..::Football III::..

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Gary Neville: Yaya Toure's the best midfielder in the Premier League

Gary Neville rates Yaya Toure as the best midfielder in the Premier League - but he has criticised how often he is fielded for Manchester City.

Toure has started all eight of City’s games this season - including last week’s League Cup win over Sunderland - and is set to be involved once again in Wednesday’s Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany.

Manchester United legend Neville thinks Etihad Stadium boss Manuel Pellegrini needs to be using the 32-year-old a little more sparingly if he is to get the best out of the former Barcelona star.

“He cannot play three games a week, that man,” the England assistant coach told Sky Sports. “He is a fantastic player, but I would leave him for your most important games.

“There is a problem around Yaya Toure. On his day, he's perhaps the best central midfield player in the Premier League, but the idea that you can get three equal performances out of him in a week now is impossible.”

Neville picked out three former Premier League stars who also reached the point where it became impossible for them to compete at the top of their games on a regular basis.

“We've seen it with Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, these players that have maximum impact in teams,” he added. “They get into their 30s and physically they drop off; you have to manage these players.”

 

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Wenger faces midfield reshuffle ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Olympiacos


Arsene Wenger could face another reshuffle in defensive midfield for Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Olympiacos on Tuesday evening.

The Gunners are without Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta for the match against the Greek champions, but while Francis Coquelin has returned to training following a knee injury, Wenger admits he has not decided whether the 24-year-old is fit enough to play.

"Coquelin is back training but we will see,” the Arsenal manager said on Monday. “Arteta and Flamini are not available."

Arsenal are looking for their first points in the Champions League this season after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb earlier in September, but Wenger’s men head into the fixture following victories over Tottenham and Leicester City in the League Cup and Premier League respectively.

Alexis Sanchez opened his account for the season with a hat-trick in the 5-2 win against Claudio Ranieri’s side on Saturday and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has praised the Chilean’s mentality.

“He is one of the most passionate players I know,” said the Arsenal midfielder.

“I look and learn from him.”

Flamini,Arteta th injured.

 

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Oxlade-Chamberlain: Coquelin crucial to Arsenal

http://www.elakiri.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

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UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2015.09.29

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2015.09.29

Barcelona Vs Leverkusen

BATE Vs Roma

Arsenal Vs Olympiakos

Bayern Vs Dinamo Zagreb

Porto Vs Valencia

Zenit Vs Gent
​

 

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UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2015.09.29

Barcelona Vs Leverkusen

BATE Vs Roma

Arsenal Vs Olympiakos

Bayern Vs Dinamo Zagreb

Porto Vs Valencia

Zenit Vs Gent
​

 

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Martino admits Messi dilemma

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has refused to confirm whether he will name a replacement for Lionel Messi for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.

Messi has been ruled out for up to two months after suffering a knee injury at the weekend, and could also miss the November games against Brazil and Colombia.

"For now I am not going to call up anybody. We picked 27 players precisely for this reason," Martino told reporters after attending Monday's Primera Division match between Estudiantes and Newell's Old Boys in La Plata.

"In any case, I will not rule it out either."

In an interview with Ole published on Tuesday, the former Barcelona coach further confessed that Messi's absence was a no-win situation for the squad.

"If we lose they will say Messi was missed, and if we win his absence will be minimised."

The Copa America runners-up kick off their campaign for Russia 2018 at home to Ecuador on October 8, before visiting Asuncion five days later.

 

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Martial is the risk-taker Manchester United needed - Smalling

Chris Smalling believes Anthony Martial offers a high-risk attacking style that Manchester United have been sorely lacking until this season.
Martial joined from Monaco on transfer deadline day for a staggering £36million fee, which could rise to over £50m depending on bonuses.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed an explosive start to his Old Trafford career, however, scoring four times in five appearances and delivering a strong display as the lone striker in Saturday's 3-0 win over Sunderland.

Martial's bold approach has already impressed his team-mates, with Smalling telling United's matchday programme: "If you could ask for a moment to announce yourself on the world stage, it would be in a massive game like Liverpool at home [when he scored on his debut].

"It was a great moment and a lot of people took notice of how well he dribbled at players, how direct he was and how he took his goal. That's something we've needed this season.

