Weekly Football News, April 8 2013
City lack a plan B: Neville
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has blasted Roberto Mancini for failing to adapt a back-up plan when Manchester City's intricate passing game is not paying off.
Mancini claimed in the build-up to the Manchester derby that his side - rather than champions-elect United - would be top of the Premier League if the transfer targets he identified last summer had have been signed, including Robin van Persie.
Van Persie has since been integral in helping Sir Alex Ferguson's side build up a 15-point lead.
However, Neville, the England coach, rather pointed to City's one-dimensional playing approach.
"They rely on their passing game - and it's a good one with creative players like David Silva, Samir Nasri, Carlos Tevez coming into those pockets off the front," he told The Independent in England.
"But everything's got to be perfect for it work and they've got to have space - whereas with United there's a bit more. They've got width and they work the wide areas.
"On those occasions when the passing game isn't quite right, City haven't got a plan B."
Di Canio starts Sunderland reign with another defeat
Sunderland's new manager Paolo di Canio has called for his players to develop greater levels of attention and stamina if they are to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Di Canio, who succeeded sacked former manager Martin O'Neill as manager last week, oversaw a 2-1 loss at Chelsea in his first match in charge of the Weirsiders, a defeat that extended their winless streak to nine games.
Although his appointment has upset some because of his right-wing political views, the Sunderland fans generally responded warmly to their new manager.
However, he criticized elements of former coach O'Neill's regime at the Stadium of Light, including the fitness levels of the players he has inherited.
"It is not the fittest team in the world but we are going to work and give them more energy in the next few days and weeks," he said.
"We are capable of building their strength, resistance and most importantly their attention, because the goals came from mistakes."
Bayern crowned champions after just 28 matches
Bayern Munich are setting their sights on a berth in the Uefa Champions League semi-finals after sealing their 22nd German Bundesliga title after just 28 games.
Bayern have lost just once in the German domestic top flight this season - to defending champions Borussia Dortmund - on their way to amassing a remarkable 75 points with six matches still to play.
On Sunday, they recorded their 24th victory of the season with a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, opening up an incredible 20-point gap at the summit of the league.
"The players have worked hard all year for this. To win the title after 28 matches is extraordinary," coach Jupp Heynckes said afterwards.
"We can now be confident that we can achieve something in the Champions League, too."
Bayern head to Turin to face Juventus on Wednesday with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.
Cocu to replace Advocaat at PSV
Former Netherlands international midfielder Philip Cocu is widely expected to replace Dick Advocaat as the manager of PSV Eindhoven at the end of the season.
Second-placed PSV are still locked in a battle for this season's Eredivisie title with leaders Ajax, who they face this Sunday.
But technical manager Marcel Brands has admitted it is "unlikely" Advocaat will stay with the club beyond the current campaign and revealed that he had already sounded out Cocu - a youth team coach at PSV - about taking the top job next year.
Cocu also had a spell as caretaker manager at the end of last season before Advocaat's appointment in the summer.
Compiled by Marc Fox
2013 World Soccer News
World Cup Qualifying - 27 March Soccer News - A round up of all the World Cup Qualifying matches in Europe and South America.
Champions League - 4 March Soccer News - Real and Manchester United in Champions League showdown.
FA Cup Shocks - 18 February Soccer News - FA Cup springs more surprises.
Liverpool and Spurs Lose in FA Cup - 28 January Soccer News - Liverpool and Spurs are knocked out of the FA Cup by lower league opposition.
League Cup - 23 January Soccer News - Bradford City are through to the League Cup Final after beating Aston Villa over two legs.
Manchester Title Race - 14 January Soccer News - the Manchester title race and Newcastle's new striker.
Theo Walcott - 10 January Soccer News - Theo Walcott edges closer to new contract at Arsenal.
Kevin-Prince Boateng - 7 January Soccer News - Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng walks off after racist abuse.
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