Manchester City beat PSG to make Historic Champions League Semis

Kevin De Bruyne hit a brilliant winner as Manchester City claimed a place in the Champions League semifinals with a stunning victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

De Bruyne curled home a fine shot with 14 minutes of their last-eight tie at the Etihad Stadium remaining, securing a 1-0 victory and sending City through 3-2 on aggregate.

City put their fans through a nervy ride after Sergio Aguero missed a first-half penalty following an incident in which goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was perhaps lucky not to be sent off.

But backed by raucous fans in a club record European crowd of 53,039, Manuel Pellegrini’s men held on to seal a historic result.

The atmosphere was one of the liveliest City have produced in the competition and, contrary to suggestions it might set the wrong tone, the fans’ now traditional booing of the anthem actually energised the crowd.

It still took time for the game to warm up but after Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his duel with Joe Hart by forcing the England goalkeeper to tip over his 15th-minute free-kick there were few quiet moments.

PSG, fielding an unfamiliar back three, looked the most vulnerable in defence with Serge Aurier looking particularly shaky.

Aguero started to look lively and shot narrowly wide twice in quick succession, the first from a tight angle and the second with a dipping half-volley.

The Argentinian was presented with an even better chance on the half-hour as he raced onto a Fernandinho pass but was brought down by goalkeeper Trapp.

Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo pointed to the spot but PSG had a double reprieve first as Trapp escaped with a yellow card and then as Aguero put his spot-kick wide.

Aguero’s eventful first half continued as he went down clutching his knee after landing awkwardly but City anxiety was eased as he got up to continue after treatment.

Thiago Motta was not so fortunate as he limped off with a hamstring injury on the stroke of half-time, forcing PSG to revert to a back four.

Needing a goal, the visitors started the second half well with Ibrahimovic again testing Hart with a thunderous free-kick and Gregory van der Wiel shooting straight at the keeper. City tried to mount some attacks themselves but were continually thwarted in the final third and had another nervy moment when Hart had to palm over a Thiago Silva header.

As time began to tick away for PSG, behind on away goals, City fans began to grow in confidence to the extent that they taunted Ibrahimovic. The Swede was compared unflatteringly to Andy Carroll and, far from winding up the PSG talisman, he seemed unable to get into the game.

Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi repelled the visitors and City finally broke the deadlock after 76 minutes as the outstanding De Bruyne curled a superb low shot past Trapp.

Aguero might even have increased the advantage moments later but fired narrowly wide from distance.

PSG battled on despite knowing they would need at least two goals but their efforts proved in vain. Hart made a crucial save from Edinson Cavani and the French side were also denied by an offside flag when Ibrahimovic turned the ball in five minutes from time.

Ronaldo Fires Madrid Past Wolfsburg With A Brilliant Hat-Trick

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Real Madrid to a record sixth successive Champions League semi-final with a hat-trick as the Spanish giants overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit, beating Wolfsburg 3-0 on Tuesday.

Ronaldo struck twice in just over a minute to bring Madrid level in the tie inside 17 minutes.

Yet, the 10-time winners were forced to wait until 13 minutes from time to find the winner when Ronaldo's dipping free-kick escaped the clutches of Diego Benaglio to find the bottom corner.

"It had to be a magic night and it was. It was the perfect game in the end," said Ronaldo who became the first player to score three hat-tricks in the competition in one season.

"Goals are in my DNA and I want to keep scoring them for the team."

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane hailed his side's collective effort, but reserved special praise for Ronaldo.

"He is showing what he is, which is the best player in the world," said the Frenchman.

"Cristiano needs the whole team, I want to speak about the team because they achieved this together.

"But he is special because not everyone is capable of scoring three goals."

Wolfsburg boss Dieter Hecking was left to rue his side's inability to defend from set-pieces and lack of a killer away goal.

"We should have defended better. To go to the next stage, we needed a goal," he said.

"Two of the three goals were from dead balls and so that tells you that we didn't defend right."

Roared back

Madrid hadn't overturned a first-leg deficit in the Champions League in eight attempts stretching back 14 years to when Zidane played for Los Blancos in a quarter-final win over Bayern Munich.

