WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 SPORTS Monaco seek PSG upset in French Cup PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain are gunning for we’re working on it,” the Portuguese an unprecedented domestic treble as they explained. “Wednesday’s game will be dif- host Monaco today in the French Cup quar- ferent. We will have fans backing us up and ter-finals. we’ll have to recover,” PSG’s Blaide Matuidi PSG are currently second in Ligue 1, one responded in accord. point behind leaders Lyon after being held “The fresher team can certainly come to a frustrating 0-0 Sunday draw by out on top.” In an early match on Tuesday, Monaco, a team they meet for the second six-time winners Saint-Etienne head to time in four days. Boulogne-sur-Mer, who ply their trade in But PSG know the way to the Stade de their third-tier. France as they already booked their ticket The Ligue 1 side are seeking to revive for the French League Cup final next month former glories to end a title drought in the against Bastia. tournament stretching all the way back to PSG face a tough challenge on 1977. And, as coach Christophe Galtier Wednesday as they take on one of the few vowed, Les Verts, will take the encounter top flight sides remaining. And Monaco seriously. “The Cup is important, it’s been love nothing more than to live up to their too long since Saint-Etienne reached a giant-killer reputation, as Arsenal learnt the semi-final. It’s part of the club’s DNA”, he hard way last week in Champions League explained. action. The French Cup has been identified The tie will be significant too for as a priority by Paris president Nasser al- Boulogne ‘keeper Jody Viviani. Now 33, Khelaifi as the Ligue 1 giants have yet to lift Viviani spent four years with Saint-Etienne the trophy in the Qatar-fuelled era. as their backup shot-stopper, appearing 40 PSG, however, seem to be in a tight spot times for the club. with the return leg of their Champions’ “It’s always nice to face Saint-Etienne. I League clash against Chelsea looming on know quite a few guys over there, includ- March 11 while the Ligue 1 leaves Laurent ing Loic Perrin and Moustapha Bayal Sall Blanc’s men with little room for error. whom I played with,” he recalled before Injuries to Thiago Motta (calf), Yohan denying rosy memories would cloud his Cabaye (thigh), Serge Aurier (thigh) and judgement. Lucas (adductor), on top of Zlatan “We certainly must not stop to watch LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho (left) celebrates in this file photo. —AFP Ibrahimovic’s two-game suspension, make Saint-Etienne play. We’ll have to make all things even harder for the capital club. the efforts to stay united and play together In this context, Monaco could appear as to match our opponent,” Viviani added. Liverpool look to maintain firm favourites. But coach Leonardo Jardim “We are, after all, just two games away played it down. “We will try to have a good from the Stade de France.” In other games, game. We are more tired than PSG and our title holders Guingamp, who slumped to a squad third defeat in a week after their 1-0 loss Champions League charge isn’t as big. We have 18-19 players and against Nantes, travel to neutral site Lorient two keepers. In the back, we have two play- where they play fourth-tier Concarneau, LIVERPOOL: Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool’s had to stay longer on the ball and wasn’t as Burnley will look to striker Danny Ings to pro- ers injured and two others who are sus- while Brest take on Auxerre in a Ligue 2 return to form in the league has coincided with effective. vide their main attacking threat. The England pended. We will have to find a solution but classic.—AFP Philippe Coutinho’s progression as a key player “Now, the dynamics in the team are very Under-21 international has been strongly linked at Anfield. good - the pressing and movement off the ball - with a move to Liverpool at the end of the sea- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight and that allows him and his technical quality to son when his contract at Burnley expires. domestic matches and have put themselves really shine. He’s started to add goals to his Sean Dyche, Burnley’s manager, expects the back in the hunt for a Champions League spot as game and has scored some fantastic goals. 22-year-old to play his normal game. “His deter- they prepare to face Burnley today. “Very importantly, he is contributing to the mination has been there for all to see,” Dyche Brazilian Coutinho has played a prominent team and for him there are still improvements to said. “I think he has been delivering good per- role as the Reds have improved and has scored make with him being so young.” Liverpool will formances no matter what. He had the one quiet twice in his last two appearances - victories over again be without Jordan Ibe and Steven Gerrard. one, and other than that, he has been very good top-four rivals Southampton and Manchester Ibe has been ruled out for several weeks with a in his performance level, very good around the City. knee injury, while Gerrard has been out since group and wants to do well for this football club. Rodgers believes the 22-year-old will be a February 10 with a hamstring strain. The rest will take care of itself. contender for player of the season. “He’s certain- Burnley are without a win in their last seven Burnley took points from trips to Manchester ly going to be up there, there’s no doubt