
advance with a 0-0 draw.

Possible lineups
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Kirch, Subotić, Hummels, Schmelzer; S Bender, Gündoğan; Błaszczykowski, Kampl, Reus; Aubameyang.

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pogba, Vidal; Pereyra; Tévez, Morata.

Atlético Madrid through on Penalties

Atlético celebrate win

Champions League
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Atletico Madrid V Bayer Leverkusen
Date: Tuesday, 17th March
Kick off: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Vicente Calderón
FT 120'
HT 1-0
Agg 1-1
Suárez 27'

MATCH DETAILS :
Atlético Madrid's Mario Suarez scored on the 27th minute to bring the tie back on level terms.

After 120 minutes of football, the match still couldn't be separated and it was down to penalty kicks

Stefan Kießling, Hakan Calhanoglu and Toprak all missed for Leverkusen as Atletico Madrid won 3-2 in the shootout.

It was a disappointing finish for Leverkusen, who were hoping to reach the last eight for the first time since reaching the final in 2002.

Raul Garcia missed the first penalty kick for the host before his mate Koke had his penalty saved.

Lineups
ATLÉTICO MADRID
Moyá Rumbo (Oblak 23') 1
Juanfran 20
Giménez de Vargas 24
Miranda 23
Gámez 18
Turan 10
Koke 6
Suárez 4
Gracia Calmache (Raúl García 45')22
Mandzukic (Torres 83' ) 9
Griezmann 7

Substitutes
Raúl García 8
Jiménez 11
Oblak 13
Gabi 14
Ansaldi 15
Torres 19
Hernández 28

BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Leno 1
Hilbert 13
Toprak 21
Spahic 5
Nascimento Borges 18
Bellarabi 38
Castro 27
Bender (Papadopoulos 104' ) 8
Son Heung-min (Rolfes 77') 7
Calhanoglu 10
Drmic (Kießling 69' ) 9

Substitutes
Reinartz 3
Rolfes 6
Kießling 11
Papadopoulos 14
Boenisch 17
Brandt 19
Kresic 25

Viliant Arsenal go out on Away Goals

Triumphant Monaco

Champions League
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Monaco V Arsenal
Date: Tuesday, 17th March
Kick off: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Stade Louis II
FT 90' +6
Agg 3-3
Giroud 36'
Ramsey 79'

MATCH DETAILS
Impressive Arsenal eliminated on away goals rule.

The Gunners pay for poor first leg.

Monaco reach last eight for first time since 2004-
Their last time, they were able to reach the final against FC Porto.

Olivier Giroud's goal was his seventh goal in eight games.

The striker was one of those hugely mocked in the first leg after missing couple of golden opportunities.

Arsenal failed to make the Champions League quarter-final for the fifth consecutive season despite beating Monaco in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

Recap:
Monaco defender Geoffrey
Kondogbia and Arsenal's Mesut
Ozil swapped shirts at half-time.

Lineups
MONACO
Subasic 1
Tavares 2
Fortuna dos Santos 13
Abdennour 5
Kurzawa 3
Dirar (Echiéjilé 86') 7
Toulalan 28
Kondogbia 22
Martial (Ferreira-Carrasco 60') 23
João Moutinho 8
Berbatov (Silva 70') 9

Substitutes
Carvalho 6
de Carvalho 12
Silva 15
Stekelenburg 16
Ferreira-Carrasco 17
Echiéjilé 21
Touré 38

ARSENAL
Ospina 13
Bellerin 39
Mertesacker 4
Koscielny 6
Monreal (Gibbs 83') 18
Coquelin (Ramsey 63') 34
Cazorla 19
Sánchez 17
Özil 11
Welbeck (Walcott 72') 23
Giroud 12

Substitutes
Szczesny 1
Gibbs 3
Gabriel 5
Walcott 14
Ramsey 16
Flamini 20
Chambers 21

SUNDERLAND APPOINT NEW MANAGER

Former Netherlands manager Advocaat has been appointed as Sunderland coach until the end of the season.

Dick Advocaat comes to Sunderland with a very huge reputation as a former European champion.

The 67- year - old says he can't wait to take in charge of Sunderland.

Advocaat succeeds Gus Poyet after a day of his sacking.

Sunderland are just one point above safety.

Sunderland's last Premier league game was a 4 -0 defeat to Aston Villa at home.

Advocaat -"Sunderland is a big club and I am very much looking forward to the challenge
ahead,"
"We must now concentrate on Saturday as a priority."


SUNDERLAND NEW MANAGER ADVOCAAT'S CV

On the international front, apart from coaching Netherlands twice, he has also
managed United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Belgium, Russia and Serbia.
He stepped down as Serbia coach in November a day after a 3-1 Euro 2016 qualifying defeat against Denmark which left the country joint bottom of Group I.

Advocaat was just four months into a two-year contract after replacing Sinisa Mihajlovic and had been in charge for three games.

Dick Advocaat has never managed in the Premier League but was in charge of Scottish club Rangers between 1998 and 2002.

He won the league and cup double twice at Ibrox, while he also has league titles with PSV Eindhoven in his homeland as well as Zenit St Petersburg in Russia.

The Dutchman also led Zenit to victory over Rangers in the 2008 Uefa Cup final
- now known as the Europa League - while his side also beat Manchester United in the Uefa Super Cup later that year.




