..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Carlos Vela: The most important thing about my goal is that we won

Real Sociedad's 2-0 win over Zaragoza on Saturday featured Mexican international Carlos Vela's first goal of the season. Following a 12-goal season in 2011-12, Vela was able to find the net for the first time after signing a four-year contract with the team over the summer.

"The important thing is that we won," Vela noted to the press following the match at Anoeta. "I would like to score in every game, but at the start of the season it is always difficult, everyone is trying to reach their peak level."

Vela converted a penalty in the 61st minute after being shoved by Paredes in the previous play to prompt the spot kick.

Manager Philippe Montanier also praised Vela's role in his team's attack, noting that the former Arsenal player contributed heavily to Sociedad's win.

"We had a good reaction in the second half," the Frenchman noted. "We generated chances on goal that guided us to victory."

The victory pushed Real Sociedad to ninth place in La Liga, with six points in four matches.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Javier Hernandez scores fourth goal on favorite target Wigan

Wayne Rooney's lengthy injury coupled with scheduled rest for a dinged up Robin van Persie meant Javier Hernandez got his first start of the season for Manchester United on Saturday.

The 24-year-old overcame a dreadful start as he missed a penalty kick early in the first half, but rebounded later in the match when he slammed home an apparent misfire from teammate Alexander Buttner.

Hernandez's first goal in the Premier League this season coincided with it being his fourth strike overall against Wigan Athletic since arriving at Manchester United in 2010.

The only other English teams that Hernandez has victimized that same amount of times during his European career are Stoke City and Chelsea.

In scoring against Wigan on Saturday, Chicharito bagged his 24th league goal overall with United, with nine more coming across all other competitions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

New-look PSG ready to try its luck in Champions League play

Paris Saint-Germain players and coaches are not making any bold prediction as the French side brings a star-studded squad to its returns to the UEFA Champions League following an eight-year absence.

After opening the season with three draws, coach Carlo Ancelotti's men are coming together at the right time with two straight wins. Now the capital club will try its luck in the Champions League, beginning with its Group A opener against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.

"It will be a great day for the club, for the fans," Zlatan Ibrahimovic said. "This is the biggest competition that exists. It is very important to us. The quality, we have it. The potential, we have it also. But the level in the Champions League is different."

PSG has been on a mission to build one of the strongest teams in the world, spending around 160 million euros this summer on well-known names such as Thiago Silva, Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore. But names don't equal victories, and the team knows it.

Ibrahimovic, who moved to PSG from AC Milan early in the summer, is taking a cautious stance on his team's chances in Europe's biggest club competition.

"I play every competition to win it. But if I dont win the Champions League, it will not be the end of my life," Ibrahimovic said. "It remains a goal, like all other competitions. In Paris, we have something amazing to live. The club grows. In a few weeks, I've seen the evolution."

With big spending comes big expectations for PSG, and the club has already been booed by its own fans during home draws with Lorient and Bordeaux. But Ibrahimovic still feels PSG has "respect" from around the world along with the skill to make some noise.

"We have a very dangerous team," he said. "We will want to show that we have a very solid team that can go far."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dani Alves: Kaka would not have been treated like this at Barcelona

Barcelona defender Dani Alves recently has hit out at Real Madrid for their treatment of Kaka, claiming that his fellow Brazilian would be more valued at Camp Nou.


The former World Player of the Year has struggled to secure a starting role or even consistent playing time since joining Los Merengues in 2009, having struggled with injuries and inconsistency.

The 30-year-old was widely linked with a move back to AC Milan in the close season, and the former Sevilla man is adamant that his compatriot should have departed the Santiago Bernabeu.

"If I were Kaka, I would have left Real Madrid a long time ago," the right back explained to Esporte Interactivo.

He continued to explain, "Because in my life, I love playing football, and if you take away from me what I love, I lose my sense of life. I am sad because I admire Kaka and I would not like to live through what is happening to him.

