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Reading manager Veljko Paunovic has suggested the areas Michael Olise need to improve on after he was named the EFL Young Player of the Season.

The Nigeria midfielder was honoured with the award last week after his contributions of six goals and 11 assists in 43 Championship games this campaign.

In March, Olise who was born to Nigerian father and Franco-Algerian mother in England, was placed in the Super Eagles’ standby list for their last two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.

Ahead of the Royals' final league match of the season against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, Paunovic said the 19-year-old needs to appreciate himself more and also learn to deal with challenges.

"First of all, I am very happy for him. I think he deserved it [the award]. He loves football, he is very passionate about the game,” the Serbian coach told Berkshire Live.

"He is very dedicated. He is almost picky in his performances. If he doesn't have a perfect performance, he can get disappointed, but this is normal.

"But, that is because he is young. He'll learn how to deal with adversities. That's where he has to get better.

"He has to also acknowledge and appreciate himself more, because he demands so much from himself, that sometimes he doesn't understand that can go against him and sometimes the team.

"But when he knows how to play and work for the team, his individual qualities were highlighted much more."

Olise is reportedly attracting interest from Premier League club Leeds United after his impressive 2020-21 season, but the Royals are focused on working with him though he has a year left on his contract.

"I think he can enjoy the game more if he improves his execution," Paunovic added.

"I think he can score more goals and he needs to have more courage without the ball, but all of these things he is aware of.

"We work with him and show him and we measure his progress together, and he has done great, and it is all credit to him.

Mikel Arteta was left lamenting Granit Xhaka's pre-match injury after Arsenal crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Villarreal, and said the whole squad are "devastated" by the final result.

Villarreal followed up their 2-1 victory over the Gunners at El Madrigal by earning a 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium on Thursday night to win the semi-final tie and book their place in the showpiece event against Manchester United.

Arteta felt his side deserved to emerge with a victory in the second leg, but also conceded that his game plan went out of the window after Xhaka was truck down with an injury in the warm-up.

What's been said?

"We are devastated. Really disappointed. We have to congratulate Villarreal," the Arsenal boss told BT Sport . "We tried everything until the last minute. I think we deserved to win the game but the details define these ties.

"We had three big chances, they didn't have anything but they are through. So many things happened to us, and so many players were just trying to compete not at their best."

Pressed on the significance of losing Xhaka shortly before kick-off, Arteta added: "It changed our plan completely. We prepared everything with Granit in that position.

"In the first half we struggled with the ball but it's not an excuse. Too many important players had to define the game but not in their right moments.

"I think we were very imprecise with the ball. We were probably a bit tense. We were much more dominant in the second half."

Arsenal's European dream ends

Unai Emery will now take a team to the Europa League final for the fifth time in his career, having previously won the competition three times with Sevilla and guided Arsenal to the showpiece in 2019.

The Spaniard was sacked by the Gunners later that year, but has managed to get one over on the man who succeeded him, with the north London outfit now in danger of dropping out of European competition altogether for the first time in 25 years under Arteta.

Arsenal had their chances to seal the 1-0 they needed to reach the final, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hitting the post twice and Nicolas Pepe and Emile Smith Rowe both going close in the second half.

However, Arteta's men were ultimately unable to find a way through Villarreal's stubborn rearguard, which he believes was partly down to a lack of match fitness within his squad.

"The way we started in Villarreal wasn't good enough," he said. "We didn't arrive here in the best moment with everyone in their best condition. For 90% of them it was their first semi-final and we have to learn."

"The only way [to qualify for Europe] is through the Premier League so we know what we have ahead of us. Today is a big disappointment because we tried everything."

What's next?

Arsenal will now turn their attention to a Premier League fixture against West Brom at the Emirates on Sunday, which comes three days before they take in a trip to Chelsea, and they cannot afford to lose either game as they seek to close the gap on seventh-placed Liverpool in the race for the final European spot.

Further reading

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is very proud after he was honoured with the 2021 Laureus Sporting Inspiration award.

The Egypt international alongside tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal were among the big winners of the virtal award ceremony that was held in Seville on Thursday evening.

Salah earned the Sporting Inspiration award for his philanthropic gesture to people in his hometown of Nagrig over the last 12 months.

Back in April 2018, the 28-year-old funded the construction of a medical centre and a school for girls in the Egyptian village.

In addition to the construction projects that year, Salah bought the first ambulance in Nagrig and also bought medical equipment to help the people.

