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      Arsenal FAVOURITES to beat Real Madrid according to Champions League supercomputer.. but can they go all the way?

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      ARSENAL have the edge over Real Madrid in their blockbuster Champions League quarter-final tussle… according to Opta’s supercomputer.The Gunners host Carlo Ancelotti’s Spanish giants at the Emirates for the first leg of their last eight tie on Tuesday night.Mikel Arteta’s side have a mammoth task ahead of themCredit: GettyJude Bellingham and Co will be in North London on Tuesday nightCredit: RexReal Madrid have won two of the last three editions of the Champions League and six of the last 11.Ancelotti’s men overcame Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in last year’s final.Despite the weight of history being on Real Madrid’s side, Opta’s supercomputer reckons that Arsenal have the narrow edge in their tie.The Gunners, who have never won the European Cup in their history, are given a 50.2 per cent chance of reaching the semi-finals, with Real Madrid on 49.8 per cent.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArsenal defeated PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate in the last round, while Real Madrid beat rivals Atletico on penalties after drawing 1-1 across two legs.Both sides sit second in their respective domestic leagues – Arsenal 11 points behind Liverpool and Real four off Barcelona.The Gunners will have to do without key defender Gabriel following his season-ending hamstring injury last week – while Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz and Riccardo Calafiori all remain out.Real Madrid, meanwhile, may be without both Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin – with 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez potentially having to deputise in goal. Dani Carvajal, Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy and former Gunner Dani Ceballos are all likely to miss out.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe winner of Arsenal and Real Madrid will take on Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa in the semi-finals.French champions PSG are overwhelming favourites to go through against Unai Emery’s team, having knocked out Liverpool in the last round.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be missing four defensive starters for a mammoth Champions League quarter final Luis Enrique’s side are given a 71.3 per cent probability of beating Villa and 36.2 per cent shot of also then beating Real Madrid or Arsenal to reach the final.The Gunners are said to have a 29.5 per cent chance of making it to the Munich final, with Real Madrid narrowly behind on 25.2 per cent and Villa all the way back on 9.1 per cent.Mikel Arteta’s men are third-favourites to win the competition, given a 15.6 per cent likelihood of doing so.Barcelona are seen as most likely on 23.1 per cent, with PSG second on 19.3 per cent.Real Madrid are viewed as fifth-favourites on 12.2 per cent, behind Inter Milan in fourth spot on 13.8 per cent.Barca face Borussia Dortmund in what has been seen as the weaker side of the draw.Hansi Flick’s side are overwhelming favourites to go through on 78.2 per cent, compared to Dortmund’s 21.8 per cent.In fact, Dortmund are seen as the least likely remaining team to win the competition, given just a 1.5 per cent shot of doing so.Read More on The SunVilla are second-to-last on 3.7 per cent, while interestingly Bayern Munich, the potential hosts, are sixth on just 10.8 per cent.Harry Kane and Co will take on Inter in the quarters, with the 2023 finalists just favoured in the tie at 51.5 per cent compared to Bayern’s 48.5 per cent – with the winner to take on Barcelona or Dortmund in the semis. More

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      Champions League winner, 41, who scored for Barcelona in El Clasico now working on shop floor at sports chain

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      A FORMER Barcelona star is now living a completely different life – working in a sports shop.The 41-year-old hung up his boots in 2020 following a three-year spell with Sporting Lisbon.A former Barcelona star is now working in a sports shopJeremy Mathieu spent three years at Barcelona and won the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP or licensorsThe centre-back scored against Real Madrid in El Clasico in 2015Credit: Getty Images – GettySince then, he has swapped the fast-paced life of the beautiful game for a new job – in retail.The player in question is ex-France defender Jeremy Mathieu.Mathieu has been spotted working at Intersport in Cabries, a French sportswear shop.A photo of him alongside two fans in the shop went viral on social media last week.Read More in FootballIn the picture, Mathieu could be seen wearing an Intersport vest with his name on.It is understood he is a manager at the shop and leads a department as well as some different teams.While working at Intersport, located between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, he is also looking to obtain his coaching badges.Mathieu kicked off his playing career with French outfit Sochaux in 2002 following a stint in the club’s youth setup.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe then joined Toulouse, where he spent four years before moving to Spain.Having spent five seasons with Valencia, the Frenchman was then signed by La Liga giants Barcelona in 2014.Real Madrid star Vinicius clashes with Atletico crowd after winning Champions League game on penalties He made 94 appearances for the club, scoring four goals.During that time he also won two LaLiga titles, the Uefa Supercup, the Club World Cup and the Champions League.He even scored for Barcelona in a 2-1 El Clasico win over Real Madrid in 2015.Mathieu retired following a three-year spell with Sporting Lisbon in 2020 after suffering a knee injury in training. More