"In that snippet against Liverpool, you get a real idea of how he is. He is one who is very direct, he is willing to take on players and he is willing to take on that risk. I think, in the final third, it is an area where you can take that risk because you can't take it at the back. He looks a very sharp player."

Smalling has been equally impressed by Matteo Darmian's form following his move from Torino in July.

"He has come into the club and he hasn't needed any time to settle in," added the 25-year-old. "He has literally hit the ground running and that is full credit to him, to be able to adjust to a different league and a different culture.

"He has improved the team in such a short space of time. There's a long way to go, but he's made a good start."

 

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Ramos, Bale and James miss Malmo trip

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez faces an injury crisis after Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez were ruled out of the Champions League clash with Malmo.

Bale and James miss out with muscular injuries, while Ramos is nursing a shoulder problem, with the trio joining Pep and Danilo in missing the trip to Sweden.

Those casualties mean there are just five defenders in the 20-man squad, Benitez will have little cover at the back as Madrid bid to follow up a 4-0 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk in their Group A opener with another win.

Forward Jese Rodriguez, however, does make the cut despite fears he had also succumbed to injury after being taken off early in the 0-0 draw against Malaga.

Real Madrid squad vs. Malmo:

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla, Rubén Yáñez.

Defenders: Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Carvajal, Arbeloa.

Midfielders: Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Kovacic, Isco, Cheryshev, Llorente.

Forwards: Ronaldo, Benzema, Lucas Vazquez, Jese, Mayoral.

 

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'Ronaldo a bigger threat than Ibrahimovic'


Markus Rosenberg has revealed Malmo fear Cristiano Ronaldo even more than Zlatan Ibrahimovic ahead of Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Real Madrid.

The Swedish champions were beaten 2-0 by Ibrahimovic's PSG on matchday one, but Rosenberg thinks Ronaldo could cause them even more trouble.

"Together with Messi, Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic are the three best in the world. They have their differences, but I think maybe Cristiano is the most difficult to stop for us," the Malmo forward told AS.

"He plays at an incredible speed. If you look at the PSG match from the first round, Zlatan had a lot of chances, but I think Cristiano will give us more problems.

"Ronaldo is probably worth 92 Rosenbergs, at least that much. If we're talking about wages, then probably even more.

"He's a fantastic player, he's scored 300-odd goals for Madrid. He's an incredible forward."

Ronaldo has netted eight times in seven appearances in all competitions this campaign, but all his goals have come from just two games.

He scored five times against Espanyol before hitting a hat-trick versus Shakhtar Donetsk.

 

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Ronaldo the world's most complete player - Hareide

Malmo coach Age Hareide has argued that Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably "the most complete player in the world" ahead of their respective clubs' Champions League meeting in Sweden on Wednesday.

Ronaldo netted a hat-trick in Madrid's win over Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday one and Hareide admitted that if his side are to have any chance of upsetting los Blancos, they will have to nullify their prolific Portuguese attacker.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is very strong and very fast. I have seen a video of him doing a zig-zag race against a Spanish sprinter – the sprinter did not stand a chance," the Malmo coach said at a press conference.

"He is extremely fast over the first couple of metres. He shoots great with both feet. So maybe he is the most complete player in the world.

"We have to isolate him and get him facing the wrong way."

Hareide is also hoping that Rafael Benitez's men underestimate the threat posed by the Swedish champions, who were beaten 2-0 in their Champions League opener against Paris Saint-Germain.

"A draw would be a very good result for us, but our best chance is if Madrid maybe think the three points are already theirs and they play a couple of per cent off their best," he added.

"Maybe the crowd will help too; they are used to big crowds, but here the fans are so close. For us, it is important not to be too passive. If we start passive, it is difficult to turn that around."

 

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Schweinsteiger keen to mentor Depay and Martial

Bastian Schweinsteiger believes Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial have a bright future ahead of them at Manchester United and is ready to take both youngsters under his wing.

Depay joined United from PSV for £25 million at the start of the summer, while the club spent £35m to bring Martial to Old Trafford at the end of the transfer window.

Both players have made their mark since signing for the Premier League leaders, with Schweinsteiger keen to give them the best possible advice to help them flourish.

"Memphis and Martial can achieve a lot. They are both very young, but both very talented," Schweinsteiger told United's matchday programme for Wednesday’s Champions League game with Wolfsburg at Old Trafford.

