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Puyol: Paris Saint-Germain should soon rise to power
Aug 4, 2012 11:05:00 PM
The veteran defender believes that Les Parisiens are not far from challenging for Champions League glory, suggestions that Camp Nou coach Tito Vilanova agrees with
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £45.00 | Barcelona £16.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £37.50 | Barcelona £16.20 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £42.00 | Barcelona £15.71 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £60.00 | Draw £41.00 | Barcelona £15.30 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £40.00 | Barcelona £15.70 |
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Puyol took a major step in his recovery from a knee injury as the Catalans beat PSG on penalties on Saturday night, and afterwards he paid tribute to the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi, who have all moved to the French capital this summer.
"Our opponents should soon rise to power with their new arrivals. The team is capable of doing something in Ligue 1 and also in the Champions League," he said.
Those thoughts were echoed by coach Tito Vilanova, who was pleased that his side could test their youngsters against last season's Ligue 1 runners-up.
"It was an important game for us, because we are in the middle of the pre-season with plenty of young players having joined us," the 42-year-old noted at the post-match press conference.
"The match was also important because we played against a team which will have a great role in Europe. They currently only lack a little cohesion between the players.
"PSG are not far from success after greatly investing in the last two years."
However, they will not be bringing Ashley Cole to the club, after Parisiens coach Carlo Ancelotti ruled out a move for the Chelsea left-back.
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Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
11:00 PM BST
Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has finally faced the press and, judging by his comments, is a tad upset with perhaps something other than the final scoreline.
"First and foremost, congratulations to Bayern Munich because they won so it's not important to speak about what happened in the game," he told ITV1. "After the game you have to respect the result and that's what we do now.
"I didn't see (Robben's) goal. It was a free-kick and we were not in the right formation at that moment. It was late in the game and it has been a really hard season for us. But Bayern Munich had to fight too. We deserved to be in the final and we showed this tonight."
"First and foremost, congratulations to Bayern Munich because they won so it's not important to speak about what happened in the game," he told ITV1. "After the game you have to respect the result and that's what we do now.
"I didn't see (Robben's) goal. It was a free-kick and we were not in the right formation at that moment. It was late in the game and it has been a really hard season for us. But Bayern Munich had to fight too. We deserved to be in the final and we showed this tonight."
10:56 PM BST
Sir Alex Ferguson also has a new job... Well, kind of. The former Manchester United boss was entrusted with the honour of presenting the man of the match award after the game and relished the task: "It's my first job since I retired and it's a pleasure!"
Robben humbly received his accolade before commenting: "I think it’s such a shame a world-class trainer is leaving the game." Quite.
Robben humbly received his accolade before commenting: "I think it’s such a shame a world-class trainer is leaving the game." Quite.
10:51 PM BST
Heynckes, class act that he is, was also quick to empathise with a devastated Dortmund.
"I told their players: I know your disappointment after losing a final. I lost a final to Liverpool, too.
"During the first half we had trouble to get into the game. At half-time a adjusted our play. I think both teams felt pressure. If you see that you have a 25-point-lead in the league, it is normal you are the favourite. But after 30 minutes we freed ourselves.
"Over the past year, we improved and improved. We improved and modified so many details. I was stricter and I have to say that the players followed me and there is harmony in the dressing room."
"I told their players: I know your disappointment after losing a final. I lost a final to Liverpool, too.
"During the first half we had trouble to get into the game. At half-time a adjusted our play. I think both teams felt pressure. If you see that you have a 25-point-lead in the league, it is normal you are the favourite. But after 30 minutes we freed ourselves.
"Over the past year, we improved and improved. We improved and modified so many details. I was stricter and I have to say that the players followed me and there is harmony in the dressing room."
10:48 PM BST
And finally we get to hear from Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes, who will be replaced by Pep Guardiola this summer.
The big news is, though, that he seems to have a job lined up for himself, which restores one's faith in our fickle game, given the man is now a two-time Champions League winner!
"The decision on what I will do after the DFB Pokal match (against Stuttgart next saturday) was already taken last June? Retire? No, you will learn that after the DFB Pokal final."
The big news is, though, that he seems to have a job lined up for himself, which restores one's faith in our fickle game, given the man is now a two-time Champions League winner!
"The decision on what I will do after the DFB Pokal match (against Stuttgart next saturday) was already taken last June? Retire? No, you will learn that after the DFB Pokal final."
10:43 PM BST
Here's a snap feature from the brilliant Kris Voakes, who praises Arjen Robben for finally conquering his demons to secure European glory for Bayern Munich.
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