..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Basques settle for point in Champions League return

Athletic Bilbao were frustrated by Shakhtar Donetsk as the sides played out a 0-0 draw in their Champions League opener.

Athletic lost on just two occasions at San Mames in La Liga last season and enjoyed plenty of the ball in Wednesday's Group H encounter, but their lack of cutting edge in the final third allowed Shakhtar to claim a valuable away point.Ukrainian champions Shakhtar, who were lively on the break, have won all six of their domestic matches this season and they could have led at half-time had Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz not made a well-timed intervention from Darijo Srna's cross to deny Alex Teixeira an easy tap in.

The hosts' best sight of goal in the opening period came from Ibai Gomez, who showed quick thinking from a long-distance free-kick that went just wide.The match was a frantic end-to-end affair after the break, with Shakhtar's lightning pace on the counter causing Athletic trouble.Shakhtar's Douglas Costa brought the best out of Iraizoz with around 20 minutes to go, but the game finished goalless.

Athletic settled well and created the first opportunity in the third minute when Oscar de Marcos found space on the right before picking out Mikel Rico in the penalty area, only for the midfielder to fire wide.Shakhtar too looked dangerous in an open start to the match and Taras Stepanenko tested Iraizoz with a low 20-yard drive from the left.And Iraizoz was called into action again in the 17th minute.

With Athletic captain Carlos Gurpegui off the pitch following a heavy collision with Marcio Azevedo, Srna provided an excellent low cross into the area, forcing Iraizoz to parry to safety with Teixeira lurking.Shortly before the half-hour mark, Athletic's Gomez almost caught Shakhtar off guard with an audacious free-kick wide on the right that curled into the side netting.

Athletic then had a penalty shout shortly before half-time when Yaroslav Rakitskiy nudged Aritz Aduriz to ground in the area, but referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos was unmoved.The hosts' midfield controlled possession at the start of the second half, but the best they could muster on goal was Aymeric Laporte's tame effort that was easily held by Andriy Pyatov.

As the half wore on, Shakhtar looked arguably the more likely to score, Laporte making one particularly crucial block to deny Teixeira.Iraizoz produced a fine stop from the lively Douglas Costa in the 68th minute, cutting onto to his left-foot before fizzing a 20-yard shot that the keeper turned away low to his right.

Shakhtar did have the ball in the net soon after when Oleksandr Kucher's header was tapped home by Teixeira, but the whistle had long since gone for offside.
The visitors appeared to tire as the match neared a conclusion and Athletic dominated the final 15 minutes.

Again, though, Ernesto Valverde's side were left wanting in the final third, as Markel Susaeta came closest by stinging the palms of Pyatov from the edge of the box in injury-time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Roma 5-1 CSKA Moscow: Gervinho ruthlessly guts Russians

Roma returned to the Champions League in superb style with an emphatic 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

Juan Iturbe, Gervinho and Francesco Totti had all been named among the substitutes for Sunday's 1-0 Serie A win at Empoli, but two of them found the net in a dominant Group E display at the Stadio Olimpico.

Iturbe broke the deadlock after being sent through on goal by Gervinho, before the former Arsenal man got his name on the scoresheet four minutes later.Maicon's third will have goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev wincing when he watches the highlights, and Gervinho doubled his tally before the break after being picked out on the right wing by Totti.

A dismal performance got worse for CSKA five minutes into the second half when Sergei Ignashevich put the ball into his own net and, although Ahmed Musa bundled home later on, the damage had long since been done.The result represents Roma's biggest-ever win in the competition as they made a statement of intent.

Garcia's men looked dangerous from the first whistle and took the lead in the sixth minute.Gervinho was the architect, slicing the CSKA defence open with an incisive through ball that left Iturbe to simply prod beyond Akinfeev.

The roles were reversed four minutes later, when Gervinho collected an Iturbe pass in the centre of the penalty area and composed himself before doubling the hosts' advantage with a poked effort.

Seydou Doumbia surged forward in the 16th minute as CSKA sought to reduce the deficit, but the Cote d'Ivoire international inexplicably tripped while bearing down on goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.

Maicon added a third in the 20th minute, when he found himself in acres of space on the right and moved into the penalty area before powering home through the weak hands of Akinfeev – evoking memories of a similar howler by the goalkeeper for Russia at this year's World Cup.

