..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Debuchy open to joining Arsenal's Premier League rivals

Mathieu Debuchy is seeking talks with Arsene Wenger regarding his Arsenal future, and admits he could leave the club for their Premier League rivals in January.

The 30-year-old joined Arsenal from Newcastle United in summer 2014, but injury problems saw the right-back lose his starting role to Hector Bellerin last season.

Debuchy making just two league starts this term and the France international says he may seek a winter move to keep his Euro 2016 dreams alive.

"At the moment, I need game time," he told RMC. "The past two games, I haven't been included in the squad.

"Everything is clear. I need game time and that's why I'll have to discuss it with the coach soon. We'll see what offers there are between now and [January] - if there are any."

Asked whether he would consider a move to one of Arsenal’s domestic rivals, Debuchy said: "I love England and the league so yes, of course.

"After that, if I have other offers... return to France? Why not? We'll see."

Debuchy’s potential departure may be complicated by the number of injuries Arsenal have suffered this season, and the defender says he is not sure whether Wenger will let him leave in January.

"I don't know," Debuchy said of an exit. "We'll discuss it together calmly.

“We had a discussion in the summer and he told me that if I wasn't happy with my game time we'd sit down and talk about it in December.

"It's December now so we'll see.

"My goal is to play again very soon and to string together some matches so that I can at the Euros.

"At the moment I can't be in the French team because obviously I'm not getting any game time. Playing one match every month or even less, you can't be ready physically or mentally."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 8-0 Malmo: Record-man Ronaldo leads rout

Cristiano Ronaldo struck four times in 19 minutes to break his own record for goals in a Champions League group stage as Real Madrid hammered Malmo 8-0 on Tuesday.

Already assured of top spot in Group A, Real had little to play for in the final game of the group phase, however, Rafael Benitez's men still produced a scintillating performance, with Ronaldo delivering another brutal reminder of his goalscoring prowess.

It was Karim Benzema who put Real in command of the encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, which served as the last in charge of Malmo for departing coach Age Hareide.Benzema netted two goals inside the opening 25 minutes, pouncing on a pair of excellent crosses from Ronaldo.

Not content with his role as provider, Ronaldo took over the game in stunning fashion, bringing up his own hat-trick in 11 minutes of play to better his own mark and then adding a fourth in the 59th minute.

Mateo Kovacic then hit home a seventh before Benzema completed his treble as Real recorded only the second 8-0 in Champions League history, which also marks their biggest margin of victory in the competition's history.

The onslaught began as early as the 12th minute. Isco met Ronaldo's delivery only to see his goal-bound effort cleared off the line, but Benzema was there to follow up and slot home.

The hosts were soon celebrating again as another excellent ball in from Ronaldo provided Benzema with the simple task of nodding in at the far post for his second.
Ronaldo was then thwarted by a fine Johan Wiland save after slicing through the Malmo defence, with Casemiro's headed follow-up cleared off the line.

But Ronaldo finally got his reward for a superb first-half showing, although Wiland was culpable as he allowed a swerving low free-kick to dip under his gloves and in.

The Portuguese missed a glorious opportunity to tie his group-stage record, blazing over with the net at his mercy after a mazing Isco run, but he was not to be denied just three minutes after the break.Benzema's blocked effort fell straight into the path of Ronaldo, who made no mistake in converting with a simple tap-in and - after Vladimir Rodic forced Kiko Casilla into action for the first time - set the new record three minutes later.

The beneficiary of more poor goalkeeping, Ronaldo's 10th goal of the group stage came as his shot on the turn squeaked below the right arm of the unfortunate Wiland.And he did not have to wait long for his fourth, as Isco latched on to a Benzema backheel and crossed for Ronaldo to thump in at the near post.

Kovacic piled on more misery after Benzema's ball from the right was only half-cleared in the 70th minute, with the Frenchman rounding off the rout after Malmo lost the ball in their own half four minutes later.