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      How Martin Odegaard’s Real Madrid career began with Cristiano Ronaldo ‘PR exercise’ under unenthusiastic Carlo Ancelotti

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      IT remains one of the most iconic substitutions in Real Madrid’s long and illustrious history.With 58 minutes on the clock on the final day of the 2014-15 LaLiga season and with Real leading Getafe 5-3 at the Bernabeu, Cristiano Ronaldo’s No 7 lit up the fourth official’s board.Cristiano Ronaldo gave way for Martin Odegaard’s Real Madrid debutCredit: GettyCarlo Ancelotti’s former assistant Paul Clement spoke exclusively to SunSportCredit: GettyReplacing the Portuguese legend, who had scored a first-half hat-trick, was No 41 Martin Odegaard, the youngest Los Blancos player to make a competitive appearance at 16 years and 157 days.It is a record that still stands a decade later.With manager Carlo Ancelotti serving a suspension up in the stands, it was trusted assistant Paul Clement who orchestrated the substitution from the dugout.English coach Clement, 53, told SunSport: “I’ve got a really nice picture at home.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“I’m in the background but you can see Cristiano welcoming Martin on to the pitch and he gets a good welcome from the crowd.“Carlo didn’t come down to the dressing room at half-time. We spoke on the phone. “He said, ‘Let’s do the substitution’. I didn’t tell Martin but I did tell Cristiano.“Cristiano asked, ‘Who’s going to come on for me?’ I told him and he said, ‘OK’. I told Martin to go and enjoy it. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Play simple. The last thing he needed was to be bombarded with information. What a moment for a young man to make his debut.“The youngest player in the history of the club, at the Bernabeu, 80,000 fans, coming on for arguably one of the greatest players ever. A special debut, for sure.”Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be missing four defensive starters for a mammoth Champions League quarter final Nearly a decade on and Odegaard, now 26, is preparing to lead Arsenal out in a Champions League quarter-final against Ancelotti’s Real Madrid tomorrow.Memories will come flooding back. The Norwegian has said his headline-making £3.5million switch from Stromsgodset to Madrid in 2015 was the making of him — turning down the likes of Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Liverpool in the process.But he is the first to admit he struggled and there were those who believed it would break him.In his 2016 autobiography Quiet Leadership, Ancelotti described the move as a “PR exercise”.He wrote: “[Odegaard] could go on to be the best player in the world after I’m gone, but I’m not interested in the signing. He is being recruited for the future, for other managers after my time.”On top of that, Odegaard — who already had three senior caps for Norway — was walking into one of the most intimidating dressing rooms in world football with Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema.Clement remembers the media frenzy that followed.Paul Clement with Carlo Ancelotti in 2014Credit: GettyHe explained: “Madrid is not an easy club to say ‘no’ to. You’re never sure when it’s going to come around again.“There are many players a lot of people will not even remember or know the names of because Madrid was too big for them and they didn’t make the grade. But Martin dealt with it very well.“I’m sure it was quite daunting. You never know what’s going on internally with somebody. He was quiet, humble but good to coach.“In training, he could hold his own with his technical quality. He was a sensation, wasn’t he? He had the dedication, too.“I would work alongside him. He was constantly practising his weaker foot, passing over different ranges, finishing . . .”Odegaard’s arrival not only ruffled Ancelotti’s feathers but also those of Zinedine Zidane, who was coaching Madrid’s Castilla reserve team and was forced to pick the young rookie despite him spending most of the week training with the first team. Cristiano asked, ‘Who’s going to come on for me?’ I told him and he said, ‘OK’. I told Martin to go and enjoy it. Paul ClementClement, who left Madrid in May 2015 following Ancelotti’s sacking, said: “We tried to find a balance but it was not an ideal situation. It was probably a bit weird for Martin.”By December 2020, Odegaard was 22 and had played just 489 minutes for Madrid in almost six years, having been on loan at Dutch sides Heerenveen and Vitesse, plus LaLiga outfit Real Sociedad, before a six-month stint at Arsenal from January 2021 that led to a permanent £30m switch that summer — two months after Ancelotti’s Madrid return.So, the question remains: was joining Madrid so young the right decision?Clement said: “I’d be interested to speak to him now, as a grown man, about how he was feeling inside. “I don’t think there was any doubt about the talent. It was just his physical maturity, understanding of the game.“When I look back, the best move for him would have been at a club like Ajax. He would have played regularly, really developed.“But the loan moves he took at that time in his career, he needed. He had to take a couple of steps back to go forward. He’s shown great resilience in doing that.Read More on The Sun“You look at what he is now — he’s an elite player at a great club. It worked out well for him.“I was thinking the other day whether Martin could play in Real Madrid’s current team? Yeah, for sure.”Martin Odegaard is now the Arsenal captainCredit: GettyAncelotti is now in his second spell in charge of Real MadridCredit: Getty More

