SPORTS TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 Crisis? What crisis? PSG aim to bounce back

PARIS: What a difference a week makes. Seven days Certainly, it would take a massive reversal of for- could not be said for some of his team-mates in the the Chelsea trip, with Uruguayan striker Edinson ago, Paris Saint-Germain were riding the crest of a tune for PSG to let slip their 10-point advantage in the lacklustre display at Lyon. Cavani voicing his frustration at having to live in the wave - 13 points clear at the top of the league and tak- league over the final five games of the season. Ironically, Lyon are next up on the radar for PSG shadow of Ibrahimovic. ing a two-goal cushion into the second leg of their But the manner of the latest two setbacks has when the two meet in the French League Cup final in A model recruit since his record 64 million-euro Champions League quarter-final. served to underline how vulnerable and average a side Paris on Saturday. ($88.5 million) move from Napoli. Cavani broke ranks Seven days on, and two defeats later, PSG are sud- they look without the redoubtable presence of leading As for Blanc’s future, Thiago Silva gave a rare insight in an interview with sports daily L’Equipe in which he denly being talked about as a club in crisis. Out of the scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic. into the mood within the camp, when he said after the complained it “isn’t easy” for a player who is “used to Champions League after a Jose Mourinho-master- Goalkepper Salvatore Sirgiu conceded: “He makes Champions League defeat: “Chelsea’s experience told finishing off the action but now being asked to play a minded 2-0 Chelsea victory and beaten again in the the difference. We’ve managed to replace him in the at the end of the game. They have a very experienced different role”. league, 1-0 away at Lyon on Sunday, the knives are past, but this time it’s different, because our style of coach and very experienced players. Goalkeeper said: “Without a doubt being sharpened ready for the ritual sacrifice of coach play is different with him in the side. “However, we Blanc has made it clear he will not make a decision we are still disappointed at being knocked out of the . have to put our faith in the players who replace him on his own future until after the League Cup final and Champions League, that’s only natural, but we have to Much is being made of the fact that Blanc’s one- because we’ve got some very good players in the he said: “We thought we had put the disappointment rebuild our confidence.” year contract expires at the end of next season and the squad. of being knocked out of the Champions League He added: “It hurts, especially when a team isn’t wealthy Qatari owners are said to be weighing their “The truth is Zlatan is out at the moment and we behind us, but apparently that’s not so given the used to losing. We have to face up to that, stay calm options on an extension . have to do the best we possibly can without him.” The match against Lyon.” and positive and look ahead as have an important cup All the more so as it is widely accepted that Blanc Chelsea defeat was certainly hard to stomach for many He added: “It’s true we’re going to have to motivate final as well as the rest of the league season in front of was not their first choice for the job in the first place, of the players. “It’s difficult to pick yourself up after the players again so that some of them regain their us.” “We have to transform the anger we felt at losing to once had decided to throw in his lot being eliminated like that,” said captain Thiago Silva. sharpness in attack.” Lyon into positive energy, staring with next Saturday’s with Real Madrid. But motivate himself Thiago did, even if the same The cracks were already beginning to show before final.”— AFP Immobile, Cerci lead charge of young Italian goal talent

ROME: coach has a striker selection headache ahead of the World Cup in Brazil with Torino pair and leading a surge of young Italian attacking talent. The duo were the architects of Torino’s last gasp 2-1 come- back against Genoa during the weekend’s goalfest, scoring in the second and third minute of stoppage time to overturn ’s 85th minute opener and snatch a crucial three points for their Europa League charge. With Juventus playing Udinese late yesterday, 36 goals have so far been scored in this week’s Serie A fixtures. There was also a stellar display from Chievo Verona’s , who scored two in a crucial 4-2 win at fellow relegation strugglers Livorno that left them five points clear of their hosts and the drop zone. The total is the second highest of the season so far, behind the 43 goals scored in the second week. Immobile’s equaliser was his 19th of