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      ‘They are always missing something’ – Arsenal taunted by PSV’s ex-Spurs star as Timber urges side to ‘change narrative’

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      TOTTENHAM old boy Ivan Perisic has taunted Arsenal ahead of their “big moment” in the Champions League.The PSV winger claims the modern Gunners are “always missing something” – after going five years without silverware.Ivan Perisic is confident PSV can stun Arsenal in the last 16Credit: RexGunners’ boss Mikel Arteta and defender Jurrien Timber have spoken outCredit: GettyArsenal co-owner Josh Kroenke visited training on the eve of the tripCredit: GettyPerisic’s verdict before Tuesday’s last-16 first leg came as Jurrien Timber urged his Arsenal team-mates to “change the narrative” after a jarring run of poor form and injuries.And boss Mikel Arteta insists “now is the moment to start to make another strong step in the direction that we want”. But with the Gunners still missing big names, the words of Perisic, who was with fierce rivals Spurs from 2022-2024, might hit a nerve.The Croatian legend, 36, said: “It’s going to be tough. They are a really, really good team, a young team with a good coach.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But over the last years they are always missing something to step up to win something. “I know we’re going to have a good chance to beat them.” I really believe in my team. Tactically we have to be at the top level to show something good against them.” Arsenal co-owner Josh Kroenke visited their London Colney training ground on Monday, before the squad flew to Eindhoven for the tie.Most read in Champions LeagueThe Gunners have suffered recent disappointments amid injury woeCredit: PABEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSIt follows a damaging week in the Prem title race – collecting just one point from games against West Ham and Nottingham Forest to leave the North Londoners 13 points off leaders Liverpool.Asked about Kroenke’s visit, Arteta said: “I am very happy to have him around. He is around a lot of times for big moments.Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to ‘step up’ as focus switches to Champions League “He really wants to be with the team and it is great to have him.“Regardless of where you are in the league, when you come to this stage of the Champions League, it is something else. You feel it in the atmosphere and the energy of the players.“It is something else, in a moment where you are in or you are out. It gives you urgency and gets the best out of you.“It’s a game that really brings a different energy. It’s a competition that puts everybody on their toes.“We’ve done a lot already this season here and now is the moment to start to make another strong step in the direction that we want. I am very excited for the game.”Arsenal are in the middle of a fitness crisis following season-ending knocks to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are targeting returns next month.It has left them incredibly short up top, with midfielder Mikel Merino forced to deputise as a No.9 in the last three league games – scoring twice off the bench in a 2-0 win at Leicester.Mikel Merino was in cheeky spirits before jetting out to EindhovenCredit: GettyTimber says he is fed up with gloomy talk around the clubCredit: GettyBut the past two outings with Merino starting as a striker has seen Arsenal fail to score in a 1-0 loss to the Hammers and a goalless draw at the City Ground – the first time they have failed to find the net in back-to-back league games since May 2023.With the league all but wrapped up for Arne Slot’s Reds, Arsenal must now see the Champions League as their one and only chance to win silverware this term.Arsenal finished the competition’s new 36-team league phase format in third with six wins, one draw and one defeat – just two points off Liverpool in top-spot.And Timber is sick of the negativity around the team. The Dutch defender said: “It is a beautiful game to change the narrative and win.“The motivation is there and it’s an amazing competition to play in. “We showed as well in the group stages that we did really well and we have a good team. We have so much quality in our group.”Arsenal will play Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid should they advance to the quarter finals, but Arteta is not willing to look too far ahead.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Spanish coach added: “The reality is, being a coach, I just look at what is ahead.”It’s an ambition. It’s PSV, being better than them, to have the right to win the game. That’s where we are.”Here’s what comes after Tuesday’s clash for the Gunners More

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      Champions League supercomputer predicts every round of knockouts with Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa still in mix

