Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo would like to see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo face off in LaLiga before both players retire.
Messi has been repeatedly linked with a return to Barcelona, with whom he spent 21 years prior to leaving for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in August 2021.
Ronaldo enjoyed nine trophy-laden seasons with Real Madrid, meanwhile, prior to playing for Juventus, Manchester United and now Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
While there has been little talk of Ronaldo heading back to the Spanish top flight, Cerezo believes it would benefit the league for the two superstar forwards to return one day.
"It would seem fantastic to me if Messi returned to the league, the same as Cristiano Ronaldo," he said while attending the Barcelona Open tennis final on Sunday.
"Both are still playing and it would be fantastic if they returned."
Cerezo was speaking ahead of Atletico's 1-0 loss to Barcelona, which leaves Diego Simeone's side 16 points adrift of the leaders and five behind second-place Real Madrid.
Yannick Carrasco played a full part for Atletico, though he may find himself at Barcelona next season as the Catalan giants have the option to sign the versatile wide player.
"Yannick is a very good player, fantastic," Cerezo said when asked about Carrasco's future.
"In the world of football, there are people who want to achieve many things and don't get to, and others who don't want anything and get it. I don't know [what will happen next]."
Chelsea's disappointing season has created speculation about several of their key players' futures.
The Blues are mid-table in the Premier League and will miss out on Champions League qualification next term.
It has been a tumultuous season, with Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter both axed under their new ownership led by Todd Boehly.
TOP STORY – REAL MADRID OPEN HAVERTZ TALKS
Real Madrid have commenced negotiations with Chelsea about a possible off-season move for Kai Havertz, reports 90min.
Los Blancos view the 23-year-old German forward as a potential successor for veteran striker Karim Benzema.
Madrid are eager to reinforce their offensive options in the next transfer window. Bayern Munich are known to be admirers of Havertz too.
ROUND-UP
– Gazzetta dello Sport claims Juventus are planning a move to bring Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly back to Italy as he is unhappy at Stamford Bridge.
– Liverpool's interest in RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol has cooled given the German club's £80m valuation which they believe is too high, according to Football Insider.
– The Mirror reports Paris Saint-Germain are considering selling Neymar in the off-season with his contract up in 2025. Chelsea and one other Premier League club are interested.
– Real Madrid are preparing a new contract offer for Eduardo Camavinga amid links with Premier League clubs, reports Fabrizio Romano. The Frenchman wants to remain with Madrid.
– The Sun claims Manchester City are plotting a move for Brentford full back Aaron Hickey who is expected to cost around £30m.
– There is no truth to speculation linking Barcelona with a move for Chelsea's Reece James, according to Fabrizio Romano. James signed a long-term deal last year.
Atlanta United moved up to third in the MLS Eastern Conference after Maren Haile-Selassie's 99th-minute own goal helped them to a 2-1 home win over Chicago Fire on Sunday.
Chicago thought they had rescued a point from substitute Kacper Przybylko's 90th-minute strike but there was to be drama in the final minute of nine stoppage-time minutes.
Machop Chol glanced on Brooks Lennon's corner, with Juanjo Purata's poke deflecting off Haile-Selassie's back and dribbling over the goalline. The win meant Atlanta stretched their unbeaten streak to four games.
Georgios Giakoumakis had put Atlanta ahead in the 13th minute, lashing home from Lennon's cutback.
But Chicago squared the game up from Przybylko's strike after he had been thwarted with his initial attempt, only for the hosts to find a late winner.
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw scored her 17th league goal of the season on Sunday as Manchester City Women hit West Ham Women for six to move into second in the Women Super League table.
Shaw scored in the 62nd minute that made it 4-1 for the Cityzens, who scored early and often in the match-up that ended 6-2 at the Academy Stadium.
Chloe Kelly scored twice in the sixth and seventh minutes giving Manchester City early control of the match. Emma Sterle made it 2-1 in the 21st minute but barely four minutes later, City regained their two-goal cushion when Laura Coombs headed in to make it 3-1.
Shaw added City’s fourth and Steph Houghton, who was celebrating her birthday added a fifth three minutes later. Khaira Keating’s own goal made it 5-2 in the 72nd before Mary Fowler scored Manchester City’s sixth eight minutes from the end of regulation.
