Hillsborough disaster to be remembered this weekend.

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Apr 11, 2014

The 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster this weekend is to be marked with a seven minute delay to all fixtures in both England and Scotland.

Fixtures from the Barclays Premier League to the Conference will begin 7 minutes later than sceduled as a mark of respect to the 96 Liverpool supporters who lost their lives on 15th April 1989 during an FA Cup fixure against Nottingham Forest.

As well as the delay to the kick off’s, there will also be a minutes silence from 15:06, which was the minute that the game was abandoned due to the horiffic crush that occured on the terraces of the lower tier in the Leppings Lane end.

96 seats will be left empty at both FA Cup semi finals as a sign of respect, with Arsenal taking on Wigan Athletic tomorrow evening (17:07) and Hull City playing League One side Sheffield United on the Sunday.

From all of us here at sillyseason, our thoughts are with the familes of thosewho passed away in the disaster, in their fight for justice.

#JFT96

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Inter Milan plotting Torres deal.

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Apr 11, 2014

Inter Milan are set to launch a formal bid for Chelsea striker Fernando Torres in the summer.

Reports in Italian Daily broadsheet Newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport suggest that a move may happen in the summer, with Inter keen on the striker.

The Serie A side were tracking Edin Dzeko, however, it appears they have set their sights on the out of form Chelsea striker, with Jose Mourinho set to let several players leave the club in the summer, including Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba.

Reports prior to this suggested that Atletico Madrid were favourites to land the striker, in a proposed swap deal for Diego Costa.

Inter have already added Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic to their squad for next season, as they look to qualify for the Champions League.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Rooney could miss the rest of the season

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Ben Kelly

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Apr 11, 2014

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is nursing a chipped bone in his toe and may have kicked a ball for the last time this season.

The striker doesn’t want to take too many risks and jeopardise his chances of playing in this year’s World Cup. He had a painkilling injection in order to play in the Champions League quarter final on Wednesday night, but it is understood that he felt significant pain in his foot both during and after the game.

United have just 5 games left this season, with nothing much to play for, but they will want to produce a strong finish to salvage some pride.

But Rooney is more concerned about making sure he is fit and on the plane for England when the World Cup arrives.

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10

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Yaya Toure reveals chat he had with Arsene Wenger

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Apr 11, 2014

A long time ago, before the name Yaya Toure was known, the Ivorian spent a couple of weeks on trial at Arsenal Football Club, and despite impressing manager Arsene Wenger, he still didn’t get offered a full-time deal due to difference of opinion.

Before his FC Barcelona and Mancheste City days, Toure was in training with Arsenal and in a recent interview, he has revealed the opening chat he had with Wenger upon arrival.

The strong midfielder admitted that Wenger played him as a striker and didn’t see him as a potential midfielder, but then all changed when Toure asked him about the position situation.

“It started when I was in Belgium and I went to Arsenal to do some training.

“I remember the first chat I had with Arsene Wenger. He asked me: ‘Yaya, which position do you want to play?’ I told him I wanted to be a midfielder. He said: ‘Why? When I saw you training, for me you look more like a striker.’ I said: ‘Ah, that’s why you keep playing me up front! Move me, I want to play in midfield like Patrick Vieira.

“I can play like Patrick and I can be better than Patrick.’ He said: ‘No, no. That’s impossible. No one is better than Patrick.’

The interviewer then asked Toure whether he was better than Vieira, but the Ivorian refused to big himself up.

“No, Patrick is unbelievable, with the trophies he has.

“Arsene liked me further forward because when I was training close to the goal I would take five shots and score with four of them. That was not too bad, but for me I wanted to definitely play in midfield.

“Then when I went back to Belgium the manager moved me further forward. It was nice and I enjoyed it but after that I moved back into midfield.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Careers on the line at Old Trafford

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Ben Kelly

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Apr 11, 2014

Up to 10 Manchester United players could be fighting for their Manchester United futures as David Moyes looks to rebuild the squad this summer.

United’s final hopes of glory in a disappointing season were dashed on Wednesday night, and left plently of futures uncertain on the plane ride home. Moyes knows he needs to try and end the season in a somewhat ‘positive’ fashion, but faces a potentially difficult and embaressing fixture on Easter Sunday when his side travel to Goodison Park to face Everton.