"If they make the right decisions and take the right steps in the future, then they can give a lot of power to Manchester United.

"For me, the most important thing is that they have a good personality and a good character, and they do! That is what’s most important, and with the quality they can achieve a lot.

"I will try to guide them, of course."

United will be looking to bounce back from their loss to PSV on matchday one and Schweinsteiger hopes his experience at the highest level will prove to be beneficial for his younger team-mates.

"I have played a lot of matches at Champions League level and it is always a little bit different to Premier League and Bundesliga games," he said.

"It is always a special night when you walk onto the field and the anthem comes on. It is a big honour to play Champions League games, so I will try to give my best and try to help my younger team-mates."

 

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Van Gaal: Will I stay at Manchester United after 2017? You never know...

Louis van Gaal has reiterated his desire to leave Manchester United in 2017 but admits "in our football world, you never know".

The Dutchman has previously spoken of a promise he made to wife Truus that he would retire from football at the end of his current contract, but Sir Alex Ferguson this week claimed Van Gaal might find it difficult to walk away.

At a promotional event for his latest book, the legendary former United manager said of the 64-year-old: "I don't know how long Louis is going to remain because he spoke about the short term, the fact this is his last job etc. But at United you get the bug. It's hard to leave, so who knows."

But when asked whether he might rethink his decision to walk away from football after next season, the United boss admitted it would be tough to let down his wife for a second time.

"Normally I shall leave after next year but what is normal in our football world? You never know. So I cannot answer that question," said Van Gaal at a press conference ahead of Wednesday's Champions League Group B clash with Wolfsburg at Old Trafford.

"But I promised my wife we shall go to our paradise, and it's very hard to deny that promise because [I said it when] I was 55 and went to Bayern Munich. I will be 65 [in 2017] and to say no would be hard to my wife."

Van Gaal is in his second season at United, with his side currently top of the Premier League following a fourth-place finish in his first campaign in charge.

United host Wolfsburg on Wednesday hoping to bounce back from their 2-1 loss to PSV in their opening Champions League group fixture.

 

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Van Gaal: Will I stay at Manchester United after 2017? You never know...

Epa epa...2017 wala retire wemu neh​

 

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It's ridiculous to criticise Ibrahimovic - Maxwell

Paris Saint-Germain defender Maxwell says he is amazed to see team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic getting criticised for his early season form.

The Sweden international has netted just twice in six appearances in all competitions for PSG so far this term and has been missing sharpness in front of goal, having recently returned from injury.

Maxwell has stressed that Ibrahimovic still has plenty to offer, though, and feels it is unfair to criticise the 33-year-old.

"For me it's funny to hear what everybody is saying about Ibrahimovic after all he has done in his career and even this season," he told reporters.

"He has been injured and is still lacking a bit of rhythm, but he has found his confidence and us scoring goals. He only needs to play some more games.

"It is ridiculous to criticise a player like Ibrahimovic now."

Ibrahimovic will be looking to add to his tally for 2015-16 when PSG take on Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, but Maxwell has stressed Mircea Lucescu's men should not be underestimated.

"Shakhtar have some very strong attacking players," he added.

"We have made some mistakes, but we are satisfied with our season so far.

"This PSG is the most competitive team I have been part of, together with Barcelona."

 

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Schweinsteiger: Manchester United can win Champions League

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is convinced that they can win the Champions League this season with the help of Old Trafford's fan "power".
Louis van Gaal's side welcome Wolfsburg on Wednesday as United prepare for their first home appearance in Europe's top competition since a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich at the quarter-final stage in 2014.

Schweinsteiger - who netted Bayern's goal in that game - remembers the atmosphere vividly and claims the current Premier League leaders are good enough to challenge on the continent this term, provided the backing from the fans remains strong.

"I remember when I came here first time with Bayern, it wasn't an easy first 10 minutes. It's not easy to play here first time, especially in the Champions League," he said."You can feel the power of the supporters. It's good for us but we have to play well.

"I feel very comfortable here, especially when we have matches here. It's a big stadium, a big honour to play for United in that stadium, especially in the Champions League.

"Yes, I think we have the strength to win the Champions League. But we have to do our work. We lost the match at PSV last time out, so we have to win our games at home, take it step by step."The team spirit is our main strength."