Manchester City Women now have 41 points from 18 games and are now just three points behind league leaders Manchester United Women.
Chelsea Women are third on 40 points but have played only 16 matches.
Not far behind, Arsenal Women who have 38 points from 17 matches played, complete the top four.
Jen Beattie hailed Arsenal's "unbelievable character" as they stayed alive in their Women's Champions League semi-final by rallying for a 2-2 draw at Wolfsburg.
An impressive fightback from 2-0 down gave Arsenal plenty of reason to be buoyant about their chances for the May 1 second leg at Emirates Stadium.
With ACL victims Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson absent, the weakened Gunners gave a strong account of themselves after a slow start in Germany.
Ewa Pajor put the hosts ahead and Sveindis Jonsdottir fired Wolfsburg two clear in the 24th minute after a defensive aberration from the Gunners, with a misunderstanding in the penalty area presenting the Icelandic forward with an easy chance in front of goal.
Arsenal snatched a lifeline through Rafaelle Souza's header just before half-time, and Stina Blackstenius tucked in an equaliser from close range in the 69th minute.
Player of the match Beattie told uefa.com: "I think the team showed unbelievable character to come back from a two-goal deficit. We're pleased with the result, but it's very much half-time for us. We're looking forward to going back to the Emirates next week with a blank slate."
Wolfsburg edged the expected goals (xG) totals by 2.32 to 1.40, having 12 shots to seven from Arsenal, but the teams are level-pegging and defender Beattie put that down to the WSL team's resilience.
"We've shown that this whole season – the character, the mentality we all have, and the genuine belief we all have between players," said the 31-year-old Scot.
"We're really happy that we came back from 2-0 down: that's a huge feat, especially against a side as good as Wolfsburg. We had the ultimate respect for them and we still do going into the second leg."
Arsenal are hoping for a sell-out for the second leg, as they bid to move a step nearer to becoming European club champions for a second time, having triumphed in 2007.
Beattie spoke of enjoying "incredible" atmospheres when Arsenal Women have played at the club's main stadium previously, adding: "Even the away fans that travelled today have been unbelievable, especially hearing them towards the end of the game. I've no doubt they'll be unbelievable again for us next week."
Wolfsburg head coach Tommy Stroot sensed a chance missed, regretting the goals his team conceded.
He said: "We knew that it would be a close game, and our 2-0 lead flattered us a bit. We were very clinical at the start. The goals we conceded came from a set-piece and a counter-attack, which we should be able to deal with."
Stefano Pioli hailed Milan for replicating their strong Champions League showings in Serie A after Sunday's victory over Lecce arrested a slump in domestic form.
Milan had won just one of their last six league games, denting their hopes of a top-four finish, but overcame Lecce 2-0 at San Siro after a Rafael Leao double.
The Rossoneri sit level on points with fourth-placed Roma, who visit Atalanta on Monday, while they trail Juventus by three after the Bianconeri's 15-point deduction was reversed this week.
Their struggles in the Italian top flight were in stark contrast to Champions League performances, having reached the last four for the first time since 2007 after a 2-1 aggregate win over Serie A leaders Napoli.
Pioli revealed his message to his Milan players before the Lecce clash was a call to replicate their recent outings in Europe.
Asked by DAZN how the Milan coach motivated his side, Pioli said: "That it was important to start strong and important to bring Champions League performances onto the pitch.
"We did many good things, we need to improve others."
Pioli's side will meet fierce city rivals Inter in the Champions League last four, while the pair battle for a place in Italy's top four – Inter sat in sixth, two points behind Milan.
Simone Inzaghi's side were 3-0 victors at Empoli earlier on Sunday, although Pioli insisted that result had no bearing on Milan's motivation.
He added: "Before today there were 8 days left. I told the team that the next two would determine our final position.
"We will try to win as many games as possible, we are fine and we must continue to work at our best."
Leao was the chief problem for Lecce down the left-hand side throughout, heading home Sandro Tonali's cross for the opener before a fine individual run culminated in his second goal that went in off the right post.
