SHORT CORNER
Florenzi hits back at Ronaldo jibe
AFP
Roma captain Alessandro Florenzi hit back at a jibe by Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo about his height by going on to score the opener in a 2-0 win over the Serie A champions on Sunday.
The pair clashed on the hour mark in the Stadio Olimpico in a row after the Portuguese star played the ball while Edin Dzeko was down and needed treatment.
Ronaldo made a gesture with his hand with the former Real Madrid star heard saying: “You’re too small to talk.”
The Portuguese player than seemed to apologise and to hug Florenzi.
Dzeko set up Florenzi for the first goal after 79 minutes with the Bosnian then slotting in the second two minutes into injury time as Juventus fell to just their third defeat this season.
Hazard knows where his future will be
AFP
Eden Hazard has told Chelsea he has made his mind up over his future but has yet to publicly announce if he will stay at Stamford Bridge after persistent speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
The Belgium forward has just a year left on his contract after joining the Premier League club from Lille for £32 million ($42 million) in 2012.
And after a substitute outing in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Leicester the Belgium international revealed he had made the club aware of his decision.
“Yes. A couple of weeks ago. Yes I have made my decision but it is not just about me,” said Hazard, who blew kisses to the travelling fans, who called for him to stay.
“I have made my decision, that’s it.”
When asked if his future will become clear after the Europa League final against Arsenal on May 29 he added: “I think so. We have a final to play and then I will see.”
The Blues are understood to be holding out for £100 million.
‘Champions League glory would transform Spurs’
AFP
Mauricio Pochettino says winning the Champions League would change the “perception” of Tottenham Hotspur and provide a glorious ending to what he described as the best season in the five years he has been their manager.
The 47-year-old Argentinian -- who has said he may walk away if the club fail to deliver a blueprint for keeping them competitive with the top teams -- has been praised for the style his team plays and his ability to develop young talent. But he has yet to win a trophy.
This missing element in his CV could be filled by beating Liverpool in the June 1 final in Madrid. Overcoming last year’s losing Champions League finalists and Premier League runners-up is a tall order. But history is beckoning, says Pochettino
“I think we can make history,” he said after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Everton which confirmed Spurs spot in next season’s Champions League by finishing fourth.
“We are creating history because we are making it, but if we can win we will write history and change the perception of this amazing club.”