"He made it to where very few have - the best in the world, and now he has no respect from their owners. I think he would not be going through this situation at Barcelona."

The 29-year-old then went on to voice his admiration for former coach Pep Guardiola, who left the Camp Nou dugout for a sabbatical, having become exhausted.

"Guardiola is the best coach I've had, the most complete, someone that you learn something from everyday," Alves said.

"That's the difference with other coaches. He says: 'trust me and we will win the game'. So I admire him because he is a coach that can convince you that his is the way to win."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Szczesny out of Arsenal's Champions League opener against Montpellier

Wojciech Szczesny is out of Arsenal‘s opening Champions League fixture against Montpellier with an ankle injury.

The first-choice goalkeeper suffered the injury during the warm-up before the Gunners’ clash with Southampton on Saturday, which they won 6-1.The Pole still played the full 90 minutes, though, but made a mistake led to the newly promoted side netting a consolation.

Following the knock, the 22-year-old has not traveled with the squad for Tuesday’s match against the Ligue 1 champions, with Vito Mannone once again deputising in goal for the Poland international.

Szczesny played in the Premier League opening day 0-0 draw with Sunderland, but then missed the following stalemate with Stoke City, after failing a late fitness test, and sat out the win over Liverpool.

Mannone has represented Arsenal in the Champions League before, stepping in against Standard Liege for his first appearance in the competition in 2009, where he conceded twice in the first five minutes.

The former Atalanta man fared better in his second opportunity, keeping a clean sheet against Olympiacos in the same campaign before going on to face the Greek side once more in the 2011-12 season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aguero to travel with Manchester City squad ahead of Real Madrid clash, confirms Mancini

Sergio Aguero will make the journey to Spain ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid, Roberto Mancini has confirmed.



The Argentine has been sidelined with a knee injury since the Premier League champions’ opening-day victory over Southampton, and was not risked for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Stoke.

Despite concerns still remaining over Aguero’s fitness, Mancini is set to gamble on the 24-year-old making a full recovery in time for Tuesday’s tie, and even hinted at a possible start at Santiago Bernabeu."I think he can have a chance," Mancini said. "Sergio will travel with us."He worked with the team in the last three days before the Stoke game. We didn't want to take any risks with him - but maybe he can be ready for Madrid.

"Will he start? I don't know."Another player who has overcome a troubled start to the campaign is Gareth Barry, who returned to first-team action as a substitute at the Britannia Stadium.

"I'm happy for Gareth after three months to play again," added Mancini. "It's important for us because he's an important player and he had 30 minutes and did well."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Llorente: I can not guarantee I will still be with Athletic Bilbao in 2013

Fernando Llorente has stressed that he can not guarantee that he will still be with Athletic Bilbao in 2013 as he is considering his options for the future.

The Spain international appeared to be close to joining Juventus in the summer transfer window after telling Athletic that he does not want to extend his expiring deal.

Even though his proposed move to the Serie A giants eventually fell through, Llorente has made it clear that he can not make any promises as to whether he will remain at the Basque side until the end of the season.

"I can not guarantee that I will still be with Athletic in 2013. In January I'm free to talk and I will consider all my options. But I want to forget about that and help the team. The less people talk about me the better," he stated to Cadena SER.

The Euro 2012 winner has dealt with months of speculation over his future but believes no one should begrudge him a move to another club after everything he's given to Los Leones.

Known as "El Rey Leon," Llorente has been at Bilbao since 2005 and has made over 200 appearances for the club. He was a revelation last year in a new system under Bielsa, netting 30 goals in all competitions.

"It hurts that people have turned against me. It hurts that they doubt me, I've always given everything for Athletic," Llorente told radio station Cadena SER.

"Even if at some point in my career I don't play with Athletic, it will always be my team. It's personal. The club have given me everything, it's where I grew up from the time I was a boy.

"If for whatever reason I leave here, nobody should be annoyed with me. It's a personal decision that people should respect."

