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Chelsea strike deal to sign Brazilian teenager Lucas Piazon

• Attacking midfielder in pre-contract agreement worth £10m
• Brazil Under-17 international turned down Juventus




  • Dominic Fifield
  • guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 15 March 2011 22.48 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    cobham-007.jpg
    The Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, could soon be welcoming another Brazilian, Lucas Piazon, to the club's Cobham training ground. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Chelsea have reached a pre-contract agreement to sign the highly rated attacking midfielder Lucas Piazon from São Paulo when he turns 18 for a fee that could reportedly amount to some £10m.
    The teenager, who is currently playing for Brazil in the South American Under-17 championships in Ecuador, has opted to move to the Premier League champions rather than Juventus, who had offered a similar-sized fee but could not match the wage on offer from Chelsea.
    Lucas will undergo medical tests at the club's Cobham training centre after the tournament this month before returning to Brazil, but will officially become a Chelsea player on his 18th birthday next January.
    Piazon would swell the Brazilian contingent at Chelsea, which is currently made up of the defenders Alex and David Luiz.

 
Chelsea strike deal to sign Brazilian teenager Lucas Piazon

• Attacking midfielder in pre-contract agreement worth £10m
• Brazil Under-17 international turned down Juventus




  • Dominic Fifield
  • guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 15 March 2011 22.48 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    cobham-007.jpg
    The Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, could soon be welcoming another Brazilian, Lucas Piazon, to the club's Cobham training ground. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Chelsea have reached a pre-contract agreement to sign the highly rated attacking midfielder Lucas Piazon from São Paulo when he turns 18 for a fee that could reportedly amount to some £10m.
    The teenager, who is currently playing for Brazil in the South American Under-17 championships in Ecuador, has opted to move to the Premier League champions rather than Juventus, who had offered a similar-sized fee but could not match the wage on offer from Chelsea.
    Lucas will undergo medical tests at the club's Cobham training centre after the tournament this month before returning to Brazil, but will officially become a Chelsea player on his 18th birthday next January.
    Piazon would swell the Brazilian contingent at Chelsea, which is currently made up of the defenders Alex and David Luiz.
 
Madrid leave curse behind them after a touch of Marcelo magic






Champions Lge KO Rnd 1, Leg 2

Real Madrid 3
  • Marcelo 37,
  • Benzema 66,
  • Di Maria 76
Lyon 0


  • Sid Lowe at the Bernabéu
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 16 March 2011 22.12 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Real-Madrids-players-cele-007.jpg
    Real Madrid's players celebrate Marcelo's opening goal against Lyon. Photograph: Arturo Rodriguez/AP Nice to have you back. The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals will be made on Friday and for the first time in seven years, Real Madrid will be there. The nine-times winners of this competition, the club upon whom this competition exercises a special hold, finally found their way through a knock out tie here. The psychological barrier overcome with a certain degree of comfort thanks to goals from Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di María, now they dare to look beyond.
    With 15 minutes to go Di María dashed on to Özil's header to clip beyond Hugo Lloris to complete a 3-0 victory. It was the first time Madrid had beaten the French side in eight attempts, including at the same stage last season, and completed a 4-1 aggregate score which sends them into the quarter-finals at last. Lyon were comp licit in their demise but Madrid will not care. This is what they live for and this is what Mourinho came for.
    It was what Cristiano Ronaldo came for too. There had been doubts over his participation after he missed the past 10 days through injury, with Mourinho insisting that he was not playing mind games &#8211; he simply was not sure if the Portuguese would be fit. In the end, he was included in the starting lineup. Karim Benzema, Madrid's goalscorer in the first leg, was chosen ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor up front. The other surprise came at full-back where Mourinho was bold &#8211; both Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, attacking threats that are often defensive ones too, were included. Alvaro Arbeloa, that steady pair of feet and cool head, was on the bench.
    Mourinho had smiled at Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas's accusation that he would seek a goalless draw. "Perhaps he's right," he said. "After all, 0-0 would put us through." That, though, did not appear to be his game plan. The decision would take a while to pay off but the intent appeared to have a rapid effect. Madrid began at pace, direct and aggressive, springing sharply from deep and finding ample space. Mesut Ozil, Ronaldo and Marcelo all had shots in the opening five minutes. Hugo Lloris pushed Marcelo's shot round the post; from the corner, Sami Khedira pushed him back. The keeper was weak. The header came back off the post.
    Madrid continued to press but they were wasteful and, as the minutes passed, so Lyon grew into the game, thriving in the spaces between Madrid's midfield and front three. Iker Casillas saved from César Fabián Delgado and Lisandro set up Cris for a shot that would have made him wince in embarrassment, his flailing foot scuffing at the ball. And yet chances came less through creation, more through destruction. Often even destruction was not necessary: both sides simply gave the ball away with concerning ease. These were minutes of imprecision.
    It was a loose ball that Madrid took advantage of to take a vital lead before half-time, Xabi Alonso stepping in to win possession and finding Marcelo on the left. The full-back dashed inside, got a swift return ball from Ronaldo and continued into the area. With Cris coming across to block, he cut back smoothly on his right foot, a soft touch shifting the ball and his weight back to the left and sending the centre-back skidding by, helpless. His finish went in off Lloris.
    There were seven minutes to go until half-time and the Bernabéu, until then a little edgy, erupted. Two minutes later Marcelo again sped down the left. This time his pull back fell fractionally behind Karim Benzema, whose swept shot was pushed over by Lloris. His handling in he air had been suspect and there might have been questions asked of him on the goal too, but this was his second very impressive stop. Just a minute later, he saw the ball travel past him again, Benzema heading Özil's cross in.
    Benzema had strayed a couple of yards offside and the flag was raised, but Madrid appeared in control. At last. The bad news came with the precariousness of the scoreline.Madrid continued to attack after the break. Benzema stole the ball from a dozing Gourcuff and exchanged slick passes with 0zil. The German's shot was blocked, looping over the bar. From the corner, Ronaldo's header bounced over, wrongly winning another corner from which Ramos's header went straight at Lloris. Still, there were nerves. Madrid did not have complete control. Not yet, at least. Madrid were well placed but the game, and the tie, remained on edge. The ballboys, meanwhile, disappeared.
    Soon, it was over. Again, Lyon assisted in their own demise, though, Madrid finished in style. An awful pass from Anthony Réveillère looking for Gourcuff allowed Marcelo to spear a diagonal ball forward. Ozil leapt for it, Dejan Lovren missed it and Benzema was rushing through, all alone. Lloris came to meet him but Benzema beat him, low and true.
    So often questioned, including by his own coach, Benzema had got the vital goal in France against his former side; now he had the goal that virtually sent Madrid through. It was his sixth in seven Champions League games. There were 25 minutes left but a seven year wait was over.
    Di María's goal, beautifully finished in the 76th minute, rounded off the night. But the tie had ended before. So, too, had the curse.