There was some concern for Roma when Iturbe limped off in the 25th minute, but Gervinho soon brought the smiles back to the faces of the home fans by once again exposing the dreadful visiting defence – deceiving Ignashevich with a neat pull-back and then firing in a left-footed effort.Miralem Pjanic could have made it five before the break, but his shot was met with an excellent one-handed save by Akinfeev.

There was no let-up from Roma at the beginning of the second half, and Ignashevich headed into his own net from a Pjanic cross to pile on the misery after 50 minutes.Doumbia shot into the side-netting and hit the crossbar in quick succession in a vain attempt to produce an unlikely fightback, before play was stopped temporarily as flares were thrown from the stands.

Musa's solitary late strike - a chip over De Sanctis - will have done nothing to lift the spirits of the travelling fans and although Georgi Schennikov also hit the crossbar, the Russian outfit were outclassed and will be eager to put their Roman rout behind them.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Porto 6-0 BATE: Brahimi shines in easy win

A scintillating Yacine Brahimi hat-trick propelled Porto to a 6-0 win over BATE in their Champions League Group H opener on Wednesday.

The 27-time Portuguese champions claimed just one home point from a possible nine before failing to reach the knockout stages in last season's competition, but an early opener and a superb second from the Algeria winger put them firmly in control at the Estadio do Dragao.

Jackson Martinez, with his 67th goal on his 101st Porto appearance, made it 3-0 with a bullet header before the break and Brahimi completed his treble when he curled home a brilliant free-kick before going off to a standing ovation after 59 minutes.

Adrian Lopez and Vincent Aboubakar scored their first goals since joining from Atletico Madrid and Lorient respectively, ensuring that Porto comfortably recorded their biggest Champions League victory in what was their 200th appearance in Europe's elite club competition.Julen Lopetegui's side have now also kept clean sheets in six of their past seven outings in all competitions.

Lopetegui urged his Porto players to get an early goal in the build-up to the game, and it took Brahimi merely five minutes to do precisely that.BATE goalkeeper Sergei Chernik inexplicably threw the ball out to the Algeria player, who burst into the box and thundered it into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

With Ricardo Quaresma producing a couple of crowd-pleasing flicks and Brahimi looking dangerous every time he received possession, Porto appeared in complete control.But the home side nevertheless required the alertness and bravery of goalkeeper Fabiano to stay in front after 11 minutes.

Vitali Rodionov arched a fine pass behind the Porto defence for Mikhail Gordeychuk to run on to, but Fabiano rushed from his line, flung himself at the feet of the Belarus midfielder and gathered the ball.Martinez then volleyed the ball against the outside of the post before Chernik made a great save from a Maicon header following a superb left-wing cross from Alex Sandro.

Brahimi made it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark – and in electrifying fashion.
The 24-year-old, signed from Granada for just a €6.5million after he impressed at the World Cup, collected possession in his own half, sprinted past one challenge to the edge of the box, cut inside another and unleashed a fierce, low drive that went in off the inside of the post.

It got worse for BATE eight minutes before half-time. A defensive mistake allowed Danilo time and space down the right and, from the 23-year-old's excellent cross, Martinez got in front of his man and powerfully headed home.Illya Aleksiyevich tested Fabiano at the start of the second half, but it was merely brief respite from incessant Porto pressure.

Quaresma hypnotised his marker with step-overs and produced a brilliant cross from the right. Martinez once again had the desire and strength to beat his man to the ball, only to see his thumping header come back off the crossbar.Brahimi then darted through the midfield and drew a free-kick on the edge of the box. The former Rennes and Granada player took it himself, curling the ball over the wall and inside the post after 57 minutes.

It was 5-0 four minutes later, Lopez pouncing on a loose ball in the area and flicking it over the onrushing Chernik.And Aboubakar, unmarked in the box, completed the rout after 76 minutes.

 

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Chelsea 1-1 Schalke: Fabregas strike not enough for below-par Blues

Chelsea laboured to a 1-1 draw against Schalke in their Champions League Group G opener as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar cancelled out Cesc Fabregas' early strike.

Didier Drogba, Eden Hazard and Loic Remy were all guilty of wasting presentable chances in the second half as Huntelaar slotted home past Thibaut Courtois to claim a surprise point for the visitors.

Jose Mourinho's side prevailed 3-0 against the same opponents both at home and away in the 2013-14 competition and went into Wednesday's Group G clash in great heart after four straight Premier League wins.

