Napoli reached their second Coppa Italia final in three years by overturning Roma's first-leg advantage in convincing style at the Stadio San Paolo. The 2012 cup winners, who will meet Italian Serie A rivals Fiorentina in Rome on 3 May, were trailing by one goal before kick-off on Wednesday having lost 3-2 to the Giallorossi in the capital last week.
Iconic striker Diego Maradona won the Coppa with Napoli in 1987 and danced for joy in the stands after watching his modern counterpart Gonzalo Higuain follow up Jose Callejon's early strike. Jorginho then scored his first goal for the Neapolitan club to add gloss to a one-sided 3-0 victory and Roma's miserable night was complete when midfielder Kevin Strootman earned a late red card.
There was an early scare for Napoli as goalkeeper Jose Reina went down hurt, but the on-loan Liverpool man was able to continue after treatment. The Azzurri threatened first, Marek Hamsik trying his luck from distance only for his left-footed shot to sail over the bar. Roma responded brightly and Strootman was unlucky not to smash home Gervinho's parried shot, the Dutchman instead clipping over under pressure from Christian Maggio.
Napoli's wing-back started the move that led to the first goal in the 33rd minute. His cross from deep evaded Roma defender Mehdi Benatia and Callejon rose highest to head the ball beyond Morgan De Sanctis. Napoli would not score again before the break but, once play resumed, they turned the screw in convincing fashion.
Napoli have Diego off his seat
In the 48th minute Maradona fell off his seat in exuberant celebration after watching Higuain anticipate Vasilis Torosidis' tackle to head the ball home from a corner. Three minutes later Napoli bagged the goal that all but booked their place in the May final.
It was a debut goal for former Hellas Verona midfielder Jorginho as he skipped past Michel Bastos to beat De Sanctis from a one-on-one confrontation. Strootman thought he had pulled one back for beleaguered Roma when loping forward to nod home a cross from deep, but the offside flag denied his side a way back into the tie.
Roma came no closer to forcing extra-time and their fate was finally sealed when Strootman saw red for sarcastically applauding the referee after being issued with a first yellow card for fouling Callejon.
sportoos's latest stats review is a tale of mixed fortunes, with Wes Brown’s red cards and Hamburg’s defeats featuring alongside the goalscoring exploits of Juan Pablo Angel, Javier Pastore and Adel Taarabt.
years and 105 days was the age at which Juan Pablo Angel became the week's oldest top-flight goalscorer last Thursday, striking twice to inspire Atletico Nacional to a 5-1 win over Allianza Petrolera. The Colombian striker is currently in the second season of a second spell with the team that kicked off his impressive career, having starred in Argentina,England and USA in the interim. His goal is to inspire Nacional, the reigning champions, to a 14th national title and, with it, a share in Colombia’s all-time record, currently held by Millonarios of Bogota. Angel will, though, have a fight on his hands if he also has his eyes on the top scorer’s prize. That particular race is currently being led by another 30-plus former Cafeteros international, Jose Moreno, who already has four goals to his name.
minutes was all that Adel Taarabt needed to make an instant impact at AC Milan on Saturday, scoring the second-fastest goal by a foreign Rossoneri debutant. The Moroccan midfielder’s opener at Napoli left him just a minute short of the record held by Milan legend George Weah, who struck just six minutes into his first appearance at Padova in 1995. Sadly for Milan, their new boy’s goal was the bright spot in an otherwise disappointing 3-1 defeat. I Rossoneri are now without a win against Napoli since 2011, and have lost home and away toI Partenopei in the same Serie A season for the first time since 1985/86. The game’s most striking image was of a tearful Mario Balotelli, and his distress was understandable. After all, the striker has now played five matches against Napoli with three different clubs – and lost all five. hours and seven minutes of Ligue 1 action without a goal was the run that finally came to an end for Javier Pastore on Sunday. The beleaguered Paris Saint-Germain forward scored the opener in his team's top-of-the-table clash at Monaco, although the hosts fought back to claim a 1-1 draw in the battle of France’s big spenders. Elsewhere in France, another scoring drought was ended when Nantes' Filip Djordjevic found the net with six minutes remaining of a 2-1 defeat to Lyon, ending a 956-minute wait. There was still time for Djordjevic to grab an equaliser and become the hero but, instead, he emerged as the villain, receiving his marching orders within three minutes of finding the net. In doing so, the Serbian became the first player since Floyd Ayite last March to score and be sent off in the same Ligue 1 match.
