..::Football III::..

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Wolverine GTR

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    Full Time

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    Arsenal 1 Vs 2 Dortmund
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    Arsenal Goal(s)

    Giroud 41'

    &

    Dortmund Goal(s)

    Mkhitaryan '16
    Lewandowski 82'

     

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    Ronaldo never stops impressing, says Pepe

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    Real Madrid defender Pepe has taken the time to praise compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo following his fine start to the 2013-14 campaign.

    The prolific attacker has already netted 13 goals in 11 official appearances this season and Pepe believes the 28-year-old stands out from his team-mates for his ability to keep on impressing game after game.

    "Every single one of my team-mates has quality. All of them have shown that they deserve to be at Real Madrid," Pepe told the Bwin website.

    "However - Cristiano, because of everything that he has been doing over the past few years at Real Madrid - is a player who everyone watches and who impresses every day and in every match."

    The centre-back then went on to discuss Wednesday's Champions League encounter against Juventus and singled out Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo as the Serie A giants' key men.

    "Juventus are one of Europe’s and Italy’s big teams. They have two Champions League titles and great footballers. I hope it is a good match and that the fans enjoy it.

    "We have to respect all of their players. They have key players like Buffon and Pirlo, but I think the most important thing about them is the team as a whole."

    Madrid currently sit atop of Group B with six points from two games, holding a four-point lead over Juve.
     

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    Buffon unimpressed by Real Madrid spending

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    Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has questioned Real Madrid's big-spending ahead of their Champions League meeting on Wednesday.

    The Liga champions spent a world-record €100 million fee on Gareth Bale during the summer transfer window after previously splashing the cash on players such as Zinedine Zidane, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Buffon is not impressed with their lavish transfer policy.

    "There's not much of a difference [compared to the Madrid of Zidane, Ronaldo and Luis Figo]. The philosophy 10 years ago is the same as it is now: buy great players, entertain the crowds and maintain the prestige and great history that Real Madrid has," the Juventus goalkeeper told Marca.

    "But the reality is that in football, above all now, that's not enough to win.

    "It's better to have a project, balance and patience. Money is a good starting point but it's not enough in itself."
    Juventus currently sit second in Group B in their Champions League campaign after two draws in as many matches, traling leaders Madrid by four points.
     

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    Ronaldo: We must leave Bale alone

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    Cristiano Ronaldo has urged fans and the media not to pressurise Gareth Bale as he looks to adjust to life at Real Madrid after an injury-hit start to his time with the club.

    The 24-year-old has been struggling with physical problems ever since joining Madrid, but Ronaldo is confident that Bale will do well at the Santiago Bernabeu side if given the time and space to find his feet at his new club.

    "Gareth has been doing well since he arrived. He didn't put in a pre-season so that made things a bit more difficult for him," the Portuguese attacker said at a press conference.

    "We can't pressurise him, we must allow him to develop here. He always wants to learn, he's a fantastic guy.

    "I don't think talking about his price tag helps him and we must leave him alone in that aspect. He will do great things for the team."

    Ronaldo, 28, also had his say on the situation of Karim Benzema and insisted that the Frenchman remains an important player for Madrid.

    "Every player has good and bad moments. He is important for the team even though he might not be scoring a lot of goals.

    "He is a professional and he is always ready. I see him in good spirits, he is calm. He always looks to help out the team by scoring or otherwise."

    The 28-year-old then went on to discuss Wednesday's Champions League game against Juventus and stressed that Madrid must remain focused if they are to get a good result.

    "We have many big games in important tournaments coming up. We have six points in the group - nobody qualifies with six points. The Juventus game is a huge game.

    "We are always thinking game by game. We want to win this one. We are expecting a great Juventus team, even though they lost their last match in Serie A. We must concentrate."

    Madrid currently hold a four-point lead over the Italian champions in Group B of the Champions League.
     

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    Guardiola exactly what Bayern needed, says Ballack

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    Michael Ballack believes that Pep Guardiola was just the right man for Bayern Munich after their successful 2012-13 campaign.

    The former Barcelona coach had big boots to fill after Jupp Heynckes guided the Bavarians to a historic treble last term, but Ballack feels the 42-year-old is the perfect man for the job.

    "It's always hard to set new goals after you win the Champions League. What are your ambitions for the following season...," Ballack told Sky Sport News.

