terça-feira, 18 de fevereiro de 2020

PSG still 'dangerous', warns record-breaker Haaland


Teenage record-breaker Erling Braut Haaland warned Borussia Dortmund still have it all to do to reach the Champions League quarter-finals even after his two goals sank Neymar's Paris Saint-Germain.
Haaland netted either side of a Neymar equaliser on Tuesday as the Brazilian superstar scored on his return from injury as the French champions crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Dortmund in the last 16, first leg, tie.
"We want to go through, it's going to be a hard game," Haaland said of the return leg in Paris on March 11, "but we are a good team.
"The result is quite a dangerous one, as Paris has a very strong team and can still go through in the return leg."
Haaland's team-mate Emre Can, who alongside Axel Witsel worked tirelessly in Dortmund's midfield to contain Neymar and France striker Kylian Mbappe, said the home side's defence had been key.
"It was a big statement from the team how we defended today. We know it's not over -- it's just half-time," said Can, whose permanent transfer from Juventus was confirmed Tuesday.
However, the night belonged Haaland who has 11 goals in his first seven games for Dortmund and warned there is more to come.
"I feel like I still can do a lot better," said Haaland.
"I have to work hard to improve to play better at this level."
Having also scored eight goals for Salzburg in the group stages before his 20 million-euro ($22 million) transfer to Dortmund, Haaland made Champions League history on Tuesday.
His tally of 10 goals in his first seven Champions League matches is now a new record in the competition and makes him the joint top-scorer alongside Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski.
The teenage goal-machine has so far scored 39 times in 29 games this season for Salzburg and Dortmund.
The 19-year-old had already sent records tumbling since arriving in Dortmund last month when he became the first player to score a hat-trick off the bench on his Bundesliga debut.
His incredible strike for his second goal on Tuesday overshadowed Neymar's return from a rib injury with PSG desperate to break their last 16 jinx having exited at this stage in the competition in each of the last three seasons.
Paris defender Marquinhos said Neymar's away goal could prove crucial in the home leg.
"We weren't intense enough with or without the ball and did a lot of things badly, however the goal we got is important for the second leg," he said.
The presence of the world's most expensive player was a major boost for his team, after Neymar missed last season's surprise last-16 loss to Manchester United with a foot injury.
He also sat out the second leg of their defeat by Real Madrid at the same stage in 2018.
PSG's German coach Thomas Tuchel admitted Neymar's lack of match fitness had been a factor in the away defeat, but said his team still has time to find their form.
"Neymar hadn't played for a fortnight, but he is very important for Kylian (Mbappe), there is harmony between them and if Neymar lacks rhythm, it's immediately noticeable," said Tuchel.
"We didn't have enough possession, we made too many easy mistakes, we weren't smart enough and we lost the ball too early.
"It's difficult, but it's 2-1 and we still have a few games left to get back into the rhythm."
His counterpart Lucien Favre echoed Haaland's insistence that the result gives Dortmund only a slender advantage with PSG's passionate home fans set to get behind their team in the return leg.
"Of course it's a dangerous result, but we played well in both defence and attack," said Dortmund's Swiss coach.
"However, as things stand it's 2-1 to us."

Champions League - l'Atletico ospita il Liverpool nella bolgia del Wanda Metropolitan

ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffFinalmente si tornerà a sentire la musica della Champions League! Questa sera suonerà al Wanda Metropolitano e lo farà per una partita interessantissima: quella che vedrà il Liverpool, la squadra campione in carica, affrontare i padroni di casa dell'Atletico Madrid. I Colchoneros non stanno passando un buon momento di forma avendo vinto una sola partita delle ultime sei disputate. Inoltre, la formazione allenata dal Cholo Simeone dovrà arrivare a questa sfida con qualche assenza importante: quella di Joao Felix e quella di Kieran Trippier. Il Liverpool, invece, continua a vincere e non sembra volersi più fermare avendo già ipotecato il campionato con la bellezza di venticinque punti di vantaggio sulla seconda in classifica. Le statistiche delle ultime partite e i dati danno l'undici di Jurgen Klopp come favorito, ma il fattore casa potrà portare l'Atletico Madrid a fare una grande partita impensierendo i campioni in carica ? 
L'ultimo precedente ufficiale tra le due compagini risale alle semifinali di Europa League nel 2010 quando l'Atletico Madrid strappò il pass per le finali vincendo 1-0 in casa e perdendo 2-1 in trasferta.
Proporrà il classico 4-4-2 Diego Simeone con Oblak tra i pali difeso da Arias, Savic, Felipe e Saul nell'inedito ruolo di terzino sinistro. Sulla mediana trovano spazio Thomas e Llorente con Koke e Vitolo larghi sulle fasce. In attacco parte titolare il tandem Correa-Morata.
Risponde con il 4-3-3 Jurgen Klopp con Alisson in porta e la retroguardia composta da Alexander Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez e Robertson. A centrocampo ci sono Fabinho, Wijnaldum ed Henderson mentre Firmino completa il tridente offensivo con Salah e Mané.ffffffffffffffff

Calero: "Hay mucha ilusión y ganas de jugar el jueves"

Una semana que el conjunto perico tiene que hacer frente a dos partidos, el primero de ellos el próximo jueves a las 21:00 horas ante el Woves en la competición europea, pero los de Abelardo visitarán el José Zorrilla el domingo para hacer frente a la 25ª jornada de Liga. De esta forma, a dos días de visitar al rival de la Europa League, Calero habló después del entrenamiento de este martes en la Ciudad Deportiva. 
Aseguró que sería ilógico tirar Europa a la basura, aunque también comentó la situación del equipo en Liga, ya que el equipo está a un paso de salir de las posiciones de descenso de la categoría, junto a que quiso destacar que quiere demostrar que vale.
"Es un partido muy bonito y todos tenemos muchas ganas de jugarlo", señaló el jugador sobre el partido ante el Woves en tierras inglesas, pero añadió: "La trayectoria en Europa es muy buena y este jueves tenemos otra oportunidad para mantenerla".

Quiere triunfar en el Espanyol

Un tema que comentó sobre que no tiene continuidad, por lo que le preguntaron que si se planteó salir en enero: "En ningún momento me lo planteé, pues quiero triunfar aquí en el Espanyol, el club ha confiado en mí".
"Los jugadores lo queremos jugar todo", contestó Calero a la cuestión de qué si prefiere jugar el jueves o en Valladolid, que fue su casa. No obstante, también añadió: "Para empezar a ver si ganamos el jueves y luego ya pensaremos en Valladolid".

Cree en la salvación

La situación del Espanyol fue un asuntó que comentó en sus declaraciones: "Yo más que nunca creo que nos podemos salvar". Junto a ello, añadió que en todos los partidos han tenido opciones de ganar y cree que están más cerca que nunca de salir de los puestos de la cola.

Aseguró que la Europa League es un regalo

"Es un regalo, todos los jugadores queremos jugarla, hay mucha ilusión", indicó Calero sobre la competición europea, añadiendo: "Después de todo lo que costó, sería ilógico tirar Europa a la basura". Con ello, sobre el rival del próximo jueves indicó: "Es un equipo muy fuerte en su estadio, pero tenemos que ir a por todas e intentar llevarnos un buen resultado".
Un doble partido por lo que será importante hacer un gol y sacar un buen resultado, fueron más indicaciones que dijo Calero sobre el choque en Inglaterra, junto a que todo se decidirá en la vuelta, pero que rascar un buen resultado ayudaría mucho.
"Siempre hay presión, pero es cierto que al ser otra competición y a doble partido, es diferente a la Liga", continuó comentando Caleri en sus declaraciones, pero quiso destacar que en Europa vienen con buena dinámica y hay que aprovecharla y salir con todo.
Entre otras cuestiones, finalmente señaló que están haciendo bien las cosas y cree que en todos los partidos están teniedo opciones. Éstas fueron algunas de las palabras del jugador blanquiazul que no está teniendo mucha continuidad encima de los terrenos de juego, a pesar de que quiere triunfar en el Espanyol.

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG Prediction & Match Preview

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 18 February 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
Venue: Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund).
With back to back wins in their past three games here, Borussia Dortmund are well in contention to thwart PSG from walking away with the win in this one.