 

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Manchester City 4-2 Borussia Monchengladbach: Sterling brace sends hosts through as group winners

Raheem Sterling's late brace ensured Manchester City topped Group D in the Champions League as they won 4-2 to eliminate Borussia Monchengladbach from European competition.

City needed to win and hope Juventus lost at Sevilla to avoid a potential draw against the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich, and they took the lead when David Silva hammered home.

But Gladbach, who had not scored in either of their away Champions League matches this season, were level within two minutes when Julian Korb beat Joe Hart with a low strike.

The German side, unbeaten in their 12 matches since losing to City earlier in the campaign, took the lead before half-time, Raffael applying the finishing touch after Oscar Wendt's cross deflected off Lars Stindl into the Brazil attacker's path.But Sterling, on his 21st birthday, scored twice in the final 11 minutes, finishing off Silva's pass and then curling in from 15 yards.

Wilfried Bony tucked in the last goal of the game with six minutes to go to complete a brilliant comeback for Manuel Pellegrini's men.

Gladbach came into the match on the back of breaking Bayern Munich's record-breaking unbeaten start to the Bundesliga campaign with a 3-1 win and they almost took the lead after four minutes, but Korb fired over from 10 yards.

City were operating without a recognised striker due to Sergio Aguero's latest injury, but their fluid front three combined to glorious effect to create the opening goal on 15 minutes. Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne linked up to feed Silva and the Spain midfielder smashed in his first goal since August.

Schubert's men were level within two minutes after slicing the hosts wide open with a rapid break. Fabian Johnson's low cross found its way through the box, via Stindl's touch, to Korb and he drove a first-time shot across Joe Hart and into the bottom corner.

Sterling and Yaya Toure had efforts from 25 yards go off target before Fabian Delph flicked a volley over the crossbar.

But Gladbach were in front shortly before half-time. City's defence backed off and when Wendt's cross bounced off Stindl, Raffael was on hand to turn the loose ball past Hart.

City improved after the break and almost got on level terms after a mistake from 19-year-old defender Nico Elvedi let in Sterling, but Yann Sommer spread himself to keep his team in front and the goalkeeper saved from Silva and Sterling again as City cranked up the pressure.

Sommer was saving everything that came his way, pulling off a wonderful stop diving low to his right to deny Sterling once more.But Sterling finally got his birthday goal with 11 minutes to go, tapping home Silva's pass from close range, and the winger was soon on target again, beating Sommer with a curling effort to put City back in the lead.

Substitute struck with six minutes to go to complete a fine comeback and, courtesy of Juventus losing 1-0 in Seville, give City pride of place at the top of Group D and left Gladbach bottom of the group as two-time Europa League champions Sevilla snatched third and a chance to seal a historic hat-trick.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

PSG 2-0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Moura and Zlatan guide Ligue 1 champions home

Lucas Moura and Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed the goals as Paris Saint-Germain eased to a 2-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

The hosts were already guaranteed second place in Group A, while Shakhtar needed to at least match Malmo's result against Real Madrid in order to clinch third spot - and Europa League football - and they did just that following the Swedes' 8-0 thrashing at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Lucas put the home side ahead 12 minutes into the second half and Ibrahimovic - not long after he made a goal-line clearance - doubled their lead with four minutes to go.

Both sides showed plenty of attacking intent early on and Laurent Blanc’s men first threatened in the fourth minute when Lucas tried his luck from the edge of the area, only for Shakhtar goalkeeper Anton Kanibolotskiy to make a comfortable save.

The visitors responded immediately, however, Ismaily sending in a fine low cross from the left for the unmarked Eduardo but the former Arsenal man somehow contrived to put his effort wide from five yards out.

The Ligue 1 champions had a major chance of their own in the ninth minute.Kanibolotskiy gifted the ball to Ibrahimovic with a sloppy pass from the back, but the Swede aimed just too high as his clever attempt went over the crossbar.

There were half chances for Eduardo and Yaroslav Rakitskiy as the first period drifted following an absorbing start but neither troubled PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

PSG made a strong start to the second half and could have gone a goal up via Gregory van der Wiel, only for the Dutchman to aim inches wide after being set up by Ibrahimovic.

