The bitter memories of Balkan conflicts that tore the former Yugoslavia apart should take a back seat to football when Serbia visit Croatia in next month’s World Cup qualifier, Serbia coach Sinisa Mihajlovic said.
The 44-year-old also warned his players about the pressures of facing Croatia.
“The match with Croatia will be a game of football and not war,” Mihajlovic said.
“I expect my players to deal with the occasion the right way because those players who can’t take the pressure of high-profile games should get into another line of work, like office jobs.”
Lamela harbours CLeague dream
Erik Lamela insists Roma are still capable to challenge for a Champions League spot despite the team’s poor placing in the Serie A standings.
The Giallorossi are eighth in Serie A, seven points off Lazio in third but the Argentine is confident that they can produce a late surge for that last spot in Europe’s premier club competition.
“We are a good team. We have to continue on the path we’re on at the moment,” Lamela said.
“Getting into the Champions League is still a possibility, and we will give it our best shot.”
Lambert confident
Paul Lambert insists Aston Villa are “playing well enough” to stave off the threat of being relegated for the first time in 25 years.
Villa slipped back into the bottom three for the fourth time this season after losing 2-1 at Arsenal on Saturday. They now entertain Manchester City next Monday but Lambert has seen enough plus points from the recent performances to convince him Villa can survive.
“We are certainly playing well enough to stay up. The players believe we can stay up because of the way they are playing.
“We have belief in ourselves that we will always be okay. The way they are playing, honestly I can’t ask for more.”
No Leeds takeover says Pearson
Adam Pearson has distanced himself from a takeover of Champ-ionship side Leeds owing to his commitment to Rugby League.
Pearson, the 49-year-old owner of Super League side Hull, has been linked with a move back to the club he used to serve as a director in recent weeks, having admitted he was keen on a return to football and that Leeds were a club which interested him.
“It’s a funny one because Hull FC is mine. I own the club, it’s my baby,” Pearson said.
“Leeds is a club that I live close to and I’ve worked there before so I understand how big a club it is but at this minute in time, it’s not for me. My focus is completely on Hull FC and my other business interests.”
McClaren quits as Twente coach
Former England manager Steve McClaren stepped down as coach of Dutch club Twente Enschede yesterday after a six-match winless streak.
“The club is bigger than any one individual and Twente is too big in my heart to stand in the way of its progress,” McClaren said.
Twente’s poor run has left them in fifth spot in the table, six points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven. Twente host second-placed Ajax on Saturday.
McClaren’s departure brings to an end his second spell as manager at the club he guided to their maiden Dutch league title in 2010.
John Carew set for move to Inter
John Carew was due to arrive in Milan yesterday ahead of joining Serie A club Inter, reports in Italy said.
The Nerazzurri are looking for a new striker after Diego Milito was ruled out for the season after suffering a serious knee ligament injury.
Norway’s Carew is available outside the transfer window as he is a free agent.
Carew, 33, hasn’t played top-level football since his contract at West Ham expired in the summer of 2012.
Reports said Carew has already held talks with Inter regarding a four-month contract that would see him net around €300,000.
Packed calendar hurting Chelsea
Defender Gary Cahill believes a packed fixture list is endangering Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City was Chelsea’s 46th match of a campaign that has seen them travel to Japan for the Club World Cup.
“Unfortunately it (fatigue) does take its toll,” Cahill said.
“I think sometimes a little bit of fatigue plays its part.
“We haven’t had a clear rest for about 29 weeks and you’re expecting to go into games feeling 100 per cent fresh, trying to push on further in all com-petitions.
“I think at this stage of the season, it’s not an excuse, but fatigue has to play a part.”