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Manchester United profits surge after Champions League return
11 February 2016 14:22
Manchester United have announced rises in revenue and profit as the effects of a return to the Champions League and the lucrative sponsorship deal with adidas were reflected in their second-quarter results.
The updated figures released on Thursday cover the three months up until December 31 and provide a picture for the first six months of their accounting period.
Q2 profits were £18.6 million, giving the club half-year profits of £23.6m, a 165.2 per cent rise from the £8.9m recorded over the same six-month period last year.
Total revenue was a record £133.8m for Q2 - a 26.6 per cent increase - and £257.4m for the six months to give them a 32.4 per cent improvement on the figures recorded in the first half of 2014-15.
Commercial and broadcasting revenues surged by 42.5 per cent and 31.3 per cent respectively in Q2, while their matchday turnover fell slightly by 1.6 per cent, but is up by 20 per cent for the half-year, mainly due to the Champions League fixtures that were missing in the previous year's results.
The club's debt position has improved slightly, with their net debt now at £322.1m compared to £343.4m at the same period last year – a 6.2 per cent reduction.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: "Our strong commitment to investing in our squad, youth academy and the broader club are ultimately underpinned by our financial strength and the hard work and dedication of everyone at the club.
"Our solid results off the pitch help contribute to what remains our number one priority - success on the pitch."
With the positive impact of Champions League football on the half-year results evident, manager Louis van Gaal will be under pressure to secure a return to the competition next season.
United predicted full-year revenue was expected to be between £500m and £510m, which would be a record for a British club.
Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea: Hiddink calls for confidence against Blanc´s indomitable side
14 February 2016
Guus Hiddink wants Chelsea to take their renewed confidence into the Champions League as they attempt to halt the relentless Paris Saint-Germain.
The reigning champions of England and France meet for the third time in as many seasons in the Champions League knockout rounds having each progressed once from the previous ties, with PSG emerging triumphant on away goals last term.
Hiddink's side showed something close to their best form on Saturday as they thrashed Newcastle United 5-1 at Stamford Bridge, extending their unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions.
And the Dutchman, who revealed his frustration at a lack of recovery time ahead of Tuesday's trip to Paris, is keen for his players to keep their self-belief high as they face a PSG team who have lost just once in 39 matches in all competitions this season.
"They have much more rest than we have but we must consider when the Premier League teams play in Europe to give them an extra day's recovery," said Hiddink after the Newcastle match.
"The second day after a performance with intensity is for rest and recovery, but we have to prepare for this game.
"It will be much more difficult [against PSG], but this game gave confidence to the team. We have to go there and play with the confidence we showed today."
PSG were held 0-0 by Lille on Saturday but remain unbeaten across domestic competitions this season, with Real Madrid the only side to beat the Ligue 1 champions in 2015-16.
Laurent Blanc opted to rest a number of first-team players for the weekend draw, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva left out.
Blanc admitted it will be vital to keep his squad fresh for the remainder of the season and warned that PSG must not discount the importance of the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
"Of course the match against Chelsea is important but there is also the return game, and I hope there will be others," he said.
"We have to think also about the end of our season, which could be interesting, I hope. The match is important, but it is played over two confrontations."
Blanc believes it will be "too risky" to field Marco Verratti, who is recovering from a groin injury, or Javier Pastore - who has a calf problem - against Chelsea, though Ibrahimovic, Silva and Maxwell can all expect to return.
Serge Aurier was also rested against Lille but the Ivorian could well be left out following controversial video footage which emerged over the weekend, in which he appeared to use derogatory terms to describe Blanc and some of his team-mates.
Chelsea face something of a defensive crisis, with captain John Terry (hamstring) expected to be unavailable and Kurt Zouma out for the season with a knee injury.
January arrivals Matt Miazga and Alexandre Pato could both be included in the squad, though Hiddink warned last week against rushing either new signing into the first team too quickly.
Key Opta Stats:
- PSG have won one of their six Champions League games against Chelsea (3-1 at home in April 2014), drawing three and losing two.
- PSG are winless in their last five Champions League games played in the knockout stages (D2 L3).
- PSG are the only team, alongside Juventus and Real Madrid, yet to concede a goal at home in the Champions League this season.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored seven goals in 36 Champions League knockout games. In the group stages, he has found the net 38 times in 79 games.
- Diego Costa has only scored one goal in his last 14 Champions League games, that was against Maccabi Tel Aviv last September.
