Ronaldo is very humble, insists Sahin

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder claims he learned a lot from the Portuguese star during his time at Real Madrid, and revealed he still chats with former boss Jose Mourinho

Nuri Sahin has described Cristiano Ronaldo as “very humble and friendly”, insisting he “learned a lot” from the Portugal captain during his time with Real Madrid.

Sahin ended a torrid spell at Santiago Bernabeu to return to Borussia Dortmund earlier this season, after failing to impress during a brief loan spell with Liverpool at the start of the campaign.

Despite his disappointing time with the Liga champions, the Turkey international insists he was happy to have made a “dream” move to the club, as well as the chance to learn from the likes of Ronaldo.

“It was a great opportunity to play with him [Ronaldo],” he told AS. “He is an incomparable professional, he’s incredible. In one year, I learned a lot from Cristiano. Maybe some people will not think so, but he is very humble and friendly.

“Moving to Madrid was a dream. I did it. I had an injury in the first training session, and if that had not happened, I’m sure it would have been different for me.

“But that is football. I don’t want to return to the past. I’m at one of the best teams in the world, I never let my head drop and I think I will be very successful.”

Sahin revealed he still talks to former boss Jose Mourinho by phone, and feels los Blancos’ victory over Manchester United in the Champions League could be a turning point for the Portuguese coach and his players this season.

“We often talk by phone. We chat about football, and life in general,” he went on. “The coach feels good. I think the game against Manchester United was very important for Real Madrid. He is now in a perfect position.

“They’re doing a great job. It’s not easy to beat Barcelona twice. The truth is that Madrid are one of the great favourites for the Champions League.

“I hope we win it, Borussia Dortmund. Madrid always want La Decima. I know they are preparing to go for it.”

JD's Betting Blog: Backing West Brom for victory at Stoke

JD also looks at the Champions League ahead of the quarter-final draw and has two tips for the weekend including a both teams to score selection from Serie A

This week has been dominated by European competition and we now know the identity of the eight teams who will contest the quarter-finals of the Champions league. 

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Malaga, Galatasaray and PSG have made it to the last eight in what will be an exciting climax to the season.

Barcelona are at the top of the market at 7/4 (2.75) with Bet365 after their wonderful return to form and demolition of AC Milan in the second leg.

Real Madrid are second favourites at 11/4 (3.75) with Bayern Munich a 7/2 (4.50) chance with Bet365. Malaga were a team highlighted in this column as ”dark horses” who would out perform their odds.

They are 50/1 (51.0) and bigger in places ahead of the quarter-final draw. They are not a team to be underestimated and will be a stern test for anyone.

Market sensitivity at this time of the season

You may have noticed the top of the market change over the last few weeks with a number of teams touted as favourites. The market is more sensitive as the competition develops.

Punters become more opinionated on the eventual winner as the competition takes shape and they react to events as they unfold.

Also, bookmakers need to manage their liabilities and the amount of money taken on each team so they are perfectly happy to change their view on the favourites in order to attract money on more teams.

For example, if everyone simply backed one team, bookmakers would be hugely exposed if this team won.

In truth, all of the last eight teams have some sort of chance of winning. It is often the team who peaks best at the crucial end of season and finds the ingredients simply to win. Sometimes it is not the most talented team, but the most defiant.

Weekend Tips

Looking ahead to the weekend, West Brom are enjoying an excellent season in the Premier League under Steve Clarke. They travel to Stoke City who have had a sticky time of late and should be opposed.

West Brom can be backed at 11/10 (2.10) on a draw no bet basis with Bet365.

In Italy, Fiorentina are the second highest scorers in Serie A but have only kept one clean sheet at home since October.

They host Genoa who will be desperate for the points and who have played well recently without picking up the points their performances have warranted. Both teams to score can be backed at evens (2.0) with Bet365.

Selection One
Selection Two

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Varane & Pogba in France squad to face Georgia & Spain

The teenage pair have been rewarded for their breakthrough campaigns at European giants Real Madrid and Juventus with call-ups to Didier Deschamps’ latest Bleus selection

Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba have been named in the France squad ahead of next week’s World Cup 2014 qualifiers against Georgia and Spain.

The Real Madrid defender received widespread acclaim from much of the footballing sphere following impressive displays against Barcelona and Manchester United over the past few weeks and receives his third call-up, although has yet to be capped.

Meanwhile, his fellow 19-year-old has been in similarly prodigious form since his summer move to Juventus from Manchester United, and in the wake of his maiden bow, Bleus coach Didier Deschamps explained the duo’s inclusion.

“[Varane] has not featured in a single minute with the senior side yet, but I consider him ready to play,” the former Olympique de Marseille and Juventus boss said.

“[Pogba]
is often used as a runner, but when he is allowed to advance forward, he can strike the ball with venom.
He is versatile enough to play in any midfield position.”

Deschamps then dropped his biggest hint yet that stoppers Varane, Laurent Koscielny, Mamadou Sakho and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa would be his first-choice centre-back quartet for the foreseeable future, while he backed Karim Benzema to rediscover his goalscoring touch.

“Arsenal performed at a high level [against Bayern]. Laurent [Koscielny]’s display caught my eye. He had good legs,” he added.