Llorente netted his first goal of the season in Athletic's 3-3 draw with Espanyol at the weekend.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Mourinho comments do not help Real Madrid' - Calderon slams coach

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon feels that head coach Jose Mourinho was wrong to criticize his team in the aftermath of Los Blancos' 1-0 defeat to Sevilla.

The flamboyant coach stated that he "does not have a team" following the surprise loss, while also voicing his unhappiness with his side's collective spirit.

However, Calderon believes that the Madrid players could just as easily complain about Mourinho in the current situation.

"Mourinho's comments don't help the team in any way. The players could just as easily say that they don't have a coach right now," Calderon stated to RAC1.

"It would be better to see these losses as incidents. I imagine that the players are not too happy with Mourinho's comments.

"I believe that the team is fully committed to the team. The players are giving their all out there on the pitch."

Madrid has already dropped eight points in the opening weeks of the 2012-13 campaign, and sits only 11th in the Liga table.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fabregas: Amazing Wenger will get Arsenal challenging for trophies

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas claims Arsene Wenger has a "special talent" for developing young players and insists the Frenchman will launch a title challenge with Arsenal this season.

Fabregas, who left Arsenal in August 2011, believes the 62-year-old is able to enhance the confidence of the younger personnel in Arsenal's squad and maintains he still monitors the progress of his former club.

"Arsene Wenger is amazing and I’m sure he will prove it again this season. He always finds the best young talent in Europe and has the courage to bring them in and give them their chance," Fabregas told The Sun. "That is his special talent, the way he works with a player to build their confidence and encourage them to play, to perform at their best. That’s why I’m confident that Arsenal will again be up there challenging. I watch them every weekend because Arsenal still mean so much to me."

Fabregas has voiced his discontent over a lack of playing time under Tito Vilanova this season, but the 25-year-old insists he understands the level of competition at Barcelona.

"It was a privilege for me to spend eight years at such a magnificent club," Fabregas said. "But now is a new chapter at Barcelona and I said when I signed here that it was going to be the most exciting and difficult challenge of my life."

"I knew I was coming to compete for a place against the best players in the world but I like big challenges. If I didn’t I would have stayed at Arsenal where I was the captain, where I played every game and where I was treated so well. I have a big heart, a strong character and I have the courage to carry on competing for my place."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League 2012.09.18 Openning Day Group Stage Fixtures

UEFA Champions League 2012.09.18 Openning Day Group Stage Fixtures​

Group A ​

Dinamo Zagred Vs Porto

​

PSG Vs Dynamo Kyiv

​

Group B​

Montpellier Vs Arsenal

​

Olympiacos Vs Schalke

​

Group C​

Malaga Vs Zenit

​

AC Milan Vs Anderlecht

​

Group D​

Dortmund Vs Ajax

​

Real Madrid Vs Manchester City

​

 

[Ereshaz77]

 

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Arsenal 6-1 Southampton: Gervinho double helps Gunners pile on the misery for sorry Saints

Arsenal romped to a 6-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Southampton in an all-action Premier League encounter at the Emirates.

Gervinho led the way for Arsenal with a double and Lukas Podolski, Nathaniel Clyne, Theo Walcott all added goals a piece in the rout. Southampton's lone score game from Daniel Fox, though Jos Hooiveld had an own goal.

The Gunners got to a strong start in the first half as Gervinho scored his first goal and Hooiveld and Clyne added a goal each. Fox responded for Southampton but the newly promoted side had no answer for Arsenal in the second half.

Arsenal continued to assert domination in the second half as Gervinho's second and Theo Walcott's late effort made it six.

The result stretched the home side's unbeaten start to the season as Southampton are still to find their first point after rejoining the top flight.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was unable to call upon Abou Diaby or Theo Walcott, though the latter made the bench. Wojciech Szczesny was restored to the starting lineup, as Gervinho replaced Olivier Giroud up front and Francis Coquelin came into the centre of midfield.

