Barcelona closed for business

The news that Barcelona had been hit with a transfer ban for the next two windows has shocked the football world and thrown the Catalan club's plans for next season into doubt.

Though the club are adamant they will contest the sanction, it could see deals for goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and midfielder Alen Halilovic fall through.

It would spell particularly bad news for Barca if they are unable to sign the German shot-stopper, with Victor Valdes ruled out of action for the next seven months and heading towards the end of his contract.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has called the ban an "injustice", but a leading sports lawyer exclusively told Goal they have no hope of escaping punishment.

So, for now, it looks like the only shopping sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta will be doing is window shopping, as Barcelona are closed for business.

Friday, 4 April 2014 11:13

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Lavezzi profits from Ibrahimovic distraction

All the talk in the build-up to Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain revolved around one man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Could the striker upset one-time mentor Jose Mourinho? Could the Blues find a way to stop the talismanic frontman? Would he ever play in England?

Such was the Stamford Bridge outfit's preoccupation with the Sweden international, they appeared to forget that there were 10 other players on the field at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.

It took just three minutes for Ezequiel Lavezzi, completely unmarked inside the penalty box, to unleash a ferocious shot that flew into the back of the net to remind Chelsea that PSG are far from the one-man team they had been mistaken for.

Ibrahimovic's night was cut short by a hamstring injury that will rule him out of the return leg, though Lavezzi's screamer, coupled with a late goal from Javier Pastore that added gloss to the victory, prove that les Parisiens will be no pushovers even in the Swede's absence.

Thursday, 3 April 2014 10:39

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Moyes & Rooney see off Manchester United plane protests

Manchester United’s clash with Aston Villa at Old Trafford threatened to be overshadowed by protests after fans chartered a plan carrying a ‘Moyes Out’ banner.

While the plane flew over Old Trafford just after kick-off, the focus quickly turned to the action with the Red Devils coming back from a goal down to secure a 4-1 win.

Wayne Rooney was the driving force behind the victory, scoring twice, as United picked up all three points and ended a frustrating week on a high.

Sunday, 30 March 2014 12:56

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No way Jose! Ibrahimovic rules out PL move

Chelsea travel to the French capital to face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, a match that sees Blues boss Jose Mourinho take on former charge Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though he appears unlikely to ever coach the enigmatic Swede again.

Despite the Portuguese's praise for Ibrahimovic and attempts to lure him to the Premier League, the PSG frontman has categorically ruled out a move to England.

"It's impossible to get me to England [now]," said the 32-year-old. "If you ask the people behind this [PSG] project I do not think they would let me go."

So however much Mourinho may like Ibrahimovic at Stamford Bridge, and however much of a "pity" it is if he doesn't move to the Premier League, the Sweden international looks dead set to shun a transfer to England and will remain the main man in Paris.

Wednesday, 2 April 2014 11:46

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Man Utd look to class of '99 for inspiration

Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich is being billed as one of the biggest mismatches in the competition's recent history; the Bavarians are on a 53-match unbeaten run domestically, while United have slumped to seventh under David Moyes.

But, despite the hosts' struggles, die Roten have no intention of taking their threat lightly. "This is a difficult duel!" said Arjen Robben on Monday. "We need to perform from the first minute and put in a top performance. You need to be careful or you can lose against United."

The Dutchman knows just how dangerous the Red Devils can be, with his late volley at Old Trafford just enough to secure an away goals win over United in the 2009-10 campaign, despite the home side bossing proceedings.

Further back still, United claimed Champions League glory in 1999 despite appearing dead and buried. Sir Alex Ferguson's side were a goal down for much of the match, until Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer flipped the final on its head in stoppage time. Moyes will be looking for similar inspiration on Tuesday night if his side are to upset the form book.

Tuesday, 1 April 2014 11:00

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