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Bayern coach ‘not in the mood’ for question about Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz

MUNICH: Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany gave up trying to answer a question about what makes Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz special. Ahead of the teams meeting in the Champions League on Wednesday, Kompany was asked what sets Wirtz and Bayern star Jamal Musiala apart and what they could learn from each other. “You’ve obviously noticed I’m not in the mood to answer,” Kompany said Tuesday. “From each other, I don’t know,” Kompany attempted at first before saying each player has to take his own path in his development. He said it was a boon for Germany, before saying his players will need be at their best to counter Leverkusen in Munich. Then he gave up. “I’m talking but it’s easier to say nothing. I’m trying to be respectful, but guys, other questions!” Kompany said in the press conference before the first leg of the teams’ last 16 tie. “It’s a good question,” he continued.

Virat Kohli leads India to Champions Trophy final with victory over Australia in Dubai

DUBAI: Veteran batsman Virat Kohli rolled back the years with a polished 84 as India pulled off a tense chase to beat Australia by four wickets in the first semifinal of the Champions Trophy on Tuesday. Set 265 for victory, India lost the 36-year-old Kohli in the closing overs but KL Rahul’s unbeaten 42 steered the team home with 11 balls to spare at the Dubai International Stadium. They will face South Africa or New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Dubai with India playing all their matches at the venue after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan for the eight-nation event. Lahore was the alternate venue for the final had India missed out. Australia elected to bat and posted the highest total of 264 all out at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in this tournament after key knocks from skipper Steve Smith, who made 73, and Alex Carey, who hit 61. In reply India lost two early wickets before Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, who made 45, put the chase back on track in their partnership of 91. Cooper Connolly, making the team in place of injured Matthew Short who was forced out of the tournament on Monday, trapped skipper Rohit Sharma lbw on 28 for his first ODI wicket. Kohli and Iyer then took stock against an inexperienced Australian attack missing their top fast bowlers including Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to injuries. But the next line of bowlers stood up as leg-spinner Adam Zampa bowled Iyer before pace bowler Nathan Ellis rattled the stumps of Axar Patel for 27. Kohli, known as a master chaser who recently hit an unbeaten 100 in India’s win over arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, stood firm in another stand with wicketkeeper-batsman Rahul. Kohli was dropped by Glenn Maxwell off Connolly on 51 but Zampa denied him

Barcelona routs 10-man Real Sociedad 4-0 to go top in Spain

MADRID: Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 rout over 10-man Real Sociedad to regain the lead in Spain on Sunday. Gerard Martín, Marc Casadó, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski scored a goal each to put Barcelona one point ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the Spanish league. Barcelona is three points ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, which lost 2-1 at Real Betis on Saturday, when Atletico beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at home. “Very happy with the match we played,” Araujo said.

Welbeck sinks Newcastle as Brighton reach FA Cup quarters

NEWCASTLE: Danny Welbeck sent Brighton into the FA Cup quarterfinals as his extra-time strike clinched a dramatic 2-1 win against Newcastle in a stormy clash scarred by red cards for both teams.

India set up ICC Champions Trophy clash with Australia

DUBAI: Spinner Varun Chakravarthy returned figures of 5-42 as India beat New Zealand by 44 runs on Sunday to set up a semifinal clash with Australia in the Champions Trophy.

MLS fines Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi for placing hand on New York City FC assistant coach’s neck

NEW YORK: Major League Soccer fined Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi an undisclosed amount on Tuesday for placing his hand on a New York City FC assistant coach’s neck.

Atletico hold Barca in ‘crazy’ eight-goal Copa del Rey semi first leg

BARCELONA: Atletico Madrid conceded a two-goal lead then fought back from two down in a wild 4-4 draw with Barcelona in a Copa del Rey semifinal first leg thriller on Tuesday. After Diego Simeone’s side scored twice in the opening six minutes through Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, Barca raced through the gears in a high-octane performance. The superb Pedri Gonzalez pulled one back with Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski going on to score for the Catalan giants. Marcos Llorente netted for Atletico before Alexander Sorloth struck in the 93rd minute to leave the tie perfectly poised ahead of the second leg at the Metropolitano stadium on April 2. “It’s a terrible result when you go 4-2 up... you have to be more careful, these are things we have to learn,” Pedri told Movistar. “Today we started badly but I’ll focus on how the team reacted. “When we got in front we have to be calmer...

Chelsea thrash Southampton, Villa beaten by Palace in race for Champions League

LONDON: Chelsea moved into the Premier League’s top four with a 4-0 demolition of hapless Southampton, but Aston Villa’s hopes of Champions League football next season diminished after a 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace. After a run of three consecutive defeats, Chelsea badly needed a response against bottom-of-the-table Saints, who are set for an immediate return to the Championship. The Blues duly delivered with three first-half goals through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill for just a third league win 11 games. Before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, a small band of Chelsea fans gathered to protest against the club’s owners over the club’s form and discontent over ticket prices. Once the action got underway, it was a much-needed comfortable evening for Enzo Maresca’s men which the Italian will hope can restore confidence among his squad. Nkunku took his tally for the season to 14 but only three of those have come in the Premier League as he has often had to play reserve to the injured Nicolas Jackson. The Frenchman stooped to head in a corner at the back post before teeing up Neto to blast home a second. Colwill headed in Neto’s free-kick to make the points safe before the break. Marc Cucurella rounded off the scoring with a calm finish from teenager Tyrique George’s cross. Victory takes Chelsea two points above Manchester City into fourth. Thanks to English clubs’ strong performance in European competition this season, a top-five finish is likely to be enough for a place in next season’s Champions League. Villa had rejuvenated their hopes of a second consecutive season in Europe’s elite competition after beating Chelsea on Saturday. But Unai Emery’s men have won just one of their last seven league games after

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Dubai Sport News

Bayern coach ‘not in the mood’ for question about Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz

Virat Kohli leads India to Champions Trophy final with victory over Australia in Dubai

Barcelona routs 10-man Real Sociedad 4-0 to go top in Spain

Welbeck sinks Newcastle as Brighton reach FA Cup quarters

India set up ICC Champions Trophy clash with Australia

MLS fines Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi for placing hand on New York City FC assistant coach’s neck

Atletico hold Barca in ‘crazy’ eight-goal Copa del Rey semi first leg

Chelsea thrash Southampton, Villa beaten by Palace in race for Champions League