In contrast, Schalke had made their worst start to a Bundesliga campaign for 46 years, picking up just one point from their first three fixtures.

Chelsea gave in-form striker Costa a well-earned break on the bench and turned to 2012 Champions League final hero Drogba to lead the line, with Filipe Luis handed his first start and Ramires and Willian back in the side.

Schalke brought back key players such as Julian Draxler and Huntelaar from Saturday's 4-1 Bundesliga loss at Borussia Monchengladbach, but captain Benedikt Howedes was one of seven players to miss out through injury.

Ramires fluffed an early chance as his shot trickled into the hands of Ralf Fahrmann, but Fabregas made no mistake when set up by Hazard after 10 minutes, although the Spaniard was fortunate not to be pulled up for a foul on Max Meyer in the build-up.

The home team continued to enjoy plenty of possession, Hazard was a constant threat whenever on the ball and Drogba got a header on target from a superb Filipe Luis cross.

Fabregas missed a glorious opportunity to double the lead on 35 minutes when blasting over the bar after Branislav Ivanovic had cut the ball back into his path from the byline.

Kevin-Prince Boateng did manage to test Thibaut Courtois with a sweetly-struck long-range strike and Draxler dragged a shot just wide after a strong run into the box prior to half-time.

Drogba failed to connect with a fiercely-hit Willian cross early in the second period and Ivanovic forced Fahrmann into a solid save before John Terry, on his 600th start, was booked for a late challenge on Draxler.

And Drogba then screwed another clear-cut chance just wide before Huntelaar showed him how it should be done when he dispossessed Fabregas in his own half, raced upfield to receive the ball from Draxler and cut in from the left before firing low past Courtois on 62 minutes.

Oscar replaced Ramires on 66 minutes as Mourinho tried to add more creative flair, while Costa and Remy came on seven minutes later. And it was the France striker who almost made an immediate impact when his shot was headed off the line by Roman Neustadter.

Hazard fired just over and then just failed to connect properly with a great pass from Fabregas, but Schalke held out for a point.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Maribor 1-1 Sporting: Nani goal ruled out by late Zahovic strike

Sporting were left stunned when a stoppage-time equaliser from Maribor's Luka Zahovic ruled out a late Nani strike to end their Champions League clash 1-1 on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old Portugal-born forward and son of ex-Porto and Benfica attacking midfielder Zlatko Zahovic salvaged the Slovenians a point in dramatic circumstances at Stadion Ljudski vrt after Nani appeared to have given Sporting an opening Group G win.Sporting had themselves not appeared in the group phase since 2008-09, although the Primeira Liga side looked far more settled from the start, with Andre Carrillo striking the crossbar in the 26th minute.

Maribor eventually came to life towards the end of the first period and Aleksander Rajcevic hit the post with a powerful header.But it was in the final 10 minutes that the tempo was finally increased as on-loan Manchester United man Nani broke the deadlock, only for substitute Zahovic to arrive off the bench to level matters in the third minute of stoppage time.

Sporting coach Marco Silva had attempted to play down the favourites' tag in the build-up, although his side soon found their rhythm as they dominated possession during the early stages.The first chance of the game fell to the hosts, though, as forward Agim Ibraimi raced past Mouhamadou Naby Sarr and forced Rui Patricio to parry a stinging effort around the post with nine minutes gone.

Sporting responded as an attacking force 10 minutes later when Jefferson's curling free-kick towards the near post from the right flank had Jasmin Handanovic scrambling across his goal.

Nani then skewed a shot just wide a few moments later.The visitors should have taken the lead through Carrillo in the 26th minute. The Peruvian linked up excellently with Islam Slimani on the edge of the area following a darting run inside, but he first fired straight at Handanovic when one-on-one and then struck the crossbar after collecting the rebound.

Maribor grew into the game at the end of the first half and, after spurning a couple of half-chances, Rajcevic nodded Dare Vrsic's free kick delivery on to Rui Patricio's right-hand post.Sporting started the second half with renewed focus and they almost broke the deadlock in the 47th minute when Slimani's header from a Nani cross was knocked wide by Handanovic.

At the other end, Marcos Tavares – Maribor's play-off hero against Celtic with the goal that sent them through – went close twice.The Brazilian saw an initial effort drop just wide of the post following a deflection off Cedric and then, just after the hour mark, his 20-yard attempt narrowly missed the target.

