Roberto Mancini wary of Adam Johnson threat

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini knows Adam Johnson can make life difficult for his side as he returns to the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

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Roberto Mancini wary of Adam Johnson threat

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West Brom knew of Suarez threat, says Jones

West Brom defender Billy Jones revealed his side discussed the danger of tackling Luis Suarez in the box before the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Liverpool opened the scoring from the spot in the first half of the English Premier League encounter through Charlie Adam after Jerome Thomas bundled over Suarez in the area.

Jones said: “It was a bit of a harsh penalty, and going 1-0 down against Liverpool, it is always going to be hard.”

“I don’t think it was a penalty. Jerome was in a good position. I think he has taken a touch and Suarez has got himself in front of him.”

“We spoke beforehand of being careful of Suarez in the penalty area because he has won penalties before for Liverpool.”

“He is good at winning penalties and we knew we had to be careful around him – and Jerome was.”

“Suarez has gone down and the linesman has given it. It was one of those things. It was harsh to concede a goal that way.”

But former Preston player Jones, 24, went on to praise the blossoming partnership between Suarez and strike partner Andy Carroll.

“They were a threat,” he said.

“There were balls which got knocked in where Carroll wasn’t favourite to win them or get anything from them.”

“But he turns those half-balls into good balls by getting it down and releasing other players.”

“He sets up Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam while Suarez is already on his bike making good runs.”

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Leonardo wary of Schalke threat

Inter Milan coach Leonardo believes Schalke’s indifferent league form will count for little when the teams meet in the Champions League.

Schalke are 11th in the Bundesliga table and have struggled for consistency this season.

But despite their problems in the German top flight, they have reached the final of the DFB Cup at the expense of holders Bayern Munich, while also accounting for Valencia in the Champions League first knockout round.

And Leonardo will not be taking the visitors lightly in Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg at the San Siro, particularly with the European Cup’s all-time leading scorer among their ranks.

“I know Schalke haven’t had many good results in the league, but they have in the Champions League so we must not underestimate them – they did not reach the quarter-finals by being lucky,” Leonardo said.

“Even without several injured players they have done well, finding a good balance on the pitch, as they have shown in the German Cup. They’re having a good spell and morale is high.”

“Raul Gonzalez is symbolic of their good European campaign, he’s always a threat. He’s one of the all-time greats – he chose to leave Madrid for another country and is still dictating things.”

Inter come into the match on the back of a damaging 3-0 defeat against Serie A leaders and local rivals AC Milan on Saturday.

Rather than dwell on a loss that may have cost his team the Scudetto, Leonardo would prefer to draw on the experience of Inter’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League’s Round of 16.

“The way we qualified has brought confidence, proving that we never give up,” he said, referring to the fightback at the Allianz Arena on March 15.

“That’s what we want to keep doing – it doesn’t matter if we lost the derby on Saturday. I respect the criticism I have had since then but the first-minute goal made life complicated.”

“We’re obviously disappointed, but I’m sure my players will react and, yes, I’ve never won a Champions League game at home (as coach) but I’m not dwelling on it.”

Mon 4 April, 2011

Arrest made in Dortmund bomb threat

German police have made an arrest after three explosive devices were uncovered outside the stadium of Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.

A 25-year-old man was arrested in Cologne on Tuesday after attempting to email anonymous tips to the authorities about planned attacks.

Explosive devices were found and defused in a car park outside the Signal Iduna Park stadium.

Another device was found in the man’s flat, together with chemicals and extensive material on creating explosives.

The man was reportedly intending to blackmail local businesses and had no connection to terrorist groups.

He had previously been detained in 2010 as a suspect in an unresolved extortion attempt.

“The suspect was apparently acting on his own with a criminal motivation. There was no danger to any third parties at any time,” an interior ministry spokesman said.

Dortmund have confirmed that Saturday’s home match against Hannover will go ahead as planned.

“We expect no security threat at all for the upcoming Bundesliga match on Saturday,” Dortmund police spokesman said Michael Stein.

“The visitors are invited to come to Dortmund. They will be safe here.”

The Federal Crime Office launched an investigation in February after the German embassy in Islamabad received an email tip off about possible attacks.

Fri 1 April, 2011

Arrest made in Dortmund bomb threat

German police have made an arrest after three explosive devices were uncovered outside the stadium of Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.

A 25-year-old man was arrested in Cologne on Tuesday after attempting to email anonymous tips to the authorities about planned attacks.

Explosive devices were found and defused in a car park outside the Signal Iduna Park stadium.

Another device was found in the man’s flat, together with chemicals and extensive material on creating explosives.

The man was reportedly intending to blackmail local businesses and had no connection to terrorist groups.

