SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 GERMAN LEAGUE PREVIEW Dortmund’s want-away Klopp out to boost Borussia BERLIN: Bundesliga leaders Bayern missed any talk of the Bavarians being from a European berth. “It’s just another son on Wednesday when Bruno Munich host Hoffenheim today, looking vulnerable. “We mustn’t focus too much normal football game, albeit one that’s Labbadia, who they previously sacked in to bounce back from their shock on Bayern’s defeat in Porto - they’re vitally important for both sides,” said 2010 after just nine months in charge, European defeat at Porto amidst an more than capable of bouncing back,” Klopp, with Paderborn two points from took over from Peter Knaebel, who was injury crisis. Bayern are 10 points clear at said Gisdol, who has extended his safety. “It’s going to be a proper fight and dismissed as caretaker boss after just two the top of the German league table and Hoffenheim deal until 2018. we have to show we’re up to the task. games in charge. just three more wins from having their “I’m not on a goodbye tour, there’s still Labbadia has taken his players away third straight Bundesliga title confirmed. Business as usual for Borussia work to do.” on a mini training camp to get their But the Bavarians are licking their Jurgen Klopp says it’s business as usu- heads in the right place having failed to Champions League wounds with Pep al for Borussia Dortmund against neigh- Basement battle in full cry win any of their last eight games and tak- Guardiola’s Bayern facing an uphill task bors Paderborn today despite his shock While the top four places are all virtu- ing just two points in the process. for Tuesday’s quarter-final, return leg, at resignation as coach after seven years in ally decided with Bayern, Wolfsburg, Hamburg can expect no charity at neigh- the Allianz Arena after losing 3-1 to Porto charge. Having led Dortmund to consec- Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer bors Werder Bremen on Sunday in the on Wednesday. utive German league titles in 2011 and Leverkusen in the Champions League north German derby. Having themselves Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and 2012, then runners-up for the last two next season, there is all to play for at the spent some time at the bottom this sea- Bastian Schweinsteiger are all still bat- years, Klopp dropped a bombshell on bottom. Just four points separate the last son, Bremen are up to ninth and just four tling injuries, and with Bayern playing Wednesday by announcing he is leaving five teams with Hamburg, Stuttgart, points from a European berth. “I’m not every three or four days, the depth of next month. Dortmund host relegation- Paderborn in the drop zone, but Hanover too bothered about Hamburg’s possible their star-studded squad is being tested. threatened Paderborn and with six and Freiburg are both on 29 points and relegation. Perhaps another exciting Guardiola is set to rest a few players to games left, Klopp wants to bow out with just two away from dropping into the rel- team will take their place,” said Werder keep them fresh for Porto, but his side further up the table than their egation mire. Bottom side Hamburg coach Victor Skripnik to add spice to an Hoffenheim coach Markus Gisdol dis- current position of tenth and six points appointed their fourth coach of the sea- already potent fixture. — AFP SPANISH LEAGUE PREVIEW ITALIAN LEAGUE PREVIEW Valencia test leaves Barca Inter host Milan derby as no time to bask in Paris joy Lazio seek Juventus upset MADRID: Barcelona have little time to rest on their the Copa del Rey and with a result in our favor to laurels after a stunning victory over Paris Saint- qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions MILAN: Inter Milan captain Andrea Ranocchia goals past Empoli to register their eighth win on Germain in midweek as the Catalans quest for a League. “From now on every game is like a final has called on the Serie A giants to appease long- the trot. Lazio have the momentum and could treble continues when Valencia visit the Camp Nou and we don’t have time to rest. First we have suffering fans by dominating the derby against have the physical edge given Juve’s exertions in today. Luis Enrique’s men all but secured their Valencia, then PSG in the Camp Nou. The schedule AC Milan tomorrow, when Lazio travel to leaders midweek, and Brazilian forward Felipe Anderson place in the semi-finals of the Champions League is very difficult, but if we want to win as many titles Juventus looking to cause an upset. With both says Pioli wants more. with a 3-1 dismantling of the French champions as possible we have to accept it and move on.” Milan sides enduring yet another tough season in “Pioli is not getting carried away. We’ve won thanks to two wonderful goals from Luis Suarez. Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta is a doubt after suf- Italy’s top flight, the second derby of the season eight Serie A games in a row and he keeps telling However, a 2-2 draw away to Sevilla last weekend fering heavy bruising on his lower back against will be crucial for their respective Europa League us we’ve achieved nothing yet,” Anderson told means should Barca suffer one more slip-up PSG, but Dani Alves will return from suspension to hopes. Seven-time European champions Milan sit Lazio Style Radio. With 10 goals in 24 games, the between now and the end of the league campaign, take his place at right-back. ninth, 28 points behind leaders Juventus and sev- 22-year-old Brazilian has been a revelation this the destiny of the title will be in Real Madrid’s Valencia are in need of the points themselves en behind Fiorentina in the first Europa League season and Manchester United, Liverpool and hands. “We learned our lesson from the game as they battle with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla for qualifying spot. Inter are 10th, a point further Barcelona are reportedly showing interest. against Sevilla. In Paris we played a more complete the final two Champions League places for next behind, with eight games remaining this season. Anderson said Lazio-who also face Juventus in game and that shows in the scoreline,” said season. Los Che stunned the Nou Camp last Although Inter coach Roberto Mancini last the Italian Cup final on June 7 - have to focus on defender Gerard Pique, who made his 300th February with a 3-2 win and striker Alvaro week admitted that “perhaps we feel the pres- playing the game that has seen them score the appearance for the club at the Parc des Princes on Negredo sees no reason why they can’t repeat sure more at the San Siro”, Ranocchia echoed the most goals of any team (58) so far this season. Wednesday. that feat this weekend. “We know it will be very Italian handler’s call for the Nerazzurri to adopt a “We have to go to Turin and be confident in play- “We are very confident. The dressing room is difficult to win at Camp Nou but my team-mates winning attitude for tomorrow’s game. “You ing our own game. It won’t be easy to beat (goal- very happy, but we have our feet on the ground. managed it last season,” said the Spanish interna- don’t play derbies, you win them,” Ranocchi said. keeper) Gigi Buffon, but we’ll give it everything We know the most difficult part (of the season) is tional. “Why not this year as well? It’s very “We need to give our fans something to smile and try to win.” —AFP yet to come being leaders of La Liga, in the final of demanding, you have to be fully focused for 90 about after a pretty tough season. The derby is minutes and we are going to try and take all three always a good chance to make people happy.” points.” Valencia will be boosted by the return of Mancini, who returned for his second spell at Italian League table Spanish League table full-back Jose Luis Gaya from injury despite con- Inter in time for the first Milan derby of the sea- son-which finished 1-1 — in November, is under tinuing speculation about a move to Real Madrid MILAN: Italian league table ahead of this next season for the 19-year-old. just as much pressure as Milan counterpart MADRID: Spanish La Liga table ahead of Filippo Inzaghi. But while the former Manchester weekend’s matches (played, won, drawn, this weekend’s matches (played, won, Madrid host Malaga later today and could move lost, goals for, goals against, points): back to the top of the table should Barca fail to City manager has the full backing of the club, for- drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, mer Rossoneri striker Inzaghi is walking a Juventus 30 21 7 2 57 15 70 points): win. The European champions were frustrated by Lazio 30 18 4 8 58 28 58 Atletico Madrid in a 0-0 Champions League quar- tightrope. Milan defender Ignazio Abate admit- ted the ‘Derby della Madonnina’ has lost some of Roma 30 15 12 3 41 22 57 Barcelona 31 24 3 4 87 19 75 ter-final, first leg draw on Tuesday and can’t afford to let their minds wander ahead of next week’s its lustre, but claims their motivation to win Napoli 30 14 8 8 50 37 50 Real Madrid 31 24 1 6 92 27 73 decisive return against Los Rojiblancos at the remains intact.