Barcelona Extend Nike Deal

FC Barcelona have agreed an extension to their kit-manufacturing deal with Nike which Spanish media reported was the most lucrative arrangement of its kind in the world.

The Spanish champions issued a statement saying details of the contract will be specified at their next general assembly.

The Barcelona-based daily newspapers Diario Sport and Mundo Deportivo reported that the deal could be worth €155m (£120m) a season and would run until 2026.

“FC Barcelona and Nike, Inc have extended their current sponsorship deal, which was due to end on 30 June, 2018,” Barcelona said on Saturday. “The long-term agreement is a landmark in global football and builds upon a highly successful partnership.“

The club’s president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, added: “We are excited by this new agreement and are confident we will be able to celebrate continued sporting successes together.“

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Suarez Hat-Trick Secures Title for Barca

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Luis Suarez bagged a third hat-trick in five games as defending champions Barcelona won 3-0 at Granada to clinch their 24th La Liga title on Saturday.

The Uruguayan converted Jordi Alba’s low pass in the 22nd minute to give Luis Enrique’s side the lead. He then headed in Dani Alves’ cross in the 38th before tapping Neymar’s pass into an empty net in the 86th.

Suarez finished the season as La Liga’s top scorer with 40 goals, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s grip on the honour since 2009.

Barca ended with 91 points, one ahead of Real Madrid who won 2-0 at Deportivo La Coruna.

Ronaldo scored twice for Real before being substituted at halftime, finishing the campaign with 35 goals.

Gerard Pique came close to giving Barca an early lead when his header was tipped away by goalkeeper Andres Fernandez who also saved well from Messi.

Fernandez was powerless to stop Suarez’s opener, however, the Uruguayan tapping the ball home at the far post.

The second goal was delightful. Javier Mascherano launched a long diagonal pass towards the byline and Alves raced to meet it before hooking a cross for Suarez to nod in from close range.

Suarez nearly laid on a third for Neymar but the Brazilian was denied by Fernandez.

Neymar then generously played in Suarez to complete his hat-trick before the end.

“This title tastes great after so much hard work throughout the year and suffering right until the end,” said Barca captain Andres Iniesta.

“The league is the tournament that tests your consistency throughout the year and it’s the one we want to win every year.”

Real got off to an ideal start at Deportivo when Gareth Bale manoeuvred his way past a defender on the left and cut the ball back to Karim Benzema who squared it for Ronaldo to score in the seventh minute.

The Portugal striker’s second in the 25th minute had an element of good fortune, his header from a corner bouncing off Deportivo’s Pedro Mosquera on its way into the net.

Ronaldo also hit the post and the crossbar before being replaced by James Rodriguez although there was no suggestion he had an injury two weeks before the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid.

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Pellegrini Doesn't Look Back in Anger

Pellegrini - Getty Images

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is unlikely to face Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg because of a thigh injury.

Toure was hurt late on in Saturday's 4-0 win over Stoke but stayed on as they had used their three substitutes.

Captain Vincent Kompany, who has only played 20 times this season for the club, says he is "100% fit" after repeated calf injuries.

Real are bringing all their players to Manchester despite injury concerns. They are hopeful Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit despite missing Saturday's 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano with a thigh injury.

But fellow forward Karim Benzema is a doubt after limping out of the match in the first half.

Toure, 32, has featured in all but one of City's Champions League matches during a campaign that has seen them reach the last four for the first time.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini has not ruled the player out of next week's second leg in Spain, saying the club will assess his fitness over the coming nine days.

Defender Kompany was rested for Saturday's home win over Stoke but is ready to return and insists he and his team-mates are ready for the challenge of facing the 10-time European champions.

""There's not a day in my life where I'm thinking these occasions are stressful or difficult," said the 30-year-old Belgium international.

"I want this for myself - and at this level all players want this for themselves. You have to play against those players as many times as we can and try and beat those teams.

"That's what's going to make history for this club.

"For every single player in the team, if you're not hungry tomorrow, then you'll never be hungry in football."