“I have no problems with [Mamadou Sakho’s] playing time. He plays most of PSG’s games, although I’d prefer it if he played week in week out.

“It’s likely that I will stick with these four central defenders [referring to Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa as the fourth man].

“Everyone can criticise [Karim Benzema’s] performance. but his quality and potential will always be there. He needs just a goal, and he has my trust. France need Benzema at his best.”

The Euro 2000 winner then commented on the absences of midfield pair Abou Diaby – currently sidelined with a calf injury – and Toulouse’s Aurelien Capoue, before calling for complete focus on next Friday’s visit of Georgia.

This is not punishment [for Capoue], but he has not been good enough with his club. There is always competition for places,” Deschamps continued.

“[Abou Diaby] has gone three weeks without playing, it’s complicated. There are currently too many uncertainties with him.

The most important fixture is against Georgia. We must be focused on this game so we can get to 10 points. We met the best team in the world [Spain] in October, and we will do so again.”

Name Club
Goalkeepers:  
Mickael Landreau Bastia
Hugo Lloris Tottenham
Steve Mandanda Marseille
Defenders:  
Gael Clichy Manchester City
Mathieu Debuchy Newcastle
Patrice Evra Manchester United
Christophe Jallet PSG
Laurent Koscielny Arsenal
Mamadou Sakho PSG
Raphael Varane Real Madrid
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa Montpellier
Midfielders  
Yohan Cabaye Newcastle
Maxime Gonalons Lyon
Blaise Matuidi PSG
Dimitri Payet Lille
Paul Pogba Juventus
Franck Ribery Bayern Munich
Moussa Sissoko Newcastle
Mathieu Valbuena Marseille
Attackers:  
Karim Benzema Real Madrid
Olivier Giroud Arsenal
Bafetimbi Gomis Lyon
Jeremy Menez PSG
Loic Remy QPR

Thank God I have left Brendan Rodgers, says Sahin

The Borussia Dortmund loanee has blamed the Reds manager for his unsuccessful spell on Merseyside earlier this season, complaining that he played him in out of position

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin has hit out at Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers following his unsuccessful loan spell at Anfield.

Sahin joined the Reds from Real Madrid on a season-long deal in August but the agreement was terminated in January after the Turkish playmaker made just seven Premier League appearances.

The 24-year-old has since sealed an 18-month loan move to former side Dortmund and blamed Rodgers for playing him in the wrong position during his time on Merseyside.

“I did not fail at Liverpool,” Sahin told AS. “Brendan Rodgers wanted me to play as a ’10’. But I do not play behind the forwards. I spoke with him and asked him why I was playing there. It is not my real position.

“The boss could not answer me… still, I do not regret it. To play in the red jersey and at Anfield is something marvellous. Maybe if I had not gone there I would not have been able to return to Borussia Dortmund. For that, I am happy. But I have left Brendan Rodgers, thank God.”

Sahin insisted that his relationship with Jose Mourinho remains healthy despite his lack of opportunites in Madrid before adding that recent results over Manchester United and, domestically, Barcelona prove los Blancos‘ credentials in the Champions League.

“We speak often on the telephone,” he added. “We chat about football and life. The boss feels good. I believe the game against Manchester United is very important for Madrid. Now they are in a perfect position.

“People talk more about [referee] Cuneyt Cakir’s decision [to send off Nani] than Madrid’s performance, but Madrid played a very good game. They are going very well. It is not easy to beat Barcelona twice. The truth is Madrid are one of the big favourites for the Champions League.”

Manchester United stunned by €80m Bale asking price

David Gill has approached Spurs chairman Daniel Levy about a deal for the 23-year-old, with the north London outfit hoping to tie the Welshman down to a new five-year contract

EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart

Manchester United have made an enquiry for Gareth Bale but have been stunned by Tottenham’s €80 million asking price, Goal.com can reveal.

United chief executive David Gill has approached Spurs chairman Daniel Levy about a deal for Bale, only to be told the 23-year-old would command a near-world record fee if the Londoners were to sell him to a Premier League rival.

Tottenham are instead focussing on talks with Bale’s advisors over a new five-year contract worth €175,000-a-week, which would shatter the club’s wage structure. The Welshman has been rewarded for his rise to stardom with new deals in each of the last three years.

As Goal.com revealed last week, Bale has told friends he is ready to reject a big summer move if Spurs clinch a place in the Champions League.

Bale has also attracted interest from Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich with his stunning displays this season, having scored 21 goals for Spurs in all competitions.

He has previously expressed an interest in playing abroad and Real Madrid remain favourites to sign him – but they might have to wait until 2014 at the earliest to land their man.

Tottenham are increasingly confident of holding on to Bale for at least one more season and that is reflected in the price quoted to United, with bids below €58m likely to be dismissed out of hand.

Bale was a guest at United’s home defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 earlier this month, but he will not push for a move away from White Hart Lane.

United’s interest in Bale again raises questions over the future of Wayne Rooney, who Sir Alex Ferguson insists will stay at Old Trafford despite reports that the striker could be sold this summer.

The Red Devils appear to be in the market for a marquee signing this summer and have been exploring the possibility of re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

Ronaldo was sold to the Spanish giants in 2009 for a world record €93m fee but has so far refused to sign a new contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and has refused to rule out a return to Old Trafford.