Barcelona thrash Sevilla to win King's Cup again

MADRID - Unstoppable duo Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi helped Barcelona thrash Sevilla 5-0 to win the King's Cup final for the fourth consecutive season on Saturday as they close in on a likely domestic double.

Luis Suarez struck twice in the first half for the Catalans as they won the competition for a record 30th time. However, it was Iniesta and Messi who pulled all the strings as the La Liga leaders blew away Vincenzo Montella's stunned side.


Philippe Coutinho set up Suarez for the opening goal in the 14th minute and Barcelona dominated the rest of the game. The result goes some way to make up for their humiliating Champions League quarter-final elimination by AS Roma earlier in April.

Messi slammed home the second after good work from Jordi Alba with Suarez adding another, before Iniesta netted from a tight angle. Coutinho added a fifth from the penalty spot to complete the rout.

"This doesn't cover up what happened in Rome but it's an important title," said Suarez.

"At the start of the season we would have taken this, there's huge merit to it.

"It's strange to be knocked out of the Champions League, we gave the impression that we could go far in it."

Both Barcelona and Sevilla fans sang Iniesta's name when he was substituted in the final stages, with the chants echoing around the Wanda Metropolitano stadium until after the final whistle.

The veteran midfielder is considering a move to the Chinese Super League and this could be his last cup final for Barcelona - and he made sure it was one to remember.

"Barcelona had a formidable game and when they are like that it's hard to stop them," said Montella.

"They have formidable players like Iniesta, Messi, Suarez.

"I'm very sorry to the fans who were fantastic today. We are not in our best form, we have to react."

With Iniesta leading the way, Barca came flying out of the blocks and moved ahead after a long ball from goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen found Coutinho deep in opposition territory and he set up Suarez.

Sevilla rallied but after a couple of half-chances Barcelona doubled their lead when Iniesta sent Alba flying down the left. The Spaniard backheeled the ball into Messi's path and the Argentine fired in.

Messi then created the third for Suarez with a sublime through-ball and the fourth for Iniesta, whose goal will be a special moment to take with him if he does depart.

Coutinho's penalty after Clement Lenglet handled the ball in the area helped Ernesto Valverde's side finish emphatically and they were soon able to celebrate with the cup which had their name on it from the start - and recently always seems to.

(Reporting by Rik Sharma Editing by Christian Radnedge)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Messi leads Barca to third King's Cup win in a row

MADRID - Lionel Messi and Neymar showed their pedigree as Barcelona outclassed a determined Alaves side 3-1 on Saturday to win the King's Cup for a third successive year, allowing coach Luis Enrique to leave the club on a high.

Messi curled in the opener in the 30th minute from outside the area following clever link up play with Neymar after Alaves, who were playing in their first domestic final, had struck the inside of the post.

The Basque side drew level three minutes later when Theo Hernandez fizzed a spectacular free kick into the top corner although Neymar restored Barca's lead a minute before halftime, bundling in Andre Gomes's pass from close range after starting the move with a dazzling run down the left.

Paco Alcacer further stretched the Catalans' lead two minutes later killing off Alaves' hopes of a first trophy in their 96-year history and delivering Barca's 29th King's Cup, the ninth trophy of Luis Enrique's three-year tenure.

"Nine trophies in a club like Barca, who have had a glorious decade, means that the players have been at their very best and I was able to enjoy it. These trophies were down to the players and their ambition," Luis Enrique told reporters.

"It's great to finish the season with a trophy and not go home empty handed. We've won another trophy, but the team gave their best in every game.

"I feel satisfied about a job well done and I can't wait to rest, to be with my family and enjoy some well deserved holiday."

Luis Enrique said he had no plans for the immediate future and is expected to take a sabbatical year before plotting his next move.

Former Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde is set to be named as his successor on Monday, according to reports in the Spanish media.

RAMPAGING RUN

Barca were searching for one piece of silverware to end a disappointing campaign after surrendering the Liga title to Real Madrid and exiting the Champions League in the quarter-finals to Juventus and were without prolific striker Luis Suarez and defender Sergi Roberto through suspension.

They suffered an early setback when Javier Mascherano was carried off on a stretcher following a head-on collision with Alaves midfielder Marcos Llorente, who had to sport a bandage on his head for the rest of the game.

Alaves brought an extra 2,000 fans to the Vicente Calderon than their illustrious opponents and were dreaming of a repeat of their shock league win at the Nou Camp earlier in the season, although this time Barca were fielding a far stronger starting line-up.

