Zidane hopes Neymar recovers in time to face Real
MADRID: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is hoping Paris St Germain forward Neymar recovers from injury for the return leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on March 6.
The world’s most expensive player was seen crying as he was carried off towards the end of PSG’S 3-0 win over Olympique de Marseille on Sunday.
PSG coach Unai Emery said he wanted to be optimistic that his €222 million signing would be available to face Real as the French league leaders bid to overcome a 3-1 deficit to avoid an early exit from the tournament.
“I don’t like to see players get injured and I hope he can be back for the game, I never want a player to miss a game due to injury,” Zidane said.
JOSE WANTS PEACE WITH CONTE
MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes it was important for two coaches of his and Chelsea’s Antonio Conte’s stature to put their public dispute behind them by shaking hands before and after United’s 2-1 victory on Sunday.
“I think the handshake doesn’t need any words,” said Mourinho. “I think that’s what me and Antonio will want to show to everyone. The handshake before and after the match is an example that everything in football you have to move (on) and you have to respect each other.
Conte was less effusive when quizzed over whether he and Mourinho had decided before the game to bury the hatchet.
POCHETTINO DEFENDS ALLI ‘S INTEGRITY
LONDON: Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino feels Dele Alli is an ‘easy target’ after the playmaker was criticised for diving during the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
“He is an easy target for everyone,” Pochettino said after the match. “We need to stop saying too much about him to stop helping people, the fans, creating this reputation. He’s so competitive and played very well today but Dele is an easy target.”
POLICE TO GUARD INJURED COACH
THESSALONIKI,GREECE: Olympiakos coach Oscar Garcia will spend the night at a heavily-guarded Thessaloniki hospital following the postponement of the derby between PAOK and Olympiakos on Sunday.
Garcia was struck in the face by a toilet roll thrown by a spectator minutes before kick-off. Police are guarding Garcia’s room and the hospital has not issued a statement on his condition. It is expected that PAOK will be punished with a 3-0 awarding of the match to Olympiakos, the docking of three points, a heavy fine and probably two or three home matches without spectators.