Schweinsteiger has warned of the quality Wolfsburg possess throughout their squad despite the sale of star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City in August."I scored my first goal away at Wolfsburg so I have good memories but it's not easy to play against them, it's always tough," he said.

"They have a great team, they've improved a lot in the last few years. I have some friends in the team, especially Dante, so I'm looking forward to seeing them."

 

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Argentina replace Messi with Lamela

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has called upon Erik Lamela to replace Lionel Messi in the national team.

The Barcelona star has been ruled out for around two months after picking up a tear in the internal collateral ligament of his left knee during his side's win over Las Palmas on Saturday.

As well as a big blow for the Catalan side, the injury hits the Albiceleste hard, as Messi will now miss his side's upcoming clashes against Ecuador and Paraguay.

Martino's squad have also been struck by the injury to Sevilla's Ever Banega, who is recovering from collateral ligament damage in his right knee.

The coach has responded by handing Lamela a place in his squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

Lamela has featured in all but one of Tottenham's Premier League games this season, starting three and scoring one goal.

 

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Benitez: Ronaldo not anxious over lack of goals

Rafael Benitez says Cristiano Ronaldo is not anxious about his lack of goals this season and has backed him to find his scoring touch for Real Madrid against Malmo in Wednesday's Champions League match.

The Portugal star has scored eight times so far this season but all of those goals came in just two matches, as he netted against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and Espanyol in La Liga.

However, Ronaldo is by far the most frequent shooter in the Spanish top flight, having had 41 attempts in six games - Lionel Messi is next with 24 and behind him is Iago Aspas on 18.

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner came under fire again on Saturday for failing to score in a 0-0 draw with Malaga, but Benitez insists the likes of Isco and Jese Rodriguez must help share the goalscoring burden.

"Is Ronaldo anxious? He is quite well, as is the rest of the team. We created a lot of chances on Saturday and we did not concede. But yes, we have to increase our accuracy," said the Madrid boss ahead of Wednesday's game.

"The players were not calm enough to make the best decisions because they were so eager to score against Malaga.

"I see Cristiano as I see the the rest of the team. When the team creates chances, Cristiano has the opportunity to score. I'm sure he'll score goals, he's a guarantee for goals. He has my absolute confidence.

"I think it's normal that Malmo are thinking about stopping him, he has fantastic attacking potential.

"Our second line of attack needs to improve its goal tally, too. Players like Isco and Jese. We can't only rely on Karim Benzema and Cristiano.

"In this case, what's important is to continue encouraging and motivating all of the players who score the team's goals. It's only a matter of time until our attacking players start scoring again."

Benitez has been criticised in some quarters in Spain for being too defensively-minded for Madrid, but the former Napoli boss has shrugged off such comments.

"There is no Benitez 'method'. We try to be more solid in defence without losing the quality in attack," he said.

"You have to rotate when you're at a team like Real Madrid. I think a team with this quality allows that. But the difference lies in the quality of the players.

"If you're in the Champions League it's because you're of a standard. We have to play to our best as they will leave everything out on the pitch.

"We have to play in the best way possible. We've prepared for the game and studied videos of Malmo."

 

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Manchester United dangermen named by Wolfsburg boss Hecking

Dieter Hecking stressed Wolfsburg must keep a close eye on Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata if they are to defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The German outfit go into the Champions League Group B clash with three points to their name after beating CSKA Moscow in their opening fixture, while group favourites United lost 2-1 against PSV in Eindhoven.

But Hecking believes United’s defeat will only make them more dangerous, and agrees that they are likely to be more eager to make a fast start at Old Trafford.

“Certainly you’d expect that they would start fast given their last game, but I also know Louis van Gaal likes to focus on a possession game,” Hecking told a pre-match press conference.

“Against Southampton they made 60 passes but didn't get near the goal, but then they also have quality in attack like Martial, Depay, Rooney and Mata. They are very dangerous.”

It is Hecking’s first visit to the stadium colloquially referred to as the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, but he insists that whatever the atmosphere he is only concentrating on the game itself.

“I don’t have dreams, I prefer reality! But a win would be nice, and I hope we can do well tomorrow night,” he added.

“I don’t know if there is any extra significance in playing here but every Champions League game is a challenge. We’ve done well with a win in the first game against CSKA Moscow and we must build on that on Wednesday. We have to put in a team performance and then maybe you can ask me afterwards what it feels like.

