Maradona: Argentina have lost a lot of respect, with Messi the exception

Seldom is Diego Maradona out of the headlines, however the former Napoli star has been incredibly critical of the current Argentina national setup, suggesting that the team have lost a lot of respect, with Lionel Messi the exception.
Jorge Sampaoli's time in charge of the national team has been a mixed bag, as results haven't been overly positive and it was only a Messi masterclass which ensured the team would be in Russia for the World Cup.
"Except for Messi, the world has lost respect for Argentina," he explained in an interview with Diario Popular.
"What bothers me is that today it's very hard for Argentina to be respected, as nobody is afraid of us.
"In the last match against Nigeria we almost conceded eight goals."
He continued on his rant, suggesting that Sampaoli's choice of forward is one of the biggest mistakes of the coach's tenure.
"It's embarrassing to rely on Mauro Icardi for the World Cup, as Higuain is 10 times better," he intimated.
"It's clear the boy [Sampaoli] doesn't know anything, the only thing he knows is what he's going to eat at his friends' house.
"We are clutching at straws to get a No.9 when Carlos Tevez has incredible ability."
It seems as though some of the bad blood between the former Sevilla coach and Maradona actually stems from his time in Andalusia.
"We had a project with Sampaoli at Sevilla, he called me and was desperate so I told him to call me when he was in Dubai," he detailed.
"He then said Sevilla wanted to pay tribute to me, why?
"Don't mess with me; I played only three matches in Sevilla.
"It didn't make sense, what happened is that he had everything arranged with the national team and wanted to use me for the photo."
Argentina will be in Spain soon, taking on La Roja at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on March 27.

Emery lays blame at referee's door after Bernabeu shock

Although Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery was largely pleased with his side's performance in Madrid, he was critical of referee Gianluca Rocchi's display.
The French club led 1-0 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu but let that advantage slip, with a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty setting Los Blancos en route to a 3-1 victory.
However, Emery believes that the performance of the man in the middle didn't help his side.
"His decisions were contradictory and when we were on top and playing well before the break, they were strengthened with the goal from a doubtful decision," he said afterwards.
"The referee didn't help us. Then, when the game was under control, they went 2-1 up after a possible foul and then the third goal arrived.
"We played a great game but the result isn't fair on us and there was also a handball from Ramos in the game too, so decisions clearly harmed us.
"I didn't see it but it is the referee's job to whistle for it if he does, but these things happen. We didn't deserve this result."
Although there were echoes of PSG's late collapse at the Camp Nou in the knockout phase last season about their final moments at the Bernabeu, the former Sevilla boss preferred not to focus on those instances.
"We have to take into account the entire 90 minutes of the game and not just the final minutes," Emery continued.
"I think we played well but didn't get the fair result and their last two goals were harsh on us.
"Maybe everything was decided by small details but, like I said, the referee didn't help us."
Despite the two goal deficit, given the strength in PSG's attack, the Spaniard is hopeful that his side can turn things around at the Parc des Princes.
"Madrid are the reigning champions and have won three of the last four titles in this competition, but we can beat them," Emery insisted.
"I think we will have opportunities at home. In front of our fans, with our ability, we will make Madrid suffer.
"We will have chances to progress."

Liverpool outscore City to trounce understrength Porto

All three English teams to have played so far gaining positive results

After Manchester City hammered Basel away from home to all-but seal their route to the Champions League quarter-finals, Liverpool went one better with a 5-0 victory away to Porto on Wednesday night.
The Portuguese side lined up at Estadio Dragao without a number of key players, such as top scorer Vincent Aboubakar and Danilo Pereira, but first-choice keeper Josa Sa was to blame for letting Sadio Mane's shot through his palms early on.
Just four minutes later and the Reds' lead was doubled, Mohamed Salah picking up a rebound to juggle the ball past Sa and net his fifth European goal of the campaign.
Mane arrived for his own tap-in to make it three as Liverpool's lethal counter-attacks continued to pay dividends, Roberto Firmino firing home James Milner's cross for 4-0 on 70 minutes.
There was still time for Mane to score from 20 yards out to secure his hat-trick and seemingly guarantee a spot in the last eight, ahead of their return game at Anfield on March 6.

Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 100 Champions League goals for Real Madrid

Read More:https://confirmgists.blogspot.com.ng/2018/02/a-champions-response-from-real-madrid.html

With his first half penalty against Paris Saint-Germain, Cristiano Ronaldo took his tally in the Champions League for Real Madrid to 100 goals.
That goal made Ronaldo the first ever Real player to reach a century of goals in Europe's premier club competition with Los Blancos.
His overall tally in the competition stands at 116,after notching in the 82nd minute from close-range, having also scored 15 times in the tournament during his Manchester United days.
In fact, that wasn't the only record he set by blasting home from the penalty spot with the goal having another special meaning.
It meant Ronaldo had scored in all seven games in this season's Champions League, another first for the tournament.
Previously, both the Portugal international and Burak Yilmaz had hit the net in the opening six Champions League games, the Turk managing it with Galatasaray in 2012/13.
In this season's competition, Ronaldo has 11 goals in seven games and has continued hitting the net ever since the semi-final against Atletico Madrid last season.

A Champions' response from Real Madrid

Champions League - Real Madrid 3-1 PSGRonaldo, Marcelo score late in victory over PSG

 

Christiano Ronaldo Real Madrid Forward

 

A breathless start came to a crashing halt when a collision between fellow Brazilians Marcelo and Alves ended with the former writhing in agony on the turf with an apparent arm injury. Marcelo would soldier on though, but PSG were starting to find a hole in the Real defence, as the focused their attack on the left where Neymar could exploit Nacho.
In attack Real were not getting the penetration that they wanted, especially in the middle of the pitch, and so they looked to open up space by playing wide. Marcelo crafted a golden opportunity for Real to open the scoring just shy of the half-hour mark with a sensational ball across for Ronaldo at the far post, but PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola blocked the shot, albeit painfully with his face.
But PSG's class would rise up and their attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Neymar would all have a hand in Rabiot's goal that gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. Mbappe launched a ball in from the right that was dummied by Cavani for Neymar, who forced a weak clearance from Nacho that set up Rabiot perfectly and it was an easy stroke into net for the goal.
The goal gave PSG a massive confidence boost and Cavani had a chance to double the lead minutes later but saw his effort deflected wide.

Real would respond though and moments after Areola made a diving stop of a Karim Benzema curler, Toni Kroos would draw a penalty after being taken down by Giovani Lo Celso in the area. Ronaldo, like he has so often in this tournament, dutifully converted the spot kick to even the tie 1-1.
PSG were content to sit back and play the counter at the start of the second half, and one such break almost resulted in an Mbappe goal. Later on Rabiot had a go at goal but his shot struck the arm of Sergio Ramos in the area, but there was no call from referee Gianluca Rocchi.

Real continued poking and probing the PSG defence, trying to unlock the French sides' compact back line. Zidane had to go to his bench for inspiration, bringing on Bale for the relatively quiet Benzema. However, the next big chance again came for PSG when a scramble in the box gave Kimpembe a look from just yards out, but Nacho stretched out his leg to block the effort.
The PSG pressure did not wane and a surgical ball played from Yuri from the left nearly connected with Mbappe and then Dani Alves, only to roll wide. That prompted Zidane to make his remaining two changes, swapping off Isco and Casemiro for Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez, respectively.
The fresh legs off the bench gave Real a lift, and a poor clearance from PSG led the way to Ronaldo's winner, as Luka Modric intercepted, fed Asensio on the left and the cross deflected to the Portuguese who gleefully poked home to make it 2-1.
Real were keen for more, and went back to Asensio on the left wing for a spark, as his cutting pass back for Marcelo was one-timed in by the Brazilian to completely turn the tie on its head and send Real home with a 3-1 victory.

Arsenal battle Chelsea to sign in-demand versatile defender, Man City also keen

Arsenal have reportedly joined Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich for highly-rated 17-year-old youngster Josha Vagnoman, according to report. The Gunners are interested in the defender who is currently training with Hamburg’s senior squad ahead of their clash against Bayern Leverkusen.

Vagnoman won’t feature for the Die Rothosen until he signs a professional contract when he turns 18 years in the summer. The versatile defender who can play any position at the back has a great future ahead of him and his potential hasn’t gone unnoticed by top European clubs.
Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich were the first club who made enquiry about the defender having watched him play for Germany Under-17 side in last year’s World Cup.
Manchester City and Chelsea are also keen on the player’s signature as they hope to prepare their team for the future. The Blues might be unable to acquire his services considering the number of youngsters whom were sent on loan to other clubs for regular first-team action, and Vagnoman won’t want to move to a club where his potential might be under-utilised.

