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      Chelsea fans demand forgotten star ‘we’re crying out for’ returns after booking place in Champions League semi-final

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      CHELSEA fans are demanding the club bring back Ian Maatsen after he clinched a spot in the Champions League semi-final.The full-back played a starring role as Borussia Dortmund overcame Atletico Madrid in a thrilling quarter-final clash.Ian Maatsen starred against Atletico MadridCredit: TNT SPORTSChelsea fan have called on the club to bring him backCredit: ReutersDortmund went into the second leg trailing after leaving Madrid 2-1 down.However, the Bundesliga giants fought back to win a topsy-turvy tie 5-4 on aggregate.Julian Brandt netted the opener, but it was Dortmund’s second goal that got Blues supporters talking.Maatsen, 22, drove up from his defensive role and fired past Jan Oblak with a powerful drive into the far corner.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLFans responded by flocking to social media to beg the club to make sure he returns to Stamford Bridge for next season.One fan posted: “Ian Maatsen what a goal. Don’t sell him Chelsea.”A second wrote: “Chelsea are going to sell Ian Maatsen to Borussia Dortmund for £35m when we’re crying out for a player like him.”A third commented: “Maatsen is into the semi-finals as a starting LB in the competition we can’t get into.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERA fourth said: “Ian Maatsen wasn’t given a chance by Chelsea this season and now he is scoring CL quarter final goals.”A fifth joked: “That Ian Maatsen fella looks good – we should consider buying him.”Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen looks back at his beginnings in football Another added: “Fair play to him, talented player.”Maatsen spent the first half of the season at Chelsea but struggled to break into Mauricio Pochettino’s side.This was after the club rejected a £30million offer from Burnley to sign him in the summer transfer window.The 22-year-old spent the 2022-23 season on loan at the Clarets and was a crucial cog in the machine that won promotion to the Premier League.After a lack of playing time in the first half of the season, Maatsen joined Dortmund on loan in January.Reports have already claimed that the German outfit are keen to make the move permanent in the summer. More

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      Awkward moment Micah Richards leaves Kate Abdo looking sheepish live on TV after ‘ignoring CBS chiefs’ instructions’

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      MICAH RICHARDS left Kate Abdo looking sheepish live on TV after ignoring instructions from CBS Sports chiefs.Richards joined Abdo, Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher for Tuesday’s round of Champions League fixtures.Kate Abdo was left looking sheepish after a faux-pas from Micah RichardsThe ex-Man City ace broke a rule laid down by CBS Sports chiefsThe popular quartet ran the rule over Barcelona vs PSG, as well as Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund.But before kick-off, talks took a turn as Abdo and Co began talking about their contracts.The funny chat saw some great back-and-forths take place.However, as Richards asked Henry a very personal question, he was quickly interrupted by Abdo.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd she reminded him that as a group, they had been specifically told to not talk about contracts live on air.This left Richards squirming as Abdo looked sheepish.But the former Man City man could not resist getting the final word in.The conversation started when Carragher asked: “Do you do Thursday nights?”Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAbdo replied: “I don’t believe it’s in the contract.”This caused Carragher, Henry and Richards to guffaw.’We’re going’, say Thierry Henry and Micah Richards as CBS Sports duo walk off set live on TVAbdo and Thierry Henry looked awkward as the crew talked about contractsJamie Carragher bantered Abdo over her dealCarragher then said: “Always takes it back to the contract.”Abdo rebutted: “Am I the one that always takes it back to the contract?”Henry, pointing to Richards, gasped: “Why are you looking at me?!”Richards answered: “Are you signed and sealed?”Abdo then said: “They specifically asked us to steer clear of the contract talk on air.”Richards looked awkward as he hilariously replied: “Uh oh… moving on swiftly!”The former Man City defender also had the team in stitches as he appeared to drift off during a video montage celebrating Henry’s career. More

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      Man Utd outcast Anthony Martial ‘thrown Premier League transfer lifeline’ but could join former Champions League winners