The Milan winger has scored 12 league goals this season, his best return in a single campaign, while he became just the second Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo to hit the 10-goal mark in back-to-back Serie A campaigns – after Cristiano Ronaldo did so for Juventus in three seasons between 2018 and 2021.
After his fourth brace in the Italian top flight and first double at home in Serie A since September 2022 against Inter, Leao was more focused on the team's achievements.
"I always try to play a good game, helping my team-mates," he told DAZN. "The most important thing today was to win, we haven't done it in a long time in the league."
As for his own exploits, Leao added: "I was thinking about it even before the match that I had to score. It's always nice to score with these fans and I'm very happy."
Manchester United will contest the first ever Manchester derby FA Cup final after squeezing past Brighton and Hove Albion 7-6 on penalties at the end of a 0-0 draw, Solly March's miss proving decisive.
Brighton had arguably been the better team through 120 minutes of play, but both they and United were wasteful in front of a tense Wembley crowd.
A high-level shoot-out looked as though it was going to go on a while until March's misstep, and Victor Lindelof duly capitalised to send United into a record-equalling 21st FA Cup final.
The EFL Cup winners will face rivals Manchester City for the crown, with United reaching both domestic cup finals in a single season for the first time since 1994.
Having endured a nightmare on Thursday, David de Gea provided an early reminder of what he can do when tipping a goal-bound Alexis Mac Allister free kick around the post.
It was not until the final stages of the first half that United enjoyed sustained threat.
Bruno Fernandes drilled agonisingly wide of the bottom-left corner; Christian Eriksen then drew an unorthodox save from Sanchez when his disappointingly tame effort failed to make the most of Marcus Rashford's cut-back.
United were on the ropes again at the start of the second half, De Gea denying Julio Enciso with a stunning save before Danny Welbeck headed over from close range.
But the Red Devils responded well.
Antony twice tested Robert Sanchez, and desperate Brighton defending prevented Casemiro getting a shot away after great work by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Extra time always looked likely thereafter, however, and the period yielded chances at both ends – a dreadful touch robbed Deniz Undav of a certain goal, Sanchez then did brilliantly to tip Rashford's deflected strike wide.
Penalties were inevitable and the standard of the kicks was exceptional, but March – a standout performer until then – sliced his effort well over and Lindelof coolly planted the winning effort into the top-right corner.
Rafael Leao scored a deadly double as Milan returned to winning ways in Serie A and boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a 2-0 victory over Lecce.
Stefano Pioli's side reached the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday after a 2-1 aggregate win over Napoli, but their recent domestic league form had left much to be desired.
The Rossoneri had managed just one win in their last six league games, but Leao scored in each half on Sunday at San Siro to halt that slide against their relegation-threatened visitors.
Victory moved Milan level on points with fourth-placed Roma, who visit Atalanta on Monday, and three behind Juventus after the Bianconeri's 15-point deduction was reversed.
Wladimiro Falcone pushed away an early 25-yard drive from Sandro Tonali before Theo Hernandez thought he had won a penalty for Milan.
Daniele Chiffi pointed to the spot after a Federico Baschirotto tackle on Hernandez, only for the referee to reverse his decision after consulting the VAR and touchline monitor.
Lecce's Lameck Banda squandered a glorious 19th-minute opportunity when heading onto the left post from close range, and Milan punished that miss five minutes before the break.
An inventive short-corner routine allowed Tonali to cross towards the back post, where Leao towered above Valentin Gendrey to head into the left corner.
Leao wastefully chipped over after 73 minutes, but he made amends a minute later with a fine individual run and a low left-footed drive that went in off the right post.
What does it mean? Milan avoid Champions League hangover
Milan battled to a 1-1 draw at Napoli to secure their first last-four appearance in the Champions League since 2007, and they avoided any previously common signs of a dip in form following that achievement.
The Rossoneri had drawn their last two league matches after a Champions League game, along with three stalemates in their past five Serie A outings, but Pioli's side were good value for victory over Lecce.
There remains the possibility Milan will not be playing in UEFA's top club competition next season, though, needing to overthrow Roma or Juve, or both, or win this year's Champions League outright.