Asked what role City's supporters could play in helping the team gain a first-leg advantage, he said: "The biggest.

"I have never seen a Manchester City team not turn up when the fans are up for it. It's an appeal to them that they have to be as loud as they've ever been. Otherwise, what's the point in buying your ticket to come in?"

The tie brings City's outgoing manager Pellegrini up against the club that sacked him in 2010 after just one season in charge.

However, the Chilean, who is leaving City at the end of the current campaign to be replaced by Pep Guardiola, said: "I don't look back. I always prefer to think about what is happening now.

"I'm happy if we win the title, but I'm not wishing anything for my future."

Pellegrini also called on his team to control their emotions after having players shown red cards in previous big European games.

They had a man sent off in both legs of the last-16 defeat by Barcelona in 2013-14, while Gael Clichy was dismissed in the first leg of last season's loss to the same opponents at the same stage.

"We need to have a very hot heart but a cold mind, that's a lesson we've learned," Pellegrini added.

Manchester City and Real Madrid's only previous competitive encounter was in the 2012-13 Champions League group stages. The Merengues won 3-2 at the Bernabeu before a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium.

For the sixth time in a row, Real Madrid will play the first-leg of a Champions League knockout tie away from home.

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Atletico Madrid v Barcelona - Preview

Simeone and Atletico - Getty Images

Fernando Torres is adamant he was wrongly sent off in the Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona. The Atlético Madrid striker is suspended from Wednesday’s second leg following his dismissal in the 35th minute at the Camp Nou for a double booking, shortly after giving his side the lead.

Barcelona took advantage of having an extra man, Luis Suárez’s second-half double setting up a 2-1 win that Atlético must overturn without Torres at the Vicente Calderón.

“I’m convinced the second yellow card was not a card, I felt a mix of impotence and frustration,” Torres told the Spanish radio station Cadena Ser on Tuesday, when describing his foul on the midfielder Sergio Busquets.

“When I see it again I see a slip-up. It’s not a kick nor a late tackle. The only argument is that it was an action that could have been avoided. My ambition to make it 2-0 ended up harming the team.

“I’m certain that with 11 players we would have won. The following days after the game were difficult. It took two days to get over what happened. The moments after the sending off were the worst of my career. I just wanted to be alone.”

Torres has two months left on his loan contract with Atlético, his boyhood club for whom he played between 2001 and 2007 until moving to Liverpool. He later played for Chelsea and Milan before returning to Atlético on loan from Milan in January 2015.

Although he did not give details on where his immediate future lay, the 32-year-old said he wanted to emulate the former Deportivo La Coruña veteran Juan Carlos Valerón and the Roma captain, Francesco Totti, by extending his stay with Atlético. “I would love to be the Valerón or Totti of Atléti but today more than ever is not the time to talk about that,” he said.

Diego Simeone

Being Atlético means being tenacious, competitive, never giving up and overcoming difficulties. We know there are better teams than us. But we know we can compete against Barcelona.

We try to improve what we are doing [against Barça] game after game. We will try to find an angle and see if we can get at them and win.

The excitement and enthusiasm around this match is fantastic, but I don't think the Barcelona players will be surprised by the atmosphere because they are used to it.

Koke is a very important player for us. He has great vision. The team has had a freshness and an energy about it of late, and that's down to having a player like him in midfield.

Luis Enrique

We are treating this like any quarter-final – I don't feel it's the biggest match of our season. We have a small advantage and we will try to win here too to make sure of the result. This team was made for matches like this. Yes, it's always difficult against Atlético, but it's all about doing things well, which is what we try to do every match. We'll need to play really well.

There is always room for improvement. It's not fair to think that victories or defeats are because of two or three players. I'm just as guilty for any defeats because I am the coach. I'm very happy with Arda Turan's performances and Gerard Piqué is fine.

Tomorrow will be difficult like any UEFA Champions League tie, particularly so against Atlético since they know us so well. There is no doubt we are going to compete. We love to see the Vicente Calderón full but if there's any team able to play in this atmosphere it is Barça. I hope we can see a great spectacle.