PSG eventually got their goal after a superb counterattack in the 57th minute.Blaise Matuidi won possession inside his own half before setting up Ezequiel Lavezzi down the left, who in turn picked out Ibrahimovic. The striker shrugged off his marker, played in Lucas and the Brazil international found the net with a low finish into the far corner.

Darijo Srna nearly levelled with an opportunistic volley from the right-hand side of the area, but his attempt went just wide of the far post.Lavezzi and Ibrahimovic had chances to double PSG's lead, but both failed to beat Kanibolotskiy.

The powerful Swede did make an impact at the other end, though, as he prevented an equaliser from Rakitskiy with a superb goal-line clearance.And he then had the final say, running on to Lucas' flick to finish low at the near post.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Galatasaray 1-1 Astana: Turks seal Europa League spot with point

Selcuk Inan's equaliser spared Galatasaray's blushes and secured their spot in the knockout stages of the Europa League following a 1-1 draw with Astana at the Turk Telekom Arena.

With both sides already eliminated from the Champions League, the Turkish Super Lig side snatched the point they needed to extend their European campaign into the second half of the season, but only after being given a major scare.

Mustafa Denizli's men looked set to miss out on third place in Group C when Patrick Twumasi fired Astana in front just after the hour as he was left unmarked at the far post to steer home Dmitri Shomko's deep cross.

The hosts responded within two minutes, however, as Selcuk volleyed into an empty net. The skipper was initially involved in a neat one-two with Lukas Podolski, before pouncing to level after Burak Yilmaz's effort was blocked by Nenad Eric.

After seeing Benfica and Atletico Madrid dominate and progress from Group C, it was a straight battle for third.

Astana – one of only three sides heading into the final round of matches yet to record a victory in this season's group stages - went close to breaking the deadlock after 15 minutes.Twumasi received the ball on the right and cut inside onto his left foot, before seeing his drilled effort from the edge of the penalty area crash against the post.

The hosts then saw a great chance go begging at the other end as Sabri Sarioglu's deep cross caught out the Astana defence, but Yasin Oztekin could only lift the ball over the crossbar.

Oztekin almost made amends, however, as the first half drew to a close.Galatasaray broke from defending a corner and the winger worked space for the shot, but Eric sprung across brilliantly to his right to tip it wide of the post.

Oztekin was involved again on the stroke of half-time with a neat flick for Burak to run onto, but the striker struck the outside of the post after sliding the ball past the Astana goalkeeper.

The home crowd were left stunned after 62 minutes as Twumasi was able to ghost in at the far post to stroke home a deep cross into the area from Shomko.However, Denizli's side levelled almost immediately when Selcuk volleyed home the decisive equaliser following some neat link-up play down the right.

Despite Sarioglu almost scoring a bizarre own goal with 20 minutes remaining, Galatasaray held on to secure their place in the last-32 of the Europa League.

 

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Benfica 1-2 Atletico Madrid: Saul & Vietto seal top spot

Atletico Madrid secured top spot in Group C of the Champions League as goals from Saul Niguez and Luciano Vietto earned a 2-1 win at Benfica on Tuesday.

The hosts only needed a draw to top the standings but Atletico's win saw them claim their place at the summit at the expense of the Portuguese side.

Saul celebrated his return to Diego Simeone's European starting XI with a first-half strike, while Vietto added a second after the break as Atleti recorded their seventh successive win in all competitions, avenging their 2-1 defeat to Benfica at the Vicente Calderon in September in the process.Konstantinos Mitroglou came off the bench to give the home side hope with 15 minutes remaining, but Atletico held on.

Benfica could now face one of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona in the last 16 when the draw is made on Monday.

Atletico, meanwhile, will take on one of the group runners-up and will enjoy home advantage in the second leg.

Despite Benfica knowing that a point would be enough to secure top spot, the hosts were happy to allow an open and expansive match, which took quarter of an hour to come to life.