Roma v Real Madrid: Zidane makes Champions League bow in Rome
15 February 2016
Zinedine Zidane's storied history in the Champions League will feature a new chapter when his Real Madrid side travel to Roma for the first leg of their last-16 tie.
The World Cup-winning Frenchman scored a spectacular winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen as Madrid lifted the famous trophy in 2002 and was later Carlo Ancelotti's assistant in the club's historic 10th Champions League success during the 2013-14 campaign.
Zidane has enjoyed a strong start to management at the Santiago Bernabeu since replacing Rafael Benitez last month – dropping only two points in six La Liga games.
But Madrid's expulsion from the Copa del Rey and their four-point gap to in-form leaders Barcelona both heighten the need for a strong European finish, with French defender Raphael Varane hailing his new coach's impact.
"He's a coach who loves the sport and who likes to play attacking football. He likes to play quick possession football," Varane told UEFA.com.
"He's added in more physical work in the training sessions, which is allowing us to press higher up the field. He's close to his players. He likes to chat with us and show us videos so that we can improve the finer details.
"The fact that he was a player and that he's a young coach means that we have a close relationship. When I was a child I saw him play and he's got an excellent reputation throughout the world and especially in France."
Zidane is without Pepe (foot) and Gareth Bale (calf), although Marcelo is back in the squad following a shoulder problem. Experienced pair Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi are expected to return for Roma following calf troubles.
De Rossi and Totti both played when the sides last met in competitive action as the Serie A side progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2008 courtesy of a 4-2 aggregate win.
Roma have not reached the last eight since then and scraped into this season's knockout stage after winning just one group game under Rudi Garcia.
However, Roma are much improved following Luciano Spalletti's return to the dugout in January – only tasting to defeat to in-form champions and leaders Juventus since the Italian was confirmed as Garcia's successor.
After Friday's 3-1 win at Carpi, Spalletti said: "The players know which road they need to go down. This was a real performance and it will help us identify some key strengths that will take us far.
"The Champions League gives us extra motivation, so let's keep hold of the buzz from this match and use that extra level of conviction that perhaps we've been missing.
"It's going to be a very tough game but we want to go for it. We’ll definitely make sure we show up."
Benfica v Zenit: Villas-Boas wants tie to be decided in Russia
14 February 2016
Zenit boss Andre Villas-Boas urged his players to keep their Champions League tie against Benfica alive with a positive first-leg result in Portugal on Tuesday so that the outcome can be decided in favourable home conditions.
The Russian champions have not played a competitive game since their final group stage match in December due to the Premier League's mid-season break, but training camps in Portugal and Qatar were arranged to prepare for the Benfica clash.
Zenit finished top of Group H after winning their first five matches to reach this stage and Villas-Boas is in confident mood ahead of the first leg, which sees him return to his home country.
Villas-Boas said: "Our greatest aspiration and our great desire is to take the game and the tie to St Petersburg, decide it there with a difficult environment like the Petrovsky [Stadium].
"The weather conditions are always decisive and always bother teams who play in Russia.
"Now we do extensive preparation for the match with Benfica, which is nevertheless an advantage because we have no other opponent to worry about."
Recent history in meetings between the two sides is evenly matched. Benfica defeated Zenit 4-3 on aggregate at this stage of the 2011-12 tournament, while the teams also met in the Champions League group stages last season, with Villas-Boas' men coming out on top in both fixtures.
Benfica finished second in Group C behind Atletico Madrid to reach the knockout stages, but Rui Vitoria's side saw their recent eight-match winning streak in the Primeira Liga with a 2-1 home defeat to title rivals Porto on Friday.
Vitoria can call upon one of the top scorers in Europe, Jonas, who has hit 23 league goals already this season, while Konstantinos Mitroglou is also in form having netted eight goals in his last six league matches.
"If drawing would have been an unfair result for us, losing is even more unjust," Vitoria said after the loss to Porto.
"We had numerous opportunities but we were not as effective as Porto. My players did enough to win the game. We did not win this game, but we are here to fight."
Lisandro Lopez is expected to be available for Benfica after recovering from a thigh injury, but fellow defender Luisao remains out with a broken arm. Eduardo Salvio (knee) and Ljubomir Fejsa (thigh) will be checked ahead of kick-off.
Viktor Fayzulin's knee injury keeps him out for Zenit, who added Yuri Zhirkov, Aleksandr Kokorin and Mauricio to their Champions League squad for the knock-out round. Following Tuesday's meeting, the second leg will be played on March 9.