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG Head to head (h2h)

  • The two sides have previously met each other just twice, the last of which ended as a stalemate.
  • Their only other clash, which was the reverse fixture of the aforementioned, finished in a 1-1 draw.

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG Match Preview

Drawn in a group alongside the likes of Barcelona and Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund’s chances of progression were certainly hanging by a threat at the outset. Nevertheless, the hosts managed to make it through to the round of sixteen, by finishing second behind table-toppers Barcelona.
Despite alternating between wins and defeats in their last five games in the group stages, the German outfit did just enough to edge past Inter Milan who came up short by three points. It is also worth mentioning that Borussia Dortmund have stumbled just twice in their past six fixtures in all competitions, and are currently sitting third back in the Bundesliga as well.
On the other hand, PSG topped their respective group by staying unbeaten throughout their group clashes, even against the likes of Los Blancos. The visitors dropped points just once throughout their Champions League campaign and garnered sixteen points from a possible eighteen.
Thomas Tuchel’s men have been faring well back in their domestic clashes too, and are at present, leading the pack in the Ligue 1 with a ten-point advantage. However, with Borussia Dortmund showing conviction in their respective matchups as well, expect nothing short of an exciting ninety minutes come Tuesday.

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG Prediction

First and foremost, Borussia Dortmund have been at their best on home soil. The hosts are yet to stumble in front of the home crowd this season, that too, in all competitions. In fact, they are also the only team back in the Bundesliga to remain unbeaten at home.
Meanwhile, PSG have looked sharp in their outings too. They have dropped points just once in their previous thirteen trips on the road, and have not been at the losing end since their 2-1 defeat to Dijon, back in November.
Be that as it may, the visiting contingent are likely to be without Brazilian winger Neymar, who is currently recovering from a ribs injury. The forward was certainly missed in PSG’s last outing which saw them share the spoils with Amiens in a 4-4 draw.
Furthermore, the arrival of Erling Haaland has definitely helped Borussia Dortmund regain their lost confidence. With home advantage also in their arsenal this Tuesday, the hosts are favorites to secure the bragging rights.
However, Borussia Dortmund have been held to a draw four times at home this term. Given that their last meeting with this foe here had also ended as a tie, a double chance is sizing up to be the safest punt.
Additionally, PSG know their way around in the final third, irrespective of the venue. Impressively, they have netted two goals or more in each of their previous six trips on the road.
To be frank, the home team have not been shy in front of goal either. Admirably, they have racked up fourteen goals from their past three matchups here alone.
With both teams housing some of the finest attackers in Europe, at the moment, as well, count on no dearth of goals when they lock horns this week.

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG Betting tips

  • Double chance: Borussia Dortmund or Draw @ 1.60 (3/5)
  • Over 2.5 goals @ 1.40 (2/5).

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool Prediction & Match Preview

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool
Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 18 February 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano (Madrid).
It has been nearly a decade since Atletico Madrid last clashed with Liverpool at home. Considering the exceptional form that the Reds are on, the hosts are likely to have their back against the wall this Tuesday.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool Head to head (h2h)

  • Their last clash witnessed Liverpool pick up a 1-0 win.
  • Three of their previous four games have featured fewer than 2.5 goals on the charts.
  • Both teams have found the back of the net together in three of their past five meetings.
  • Two of their last five encounters have ended as a tie.
  • Liverpool have registered the win just once in their previous five fixtures. (W-1, D-2, L-2)

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool Match Preview

Atletico Madrid played second fiddle to Juventus in Group D, subsequently earning them a round of sixteen clash with the defending champions themselves. The hosts stumbled twice, much to the dismay of their faithful, in the group stages, and finished six points behind the table-toppers.
It is also worth mentioning that the home team have not been coping well in their domestic campaign as of late. Miserably, Diego Simeone’s men have just one win to boast of from their past four LaLiga clashes on the trot.
On the other hand, Liverpool topped their respective group with a slender one-point advantage over nearest foes Napoli. The visitors are on course to making history, back in the Premier League as well, and are currently sporting a stellar seventeen match winning streak in England, as we speak.
With Jurgen Klopp’s side hardly showing any signs of slowing down, Atletico Madrid surely have their work cut for them this week.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool Prediction