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      Antony hailed as ‘the GOAT’ after Robert Lewandowski nutmeg as £86m Man Utd flop haunts Barcelona for second time

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      ANTONY was hilariously hailed as the “GOAT” after haunting Barcelona once again.The Manchester United flop, 25, has enjoyed a superb resurgence during his loan spell at Real Betis.Antony nutmegged Robert LewandowskiCredit: XThe incident came during the first half of the LaLiga clashCredit: XAnd it got even better with one piece of magic during Betis’ 1-1 draw against Barcelona on Saturday night.With the scores level at 1-1 approaching the half-hour mark at Barca’s temporary Olympic Stadium home, Antony embarrassed Robert Lewandowski. The Brazilian winger received the ball in his own right-back position.Immediately, Lewandowski closed him down to try and win back possession for Barca.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, the skillful star produced a genius roll of the ball to nudge it straight through the Polish striker’s legs. Lewandowski’s only response was to yank his opponent down to the ground and give away a free-kick.It is not the first time Antony has got one over Barcelona, though.In February 2023, he grabbed a dramatic winner for United – one of just 12 goals in 96 appearances – against the Spanish giants to dump them out of the Europa League. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd fans on social media lauded the £86million man’s latest heroics.One said: “My GOAT.”‘Leaving Man Utd works wonders’ – Fans love Antony’s wild Real Betis celebrations as he goes topless and waves huge flagAnother wrote: “The GOAT in action.”A third joked: “Antony > Messi.”And a final user quipped: “He has to win the Ballon d’Or now.”Antony got out of the tight situationIt finished 1-1 at Barcelona’s Olympic StadiumCredit: AlamyAntony scored the goal to dump Barca out of the 2022-23 Europa LeagueCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Forgotten Premier League star ‘ROBBED in broad daylight as thugs steal luxury watch and dash off on motorbike’