Key Opta Stats:
- This is the first time Benfica have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2011/12. That season, they were eliminated by eventual winners Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
- Zenit have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third time in the last five seasons (2011/12, 2013/14, 2015/16). However, they have never made it past the last 16.
- Zenit have won their last three away games against Portuguese clubs in European competition, qualifiers included.
- Raul Jimenez has scored two and assisted two of Benfica’s last four Champions League goals.
Di Maria: Champions League hopes not hampered by standard of Ligue 1
16 February 2016
Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria does not believe the club's Champions League hopes will be compromised by the relative lack of quality in Ligue 1.
Laurent Blanc's men have dominated domestic competition since the takeover by Qatar Sports Investments, winning Le Championnat in each of the last three years while they hold a 24-point lead at the summit this season.
They have yet to conquer Europe, however, with one reason put forward being the difficulty in raising their performance levels from Ligue 1 to the Champions League.
Di Maria does not think the problem is one exclusive to PSG, though, and highlighted other teams with similar problems.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Champions League round-of-16 first leg at home to Chelsea, he told The Times of India: "Yes, well, there is a big difference, but nearly all Champions League teams are a long way ahead in their domestic leagues.
"Real Madrid and Barcelona are a long away ahead of the other teams in their league but then in the Champions League, they still perform at their best.
"For us here, we try to do our best in every game so that when the Champions League games come around things go as well as possible. Right now, it's natural that there's a very big difference between games in the league and the Champions League, but we will try to do our very best in all of them."
PSG had a rare slip at the weekend, only managing a goalless draw at home to Lille, but Di Maria does not believe it will have any implications for the meeting with Guus Hiddink's men.
"I think this was a game where you could pick up more minutes of playing time, for doing things right in order to keep building towards the Chelsea game," he added.
"There were a lot of players rested as there is a tough game ahead. We kept calm and things went pretty well."
Chelsea have had a tumultuous season which has included the sacking of coach Jose Mourinho and will end with them relinquishing their Premier League crown.
But Di Maria, who worked under the Portuguese at Real Madrid, does not believe Mourinho's exit weakens the Londoners, especially given their improvement under Hiddink.
He said: "It's the same. I think the difference comes down to the players. I think the players are the ones that win games, not the coach.
"The coach just picks 11 players, the formation, then it's the players who get things done. With or without Mourinho, Chelsea have great players."
The Italian has coached both sides in the past and believes that the Frenchmen have the greater chance of progression, although he has predicted it will be difficult for them
Carlo Ancelotti has predicted that Chelsea will approach their Champions League last-16 first-leg encounter with Paris Saint-Germain with a defensive mindset.
Guus Hiddink’s side travel to the Parc des Princes without John Terry and Kurt Zouma due to injuries, and after a difficult campaign to date, the Italian does not see his former side adopting an aggressive approach against another team he formerly coached.
Instead, Ancelotti believes the match will provide a great contrast of styles.
“Chelsea will play more defensively and try to use the counter-attack,” he told Goal. “PSG will be the opposite. They play at home and will want to have a good result to be more relaxed when they play at Stamford Bridge.
“Maybe PSG have a greater chance, but playing against Hiddink’s team is very difficult.”
The veteran Italian coach also revealed how he would motivate his sides for such big matches.
“The only thing you can do is prepare well,” he said. “So you use the hours before the game to prepare the players, show them some videos and build a good strategy for the game. It helps the players avoid pressure, which is normal for this type of game.”
This will be the third straight season these sides have clashed in the knockout stages of the Champions League, with each claiming one victory.
Spalletti hails 'great teacher' Ancelotti ahead of Real Madrid clash
By Joe Wright
Feb 16, 2016 10:42:34
The Roma coach has credited his compatriot as his coaching mentor as he attempts to upset the odds against Los Blancos in the Champions League
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has hailed Carlo Ancelotti as a "great teacher" as his side prepare to take on Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Ancelotti delivered Madrid's 10th Champions League title in 2014 but was replaced by Rafael Benitez last year in what proved to be a disastrous short spell in charge for the former Liverpool boss.
Spalletti, who has guided Roma to four wins in a row after being appointed as Rudi Garcia's replacement in January, has credited Ancelotti with giving him a broader understanding of the game as he attempts to spring a surprise on his mentor's old club in the Champions League round of 16.