The 51-year-old led his side to second place in the Bundesliga last season but have fallen nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich after just seven games of the current campaign. However, Hecking insists Wolfsburg are reasonably well positioned, especially in light of a large squad turnover this summer.

“I think people have been over-critical of us. We obviously had the 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich and the draw with Hannover, but we’ve done ok and brought in new players like Max Kruse. We just have to go out and perform on the pitch, starting tomorrow.

“We’re facing a very good team in United tomorrow, and most people will expect a home win. But we’re still in a good position in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League so there are plenty of chances to put things right.”

 

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Otamendi: Manchester City have to beat Monchengladbach

Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi says his side must beat Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League after opening their campaign with a home defeat to Juventus.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side slumped to a 2-1 loss at the Etihad to the Serie A champions but now take on a side who also lost their opener, going down 3-0 to Sevilla.

The Bundesliga side have changed their manager after a disappointing start to the campaign with Andre Schubert now at the helm, but Otamendi says their poor recent form will not be a factor.

“The change of manager means nothing,” he told the club's official website. “I’ve always said that Champions League games are special; you have to give respect to your rival and it doesn’t matter that they are not in their best moment.

“We were very unlucky to lose against Juventus because we were controlling the game but still didn’t win – that can sometimes happen in football - but you must keep going and try to win the next game.”

City meanwhile are also on a poor run having lost their last two Premier League games, against West Ham and Tottenham, but Otamendi says he side can recover.

“If the fans like my style of play, then I’ll be very happy,” he added. “Things didn’t go well at the weekend for us, but we will bounce back.

“If I can have the fans behind me and help send them home happy each week, then I’ll be happy. I hope to perform well and will always give everything for them and the team.

“I always dreamed about playing in the Premier League, I’m very excited about our fans and the atmosphere in our stadium and I’m getting along well with my team-mates and though it takes time, things are progressing well.”

 

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Zenit 2-1 Gent: Inspirational Hulk helps hosts maintain winning run

Zenit celebrated a 2-1 win over Gent thanks to an influential display from their forward Hulk, who laid on both goals for his side on Tuesday.

The Brazilian broke into the box in the first half before crossing the ball for Artem Dzuba to head in the hosts opener, although Thomas Matton got onto the end of a cross to volley in an equaliser for the Belgians.

But Andre Villas-Boas' men pushed to retake the lead, and earned it when Hulk laid on for Oleg Shatov after a barnstorming run through the centre.

The result leaves Gent with an uphill struggle in their bid to become the first Belgian side to reach the knockout stages, having also seen an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end.

In contrast, the result is likely to ease criticism of Villas-Boas, who has come under fire in recent weeks following a dismal run that has seen his side without a league win in their last four attempts.

Debutant goalkeeper Mikhail Kerzhakov was the only change made by the Portuguese, but it was opposite number Matz Sels who was first tested, tipping Ezequiel Garay's bending 25-yard free-kick round the post after five minutes.

Axel Witsel fired over from the resulting corner, while Dzyuba placed a close-range volley wide 12 minutes later as Zenit sought an early advantage.

Gent responded and would have taken the lead in the 22nd minute had Aleksandr Anyukov not snuffed out Nana Asare's low cross at the far post to deny the onrushing Kenny Saief.But despite enjoying plenty of possession, the visitors otherwise struggled to trouble the Zenit defence and were punished 10 minutes before the break.

A powerful run down the left allowed Hulk to expertly shake off the attentions of Rafinha inside the area, before calmly chipping an inviting ball onto the head of Dzyuba, who made no mistake with a well-placed close-range header.

However, Zenit could not build on that breakthrough and Gent, who looked reinvigorated after the break, found themselves level in the 56 minutes when Matton was on hand to lash home a teasing Sven Kums cross.

That goal galvanised the home side and a superb 67th-minute throughball from Hulk allowed Shatov to race clear into the area, before finishing with a measured chip over the despairing Sels.Renato Neto nearly levelled again for Hein Vanhaezebrouck's men, but could only send Asare's deflected delivery just wide.

Shatov then came close to doubling his tally 12 minutes from time, after once again linking up well with Hulk, who also forced an acrobatic save from Sels late on, but a one-goal cushion proved to be enough to seal the win.