Despite the poor run of form overall, it needs saying that Atletico Madrid have been showing promise in their recent clashes at home. In fact, the hosts have not been at the losing end in any of their past four games here.
Furthermore, the Spanish outfit were unbeaten in each of their group stage clashes at this stadium.
Be that as it may, they are up against a Liverpool side that has been a force to reckon with, even on the road. Impressively, the guests have picked up the win in ten of their past twelve outings in all competitions.
To make matters worse for the hosts, Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has returned to full fitness. The Senegalese striker even went on to score a goal in their most recent clash back in the Premier-League.
Taking into the blistering run that Liverpool are on, Atletico Madrid are the outright underdogs to come away with the win. However, the visitors have not secured the bragging rights in their past two meetings with this foe on the road.
Given that the hosts have also shared the spoils five times in their past thirteen games here, back a draw no bet, just to be on the safer side.
Additionally, Atletico Madrid have been tough to breach at home this season. The fact that they have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five games here certainly says it all.
Their foes for the week have been just as good, if not better, in the defensive third. They have conceded just thrice from their past six trips on the road.
Since their previous two h2h meetings here have also been low scoring affairs, expect fewer than 2.5 goals on the scorecards, by all means in this one too.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool Betting tips

  • Draw no bet: Atletico Madrid @ 1.60 (3/5)
  • Under 2.5 goals @ 1.60 (3/5).fffffffffffffffffffff

Fluminense dá vexame e se despede precocemente da Copa Sul-Americana

Diante de uma atuação abaixo do esperado pelo torcedor, o Fluminense dá adeus ao principal torneio da temporada, a Copa Sul-americana. Depois de um empate por 1 a 1 no Maracanã, a equipe de Odair Hellmann foi ao Chile com a missão de vencer a modesta equipe do Unión La Calera, mas não passaram da retranca desenhada pelo treinador Vojvoda.
Apesar do favoritismo para o confronto da chave, o Fluminense largou em desvantagem após o empate por 1 a 1, no Maracanã, no início de fevereiro. Precisando da vitória, o único empate que era prejudicial ao Tricolor, foi o resultado da partida: 0 a 0.
Dos poucos destaques da partida, Marcos Paulo e Caio Paulista sobressaíram por serem responsáveis nas armações das principais investidas ofensivas, pois o meia Nenê, que jogou com a camisa número 24, fez uma aparição bem mais discreta das exibições no estadual. Abusando das bolas aéreas, o time de Hellmann pecou na criatividade, e o torcedor saiu na bronca pelas alterações que pouco deram resultado.
Uma das maiores críticas nas redes sociais foi a demora para mudança  de tática do time, e a grande revelação do clube no ano, Miguel, apenas ficou no banco de reservas, pois entraram durante a partida, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Matheus Alessandro e Michel Araújo.
Principal objetivo do clube ao início da temporada, o título da Sul-Americana que além de garantir vaga à Libertadores do ano seguinte, rende R$ 28,64 milhões ao campeão, deverá dar lugar à ambição pela Copa do Brasil. Em uma semana de duas eliminações, o Fluminense concentrará seu foco em outra eliminatória, onde viajará ao Maranhão enfrentar o Moto Club (26/2).
Após a eliminação, tricolores invadiram as redes sociais do clube e do atacante Fred, pedindo o retorno do centroavante. Livre no mercado, o retorno do ídolo está próximo de ser acertado, apesar de nenhuma confirmação oficial.

Desfalcado, Ceará visita Oeste pela segunda fase da Copa do Brasil

Velhos conhecidos, Oeste e Ceará se enfrentam nesta quarta-feira (19), às 21h30, na Arena Barueri, em São Paulo, pela segunda fase da Copa do Brasil. Recentemente, as duas equipes adquiriram um histórico de confrontos. O retrospecto geral favorece o time cearense, que detém mais vitórias sobre o rival desta noite.
Além da classificação, o duelo vale uma bela premiação em dinheiro. Se o Rubrão passar, embolsará R$ 650 mil. Caso o Vovô avance, será contemplado com R$ 1,3 milhão.
O último encontro entre Oeste e Ceará aconteceu em 2017 pela Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro. Com gol do volante Richardson, o Vovô bateu o Rubrão por 1 a 0. A vitória acabou sendo importante para que a equipe alvinegra conseguisse o retorno à elite do futebol nacional.