Despite being the last club to join the race for the Germany  international, Arsene Wenger’s team could emerge as the next destination for the starlet due to Wenger’s huge faith in young players.
Sky sport also revealed that Arsenal’s head of recruitment Sven Mislintat who watched Vagnoman at the Volksparkstadion last month will ensure that the player ends up being an Arsenal player in the summer.

Eden Hazard sends message to Chelsea FC fans ahead of FC Barcelona clash

 

Eden Hazard insists that he and his Chelsea FC team-mates have got their confidence back ahead of two crunch cup ties

Eden Hazard has insisted that he and his Chelsea FC team-mates have got their confidence back after the Blues’ 3-0 win over West Brom in the Premier League on Monday night.

The Belgian playmaker was named as the man of the match as the Blues claimed an impressive victory over the Baggies and bounced back from their two successive defeats by Bournemouth and Watford.
Hazard scored two of Chelsea FC’s goals and added to Victor Moses’ second-half strike as the west London side bounced back under Antonio Conte.
The Blues now have two crucial cup ties coming up, the fifth round FA Cup clash against Hull on Friday night and the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against FC Barcelona next week.
And Hazard has insisted that the Blues are back feeling confident again after finally returning to winning ways in the Premier League.

Eden Hazard Chelsea Forward

Speaking to Sky Sports after Monday night’s victory, Hazard said: “We showed a response and we did well in front of our fans.
“It’s always good to play this kind of game and now we have two games to play against Hull and against Barca. We are ready.

Read More: ManchesterUunited-star-blasts-teammate 

“It was not a good moment for us because we lost two games. But now we are back. We are Chelsea. We are the champions. We need to give everything.”
Chelsea FC reached the FA Cup final last season but they were beaten by Arsenal in the showpiece at Wembley back in May.
The Blues are currently in fourth place in the Premier League table as they at least seek Champions League qualification under Conte this season.

Manchester United star blasts teammate after horrible defeat to Newcastle

Manchester United star Anthony Martial feared Chris Smalling producing a poor performance against Newcastle, reports say.

Manchester United defender Smalling is coming in for criticism after a dire display against Newcastle on Sunday.

The Red Devils slipped to defeat at St James’ Park, losing 1-0 with Matt Ritchie’s second-half strike enough to give Rafa Benitez’s men all three points.

Smalling was to blame for the goal, diving and conceding a free kick just moments before Ritchie struck a hammer blow into United’s hopes of securing Champions League football for next season.

And the Manchester Evening News say Manchester United forward Martial took Smalling aside before the Newcastle game.

There, he gave him some defensive advice.

Smalling is no novice defensively having been at United since signing from Fulham in January 2011.

In the time since, he has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa LeagueIn addition to that, Smalling has also played under experienced managers Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and now Jose Mourinho

Read More: https://confirmgists.blogspot.com.ng/2018/02/fc-basel-0-4-manchester-city-city.html 

And the men point out how ludicrous it was to see Martial giving him advice before the Newcastle game.

It is said that, in order to stop Smalling enduring a difficult afternoon, Martial told him to push higher up the field.

Yet his words clearly fell on deaf ears with Smalling toiling in the heat of the battle.

Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles, meanwhile, admitted after the game that Smalling and Phil Jones were given a rough ride.

“First-half, they were making a lot of mistakes, giving the ball away,” he said.

“I think it was down to our pressing, being aggressive and on the front foot.

“And obviously, they didn’t like it. I could see their centre-halves on the ball, and didn’t know what to do with it.

“I don’t think they were at it from the start. A lot of their players were missing.”

FC Basel 0-4 Manchester City: City stride towards Champions League quarter-finals

Well that’s pretty much that. Unless Basle have something extraordinary up their sleeves, they might as well not bother turning up for the second leg at the Etihad in three weeks’ time.

The last 16 of the Champions League is meant to be when the serious business gets underway, but those who witnessed yet another Manchester City masterclass at St-Jakob Park on Tuesday night wouldn’t have known it.

The Premier League leaders became the first English side to score three goals in the first half of a Champions League tie, and they managed it inside 24 minutes.

Never mind a second leg, City didn’t even need a second half to effectively clinch their place in the quarter-finals.

Maybe we were expecting too much from a Basle team that had beaten Manchester United in a group game here in November.

They are, after all, the weakest club left in the last 16 and one that is not even top of the Swiss League after the winter break.

