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      Gerard Pique smashed up Barcelona dressing room at Anfield after Liverpool inflicted ‘biggest’ defeat of his career

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      GERARD PIQUE has revealed he smashed up Barcelona’s dressing room at Anfield after Liverpool inflicted the ‘biggest’ defeat of his career in 2019.Jurgen Klopp’s men produced one of the greatest comebacks ever two years ago in the Champions League, with Pique, 34, yet to get over it.
      Gerard Pique admits Liverpool’s Champions League comeback against Barcelona is the worst defeat of his careerCredit: Getty
      Barcelona won the first leg of the semi-final clash 3-0 at the Nou Camp.
      But Liverpool dug in for an amazing 4-0 victory in the second leg on Merseyside.
      The win set up a Champions League final against Premier League rivals Spurs, who were soundly beaten 2-0 as Liverpool clenched their sixth European title.
      Pique has now revealed the wounds are still fresh from that fateful night at Anfield.
      And he admits he made his feelings clear in the away dressing room by ‘throwing’ things around in anger.
      When asked about the biggest loss of his career by TV show Nexes, Pique replied: “Anfield.
      “I’m not the kind of player who comes into the dressing room throwing things on the floor to express my anger.
      “But because of the first-leg advantage, I did just that.”
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      Pique also opened up on his future at the Nou Camp following Joan Laporta’s re-election to the presidency.
      The centre-back added: “In these elections, I saw myself reflected.
      “I have a lot of information from Barca and I wanted to see how they did it.
      “It was a worthy fight and I hope that Laporta fulfils the mandate.
      “But I do not know if in the future I will be president. I feel that I am still a footballer.”
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      Chelsea 3 Wolfsburg 0 (agg: 5-1): Kerr & Kirby on target as Blues trounce Wolfsburg to seal Champions League semis spot

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      SAM KERR fired a warning shot to Europe’s top dogs after Chelsea knocked Wolfsburg out of the Champions League in style. Kerr’s sumptuous strike – and an ice-cool Pernille Harder pen – were among the goals that saw the Blues exact revenge on the German giants with a 3-0 quarter-final second-leg win.
      Sam Kerr netted her 20th goal of the season in Chelsea’s 3-0 win against WolfsburgCredit: Reuters
      Pernille Harder was on target from the spot against her old team as Chelsea defeated the two-time Champions League winnersCredit: AP
      And the result, which Emma Hayes dubbed her “most favourite”, saw Chelsea seal a 5-1 aggregate victory to set-up a tantalising semi-final clash with Bayern Munich or Rosenburg.  
      Hayes said: “This probably ranks as my most favourite win in charge because I posed a challenge to the group around their maturity, learnings and progression.
      “We are growing up in Europe, and we’ve faced this opponent so many times and lost.
      “I always thought they were the benchmark for women’s football alongside Lyon, so this is a really proud day for English football.
      “I don’t think Europe has taken English football too seriously up until now.
      “That changes. I think Man City’s performances along with ours have moved us closer to domination. 
      “And that’s all we’ve done – we just moved one step closer because the team we potentially face in the semi-finals, is a whole new ball game.”
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      Fran Kirby’s late second-half strike wrapped a memorable win for Chelsea who could face Bayern Munich in the semisCredit: Getty

      Chelsea began energetically with Fran Kirby attempting to capitalise on Dominique Janssen’s stray pass.
      But the England playmaker was unable to pick out Kerr or Harder in the fourth minute. 
      And the Blues got off the mark with a first-half spot-kick buried by Harder after Sara Doorsoun was judged to have brought Sam Kerr down in the penalty area in the 26th minute. 
      Moments later Hayes’ players had a huge let-off with Ewa Pajor unable to get on the end of a dangerous Wolfsburg cross. 
      The hosts were punished for that miss on the half-hour mark with Kerr doubling the Blues’ lead with a delightful spin to turn Doorsoun and smash in her 20th goal of the season. 
      Emma Hayes hailed the result as her “most favourite win”Credit: AFP
      Wolfsburg tried to hit back through Rebecka Blomqvist who saw her effort smothered by Ann-Katrin Berger two minutes later. 
      The second-half saw the Blues defending diligently before Ji So-yun came off the bench to tee up Kirby for Chelsea’s third with nine minutes of normal time remaining. 
      The three goals were enough to see Hayes’ players seal a memorable win ahead of their league clash with Birmingham.
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      A WSL clash with Birmingham City is up next for Chelsea before the international breakCredit: AFP
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea set to be allowed travelling fans at Champions and Europa League final if they reach it

