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      Zinedine Zidane drops sensational Juventus hint as Real Madrid boss says Serie A giants ‘always important to me’

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE dropped a huge hint he wants to manage Juventus. The Real Madrid boss confessed the Italian giants will ‘always be important to me’.
      Zidane Zidane hinted he may hope to manage Juventus one dayCredit: EPA
      Zidane, 48, spent five seasons as a player with the Old Lady between 1996 and 2001.
      And asked whether he missed Italy and would return there as a manager, he certainly did not rule it out.
      The Frenchman said: “Italy is always in the heart. Juve has always been important to me.
      “I don’t know (laughs). For now I’m here. Let’s see.”
      Current Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo is fighting for his job with the reigning Serie A champions fourth in the table, 12 points adrift of leaders Inter, and dumped out of the Champions League by Porto.
      Zidane hung up his boots in 2006 before returning to Real Madrid in an advisory role.
      He then became sporting director in 2011 and two years later, assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti.
      After 18 months in charge of the Real Madrid Castilla, Zidane took on the role of first-team head coach in January 2016 and famously won a hat-trick of Champions Leagues.
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      The 1998 Ballon d’Or winner quit in May 2018 but was back in the Bernabeu dugout within ten months and boasts an impressive overall record of 166 wins in 251 matches.
      He made the comments on Tuesday night following the first leg of Real’s Champions League quarter-final with Liverpool.
      Two goals from Vinicius Junior and a Marco Asensio strike saw Los Blancos to a 3-1 win in Madrid.
      And unsurprisingly Zidane was full of praise for his team, especially the goalscorers.
      He added to Sky Italia: “We can be happy with the game we played but there is a return and we have to finish the job.
      “But, I repeat, we can be happy with tonight’s race because we ran a complete race.
      “I’m happy for Vinicius because he has missed the goal a bit. He scored two tonight and it’s big to score in the Champions League. I’m happy for him and for the team.
      “Asensio has scored four games [in a row]. For us it is very important to create for scoring chances and to score. Tonight we did it. We could have scored even more goals.”
      Zidane spent five years as a player in Turin, winning the Ballon d’Or in 1998Credit: EPA

      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says it is ‘not on a revenge tour’ against Real Madrid More

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      Messi overheard moaning about ref and says he wanted to give him yellow card that would have banned him for El Clasico

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      LIONEL MESSI feared he would be banned for El Clasico during Barcelona’s tense win over Valladolid.The Catalans’ LaLiga title pursuit was boosted by Ousmane Dembele’s late winner.
      Lionel Messi was irked by the refereeing performance during Barcelona’s winCredit: Getty
      But Sunday’s game saw referee Santiago Jaime Latre at the centre of attention for a number of incidents.
      At half-time, Messi was overheard by Movistar+ microphones, as reported by Marca, complaining about the official.
      The striker told a club delegate: “The referee wants to give me a yellow card, incredible.”
      A booking would have incurred a one-game ban for the 33-year-old – a fate he managed to avoid for the rest of the game.
      He should therefore be in the team to face Real Madrid in the Spanish capital, with Saturday’s game kicking off at 8pm.
      Alas, it was Valladolid who felt they had most to complain about throughout the defeat to Barcelona.
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      An absolutely MASSIVE goal from Ousmane Dembele! 😱Barca get a late breakthrough and look set to pick up a colossal win in the LaLiga title race 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/4nx3KdldDW— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) April 5, 2021

      A potential penalty was waved away despite the ball appearing to strike Jordi Alba’s hand in the second-half.
      Oscar Plano was then sent off on 79 minutes for slide tackling Dembele from behind.
      It was the French winger who popped up with the late winner – although that came amid claims of a foul by Alba in the build-up.
      The win put Ronald Koeman’s side within a point of leaders Atletico Madrid, who lost to Sevilla on the weekend.
      While he did not get the winner, fans praised Messi after footage of his half-time team talk emerged.
      Speaking to Sergio Busquets, Clement Lenglet and Co in the tunnel, the Argentine delivered some clear tactical advice.
      Barcelona closed the gap atop LaLiga to a single point with the victoryCredit: Reuters
      Messi invited his family onto the pitch pre-game after a presentation for breaking the Barcelona appearance recordCredit: AP