Saints begun with the same side that battled to a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United, with trio of new signings Gaston Ramirez, Emmanuel Mayuka and Maya Yoshida having to make do with a place on the bench.

Arsenal begun the brighter of the two and their early pressure was rewarded in the 10th minute after Hooiveld turned the ball into his own net as Kelvin Davis could only get a foot to Keiran Gibbs' low, drilled cross from the left byline.

Per Mertesacker tested Davis with a powerful header from Santi Cazorla's looping ball into the box as Arsenal began to assert their dominance, before Gervinho fizzed an effort just wide of the post.

Hooiveld was replaced by Maya Yoshia around the half hour point as Saints fully capitulated, conceding three goals in a matter of minutes.

Steven Davis gave away a needless foul on the edge of the area, allowing Podolski to step up and bend a left footed effort that was well beyond Kelvin Davis' grasp.

Almost immediately after the restart Saints left back Daniel Fox was caught napping and a simple Mikel Arteta lofted pass down the line allowed Gervinho to steam in on goal and smash home at the near post.

Arsenal got their fourth in a manner similar to the game's opener. Another powerful surge down the left from Gibbs saw the full-back whip in a cross that ended up in the Saints net via a wicked deflection off Clyne.

Moments before the interval Wojciech Szcznesy granted the visitors a lifeline, making a total mess of a cross from deep to allow Fox to poke in from yards out.

Rickie Lambert missed a good chance to get his side back with a fighting chance though slotted wide, as Arsenal continued to enjoy the upper hand in the second half.

The Gunners further stretched their lead after substitute Aaron Ramsey made an instant impact, outfoxing Clyne as he burst into the box, only to see his prodded effort rebound off the post to allow Gervinho to bundle home from a couple yards out.

Gervinho and Podolski were replaced to rapturous applause, with replacement Walcott puting the icing on the cake, bending home with his left foot as the visitors' defence made a hash of clearing Thomas Vermaelen's strike.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 Dynamo Kiev: French giant makes statement on Champions League return

Paris Saint-Germain returned to the Champions League for the first time in eight years and threw down a warning to Europe’s biggest sides as the club ran out a resounding 4-1 winner over Dynamo Kiev at Parc des Princes.

All the damage was done in the first half by the home side. Zlatan Ibrahimovic converted a penalty to break the deadlock before debutant defender Thiago Silva made his mark by shooting home from a corner. Alex completed the scoring shortly afterwards from a similar scenario, allowing the home side to play the second period at walking pace. Miguel Veloso belatedly pulled one back for the guests, but Javier Pastore grabbed a fourth for the hosts in stoppage time.

From the outset Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked enterprising and dangerous, threatening as early as the second minute when Jeremy Menez released Pastore to flick a shot against visiting goalkeeper Maksym Koval.

Although PSG’s early storm seemed to have been weathered, Menez’s trickery in the box induced a rash challenge from Taras Mykhalyk, who caught the attacker’s foot, sending him to the turf. Ibrahimovic was able to step up and create history, slotting his penalty down the middle to become the first player to score for six sides in the Champions League.

Thereafter, the home side simply swept its opponent away, and only heroics from Koval prevented Ibrahimovic completing a hat trick before the interval. The Swede got in behind the visiting rearguard simply from a terrific pass from the outstanding Marco Verratti, but the goalkeeper positioned himself well to block, and then repelled the follow up from Pastore.

The teenager could not stop his side slumping to a three-goal halftime deficit, let down by a defense that failed to police PSG adequately from corner kicks. Silva was the first to benefit, showing admirable composure on his debut for Les Parisiens to control a loose ball in the box and then slide a shot in off the post.

Alex struck the third shortly afterwards, hammering into the net with a fine volley, although the ball should never have reached him on the penalty spot.

