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Saturday, April 28, 2012

EPL

Arsenal Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal will have to combat Stoke's aerial threat, but believes the Gunners must stick to their footballing philosophy. Aston Villa Norwich City manager Paul Lambert believes it is 'extremely unfair' that he is being linked with replacing Aston Villa coach Alex McLeish. Blackburn Steve Kean admits Blackburn are going to have to win at least one of their away games at Tottenham and Chelsea to have a chance of staying up. Bolton Bolton head coach Owen Coyle has urged his plucky players to continue defying their critics as they look to climb out of the relegation zone. Chelsea Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has revealed that he is confident that Chelsea will allow him to stay on loan at Atletico Madrid a second season. Everton Everton are believed to be interested in Wigan midfielder Mohamed Diame, who will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. Fulham Martin Jol has warned Simon Davies he will only be a bit-part player if the veteran stays at Fulham next season as he wants a younger team. Liverpool Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish would be happy just to see some league victories before the end of the season irrespective of how his side play. Manchester City Midfielder James Milner admits he is frustrated by his lack of playing time, but insists Man City winning matches is the most important thing. Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that choosing players to leave out of his side's crucial clash against Manchester City is a 'torturous' process. Newcastle United Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is targeting a third-place finish in order to avoid the heartbreak of missing out on the UEFA Champions League. Norwich City Norwich City manager Paul Lambert believes it is 'extremely unfair' that he is being linked with replacing Aston Villa coach Alex McLeish. Queens Park Rangers QPR head coach Mark Hughes says the club's recent form has given the Hoops a better chance of survival than many people would have expected. Stoke City Stoke coach Tony Pulis is hoping to pick up enough points in the next four games to be where they deserve to be - in the top half of the table. Sunderland Sunderland coach Martin O'Neill would love to bring a striker like Fernando Llorente of Bilbao, but accepted that he is an unrealistic target. Swansea City Joe Allen believes Swansea is the best place to continue his footballing education and that the club have a bright future under coach Rodgers. Tottenham Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto will miss the rest of the season after suffering a dislocated shoulder, Harry Redknapp has confirmed. West Brom Striker Shane Long is adamant that West Brom still have plenty to fight for this season, as they aim to take the local bragging rights again. Wigan Athletic Everton are believed to be interested in Wigan midfielder Mohamed Diame, who will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. Wolverhampton Wolves keeper Dorus de Vries has no regrets about leaving Saturday's opponents Swansea last summer despite the Midlands club being relegated.

La Liga

Athletic Bilbao Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa has praised Fernando Llorente's display against Sporting CP, stating that he has never seen him play like that. Atletico Madrid Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has revealed that he is confident that Chelsea will allow him to stay on loan at Atletico Madrid a second season. Barcelona Inter Milan have denied they will be making a move for Pep Guardiola, after the coach announced that he will be leaving Barcelona this summer. Espanyol Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino has warned his players that their European dream will come to an end if they fail to beat Sporting Gijon. Getafe Getafe are looking to register their third win in five games when they take on Mallorca, who have dropped 34 points away from home this season. Granada Granada are keen to register their second victory in five games when they take on Levante, who have suffered five home defeats this season. Levante After extending his contract at Levante, defender Juanfran Garcia admitted it has been his dream to finish his career in his hometown club. Malaga Malaga defender Martin Demichelis has urged his team to play a complete game, even if they are nervous about meeting Valencia this weekend. Osasuna Osasuna head coach Mendilibar is not worried about the missing players as his team have learned to cope with absenses throughout the season. Racing Santander Racing are hoping to avoid their fourth defeat in five games when they take on Sociedad, who are looking to register their eighth home victory. Rayo Vallecano Rayo Vallecano are hoping to avoid their fourth consecutive defeat when they take on Barcelona, who have dropped 16 points away from home. Real Betis Betis are hoping to register their third win in five games when they take on Atletico Madrid, who have suffered nine away defeat this season. Real Madrid Juventus director Beppe Marotta has insisted that Arturo Vidal is not for sale after Real Madrid reportedly showed an interest in the player. Real Mallorca Real Mallorca are hoping to register their second straight victory when they take on Getafe, who have dropped 21 points at home this season. Real Sociedad Sociedad are looking to pick up points for the sixth straight game when they take on Racing, who are keen to avoid their ninth away defeat. Real Zaragoza Zaragoza are desperate to avoid their second straight defeat when they take on Bilbao, who are looking to register their fifth away victory. Sevilla Sevilla defender Juan Cala is aware of the difficulty that awaits his team at Bernabeu, but insists they have no choice but to go for the win. Sporting Gijon Sporting Gijon are desperate to register their second straight win when they take on Espanyol, who have dropped 21 points at home this season. Valencia Valencia coach Unai Emery admitted that Atletico Madrid deserve to go to the Europa League final and that the first leg played a key role. Villarreal Villarreal coach Miguel Angel Lotina said his team is growing stronger and that makes him hopeful about their chances of avoiding relegation.

Serie A

AC Milan AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi is reportedly planning to push the club forward by sacking manager Max Allegri and half of his squad. AS Roma Roma coach Luis Enrique has told his players to learn to wear the colours with more pride because they can win titles as early as next year. Atalanta Atalanta are hoping to register their third win in five games when they take on Fiorentina, who are keen to avoid their ninth away defeat. Bologna Bologna are looking to pick up points for the 5th straight game when they take on Genoa, who are desperate to avoid their 13th away defeat. Cagliari Radja Nainggolan insists he does not know how close Juventus came to signing him in January because he never spoke to any of their officials. Catania Coach Vincenzo Montella is delighted with the timing of the Derby della Sicilia with Palermo, as he believes it can break Catania's poor form. Cesena Cesena President Igor Campedelli has thanked his club's fans for their reaction at the final whistle on Wednesday, as relegation was confirmed. Chievo Chievo are hoping to avoid their second straight defeat when they take on Cagliari, who are determined to register their eighth home victory. Fiorentina Fiorentina are looking to pick up points for the fifth straight game when they take on Atalanta, who have suffered only three home defeats. Genoa It was reported Catania director Pietro Lo Monaco has agreed a deal to join Genoa once he leaves the Sicilian side at the end of the season. Inter Milan Inter Milan have denied they will be making a move for Pep Guardiola, after the coach announced that he will be leaving Barcelona this summer. Juventus Juventus director Beppe Marotta has insisted that Arturo Vidal is not for sale after Real Madrid reportedly showed an interest in the player. Lazio Devis Mangia, who was sacked by Palermo in December, has denied reports that he has been approached by Lazio ahead of the 2012-13 campaign. Lecce Lecce are desperate to avoid their second consecutive defeat when they take on Parma, who are hoping to register their fourth away victory. Napoli Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri admits Ezequiel Lavezzi is still a doubt for the clash against Roma, even though the striker has resumed training. Novara Novara are hoping to avoid their third defeat in five games when they take on Juventus, who have conceded only eight goals away from home. Palermo Palermo head coach Bortolo Mutti has warned his side that it will take character, determination, grit and self-confidence to beat Catania. Parma Parma striker Sebastian Giovinco declares that the Ducali are very keen to finish the season well, reaching as high as possible on the chart. Siena Siena coach Giuseppe Sannino has Destro and Brienza available again for the clash against Milan, while Gonzalez is out with a muscle problem. Udinese Udinese are keen to avoid their second consecutive defeat when they take on Lazio, who are determined to register their eighth away victory.