Countdown to one of the greatest derby

It is clearly obvious that both team needs to win but only one will be victorious. Tottenham needs a win to keep their title hopes alive. While Arsenal also needs a win to probably secure a top four  position if possible. 

If Tottenham should win,it will ensure that they finish above Arsenal on the #PL table for the first time since 1994/95.

Teddy Sheringham blasts Jose Mourinho's public criticism

Teddy Sheringham believes Jose Mourinho’s tendency to criticise his Manchester United players publically creates unnecessary pressure.

The Red Devils boss has not been afraid to single out individuals, who he believes have been underperforming, and has picked on Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial in particular this season.
Mourinho dismissed claims earlier this week that his approach would have a negative impact on his squad, citing his behaviour as having ‘common sense.’

But Sheringham, who played under Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at Old Trafford, believes the Portuguese coach is in danger of losing the respect of his squad.
Sheringham told the Players’ Lounge: “I’m one that played for a lot of top managers and never really got castigated in the press.

“Sir Alex Ferguson would never have done it, Terry Venables definitely wouldn’t have done it – and they were top managers for me.
“They would dig you out in the changing rooms or in their office and tell you how wrong you’d been and fine you a week’s wages. But they would always back you to the press or within.”
And Sheringham insisted Shaw and Martial – who are both 21 – should be treated carefully, given their tender age and potential to improve.
“I had a lot of respect for my managers because – at the end of the day – you’re all young lads. You’re all growing up learning – not just about football – but about life as well,” Sheringham said.

Madrid must sell Benzema this summer

The Frenchman failed to score yet again as Marcelo came to the rescue late on against Valencia, proving it is time to sell the No.9

When Real Madrid have needed a hero this season, Karim Benzema has been nowhere to be seen.
Usually, it has been Cristiano Ronaldo who has flown to the rescue. Last week, with Madrid’s Champions League hopes in the balance in extra time against Bayern Munich, he proved decisive with a clinical hat-trick at the Santiago Bernabeu to take his total tally in the quarter final tie to five goals.

On Saturday, Ronaldo once again played a key role. Madrid were labouring against Valencia in the capital in what was a must-win game for the home side following last week’s Clasico defeat to Barcelona.


The visitors missed two early chances – Santi Mina hitting the post in the first minute – before Ronaldo settled the nerves as he always does. His intelligent run from left to centre saw him dart in front of Ezequiel Garay to nod home a trademark header from Dani Carvajal’s curling cross.

It was Ronaldo’s 20th Liga goal of the season and incredibly the eighth straight year in which the Portuguese has reached that mark in league football.

At 32, he should be starting to slow down, but Ronaldo continues to score at an incredible rate. He now has 32 goals in all competitions, with a potential seven matches still to play between La Liga and the Champions League. He would have 33 goals had he not seen a 57th minute penalty saved by Diego Alves – the Valencia No.1’s record now standing at an incredible 26 saves from 53 penalties.

Sigurdsson strike denied injury-hit United

Manchester United suffered a big blow to their top-four hopes as Swansea City held them to yet another draw at Old Trafford.

Gylfi Sigurdsson cancelled out a controversial Wayne Rooney penalty to secure a 1-1 draw for Swansea City at Old Trafford that damages Manchester United's top-four ambitions.

Rooney swept home from the spot moments before half-time after Marcus Rashford had gone to ground under almost no contract from Lukasz Fabianski, but Swansea's set-piece maestro stole a point that could wreck the hosts' hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through domestic competition.

United also saw Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly added to their already lengthy injury list just four days ahead of their Europa League semi-final first leg against Celta Vigo.

Swansea, who are now just two points adrift of safety in 18th place, looked the brighter of the teams for much of the first half but chances were limited before the penalty incident in stoppage time.

Jose Mourinho was without injured trio Paul Pogba, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones and Shaw and Bailly were forced off in either half to compound their concerns ahead of a crucial run of fixtures that includes trips to Arsenal and Tottenham alongside that European semi-final.
United looked likely to hold onto the three points regardless but Sigurdsson's stunning free-kick snatched a draw for the visitors to deny Mourinho's men the chance to move into the top four.

Pochettino: I can't guarantee Ali 'stay'

Mauricio Pochettino has offered no guarantees that Dele Alli will still be at Tottenham Hotspur next season, while urging his players to ignore transfer speculation and focus on beating Chelsea to the Premier League title.