Leao matches Ronaldo record
Leao was a central figure to Milan's Scudetto success last season, attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
The Milan winger became just the second Portuguese player to hit the 10-goal mark in two consecutive Serie A campaigns, after Cristiano Ronaldo did so for Juve three seasons in a row between 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Defensive fragility costs Lecce again
Lecce are just two points clear of 18th-placed Cremonese and a place in the Serie A relegation zone, with their defensive issues a driving factor for their struggles.
They may be the only Italian top-flight side to have not conceded more than twice in a game this term, but Lecce's three clean sheets mark the worst record in the league.
What's next?
Milan face Roma on Saturday in a crucial clash in the top-four race, while Lecce host Udinese the day before.
Rafael Leao scored a deadly double as Milan returned to winning ways in Serie A and boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a 2-0 victory over Lecce.
Stefano Pioli's side reached the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday after a 2-1 aggregate win over Napoli, but their recent domestic league form had left much to be desired.
The Rossoneri had managed just one win in their last six league games, but Leao scored in each half on Sunday at San Siro to halt that slide against their relegation-threatened visitors.
Victory moved Milan level on points with fourth-placed Roma, who visit Atalanta on Monday, and three behind Juventus after the Bianconeri's 15-point deduction was reversed.
Wladimiro Falcone pushed away an early 25-yard drive from Sandro Tonali before Theo Hernandez thought he had won a penalty for Milan.
Daniele Chiffi pointed to the spot after a Federico Baschirotto tackle on Hernandez, only for the referee to reverse his decision after consulting the VAR and touchline monitor.
Lecce's Lameck Banda squandered a glorious 19th-minute opportunity when heading onto the left post from close range, and Milan punished that miss five minutes before the break.
An inventive short-corner routine allowed Tonali to cross towards the back post, where Leao towered above Valentin Gendrey to head into the left corner.
Leao wastefully chipped over after 73 minutes, but he made amends a minute later with a fine individual run and a low left-footed drive that went in off the right post.
What does it mean? Milan avoid Champions League hangover
Milan battled to a 1-1 draw at Napoli to secure their first last-four appearance in the Champions League since 2007, and they avoided any previously common signs of a dip in form following that achievement.
The Rossoneri had drawn their last two league matches after a Champions League game, along with three stalemates in their past five Serie A outings, but Pioli's side were good value for victory over Lecce.
There remains the possibility Milan will not be playing in UEFA's top club competition next season, though, needing to overthrow Roma or Juve, or both, or win this year's Champions League outright.
Leao matches Ronaldo record
Leao was a central figure to Milan's Scudetto success last season, attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
The Milan winger became just the second Portuguese player to hit the 10-goal mark in two consecutive Serie A campaigns, after Cristiano Ronaldo did so for Juve three seasons in a row between 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Defensive fragility costs Lecce again
Lecce are just two points clear of 18th-placed Cremonese and a place in the Serie A relegation zone, with their defensive issues a driving factor for their struggles.
They may be the only Italian top-flight side to have not conceded more than twice in a game this term, but Lecce's three clean sheets mark the worst record in the league.
What's next?
Milan face Roma on Saturday in a crucial clash in the top-four race, while Lecce host Udinese the day before.
Barcelona coach Xavi talked up the importance of Barcelona's victory over Atletico Madrid as the LaLiga leaders returned to winning ways on Sunday.
Ferran Torres netted the only goal in a 1-0 win at Camp Nou, bringing an end to a goalless run that included back-to-back goalless draws in the league.
The victory also extended Barca's commanding lead at the top of LaLiga to 11 points over rivals Real Madrid, who could be forgiven for having their attention elsewhere as they defend their Champions League crown.
With eight games to go, Barca are closing on the title, but Xavi made clear there was work still to be done.
"There is nothing done, although it is exciting," he said. "Here, nobody feels like a champion, and if someone does, we will tell them that nothing has been done.
"If we lost, they were eight [points back]; it was crucial. Beyond the individualities, we played a very good game. It was crucial to win after two draws, and it's one more step."
Barca's victory was not as comfortable as it perhaps should have been, with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha among those to miss chances, which Xavi lamented.
"I have the feeling of having wasted opportunities to make it 2-0; they were very clear," he said. "Rapha's, Robert's, one of Gavi's at the penalty spot.