However, they roared back into the tie and were level as Ronaldo struck twice in 86 seconds.

Dani Carvajal replaced the much-criticised Danilo in Madrid's only change from the first leg at right-back and the Spanish international's deflected cross fell perfectly for Ronaldo to tap home the opener at the back post.

The two nearly combined for the second straight from the restart as another dangerous Carvajal effort was just cut out before Ronaldo could head home.

However, there was no stopping the three-time World Player of the Year from the resulting corner as his downward header found the bottom corner of the net.

Wolfsburg's disastrous start was compounded when star midfielder Julian Draxler limped off injured to be replaced by Max Kruse just after the half-hour mark.

Yet, the Germans still managed to grow into the game as the opening 45 minutes wore on.

Luis Gustavo's fierce long-range effort forced Keylor Navas into a decent save before Bruno Henrique squandered a huge chance to net the vital away goal as he hesitated in getting his shot off and Marcelo got back to block the ball behind.

Madrid started on the front foot again at the start of the second half as Ronaldo saw a free-kick deflected wide before Benaglio was forced into a save to prevent Josuha Guilavogui turning a cross into his own net.

The hosts were convinced they had gone ahead for the first time in the tie when Ramos's header came off the inside of the post and rolled along the goal line, but Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai adjudged the ball hadn't crossed the line.

Ronaldo finally struck the decisive blow when his free-kick from 25 yards skidded off the wet turf and beyond the despairing dive of Benaglio to seal his 37th hat-trick for Madrid and 16th Champions League goal of the season.

The 31-year-old is now just one away from equalling his single-season record of 17 goals in 2013/14.

The Swiss 'keeper then kept Wolfsburg in the tie with brilliant saves from Karim Benzema and Jese Rodriguez to set up a grandstand finish.

But Madrid's experience told in the dying stages as they comfortably saw the game out to match Barcelona's record run of six semi-finals between 2008 and 2013.

Barcelona given a deadly Punch by Real Sociedad

An early goal from teenager Mikel Oyarzabal saw Real Sociedad beat Barcelona 1-0 and blow the Primera Division side wide open.

The 18-year-old headed in the only goal of the game in the fifth minute and the hosts held on to claim a fifth consecutive home win over Barcelona, who have still not won at Anoeta since 2007.

The surprise defeat comes a week after the 2-1 loss to Real Madrid and Barca have now gone three games without a league win, their longest stretch without victory under Luis Enrique.

Barca remain top of the table but are now just three points above Atletico Madrid and four clear of Real Madrid, although they have a superior head-to-head record against both sides, having led the league by nine points eight days ago.

Rafinha made his first appearance since tearing cruciate ligaments in his knee last September, starting at the expense of Andres Iniesta, while Sergi Roberto replaced Jordi Alba and Arda Turan came in for Ivan Rakitic. Munir El Haddadi filled in for the suspended Luis Suarez, just as he had replaced Lionel Messi in this fixture last year.

And just as last January against David Moyes’ side, the Catalans got off to a nightmare start.

Roberto failed to get close to La Real captain Xabi Prieto and the veteran picked out Oyarzabal around the penalty spot, the winger leaping to glance the ball high into the far corner and beyond the reach of former Sociedad player Claudio Bravo.

Just like last season, La Real had Barca where they wanted them and were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, successfully frustrating the Catalans. The visitors’ only chance in the first half fell the way of Turan after Neymar flicked on a Messi cross, but Geronimo Rulli saved with his legs.

Luis Enrique appeared to acknowledge he had made a mistake in rotating his team, bringing on Iniesta immediately after half-time and later changing Alba for Turan and Rakitic for Roberto.

But Barca continued to struggle to find space to create chances. Iniesta went for goal from the edge of the box with a stinging shot but Rulli tipped it away, and the Argentinian made another impressive save later on to deny compatriot Messi.

The young goalkeeper frustrated Barca’s talisman once more before the end, getting down low to block a header and set up a famous win against his old side for coach Eusebio Sacristan.

Man City draw at PSG thanks to De Bruyne, Fernandinho goals

Goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho helped Manchester City secure a 2-2 draw at Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarterfinal first-leg tie on Wednesday.