Alaves nearly took a surprise lead when Gerard Pique gave the ball away to Ibai Gomez, who fired under Jasper Cillessen and off the inside of the near post, watching the ball trickle just beyond the far post.

Messi's brilliant strike, his fifth goal in seven King's Cup finals, did not crush Alaves and they quickly drew level with the thunderbolt free kick from Theo, a loan signing from Atletico Madrid who is expected to join champions Real Madrid in the summer.

But Messi and Neymar had not finished yet. The Argentine fed substitute Gomes who teed up Nemyar and barely two minutes later Messi went on another rampaging run through the middle to play in Alcacer and ensure there was no way back for Alaves.

(Reporting by Richard Martin; Editing by Rex Gowar and Pritha Sarkar)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

FOOTBALL: Messi undergoes tests for kidney problems

Messi undergoes tests for kidney problems

Reuters

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is expected to play in Wednesday's King's Cup semi-final against Valencia despite missing training on Monday to have tests on his kidneys, the La Liga club said.

"Barcelona striker Lionel Messi will undergo several tests on Monday and Tuesday to assess the evolution of the kidney problems he suffered last December," Barcelona said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.com)

"Messi will return to his normal duties with the first team on Wednesday."

 ------------------------------------------

Chelsea's Zouma faces six months out after knee surgery

Reuters

Chelsea's French defender Kurt Zouma will be out for six months after surgery on a knee injury suffered at the weekend, the Premier League champions said on Monday.

The prognosis means the 21-year-old is ruled out for the rest of the season and will also miss the European championship finals in his home country, which open with France playing Romania in Paris on June 10.

The injury came just as Chelsea, whose hopes of retaining their domestic title are effectively over after a poor campaign, prepare to play Paris St Germain next week in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Chelsea said the centre back, who has made a big impression this season, injured his anterior cruciate ligament when he fell awkwardly in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

------------------------------------------

Derrick and Montagliani launch bids for CONCACAF top job

Simon Evans, Reuters

Caribbean Football Union president Gordon Derrick and Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani both announced on Monday that they will be candidates for president of the troubled regional confederation CONCACAF.

CONCACAF, which governs soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has had its last three presidents all indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of their wide-ranging investigation of FIFA that has seen 41 individuals and entities indicted.

CONCACAF has been without a leader since December and will vote for a new president in May.

------------------------------------------

Allegri urged to fill Mourinho's Chelsea shoes

Justin DAVIS, Agence France-Presse
Massimiliano Allegri has been urged to "walk to Chelsea" and take up the "fantastic offer" that has been tabled for the Juventus coach by the Premier league giants.

Both Allegri and his predecessor at Juventus, Italy coach Antonio Conte, have been linked with the Chelsea manager's job currently being filled on a caretaker basis by Dutchman Guus Hiddink following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

Allegri's contract in Turin expires in 2017 and he says he is "happy where I am".

But Giovanni Galeone, who coached Allegri at several clubs during his playing career and is described as his mentor, believes the Juve boss will capitulate and quit the Turin giants to take over at Chelsea in time for next season.

------------------------------------------

Russia says Blatter, Platini to be invited to World Cup

Reuters

Disgraced world soccer president Sepp Blatter and the sport's European head, Michel Platini, will be invited to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Monday.

Blatter and Platini, the two men at the top of the world's most popular sport, were banned by soccer governing body FIFA for eight years in December over a spate of corruption scandals on their watch that, among other things, raised questions about Russia's right to host the tournament.

Mutko told Russia's R-Sport news agency on Sunday that Blatter and Platini were appealing against their bans and still permitted to attend soccer events.

"Formally, the suspension prohibits them from any position in football. But on the other hand, how is that an outstanding player like Michel Platini can't go to the football?" Mutko was quoted as saying. "We will invite them, I see no problems with the events we are hosting."

------------------------------------------

Ronaldo committed to seeing out Real contract

Agence France-Presse

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at Real Madrid for at least another two years, the forward said on Monday.

The 31-year-old three-time Ballon d'Or winner was picking up an award as top scorer in Spain for last season from Spanish daily Marca when he made the comments.

In a light-hearted interview he dampened incessant transfer rumours linking him with a switch to either big-spending Paris Saint-Germain or former club Manchester United.

"I'm still under contract for another two years. After that, we'll see," said Ronaldo.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

KING'S CUP: Suarez scores four as Barca rout Valencia 7-0

BARCELONA - Luis Suarez scored four goals and Lionel Messi grabbed a hat-trick as Barcelona all but wrapped up their King's Cup semi-final by crushing Valencia 7-0 in the first leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

Barely seven minutes had elapsed when Neymar stole the ball from a careless Andre Gomes in midfield, raced forward and passed to Suarez who rifled a shot across goal past Matthew Ryan.

