Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has been talking to the press ahead of next weekend’s Champions League Final. Here are some of the highlights from the interview.
On how it feels to win the UEFA Champions League
When the referee blows up, maybe you do have a bit more time to think about the lonely life you lead as a footballer – with so many trips and hotel stays, you spend so much time without your family and children. So it reminds you of the people who are around, who were around and whom you now miss. You’re reminded of the sacrifice and hard work you put in as a footballer to reach that special moment. In my case, I’m honoured to be captain and I’m reminded of all those things because everything has served a purpose and helped me bring out the best in myself on such occasions. Read more... (397 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)
Jürgen Klopp has given an interesting interview ahead of next weekend’s Champions League Final. Here are some of the highlights from the interview.
On his footballing philosophy
If we’ve won, then essentially it doesn’t matter to me how we’ve played: a win’s a win. However, I know that your chances of winning are dramatically increased when you know how you’re winning. That means you have to play a certain style of football. It’s about developing a type of football for yourselves which mostly brings success. That’s what we’re doing – nothing else. The fact that it’s sometimes spectacular to watch is, for me, quite right. I love the way the players recognise their own strengths and look to use them, while recognising the strengths of the others and looking to use them. Read more... (400 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)
Jose Mourinho had a gilt-edged chance to end a season spent in Pep Guardiola’s shadow with a statement FA Cup final win on Saturday but ended up explaining away another passionless performance that will invite more criticism from the Old Trafford faithful.
Eden Hazard’s 22nd-minute penalty settled the final to ensure Mourinho’s second United season ended trophyless and the United was in a brusque mood in the Wembley press conference room.
When a reporter suggested United had made a slow start to the final, Mourinho began patting his hands together and replied: ” Read more... (393 words, 1 image, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)
Antonio Conte says he is a “serial winner” who “can’t change” as he led Chelsea to FA Cup success in what surely will be his final match in charge of Chelsea.
Speculation has been rife all season that Conte will be axed as head coach in the next week. The Italian won the Premier League 12 months ago in his first campaign, only for the Blues to finish fifth this term, missing out on Champions League qualification.
A second trophy came at Wembley in what could be Conte’s final match as boss, as Eden Hazard’s penalty earned a 1-0 win over Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United. Read more... (484 words, 1 image, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)
There were emotional scenes in Turin on Saturday as Gianluigi Buffon played his final game for Juventus after 17 years with the Italian champions.
Buffon announced this week that he would leave Juventus at the end of the season – although he would not retire from football, as was expected.
The home game at Juventus Stadium against Hellas Verona was his final match for the Serie A winners, and there were tears from both player and fans before the game, and then when he was subbed off to a standing ovation after 64 minutes. Read more... (511 words, 1 image, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)
Manchester United earned slightly more money than champions Manchester City from the Premier League last season, despite City’s record-breaking campaign.
United, who finished second, received £149.77m, £328,491 more than City because they ere shown live in the UK more often, and more TV games means more money in the payments system.
City received £38.63m for winning the league, £1.93m more than second-placed United.
The 20 clubs between them have split a staggering £2.42BILLION this season, from annual Premier League income that is now more than £3bn a year, the vast majority from TV deals either at home or from overseas. Read more... (236 words, 1 image, estimated 57 secs reading time)
Gianluigi Buffon will play his final game for Juventus on Saturday after 17 years with the club.
The World Cup winner will lift his ninth Serie A title against Hellas Verona at the Allianz Stadium.
Buffon said he changed his mind about retiring 15 days ago and has received job offers on and off the pitch.
“Next week, after two or three days of reflection and serenity, I will take my decision,” he said.
Buffon is facing a Uefa ban for comments made about English referee Michael Oliver, who sent him off during the Champions League quarter-final defeat by Real Madrid last month. Read more... (543 words, 1 image, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)
Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Atletico Madrid swept aside Marseille in Lyon to win the Europa League for the third time in nine years.
France forward Griezmann opened the scoring by punishing Andre Zambo Anguissa’s poor touch to coolly slot home, then casually dinked in a second.
Captain Gabi drilled in the third goal late on as Atletico again lifted the trophy they also won in 2010 and 2012.
The outcome could have been different had Marseille forward Valere Germain taken an early chance, before Griezmann’s lethal finishing allowed Atletico to take control. Read more... (361 words, 1 image, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)
Maybe is looking to build on the success of England’s under-19 and under-21 sides last summer, but Gareth Southgate raised a couple of eyebrows when he named England’s least-experienced 23-man squad to go to a World Cup since 1962, with the group averaging just 19 caps per player.
It is certainly a nod to the new era, with Southgate including just five players — Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Cahill — who played in the last World Cup in 2014. Nobody in the squad has won a World Cup match. Read more... (370 words, 1 image, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)
After painful defeats in recent continental finals, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are determined to justify their status as favourites in Wednesday’s Europa League showpiece against Marseille in Lyon.
Atletico lost in extra time to Real Madrid in the Champions League final of 2014, having been seconds away from victory in 90 minutes, and then lost on penalties to their city rivals in the final of the same competition two years later.
An exit from this season’s Champions League in the group stage came as a big surprise for a formidable side spearheaded by Antoine Griezmann in attack, but they have put that behind them to close in on glory in Europe’s less prestigious competition. Read more... (500 words, 1 image, estimated 2:00 mins reading time)