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      UEFA chiefs are ready to let travelling fans into the Champions League and Europa League finals.And that is potentially great news for supporters of the five English teams left in Europe.
      Istanbul could be set to welcome fans for the 2021 Champions League finalCredit: Getty

      A meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee formally lifted the 30 per cent capacity cap on fans that was put in place in October, allowing local authorities the right to set stadium limits for the rest of this season.
      Away fans remain banned for the remaining games in the last eight and semi-final stages of both competitions, which resume next week.
      But Uefa will review the measures ahead of the two finals, due to be played in Gdansk and Istanbul at the end of May.
      And that opens up the prospect of Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City fans being allowed to travel to Turkey – if the UK Government assents.
      While Arsenal and Manchester United supporters could be heading to Poland if their side makes the Europa League final.
      Next month will see the Gunners face Slavia Prague in the quarter-final while United take on LaLiga outfit Granada.
      In the Champions League, Liverpool have the small matter of Real Madrid to contend with if they hope to repeat their 2005 visit to Istanbul while City face Erling Haaland’s Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea play Porto.
      The decision came as Uefa also voted to allow five substitutes per team at Euro 2020.
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      But the last-minute row between Uefa and the European Club Association over commercial and broadcasting rights for the revamped club competitions from 2024 meant the committee could only “unanimously” agree to hold another meeting on the new-look Champions League on April 19.
      Meanwhile, the four home nations were denied the chance to qualify for next year’s women’s Under-20 World Cup.
      The highest-ranked quartet of Spain, France, Germany and Holland were given automatic passes after the European U19 tournament, due to be played in Georgia, was postponed because of the pandemic.
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      Chelsea boss Emma Hayes can led Blues to Euro glory, says Arsenal legend Vic Akers – just like he did

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      VIC AKERS says seeing Emma Hayes’ “look of pressure” brought back memories of  his rollercoaster Champions League triumph at Arsenal.And the former Gunners Ladies chief believes  Hayes’ Chelsea can conquer Europe, just as his side did 14 years ago.
      Vic Akers believes Emma Hayes and Chelsea can triumph in Europe this termCredit: Reuters
      Akers led Arsenal to a Women’s Champions League trophy win in 2007Credit: PA:Press Association
      Akers, who founded Arsenal Ladies in 1987, is widely regarded as a trailblazer for women’s football.
      His North London outfit — who notched up five domestic and league cup doubles — are still the only English side to have won the top contest for Europe’s elite clubs.
      But Akers, who had Hayes with him in the dugout during that 2007 Champions League win against Sweden’s Umea, believes this could be Chelsea’s year.
      Kingsmeadow gaffer Hayes worked as Arsenal assistant manager from 2006-08 before moving to US giants Chicago Redstars and then to Chelsea in 2012.
      Akers, 74, told SunSport: “That was a  special year with special memories, in terms of winning the trophy.
      “I felt a little bit of those memories come back when I was watching Chelsea against Wolfsburg.
      “It felt like was I back in time and experiencing the same feelings as I was feeling back then on the touchline.
      “And I’m sure Emma was going through those feelings too, because I looked at her face and I could see that look of pressure.
      “It reminded me of Arsenal  and that moment when we played the final because that’s exactly what it was like.
      “Our goalkeeper Emma Byrne making fantastic saves like Ann-Katrin Berger, balls hitting the crossbar and posts and we still hung on to the lead that Alex Scott gave us in the away leg because it was two-legged.
      “I do a little bit of scouting for Emma as we’re still good friends.
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      Chelsea are hoping to win the second leg of their quarter-final duel with Wolfsburg after beating them 2-1Credit: Zuma Press

