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. Paulao asked to be substituted and was replaced
OWINGS MILLS, Md. Chicago Blackhawks Store . - Haloti Ngata hated watching football on television during his four-game suspension for using a substance banned by the NFL.The five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle wasnt allowed to be with the Baltimore Ravens during practice or at their final four games. All he could do was hope they could win without him so he could play in the post-season.It was definitely rough, Ngata said Tuesday, his first day back on the field. It felt like I was in retirement watching the games, watching football during the season at home. It felt weird, but I was glad we were able to get the wins and get into the playoffs.He regrets using the amphetamine Adderall, which is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because it is often used as a stimulant, Adderall is banned by the NFL without a prescription.I made a mistake, he acknowledged.The 30-year-old Ngata is expected to start Saturday night in Pittsburgh, and he just might be more energetic than the blockers assigned to keep him off quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.I feel amazing. Guys are yelling Fresh legs all the time, Ngata said. I just feel like a young kid, being able to jog around. Its great to be back with the fellas.And they couldnt be happier to have him back.Hes one of our guys. Hes a good teammate and a good player, quarterback Joe Flacco said. Its great to see him and Terrell (Suggs) walking out to practice together. It feels good.Suggs wore a smile that almost matched Ngatas. The two have been fixtures on the Baltimore defence since the start of the 2006 season and own matching Super Bowl rings. Both hope to add another to their collection in the weeks ahead.It couldnt happen at a better time, Suggs said of Ngatas return. He was missed a lot in the locker room, especially by me. The locker room is back to being complete. Its good to have one of the best interior linemen in the game going into a big playoff game like this. It was a big lift.The Ravens ran a light practice Tuesday, so it was difficult to tell whether Ngata is in game shape. When he showed up at the team complex on Monday, coach John Harbaugh gave the 340-pounder a playful poke in the stomach and deemed him ready to go.Im sure hes fine, the coach said. Hes been training. Thats what he told me. He looks good and Im sure he is. Im sure hes busting out of his skin, ready to go.Although thats an exaggeration, it isnt that far from the truth. Ngata is thankful his teammates did their part to get him back on the field this season, and now hes poised to pay them back.I just feel like I owe these guys, he said, so Im going to do whatever I can to help the team.Asked if he will seek to get a prescription for the drug or just stop using it, Ngata replied, Well just see what happens. Right now Im just focused on the Steelers.___Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ;Chicago Blackhawks Gear . "Canada," Bolland said with a smile. "Is that a question?" One day earlier, though, fellow Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri wasnt so sure his home and native land could pull off the win against the United States in the semi-finals of the Olympic hockey tournament. Chicago Blackhawks Pro Shop . Despite 11-1 records, theyre out and Big Ten winner Ohio State is into the national semifinals.BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi ended Barcelonas run of three straight losses and kept it in the Spanish league title chase by scoring a late free kick to complete its 2-1 comeback win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Messis 75th-minute goal answered some of the criticism the clubs all-time leading scorer had received for his lacklustre performances in the teams recent losses in the league, Champions League and Copa del Rey final. Barcelona was on its way to another defeat when Aritz Aduriz scored in the 50th, provoking a smattering of white handkerchiefs in the Camp Nou stands, but Pedro Rodriguez equalized when he slotted in Alexis Sanchezs scuffed strike in the 72nd. Barcelona still needed defender Javier Mascherano to block Mikel Ricos point-blank try in injury time to protect the three points after Cristian Tello had wasted one of numerous opportunities to put the result beyond doubt. "After the first half I thought that this wasnt to be our day after missing so many chances," said Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino, whose job probably depends on Barcelona catching Atletico to defend its title. "But we kept fighting. We played with a lot of heart to overcome a difficult week and a game that had turned against us. Messi defends himself on the pitch and I am happy for him." Barcelona moved provisionally into second place, four points behind leader Atletico Madrid. Madrid is two points behind Barcelona but with a game to play. Messi set up his winner after earning a foul on the edge of the area, and the Argentina forward used his left foot to finally beat Gorka Iraizoz after the goalkeeper had denied him twice. While not exactly his electrifying old self, Messi was active creating scoring chances from the start, but Alexis Sanchez sent Pedros pass off the bar from close range in the 38th. Barcelonas attack was working. Its defence, however, showed the same frailties that have plagued it in the second half of the season. Adurizs beautiful bicycle kick crashed into the post before goalkeeper Jose Pinto palmed away Markel Susaetas follow-up at thhe half-hour mark. Stitched Blackhawks Jerseys. The patience of Barcelonas fans began to fray when Bartra lost the ball near his area and Aduriz expertly drove the ball into the corner of the net. And when Messi sent the ball wide one-on-one against Iraizoz a collective groan filled the stadium. But Pedro was finally able to steer the ball in when Dani Alves began a move from the right flank to start Barcelona on its way to a much-needed victory. "We knew that after all the opinions and criticism that we have received that we had to do our job and be professionals," Mascherano said. "We have to hold on to that small hope that if we win our games we can then see what happens. We cant just let (Atletico and Madrid) slip up and not be there." Bilbaos loss put its hold on fourth place and the last Champions League in danger after Sevilla closed the gap to three points by thrashing Granada 4-0, with the Basques hosting the Andalusian side next round. Sevilla, which opens its Europa League semifinal against Valencia on Thursday, eased past Granada thanks to Diego Mainzs own goal and goals by Kevin Gameiro, Stephane Mbia and Victor Machin. Celta Vigo outclassed Almeria with a 4-2 away win as forward Manuel "Nolito" Agudo netted a double, and Paulao scored one goal and set up another, but both for the wrong team, as bottom-side Real Betis slumped to a demoralizing 3-1 defeat at Rayo Vallecano. Celta kept Almeria in the relegation zone thanks to Nolitos brace and goals by fellow forwards Charles and Fabian Orellana, while Rafina set up two scores. Paulaos nightmare began in the 14th when he left his back pass woefully short of reaching goalkeeper Adan Garrido, and Rochina Raixes poached the ball to roll it in. The Brazilian defender followed that mistake by clearing a cross into his own net in the 27th. Paulao asked to be substituted and was replaced five minutes later, with the Rayo fans in Vallecas Stadium politely applauding him to show their support. Betis was left on the brink of relegation, 10 points from safety with four games to go. ' ' '
- Created: Dec 16 '19
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