"Rei do Empate" e velho conhecido como arma

Conhecido por empatar inúmeros confrontos, o Oeste não tem desfalques para encarar o Ceará. Artilheiro da equipe paulista neste ano, o atacante João Paulo, que atuou pelo Vovô na última temporada, será a principal aposta do setor ofensivo do Rubrão para tentar resolver a partida durante o tempo regulamentar.
O Oeste deve começar a partida com a seguinte formação: Felipe Lacerda; Eder Sciola, Lídio, Bruno Bispo e Alyson; Wallace Bonilha, Betinho e Matheus Jussa; Mazinho, Marlon (De Paula) e João Paulo.

Desfalcado, mas sem grandes problemas

Diferentemente do Rubrão, o Ceará embarcou para a capital paulista com problemas. O zagueiro Tiago Pagnussat e os atacantes Rick e Rodrigão, não estarão à disposição do técnico Enderson Moreira para o confronto desta noite. Entretanto, as ausências não devem mexer na estrutura da equipe titular.
A provável escalação do Ceará tem: Fernando Prass; Samuel Xavier, Luiz Otávio, Klaus e Bruno Pacheco; William Oliveira, Charles e Vinícius; Lima, Leandro Carvalho e Rafael Sóbis.

Barcelona cut ties with PR company accused of criticising players


Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Tuesday the club has terminated its contract with a company accused of criticising current and former players, including Lionel Messi, on social media.
"This morning I personally gave instructions terminate the contract," Bartomeu said at a journalism awards ceremony.
According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser Cataluna on Monday, Barca hired PR company, I3 Ventures, to improve the image of Bartomeu and the club's board online.
The company oversaw "dozens" of accounts attacking the likes of Messi, Gerard Pique, Xavi Hernandez, Pep Guardiola and Carles Puyol on Facebook and Twitter.
Among the messages the report cited is one expressing anger towards Messi for his delay in signing a new contract and another questioning Pique's involvement in the Davis Cup.
In a statement on Monday, Barcelona denied that it was behind the messages and Bartomeu reiterated that stance on Tuesday.
"Barca has never hired a service to discredit anyone," he said. "Not a player, not a former player, nor any politician, manager, president or former president."
Bartomeu added: "That is flatly false. We will defend ourselves where necessary on this issue, by all means."
Barcelona had already threatened legal action against any media organisations that "continue to implicate the club in this type of practice".
"Let one thing be clear," Bartomeu continued. "To the question: Have we commissioned the monitoring of social networks? The answer is yes.
"To the question: Have we commissioned to discredit people or institutions through social networks? The answer is no and we will take action against all those who accuse us of that."
The controversy increases the pressure on Bartomeu and the Barcelona board ahead of presidential elections due next year, and following a period of political turmoil at the club.
The board were clumsy in their sacking of coach Ernesto Valverde last month, when an approach to Xavi Hernandez was leaked while Valverde was still in post.
And two weeks ago, Messi engaged in a public spat with the club's technical secretary Eric Abidal, who claimed the players were the main cause of Valverde's removal.
The timing of this latest controversy is also a potential distraction ahead of a crucial week for the team.
Barcelona play Eibar at home in La Liga on Saturday before facing Napoli away in the Champions League and then Real Madrid in the league at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Legend Ian Rush marvels at Liverpool's 'Incredibles'