 
Madrid leave curse behind them after a touch of Marcelo magic






Champions Lge KO Rnd 1, Leg 2

Real Madrid 3
  • Marcelo 37,
  • Benzema 66,
  • Di Maria 76
Lyon 0


  • Sid Lowe at the Bernabéu
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 16 March 2011 22.12 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Real-Madrids-players-cele-007.jpg
    Real Madrid's players celebrate Marcelo's opening goal against Lyon. Photograph: Arturo Rodriguez/AP Nice to have you back. The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals will be made on Friday and for the first time in seven years, Real Madrid will be there. The nine-times winners of this competition, the club upon whom this competition exercises a special hold, finally found their way through a knock out tie here. The psychological barrier overcome with a certain degree of comfort thanks to goals from Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di María, now they dare to look beyond.
    With 15 minutes to go Di María dashed on to Özil's header to clip beyond Hugo Lloris to complete a 3-0 victory. It was the first time Madrid had beaten the French side in eight attempts, including at the same stage last season, and completed a 4-1 aggregate score which sends them into the quarter-finals at last. Lyon were comp licit in their demise but Madrid will not care. This is what they live for and this is what Mourinho came for.
    It was what Cristiano Ronaldo came for too. There had been doubts over his participation after he missed the past 10 days through injury, with Mourinho insisting that he was not playing mind games – he simply was not sure if the Portuguese would be fit. In the end, he was included in the starting lineup. Karim Benzema, Madrid's goalscorer in the first leg, was chosen ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor up front. The other surprise came at full-back where Mourinho was bold – both Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, attacking threats that are often defensive ones too, were included. Alvaro Arbeloa, that steady pair of feet and cool head, was on the bench.
    Mourinho had smiled at Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas's accusation that he would seek a goalless draw. "Perhaps he's right," he said. "After all, 0-0 would put us through." That, though, did not appear to be his game plan. The decision would take a while to pay off but the intent appeared to have a rapid effect. Madrid began at pace, direct and aggressive, springing sharply from deep and finding ample space. Mesut Ozil, Ronaldo and Marcelo all had shots in the opening five minutes. Hugo Lloris pushed Marcelo's shot round the post; from the corner, Sami Khedira pushed him back. The keeper was weak. The header came back off the post.
    Madrid continued to press but they were wasteful and, as the minutes passed, so Lyon grew into the game, thriving in the spaces between Madrid's midfield and front three. Iker Casillas saved from César Fabián Delgado and Lisandro set up Cris for a shot that would have made him wince in embarrassment, his flailing foot scuffing at the ball. And yet chances came less through creation, more through destruction. Often even destruction was not necessary: both sides simply gave the ball away with concerning ease. These were minutes of imprecision.
    It was a loose ball that Madrid took advantage of to take a vital lead before half-time, Xabi Alonso stepping in to win possession and finding Marcelo on the left. The full-back dashed inside, got a swift return ball from Ronaldo and continued into the area. With Cris coming across to block, he cut back smoothly on his right foot, a soft touch shifting the ball and his weight back to the left and sending the centre-back skidding by, helpless. His finish went in off Lloris.
    There were seven minutes to go until half-time and the Bernabéu, until then a little edgy, erupted. Two minutes later Marcelo again sped down the left. This time his pull back fell fractionally behind Karim Benzema, whose swept shot was pushed over by Lloris. His handling in he air had been suspect and there might have been questions asked of him on the goal too, but this was his second very impressive stop. Just a minute later, he saw the ball travel past him again, Benzema heading Özil's cross in.
    Benzema had strayed a couple of yards offside and the flag was raised, but Madrid appeared in control. At last. The bad news came with the precariousness of the scoreline.Madrid continued to attack after the break. Benzema stole the ball from a dozing Gourcuff and exchanged slick passes with 0zil. The German's shot was blocked, looping over the bar. From the corner, Ronaldo's header bounced over, wrongly winning another corner from which Ramos's header went straight at Lloris. Still, there were nerves. Madrid did not have complete control. Not yet, at least. Madrid were well placed but the game, and the tie, remained on edge. The ballboys, meanwhile, disappeared.
    Soon, it was over. Again, Lyon assisted in their own demise, though, Madrid finished in style. An awful pass from Anthony Réveillère looking for Gourcuff allowed Marcelo to spear a diagonal ball forward. Ozil leapt for it, Dejan Lovren missed it and Benzema was rushing through, all alone. Lloris came to meet him but Benzema beat him, low and true.
    So often questioned, including by his own coach, Benzema had got the vital goal in France against his former side; now he had the goal that virtually sent Madrid through. It was his sixth in seven Champions League games. There were 25 minutes left but a seven year wait was over.
    Di María's goal, beautifully finished in the 76th minute, rounded off the night. But the tie had ended before. So, too, had the curse.
 