"He is my great teacher," he told AS. "He was doing great, as always, wherever he went. Ancelotti is the best that we have in Italy and here we have the best school for coaches.
"I learned everything from him. Every time I have dinner with him I learn everything I can from what he tells me about football. He's a great person and a great coach."
Spalletti believes former midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who replaced Benitez early last month, has the credentials to become an outstanding head coach given the traits he displayed during his playing career.
"I remember him well at Juventus," he said. "He was a fantastic player, a leader... and when you're like this, with this character, becoming a coach is easier.
"He has everyone's respect and that helps him with the impact of his new role. He's a real great.
"The important thing is not to lie [to players]. They realise that straight away and give you some odd looks.
"To earn their respect, you have to be loyal and show them the way. The Roma way... our way, our idea.
"I have a saying: 'Respect is earned, fear is imposed'."
Looking ahead to Wednesday's first leg in the Italian capital, Spalletti has singled out Luka Modric - a player he admitted he wanted to sign while at Zenit - as a key figure in Madrid's side, while also acknowledging the difficulty of finding a way to keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet.
"I looked at him [Modric] during my time with Zenit but he was inaccessible. The club and I would have really liked to have him," he added.
"They are all very good, all of them. But what Cristiano has is impossible... having those qualities is very difficult, the speed, the strength. I know him very well, I played against his Manchester United six times with Roma."
Luciano Spalletti says he will not deploy "a cage" of defenders around Cristiano Ronaldo when Roma host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Ronaldo scored 11 times during the group stage and got back among the goals in La Liga on Saturday, netting twice in the 4-2 home win over Athletic Bilbao.
Spalletti has denied suggestions Ronaldo is in decline but will not focus his team's entire defensive efforts on stopping the Portugal star in the first leg of the round-of-16 tie at Stadio Olimpico.
"I don't think so," the Roma coach said when asked whether Ronaldo is a fading force.
"Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world. He can always make the difference.
"He's a modern player: strong, fast, and able to score a lot of goals. But I won't make a cage around him, I won't use three players to mark him.
"The player to counter Ronaldo must be - amongst other things - quick. Alessandro Florenzi could be an option."
Spalletti was in charge when Roma recorded a memorable 4-2 aggregate win over Madrid at the same stage of the competition in the 2007-08 campaign and while he maintains his side have a "50 per cent chance" of progressing, he also offered a reminder the Giallorossi are still developing after he succeeded Rudi Garcia as head coach last month.
"I don't think there's a favourite. I think each side has a 50 per cent chance," he said.
"The last time I took out Real I had a stable Roma, with a tried-and-tested system that had already produced results. Right now we're trying things out.
"We're on the road to enhance our own group. I think this is a suitable match to help us understand if we're on the right track. I'm confident, because I've seen my players be very attentive."
Daniele De Rossi completed training on Sunday and will be part of the matchday squad, while Spalletti also confirmed Francesco Totti could be involved after he sat out the victory over Carpi with a muscle problem.
"De Rossi trained well yesterday, I hope that things are going okay. He'll be called up.
"If Totti can train with the group then he will be with the squad."
Gent v Wolfsburg: ´Dream come true´ awaits Dejaegere
15 February 2016 19:08
Gent's Brecht Dejaegere says playing in the Champions League round of 16 against Wolfsburg will be "a dream come true" as both clubs prepare for their first appearance in the knockout stages of the tournament.
The Belgian champions finished ahead of Valencia and Lyon to claim second behind Zenit and progress from Group H.
Domestic title-holders Gent responded to successive defeats at the hands of Club Brugge in the Pro League and Belgian Cup by beating Mouscron 2-0 in the league on Friday.
And Dejaegere feels that victory was vital for improving the team's mindset ahead of the visit of Wolfsburg to Ghelamco Arena on Wednesday.
"Our win over Mouscron at the weekend was very important," Dejaegere told the club website.
"We would have had an entirely different feeling heading into the game against Wolfsburg without the win.
"I am really looking forward to Wednesday's game. Playing in the Champions League round of 16 is like a dream come true for any player. The atmosphere will be incredible again."
Hannes Van Der Bruggen (adductor) and Peter Olayinka (ankle) are expected to miss out due to injury, but Moses Simon and Dejaegere appear to be ready despite picking up minor knocks at the weekend.
