Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Muller spoke about the work of the referees in the Champions League last-16 return leg against Real Madrid (1-2).
"It's very strange. The referee didn't even go to watch VAR. This happens very often in Madrid. Remember the moment with Cristiano's double a few years ago. But we shouldn't justify our defeat with this decision," Mueller told DAZN.
Legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes that Ukrainian Andrija Lunin, rather than Thibaut Courtois, should play in his former team's goal in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
"Lunin has proved that he is a reliable goalkeeper and that he can bail out in any situation. It's not up to me, of course, but I think Lunin should play in the Champions League final.
Courtois has just recovered from his injury and it's true that he played very well the other day (in the Spanish league match against Cadiz), but he's still not in the right rhythm. He has more than demonstrated his high level. Including last year. So I am convinced that he will still play at the same high level," - quotes Casillas Marca.
Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini shared his expectations ahead of the Europa League semi-final return leg against Marseille.
"The most important factor will be the team. Marseille had an outstanding atmosphere, but now the stands must play for us. The fans have always supported us well, even if we don't have such a big stadium.
This is the most important match in Atalanta's history, but I have played many games in my career. Football is great because there can be great emotions at all levels.
This is an extraordinary journey. Perhaps in a few years we will be able to appreciate it better, but we have shown that even in a small space, with limited finances, it is still possible to create a football team that can identify itself," Gasperini was quoted as saying by Football Italia.
Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is outraged by the decision of the refereeing team of Simon Marciniak in the Champions League semi-final match against Real Madrid (1-2).
"The referee apologised to us, but it won't help. The referee realised that he didn't need to blow the whistle, he saw that we won the second ball. It's a very bad decision and it's against the rules, it's a disaster," Tuchel told DAZN.
Former France striker Thierry Henry commented on Kylian Mbappe's upcoming departure with absolute certainty.
- "We all understand that Kylian Mbappe is leaving PSG," said Thierry Henry.
Earlier it was reported that Kylian Mbappe had agreed a contract with Real Madrid. Mbappe's current deal with PSG expires this summer. Recently, Carlo Ancelotti's coaching staff announced that Kylian Mbappe would become a new player for Real Madrid.
Former Valencia and Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares predicted who will take the spot in the Real Madrid goal in the Champions League final in London.
- I think Courtois will play. It's Ancelotti's decision, because Thibaut has time to get in better shape. And Courtois, even at 80%, is a lot of Courtois. The situation is complicated, Lunin deserves to play, but the fact is that the goalkeeper who will play is the best in the world," Marca quoted Canizares as saying.
Zhytomyr Polissya defender Borys Krushynskyi will return to the pitch in matchday 29, TaToTake reports.
Borys Krushynskyi's absence from Polissia's recent matches is due to an internal injury to his adductor muscle.
The wolves' mainstay has already started training, but he is unlikely to recover fully for Sunday's match against Kryvbas.
The player's return should be expected for the matchday 29 game against Metalist 1925, the source said.
09.05.2024, 20:26
Ihor Khudobyak, the legend of Lviv's Karpaty, told us whether Myron Markevych's men will be able to compete for leading positions in the Ukrainian championship.
09.05.2024, 20:02
On 20 March, Ukraine learned its rivals in the 2024 Olympic football tournament. Being in the fourth basket, it received Argentina, Morocco and the third Asian team, Iraq, as opponents in Group B. The blue and yellows will play their quartet matches on 24, 27 and 30 July.
Today, May 9, the last participant of the competition was determined - it was Guinea, which defeated Indonesia (1: 0) in the intercontinental playoff between the fourth teams of Africa and Asia.
Group A: France, USA, Guinea, New Zealand.
Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine.
Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic.
Group D : Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel.
Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Licht commented on the episode with the offside disallowance in the Champions League last-16 match against Real Madrid (1-2).
"I don't want to say that the referees are always on Real Madrid's side, but today it mattered. The linesman said to me: 'I'm sorry, I made a mistake'. It was a shame.
When you think that Real Madrid has already lost, they take their last breath... That's why they have 14 Champions League trophies," de Licht told Movistar.
Real Madrid striker Joselu, the hero of the Champions League semi-final, commented on the game in which he scored two goals.
- Am I a hero? I don't know anything about that. I can only say for sure that I am a very happy man! When you play for Real Madrid and you equalise, you know that everyone will rush to score the second goal to win. Because we have to win.
Of course, everyone dreams of such nights. But it's about being ready. I think the first goal was the result of their fatigue. They defended with a low block, and you have to take this into account, because this tactic limits movement. As a result, the reality exceeded even my wildest expectations," Joselu said after the match.
09.05.2024, 18:51
According to the Football from the Helicopter Telegram channel, Zaporizhzhia's Metalurh may return to its hometown and play home matches of the Ukrainian Premier League at the Slavutych Arena.
"It's hard to believe, but there is some information that the first league team Metalurg Zaporizhzhia has plans to play one of the final spring matches of the season against Podillia in their native Zaporizhzhia! Yes, this option is being actively considered by the club and the authorities, and UBA is ready to support the club. It's hard for us to understand, given the proximity of the frontline and the circumstances in the region, but on the other hand, Dnipropetrovska oblast hosts matches, so why can't Zaporizhzhia? In short, this is an interesting precedent that will be put to rest in the coming days. We would only add that recently Metalurh has hosted its rivals in Uman," the source wrote.
