Madrid need Ronaldo magic to keep Champions League dream alive

 

After a whirlwind 4-1 pasting from Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, Real Madrid are on the ropes.

Their dream of 'La Decima' needs a miracle to be revived and Jose Mourinho will be turning to his talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, for inspiration as the Santiago Bernabeu hosts the crucial return fixture.

Will the Portuguese be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat or will BVB make Madrid's trophy hopes disappear? 

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King Bale hailed by fellow PFA nominees

 

Gareth Bale scooped the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards on Sunday evening, capping a breathtaking personal season for the Tottenham winger.

Luis Suarez, who was banned for 10 games for biting Branislav Ivanovic, finished in second place, but his name was booed both times it was read out at the ceremony on Sunday night.

And with the Uruguayan in Premier League quarantine, it was left to Bale's four other rivals to bow down to the newly-crowned King. 

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Wenger rolls out the red carpet for Van Persie's grand return

 

All eyes will be on the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as Robin van Persie steps out at his former stomping ground for the first time since his headline-grabbing move to Manchester United last summer.

The Netherlands international arrives back in north London a champion, with the Red Devils having already wrapped up the title with victory over Aston Villa last week, and a guard of honour from those he called his team-mates a matter of months ago awaits his return.

Despite Arsene Wenger's calls for respect for Sir Alex Ferguson's side and their top-goalscoring striker, Gunners supporters are set to give their former hero a rocky reception after his decision to quit the club for one of their chief Premier League rivals. 

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Should I stay or should I go? Barton's move 'dilemma'

 

On-loan Marseille midfielder Joey Barton will have a big decision to make over his future in the summer - stay in France should that option be on the table or head back to parent club QPR?

If current Rangers boss Harry Redknapp's advice is anything to go by, then a return to Loftus Road seemingly wouldn't be the wisest decision.

The former Portsmouth manager spoke of Barton's picturesque drive to work in an interview on Friday but if it's rain, skyscrapers, Redknapp's face and the Championship that the one-time Newcastle midfielder is after, then QPR could just be the place to be next season... 

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Rodgers gives Suarez a license for mischief

 

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers launched a staunch defence of Luis Suarez after the striker was banned for 10 games for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

While Rodgers had no issue with a ban being issued, he was disappointed by the length of the suspension given to the Uruguayan.

But in doing so, has he given Suarez a free pass to get away with all other forms of mischief? 

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Robin Hood Lewandowski makes mockery of Madrid

 

Robbing from the rich to give to the poor. That's what Jurgen Klopp said his side were doing after their thrilling 4-1 demolition of Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

It has been a trying couple of days for Klopp after the news broke of Mario Gotze's impending move to fierce rivals Bayern Munich, but in Robert Lewandowski, the Borussia manager truly has an astonishing marksman.

The Polish striker took down Jose Mourinho and his side with ruthless finishing as he bagged all four goals for the hosts in front of a rapturous Dortmund crowd. 

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Pep & Gotze prepare to tag in to Munich Mania as Barca are rumbled

 

Bayern Munich showed their muscle in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with the 4-0 hammering of Barcelona putting them on the brink of reaching next month's Wembley final.

Two goals from Thomas Muller and one each for Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben secured a resounding first-leg triumph at the Allianz Arena to send the Munich crowd into absolute rapture.

On course for the treble this season and with Pep Guardiola and Mario Gotze set to jet in to join the Bavarians in 2013-14 - it's a pretty darn good time to be a Bayern fan, that's for sure. 

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Omar Momani's interview to Allsport.am

I had the honor to be interviewed with Allsport.am. And I want to thank them for this chance and to thank the journalist Diana Adamyan.
Here is the interview: Omar Momani's interview to Allsport.am

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Take that Tevez! Sir Alex & Man United celebrate sweet revenge

 

Manchester United got their own back on rivals City by clinching their 20th league title on Monday night.