Legendary Liverpool striker Ian Rush says he is "blown away" by the form of Jurgen Klopp's runaway Premier League leaders and says the current team should be nicknamed 'The Incredibles' if they win the title.
Under manager Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool opened a 25-point lead at the top of the English league following last weekend's 1-0 win at Norwich.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 43 league games, just six behind Arsenal's record of 49 games in 2003-04 - a Gunners side dubbed "The Invincibles".
Former Wales striker Rush, who scored 346 goals in 660 games for Liverpool, says the current team will deserve to be known as "The Incredibles" if the win the club's first league title for 30 years.
"It's absolutely amazing," said Rush, who won the English league title five times with Liverpool between 1982 and 1990, the last year the club lifted the league trophy.
"People keep saying to me 'How does it compare?' to when I was playing.
"But at the moment, they are doing some things no other Liverpool team has done before.
"They talk about the Arsenal Invincibles - these could be the Liverpool Incredibles.
"That's how they are. They are absolutely blowing us and the Premier League away."
Liverpool have earned 103 points from the past 105 available to them in the Premier League, winning 34 of their past 35 matches.
They have one more point -- 76 -- than Manchester United accrued in winning the league in 1996/97.
Rush also heaped praise on Liverpool's German manager Klopp.
"Liverpool is successful because of the team spirit and positive energy," said Rush.
"They have one man to thank for that: Jurgen."
The Welshman also credited the club's owners, senior figures in American company The Fenway Sports Group.
"They were patient with him," said Rush referring to Klopp, who finally won the Champions League title last season to end the club's 14-year wait for a sixth European Cup win.

Bundesliga turnover passes four billion euros mark


The total turnover of the 18 clubs in Germany's Bundesliga passed the four billion euros mark in 2018-19 for the first time, it was announced Tuesday.
The figure of 4.02 billion euros ($4.34 billion) released by the German Football League (DFL) is an increase of 5.4 percent on the previous season.
Compared to their main European rivals, the Bundesliga still lags behind the English Premier league, which made 5.8 billion euros (£4.8 billion) in 2018-19.
However, the German league is only slightly behind it's Spanish rival La Liga, based on recent figures.
The latest figures for the French, Spanish and Italian leagues are for the 2017/18 season.
For that period, the turnover of the 20 clubs in the Spanish league was 4.15 billion euros.
Both France's Ligue 1, at 2.8 billion euros, and Italy's Serie A, which posted 3.07 billion euros, were well behind.
Much of the wealth in Germany is made by defending champions Bayern Munich and rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern, who are bidding for an eighth straight league title, made 750.4 million euros in 2018-19, while Borussia Dortmund posted figures of 489.5 million euros for the same period.
Their combined figure makes up more than a quarter of the total revenue.
While lucrative TV rights has been the main factor in the Bundesliga's continued boom, "new growth prospects are to be expected from digital innovations and the international sector," said DFL CEO Christian Seifert.

City may still have to pay huge European bonuses


Manchester City could still face huge player bonus bills if they lose an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a two-year European ban by UEFA, according to revelations in the British media Tuesday.
Many of City players have bonuses written in their contracts for Champions League qualification and performance. In some cases, those run into millions, the Daily Mail reported.
UEFA's financial fair play compliance body, the CFCB, banned City from the Champions League for two seasons on Friday and fined the club 30 million euros ($32.5 million).
It had concluded the club was not being truthful in its submissions from 2012-16 that Etihad Airlines wholly funded its annual £67.5 million ($88 million) sponsorship.
Should the appeal -- which the club's CEO Ferran Soriano says in an email will be lodged soon -- fail it would see City lose out on a minimum of £150 million a season for qualifying.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the club promised to sue UEFA "for the next 10 years." The Guardian meanwhile said it had unearthed more evidence that the club had fudged figures on the sponsorship.
Club executives have been meeting with the players and their representatives and discussing how they would make up any losses in earnings. The club have told the players not to panic.
City fear rivals could try to lure players with low bids and the promise Champions League football.
Soriano remains bullish the club will win their appeal in an email sent to staff that was seen by the Daily Mail.
"It is important to recognise that this is not the end," wrote Soriano.
"There is more to come. We are confident that with a fair and independent hearing we will prevail," added the 52-year-old Spaniard.
Another email from club lawyer Simon Cliff says Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the City chairman, intends to carry on fighting even if they lose their appeal.
"Khaldoon said he would rather spend £30 million on the 50 best lawyers in the world to sue them for the next 10 years," wrote Cliff as cited by The Daily Telegraph.
City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to confirm he will stay -- at the very least till his present contract ends in 2021 -- when he gives his first press conference since the affair broke after the Premier League game with West Ham on Wednesday.
"Look, whatever league we are in, I will still be here," Guardiola told the players when they met up last Saturday after their mini break according to Sky Sports News.
The Guardian, though, says it has dug out a document from 2015 produced by a US aviation industry alliance which in turn quoted a report by consultants written for the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in 2010. The consultants stated that the Abu Dhabi government, not Etihad airlines, was "covering" the sponsorship of Manchester City.
"While Etihad asserts that it funded the $640m (total) cost of the sponsorship of Manchester City 'from its own liquidity,' it provides no such evidence," read the document.
"An internal study that (the consultants) prepared for the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, states that the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi -- not Etihad -- covers the cost."
Meanwhile the club's fans plan to show their anger at UEFA when Real Madrid visit for their Champions League Last 16 second leg clash on Wednesday next week.
They are to unfurl new anti-UEFA banners, for which a crowd-funding appeal has raised £4,500 so far, and also do a 'Poznan' protest.
Lech Poznan fans turned their backs on the field of play during a Europa League match against Manchester City in 2011 as part of an ongoing feud with UEFA.
"Everybody do the Poznan: turn your back on UEFA and be together as one," said Kevin Parker of the City Supporters Club.
"We want to show the football world that you're taking on all of us."