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      A SUPERCOMPUTER has crunched the numbers ahead of the Champions League knockouts – and it’s good news for the remaining Prem clubs. Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all in action this week as the knockout stages get underway. Arsenal are facing a tough draw in this year’s Champions LeagueCredit: ReutersA supercomputer has rated Arne Slot’s Liverpool as the tournament favouritesCredit: PAJust 16 teams remain in this year’s new-look competition after a lengthy group stage. Liverpool finished top of the 32-team standings, but face a difficult last-16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain.Both Arsenal and Aston Villa also avoided the dreaded playoffs to reach this stage.And they will have to negotiate PSV Eindhoven and Club Brugge to book a place in the quarter finals. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLOpta’s AI model has been tasked with determining how far each team will progress in the tournament. The knockouts were simulated 10,000 times to produce the most accurate result.Each match outcome was calculated using both betting data and the Opta Power Rankings.Liverpool won seven of their eight group matches and looked more than at home in the new format.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe supercomputer gives Arne Slot’s side the highest chance of winning the tournament across any of the 16 teams remaining.Liverpool’s chances are listed as 19.2 percent, meaning they won Big Ears in almost 2,000 of the 10,000 simulations. Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to ‘step up’ as focus switches to Champions League However, their tough draw against PSG could be a potential banana skin tie. The Reds are rated just 58.3 percent to beat the Ligue 1 champions.Barcelona, Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Aston Villa are all more likely to reach the quarters, according to the model’s number crunching. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners face a tough route to the final, with either Real Madrid or Atletico waiting in the last-eight should they beat PSV.The supercomputer believes they have a 20.5 percent chance of making the final in Munich.But their chances of lifting the cup are currently just 11.6 percent.Villa are enjoying a superb return to European competition following a 41-year absence. With Belgian side Brugge in the last-16, the model gives Unai Emery’s men a strong 60 percent chance of making the quarters.Villa would run into either Liverpool or PSG at that stage – with the AI model not hopeful of their chances.They are given an 11.6 percent chance of reaching the semi-finals.While Villa have a 2.7 percent chance of reaching the final – and only a 0.9 percent chance of lifting the cup. Real Madrid’s tough draw sees them given a 9.8 percent chance of defending their trophy.The tournament’s big outsiders are Feyenoord, who are only being given an 18 percent chance of battling past Inter into the quarter-finals. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd look out for Inter, who are rated as the Dark Horses of the tournament. The Serie A leaders are just behind Liverpool and Barcelona as third-favourites for the crown. More

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      Ousmane Dembele is outscoring Mo Salah as Liverpool face PSG at worst time with Frenchman finally coming into his own

