Mes Que un Club - Luis Enrique

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Luis Enrique, remains convinced his faltering team will end their winless run and retain the La Liga title after seeing their treble dreams dashed.

They have surrendered a nine-point lead over second-placed Atlético Madrid after losing their last three games and are now above them only thanks to a superior head-to-head record. Barça, whose Champions League defence was ended by Atlético in the Champions League quarter-finals last week, are also just one point in front of Real Madrid.

However, Luis Enrique remained positive before the trip to Deportivo La Coruña on Wednesday, after which they will have just four games left in the title race.

“I’m convinced we’re going to win the league, if I wasn’t I wouldn’t be sat here,” he said. “I like adversity, that’s how I am. I want to turn this around, win tomorrow and put on a show. I want to delight the fans who are behind us and can’t explain this situation.

Luis Enrique did not give any reasons for the dramatic loss of form, which has seen his side go from 39 games unbeaten in all competitions to losing four of their last five games.

“We are on a negative run but we don’t need to exaggerate. If it’s due to psychology, then we have the best psychologist around [at the club],” he added.

“We’re clinging on to our players and their attitude and their way of competing. We have had moments like this before, we know how to cope with pressure. But we’re playing against teams that can punish us with few chances.

“If the teams with the best players always won, football would be boring.”

Luis Enrique was also unapologetic for deriding a reporter who had asked him about the team’s fitness levels after Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat by Valencia.

"I have nothing to apologise for. I didn’t show anyone a lack of respect,” he said. “Journalists have also shown me a lack of respect. This is my style, I don’t care if you don’t like it.”

Barcelona, who had hoped to repeat the treble they won last season, will be without influential centre-back Gerard Piqué at Deportivo through suspension. He is set to be replaced by Marc Bartra, who has made just three league starts this season.

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Many Paths on the Road to Milan

Milano 2016 - UEFA

It could be that Josep Guardiola wins the silverware in Milan in May for Bayern Munich and then moves to Manchester in the summer seeking to recover the same said Champions League trophy, for his new club Manchester City. Adding to the already secured trophies for his former employers, and boyhood club, FC Barcelona in 2009 and 2011. Should he fail to overcome the semi-final opponents and not win the trophy for his German employers this will all be anecdotal irony and Guardiola head off to will set up new objectives for the Etihad Stadium team. 

And based on recent results and the close calls with Juventus in the last sixteen, and to some degree Benfica in the quarterfinals, Bayern need to get sharper to enable Pep completes his Bavarian mission – and capture the last piece of his jigsaw for Bayern – absent since his predecessor Jupp Heynckes brought it home from Wembley in 2013.

But perhaps the draw will throw up another configuration and see Real Madrid renew their European battle with the Bavarians, who over the years, have usually proved an unsurmountable hurdle to Florentino Perez’s ambitions. In 2012 Jose Mourinho’s ambitions were ended in the Santiago Bernabeu by the Munich team following penalties, with Dortmund ending their hopes a season later. In Lisbon in the 2014 Final, Atletico Madrid were the injury time victims for a Carlo Ancelotti Madrid team who had already reeked revenge on Bayern in the semi-final. 

Last season Bayern and Madrid avoided each other with both teams falling at semi-final stage to Barcelona and Juventus respectively. A return meeting for Bayern - with Pep at the helm - in Madrid would recall bygone memories of Old Clasico epics. As well as bring Xabi Alonso back to his alma mater having left the club a few seasons ago for Germany.

For Pep though a fate worse than death might have been that feared meeting with Barcelona in the final four. However, Diego Simeone demolished that demon at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday night and so its odds on Bayern will meet one of the Madrid teams. Back in 1974 Bayern and Atletico Madrid met in the Champions League final at the Heysel Stadium with the German team – not surprisingly - winning the first of their three European Cups that May evening. Their side a “de facto” German international team that just a few weeks later would lift the World Cup Jules Rimet trophy in Munich. Also captained by Franz Beckenbauer and featuring Munich stars Paul Breitner, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Gerd Mueller, Uli Hoeness and Sepp Maier. 

With Atletico Madrid showing more modestly perhaps, Heredia from Argentina, Miguel Reina - father of Liverpool keeper Pepe- and the legendary Spanish 2008 EURO winning coach, Luis Aragones, also in the playing ranks. It proved a long night for Atleti then in Brussels and they lost by four goals. A result which would be unlikely to be repeated under Simeone’s defensive system.

With Manuel Pellegrini the intrigue would be a return to the club which fired him after losing La Liga to Barcelona by a mere three points in 2009 – despite amassing a total of 96 points in La Liga that year and beating the previous Real Madrid record set by John Toshack. Which was then surpassed in by José Mourinho in the 2011–12 season. For City to snatch a victory, from the jaws of Perez, would no doubt please Pellegrini should it come to pass - and secure passage to that Final in Milan as a result. It would also sit nicely with his Premier League silverware secured in 2104. 

