MACCA REJECTS COWARD CLAIM

Di Stefano claimed that the former Liverpool man turned his back o the ball, allowing Jens Jeremies vital space to drill home the vital second goal in the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Di Stefano said: "He is a coward. In a situation like that, you can't turn around, you cannot lose sight of the ball."

McManaman has responded, saying: "Fear? I have never been scared on the pitch, neither myself nor any of my team-mates. That word does not exist in this dressing room."

The winger tried to explain the outburst by the former Real legend, adding: "It is the same story as always, when we win there is no problem, but when we lose everyone criticises us.

"I can accept all kind of criticism, but sometimes it is very easy to speak without thinking about what you say.

"I was covering Thomas Linke and watching him. When they took the free-kick, I looked and saw Jeremies who was on his own at the edge of the area.

"I reacted and went to close him down, but I got there a bit late and I could not charge the shot down."