Wolfsburg, meanwhile, will have to make do without a number of important players, including the suspended Naldo, but Julian Draxler is confident they can build on Saturday's 2-0 win at home to Ingolstadt by producing a positive performance in Belgium.
"We needed a good result at the weekend after some difficult weeks and we did just that. The win over Ingolstadt was a confidence boost," he told the Wolfsburg website.
"We want to build on that against Gent. We are heading into the game with a positive feeling. Saturday's win was a step in the right direction.
"Naldo is a very important player for us. But it is not the first time this season that we will have to deal with the absence of key players. We can succeed in doing that again on Wednesday if we stick together as a team."
Wolfsburg will also be without injured striker Bas Dost (fractured metatarsal) and Carlos Ascues (meniscus), while Josuha Guilavogui is doubtful due to a hip problem. Andre Schurrle (adductor) missed the game against Schalke on February 6, but returned at the weekend as a second-half substitute.
This will be Gent and Wolfsburg's first competitive encounter. The Belgian side have never beaten a German team on home soil in European competition, while they have also failed to score in their last three home games against German opposition.
However, Gent have won their last three Champions League games – all by one goal – after failing to win any of their previous three and they were one of only six teams to score in every single group-stage game this season.
Key Opta facts:
- Gent and Wolfsburg have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in their history.
- Half of the goals conceded by Wolfsburg in this season's Champions League have come from set-pieces (three out of six).
- Gent used 17 players in this season's group stages, fewer than any other team. Wolfsburg used only 18.
- Only one of Wolfsburg's 12 games in the Champions League has ended in a draw, against Besiktas in October 2009 (0-0).
- Gent's Danijel Milicevic has been directly involved in 50 per cent of his team's goals in the Champions League this season, scoring three times and delivering one assist.
Morata: Lewandowski is world's best striker - his six-pack is incredible
By Stefan Coerts
Feb 18, 2016 08:22:32
The Juventus striker admits he is in awe of the Bayern Munich forward and is looking forward to coming up against him in their Champions League last-16 tie
Juventus' forward Alvaro Morata has hailed Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski as the world's best striker - adding that he has an "incredible" six-pack.
The Poland international has scored 21 goals in 20 Bundesliga appearances this term and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Morata and Lewandowski will go head-to-head next week when they meet at Juventus Stadium for the first-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie and the Spaniard believes his side must be wary of the threat posed by the 27-year-old.
"Lewandowski is the best striker in the world for me," Morata told Sport Bild. "I remember swapping shirts with him, he has an incredible six-pack.
"It will be an eye-opener for me to see him play again."
Despite the threat of Bayern star, Morata is confident his side can make it difficult for the Bundesliga champions, insisting a tense atmosphere awaits them in Turin.
"The first leg will be very difficult for Bayern," the 23-year-old added. "Our stadium will be like hell for them.
"We are very well organised and compact. We have conceded only once in our last nine games. We are a very intense team and everybody is willing to go the extra mile for a team-mate.
Keane: Hazard is a 'spoilt child' and needs a good kicking
By Dejan Kalinic
Feb 18, 2016 07:33:51
The Republic of Ireland assistant has labelled the Chelsea winger's decision to speak publicly about the prospect of joining PSG prior to their tie as "absolutely ridiculous"
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on Eden Hazard, labelling the Chelsea midfielder a "spoilt child".
The Belgium international talked up a move to Paris Saint-Germain in the lead-up to Chelsea's Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against the Ligue 1 champions on Tuesday.
Keane said it was up to Hazard's older team-mates to teach him a lesson, particularly after the Blues lost 2-1 at the Parc des Princes.
"I really can't understand these players. He signed an extension last year to his contract for another five years. We saw how good he was last year," Keane said on ITV.
"And then he's coming out with all that nonsense on the eve of a big, big game.
"If I was one of his team-mates I'd kick him up and down the training pitch. Some of the senior players have got to get hold of him.
"A talented, talented boy but his attitude, even last night, he's like a spoilt child. It's absolutely ridiculous."
Juventus must make do without first-choice left-back Alex Sandro when they take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League next week, as the Brazil defender battles a hamstring injury.
The Serie A champions have confirmed they expect the former Porto man to be sidelined for 10 days, meaning he will sit out Friday's league meeting with Bologna as well as Tuesday's last-16 first leg against Pep Guardiola's side.
"Alex Sandro will be sidelined for approximately ten days after an MRI scan revealed an overload of the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh," a Juve statement confirmed.