Roberto Mancini's men broke United hearts on the final day of last season, and Carlos Tevez infamously celebrated by holding up an "RIP Fergie" banner on their open-top bus tour through Manchester.

But United have roared back this season to leave Tevez et al in their wake, and Sir Alex can once again celebrate in style. 

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Suarez in the doghouse as Liverpool look to keep him on a leash

 

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was both hero and villain as the Reds drew 2-2 with Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.
The Uruguay international set up Liverpool’s opener for Daniel Sturridge with a sublime pass before scoring an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game to earn his side a point.
However, it was Suarez’s clash with Branislav Ivanovic that stole all the headlines, the striker biting the Chelsea man, and leaving the controversial star, once again, in the doghouse.

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QPR & Reading on the brink in relegation battle

 

Reading and QPR are on the brink of relegation after defeat for both sides on Saturday left them 10 points adrift of safety with just four matches remaining.

The final relegation spot is still undecided with Wigan currently in 18th place, while Aston Villa, who face Manchester United on Monday, are three points clear of Roberto Martinez's side.

Further ahead are Newcastle United, Stoke City and Sunderland, who are all on 37 points and starting to edge clear of the drop zone. 

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Wannabes left out as Player of the Year nominations announced

 

The PFA Player of the Year award nominees were announced on Friday with Premier League stars finding out who is in the running for the honour.
Tottenham forward Gareth Bale heads the list which includes Michael Carrick, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie.
The winner is due to be announced on April 28, but in the meantime there are reasons to celebrate for the nominated six, although do spare a thought for those who missed out this time.

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Neymar Barca link has La Liga quaking in their boots

 

Despite having Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and David Villa on their books, Barcelona are still keen to bring in Neymar with the Brazilian due to arrive in Spain in July for transfer talks.

Both Dani Alves and Adriano have urged their compatriot to join them at Camp Nou although Manchester City also remain hopeful of capturing the Brazilan's signature.

Indeed should he opt to join Barca his arrival is sure to make waves in La Liga as he goes head to head with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Radamel Falcao. 

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Arabian Yin Yang

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Cannonball Carroll targets De Gea

 

West Ham striker Andy Carroll was the main talking point following his side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Upton Park.

The on-loan frontman may not have managed to get on the scoresheet but he certainly hit the headlines with a robust performance.

David De Gea was certainly made aware of the striker’s qualities after being flattened in the first half by a flying Carroll, who walking away without so much as a booking.

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FA Cup heartbreak: Aguero sorry for Luiz horror tackle

 

Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup saw Roberto Martinez’s men book a date with Wigan in the final, but left David Luiz seething after a challenge from Sergio Aguero.
The Argentine escaped a yellow card, and subsequent action from the Football Association, for his high two-footed tackle on the Brazilian.
However, he did not escape the attention of of Luiz who insisted he forgave his fellow South American for his “bad tackle”.
Aguero then took to Twitter to say sorry, revealing that he had apologised to the Chelsea man and explaining his moment of madness as “an impulse reaction that shouldn't have happened”.

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Mancini risks rivals’ wrath

 

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini looks set to risk the wrath of rival Premier League bosses by fielding a weakened side against struggling Wigan on Tuesday.

The Italian is set to rest several key names after testing fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea with Micah Richards, Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov all expected to start.

The news might be welcomed by his opposite number Roberto Martinez, with his side currently in the relegation zone, three points from safety but with two games in hand.

However, it is unlikely to go down as well with rivals as the scrap to avoid the drop starts to hot up.

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Mad to measure: Tailor fury at Di Canio derby delight

 

Sunderland took their first step towards safety under Paolo Di Canio as the Black Cats secured a 3-0 victory over local rivals Newcastle United on Sunday.

Three fine strikes from Stephane Sessegnon, Adam Johnson and David Vaughan fired Sunderland to 34 points in the Premier League, edging them three clear of the relegation zone, while Di Canio's exuberant celebrations may have cost him a new pair of trousers. 