    "The change of coach was exactly what Bayern needed. Fresh challenges have arrived with Guardiola. He is absolutely world-class. He knows exactly what the players need in every situation.

    "The Champions League game against Manchester City showed that this team still has plenty to offer. That was extraordinary."

    Bayern have been in impressive form in the opening months of the season and sit atop of the Bundesliga table, while they also lead their Champions League group.
     

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    Alonso ruled out of Juventus clash

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    Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Xabi Alonso will not feature in Wednesday night's Champions League showdown with Juventus.

    The influential midfielder has not managed a single minute of first-team football this season after suffering a foot injury just as he was about to make his return from a groin problem.

    Alonso did return to full training on Monday but Ancelotti has decided against risking the Spain international against Juventus, given los Blancos face Barcelona in la Liga on Saturday evening.

    "We have all of our players available except for Xabi Alonso - but I am not going to give you my team for tomorrow [Wednesday]," the Italian told reporters on the eve of the Group B match.

    Ancelotti did admit, though, that he will resist the temptation to push Cristiano Ronaldo into a more central attacking position in spite of Karim Benzema's poor form in front of goal so far this season.

    "Ronaldo starts on the wing but he will push on and try to score from a forward position - it's very hard to score from the wing," the former AC Milan boss mused.

    "We are not so crazy as to change the position of a player who scores 40 or 50 goals from a particular area of the pitch."

    Ancelotti refused to confirm if Gareth Bale will start, admitting that Angel Di Maria could well get the nod on the right wing.

    "Di Maria is playing well," he enthused. "He is full of confidence. He has a lot of character. I hope he continues that way as he is very important for us, as he can play in many positions."

    Juventus are sweating on the fitness of Arturo Vidal and Ancelotti admits that the Chile international would be a big loss for the Bianconeri despite their strength in depth.

    "Juventus in general have many players with a lot of quality," he pointed out. "Arturo Vidal is very important: he can score and move about the pitch well.

    "He has shown his quality. But, individuals aside, their overall strength lies in their organisation."

    Ancelotti, of course, spent two years in charge of Juve between 1999 and 2001 and when asked what has changed since his spell in Turin, the 54-year-old joked: "My hair!

    "No, many things have changed. I have more experience now. My experience at Juventus was very important in terms of my growth as a coach and a person.

    "The results maybe were not great but my experiences and memories from that time are good ones."
     

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    Mandanda admits interest in Barcelona move

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    Olympique de Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has expressed his interest in joining Barcelona.

    Current Blaugrana No.1 Victor Valdes has already confirmed his intention to quit Camp Nou when his contract with the Catalans expires at the end of the season.

    The Liga champions have not yet been linked with Mandanda but the France international has confessed that if Barca did come calling, he would find it difficult to say no.

    "If a place becomes available in Barcelona, that's very good," he told L'Equipe.

    "The player that says he does not want to go to Barcelona, I think he's lying a little ... Well, a lot, actually!

    "After that, there are agents involved, and the president also, so making predictions [about what might happen] is difficult."

    Mandanda was heavily linked with Monaco during the summer but the 28-year-old insisted that his head wasn't turned by all the transfer speculation, explaining he was more than happy to stay at the Stade Velodrome.

    "It's been quite a few years I've been at l'OM for quite a few years," he mused. "There was an interesting challenge [put forward by Monaco]. But I stayed and I had no reason to be unmotivated.

    "I am, first and foremost, a competitor, a great professional. I also know that I have a debt to l'OM, who picked me up in Le Havre while I was only the second goalie.

    "Here, I feel important, appreciated by everyone. The fans have always been behind me. I want to justify the confidence of an entire club in me."

    "I am not envious, sincerely. I am here. During pre-season training, I had a discussion with the coach.

    "It lasted 30 seconds. I told him, 'I'm staying, I am completely here!"

    Mandanda added that while he has the utmost confidence in himself, he knows that there are better goalkeepers out there at the moment.

    "I'm not the best," he stated. "The best is Manuel Neuer; he is very complete, very consistent.

    "After him, there solid players such as [Gianluigi] Buffon. [Petr] Cech is having a special season.

    "Young people like [Thibaut] Courtois and [Simon] Mignolet have also arrived. To place them in relation to me is tricky."
     

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    Rooney wanted Ozil signing, says Ferguson

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    Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Wayne Rooney questioned his decision not to sign Mesut Ozil during the summer of 2010.