Madrid leave curse behind them after a touch of Marcelo magic






Champions Lge KO Rnd 1, Leg 2

Real Madrid 3
  • Marcelo 37,
  • Benzema 66,
  • Di Maria 76
Lyon 0


  • Sid Lowe at the Bernabéu
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 16 March 2011 22.12 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Real-Madrids-players-cele-007.jpg
    Real Madrid's players celebrate Marcelo's opening goal against Lyon. Photograph: Arturo Rodriguez/AP Nice to have you back. The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals will be made on Friday and for the first time in seven years, Real Madrid will be there. The nine-times winners of this competition, the club upon whom this competition exercises a special hold, finally found their way through a knock out tie here. The psychological barrier overcome with a certain degree of comfort thanks to goals from Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di María, now they dare to look beyond.
    With 15 minutes to go Di María dashed on to Özil's header to clip beyond Hugo Lloris to complete a 3-0 victory. It was the first time Madrid had beaten the French side in eight attempts, including at the same stage last season, and completed a 4-1 aggregate score which sends them into the quarter-finals at last. Lyon were comp licit in their demise but Madrid will not care. This is what they live for and this is what Mourinho came for.
    It was what Cristiano Ronaldo came for too. There had been doubts over his participation after he missed the past 10 days through injury, with Mourinho insisting that he was not playing mind games &#8211; he simply was not sure if the Portuguese would be fit. In the end, he was included in the starting lineup. Karim Benzema, Madrid's goalscorer in the first leg, was chosen ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor up front. The other surprise came at full-back where Mourinho was bold &#8211; both Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, attacking threats that are often defensive ones too, were included. Alvaro Arbeloa, that steady pair of feet and cool head, was on the bench.
    Mourinho had smiled at Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas's accusation that he would seek a goalless draw. "Perhaps he's right," he said. "After all, 0-0 would put us through." That, though, did not appear to be his game plan. The decision would take a while to pay off but the intent appeared to have a rapid effect. Madrid began at pace, direct and aggressive, springing sharply from deep and finding ample space. Mesut Ozil, Ronaldo and Marcelo all had shots in the opening five minutes. Hugo Lloris pushed Marcelo's shot round the post; from the corner, Sami Khedira pushed him back. The keeper was weak. The header came back off the post.
    Madrid continued to press but they were wasteful and, as the minutes passed, so Lyon grew into the game, thriving in the spaces between Madrid's midfield and front three. Iker Casillas saved from César Fabián Delgado and Lisandro set up Cris for a shot that would have made him wince in embarrassment, his flailing foot scuffing at the ball. And yet chances came less through creation, more through destruction. Often even destruction was not necessary: both sides simply gave the ball away with concerning ease. These were minutes of imprecision.
    It was a loose ball that Madrid took advantage of to take a vital lead before half-time, Xabi Alonso stepping in to win possession and finding Marcelo on the left. The full-back dashed inside, got a swift return ball from Ronaldo and continued into the area. With Cris coming across to block, he cut back smoothly on his right foot, a soft touch shifting the ball and his weight back to the left and sending the centre-back skidding by, helpless. His finish went in off Lloris.
    There were seven minutes to go until half-time and the Bernabéu, until then a little edgy, erupted. Two minutes later Marcelo again sped down the left. This time his pull back fell fractionally behind Karim Benzema, whose swept shot was pushed over by Lloris. His handling in he air had been suspect and there might have been questions asked of him on the goal too, but this was his second very impressive stop. Just a minute later, he saw the ball travel past him again, Benzema heading Özil's cross in.
    Benzema had strayed a couple of yards offside and the flag was raised, but Madrid appeared in control. At last. The bad news came with the precariousness of the scoreline.Madrid continued to attack after the break. Benzema stole the ball from a dozing Gourcuff and exchanged slick passes with 0zil. The German's shot was blocked, looping over the bar. From the corner, Ronaldo's header bounced over, wrongly winning another corner from which Ramos's header went straight at Lloris. Still, there were nerves. Madrid did not have complete control. Not yet, at least. Madrid were well placed but the game, and the tie, remained on edge. The ballboys, meanwhile, disappeared.
    Soon, it was over. Again, Lyon assisted in their own demise, though, Madrid finished in style. An awful pass from Anthony Réveillère looking for Gourcuff allowed Marcelo to spear a diagonal ball forward. Ozil leapt for it, Dejan Lovren missed it and Benzema was rushing through, all alone. Lloris came to meet him but Benzema beat him, low and true.
    So often questioned, including by his own coach, Benzema had got the vital goal in France against his former side; now he had the goal that virtually sent Madrid through. It was his sixth in seven Champions League games. There were 25 minutes left but a seven year wait was over.
    Di María's goal, beautifully finished in the 76th minute, rounded off the night. But the tie had ended before. So, too, had the curse.

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    Comments in chronological order (Total 15 comments)


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    • 60x60.png
      sujay7pires 16 March 2011 10:06PM

      It was the first time Madrid had beaten the French side in eight attempts, including at the same stage last season, and completed a 3-1 aggregate score
      ​
      4-1, no?

    • no-user-image.gif
      leemarvinismyhero 16 March 2011 10:12PM

      according to Eamon Dunphy - Madrid have ABSOLUTELY no chance of winning the champions league this year. Carvalho is not the player he once was, Pepe cant defend and Marcelo isnt a full back. and the Jose factor doesnt count at all.
      Pepe is mad - Liam Brady's reason on why Pepe cant defend.
      real looked very good. Marcelo really has come on in leaps and bounds. Ozil is the real heart of any creativity in this side.
      How disappointing was Gourcuff? his form and attitude has been in a downward trajectory for a while now.

    • 60x60.png
      sujay7pires 16 March 2011 10:15PM

      How disappointing was Gourcuff? his form and attitude has been in a downward trajectory for a while now.
      ​
      It has been so ever since he left Bordeaux. The system Lyon plays just doesn't suit him and the WC didn't help either.

    • no-user-image.gif
      Heno 16 March 2011 10:16PM

      There is a thing called the Dunphy theory.
      If there are, say, 32 teams in the world cup, Eamon will individually say each will not win it.
      Then, you see, he's been correct 31 times out of 32, which ain't bad.

    • 60x60.png
      Tiagosong 16 March 2011 10:29PM

      @sujay7pires
      Pepe should have been sent off...TWICE (if that's possible..🙂)
      ​
      Not before cissokho should have been sent off.
      Pepe is brutal. He takes no prisoners. If you challenge him he will show you what time it is. I'm sure lisandro and cissokho found out.
      Overall, a disciplined, mature performance. 4 or 5-0 would've been a more accurate scoreline.

    • 60x60.png
      skipperD 16 March 2011 10:39PM

      Good result tonight.
      This is the first time in a while that Madrid have bought players to fit positions rather than buying all the sweets in the shop.
      Di Maria looks excellent, Khedira another good player, Ozil is a wonderfully accomplished artist, Marcelo is starting to look like a good player.
      That said, that Unknown Ronaldo kid is highly overrated!