Newly crowned PFA Young Player of the Year Alli has been linked with a summer move to Manchester City, and Barcelona legend Xavi has suggested that his former manager Pep Guardiola wants to bring the 21-year-old to the Etihad Stadium.

Kyle Walker is another player reportedly admired by City and their rivals Manchester United, while Danny Rose, Hugo Lloris and Pochettino himself have all been linked with moves away from Tottenham since their 4-2 FA Cup semifinal defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.


Pochettino was asked at a news conference if Alli would still be a Tottenham player next season but said: "I cannot guarantee anything in life.

"The most important thing is to enjoy the present. I am so sad [about the death of the club's under-23 coach Ugo Ehiogu] -- don't think about the future. In the future, we'll take the best decision for the club.

"After three years you can see how the team is improving every year and all our decisions so far have been good. Trust in the club that we will take the best decision for the club to achieve [our goals], improve next season again. That's the most important thing.
"We care a lot about the club and now we must focus on the present, try to help the team and the club to be there if Chelsea drop points. And it will be special if in the last season at White Hart Lane we win the Premier League.

"We have three to four weeks [until the summer]. We must give our best, big efforts for all of us, for the players to try to focus. Don't think about the holidays, don't think about the rumours, don't think about what will happen next season. I want the last three to four weeks to be a big effort from everyone to achieve [something]. Then we can congratulate everyone and try next season."

Chelsea have the edge, but we have not given up- Lloris

Hugo Lloris admits Chelsea's FA Cup victory could give them renewed belief in the Premier League title race, but insists Tottenham have NOT given up just yet.

Spurs hoped to gain a psychological boost at Wembley by continuing the Blues' recent dip in form while extending their own excellent run of seven victories on the bounce.
Instead, however, Chelsea clinched a dramatic 4-2 win to book their place in the FA Cup final and reassert their status as England’s top team.

Tottenham are four points behind in the league but could be seven back by the time they visit an in-form Crystal Palace side on Wednesday, while Chelsea host
Southampton on Tuesday.

"We know that they have an advantage but we need to believe until the end," Lloris said.
"We knew before that this game can have maybe an impact for the rest of the season.
"But in football you need to believe because everything is possible and we don't know what will happen in the next few weeks.

"They are human and that's the case for us. The only thing that we can do is keep working hard, keep believing and playing the same way that we play in the last few weeks."

Tottenham have now lost a record seven consecutive FA Cup semi-finals and their latest disappointment also continued their struggles against elite clubs this season.

Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool can beat Man Utd to top four

Brendan Rodgers expects former club Liverpool to beat Manchester United to a place in the Premier League’s top four this season.

Just three points separate the third-placed Reds and the fifth-placed Red Devils after Liverpool suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and United beat Burnley 2-0 this weekend.

Jose Mourinho's men also hold two games in hand over their rivals and can, of course, still seal a spot in next season’s Champions League by winning the Europa League title.
But Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said following the Palace game - where
Christian Benteke scored twice against his former club - that he was confident his side have not blown their chances.

And Rodgers agrees, telling the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “With the games
Liverpool have left they would expect themselves to qualify.
“They haven’t got European football, so they’re just preparing for that one game a week.
“Manchester United have got a couple of games in hand, but towards the end of the season that can be tough and they’ve got other games [with their two-legged Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo] and maybe they’ll see other priorities.
“Liverpool have points in the bag, they’ve won more games and if they win their next four games or so hopefully that’ll be enough for them.”

I will come back stronger - Ibrahimovic

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he will "come back even stronger" after suffering cruciate knee-ligament damage.
The 35-year-old was injured in the final minute of normal time during last week's Europa League quarter-final second-leg
win over Anderlecht.

Ibrahimovic is United's top scorer this season, with 28 goals but it is unclear when he will be fit to play again.
"I will be out for a while," he wrote but added "giving up is not an option."

Writing on Instagram, the Swede added: "I will go through this like everything else and come back even stronger. So far I played with one leg so it shouldn't be any problem.
"One thing is for sure, I decide when it's time to stop and nothing else."

Neymar trolls Madrid after Clasico win

The Brazilian was suspended for Sunday's meeting with the Blancos, but savoured every moment as his Argentine team-mate netted a match-winning brace.

