RED HOT POG
PROMOTION HOPE LOOKS TO BE OVER /PAGE 33 CITY SET FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SHOOT-OUT IN PORTUGUESE CAPITAL
FORMER United striker Louis Saha has revealed that Paul Pogba is ‘super motivated’ ahead of his return to action.
The midfielder has missed the majority of the season, making just seven league appearances, but is now fully fit after undergoing ankle surgery in January.
Saha has been speaking to Pogba on the phone as United
CITY face a knock-out competition in Lisbon in their bid to win the Champions League – and Blues fans could be there to watch it.
The Portuguese capital is the favourite to host the final stages of the tournament in revised plans by UEFA.
It will involve the teams who qualify for the last eight, with the quarter-final and semi-finals played as single legs as UEFA seeks a solution for completing the competition amid the travel chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The final could take place on Sunday, August 23, with all the games condensed into 10 days.
How the four outstanding last 16 matches should be completed remains open to discussion.
City were due to play a second-leg match gear up to take on Tottenham on Friday.
“He’s one of the best players in the world,” Saha said. “He had a tough season plagued by injuries. He came back very motivated.
“When I talk to him on the phone, he’s super motivated, so I really want to see not a new Pogba, but Pogba with support. I don’t think he was supported. Now he has Bruno Fernandes next to against Real Madrid on March 17 at the Etihad Stadium, leading 2-1 from the first leg in Spain. It may be that an agreement is reached for these outstanding matches to also be added to the fixture list for Lisbon, which seems set to take over from Istanbul as the venue for the final.
The Portuguese city boasts two major stadiums in close proximity to each other the Estadio da Luz and the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
As things stand all the matches would be behind closed doors, but if the Portuguese government were to alter its guidance in time for ticketing to be organised then there is the possibility of some supporters being able to attend depending on travel restrictions. A city in Germany - possibly Frankfurt or Dusseldorf - could play host to the final stages of the Europa League, with United all-but in the quarter-finals after their 5-0 drubbing of LASK. him, who’s another leader, another creator.
“I’m really excited about that sharing of the responsibilities, I really want to watch that team.
“He’s very motivated, he’s incredibly talented, he already proved himself, but now he has a better platform to improve and shut down the critics, sometimes justified.”
CITY and United players will have the names on the back of their shirts replaced with ‘Black Lives Matter’ for the first 12 fixtures of the restarted Premier League season.
The Premier League has also announced a ‘Black Lives Matter’ logo will feature on jerseys of all sides for the remainder of the campaign along with a badge paying tribute to the NHS for its work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Any player who wishes to take a knee before or during matches - which has come to be recognised as a symbolic act in opposing racism in the last couple of years - will be supported by the league. The players said in a statement released by the league: “We, the players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for all, regardless of their colour or creed.
This symbol is a sign of unity from all players, all staff, all clubs, all match officials and the Premier League.” The Premier League said it stands alongside the Football Association, English Football League, Professional Footballers’ Association, League Managers’ Association and the Professional Game Match Officials Board in opposing discrimination in all its forms. The statement added: “The Premier League believes there is no room for racism, anywhere.”
The season resumes on Wednesday when City host Arsenal.