Jose Mourinho will be hoping more sincere congratulations are in order when Chelsea visit Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
The Portuguese cut a frustrated figure as he witnessed his Chelsea side lose ground in the Premier League title race in a 2-1 setback to Sunderland on Saturday, a defeat that saw Mourinho s 77-match unbeaten league run at Stamford Bridge come to an end.
Following that disappointment, Mourinho s post-match press conference had a somewhat sarcastic feel to it, as he offered congratulations to official Mike Dean who had awarded Sunderland a controversial penalty that was converted by former Chelsea forward Fabio Borini as well as Mike Riley, the general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, which is responsible for appointing …
Lille coach Rudi Garcia is eager to see his side finish their poor Champions League campaign on a high against Valencia on Wednesday.
The French side are certain to finish bottom of Group F after winning just one of their first five games.
But despite having nothing but pride to play for, Garcia said he wanted Lille to finish their European adventure successfully.
We will try everything to end on a good note in this season s Champions League. There is no mathematical issue with regards to us and qualification, Garcia said.
But we are at home and we have to give everything to end with a good result, at least for our fans.
It also allows us to face one of the best teams in Europe – Valencia FC. So that s our goal for tomorrow – try to play …
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso said Sunday night s Euro 2008 win over Germany was just as good as the Reds dramatic Champions League victory over AC Milan in 2005.
The 26-year-old played a key role in the 1-0 win over Joachim Loew s Germany team to claim Spain s first European title since 1964.
He said the win in Vienna was just as good, if not better as Liverpool s dramatic fight back from 3-0 down to level the 2005 Champions League final 3-3 before they won the title on penalties.
I don t know if it is bigger than that win, but it is definitely one of the happiest moments of my career, said Alonso.
It is a moment to savour, just like it was in the Champions League final.
Three years ago, Alonso played a crucial role as Liverpool complet…
Yaya Toure believes Manchester City must become more inventive to retain their English Premier League trophy.
The 2011/12 title winners traded blows with rivals Manchester United throughout the campaign before being crowned winners with virtually the last kick of the season, but now trail Alex Ferguson s side by four points.
Ivory Coast international Toure thinks Roberto Mancini s men must work hard on new systems and tactics to keep opponents guessing, or run the risk of teams identifying City s weaknesses and exploiting them.
Whereas perhaps we caught a lot of teams by surprise last season, this year our opponents know how we play, he told The Sun.
Sometimes we have to change our system to try to break teams down. The other teams and players can anal…
Wout Weghorst claims he was trying to wind up Virgil van Dijk by touching the This is Anfield sign before Manchester United s 7-0 humiliation at Liverpool.
Sunday s thrashing was United s joint-worst defeat in their history, as Erik ten Hag s side conceded six second-half goals to completely collapse at the home of their fierce rivals.
Following the drubbing, a video circulated of Weghorst touching the famous sign in the tunnel of Anfield, sparking fury from United fans.
Weghorst, who has scored just once in 14 appearances since signing on loan from Burnley in January, says he was simply trying to get under the skin of Netherlands team-mate Van Dijk.
Normally I never react on media topics, but for this one it s worth it because you amazing United fans ar…