Casillas to end playing career, says Porto president


Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa said on Tuesday that Iker Casillas is set to retire, a day after the World Cup-winning captain announced he would run for the presidency of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Casillas, 38, had been expected to bring an end to a glittering playing career after making the announcement but has never confirmed that he was hanging up his boots.
"Before announcing his candidacy, Iker Casillas came to see me to inform me of his decision to end his career," Pinto da Costa told Portuguese media on Tuesday.
Casillas, who joined Porto in 2015 but suffered a heart attack in April and hasn't played a competitive game since, is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation and led Spain to their first World Cup triumph in South Africa in 2010.
He played 167 times for Spain, also winning two European Championships in 2008 and 2012, and made more than 700 appearances for Real Madrid, with whom he won five La Liga titles and the Champions League three times.
Casillas had been linked with the RFEF presidency for several months and is expected to run against current incumbent Luis Rubiales for the post.
On Monday he said that his aim to "put our federation at the top of the best football in the world, the football of Spain".
Rubiales has been in perpetual conflict with Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, and the pair have clashed over numerous issues, including fixture scheduling, matches abroad and the postponement of the Clasico in October.
According to the rules, the elections should be held in the second half of this year after the Tokyo Olympics but Rubiales has requested they be brought forward, before Euro 2020, which will take place between June 12 and July 12.

Reinier en su presentación: "Voy a dar la vida por el Real Madrid"