The Premier League side, who have never advanced this deep into Europe’s top club competition, will fancy their chances in the return leg after an entertaining affair at the Parc des Princes.

PSG had a shout for a red card and a penalty in the opening moments when Blaise Matuidi, played in behind the City defence, went down in the box after a challenge from Eliaquim Mangala from behind, though the referee waved play on.

PSG had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 14th minute. From a corner, David Luiz settled a deflected clearance and was taken down by Bacary Sagna after some quick foot-work at the top of the box.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s resulting spot-kick was well-saved by Joe Hart, who went low and to his right to keep the Swede’s powerful strike out of the bottom corner.

Kevin De Bruyne gave Man City the lead after a fine counter-attack.
Ibrahimovic then had a second guilt-edged miss 10 minutes later. A Nicolas Otamendi giveaway fell to Thiago Motta, whose through ball played in Ibrahimovic one-on-one against Hart with time and space to work with, but the the former AC Milan man shot completely over goal from 18 yards out.

Manchester City punished the hosts’ wastefullness in the 38th minute with a swift counter-attack. Fernandinho’s strong run from midfield found De Bruyne, who powered his right-footed shot past Kevin Trapp from the right side of the box.

PSG bagged their equaliser in bizarre fashion three minutes before the break. Joe Hart’s pass out from a goal kick found Fernando who, while being closed down by Ibrahimovic after a poor first touch, played his pass off the forward’s outstretched foot and straight into Hart’s empty net from just outside the box.

PSG took the lead 14 minutes after the break. The Parisian side worked possession for a corner. Angel Di Maria whipped in a cross that was headed directly at Hart by Edinson Cavani. The England goalkeeper then spilled the catch straight into the path of an onrushing Adrien Rabiot, who slotted inside of City’s near post.

Fernandinho gave City the equaliser in the 72nd minute. Serge Aurier’s failed clearance of a Sagna cross rolled into the Brazilian’s path, whose lashed right-footed effort took a deflection before trickling into Trapp’s net.

Wolfsburg in a thrilling victory over Madrid

Wolfsburg beat Real Madrid 2-0 in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg, setting up a challenging return leg in Spain for Zinedine Zidane’s team.

Wolfsburg would open the scoring through Ricardo Rodriguez from the penalty spot in the 17th minute. Casemiro fouled Andre Schurrle in plain site of the referee, who awarded the penalty, which the Switzerland international powered past Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Real had been pressing for the first 15 minutes, but the Rodriguez goal seemed to inspire Wolfsburg, who continued to surge forward with confidence. Seven minutes after their first goal, Maximilian Arnold doubled the hosts’ lead, finishing off a nice move with an assist from Bruno Henrique.

Despite trailing two goals to start the second half, Madrid were unable to muster many opportunities against their Bundesliga opponents, as Wolfsburg held Los Blancos at arm’s length through good possession and team passing.

The two teams will meet again for the second leg on April 12 at the Santiago Bernabeu

Antonio Conte is Next Chelsea Manager

Antonio Conte will become the next permanent Chelsea manager after Euro 2016, the club have confirmed.

Last month, Italian football federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio announced that Conte will step down as Italy coach when his contract expires after the European Championship, adding that the 46-year-old had told him that he wanted to “get back to day-to-day coaching.”

Chelsea have now confirmed that Conte, who has signed a three-year deal, has been chosen as the full-time successor to Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in December after presiding over a disastrous Premier League title defence.

“I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club. I am proud to be the coach of the national team of my country and only a role as attractive as manager of Chelsea could follow that,” Conte told Chelsea’s official website.

“I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the club and the day-to-day challenge of competing in the Premier League. Chelsea and English football are watched wherever you go, the fans are passionate and my ambition is to have more success to follow the victories I enjoyed in Italy.

“I am happy we have made the announcement now so everything is clear and we can end the speculation. I will continue to focus on my job with the Italian national team and will reserve speaking about Chelsea again until after the Euros.”