Barca went two up when Sergio Busquets sent a long ball down the right which Aleix Vidal pulled back for Suarez to blast past Ryan.

"Great result which puts us closer to the objective," Suarez told Movistar. "There'd have to be a catastrophe to not play the final."

Valencia struggled to contain a Barca side with Neymar, Messi and Suarez creating danger almost at will.

Gary Neville's side rarely got near goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as Barcelona produced one of their best performances of the season with Andres Iniesta and Messi playing in their ninth King's Cup semi-final in 10 seasons.

Messi scored the third after a neat backheel from Neymar.

On the stroke of halftime Barcelona were awarded a penalty when Shkodran Mustafi brought Messi down and was sent off but Neymar hit the post to leave the score 3-0 at the interval.

Russian Denis Cheryshev came on as a substitute for his Valencia debut just before Messi scored Barca's fourth in the 59th minute, taking a backheel from Suarez and weaving past two defenders.

Valencia had the ball in the net in the 69th minute after Cheryshev laid on for Rodrigo but it was ruled out for offside and Messi soon completed his hat-trick.

"I couldn't imagine a debut like this. I know it's Barcelona but we can't give such an image (of ourselves)," Cheryshev, on loan from Real Madrid, said. "Like this we won't go anywhere."

Suarez scored twice in the last seven minutes, a header from Adriano's cross and a shot from Arda Turan's square ball taking the Uruguayan's tally to nine goals in five matches and 35 for the season.

The second leg, in which Barcelona can afford to rest leading players, should be a mere formality in Valencia next Wednesday.

(Writing by Rex Gowar, editing by Ed Osmond and Pritha Sarkar)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

FOOTBALL: Real face disqualification in King's Cup, Barca ease through

Real face disqualification as Barca ease through

Tim Hanlon, Reuters

Real Madrid could be thrown out of the King's Cup for playing an ineligible player in their 3-1 victory over Cadiz on Wednesday after Barcelona routed lower league Villanovense 6-1 to reach the last 16.

Real's Denis Cheryshev received a third yellow card playing for Villarreal in the semi-finals last season but he has not served the resulting ban and the Madrid club are set to be thrown out of the competition, Spanish media reported.

Cheryshev scored the opening goal before being substituted at halftime and Isco struck twice for Real against the third- tier side who pulled a late goal back through Enrique Marquez.

The potential disqualification heaps more pressure on Real Madrid who lost 4-0 at home to arch-rivals Barca in La Liga last month and are six points behind them in the standings after 13 games.

Youngster Sandro Ramirez hit a hat-trick and Munir El-Haddadi struck twice for a Barcelona second-string side who tore apart lower league Villanovense 6-1 to book the holders a place in the last 16.

With big names including Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez rested, it was a chance for Barca's lesser lights to shine after a goalless first leg and Sandro and Munir took full advantage with deadly performances.

Liverpool hit Saints for six to reach League Cup semis

Reuters

Liverpool ran riot to reach the League Cup semi-finals with a 6-1 thrashing of Southampton on Wednesday in which Divock Origi grabbed a hat-trick and Daniel Sturridge scored twice as the Juergen Klopp juggernaut rolled on.

Jordon Ibe added his name to the scoresheet as Liverpool emphatically overcame the early blow of Sadio Mane putting the hosts ahead inside a minute to emphasise their resurgence since Klopp arrived at the start of October.

Klopp's side, who have now won seven of their last eight games in all competitions, will face Stoke City in the semi-finals while Premier League leaders Manchester City will play Everton in the other last-four clash after Wednesday's draw.

---------------------------------------

Cahill signs new four-year Chelsea deal

Reuters

Chelsea's England defender Gary Cahill has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2019, the Premier League champions said in a statement.

The 29-year-old has become a pivotal figure in the Chelsea backline since joining from Bolton Wanderers in 2012, winning the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in his relatively short time at Stamford Bridge.

His partnership alongside John Terry at the heart of the Chelsea defence was a key component in their run to the Premier League title last season, with the west London club boasting the meanest rearguard in the top flight.

---------------------------------------

La Liga agrees three-year 2.65 billion euro TV rights deal

Agence France-Presse

The Spanish league announced on Wednesday that it has agreed a domestic television deal worth a minimum 2.65 billion euros ($2.8 billion, £1.86 billion) for the next three seasons.

