Manchester City’s strike trio of Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotell will only improve, manager Roberto Mancini has warned.Bosnian striker Dzeko cost the Eastlands club 27 million pounds, but his well-taken brace against Aris Salonika in the Europa League’s round-of-32 indicated that it was a sound investment by the Eastlands club, who outclassed their Greek opponents 3-0 on Thursday. “I think that he (Dzeko) played well,” Mancini told ESPN. “He scored two goals, which for him, is very important. It was important that we started very well.”The expensively-assembled strike force of Tevez, Balotelli and Dzeko started alongside each other for the first time, and Mancini said the trio would only get better with experience of sharing the forward space.”In the first half (the strikers played) very well. It was the first time (that they played together), I think that they need to play again, but second half when we tired I think we had some problems with the balance of the team.”Mancini added that City’s round-of-16 opponents, Dynamo Kiev, would pose a threat given their extensive experience within European competition.”I played against them a lot of times. It’s a big team – one of the best teams in the Ukraine – they play always in the Champions League and they have a lot of experience, so they’ll be a very difficult game,” the Italian said.

Paraguayan side Libertad all but secured their place in the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over San Martin.San Martin defender Julio Cesar Moreyra was sent off for an intentional hand ball after 23 minutes and Libertad midfielder Sergio Aquino stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.The Peruvian champions squandered their best chance to equalise when striker Heber Arriola had a penalty of his own saved by Libertad goalkeeper Tobias Vargas.Libertad are unbeaten from their four matches and top Group One with 10 points, while San Martin are second with six.In Group One’s other match on Tuesday, Mexican outfit San Luis played out a 1-1 draw with Colombia’s Once Caldas.Once Caldas have drawn three of their four games to sit third in the group with three points while San Luis are bottom with two.In Group Three, three-time champions Nacional recorded a surprise 1-0 away victory over Argentinos Juniors.Nacional striker Santiago Garcia scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute to silence the fans at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Buenos Aires.Despite the loss, Argentinos still top the group with seven points from four games, while Mexican side America are one point behind but have game in hand.Nacional are third on four points while Brazilian side Fluminense are bottom of the pool with two.

Birmingham have been fined 40,000 pounds by the Football Association due to a pitch invasion after their Carling Cup clash with Aston Villa.More than 1000 Birmingham fans invaded the St Andrews pitch after their team’s 2-1 win over their west Midlands rivals Villa in December.

The club was also warned about its future conduct and suspended half of the fine until the end of the 2013-14 season.

In response to the punishment, a Birmingham statement read: “The fine could have been much more significant but was determined after the FA commented on the professionalism adopted by Birmingham City in its preparation of the fixture, which was well documented, and the level of co-operation the club gave following the investigation and charge,” the statement read.

“Club officials would like to thank the FA and regulatory commission for their patience and assistance with this matter.”

Birmingham went on to win the Carling Cup, securing the trophy with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Wembley on February 27. It was the Premier League club’s first silverware in 48 years.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore ahead of Saturday’s trip to West Ham.Scudamore has accused managers of not showing enough respect to officials and Ferguson is currently serving a five-match FA touchline for criticising referee Martin Atkinson following his side’s defeat at Chelsea.

“Richard Scudamore has not got a lot to do, has he? He?s trying to elevate the Premier League and fine, good – that’s his job. I don’t think managers disrespect referees,” Ferguson said on Friday.

“I got done for what I considered a fair comment but he didn’t, he gave me a five-match ban. That’s fine, but that doesn’t say we don’t respect referees.”

“It’s a difficult job, we all know that, you wouldn’t referee a game would you? But I think Richard is jumping off a high diving board here without thinking about it.”

With just eight games remaining the Premier League title race is still wide open.

United lead the way but Arsenal, Chelsea and even Tottenham are still in with a chance of lifting the trophy in May, according to Ferguson.

“With eight games to go you can’t exclude anyone. Arsenal, ourselves, Chelsea and Tottenham – you can’t exclude anyone,” he said.

“Whoever becomes the most consistent will win this league, I can guarantee that. We want to be consistent, we hope we will be and if we are, we have a good chance.”

“We are involved in three competitions which is great. The difference between now and 1999 [when United won the treble] is that nobody was injured then, apart from Henning Berg in the Champions League final.”