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      OUSMANE DEMBELE is one of the most expensive footballers of all time.The Paris Saint-Germain star has won four league titles, lifted domestic cups in three countries and played in a World Cup final.Ousmane Dembele is at last living up to lofty predictionsCredit: GettyMo Salah has been tipped for the Ballon d’Or amid a brilliant seasonCredit: AlamyYet the France forward has never made much of an impression on English football.But that could be about to change as Dembele heads into a Champions League clash with Liverpool in the form of his life.The 27-year-old has outscored even Kop hero Mo Salah in the past three months as he and PSG grow in confidence that they can finally end their long wait for European glory.Dembele scored yet another goal as PSG warmed up for Wednesday’s Liverpool clash in the French capital with a 4-1 demolition of Lille on Saturday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he is stepping out of the shadow of fellow France forward Kylian Mbappe, who left Paris for Real Madrid in the summer.When Dembele joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017, the deal — worth up to £138million — was the second biggest in football history, behind only the £200m that PSG had just spent on Neymar.Yet despite winning three LaLiga titles in six seasons with Barca, Dembele struggled to live up to expectations at the Camp Nou, partly because of injuries and the club’s financial crisis.It is only now, after returning to France in 2023 to replace Neymar again — this time at PSG — that he seems to be fulfilling the potential he showed as a precocious teenager.Most read in Champions LeagueDembele outstrips Salah with his goal ratio but not for assistsBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMasour Ousmane Dembele was 13 when he was spotted by Stade Rennais and made his senior debut for them in November 2015 when aged 18.Mikael Silvestre — the former Manchester United, Arsenal and France defender — was an adviser to the club’s president. France stars stroke Ousmane Dembele’s face and go wild as he collects award after win over PortugalAnd after Dembele scored a hat-trick against Nantes in March 2016, Silvestre compared him to “a young Cristiano Ronaldo”, having watched the Portugal maestro emerge at Old Trafford.Barcelona and a host of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, were tracking Dembele.But it was Dortmund who snapped him up in the summer of 2016 in a deal worth about £30m.Dembele rewarded Dortmund’s faith, on and off the pitch.In a stellar campaign he was the Bundesliga rookie of the year and scored crucial goals in the semi-final and final of the German cup as the club claimed their first trophy for five years.Dembele earned his first senior caps for France and claimed a first international goal in a 3-2 friendly win over England.Barcelona had seen enough to follow up their earlier interest and sign the 20-year-old in that deal worth up to £138m — the same fee they would spend on Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho later in the season.That sort of spending would come back to haunt both club and player.And Dembele, handed the No 11 shirt just vacated by Neymar, had a sticky start.He picked up a hamstring injury early in the season that kept him out for more than three months. And that was to be the story of his six seasons in Catalonia.Dembele was tipped for greatness while with Lionel Messi at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – GettyDembele is now a genuine rival to Kylian Mbappe in the striking stakesCredit: RexFor each of his three LaLiga titles, there was at least one serious hamstring complaint and overall he missed 784 days with 14 different injuriesBarca boss Xavi once claimed that Dembele could be “the best player in the world”.But that sounded like wishful thinking.Then the club were forced to let Lionel Messi leave in 2021 because of their growing financial problems. In 2022, Dembele renewed his contract but on terms that reportedly cut his salary by 40 per cent.And despite him playing his part in the title win of 2022-3, Barcelona ended up selling the forward to PSG for £43.5m.It was deja vu all over again for Dembele. Days after he joined the Paris side he inherited Neymar’s No 10 shirt when the Brazilian joined the talent exodus to Saudi Arabia.Dembele scored in the French cup final win over Lyon that sealed a domestic Double and made key contributions to PSG’s run to the semi-finals of the Champions League.But his six goals in 42 appearances were eclipsed, on and off the pitch, by club and international team-mate Mbappe.France captain Mbappe scored 44 goals in 48 games but even that achievement was overshadowed by the constant speculation about his future. That ended with confirmation that he would be joining Real Madrid on a free transfer.So at the start of this season, Dembele once more faced the challenge of replacing an acknowledged superstar.“The best thing I’ve done was not letting Ousmane play in London [at Arsenal]. That day everyone criticised me. PSG boss Luis EnriqueAnd this time he is delivering, thanks in part to a bit of tough love from Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique.Dembele was dropped for the Champions League trip to Arsenal in early October because, in Enrique’s words, he had “not respected nor complied with the obligations and requirements of the team”.It did not immediately look like a masterstroke of man-management from the former Barcelona and Spain boss.Dembele struggled for both goals and assists before being sent off in the 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich that left PSG facing elimination from the Champions League before the knockout stage.But since the start of December, no one in Europe’s big five leagues — not even Egyptian king Salah — has scored more goals than Dembele.His haul of 18 in 13 appearances includes back-to-back hat-tricks, in the 4-1 win over Stuttgart that earned progress in the Champions League and the 5-2 Ligue 1 victory over Brest.Enrique said: “You’d have to ask him what he ate for Christmas!“The best thing I’ve done was not letting Ousmane play in London [at Arsenal]. “That day everyone criticised me. It was, by far, the best decision I’ve taken this year, but Dembele did the rest of the work.”READ MORE SUN STORIESTwo more Dembele goals against Brest again in the first leg of the Champions League play-off set PSG well on their way to Wednesday’s clash with Liverpool and Salah.And the club where Messi, Neymar and Mbappe all failed to deliver that longed-for European title has new hope with their new hero.PSG want Dembele to surpass the achievements of three iconsCredit: Getty More

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      Aston Villa differentials justify popularity surge but blank Gameweek looms large this month

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      ASTON VILLA are very much in the Dream Team spotlight right now.Bruno Fernandes (£6.4m) was the most popular recruit prior to the Gameweek 26 deadline but the next four players in the list were all Villa Park residents: Ollie Watkins (£5.2m), Marcus Rashford (£3.5m), Morgan Rogers (£3.9m) and Youri Tielemans (£4m).Smart loan movesCredit: Dream TeamGenerally speaking, the Villains have already justified their recent popularity surge as several players cashed in against Cardiff on Friday night.None more so than Marco Asensio (£3.5m), who also experienced an ownership increase before the favourable FA Cup match-up against Championship opposition.The Spanish loanee bagged a brace, his second in three games, to land a 17-point haul – only Kevin De Bruyne (£5.2m) earned more points among all assets over the weekend.Asensio has scored four goals in his last 194 minutes on the pitchCredit: PASimilarly, Ian Maatsen (£2.6m) is the second-best performer among defenders this Gameweek at present having banked 11 points on Friday night.While Rashford leads the way among forwards with 11 points following his fourth assist in his last five outings – he also registered three shots on target, two big chances created and a bonus point.Watkins also provided an assist on the night and notched eight points for his efforts.With a Champions League round of 16 away day to Club Brugge still to come on Tuesday night, gaffers who stocked up on Villa assets for Gameweek 26 are likely to be immensely satisfied.Watkins is almost guaranteed to start in Belgium on Tuesday nightCredit: GettyUnai Emery’s side are one of just two teams with two fixtures this Gameweek, with Manchester United being the other.Most read in FootballWatkins and company will also pull double duty in Gameweek 27: Brentford (a) and Club Brugge (h).However, Dream Team bosses should be aware that Villa will BLANK in Gameweek 28, as will Crystal Palace, these being the teams originally due to face Carabao Cup finalists Liverpool and Newcastle.This means managers currently heavy on Villa players will need an exit strategy.A failure to plan ahead puts on at risk of being lumbered with multiple non-active players in Gameweek 28, which could undo the good work of Asensio, Rashford, etc.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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      England manager Thomas Tuchel parties with ex-Chelsea stars including Mason Mount, Jorginho and Reece James in reunion