Nani, meanwhile, drew Handanovic into a smart stop in the 64th minute. But the on-loan winger was not to be denied in the 80th minute, as he jinked onto his left foot after cutting in from the right flank and sent a low effort into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.

Sporting almost added a second following a goalmouth scramble but Maribor escaped and responded in the best possible fashion, with teenager Zahovic - an 82nd-minute substitute - arriving in the right place at the right time to head his sixth goal of the season after Mauricio had missed his clearance.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona 1-0 APOEL: Pique heads hosts to unconvincing victory

Gerard Pique headed in the only goal of the game as Barcelona opened their Champions League campaign with a low-key 1-0 victory over APOEL on Wednesday.

Pique nodded home in the 28th minute to help Barca - and their new head coach Luis Enrique - kick off their Group F campaign with maximum points, although the determined Cypriot side offered a sterner test than many had predicted.

The Spanish giants' triumph ultimately continued a 100 per cent start to the tenure of Enrique, who took the reins following Gerardo Martino's ill-fated campaign at the helm in 2013-14.

Having managed to once again align a defensive nous with the kind of possessional dominance that was the hallmark of the Pep Guardiola years, Barcelona are beginning to look imposing.Unsurprisingly, they had too much for APOEL, with Barca's excellent defence - who have yet to concede this term - yielding only a single shot on target as Luis Enrique's men followed up La Liga wins over Elche, Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao.Any thoughts that the new coach might take APOEL lightly were soon put to rest as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Munir El Haddadi started together up front.

Messi was on hand immediately to illustrate his threat, forcing goalkeeper Urko Pardo into a solid save with a dipping free kick.That set the early tone as Barcelona controlled possession, with Xavi - who has become more of a bit-part player under Enrique - at the centre of their good work.Their impressive build-up play did not glean too many chances, although Neymar did curl a shot just wide midway through the opening period.

However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 28th minute, Pique finding space in the area to nod Messi's pin-point free-kick into the corner.There was little sign of an APOEL response, with Barca quickly settling back into a methodical passing rhythm.

And the Spanish giants should have gone two up in the 40th minute when Messi uncharacteristically hit straight at Pardo following Neymar's pull back.Picking up where they had left off, Barcelona pressed forward further at the start of the second period.

But the visitors continued to defend impressively in numbers, with Luis Enrique's side struggling to find a way through their rearguard.APOEL managed to offer the odd moment of alarm for the hosts, too, even if their final ball left plenty to be desired.The Spaniards brought Andres Iniesta on for his long-time partner in midfield Xavi, yet even his introduction could not bring a second.

Barca were again denied just before the 90-minute mark, substitute Sandro shooting narrowly wide from just outside the area.That seemed set to be the catalyst for a thrilling finale as Messi saw an effort cleared off the line by Mario Sergio before, at the other end, Marc-Andre ter Stegen was forced into his first save in the dying moments.

The goalkeeper reacted smartly to turn away Gustavo Manduca's effort and snuff out hopes of a famous draw for the visitors.

 

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Ajax 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain: Schone rescues point for Dutch giants

A Lasse Schone free-kick denied Paris Saint-Germain victory in their Champions League opener as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax.

Having reached the quarter-finals in each of the last two seasons, Laurent Blanc's side headed into this year's competition eager to prove themselves a powerhouse of European football.

Wednesday's game gave the Ligue 1 champions a chance to put pressure on group favourites Barcelona from the beginning but they passed up the opportunity as Schone rescued a point for the Dutch side.Edinson Cavani gave PSG the lead in the first half of a fixture that saw his strike partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic return to the club with whom he made a name for himself.

The visitors had an array of chances to make the game safe but paid the penalty for failing to net for a second time as Denmark midfielder Schone found the top corner to secure a point and delight the home fans at the Amsterdam ArenA.PSG dictated possession in the early stages and were rewarded in the 14th minute when Cavani opened the scoring with the first real chance of the game.

The Uruguay international slotted into an empty net on the rebound from Ibrahimovic's blocked effort after Ajax full-back Nicolai Boilesen had conceded possession to Lucas Moura.

Blanc's men continued to apply pressure on the Ajax goal, but were unable to craft any further openings as the home defence performed with admirable solidity.All of Ajax's good work at the back was almost undone straight after the interval when Niklas Moisander squandered the ball immediately from the second-half kick-off, but Lucas fired wide with only goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to beat.