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      EX-PREMIER LEAGUE star Arthur Melo was the victim of daylight robbery, according to reports in Spain.Arthur, who joined Liverpool on loan in the 2022/23 season, is said to have been walking around in Barcelona on Thursday when the incident occurred.Arthur Melo was reportedly the victim of a daylight robbery in Barcelona on ThursdayCredit: RexStar played just once while on loan at LiverpoolCredit: GettyMarca report the 28-year-old, who now plays for Girona on loan from Juventus, was enjoying some time off shopping when, at around 4pm, he went to pay for his parking on Passeig de Gracia.It was then that an individual hopped off a motorbike and stole a luxury watch from him before bolting off at speed with the help of a second suspect.The midfielder was unhurt in the robbery which he later reported to the police.He returned to Girona training as normal on Friday and was named on the substitutes bench for the club’s 1-0 defeat to Alaves today.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLArthur played just once for Liverpool during his time in England, with injuries limiting him to just 13 minutes of action.This is the third season in a row he has been sent on loan by parent club Juventus, whom he joined from Barcelona in 2020.He was on loan at Fiorentina last season before returning to the Turin club in the summer, only to be sent on loan to Girona during the winter transfer window.The Brazilian was previously the victim of an alleged robbery in 2019 when two burglars threatened his brother with a weapon at his home.Most read in FootballIt happened during Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League semi-final win over Liverpool, a lead which would dramatically be overturned in a stunning comeback by the Reds in the second leg.Arthur has played six times for Girona since moving on loan.Criminal who infamously tried to rob Ozil and Kolasinac of £200,000 during Arsenal days now partially blind after attack More

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      Dean Huijsen warned dream Real Madrid transfer could turn into his worst nightmare with ‘pretty face’ not enough to play

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      DEAN HUIJSEN has been warned a dream move to Real Madrid could turn into his worst nightmare.The Bournemouth centre-back is high on the Santiago Bernabeu hitlist after an amazing debut season in England.Dean Huijsen was warned by former coach Juanito that a move to Real Madrid may turn into a nightmareCredit: RexHuijsen has taken the Premier League by storm with BournemouthCredit: RexThe Spanish giants are preparing to trigger the £50million release clause on a contract that runs to 2030.Yet the man who gave the Netherlands-born Spain defender his break believes joining Real would be a step backwards — because he would struggle to get a game.And the best big-picture decision would be for the 19-year-old to stick with the Cherries for now, as the queue of would-be suitors will only get bigger.Juan Gutierrez, 45, was on the coaching staff at Malaga when Huijsen arrived as a ten-year-old and was snapped up by Juventus — ironically ahead of Real — six years later in 2021.Read More on FootballGutierrez — known as Juanito — was blown away by the youngster’s leadership qualities then and has watched them grow every year since, even though he is still so young.But he thinks that would come to a grinding halt at the Bernabeu, as the European champions have always preferred tried-and-tested to potential.Juanito insisted: “Dean is going to be a leader no matter where he goes, so I hope whoever signs him they play him as a starter, and he’s not a project for the future. He is a player for now.”There are very few like that at his age, which is why I don’t know to what extent it would be a good option to sign for Real.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“No one can guarantee you’ll play because of your pretty face but if he leaves Bournemouth, it shouldn’t be to sit on the bench.“At Madrid, Eder Militao is 27 and Antonio Rudiger is in his second youth.Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen forced to deny being stoned after ‘weird’ question“Those two are untouchable and a recovered David Alaba would also be ahead of him.“Carlo Ancelotti is an incredible manager but not a coach for young players — so Dean would be fourth-choice centre-back. That’s the reality.“Barcelona is the opposite. They’re not afraid to use players from the academy but at Real the problem is the mentality of the club. Dean has to go to a place with a vision for the future, with guarantees he’ll play.“But maybe staying at Bournemouth with Andoni Iraola for another year is the best option.”It has been so far for Huijsen, who was capped by Spain in the recent Nations League break and is due to be in the Bournemouth side heading to West Ham on Saturday.Ramos and Van Dijk comparisonsJuanito is convinced those caps are the first of many for a player some liken to Sergio Ramos — but who he reckons could be as influential as Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool.He added: “Maybe mentally, I can see little things similar to Ramos but on the pitch there is no comparison. Dean is more disciplined and, certainly at this age, more confident.“From the start he was a marvel. He’d listen to what you told him and absorb it incredibly well. He would recognise a mistake and the next day would improve.“Dean just doesn’t feel any pressure and has unlimited self-confidence.Read More on The Sun“If injuries are not a problem then, whoever signs him, he’ll be a cheap buy because he will be a dominant defender in world soccer for many years to come.“Wherever he goes, I could see him having the same impact Van Dijk has had on Liverpool’s history in recent seasons. The only team he’s not going to change is Real Madrid.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo tipped to become owner of huge LaLiga side with Saudi backing but it depends on major condition