    The England international announced his intention to leave Manchester United that year, citing the club's lack of ambition, only to sign a contract extension days later.

    And Ferguson has now claimed that the former Everton man brought up the club's failure to sign the Germany star, who moved to Real Madrid from Werder Bremen that summer, as an example.

    "At that meeting, he [Rooney] was hugely sheepish. I felt he’d been programmed in what he was trying to say. The basis of his complaint was that we were not sufficiently ambitious," he wrote in his autobiography.

    "My response was to ask Wayne: ‘When have we not challenged for the league in the last 20 years? How many European finals have we been to in the last three or four years?

    "I told him to say we weren’t ambitious was a nonsense. Wayne said that we should have pursued Mesut Ozil, who had joined Real Madrid from Werder Bremen.

    "My reply was that it was none of his business who we should have gone for. I told him it was his job to play and perform. My job was to pick the correct teams. And so far I had been getting it right."
     

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    Arsenal, Chelsea & Manchester United keep tabs on Lewandowski

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    Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have not given up hope of snatching Robert Lewandowski from under the noses of Bayern Munich in January, Goal understands.

    Bayern remain strong favourites to clinch the signing of the striker, who will spearhead the Borussia Dortmund attack against Arsenal in Tuesday’s mouthwatering Champions League clash, on a free transfer at the end of the season.

    But the Premier League trio are keeping tabs on Lewandowski’s situation ahead of the January window, when he is allowed to enter into official talks and sign a pre-contract with a new club.


    Goal has learned that Arsenal, Chelsea and United have all made contact with the Poland international’s representatives to register their interest in capturing the player. Manchester City have also been alerted to Lewandowski’s potential availability but they would need to free up a space in their ranks by selling one of their four strikers, most likely Edin Dzeko.

    Arsenal and Chelsea are both in the market for a new striker, while United made no secret of their bid to sign Lewandowski earlier in the year and still retain an interest as Wayne Rooney harbours doubts about extending his Old Trafford contract.

    The interest of the English clubs is believed to have been expressed even before Lewandowski's carefully-worded comments about his future in the build-up to Poland’s World Cup qualifier against England last week.

    "I will be able to sign a contract with any club in January, but I have never said I will sign a contract with Bayern," said the 25-year-old. "One day, I would like to play in the Premier League. It would be a great experience."

    Reports in Germany have suggested that Bayern manager Pep Guardiola is having second thoughts about Lewandowski although the European champions remain in pole position to prise the Pole from the Westfalenstadion.

    Dortmund are adamant that, although Lewandowski can commit himself in January, he will not be sold until the end of the season as the second-placed Bundesliga club need him for the entire campaign.

    Lewandowski has scored nine goals in 12 games for Dortmund this season, including six in the German league.
     

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    Llorente: Juventus brimming with confidence ahead of Madrid clash

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    Fernando Llorente is confident that Juventus have what it takes to record a positive result against Real Madrid in Wednesday's Champions League game.

    The Serie A champions have struggled in Europe so far after having to settle for a draw against Copenhagen and Galatasaray, but the striker feels the match at the Santiago Bernabeu could be a turning point, even though he realises it will not be an easy game.

    "It’s a good opportunity for us to claim some points, but we know that it won’t be easy because Madrid are a great team," Llorente told Juventus TV.

    "However, we believe in our chances. They’re a complicated side to face. They let you play, but then create plenty of danger when in possession."

    The 28-year-old then went on to admit that he's pleased to briefly return to his native country, while he is keen to find the net against Madrid.

    "It’s pleasing for me to play against a Spanish side, even more so when it’s an important one such as Real Madrid. We need to show what we’re capable of producing.

    "I’ve already scored twice at the Bernabeu. It’s a truly impressive stadium. When you come out of the dressing rooms it really does hit you.

    "I think it’s one of the most majestic footballing venues and playing there is different to any other stadium."

    Wednesday's encounter at the Bernabeu kicks off at 20:45CET.
     

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    Porto 0-1 Zenit: Late Kerzhakov strike defeats Dragoes

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    Ten-man Porto held on until late in the game as Aleksandr Kerzhakov sealed a 1-0 win for Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    The forward's 86th-minute header was enough for the visitors, who laboured to take advantage of Porto playing much of the game a man down.

    The hosts found themselves reduced to 10 men after six minutes of the Group G clash as Hector Herrera saw yellow twice in the space of a minute.