Conte has been taking English lessons for months in preparation for life in the Premier League and in February sources told ESPN FC that the 46-year-old had moved ahead of Massimiliano Allegri, Diego Simeone, Jorge Sampaoli and Mauricio Pochettino in the running to become the next Chelsea manager.Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck added: “Antonio Conte has a record of consistent success in his career as a manager and as a player. We look forward to welcoming him to Stamford Bridge and are confident he will find all he needs to maintain that high standard of achievement.”

The Blues have enjoyed a relative revival under interim manager Guus Hiddink and remain unbeaten in the Premier League in 2016, but lie 10 points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City with just seven matches to play, while recent defeats to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Everton in the FA Cup ended any hopes of silverware.

Chelsea will hope that Conte can replicate the immediate impact he had at Juventus, where he inherited a team that finished seventh in Serie A in the 2009-10 season and led them to three straight titles.

He took charge of Italy after the 2014 World Cup and oversaw a successful qualification campaign for Euro 2016, which saw the Azzurri finish top of Group H ahead of Croatia and Norway.

Italy, the 1968 European Championship winners, have been drawn against Belgium, Republic of Ireland and Sweden in Group E at this summer’s tournament.

Last month, the ANSA news agency reported that the trial over Conte’s alleged failure to report match fixing while in charge of Siena is set to begin on April 4.

Conte was found guilty of failing to report unsporting behaviour in relation to a match-fixing investigation by an FIGC sporting court in 2012. He was initially banned for 10 months, which was reduced to four months on appeal.

The trial beginning in April is part of a criminal investigation in which 103 people are on trial.

Conte, who has denied the charge, could be banned from all sporting activity for over six months and fined at least €30,000 if found guilty.

Cristiano Ronaldo Shoots Down High Flying Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo scored late as 10-man Real Madrid stunned Barcelona at the Camp Nou to win El Clasico on Saturday.

Gerard Pique had given Barca the lead before Karim Benzema answered for Real, and soon after Sergio Ramos was sent off Ronaldo found the winner.

Barcelona had a glorious chance to take the lead in the 10th minute when Neymar fed an open Luis Suarez, but the Uruguayan could not get his feet right and the ball fell wide of the goal.
Real Madrid responded as Gareth Bale raced into the box from the wing and tried to square for a teammate but the play was picked out for a sliding Gerard Pique.

But the hosts had more opportunities in the first half, as Andres Iniesta had a powerful shot blocked in front soon after.

As Barca kept up the pressure, Real defender Dani Carvajal was booked for stopping an attack and Lionel Messi’s free kick flew over the bar.

Ivan Rakitic then forced a save from Keylor Navas before Neymar shot well high after a series of fine passes with Messi.

The first major talking point came in the 24th minute when Sergio Ramos collided with Lionel Messi at the top of the box, but referee Alejandro Hernandez waved away Barcelona’s penalty shouts.

Ramos had already been booked for a foul in the buildup to Suarez’s opening chance, but Hernandez ruled he got the slightest of touches on the ball as Messi took him on.

Real then had some chances of their own as Cristiano Ronaldo got off a soft shot and Bale fired a shot high.

And the visitors were on the ascendancy after Suarez received a yellow card after his hand flailed in the face of Pepe.

Ronaldo sent a free kick over the bar from 30 yards on the half-hour mark, and before the break Benzema found himself alone in the centre of the box, but he could not bring the ball down after the pass to him took a high bounce.

As the second half began, Ramos was again fortunate to escape a second yellow card for a foul on Suarez.

Barcelona regained their form and Navas made a spectacular save to deny Messi’s chip in the 55th minute, but the breakthrough came moments later.

Following a Rakitic corner, Pique broke free of Pepe’s marking to head in Barcelona’s opening goal.

But Real Madrid were back level seven minutes later as Toni Kroos’ pass from the wing took a deflection that lofted it high in the air, and Benzema scored with an acrobatic high kick.

And Zinedine Zidane thought his team had taken the lead from Gareth Bale’s header in the 79th minute, but the goal was harshly ruled out as the referee adjudged he had pushed Jordi Alba while leaping for the ball.

Ramos was sent off in the 84th minute for going into the back of Suarez, giving Barcelona the hope they could find a winner.

But Ronaldo silenced the Camp Nou crowd a scant minute later after he controlled Bale’s lofted cross, allowed Alves to pass him by and finished through Claudio Bravo’s legs.