He had previously been detained in 2010 as a suspect in an unresolved extortion attempt.

“The suspect was apparently acting on his own with a criminal motivation. There was no danger to any third parties at any time,” an interior ministry spokesman said.

Dortmund have confirmed that Saturday’s home match against Hannover will go ahead as planned.

“We expect no security threat at all for the upcoming Bundesliga match on Saturday,” Dortmund police spokesman said Michael Stein.

“The visitors are invited to come to Dortmund. They will be safe here.”

The Federal Crime Office launched an investigation in February after the German embassy in Islamabad received an email tip off about possible attacks.

Fri 1 April, 2011

Guardiola wary of Sevilla threat

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola expects a stern test when his side return to La Liga action on Sunday with a trip to Sevilla.

After a tough 3-1 win against Arsenal on Tuesday to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Guardiola’s men are seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid in the league.

Despite the fact Sevilla are in eighth place on the table and a massive 36 points behind the leaders, Guardiola claims their Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is a difficult venue at which to get a result.

“It is one of the most difficult grounds, and they are tough opponents,” Guardiola said.

“They have been a top team for a long time, and have won many trophies. They are one of the big teams, and it is a classic game. They have good players and a well defined way of playing.”

“They know how to attack well and have good play down the wing – the arrival of (Croatian international midfielder Ivan) Rakitic has made them more solid in midfield.”

Sevilla, who qualified for last season’s Champions League, have no shortage of quality according to Guardiola, and he insists the game is one his men cannot afford to take lightly.

“They are a team who have shown that they are capable of playing well even when losing,” he said.

“(Diego) Capel, (Frederic) Kanoute and Navas, Rakitic and Renato are great players.”

“They have (Didier) Zokora, and Romaric who isn’t even playing so much recently. That shows the talent that they have. They are the most recent cup winners, one of the teams with the most trophies in recent years.”

Sat 12 March, 2011

Guardiola wary of Sevilla threat

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola expects a stern test when his side return to La Liga action on Sunday with a trip to Sevilla.

After a tough 3-1 win against Arsenal on Tuesday to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Guardiola’s men are seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid in the league.

Despite the fact Sevilla are in eighth place on the table and a massive 36 points behind the leaders, Guardiola claims their Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is a difficult venue at which to get a result.

“It is one of the most difficult grounds, and they are tough opponents,” Guardiola said.

“They have been a top team for a long time, and have won many trophies. They are one of the big teams, and it is a classic game. They have good players and a well defined way of playing.”

“They know how to attack well and have good play down the wing – the arrival of (Croatian international midfielder Ivan) Rakitic has made them more solid in midfield.”

Sevilla, who qualified for last season’s Champions League, have no shortage of quality according to Guardiola, and he insists the game is one his men cannot afford to take lightly.

“They are a team who have shown that they are capable of playing well even when losing,” he said.

“(Diego) Capel, (Frederic) Kanoute and Navas, Rakitic and Renato are great players.”

“They have (Didier) Zokora, and Romaric who isn’t even playing so much recently. That shows the talent that they have. They are the most recent cup winners, one of the teams with the most trophies in recent years.”

Sat 12 March, 2011

Allegri wary of Sampdoria threat

Massimiliano Allegri is predicting a match for the purists when his AC Milan side take on fellow entertainers Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia.

Serie A league leaders Milan travel on Wednesday to Genoa to meet Sampdoria – ninth in the table – with a place in the cup’s semi-finals on offer.

Domenico Di Carlo’s side lost 1-0 to Lazio earlier this month, but they have also secured a 0-0 draw with Juventus, scored twice in a 2-2 draw with in-form Udinese and beaten Roma 2-1.

Such results leave Allegri under no illusions about the potential for an upset at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in the quarter-final.

“Well, first of all, tomorrow we’re playing in the quarter-final and it’s an important match,” Allegri said.

“We are up against Sampdoria and they know how to play football so hopefully we will both play well.”

“We have managed to win both our last matches in the Coppa Italia and in the league. We have scored five goals and have conceded none, this is an important point. We need to keep on playing this way and we need to keep giving 100 percent. In order to do this, great effort is necessary.”

Milan travel to Catania on Saturday intent on preserving or extending their four-point lead in the Italian title race, but for now Allegri would prefer to concentrate on the task at hand.

“We should focus on tomorrow’s match and not on the fact that we’ll be playing against Catania on Saturday evening,” Allegri said.

“When we focus and take it game at a time, we are able to achieve better results.”

Wed 26 January, 2011

Allegri wary of Sampdoria threat

Massimiliano Allegri is predicting a match for the purists when his AC Milan side take on fellow entertainers Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia.

