Henderson targeting silverware

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson hopes to deliver the trophy he feels the club s fans deserve next season.

Brendan Rodgers side reached the semi-finals of both domestic competitions in 2014-15, but were beaten by Chelsea and Aston Villa in the League and FA Cups respectively.

Having challenged for a top-four spot and a return to the UEFA Champions League for much of the campaign, Liverpool fell away towards the end of the season and finished sixth, settling instead for a Europa League place.

Henderson was part of the side that lifted the League Cup back in 2012 the club s last piece of silverware and the former Sunderland man wants to bring more glory to Anfield in 2015-16.

I think we ve got a great group of players with a lot of potential, youn…

Messi returns for Argentina, Lamela drops out

Lionel Messi returns to Argentina s squad for their friendly in Romania in March, but Erik Lamela has missed out through injury.

Captain Messi has not played for his country since scoring twice in their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in September following a series of injuries late last year.

The Barcelona star returns to Alejandro Sabella s squad for the trip to Romania, although Tottenham forward Lamela is ruled out with a back injury.

Lamela, who has endured a tough start to his career at White Hart Lane since his switch from Roma last year, misses Argentina s final friendly before the FIFA World Cup squad is announced.

Domestic-based midfielders Fernando Gago and Ever Banega are expected to be included as late additions, while Manchester City st…

Prediction: Juventus vs Lazio

Verdict: Both teams to score yes

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It is undeniable that Saturday s action in the 2018/19 Serie A season will feature a marquee matchup between the reigning champions, Juventus, and one of the most attacking-minded teams in Europe in Lazio. In what promises to be Cristiano Ronaldo s first game at home since joining from Real Madrid, the Serie A champions will go out for the win. But Lazio are not going to make things easy on him, or Juventus as a whole. Who will come out on top?

Juventus

Juventus season did not began as expected. Despite winning the opener against Chievo Verona, the reigning Serie A champions should have done a far better job on both ends of the pitch. And while it was clear that Cristiano Ronaldo still does not …

Prediction: Manchester United vs West Ham United

Prediction: Both Teams To Score and Manchester United to Win

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Manchester United will be hoping to take a significant step towards the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday in their final home game of the Premier League season against West Ham United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s Red Devils have the opportunity to claim fourth spot with just a draw ahead of their crunch clash with Leicester City on the final day. Meanwhile, whilst it is still mathematically possible for David Moyes Hammers to be relegated, it is highly unlikely considering they are six points clear of the drop zone with a superior goal difference. They then will be keen to lay down a marker ahead of next season.

Manchester United

The final two matches of the season really…

Xavi and Iniesta getting high pass marks

European champions Spain s return to the form in the 1-0 win over Portugal in their World Cup last 16 match showed that pass masters Xavi and Andres Iniesta were fully back in tandem.

And that is an ominous sign for not only Saturday s quarter-final opponents Paraguay but for any of the other six World Cup contenders left in the competition.

The Barcelona duo pocket battleships as they both only measure 1.70metres (5ft 5inches) were at their mesmerising best against the Portuguese which delighted their former national coach Luis Aragones, who had predicted that the Portuguese would beat an off-colour Spanish side.

We finally saw the Spain with its traditional passing game, he said after the victory.

Indeed it was from a typically precise passing combina…

Valencia’s ban and fine after racist abuse of Vinicius Junior reduced on appeal

Valencia have had their partial stadium closure reduced to three matches and their fine cut to 27,000 euros following the racist abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior by fans.

The Spanish Football Federation appeals committee said that it had decided to “partially uphold” Valencia’s appeal.

It means the partial closure of the Mestalla Stadium has come down from five matches, with an initial 45,000 euros (£39,000) punishment reduced by 18,000 euros.

: “All the support has received has been good for him.

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden)

Vinicius threatened to leave the pitch in the second half of Real Madrid’s LaLiga match against Valencia on Sunday after being subjected to alleged monkey chants from the crowd and Madrid, …

Terry: Mourinho behind Chelsea win

John Terry paid tribute to manager Jose Mourinho after Chelsea progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

On a dramatic night at Stamford Bridge, goals from Andre Schurrle and Demba Ba saw Chelsea emerge 2-0 winners against Paris Saint-Germain.

The result ensured the Premier League giants progressed on away goals after overturning a two-goal deficit.

And the Chelsea captain said Mourinho s tactical preparation was the catalyst behind the club s successful night.

We always gave ourselves a chance. We worked on different scenarios all week, the 33-year-old veteran said.

We had a game plan. Once again we got it right.

We showed great character and a will to win. It was a big result. This competition means a lot to us.

Th…

Hoger returns to Schalke training

Schalke midfielder Marco Hoger completed his first training session since suffering a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old has been a regular for the club since arriving at the Veltins Arena in 2011 but suffered the injury in October and has not featured since.

However, he took part in first-team training this week and, while he remains unlikely to feature this term, Hoger said it was a positive step on his recovery.

I am glad that I was able to complete a full training session with the boys. Now we have to see how it goes, how the knee reacts and how it feels in the next few days, he told the club s official website.

It is too early to set the exact (return) date now though.

We will see everything in the next few weeks (b…

Buffon and Juventus´ rock-solid defence set Champions League club record

Gianluigi Buffon and Juventus rock-solid defence have now kept six consecutive Champions League clean sheets.

Juve beat Monaco 2-0 away from home on Wednesday in the first leg of their semi-final tie to take a huge step towards the final in Cardiff.

Gonzalo Higuain s double did the damage for Massimiliano Allegri s men, but the players at the other end of the pitch also played a huge part in their victory, keeping out a Monaco side who had scored 12 goals in four knockout games coming into the tie.

Juve have now shutout their opponents for six straight games in the competition for the first time in their history.

The run has seen them keep out Dinamo Zagreb in their last group game before denying Porto home and away in the last 16, before preventing Barce…

PSG drawn against familiar foes Saint-Etienne in Coupe de France

Paris Saint-Germain will renew acquaintances with Saint-Etienne in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France.

Holders PSG have faced Saint-Etienne 10 times over the course of this season and the previous two campaigns without suffering defeat.

PSG have already beaten Saint-Etienne home and away in the league this term and knocked them out of the Coupe de la Ligue in December, having done the same en route to success in that competition in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Laurent Blanc s men also defeat Christophe Galtier s side in the semi-finals of last season s Coupe de France and will have to get the better of Saint-Etienne again at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in order to reach the last four this time around. 

Their arch rivals and 10-time champions Marseille will t…