Although a secondary school in the city of Basyoun and a sports centre in Nagrig have been named after Salah, the two-time African Footballer of the Year did not stop at that as he showed up for his community again with provision of oxygen tanks during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I'm very proud to have been chosen by the Laureus Academy for this Sporting Inspiration award,” Salah was quoted by the club website.

“2020 was a very difficult year on so many levels and for so many people around the world. Some of us were kept away from our family and friends, and others even lost loved ones. We need to learn from this experience, support one another and do our best to look ahead.

“Many times football players win awards and automatically thank our fans. This time, I will dedicate this award, not only to my fans, but to all the other sports fans around the world.

"This past year has been a very harsh reminder of the fact that sports, including football, is nothing without fans. Everyone in the world of sport can be replaced – fans are not.

"I will end on that note. Once again, thank you very much."

Aside his off-the-pitch influence, Salah has been a key player for Liverpool this season with his goalscoring contributions.

He is close to securing his third Golden Boot in the Premier League with 20 goals after 33 matches - a goal behind Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane.

Edinson Cavani made Europa League history after netting his second brace against Roma in the space of a week to help Manchester United win their semi-final tie.

United booked their place in the final despite losing 3-2 at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night, having won the first leg 6-2 at Old Trafford last week.

Cavani scored twice in Manchester and doubled his account against the Italian giants at Stadio Olimpico, equalling a 34-year-old continental record in the process.

Cavani's semi-final heroics

Cavani is the first player to score two or more goals in both legs of a European semi-final since Klaus Allofs for Koln back in the 1985-86 UEFA Cup against KSV Waregem.

The 34-year-old has also now hit 16 goals in his last 15 Europa League outings, including 15 in his last 10 as a starter in the competition.

United book their ticket to Gdansk

The Red Devils can now look forward to a final meeting with Villarreal at the Stadion Miejski in Gdansk, Poland on May 26, where they will be bidding to lift their first major trophy since 2017.

Cavani gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side the lead in Rome with a trademark finish shortly before half-time, but the hosts hit back via a close-range Edin Dzeko finish just before the hour mark.

A stunning Bryan Cristante effort put Roma in the lead moments later, with Cavani then popping up to head in his second from a Bruno Fernandes cross to level the scores once again.

The Serie A giants had the final say when Nicola Zalewski scored with the help of an Alex Telles deflection, but United ultimately progressed 8-5 on aggregate to set a new mark for the highest-scoring Europa league semi-final of all-time.

The Manchester outfit are also now only the second team in the competition's history to hit eight or more goals across two legs of a last-four tie, with Alaves the last club to achieve that feat when they hit nine against Kaiserslautern in 2000-01.

What's next?

The Red Devils will now start preparing for a Premier League meeting with Aston Villa on Sunday, which comes just two days before Leicester City are due to arrive at Old Trafford as the race for second place starts to heat up.

Further reading

Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi said he is still following Arsene Wenger’s advice that will help his natural ability shine.

Wenger promoted the 25-year-old to the Gunners’ first-team in 2015 and he was a key force in Arsenal team with regular first-team appearances.

Three years after their working relationship at the Emirates Stadium, the Super Eagles midfielder said he is always working to get the basics right as the former Monaco manager advised him.

“He [Wenger] always told me to get the basics right and do them well, and then my natural ability will shine through. As long as I’m doing that and following that advice, I feel like I always play well,” Iwobi told Gaffer.

Since his debut Premier League outing in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Swansea City in October 2015, Iwobi has made 153 league appearances with 13 goals and 18 assists.

He added: “It's crazy when everyone tells me all these stats like the appearances and caps I've got. I've had a decent career so far considering my age.”

On the international stage, the 25-year-old has made himself a regular player in the Nigeria national team after dumping England for the three-time African champions.

In October 2017 against Zambia, he scored the crucial goal that secured the Super Eagles' qualification for the 2018 Fifa World Cup and he expressed how he feels when he finds the back of the net for club or country.

“It was difficult because I was raised in England,” he said. “But as I’ve grown up surrounded by Nigerian culture that made it easy for me to pick Nigeria. It just felt right.”

“Whenever I score it’s a mad feeling. Even when I played at school, even now when fans aren’t in the stadium, you still go celebrate when you score because of that rush.”

Last week, Iwobi made his 17th start in the English top-flight this campaign as Everton suffered a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the Goodison Park.