Diego Godin had the ball in the back of the net in the 18th minute but the defender's header was ruled out for offside, while Atletico tested home goalkeeper Julio Cesar three minutes later, as Saul's long-range effort forced a good save from the Brazilian.

Cesar was in action again in the 22nd minute, palming away Gabi's powerful attempt from the edge of the box, but the keeper could do nothing to prevent the visitors taking the lead just after the half-hour mark.

Antoine Griezmann's tidy throughball picked out the run of Vietto, who unselfishly centred for Saul to sidefoot home his third goal of the season from 12 yards.
It took Benfica 38 minutes to muster a shot on goal, with Goncalo Guedes dragging wide from 18 yards, but the hosts came out with intent after half-time.

Atletico soon regained their stranglehold on the game, however, and Vietto doubled their advantage in the 55th minute.Yannick Ferreira Carrasco stole a yard on his marker down the left and crossed low to the near post, where Vietto prodded beyond Cesar for his first Champions League goal.

Just as their chances of finishing above their guests appeared to be dwindling, however, Mitroglou gave Benfica fresh hope. The Greek turned Godin in the box and beat Jan Oblak, with the ball finding the net off the inside of the post.

Benfica pushed hard for an equaliser in the final 10 minutes, with Eliseu seeing a low shot saved by Oblak, but Atletico held out to end the night top of the group.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sevilla 1-0 Juventus: Allegri's men through as runners-up

Fernando Llorente's second-half header condemned his former club Juventus to a 1-0 defeat in the Champions League on Tuesday to send Sevilla into the Europa League.

The hosts needed a win and a Borussia Monchengladbach defeat at Manchester City to stay in Europe, and they duly kept up their end of the bargain midway through the second half when Llorente rose highest to head home Yevhen Konoplyanka's corner at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

Alvaro Morata wasted the visitors' best opportunity of the first half by poking wide from six yards out just before half-time after goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had denied Llorente's low effort inside the area.

But it was Llorente who had the final say - although Paulo Dybala did rattle the post late on - as Sevilla sealed a place in the competition they have won for the last two seasons, with City recording a decisive win over Gladbach to top the group ahead of second-placed Juve.The Serie A title-holders, last season's beaten finalists in this competition, made much of the early pressing in the opening five minutes, with Morata planting a firm header over the bar following Claudio Marchisio's angled cross.

Former Juve striker Llorente came close to settling Sevilla's nerves, diverting Konoplyanka's speculative 25-yard effort wide on 13 minutes, but the visitors continued to threaten.

First, Dybala fired wide after some neat work from Morata, before Stefano Sturaro's powerful header forced goalkeeper Sergio Rico into a smart save from six yards.

Opposite number Buffon had to be alert at the other end to deny Llorente's scuffed effort following a fine counter-attack, but it was Morata who wasted the best chance of the half 14 minutes before the break.

Sturaro's ball behind the defence found Dybala, whose squared header was stabbed wide of an unguarded net by the Spaniard from close range.

Buffon was on hand eight minutes later to deny Llorente's header, while Dybala saw a fine 30-yard free-kick beaten away by Rico at the other end.Paul Pogba stung the palms of the Sevilla keeper again with a fierce drive from outside the box just after half-time.

Ever Banega forced Buffon into a scrambled save on the hour mark with a drilled 25-yard effort, but the hosts struggled to pierce a resolute Juve defence, despite the likes of Llorente continuing to look lively.

Six minutes later, the Spaniard finally made the breakthrough, rising to power a header past Buffon and into the net.

The home faithful were made to sweat eight minutes from time when Dybala clattered an effort on to the woodwork from distance, while Michael Krohn-Dehli saw an effort chalked off for offside on an otherwise satisfying day for Unai Emery's men.

Sevilla will now have a shot at winning the Europa League for a third season in succession, something no club has achieved in the history of UEFA's second-tier competition, either in its current format or as the UEFA Cup, while Juve must make do with second spot in the group and a potentially unfavourable draw in the round of 16.

