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      Sadio Mane ‘punches Bayern Munich team-mate and former Prem rival in lip’ in huge bust-up after Man City defeat

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      SADIO MANE reportedly punched Bayern Munich team-mate Leroy Sane after last night’s defeat to Manchester City.Major German outlet Bild claims the pair had a huge bust-up following Bayern’s 3-0 Champions League loss at the Etihad.
      Sadio Mane reportedly punched Leroy Sane after Bayern Munich’s defeat at Man CityCredit: Getty
      The pair were seen arguing on the field during the 3-0 lossCredit: Getty
      Mane was reportedly left fuming after an on-field argument with Sane.
      The ex-Liverpool star “complained” about how his team-mate, once of Man City, spoke to him late on in the match.
      The pair were pictured talking on the pitch in the 83rd minute following a mix-up over an attacking move.
      And Bild claims that tempers flared in the dressing room once the game was over.
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      Words were said to have been exchanged.
      Mane then allegedly struck Sane on the lip, leaving a mark.
      And team-mates were reportedly forced to separate the pair, with Sane being sent out of the dressing room.
      Bild adds that Bayern Munich have refused to pass comment on the alleged incident or potential consequences.
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      The Germans have it all to do in next week’s second leg battle at the Allianz Arena.
      Thomas Tuchel’s return to England ended in disaster as Bayern were given the runaround by City.
      Goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland saw Pep Guardiola’s men put one foot in the Champions League semis.
      The winner will take on either Chelsea or Real Madrid, who play their first leg tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu. More

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      Kepa ‘passed Real Madrid medical but had transfer vetoed by Zidane’… before joining Chelsea for FOUR TIMES the price

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      KEPA ARRIZABALAGA was on the verge on joining Real Madrid before Zinedine Zidane blocked the transfer, according to reports.The Chelsea goalkeeper is set to feature at the Bernabeu tonight as the Blues take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final.
      Kepa Arrizabalaga almost joined Real Madrid before his Chelsea transferCredit: Getty
      But he almost became a Real Madrid player in 2018 – just a few months before signing for Chelsea.
      That’s according to AS, who claim the shot-stopper even passed a medical at the club.
      The report claims Real activated a buyout clause in his Atletic Bilbao contract worth £17.5million.
      And after the deal fell through because Zidane felt his side did not need a new keeper, Chelsea came knocking.
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      But unfortunately for Blues, Kepa had put pen to paper on a new contract in the meantime, and increased his release clause to an astronomical £71.6m.
      Chelsea were happy to pay it and let Thibaut Courtois leave for Real Madrid in the same summer.
      The Belgian was named European goalkeeper of the year in 2022 after helping Los Blancos win their 14th Champions League title.
      Courtois helped Real beat Chelsea in last year’s quarter-final and is expected to line up tonight.
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      Kepa, 28, remains the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, with Liverpool star Alisson second after joining the Reds for £55m. More

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      Jose Mourinho ‘to push for Chelsea move’ if Boehly makes offer, with Special One keen on Blues and one other club

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      JOSE MOURINHO is allegedly only prepared to leave Roma for two clubs – but will reportedly “push” for a return to Chelsea.It emerged last week that Blues owner Todd Boehly had sounded out the Special One over a sensational THIRD stint in charge of the club.
      Jose Mourinho is being linked with an exit from RomaCredit: Getty
      Chelsea, who face Real Madrid tonight in the Champions League quarter-final, are currently without a permanent manager after Graham Potter was axed.
      That led to Boehly deciding to bring back former Blues boss Frank Lampard to take charge of the team until the end of the season on a caretaker basis while he searches for a long-term replacement for Potter.
      Mourinho, 60, is currently riding high in Serie A after guiding Roma to third in the Italian top-flight and led them to Europa Conference League joy last term.
      He has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer while Crisriano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr are allegedly plotting a mega-money deal to try and secure his services.
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      However, Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna says Mourinho “is ready to leave Roma only for certain clubs” – including both Chelsea and PSG.
      He states that if the Blues make an offer then the Portuguese coach will “push to go” there with his family home still in West London.
      Roma are also “open” to his departure – although this fresh update states that Mourinho is “not interested” in Saudi Arabia.
      Mourinho first took charge of Chelsea in 2004 after guiding Porto to an unlikely Champions League triumph.
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      He guided the Blues to two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cup trophies.
      But he left Stamford Bridge in September 2007 following a series of disagreements with former owner Roman Abramovich.
      The Special One returned six years later after leaving Real Madrid and guided the Blues to a league and cup double in the 2014-15 season.
      But his second love affair with the club ended in dismissal in September 2015 as he was axed following a dire run of nine defeats in 15 league matches.
      He enjoyed Europa League and Carabao Cup joy at Manchester United after that before a two-year stint at Tottenham ended in 2021. More