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      THOMAS TUCHEL reunited with his Chelsea Champions League winning squad including Mason Mount and Jorginho. The German famously led the Blues to their second European cup in 2021 before leaving the club just a year later. England manager Thomas Tuchel reuniting with JorginhoCredit: InstagramMason Mount and ex-Chelsea team-mate JorginhoCredit: InstagramMount, Trevoh Chalobah, Jorginho, Reece James and Ben Chilwell reuniteCredit: InstagramJorginho with fiancee Catherine HardingCredit: InstagramJorginho lets out a big grinCredit: InstagramThe couple pose with some friendsCredit: InstagramCatherine shared the snaps onlineCredit: InstagramBut now he is back in England as Three Lions boss where he prepares to work under some of the same stars again. And Tuchel was pictured linking up with his former players in a social media post shared by Jorginho’s fiancee Catherine Harding. In one snap, Jorginho has his arms around former manager Tuchel, who is posing in a navy outfit and a cap on. Other photos show Jorginho with James, Ben Chilwell, Mount and Trevoh Chalobah in a reunion picture that sent Chelsea fans wild. READ MORE ON CHELSEA One said: “Tears in my eyes man.”Another added: “I miss this squad!”One beamed: “This is a beautiful sight.”Another said: “We miss them.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTuchel has visited several stadiums in England ahead of his first set of official games in charge – against Albania and Latvia in March.And as revealed by SunSport, he held talks with exiled Arsenal defender Ben White over a return to international football. ‘I’m getting emotional’ – England manager Thomas Tuchel’s comments on Cole Palmer leave Chelsea fans close to tearsChelsea skipper James is currently fit after lengthy spells on the sidelines this season amid a hamstring injury. And Chilwell could now fight for a place in Tuchel’s squad after securing a loan from Stamford Bridge to Crystal Palace.Chalobah is also back at Chelsea after his loan to Palace was cut short – but the centre-back is only now returning from a slight back problem. Mount meanwhile has been out since December after suffering a thigh injury with his England hopes taking a huge blow. Tuchel is preparing for life as England managerCredit: Getty More

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      ‘Excited’ Pep Guardiola reveals potential Rodri injury return date with Man City star progressing quicker than expected

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      PEP GUARDIOLA is ‘excited’ by Rodri’s progress — and now believes the Ballon d’Or winner could return THIS season.And that means Manchester City may have their man for the big  occasion back if they secure a return to Wembley in May’s FA Cup final.Man City midfielder Rodri is now tipped to play this seasonCredit: ReutersBoss Pep Guardiola knows how much City have missed RodriCredit: GettyThe Spaniard has been sidelined since he ruptured a cruciate ligament in September  against Arsenal in his first Prem game of the season.Guardiola initially ruled the midfielder out for the rest of the campaign — and suggested he would struggle to make the expanded Club World Cup in June and July. But City posted footage of Rodri going through individual training on Friday. And he was in the dressing room for Saturday’s win over Plymouth.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSThat had supporters anticipating the ex-Atletico Madrid man’s return, and Guardiola admitted his progress has been quicker than expected.He said: “The fans must know they are not the only ones excited.It’s been 5½ months, six months, so after the international break it could be. But one step at a time — we don’t have to make stupid decisions for him to come back weeks earlier.“It’s good — although he’s not close to coming back, I’d say. But he’s been touching the ball, he’s been in the locker room. He feels confident, he’s more happy.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“I could not expect before for him to return before even the Club World Cup.“But now in the Premier League season, maybe it’s going to happen.”Inside Man City’s £300MILLION new stadium upgrade with futuristic Etihad project to rival AnfieldRodri has made a habit of scoring key goals for City, none more than the winner in the 2023 Champions League final.He has a month before the international break and after that there will be nine games left of City’s Prem campaign.Their only hope of domestic silverware this term is the FA Cup — with the  semi-finals on the weekend of April 28 and the final three weeks after that.That gives midfield linchpin Rodri, 28,  something to aim for  in his recovery.The Prem ends on May 25 but City’s stars will  be back  around June 12 to head to the US for the Club World Cup. More