    • 60x60.png
      sujay7pires 16 March 2011 10:40PM

      Tiagosong
      16 March 2011 10:29PM
      @sujay7pires
      Pepe should have been sent off...TWICE (if that's possible..🙂)
      Not before cissokho should have been sent off.
      ​
      I accept that Cissokho made some weird challenges but I really don't see why he should have been sent off. Even the yellow card he got was a joke, he actually got the ball and cleanly. We all know Ramos goes over quite easy and that theatrical fall just made it worse for Cissokho.

    • 60x60.png
      guitougoal 16 March 2011 10:42PM

      Pepe is getting away with murder. Yes he should have been send off...he always try to hurt viciously. Mourinho will try again to get Maicon-

    • no-user-image.gif
      Chilematt 16 March 2011 10:46PM

      Madrid were impressive tonight, especially their defending.
      Lyon struggled to get the ball over the half-way line, they just met a wall of white shirts and couldn't find a forward pass. It happened again and again until they were reduced to aimless punts towards Gourcuff, and later Gomis.
      The second half really was one-way traffic. I don't know whether Lyon just had a bad night, but they didn't seem to have any ideas at all and, I thought, were far worse than the match report suggests.

    • no-user-image.gif
      therealdm56 16 March 2011 11:24PM

      Pepe is a brilliant defender. I love how after roughing up Lopez, Lopez then took the fight to Alonso, who had done nothing.
      Probably in realisation he was getting nothing out of Pepe, a great performance from the CB.

    • no-user-image.gif
      JamesPatrickPage 16 March 2011 11:43PM

      A world class defender should not act that way, no matter how talented he might be. No wonder he has not renewed his contract yet, not only he has missed almost as many games as he's played. He hasn't learnt to keep it cool either.
      It's a shame because he's a great defender when focused.


 

Madrid leave curse behind them after a touch of Marcelo magic






Champions Lge KO Rnd 1, Leg 2

Real Madrid 3
  • Marcelo 37,
  • Benzema 66,
  • Di Maria 76
Lyon 0


  • Sid Lowe at the Bernabéu
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 16 March 2011 22.12 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Real-Madrids-players-cele-007.jpg
    Real Madrid's players celebrate Marcelo's opening goal against Lyon. Photograph: Arturo Rodriguez/AP Nice to have you back. The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals will be made on Friday and for the first time in seven years, Real Madrid will be there. The nine-times winners of this competition, the club upon whom this competition exercises a special hold, finally found their way through a knock out tie here. The psychological barrier overcome with a certain degree of comfort thanks to goals from Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di María, now they dare to look beyond.
    With 15 minutes to go Di María dashed on to Özil's header to clip beyond Hugo Lloris to complete a 3-0 victory. It was the first time Madrid had beaten the French side in eight attempts, including at the same stage last season, and completed a 4-1 aggregate score which sends them into the quarter-finals at last. Lyon were comp licit in their demise but Madrid will not care. This is what they live for and this is what Mourinho came for.
    It was what Cristiano Ronaldo came for too. There had been doubts over his participation after he missed the past 10 days through injury, with Mourinho insisting that he was not playing mind games – he simply was not sure if the Portuguese would be fit. In the end, he was included in the starting lineup. Karim Benzema, Madrid's goalscorer in the first leg, was chosen ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor up front. The other surprise came at full-back where Mourinho was bold – both Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, attacking threats that are often defensive ones too, were included. Alvaro Arbeloa, that steady pair of feet and cool head, was on the bench.
    Mourinho had smiled at Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas's accusation that he would seek a goalless draw. "Perhaps he's right," he said. "After all, 0-0 would put us through." That, though, did not appear to be his game plan. The decision would take a while to pay off but the intent appeared to have a rapid effect. Madrid began at pace, direct and aggressive, springing sharply from deep and finding ample space. Mesut Ozil, Ronaldo and Marcelo all had shots in the opening five minutes. Hugo Lloris pushed Marcelo's shot round the post; from the corner, Sami Khedira pushed him back. The keeper was weak. The header came back off the post.
    Madrid continued to press but they were wasteful and, as the minutes passed, so Lyon grew into the game, thriving in the spaces between Madrid's midfield and front three. Iker Casillas saved from César Fabián Delgado and Lisandro set up Cris for a shot that would have made him wince in embarrassment, his flailing foot scuffing at the ball. And yet chances came less through creation, more through destruction. Often even destruction was not necessary: both sides simply gave the ball away with concerning ease. These were minutes of imprecision.
    It was a loose ball that Madrid took advantage of to take a vital lead before half-time, Xabi Alonso stepping in to win possession and finding Marcelo on the left. The full-back dashed inside, got a swift return ball from Ronaldo and continued into the area. With Cris coming across to block, he cut back smoothly on his right foot, a soft touch shifting the ball and his weight back to the left and sending the centre-back skidding by, helpless. His finish went in off Lloris.
    There were seven minutes to go until half-time and the Bernabéu, until then a little edgy, erupted. Two minutes later Marcelo again sped down the left. This time his pull back fell fractionally behind Karim Benzema, whose swept shot was pushed over by Lloris. His handling in he air had been suspect and there might have been questions asked of him on the goal too, but this was his second very impressive stop. Just a minute later, he saw the ball travel past him again, Benzema heading Özil's cross in.
    Benzema had strayed a couple of yards offside and the flag was raised, but Madrid appeared in control. At last. The bad news came with the precariousness of the scoreline.Madrid continued to attack after the break. Benzema stole the ball from a dozing Gourcuff and exchanged slick passes with 0zil. The German's shot was blocked, looping over the bar. From the corner, Ronaldo's header bounced over, wrongly winning another corner from which Ramos's header went straight at Lloris. Still, there were nerves. Madrid did not have complete control. Not yet, at least. Madrid were well placed but the game, and the tie, remained on edge. The ballboys, meanwhile, disappeared.
    Soon, it was over. Again, Lyon assisted in their own demise, though, Madrid finished in style. An awful pass from Anthony Réveillère looking for Gourcuff allowed Marcelo to spear a diagonal ball forward. Ozil leapt for it, Dejan Lovren missed it and Benzema was rushing through, all alone. Lloris came to meet him but Benzema beat him, low and true.
    So often questioned, including by his own coach, Benzema had got the vital goal in France against his former side; now he had the goal that virtually sent Madrid through. It was his sixth in seven Champions League games. There were 25 minutes left but a seven year wait was over.
    Di María's goal, beautifully finished in the 76th minute, rounded off the night. But the tie had ended before. So, too, had the curse. Football

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    Comments in chronological order (Total 15 comments)


    Post a comment
    • icons_staff_16.gif
      Staff
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    • 60x60.png
      sujay7pires 16 March 2011 10:06PM

      It was the first time Madrid had beaten the French side in eight attempts, including at the same stage last season, and completed a 3-1 aggregate score
      ​
      4-1, no?

