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      Chelsea strikers running out of time to hit goal trail, warns Tuchel ahead of Atletico Madrid showdown

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has warned his struggling strikers they are running out of time to start delivering goals.Chelsea have scored just 13 times in the 12 games since the German took over as boss — with six of those coming from midfielders Mason Mount and Jorginho.
      Thomas Tuchel has warned his misfiring strikers that the clock is tickingCredit: Getty
      It will be the ideal time for Timo Werner to step-up for the BluesCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
      Both are suspended for tonight’s Champions League last-16 second leg with Atletico Madrid, meaning it would be the perfect time for goal-shy Timo Werner to step up.
      Tuchel, whose side lead 1-0 from the away leg, said: “We create enough chances and half- chances to win games. 
      “We had by far enough chances, touches in the box and deliveries against Leeds to win this game comfortably with two goals.
      “If you arrive at elite football at the highest level then there is no time to perform. The time simply doesn’t exist.
      “You are simply in a competition with other players in your team.
      “There is no time to get four or five matches in a row to score regularly. That simply does not exist.”
      Chelsea’s strikers have scored just three times between them since January, with £48million man Werner managing just two goals in his last 26 games.
      And their attacking problems deepened with Tammy Abraham ruled out of tonight’s clash at Stamford Bridge through injury.
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      Tuchel insists every other department in his squad is firing on all cylinders, helping Chelsea climb to fourth in the Premier League on the back of a 12-game unbeaten run including Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Leeds.
      He has rejigged his strikers to try to find a solution and admits it may have hindered rather than helped.
      Tuchel said: “Then it is clearly my fault and I take responsibility for changing.
      “At the same time, if we put the goalkeeper in goal, we expect him to perform in that match.
      “If we put the defensive line-up, then we expect the line-up to have a clean sheet and not just one in every three matches.
      “We try to put them in a good mindset.
      “We are pushing them and they’re working hard against the ball with the whole team, so this is also a point.
      “We did some changes because we needed to adapt.
      “The results are not crazily bad. We need to be more precise and focus better on our decision-making, the technique, how to finish — and these are the points that we work on.
      “Our strikers are very aware of that and they have the highest demands of themselves. We are not pointing fingers to make this clear.”
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      Man City 2 Monchengladbach 0: De Bruyne stunner seals last-eight spot for fifth year in row as Pep chases elusive crown

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      NEVER mind hungry eyes – Manchester City look absolutely ravenous in their pursuit of silverware.Pep Guardiola did not like Oleks Zinchenko talking up the quadruple – as he insists they will have too much on their plate this spring.
      Kevin De Bruyne scored the goal of the tie as Manchester City won againCredit: AFP

      However they are polishing off pretty much everything that is put in front of them right now.
      With a 2-0 lead from the first leg, they could have been forgiven for making a meal of this second leg in Budapest.
      But they helped themselves to two superb goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan inside the first 18 minutes to prove there is nothing wrong with their appetite.
      It all meant Guardiola’s City move into the quarter-finals for a fourth straight season. Surely this is the year they crack the case and go deeper.
      Nobody will fancy facing them when the competition resumes in three weeks time that’s for sure – although Pep will know things now start to get serious.
      Nobody really expected them to slip up here. Everything here was stacked against Gladbach who have won only one of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
      Coach Marco Rose’s announcement that he will leave at the end of the season to take charge of Borussia Dortmund has completely derailed their season.
      And they needed to score at least twice here against a team who have not conceded a goal in this competition since September – or in around 10 hours of football.
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      Pep Guardiola’s men will be feared in Friday’s quarter-final drawCredit: Reuters
      Yet they did have an early chance as Breel Embolo’s deflected shot had to be pushed to safety by Ederson.
      Even so, it came as no surprise when City took the lead in the 12th minute – and what a beauty it was.
      Riyad Mahrez wriggled clear of his man to find some space on the right and rolled a pass into the path of De Bruyne.
      The Belgian allowed the ball to run across his body before unleashing an angled drive into the top corner from 20 yards.
      KdB came under fire for his performance in the Manchester derby defeat 10 days ago – he has responded with three goals in his last two matches.
      Six minutes later, the tie was over as John Stones played the ball to Phil Foden who turned sharply and set off towards goal.
      De Bruyne’s smash lit up Budapest’s Puskas ArenaCredit: Getty
      He didn’t seem to even look as he picked out Gundogan who calmly slotted past the advancing Yann Sommer for his 15th goal of an outstanding season.
      Guardiola had left Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus on the bench – as well as Raheem Sterling once again.
      But when you have midfielders like these, who needs strikers anyway?
      The German could have had another as he was picked out by Mahrez but this time Sommer managed to thwart him.
      Ilkay Gundogan nudged home the second of the nightCredit: Getty
      And so could De Bruyne who sent a 30 yard free-kick that was dipping and curling and had to be tipped over by the Gladbach keeper.
      Nobody would have been surprised if Rose’s men had folded but to their credit they did not let their heads drop.
      French international Marcus Thuram saw a low shot well saved by Ederson and then teed up Embolo who fizzed a shot across the face of goal.
      But in the second-half it was just a question of how many City would win by.
      Sommer was on a one man mission to keep the scoreline respectable as he kept out Mahrez on a couple of occasions.
      The Algerian has been in top form but this wasn’t quite his night as he also missed the target with a couple of other efforts.
      With the tie long since won, Guardiola took the chance to throw on some of his “fringe players” – including Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho, Sterling and Aguero.
      When everyone is fit, the options he has are frightening really.
      Pep Guardiola is once again dreaming of a first Champions League title with CityCredit: PA
      Monchengladbach were roundly second best throughout the last-16 tieCredit: AP