"In the end, you end up suffering in a game that you deserved to win by more than one goal."
Veteran centre-back Pepe has agreed to prolong his playing career at Porto, signing a new contract with the Portuguese giants at the age of 40.
Pepe is approaching the end of his 23rd season in senior football, the past five of those spent with Porto in what represents his second spell at the Estadio do Dragao.
The 133-cap Portugal defender has no plans to retire just yet, having put pen to paper on a 12-month extension with Porto to stay at the club until the end of next season.
"I'm very nervous because it's a contract that means a lot to me," Pepe, who has played 28 times this season, told Porto's official website.
"As a player and person, I usually say I'm very honest. I'm 40 years old but I owe a lot to Porto and I don't want to defraud the president or the people at the club.
"I want to thank everyone at the club for making me better every day as a player, a person and a father."
Pepe has won 12 trophies across his two stints with Porto, including four Primeira Liga titles.
He also won the Champions League and LaLiga three times each during a 10-year spell with Real Madrid, as well as winning Euro 2016 and the 2018-19 Nations League with Portugal.
Mohamed Salah's goalscoring feats are underappreciated by those outside Liverpool, believes his Reds team-mate Virgil van Dijk.
Salah scored his 183rd goal for Liverpool to clinch a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, after Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White struck to cancel out Diogo Jota's brace.
The Egyptian's close-range finish saw him match Robbie Fowler's goal tally for Liverpool in 71 fewer appearances, taking him to joint-sixth in the club's all-time scoring charts.
Salah has scored 27 goals across all competitions during an underwhelming season for Liverpool, and he now has Steven Gerrard's total of 186 goals for the Reds in his sights.
Asked about Salah's goalscoring exploits after Saturday's win, Van Dijk suggested the forward is underrated by those not of a Red persuasion.
"Most of the players here have contributed to winning big trophies. Mo will definitely be seen as a legend. He's such an important player," Van Dijk told reporters.
"At a later stage, I think the things he's done will be appreciated a lot more by the outside world.
"For us, we appreciate everything he does day in, day out. We see all the hard work that he puts in. He just has to keep it going."
Having also scored in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal before grabbing a brace in a 6-1 thrashing of Leeds United, Salah has now netted in three successive Premier League games for the first time since October 2021 (during a run of seven).
Meanwhile, only Ollie Watkins (14) and Erling Haaland (13) have bettered his return of 12 Premier League goal involvements since the turn of the year.
Liverpool remain nine points adrift of the top four despite winning back-to-back games, and Van Dijk says the team's below-par campaign has been an eye-opener.
"We are very privileged. We're going out there, performing for one of the biggest clubs in the world," he said. "This season, at times, you have to remind yourself that we're really blessed.
"Everyone wants to win, no one wants to make mistakes and lose. We have been very successful over the years.
"We just need to find that joy. I'm certainly happy and buzzing to be out there, trying to get good results to put a run together."
St. Kitts and Nevis will for the first time host the 2023 CONCACAF Caribbean Shield, a historic achievement for the tiny Caribbean nation. The tournament will run from August 3-13.
The CONCACAF Caribbean Shield, formerly known as the Caribbean Club Shield, is an annual Caribbean association football competition for clubs that are members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).
It is a second-tier competition to the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup and was introduced in 2018 for clubs which worked towards professional standards.
Until 2022, the winner of this competition, as long as it fulfills the licensing criteria, played against the fourth-placed team of the Caribbean Club Championship for the place in the CONCACAF League. As of 2023, the winner qualifies for the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup.
The Dominican Republic (2018), Curacao (2019, 2020*, 2021*) and Puerto Rico (2022) have been previous hosts. Through the efforts of President of the St Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) Atiba Harris, St Kitts and Nevis will host the tournament for the first time. The 2020 and 2021 tournaments were cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is indeed a historical moment for the SKNFA, our country in being confirmed as host of the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield Tournament,” Harris said.
“The fact that Concacaf has entrusted us as hosts, shows the significant strides that we’ve made in less than two years in raising the standard of football in our country. I would like to extend best wishes to all participating clubs, in particular SL Horsford St. Paul’s United FC, who will be representing us as the defending champions of the SKNFA Premier Division.”