Serie A league leaders Milan travel on Wednesday to Genoa to meet Sampdoria – ninth in the table – with a place in the cup’s semi-finals on offer.

Domenico Di Carlo’s side lost 1-0 to Lazio earlier this month, but they have also secured a 0-0 draw with Juventus, scored twice in a 2-2 draw with in-form Udinese and beaten Roma 2-1.

Such results leave Allegri under no illusions about the potential for an upset at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in the quarter-final.

“Well, first of all, tomorrow we’re playing in the quarter-final and it’s an important match,” Allegri said.

“We are up against Sampdoria and they know how to play football so hopefully we will both play well.”

“We have managed to win both our last matches in the Coppa Italia and in the league. We have scored five goals and have conceded none, this is an important point. We need to keep on playing this way and we need to keep giving 100 percent. In order to do this, great effort is necessary.”

Milan travel to Catania on Saturday intent on preserving or extending their four-point lead in the Italian title race, but for now Allegri would prefer to concentrate on the task at hand.

“We should focus on tomorrow’s match and not on the fact that we’ll be playing against Catania on Saturday evening,” Allegri said.

“When we focus and take it game at a time, we are able to achieve better results.”

Wed 26 January, 2011

Guardiola wary of Malaga threat

Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona are in the hunt for more records as they take on Malaga in La Liga on Sunday.

The Catalan giants will set a new club record of 28 games unbeaten if they avoid defeat at the Camp Nou, surpassing a mark that has stood for 37 years.

Standing between Guardiola’s team and history are Malaga, who have become Spain’s third-highest spending team since Qatari investor Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani took over the club in June.

Managed by former Real Madrid and Villarreal manager Manuel Pellegrini, Malaga have made eight new signings in the January transfer window and there are rumours of more new arrivals.

And Guardiola believes that Pellegrini’s coaching pedigree, coupled with acquisitions such as Julio Baptista and Martin Demichelis, provide a stern challenge for his side to overcome.

“We have already seen over the past few games what Pellegrini’s style is. He created problems for Barcelona with Villarreal, and last year he had a fantastic league season with Madrid,” Guardiola said.

“We already know how his teams play. They play well, they use their wide players to help the attackers. Pellegrini’s Villarreal offered a lot, and they influenced our football a lot.”

“Demichelis is a fantastic player, with experience in Argentina and in Bayern Munich. We all know Baptista from Real Madrid, Roma and Sevilla. He is a very powerful player.”

“Then they have the Pellegrini defence, which is always strong,” he added.

Sun 16 January, 2011

Wenger wary of Ipswich threat

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he will not be taking Championship side Ipswich lightly in their Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Arsenal struggled to a 1-1 draw against fellow Championship side Leeds in the FA Cup on Saturday and, although Ipswich were hammered 7-0 against Chelsea a day later, Wenger said that result could be misleading.

“They lost heavily but for a while it was very tight,” Wenger said.

“For the first half an hour they played very well. When the tie, like in the FA Cup, is lost after 2-0 or 3-0, it can only get worse for the team who is below.”

“But overall, the first half I think Ipswich played very well. And I believe somewhere Ipswich was more focused on the Carling Cup than the FA Cup.”

Wenger believes the smaller size of some Championship squads can be an advantage when they come up against top-flight opposition.

“In the Premier League there are always one or two players standing out there, where the club has spent a lot of money. In the Championship you face the team as a compact unit who is ready to fight against you, and I think that’s what we’ll face against Ipswich,” he said.

“They have some key players who cannot play tomorrow. But overall what you face against teams in the Championship – you have seen that against Leeds – you face more a team than any outstanding individual.”

Thu 13 January, 2011

Wenger wary of Ipswich threat

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he will not be taking Championship side Ipswich lightly in their Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Arsenal struggled to a 1-1 draw against fellow Championship side Leeds in the FA Cup on Saturday and, although Ipswich were hammered 7-0 against Chelsea a day later, Wenger said that result could be misleading.

“They lost heavily but for a while it was very tight,” Wenger said.

“For the first half an hour they played very well. When the tie, like in the FA Cup, is lost after 2-0 or 3-0, it can only get worse for the team who is below.”

“But overall, the first half I think Ipswich played very well. And I believe somewhere Ipswich was more focused on the Carling Cup than the FA Cup.”

Wenger believes the smaller size of some Championship squads can be an advantage when they come up against top-flight opposition.

“In the Premier League there are always one or two players standing out there, where the club has spent a lot of money. In the Championship you face the team as a compact unit who is ready to fight against you, and I think that’s what we’ll face against Ipswich,” he said.

“They have some key players who cannot play tomorrow. But overall what you face against teams in the Championship – you have seen that against Leeds – you face more a team than any outstanding individual.”

Thu 13 January, 2011