      The England man looked keen to make a point and had a chance when he was played in by De Bruyne but slipped at the vital moment and the chance was gone.
      Yet the clean sheet at the other end means they have now gone 11-and-a-half hours without conceding in this competition – the second longest run in its history.
      Just three months ago to the day Guardiola called his backroom staff together for a summit meeting after a draw with West Brom and told them he ‘did not like’ this team.
      They’ve won all but one of their 25 matches since – it’s fair to assume they have won him over.
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      Another class Man City goal! 💥💥Phil Foden with an exquisite turn, driving run and no-look pass 🔥İlkay Gündoğan finishes the move off with composure and Pep Guardiola’s side are on the rampage! pic.twitter.com/cDde81A4cA— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 16, 2021

      Carragher destroys Micah Richards with Champions League dig live on air as ex-Man City ace jokes ‘I’ll just go now’ More

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      How Chelsea could line up against Atletico Madrid with Mount and Jorginho suspended but Havertz set to start

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      CHELSEA host Atletico Madrid in the Champions League with a one goal advantage – but have four players out. Olivier Giroud’s acrobatic effort means the Blues welcome the LaLiga leaders on Wednesday night with an away goal to their name.
      How Chelsea could line up against Atletico
      But Mason Mount and Jorginho got themselves suspended in that match in the Spanish capital.
      And Thiago Silva and Tammy Abraham are still ruled out injured.
      It leaves the ever unpredictable Thomas Tuchel with plenty to think about, with personnel and formation changes possible.
      Edouard Mendy, who has conceded only TWO goals under Tuchel, is expected to keep his place in goal.
      And with Silva still out, skipper Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger should make up the back three.
      Mateo Kovacic was rested in Chelsea’s recent 0-0 draw at Leeds, and the Croatian will replace Jorginho next to N’Golo Kante.
      Ben Chilwell started at Elland Road, so emerges as a favourite to keep his spot at left wing-back, but being replaced by Marcos Alonso would be no shock.
      On the other side, Christian Pulisic was a surprise choice as right wing-back at Leeds, but in the second-half Chelsea switched to a back four.
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      It would suggest Pulisic will not retain his spot, and his replacement, Reece James, could find himself playing from the off against Atletico.
      But Tuchel has also trusted Callum Hudson-Odoi there, with the Englishman starting the first leg at wingback.
      Going forward, Chelsea have rotated from a front three, to a pair of false No9s with a No10 sat just in front.
      Tuchel confirms Thiago Silva and Tammy Abraham are still out. #CFC #UCL— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) March 16, 2021

      With Mount out, Tuchel is more likely to play a three-man attack, with two wingers and a striker.
      At Leeds, Hakim Ziyech started on the right, with Mount on the left and Kai Havertz up front.
      Tuchel has been vocal about Havertz playing deep and centrally, and he had his best game against Everton at Stamford Bridge.
      How Chelsea could alternatively line up against Atletico
      That night, Werner moved out to the right, with Hudson-Odoi on the left.
      It is possible the same trio start against Atletico, but Tuchel has plenty of other options.
      Either Havertz or Werner can take the central spot, with Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic and Ziyech contenders to start on the wings.
      Equally, Werner has been deployed out wide of late, which would also make room for Giroud to return to the starting 11.
      But the Frenchman has been benched for the last three matches.
      Switching to a central pair with a No10 could also see Werner and Havertz partner each other.
      Or Havertz could play as the No10, with Hudson-Odoi or Pulisic deployed as false No9s, which both have experienced under Tuchel this season.
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      Henry hails Haaland for taunting Sevilla keeper after penalty as he and Carragher pick between Dortmund star and Mbappe