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Liverpool set for summer holidays as top four scrap continues

 

After Arsenal and Everton both recorded wins on Saturday, the race to finish in the Premier League top four has taken another twist.

Tottenham - who do not play this weekend - have dropped to fifth as the Gunners moved up the table and closed in on Chelsea, who are in FA Cup action against Manchester City on Sunday.

Liverpool, meanwhile, look set for an early summer holiday after another goalless draw, this time against Reading, thanks to some heroic goalkeeping from Alex McCarthy. 

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My interview with CG Fudbal (in Montenegrin)

Here is the link my interview with the Montenegrin website CG Fudbol:

Omar Momani Interview

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German giants ready to trip up Clasico duo

 

Both the Spanish and the German sides have been kept apart in the Champions League semi-final as Bayern Munich have been paired with Barcelona, while Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund.

Many have predicted a Clasico final, although the form of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in Europe this season could result in a upset for those hoping for an all-Spanish affair at Wembley in May.

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Fore! Adebayor's Europa penalty reaches Tiger

 

Emmanuel Adebayor's languid penalty was the final nail in Tottenham's Europa League coffin as Andre Villas-Boas' side crashed out of the competition to Basel on Thursday evening.

The Togo striker's disjointed run-up in the penalty shoot-out was followed with an even poorer finish as the ball blazed over Basel's bar. 

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Fanny Neguesha and my caricature

For who doesnt know who is Fanny Neguesha. Fanny is a professional model, dancer and actress and mostly known as Mario Balotelli's girlfriend.

 

Last couple of weeks I drew a caricature on here as she caught my eyes in the Milan-Barcelona match in the Champions League, where she and Mario were celebrating their victory against the Catalan.

I discovered later that she is using the caricature as an avatar for her twitter profile (@neguesha), which is something amazing.

All love and support to all the models in the world <3 br="">

 

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Messi comes to Barcelona’s emergency service

 

Things were not looking good for Barcelona at one stage on Wednesday evening. Paris Saint-Germain were holding their own after going a goal ahead through Javier Pastore and Tito Vilanova's side were struggling to trouble their opponents in attack.

But that all changed from the 62nd minute as Cesc Fabregas made way for Lionel Messi, who was named as a substitute after failing to fully recover from a hamstring injury.

Despite the setback, the Argentine mustered enough of his brilliance to inspire Barcelona towards the Champions League semi-finals. 

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Dortmund - Malaga given Hollywood finale

 

In one of the most enthralling endings to a Champions League tie, Dortmund secured a place in the semi-finals after two injury-time strikes saw off Malaga.

Joaquin and a superb Robert Lewandowski effort set up a tense second half but it was the Spanish club who looked set for a semi-final spot after Eliseu struck in the 82nd minute.

But there was more to come from the match as Marco Reus netted in the 91st minute before Felipe Santana popped up with the decisive goal just moments before the final whistle.

"Up until now, our story has been like a Hollywood movie - hopefully it will have a Hollywood ending," Dortmund defender Neven Subotic told Uefa.

"This is the craziest moment in all of my footballing career. It has been a special match for everybody - for us and the fans." 

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City take the spoils but title still in United's reach

 

Sergio Aguero's fine solo strike may well have tipped the Manchester derby in City's favour on Monday evening, but United still boast a 12-point gap over Roberto Mancini's side at the top of the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side need 10 more points from their remaining seven games in order to secure the Premier League title, while Manchester City look set to settle for second spot. 

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Benitez denies 'hand grenade' Di Canio an explosive start

 

Paolo Di Canio's "management by hand grenade" threatened to pay immediate dividends when Sunderland took the lead against Chelsea on Sunday but Rafa Benitez's team came from behind to deny the Italian a perfect start.

A Cesar Azpilicueta own goal gave the Black Cats the lead at Stamford Bridge but another own goal, this time by Matthew Kilgallon, was followed by Branislav Ivanovic's similarly fortunate winner.