But credit to City. They were dominant on a freezing night in Switzerland when for once you could understand footballers wearing gloves, showing again why they should be considered among the favourites for the Champions League this season.

They will have to produce a monumental effort to win all four trophies in their sights, but this was a very straightforward step on the path to greatness.

‘It’s an amazing result,’ said Guardiola. ‘I’m not saying it’s done because anything can happen in football and we have respect for Basle.

‘We are almost in the quarter-finals but we will take the next game seriously.’

The City boss acknowledged that this result will allow him to play a full-strength team in the key Premier League games against Arsenal and Chelsea, and then rest players for the second leg.

His squad is looking ominously strong again after Fabian Delph, Leroy Sane and David Silva returned from injury here, and Vincent Kompany got another 90 minutes under his belt in what was his first appearance in the Champions League for almost two years.

‘We’ll have almost the whole squad for that period when we will need everyone involved,’ said Guardiola.

 http://confirmgists.blogspot.com.ng/2018/02/because-they-called-him-proud-he-want.html

‘We are still in February and in the Premier League we are in an amazing position with 16 points in front. We are almost in the quarter-finals of Champions League, in one final (Carabao Cup), and have an opportunity to get to the quarter-final of the FA Cup. All we can do is take it seriously.’

Had Basle been as clinical as their opponents it may have been a different story, not least when Dimitri Oberlin failed to get enough on his attempt past Ederson when one-on-one with the City goalkeeper in the early stages.

Where Oberlin’s finishing lacked conviction, City were utterly ruthless as they struck three times in the space of 10 minutes.

Goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik did not cover himself in glory despite starting the game with a fine fingertip save to deny Ilkay Gundogan with less than two minutes on the clock.

When the German was presented with another opportunity from Kevin De Bruyne’s corner to the near post, he stole a yard on Fabian Frei to glance a header past Vaclik.

City’s second goal wasn’t long in coming. De Bruyne set Raheem Sterling away down the left and his cross took a slight nick off a Basle defender on its way through to Bernardo Silva on the far side.

The Portugal international controlled it on his chest and despatched a dipping volley that Vaclik tried to turn over the bar with one hand but merely helped the ball on its way into the net.

Sergio Aguero then struck into the 23rd minute to all but end this tie as a contest. It began with a surging run by Fernandinho who was stopped in his tracks by Leo Lacroix 20 yards from goal.

Nobody had bothered to pick up Aguero, of all people, and the man who scored four goals against Leicester had another in his sights. He guided the ball effortlessly inside the post.

The Argentine had a hand in Gundogan’s second goal of the night in the 54th minute, as he scrambled the ball to his teammate on the edge of the box.

Gundogan looked up and almost nonchalantly curled a shot into the far corner.

‘He’s an extraordinary player,’ said Guardiola. ‘When I see him play, I realise how we missed him last season. He doesn’t feel pressure.’

Only a fine save from Vaclik denied Gundogan his hat-trick, although by then the damage was done.

Given his injury problems, the former Borussia Dortmund player was understandably infuriated by a foul from Geoffroy Serey Die that sparked a late melee and brought yellow cards for both players.

It was a rare show of resistance from Basle whose visit to Manchester next month is now little more than a formality. 

Kelvin De Bruyne clebrating Aguero goal with him

http://confirmgists.blogspot.com.ng/2018/02/when-i-was-hungry-she-offered-poison.html

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FORMAT BRAIN WAS MY ANSWER.

Someone asked if it is possible to forget an offence after forgiving the one that sinned against him.
I know God has said that He will not remember my iniquities any more and that I carry His nature and likeness.

But all I know of it that I can chose to ignore the remembrance of bad things done against me. When am reminded perhaps, I don't act with it any more, this is my understanding of forgiving my fellowmen.
The last time I saw one scar like that on my leg as I bathed, I remembered the teacher that flogged me there in my secondary school days. The whole picture came back live!
Pls if you have deeper and scriptural understanding of how to forget bad experiences completely, pls don't hesitate to teach me now that I may tell others next time.
Thanks in advance for your anticipated response.

WHEN I WAS HUNGRY, SHE OFFERED POISON.

We have known beyond every reasonable doubt that hunger precedes being filled in every aspect and hunger is not quenched in many until they take in something in excess.
Blessed are they that hunger for righteousness sake, for they shall be filled.