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      Joe Cole makes bold Erling Haaland prediction as Chelsea icon and BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand disagree

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      JOE COLE has made a bold prediction about Manchester City star Erling Haaland.But fellow pundit Rio Ferdinand does not agree with his pal’s stunning claims.
      Joe Cole has made a huge prediction over Erling HaalandCredit: EPA
      Rio Ferdinand did not agree with Cole’s claimsCredit: Getty

      Haaland, 22, scored his 45th goal of the season in City’s 3-0 win over Bayern Munich.
      The Norwegian has already shattered his best-ever tally of 41, while also setting a record for most goals in all competitions in a single season by a Premier League player.
      And with a good chunk of the campaign remaining, Haaland is sure to have his sights set on at least half a century.
      However, Chelsea icon Cole believes the hitman can achieve even greatest goalscoring feats.
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      Hailing Haaland’s performance at the Etihad on Tuesday night, Cole sensationally tipped him to end up netting 1,000 career goals.
      Haaland already has 200 strikes in his club career, while also netting 21 times for Norway.
      By comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo has struck 712 club goals and a further 122 for Portugal.
      Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has 713 club strikes and another 102 for Argentina.
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      And Cole believes Haaland can easily eclipse the pair should he too continue playing into his mid-30s.
      However, not everyone agrees, with Cole admitting Man Utd legend Ferdinand laughed at his bold prediction earlier in the evening.
      Cole told BT Sport: “Just ridiculous [Haaland’s goal record]. His assist was outstanding too.
      “The frightening thing is that he is just going to get better and better. He’s going to become more and more complete.
      “I was saying to Rio I think he is going to score 1,000 goals. He laughed at me.
      “But look at the numbers, if he played until his mid 30s and doesn’t get injured [he can do it].” More

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      Gary Neville changes top-four predictions as Man Utd, Newcastle and Tottenham battle it out

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      GARY NEVILLE has changed his top-four predictions as Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle battle it out for a Champions League place.Eddie Howe’s side currently sit third in the Premier League after winning five games in a row to move level on points with the Red Devils.
      Gary Neville believes Newcastle will get a top-four spotCredit: Getty
      Spurs have played a game more than Newcastle and Erik ten Hag’s United, while also sitting three points behind them.
      The Toon’s good form has led to Neville changing his predictions from earlier in the campaign.
      The pundit now believes Newcastle WILL secure a spot in next season’s Champions League.
      Neville told Sky Sports: “What a week for Newcastle. To beat Manchester United, West Ham away and then Brentford away, that’s a tough week and to get nine points – that’s a brilliant performance.
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      “I didn’t have them down as top-four probably three weeks ago and even after the United game, I thought ‘well they’ve got three tough away games now in West Ham, Brentford and Aston Villa.’
      “You’ll probably drop points in that and it will give Tottenham and Liverpool maybe a chance.
      “But looking at them now, watching them closely against Manchester United – where I thought they were absolutely brilliant – I think they will finish in the top-four now because their confidence will be so high.
      “I thought Man Utd were really poor against Newcastle. But what we’ve seen with this side under Erik ten Hag is that they do respond and they do bounce back.
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      “They were dominant against Everton but beating Brentford was really important. Six points from that week doesn’t look so bad now.
      “They do respond and come back which will mean they do finish in those Champions League places.
      “With Tottenham, they were pretty fortunate against Brighton. But it gives them a chance, they’re still in it.”
      Although Spurs have played an extra match, they have a chance to overtake their rivals as they meet both United and Newcastle this month. More

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      How many points-per-game does Erling Haaland need to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s Dream Team season record?