Frank de Boer's team came close to capitalising on Lucas' profligacy in the 49th minute, substitute Niki Zimling shooting over the crossbar from long range before Ibrahimovic reminded Ajax of the visitors' considerable threat by narrowly missing the target at the end of a free-flowing move.Lucas continued to be at the forefront of PSG's forays forward and would have found the goal his performance perhaps merited if not for Cillessen. The Netherlands goalkeeper produced a diving save to tip the shot round the post after the Brazilian had been played through by a superb ball from Ibrahimovic.

Cillessen was then called into action again to deny former Ajax man Gregory van der Wiel at his near post as PSG continued to spurn chances, with Marquinhos the next to miss as he headed off target.And PSG's lack of composure in front of goal was finally punished in the 74th minute, Schone curling beyond Salvatore Sirigu, who could not keep the ball out despite getting a hand to the shot.

Schone then almost completed an unlikely turnaround three minutes later with a low drive from a set-piece that forced Sirigu to turn the ball onto the woodwork.
Blanc's side pushed forward again to try and steal the three points, but Ajax stood firm to hold on for a draw that should give them hope of competing in a pool that also contains Barcelona and APOEL.

 

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Athletic haven't found Herrera successor - Valverde

Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde admits he is still searching for the best formula to replace midfielder Ander Herrera.

Valverde was speaking after Athletic started their Champions League Group H campaign with a 0-0 draw against Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk at San Mames on Wednesday.Mikel Rico and Ander Iturraspe were employed in central midfield for the fixture and the pair enjoyed plenty of the ball, but Athletic's cutting edge in the attacking third of the pitch was too often left wanting.

And Valverde concedes that his midfield remains a work in progress following Herrera's summer departure to Premier League giants Manchester United.
"I have different possibilities for the position occupied by Herrera," he said. "I'm doing tests."Reflecting on Wednesday's match, Valverde admits his men were frustrated by a Shakhtar side who refused to let Athletic play their natural game and he was ultimately happy to settle for a point.

"I see the draw from a positive point of view," he added. "We have faced a great team."We have suffered for the point. We could not play our game. We have committed more errors than we would have desired."

 

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Ibrahimovic: Of course I'm the 'son of God'

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has cheekily suggested it is obvious he is the "son of God", which a banner held by Ajax fans referred to in Paris Saint-Germain's 1-1 draw with the Dutch side on Wednesday.

The Swede striker made his Champions League debut for the Eredivisie club exactly 12 years ago and he returned to the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday with French champions PSG.

He failed to cap the homecoming with a goal, however, as striking team-mate Edinson Cavani scored the opener for Laurent Blanc's men before Lasse Schone's free kick pegged the Ligue 1 championsback to level footing.

Ibrahimovic was asked after the match who he thought the banner at Ajax's ground reading 'Welcome back son of God' was directed at and the former Barcelona forward had no doubts.

"No, of course it was for me", he told reporters with a smile when it was suggested it might have been directed at former Ajax players Maxwell or Gregory van der Wiel.

"It was special for me to return to play here, it was a beautiful night. But now PSG have to react and take points from Barcelona."

PSG will have a chance to exact some revenge on Group F table-toppers Barcelona for being eliminated from the Champions League by them two seasons ago at Parc des Princes on September 30.

 

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Chelsea underestimated Schalke - Keller

Schalke boss Jens Keller suspects that Chelsea may have underestimated his team after they snatched a point in their Champions League tussle on Wednesday.

Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring 11 minutes in at Stamford Bridge, sparking many to wonder if it would be a question of how many Chelsea goals rather than what result would it be.

But Schalke, who are third-from-bottom in the Bundesliga, capitalised on the Blues' failure to add to their slender lead in the second half - striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar dispossessing Fabregas, playing a near one-two with Julian Draxler and striking home the equaliser.

The Gelsenkirchen side's performances domestically have put Keller's job under scrutiny and he was relieved to bag a positive result against the Premier League table-toppers, stressing his pride with how they stood their ground as underdogs.

"When I look at this game, I am very proud of my team," the coach told Sky Sport. "With all the negative things happening, we played tactically top and some good football, too.

"I have to give a big compliment to my team for their performance. Every player did what he was supposed to do.

"It's possible Chelsea underestimated us but we did perform excellently from a tactics perspective."

Schalke will host Maribor - who earned a late draw at home to Sporting on Wednesday - on September 30 in their next Champions League clash.