"The Brazilian wing-back pulled up in yesterday's [Tuesday's] training session at Juventus Center in Vinovo."
Alex Sandro has made 21 appearances in all competitions for Juventus this season, scoring twice.
Alexis Sanchez says his decision to leave Barcelona for Arsenal was the right one as he prepares to take on his former team at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Arsenal host the holders in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 and it will be the first time Chile star Sanchez has faced his old club since moving to north London in July 2014.
The 27-year-old won La Liga and the Copa del Rey during three seasons with Barcelona but, having already scored 35 goals and lifted the FA Cup in Arsenal colours, feels he made the switch at the ideal time.
"I never regret my decisions," Sanchez told the Daily Mail. "It wasn't easy to leave Barcelona.
"I fulfilled a dream when I moved there - to play in Spain and for the champions - but very few players stay in the same club all their life. To leave is normal.
"I wanted a new project, a new experience. And with so many attacking players at Barca it was a good choice to go.
"I think it was a good choice to go to Arsenal, the best choice. It has been a positive move and I love it at Arsenal."
Sanchez, who moved to Barcelona from Udinese in 2011, does not know if he will celebrate or not should he find the back of the net against his former team.
"I'm a professional so any match against Barcelona in the Champions League is special to me," he said.
"I can't say what my reaction will be if I score. That depends on the moment."
Allegri reveals Pep admiration: We have lots in common
Feb 21, 2016 19:35:00
The Bianconeri coach is looking for a strong reaction from his players after drawing with Bologna, as the Italian champions prepare for a daunting last 16 test
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has revealed his respect for Bayern Munich counterpart Pep Guardiola, as the two sides prepare to lock horns in the Champions League.
The Old Lady will welcome Bayern to Juventus Stadium on Tuesday, in the first leg of the last 16 clash.
And Allegri showered the former Barcelona trainer with praise ahead of the clash, as Juve look to bounce back from a draw against Bologna.
"I admire him, his Barcelona team had incredible class," he told Suddeutsche Zeitung.
"I think we have a great deal in common. We both played in the centre of midfield, like most coaches, and we had great technique.
"I was never a champion [as a player]. I think it's fantastic an average player can become a great coach."
Allegri added that he was not planning to give Bayern special attention, and trusted in his stars to play their own game.
"Of course we study the opponents, but it makes no sense to be thinking about that all day, it would drive you crazy," he admitted.
"I tell my players all the time: 'You guys make the tactics.' They must play feeling happy, otherwise there is no sense in even taking to the pitch."
Buffon touts ´brave´ Neuer among goalkeeping greats
22 February 2016 19:57
Juventus stalwart Gianluigi Buffon has backed Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer to become a goalkeeping great as the clubs prepare to meet in the Champions League.
Last season's beaten finalists and the German heavyweights, Serie A and Bundesliga title-holders respectively, clash in the round-of-16 first leg in Turin on Tuesday.
While Buffon, 38, is regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation, Neuer's comfort in possession has seen him come close to reinventing the position as an advanced 'sweeper-keeper'.
"I've seen a lot of goalkeepers over this long career and I've been fortunate enough to admire some very solid goalkeepers with great reliability and quality," Buffon told reporters.
"Manuel Neuer is among them and he's a goalkeeper who plays in a very brave manner, that is undeniable. He is a key figure for Bayern.
"Of course when I talk about goalkeepers I think of Iker Casillas, Petr Cech, Oliver Kahn and others so you have to evaluate many elements and not just look at this moment in time."
Bayern have beaten Juve on their last two visits to Italy, winning 4-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals en route to winning the competition in 2012-13.
Juve, who lost 3-1 to Barcelona in last season's decider, have improved in Europe over recent seasons and Buffon claimed his team-mates will not underestimate the German champions.
"I expect a very complicated game, because we respect Bayern and consider them a very strong side with no weaknesses.
"However, we are also growing and on this journey of victories over the last four or five years we have found a solidity in Europe. Compared to three years ago, we are more aware of our own strengths and of Bayern's quality too.
"When we met them three years ago, we thought it was perhaps a simpler task than it proved to be. They turned out to be practically unbeatable.
"They have always been among the two or three contenders in Europe and even when things went badly, they still got to the semi-finals.
"This means that in five or six years they have earned their place on at least the podium of Europe's best teams."
Luis Enrique anticipating Emirates thriller against Arsenal
22 February 2016 20:10
Luis Enrique is predicting a match for the football purists when his all-conquering Barcelona side take on Arsenal in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday.