    However, Zenit failed to make the extra man count for much of the game and, aside from a pair of Hulk chances in the second half, rarely threatened home goalkeeper Helton.

    Porto more than held their own after the early setback, and twice hit the woodwork in a tie they arguably deserved to win. But the deadlock was finally broken four minutes from time as Kerzhakov sealed the three points for Luciano Spalletti's men.

    The victory lifts Zenit to second in the pool, leapfrogging Porto in the process.

    Paulo Fonseca made wholesale changes from the Porto team that triumphed over Segunda Liga basement club Trofense in the Taca de Portugal third round on Saturday.

    Zenit, meanwhile, brought Cristian Ansaldi, Viktor Faizulin and Oleg Shatov in for Domenico Criscito, Konstantin Zyryanov and the suspended Axel Witsel after their 2-0 Russian top-flight win against CSKA Moscow last Friday.

    The game got off to a nightmare start for the hosts at a far-from-full Estadio do Dragao, with Herrera sent off after receiving two yellow cards within six minutes.

    His first for a reckless challenge on former Porto striker Hulk was immediately followed by a foolish second for encroachment on the resulting free kick, meaning the Mexican marked his full Champions League debut with the fastest dismissal for a double booking in the competition’s history.

    Despite being a man down, it was Porto who had the better of the chances early on, with Lucho Gonzalez rattling the angle between post and crossbar from 20 yards after 20 minutes and a stretching Lica unable to take advantage of the rebound.

    Zenit struggled to settle and were reduced to speculative efforts from distance, with their best chance of the half being a curling Roman Shirokov effort from the edge of the area that drifted just beyond the far post.

    With the match crying out for an injection of energy after the break, Porto substitute Silvestre Varela provided something of a spark as he cut in from the right, skipping past two defenders in the process, before skewing his strike wide of the left post.

    Moments later at the other end, Hulk robbed Nicolas Otamendi of possession just outside the penalty area, but was denied by the outstretched foot of Helton after finding himself through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

    And Helton had to be alert again in the 65th minute, as Hulk powered a thunderbolt of a free-kick in his direction from 25 yards. It was too hot to handle, but the Brazilian punched clear to deny his former team-mate.

    Varela, who looked lively after replacing Lica, went close for the hosts once again with just over 10 minutes left to play. He turned on the edge of the area and fired an effort against the Zenit crossbar, with goalkeeper Yuri Lodygin beaten.

    However, it was Zenit who finally opened the scoring as Kerzhakov rose highest to head home from an excellent cross from Hulk on the right wing.
     

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    Celtic 2-1 Ajax: Ten-man Bhoys seal crucial win

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    Celtic took all three points against Ajax with a 2-1 win at Parkhead in the Champions League.

    James Forrest gave Neil Lennon's men the lead with a first half penalty before Kayal forced Stefano Denswil turned into his own net to double the host's lead.

    Celtic managed to hold on to the victory despite Nir Biton's second-half dismissal.
     

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    Olympique de Marseille 1-2 Napoli: Callejon & Zapata seal victory

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    Napoli kept their hopes of qualification for the Champions League knock-out stages intact with a 2-1 win at Marseille on Tuesday.The Italian side headed into the game looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the previous round of Group F.

    Marseille were without a point following losses against the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund, and their hopes of progression were dealt a further blow as Napoli cruised to a comfortable victory.

    Former Real Madrid winger Jose Callejon and Colombian attacker Duvan Zapata put Napoli command, before Andre Ayew pulled one back for Marseille to set up a tense finish.

    Napoli sit joint top of the pool on six points with Arsenal and Dortmund following the German side's 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium, but Marseille are well adrift at the bottom.

    Dimitri Payet returned for Marseille after serving a domestic suspension at the weekend, while defender Souleymane Diawara and midfielder Benoit Cheyrou also came in to the side.

    The inclusion of striker Gonzalo Higuain was one of four changes made by Napoli coach Rafa Benitez, who also restored winger Dries Mertens to the starting XI in place of Lorenzo Insigne following Friday's Serie A defeat to Roma.Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda was tested early when he was forced into a fine diving save to prevent winger Mertens from finding the net with a free-kick after just two minutes.

    However, Napoli controlled much of the early stages and, although midfielder Cheyrou went close for Marseille, they should have taken the lead in the 13th minute when defender Pablo Armero fired wide from close range.