 

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Nani: Sporting paid for inexperience

Nani believes that Sporting showed their inexperience as they conceded a goal in stoppage-time which denied them all three points against Maribor on Wednesday.

The Primeira Liga club struggled to break down the Slovenian hosts' defence in the Champions League Group G tie until Nani - on loan from Manchester United - scored with 10 minutes left on the clock.

However, poor defending with seconds remaining in the game allowed Luka Zahovic to grab an equaliser for the underdogs and Nani believes that naivety at elite European level is to blame for being complacent late on.

"We showed that we are an inexperienced team and that costs you in the Champions League," the 27-year-old told reporters.

"Experience can make a difference, like with what happened, but this is also part of football. It is good to learn from it and I'm sure that we will improve in the next game.

"We showed character on the pitch and we played a good football team.

"Of course we have to correct certain defensive frailties, but we must hold our heads high and keep working."

Nani's goal against Maribor is his first since joining Sporting on loan from Old Trafford at the end of the summer transfer window and he believes that he is now settled into his new squad.

"It is always good to score, whatever the competition is," he added. "It is very good to show that I'm totally integrated into the team. I feel good, I'm feeling confident and I hope to continue to help the team in the best way possible."

Sporting are level with Maribor, Schalke and Chelsea on a point and a goal apiece in the Champions League standings after the other Group G tie also finished 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.

 

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'Barcelona stars not machines' - Luis Enrique defends rotation

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has defended his rotation policy following their unconvincing Champions League victory over APOEL and stressed that his players are not "machines".

Gerard Pique's first-half header ensured all three points for Barca in their opening European game of 2014-15, but many had expected Lionel Messi and Co. to blow the Cypriot underdogs away at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Luis Enrique, who took over from Gerardo Martino in the summer as head coach of Barca, made nine changes to the starting line-up which beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Saturday, but he suggested rotation is necessary to keep his squad in peak condition.

"I am sure that we will succeed with the help of all players," he told reporters. "We have to analyse why the match was so difficult for us today.

"The players are not machines - players need to be fit - but we have to improve."

Chile No.1 Claudio Bravo has been favoured between the sticks by Luis Enrique so far this season and, although Marc-Andre ter Stegen was picked to start against APOEL, the coach insists he will not be rotating his goalkeepers depending whether it's a cup or league game.

"I don’t have a goalkeeper for each competition," he added. "We will use the three in the first team according to our needs."

Barca are back in Champions League action on September 30 away to Paris Saint-Germain, who drew their opening game with Ajax 1-1 on Wednesday.

 

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Gervinho: Man City & Bayern don't worry me

Roma forward Gervinho has insisted that he is not concerned about competition from Champions League group stage opponents Bayern Munich and Manchester City following their dominant 5-1 victory over CSKA Moscow.

The Russian side were expected to be Group E outsiders and lived up to their billing, conceding four times in the first half and once in the second with a late goal of their own proving to be a mere consolation.

Gervinho was the star of the Stadio Olimpico show on Wednesday, scoring twice and orchestrating others, but he claimed that the heavy victory did not mean CSKA were walkovers for Roma.

"We were not expecting an easy match, Champions League games are never easy," the Cote d'Ivoire international told Sky Sport. "It was not an easy game. Roma put in a great performance, playing well in both halves of the game.

"I do not worry about Man City and Bayern Munich - my concern is never my opponents, but only my team."

Gervinho's team-mate Miralem Pjanic suggested that Rudi Garcia's men have matured in the past 12 months, having unexpectedly finished runners-up in the Scudetto race last season.

"For us it was important to win, we played well and finished lots of our chances," the Bosnian midfielder told Mediaset Premium.

"Our quality has paid off, we played really well. Certainly, there is plenty of quality in the Champions League and so many teams play openly like we do.

"The group is very difficult so to win three points this evening may already be decisive in reaching the last 16.

"It was a test of maturity tonight - in the summer we reinforced with players of quality and we have a more complete side. We are stronger than we were last season."

 

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Mandzukic suffers broken nose

Mario Manduzkic will be out of action for two weeks suffering a broken nose in Atletico Madrid's 3-2 loss at Olympiakos on Tuesday.

The striker, who signed for the Rojiblancos this summer from Bayern Munich, was elbowed accidentally by Pajtim Kasami in the first few minutes of their Champions League group stage opener.

