By Tim Stannard

 
Zidane in philosophical mood ahead of Champions League finale
 
Sports Burst had to do a double take at Coach Zizou of Real Madrid talking at Tuesday’s Champions League media day in the Spanish capital to see if the French manager was not clad in a black turtle-neck, sipping on some Absinthe and working his way through a packet of extra-tar Gitanes, with the lights dimmed.
 
The Madrid manager was in a philosophical bent when pondering whether reaching a third Champions League final in a row and then losing it would be considered a failure for himself and his team. The response? That depends on the concept of what it is to fail.
 
"If you have the dream, there is no failure. If you don't, there is,” opined Zizou, stopping to top up his green-liquid glass. “In life there are ups and downs and you know that, in life, you have to take blows to improve. But day-to-day, it is worth it."
 
In actual news of the event, Zidane has 25 fully fit players including his son in goal – Luca ‘Jared’ Zidane – and now has the fun choice of deciding who to drop. Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal revealed that the team regained its football mojo this year playing and defeating PSG. “At the end, we thought ‘heck’ we are not so bad,” japed the flying fullback.
 
Tune into the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for all the build-up ahead of the Champions League final on Saturday.
 
 

West Ham bring Manuel Pellegrini back to Premier League
 
Coaching Carrousel time. While Arsenal are set to unveil former PSG and Sevilla boss, Unai Emery, as the club’s first new manager in 22 years, another London club has beaten the Gunners off the block.
 
West Ham United parted company with David Moyes at the end of the season and have brought in the steady hands and brain of former Manchester City and Real Madrid manager, Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean had been coaching in China but has returned to the Premier League on a three-year deal.

Another big change sees a newbie at the top for Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga club had a disappointing season in Europe and in Germany – only just squeezing into the Champions League places – and have appointed Nice coach, Lucien Favre, as the new manager. The Swiss veteran has had previous spells in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach.
 
 

Neymar set to persevere at PSG as Andre Gomes clears locker
 
TRANSFER TRACKER TIME!
 
Starting off with a non-transfer. And perhaps to the relief of the straining internet, Neymar has apparently decided to stay put at PSG at least one more season and not make a move to Real Madrid. A chat with incoming coach, Thomas Tuchel, has reportedly convinced the Brazilian that the PSG project is alive and kicking, claims Sport on Tuesday. Tune into the XTRA at 7:00PM ET / 4:00PM PT to hear an exclusive interview with Neymar’s new task master / party planner.
 

 
Poor Andre Gomes, who has had a forgettable two years at Barcelona, has reportedly removed all of his belongings from the club’s training center, not expecting to be back next season. Gigi Buffon is still being linked with a move to PSG with Alphonse Areola jumping ship to Napoli, who is losing Pepe Reina to Milan, who might be parting ways with Gianluigi Donnarumma who could be set for Liverpool, if the Anfield club can stump up the $80 million asking price.

 
Warriors looking to move into play-off pole position
 
Time to dip into the play-offs pool. And the NBA conference finals continue on Tuesday evening with the Golden State Warriors looking to take what could be an unassailable 3-1 lead against the Houston Rockers should Steph Curry and co prevail in California (knows how to party.)
 

 Wednesday sees the continuation of a classic series encounter between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtic – currently tied at 2-2.
 
The second Stanley Cup finalist in hockey will be selected on Wednesday with the deciding play-off clash between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning to see who will meet the remarkable Las Vegas Golden Knights in the final.  
 
 

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?
The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. Sports Burst is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.