Everyone is expecting more explosive attacking play from Liverpool in the Champions League final, but what we don't know is how Real Madrid will try to deal with it.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is not going to change his team's style of play or his 4-3-3 formation for Saturday's game, and injuries mean he does not have many options in terms of different personnel either.
The Players Championship, second-round leaderboard
-15 W Simpson (US); -10 P Cantlay (US), C Schwartzel (SA), D Lee (NZ); -9 C Hadley (US), C Howell III (US), A Noren (Swe); -8 J Day (Aus), S Stricker (US), X Schauffele (US)
Selected others:-5 I Poulter (Eng); -4 J Rose (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng); -2 M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -1 M Laird (Sco), R Fisher (Eng), S Lowry (Ire), J Spieth (US), J Thomas (US), T Woods (US); +1 R Fowler (US), R McIlroy (NI);+2 T Hatton (Eng), R Knox (Sco); +7 D Willett (Eng); +8 P Mickelson (US)Full leaderboard
American Webb Simpson scored a course record-equalling 63 to establish a five-shot halfway lead at 15-under in the Players Championship in Florida.
Simpson looked set to post a new record after six successive birdies, but found the water when attacking the island green on 17 and posted a double bogey.
"You're at TPC Sawgrass, so you know trouble is everywhere," Simpson said.
Compatriot Patrick Cantlay (68), South African Charl Schwartzel (66) and Danny Lee of New Zealand (66) are in second.
Simpson's fellow first-round leader, American world number one Dustin Johnson, is now eight shots back after a 71, one behind the world's seventh-ranked player, Jason Day of Australia (67).
World number three Jon Rahm, of Spain, is a further stroke adrift of Day after a 70.
Fourteen-time major winner Tiger Woods (71) finished on the cut line at one under, as did world number two Justin Thomas (70) and world number four Jordan Spieth (68).
However, Rory McIlroy was among three of the world's top 10 not to make it - along with Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama - after a haphazard 74 which included four bogeys and a double.
Ian Poulter is the highest-placed Briton on five-under after shooting a 69, one shot ahead of world number five Justin Rose (72) and Tommy Fleetwood (71).
A further two Englishmen, Matt Fitzpatrick (70) and Ross Fisher (73), made the cut on two under and one under respectively, as did Scotland's Martin Laird (71).
'Everything was going in'
Simpson, the 2012 US Open champion, had started the tournament by compiling an accomplished 66 but accelerated clear of the field with a stunning spurt on the back nine on Friday.
The 32-year-old was already five under for his round when he recorded the first of six consecutive birdies on the 11th.
"You start just kind of laughing," said Simpson, whose halfway score of 15-under matched the tournament record set by Day two years ago.
"Everything is going in. You feel like no matter what, you're going to make it. It's rare as a golfer where everything comes together."
Simpson was 11 under for the day when he stepped on to the 17th tee but his pushed tee shot on Sawgrass' signature hole clattered against a railway sleeper and ended up in the water.
"I was in between clubs," he explained. "I tried to smash a sand wedge and blocked it a little bit. It's a bit of a bummer."
Simpson righted himself to par the last and equal the 63 previously shot by Fred Couples, Greg Norman, Robert Castro, Martin Kaymer, Day and Colt Knost.
Woods squeezes under cut line
Woods carded a one-under-par 71 on Friday
Woods carded two birdies and one bogey in a second round of 71 to finish one under and ensure he would be around for the weekend.
A dropped shot on 18 looked, at one stage, like it would cost the 42-year-old, but he squeezed in under the cut line.
"I was just a touch off today," he said. "I didn't make many birdies. I had my chances. I didn't hit it close enough.
"The course could have been had today. It's so hot, it's playing short, the greens are receptive."
Fellow American Fowler also suffered an early exit after a wayward tee shot at the par-four sixth hole got stuck in a palm tree.
He commandeered a pair of binoculars to help his search but could not confirm that a ball spotted in the tree was definitely his, instead declaring his ball lost and returning to the tee for his third shot.
It was the first of successive double bogeys for the 2015 champion, who finished on one over par.