Mandzukic battled on throughout the game, however, and even scored for Diego Simeone's side, but is expected to be out for a fortnight once he has had an operation on the fracture later this week.

"Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic suffered a broken nasal (the bones of the nose and nasal cartilage), after undergoing tests on Wednesday," the Spanish champions revealed in a statement on their website.

"The surgery will be performed this Thursday."

Mandzukic, 28, has scored three times in six games this season, including a crucial goal in the Supercopa de Espana which helped Atletico defeat rivals Real Madrid over two legs.

He could make a return in Atletico's next Champions League game - a home tie against Serie A champions Juventus on October 1.

 

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Sergi Roberto agrees Barcelona contract extension

Barcelona have announced that Sergi Roberto is to sign a contract extension that will tie him to the club until 2019.

The midfielder's previous deal was scheduled to expire in two years' time and he had been linked with a move away from Camp Nou.However, Sergi Roberto has now agreed to extend his stay at Barca, who have also raised the Spain Under-21 international's buy-out clause to ward off potential suitors.

"FC Barcelona has reached an agreement with Sergi Roberto to renew his contract, which expires on June 30, 2015, until June 30, 2019," a statement on the club's official website read."The release clause has been set at €30 million, which could rise to €40m. He will sign the new contract over the next few days."Sergi Roberto came through the youth team ranks at La Masia and joined the B team in 2009.

He made his professional debut the following year before being made a permanent squad member for the 2012-13 season.However, he only really established himself last season, playing a total of 40 games under former boss Tata Martino.

 

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Thiago resumes team training with Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have received some encouraging news on the injury front as Thiago Alcantara has returned to the training pitch alongside his team-mates after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The Spain international last featured for Bayern in the 3-3 Bundesliga draw with Hoffenheim back in March, having been battling a medial ligament problem ever since.He initially appeared to be fit in time for the 2014 World Cup, but endured a recovery setback shortly before the tournament and did not make the Spain squad.

Thiago has now taken the next step in his recovery process, though, as he briefly joined team training ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Manchester City, before continuing with an individual session.The 23-year-old will not make the match squad for the match against City or for this weekend's game versus Hamburg, but Bayern are hopeful that he will be back in action soon.

The former Barcelona man made 25 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarians last term, scoring three goals in the process.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney: Ferguson is the best manager there has ever been

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney extended the olive branch to former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, calling him "the best manager there's been".

Rooney, 28, came to Old Trafford in 2004 on Ferguson's insistence, the Scot signing the then-teenager for £25.6 million (€32m) from Everton.

And despite falling out with the legendary manager on multiple occasions, Rooney admitted Ferguson - who took United to 13 Premier League, five FA Cup and two Champions League titles - was an inspiration to a generation at the club.

"At the time, I came into the squad as a young lad and there were a few other young lads. He brought all that together and made us world club champions," Rooney told MUTV for an interview to mark a decade at the club.

"I'm very grateful for everything he's done. It was a great feeling.

"Sir Alex is the best manager there's been and for him to recognise my talent and want me to join this club was a great honour for me.

"He drove me over [to Old Trafford], just the two of us in his car. I remember being nervous but he was great and made me feel comfortable."

Rooney, now club captain under Dutch tactician Louis van Gaal, said he was grateful for Ferguson's decision to bring him to the club.

"He was vitally important," the England striker said.

"I'm grateful to him for having the faith to bring me in from Everton. I think he's an incredible person and manager, the way you see his desire for the game.

"He certainly helped me a lot and helped us all."

And having wanted out on multiple occasions under the Scot, Rooney does not foresee any similar tantrums arising in the future.

"I think the plan is, I've just signed a new long-term deal at the club and hopefully in five years' time we'll be sat down for a 15-year one [interview].

"I don't see any reason why not."

 

[rcccc]

Roma 5-1 CSKA Moscow: Gervinho ruthlessly guts Russians

Gervinho patta

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton 4-1 Wolfsburg: On-fire Toffees rack up impressive victory

Everton made a superb start to their Europa League campaign with 4-1 win over Wolfsburg in an entertaining encounter at Goodison Park.

Playing in the competition for the first time since 2010, Everton could hardly have wished for a better start and were three goals to the good just after half-time.

An incisive passing move led to Ricardo Rodriguez scoring an own goal inside 15 minutes, while Seamus Coleman was also on target before the break and Leighton Baines netted a second-half penalty before a late Kevin Mirallas strike to mark his third in as many games.