      He stated: “Let’s move it from one side to the other, to get it wide and into space.
      “We are going to have to play with more tempo or it is going to be difficult for us. We have to go up one more gear.
      “Only one goal, [we need] only one goal.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Lionel Messi urged to snub transfer exit by new Barcelona president Joan Laporta in passionate plea More

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      Cadiz defender Cala denies calling Valencia’s Mouctar Diakhaby a ‘black s***’ and says he is being ‘publicly lynched’

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      JUAN CALA has denied claims he racially abused Mouctar Diakhaby after a row erupted during Sunday’s LaLiga game between Cadiz and Valencia.The Spaniard, 31, was accused of calling Diakhaby a ‘black s***’ before the Valencia players staged a walk-off.
      Juan Cala has denied claims that he made a racist comment in Cadiz’s game with Valencia
      Mouctar Diakhaby also spoke about the incident on Tuesday
      Los Che later claimed that their players only returned to see out the game after being threatened with a sanction if they abandoned the match.
      And French defender Diakhaby, 24, recommended his team play on having been substituted as he did not want to go back out.
      On Tuesday, Cala held a press conference to strenuously deny the allegations, likening the situation to a ‘public lynching’.
      He told reporters: “I don’t know if Diakhaby made it up, or misinterpreted it.
      “I am in a state of shock. We are playing football without an audience. There are 20-25 cameras, microphones, players, referees… and nobody hears anything.
      “There is no racism in Spanish football. What has been formed is a circus.
      “Since Sunday my lawyer has been collecting the data to start legal action.
      “I have received messages from all over with a lot of support, because I am being lynched right now.
      Diakhaby complained to the referee, who did not hear the alleged commentCredit: EPA
      The Frenchman walked off midway through the first-half of Sunday’s gameCredit: EPA
      “I don’t know what happened to the presumption of innocence. No one deserves this public lynching.
      “I’m looking forward to settling this issue here and starting to prepare for the next game.”
      Ahead of the press conference, Diakhaby provided his own update to thank fans and his club for their support.
      The former Lyon player reiterated his claim that Cala had racially abused him.
      He stated on Twitter: “After two days I am very calm and I want to talk about what happened in Cadiz on Sunday.
      “There is a moment where a player insults me and the words are ‘black s***’.
      “That is intolerable and I cannot allow it, and you have all seen my reaction.
      “My team-mates and I decided to return to the dressing room, which was the right decision.
      Cala has missed a great opportunity to accept his mistake and apologise to Diakhaby.ValenciaClub Statement
      “One of their players asked one of our players that if Cala apologised, would we go back to the pitch? My colleagues and I said no, that you can’t do something and excuse yourself and let it go.
      “I feel good today, but it has hurt a lot. It is life.
      “I hope that LaLiga takes action so that everything is seen and clarified and that’s it. I want to thank Valencia, my team-mates, the coaches, the love and solidarity they have given me and the fans. I want to tell everyone that I’m fine. Thank you so much.”
      Following Cala’s denial, LaLiga side Valencia released a statement criticising his comments.
      It read: “Valencia are deeply saddened by statements made by Cadiz player Juan Cala this Tuesday, in which 48 hours later, he denied racially insulting Mouctar Diakhaby during the LaLiga match played last Sunday at the Ramon de Carranza.
      “Cala has missed a great opportunity to accept his mistake and apologise to the player affected. Instead of doing this, he attacked both Diakhaby and other members of Valencia.
      Valencia has made a show of support for Diakhaby amid the racism rowCredit: AFP

      “Valencia wish to reiterate that we believe our player and back him completely.
      “After the threats made by Cala in his press conference this Tuesday, April 6, the club, president Anil Murthy and Mouctar Diakhaby himself remain firm in the conviction to fight to the end, wherever necessary, on the matter for the good of football and society.
      “Valencia will not stop fighting for an improvement in protocol and in the battle against racism in football.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme vows to replace Zidane with Klopp and re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo

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      REAL MADRID presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has vowed to appoint Jurgen Klopp as the club’s new manager and re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo if he wins the upcoming elections.Long-time president Florentino Perez last week called for an election to be held in a bid to win himself a fifth term in office.
      Enrique Riquelme wants to replace Zinedine Zidane with Jurgen KloppCredit: GETTY
      The 32-year-old also wants to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the BernabeuCredit: AP
      The 74-year-old won the club’s last two elections uncontested, but this time around he’ll face competition from Cox Energy CEO Riquelme.
      And the 32-year-old Riquelme has big plans for Los Blancos if he successfully defeats Perez, which includes axing current manager Zinedine Zidane.
      During an appearance on El Partidazo de COPE, Riquelme said: “Zidane would not be my coach.
      “The Sports Directorate thinks of another profile with another strategy.
      “I personally like Klopp a lot and Raul is doing very well. It would be to value him […].”
      Bringing back Ronaldo, Real’s all-time leading goalscorer, would also be one of Riquelme’s main priorities.
      He said: “I put on the table that we repeat Cristiano, because he has represented a lot for football and for Real Madrid.
      “There are no old or young players, there are good or bad players.”
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      Ronaldo, 36, left Madrid in the summer of 2018 to join Italian champions Juventus but has continuously been linked with a move back to the Spanish capital.
      Riquelme’s audacious plans were revealed before the first leg of the Spanish champion’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Liverpool at the Bernabeu.
      The prospect of managing Real was put to Klopp ahead of tonight’s match, with the German insisting he’d be more than content with his career if he didn’t end up coaching Los Blancos.
      Jurgen Klopp says he’d have no regrets if he ended his career without managing Real MadridCredit: AFP

      The Reds chief said: “If at the end of my career I had only three clubs, Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, then that’s not too bad, eh?
      “I would not regret it.
      “You asked if I would regret not managing Real Madrid, that is the question? I don’t think so.
      “But when I came off the plane today, I regret already that we don’t live here, because the weather is so much better here!
      “We were freezing, I have a gilet with me! You are blessed living here. We do it the hard way [in England]!”
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      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says it is ‘not on a revenge tour’ against Real Madrid More

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      Real Madrid star Raphael Varane tests positive for coronavirus hours before Liverpool clash in Champions League

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      RAPHAEL VARANE has tested positive for coronavirus hours before Real Madrid face Liverpool.The Los Blancos players were checked on Tuesday morning ahead of tonight’s clash.
      Raphael Varane will miss the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool with coronavirusCredit: Getty
      And the club confirmed in a statement the result for their Frenchman.
      Varane – a transfer target for Manchester United – was named in Real Madrid’s 21-man matchday squad for the match on Monday afternoon.
      But he will now be forced to sit out of the first-leg quarter-final clash at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
      It also puts his availability to face Barcelona in a crunch El Clasico on Saturday night into major doubt.
      Zinedine Zidane is without both of his first-choice centre-backs against the six-time champions.
      Sergio Ramos was ruled out after picking up a calf injury during the international break.
      That meant he could not continue his rivalry with the Reds and specifically Mo Salah following the 2018 Champions League final.
      Dani Carvajal is also out meaning it is expected to be a back four of Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Nacho and Ferland Mendy.

      Jurgen Klopp has plenty of defensive woes of his own with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip long-term absentees.
      Ben Davies is yet to feature for the club with on-loan Ozan Kabak expected to partner Nat Phillips in defence – although Fabinho could be dropped deeper to fill in.
      Kick-off in Madrid is at 8pm – 9pm local time – with the game live on BT Sport 2.
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      Lionel Messi given framed Barcelona shirt in front of Antonella Roccuzzo and kids after breaking appearance record