"Unfortunately, the part of the ball that was showing was just all the white and dimples," said Fowler. "I couldn't see any of my markings and so couldn't identify it, so back to the tee
Juventus keeper Buffon (left) was sent off by referee Michael Oliver against Real Madrid
Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon has been charged by Uefa over comments about referee Michael Oliver after their Champions League defeat by Real Madrid.
Buffon was sent off for dissent after Oliver awarded Real a late penalty, which they scored to go through.
Following the quarter-final second leg on 11 April, Italian Buffon said the official had "a bag of rubbish" rather than "a heart" and should "sit in the stands" and "eat crisps".
Uefa says the 40-year-old Italy goalkeeper has been charged with breaching its "general principles of conduct" after his outburst against the English referee.
European football's governing body, which also charged Buffon for the red card, said in a statement the case will be dealt with on 31 May.
Referee Oliver and wife Lucy were offered police support after both were targeted on social media following the incident, with police also investigating threatening text messages.
What did Buffon say?
Immediately after the game, Juventus captain Buffon said: "It was a tenth of a penalty.
"I know the referee saw what he saw, but it was certainly a dubious incident. Not clear-cut. And a dubious incident at the 93rd minute when we had a clear penalty denied in the first leg, you cannot award that at this point.
"The team gave its all, but a human being cannot destroy dreams like that at the end of an extraordinary comeback on a dubious situation.
"Clearly you cannot have a heart in your chest, but a bag of rubbish. On top of that, if you don't have the character to walk on a pitch like this in a stadium like this, you can sit in the stands with your wife, your kids, having your drink and eating crisps.
"You cannot ruin the dreams of a team. I could've told the referee anything at that moment, but he had to understand the degree of the disaster he was creating.
"If you can't handle the pressure and have the courage to make a decision, then you should just sit in the stands and eat your crisps."
Several days later, Buffon defended his comments on Italian TV: "The content remains and I stand by all of it. I'd say them all again - maybe with a different type of language.
"You find a way to speak, right or wrong, that at times can seem excessive - but this is me, I am Gigi Buffon."
Atletico Madrid striker, Diego Costa has reacted to Spain’s 6-1 win over Argentina in Tuesday’s international friendly at Wanda Metropolitano.
Costa, who bravely forced home Spain’s opening goal in the 12th minute, said Argentina will have to respect their captain, Lionel Messi, who did not participate in the game despite coach Jorge Sampaoli’s earlier insistence that his star striker was fit.
The former Chelsea striker said the match was a big reflection of what life without Messi looks like for the Albiceleste.
Costa, however, warned fans of the national team against criticizing the Barcelona star.
”In Argentina, they love to criticise Messi a lot,” Costa told AS.
“Today, they have seen what they are without Messi. Argentina have to take care of Leo, they have to be grateful.”
"If Messi wasn’t there for them, how would they get by?” he asked.
Brazil legend, Ronaldinho has revealed he was 48 hours away from joining Manchester United.
Ronaldinho was linked with a move to Old Trafford in 2003 as a replacement for Real Madrid-bound David Beckham, but ended up signing for the Catalans.
Beckham had initially been wanted by incoming Barca president Sandro Rosell, but after he joined Real, Rosell moved for Ronaldinho – but only after he had spoken with United.
“It almost happened. It was a matter of 48 hours but Sandro Rosell had told me way before I got the offer: ‘If I become Barca president, will you come?’ I said yes,” Ronaldinho told FourFourTwo.
“It was only a matter of details with United when Rosell called to say he was going to win the elections there. And I had promised to him that I’d play for Barca… It was a quick negotiation.
“I told the English I had chosen Barca. It was the right choice. Brazilians have always loved Barça. We have a history there. Off the pitch it is like nowhere else in Europe, so we are always happy playing there. I miss Barcelona a lot,” he added.
Serbian midfielder, Nemanja Matic, has said that Nigeria is blessed with good players and he is looking forward to facing the Super Eagles on March 27.
Nigeria and Serbia will lock horns in an international friendly at the Hive stadium in London.
