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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017 SPORTS Guardiola vows more of same after Monaco goalfest MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola pledged that Manchester minute lead following a brilliant run from Leroy Sane, his relationship with Guardiola is frosty. ting Monaco’s second goal after Otamendi had been City will continue to fight fire with fire when they take a but a loose kick by home goalkeeper Willy Caballero caught out by Fabinho’s free-kick. 5-3 lead to Monaco in their Champions League last 16 enabled Monaco to level through Radamel Falcao’s DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD Jardim hailed the teenager’s display, but said tie. City procured a two-goal advantage after a remark- header. A dawdling Nicolas Otamendi was at fault for “The truth is we get on very well,” said the Argentine Monaco’s defensive shortcomings showed the club’s able first-leg match at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday in Monaco’s second goal, scored by Kylian Mbappe, and striker. “What he wants, above everything, from all the commitment to developing young players was a dou- which they fought back from 2-1 and 3-2 down to put then conceded a penalty, only for Caballero to save players is that we push a little more. He’s always asking ble-edged sword. “I used Kylian up front today because themselves in the driving seat. Falcao’s effort. me for more, more, more. we know City well. We know there’s lots of space in Monaco’s goals exposed serious failings in the City Sergio Aguero and Falcao swapped goals, the former “Obviously it’s a sacrifice I have to make, that we all behind,” Jardim told his post-match press conference. “I rearguard, but although Guardiola acknowledged his benefiting from a huge error by Monaco goalkeeper have to make, and fortunately tonight it worked and thought he played a great match. The little guy is 18 side must tighten up at the back, he said they would go Danijel Subasic, the latter scoring with a sublime chip, we’ll see if it keeps working in the next game.” years old. And that’s part of our project as well. to Stade Louis II intending to attack. before City found an extra gear. Aguero volleyed in Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim said his team had “The defensive errors are also a question of age, matu- “They will attack more and more and we have to David Silva’s corner to make it 3-3 in the 71st minute and paid for “defensive errors”, but said the “key moment” rity. Kylian is 18. Lots of the players are 20, 21, 22.” defend better. But we will have our chances,” said the further goals from John Stones and Sane carried had been Falcao’s failure to convert his penalty early in Monaco’s performance confirmed their status as Europe’s City manager. “We are going to fly to Monaco to score as Guardiola’s men to a breathless victory. the second half. The visitors were 2-1 up when Otamendi most prolific attacking team and gave Jardim hope they many goals as possible. We are not going to defend that Aguero was booked for diving after flinging himself was penalised for going through the back of Falcao, but can turn the tie around in three weeks’ time. “I think play- result. “We now know each other better. We will adjust over a challenge by Subasic in the first half, but Guardiola the Colombian dallied over his spot-kick and then saw a ing here in England, scoring three goals at City, putting on some things, they will adjust some things, but we have refused to discuss the incident, barking: “Next question!” tame shot parried by Caballero. a great show, is also an important moment,” he said. “I con- to score goals. “If we don’t score a goal in Monaco, we Aguero has only returned to the starting XI because of an French striker Mbappe, 18, vindicated Jardim’s deci- gratulate the team. There are 90 minutes left at home. will be eliminated.” Raheem Sterling gave City a 26th- injury to Gabriel Jesus, but he played down suggestions sion to hand him a first tournament start by calmly net- Nothing is finished.” — AFP Man United eases into Europa League last 16 PARIS: Criticized by manager Jose string injury that could rule him out of Mourinho for being over-confident in the Sunday’s League Cup final at Wembley first leg at Old Trafford, Manchester against Southampton. United’s players put on a fine display of Saint-Etienne enjoyed a good spell near focus and discipline yesterday to beat the half-hour but the hosts’ possession did Saint-Etienne 1-0 and reach the last 16 of not translate into clear-cut opportunities. the Europa League