Nigeria: Ubah Banned for 10 Matches, Asked to Apologise in Writing

The League Management Company (LMC) on Thursday banned for 10 matches the proprietor of Nnewi-based FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Ifeanyi Ubah, and fined him the sum of N2.5 million.

In a statement by Harry Iwuala, LMC's Head of Special Projects, the league managers also asked the club proprietor to write a letter of apology.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ubah has also been asked to sign an undertaking to be a good ambassador of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) henceforth.

In a landmark case, following Ubah's status as a chief financial supporter of football activities in the country, the LMC said its actions followed the review of new video evidence.

It said it had reviewed again the incident which occurred immediately after the Match Day 8 fixture in Nnewi between FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Heartland Football Club of Owerri.

"LMC is now issuing fresh charges against Ubah and is now handing him a fine of N2.5 million, in addition to a 10-match ban from all NPFL venues in a Summary Jurisdiction notice issued Thursday afternoon.

"Relying on the Match Commissioner's report which did not capture the incident, the LMC had earlier charged Ubah for encroachment on the field of play only.

"But, having received additional evidence that supported a case of assault on goalkeeper Ebele Obi, fresh charges have been drafted.

"Ubah was charged for breach of Rule C1 of the NPFL Rules and Framework for an offence of misconduct, in that immediately after the match he encroached on the field of play and assaulted Obi while his personal security aides further assaulted the player.

"For this, the LMC ruled in an exercise of summary jurisdiction to suspend Ubah from all NPFL match venues for the next 10 matches," the statement said.

However, the last four of the 10-match ban have been suspended for a probationary period expiring at the end of the 2015/16 season.

It said further that it was taking further measures in view of the unrestrained behaviour of the personal security aides of Ubah.

"Club officials and guests to NPFL matches are prohibited from bringing self-procured security apparatus to match venues."

Also, LMC said Heartland FC officials have meanwhile accepted the sanction to pay N750,000 for their failure to control their players who harassed the match referee and pushed him down.

"They apologised for the lapse and appealed for leniency citing the fact that their goalkeeper was a first offender.

"In a letter signed by the club's General Manager, Oscar Keke, the club pleaded for a reduction of the fine by saying Heartland is not known for crowd trouble, even in the face of negative results.

"The club further pleaded that the incident under reference must be viewed as an aberration in the light of which they were appealing for a substantial reduction in the fine," it said.

Meanwhile, LMC has written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the wake of the FC Ifeanyi Ubah versus Heartland match.

According to the statement, the LMC has recommended that the game's Match Commissioner, Sunday Audu from FCT, and the centre referee, Ibrahim Ajao, be withdrawn from further officiating in NPFL matches.

"Ajao was cited for failure to report the multiple assault incidences recorded during and after the match.

"He was also cited for failure to submit his match report within the statutory 24 hours, as the said report was only submitted on March 31 while the match was held on March 23.

"Similarly, the Match Commissioner was also charged for failure to adequately reflect in his report the cases of multiple assaults on Heartland goalkeeper and his teammates."

Diego Costa handed further one-match ban and fined €25,000

Striker Diego Costa has been given an additional one-match ban, fined £20,000 (€25,000) and warned over his future conduct after admitting a charge of improper conduct following his dismissal at Everton last month, the Football Association has announced.

The striker was sent off for the first time in his Chelsea career in the FA Cup quarter-final loss at Goodison Park and given an automatic two-match ban, ruling him out of the draw with West Ham and Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

Now Costa, who had no case to answer over suggestions he bit Everton midfielder Gareth Barry or made an inappropriate gesture to Everton fans, will also miss the April 9th match at Swansea.

An FA statement read: “Following an independent regulatory commission hearing on

Thursday (March 31, 2016), Chelsea’s Diego Costa has been given a one-match suspension, fined £20,000 (€25,000) and warned as to his future conduct.

“The forward admitted a charge of improper conduct in relation to his behaviour after he was shown a second yellow card in the FA Cup sixth-round tie on March 12, 2016 at Goodison Park.

“This suspension will follow immediately on the conclusion of the player’s current ban.”