successive Bundesliga defeats – the longest losing sequence in the club’s history – is the run currently being endured by Hamburg. Der Dinosaurier take great pride in their record of having never been relegated from the German top flight, but this miserable recent streak of results has put that status in doubt. Already, Hamburg have conceded 46 goals – more than any other team in the league, and their highest-ever tally at this stage of the season – and lost three goals in each of their last five league encounters. Their home record of seven defeats from ten is also the worst in the club’s history. Werder Bremen, meanwhile, are faring only marginally better. Die Werderaner have picked up only 20 points from as many matches this season, their worst tally at this stage of a Bundesliga campaign since 1974/75 – 39 years ago.
red cards have been flashed at Wes Brown in the English Premier League this season, giving the Sunderland central defender a share in the division’s all-time record. David Batty, Slaven Bilic, Vinny Jones, Franck Queudrue and Craig Short are the men in whose footsteps Brown trod with his latest dismissal in the Black Cats' 2-0 defeat to Hull City, and making the record his own will be a real danger in the remainder of the season. History of a much better kind was made by Eden Hazard, meanwhile, with the Belgian – at 23 years and 32 days – becoming the youngest player to score a Premier League hat-trick for Chelsea. Liverpool also shone, racing into a 4-0 lead against Arsenal inside the opening 20 minutes at Anfield – the first time in Premier League history they have ever established such a commanding advantage so early in a match. Martin Skrtel kicked off the scoring after just 52 seconds, giving Liverpool a first-minute opener for the first time since Robbie Fowler struck at Middlesbrough in December 1996. Coincidentally, that match also finished 5-1 to the Reds .
Having now racked up over 700 appearances for Barcelona, more than any other player in the history of the Catalan giants, Xavi Hernandez has certainly come a long way from the days he had to endure unfavourable comparisons with his midfield predecessor Pep Guardiola.
The heartbeat of a Barça side whose football wowed lovers of the beautiful game the world over, the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ winner spoke to Sportoos about his future, club coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, his partnership with Andres Iniesta and, of course, Lionel Messi: "The greatest player of all time".
sportoos: Despite starting the season with a 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions, there has still been criticism of Barcelona’s performances under new coach Gerardo Martino. Has taking the Barça helm become more difficult since Pep Guardiola’s reign?
Xavi:Over and above Guardiola, who did an excellent job as coach - while we also did excellently in terms of results and the football we played, the issue is more down to the legacy we left. We scaled the heights in pretty much every way: footballistically, tactically, technically and physically. The standard of play was excellent and, since then, you have to expect comparisons to be made. And often, as the saying goes, ‘comparisons are odious’. So, in that sense we’re left open to criticism, as we know how difficult life can be withinCan Barça, butTatahas both experience and character. The players really respect him and he’s proving he’s got what it takes to coach Barcelona. And not just results-wise: the team’s play is also improving. We’re doing well and are in good form.
We’d be remiss not to ask you about Guardiola’s current club, Bayern Munich. Can they hit the heights that Barcelona did?
Well, that’s where it comes down to other teams to try and stop them. One of them being Barcelona, for example, right? I think that we’re still capable of big things in La Liga and in Europe, though clearly Bayern are very strong. Last year they won practically everything and this year they’re still on course [to do so again]. They have to be considered among the real favourites to win the Champions League again.
Being at Barcelona has given you the chance to line up alongside the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Iniesta and Neymar. Is there anyone else you would have liked to play with?
When it comes to striking up an understanding and enjoying your football, you always want to play alongside the very best, right? But in my view, Messi is the greatest player of all time. He’s the best there is.
I’d love to hang up my boots at Barcelona and stay involved with the club... I’ve felt that way since I was a boy and still feel the same today.
Xavi on his desire to remain at Barcelona
After a recent interview with Panenka magazine, there has been media speculation surrounding whether or not you will end your career at Barcelona. Can you clear up the issue?
(Laughs) Yes, of course! What I said was more about how demanding it is [atBarça], rather than not wanting to [retire in the club’s colours]. On the contrary, I’d love to hang up my boots at Barcelona and stay involved with the club, which I think is the best in the world, for many years. I’ve felt that way since I was a boy and still feel the same today. I’d like to still be at Barcelona when I retire, but I know how demanding it is. That’s why I said it’s not my decision: to retire here I’ll have to keep performing at the highest level. Let’s hope I can do it, it’s my biggest dream.
Do you usually read the press and does it bother you when you words are twisted?