The Toffees have dropped to eighth in the league table but the Nigeria midfielder will be focused on helping Carlo Ancelotti's men bounce back to winning ways when they visit West Ham United for their next match on Sunday.

Belarusian Women's Premier League side Dinamo-BSUPC have parted ways with Rhoda Mulaudzi on mutual consent. 

The Banyana Banyana striker joined Volodymyr Reva's team from South African side Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the 2020 summer.

Before her move to Minsk, she helped Sundowns Ladies to claim the maiden SNWL in April, and also won the best goalscorer award.

At Dinamo, she made a huge impact during her stay, inspiring her side to a domestic double, including winning its first league title.

During her 12-month spell, the 31-year-old star, who struggled for a regular playing time, scored eight goals and provided three assists in all her 15 appearances for the Belarusian champions.
 
Following the expiration of her contract with the 2020 league champions, the club has announced that her stay has come to an end.

"By agreement of the parties, forward Roda Mulaudzi will leave the Dynamo-BGUFK team," the club confirmed via its website on Thursday.
  
"In the 2020 season, Roda took part in 10 matches, scored 7 goals and gave 3 assists. This year, the footballer played in 5 matches and scored one goal. 
 
"Football club "Dinamo-Minsk" thanks Roda for her work in the women's team and wishes her good luck in the continuation of her career."

Following her departure, she becomes the second South African star to have left the club, after Bambanani Mbane in January and she leaves behind compatriot defender Lebogang Ramalepe.

With her exit, Mulaudzi's future is uncertain following her last expedition abroad, after previously starring for Cypriot side Apollon Ladies, Canberra United in Australia and now Dinamo in Belarus.

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer described his side's win over Black Leopards as a top result on Thursday night. 

The Soweto giants thrashed Lidoda Duvha 3-0 in a PSL match at Orlando Stadium as they bounced back to winning ways. This was after their 3-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday. 

Zinnbauer was happy with the performance of Pirates' full-backs Wayde Jooste, Bongani Sam and defender-come-midfielder Abel Mabaso against Leopards. 

"I'm happy about this [the defending], don't forget we lost also [Vincent] Pule [through injury], we have a lot of injured players at the moment," Zinnbauer told SuperSport TV. 

"We have to change always, today also, we have to change for the injured [players], yellow cards and in the last weeks we have always the players not available

"Now Wayde [Jooste] comes back he makes a top game, [Bongani] Sam comes back, [Abel] Mabaso is now back from a long [term] injury," he continued.

"And it's good for us as a coach to have a little bit of players available, then we have the tournament in the training session also. They fight for the positioning and that's good for us."

The 51-year-old tactician was pleased with how his side began the match with the Buccaneers having dominated the game from start to finish. 

"I think from the first whistle we were in the game, controlled the game, dominated the game. In the first half - a lot of chances in the final third," he added. 

"But we have not so the lucky punch in, there was always a leg between the goal and the ball but in the second half we came out and we score quick.

"And then we went a little bit more counter-attack playing, we wait, controlled the game, the opponent has to come [out] and then we made the second and the third goal." 

The Buccaneers' passing game also impressed Zinnbauer and he is looking forward to their clash with Stellenbosch FC which will be played on May 11. 

"I think it was finished. Compliments to the team for the right reaction from the last game and the focus for the next game," he added. 

"It was very good [passing game], it was calm, moved the opponent a lot, we found always the window for playing through the lines.

"I say it again we have a lot of final third [entries], shooting on the goal, a lot of passing through the goal but normally you have to score three or four times more but it's good, 3-0 top result, top performance and we're looking forward."

Pisa's Michele Marconi has been handed a 10-match ban for racially abusing Chievo Verona midfielder Joel Obi.

The incident took place during Chievo’s Serie B 2-2 draw against the Black and Blues in December last year.

The case was heard at the Italian Football Federation appeals court and Marconi was found guilty and punished by the FIGC accordingly.

“Following the complaint of the Federal Prosecutor's Office, the Federal Court of Appeal ordered the disqualification for 10 days of the Pisa player Michele Marconi,” read a statement from the FIGC website.

“The striker had addressed racist insults to Chievo midfielder Joel Obi last December 22, during the Pisa-Chievo match.”

Chievo made a statement after the match in December, detailing how the Nigeria international was subjected to racial abuse by Marconi.

"[Obi was] the object of an infamous and disgraceful phrase that has nothing to do with the most basic values of sport, ethics and respect," read the statement.

