Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Jurgen Klopp in top form ahead of Real Madrid-Borussia Dortmund - The Sun

The former Manchester United hero ended his playing career at Malaga and was obviously gutted after their controversial quarter-final loss to Borussia Dortmund courtesy of a last-minute offside goal.

UEFA'S general secretary Gianni Infantino asked Van Nistelrooy his opinion on the semis and the former striker threatened a diplomatic episode as he said he wanted to talk about "his" Malaga.

Infantino watched stoney-faced as Van Nistelrooy stood alongside him on stage at UEFA HQ and said: "It was such a harsh way to go out. I hope they will be back soon."

Mercifully for Michel Platini's side-kick, Van Nistelrooy stopped there instead of launching a tirade against cock-up Scottish ref Craig Thomson, who allowed Dortmund's winner.

Mind you, Malaga's goal to go 2-1 up with eight minutes left was also offside before Dortmund's injury-time two-goal salvo.

AC vice-president Adriano Galliani was chatting with some journalists on the train from Milan to Florence and the conductor walked in and told him: "You have to twist Balotelli's ear, he was smoking in the toilets."

Against Fiorentina last week, Balo was booked and copped a one-match ban, increased to three after allegedly swearing at the ref's assistant.

Milan have appealed against the "harsh" decision while Balotelli copped an internal fine for smoking on the train. Galliani said on Friday: "Better stay silent on Balotelli."

But he decided to commit himself to Dortmund earlier this season, insisting no offer from Chelsea could tempt him away.

Klopp is a wind-up merchant, much like the Real Madrid chief. Shenanigans have already kicked off after the Special One went to spy on Dortmund as they crushed Greuther Furth 6-1 away. Klopp had rotated half his team ahead of the clashes with Madrid.

Dortmund superstar Mario Gotze was switched to the left wing and Klopp did not miss a chance to have another pop at Mourinho, who left the match early.

Klopp added: "He left at 5-0 which means he did not see our weaknesses. But if he wanted to see if Gotze can play on the left he could have called me."

The contrast is obvious. Mourinho has worked with limitless budgets at Chelsea, Inter and Madrid. Klopp has competed despite Dortmund's sound economic model of living within their means.

This year, having gained experience, they topped a group that included Mourinho's Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax. Klopp will love winding up Mourinho, just like he does with Bayern Munich.

After they dumped Dortmund out of the German Cup in February, Klopp suggested that all Bayern do is copy his model and likened the Bavarians to... the Chinese.

He said: "It is a little bit like how the Chinese are doing things in business and industry. Watch what others are doing and then copying it."

On Friday he admitted he had a hair transplant. He said: "Yes, it's true I've had a hair transplant and it looks cool, doesn't it?"

After the Champions League draw pitted Bayern against Barcelona he claimed Munich's sporting director Matthias Sammer would ring Pep Guardiola to talk about Barca.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hit back, saying: "It would have been better if he had bet some of his hair because he could have a few more hairs transplanted. It is more difficult to do that with his a***."

After Dortmund drew Mourinho's side hours after Klopp admitted his hair transplant, some said in Germany that he will face "L'Oreal Madrid".

One thing is certain. If Klopp was Abramovich's No 1 choice after Di Matteo was sacked, it's because he is worth it.

Via: [Live Football] Flamengo RJ - rowing - Cup Brazil

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