Milestone for Blades teenager

Milestone for Blades teenager

Published Feb. 28, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has put thoughts of the Copa del Rey final showdown with Real Madrid on hold for now.

The Rojiblancos secured their place in the cup showpiece for the second time in four years after progressing through 4-3 on aggregate following two incident-packed semi-final legs against Sevilla.

After establishing a 2-1 lead following a first leg that included three penalties and three red cards, Atletico finished the job at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Wednesday night in an encounter that finished 2-2 and saw Sevilla once again have two players sent off.

That success set up a mouthwatering final clash with arch-rivals Real - a side Atletico have not beaten in over 13 years - in May, but Simeone was reluctant to talk too much about that match at this point.

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The Argentinian, whose side face fellow high-flyers Malaga in La Liga on Sunday, said: "Regarding the final, the only thing that we're thinking about is the happiness of being back in a very important final.

"Talking about Madrid now would be a lack of respect to Sevilla.

"We need to talk about how we've played, Falcao, Diego Costa, Miranda, Cata Diaz....

"Tomorrow (Thursday) we will think about Malaga, who are a direct and difficult rival."

While Simeone was unwilling to look ahead to the final derby, he knows it will be a different story for the Atletico fans.

As the supporters celebrate, though, Simone hopes they will spare a though for some of the club's unsung heroes this season.

Simeone said: "The Atletico Madrid fans will be happy.

"They will get up in the morning and will have a very important final to look forward to. It will be a difficult game but they will be full of joy to see their team fighting for second place in such a competitive league and once again finding themselves in the final.

"This says very good things about the players, about the efforts they are making, and also the people who are not seen, such as the physios, the medical staff, the assistants...

"It is a victory for everyone because without the work of the people who you don't see, it's impossible that these guys are in this form."

Lewandowski's current deal at Dortmund does not expire until June 2014, but his agent revealed earlier this week that the Poland international has already decided on his next destination.

The 24-year-old has been linked with potential moves to Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Juventus.

"Robert Lewandowski is not going to sign a new contract. We will have to see if he is going to be on the move in the summer," Borussia Dortmund director Michael Zorc told German Sky.

"His contract runs until 2014. There are two options. Either he goes in June or he stays for another year."

Lewandowski has bagged 44 goals in 87 appearances for the German club, helping them to two consecutive Bundesliga titles since his transfer from Lech Poznan in 2010.

Lord Nimmo Smith chaired the three-man panel which was appointed to decide if the company that formerly ran the club broke SPL rules regarding the payment of employees.

The club won five SPL titles during the decade in question, but Sky sources understand those pennants are not under threat, although the final verdict of the commission is still awaited later on Thursday.

The probe related to the period between 2000-2011 during which Rangers operated employee benefits trusts.

HM Revenue and Customs had claimed the scheme, which was used to make payments to players and staff in the form of tax-free loans, was illegal.

Rangers disputed this and a First Tier Tax Tribunal ruled last November that the scheme did not breach tax law, although HMRC have appealed that initial verdict to an Upper Tier Tax Tribunal.

The central defender, 19, has been a virtual ever-present for the Blades this season and reached the landmark in Tuesday night's goalless draw with Leyton Orient, a week before his 20th birthday.

Maguire is expected to make it 101 starts at Oldham this weekend and told the club's official website: "I have some fantastic memories of playing at Boundary Park. It was where I scored my first senior goal, so hopefully that is a good omen for Saturday."

Maguire made his first appearance for the Blades as a second-half substitute in a home match against Cardiff in April 2011, when he was only 17, and was voted man of the match after making his full debut four days later at Preston.

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