Pisa, meanwhile, claimed the incident was never detected and "distanced itself" from Chievo’s statement, revealing Marconi confirmed to the club he was never involved in such an ignoble act.

"Moreover, our player confirmed that he had not addressed any insults to the opposing player, let alone racially motivated ones," it added.

Obi has been with Chievo since the summer of 2018 when he teamed up with the club from Torino and has been impressing for the Yellow and Blues.

In the current campaign, the midfielder has made 29 appearances across all competitions for Luca D'Angelo’s men, scoring four goals and providing one assist.

Chievo are currently enduring a difficult time after failing to secure victory in their last four games, including suffering a defeat to Venezia.

Obi will hope to help his side return to winning ways when they slug it out against Virtus Entella in their next league game.

The U.S. women's national team will face Portugal, Jamaica and Nigeria in three June friendlies, U.S. Soccer confirmed on Thursday.

All three matches will take place in Texas, with the USWNT facing Portugal on June 10 and Jamaica on June 13 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, with a game against Nigeria on June 16 at Q2 Stadium in Austin.

The games, which U.S. Soccer is calling the "Summer Series" will be the final matches before head coach Vlatko Andonovski names his 18-player Olympic roster.

What was said?

“In these Covid times, we’re grateful that U.S. Soccer has been able to organize a schedule of games for us to prepare for the Olympics and getting these three during the Summer Series against teams we don’t play very often will be important in helping us make the final decisions on the Olympic team,” Andonovski said in a news release.

“Choosing the Olympic team has been a long process, with a big break in the middle, but we’ll take all the information from our trainings, the national team games and club matches so we can make the best choices to give our team the best chance for success in Japan.”

Olympics on the horizon

After the USWNT played April friendlies at Sweden and France, these matches represent the final opportunities for players to impress Andonovski before he names his Olympic squad. 

The three Summer Series games will be followed by two send-off friendlies in early July after the 18-player roster for Tokyo is confirmed. 

The USWNT has drawn Sweden, Australia and New Zealand in the Olympic group stage, which kicks off on July 21.

In Japan, Andonovski's side will be looking to banish memories of the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where they were eliminated by Sweden in the quarter-finals to see them fail to medal for the first time since women's football was introduced at the Olympics in 1996.

Further reading

Villarreal star Samuel Chukwueze was forced out of his side's Europa League encounter at Arsenal on Thursday in what could be a major blow for the Yellow Submarine.

The Nigeria international who was a threat to the Gunners’ backline was having a fine game before going down with an injury.

Before his knock off the ball, the youngster almost gave the Spaniards an early lead after four minutes.

Francis Coquelin switched the play over to the right and Mario Gaspar knocked the ball down for the African, who saw his well-struck left-footed shot from the edge of the box tipped for a corner kick by Bernd Leno.

After Chukwueze was attended to by medics, he was subsequently replaced by Spanish teenager Yeremi Pino in the 28th minute.

Without the Super Eagle, Unai Emery’s men ensured that the first half at the Emirates Stadium ended in a 0-0 draw.

At the time of filing this report, his team was hoping the injury will not be serious. 

Having lost 2-1 in the first leg semi-final clash at Estadio de la Ceramica, Mikel Arteta’s men know that anything short of victory would end their aspiration of reaching the final billed for May 26 at the Stadium Miejski in Gdansk.

Chukwueze has been terrific for Emery’s side, scoring three goals in five Spanish elite division matches – a feat that saw him nominated for the La Liga Player of the Month award for April.

There, he will compete with Barcelona captain Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, and Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa for the individual accolade.

Other contestants are Sevilla's Fernando, Real Betis' Claudio Bravo and Fernando Pacheco of Deportivo Alaves.

His notable contributions for the La Liga outfit have not gone unnoticed by his Spanish manager Emery.

“He’s a very young player who has to find consistency,” Emery told  the club website  about Chukwueze. “We need to take steps forward with him and be demanding.

“He’s a footballer with great quality. He has a lot of talent, but he needs to improve in front of the goal. Today he put in a great performance and managed to score.”

Eden Hazard has issued an apology for laughing with Chelsea players on the pitch following Real Madrid's Champions League exit.

Madrid crashed out of Europe's elite competition after losing the second leg of their semi-final tie 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, with Timo Werner and Kai Havertz grabbing the goals for the hosts.