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has been sensationally tipped to become the new owner of Spanish big boys Valencia.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner spent nine years in the Spanish top-flight with Real Madrid, smashing almost every record in the book.Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a shock move to buy ValenciaCredit: RexThe 40-year-old will reportedly look to buy the club if they are relegated from La LigaCredit: AFPA return had been mooted after he departed the Bernabeu for Juventus in the summer of 2018.But Ronaldo, of course, ending up rejoining Manchester United before his controversial exit to join Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.However, he could finally make his way back to Spain’s top-flight – albeit NOT with Los Blancos.It’s bee sensationally claimed he could be set buy struggling Valencia, with a little financial backing from the Saudis.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThat’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who claim thePortugal hitman, 40, has an interest in taking charge of the Mestalla club.Reporter Julian Redondo recently wrote: “Cristiano will be the next owner of Valencia if the team stays in LaLiga.”Neither Ronaldo nor his representatives have commented on the possibility of him taking ownership of Valencia.Valencia are currently in 15th place in the La Liga table, although they’re by no means out of the relegation woods.Most read in FootballValencia owner Peter Lim has flat-out refused to sell the clubCredit: GETTYLos Murcielagos are only four and five points ahead of 18th and 19th placed Leganes and Las Palmas.Even if Valencia drop into the Segunda Division, Ronaldo will face a tough task taking ownership of the club.Prince William on recreating Ronaldo’s goal celebration in his garden as he builds ‘Perfect Footballer’That’s because chairman Peter Lim last month refused to sell the club in a statement through his company, Meriton Holdings.It read: “Meriton wants to make it clear that such reports are false.”Valencia CF is not up for sale and it remains committed to Valencia CF.”Valencia will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to the Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid. More

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      Player hospitalised with freak injury after kicking window in argument with Premier League champion boss

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      SPAIN ace Sergio Canales has needed medical treatment for a badly-cut leg… after smashing a glass door amid an alleged row with ex-Manchester City star Martin Demichelis.Midfielder Canales, 34, has played for Mexican top-flight club CF Monterrey since 2023.Sergio Canales now plans for Monterrey in MexicoCredit: GettyFormer Man City star Martin Demichelis is manager of MonterreyCredit: AFPHowever he is a major doubt for Saturday’s Liga MX clash with Chivas after needing 10 stitches in his leg.Argentine defender Demichelis, 44, became Monterrey’s coach last August.He spent three years at the Etihad, helping City win the 2014 Premier League title and two League Cups, before leaving for Espanyol in 2016.A Monterrey spokesman said: “On April 3 Sergio Canales received medical attention to wounds in his left leg, after breaking a glass door when entering the dressing-room following practice at the El Barrial training ground.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”The player rested for the remainder of the day. The medical team will monitor Sergio closely to assess his recovery and potential involvement in Saturday’s game.”Mexican media quizzed former hard-man defender Demichelis about the incident.He said: “You can use whatever headline you want. You call it an argument.”We’re open to whatever opinions the player wants to express. In every team, sport and dressing room, there is an exchange of opinions.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKDemichelis, now 44, won the Premier League with Man CityCredit: PA:Empics SportCanales played for Real Madrid between 2010 and 2012Credit: Getty – Contributor”I’m not an authoritarian. I like to listen and to have the player give their opinions, so I can draw the best conclusions.”Canales has won 11 Spain caps, and played for Real Madrid and Valencia.James Maddison reveals awkward confrontation with Tottenham fans He spent the bulk of his career with hometown club Racing Santander, Real Sociedad and Real Betis.The midfielder has since scored 29 goals in 76 games for Monterrey, who are nicknamed The Gang and The Striped Ones. More