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      HERE at Dream Team HQ we have long abandoned the pretence that Erling Haaland (£9.3m) faces any credible competition in the realm of Dream Team this season.Marcus Rashford (£6.8m) threatened to make it a two-horse race briefly but Manchester City’s No9 seemed to take that notion personally and he’s since opened up a 92-point lead over his cross-town rival at the top of the rankings.
      And so, in search of tension in relation to the Norwegian’s exploits, we’ve been forced to consult the history books.
      Cristiano Ronaldo holds the all-time record for most points in a single campaign – the Portuguese superstar amassed a whopping 477 points in 2007/08.
      In fact, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is the only man to ever register 400+ points.
      A memorable campaignCredit: GETTY
      A quadruple century looks a formality for Haaland at this stage.
      The 22-year-old added a further 22 points to his tally this Game Week at the expense of Southampton and Bayern Munich.
      A brace against Saints returned 12 points while a goal and assist versus the Bavarian giants produced ten more.
      Haaland has banked 83 points in his last four outings, which is incredible even by his standards.
      With 366 points to his name, he’s 34 shy of becoming just the second player ever to rack up 400 in a season – only an significant injury in the next few days will deny him that taste of history.
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      Whether he can overhaul Ronaldo’s imposing record is another matter and his chances may hinge on City’s progression in the Champions League and FA Cup.
      On the prowlCredit: GETTY
      If Pep Guardiola’s side were to combust in Munich and give up their three-goal aggregate lead before suffering a shock defeat to Sheffield United at Wembley – a severely unlikely double – then Haaland would be have ten games remaining from this point.
      He would therefore need to average 11.1 points-per-game to make up the 111 needed to level Ronaldo’s total – not beyond Haaland but a tough ask.
      For reference, he averages 9.6 points-per-game in 2022/23 to date.
      Assuming City convert their significant advantage over Bayern and qualify for the semi-finals before getting past the Blades, Haaland would have 13 games at his disposal.
      City’s prolific poacher would therefore need to average 8.54 points-per-game to claim the record – very achievable.
      Haaland has scored 45 goals in all competitions this seasonCredit: GETTY
      Now let’s say Guardiola’s men reach the Champions League final as well as the FA Cup final, that would give Haaland 14 fixtures, which would allow for an average of 7.93 points-per-game to topple Ronaldo.
      These scenarios assume Haaland will start every available game which may not be the case – it wouldn’t be that surprising if Julian Alvarez (£4.2m) led the line in the FA Cup semi-final, for example.
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      But with City chasing a treble, their top scorer is assured the vast majority of minutes if fit.
      Ronaldo’s record, which once looked unassailable, is very much under threat. More

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      Meet the stunning Chelsea and Real Madrid Wags as two European giants collide in tasty Champions League clash