Hazard didn't seem particularly bothered by the final result, though, as he was seen joking with Chelsea duo Kurt Zouma and Edouard Mendy as the players left the pitch, with the Spanish press subsequently singling him out for criticism.

What's been said?

The Belgian winger has taken to social media to respond to the media storm, having seen his commitment to Madrid's cause called into question.

"I am sorry. I have read a lot of opinions about me today and it wasn't my intention to offend Real Madrid fans," Hazard wrote on Instagram.

"It has always been my dream to play for Real Madrid and I came here to win.

"The season is not over and together we must now battle for La Liga. Hala Madrid!"

Hazard's miserable return to Stamford Bridge

Hazard, who called time on his seven-year career at Chelsea to join Madrid in a €100 million (£87m/$121m) deal in 2019, had to make do with a substitute role in the first leg of the last four tie between the two clubs last week, which ended 1-1.

Zinedine Zidane restored the winger to his starting XI for the trip to west London, though, and he played 89 minutes of the crunch Champions League clash before being replaced by Mariano Diaz.

Unfortunately, Hazard was unable to affect the game in any meaningful way as Chelsea picked the Blancos off on the counter-attack, with Werner scoring with a close-range header in the first half and Havertz tapping in the second goal of the game late on.

The Blues can now look forward to an all-English showpiece against Manchester City in Istanbul later this month, while Hazard and Co must now refocus ahead of Madrid's final four games in the La Liga title race.

Hazard's record for Madrid in 2020-21

Hazard has been plagued by injuries during his first two seasons at Santiago Bernabeu and has thusly only been able to show flashes of the brilliance that saw him emerge as one of the top players in Europe at Chelsea.

The Belgium international has been restricted to just 18 appearances across all competitions so far this term and has only three goals to his name.

Further reading

Retired Tanzania players Boniface Pawasa and Henry Morris have compared Simba SC and Yanga SC’s firepower ahead of the May 8 Kariakoo Derby at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

After drawing 1-1 in the first-round encounter, the local giants will face off yet again in a game that carries a lot at stake in the Premier League given that they occupy the two top positions.

Former Simba star Pawasa has pointed out that Wekundu wa Msimbazi look good at the front while Yanga have made improvements at the back.

"Simba have got the best frontline that attacks the opponents every minute of the game. On the other hand, Yanga have got a good striking department but one that depends on a given approach by the coach,” Pawasa told Mwanaspoti.

“As days go by, Yanga are getting better in the defensive area as is the case with Simba. Abdallah Shiabu [of Yanga] is improving and he can stop Simba during the game regardless of their attacking power.”

On his part, former Yanga striker Morris said that although Simba boast good midfielders, their slowness at the back could be exploited by Yanga on Saturday. Clatous Chama, Larry Bwalya, Bernard Morrison and Luis Miquissone have been the preferred men for Simba in the midfield while Serge Wawa and Joash Onyango have been regularly paired at the back.

“Simba have got good midfielders who constantly create chances and the strikers make use of those opportunities in most cases,” Morris said.

“On the other hand, Yanga are creating chances but converting them into goals [and this] is where the challenge is.

“For now, Shaibu's form is giving many people on the side of Yanga some hope as far as the midfield role is concerned because that is where the problem seemed to have been before.

“Simba are good but their centre-backs are lacking speed and if you get an opponent with speed, they will be in trouble. They, however, can deal superbly with an opponent who prefers building up from the back with many passes in between.”

Yanga are expected to welcome back Tuisila Kisinda who missed the previous two games due to an arm injury. 

Christian Pulisic has admitted that he was "very frustrated" not to start Chelsea's second leg triumph over Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

Chelsea set up an all-English Champions League final against Manchester City by beating Madrid 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, having previously earned a 1-1 draw at The Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in the first leg of the last-four tie.

Timo Werner scored the opener before Pulisic came off the bench to assist Kai Havertz' late second goal, but the United States international felt he deserved more than just a substitute's role.

What's been said?

"Very frustrated," Pulisic told CBS Sports post-match. "Umm, yeah, there's not much else to say. I wanted to play from the beginning, as I always do.

"I've had to continue to prove myself over and over again. But, as always I reach out to God and he gives me strength.

"With that behind me, nothing can stop me really."

Pulisic's impact against Madrid

Pulisic stole the headlines in Chelsea's first-leg meeting with Madrid as he fired home their all-important away goal to cap a superb all-round performance, and many expected him to start again in the return fixture after being rested for Saturday's Premier League win over Fulham.