 

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PSV 2-1 CSKA Moscow: Dutch champions progress at Manchester United's expense

PSV came from a goal behind to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 and advance to the Champions League knockout stage at the expense of Manchester United.

Goals from Luuk de Jong and Davy Propper cancelled out a Sergei Ignashevich's penalty in dramatic finish, meaning Phillip Cocu's side secured second place in Group B.

Having looked like they were going out of Europe altogether when they trailed in the second half, PSV staged a rousing comeback to score twice in the space of seven minutes to turn the game on its head.

The result means the Dutch side finish behind Wolfsburg, whose 3-2 win over United leaves the Premier League giants having to settle for a place in the Europa League.

CSKA finish bottom of their Champions League group for a third season running, and their winless run now stretches to seven matches in all competitions.

With their fans creating a superb atmosphere prior to kick-off, PSV started brightly.

Jurgen Locadia was a serious threat down the left, and CSKA's high defensive line gave the winger hope of getting in behind.

However, for all their energy, PSV had only one serious chance in the first half. De Jong wasted it, heading Hector Moreno's cross from the left straight at goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

CSKA looked just as likely to score at the other end, although they had less possession in the first 45 minutes.

Ahmed Musa's shot from a tight angle hit the side netting in the 10th minute, while PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet acrobatically turned away a free-kick from the left foot of Zoran Tosic.

Jeffrey Bruma curled a free-kick over the bar for PSV after the break, but the match failed to carry the same intensity in the second half.

That was until a needless challenge from Andres Guardado gave away a penalty. Tosic invited the tackle before falling theatrically, allowing Ignashevich to break the deadlock from the spot.

PSV were in danger of finishing at the foot of the table at that stage, but captain De Jong's goal - neatly taken after a header into the area had found him onside - suddenly shook up the standings again, and meant Akinfeev has failed to keep a clean sheet for the 37th Champions League match in succession.

Any late nerves for the home side were relieved when Propper rammed home the winner.

His shot from outside the box flew past Akinfeev and avenged a 3-2 defeat to CSKA in the reverse fixture. More importantly, it also made sure of PSV's progress to the last 16.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wolfsburg 3-2 Manchester United: Naldo double sinks eliminated Red Devils

Naldo scored twice to lead Wolfsburg to a 3-2 victory that secures them top spot in Group B and eliminates Manchester United from this season's Champions League.

United threw away an early lead and ultimately slipped from second to third in Germany, with PSV moving into the top two by battling back from a goal behind to claim maximum points against CSKA Moscow.

Having endured another frustrating goalless draw against West Ham at the weekend, Anthony Martial gave United the ideal start when he slotted home 10 minutes in.

But Naldo's volley levelled matters three minutes later and Vieirinha's first Champions League goal put Wolfsburg ahead at the break.

Missing captain Wayne Rooney, Louis van Gaal's men created chances but, as has so often been the case this season, failed to convert.

Sergei Ignashevich's penalty for CSKA briefly looked to have sent United through regardless of the result at the Volkswagen Arena but Luuk de Jong and Davy Propper scored to earn all three points for PSV.

And though Marouane Fellaini's header resulted in Josuha Guilavogui turning the ball into his own net, Naldo again provided a quick response to ensure there was no late twist.

Van Gaal - having returned United to the Champions League after a season's absence - will await Europa League football in 2016 as Wolfsburg celebrated their first group-stage progression as winners.

Andre Schurrle was a surprise inclusion in Hecking's XI and he should have tested David de Gea two minutes in only to skew an effort over the crossbar when one-on-one.

With Rooney absent, Van Gaal handed Guillermo Varela a first United start at right-back and brought Memphis Depay into his starting line-up.

Marouane Fellaini was moved deeper into midfield to accommodate Depay and the Belgian found himself in the way of an early Juan Mata effort set for the target.

The Spaniard proved crucial in United's opener, however, playing in Martial who slotted the ball past Diego Benaglio.

Martial's first goal since October's draw with CSKA Moscow was soon cancelled out by Naldo's well-taken volley, the centre-back angling Ricardo Rodriguez's free-kick past De Gea.