      “If anybody can match what we achieved that year it’s Emma with Chelsea. It would be nice if she’s the manager that goes on to win it.
      “But if it’s not this year, it definitely will be in the coming years because she is an outstanding coach.”
      Akers now runs a property sales firm in St Albans after his role as Arsenal Ladies boss ended in 2009.
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Arsenal are currently the only English women’s club to have triumphed in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Robert Lewandowski out for four weeks with knee injury and could miss potential Champions League semi against Man City

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      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI could miss Bayern Munich’s potential Champions League semi-final against Manchester City after being ruled out for FOUR weeks with a knee injury.The superstar striker, 32, suffered the setback playing in Poland’s World Cup qualifier win against San Marino on Sunday.
      Robert Lewandowski is out injured for four weeks – and could miss a potential Champions League semi-final clash with Man CityCredit: Reuters
      Lewandowski was quickly ruled out of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Gareth Southgate’s England.
      But the hitman is now expected to miss at least another month, massively impacting Bayern Munich’s season.
      It means Lewandowski will definitely miss both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, who Bayern beat in last year’s August final.
      The Pole will also be sidelined for the crunch Bundesliga title clash against RB Leipzig, with just four points currently separating them at the top of the table.
      Should Bayern beat PSG, they would face either Man City or rivals Borussia Dortmund in the semis.
      The exact first leg date is yet to be confirmed, but the first leg will be on either Arpil 27 or 28.
      Lewandowski is now in a race against time to be fit, with a potential clash against former boss Pep Guardiola on the cards.
      However, Lewandowski could be fit to feature in the second leg of the semis, which take place on May 4 o r 5.
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      The ace will now be looking to recover as soon as possible after straining the ligaments in his right knee.
      Bayern will miss their star man in attack, with Lewandowski already on 42 goals this season in just 36 matches.
      Bar his first season in Bavaria, Lewandowski has netted at least 40 goals each term for the German giants – including 55 in the last campaign.
      And Bayern will now have to contend against Kylian Mbappe and Neymar without their own superstar striker in the side.
      Candidates to replace Lewandowski up front include Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry, although neither are natural No9s and are usually deployed in the same XI as the Polish ace in supporting roles.
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      Europa League-type contest for women’s game among new ideas floated by European club chiefs

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      OFFICIALS representing the biggest football teams in Europe are mulling over proposals for a Europa League-style tournament for the women’s game. The idea for the competition and a women’s Club World Cup are among a raft of exciting new suggestions being considered by the European Club Association.
      European football chiefs are considering plans for a new club competition in addition to the Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Bigwigs from the body backed by Uefa and representing 232 clubs included the proposals in their ‘Be a Changemaker’ strategy launched today.
      The plan aims to provide opportunities to boost revenue for the women’s game and support the creation of new women’s football clubs. 
      Claire Bloomfield, the ECA’s head of women’s football said: “We have a responsibility to explore all opportunities that can help grow the competition landscape, both on a European level with a second-tier competition and then on a much more global scale, with a possible Club World Cup.”
      The Women’s Champions League is currently the only club contest in the sport involving sides from across Europe. 
      From next term, up to three English sides will be able to compete in the Champions League in a new structure to include a group stage and a round of 16 for the first time.
      ECA chief Charlie Marshall suggests a women’s Club World Cup may soon be established as part of plans to support the international growth of the game.
      In men’s football, the Club World Cup has been going since the year 2000, with winners of the biggest competitions from different continents going head-to-head.
      German giants Bayern Munich are the current defending champions after beating Mexican outfit Tigres in February.
      ECA chief Marshall said: “The prospect of a Club World Cup, fairly soon in the women’s game, assuming that calendars can be resolved, is a really exciting one and I know FIFA is very keen on it as well
      “In the women’s game, there is much more potential, much more quickly, to develop global competitive balance.”
      The women’s game could soon have its own Europa League-style competitionCredit: PA