“At this moment in time this next few weeks are crucial to get players back from injury.”

Midfielders Anderson (knee) and Ji-Sung Park (hamstring) are both doubts.

Defenders Rio Ferdinand (calf), John O’Shea (hamstring) and Rafael (hamstring), and midfielders Owen Hargreaves (shoulder) and Darren Fletcher (virus) are all missing.

Cruziero ensured top spot in Group 7 of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday, while Deportes Tolima scored a consolation win.Cruziero ended their group stage efforts undefeated after a 3-0 away win at Estudiantes of Argentina in a match between two sides who had already progressed to the last 16.

With both sides having their focus on the next stage, it was the visitors who claimed an 11th minute lead through Thiago Ribeiro.

He was joined on the scoresheet by his strike partner Wallyson on the stroke of half-time, before Gilberto wrapped up the victory with his effort eight minutes from time.

The win propelled Cruzeiro to 10 points leaving them on top of the group after six matches, with Estudiantes second with eight points.

In the other group match, Colombian side Deportes Tolima ended their campaign on a positive note with a 2-0 win at Guarani of Paraguay.

Deportes, who stunned Brazilian giants Corinthians in the first round, hit the front four minutes into the second half thanks to Danny Santoya’s goal.

Luis Closa put the result beyond doubt with his goal 21 minutes before the conclusion of the match, the result was moot with both sides eliminated from the competition.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has refused to rule his side out of this season’s Premier League title race despite dropping more points.Wenger’s side now trail league leaders Manchester United by six points and dropped to third after they threw away a 3-1 lead at Tottenham on Wednesday in an exciting 3-3 draw.

A win could have cut the margin to four points, but with Arsenal still to play the leaders, who also play Chelsea, Wenger remains hopeful.

“It is completely open,” Wenger said.

“This team has a remarkable attitude, even if at the moment we are not rewarded with the number of points.”

“We are remarkably consistent. We are on a 16-match unbeaten league run but we have had too many draws.”

“It is open. Chelsea are back in the race and they play Man United and Spurs. It is down to us to keep our faith and keep battling. We will not always draw when we score three goals.”

Wenger bemoaned the fact his side had to play Liverpool on Sunday and then back it up with another hugely important match just four days later.

“It is a massive disadvantage to play two games of such stature in a matter of days,” he said.

“The Liverpool game had a bearing. Physically we dropped in the second half, which explained why they equalised and why there was room to score goal numbers four and five.”

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp sang the praises of his side after their fight-back allowed them to claim a point, but concedes Manchester City are now the favourites to finish fourth in this season’s Premier League, which would give them a spot in Champions League qualifying next season.

“I’m so pleased with the character we showed, there is a spirit in this football club now that we never give in,” Redknapp said.

“We have come back from losing positions so many times and you need players with real character to do that.”

“They (Manchester City) were favourites at the start of the year, because of the squad and because we finished above them last year and they went out and spent about 150 million pounds to try and get above us.”

“Obviously they are favourites, but I can’t ask any more than to have a team that plays like they did tonight.”

Juventus midfielder Alessandro Del Piero is eyeing further trophies after signing a one-year contract extension with the club on Thursday.The 36-year-old has been at the club since 1993, winning five Serie A titles to go with his Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League crowns.

Del Piero, a 91-time Italy representative, is also a World Cup winner after the Azzurri claimed the 2006 title in Germany.

He said settling the deal with the club was an easy process, despite talks going on since last autumn.

“It wasn’t difficult to reach an agreement. There wasn’t that much to discuss. What needed to have been done was done,” Del Piero said.

“We chose today to do it and it is a nice day.”

Despite his glittering success at the club, Del Piero said he still had more to achieve with Juventus.
“This team and this club should always have the maximum ambition and it is right to always think about winning,” he said.

The veteran said it was a nice surprise to sign at the club’s new stadium with his previous contract due for expiry next month.

Even at 36 years of age, Del Piero said he shared a similar passion for the game as he did when he was first starting at Juventus.

“The sensations are excellent, beautiful, just like they were in 1993,” Del Piero said.

“I’m happy to be here because as I have always said, I wanted to play for another year. The passion and love with which I train and play has helped me a lot and will continue to help me.”

Club president Andrea Agnelli reaffirmed the simplicity of the deal between Juventus and one of their club legends.