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      All this week’s transfer exclusives from SunSport’s man in the know as Aston Villa battle Everton for Mings replacement

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      ALAN NIXON is SunSport’s Boss of Goss.Check out this week’s red-hot transfer whispers from our man in the know…Joel Ordonez is wanted by both Aston Villa and EvertonCredit: GettyTHRILLY JOELASTON VILLA are fighting Everton for Joel Ordonez — who stands between them and Champions League glory.The Club Brugge star, 20, can play centre-half and right-back and looks ideal for the Premier League with his ability and strength.Ecuadorian international Ordonez helped shut Villa out in the group stage and they have been on his trail ever since.The sides meet again on Tuesday in their last-16 first leg — and Everton will be watching closely as they are desperate to land him, too.Ordonez, 20, is rated at £40million by the Belgian side and Villa see him as an ideal replacement for Tyrone Mings.The Toffees also plan a summer revamp and fancy him as the right-sided centre-back in a five at the back.Everton also rate Maxime Esteve, 22, at Burnley but he plays on the left.ROB’S JOB WAITRob Edwards could be forced to wait for his next jobCredit: GettyFORMER Luton boss Rob Edwards faces a frustrating wait for a new job because of a huge compensation fee on his head.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSInterested clubs were told the 42-year-old would cost them £1million as part of his Hatters exit package.Blackburn overlooked Edwards and has been linked with Middlesbrough — but may be sitting it out until the ‘transfer’ fee drops in the next 12 months.MOYES IN DARKDavid Moyes made his return to Everton earlier this seasonCredit: ReutersNEW Everton owners The Friedkin Group are looking for a football supremo to be overlord for their whole organisation.The Americans also own Roma and want someone to run both clubs in the future.Director of football Kevin Thelwell is set to leave his role at Goodison — as we revealed — and now boss David Moyes is waiting to learn what structure the new owners plan to put in place . . . and where it leaves him.MAXED OUT IN MILAN SPREEMaxime Estève is a target for AC MilanCredit: GettyAC MILAN scouts made a shock visit to check out Burnley centre-half Maxime Esteve.The classy Frenchman, 22, may move in the summer — and will definitely do so if the Clarets fail to win promotion.Crystal Palace star Mateta stretchered off with horror injury after shock kung-fu kick from Milwall keeper who sees redEverton are keen on Esteve while Crystal Palace have shortlisted him.But the Italians are on the trail of a player too good for the second tier.CATS CHASE QUICK CASHKyril Louis-Dreyfus owns 64 per cent of SunderlandCredit: ReutersSUNDERLAND are in talks with US financiers MSD Holdings about a quick £35million loan.Wealthy Kyril Louis-Dreyfus owns Black Cats yet they are still seeking funding — even with interest at £5m a year.The timing is odd as Sunderland chase a Prem jackpot and have players to sell for big money this summer.But the cash is wanted quicker than that.A REAL DEAL BUT NOT FOR HORNETSMillonarios striker Neyser is wanted by WatfordCredit: ConmebolWATFORD’S chances of signing young Colombian star Neyser Villarreal look slim — as Porto set up a deal.The Portuguese giants have been ‘promised’ striker Villarreal, 19, by his agent and could get him for nothing at the end of the year.Brazil’s Vasco da Gama made a £3million bid plus extras that his club Millonarios accepted but the player and agent refuse to speak to them.WHICH Premier League sporting director is making a fool of himself in the VIP box at games?The foreign wheeler-dealer is given to celebrating goals wildly and arguing about refereeing decisions with rival fans and even directors.This loud chap was recently seen gesturing so much that a ‘minder’ in the entourage was forced to calm a brewing row with home supporters.ROBINS KEEN ON NEW RECRUITSMark Robins is concerned by the squad at Stoke CityCredit: PASTOKE boss Mark Robins will look for a major change in recruitment plans in the summer.Robins, 55, has been alarmed by a thin squad bulked out with young players and loan captures.The Potters have tried to sign their own players but ended up with a mixed bag.That is partly because of so much upheaval with Robins their third boss this season.PRODIGAL SONDavid Moyes Jr is wanted by Hull CityCredit: AlamyHULL are after David Moyes Jr for a top scouting role.The Everton manager’s son has previous experience with West Ham, where he worked for his dad.Now the Tigers hope to tempt the ex-agent to their transfer team, which has changed regularly over the past couple of years.ROVERS RETURNValerien Ismael is looking to add to his staff at BlackburnCredit: GettyBLACKBURN boss Valerien Ismael will bring in coach Adam Murray in the summer.Eastbourne gaffer Murray worked with the Frenchman at Barnsley and Besiktas and will join Rovers No .2 Dean Whitehead at Ewood Park.Ismael took over last month and is happy with the rest of his staff. More