Danny Rose watched in awe as his old club Tottenham were humbled 6-1 by Newcastle United and said being at the game made him "fall in love with football again".
Former England defender Rose, who spent most of his career at Spurs but in 2020 enjoyed a short loan at Newcastle, has been a free agent since leaving Watford last September.
The left-back subsequently kept his distance from football, even going as far as avoiding watching the World Cup in Qatar earlier this season.
But appearing as a pundit during Sky Sports' coverage on Sunday, the 32-year-old revealed how watching Newcastle's comprehensive victory over Spurs helped reignite his passion.
It may not be the most popular opinion with Tottenham supporters, who saw their team humiliated on Tyneside, but Rose's comments were heartfelt and not said with any relish for Spurs' downfall.
"I haven't watched a lot of football this season, but watching those 90 minutes have made me fall in love with football again. So thank you," Rose said.
"Obviously, it's no secret that I've been away from football. I've deliberately not watched any football - I didn't watch the World Cup.
"It was only until the other night – I watched [Manchester] City in the Champions League. Watching it and listening to the music is when I started to think: 'OK, I miss it.'
"I haven't been in a stadium for a long time. I love football – a lot of it's to do with the atmosphere – but just seeing how [Newcastle have] played football and that feeling after three points, it's just reignited some feelings within myself."
Newcastle, who were beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa in their previous outing, bolstered their top-four status by moving six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, against whom they led 5-0 after just 21 minutes.
"That's the reaction we wanted and an incredible start," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told Sky Sports. "The quality of our finishing was incredible. They weren't stick-on goals. We were lethal in front of goal.
"Everything about our first half an hour was where we want to be. Since I walked through the door here, the players have responded so well. I can't thank them enough."
Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier urged his team-mates to embrace the prospect of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
"We let the supporters down last week, and it was about responding well. I thought we did that," said the Magpies captain.
"We got some goals early in the game. We showed throughout the season we want to be on the front foot.
"We shouldn't be scared to say we want to play Champions League football. The games are running out. This stadium would be bouncing with Champions League football."
Cristian Stellini declared himself responsible as Tottenham's hopes of a top-four Premier League finish were left hanging by a thread after a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Newcastle United.
Spurs found themselves 5-0 down after 21 minutes during a stunning start at St James' Park, with Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak scoring two apiece and Joelinton also netting for the rampant hosts.
Only once in Premier League history had a team gone 5-0 up at an earlier stage of a game, with Manchester City doing so inside 18 minutes in an 8-0 win over Watford in 2019.
Though Harry Kane pulled one back after the break, Callum Wilson tapped in a sixth as Newcastle moved six points clear of Spurs in the race for a top-four finish – still with a game in hand.
The latest humiliation to befall Tottenham came after Stellini ditched their usual 3-4-3 system in order to field a four-man backline, a choice he accepts backfired.
"It went so badly because we were not prepared enough to play an important match. We have a good squad, I think, but today no one showed how good they are," interim coach Stellini told Sky Sports.
"It was my responsibility to decide the system we play, and we decided to defend differently because we had many injuries – Ben Davies and [Clement] Lenglet could maybe only play 15 minutes.
"It is my responsibility to take this type of decision. I took it and it was wrong. We spoke in the week about it being possible to change system, but obviously we didn't show this.
"We were not prepared to play this type of tough game. To be prepared means to suffer, control the space, to fight, to win duels. We were not well prepared."
Stellini reverted to a three-man defence after Newcastle's fifth goal, replacing young midfielder Pape Sarr with Davinson Sanchez, and he feels that change enabled Spurs to show some fight.
"I have to take responsibility on this, because after we changed system, the game was gone, but we played better, we scored and tried to fight," he said.
"It's very difficult to understand why the first 25 minutes were so bad."
On Sarr's 23rd-minute withdrawal, Stellini added: "It was not his mistake or his problem. We knew that the first 20 minutes here would be difficult for everyone. Just don't concede a goal. After the first shot, we conceded the first goal.
"I am the coach, and I am above them [the players]. I have to protect them, and they deserve my protection. Today, I have to take this responsibility."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