the season and makes him the league’s current top goalscorer, one ahead of , who looks set to miss out on Juventus’s trip to Udinese after being troubled recently with a thigh problem. Immobile is also two ahead of Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain, who banged in a classy hat-trick in a 4-2 defeat of 10-man Lazio, and Hellas Verona’s veteran hitman , who although almost 37 is making an unlikely push for a place in SPAIN: Barcelona’s Neymar da Silva from Brazil pours water on his face during a Spanish soccer match in Brazil. this file photo. — AP IMPRESSIVE TOTAL Immobile’s total is impressive also because the 24-year-old Wounded Barca seek Cup does not take penalties. That duty is left to Cerci, who is level with Paloschi, and AS Roma’s on Ciro Immobile 13 goals - one behind Gilardino - and is the creative heart of consolation against Real Giampiero Ventura’s side. “I feel great here. I have two years left on my contract. Let’s finish the season well and then I’ll speak with (Torino presi- Ranieri focussed MADRID: A week ago, Barcelona still had a chance of most, while Brazil forward Neymar has blown hot and cold dent Urbano) Cairo,” said Cerci following his dramatic winner, repeating the historic treble of 2009 but defeats in Europe since his high-profile move from Santos in the close sea- after which he was booked for ripping his shirt off with joy. and La Liga mean tomorrow’s King’s Cup final against Real son. “It’s clear that the Cup is fundamental for us,” sporting The wild celebrations at Turin’s Olympic Stadium also led to on semi-final, Madrid may be their only hope of major silverware this director Andoni Zubizarreta, who has been widely criti- goalkeeping coach Beppe Zinetti rupturing his Achilles ten- season. cised for not bringing in sufficient squad reinforcements, don. Immobile and Cerci have scored 32 of Torino’s 49 goals not on future A wounded Barca travel to Valencia to meet their arch said on Spanish radio on Sunday. between them, and are the most prolific strike partnership in rivals after crashing out of the Champions League to Zubizarreta defended Messi, who has been accused of the league, one ahead of Juve’s Tevez and Fernando Llorente. PARIS: Monaco coach knows that Atletico Madrid tomorrow and suffering a shock 1-0 not putting in 100 percent effort for Barca so he is fresher Immobile is part-owned by Juve, though, and fans are wor- the best way to respond to ongoing speculation reverse at Granada in La Liga three days later that left them for the World Cup finals starting in June. ried their local rivals could call him back at the end of the sea- about his future is to finish the season by winning sil- four points behind leaders Atletico with five games to play. “There is nothing wrong with him (Messi),” Zubizarreta son. “I’ll do everything to keep this team together, keeping verware. Real, by contrast, are on a high after joining Atletico in said. “He is fine with the club and with his team mates. His hold of who we need and helping to improve them,” said The principality club travel to Ligue 1 strugglers the last four of Europe’s elite club competition and climb- problem is that he has set the bar so high for himself,” Cairo.With recovering from his latest injury Guingamp tomorrow in the semi-finals of the French ing above Barca into second in La Liga, three points off the added the former Barca and Spain goalkeeper. setback and a rejuvenated having a superb Cup and are huge favourites to lift the trophy at the top, thanks to Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing of Almeria. “He is happy, training well, in good physical shape. But season at Europa League-chasing , Prandelli is going to Stade de France next month with Paris Saint- Barca coach Gerardo Martino needs to lift his battered he knows that football throws up challenges every week.” have a tough time picking his preferred front line. Germain already out. troops for the showpiece at the Mestalla, the venue where Tomorrow’s match features two teams whose focus is The Italy coach was hosting a 42-man session of potential They are also second in Ligue 1, although a 10- Real beat Barca 1-0 in the 2011 final thanks to Cristiano on attack and it should be an open, entertaining spectacle squad members in a fitness test at training centre Coverciano point deficit to PSG with five games remaining Ronaldo’s headed goal in extra time. The record Cup win- between the world’s two richest clubs by income. yesterday and today, and all apart from Toni, Paloschi and means it is only a matter of time before the capital Destro made the trip. Destro was left out after receiving a ners with 26 to Real’s 18, Barca have had the upper hand It will be their 34th meeting in the Spanish Cup since club win the title. three-game ban last week for punching defender Ranieri has done very little wrong since taking against their rivals in La Liga this season, winning 2-1 at they first clashed in May 1902. Barca have won 15, includ- . The 23-year-old Roma striker was omitted from the Nou Camp in October and 4-3 at the Bernabeu last ing a 3-1 success in that first game, drawn seven and lost charge at the Stade Louis II, leading them to promo- the trip for violating Prandelli’s ethics code, but is likely to be tion back to the top flight last season, and he has a month. However, Martino has come in for some heavy criti- 11. Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose team have not con- considered for the squad after scoring 13 goals in just 18 cism after recent stumbles and the Argentine will have to ceded a single goal in eight games on the way to the final, year left to run on his contract. appearances. However, that has not dampened speculation that shoulder the blame and suffer the consequences if he ends is sweating on the fitness of top scorer Ronaldo, who has Despite being the biggest name, Balotelli has if anything his first year in charge without any trophies apart from the missed Real’s last two matches with knee and thigh muscle the club’s billionaire majority shareholder Dmitry the most to prove. His form has been patchy all season and his Rybolovlev will seek to replace the Italian in the sum- season-opening Spanish Super Cup. complaints. place in the squad may be under threat. Milan boss Clarence His side have generally managed to dominate oppo- Barca’s main injury worries are in defence, with centre mer, with reports last week linking him with an Seedorf backed his faltering striker despite a subdued display approach for France great, and current Real Madrid nents in customary fashion but have consistently failed to backs Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol and Marc Bartra all side- in a 1-0 win over bottom club Catania. assistant, . turn long periods of possession into goals, particularly on lined, and Sergio Busquets may be drafted in to play in the “I thought he played well, and he has changed from the “I don’t know if I’ll be the coach of Monaco next the road against defence-minded teams. middle alongside Javier Mascherano, another converted way he behaved in the past,” said the former Dutch interna- season,” said Ranieri. “But I want to win the French . Zubizarreta said there was a chance Pique, who tional. However, Balotelli should be hoping that Prandelli is Cup and finish as close to PSG as possible. When the MESSI SITUATION has not played since damaging a hip in the Champions not having second thoughts about bringing such a divisive team wins, it’s better for everyone.” Talismanic Argentina captain has gone off League on April 1, could make it back for tomorrow’s figure now that so many promising youngsters are starting to He added: “I love football, I love my job and I am the boil just when Barca needed his sublime skills the game. — Reuters mature into the real deal. — Reuters very serious about my work. But I acknowledge that it’s very difficult to have a career like (Arsene) Wenger or (Alex) Ferguson with a club today.” Brazil struggles with its World Cup preparations Monaco, who have won the French Cup five times but not since 1991 when Wenger was the coach, will SAO PAULO: Although expectations are high its stadium. Because the venues took so long to for breach of contract. It remains unclear if the The biggest loser this time is Brazil itself, be without promising left-back Layvin Kurzawa due for Brazil’s football team at the World Cup, it’s be ready, FIFA is now racing to install the tem- event will happen. “All is written, all is signed which for political reasons insisted in hosting to injury. already clear the country didn’t do a very good porary structures that are crucial for the media, and all the responsibilities or duties for each the tournament in 12 cities instead of the eight His absence is a blow as Monaco attempt to han- job preparing for the tournament. sponsors and technical teams. Some of the party are very well known,” FIFA secretary gen- that FIFA wanted and now is paying the price. dle the pressure that comes with being favourites With only two months before the opener, host cities didn’t want to pay for them even eral Jerome Valcke said. The local government didn’t take full advan- against a Guingamp side who have lost their last four there are serious concerns about the country’s though they signed contracts saying they There were so many difficulties in Brazil that tage of the World Cup and missed a series of matches in Ligue 1. readiness. Doubts remain about whether stadi- would. football’s