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      ANTHONY MARTIAL could reportedly be thrown a Premier League lifeline this summer.The Manchester United forward is set to leave the club at the end of the season with his contract expiring.Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Anthony MartialCredit: AlamyMartial, 28, is on the lookout for his next club and has been linked with the likes of Inter Milan and Fenerbahce.The Frenchman could also have more options on the table as Tottenham Hotspur have been credited with an interest.Italian outlet Tuttosport have claimed that the North London outfit are looking at the forward.Spurs will have to fight off interest from Serie A giants Juventus.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe Bianconeri are also said to be considering a move for Martial to strengthen their attacking options.The club had wanted to sign former West Ham star Felipe Anderson once his contract expired at Lazio.However, they missed out as he confirmed that his new club will be Brazilian side Palmeiras.Tottenham could have the edge over Juventus as the Italians may struggle to afford Martial’s wages.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe is said to be on £240,000-a-week which could be too much for Juventus.The forward could get Ange Postecoglou a more direct option in his attack should he move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.The manager currently has Heung-min Son, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski in his attack.Martial could take up a spot as a more traditional striker but would also be another option on the wing.He has struggled this season at Man United for fitness and has only featured 13 times in the Premier League.In total, Martial has played 19 times in all competitions, scoring two goals. More

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      Xavi sent off for Barcelona after lashing out moments after PSG levelled tense Champions League tie

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      XAVI was sent off for kicking out during Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.The Barcelona boss lost his cool on the touchline as he booted padding around the VAR monitor.Xavi lashed out on the touchlineCredit: TNT SPORTSThe manager was not impressed with the refereeCredit: TNT SPORTSReferee Istvan Kovacs showed the Spaniard a straight red cardCredit: GettyXavi, 44, was given a straight red card for his outburst by Romanian international referee Istvan Kovacs.The Spaniard was clearly frustrated after signing his side lose a 4-2 aggregate lead on the night.As he walked away from the touchline, Xavi could be seen taking off his coat and having a quick chat with assistant Oscar Hernandez.Fans reacted to the moment as they flooded social media.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne commented: “So stupid from Xavi!”A second wrote: “Poor Xavi.”A third posted: “Xavi is a crybaby.”A fourth said: “Please Xavi, leave now.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother added: “Xavi really leaves our club.”Raphinha had scored the opening goal before Paris Saint-Germain hit back with goals from Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersRonald Araujo was also shown a straight red card earlier in the match for a last-man challenge.To make matters worse, moments later, the Ligue 1 side were awarded a penalty as Dembele was fouled by Joao Cancelo.Kylian Mbappe converted from the sport to put PSG 5-4 ahead in the tie.Barcelona then had another blow as Hernandez was given a second yellow card and also handed his marching orders, leaving the team two coaches down.Mbappe sealed the win in the 89th minute as he fired in after a swift counter-attack.Barcelona had gone into the second leg 3-2 up, having won a thrilling first leg at the Parc des Princes. More

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      Furious fans say Barcelona ‘robbed’ by controversial red card in PSG clash as Ronald Araujo sent off

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      FURIOUS fans reckon Barcelona were “robbed” after Ronald Araujo was sent off in their dismal defeat Paris Saint-Germain.The defender received his marching orders around the half hour mark with Barcelona leading 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate before a stunning PSG turnaround.Ronaldo Araujo saw red in Barcelona’s Champions League clash against PSGCredit: APHe was sent off for fouling Bradley Barcola as the last man – but fans felt it was harshThe hosts went ahead through Raphinha’s 12th-minute strike to double their advantage following last week’s 3-2 win in Paris.But despite cruising, Barca had a moment of madness as their high line allowed PSG star Barcola to charge down on goal.Araujo gave chase and eventually caught the winger on the edge of his box.The Uruguayan tugged on Barcola’s shoulder, bringing the French winger down.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe foul saw the ref immediately blow his whistle, albeit for a free-kick and not a penalty.But what happened next left Araujo and his Barca team-mates shocked as the referee produced a red card.He deemed the centre-back to be the last man when fouling Barcola, despite Araujo being adamant Pau Cubarsi was rushing in to cover from the other side of the box.However, Barcelona’s protests fell on deaf ears as Araujo was ordered off the field, leaving Xavi Hernandez’s men facing a tough task against speedsters Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSome fans certainly felt the red card shown was harsh, especially with the argument for Cubarsi as the final man.One said: “That’s not a red card for me, so soft.”Dramatic moment fuming Barcelona star gets out of car and confronts young fan in middle of roadAraujo’s foul occurred just outside the boxCredit: AFPThe ref did not change his mind despite the defender’s protestsCredit: GettyAnother declared: “That’s harsh, Barca can feel hard done by.”One noted: “That’s never a red card, Barcelona have been robbed.”But one fan felt it was the right decision to send Araujo off, adding: “Correct call, it’s a last man foul, no defender is getting there in time.”Araujo’s red card left PSG chasing a two-goal deficit against 10 men.And they soon made their advantage count as Dembele struck against his old club with just minutes of the first half remaining.Xavi Hernandez was soon sent off for Barca after suffering a fit of rage.And PSG only twisted the knife as they eventually levelled the tie thanks to a long-range strike from Vitinha.READ MORE SUN STORIESKylian Mbappe then gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot.And he put the game to bed late on as he pounced on a goal-line scramble to set up a semi-final tie against Borussia Dortmund. More