“Alessandro told me that he wants to continue to be the captain of Juventus and wishes to win another Scudetto in the new stadium,” Agnelli said.

“These words made me happy. Today’s signature is just a physical action. Del Piero can still give a lot on the pitch and send a message of the club’s values to his teammates.”

“He will also help us a lot next season, which for us will be one of redemption.”

Del Piero’s former youth coach Antonello Cuccureddu said a loan deal was moments away from being organised for Del Piero when former manager Giovanni Trapattoni was in charge.

He remembers watching him while he impressed for Serie B side Padova.

“It’s hard to imagine a career like he has had, but there was that hope back then when you saw what he could do. Innate class, he made the difference,” Cuccureddu said.

The mud is well and truly being flung between FIFA officials following the announcement to suspend two officials last night. Jack Warner has claimed he is set to unleash his own Tsunami exposing corruption within that will undoubtedly open a huge can of worms in the coming days.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that includes United targeting Modric; Ba pricing himself out of a move to Everton, while Ramsey calls on Arsene Wenger to splash the cash.

*

Blatter to face media as Warner unleashes his ‘tsunami’ – Guardian

Valcke: email suggesting corruption is genuine – Daily Telegraph

Now is time for Wenger to splash cash, says Ramsey – Independent

United target Modric as Ferguson plans to overhaul his squad – Daily Mail

Ba pricing himself out of move to Everton – Mirror

Barton: Newcastle want to replace me – Guardian

QPR owners condemn ‘insulting’ offer – Guardian

Kop that! Mascherano dedicates Barca’s Euro triumph to Liverpool fans – Daily Mail

Flo wants Blues Guus chase – Sun

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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Lille star set for Newcastle switch, says boss – Mirror

Vaughan: I’d be catch for Cats – Sun

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Borussia Moenchengladbach will remain in the Bundesliga after a come-from-behind 1-1 draw at Bochum in the relegation playoff on Wednesday.Lucien Favre’s side earned a 1-0 win at home on May 19 in the first leg, which proved to be the difference after forward Marco Reus struck a 73rd-minute goal to force a draw in Bochum, and a 2-1 win on aggregate for the Bundesliga side.

It came after Moenchengladbach defender Havard Nordtveit put the ball into his own net midway through the first half to level the tie.

Reus’ goal was worthy of a tie-clincher as he was put through after a fine build-up, smartly placing his left-foot finish into the bottom corner of goalkeeper Andreas Luthe’s net.

Both teams struck the crossbar in a first half that saw Bochum have more of the play, but their inability to take their chances will see them remain in the 2.Bundesliga for consecutive seasons, having been relegated from the top flight in 2009-10.

The United States will enter the CONCACAF Gold Cup on the back of a comprehensive 4-0 defeat to World Cup winners Spain on Saturday.The US were given a lesson by the reigning world and European champions in an international friendly at the Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts.

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas and Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta began on the bench, while Iniesta’s club teammates Xavi Hernandez and Carlos Puyol were absent.

There was still plenty of talent throughout the team, with Barca’s Champions League winners Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and David Villa starting alongside Real Madrid men Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.

But it was two of the less familiar faces who seized their opportunity to impress, with Villarreal’s Santi Cazorla and Sevilla man Alvaro Negredo netting the first three goals between them.

Spain, who dominated from the kick-off, had a goal disallowed in the ninth minute before Negredo hit the crossbar four minutes later.

Manchester City’s David Silva crafted the breakthrough goal on 28 minutes, putting through fellow forward Cazorla for his first international strike since September 2009.

Centre forward Negredo made it 2-0 just four minutes later, picking up a trademark Alonso pass before beating Everton’s Tim Howard in the US goal.

And there was time for a third goal before the break. After waiting 22 months to hit the net again in a Spain shirt, suddenly Cazorla had two, collecting Silva’s cutback to beat Howard at close range.

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres made it 4-0 off Borja Valero’s through ball with 17 minutes remaining in the second half.

In other friendly matches on Saturday, beaten World Cup finalists the Netherlands played out a 0-0 draw away to Brazil.

The hosts finished the match in Goias with 10 men after Chelsea midfielder Ramires recieved a second yellow card 11 minutes from time at the Estadio Serra Dourada.

The Czech Republic also played out a goalless draw in their friendly against Peru in Japan.