As for United’s players, there are up to 10 in the squad who’s futures are unknown beyond the summer, especially with Moyes wanting to add some new accusitions to the squad during the next transfer window, including Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos.

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10

https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

Courtois cleared to play.

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Apr 11, 2014

Atleico Madrid goalkeeper Thilbault Courtois has been cleared to play against his parent club Chelsea in the Semi Final of the Champions League.

Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atletico Madrid, revealed that the Spanish La Liga club would have to pay Chelsea £6 million over two legs if they were to use the Belgium international against his Parent club.

Since the draw has been made, UEFA have released a statement which will allow Courtois to feature against Jose Mourinho’s side.

The statement read.

In response to media reports referring to the situation of Club Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, UEFA would like to reiterate its position.

“The integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle for UEFA.

“Both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match.

“It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs which might function in such a way as to influence who a club fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as UEFA is concerned.

“Furthermore, any attempt to enforce such a provision would be a clear violation of both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and would therefore be sanctioned accordingly,” the Uefa statement says.

The keeper has been superb this season, and is currently in his third successive season on loan in the Spanish Capital.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL DRAW!

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Apr 11, 2014

The draw for the Champions League Semi-Finals has just been made, and here is the draw in full!

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid vs CHELSEA

What are your thoughts to this draw? Who will make it to Lisbon for the final?

Comment below!

Follow me on Twitter – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Europa League Draw confirmed.

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Apr 11, 2014

The draw for the Europa League semi final has been confirmed in the last five minutes or so, with some interesting ties in the final four.

Seville eill take on Valencia in an all Spanish semi final tie, whilst Benfica, who knocked out Tottenham Hotspur in a previous round, will face off against Italian Serie A side Juventus.

Valencia, who have been crippled by debt’s recently, reached the semi final stage after beating Basel 5-0 last night.

The Spanish side set up a date with Seville, with the Andalucian side beating Porto 4-1 in Southern Spain.

Juventus reached the last four of the competition after beating Lyon 2-1 in Turin thanks to an Andrea Pirlo free-kick, with Juventus seen as the overwhelming favourites.

The Serie A side dropped into the Europa League following a Champions League group stage defeat to Galatasaray.

They will come up against Benfica, who beat Dutch side AZ Alkmaar 2-0 in the second leg in Lisbon, winning 3-1 over two legs.

The matches will be played on 24th April and 1st May, with the final actually being contested in Turin a few weeks later.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Can Atletico be the dark horses this year?

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Apr 11, 2014

For many years, Atletico Madrid have been the ‘poor relations’ of the capital rivals Real, troubled by financial difficulties, and having a shadow casted over them by the bitter rivals.

Now however, Atletico have come out of the shadows of uncertainty, and are playing their best football for almost two decades.

And they are now on course for a remarkable first La Liga title for 18 years, after some brilliant team performances.

That coupled with a first ever Champions League semi final appearance.

Madrid will go into the hat as under-dogs, with Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Real Madrid all possibly awaiting them, however, going on current form, they could quite possibly be the dark horses this season.

Backed well financially, Atletico can boast a team of talent, with Diego Costa smashing home goal after goal this season, with Costa smashing home 25 League goals in La Liga.

Alongside Costa, Atletico have proven goal-scorer in David Villa, who is perhaps the bargain of the season, having signed from Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer, and has gone on to recapture his brilliant goal scoring ability.

Costa has been a target for English Premier League clubs, and history may repeat itself, as Atletico have already lost both Fernando Torres and Sergio Aguero in the past few years.

Other than Costa and Villa, Madrid can boast a stong hearted squad, with midfielder Koke also key to their current run of form.

Koke said following the midweek quarter final win over Barcelona.

“With these fans behind us, it is very hard for us to lose a match here,” said Koke, who scored after five minutes.

The Vicente Calderon has been a fortress this season, with Atletico losing just once at home, in a Kings Cup game at home to Real Madrid.

Manager Diego Simeone has also been a major factor in Madrid’s rise, having guided the club from relegation candidates in the December of 2011, to Champions League semi finalists in just three years.