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      THIERRY HENRY loved seeing Erling Haaland taunt Sevilla’s goalkeeper after scoring a penalty.But the former Arsenal striker had a tough time choosing between Haaland and French forward Kylian Mbappe.
      Erling Haaland screamed ‘unlucky’ at Sevilla goalkeeper Bono after scoring a penaltyCredit: Reuters
      Thierry Henry couldn’t pick between Erling Haaland and Kylian MbappeCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Both Haaland, 20, and Mbappe, 22, are lighting up Europe and tipped to take the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo mantle.
      The Dortmund striker and PSG forward are being trailed by elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City over potential summer transfers.
      Haaland last week screamed ‘unlucky’ in the face of Sevilla goalkeeper Bono after scoring from the spot.
      And Henry said he was very happy to see the striker show his personality.
      He told Sky Sports: “It’s part of the game. It’s nice to see some characters. The goalkeeper gave him some.”
      But the Gunners legend was more reserved when it came to picking between Haaland and fellow Frenchman Mbappe.
      He joked: “I can’t go against my fellow countryman.
      “It’s very difficult to choose, I think they’re different strikers.
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      “What happened to playing with two? What about having the two?”
      Manchester City are among the Premier League clubs in the chase for the pair.
      And fellow pundit Jamie Carragher said: “I think Man City should go for Haaland.”
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      Erling Haaland teases Real Madrid transfer as Dortmund star admits ‘it’s always nice if someone wants you’ More

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      Eden Hazard’s Real Madrid hell hits new low as he faces six weeks out with ANOTHER injury after making 15-minute return

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      EDEN HAZARD will miss Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Atalanta after picking up yet another injury.
      The Spanish champions welcome the Italian minnows to the Bernabeu on Tuesday night for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

      Eden Hazard is a doubt for Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with AtalantaCredit: Reuters

      But they’ll be without the services of Hazard for the visit of La Dea as the Belgian has suffered an injury to his psoas muscle which effects the lifting of the upper leg.
      Hazard, 30, was absent from the open portion of Real’s latest training session on Monday afternoon, sparking fears he’d suffered yet another setback.
      Real confirmed his injury a few hours later, with reports claiming he could be sidelined for up to six weeks.
      Hazard joined Real in June 2019 from Chelsea for an initial fee of £89million, although that sum could end up rising to £150million.

      But the Belgium international’s ‘dream’ move to the Spanish capital has been anything but that.
      The former Lille man has been blighted by injury during his time with Los Blancos.
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      Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos are Real Madrid’s top earners
      Hazard has missed a staggering 21 games this season and only taken to the pitch 14 times.

      He returned to action last weekend in Real’s 2-1 victory over Elche, coming off the bench for 15 minutes.
      The Belgian’s torrid run of injuries has had a detrimental effect on his performances on the pitch.
      In 36 appearances for Zinedine Zidane’s side, Hazard has found the back of the net just four times and provided seven assists.
      And getting back to his blistering best is the winger’s top priority.
      He recently told Premier Sports: “When it comes to the end of my career I can look back at my achievements, but my priority now is playing well and enjoying my football.
      ‘I don’t think about where I will be in the next few years, I try to focus on the next match and the next training session.
      “I’ve only just turned 30 so as long as my body feels good, hopefully I can keep playing for at least another five or six years.”
      The under-pressure Zidane has every confidence Hazard will eventually justify his hefty price tag.

      The Belgium international has been blighted by injury during his time at the BernabeuCredit: Getty

      The Frenchman said: “He looks well physically and emotionally.
      “He’s overcome all these injuries, these aches and now he looks good, that’s why he’s with us and I hope he can play.
      “He had a lengthy injury that he hadn’t had before, but he has a long contract and I think he’s a player who, when he gets fit, is going to be great, I’m certain of it.
      “It’s difficult when a player has an injury and isn’t 100 per cent, but I’m sure he’s going to do very well here.”
      Real Madrid have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg against Atalanta.

      Real Madrid finally lands Eden Hazard for £130m, ten years after Zinedine Zidane recommended him More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘can leave Juventus for just £25MILLION’ as Italians look to cut losses after Champions League failure

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO can leave Juventus for just £25million, according to reports.
      The Italians are reeling financially and their premature Champions League exit has only exacerbated those troubles.

      Juventus could sell Cristiano Ronaldo for just £25million this summer to cut their lossesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And according to Corriere dello Sport via Football Italia, the Old Lady would be willing to sell the five-time Ballon d’Or winner this summer for just a quarter of the price they paid for him in 2018.
      That would enable the club to avoid a capital loss, the report adds.
      Ronaldo’s contract expires in 2022 but getting his reported £540,000-a-week salary off the wage bill would save £28m next season.
      There were suggestions he was hoping to get a 12-month extension on his current deal but the club appear unwilling to grant that request.

