WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017 SPORTS

Spanish La Liga table

Spanish La Liga table after Monday’s match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Barcelona 33 23 6 4 94 32 75 Alaves 33 11 11 11 32 40 44 Real Madrid 32 23 6 3 84 36 75 Valencia 33 11 7 15 47 56 40 Atletico Madrid 33 20 8 5 60 24 68 Las Palmas 33 10 9 14 52 58 39 Sevilla 33 19 8 6 58 39 65 Real Betis 33 10 7 16 36 51 37 Villarreal 33 16 9 8 48 27 57 Malaga 33 9 9 15 38 49 36 Athletic Bilbao 33 17 5 11 46 37 56 La Coruna 33 7 10 16 35 51 31 Real Sociedad 33 17 4 12 49 45 55 Leganes 33 6 9 18 27 51 27 Eibar 33 14 8 11 52 45 50 Sporting Gijon 33 5 8 20 36 66 23 Espanyol 33 13 10 10 44 43 49 Granada 33 4 8 21 27 70 20 Celta Vigo 32 13 5 14 48 52 44 Osasuna 33 3 9 21 34 75 18

SPANISH LEAGUE Athletic beat 10 man Eibar

MADRID: Raul Garcia scored in to midfielder Gonzalo Escalante. Athletic is the last minute for Athletic Bilbao to beat one point ahead of seventh-place Real 10 man Eibar 1-0 in the Spanish league on Sociedad and one point behind fifth-place Monday, moving his team into position to Villarreal. The top four clubs qualify for the qualify for the Europa League next season. Champions League, and the teams in fifth Garcia volleyed from inside the area in the and sixth places earn a spot in the Europa fourth and final minute of stoppage time, League. Eibar stayed eighth in the 20-team putting Athletic in sixth place after 33 standings, six points behind Athletic. matches. Eibar played with 10 men from Barcelona and Real Madrid are level on the 56th minute after a red card was issued points at the top.—AP PSG and Monaco renew battle in Cup semi-final