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      ‘Are you Chelsea in disguise?’ ask baffled fans as Champions League giants line up in almost identical shirt to Blues

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      FANS took a double take at their screens as Atletico Madrid lined up in an almost identical shirt to Chelsea in the Champions League.The LaLiga giants had travelled to the Signal Iduna Park to take on Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the quarter-final.Fans likened Atletico Madrid’s shirt to the Chelsea kitCredit: EPAFormer Blue Alvaro Morata was on the pitchCredit: GettyThe kit has a similar vibe to Chelsea’s 2022/23 shirtCredit: AlamyAtletico won the first leg 2-1, but it was the choice of kit that got fans talking.Los Colchoneros usually wear their strikingly recognisable red and white shirts with blue shorts.The club wore their alternate strip which was predominantly blue but with a white block on the shirt.The club’s traditional badge had also been swapped out as a nod to its 120th anniversary.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe badge had been replaced with the crest that was used until 1917 in a circular shape.This kit choice had fans thinking they had worn a Chelsea kit on social media.One fan posted: “Atletico looks like Chelsea.”A second wrote: “Atletico, what kind of jersey is this, bro, are you Chelsea?”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERA third commented: “These Atlético kits look like Chelsea kits.”A fourth joked: “Are you Chelsea in disguise.”Jude Bellingham gives RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose his shirt after Real Madrid’s Champions League winA fifth said: “Atlético’s shirt looks like Chelsea’s.”Another added: “Why does Atlético Madrid look like Chelsea?”Fans could be forgiven for getting confused, as former Chelsea stars Alvaro Morata and Cesar Azpilicueta both lined up for Atletico on the night.Dortmund won the match on the night 4-2 and 5-4 on aggregate after a thrilling battle and sealed their spot in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 11 years. More

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      Arsenal warned Bayern Munich boast little-known English secret weapon who was non-league star and won Champions League