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      CHELSEA and Real Madrid are set to go head to head in a mouth-watering European clash.The Spanish side will be heavy favourites over the two legs with the Blues enduring one of their worst seasons in the modern era.
      One of the newer girlfriends is Ben Chilwell’s stunning partner Cartia MallanCredit: Instagram
      Thibaut Courtois has been with Mishel Gerzig since 2021Credit: Instagram
      Cheering on both teams will be the players’ stunning wives and girlfriends.
      They will be hoping to give their partners the final push over the line in the fascinating Champions League grudge match.
      Chelsea
      Belle Silva, other half of Thiago, has been left frustrated by Chelsea’s struggles this seasonCredit: Splash News
      Belle is very active on social mediaCredit: Instagram @bellesilva
      Izabel Kovacic has been married to Mateo since 2017Credit: Instagram
      Kovacic is set to face his former side as Chelsea travel to the BernabeuCredit: Instagram / @izakova
      Kai Havertz has spoken about the pressure that football has placed on his relationship with Sophia WeberCredit: Instagram
      The glamorous Paige Milian is the childhood sweetheart of Raheem SterlingCredit: Getty
      Few Blues Wags have made more headlines in recent months than Thiago Silva’s beautiful wife, Belle Silva.
      She has rarely been shy about giving her opinions on the club’s failings and seemed to have particularly little patience for ex-manager Graham Potter.
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      Belle has even left fans speculating on the defender’s future with some of her social media posts.
      Less active on social media is the girlfriend of Kai Havertz Sophia Weber.
      The misfiring German forward, 23, revealed last month how his lack of form has effected her due to the “pressure on our shoulders”.
      The pair are believed to be childhood sweethearts and have been together longer than Ben Chilwell and his girlfriend.
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      The left-back, 26, went Instagram official with Cartia Mallan on Valentine’s Day.
      Fans have since been gushing over the Australian model’s beauty with Chelsea supporters flooding her social media comments.
      Mateo Kovacic’s stunning wife Izabel is also popular.
      She married the midfield ace in 2017 and they had their first child together in October 2020.
      Croatian legend and former Real Madrid teammate Luca Modric is the godfather.
      Another well-known Wag is Raheem Sterling’s fiancee Paige Milian.
      The pair have been engaged since 2018 and Paige was regularly seen in Qatar cheering on the former Manchester City ace.
      Real Madrid
      Mishel Gerzig is the beautiful fiancee of Thibaut CourtoisCredit: Instagram
      Sandra Garal is believed to have met Marco Asenso when she worked at Real MadridCredit: Instagram / @ssandragaral
      Real Madrid Wags met up for tapas a little over a year ago just before Los Blancos went on their now infamous Champions League knockout stage run.
      The club may well need to do it again if they are to land major silverware this season as the league title already looks out of reach.
      The biggest supporters of club stars will be their wives and girlfriends, including Thibaut Courtois’ fiancee Mishel Gerzig.
      The pair have been dating since the summer of 2021.
      Cheering on Marco Asensio is Sandra Garal. The pair are engaged and it is believed they met when she was working as a public relations officer at Real Madrid.
      Meanwhile, David Alaba is with long-term girlfriend Shalimar Heppner.
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      She is the daughter of famous German chef Frank Heppner.
      Asensio and Sandra Garal are engagedCredit: Instagram / @ssandragaral
      David Alaba’s partner Shalimar Heppner has a father who is famous in GermanyCredit: Getty More

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      Tuchel lays into Bayern star for errors against Man City and says ‘that should NEVER happen at this level’

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has slammed defender Dayot Upamecano for his costly errors against Manchester City.The Bayern Munich defender was at fault for City’s second goal after he was brushed off the ball by Jack Grealish.
      Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano made some costly errors against Man CityCredit: PA
      Thomas Tuchel slammed the defender’s mistakesCredit: Getty
      He then left Erling Haaland unmarked to score the host’s third and final goal of the Champions League quarter-final clash at the Etihad Stadium.
      And his manager, Tuchel, did not try to cover up for his star as he claimed Upamecano did not stay focused.
      He said: “[Upamecano] made a few too many errors.
      “There were two are three situations where he lacked a bit of concentration and made risky decisions.
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      “That should never happen at this level, in this part of the pitch. He will learn from it.”
      Tuchel did insist that there is no anger towards the errors from the French international, despite it leaving Bayern on the cusp of being knocked out.
      He added: “We aren’t angry with him.
      “He is still young and he will still make mistakes.
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      “But in a match at this level, you have to play without errors to achieve a result.”
      The former Chelsea boss did also suggest that he was happy with his team’s performance despite the drubbing.
      Bayern will have to overcome a three-goal deficit when they face the Citizens at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday. More