Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has challenged his stuttering side to respond to Saturday’s 1-0 La Liga defeat at Real Sociedad by repeating last season’s treble of Champions League, domestic title and King’s Cup.
Barca saw their lead at the top over nearest challengers Atletico Madrid cut to only three points with six games left.
“It’s an opportunity for us to demonstrate we’re the best in the world like our shirt says,” Luis Enrique said.
“Everything is to play for and to win. At this stage last year we were only two points above second place with a worse head-to-head difference.”
I haven’t signed for anyone – Mourinho
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has not signed a contract with anybody, he said on Saturday, but expects to be back in football in time for the start of next season and would prefer to work in England again.
“At this moment I can promise you that I don’t have a contract with anybody,” he said at the 02 Arena.
“I’m in a position to be open to any club, to any national team, but to be honest if possible I’d like a club, and analyse and think what’s best for my career and to be back with everything I have.”
Skripnik to stay in charge at Bremen
Talks over the future of Werder Bremen coach Viktor Skripnik are under way although the 46-year-old currently remains in charge of the club.
Skripnik led training yesterday in the wake of a 2-1 defeat at home to Augsburg which left the club inside the relegation play-off berth.
“Viktor Skripnik remains our coach,” director Thomas Eichin said.
“We are holding discussions and our aim is not to change our coach, but we have got to wait for the conclusion of these talks.
“We’re not relegated yet and we’ve got to ensure we don’t lose our belief.”
Nasri frustrated to miss out against PSG
Samir Nasri reminded Man. City of his talents with a match-winning display against West Brom and admitted frustration he cannot face Paris SG tomorrow.
The Frenchman had no issues with manager Manuel Pellegrini’s decision not to include him in the squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
But having returned sooner than expected following surgery on a serious thigh injury last October, Nasri admits he would have relished facing PSG.
“It was something I was really okay with,” said Nasri of his Champions League exclusion.
“When I had surgery the target was to play one game before the end of the season. The only thing is it is PSG and I am from Marseille. That is like United against us.”
Allegri hails ‘sensational’ Buffon
Massimiliano Allegri thanked “sensational” Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for denying Milan any share of the points at San Siro on Saturday night.
Milan took an early lead when Alex’s bullet header got the better of Buffon but he raised his game from that point forward and kept Milan at arm’s length.
He was a spectator as Mario Mandzukic and Paul Pogba provided the goals to clinch a 2-1 win.
“Gianluigi Buffon’s saves? Sensational,” Allegri said.
“We didn’t start brilliantly but picked up after Milan went in front. Credit to the Rossoneri for the way they played.
“We’ve still got a long way to go until the Scudetto is won. We need to keep going.”
Carroll can reclaim England spot
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic believes Andy Carroll’s hat-trick heroics against Arsenal have catapulted him back into the England reckoning.
Carroll has struggled with injuries this season, but Bilic feels that if he can stay fit his aerial prowess would be a major asset for Hodgson and the Three Lions in France this summer.
“Mark Noble, Aaron Cresswell, and Andy Carroll is definitely in the category that he has to make you think about him because there are not many players capable of doing what he is doing. But it’s Roy’s decision,” Bilic said.
“A lad who is six foot and with so many kilos – he needs to be fit. Now he is fit we hope he is going to last like this for years.”
Seluk issues City Toure ultimatum
Yaya Toure could walk out on Manchester City this summer and buy himself out of the final year of his contract, his agent, Dimitri Seluk, has said.
The City midfielder has a contract that runs to the end of next season but has already been linked with an exit in the summer.
His agent wants City to offer Toure, 32, a new three-year deal or allow him to leave on a free.
Seluk said: “This is unacceptable. A player like Yaya Toure should not be moving towards the last year of his contract wondering if he is going to get a new deal.
“Yaya is 32. He has three or four years left at the top and City must tell him now what they want to do.”