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      HARRY KANE and Eric Dier will not be the only Englishmen gunning for Arsenal on Wednesday.Anthony Barry, who started his coaching career at Wigan, is Bayern Munich’s assistant manager and one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe.Bayern Munich assistant manager Anthony Barry could cause major issues to ArsenalCredit: GettyThe ex-Accrington, Yeovil and Fleetwood midfielder was brought to Germany from Chelsea by Bayern chief Thomas Tuchel, with the pair having worked together at Stamford BridgeAnd if Bayern score from a corner or a free-kick against Mikel Arteta’s side, that will be down to Barry who is in charge of the team’s set-pieces.Barry will leave the German club with Tuchel at the end of the season and the offers have already come in.He has just turned down a second approach from Ireland to replace boss Stephen Kenny,  who was sacked in November.Read More on FootballBut Barry, who combined his role at Chelsea as a part-time coach for the Irish, will be assisting Roberto Martinez with Portugal at Euro 2024.Barry, who also worked for Martinez with Belgium at the 2022 World Cup, wants to be a manager in his own right so is waiting for the right offer for next season.However, he is not the only Englishman currently coaching in the Bundesliga.Craig Fleming, assistant coach at Southampton for four years under Ralph Hasenhuttl, has linked up with the Austrian to become Wolfsburg’s No 2.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTicket disparityLIVERPOOL have been given just 750 tickets for Thursday’s Europa League tie with Atalanta.To enter the ballot, Reds fans had to have bought tickets for 22 of the previous 24 European away games over the last five seasons.Huge Arsenal concerns as two key stars facing late fitness test before Champions League second leg with BayernThat is some loyalty, whatever team you support.Meanwhile, Arsenal will have just under 3,800 supporters against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday — and they have all paid a relatively affordable £42.80 a ticket.To watch the first leg at the Emirates, supporters had to fork out between £70 and £103.If you needed proof of the disparity between English and German ticket prices, here it is.Broadcaster outsmartedA WELL-KNOWN broadcaster did not see the funny side after a telling off in the posh seats at Chelsea.In an exclusive area behind the home dugout at Stamford Bridge, he caused a bit of a stir by shouting at the home bench during a game.The television and radio presenter was told to calm down by security and during the heated exchange, he trotted out the infamous line: “Do you know who I am?”The unimpressed official pretended to switch on his lapel microphone and shouted: “Can I have the welfare department? There is a Chelsea fan who doesn’t know who he is.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFlying highTOTTENHAM fans were left frustrated by the cost of the £150 train to get to Newcastle for Saturday’s Premier League game.So a few Hertfordshire-based supporters found it cheaper to get a bus to Stansted Airport and take a Ryanair flight to Edinburgh (£70 return) before getting a train from Scotland to Newcastle (£40 return).This one will have stung Kane the most… what’s the German for schadenfreude?, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
      OF all the trophies Harry Kane has missed out on, this one will have stung the most.
      This was supposed to have been a dead cert. This was nailed-on.
      Bayern Munich had won 11 successive Bundesliga titles, so when the England captain signed for the great Bavarian powerhouse last summer, we all said: “Well, at least he’ll finally win something.”
      Yet on Sunday evening, there were Bayer Leverkusen — known in Germany as ‘Neverkusen’ because they hadn’t previously won the league thanks to several late implosions — cavorting around, 16 points clear, unbeaten in all competitions and confirmed as champions with five games to spare.
      And so the greatest trophy curse in footballing history continues.
      And this one really is freakish because Leverkusen’s story is almost as extraordinary as Leicester City’s miracle title in 2015-16 — the season when Kane won his first Premier League Golden Boot and Tottenham ended up ‘third in a two-horse race’ behind Arsenal.
      Kane is always the runner-up, always the nearly man, always the fall guy, too often a figure of fun for those taking pleasure in the misfortune of others.
      Does anyone know the German word for schadenfreude…?
      Click here to read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
      To read more from Dave Kidd, click here. More

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      Huge Arsenal concerns as two key stars facing late fitness test before Champions League second leg with Bayern

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      MIKEL ARTETA admits Arsenal are sweating on main men Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard for Wednesday’s huge Champions League tie at Bayern Munich.The Gunners’ boss is “hopeful” his two most creative talents overcome knocks for a quarter-final return leg in the balance at 2-2.Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard shared a joke in training on Tuesday despite fitness fears for the crunch second leg at BayernCredit: ReutersArsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen for the duo to recover in timeCredit: GettyWinger Saka was seen limping near the end of Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa – but stayed on.And playmaker Odegaard felt “something” – meaning Emile Smith Rowe had to replace him after 79 minutes.Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins then both netted as Villa snatched a victory that stopped the Gunners moving back to the top of the Premier League.Arteta said on Tuesday: “We had less than 48 hours to recover from the game.READ MORE TOP STORIES”We have done very, very little training – so we will assess them tomorrow and see how they are.”Gunners’ fans will be heartened by a picture of Saka and Odegaard laughing together during light practice at Colney.But the fact their fitness is an issue at all will be a worry for Arteta.However, the Spaniard claims Sunday’s dire display won’t affect their performance at newly-dethroned Bundesliga champions Bayern.Most read in Champions LeagueHe said: “We threw the game away [but] regardless of that result, it’s going to have no impact on what happens tomorrow.”We’ll refocus and start to build the confidence and the trust [to get] the standard of performance we’ll have to put in tomorrow to beat them.”Bayern must be smarting from Bayer Leverkusen wrenching away their 12-year grip on the German crown so easily this season.And manager Thomas Tuchel also has much to prove after already revealing he will depart in the summer.But the ex-Chelsea and PSG manager is quietly confident for Wednesday.He said: “We have a slight advantage when you look at our experience in this competition”But to turn it into a real advantage, you also need a top performance. We’re ready to give it everything we’ve got.”We’ll need everything again. We’ll need passion and the same tactical discipline as in the first leg.”Saka and Odegaard in full flow could be vital to Arsenal’s hopesCredit: Getty More