with a 4-0 aggregate Saint-Etienne dominated early in the sec- win. The Red Devils traveled to France for ond half but could not find an edge as the last-32 return leg with a 3-0 advantage Saivet saw his shot blocked and Kevin and put the game to bed with an early goal Monnet-Paquet missed the target. from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who scored the United remained the most dangerous winner in the 17th minute from Juan Mata’s team, though, as Marcus Rashford led fast assist as United prevailed at Geoffroy counterattacks down the left flank and Guichard stadium. Marouane Fellaini’s shot in the 58th hit the side United tightened its grip on the match netting. The Red Devils played a man down for with a strong defensive performance after the final 27 minutes after Bailly was sent off fol- moving ahead, despite playing with 10 lowing a clumsy tackle but Saint-Etienne could men in the final half-hour after Eric Bailly not take advantage of the situation. was shown a second yellow card. Needing at least three goals to keep its SCHALKE 1, PAOK 1 hopes alive, Saint-Etienne got off to a Alessandro Schoepf scored a first-half strong start and created its first chance goal to give the hosts a comfortable cush- within the first minute when Henri Saivet ion and Schalke easily progressed to the tested ‘keeper Sergio Romero with a low next round with a 4-1 win on aggregate. shot from the right. The Austrian was set up by Eric Maxim Well organized in midfield, United easily Choupo-Moting and slotted home with a slowed down the pace and prevented the clean finish in the 23rd minute. PAOK lev- hosts from hitting their stride. The Red eled two minutes later after Matija Nastasic Devils then converted their first chance to beat his own ‘keeper by diverting a ball into kill any sense of suspense when Mkhitaryan the net. connected with a cross from Mata to put United ahead with a flick past Stephane FENERBAHCE 1, KRASNODAR 1 VALENCIA: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo heads the ball to score a goal during the Spanish league football match Ruffier. Mata came close to doubling the Krasnodar made it to the Round of 16 Valencia CF vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia yesterday. — AFP lead six minutes later but Ruffier made a for the first time with a 2-1 aggregate win. nice reflex save to parry away his cross after Fedor Smolov scored the decisive goal in SOCCER the ball was twice deflected by Saint- the seventh minute, converting the Russian Etienne players. side’s first shot of the match. Mkhitaryan was forced to leave the Fenerbahce midfielder Souza put the pitch soon after with an apparent ham- teams level in the 41st minute. — AP Leaders Real stunned by struggling Valencia VALENCIA: Real Madrid suffered a surprise 2-1 both of their title rivals. Real’s match at Valencia Real responded with a wayward shot from Toni defeat at struggling Valencia yesterday as they was rearranged after the original fixture was post- Kroos but left themselves exposed on the break missed the opportunity to extend their lead at poned from December due to Zinedine Zidane’s and were soon another goal down as Zaza spread the top of La Liga after losing for only the second side taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup. the play to Nani and Orellana darted onto the time in the league this season. Valencia have endured a nightmare season Portuguese’s pass to knock the ball through keep- Simone Zaza, who endured an unhappy loan filled with dismal results and upheaval off the er Keylor Navas’s legs. Valencia might have got a spell at West Ham United earlier this season, gave pitch, but they got off to a flying start when a third had it not been for a decisive block from Valencia the lead in the fifth minute with a bril- long pass from goalkeeper Diego Alves found its Marcelo on Munir’s shot which deflected over the liant shot on the turn and Fabian Orellana added way to Zaza, who swivelled and fired the ball into bar, and the Brazilian played a crucial role in giv- the second in the ninth. the far top corner. ing Real a foothold on the game, sending an arc- Cristiano Ronaldo headed Real back into con- Zaza, who joined Valencia in January on loan ing cross into the box which Ronaldo leapt to tention just before halftime, but the visitors were from Juventus after flopping at West Ham, scored head past Alves. Gareth Bale was brought on to unable to build on their momentum after the his first goal for his new club in Sunday’s 2-0 win help Real’s push for more goals in the second half break.

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