Lionel Messi stole the show again for Barcelona against Real Madrid, with suspended team-mate Neymar saluting him after a memorable night at Santiago Bernabeu.

A topsy-turvy encounter in the Spanish capital delivered five goals, including a last-gasp winner, a red card and more records for a mercurial Argentine playmaker.

Conte: I'd prefer Hazard to be selfish

Antonio Conte has rejected the suggestion that Eden Hazard could reach Lionel Messi's level if he became more selfish on the pitch, and said that he would rather lose than have a selfish player in his Chelsea team.

Speaking after Hazard came off the bench to score the third goal in Chelsea's 4-2 win over Tottenham in Saturday's FA Cup semifinal at Wembley, Cesc Fabregas said that Messi is the only player in world football with more ability than the Belgium international and added that he often urges his teammate to show more "killer instinct" in the final third of the pitch.

But in a news conference at Cobham on Monday, Conte dismissed the idea that Messi -- who scored his 500th goal for Barcelona in the last minute of Sunday's 3-2 victory over Real Madrid -- plays selfishly, and said that the first responsibility of every player is to his teammates.

"No, no, no, absolutely not," Conte said when asked if Hazard should be more selfish. "I don't think that a player like Messi is a selfish player. The first target for every great champion is to play for the team and to put your talent into the team. If you do this, the team [increases] your talent.

"The best players in the world don't exist without a team. For me, it's sad to listen to this, that a player must 'be more selfish' to reach the top level. That's very sad. It's not my idea of football and I will never understand this. Never, never. In my team, I don't want selfish players.

Ramos deserved red card -Pique

Gerard Pique says there is no question Sergio Ramos deserved to be sent off as Barcelona beat Real Madrid in Sunday's Clasico, with Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez calling for Ramos to face an investigation for the way he reacted to his 77th-minute red card.

Referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez took the decision to dismiss Ramos after he lunged in two-footed on eventual match-winner Lionel Messi by the halfway line.
Ramos didn't go quietly, though, and left the Santiago Bernabeu pitch gesturing, applauding and directing comments at someone.

"I am sure when he gets home he will realise it was a red card," Pique told reporters after Barca's 3-2 win took them to the top of La Liga.

"It was clear: he went in with both feet off the ground, nowhere near the ball. There's no argument. What happens is that [Madrid] are used to having very permissive referees here and when there isn't one, that's how they react."
Pique added that he thought Ramos' complaints after the red card were directed at him, but he didn't hear what was said.

"I didn't hear him, I saw that he was pointing at me, I suppose he was referring to the red card," the Barca defender said.
"When he gets home and sees the replay he will regret [his reaction], because it's a clear dismissal. It's a straight red card."

Toure hits out at referees after cup defeat

Yaya Toure has hit out at refereeing standards after Manchester City's controversial FA Cup semifinal loss to Arsenal on Sunday.

Toure was angered after referee Craig Pawson ruled out what seemed a good first-half goal for City as they were beaten 2-1 in extra time.
Sergio Aguero thought he had scored but the effort was chalked off because Leroy Sane's cross was ruled to have drifted out of play.
Replays indicated the decision was wrong, while Aguero also thought he should have had a penalty early in the game.

Toure said: "I think the referees have to stop this. I am very disappointed. It is not the first time -- there have been a couple of times.

"If we have to talk about referees, people are going to say we complain -- but when we see the highlights, it is very disappointing.

"Maybe on Thursday [for the Manchester derby at the Etihad] we are going to have a better referee or maybe play without a referee -- I'd prefer that."

Mata: I could return before end of season

Juan Mata has hinted that he could return to the Manchester United team before the end of the season.

Mata underwent groin surgery last month and has missed the last seven games.
Jose Mourinho had suggested Mata would not be fit to return until the end of May, ruling him out of the bulk of the run-in.

But the 28-year-old is hopeful he may be able to play some part as United chase the Europa League and a place in the Premier League's top four.
He wrote on his blog: "As you can imagine, this month has been a bit too long for me due to my injury.

"I had never been in a situation like this before (I've been very lucky), but the truth is I'm feeling much better now and I hope to be back with the team soon, to try to help in the last spell of the season.