      Chelsea boss Emma Hayes believes the ECA’s new plans could help level the playing field between women’s football and the men’s game. 
      Hayes, whose team are due to play Wolfsburg said: “Our success on the pitch can be helped by winning off the pitch and ECA’s bold new plans can drive an even higher performance culture throughout the women’s game.
      “The standards in elite women’s football should not be any different from the men’s and this strategy has the potential to start closing the gap.”
      A Club World Cup for the women’s game has been included in proposals developed by the ECACredit: Getty
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Chelsea, Liverpool & Man City fans could attend Champions League final as Uefa ‘plan for 9,000′ at Istanbul clash

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      CHELSEA, Liverpool and Manchester City fans have received a boost over potentially attending the Champions League final.The Premier League trio are all still involved in Europe’s most prestigious cup competition.
      Uefa are planning for 9,000 fans to be in attendance for the Champions League final at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic StadiumCredit: Getty
      And should they advance all the way through to the showpiece event, then there is a possibility that a small number of their supporters could be there to cheer them on.
      The Daily Mail state that Uefa are planning for fans from both finalists to be in attendance at the final in Istanbul.
      They hope to sell smart tickets to supporters on their mobile phones.
      The capacity has yet to be decided for the final on May 29 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
      But the eight quarter-finalists have been informed that at least 9,000 fans should be able to attend.
      That allocation would be split 50/50 between the two clubs.
      The Turkish government will make the final decisions regarding capacity and on international visitors, although Uefa are optimistic it will get the green light.
      The governing body have devised a system of smart access involving selling non-transferable tickets to fans via mobiles.
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      It is hoped that will limit the risk of Covid-19 spreading at the ground and also eliminate any potential touting.
      The Ataturk holds 75,415 fans and Uefa are also confident that the final attendance may yet be increased to 30 or even 50 per cent.
      The arena was supposed to host the Champions League showpiece last season before the coronavirus outbreak was switched to Lisbon.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Gary Neville slams ‘obscene’ gap between rich and poor clubs with warning that it’ll widen with Champions League revamp

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      GARY NEVILLE and former FA chief David Bernstein have warned the ‘obscene’ gap between Europe’s rich and poor clubs will only be widened by Uefa’s planned Champions League revamp.And they also fear the Carabao Cup and FA Cup will be sacrificed on the altar of the financial demands of Europe’s wealthiest elite.
      Gary Neville is part of Our Beautiful Game GroupCredit: Getty
      Neville and Bernstein are leading members of the Our Beautiful Game Group which is calling for the establishment of an independent regulator to run English football. 
      And in its latest submission, the group revealed its deep concerns over the impact of Uefa’s proposals to expand the Champions League from 125 matches per season to 225.
      That concept for the post-2024 shape of the European game is expected to be confirmed by the end of next month and the Group said: “Uefa’s planned reforms are likely to accentuate and embed the deep financial inequality already existing.
      “The gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ will grow with broadcasting rights skewed even more towards the very top clubs.
      If there is further and negative impact on the domestic Premier League and EFL broadcasting deals, this can only surely weaken competition within those leagues.
      “The current dangerous and damaging power imbalance consuming English football will threaten the wider community game.
      “And the obscene gap between rich and poor will widen still further. 
      “Such an event will merely reinforce the hegemony of the top six clubs and it is hard to see how our existing football calendar in England could survive.
      David Bernstein is also part of Our Beautiful Game GroupCredit: AP:Associated Press
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      “Threats to the very existence of both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup as we know them would be very real.”
      The Group criticised the FA and Prem for its silence over the imminent decision.
      It added: “Debates about the future are right and must continue at home and beyond. 
      “European football matters hugely. But so does the future of our game at all levels as well.
      “We believe that the potential impact of the current proposals in England is substantial but yet again nobody appears to be speaking about them on behalf of English football as a whole.
      Where is the governing body of the game, the Football Association?Our Beautiful Game Group
      “Nobody seems to be seeking to mitigate their excesses and explaining how the proposals are positive for clubs outside the top six.
      “Where is the governing body of the game, the Football Association?
      “It is hard to think of a better example why the game urgently needs a truly Independent Regulator. 
      “We need someone to speak with authority on the seismic issues impacting our national sport, to stand up for the interests of ALL the game at ALL levels and bring fairness and sustainability to football in our country.”
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