Should Pellegrini draw Simeone then it will be a nationalistic grudge between Argentina and Chile which at many levels is already tension filled enough - without the added pressure of a Champions League semi-final to play. The advantage on this occasion being that Atletico know their way to a final, having done so two seasons ago. But for Manchester it would be a new journey. Yet one they seem to be adapting to very easily it would seem thus far this season.

Zinedine Zidane like Guardiola has won a Champions League medal as a player. But has yet to add the title to his managerial resume to equal the Catalan player's achievement. The Frenchman winning his title at Hampden Park against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 and Guardiola winning his at Wembley when Johan Cruyff was his Barcelona manager a decade earlier. Also in that Barca team was Txiki Beguiristain, Director of Football at Manchester City, and the man credited with turning Pep's head towards the Blue side of the city, rather than Old Trafford. 

For Zidane the task is probably the least complicated as his job is already on the line on a weekly basis - according to the Madrid sports dailies. Much as it was after the defeat in the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. With only a mild relief on offer when Real Madrid surprisingly won the Clasico in Camp Nou to edge closer to a chance at La Liga. Faced with that pressure Zidane will have no favoured options given his managerial career was launched prematurely with the firing of Benitez in January.

On Friday in Nyon all these possible encounters will be decided with the likelihood being that City and Bayern will meet. It’s newspaper headline waiting to happen.

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Bayern Munich v Benfica - Preview

For the second year running, FC Bayern München must overcome Portuguese opposition in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League as SL Benfica look to reach a first semi-final in more than 25 years.

The teams have met in three previous ties – and not only have Bayern won them all, they have gone on to reach at least the final of the competition on every occasion. The sides were first paired in the quarter-finals of the 1975/76 European Champion Clubs' Cup, a goalless first leg in Lisbon preceding Bayern's 5-1 win in Munich in which Bernd Dürnberger and Gerd Müller each scored twice and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge got the other Bayern goal.

Bayern went on to defeat AS Saint-Étienne 1-0 in the final at Hampden Park, Glasgow – therefore claiming the trophy for the third year in a row.

It was a similar story when the teams met again in the 1981/82 European Cup second round, the first leg in Lisbon again ending scoreless. Once again Bayern ran out comfortable victors at home, thanks mainly to a Dieter Hoeness hat-trick. Paul Breitner got the other in a 4-1 victory.

Again Bayern progressed to the final, although this time they missed out on the trophy, going down 1-0 to Aston Villa FC in Rotterdam.

Jürgen Klinsmann was the standout performer the last time the teams' paths crossed, in the 1995/96 UEFA Cup third round. The striker scored all four goals in Bayern's 4-1 home first-leg victory, then added two more in a 3-1 Lisbon success with Andreas Herzog contributing the other.

Bayern went on to the final and beat FC Girondins de Bordeaux 5-1 over two legs. Klinsmann finished with 15 goals for the season.

Five-time winners Bayern have featured in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in each of the last four seasons. Their European Cup quarter-final record is W17 L9.

Bayern have been unstoppable at home in this season's UEFA Champions League, winning all four games – although they needed extra time, and a recovery from 2-0 down, to beat Juventus in the round of 16 second leg. They won their home group games against GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC with an aggregate score of 14-1.

Twelve months ago, Bayern went down 3-1 at FC Porto in the quarter-final first leg but turned the tie round spectacularly with a 6-1 second-leg success in Munich.

That Porto defeat ended Bayern's 15-match unbeaten record against Portuguese opposition. Their overall record is now P24 W14 D8 L2 F55 A18; at home it is W9 D2 L0. They have won alll nine of their previous two-legged knockout ties against Portuguese opposition.

Bayern's only other defeat by a Portuguese club was also against Porto, in the 1987 European Cup final. Ludwig Kögl gave Bayern a 25th-minute lead at Vienna's Praterstadion, but late goals from Rabah Madjer (77) and Filho Juary (81) snatched away the trophy.

This is Benfica's first UEFA Champions League quarter-final since a 3-1 aggregate defeat by Chelsea FC in 2011/12. Their overall European Cup quarter-final record is W8 L8.

Benfica reached the final on the last two occasions they survived this hurdle – in 1990 and 1988.

Júlio César was in the FC Internazionale Milano side that beat Bayern 2-0 in the 2010 UEFA Champions League final in Madrid. The goalkeeper also helped the Nerazzurri win 3-2 in Munich in the following season's round of 16, going through on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw. Holger Badstuber, Philipp Lahm, Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller were in the Bayern side.

Arturo Vidal was in the Juventus team beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Benfica in the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League semi-finals.