about matches but Rodgers says Liverpool will not City and Chelsea and Dyche reckons that men- that,” Rodgers said. “He’s played very well. underestimate their opponents. “Sean (Burnley tality gives them hope ahead of facing Liverpool. “That period of the season where the team manager Dyche) has got them very well organ- “The weight of expectation is on who we’re suffered at the beginning of the season, it was ised, they have great motivation when they play, playing against because it’s Liverpool,” Dyche our lack of penetration at the top of the field. great commitment to try and stay in the league said. “All the world is thinking they’ll win but it’s “He’s the player that thrives on that - he’s nor- and they’re fighting. They’re a team we’re wary not that easy. “We know what a good side they mally the player that makes the last pass to of.“They’ve given absolutely everything and I’m are. “They’ve spent a lot of money on players those guys running in to score the goals. sure Sean will be up there as one of the candi- and it’s taken a while to come together but since “We didn’t quite have that in the opening dates for manager of the year, irrespective of Christmas, you can see that’s started to hap- months, and obviously he suffered because he what happens.” pen.”—AFP Mourinho: LIVERPOOL: Manchester City’s Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko (center) celebrates with teammates in this file photo. — AFP Terry to get Bony urges Man City to new deal LONDON: Jose Mourinho has assured Chelsea fans that target maximum points John Terry, subject of a ‘captain, leader, legend’ banner that is on permanent display at Stamford Bridge, will be at the MANCHESTER: Ivory Coast striker still hope we can do it.” Bony, who signed club next season. Wilfried Bony believes Manchester City for City for £28 million ($43 million, 37 The 34-year-old centre half, who scored the opening must strive for maximum points from million euros) from Swansea City in goal in Sunday’s 2-0 League Cup final victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, has a one-year con- their remaining 11 Premier League fix- January, is still waiting to make his first tract that expires at the end of the season. “I know what my tures to have any chance of catching start for his new club. board tells me and the player tells me and there’s no doubt leaders Chelsea. He was used as a substitute in the 2-1 he is going to get his (new) contract before the end of the Manuel Pellegrini’s defending champi- defeat by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday season,” manager Mourinho told a news conference ahead ons play struggling Leicester City at the as Pellegrini’s team failed to cut the gap of Wednesday’s Premier League game at West Ham United. LONDON: Arsenal’s Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina lies injured in this file photo Etihad Stadium on Wednesday trailing on Chelsea, who went on to lift the “What I can guarantee is he’ll be a Chelsea player next during the English Premier League football match against Everton. —AFP Jose Mourinho’s team, who have played League Cup later that day. season.” Mourinho said there would soon come a moment one match less, by five points. The Chilean manager has the task of when the club think seriously about Terry’s successor but And Bony concedes City’s hopes of lifting his players to avoid another slip- that time had not yet arrived. “John is proving again this Arsenal get over Euro shock retaining their crown are slender. “It up against bottom-placed Leicester. season that he is a player for years,” the Portuguese makes it very difficult now. If Chelsea win However, Pellegrini says City will not sur- explained. LONDON: David Ospina insists Arsenal’s er incentive but Ospina insists nobody at Champions League shock at the hands of the Emirates Stadium is looking too far (their game in hand), it’s very difficult to render their Premier League crown and “Last season he was good, this season he’s even better Monaco is now behind them ahead of their ahead. get close to them,” said Bony. must focus on getting the job done so he has time to enjoy his football with us and at the same visit to struggling QPR today. “We know we are close to them now but “There are still 11 more games and we against Nigel Pearson’s side. “I think we time we can think of what’s coming next. Arsene Wenger’s side responded posi- we need to concentrate on ourselves and have to hope they drop more points. never give up about the title,” Pellegrini “These big guys are difficult to replace but you have to tively to their devastating 3-1 Champions not think about them. We will keep doing “Not every game is the same. We have to said. “We must try to improve our play think ‘what next?’ and I think that is the best way to do League last 16 first leg defeat against our job, picking up points and then see concentrate on winning the rest of our first and after that try to win our next things.” Terry joined Chelsea as a schoolboy in 1995 and has Monaco by beating Everton 2-0 at the what happens,” he added. games and getting maximum points game. You never know in football what made more than 600 appearances at the heart of their Emirates Stadium on Sunday. QPR lie fourth bottom, separated from because it’s more difficult than before. will happen. defence. The victory helped draw a line under a the relegation places only by goal differ- “We need to win on Wednesday and then “It is more