"I hope so, because that's all I want: being always available to help and to contribute as much as I can, both on and off the pitch."
Mata, who has scored 10 goals in 38 games this season, will miss the Manchester derby against City at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.
It is unlikely he will be ready for Swansea's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday, but there remains a possibility

Wenger: Huge Alexis Sanchez contract could put Arsenal in trouble

Arsene Wenger is worried that a new big-money contract for Alexis Sanchez could destabilise the Arsenal dressing room and "put the club in trouble."

Wenger is well aware that Arsenal will have to shatter their current wage structure in order to keep Sanchez at the club for the long term, but with Mesut Ozil also demanding similar money, he is wary of the effects such deals could have on their teammates.

Asked if he was concerned that paying one star player a massive figure could destabilise the team, Wenger told a news conference: "Always. But we must accept as well that modern life has changed a little bit. We always had a wage schedule that was respected, and players earn so much money now that the cases have become much more individual than global.

"But you have many different opinions there. Some people tell me, 'just give him what he wants.' But then you cannot respect anymore any wage structure and you put the club in trouble as well."

Earlier on Friday, Wenger had laughed off a report that Arsenal were ready to hand Sanchez a new deal worth £300,000-a-week in order to stave off reported interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and several clubs from abroad.

Sanchez and Ozil are both out of contract at the end of next season, and Wenger has previously said he is hopeful that deals can be reached with the star duo this summer.

Any new contracts may have to be worth at least £250,000-a-week to put the pair on par with the Premier League's top earners -- a raise of more than £100,000-per-week for each player.

And with a handful of other players set to negotiate new deals this summer as well -- including Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain -- it could lead to more demands for higher wages.

"That is why you have to make the decision in an objective way. Always the club has to be the priority," Wenger said. "I understand as well that top players is a big priority but at the end of the day, even for important players, you can only pay as much as you can afford."

Sanchez is one of many top stars who have been linked with a big-money move to China this season, where clubs are paying salaries that are higher than any on offer in Europe.

But Wenger reiterated that players have to take the level of competition into their decision-making as well and not only focus on where they can make the most money.

"I think every club and every player has to make decisions," Wenger said. "Where are your priorities? Where do you want to play? I think the first priority for top players is to play with the best players and in the best league. The best combination of playing at the top and [making] big money is in England at the moment. So China for me is not a debate."

Shaw: I told Mourinho I'd prove him wrong

Luke Shaw has told Sky Sports that he wants to prove Jose Mourinho wrong after the Manchester United manager questioned his commitment and said he was a long way behind his teammates.

Shaw has since fought his way back into Mourinho's plans and he is determined to learn from the criticism and use it in a positive way in order to help United finish the season well.

"The criticism was very hard but I've had it before," Shaw said. "But this time around I dealt with it better.

"When I first came to United there was a lot of discussion about me and that was hard, it was something that was new to me. I was used to positive feedback and comments in the media but coming to United everything changed, there was negativity.

"I took that badly and it knocked me down a bit but this time I've come back wanting to fight and I want to prove everyone wrong.

"At the end of my meeting with the manager I said 'I'm going to prove you wrong.' I believe and want to do that, not just for myself but for the fans that have been behind me and supported me through this time.

"I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I want to push for the best from me.

"I wished the season wasn't coming to an end, I wish it was the start, because I want to play games and games and hopefully I can keep giving good performances and keep my spot in the team and push for the Europa League and top four."

Shaw returned to United's starting lineup for the 3-0 Premier League victory against Sunderland on Sunday and although he only played an hour before being substituted he is confident that he is making good progress and is happy with Mourinho's management of him.

"I had a really good chat with him [after the criticism] and I totally agree with him -- I will do whatever he wants," Shaw added. "I've always been a hard worker but maybe, if I look back, maybe I wasn't working as hard as he likes.

"We had a really good talk and he discussed what he wanted from me and even in a week-and-a-half I've seen a massive change in myself, not just on the pitch but off it as well.

"Now it's my time to fight until the end of the season and show the boss what I can bring to help his team."

Alli; I'm definitely a midfielder

Tottenham's Dele Alli says he is not comfortable being deployed as a striker, insisting "I'm definitely a midfielder."

Alli has scored 16 goals in the Premier League this season, but despite his high scoring rate, he says he would prefer to play behind forward Harry Kane.

"I'm definitely a midfielder," Alli told Sky Sports. "When I start playing up top where H [Kane] plays I don't feel comfortable.

