WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 SPORTS Del Piero, Zoff pay tribute as Maradona claims Juve bias MILAN: Club legends Alessandro Del and appearances (705) for the club, post- he made a last-gasp penalty save from Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri, who Napoli travelled to Roma on Monday- Piero and Dino Zoff hailed Juventus after ed a message on Twitter which read: Croatian Nikola Kalinic. was rumoured to be close to the exit a national holiday in Italy-primarily look- the Turin giants’ record-equalling fifth “You are part of history. This is It capped a sterling season for the 38- door last autumn following a disastrous ing for the win that would keep their consecutive Serie A title on Monday, Juventus. Well done lads!!!” The claim year-old shot-stopper, who throughout start to their title defence, underlined third-placed hosts at bay. although former Napoli legend Diego that Juventus benefit from favourable an incredible career has experienced the the champions’ impressive comeback. But in spite of Gonzalo Higuain Maradona was not amused. refereeing decisions still exists in Italy, lows of relegation to Serie B due to “I always say that you can only returning from a three-match ban, the Juventus, emulating their feat of 1935 and their 2-1 win in Florence did little to Juve’s role in a vast match-fixing affair as improve by enduring the hard times. 30-goal Argentine striker was thwarted when the Turin giants won a fifth dispel it. Referee Paolo Tagliavento ruled well as the highs of being part of Italy’s Looking at our season, it makes me even three times by Roma keeper Wojciech straight title for the first time, went 12 out a perfectly valid goal from Fiorentina most successful club on the domestic more proud,” said Allegri, who steered Szczesny as the hosts snatched a pre- points clear of Napoli with a 2-1 win at striker Federico Bernardeschi, prompting front. Last month Buffon set a new Serie Juventus to their first league and Cup cious win in the penultimate minute of Fiorentina on Sunday. an outburst from Maradona on Monday. A record for going unbeaten 974 consec- double in 20 years in his first season in regulation time. Napoli had to beat Roma on Monday “Fiorentina’s goal... was a scandal, a scan- utive minutes, surpassing the previous charge last year, as well as a first Despite his claims of bias, Maradona to maintain their slim hopes of snatch- dal,” the Argentine told the In Casa record of 929 minutes held by former AC Champions League final appearance in admitted Juve’s quality had made a sig- ing a first scudetto since 1990 when Napoli programme. Milan keeper Sebastiano Rossi. 12 years. “Serie A isn’t the final of the 100 nificant difference. Maradona was still in his pomp at the “I was watching on television and the metres, but a marathon. You need “When Sarri looks at his substitutes’ San Paolo. Fiorentina goal was cancelled because ‘EVEN MORE PROUD’ patience to find the right rhythm.” bench, he just didn’t have the same But Maurizio Sarri’s men were they were playing against Juventus. “He’s had a great season,” said former Defender Leonardo Bonucci, who was quality of players as Allegri. That made stunned when Radja Nainggolan hit an “Juventus have great players in the Italy and Juventus legend Zoff. seen soaking fans with champagne as the difference. “Even if Napoli played 89th-minute winner for Roma in the cap- Italian (football) federation and in the “Even though we’ve come to expect they waited at the gates of the club’s better football, you have to tip your hat. ital to hand the title to the Old Lady of refereeing body, but this is nothing new.” that from him, he (Buffon) had a crazy Vinovo training ground, told Sky Sport: Juve have a great coach, a great squad, Turin. Del Piero, who still holds records Nevertheless, Juventus goalkeeper championship. Even yesterday he saved “They had us dead and buried in and the club knows how to go about for the biggest number of goals (290) Gianluigi Buffon required no help when the team with a great penalty save.” October, but Juve never die.” their business.” — AFP Bayern jet off to begin ‘Mission Milan’ BERLIN: Bayern Munich jetted off to Spain ble of Champions League, Bundesliga and hoping to realise their dreams of reaching German Cup titles. the Champions League final ahead of today’s semi-final, first-leg, against “very, QUALITY very dangerous” Atletico Madrid. Simeone’s Atletico threw down a gaunt- Boosted by their passionate fans, let in the quarter-finals by knocking out last Atletico’s Vicente Calderon stadium is set to year’s winners