Costa’s automatic ban was two games as it was considered to be his second dismissal of the season after he was handed a retrospective three-match ban for altercations with Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel in September.

Costa has scored 11 goals in his last 16 games for Chelsea under Guus Hiddink. The interim boss admitted on Friday he would use the final eight games of the Premier League season to “experiment”.

With Costa suspended, Eden Hazard (groin/hip) injured and Oscar, Willian and Bertrand Traore only rejoining Chelsea on Friday following international duty, Alexandre Pato could make his long-awaited debut in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Villa Park.

“We now have eight games coming up, and there’s not much to win for Chelsea anymore. There might be some time for experiments,” Hiddink said.

The Dutchman refused to be drawn on the prospect of John Terry making an unlikely England return in time for this summer’s European Championship.

The 35-year-old Chelsea captain recently spoke to England boss Roy Hodgson, who on Tuesday night admitted to a lack of defensive options following the friendly loss to Holland and ahead of Euro 2016.

Terry won 78 caps before retiring from England duty in September 2012, accusing the Football Association of making his position within the international set-up “untenable” following its pursuit of a racism charge against him.

“I think it’s a bit over-valued,” Hiddink said.

“Whether they had a conversation, yes or no... but there was no issue for either of them.

“We didn’t talk about that (an England return). What I know (is) he likes to play football.

“John is doing his job for Chelsea and decided already one or two or three years ago not to be available anymore for England.”

Terry could be playing his football elsewhere next season. He is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and in January said he would be leaving, with no deal on the table. Chelsea said a contract offer could be forthcoming.

Hiddink, who will leave in May after his second caretaker spell at Chelsea, swerved the contract question, but advised Terry to go elsewhere and gain experience as an assistant coach if he has managerial ambitions.

Asked if Terry could be a future Chelsea manager, Hiddink said: “Not in one or two years, but of course (yes), if he gets the experience. Most of the time it’s good to go and go and be an assistant first, getting the experience from the other side.”

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while on duty with Belgium, refused to give any assurances that he would stay at a team that will be absent from the Champions League and, as yet, still has no permanent manager. Italy boss Antonio Conte has been heavily linked to the vacancy created since Jose Mourinho’s sacking in December.

Hiddink has not read Courtois’ comments, but claims they may have been misinterpreted.

He said: “Formally, he’s under contract. What I know from him, and his family, (is) he likes to be in London at the club. It’s difficult to react on what has been said or has been translated or mis-translated.

“I’d like to talk to him. But I don’t want to overvalue it (his comments).”

England Call Up Important for Wilshere's Confidence

Jack Wilshere scored for England against Slovenia in a Euro 2016 qualifier. His place in Roy Hodgson’s squad is no longer guaranteed. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Arsène Wenger is backing Jack Wilshere to make Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the European Championship. The midfielder is back in full training and the Arsenal manager is hopeful he can prove his fitness and be trusted for England even though he has not played all season.

“When you’re a national team coach, you can take a gamble on one player but certainly not on five. You can certainly take a chance on just one player,” Wenger said. He would welcome Wilshere being that wildcard.

“You want your players to compete. When you’re a footballer you want to compete at the top level and what is important is that Jack, who is frustrated enough, regains confidence. It’s very important for his confidence that he can go to the Euros and he can play. It’s also important to have a player of his quality available. I’m cautious with him now but to be back fully competitive, it will take a few weeks.”

Wilshere clearly needs games to regain match sharpness and Wenger views Arsenal’s under-21 game next Friday at the Emirates as a chance to step up the player’s recovery from a leg fractured in training on the eve of the season.

Wenger also confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is “three or four weeks” away from fitness should be available in time for selection for the Euro 2016 and Santi Cazorla is also a hope to recover in time for Spain. “I hope so because he has started to run,” Wenger said. “We have to always be a bit cautious, because you never know how people will respond to training sessions, but at the moment he looks like he has a chance to be completely fit.”

Petr Cech is back in training and could be back in the squad for the home game against Watford on Saturday.

Wenger refuses to give up on the title, despite Leicester’s 11-point advantage.Arsenal have a game in hand. “If we win all the eight games, we have more than a chance to win the league but our target is to win the games. Let’s start to be pragmatic and win the next one. We are depending on Leicester City and nobody knows how they will go in the last seven games. They have seven games, we have eight. What is important is that we play our eight games with complete commitment and passion and see where we finish.