"I grew up watching Steven Gerrard a lot and he was a No. 8 so I'd like to play there, but when competition is like it is. You play anywhere the manager wants you to. And I can't complain, I really am happy where I'm playing.

"The formation we were playing with three at the back gave me a bit more freedom and the chance to get more goals. Sometimes I have to make runs to get in behind H and give him a bit more room to get shots off and stuff like that. But, as I say, I'm definitely a midfielder."

At just 21, Alli has scored 26 league goals for Tottenham while assisting on another 14 for a combined total that puts him Gerrard at this stage of his career.

But asked how he stacks up to the likes of Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes, Alli said he still has a long way to go.

"It's an honour to be put next to those names but I've still got so much to achieve before I can even start thinking I'm as good as them," he said.

"They all did so much for their clubs and their country. I think they're unbelievable players. For me they're legends and people I look up to massively, so I don't get carried away with those stats."

Guardiola: Don't blame Bravo when Man City concede

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City's goalkeeping woes this season have been due to his players' inability - or unwillingness - to defend properly.

Claudio Bravo has endured a torrid debut season in English football and was taken out of the firing line at the turn of the year having conceded six goals from six shots on target.

Willy Caballero had proven a capable stand-in, though was caught out by a deflection after Eden Hazard strolled through the City midfield in the game at Chelsea earlier in April.

Bravo was recalled to the line-up for last weekend's game against Hull City, where he conceded his seventh goal from seven shots on target late on.

But Guardiola was annoyed with his side's defending after the Hull game, and returned to the point on Thursday when asked about Bravo's struggles this season.

"The problem when we concede goals is not the goalkeeper - it's not Claudio, it's not Willy," he insisted. "So the problem with the goal against Hull was six players didn't want to defend. There was a corner, a second ball and six players said 'OK, that's not my business'. We defended in the box four against six.

"The problem is not the goalkeepers. Everyone can make mistakes, make a good save, a lot of players miss clear, clear goals."

Gestifute deny 'disgusting and outraging' rape allegation against Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo's representatives have strenuously denied claims made in a report by German magazine Der Spiegel that the Real Madrid star paid a woman to cover up an allegation of rape.

Gestifute, the sports management company founded by Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes, dismissed the story as "a piece of journalistic fiction".

"The alleged victim refuses to come forward and confirm the veracity of the accusation "a disgusting and outraging" allegation and said Ronaldo will "do everything in his power to react"

The statement read: "Today, the German newspaper Der Spiegel published a long article regarding an alleged accusation of rape that would have been directed at Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, about eight years ago.

"The article is nothing but a piece of journalistic fiction.

"The alleged victim refuses to come forward and confirm the veracity of the accusation.

"The newspaper has based their entire narrative on documents which are unsigned and where the parties are not identified, on emails between lawyers whose content does not concern Cristiano Ronaldo and whose authenticity he cannot verify, and on an alleged letter that is said to have been sent to him by the so-called victim, but was never received by Cristiano."

Gestifute's statement added: "The accusations reported by the De Spiegel are false and Cristiano Ronaldo will do everything in his power to react against these.

"An accusation of an act of rape is disgusting and outraging, and he will not allow it to hang over his reputation."

Mou: Those who had to "kill the game" didn't.

Jose Mourinho faulted Manchester United's forwards for Thursday's Europa League quarterfinal first-leg draw with Anderlecht, saying they must develop a killer instinct.
United looked likely to go into the second leg at Old Trafford with a 1-0 lead thanks to Henrikh Mkhitaryan's first-half strike before Leander Dendoncker scored late to frustrate the Premier League side.

Dendoncker's header was the only shot on target of the game for the hosts, and while Mourinho called his back line "very solid," he was less complimentary of his forwards for not providing a larger cushion.
"We have to kill matches," Mourinho told BT Sport. "We had chances, control, but ... we don't score goals ... we risk.

"There was lots of space to kill, good chances. Lots of chances that we don't get because of a bad touch, sloppy touch, a flick, bad decisions in the last third. There was a team with good organisation at the back, but one mistake and we were punished.
"In my poor English I cannot find a better word [than sloppy]. You have to play more seriously. Put the performance of two or three of our attacking players together and you squeeze not much juice out of it. [Marcus] Rashford, [Jesse] Lingard, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, [Anthony] Martial. They were very similar.