A subsidiary of telecommunications giant Telefonica, Movistar, will have first choice of one match from each round of fixtures for 250 million euros a season.

Meanwhile, multimedia communications group Mediapro have the rights to eight other La Liga games each weekend for 633 million euros a season.

Moreover, the deal is set to rise with eight other available packages including Copa del Rey games, highlights and one La Liga match per round of fixtures to be shown on free-to-air television still to be agreed.

---------------------------------------

Italy's Giovinco voted MLS Most Valuable Player

Agence France-Presse

Italian striker Sebastian Giovinco, a former Juventus star who scored 22 goals for Toronto this past season, was named Wednesday as Major League Soccer's 2015 Most Valuable Player.

The 28-year-old from Turin was the league's joint-top scorer and laid on a league-best 16 assists for the Canadian club in his debut season, leading Toronto FC to its first playoff appearance.

Giovinco also captured the MLS Golden Boot and Newcomer of the Year awards and was named to the North American league's Best 11 all-star squad.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Marvellous Messi leads Barca to Cup final triumph

BARCELONA - A magical Lionel Messi goal, the first of a personal double, led treble-chasing Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the King's Cup final on Saturday.

The Argentine skipped superbly past four players in a mazy run after 20 minutes before shooting venemously into the bottom corner of the net beyond keeper Iago Herrerin to claim his 33rd goal in his 50th appearance for Barca in the competition.

Messi has been in top form in the second half of the season and again provided the inspiration for his team who went 2-0 up when Brazilian Neymar slotted the ball into an open goal having been set up by Uruguay's Luis Suarez in the 36th minute.

With the Bilbao defence dozing, Messi nipped in to clip home a Dani Alves cross after 74 minutes.

A flicked Inaki Williams header gave the Basque side a consolation strike with 10 minutes to go before tempers frayed following some showmanship and play-acting from Neymar.

Barca's South American attacking trio have netted a Spanish record 120 goals in all competitions this season, two more than Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain managed in 2011-12 for Real Madrid.

It was also a record-extending 27th King's Cup title for the Catalans who have also won La Liga this season and will meet Juventus in the Champions League final in Berlin next Saturday.

"They pressed us at the beginning but after that we were the better side," Neymar told reporters.

The Brazilian had a goal harshly ruled offside and Suarez had a shot saved by Herrerin as Barca took an early grip on the game.

Messi then provided a moment of genius to unlock the Bilbao defence.

The dazzling forward went round three players out on the wing before evading Aymeric Laporte inside the area and finishing clinically with his left foot.

"Leo is incredible...for me the best in the world," said Neymar. "It is an honour to be part of this team with players that have so much ability."

Barca began to find more openings and a well-worked move saw Ivan Rakitic find Suarez in the area and he rolled the ball square for Neymar to score with ease.

Luis Enrique's team concentrated on keeping possession in the second half as Bilbao flagged.

Messi took advantage with his second goal before Williams headed in for Bilbao. (Editing by Iain Rogers)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Messi cleared to play against Getafe in Cup

BARCELONA - Barcelona received a welcome boost on Tuesday when forward Lionel Messi was given the all-clear by medical staff and included in the squad for Wednesday's King's Cup last 16, first leg at home to Getafe.

The Argentine World Player of the Year has not featured for the Spanish league champions since straining his thigh on Nov. 10, the latest in a series of muscle injuries that plagued him throughout 2013.

His return will give the team a lift as they prepare for Saturday's La Liga game at title rivals Atletico Madrid who are level with Barca at the top on 49 points from 18 matches.

Coach Gerardo Martino did not reveal at a news conference whether Messi would feature against Getafe, the team he scored one of the greatest goals of his career against in a King's Cup game in April 2007.

Receiving the ball just inside the Barca half, he dashed through the opposition defence and slotted into the net from a narrow angle, covering 55 metres in 12 seconds.

Many compared the goal to the brilliant effort compatriot Diego Maradona scored against England at the 1986 World Cup.

"If he plays tomorrow hopefully he will score another one just like it," said Martino with a smile.

"He came back (from Argentina) and has been working like any other member of the squad," added Martino who hails from Messi's home town of Rosario.

"Obviously he is lacking a bit of playing time but seeing as we are talking about Leo it is not really an issue. He has told me he is feeling fine and that's why he is in the squad."

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets is available after he was suspended for Sunday's 4-0 La Liga win at home to Elche but playmaker Xavi is rested.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com