Teams managed: DSVP (1980-84), Holland (assistant manager, 1984-87),
HFC Haarlem (1987-89), SVV (1989-1991), Holland (assistant manager,1990-92), FC Dordrecht (1991-92), Holland (1992-94),

PSV (1994-98), Rangers (1998-2002), Holland (2002-04), Borussia Monchengladbach
(2004-05), United Arab Emirates (2005), South Korea (2005-06), Zenit St Petersburg (2006-09), Belgium (2009-10), AZ Alkmaar (2009-10), Russia (2010-12), PSV (2012-13), Serbia (2014), Sunderland (2015-)

HONOURS: Eerste Divisie (SVV, 1989-90), Eredivisie (PSV, 1996-97), KNVB
Cup (PSV, 1995-96), Scottish Premier League (Rangers, 1998-99, 1999-00), Scottish Cup (Rangers, 1998-99, 1999-00), Scottish League Cup (Rangers, 1998-99), Russian Premier League (Zenit, 2007), Russian Super Cup (Zenit, 2008), UEFA Cup (Zenit, 2007-08), UEFA Super Cup (Zenit, 2008)

Atletico Madrid V Bayer Leverkusen (match news and previews)

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Atletico Madrid V Bayer Leverkusen
Date: Tuesday, 17th March
Kick off: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Vicente Calderón
1st Leg
0 - 1

MATCH NEWS

Atlético Madrid, last season's beaten finalists, have one win in six matches, must overturn a 1-0 last-16 first-leg deficit against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday at the Calderon.

Diego Simeone says hard work is the only way Atletico can end their poor run of form and battle to stay in the Champions League.
Atlético Madrid will miss suspended Tiago Mendes after being sent off in the first leg against Leverkusen and Uruguay defender Diego Godin is also banned, having picked up his third Champions League yellow card of the season in the same game.

Atlético Madrid, after picking up three successive draws now trail log leaders Barcelona by 9 points with 11 games to go.

Atlético Madrid won the Spanish League last season.

"We're going into this game with great confidence."
- Bayer Leverkusen Schmidt said.

"We're still the underdogs, but an underdog in with a good chance,"

Form guide :
Atlético: LWLDDD
Leverkusen: DWWDWW

Monaco V Arsenal ( match news and previews )

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Monaco V Arsenal
Date: Tuesday, 17th March
Kick off: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Stade Louis II

Referee: S. Moen
Assistants: K. Haglund
F. Andås
Fourth official: S. Midthjell

Preview :
MATCH NEWS

ARSENAL
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger - "We have experience, the desire and belief we can do it,"

"We want to give everything to have the greatest performance on the pitch."

"If we did not believe we could do it, we would not be here. The statistics are against us. The result in the first leg is against us. We are conscious about that.

"But no matter how big the percentage (chance) is, we have to give absolutely everything to make the stats lie, that is our desire and belief that we can do it."

Arsène Wenger faces former club, Monaco where he coached them from 1987 - 1994.

Arsenal need to score at least a minimum of three goals without conceding.

No team in the Champions League have ever overturned a two-goal deficit away from home in the second leg. Ajax, in 1969, were the last to achieve the feat in the European Cup.

MONACO

Monaco have not conceded in the Champions League this season and are unbeaten in 16 games at Stade Louis II in all competitions.

"We played a dream game, our perfect game, which is why the result ended up like this." - Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim.

"However, we will approach the game the same way as all others - we are not thinking about result itself, just playing the game.

"Everyone knows this will be one of the most difficult challenges we have had for
years."

The message from Leonardo Jardim is that AS Monaco have won nothing yet as confident Arsenal arrive eyeing a piece of UEFA Champions League history.

Monaco are unbeaten at home since 2005.

Form guide :
Monaco: WWDLWW
Arsenal: WLWWWW

ITALIAN SERIE A - TABLE AND FIXTURES

ITALY - SERIE A
WEEKEND RESULTS
Palermo 0 - 1 Juventus

Cagliari 1 - 1 Empoli

Genoa 0 - 2 Chievo

Sassuolo 4 - 1 Parma

Atalanta 0 - 0 Udinese

Hellas Verona 2 - 0 Napoli

Inter 1 - 1 Cesena

Torino 0 - 2 Lazio

Fiorenti 2 - 1 Milan

Roma 0 - 2 Sampdoria

ITALY - SERIE A TABLE
#   Team            Points
1 Juventus              64
2 Roma                  50
3 Lazio                  49
4 Napoli                 46
5 Fiorentina            45
6 Sampdoria           45
7 Genoa                  37
8 Internazionale      37
9 Torino                  36
10 Milan                  35
11 Palermo               35
12 Udinese               32
13 Sassuolo              32
14 Hellas Verona      32
15 Empoli                 30
16 Chievo                 29
17 Atalanta               25
18 Cagliari                21
19 Cesena                  21
20 Parma                  9

Next Games:
SATURDAY 21ST MARCH
Chievo 18 : 00 Palermo
Milan 20 : 45 Cagliari

SUNDAY 22ND MARCH
Empoli 12 : 30 Sassuolo
Juventus 15 : 00 Genoa
Parma 20 : 45 Torino
Cesena 20 : 45 Roma
Sampdori 20 : 45 Internaz
Lazio 20 : 45 Hellas Verona
Udinese 20 : 45 Fiorentina
Napoli 20 : 45 Atalanta

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