Barcelona while Bayern are offer an intense challenge to Bayern with a bidding to win the European crown for the place in this year’s final on May 28 in Milan sixth time. at stake. “Of course we have a goal and that’s to Diego Simeone’s Atletico will provide reach the final and continue living this Pep Guardiola with an acid test in his third dream,” said Bayern’s chairman Karl-Heinz and final year in charge of Bayern before Rummenigge before boarding the plane at coaching Manchester City. The 45-year-old Munich airport. has seen his Bavarian giants knocked out “Any team who can shut out Barcelona by Spanish opposition at the semi-final has a lot of quality. stage in both of his previous two full sea- “This team can hurt anyone and be very sons in charge. unpleasant to play against.” Bayern excited “They have a big heart and a very good the 2014 Champions League semi-finals mentality. This is a top, top team. They are with a crushing defeat to eventual winners very, very dangerous,” warned Bayern’s Real Madrid, then succumbed to Barcelona Guardiola, who needs a good result in at the same stage of last year’s competi- Madrid ahead of next Tuesday’s return at tion. Having again drawn Spanish opposi- the Allianz Arena. “I know exactly how spe- tion, Bayern are hoping to make it third cial Atletico’s team is and with how much time lucky and they expect a battle royal determination they play.” against Atletico’s miserly defence which Bayern’s Germany defender Jerome has leaked just 16 goals in La Liga this sea- Boateng could return to the starting line- son. “We have our eyes wide open,” said LONDON: West Bromwich players (L) defend against a shot from Tottenham Hotspur’s Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (R) during the English up for the first time since January after a Germany forward Thomas Mueller. Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane in London, yesterday. — AFP groin injury. “I am ready and I’m there to “There will be antics and many one-on- help the team,” he said on a possible inclu- ones in the grey area. It’s something we’ll sion in Bayern’s bid to repeat their 2013 tre- have to adjust to.” — AFP Pochettino refuses to accept Tottenham’s title race run LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager fight and improve. “But no complaints. We are “I am very pleased in the way that we have Mauricio Pochettino is not ready to concede the very proud since the start of the season on how played away from home against the bigger clubs Premier League title to Leicester City despite we have played and worked.” this year. “We did smashing at (Manchester) City, seeing his side drop precious points in a 1-1 got beat late on at Man Utd, and did well at draw with West Bromwich Albion. ALLI INCIDENT Chelsea. All the big clubs, we played well- Monday’s result at White Hart Lane left sec- Pochettino said he had not seen the video cir- Arsenal is the only ground at which we have ond-placed Spurs seven points behind longtime culating on Twitter during the game which been disappointing at. So, it was important they leaders Leicester with three matches remaining. showed Spurs’ Dele Alli appearing to punch had a go tonight.” Leicester can now clinch the title with a victo- Albion midfielder Claudio Yacob late in the first Pulis added: “Tottenham are a fantastic team. ry over Manchester United at Old Trafford on half. This is not the first time the 20-year-old has The future here is bright here over next the cou- Sunday-the day before Tottenham travel across showed a mean streak, most notably in a Europa ple of years. London to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. League tie with Fiorentina when he escaped “One thing that has not been said about this “Is it over? No, it’s not, because the gap is sev- with a booking for kicking Serbian defender title race between the two clubs is the fact that en points and there are three left to play,” said Nenad Tomovic. Tottenham have played a lot of games on a Pochettino. “It’s true that it’s very difficult, more “The behaviour of Dele after Fiorentina has Thursday night. I have experienced that and so than before this game. Yes, this is very frus- been fantastic,” said Pochettino. “You know playing Thursdays and Sundays is difficult. trating. “But we need to still believe and keep sometimes the opponent tries to find him and to “So, for Tottenham, even though they are dis- fighting and be ready for the next game and provoke him as they know he has a strong char- appointed now, to be where they are at the hope Leicester drop points,” the Argentinian, acter and might react.