Holders Barcelona begin the knockout stages at Emirates Stadium aiming to become the first team in the Champions League era to retain their crown, with AC Milan the last side to be European champions in consecutive season back in 1988-89 and 1989-90.
The Catalan giants got the better of Arsenal in two-legged ties in 2010 and 2011, while Arsene Wenger's side have departed in the round of 16 in each of the previous five seasons.
Neverthess, Barca coach Luis Enrique expects an "attractive" match where both sides will look to dictate terms.
"I have seen Arsenal before this season and they are going to press high at some moments of the game, according to the profile of the players they have got," he said.
"But I hope we can keep possession of the ball in their half of the pitch and put our football into practice.
"Arsenal are a good team, strong in transitions, with good players up front and strong collectively. We have to play well with the ball and without the ball to beat a team like Arsenal."
"I think Barcelona always has the possession of the ball and controls the game. On paper this is one of the most attractive games you can find if you like this type of football
"Some people prefer a more direct football- there are plenty of styles
"Football can always be a surprise but I think we are going to see a really good game because we both like to dominate."
Barca's win at Las Palmas on Saturday and dropped points for each of the Madrid clubs opened up an eight-point gap at the top of the table with 13 games remaining in La Liga this season.
Having reached the final of the Copa del Rey, where they will take on Sevilla, a repeat of last term's phenomenal treble is being widely tipped.
And Luis Enrique has no concerns over his players wearing the favourites' tag at home and abroad.
"We are the current champions and I think that it is logical that we are favourites. But being favourites means nothing. We have to prove our quality game after game," he said.
"We are not going to change anything that we have been doing this year. Playing away from your own stadium is very difficult.
"I have got really good players - they are the chosen ones because they are fantastic.
"They are always eager to win. Every two or three days they have a new motivation and I am absolutely delighted to be their coach."
Arsenal v Barcelona: Wenger calls for cutting edge against unbeaten holders
21 February 2016 17:38
Arsene Wenger has urged Arsenal to be ruthless with their opportunities when they take on holders Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Last season's treble-winners head to London for Tuesday's first leg having gone 32 matches unbeaten in all competitions - a run which has seen them break the club record set under Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by Hull City in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday - the fourth time they have failed to score at home in 2016 - despite dominating possession, and Wenger wants a more clinical edge in attack when the European champions come calling.
"Of course, it's an exciting game," he said. "We were the favourites [Saturday] but we won't be on Tuesday.
"We'll need great solidarity because we'll need to defend well, and make the maximum of our possession, which we didn't do today."
Arsenal have already beaten one of the tournament favourites this season, having defeated Guardiola's Bayern Munich 2-0 during the group stage, but Barca's form makes for daunting reading for the Gunners.
The holders emerged unbeaten from the group stage and have been in stunning form domestically, winning all but two of their last 16 Liga and Copa del Rey matches and failing to score just once in that time, away to Espanyol in January.
Barca were given a tough test at Las Palmas on Saturday before ultimately winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Luis Suarez and Neymar, with Luis Enrique expecting another difficult encounter against Arsenal.
"We're starting a game of 180 minutes. I'm sure they will be a difficult opponent, with enough quality to create problems for us," he said.
"It will be tough, just like any knockout."
Wenger has passed Mesut Ozil fit after he was rested for the Hull game due to illness, while Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud and former Barca forward Alexis Sanchez are all likely to be back in the starting line-up.
Francis Coquelin should also return, though the game comes too early for Jack Wilshere (leg) and Santi Cazorla (knee).
Arda Turan is suspended and Rafinha remains out with a knee injury, but Barca have an otherwise strong squad to take to London, which includes former Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen.
Barca triumphed over the Gunners 4-3 on aggregate at the same stage of the competition in 2010-11 before going on to lift the trophy at Wembley, after beating Manchester United 3-1 in the final.
Key Opta Stats:
- Arsenal have been knocked out in the last 16 in each of the last five seasons.
- Barcelona have won the Champions League in four of the last 10 seasons. No other team has won it more than once in the same period.
- Barcelona have come out on top in each of their three previous Champions League home & away knockout encounters with Arsenal: 2006 final (2-1), 2009-10 quarter-final (6-3 on agg.) and 2010-11 Last 16 (4-3 on agg.).
- Arsenal and Barcelona's seven previous Champions League encounters have produced 27 goals, an average of 3.86 per game.