Berlusconi sells AC Milan to Chinese investors

The €740 million sale of AC Milan to Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux, led by Chinese businessmen Yonghong Li and Han Li, has been finalised.
Confirmation of the deal -- the first time in 31 years that the Serie A giants have changed hands -- came after almost two years of negotiations.
It means former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has relinquished control after over three decades at the helm and comes after previous delays.
The sale -- first announced in May 2016 -- was twice postponed because of funding complications, but a loan has enabled Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux to meet its obligations.

"Today Fininvest has completed the sale of the entire stake owned in AC Milan -- equal to 99.93% -- to Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux," read a statement on the club's official website.

"The closing is the last step of the purchase agreement signed on August 5th 2016 and renewed on March 24th by Fininvest CEO Danilo Pellegrino and David Han Li, as a representative of Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux.

Ozil: Top four more important than my future

Mesut Ozil has said that Arsenal's priority is securing a top-four finish and that his future, along with that of manager Arsene Wenger and teammate Alexis Sanchez, must be put on hold for the good of the club.

There has been speculation that Ozil and Sanchez, who will both enter the final year of their contracts in the summer, could depart, while fans have protested for Wenger to leave following the club's poor form.

Arsenal are sixth in the Premier League following a run of two wins in eight games, and Ozil told Sky Sports that improving their standing must be the immediate priority.

"I think at the moment it would be wrong to really think about that, to go ahead and look at that," he said when asked about his future and that of Wenger.

"At the moment, the team we're having a more difficult spell and at this stage I'm not important and no other player is important. What's important is the club.

"We've got aims that we want to meet this season. There's still lots for us to play for. We want to qualify desperately for the Champions League for next season as well.

"So we'll talk in the summer and we'll clear things then but for the moment, all that's important is Arsenal and not me and not any other player -- it's just the club.

"What we need to do is fight, to do what we can. It's not just about the boss or the fans -- it's about the whole club and playing for the whole club."

Swansea's Paul Clement tells players to play without fear ahead of Watford clash

Paul Clement has urged his Swansea City side to play without fear of relegation and focus on delivering a big performance in their vital clash with Watford on Saturday.

The Swans are two points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Premier League and, with only six games left in 2016/17, are only too aware that time is running out in their survival battle.

Europa League,Today, 20:05pm

Clement felt the end-of-season tension hindered his team as they were beaten in disappointing fashion at West Ham last weekend and the Swans head coach has told his players to put pressure to one side as they look to end their worrying five-game winless streak at Vicarage Road.

Argentina ace Paulo Dybala pens new deal with Juventus despite Chelsea and Barcelona interest

The striker's future had been shrouded in doubt with no resolution to long-running contract talks with the Serie A club.

That had given hope to Chelsea – as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid – who were all said to be considering big-money offers this summer.

However, just days after he starred in Juve's 3-0 Champions League quarter-final victory over Real Madrid – netting two quite excellent goals - the Italian champions have announced Dybala has committed his future to them.

The Argentina international, whose new deal runs until 2022, told the club's official website: "I've always just wanted to succeed in everything that I do and I know that Juventus is the perfect place to be if you want to win things".

ISLAMIST SUSPECT DETAINED IN BORUSSIA DORTMUND BUS EXPLOSION

German police have detained a suspect following Tuesday night's explosion near Borussia Dortmund's team bus.

The "Islamist" suspect is being held after three explosions detonated near the team bus as it was travelling to Signal Iduna Park for a Champions League quarter-final match against Monaco.

The game was called off and is scheduled to be played on Wednesday evening, while Dortmund defender Marc Bartra underwent surgery on a broken wrist after being the only person hurt in the blast.

A spokeswoman for Germany's federal state prosecutor in Karlsruhe, Frauke Koehler, said: "Two suspects from the Islamist spectrum have become the focus of our investigation. Both of their apartments were searched, and one of the two has been detained."

The Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, had earlier offered Dortmund words of encouragement after getting in touch with the club to express her support.

"Chancellor Angela Merkel got in touch with BVB CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke early Wednesday afternoon to offer her support," a brief statement on the club's official website reads.

"Merkel and Watzke discussed the situation in a lengthy phone conversation.

"The chancellor sees it as a positive sign that the team does not bow to terror and will play the match despite the difficult circumstances.

"She is continually staying up to date regarding the latest developments and keeps her fingers crossed for BVB on Wednesday evening."