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Ronaldo Record in Real La Liga Eibar Win

Cristiano - Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to hit 30 La Liga goals in six consecutive seasons as he inspired Real Madrid to a 4-0 thrashing of Eibar.

The Portugal forward netted in the 19th minute and also provided passes for Lucas Vázquez and Jesé to score as the hosts stormed into a 4-0 half-time lead. James Rodríguez had opened Real’s account with a curling free-kick in the fifth minute.

Zinedine Zidane made eight changes to the team that suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at Wolfsburg in the Champions League in midweek with only Ronaldo, Pepe and Casemiro keeping their places.

The Brazilian right-back Danilo was booed by the home fans for his disappointing display at Wolfsburg when he came on in the second half but it was an otherwise positive afternoon for Real, who host Wolfsburg in their quarter-final second leg on Tuesday.

James was criticised for being caught laughing on the sidelines in Germany in midweek but the Colombia international lifted the crowd by scoring early on, his first goal in just under two months.

A fine piece of skill from Ronaldo allowed Vázquez to pass the ball into an empty net in the 18th minute before the record-breaker finished off a cutback from the lively Jesé a minute later. Ronaldo returned the favour for the 23-year-old in the 39th minute as Real made it 4-0.

Eibar’s top scorer, Borja Baston, hit the crossbar in a rare attack for the visitors.

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City are Not Favourites - Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini - Getty Images

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini said his side are not favourites to progress despite a 2-2 draw away to Paris St-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Sides drawing 2-2 away win the overall tie 79.4% of the time in Europe, and a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium next Tuesday would see Pellegrini's side go through.

"No, we're not favourites. Not before this game and not after," he said.

"Between big teams you never have a favourite. It will still be open."

City took the lead against the French champions through Kevin de Bruyne, but went 2-1 down as Zlatan Ibrahimovic - who also missed a penalty - capitalised on Fernando's error, before Adrien Rabiot scored at the back post.

Fernandinho's deflected effort 18 minutes from time earned a draw for the Premier League club, who are trying to reach their first Champions League semi-final.

"We must not talk about a semi-final," said Pellegrini, 62, who will be succeeded by Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola in the summer.

"We must play the second leg not thinking we are already qualified. When we qualify, we can talk about other things."

De Bruyne has now scored in both of his games since returning from a two-month injury lay-off, after netting in Saturday's 4-0 win over Bournemouth.

"Sometimes one player can change a team. He was important before his injury and thankfully he returned the same way," said Pellegrini.

It was an eventful night for PSG striker Ibrahimovic, 34, who had a penalty saved by Joe Hart, missed a one-on-one opportunity and also struck the crossbar.

But the Swede's goal means he has scored in five consecutive Champions League games for the third time in his career.

"Zlatan was really on a rollercoaster - he missed a penalty and then had a really clear chance and didn't score," said PSG boss Laurent Blanc.

"We thought it wasn't his evening but he kept on believing and scored."

Former France manager Blanc is confident his side can trouble City in the second leg.

"What I will take from this game? It's not the first time we've conceded at home," he said.

"We always concede at home but in the past we've proven that we can score away."

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Wolfsburg v Real Madrid - Preview

Zidane before Wolsfburg match 

Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid will approach Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Wolfsburg "like a final".

The Frenchman said Saturday's 2-1 win over La Liga leaders Barcelona has already been forgotten.

"We cannot relax. We are not untouchable and Wolfsburg are able to hurt us," said Zidane.

"Wolfsburg have fought hard and deserve to be here. It will be a tough match but we are well prepared."

While Real closed the gap on league leaders and rivals Barca to seven points at the weekend, Wolfsburg lost 3-0 to Bayer Leverkusen, their third game without a win in the Bundesliga.

Seven points adrift of fourth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach, they are in danger of missing out on next season's Champions League.

"They may have had problems in the Bundesliga, but this is a completely different competition," said Zidane.

"They have a fast attack so we have to be alert."