Benfica's Greek international striker Kostas Mitroglou holds German citizenship and had spells in the youth ranks at MSV Duisburg and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Mitroglou scored twice in Greece's 2-0 friendly win against David Alaba's Austria on 14 August 2013.

Robert Lewandowski has scored 13 times in 14 club appearances in 2016. He has registered ten of Bayern's 20 league goals since the winter break. The Poland forward has 44 goals in 47 outings for club and country in 2015/16.

Lewandowski's 25th Bundesliga goal this term, one more than his previous best total for a league campaign, earned Guardiola's men a 1-0 victory at 1. FC Köln on 19 March. With that effort against Köln, Lewandowski surpassed Luca Toni as the scorer of the most Bundesliga goals by a foreign player in a single season for the Bavarians.

Benfica have won 19 of their last 20 games in all competitions, the exception being the 2-1 home loss to Porto on 12 February. 

Jonas has managed 18 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions this calendar year. He has played the last 11 minutes of Brazil's 2-2 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw against Paraguay on 29 March – his first international appearance since September 2012.

Renato Sanches made his senior international debut on 25 March, coming on as a substitute in Portugal's 1-0 home loss to Bulgaria. He also featured against Belgium four days later.

Victor Lindelöf earned his first caps for Sweden in their 2-1 loss to Turkey and the 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic. 

Luisão (out since 21 November, broken left arm) suffered a setback in training and underwent surgery on the injury for a second time on 8 February.

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Cesare Maldini 1932 - 2016

Former Milan defender and Italy manager Cesare Maldini has died at the age of 84, the Serie A club have announced.

The Italian won four league titles with the Rossoneri between 1954 and 1962 and also captained Milan to their inaugural European Cup triumph in 1963. He would later go onto manage them, winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup and Coppa Italia in 1972-73. He helped Italy to World Cup glory in 1982 as the team’s assistant manager, and got the chance to coach his son, Paolo, when he was appointed as Italy manager between 1996-1998.

Milan said in a statement: “AC Milan sends its condolences to the Maldini following the passing of Rossoneri great Cesare Maldini. Cesare skippered the club to its first European Cup triumph in 1963 at Wembley and the loss of such a key figure in Rossoneri history has left everyone at AC Milan moved and saddened. Cesare had recently turned 84 and he left his mark at the club not only as a player, but also as a coach and scout.

The club president Silvio Berlusconi and the rest of the club will always remember fondly his charisma, kindness and warm smile.”

Franco Baresi, another legendary Milan and Italy defender, led the tributes to Maldini: “He was above all a really good person and he has left us. He was a legend and an incredible captain. As a coach he achieved so much and I had the good fortune of getting to know him really well. I was lucky enough to share with him the experience of the 1982 World Cup. I learnt so much from him. He was important and key in passing on the kind of values that we so often forget.”

Milan have confirmed that they will wear black armbands in Sunday’s match against Atalanta and the Italian Football Association have said that there will be a minute’s silence before all matches on Sunday and Monday in Italy in memory of Maldini.

Mauro Tassotti, who played over 400 matches for Milan and played under Maldini for the national team, also expressed his condolences. “I had no idea he was unwell,” the 56-year-old said. “It’s such a blow for Paolo but also for my family and football as a whole. He was involved in the game for 60 years. This is a sad day for our sport and not just for Milan. I will remember Cesare for his kindness. He was a part of several eras of the game. In my view, he took that benevolence that existed in the 1960s and modernised it.”

#RIP

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Jordi Expresses Thanks for Cruijff Tributes

Jordi Cruyff has expressed thanks for the tributes to his father, Dutch footballing great Johan Cruyff.

The former Barcelona and Ajax forward died of cancer, aged 68, on Thursday.

His family say they will hold a private funeral for the three-time European Footballer of the Year, while a public memorial will also be organised.

"It has touched us deeply that Johan was such an inspiration to many of you," said ex-Manchester United midfielder Jordi in a statement.

"On behalf of my mother, sisters and the rest of the family I would like to say thank you for all the love, kind words and memories that have been shared with us, since yesterday but also over the past months," added the 42-year-old, who played under his father at Barcelona.

Cruyff, who led Barca to their first European Cup in 1992 and also managed Ajax, is widely considered to be one of the world's greatest ever players.

Figures from the world of football, Dutch politicians and royalty were among those to

pay tribute on Thursday.

Earlier in the week Jordi said: "There are times when you're young, you see everybody coming up to your father and you don't know why. Of course now I look back and see what an amazing legend he is. They admire him, they respect him, they love him. It gives me a super-proud feeling. The ways he plays football, you still see a lot of football nowadays partly based on the idea he brought in 30 years ago as a coach. The national team was also known as the team of 'Total Football'. It's a legacy.