No, no. I understand what journalism is about and I get that there's a need to generate controversy. With everything that surrounds the game, I know how all this works.
It’s quite eye-catching how you and Iniesta are so often grouped together, how “Xavi andIniesta” make Barcelona tick, how “Xavi and Iniesta” make Spain so strong…
We are often referred to in the same sentence and that’s good, right? Years ago there were people that said we couldn’t play together. So, it’s more than welcome as praise always goes down well, particularly when you look at what we’ve been through. We didn’t used to win anything and now we’re being successful at both team and individual level, enjoying a wonderful era that I hope will last a few years longer.
You come across as very laid-back. Is that how you are generally?
Me? No, I’m quite restless. I wouldn’t say nervous, but when it comes to football I’ve got a curious mind. I like to analyse the game, like we’ve talked about before. I really like watching football and dissecting the play, taking in a bit of everything.
Is there anything that gets on your nerves?
Nothing! I’m happy and I feel very privileged. I feel good, I’m happy and I’m where I want to be. I’ve earned individual recognition and had success as part of a team too. It’s fantastic and I hope it continues! I’d like it to last many more years and be able to keep enjoying it.
Finally, given that footballing intelligence is your main strength, do you see yourself being able to carry on a good while yet?
I think so, though we’ll have to see how my legs hold up and the games go. But I’m really excited about competing for La Liga, the Champions League, the World Cup… I’m genuinely enjoying myself, both with Barcelona and the national team. Playing football is what I’m passionate about, what I enjoy doing most. All I can do is put in the effort, keep looking at myself and listening to my body, and see how long I can keep going.
Arsene Wenger has described Arsenal's 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool as an "accident" and encouraged his players to respond by beating Manchester United on Wednesday.
The Gunners lost their hold on first place in the Premier League after their demolition at Anfield on Saturday, but their manager is confident that they will show their worth against United at the Emirates Stadium.
"It is always a disappointment to lose a game, but I think it was an accident because we have been very stable defensively and we have to treat it like that," Wenger told a press conference on Tuesday. "We have just been on a ten-game unbeaten run.
"You cannot consider one game as the trend, the pattern of our season. It is an accident, not a welcome [one] of course, a very disappointing one, but a successful season is decided by how you respond to that."
He didn't have the best of games on Saturday, but that can happen. He knows when he is not good enough, he will get questioned.
Arsene Wenger on Mesut Ozil's performance against Liverpool
Wenger spoke out in defence of record signing Mesut Ozil, who produced an anonymous performance at Liverpool that was in keeping with some below-par recent displays.
"He didn't have the best of games on Saturday, but that can happen," the Frenchman said of the Germany playmaker. "He works very hard to adapt to the physical level of the Premier League and for me he is an exceptional player.
"I wouldn't like to put too much pressure on him because he has been a top-class player until now. He knows when he is not good enough, he will get questioned. That is normal."
Wenger is hoping that France U-21 forward Yaya Sanogo will be available to feature against United, having spent five months on the sidelines with a back problem.
Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu has described the upcoming redevelopment of the Camp Nou as "absolutely necessary" to the club's finances.
Bartolomeu's predecessor Sandro Rosell announced last month the club will convert the current structure of the Camp Noup into a new 105,000-seat stadium after abandoning plans to build a new ground on land adjacent to the Avinguda Diagonal in L'Hospitalet.
Decisions concerning the preferred external and internal appearances of the remodelled Camp Nou, already the largest ground in Europe with a capacity of 99,354, will be made at a referendum to be held on either April 5 or 6.
The budget for the new project is €600m with construction work set to begin in May 2017 and is slated to conclude in February 2021.
Bartomeu revealed estimated maintenance costs for the Camp Nou through to 2021 would hit €56m and said that, despite concerns over funding for the redevelopment, "the Espai Barça is economically viable and absolutely necessary".
He added on the club's official website: "The Espai Barça is an ambitious project. It's a club project, not the board of directors'.
"Anyone in our position would do this, I'd even venture to say that we're a bit late in starting the process."
The other news to come out of Monday's meeting of Barça's board of directors was the restructuring of the board, with Manel Arroyo elected as a fifth vice-president with responsibility for media and communications.
The position of spokesperson will be retired as a result, with incumbent Toni Freixa instead presiding over the club's discipline committee in addition to his role as board secretary.
Javier Bordas, the club's representative to the Spanish Football Federation, will also take on responsibility for liaising with other national federations regarding Barça's players.