Día cargado de emociones para el joven futbolista brasileño que tras aterrizar el pasado sábado en Madrid iba a ser presentado este mediodía en el Palco de Honor del Santiago Bernabéu. El presidente del Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, fue el primero en tomar la palabra y se deshizo en elegios hacia el joven jugador: “Hoy llega al Real Madrid un jugador que acaba de cumplir tan solo 18 años, pero que ya ha sido capaz de ser campeón de la última Copa Libertadores y lo ha hecho, además, en uno de los grandes clubes del mundo como es el Flamengo de Brasil”. 
Prosiguió el mandatario blanco: “Ya eres jugador del Real Madrid, el equipo que elegías siempre para jugar en los videojuegos, el que te provocaba las mayores ilusiones y el que formaba parte de tus sueños. Me han contado que tu padre te mostraba los vídeos de Zidane con la ilusión de que algún día jugaras en el Real Madrid. Él sin duda te ha ayudado a conseguir tu sueño, pero aquí estás por tus méritos. Los de un joven jugador que debutó con el primer equipo del Flamengo con 17 años en el Estadio Maracaná y en la Copa Libertadores, que terminasteis ganando”.
Luego, llegó el turno del brasileño que entonó sus primeras palabras como jugador blanco “Hoy es un día muy feliz para mí, el día que cumplo un sueño de infancia, muchas gracias al presidente, ejecutivos y mi familia que siempre estuvieron conmigo y creyendo que sería posible llegar aquí. Quiero ser parte de la historia de este gran club. Hala Madrid.”
Tras pisar el verde del Bernabéu, Reinier acudió a rueda de prensa acompañado de Emilio Butragueño para atender a los medios de comunicación.
En primer lugar, habló sobre sus sensaciones en este primer día en el Real Madrid: “Es la realización de un sueño para mí jugar en el Real Madrid. Un sueño de toda mi familia, estoy muy feliz al tener esta oportunidad y es para mí la realización de un sueño”.
El brasileño ha estado en contacto con Vinícius y Rodrygo: “Son grandes jugadores, ayer estuve en casa de Vinícius, que es un amigo mío desde el Flamengo. Estoy preparado para aprovechar las oportunidades jugando en el Real Madrid, es un sueño desde que esta pequeño y estoy muy contento con el recibimiento de los grandes jugadores y amigos”.
Sobre la transición del Flamengo al Real Madrid Castilla Reinier declaró: “Estoy muy contento, hoy he tenido un entrenamiento y estoy encantado con el recibimiento de mis compañeros y del míster, Raúl. Llevo poco, pero estoy seguro que todo irá bien juntos y estoy preparado ya para el domingo”.
Reinier entrenará bajo las órdenes de Raúl González en el Castilla: “Raúl me ha dado la bienvenida y me ha deseado mucha suerte. Estoy seguro que voy a dar lo mejor que tengo, lo que quiero es jugar con el Real Madrid y es un sueño que se ha convertido en realidad y, como decimos en mi país, voy a dar la vida por este club”, confesó.
A la hora de entrenar con un ídolo, Reinier dijo que “me apetece jugar con todos los jugadores, siendo el Real Madrid estoy seguro de que son los mejores y estoy muy feliz por esta oportunidad. Tengo muchas ganas de jugar”.
El primer contacto con el Real Madrid fue “una felicidad increíble recibir esta noticia, cuando mi padre me llamó por teléfono, yo estaba en el Mundial de Clubes y no sabía qué hacer. Comencé a llorar, estaba con mi compañero de habitación que también se quedó muy contento de esta noticia. Siempre ha sido mi equipo y estoy seguro que voy a dar alegrías y quiero dar siempre lo mejor de mí”, ha manifestado el brasileño.
El Real Madrid que le enamoró fue “la temporada de Cristiano Ronaldo. Era muy pequeño y mi padre me enseña los vídeos y me quedaba embelesado y eso me ayudó a intentar llegar a donde siempre he querido llegar. Estoy aquí gracias a mi familia”.
De pequeño el padre de Reinier le ponía vídeos de Zinedine Zidane: “Ha sido un gran jugador, un gran ídolo del Madrid. Está claro que voy a tener como espejo grandes jugadores. Intento aprender bastante de esos vídeos. Mi padre también ha jugado al fútbol y cuando me enseña los vídeos intento verlos y aprovechar lo más posible para luego aprovecharlo dentro del campo”, explicó.
Reinier habló también sobre la presión que implica jugar en el Madrid: “Creo que el Real Madrid es el mayor club del mundo y hay mucha presión, pero es un sueño que se ha convertido en realidad y voy a pecho descubierto para conseguir mi sueño y mi excelencia. Jugar en el Real Madrid es algo inexplicable y estoy muy feliz por esta oportunidad”.
Por último, la joven perla se emocionó especialmente al hablar de su familia: “Me ha pasado por la cabeza todo lo que he vivido en la infancia desde que salí de Brasil solo con mi padre. Fue muy difícil, llegué a Rio de Janeiro solo, sin mi madre, sin mis hermanas. Cuando hablo de mi familia siempre me emociono mucho porque estoy seguro de que ha sido todo gracias a ellos, por eso estoy aquí. Desde los 9 años que me llevaron a Río de Janeiro para ir a por mi sueño. Estoy muy feliz y se lo debo todo a mi familia”, dijo entre sollozos.