Atletico Madrid Need Eibar Win to Resuscitate Title Challenge
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Established 1961 15 Sports Sunday, April 18, 2021 Atletico Madrid need Eibar win to resuscitate title challenge MADRID: Time is running out for Atletico Madrid to suddenly thrust into favor. Zidane said last weekend reboot their La Liga title challenge, even as they still sit that Real Madrid are “physically at their limit” and he top of the table with eight games left to play. Atletico will be forced to make changes too at the Coliseum remain in pole position, one point ahead of Real Madrid Alfonso Perez. and two in front of Barcelona, but their poor form means Casemiro is suspended after being sent off in the it is the chasing duo now considered favorites to lift the Clasico, meaning Isco or Fede Valverde could start in trophy. Four wins in Atletico’s last 11 games inspires little midfield while Raphael Varane is still unavailable after confidence they will be able to keep pace with Real and testing positive for COVID-19. With Sergio Ramos Barca, who have put early-season problems behind them injured and Nacho Fernandez suspended, it leaves Eder to accelerate down the final straight. But a victory at Militao as Madrid’s only fit central defender. home to struggling Eibar tonight would go some way to Ferland Mendy may have to play centrally or Zidane reigniting belief. could turn to youth, with the 21-year-old Victor Chust It would put Atletico five points ahead of Barcelona, also an option. Eden Hazard should at least be fresh, and four clear of Madrid, before Zinedine Zidane’s side after returning to training two weeks ago, while Mariano take on Getafe later tonight. Marcos Llorente will be Diaz and Marcelo could also be handed rare starts. back, having served his suspension by missing last Sevilla will need to beat fifth-placed Real Sociedad to weekend’s draw against Real Betis, but Atleti will still be boost their hopes of joining the title race while at the without Luis Suarez, who is expected to need another other end of the table, Huesca take on Alaves in a battle fortnight to overcome his leg injury. of 16th against 19th. Huesca have transformed their sur- With Joao Felix also out, Diego Simeone has a lack vival chances after back-to back wins over Levante and SEVILLE: Atletico Madrid’s Argentine coach Diego Simeone (2L) walks on the sideline during the Spanish League foot- of options in attack, Angel Correa the likely partner for Elche, but their reward is only a one-point cushion over ball match between Real Betis and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville on April 11, Llorente up front, assuming Moussa Dembele is not the bottom three. — AFP 2021. — AFP having played one game more than West Ham. But the Londoners’ lead lasted barely four minutes, News in brief Injury clouds Mourinho said of Kane’s double: “It was great finish- with Everton equalizing after Sergio Reguilon charged ing. Two beautiful goals but not a surprise for the ones into James Rodriguez and Sigurdsson beat Hugo Lloris who see him do it every day in training.” from the penalty spot. Lloris kept the game all square PSG given chance Kane double as Meanwhile, Mourinho had little time for Paul come half-time, however, by denying both Rodriguez Pogba’s recent criticism of his management style when and Richarlison with fine saves. PARIS: French Ligue 1 leaders Lille needed a spec- Spurs draw he was in charge of Manchester United. Pogba Spurs then squandered several chances to regain tacular late strike from Luis Araujo to rescue a 1-1 accused Mourinho of “going against players” and the lead and they were punished for their wastefulness draw at home to Montpellier on Friday with Paris making them feel like “they don’t exist anymore.” when Iceland’s Sigurdsson fired into the far corner fol- Saint-Germain handed the chance to turn the screw LIVERPOOL: England forward Harry Kane suffered But Mourinho, who made France midfielder Pogba lowing a pull-back from Seamus Coleman. But Kane in the title race. Lille moved to 70 points but a worrying ankle injury ahead of next week’s League the world’s most expensive player when he brought had his second goal when he pounced from close defending champions PSG can close the gap to just Cup final after scoring twice in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2- him to Old Trafford in 2016, insisted Friday: “I would range after Everton’s Mason Holgate and Keane collid- a point if they defeat Saint Etienne today. Andy 2 draw away to Everton in the Premier League on like to say that I couldn’t care less what he says. I am ed in the Merseysiders’ box. — AFP Delort headed Montpellier ahead in the 21st minute