The victory, coupled with Tottenham's draw at Everton, strengthened Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish but left Di Canio looking ahead to a mouthwatering Tyne-Wear derby as Sunderland edge closer to the drop zone. 

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Rosicky orchestrates Arsenal top-four surge

 

The race for the top four intensified this weekend as ten-men Arsenal clung on to claim three huge points against West Brom, pushing them into the top four at the expense of Chelsea.

The Gunners' unsung squad players have driven the club forward in recent weeks, with Gervinho and 'Little Mozart' Tomas Rosicky combining well at the Hawthorns to narrow the gap to third-placed Tottenham to just a single point.

With Gareth Bale injured and Chelsea in the middle of a tiring and congested fixture list, Arsenal - who have picked up 22 points from a possible 27 in their last nine games - have the other Champions League contenders running scared.

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Heynckes encourages Bayern booze-up

 

Bayern Munich can clinch the Bundesliga title on Saturday if they beat Frankfurt, and boss Jupp Heynckes has allowed his players to let their hair down.

Die Roten have run away at the top of the table this season, leading second-placed Borussia Dortmund by 20 points ahead of their trip to Commerzbank-Arena.

And despite facing a trip to Juventus for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, the 67-year-old has told his charges they can celebrate with a beer or two.
 

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Tottenham hope for lucky Bale break

 

If having to come back from two goals down to salvage a draw against Basel on Thursday night wasn't bad enough for Tottenham, they were left with hearts in mouths late on as Gareth Bale crumpled to the turf, clutching his ankle and was stretchered off.

The Welshman has been Spurs' leading light this season, netting 17 Premier League goals as Andre Villas-Boas looks to steer the north London side back into the Champions League.

With many scoffing that Spurs were a one-man team with Bale in the side, many at White Hart Lane will be praying for a miraculous recovery, to avoid becoming a no-man outfit. 

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Madrid & Mourinho gobble up Galatasaray

 

Real Madrid enjoyed a Champions League feast against Galatasaray at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

The visitors were made to look like turkeys as Jose Mourinho's side raced into the lead early on through Cristiano Ronaldo's goal, before the victory was rubber-stamped by Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain.

The Turkish side have been left with plenty to do at home, needing to score at least four goals to secure one of the competition's biggest ever upsets. 

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Bayern men show their mettle to crush Juventus

 

Bayern Munich further displayed their Champions League credentials with a 2-0 win over Juventus on Tuesday night.

David Alaba and Thomas Muller were the Bayern superheroes, scoring in the first and 63rd minute as the home fans marvelled over the performance at the Allianz Arena.

With Juventus needing to score three unanswered goals in the return leg to progress, it looks as though the Bayern men are ready to march on into the semi-final. 

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Barcelona stars return to scene of Spain triumph

 

The Champions League is back on Tuesday as Barcelona take on Paris Saint-Germain with a number of the Catalan giants' making a swift return to France.

No fewer than eight Barcelona stars were involved as Spain defeated France 1-0 in World Cup qualifying just seven days ago, with Pedro scoring the crucial winning goal.

Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Co. firmly planted their flag at the Stade de France a week ago, but can they do the same again in Paris against a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-led PSG side? 

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Chelsea & Benitez crack in top four hunt

 

Rafa Benitez isn't having a good time of it at the moment, and his Chelsea side suffered another setback in the race for the top four with a 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday.

Benitez elected to shuffle his pack for the trip to the south coast to take on the Saints, resting Juan Mata and Eden Hazard, but the gamble backfired as a makeshift Blues side delivered a lacklustre display.

Chelsea have now won just four of their last nine matches in all competitions, and lie only two points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal with eight matches left to play.

And so while his side may deliver some late cheer with an FA Cup qaurter-final victory over Manchester United on Monday evening, at present it's looking like an unhappy easter for Rafa and his men. 

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