Simeone has got the best out of a limited transfer kitty compered with both Barcelona and Real Madrid, bringing in the likes of David Villa, Diego Costa, and Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois had gone from rotting in Chelsea’s reserves behind Petr Cech, to one of the most highly rated goalkeepers in Europe, having spent the last three years on loan in Spain, replacing David De Gea in 2011.

Many think Chelsea would be foolish to let the Belgium international leave, with Petr Cech coming towards the end in a few years, with Courtois himself stating that he wants to be number one, if he returns to Stamford Bridge.

By Ben Readon

@BenReardon1

Bale “Dreaming of Champions League Final”.

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Apr 11, 2014

Gareth Bale has stated that he is “dreaming of a Champions League Final” and said that making the showpiece would be a dream come true.

Madrid reached the Semi Final by the skin of their teeth, getting past Borussia Dortmund over two legs by the 3-2 scoreline, despite a 2-0 defeat in Germany.

And Bale is confident that Madrid can reach a first final for 12 years.

Thet will play either defending Champions Bayern Munich, Chelsea, or city rivals Atletico Madrid.

The Welshman stated.

“The next two games are very important,” Bale said. “It would be a dream to play in the final.”

Bale has scored 18 Goals in all competitions, and has settled into life superbly.

And he wants to help Madrid win the trophy for the first time since 2002, as Real beat Bayer Leverkusen.

He concluded by stating.

“I’m having fun playing for Real Madrid, enjoying it a lot.

“I want to stay here a long as possible and win a lot of trophies. Let’s hope I can.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

‘I sacrifice every day just to win a trophy’, says Wenger

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Apr 11, 2014

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that he sacrifices himself every day in order to win a trophy for the club.

The Gunners last picked up a piece of silverware back in 2005 when they beat Manchester United on penalties for the FA Cup, and this season, they have a great chance in picking up that trophy once again.

Wenger will take his side to Wembley on Saturday to take on last year’s winners Wigan Athletic in the Semi-Final, and if they can oversee the Championship side, they will face either Hull City or Sheffield United in the final.

Despite the lack of silverware in recent years, Wenger insists that he still has the motivation to be successful.

“The Champions League was vital for us until now and, for me, at the start of the season the minimum requirement,” said Wenger.

“But don’t imagine I sacrifice every day of my life not to win a trophy. Everybody fights for that. We all play to win something. If you are in the FA Cup everyone can dream of winning it at the start of the season.

“The championship… only seven clubs can dream of winning it at the start of the season. A cup is a dream open to everybody and that is the beauty of the FA Cup.

“We are back at Wembley and it’s great. It’s an important competition. You know we will not fight for the championship any more [this season], so it’s the only competition.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Gareth Bale to sign new deal with Adidas.

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Apr 11, 2014

Gareth Bale is poised to sign a lucrative new boot deal with Adidas, in a deal reportedly woth £20 million over 6 years.

The winger is said to have agreed terms with the brand, and will sign the deal with the German brand in the near future.

Not only will the deal cover his boot sponsership, it will also cover a personal sponsorship agreement to, which could see Bale pocket even more money in Television advertisements, or at club events.

The Welsh winger has been with the company for nine years, and with his current boot deal running out, Adidas have acted swiftly to secure Bale’s services for another six years.

Bale, who has started life in Spain well, has scored 13 League goals for the La Liga giants.

Adidas had been un-sure if they would make Bale their main poster boy, with the winger not competing in this summer’s World Cup finals, unlike many other of the top stars.

However, Real Madrid, who also have a lucrative deal with Adidas, prefer their players to wear Adidas boots, which generates more money for the club, and the brand.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard jointly win Player of the Month

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Apr 11, 2014

Liverpool have dominated March’s awards as Brendan Rodges has been voted Manager of the Month, while Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard have been jointly voted as Player of the Month.

The Reds went the whole calender month unbeaten in the Premier League, meaning they are in for a real shot of this year’s Premier League title, which would be their first ever, but they know a crunch game at the weekend awaits when they host Manchester City.

Liverpool, who are currently top of the league by two points, picked up impressive wins against; Southampton, Manchester United, Cardiff City, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, with three of them coming away from home and scoring 12 goals.

As for Gerrard and Suarez, they scored 10-goals between them during March including a brace for Gerrard against United and a hat-trick for Suarez against Cardiff.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Mark Lawrenson predictions for weekend

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Apr 11, 2014