    • no-user-image.gif
      leemarvinismyhero 16 March 2011 10:12PM

      according to Eamon Dunphy - Madrid have ABSOLUTELY no chance of winning the champions league this year. Carvalho is not the player he once was, Pepe cant defend and Marcelo isnt a full back. and the Jose factor doesnt count at all.
      Pepe is mad - Liam Brady's reason on why Pepe cant defend.
      real looked very good. Marcelo really has come on in leaps and bounds. Ozil is the real heart of any creativity in this side.
      How disappointing was Gourcuff? his form and attitude has been in a downward trajectory for a while now.

    • 60x60.png
      sujay7pires 16 March 2011 10:15PM

      How disappointing was Gourcuff? his form and attitude has been in a downward trajectory for a while now.
      ​
      It has been so ever since he left Bordeaux. The system Lyon plays just doesn't suit him and the WC didn't help either.

    • no-user-image.gif
      Heno 16 March 2011 10:16PM

      There is a thing called the Dunphy theory.
      If there are, say, 32 teams in the world cup, Eamon will individually say each will not win it.
      Then, you see, he's been correct 31 times out of 32, which ain't bad.

    • 60x60.png
      Tiagosong 16 March 2011 10:29PM

      @sujay7pires
      Pepe should have been sent off...TWICE (if that's possible..🙂)
      ​
      Not before cissokho should have been sent off.
      Pepe is brutal. He takes no prisoners. If you challenge him he will show you what time it is. I'm sure lisandro and cissokho found out.
      Overall, a disciplined, mature performance. 4 or 5-0 would've been a more accurate scoreline.

    • 60x60.png
      skipperD 16 March 2011 10:39PM

      Good result tonight.
      This is the first time in a while that Madrid have bought players to fit positions rather than buying all the sweets in the shop.
      Di Maria looks excellent, Khedira another good player, Ozil is a wonderfully accomplished artist, Marcelo is starting to look like a good player.
      That said, that Unknown Ronaldo kid is highly overrated!

    • 60x60.png
      sujay7pires 16 March 2011 10:40PM

      Tiagosong
      16 March 2011 10:29PM
      @sujay7pires
      Pepe should have been sent off...TWICE (if that's possible..🙂)
      Not before cissokho should have been sent off.
      ​
      I accept that Cissokho made some weird challenges but I really don't see why he should have been sent off. Even the yellow card he got was a joke, he actually got the ball and cleanly. We all know Ramos goes over quite easy and that theatrical fall just made it worse for Cissokho.

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      guitougoal 16 March 2011 10:42PM

      Pepe is getting away with murder. Yes he should have been send off...he always try to hurt viciously. Mourinho will try again to get Maicon-

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      Chilematt 16 March 2011 10:46PM

      Madrid were impressive tonight, especially their defending.
      Lyon struggled to get the ball over the half-way line, they just met a wall of white shirts and couldn't find a forward pass. It happened again and again until they were reduced to aimless punts towards Gourcuff, and later Gomis.
      The second half really was one-way traffic. I don't know whether Lyon just had a bad night, but they didn't seem to have any ideas at all and, I thought, were far worse than the match report suggests.

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      therealdm56 16 March 2011 11:24PM

      Pepe is a brilliant defender. I love how after roughing up Lopez, Lopez then took the fight to Alonso, who had done nothing.
      Probably in realisation he was getting nothing out of Pepe, a great performance from the CB.

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      JamesPatrickPage 16 March 2011 11:43PM

      A world class defender should not act that way, no matter how talented he might be. No wonder he has not renewed his contract yet, not only he has missed almost as many games as he's played. He hasn't learnt to keep it cool either.
      It's a shame because he's a great defender when focused.


 