      Juventus CEO Fabio Patratici said this week: “Fortunately, there is still a year on Ronaldo’s contract, so we have time to talk to him. That’s not a priority right now.”
      Reports in Spain suggest Ronaldo’s super-agent Jorge Mendes is in discussions with Real Madrid over a stunning return while Le Parisien thinks Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring the situation closely.
      In the event that Kylian Mbappe does leave, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi will be desperate to land either Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.
      The Le Parisien report also claims Mendes and Al-Khelaifi are in close contact and have a good relationship, regularly texting or video calling each other. 

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      Ronaldo, 36, was brought in for £99m with one of the primary targets to help lead the club back to the top of European football.
      Juve have not won the Champions League since 1996 – although they were beaten finalists in 1997, 1998, 2003, 2015 and 2017.
      And since Ronaldo’s arrival in Turin, their knockout record does not make pretty reading.
      A hat-trick in the second leg of their 2018-19 last-16 clash against Atletico Madrid inspired their only knockout tie victory.
      Ajax dumped them out in the very next round that year before shock exits at the hands of Lyon and now Porto.
      Domestically, Ronaldo has won two Serie A crowns but no Coppa Italias – and Andrea Pirlo’s side currently sit third in the table, ten points adrift of leaders Inter Milan.

      Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club

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      Classy Kylian Mbappe pays respect to Lionel Messi after knocking Barcelona legend out of Champions League with PSG

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE paid respect to Lionel Messi after knocking his Barcelona team out the Champions League.
      The Paris Saint-Germain superstar scored four of his side’s five goals in the 5-2 aggregate win over Barca in the last-16.

      Kylian Mbappe posted this picture of him and Lionel MessiCredit: Reuters

      And he has been widely touted as the ‘next Messi’ as the World Cup winner has quickly become one of the hottest properties in world football.
      But despite his rapid rise to superstardom Mbappe showed he has remained humble with his social media post after Wednesday’s 1-1 second-leg draw in Paris.
      Mbappe uploaded a picture of the two of them on the field together with the Frenchman smiling at a despondent looking Messi.
      And he simply captioned the post with two respectful looking emojis – praying hands and hands to the heavens.

      It received more than 651,000 likes and 50,000 comments.
      Despite the apparent show of reverence, Mbappe has previously labelled Messi’s bitter rival Cristiano Ronaldo the GOAT.
      After France played Ronaldo’s Portugal Mbappe shared a similar on-field post and captioned it with the GOAT emoji and the words: “IDOL”.
      With Ronaldo and Messi in their mid-30s, their reign as the two greatest players on the planet is coming to an end.

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      Mbappe’s post came after his PSG team knocked Messi’s Barca out the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland are being lined up as their successors.
      Real Madrid have reportedly made Mbappe their No 1 target.
      And incoming Barca president Joan Laporta revealed he would be pursuing Haaland and trying to lure him to the Nou Camp.
      When asked by ESPN about Haaland, he said: “If we have to improve the team, I already have the cards ready for the players.
      “I have the cards to face all situations. Barça supporters can be sure that their club will soon be prosperous again.”
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      Carragher destroys Micah Richards with Champions League dig live on air as ex-Man City ace jokes ‘I’ll just go now’

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER might be a Liverpool legend, but it was Micah Richards left red faced after their onscreen exchange last night.
      Appearing on CBS Sports, Carragher was trying to conjure up omens that it will be his old side’s year in the Champions League – despite their poor league form.

      Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards often appear together on Sky and CBS Sports

      Carra first pointed to the likelihood of Manchester City winning the league, observing that the last time that happened… Liverpool won the Champions League.
      He then observed that last time Everton made it into the top four in 2005, Liverpool also secured European glory.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both crashed out of the Champions League before the quarter-final stage this week.
      And Carragher, 43, was delighted to point out that the last time this happened, in 2005, his side won the whole thing.

      He then told presenter Jules Breach: “I can just feel it.”
      Incredulous, fellow pundit and ex-Manchester City star Richards asked: “Feel what?! What can you feel?”
      To which Carra cheekily replied: “It’s just something in your bones – you wouldn’t know, you’ve never won the Champions League!”
      With the studio in fits of giggles, good sport Richards joked: “Touche! I’ll just go now, shall I?”

      Richards, 32, has been a welcome addition to football punditry this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      The gang had just watched Jurgen Klopp’s side put their terrible form to one side, by beating RB Leipzig 2-0 in temporary home Budapest.
      Late goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane secured comfortable 4-0 aggregate progression against last year’s semi-finalists.
      After the game Klopp told the BBC: “The only reason you play in the Champions League is to win, but we are not silly.
      “We wait for the draw. It will be tough whoever we get. We are [dangerous opponents] but it is nothing really. I don’t want to create headlines about our hopes.
      “We didn’t have momentum in the Premier League but we have games to get that back and that would help us in the Champions League.”

      Goals from Mo Salah and Sadio Mane saw Liverpool through against RB LeipzigCredit: AP:Associated Press
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