Rodriguez went some way to compensating for his misfortune when he fired home a free-kick in stoppage time.

The margin of defeat was harsh on the visitors, who found goalkeeper Tim Howard in fine form, the American notably denying Luiz Gustavo, Daniel Caligiuri and Kevin De Bruyne in an inspired display.

But Everton were far more clinical and issued a statement of intent in Group H, maintaining their unbeaten European record against German opposition in the process.

Roberto Martinez said in the build-up that he would take the competition seriously and remained true to his word, naming the same side that defeated West Brom 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday. Samuel Eto'o was fit enough for the bench.

The Bundesliga side controlled the early exchanges but Everton took the lead with an irresistible passing move.

Steven Naismith, Baines and James McCarthy combined beautifully to tee up the Scottish forward and, though his 12-yard shot was blocked on the line by Rodriguez, the ball ricocheted off the goalkeeper and in off the unlucky defender.

It was a move of such quality that the element of luck was perhaps earned, but Gustavo fired a warning shot two minutes later as he stung the palms of Howard.

Romelu Lukaku, who scored against his former club at the weekend, curled a 30-yard free-kick towards goal five minutes before the break but Diego Benaglio made a smart low save to deny the striker.

But Martinez's men did get their second in first-half injury time. Mirallas's rasping shot was beaten away by Benaglio but Baines reacted quickest to square the ball to his fellow full-back Coleman, who nodded in from six yards for his second goal of the season.

Wolfsburg needed to regroup but made a dreadful start to the second half.

Maximilian Arnold's loose pass was seized upon by Aiden McGeady who tumbled under the challenge of Robin Knoche and although initial contact was outside of the area, the referee pointed to the spot.

Baines made no mistake, lashing into the right corner after 46 minutes for his first of the campaign.

To their credit, Wolfsburg's response was positive and Howard had to be alert to save twice after 53 minutes.

De Bruyne's delicate pass found Caligiuri whose low effort was blocked by the American, who then saved Gustavo's rebound, though the midfielder ought to have done better.

And Howard made perhaps his best save 16 minutes from time when De Bruyne's curling shot was tipped wide at full stretch.

Everton extended their advantage in the 89th minute when Eto'o, introduced 20 minutes earlier, fed Mirallas to slot home with aplomb.

And though Howard was finally beaten in the last minute of injury time thanks to a superb Rodriguez free-kick from 25 yards, the night belonged to the hosts.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Napoli 3-1 Sparta Prague: Higuain and Mertens prevent European upset

Napoli needed strikes from Gonzalo Higuain and Dries Mertens to save them from back-to-back home defeats as they triumphed 3-1 at home to Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday.

The game didn’t start as planned for Rafa Benitez’s men, as Sparta took the lead in the 14th minute, courtesy of a stunning strike. Josef Husbauer remained composed to strike a 25-yard effort off the inside of Rafael’s right-hand upright, despite being put under heavy pressure by Mertens.

Nine minutes later, Napoli restored parity through a Higuain penalty, as Sparta defender Costa Nhamoinesu was penalised for a blatant handball in the aftermath of Marek Hamsik striking the crossbar. The Argentine coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner beyond the despairing grasp of David Bicik.

Costa almost committed his second cardinal sin of the evening within the space of a minute, as the Zimbabwean full-back unintentionally clipped the heels of Higuain inside the box, but the referee saw nothing amiss.

Sparta started the second half positively too, with Jakub Brabec beating Kalidou Koulibaly in the air to turn a header just the wrong side of the back post – ringing alarm bells in the hosts’ defence.

Napoli woke from their slumber to take the lead for the first time of the evening in the 51st minute, as Higuain turned provider. The Argentine striker got in behind Costa to deliver a cross from the byline, allowing for Mertens to finish with consummate ease.

Hamsik was denied the chance to turn home Napoli’s third of the evening, as Radoslav Kovac turned saviour for the visitors. After Bicik fumbles a powerful Walter Gargano strike, the Napoli captain looked to rifle home the loose ball, but the former West Ham midfielder threw himself into a goal-saving block.

Mertens made it three with 10 minutes left to play to wrap up the points, as the Belgium international cut inside from the left, dancing inside two challenges daintily before applying a low finish. Two goals in an impressive outing from the former PSV man.

Despite giving a good account of themselves, Sparta head home without any spoils, with Napoli appeasing their disillusioned supporters for now with three all-important points.