Madrid leave curse behind them after a touch of Marcelo magic






Champions Lge KO Rnd 1, Leg 2

Real Madrid 3
  • Marcelo 37,
  • Benzema 66,
  • Di Maria 76
Lyon 0


  • Sid Lowe at the Bernabéu
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 16 March 2011 22.12 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Real-Madrids-players-cele-007.jpg
    Real Madrid's players celebrate Marcelo's opening goal against Lyon. Photograph: Arturo Rodriguez/AP Nice to have you back. The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals will be made on Friday and for the first time in seven years, Real Madrid will be there. The nine-times winners of this competition, the club upon whom this competition exercises a special hold, finally found their way through a knock out tie here. The psychological barrier overcome with a certain degree of comfort thanks to goals from Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di María, now they dare to look beyond.
    With 15 minutes to go Di María dashed on to Özil's header to clip beyond Hugo Lloris to complete a 3-0 victory. It was the first time Madrid had beaten the French side in eight attempts, including at the same stage last season, and completed a 4-1 aggregate score which sends them into the quarter-finals at last. Lyon were comp licit in their demise but Madrid will not care. This is what they live for and this is what Mourinho came for.
    It was what Cristiano Ronaldo came for too. There had been doubts over his participation after he missed the past 10 days through injury, with Mourinho insisting that he was not playing mind games – he simply was not sure if the Portuguese would be fit. In the end, he was included in the starting lineup. Karim Benzema, Madrid's goalscorer in the first leg, was chosen ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor up front. The other surprise came at full-back where Mourinho was bold – both Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, attacking threats that are often defensive ones too, were included. Alvaro Arbeloa, that steady pair of feet and cool head, was on the bench.
    Mourinho had smiled at Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas's accusation that he would seek a goalless draw. "Perhaps he's right," he said. "After all, 0-0 would put us through." That, though, did not appear to be his game plan. The decision would take a while to pay off but the intent appeared to have a rapid effect. Madrid began at pace, direct and aggressive, springing sharply from deep and finding ample space. Mesut Ozil, Ronaldo and Marcelo all had shots in the opening five minutes. Hugo Lloris pushed Marcelo's shot round the post; from the corner, Sami Khedira pushed him back. The keeper was weak. The header came back off the post.
    Madrid continued to press but they were wasteful and, as the minutes passed, so Lyon grew into the game, thriving in the spaces between Madrid's midfield and front three. Iker Casillas saved from César Fabián Delgado and Lisandro set up Cris for a shot that would have made him wince in embarrassment, his flailing foot scuffing at the ball. And yet chances came less through creation, more through destruction. Often even destruction was not necessary: both sides simply gave the ball away with concerning ease. These were minutes of imprecision.
    It was a loose ball that Madrid took advantage of to take a vital lead before half-time, Xabi Alonso stepping in to win possession and finding Marcelo on the left. The full-back dashed inside, got a swift return ball from Ronaldo and continued into the area. With Cris coming across to block, he cut back smoothly on his right foot, a soft touch shifting the ball and his weight back to the left and sending the centre-back skidding by, helpless. His finish went in off Lloris.
    There were seven minutes to go until half-time and the Bernabéu, until then a little edgy, erupted. Two minutes later Marcelo again sped down the left. This time his pull back fell fractionally behind Karim Benzema, whose swept shot was pushed over by Lloris. His handling in he air had been suspect and there might have been questions asked of him on the goal too, but this was his second very impressive stop. Just a minute later, he saw the ball travel past him again, Benzema heading Özil's cross in.
    Benzema had strayed a couple of yards offside and the flag was raised, but Madrid appeared in control. At last. The bad news came with the precariousness of the scoreline.Madrid continued to attack after the break. Benzema stole the ball from a dozing Gourcuff and exchanged slick passes with 0zil. The German's shot was blocked, looping over the bar. From the corner, Ronaldo's header bounced over, wrongly winning another corner from which Ramos's header went straight at Lloris. Still, there were nerves. Madrid did not have complete control. Not yet, at least. Madrid were well placed but the game, and the tie, remained on edge. The ballboys, meanwhile, disappeared.
    Soon, it was over. Again, Lyon assisted in their own demise, though, Madrid finished in style. An awful pass from Anthony Réveillère looking for Gourcuff allowed Marcelo to spear a diagonal ball forward. Ozil leapt for it, Dejan Lovren missed it and Benzema was rushing through, all alone. Lloris came to meet him but Benzema beat him, low and true.
    So often questioned, including by his own coach, Benzema had got the vital goal in France against his former side; now he had the goal that virtually sent Madrid through. It was his sixth in seven Champions League games. There were 25 minutes left but a seven year wait was over.
    Di María's goal, beautifully finished in the 76th minute, rounded off the night. But the tie had ended before. So, too, had the curse. Football

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    Comments in chronological order (Total 15 comments)


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      sujay7pires 16 March 2011 10:06PM

      It was the first time Madrid had beaten the French side in eight attempts, including at the same stage last season, and completed a 3-1 aggregate score
      ​
      4-1, no?

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      leemarvinismyhero 16 March 2011 10:12PM

      according to Eamon Dunphy - Madrid have ABSOLUTELY no chance of winning the champions league this year. Carvalho is not the player he once was, Pepe cant defend and Marcelo isnt a full back. and the Jose factor doesnt count at all.
      Pepe is mad - Liam Brady's reason on why Pepe cant defend.
      real looked very good. Marcelo really has come on in leaps and bounds. Ozil is the real heart of any creativity in this side.
      How disappointing was Gourcuff? his form and attitude has been in a downward trajectory for a while now.

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      sujay7pires 16 March 2011 10:15PM

      How disappointing was Gourcuff? his form and attitude has been in a downward trajectory for a while now.
      ​
      It has been so ever since he left Bordeaux. The system Lyon plays just doesn't suit him and the WC didn't help either.

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      Heno 16 March 2011 10:16PM

      There is a thing called the Dunphy theory.
      If there are, say, 32 teams in the world cup, Eamon will individually say each will not win it.
      Then, you see, he's been correct 31 times out of 32, which ain't bad.

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      Tiagosong 16 March 2011 10:29PM

      @sujay7pires
      Pepe should have been sent off...TWICE (if that's possible..🙂)
      ​
      Not before cissokho should have been sent off.
      Pepe is brutal. He takes no prisoners. If you challenge him he will show you what time it is. I'm sure lisandro and cissokho found out.
      Overall, a disciplined, mature performance. 4 or 5-0 would've been a more accurate scoreline.

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      skipperD 16 March 2011 10:39PM

      Good result tonight.
      This is the first time in a while that Madrid have bought players to fit positions rather than buying all the sweets in the shop.
      Di Maria looks excellent, Khedira another good player, Ozil is a wonderfully accomplished artist, Marcelo is starting to look like a good player.
      That said, that Unknown Ronaldo kid is highly overrated!

    • 60x60.png
      sujay7pires 16 March 2011 10:40PM

      Tiagosong
      16 March 2011 10:29PM
      @sujay7pires
      Pepe should have been sent off...TWICE (if that's possible..🙂)
      Not before cissokho should have been sent off.
      ​
      I accept that Cissokho made some weird challenges but I really don't see why he should have been sent off. Even the yellow card he got was a joke, he actually got the ball and cleanly. We all know Ramos goes over quite easy and that theatrical fall just made it worse for Cissokho.

    • 60x60.png
      guitougoal 16 March 2011 10:42PM

      Pepe is getting away with murder. Yes he should have been send off...he always try to hurt viciously. Mourinho will try again to get Maicon-

    • no-user-image.gif
      Chilematt 16 March 2011 10:46PM

      Madrid were impressive tonight, especially their defending.
      Lyon struggled to get the ball over the half-way line, they just met a wall of white shirts and couldn't find a forward pass. It happened again and again until they were reduced to aimless punts towards Gourcuff, and later Gomis.
      The second half really was one-way traffic. I don't know whether Lyon just had a bad night, but they didn't seem to have any ideas at all and, I thought, were far worse than the match report suggests.