“The last few weeks have been very difficult but I believe you focus on giving your best and performing and I think our last two games – at Barcelona and at Everton – were very positive. That shows the team respond very well, even when we have a difficult period. That’s what it is about. Some teams sink and some others respond.”

Trump In Advanced Talks To Buy AC Milan

Frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Donald Trump, is allegedly in advanced talks to add AC Milan to his international sporting empire, which already includes a number of golf courses.

The 69-year-old recently made a detour from the campaign trail to fly into Italy on an overnight flight from Chicago.

The former High School variety soccer star was spotted getting into a waiting car outside Casa Milan in the early hours of the morning.

Former Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, had been attempting to sell the club to Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol for some time before the American tycoon stepped in to unexpectedly come close to sealing a deal.

The Rossoneri were regarded as a valuable political tool for Berlusconi and the Trump campaign now hope that the ‘make Milan great again’ platform will help tap into the large Italian-American demographic.

The Republican frontrunner has also reportedly opened talks with Trump Tower inhabitant, Cristiano Ronaldo, in a bid to take him to the Stadio San Siro.

South Africa: Pistorius Sentencing Set for June

Pretoria — The office of the Chief Justice has confirmed that sentencing in the Oscar Pistorius matter is scheduled to take place between 13 and 17 June.

The office says Pistorius's appearance on 18 April is only provisionally arranged, pending the outcome of his application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal judgment.

"Sentencing procedures in the Oscar Pistorius matter will not commence on 18 April 2016 as reported in the media. The 18th of April 2016 was a date provisionally arranged pending the outcome of Mr Pistorius's application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal judgment.

"The sentencing proceedings will commence de novo from 13 to 17 June 2016 at the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria."

Pistorius was granted R10 000 bail after the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned his culpable homicide conviction and replaced it with murder.

The Constitutional Court dismissed Pistorius's appeal against his murder conviction, saying there was lack of prospects of success.

Pistorius has already served a year in prison after Judge Thokozile Masipa handed him a five-year sentence for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013.

Nigeria can't win medals in Rio

A renowned athletics coach, Tony Osheku, has said that Nigeria is not prepared to win medals at the 2016 Olympic Games which holds in Rio de Jainero, Brazil.

Consequently, he urged the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to in earnest adopt strategies that could enable the country to win medals at the forthcoming Olympics.

The 2016 Olympic Games are scheduled for August 5-21 in Rio de Jainero, Brazil.

Osheku, who expressed fear that the country might not win a medal at the quadrennial games, said that issues like preparation and structure should be revisited.

"The country's dismal performance at the recent World Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon, U.S., is an indication that we are not prepared.

"I am skeptical about our performance at the forthcoming Olympics; four years ago we said we will start preparing for the next Games.

"What we are still seeing is just bragging, and then the fire brigade approach starts a month to the Olympics. We should emulate what top countries are doing in terms of preparation.

"We need to tighten our seat belt if we want to win a medal at the Olympics," he said.

He also disagreed with the notion of holding a national camp, adding that a number of athletes should be assigned to a particular coach for training.

"Coaches should be empowered, I do not believe in bringing all the athletes and coaches to a national camp. Envy also crops up when we are in the camp.

"If a coach is in Lagos, give him at least five athletes to train, check the coach's programme, monitor him but give him a free hand," he said.

Osheku, also said the country was blessed with talented young athletes, noting that the problem was good structure to nurture the athletes.

NAN

Elneny Is Vitality Player of the Month

Mohamed Elneny has been named the Arsenal Vitality Player of the Month, the club announced on Wednesday.

Elneny, 23, was in fine form for the Gunners during the month of March and has duly been rewarded for his efforts – topping the club’s online poll, beating Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil to the accolade.

His first goal for the club, a stunning strike against Barcelona at Camp Nou, was also voted as the Goal of the Month, completing a clean sweep for the Egyptian international.

The former Basel midfielder returns to club action this weekend, having helped the Pharaohs to the brink of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Alex Iwobi’s Nigeria in Alexandria on Tuesday.