PARIS: Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco hold the one goal and set up two more in the April 1 PESCARA: Roma’s forward from Bosnia-Herzegovina Edin Dzeko (left) vies with Pescara’s Italian defender Cesare Bovo during the Italian edge over Paris Saint-Germain in the showpiece, told the PSG website. “Against football match between Pascara and Roma on April 24, 2017.—AFP French title race, but the reigning champi- Monaco in the semi-final we must repro- ons haven’t given up hope of landing a duce the same thing. We must give our third successive sweep of the domestic tro- best, this time at home with our supporters phies. PSG thrashed Monaco 4-1 at the behind us. To reach another final would be Slick Salah fires Roma as start of April to retain the French League even better!” Cup, and with the principality club prioritiz- ing Europe and , Unai Emery’s side SIXTY YEARS MAKING? will again fancy their chances in today’s While Jardim is expected to make drop looms for Pescara French Cup semi-final.”This semi-final is an wholesale changes for Monaco, PSG will be encounter between two very important without Javier Pastore-hurt in Saturday’s 2- matches, with only two days’ rest each 0 win over Montpellier-and likely Adrien time,” said Monaco boss Jardim, whose side Rabiot in midfield. Angers will host twice MILAN: A slick second-half brace from lead PSG on goal difference with a game in former winners Guingamp at a sold-out Mohamed Salah sealed a 4-1 Roma romp at Little-known Brazilian hand in the razor tight title race. Stade Raymond Kopa in the first semi-final Pescara that virtually sent the Serie A strug- “We don’t have a choice, we’ll have to on Tuesday. The home side have reached glers back to ’s second division on rotate the squad and save those players the last four three times in the past six sea- Monday. Roma’s 24th win of the campaign bridges cultural gap in China who have played the most for Saturday sons, but a 6-3 defeat against Toulouse 60 helped close the gap on leaders Juventus to CHONGQING: He does not have the fame-or 60,000 spectators. One of the club’s share- against Toulouse. “We’re going to use the years ago remains Angers’ lone appearance eight points, although the giants enormous wages-of Shanghai-based Carlos holders, Lifan Motors, even produced a players who have played sparingly and in the final. “We really feel the enthusiasm remain firmly on course for a record sixth Tevez or Oscar, and his nickname would be ‘Fernandinho limited edition’ motorcyle, pro- players from the reserves. There’s mental of the fans for the semi-final,” said right- consecutive scudetto. “This was a crucial win viewed as offensive by many. But moted by the player himself. The Brazilian fatigue as well... the league is the most back Vincent Manceau. “Even before the for us,” Roma coach told Fernandinho, one of the growing number of player says he feels “very happy” in the club important competition.” Not only has league match at Dijon (last Saturday), the Mediaset Premium after seeing Roma build Brazilian footballers in China, is bridging a and eager to “work hard to give fans pleasure”. Monaco’s brilliant young side fired the club people talked more about Guingamp.” their lead on third-placed Napoli to four wide cultural gap and finding celebrity in the The level of play, though, is not what he is to within sight of a first French crown since “It’s a big chance that has been present- points. “The lads deserve to finish in second southwestern city of Chongqing. At 10:45am, accustomed to: The Super League’s quality 2000, but Jardim’s men are also through to ed to us. If we could write a new page in place and with five games remaining Napoli he arrives to smiles in the gym, where he remains patchy, while China’s national team is the last four of the Champions League, the club’s history 60 years later, it would be remain a threat.” stretches before lifting a barbell, alongside a 81st in the world rankings. But Xi’s ambitions where they’ll face Juventus for a place in fantastic,” added Olivier Pickeu, the club’s The only blip for Roma on the day they dozen Chinese team-mates. He is known in for the country to one day host and win a the June 3 final in Cardiff. general manager. Guingamp striker Jimmy appointed former Sevilla goalkeeper Ramon the city by his nickname “Xiao Hei”, or “Little World Cup have lifted expectations, govern- PSG’s European dreams were shattered Briand is still smarting over last month’s 3-0 Rodriguez Verdejo, known as Monchi, as the Black”. It is a reference to his age (24), and his ment support and spending by clubs. “We are in stunning fashion by Barcelona, but they league defeat to Angers and vowed to use club’s new sporting director was striker Edin skin color. playing good football in China... it is getting have reeled off eight victories in succession it for motivation as Antoine Kombouare’s Dzeko being caught on camera launching a While some might be offended, stronger and all the great players who come since their Camp Nou meltdown to revive men bid to reach the final for the third time Fernandinho-not to be confused with his here bring visibility,” says Fernandinho. their campaign. A rejuvenated Angel Di in eight years-after lifting the trophy in tirade at Spalletti after he decided to replace more illustrious namesake at Manchester Argentina’s Tevez is on a reported salary of Maria has been a central figure in their 2009 and 2014. “When I signed for the Bosnian with Frenchman Clement Grenier City-simply laughs it off. “The cultural differ- $38 million at Shanghai Shenhua, making him largely impressive 2017 form, the Guingamp two years ago, I said that I 20 minutes from the end. Dzeko is tied with ences are vast... Brazilians are quite boister- the world’s best-paid player, while other Argentine contributing 17 goals in 18 wasn’t coming just to keep the club in the Torino’s Andrea Belotti on 25 goals at the top ous, and people in China are more reserved,” South American stars include Ramires at matches since the turn of the year. “During top flight,” said Briand. “This season has of the Serie A scoring charts and was denied he said. “But everybody does his best to com- Jiangsu Suning and at the League Cup final we were at 100 per- been a good one for the moment. With a the chance to add to his tally, which is now municate, and I often make jokes with my Shanghai SIPG. cent. We played the perfect game, it was an French Cup final, it would certainly be a under threat from hitman Mauro Chinese team-mates, who do the same.” The exceptional match,” Di Maria, who scored very, very good one.”