Rodriguez was forced off injured soon after, replaced by Marcel Schafer, with Benaglio saving at close range from Fellaini before Wolfsburg took the lead with a delightful move.

Draxler cut in from the right and played a neat one-two with Max Kruse before setting up a tap-in for Vieirinha.

United's Matteo Darmian was also forced off injured - youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson coming on as his replacement - and the visitors' frustration increased when Jesse Lingard saw an effort chalked off for offside, with the assistant referee deeming Mata was interfering with play by loitering in front of Benaglio.

United piled on the pressure but almost fell further behind to an audacious Schurrle lob amid questionable decision-making from De Gea, with Kruse wasting an opportunity to put the game to bed when he sidefooted wide from a corner.

Drama in Eindhoven briefly threatened to alter the complexion of the group, as did Guilavogui's own goal.

But Naldo's second and Propper's winner in the Netherlands quickly dashed any United hopes, with Wolfsburg deservedly claiming the points and top spot to leave Van Gaal with plenty to ponder.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Manchester United flops won't want to leave their homes after Champions League shame'

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United's players should be embarrassed by their performances after they crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

United now face the prospect of playing in the Europa League after they slipped to a 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in their final game of the Champions League group stage.

"It’s embarrassing, I was in a squad that went in the Europa League, it’s an embarrassment," the former United defender told BT Sport.

"You don’t want to come out of your house, you don’t want to walk around Manchester, people looking at you and thinking you’re not good enough, questioning you as an individual, as a team who didn’t get through the group stages that you should have, on paper."

United took an early through Anthony Martial and while a late Josuha Guilavogui own goal looked to have given United a lifeline, Naldo's winner in the 84th minute sealed victory for Wolfsburg.

And Ferdinand believes United's squad requires a significant overhaul if they are to progress in Europe.

"If you strip it back and look at this squad, this squad needs a real hard looking at," said Ferdinand.

"There’s no pace in the squad, no power, there doesn’t seem to be great resilience at times, the leaders you look for in situations like this, at the moment it looks like people are looking around at each other rather than being the man to stand up and saying ‘I’m going to drag you through the forces’.

"Normally when you look at the top teams there’s not only one, there’s two, three four in those types of teams, and I don’t see that at the moment."

 

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Van Gaal rues 'strange' decision to rule out Lingard goal

Louis van Gaal questioned the decision to rule out a Jesse Lingard goal at the end of the first half as Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday. Anthony Martial gave United an early lead against Wolfsburg, but the German side hit back with first half strikes from Naldo and Vieirinha.

A late own goal from Josuha Guilavogui gave Van Gaal’s side some hope, only for Wolfsburg to go up the other end and immediately restore their lead through Naldo.

However, the Dutchman questioned why the assistant referee opted to rule Lingard’s effort out at 2-1.

Juan Mata was in an offside position, but Van Gaal didn’t feel the Spaniard was interning with play and suggested pressure from the home team’s players influenced the official’s decision. “When you see that as a linesman, you are very good,” Van Gaal said.

“When you first give it as a goal, and then a few [Wolfsburg] players come and talk to you, that is strange in my opinion. “I don’t think the goalkeeper was interfered with by Mata, because the ball is turning into the goal - so I don’t think he can reach the ball.

“But of course, he sees Mata in an offside position and he takes the benefit of that.”

United have been in fine form at the back this season, but looked liable to concede each time Wolfsburg attacked.

Van Gaal admitted he was left scratching his head about why his side’s defending deteriorated so much. “It’s difficult to understand when you defend so well normally - I am happy we have scored, but I’m not happy that we gift two times within two minutes a goal away, so I have to analyse why that is happening,” he added.

“Normally we are very good in that aspect of football. “The last matches we played we didn’t score goals, but [against Wolfsburg we scored] two - and maybe the cancelled goal…”

Manchester United will now turn their attention to the Europa League in the new year, while Wolfsburg progress in the Champions League as group winners.