Matic, a former Chelsea player, who now plies his trade with Manchester United, was named the new assistant captain of the Serbia national team by Coach Mladen Krstajic ahead of the game.
Matic said the Super Eagles are a good side and playing against them will be an encounter to enjoy.
He told Kurir.rs., “Let’s see in these two games where we are.
“We do not know Morocco, but the expert staff has saved the material. Nigeria is good, I know some of their players, and it will be a game to enjoy.”
Matic played alongside Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Ola Aina at Stamford Bridge before he switched to United last season.
Matic has also faced Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo in English Premier League encounters.
All seven players are expected to feature for the Super Eagles against his Serbia team next Tuesday.
Matic has scored twice for Serbia in 36 international appearances since he made his debut against Poland on the 14th of December, 2008.
Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba, has weighed in on the reported feud between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Paul Pogba.
Mourinho has criticised Pogba several times this season and also dropped him from the first XI.
It is being rumoured that the France international is unhappy at Old Trafford and would seek to leave in the summer.
Drogba, who played under Mourinho at Chelsea, spoke to Telefoot about his ex-manager’s behaviour and played down any suggestion that the two are not getting along.
“It’s been hot between us [Drogba and Mourinho],” he said.
“But Jose is never going to attack people he does not like. He likes Paul a lot. That’s why he’s given him a lot of responsibilities.”
Manchester United are second in the Premier League table, 16 points behind rivals Manchester City.
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Robert Lewandowski has reportedly agreed to join Spanish giants Real Madrid after the Russia 2018 World Cup, Catalan outlet, Mundo Deportivo reports. The reports say that the Bayern Munich striker who recently recruited super agent Pini Zahavi as his new representative this year sealed the move for the Poland international. Reports from the Spanish outlet also states that Lewandowski's representatives have held multiple meetings with Madrid before an agreement was reached. The former Borussia Dortmund attacker is prepared to sign a two-year deal this summer, with an option for a third based on performance. Mundo Deportivo claims all that is now left to do is for Bayern to sanction his departure and agree a transfer fee. Madrid have been continuously linked with a move for Paris Saint Germain superstar Neymar, as well as Tottenham talisman Harry Kane, as they look to replace Karim Benzema up front. However, Mundo Deportivo reports that neither PSG nor Spurs are willing to do business with the Bernabeu outfit this summer as a short term deal for Lewandowski is the club's solution. Lewandowski has had successful spells in the German Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich winning all domestic competitions with both sides. The only trophy that has eluded the Poland captain is the Champions League which he could go all the way with Bayern for his first European title this term.
Premier League giant, Arsenal, have joined in the race to sign Luka Modric from Real Madrid with rivals Liverpool also interested in the playmaker. The 32-year-old Modric, is set to make this his last season with Real and he favours a return to the Premier League, though AC Milan are also interested in the midfielder. Arsenal ahead of Liverpool in race to sign Modric. Jose Manuel Pinto Don Balon reports that Liverpool and former club Tottenham are both keen, while the Gunners have gone a step further by declaring that they are prepared to pay €60m this summer to bring Modric back to England this summer. And while Modri his preference would be a return to London. For his part, Real president Florentino Perez is reluctant to part with his prime playmaker, though will not hold the veteran against his will should Modric insist it is time for him to go. Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has been rumoured with a move away from the Bernabeu to Premier League club Arsenal, Don Balon reports. The Spanish media outfit said that the Croatian captain is keen on a return to England and has turned his attention away from suitors in Italy.
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, has listed national team players who will automatically make his team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.
Gernot Rohr
They include captain John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Balogun and William Troost-Ekong.
“We have a few very experienced players, such as our captain John Obi Mikel (Tianjin Teda, China). Our two central defenders William Troost-Ekong (Bursaspor, Turkey) and Leon Balogun (Mainz, Germany) are also very important to us,” the Eagles coach said in an interview with Soccer Laduma.
“We have players such as Victor Moses (Chelsea, England) and Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, England) – they are also very important for us.
“We have many young players, and everyone has a role to play in our team.
“But the most important leaders are our captain Mikel, the vice-captain Ogenyi Onazi, and Ahmed Musa also.”
