Football in Portugal

Football: Alves lambasts refereeing in PSG draw

Agence France-PresseApril 3, 2013 10:15

Barcelona defender Dani Alves says his side have to complain more about poor refereeing decisions after only coming away with a 2-2 draw from their Champions League quarter-final first leg with Paris Saint-Germain. The visitors twice took the lead at the Parc des Princes before Blaise Matuidi's goal in stoppage time rescued a draw for the Parisians.

Football: Drogba urges Chelsea to bring back Mourinho

Agence France-PresseApril 3, 2013 06:45

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba believes ex-manager Jose Mourinho has "unfinished business" at the club and could be set for a return to Stamford Bridge this year. Mourinho brought Drogba to Chelsea in 2004 and the pair enjoyed immediate success, winning back-to-back Premier League titles, two League Cups and the 2006-07 FA Cup. The Portuguese coach subsequently left, but Drogba, who will line up for Galatasaray against Mourinho's Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, believes he could be easily persuaded to return.

Football: Sneijder vindicated by Galatasaray move

Agence France-PresseApril 2, 2013 15:17

Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder has claimed his decision to leave Inter Milan for the Turkish champions has been vindicated by the Turkish champions run to the Champions League quarter-finals. The Dutch international left the Serie A side in January to move to Istanbul and believes the fact he will face old side Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday shows he made the right decision. "I'm very happy at Galatasaray, I have felt very welcome since the day I arrived," he told a press conference on Tuesday.

Football: Mourinho wary of Drogba, Sneijder threat

Agence France-PresseApril 2, 2013 14:01

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho warned of the danger Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder will pose to his side's Champions League hopes as they prepare to face Galatasaray in the first-leg of their quarter-final on Wednesday. Mourinho managed Drogba and Sneijder at Chelsea and Inter Milan respectively, but he said friendships would be put aside for what he expects to be an extremely tough tie. "They have been my players and we respect them but for tomorrow we have completely different objectives," he told a press conference on Tuesday.

Football:Mourinho wants goal drought to end against Galatasaray

Agence France-PresseApril 1, 2013 20:46

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is hoping his goalshy team rediscover their goalscoring form in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final here against Turkish giants Galatasaray on Wednesday. Cristiano Ronaldo kept up his imperious form with his 43rd goal of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw away at Real Zaragoza, but the lack of goals from other areas of the pitch concerns Mourinho. "Perhaps that is one of the differences this season," he said.

Football: Varane a doubt for Galatasary clash

Agence France-PresseMarch 30, 2013 10:45

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is a doubt for his side´s Champions League quarter-final first-leg with Galatasary on Wednesday due to a back injury. It was reported on Saturday the 19-year-old felt pain in his back after playing for France against Spain in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. Varane wasn't included in Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's 21-man squad for the game away to Real Zaragoza on Saturday evening. kca/pi

Mourinho giving tips to PSG on how to beat Barça, paper says

Agencia EFEMarch 29, 2013 12:45

Paris, Mar 29 (EFE).- Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is advising Paris Saint-Germain on how to beat FC Barcelona in the clubs' upcoming Champions League quarterfinal clash, French sports daily L'Equipe suggested on Friday. The paper cited no sources and phrased the assertion in the form of a question, asking whether Mourinho, known for his antagonistic relations with Blancos' archrival Barça, is acting as a "special counselor" to PSG. Mourinho ostensibly sent PSG coaches a montage of video clips from Real Madrid's two recent victories over Barcelona.

Football: Olhanense players threaten to go on strike

Agence France-PresseMarch 29, 2013 08:01

Footballers at Portuguese top flight team Olhanense have threatened to go on strike next weekend unless the club delivers unpaid wages. The team from Olhao in the south of the country have not paid their players for four months, according to the president of the Players' Union. And if they do not receive at least one month in back pay, the players will refuse to take to the field against leaders Benfica on April 7. "A notice of the intention to strike has been lodged to force the club to pay at least a month's salary," Joaquim Evangelista told TSF radio station.

Inter chief confirms Stramaccioni, admits Mourinho SMS

Thomson ReutersMarch 27, 2013 18:15

(Reuters) - Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti expects coach Andrea Stramaccioni to stay in charge next season despite acknowledging that he has been in contact with former coach Jose Mourinho. Italian media has been awash with speculation Inter are trying to tempt back Mourinho, who won the treble with the club in 2010 and is widely expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Ronaldo-less Portugal admire new number seven Vieirinha

Thomson ReutersMarch 27, 2013 12:30

By Daniel Alvarenga LISBON (Reuters) - VfL Wolfsburg's Vieirinha was visibly at ease wearing Cristiano Ronaldo's number seven shirt as he made his first start for Portugal during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Azerbaijan and produced a display that brought back memories of his former youth team glory. Back in 2003, when Ronaldo was still off the radar to most football fans, Vieirinha won the player-of-the-tournament award as he guided Portugal to the Under-17 European title, outshining team mates Joao Moutinho and Miguel Veloso.