    The hosts frustrated Benitez’s side for long periods, but they were almost caught out on the counter-attack when Higuain inexplicably fired wide with only Mandanda to beat.

    But, three minutes before the break, Napoli did deservedly go ahead as Callejon displayed great control to bring down Higuain's wonderful ball over the top before cutting inside Rod Fanni and firing a half-volley beyond Mandanda.Marseille made a quick start to the second half, and nearly drew level seven minutes after the break, only for Payet to head over the bar.

    Elie Baup's side dictated the play for large periods as they looked to try and craft an equaliser, but their lack of quality in front of goal was summed up when Ayew failed to connect with a right-wing cross from Payet.

    And their hopes were all but ended after 66 minutes when substitute Zapata curled a glorious right-footed effort into the top corner after latching on to a deft flick-on from Mertens.

    Marseille laboured to try and find a way back into the game in the closing stages and, although Ayew found the net with a superb low volley four minutes from time, the 1992-93 European champions could not complete a late comeback and now face an uphill struggle to avoid finishing bottom of the group.
     

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    AC Milan 1-1 Barcelona: Messi strikes to deny Milan

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    Lionel Messi struck his sixth goal against Milan in the Champions League to earn Barcelona a 1-1 draw in their Group H clash with AC Milan at San Siro on Tuesday.

    The hosts took the lead early in the match with a well-worked move that saw Kaka set-up his Brazilian team-mate Robinho to give Milan an eighth-minute lead.

    But Messi, who was making his first start since recovering from a thigh problem, saved a point for the Catalans.

    Robinho and Adriano Correia both missed excellent opportunities to secure all three points in the second half, but neither could force either goalkeeper into action.

    Marco Amelia replaced Christian Abbiati in goal for the hosts, while Mario Balotelli was fit enough to take his place on the bench after recovering from thigh problem of his own.

    Messi returned to the Barcelona starting line-up after coming on a substitute in Barca's goalless draw with Osasuna at the weekend, although Carles Puyol was rested.

    Milan started well and looked threatening with Kaka and Robinho, and the latter opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

    The Brazilian pair linked up well on the counter attack and, when Kaka rolled a perfect pass across the penalty area, Robinho made no mistake as he fired past Victor Valdes.

    Barcelona raised their game after being stunned by the former Real Madrid striker's goal and began to control large spells of possession, Messi going close to an equaliser from a free-kick before he did level the scores midway through the first half.

    Messi drifted in off the right to receive a pass from Iniesta, beat his defender and rifled the ball into the bottom corner to give Amelia no chance.

    Both sides had chances to take the lead before half-time, but both Philippe Mexes and Alexis Sanchez missed from close range.

    The hosts should have retaken the lead seven minutes into the second half only for Robinho to miss when unmarked inside the penalty area.

    Milan broke on the counter attack as Sulley Muntari was released down the left and he delivered an early cross into the penalty area that evaded Gerard Pique and left the Brazilian with the simple task of firing home, but he missed his kick and the ball rolled to safety.

    With twenty minutes remaining, Adriano could have scored for the Liga side but wasted a fantastic opportunity. The Brazilian was picked out perfectly by Messi, after escaping the attentions of Kaka, but fired wide from close range.

    The result leaves Barcelona top of Group H with seven points, two clear of Milan after their opening three matches.
     

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    Arsenal 1-2 Borussia Dortmund: Lewandowski goal downs Gunners

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    Robert Lewandowski's late goal condemned Arsenal to their first defeat since the opening day of the season in a 2-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    Arsene Wenger, who celebrated his 64th birthday on Tuesday, saw his Arsenal side start slowly and the Premier League leaders were quickly punished when Henrikh Mkhitaryan shot past Wojciech Szczesny.

    Olivier Giroud was on hand to draw Arsenal level shortly before the break, as he took his tally for the season to nine, before Robert Lewandowski grabbed the winner for last season's beaten finalists eight minutes from time.

    The hosts brought former Dortmund midfielder Tomas Rosicky in for the injured Mathieu Flamini, while Ramsey regained his starting spot ahead of Santi Cazorla, having come off the bench to score his fifth Premier League goal of the season against Norwich City on Saturday.

    Jurgen Klopp served the second and final game of his touchline ban after being sent to the stands against Napoli in September and he made three changes from Saturday's 1-0 win against Hannover.