- Barcelona have won 15 of their 19 Champions League games since last season (D2 L2). They've also never failed to score in those 19 games.
- Alexis Sanchez has been directly involved in 58.3 per cent of Arsenal's Champions League goals this season, scoring three times and delivering four assists.
- Lionel Messi has scored six goals in four Champions League games against Arsenal. However, he has yet to score at the Emirates with Barcelona.
Juventus v Bayern Munich: Barzagli out to find Bayern weaknesses
21 February 2016 17:22
Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli is eager to make home advantage count against Bayern Munich on Tuesday - stating their Champions League opponents are among the three best teams in the world.
Both sides have a rich European pedigree, with two-time winners Juve making the final last season while Bayern beat the Italian giants en route to their fifth continental success in 2012-13.
Leaders of their respective domestic leagues, both endured struggles at the weekend with an off-the-pace Bayern coming from behind to beat Darmstadt while Juve's 15-match winning run in the league ended with a 0-0 draw at Bologna.
But Bayern are the only foreign team to have beaten Juve on Italian soil in the past decade - picking up wins in 2009 and 2013 - and Barzagli maintains the Bundesliga giants cannot be underestimated.
"We know that Bayern are one of the three best teams in the world," he told the club's official website. "But we're playing at home and the Juventus Stadium will give us a real boost.
"Every team has its weaknesses and it's our job to find them. We'll give it a good go and be ready for the battle. When you play two-legged games and the first is at home, it's crucial you come away with a good result in the first encounter.
"We know we'll face some difficult moments, but we're used to playing these kinds of matches."
Having topped Group F by six points from Arsenal, Tuesday's first leg will be Bayern's first European test since Pep Guardiola's departure at the end of the season was confirmed.
The Spaniard is to join Manchester City and his three-season Bayern spell will be looked upon far more kindly if he can deliver a sixth Champions League crown alongside the array of domestic honours won during his tenure.
Thomas Muller's impressive bicycle kick was the pick of the goals on Saturday but the Germany international warned Bayern must improve if they are to claim a first-leg advantage this week.
"I controlled it quite well with my chest, then I had to somehow direct it towards goal," he explained of the acrobatic strike. "But I don't want to overstate it. If I score an ugly goal it's worth just as much. We're glad we've clinched three crucial points.
"We'll have to be smarter in Turin on Tuesday, we mustn't miss as many chances there."
Franck Ribery made his return from a long-term thigh injury on Saturday while Mario Gotze was an unused substitute following a calf complaint. Both could feature against Juve although Jerome Boateng (groin) and Javi Martinez (knee) are ruled out.
Former Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic (thigh) is doubtful for Juve with Giorgio Chiellini (calf) and Alex Sandro (thigh) also likely to miss out.
Key Opta stats:
- Juventus, who finished second in Group D behind Manchester City, have made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2005/06.
- Juventus are winless in their last four Champions League games against Bayern Munich (D1 L3), their last victory dating back to November 2005 courtesy of a David Trezeguet brace (2-1).
- Juventus scored only six goals in this season’s group stages, the lowest total among the 16 teams that made it to the knockout campaign.
- Juventus have lost only two of their last 34 home games in the Champions League (W22 D10). Both of those defeats were against Bayern Munich.
- Bayern Munich are winless in their last five away games in the Champions League knockout stages (D2 L3).
- Alvaro Morata has scored six goals in eight starts in the Champions League knockout phase.
Bayern must be ruthless against ´clever´ Juventus, says Muller
22 February 2016 11:42
Thomas Muller has urged Bayern Munich to be at their clinical best when they face Juventus in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola's side came from behind to beat Darmstadt 3-1 to preserve their eight-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga, with Muller scoring two superb close-range goals in the second half before Robert Lewandowski added a late third.
Muller was frustrated to see Bayern miss a number of chances earlier in Saturday's encounter and cautioned they must be more ruthless against the "clever" Serie A champions.
"It's going to be a difficult match," he told Bayern's official website. "Juve are clever, the stadium is superb. I'm looking forward to it.
"We failed to make best use out of our chances, which is what caused our problems. We have to deliver a different performance against Juventus.
"We didn't play so badly, we had quite a lot of chances, more than we had hoped for, but we didn't make the most of them. We turned the game round, which shows we're in good spirits."
Bayern head to Turin with a four-game unbeaten run against Juve, stretching back to November 2005.