 

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Ronaldo on PSG links: I'm very happy in Madrid

Record-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo has repeated that he is happy at Real Madrid, while insisting he is not obsessed with the Ballon d'Or.

The striker rediscovered his best form in front of goal with four strikes in an 8-0 demolition of Malmo on Tuesday, with Karim Benzema also grabbing a hat-trick.

Ronaldo also broke the record for the most goals in a Champions League group stage, reaching 11 this year.

"It is just speculation, it happens every year," he told Atresmedia after Tuesday's game, referring to rumours linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

"In a way people are used to this always happening around Cristiano. I am good, I feel good in a club that has helped me a lot since I arrived and I am very happy here."

While Ronaldo was included alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in the Ballon d'Or top three, his chances of winning are slim due to the treble won by his rivals at Barcelona.

But when asked about the prize, the three-time winner affirmed that losing the title would not keep him awake at night.

"I am not obsessed with the Ballon d'Or. These things happen naturally, and I am happy with my season," he said.

"People might be used to better performances but I am happy considering what happened at the start of the season when there were certain problems but they are private.

"I am getting better, I am feeling better, the team are helping me a lot and I am happy."

 

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Ronaldo backs Benitez: He's doing a great job

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he is firmly behind Rafael Benitez as Real Madrid coach, despite the criticism he has received in recent weeks.

The Portuguese striker broke his media silence following an 8-0 victory over Malmo to talk about his current form, as well as the improvement in the club after several adverse results.

And when asked about the jeers Benitez had received at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ronaldo took the opportunity to defend his boss.

"I had not noticed [the whistles]. I don't know what could have happened," he told Atresmedia.

"I cannot see why there would be a problem, people express themselves however they see fit. For me he is doing a great job and I think we should give him time because he is doing things well."

Cristiano continued by pointing out that Madrid players and staff were used to being under the microscope, but that the worst was over.

"It is normal. Real Madrid are a club where if things go wrong everybody criticises, but it is normal," he explained.

"We are used to that but we are getting better."

 

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Manchester United were unlucky - Fellaini

Marouane Fellaini bemoaned Manchester United's lack of fortune after they crashed out of the Champions League following a 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg.

United threw away an early lead and ultimately slipped from second to third in Germany as PSV moved into the top two behind Dieter Hecking's group winners - the Dutch side battling back from Sergei Ignashevich's penalty to claim maximum points against CSKA Moscow.Louis van Gaal's side will now compete in the Europa League after Christmas and Fellaini felt a lack of fortune played a part at the Volkswagen Arena.

He told BT Sport: "We created a lot of chances and we should have won. They scored three goals from set-pieces and we should have defended better.

"There were great saves from their defenders and the goalkeepers, we were unlucky tonight."We have to forget this disappointment and focus on the next game."

Fellaini also felt United could have done more in other matches in the group, adding: "It's difficult for us, we are disappointed but we have to look back. We should have won the first game against PSV and we only drew against them at home."Fellaini was not willing to discuss the possibility of playing in the second-tier Europa League.

He said: "We don't talk about that now. We are all disappointed, we have to recover and focus on the next game."

 

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Van Gaal: Nothing more Manchester United could have done

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes his side could not have done anything more in the 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg that knocked them out of the Champions League.

PSV's 2-1 home win over CSKA Moscow saw United condemned to third spot in Group B and falling into the Europa League.Anthony Martial opened the scoring for Van Gaal's team and Marouane Fellaini made it 2-2 in the second half, but on both occasions Wolfsburg replied quickly through central defender Naldo to halt the visitors' momentum.

"I think it's a crazy match, we had chances but they also had chances," Van Gaal told BT Sport after the game.

"When we score, they score after two minutes. Also, the winning goal was two minutes after we equalise. We had chances to win, we fought for the win but we couldn't do more than what we have done.

"It is strange but okay, it happens. Also in Eindhoven, CSKA scoring, then, within 10 minutes, PSV take the lead. That's football but you are right, [a lack of concentration] is the first option that I think [can explain the defeat]."United were ranked as favourites to win the group when the draw was made but Van Gaal believes decisions have gone against his team in a closely fought first round.