    Mats Hummels returned in defence along with Marcel Schmelzer, who made his first start for the club since September following a thigh injury.

    Jakub Blaszczykowski was preferred ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    Assistant coach Zeljko Buvac took Klopp's place in the dugout and saw Dortmund enjoy more possession early on, but were unable to test Szczesny, with Kevin Grosskreutz and Hummels both firing well over in the opening six minutes.

    Marco Reus powered an effort just past Szczesny's right-hand post before the Germany international dispossessed Ramsey well to allow Mkhitaryan a sight on goal after 16 minutes.

    Robert Lewandowski then played the loose ball into the Armenia international, who fired low past a helpless Szczesny to put the visitors in front with his first Champions League goal for the club.

    Arsenal's first attempt came six minutes later, with Laurent Koscielny heading a Mesut Ozil free kick over Roman Weidenfeller's bar before Jack Wilshere almost got on the end of a clipped Rosicky through-ball, only for it to get away from him and roll behind for a goal kick.

    The home side continued to grow into the game and were almost rewarded when Rosicky's shot was blocked on the line by Neven Subotic, with Weidenfeller beaten, eight minutes from the break.

    The Premier League leaders were level just three minutes late, however, courtesy of Giroud's close-range finish after a defensive mix-up from the visitors.

    Bacary Sagna's delivery clipped Subotic, causing Weidenfeller to fumble, with Giroud on hand to level in emphatic fashion as he scored his second in as many Champions League matches.

    Grosskreutz had the first chance of the second half for the visitors, but he saw his sidefooted effort saved easily by Szczesny before substitute Cazorla hit the angle of post and bar with a curled effort from outside the area.

    Dortmund got the crucial goal after 82 minutes, courtesy of Lewandowski's 10th strike of the season.

    The Poland international ghosted in at the far post to calmly stroke home Grosskreutz's delivery and ensure Dortmund ended Arsenal's 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
     

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    Schalke 0-3 Chelsea: Torres double sees off die Knappen

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    Fernando Torres starred with a double as Schalke were beaten 3-0 at home to Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    The Spain striker, making his 100th start for Chelsea, opened the scoring with an early header and was on target again in the second half to take his tally to five goals in his last five Champions League games.

    And Eden Hazard put the icing on the cake with a third goal three minutes from time as Schalke pressed forward.

    Jose Mourinho's side did not have things all their own way in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday, but the victory ensured they are now joint top of Group E along with their German opponents.Schalke won their opening two matches in the group and had not conceded a goal before facing Chelsea, but a lack of cutting edge in the absence of injured duo Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Jefferson Farfan was evident.

    Mourinho made five changes to the Chelsea side that beat Cardiff City in the Premier League on Saturday, with Cesar Azpilicueta starting in an unfamiliar left-back role as Ryan Bertrand dropped to the bench.

    Huntelaar (knee) and Farfan (groin) were sidelined for the hosts, but they did welcome back midfielders Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jermaine Jones along with goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand.

    Torres was another player recalled to Chelsea's line-up and he took less than two minutes to make his presence felt, turning sharply in the box and unleashing a shot that was deflected for a corner.

    And the Spain striker opened the scoring three minutes later when Frank Lampard's corner was flicked on by Branislav Ivanovic and Torres stooped unmarked at the back post to head home.

    Schalke started to get into their stride and marauding right-back Atsuto Uchida burst into the Chelsea penalty area but blazed high and wide at full stretch after 26 minutes.Boateng stung Petr Cech's palms with a long-range drive seven minutes before half-time and from the resulting corner the Chelsea keeper had to be alert once again to tip over Roman Neustadter's towering header.

    Torres was unfortunate not to double Chelsea's lead five minutes after the break when he met Lampard's inviting free kick with a glancing header that struck the bar.

    The 29-year-old then got on the end of another Lampard corner but headed wide at the far post from close range before Cech palmed away a shot from Benedikt Howedes at the other end.Howedes had another great chance but headed wide after 66 minutes and he was made to pay when Chelsea extended their advantage three minutes later.

    Schalke were caught in possession in midfield and Chelsea broke sharply, with Oscar racing down the right and finding Torres, who took a touch to round Hildebrand before slotting into the empty net.

    And Hazard added a third three minutes from time when he raced through on goal and produced a clinical left-foot finish into the far corner.
     
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