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      ‘Antony’s aura is enough’ – Fans stunned as Real Madrid’s title challenge derailed at Man Utd loanee’s Real Betis side

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      FANS have hailed Antony’s “aura” after Real Betis dented Real Madrid’s title hopes.The LaLiga hopefuls were beaten 2-1 at the Benito Villamarin and missed out on the chance to go top of the table.Antony played all 90 minutes against Real MadridCredit: APReal Madrid missed out on the chance to go top of LaLigaCredit: GettyIsco netted the winning goal from the spot for the hostsCredit: EPAAntony, 25, played the full 90 minutes for Betis as he continued his impressive run of form.The Manchester United winger did not score or assist but proved to be a constant thorn in the visitors’ side.Brahim Diaz did fire Carlo Ancelotti’s side into the lead in the tenth minute.However, Antony’s team-mates Johnny Cardoso and former Real star Isco turned the match on its head.READ MORE ON ANTONYCardoso scored the equaliser before Isco converted from the spot after Antonio Rudiger brought down Jesus Rodriguez in the box.But fans on social media are convinced that the result was down to the “aura” of Antony.One posted: “Antony’s aura is enough for a victory.”A second commented: “Antony’s impact is strong.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA third wrote: “Antony aura it is.”A fourth said: “Hail Lord Antony.”Antony shows his excitement as he joins Real Betis Antony is enjoying playing for Manuel PellegriniCredit: EPAHe has already scored twice in LaLigaCredit: ReutersAnother added: “Let’s all laugh at United for loaning out Antony.”The result leaves Real tied on 54 points with leaders Barcelona but the Catalonians have a crucial game in hand.Antony joined Betis on loan until the end of the season from the Red Devils.He has already made a good impression in Spain with two goals and two assists in his first five outings in LaLiga.His appearance against Getafe was cut short after he was sent off.But the suspension was then overturned – allowing him to play against Real.Old Trafford bosses will be hoping his good form continues so he can be sold for a hefty fee in the summer.Antony has admitted that he has regained his “confidence” since moving to Spain.He has also insisted playing under Betis boss and former Man City and West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has helped him.He told Estadio Deportivo: “The most important thing to regain my confidence was to reconnect with myself.”I found myself here and that’s why I’m very happy at Betis. Every day I feel more secure.”Pellegrini is very important to me. Before signing with Betis, I spoke with him, and he gave me a lot of confidence.”His experience and history give me energy every day to do well.”When I made the decision to come here, it was to find myself again, as I mentioned before.”There is always pressure, but the greatest pressure I felt was when I was living in the poor neighbourhoods of Brazil, thinking about my family and everything.”The club forked out an eye-watering £85.5million on the Brazilian back in the summer of 2023.Manager Ruben Amorim has been asked about the winger’s upturn in form since leaving Manchester.The Portuguese coach has insisted the different physicality level in Spain has helped Antony to shine.He told TNT Sports: “When you play against any team in England, the physicality is there.”If you don’t have physicality, you will struggle a lot.”Antony is so much better now in Spain. It’s [because of] a lot of factors but I guarantee you it’s physicality.”The former Ajax man has also revealed that he is “happy” in Betis but has remained coy on his future.Antony has been tipped to make a permanent exit from Old Trafford in the summer, but he is remaining tight-lipped on his future.He said: “I’m very happy here, but I don’t know what will happen in the future.”I always say that I enjoy every day with the club, the city and everything that surrounds me, and I give my best for the team.”It’s still too early to talk about my future.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I know how much money they paid for me.”I worked and continue to work hard to perform at the highest level, but I don’t focus on transfer prices, neither mine nor any other player’s.”Ruben Amorim has addressed Antony’s success since leaving on loanCredit: GettyHe is not concerned with his price tagCredit: Getty More