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said Lionel Messi had answered his critics in the best way possible as the Argentine scored his first two goals from open play in 10 league games as the Catalan giants won 4-1 at Sevilla on Sunday.
Sevilla had gone ahead early on under the torrential rain at the Sanchez Pizjuan, but Messi led his side's revival as he firstly crossed for Alexis Sanchez to bundle home the equaliser before finishing off a fine counter-attack with a stunning half-volley just before half-time.
The four-time FIFA World Player of the Year doubled his tally for the evening with another sweet finish from Andres Iniesta's pass 11 minutes after the break and Cesc Fabregas rounded off the scoring three minutes from time.
Messi had been questioned for his poor goalscoring form since returning from a hamstring injury at the start of the year, but Martino insisted it was only a matter of time before he returned to form in front of goal.
Those that do say something negative about him sometimes don't realise what they are doing is affecting his pride and, when you do that to the best player in the world, this is what happens.
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino
"I always say the same with respect to Leo," Martino said. "I never run the risk of going over the top with him.
"Those that do say something negative about him sometimes don't realise what they are doing is affecting his pride and, when you do that to the best player in the world, this is what happens."
Victory moved Barcelona back to the top of La Liga on goal difference over Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid with all three sides tied on 57 points.
The Catalans had started the weekend off top spot for the first time in 59 league matches following a shock 3-2 defeat at home to Valencia last weekend.
And Martino is determined not to hand the advantage to their title rivals again in the 15 league games that remain.
"To have the opportunity to recover and regain the lead just a week after losing it is reassuring," he said. "We start again now and we will see which of the three teams make a mistake first. We hope it won't be us again."
Fully-fit Iniesta shines
The game was also notable for Iniesta's return to form. The Spanish international hadn't played 90 minutes since the 4-0 win over Elche on 5 January, but was undoubtedly his side's best performer in midfield as they recovered control after a difficult opening.
However, despite his own contribution, Iniesta was also keen to laud the difference made by Messi.
"Leo never goes missing, he is one of the few players in the world that in a few seconds or in a few metres can turn a game. He does it all the time and he did it again today," he told Spanish TV station Canal Plus.
"It was important to win today and to return to the top of the table. We lost the leadership last week and it is good to return so quickly. The conditions weren't the best but we managed to take the three points.
"The equality between all the teams is good for everyone. We will see what happens come the end of the season."
“One thing is for sure: a World Cup without me is not worth watching.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic following Sweden’s failure to reach Brazil 2014
"Individually I think Zidane was better than Messi. Zidane was amazing and the team-mates he played with were not up to the standard of Messi’s – he plays with Xavi and Iniesta at Barcelona."
Pele
“I knew what I had to do because the [Spain] squad was becoming divided. I called Xavi because it was my duty to do so – as the captain, it was responsibility. We chatted about how we could redirect what was going on, because we had reached a point where we were about to mess everything up. Those images of El Clásico were something I had not seen since I was a boy – we were sending out the wrong messages and because I was a part of it all too, I had to make a decision to call a halt to the problems.”
Iker Casillas on phoning Xavi to avoid disruption in the Spain camp following an ill-tempered Barelona-Real Madrid clash in 2011
"Regardless of how good Mandzukic is, Lewandowski will still be an upgrade. He is perhaps even stronger on the ball and his movement is even better.“
Franz Beckenbauer
“I think Falcao will be the best player at the World Cup. He has great qualities and a team that supports him at all times. He is smart and very technical. He is a unique player.“
Jose Pekerman
“There’s no way you can compare Messi to Maradona. Technically Neymar is better than Messi.”
Rivelino
“That No10 shirt has an owner. But somebody had to use it against Peru and Leo asked me to wear it. However, some people wrote to me afterwards and questioned what I was doing in the No10. I told them that shirt belongs to Leo. But I also want to win the World Cup and become the best player in the world.”
Sergio Aguero
"There's some interest in both sides. David has become a good friend of mine over the last few years and I think it would be great for this city to have a football club, for sure. The research is still being made out but I think it can be huge. I think this is a great town for soccer. There are a lot of soccer players here. There is a lot of great youth soccer here."
"If I could sign one player for Real Madrid, it wouldn't be Messi, I'd rather reinforce another position. We have Cristiano; who needs Messi? God gave [Ronaldo] a special gift."
Carlo Ancelotti
"He's the kind of player who infuriates me. I was not born a footballer like him. I achieved what I did because of all the hard work I put in. I had to make sacrifices. Balotelli, and a few others, have everything that I would have liked to have. It angers me that he does not use his talent to his full advantage."