governing body has already hinted opportunities to improve the country. Because “We are the big favourites to win the Cup, which is ums will be finished in time, and it’s highly The northeastern city of Recife didn’t want that things will be done differently in Russia in of a lack of proper planning, some of the prom- to be expected. The pressure will be on us,” said unlikely all promised infrastructure work will be to pay for its fanfest, which allows those with- four years. “It’s a lesson and definitely we will ised infrastructure projects were canceled and Ranieri, although Guingamp will be looking to return completed. out tickets to watch matches in public areas for act differently,” Valcke said. “We will have to find many will only be ready after the competition to the final of a competition they won as a second- Organizers will also have to worry about the free, prompting FIFA to say it could sue the city a different way of working for Russia 2018.” ends. Airports won’t be fully ready in time, tier side in 2009. widespread street protests that are expected according to industry experts, and there are On that occasion they stunned their Brittany during the tournament with demonstrators also concerns with transportation projects and neighbours Rennes at the Stade de France, and there already unhappy about corruption, poor public even with energy supply during the month- is a possibility that the clubs could meet again in the services and the billions of dollars being spent long competition. final this season. to host the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Back in 2007, then president Luiz Inacio Lula Rennes, who have not won a major trophy since Even though Brazil was awarded the World da Silva said the World Cup stadiums would be the 1971 French Cup, play second-tier Angers in the Cup in 2007, local organizers are scrambling to financed mostly by private companies, but first semi-final on Tuesday at the Stade de la Route de complete all the necessary work. FIFA is more today it’s known that public funds are behind Lorient. than worried, saying it’s “a race” to make sure the vast majority of them, either through loans The Bretons have had a difficult season under the country delivers everything it promised. or tax breaks. Philippe Montanier, who has found life tough since “Brazil will be a well-done World Cup,” FIFA That, in part, is what is expected to fuel the arriving last summer from Real Sociedad, where he President Sepp Blatter said, then criticized local street protests across the country, many of was named coach of the year in La Liga. authorities for taking too long to start work which could turn violent, as happened during His team lie 14th in the table, meaning they are at projects. “Some of the delays is because there last year’s Confederations Cup. The warm-up risk of finishing in their lowest position in more than was no work for years. But we’re on the way tournament was not directly affected, but a decade, so a lot is riding on Cup success. now to finishing the stadiums.” demonstrators used the competition’s interna- “There is a lot at stake,” said Montanier. “This club Three stadiums remain under construction, tional appeal to attract attention to their has had a rather strange relationship with the Cup. including the one hosting the opening match demands and complain against FIFA and the We can feel the weight of expectation. between Brazil and Croatia on June 12 in Sao local government. “We need to focus on the game rather than what Paulo. With about 150,000 professionals from is at stake. We have gone through some difficult All six venues that were expected to be security forces and armed forces available, the times but if we had been offered the chance at the ready by the end of last year missed FIFA’s Brazilian government is promising that “the start of the season to play a semi-final in our own sta- deadline. The other six had already been used World Cup in Brazil will be the safest” ever dium we would have taken it immediately.” during the Confederations Cup, but four of despite the protests. But there is little doubt Angers are bidding to reach the final for the first those also weren’t ready when expected. One ALEGRE: This Dec. 12, 2013 file photo shows a horse carriage passing the Estadio Beira- organizers can’t wait for the opening kickoff, time since 1957, although their main aim this season of the host cities, Curitiba, was nearly excluded Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Five matches of the 2014 soccer World Cup will be played in the when most of the focus will turn away from the is to win promotion to the top flight. — AFP from the competition because of the delays at stadium. — AP off-the-field issues.—AP