— AFP Icardi, on 24 following his hat-trick in a 5-4 loss at Fiorentina. forward arrived at Chongqing, a metropolis of STEAKS AND PLAYSTATION Reports claimed Dzeko told Spalletti: 8.5 million-roughly the population of Despite living in China for nearly two Switzerland-in the summer of 2015, after a years, Fernandinho still has a long way to go “You’re trying to be clever again, eh?” But mixed experience at Estoril in Portugal’s before he makes a full adjustment to his new Spalletti was quick to calm suggestions sparks Primeira Liga. Today, he is one of 24 Brazilian life. Aside from “nihao” (hello) and “xiexie” flew in the dressing room, adding: “We went footballers playing in the 16-team Chinese (thank you), he has no Chinese, and very lit- back to the dressing room, we saw each other Super League. tle English. When he trains, goes to the bank, and we made up. “If he knew why I did it, then They are among the 78 foreign players competes or deals with the country’s he’d understand. We have three key games who have moved to the country in recent bureaucracy, the club provides a Chinese coming up and we can’t do without him. He’s years, many after Chinese President Xi interpreter who speaks Portuguese. But the only centre-forward I have.” Dzeko had to Jinping’s demand for China to become a Fernandinho is not alone in his new home: settle for an assist on the night as Dutchman world football power unleashed a flood of the assistant coaches of the Chongqing club Kevin Strootman, Radja Nainggolan and spending. Some of the players have made are also Brazilian. And he stays in daily con- Salah, with a second-half double that featured headlines for their bumper-sized salaries and tact with friends and family via mobile apps. a superb counter from a wayward Pescara cor- luxurious lifestyles. Oscar, the former Chelsea He is still not used to Chinese cuisine, how- ner on the hour, got their name on the score- star, is paid $24 million euros a year by ever. He remains a fervent fan of churrasco, sheet-although starred Shanghai SIPG and lives in a sumptuous the Brazilian barbecue that he enjoys regu- as well with three assists. apartment of 400 square meters (4,300 square larly with compatriots living in Chongqing. feet) with a view of the Shanghai Bund water- “At the club, they know my habits, and they SCANT CONSOLATION front, according to media reports. But unlike prepare what I like: rice, omelettes, some- As Roma tired, Pescara finally came fight- some of the big-name stars, Fernandinho times chicken, steaks. And at home I eat ing back in a promising final third in which leads a relatively frugal life. “Foreign foot- Brazilian food,” he says. Wojciech Szczesny was forced into action on ballers come not only for the money, but also Sometimes he has lunch at the Blue Frog, a to participate in this football boom,” he said. trendy Western burger restaurant and sports several occasions before finally being beaten bar that broadcasts football matches. He buys by Ahmad Benali when he got in behind PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinean forward Javier Pastore reacts during the MODEST AMBITIONS clothes from internationally known chains. to meet a crisp cross from the In Brazil, Fernandinho started at Flamengo, Fernandinho says he spends much of his free French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain vs Montpellier at the Parc des right.It was scant consolation for the rock-bot- Princes stadium in Paris. — AFP a prestigious Rio club with a large fanbase, time in his rented apartment. “I play on my tom Adriatic coast side. Now 15 points behind where competition was fierce. His Chinese PlayStation, I watch movies... Sometimes I also Empoli and the safety zone with five games club, Chongqing Dangdai Lifan, has more play pool, go bowling and travel elsewhere in remaining, they are all but mathematically on modest ambitions. Last season, it finished China.” He still has plenty of time to explore Croatia football ‘boss’ Mamic their way back to . Veteran coach eighth out of 16 in the Super League and is the country: his contract will expire only at Zdenek Zeman, brought back to Pescara last happy merely to remain in the division. That the end of 2019. Does he want to settle per- faces major corruption trial month in a bid to beat the drop, had tried to makes Fernandinho a big fish in a little pond: manently in China, or even marry a Chinese instigate his usual brand of all-out attacking he is the team’s star, plays every game, and woman? “I want to play football for a while ZAGREB: Controversial former Dinamo before he was indicted. According to local football only to find resources limited the attracts fans in a stadium with a capacity of here,” he says, bursting into laughter.— AFP Zagreb boss Zdravko Mamic tomorrow media, two international stars-Real Madrid league strugglers. faces a multi-million euro corruption trial, a midfielder Luka Modric and defender Dejan Sitting two points behind Palermo, he said: crucial case for Croatian football which is Lovren of Liverpool-will appear as witness- “Now, we will do our best not to finish last.” already burdened with hooliganism and es during the trial. The process is seen as After a recent run of four consecutive wins, poor infrastructure. Mamic, considered the crucial for Croatian football, which is Roma’s title hopes were dented by a 1-1 draw most powerful figure in the sport in the for- known for the successes of its national at home to Atalanta last week. Spalletti’s men mer Yugoslav republic, has been charged squad but also for its hooligans, who are were creative from the outset but it took until with abuse of power and bribery between considered to be among Europe’s most the 44th minute for the visitors to break the 2008 to 2012. Croatia’s anti-corruption notorious. deadlock, Stephan El Shaarawy powering into office (USKOK) last year also indicted his the box to deliver a perfect square ball for brother and former Dinamo Zagreb coach, ‘PUBLIC TRUST LOST’ Strootman to tap home. When Dzeko chased Zoran Mamic, former club director Damir “Croatian football is heavily burdened Vrbanovic, and a tax inspector. The alleged with many things, from insufficient and down Salah’s overhit cross to the left of goal a offences cost the Croatian champions near- outdated infrastructure through hooligan- minute later, he picked out Nainggolan with a ly 116 million kunas (15.6 million euros, ism to the indictments against Mamic and precision pass for the Belgium midfielder to $16.7 million) and the state budget 12 mil- Vrbanovic,” former international defender drill past Vincenzo Fiorillo. Roma resumed in lion kunas. Dario Simic said. Vrbanovic is currently the commanding fashion after half-time, Salah Most of the money-more than 12 million executive president of the Croatian beating Fiorillo down low at his near post euros-was illegally acquired by the Mamic Football Federation (HNS). “The worst is with a great curling strike from the edge of brothers, according to the indictment. The that the trust of the whole society in foot- the area on 48 minutes. The Egyptian created cash was allegedly embezzled through fic- ball is lost,” said Simic, Croatia’s football his own double, snatching a wayward corner titious deals related to player transfers. union chief, who was part of the team that from Pescara to power up the middle and CHONGQING: Chongqing Dangdai Lifan’s Fernandinho (center) takes part in a training ses- Mamic resigned as executive president of finished third at the 1998 World Cup in exchange a one-two with El Shaarawy before sion at the football club in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality.— AFP the club in February last year, two months France. —AFP firing low past Fiorillo.—AFP