Some of us out of hunger for something to drop from ON HIGH, we visited so many camps and swallowed many things (incoherent meals). Funny enough, they all tasted very sweet...
Proverbs 27:7
The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
After the meal we had stomach upset and they told us it is internal readjustment that with time we shall be alright. Till now, is like we would have to undergo surgery because the internal system is already maladjusted.
I felt the one that fed us did that out of wickedness but as I probed into the issue I realized she was personally fed fat with that poison only that she did not realize the systemic damage caused her.
Now that I know the implication of the malnutrition, I wish to prescribe a solution to prevent others from falling victims.
The meal is the word of God and the dispensers are the preachers of the word.
Some serve poisons with a serious conviction that it is a good meal.
How shall we now escape?
Sir, there is a book with enough explanation on "the meal and how to identify the poisons".
If we neglect this book, we will eat packaged junks and feel good and terribly pass the tray to others.
That book is the Bible!!!
Ma, neglecting the bible is avoiding the truth,
Refusal to study the word is a sign up to be a stooge in the hands of the Babylonian servers.
Am not saying you should stop visiting camps, if you like pls buy house and live there.
But know that, that wont profit you eternally till you engage God personally even by His word.
"Hunger" so to say, has driven many into trouble and some have been affected beyond what they bargained for.
Let us help ourselves before it is too late, give attention to reading and studying of the word because by so doing you will be able to save yourself and others.
Remain blessed!!!
Ajisafe Olawale M.

WE CAN ONLY BE CONTENTED WITH JUST ONE THING.

Anytime we do something and it yields positively, we tend to step ahead for something better and this is very normal for every progressive mortal.
Whatever level we have passed by always become normal to us, while those levels we aspire to attain occupies the whole of our minds.

The way the world is placing demands on every mortal man to keep running after things that profit a little at the expense of eternal treasure is such a concern to me personally.
In order to be fed and survive, a man may be forced to work from Sunday to Sunday.
Obviously, such man may have enough of what money can buy, but what about his access to what money cannot buy?
I want to tell somebody today, that you cannot be satisfied with the riches of this world no matter the amount of it in your possession!
Ecclesiastes 5:10
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Am not among those who tell people to sleep and wake up, do nothing and expect something in return. It is a job not to remain jobless and one must engage his physical and mental faculties to make things happen, national economy notwithstanding!
You might have looked for job for years and till now, both government and private firms have let you down. I want to assure you that if you turn to God genuinely, He will not turn you down like those companies.
John 6:37
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Maybe you are seeking admission, pls seek God alongside before you get lost in the world and lose your bearing.
You may be thinking that when you get married, naturally you will become contented with life. But I can say categorically that it is a lie of the highest order even though am yet to marry.
If contentment is is titles, General Buhari would be satisfied with this single term as negotiated before his emergence.
**God occupying our hearts and ruling our affairs is our only chance of being satisfied in life and nothing more**.
Having known that our satisfaction is not in material appropriation neither is it in status, it is expedient that we put our lives in order with priority.
Whatever cannot endure forever cannot satisfy a man forever, that is how we are configured!
Therefore, instead of toiling Monday to Friday looking for money and still go to a church on Sunday only to hear financial discussions all through; it will be better to look for where your need will met this Sunday.
God bless us together!
Ajisafe Olawale M.

BECAUSE THEY CALLED HIM PROUD, HE WANT TO STOP ADVANCING.

I am not yet schooled on how to identify a proud man in practical sense. All I realize is that what many call pride is just a mental misappropriation.
I observed that it is very rare for people to describe a beggar as an arrogant person.
Also it is observed that those who are less successful are the ones that often tag more successful people as being proud.

It is undeniable that so many people are really arrogant and oppressive; and pride always goeth before destruction and haughty heart before a fall.
But also, pride is more of inner act than what we really see outside. There are many gently proud and silently arrogant persons all around the world and it is hard to recognize them at surface level.
While I write this it to tell that man who is at the verge of compromising his good stand and originality because of public opinion.
Why will you by now withdraw your boldness or regal carriage when actually you are not oppressive with it?
To those of us who describe others as being proud, let us actually check ourselves and our basis for such judgement. If we are sincere, we'll find out that we often judge ignorantly or better put arrogantly.
N:B.. When different people say you are proud, pls check it because others are not always wrong.
In summary, every natural man can be proud because of his or her ego. But a spirit controlled man cannot continue in arrogance without a warning signal from within.
If you are not proud and they want to force you to agree, pls don't fall for it.

Ajisafe Olawale M.