"In football, you have the mortals, which is 99.9 percent, and the immortals, the small percentage who will always be remembered. He's a legend. I can only be proud of that."

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Holland France Friendly to Halt in 14th Minute

The international friendly between Holland and France on Friday will be halted in the 14th minute in a tribute to Johan Cruyff, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has confirmed.

Cruyff, who died of cancer at the age of 68 on Thursday, scored 33 goals in 48 appearances for Holland between 1966 and 1977. His legacy will be remembered in a special minute’s silence to take place in the 14th minute – Cruyff’s shirt number for club and country – at Ajax’s Amsterdam Arena.

“The KNVB, including the Dutch national team, its staff and directors are saddened by the news that Johan Cruyff died on Thursday in Barcelona at the age of 68,” read a statement on the Dutch FA’s website.

Cruyff died in the presence of his family, to whom go our thoughts at this time. Cruyff’s death is a great loss for Dutch football.

“On Friday, the Dutch national team will face France in Amsterdam. Because of the great contribution of Johan Cruyff to national and international football in the 14th minute, the match will be shut down for a minute’s silence.

“Also amateur clubs are called to reflect on the death of Cruyff. What clubs do is free for them to decide, but could include hanging flags at half-mast, wearing black arm bands or observing a silence in the 14th minute.”

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Football Legends - Ruud Krol

Rudolf Jozef “Ruud” Krol, born in Amsterdam, played most of his career for his hometown club Ajax. 

He was only 20 when he was called up to the national team squad for the first time and stayed there for the next fourteen years. With Ajax, he was part of some of the best clubteams European football has ever seen. Three straight European Cups were won in the early seventies and many of his colleagues in Ajax, for instance Johann Cruyff, were also key-players for Holland.

Krol was a versatile defender who could play anywhere that was required. He was a great reader of the game which also made him successful as a sweeper in the 1978 World Cup. Four years earlier he had been equally successful at left-back. 

The Dutch team of 1974 is always mentioned when people talk about great teams that never won the World Cup. Krol played in every minute in all seven games and also scored a goal, a cracking shot against Argentina in the 4-0 second phase win.

Krol was made captain by coach Ernst Happel for the 1978 World Cup and Holland advanced through the rounds much thanks to Krol’s presence. The team suffered from the lack of Cruyff in a creative midfield role, but neither Italy or West Germany could prevent Holland from reaching a second World Cup final in a row. 

Holland and Krol, once again an ever-present, could not stop Argentina and Kempes in extra-time as the hosts ran out 3-1 winners.

Ruud moved to Canada to play for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1980. He returned back to Europe the following year to play four seasons for Napoli and later for Cannes in the French second division where he also ended his career. 

He was capped 83 times for Holland, a record until Aron Winter broke it during Euro 2000. 

Ruud Krol is currently manager of Raja Casablanca in Morocco

  
  

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Celtic Set to Investigate

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Celtic say they will investigate after arrests were made ahead of their Champions League group defeat to Ajax.

Violent disturbances in Amsterdam led to numerous people being detained by Dutch police and the Scottish champions released a statement to say they had already begun probing into the worrying events in Holland.

"Celtic Football Club is currently investigating events in Amsterdam last night (Wednesday)," read the statement.

"We have been informed that there are five individuals detained in Holland. We are not clear if they have any formal association with the Club, however, we will be liaising with the local authorities in Amsterdam, our own police and the British Consulate in order to fully understand events. We would stress that there is no excuse for any form of violent conduct.

"In addition, we have received numerous complaints from Celtic supporters in relation to their treatment in Amsterdam, which we will also investigate fully.

"There is no question that Celtic supporters have been subjected to a high degree of provocation. Last week, our supporters were the target of missiles being thrown from Ajax supporters at Celtic Park, a night where 300 seats were damaged within the stadium.

"This was followed up by an organised attack on a group of Celtic supporters in Amsterdam on Tuesday, the night before the match. We have also received numerous individual reports of other attacks on our fans.

"The Celtic travelling support has a magnificent reputation across Europe and our fans have visited major European cities over many years without incident. Once again the overwhelming majority of our supporters behaved impeccably."

Meanwhile Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert, who spent eight years with Celtic during his playing career, said he was surprised by news of the arrests.

He said: "I played for many years at Celtic and I never encountered any bother.

"I played in the UEFA Cup final and we took over maybe 80-90,000 to Seville and there was not one arrest while we were there.

"Knowing the club and the fans the way I do, I find it incredible (what has happened). I'm not sure they would have started anything.

"I know there was trouble in the first game at Parkhead and it might have spilled over from that.

"But if you look at Celtic over the past 30 years there has not been one bit of bother.

"So I would disagree with anybody thinking the Celtic fans would go out looking for trouble when they never do it."

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