"Now, you can say we were favourites," he added. "It was a tight group, all [of the] results are like that."It's always 1-0 or 2-1 but when you overview everything you remember that the first match against PSV there were also decisions of the referee that are not positive for us.

"When it is a tight group it can happen."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Stay strong' - Messi sends message of support to injured Neymar

Lionel Messi has sent a message of support to Neymar, and vowed that Barcelona would complete their Champions League group campaign with a win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The Brazilian came down with a groin injury during Tuesday's training session which, while not believed to be serious, will keep him out of contention as the Blaugrana look to end on a high note ahead of the last-16.

Luis Enrique is expected to use a highly-rotated first XI as Barcelona have already clinched top spot in Group E - but Messi promised his team-mate they would give their all to take another three points.

Barcelona have dropped just two points so far in their Champions League group, having recorded four wins and a draw in their five matches to date.

 

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Mourinho: Ferguson is a real friend

Under-pressure Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has thanked Sir Alex Ferguson for his public show of support.

The Premier League champions have endured a miserable season to date, with only 15 points to their name from the opening 15 matches of the league campaign after a shock home loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Ferguson, though, said this week he does not expect the slump to last and called on Blues owner Roman Abramovich not to sack Mourinho."Some people told me [what Ferguson had said]," Mourinho told reporters.

"There is a difference between friends, the fake friends and the ones that are honest and show immediately their feelings towards you. "Sir Alex is my friend and obviously the words are very nice. I believe he is not the kind of person who says it because he likes somebody. It is because he is honest and I thank him."

Chelsea are at home to Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.

 

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UEFA Champions League 2015.12.09 Group Stages Final Matchday Fixtures

UEFA Champions League 2015.12.09 Group Stages Final Matchday Fixtures

Roma Vs BATE

Leverkusen Vs Barcelona

Dinamo Zagreb Vs Bayern

Olympiakos Vs Arsenal

Chelsea Vs Porto

Dynamo Kiev Vs Tel-Aviv

Gent Vs Zenit

Valencia Vs Lyon

​

 

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Olympiakos Vs Arsenal & Chelsea Vs Porto matches walatath ada pattama gemak yai​

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Ronaldo on PSG links: I'm very happy in Madrid

Record-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo has repeated that he is happy at Real Madrid, while insisting he is not obsessed with the Ballon d'Or.

The striker rediscovered his best form in front of goal with four strikes in an 8-0 demolition of Malmo on Tuesday, with Karim Benzema also grabbing a hat-trick.

Ronaldo also broke the record for the most goals in a Champions League group stage, reaching 11 this year.

"It is just speculation, it happens every year," he told Atresmedia after Tuesday's game, referring to rumours linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

"In a way people are used to this always happening around Cristiano. I am good, I feel good in a club that has helped me a lot since I arrived and I am very happy here."

While Ronaldo was included alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in the Ballon d'Or top three, his chances of winning are slim due to the treble won by his rivals at Barcelona.

But when asked about the prize, the three-time winner affirmed that losing the title would not keep him awake at night.

"I am not obsessed with the Ballon d'Or. These things happen naturally, and I am happy with my season," he said.

"People might be used to better performances but I am happy considering what happened at the start of the season when there were certain problems but they are private.

"I am getting better, I am feeling better, the team are helping me a lot and I am happy."

Ow machn. The team is getting better
The chemistry is totally there. You can see it see it by the way they are playing. Ronaldo not being selfish and doing support runs and great assists... And me game eke Modric, Kroos, Bale, Ramos play kareth ne.
Things are getting good for Real. Hopefully Copa Del Rey ban ekath ain unoth hodai.
Ronaldo Real wala hitiyoth eyatath hodai. At least he and the team should consider getting a Treble next Season.
But with Florentino Pérez you never know what will happen. That bugger even sells the players who are in top form because of money.
Things are looking good for Benitez also. But now real need is some good performances at La Liga against good teams like Vale, Villareal and Bilbao..