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      LIONEL MESSI was handed a framed Barcelona shirt after breaking the club’s appearance record.The Argentine great, 33, received a special gift before Monday’s LaLiga win over Real Valladolid.
      Lionel Messi was presented with a framed shirt after breaking Barcelona’s appearance recordCredit: Twitter @FCBarcelona
      Lionel Messi’s family joined him on the Nou Camp pitch for the special presentationCredit: Reuters
      The Argentine shares a kiss with Antonella RoccuzzoCredit: Rex
      Messi made his 768th appearance in the famous Barca colours – having broken a record set by fellow club legend Xavi before the international break.
      His partner Antonella Roccuzzo and their three sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro joined him on the Nou Camp pitch before kick-off.
      A special message for Messi was displayed on the pitch, too, which read ‘touching the sky’.
      Ousmane Dembele scored an injury-time winner as Barcelona edged past Valladolid 1-0 on Monday night.
      The victory took them within one point of LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid with nine games to play.
      Messi, meanwhile, has scored an incredible 663 goals for the Catalan giants in a glittering career that could be coming to an end.
      He was set to leave the Nou Camp last summer before backing down in his row with the club.
      Messi tried to leave his boyhood side after 16 years at start of the season, but stayed to avoid a drawn out court battle.
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      Ousmane Dembele scored a dramatic late winner against Real ValladolidCredit: Rex
      Barcelona celebrate moving within one point of LaLiga leaders Atletico MadridCredit: Reuters

      Still, former manager Pep Guardiola at Man City and PSG are waiting in the wings for a potential free transfer.
      New club president Joan Laporta has vowed to keep Messi at the club, following the Argentine’s bombshell transfer request last summer.
      The Messi camp know all too well the financial problems the club are in.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      West Ham offered out-of-favour Atletico Madrid winger Vitolo in £8.5m transfer having scouted him before signing Lingard

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      WEST HAM have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Atletico Madrid outcast Vitolo as a possible alternative to Jesse Lingard.The Hammers were linked with a move to sign the 31-year-old forward in the winter transfer window, but opted instead to bring in Lingard on loan from Manchester United.
      Atletico Madrid have reportedly offered West Ham the chance to sign Vitolo in the summerCredit: Rex
      But with Lingard shining at the London Stadium, it remains to be seen whether his temporary stay will be turned into a permanent deal.
      SunSport understands that due to Lingard’s surprising resurgence in form, United have doubled his asking price to £40million.
      And should the Hammers be priced out of a move for the England international, they could reignite their interest in Vitolo, according to Fichajes.
      The news outlet states that Atletico have offered David Moyes’ side the chance to sign the Spanish star in the summer.
      It has been claimed that the player could be available for just £8.5m having fallen dramatically down the pecking order under Diego Simeone.
      And they add that a deal could potentially be reached before the end of the campaign should West Ham look to bring him to England.
      Vitolo has featured in just 12 matches in all competitions this term, with the winger making just one LaLiga appearance since December 5.
      But West Ham’s priority is to keep Lingard at the club, and hope he will remain with them should they secure European football.
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      Speaking prior to the clash against Wolves, Moyes declared: “I’m sure at this moment in time we will say yes, we’d love to have Jesse, because of how well he’s doing.
      “But we’ve still got nine games to go to judge and assess Jesse, just like United will have a period to think about do they want to sell or keep him?
      “That would be a decision we would all need to get to but, no, there’s nothing in place at the moment.”
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      Martin Odegaard ‘will consider Liverpool transfer offer’ if Real Madrid cash in with Arsenal loanee ‘tempted by Klopp’

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      MARTIN ODEGAARD would be tempted by a Liverpool move this summer, according to reports.The 22-year-old Norwegian playmaker is on loan at Arsenal from Real Madrid until the summer.
      Jurgen Klopp and Martin Odegaard embrace after Liverpool’s win over ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      The Gunners are still trying to sign him from the LaLiga giants on a permanent deal after his loan ends.
      But reports in Spain say he could be tempted by Jurgen Klopp if an Arsenal move doesn’t materialise.
      AS claim the Norwegian is comfortable in England and would consider a move to Merseyside.
      He has two more years on his Real Madrid contract.
      Fans joked that Klopp was trying to ‘tap up’ Odegaard after Liverpool’s win at the Emirates.
      The Reds smashed Arsenal 3-0 on Saturday and Klopp and Odegaard had a warm embrace on the pitch afterwards.
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      One Gunners fan tweeted: “Klopp tapping Odegaard up at the end lmao could that game get any worse?”
      Another said: “Klopp adding insult to injury by tapping up Odegaard.”

      And another said: “Klopp trying to get Odegaard to Liverpool.”
      One remarked: “As if that humiliation wasn’t enough, Klopp is tapping up Odegaard.
      “No way he goes to Arsenal and Arteta after that.”

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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