    • no-user-image.gif
      therealdm56 16 March 2011 11:24PM

      Pepe is a brilliant defender. I love how after roughing up Lopez, Lopez then took the fight to Alonso, who had done nothing.
      Probably in realisation he was getting nothing out of Pepe, a great performance from the CB.

    • no-user-image.gif
      JamesPatrickPage 16 March 2011 11:43PM

      A world class defender should not act that way, no matter how talented he might be. No wonder he has not renewed his contract yet, not only he has missed almost as many games as he's played. He hasn't learnt to keep it cool either.
      It's a shame because he's a great defender when focused.


 

Unconvincing Chelsea ease into last eight against FC Copenhagen






Champions Lge KO Rnd 1, Leg 2

Chelsea 0
FC Copenhagen 0


  • Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 16 March 2011 22.08 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Didier-Drogba-takes-on-Wi-007.jpg
    Didier Drogba takes on William Kvist during Chelsea's Champions League tie against Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Chelsea's progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League had so low a profile that it verged on invisibility. With the tie beyond them after the 2-0 defeat at home, Copenhagen came to Stamford Bridge determined to make off with whatever credit was still attainable from the tie. In the latter part of the second half they were even striving to win the match.
    In truth they lacked the means to do that, but Chelsea's finishing was so vague that it took the introduction from the bench of Fernando Torres to call upon Johan Wiland for a save of note. Most of the crowd of 36,454 had to be tolerant at least, with only the visiting supporters discovering any kind of pleasure in the fixture.
    It may gnaw at Chelsea that it took Torres to raise hopes, but the other forwards also showed quality, even when it vanished once they were in sight of the posts. There was effort despite the fact that a place in the last eight was, to all intents and purposes, Chelsea's before the sides even emerged from the dressing room.
    It was typical of Copenhagen's attitude that, for instance, Oscar Wendt should pull off a tackle on Nicolas Anelka when the Frenchman seemed to have gone clear moments from half-time. The French striker differed from his team-mates by being a little sharper, but Wiland saved an mediocre shot when he went through in the 21st minute.
    The visitors had to retreat eventually but are to be saluted for opening as if all their hopes were intact. Even their manager, Stale Solbakken, looked frantic throughout. Without such spirit Copenhagen would not have got this far in the tournament. It must have been galling, too, that they had gone into the first game with Chelsea while lacking competitive match practice because of a mid-season break. Their more recent exertions enlivened them here.
    Carlo Ancelotti's side, for its part, has begun to feel better about itself, with improvement witnessed in the Premier League. While reconstruction is in progress, Torres was marginalised and David Luiz is ineligible. The old guard were therefore presented with an opportunity to illustrate their continuing relevance.
    Copenhagen had a keen appetite of their own and came close to a goal in the first half when Dame N'Doye hit the post with a free-kick after 26 minutes. There had, all the same, been gusto from Chelsea and Didier Drogba, perhaps eager to emphasise his status as a centre-forward while Torres sat on the bench, was keen to link with Anelka.
    It was, for instance, Drogba who released Ashley Cole in the eight minute, only for the left-back to fire into the side netting. The Ivorian then adopted a more direct approach with a 30-yarder that called for a save by Wiland. Yuri Zhirkov, starting a second consecutive match while Florent Malouda pays the price for a loss of form, might have put Chelsea ahead, but instead missed the target after being set up by Drogba and Cole.
    Copenhagen's desire to compete was laudable and accusations of complacency were not to be levelled against Ancelotti's side. If anything, they were enlivened by the keenness of the visitors. Chelsea's fault was leniency. Mikel John Obi hit the bar with a header following an Anelka flick. The trait was almost willful at times, with Anelka appearing to go through on the right only to double back and invite a challenge in the 50th minute. Before that, Drogba had not been able to convert Jose Bosingwa's low cross at the far post.
    Copenhagen, for their part, were as determined at the least to leave this stadium feeling proud of themselves. Indeed, the desire to score had increased as the second half developed. That wish to attack should, in principle, have offered scope to their opponents, but Chelsea's reaction was largely one of exasperation.
    The crowd was tetchy. If Copenhagen's adventurousness was not galling enough they had to study a move between Ramires and Lampard that had no more to follow than an aimless ball from the Englishman that ran off-target. The introduction of Torres for Anelka at least awakened enthusiasm in an exasperating game.
    The outcome did not matter in itself while Copenhagen were failing to score, but it would have been happier for the crowd and the players if there had been a further demonstration that Chelsea are on the rise. Even so, a berth in the quarter-finals does carry status.
    There is also the pragmatic consideration that Manchester City, one of their rivals for a top four place in the Premier League, arrive at this stadium on Sunday. Torres was being allowed some rest for that fixture, and the match will also have weighed on the starting XI against Copenhagen.

 
Sir Alex Ferguson hit with record ban as FA takes hard-line stance

&#8226; Manager advised not to appeal against five-match suspension
&#8226; Ferguson also fined as punishment exceeds expectations