Germany trounced Italy

Germany rebounded from Saturday’s defeat in emphatic fashion by thrashing Italy 4-1 on Tuesday.

Two days after wasting a two-goal lead in a 3-2 loss to England, the world champions had no such trouble with the Azzurri.

Toni Kroos gave the Germans the lead in the 24th minute after Thomas Mulller’s low cross deflected into his path and the Real Madrid man lashed home from 20 yards.

Germany doubled their advantage just before half-time when Mario Gotze headed in a chipped cross from Muller.

The rout was on in the 59th minute when Julian Draxler raced in on goal and fed across for Jonas Hector to score Germany’s third.

Mesut Ozil added a fourth German goal from the penalty spot in the 75th minute after Sebastian Rudy was tripped up by Italy keeper Gigi Buffon.

Italy found a consolation goal through substitute Stephan El Shaarawy, whose speculative 83rd-minute effort took a big deflection off of Antonio Rudiger and looped into the net.

Nigeria Fail to Qualify for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations

Nigeria's Super Eagles will miss next year's Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Gabon after they were beaten 1-0 on Tuesday by the Pharaohs of Egypt in a crucial Group G clash at the Borg El Arab stadium, Alexandria.

The Egyptians had on Friday forced Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in Kaduna.

The Eagles needed to win Tuesday's game to stand a realistic chance of returning to the AFCON after missing out on the 2015 edition.

But the Pharaohs, who missed out on the last three editions, mustered all they had to beat Nigeria 1-0 to extend their lead to five points in Group G.

The hero of the day for the Egyptians was 19-year old Al-Alhy youngster, Ramadan Sohly, who scored in the 64th minute after Nigerian goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, had made a number of saves.

Nigeria did have their fair chances but could not bury any and would now have to watch the 2017 AFCON yet again on the screens same way they did in 2015.

DON'T COMPARE ME WITH CRISTIANO - MESSI

Barcelona star Lionel Messi says that he does not want to be compared to Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, or anyone else.

Messi, 28, is the world’s best player having picked up the 2015 Ballon d’Or ahead of Ronaldo and his Barcelona teammate Neymar.

However, the Argentine is not keen to get involved in the debate over who is the best, and insisted that he prefers to focus on his own game.

“The press looks to compare among other things. All I want is to help my team to grow each season,” Messi told Egyptian TV station MBC, in quotes reported by Sport.

“I don’t compare myself to Cristiano nor to anyone. I only try to think of me, of my team-mates and win games.”

Messi will take on Ronaldo head-to-head in El Clasico next week and the forward claims that trying to win La Liga is always difficult for Barcelona when Real Madrid are around.

“They [Real Madrid] have great players,” he added. “They have always had impressive stars and it’s one of the best teams in the world.

“They are always a complicated rival and against them, we always find it difficult to beat them in the Spanish league. There is a lot of competition and we try to do it better.”

SACK WENGER AND FACE MANCHESTER UNITED SITUATION.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has urged the club to stick with manager Arsene Wenger, or risk encountering the same problems that Manchester United have gone through since the departure of Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Wenger’s position has come under further scrutiny after Arsenal’s underwhelming performances in recent months, which have seen them crash out of the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, while also falling behind Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the English Premier League title.

However, Seaman said Wenger is still the right man for the job and backed him to lead a review on what has gone wrong this season.

“I’m so fed up of all this negative stuff about Arsenal. A change at the top? Not for me. I’m a massive fan of Arsene,” Seaman said.

“Let’s see what happens at the end of this season. Let’s see what’s gone wrong and then sort it out. But, for me, he’s been brilliant.

“I worked with him for about seven or eight years and he was fantastic. I would stick by Arsene. I’ve always said that and I haven’t reason to change my mind.

“Look at Manchester United. Look at what has happened to them. They lost a great manager in Alex Ferguson. He retired. It’s always greener on the other side. Arsene has a great record, but he’s always under ¬pressure. He’ll be under pressure until we win the league.

“It’s frustrating for Arsenal fans. I can understand that. I get frustrated at times. But we shouldn’t be negative about it. We should try to stay positive.”