Gabriel Batistuta on Mario Balotelli
"The way I see it, we’ve had a generation of heirs who lived off the achievements of their predecessors but who didn’t bring their knowledge to bear in the rebuilding process."
Raymond Domenech in an interview with FIFA on France's post-Zidane generation
"You have seen a world-class performance, probably one of the best individual performances I've seen at Anfield - and I've been playing here a long time... I think he's getting so close to the main two, Ronaldo and Messi. If he keeps going, I think he can catch them. His fourth goal was average and it was a 30-yard free-kick!"
Steven Gerrard on Luis Suarez's four-goal performance in Liverpool's 5-1 win over Norwich
"I dreamt of being a forward, but I wasn’t talented enough. I started off as a right-winger, but my coaches pushed me further and further back. So much so that I ended up in defence, because I wasn’t good with my hands and there was nowhere else to go!"
Thiago Silva on becoming a centre-half
“What would I give to seeUruguaywin the World Cup inBrazilagain? Life itself! I've already experienced it as a player, but to witness it again from the stands would be priceless.”
Alcides Ghiggia, sole survivor of the Uruguay side that became world champions in 1950
"We don't compare ourselves with the team that won six trophies in one year. We will lose in every comparison."
Gerard Pique on continuing comparisons between the current Barcelona side and Pep Guardiola's European and world champions
"When I came to Atletico and Cuca explained to me what he had in mind for the team, I said it sounded great. I love being the main creator: it’s something I’ve always done. For me it works perfectly, on a practical and emotional level. It just makes sense."
Ronaldinho on his central creative role in an interview with FIFA.com
"So, we will be meeting old friends. It's already something special to have the USA in our group. Jurgen and I have had a very good and close relationship for a long time. We have always exchanged ideas on a regular basis, but that will certainly change before the World Cup match."
Joachim Low on drawing USA, coached by his friend and former colleague Jurgen Klinsmann, in yesterday's Final Draw
"I can say that Totti is a simple man, humble. He's never skipped training, he's never asked for special treatment, even though he's 36. Maybe he's not a leader in the dressing room. He's not one of those that shouts to motivate the troops but he is appreciated by his team-mates because he's an intelligent guy and sets an example on the field. Having seen him, I can say that he's not only a great player but he's simply one of the greatest players in the history of football."
Rudi Garcia on Francesco Totti
"When he was honoured and cheered by the crowd at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on 11 July 2010, it was as a man of the people, a man of their hearts, and it was one of the most moving moments I have ever experienced. Nelson Mandela will stay in our hearts forever."
In our regular Sunday feature, SPORTOOS presents you with some of the biggest names in football who will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week.
9. Johan Mjallby (43) played in four matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, whereSweden reached the Round of 16 before suffering a surprise defeat by Senegal. Two years prior to that, he had taken part in the Swedes’ disappointing UEFA EURO 2000 campaign. The commanding centre-back began his club career at Stockholm-based AIK, with whom he won two Swedish Championships and two Swedish Cups, before signing for Celtic, where he secured three Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups. He was also part of the side that attained the 2003 UEFA Cup final, a match the Bhoys lost to Porto in extra time. Following an injury-ravaged spell with Spanish outfit Levante and a brief swansong with former side AIK, Mjallby hung up his boots in 2006. In 2010, he became assistant manager to Neil Lennon at Celtic.
10. Noureddine Naybet (44) represented the Moroccan national team for 16 years, participating in USA 1994 and France 1998. In addition, the influential defender appeared at the 1992 Olympic Football Tournament and the CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournaments of 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, where the Atlas Lions advanced to the final, and 2006. The African centre-back started out at Wydad Casablanca, claiming three Moroccan League titles, a Moroccan Cup and the CAF Champions League. A move to French outfit Nantes was followed by successful stints with Sporting Lisbon and Deportivo, where he landed a Liga crown, a Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups. Naybet then tried his hand at English football, seeing out the remainder of his playing career with Tottenham Hotspur.
11. Mark Bresciano (34) competed at Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010 with Australia, and looks likely to star at Brazil 2014 this summer. The versatile attacking midfielder previously appeared at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2001, finishing third, as well as at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2000 Olympic Football Tournament in Sydney. He has also enjoyed continental success, clinching the OFC U-20 Championship in 1998 and the OFC Nations Cup in 2004. After the Socceroos switched to the Asian Football Confederation, Bresciano participated in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. The set-piece specialist began his career in his homeland with Bulleen Lions and Carlton, prior to pulling on the jerseys of Empoli, Parma, Palermo and Lazio in Italy. He then packed his bags for the Middle East, where he defended the colours of Emirati club Al Nasr and Qatari side Al Gharrafa.