Zidane is expected to name the same team which started against Barcelona, with Raphael Varane the only injury absentee at the Volkswagen Arena because of a calf problem.

Cristiano Ronaldo's late goal secured a 2-1 win at Barcelona, ending the league leaders' 39-match unbeaten run

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking said "motivation won't be a problem" for his side, who are appearing in their first Champions League quarter-final.

"We have a big chance to perform on a great stage. Nobody thought we could get this far," he said.

"Real Madrid have a great squad with top-class players. They are one of the favourites for the title and one of the top clubs in Europe.

"But we will try to annoy them and I think my team can do that."

Wolfsburg are without left-back Sebastian Jung, who tore a knee ligament in the previous round against Gent and is out for the season, while midfielder Daniel Caligiuri has a groin problem.

Dieter Hecking, Wolfsburg coach

Since we were drawn against Real Madrid, we've been really excited. But is it the biggest match in our club's history? I think there have been other great games, though maybe this is the one with the most attention. It is extraordinary for every one of us and we want to demonstrate why we are still in this competition.

I don't know right now if Naldo will be able to play. We have to talk to the doctor and also the player. He wants to play, but now it's up to me if I trust him. I don't share the speculation that he will definitely play.

Zinédine Zidane, Real Madrid coach

It will be a tough match but we are well prepared. We will approach it like a final, we cannot relax: the win against Barcelona is already forgotten. We are in good shape and the team are focused – that is the most important thing for me.

More than anything, I want my players to concentrate on their own strengths. It gets more and more difficult, round by round, but if we work as a team we can win trophies.

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Barcelona v Real Madrid - Preview

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says there is no added pressure on him or his players before Saturday's El Clasico with Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Leaders Barcelona are 10 points clear of their fierce rivals and closing in on a third title in four seasons.

Real, last crowned champions of Spain in 2012, are third in the table with eight games left.

"I'm completely relaxed. This is a game of football - and I am going to enjoy it," said Zidane on Friday.

Rafael Benitez was in charge of Real when Barcelona won 4-0 at the Bernabeu on 21 November, a result that proved the beginning of the end for the former Liverpool boss, who was sacked in January after just seven months in charge.

"I'll have no problems at all sleeping tonight," added Zidane, before his first El Clasico in charge.

"It's a game of football and we're in a good dynamic."

Zidane has a near full-strength side to pick from, although defender Raphael Varane missed training on Friday after being injured on international duty with France.

Barca's first-choice front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have played more regularly - and been more productive - than Madrid's Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in La Liga this season

Real's last serious chance of winning silverware this season is in the Champions League.

They fly to Germany to play Wolfsburg in the first leg of their quarter-final tie next Wednesday but Zidane, a European Cup winner with Real in 2002, will not be rotating his squad.

"For me, the most important game is Saturday's game," added the 43-year-old.

Barcelona head into El Clasico on a 39-game unbeaten run stretching back to October and, according to boss Luis Enrique, are "crazy" about winning what many consider the biggest game in club football.

"We're playing to stay as leaders and take a giant step in the league, regardless of the points difference," added Enrique.

"It doesn't matter how many points behind Real Madrid might be, we are still two of the best teams on the planet.

"I expect a fiery Nou Camp and that the fans are at their highest level, against their biggest, eternal rivals.

"I've noticed speaking to the players that they're crazy about winning."

Barcelona, who can finish the season with five trophies, are also in Champions League quarter-final action next week when they host league rivals Atletico Madrid on 5 April.

Enrique, like Zidane, will not be rotating his squad, with forwards Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all expected to start.

Messi is one goal short of 500 in his career and Enrique has described the Argentina forward's strike rate as "from another galaxy" as he looks to reach a new milestone against Real.

Messi's penalty against Bolivia in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier took him to 499 goals for club and country.

"The figure is from another galaxy," added Enrique. "If you add the goals of all our other players, including the ones I have scored, you don't even get close to it.

But I've seen Messi's face and he and his team-mates are desperate to win the game and give joy to our supporters."

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