However, Thomas Tuchel ultimately decided to go with a front three of Werner, Havertz and Mason Mount at the Bridge, with Pulisic not introduced to the action until the 67th minute.

Werner set the Blues on their way to victory when he headed into an empty net just before the half-hour mark, but Madrid stayed in the game until deep into the second period as the hosts struggled to find a cutting edge in the final third.

Pulisic eventually popped up as the architect for Chelsea's all-important second with five minutes left to play, receiving a N'Golo Kante pass in the box before steadying himself and picking out Havertz for a simple tap-in.

Pulisic's overall record in 2020-21

Pulisic has missed a total of 14 games through injury this term, and has been in and out of the team when fit as he has struggled to find his best form.

The 22-year-old has, however, still been able to contribute six goals and three assists to Chelsea's cause in 37 outings across all competitions, and could have another chance to prove himself when Tuchel's side take on City in the Premier League this weekend.

Further reading 

Sergio Ramos has reacted to Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final defeat to Chelsea via social media, insisting that although he and his teammates feel "f*cked" at the moment, the league is still up for grabs.

Madrid's quest for a record-extending 14th European Cup was ended on Tuesday night as they suffered a 2-0 defeat in the second leg of their last-four clash with the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea progressed to the final 3-1 on aggregate, leaving the Blancos with only the La Liga title left to play for this season, but Ramos tried to remain upbeat after the loss.

What's been said?

The Madrid captain took to Instagram and Twitter to send a message to the club's supporters, which he opened with the Spanish swear word 'Jodidos'.

"F*cked, yes. But we're not finished," Ramos wrote. "A history built on victories but Real Madrid has always risen from defeats.

"The league title is still there for us and we're up for it."

Madrid humbled by Chelsea

Zinedine Zidane's side arrived in west London on Tuesday night having been held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Spain last week, meaning they had to score to have any hope of qualifying for for the final against Manchester City.

Chelsea were the better side right from the first minute, though, and got the opening goal their constant pressure deserved when Timo Werner headed home from close range after Kai Havertz' delightful chipped finish bounced back out off the bar.

The Blues squandered a number of clear chances thereafter as Madrid toiled to stay in the tie, but Thibaut Courtois was eventually beaten in the visitors' net once again when Christian Pulisic teed up Mason Mount to score from close range in the 85th minute.

The state of play in La Liga

Madrid now only have four games remaining in the 2020-21 campaign, starting with a crucial encounter against Sevilla at The Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Sunday.

Zidane's men are sitting in second at the moment, two points behind arch-rivals Atletico Madrid, four ahead of Sevilla and level on 74 with Barcelona, who are third courtesy of their inferior head-to-head record against the Blancos.

The reigning Spanish champions will travel to Granada and Athletic Club after their meeting with Sevilla before wrapping up their season with a clash against Villarreal on May 23.

Further reading

Philipp Lahm says Pep Guardiola "would play 11 Iniestas" if allowed to favour that approach, with the Manchester City boss having to adopt "a more cautious style" since leaving Barcelona.

The Catalan coach has just booked a place in another Champions League final, 10 years on from the last time he lifted that trophy, with a date with Chelsea awaiting in a European showpiece.

City will be looking to complete a notable treble in that contest, as they prepare to add the Premier League title to another Carabao Cup success, and Guardiola has continued to tinker with his plans in 2020-21 as he searches for a winning formula at home and abroad.

What has been said?

At Barcelona, Guardiola boasted some of the finest talent world football has ever seen - including the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta - but has changed his ways at Bayern and City, with his current employers regularly starting with no recognised striker.

Lahm, who worked with one of the finest coaching minds to ever grace the game at the Allianz Arena, has told El Pais: "After the high point he reached in Spain, you can see that Guardiola is adapting.

"Barcelona were a very good team, with almost everyone playing several instruments well. When they won the Champions League in 2009 and 2011, they suffocated their opponents.

"That style was possible because the whole club follows Johan Cruyff's idea of total football, [and] Guardiola sees himself in this tradition: if they let him, he would play 11 Iniestas.

"Elsewhere he had to sacrifice a little of his idealism. In Munich [at Bayern] he let the specialists [Franck] Ribery and [Arjen] Robben play on the flanks, and the two full-backs drifted into the centre when the team had possession of the ball."