12. Omar Daf (37) can look back with pride on Senegal’s one and only World Cup venture, at Korea/Japan 2002, where the Africans raised eyebrows across the world by reaching the quarter-finals. The defender also performed at five Cup of Nations contests, at 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2012. Daf played for Sochaux for a decade, but was tempted away from the Montbeliard-based team to join Brest in 2009. Three seasons later, he returned to Les Lionceaux, before retiring and becoming the club’s assistant coach in 2013.
13. Rafael Marquez (35) has been a mainstay of the Mexican national side since the late 1990s, appearing at three World Cups – Korea/Japan 2002, Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010 – and lifting two CONCACAF Gold Cups (in 2003 and 2011) and the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup. The classy centre-back has taken part in four Copa America tournaments, earning a runners-up medal in 2001, and in the U-20 World Cup of 1999. After coming through the ranks at Atlas, he exported his defensive skills to Monaco, where he scooped the Ligue 1 title, the French League Cup and the Trophée des champions. His form attracted the interest of Barcelona, with whom he went on to bag four Liga titles, a Spanish Cup, three Spanish Super Cups, two UEFA Champions League crowns, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup. After seven seasons at the Catalan club, Marquez put pen to paper with MLS side New York Red Bulls. In late 2012, the Mexican international returned home to play for Leon, winning the Liga MX Apertura Championship a year later.
14. Angel di Maria (26) helped Argentina to reach the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and is hopeful of being included in his country’s squad for Brazil 2014. The dynamic winger has previously appeared at the 2007 U-20 World Cup, the 2011 Copa America and the 2008 Olympic Football Tournament, where La Albiceleste collected a gold medal. A product of Rosario Central’s youth system, Di Maria subsequently captured a Portuguese Championship and two Portuguese League Cups with Benfica. Since his transfer from the Lisbon side to Real Madrid in 2010, the pacey South American has added Spanish League, Cup and Super Cup honours to his footballing CV.
15. Alejandro Lembo (36) was a key member of Uruguay’s Korea/Japan 2002 squad, having formerly finished second at the 1999 Copa America and the 1997 U-20 World Cup with La Celeste. The dominant central defender may have turned professional with Bella Vista, but it was with Nacional that he rose to prominence, emerging victorious from two Uruguayan League campaigns. In Europe, he earned a Spanish Cup winners’ medal with Real Betis, and briefly starred for Greek outfit Aris. Lembo also represented Danubio (Uruguay) and Belgrano (Argentina).
Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale had a perfect return to action after three games out through injury, with a goal and an assist as Los Blancos moved to the top of Spanish La Liga on Saturday. Madrid's 4-2 win over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu coupled with Atletico Madrid's 2-0 defeat at Almeria allowed Real to go above Atletico just three days after they had also dealt Diego Simeone's side a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
Bale opened the scoring with his 11th goal of the season before teeing up Karim Benzema to make it 2-0 inside the first 25 minutes. Jese Rodriguez and Benzema with his second rounded off the scoring for the hosts after the break, whilst Mario Gaspar and Giovani Dos Santos scored two brilliant consolation goals for Villarreal.
Real are now unbeaten in 23 games stretching back to October and Bale believes the results show he and his teammates are enjoying their football right now.
We are enjoying ourselves on the pitch. The proof of that is in the results
Gareth Bale, Real Madrid winger
"We managed to get three important points. I am very happy with my goal, but the important thing is that the team won and that we put pressure on our rivals for the title," he told Real MadridTV. "The team is doing very well and we are enjoying ourselves on the pitch. The proof of that is in the results."
A key figure in Real's unbeaten run has been midfielder Luka Modric and the former Spurs' man received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu crowd after another stellar performance on Saturday. Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said after the game that Modric fully deserved the praise he has received of late, but the Croatian insists the plaudits won't go to his head.
"They were three very important points for us, above all after the difficult game we had against Atletico that left us very tired physically and mentally. We played a great game against a very difficult team in Villarreal. I am very proud that the fans sang my name. It is incredible and I feel very at home here. But, as I have said on previous occasions, the important thing is that the team is playing very well and winning. We will continue to work hard to continue like this."