  • Daniel Taylor
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 16 March 2011 22.30 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Sir-Alex-Ferguson-007.jpg
    Sir Alex Ferguson has been advised not to appeal against the ban but is believed to be considering it. Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson will have to watch the all-Manchester FA Cup semi-final from the Wembley stands after paying the penalty for his outspoken criticisms of referees with a record five-match touchline ban.
    The Manchester United manager has also been fined £30,000 after the Football Association found him guilty of improper conduct and decided to take a hard-line stance over his decision to fight the charge rather than accept that he had gone too far in his condemnation of Martin Atkinson after United's league defeat at Chelsea earlier this month.
    For that offence Ferguson was banned from the touchline for three games, starting with the trip to West Ham United on 2 April, a home match against Fulham the following week and then the semi-final against Manchester City. The most decorated manager in the history of the sport will suffer the indignity of being the first to be barred from the dug-out area for a match at Wembley.
    The FA has also invoked a suspended two-match touchline ban on Ferguson that had been hanging over him from a previous charge, from October 2009 when he accused Alan Wiley of being physically unfit to referee in the Premier League.
    Although United's fixture list is subject to change, that takes in a home match against Everton and means Ferguson will have to find alternative seating arrangements for the potential title decider against Arsenal on 1 May.
    It represents the longest ban any Premier League manager has faced for comments about match officials. After Saturday's game at home to Bolton Wanderers, it will be seven weeks before Ferguson is allowed back in the dug-out for a domestic game.
    The case against Ferguson was that he had alleged bias during an angry dissection of Atkinson's performance, saying he should not have been appointed because the occasion demanded "a fair referee".
    Ferguson, who had been incensed by Atkinson's officiating of a 2-1 defeat for the league leaders, had decided to fight the charge against the recommendation of United's legal advisers, who had warned him he was running the risk of incurring a longer ban than if he had pleaded guilty.
    Ferguson has been given until Friday to appeal but doing so would be steeped in complications and, again, risk the FA deciding to increase the punishment if it rejected his case. On that basis he has been advised to accept the punishment, even though it exceeds everything he had been warned to expect.
    This is the fifth time in as many years Ferguson has faced charges for either criticising referees in the media or abusing them at matches but this is the most severe punishment by some distance, causing widespread anger within Old Trafford.
    Their understanding was that this charge was not considered as serious as the personal attack Ferguson made on Wiley, when he accused him of catching his breath during breaks in play and not keeping up with the ball. On that occasion Ferguson was punished with a four-match touchline ban &#8211; two suspended &#8211; and a £20,000 fine. So the fact he has been given a heavier punishment this time indicates a desire on the FA's part to take a hard line with a man who is regarded as one of the worst offenders in the sport when it comes to criticising referees and not adhering to the guidelines set out in the organisation's Respect campaign.
    Ferguson has served two-match bans on four previous occasions in the last eight years and has now received fines totalling £75,000. The United manager had made his views clear at the weekend when he maintained he was entitled to say what he had about Atkinson.
    "I will be defending myself strongly when my FA appeal hearing comes up," he said. "In fact, I am looking forward to the challenge because, to my mind, I have not said anything out of place. I felt aggrieved and now face an FA charge for what, to my mind, was simply telling the truth."
    His mood is unlikely to be improved by comments from Raymond Verheijen, the renowned fitness conditioning expert, about the club's fitness and medical department.
    Verhaijen was the performance manager for the South Korea national team in the World Cup and has also worked with the Dutch and Russian teams as well as several clubs, including Manchester City, Chelsea, Zenit St Petersburg and Barcelona.
    In a series of messages on his Twitter site he expresses his apparent belief that United's fitness staff have "messed up" at a time when 11 players are injured and there are serious doubts about Owen Hargreaves's ability to play at the top level again.

 
Jamie Carragher has done this to me before, says furious Nani

&#8226; Nani: 'I'm lucky to be still playing this season'
&#8226; United winger calls on FA to allow retrospective action




  • Daniel Taylor
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 16 March 2011 23.00 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Nani-Jamie-Carragher-007.jpg
    Nani lies on the pitch following the tackle by Liverpool's Jamie Carragher that left the Manchester United winger with a gashed shin. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images The lingering sense of resentment felt by Nani towards Jamie Carragher has led to an angry outburst from the Manchester United player in which he accused his opponent of having previous when it comes to causing him injury and bemoaned the lack of powers open to the Football Association to take retrospective action.
    Nani is still incensed by the studs-up kick from Carragher that split open his left leg during Liverpool's 3-1 defeat of United two Sundays ago, leaving a wound that needed five stitches and left him in tears on the Anfield pitch. Carragher tried to apologise to the Portuguese winger after the match but was refused entry to the United dressing room and Nani explained why he had snubbed a player he believes deliberately set out to hurt him.
    "If you ask anyone in football, anyone who has suffered a tackle like that, they are not going to accept an apology, especially as it was the second year running he took me out," Nani said. "He came to apologise after the game but I was not happy. It is the second time he has injured me. He always tackles like that. Before, he put me out of the game for two months."
    By that, Nani was referring to an injury he sustained in a match at Anfield in October 2009. He needed treatment to play in subsequent games but the injury eventually forced him out for five weeks from early December to mid-January and he holds Carragher responsible.
    Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has described Carragher's latest challenge as "disgraceful" and Nani remains outraged that the perpetrator received only a yellow card from the referee Phil Dowd.
    "I don't know what Carragher was thinking but I do know what he did was not football," he said. "I don't want protection. I just want the referees to be fair. If it is a red card, they have to give it. If they give the card, the next time the player doesn't make the tackle."
    The wound went right through to Nani's shin and he considers himself "lucky to be still playing this season" after fearing he was facing a lengthy spell out of the team.
    "The first time I looked at my leg, I was thinking: 'The season is finished for me now.' That's why I was crying. I felt the pain straight away. But I was in shock. I wanted to show the ref [what he had done] so I got to my feet. I knew I wasn't going to play any more and, if I was not going to be able to play, he has to give the red card. But then he quickly gave the yellow card. How could he give the yellow card? He hadn't seen my leg. Then I showed him my leg and you could tell on his face [that he thought he should have given a red]."
    Nani was asked whether it was wrong that, because the referee had witnessed the foul, the FA did not have the authority to take further action based on video evidence. "Yes, I think so. The referee told me after he saw my leg. It could have ended my season. The referee can decide afterwards to say something [to the FA]."
    The injury meant Nani missing the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal last weekend before returning, ahead of schedule, for the Champions League tie against Marseille on Tuesday. "The doctor who saw my leg said I had been lucky because it just needed stitches and I would be out for two or three weeks. He's surprised that I have recovered even quicker. He said I was lucky. It was bad. But I had five stitches and I'll be fine. It's going to be a bit sore but it's nothing big now and I hope in the next few days it's going to be much better."
    Wayne Rooney has reiterated that he will be at United "until I'm in my 30s" after expressing his frustration about the suggestion that his relationship with Ferguson has suffered as a result of his contract dispute with the club last October.
    "I'm enjoying my football here and if I was going to leave in the summer I wouldn't have signed a new contract when I did. I've signed it and I intend to see it through to the end."
    Rooney said he had no problem with United being accused of lacking fantasy as they pursue a treble. "I would take that all day. Look at Inter. They won the Italian treble last season. You wouldn't say they were the most entertaining team to watch but they achieved history."

 
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