Lahm added: "City now play a more cautious style, relying on athletic defenders who impose themselves in the air.

"The team sometimes give the ball away, drop back, defend their area, take a breather and wait to counter-attack. The coach has learned to enjoy simple goals from a corner or a shot from outside the box: he has seen that those goals have their appeal too. He's not just a fan of the ultra-attacking tiki-taka."

The bigger picture

Guardiola's methods have made him a success in Spain, Germany and England.

Domestic titles and cups have rolled in on a regular basis, but continental success has proved elusive over the course of the last decade.

City are now in a position to right that wrong, with Paris Saint-Germain seen off in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Sky Blues have made that prize a top priority ever since Sheikh Mansour arrived in Manchester back in 2008.

Guardiola is now within touching distance of that ultimate prize, with the best being brought out of a star-studded squad that can be moulded to fit many different systems and still deliver positive results.

Further reading

Timo Werner believes that Chelsea can repeat their FA Cup heroics against Manchester City and become "the best team in the world" by seeing off domestic rivals in the Champions League final.

An all-English showpiece has been lined up in elite European competition, with Thomas Tuchel's side edging out La Liga giants Real Madrid to move within touching distance of the ultimate prize.

They have a history of dashing City's dreams this season, having already done so in the last four of the FA Cup, and Werner believes those at Stamford Bridge can secure themselves a spot at the very top of the global game.

What has been said?

Werner, who was on target in a 2-0 victory over Real in the second leg of a heavyweight semi-final showdown, has told reporters of the ambition in west London: "We know that we can do it. 

"We saw in a game like City when we won in the FA Cup semi-final. We did it so often this season against good teams. It means we have no fear in any final.

"You have to be honest and say that City is maybe the best team in the world at the moment. You want to play against the best.

"We are in the Champions League final and it is normal that you play against the best team and maybe we can win this game and we can become the best team in the world for this year.

"I think our team can win against every team in the world and we showed it against Man City. They will know about the semi-final, they will remember it.

"They will give everything for the title because it’s their first final. Like a lot of players in our team it is their first final. We will give everything to the end."

The bigger picture

Tuchel is heading towards a second successive Champions League final, having led Paris Saint-Germain to that stage last season.

Thiago Silva formed part of those plans and is another looking to right continental wrongs some 12 months on.

Werner will be hoping that he gets a chance from the off against City in Istanbul, with the Germany international eager to end a testing campaign on a high.

He has faced criticism over a lack of goals in 2020-21, but an effort against Real was his 12th of the season and a further 10 assists have been contributed to the collective cause.

Those efforts have helped to keep Chelsea competitive on multiple fronts, with the Blues looking to end the season with a top-four finish alongside FA Cup and Champions League honours.

The Blues will be back in action on Saturday when taking in another meeting with Premier League champions-elect City at the Etihad Stadium.

Further reading

Mason Greenwood has "never sulked" when asked to fill bench duty at Manchester United, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the teenage forward seeing his "great attitude" saluted.

A 19-year-old product of the Red Devils' famed academy system has started only 19 Premier League games this season, while also taking on a substitute role in Europa League competition.

He has been able to make a useful contribution to the collective cause, with a reputation being earned as something of a super-sub, and Solskjaer is delighted to see the promising youngster accepting whatever role is asked of him.

What has been said?

Solskjaer has told United's official website of the selection posers he faces with so much talent at his disposal: "Every game is difficult because I’ve got players that I feel deserve game-time but that’s the privilege I’ve got because I’ve got many good players. 

"But it’s also the downside for some of the players that are going to take a sidestep and wait for an opportunity. 

"I think Mason’s attitude lately shows what a person he is and player he is. 

"He’s never sulked when I’ve asked him to start of the bench. He’s come on - against Roma and Tottenham - and scored in both games and showed great attitude for the team."

Greenwood's record in 2020-21

Greenwood has taken in 47 appearances across all competitions this season, proving how valuable he is to Solskjaer.

Across those outings, 10 goals and five assists have been recorded.

A slight dip has been suffered by the youngster, as he found the target on 17 occasions in 2019-20.

He is, however, still learning his trade and has ideal role models alongside him in the form of fellow home-grown star Marcus Rashford and experienced frontman Edinson Cavani.

A new long-term contract was committed to back in February and Greenwood's next outing for United - which could come in the second leg of a Europa League semi-final clash with Roma on Thursday - will be his 100th for the club.

Further reading