difficult when you have less Not only has the former England captain been an loss that means the Gunners go into the ence and must improve on a disastrous run keep winning, it’s difficult for us but we games and you continue with the same imposing presence at the back, he has also been a con- second leg tie in Monaco knowing their of form that has brought just one win in points but I don’t think the team can stant threat at set pieces in opposition penalty areas. Terry prospects of reaching the quarter-finals are their last nine league games. think about that. “The team must think has a remarkable goal record for a defender and Sunday’s slim. Instead, Arsenal’s best prospects of Their last outing ended in defeat at fel- about how we can win the next game.” effort was his 63rd for Chelsea. success this season now lies in ensuring low strugglers Hull with Joey Barton sent Matches on TV Meanwhile, Leicester midfielder Matty The 2012 Champions League winners are five points they achieve a top four finish in the Premier off, ensuring the midfielder will be sus- (Local Timings) James insists the rock-bottom Foxes still clear and have a game in hand over second-placed League and advance in the FA Cup. pended against Arsenal. have cause for hope in their survival bid. Manchester City ahead of this week’s fixtures. Manchester City’s weekend defeat at Barton’s actions drew criticism from ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE James believes Pearson’s team can Mourinho refused to give details of the side he would Liverpool means Wenger’s men have pro- team-mate Charlie Austin and Ramsey will take heart from results going their way select but did say he would not field the same team that gressed to within four points of Manuel hope his decision to take advantage of a over the weekend - one in which they beat Spurs. —Reuters Pellegrini’s second-placed side and will free weekend and take his squad away on a Newcastle v Man United 22:45 took an enforced break due to scheduled maintain the pressure on the champions if five-day training camp in Dubai has rejuve- beIN SPORTS 2 HD opponents Chelsea’s participation in the they can claim three points at Loftus Road. nated and united his under-performing beIN SPORTS 14 HD League Cup final against Tottenham Chris Ramsey’s side are battling for their squad. Premier League survival and Arsenal will Director of football Les Ferdinand said: Tottenham v Swansea 22:45 Hotspur. They remain just four points adrift of safety and could also benefit start clear favorites to return to north “It’s been a vitally important trip for us, beIN SPORTS 2 HD from being fresher than their opponents, London having secured a seventh win in especially with what lies ahead between eight league games. now and the end of the season. beIN SPORTS 14 HD who have lost to Barcelona and Liverpool QPR v Arsenal 22:45 Ospina, the Gunners goalkeeper, is con- “Chris has only been in charge a short since the Foxes drew at Everton a week fident Arsenal’s shaken belief has been time, so this week away has given him and beIN SPORTS 2 HD ago last Sunday. “The good thing for us is restored by the win over Everton and they the other coaches an ideal opportunity to beIN SPORTS 14 HD we are not playing badly,” James said. can now look forward to the closing weeks work with the team. “We are creating chances, we are scor- West Ham v Chelsea 22:45 of the season. “He has come in and is putting his ing goals. If we can get that change of “We were not nervous, we were sad stamp on things. He’s implementing his beIN SPORTS 2 HD luck and get that right result in one after the Monaco result but in football you ideas and the lads are buying into it. There’s beIN SPORTS 14 HD game, it would set us up nicely for the have to pick yourselves up quickly,” he said. been a great response from the players.” Man City v Leicester 22:45 next one. “We have a tough game next at “Obviously it was a tough night but you Of the pitch, QPR could at least point to beIN SPORTS 2 HD Manchester City but we have had a long have always got to bounce back and some good news after this week announc- break to recover and get ready for that Everton was a great way to show that we ing the losses incurred during last season in beIN SPORTS 14 HD and go again. had done that. the Championship were unexpectedly low Stoke City v Everton 22:45 “You always look at the other results “After what happened against Monaco, at £9.8 million. But there is a real risk beIN SPORTS 2 HD and think, ‘what if?’, but ultimately we the only thing that was important was to Ramsey side could be making an immedi- beIN SPORTS 14 HD have to win our games and get points win the big game to continue increasing ate return to the second tier unless the new our confidence and keeping heading up manager, installed following the departure Liverpool v Burnley 23:00 from our games. “We took a point at Everton, which is a tough place to go and the table. of Harry Redknapp after the January trans- LONDON: Chelsea’s Portuguese manager Jose beIN SPORTS 2 HD play, so we will take the positives from “Now we are already thinking about the fer window, can turn things around. “We’ve Mourinho (left) and Chelsea’s captain, English defender beIN SPORTS 14 HD that.”—AFP next one, which is QPR.” The prospect of got a dozen games left and we know what John Terry (right) celebrate in this filephoto. —AFP challenging City for second place is anoth- we’ve got to do,” Ferdinand added. —AFP