Friday. Gylfi Sigurdsson also grabbed two goals for not interested at all.” on Friday. But Brazil’s Luis Araujo grabbed a Everton in a result that did little for either side’s deserved equalizer with five minutes left with a European hopes. Kane, expected to lead England’s ‘Keep fighting’ memorable half-volley. Lille were unlucky not have attack in this year’s coronavirus delayed European Everton were left a place and one point further taken the lead earlier in the game when a Benjamin Championships, went off in stoppage time towards the back than Tottenham, but do have a game in hand on Andre drive came back off the post in the 57th end of the match after rolling his ankle when chal- Mourinho’s side. “It was probably the best we played minute. Montpellier are a resolute side and have lenged in the box at an Everton corner. at home this season,” said Everton manager Carlo now gone 14 matches in all competitions without “It is too early to say something,” Tottenham man- Ancelotti. “We were unlucky. We did easy mistakes defeat. They are eighth and still well-placed to claim ager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports when asked and when you do mistakes against Harry Kane you are a European place next season. — AFP afterwards about Kane’s injury. “For him to leave the condemned. We have more difficulties to reach Europe pitch with a few minutes to go is obviously because but we have to keep fighting. We still have (the) possi- he felt something. Let me be optimistic and believe bility, playing like tonight.” that he has time to recover. Let’s see. It’s obvious he’s After an uninspiring opening, Spurs broke the a very important player for us. I cannot say much or deadlock with their first effort on target. Everton’s Leipzig draw speculate.” Michael Keane missed Tanguy Ndombele’s cross and Kane’s 20th league goal of the season put Spurs in the process allowed Kane to control the ball and BERLIN: Leipzig had a last-minute goal ruled out ahead in the 27th minute at Goodison Park only for shoot into the bottom corner past England team-mate LIVERPOOL: Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry and were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Hoffenheim Sigurdsson to equalise soon afterwards from the Jordan Pickford. Kane holds his foot before leaving the pitch injured during on Friday. Second-placed Leipzig have 61 points. penalty spot. It was the reverse story in the second This was Kane’s 20th goal of the Premier League the English Premier League football match between Leipzig thought they had won the game at the death half, Sigurdsson getting his second in the 62nd minute season — the fifth time in his career he had achieved Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in when Yussuf Poulsen headed in but he was penal- before Kane leveled six minutes later. the feat. Only Alan Shearer (seven) and Sergio Ag¸ero Liverpool, north west England on Friday. — AFP ized for handball after the referee consulted the Spurs remain seventh, five points off the top four (six) have done so in more Premier League seasons. pitchside monitor. Friday’s result was a fair outcome with Julian Nagelsmann’s side taking until the 53rd minute to have an attempt on target with Christopher Nkunku failing to trouble the Giving up on title race is not Hoffenheim keeper. Nagelsmann went into the game with speculation linking him as Hansi Flick’s succes- in Man Utd’s DNA: Solskjaer sor at Bayern next season. Flick, meanwhile, seen as the man to replace Joachim Loew as national team LONDON: Manchester United man- not in our DNA. But if it’s realistic? No, coach after the European Championship, has yet to ager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says giving probably not because when you’ve had confirm he will stay at Munich where he has a con- up on the Premier League title is “not a team so consistent as Man City have tract until 2024. — AFP in our DNA” even though their pursuit been, you don’t expect them to lose of runaway leaders Manchester City three games out of the last six.” appears hopeless. United head into United are on course to finish in the tonight’s home game against struggling top four in back-to-back seasons for Italy to ease ban Burnley second in the table, 11 points the time since Alex Ferguson retired as behind City but with a game in hand. a champion in 2013. They are also des- ROME: Up to a thousand spectators will be allowed The Norwegian believes his side are perate to claim their first silverware at outdoor events from May 1 when Italy eases its on the right track but admits adding to since winning the Europa League stadium fan ban in regions less affected by the coro- their 20 league titles is unlikely.