The second half was simply a procession for the home side, which slowed the tempo of its play noticeably. Dynamo defended more stoutly too, and restricted PSG to an ambitious clip from Ibrahimovic, who was withdrawn shortly afterwards to a standing ovation, and a skimming Pastore shot that went a whisker wide.

With a handful of minutes remaining, Veloso’s tremendous cross deceived everyone and flew into Salvatore Sirigu’s net, but the shine was added to a very complete performance by Pastore in stoppage time as he squeezed home a low shot that really should have been blocked.

Ancelotti's side can be delighted with its reintroduction to Europe's elite, but sterner challenges will follow in the weeks and months to come.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Ajax: Lewandowski nets late to seal Group D victory

Borussia Dortmund has recorded a 1-0 victory over Ajax at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday in their Champions League Group D opener.

The hosts should have opened the scoring in the second half via Mats Hummels, but the center back missed a spot kick. However, Robert Lewandowski's late goal helped Dortmund to the full three points after all.

BVB started the match with attacking intentions and threatened early on via Kuba and Lewandowski. However, the first big chance of the game was for Ajax following some sloppy play from Ilkay Gundogan. Ryan Babel stole the ball off the Dortmund midfielder's feet before setting up Christian Eriksen inside the area, but the Denmark international's shot was kept out by Roman Weidenfeller.

The home side then got a good chance itself shortly after as Mario Gotze seemed to escape the attention of the Ajax defense, but Niklas Moisander bullied the creative midfielder off the ball with a last-ditch tackle.

Robert Lewandowski did come close to breaking the deadlock at the half-hour mark, but he failed to find the net as Kenneth Vermeer forced him out wide. Marcel Schmelzer tested Vermeer with a powerful shot only minutes later, but the Ajax goalkeeper wasn't impressed and punched the ball wide.

Derk Boerrigter could have opened the scoring in the 35th minute, but the winger hesitated just too long, allowing Weidenfeller to rush off his line to intercept the through pass. The loose ball then ended up in Babel's feet, but his shot was deflected wide by Neven Subotic.

Ajax made a superb start to the second half and both Siem de Jong and Babel could have added their name to the score sheet. However, the former's shot after a corner kick was kept out by Weidenfeller, while the latter's header went over the crossbar.

Lewandowski then should have opened the scoring after evading the Ajax defense following a cross from the right, but the Poland star wildly blasted his shot over the bar. A brilliant through pass from Mario Gotze found Marco Reus one-on-one with Vermeer, but the Germany international failed to beat the Ajax goalkeeper.

Gotze then went to the ground rather easily after walking into Ricardo van Rhijn inside the Ajax area, but the referee deemed it enough for a spot kick. Mats Hummels stepped up to take it, but Vermeer once again proved to be too much of an obstacle.

Schmelzer then found himself in a dangerous position after 76 minutes of play, but the fullback hesitated just too long, allowing Van Rhijn to make a superb last-ditch tackle to clear the ball.

Nevertheless, BVB eventually got its winner after all as Lewandowski collected a cross from the left, evaded Toby Alderweireld's tackle, and fired home from close range to make it 1-0.

Dortmund's next Champions League match is the away game versus Manchester City on Oct. 3, while Ajax host Real Madrid on the same date.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Vucinic: Juventus does not fear Chelsea

Juventus forward Mirko Vucinic has fired a warning shot to Chelsea ahead of their Champions League clash on Wednesday night, claiming his side does not fear the reigning champions.

Juventus is on a 42-game domestic unbeaten streak which saw the club pick up the Serie A title last season and although Chelsea won the Champions League in May, and currently leads the Premier League, Vucinic feels the west London side is a weaker proposition than it was last term.

"This is not the same Chelsea as last season because in the last few weeks they have failed in several matches and that increases our chances for Wednesday," Vucinic told reporters.

"Will we play for a draw? Never! Our challenge is to win three points. We are the best team in Italy and it’s a matter of pride for the players."

The forward continued to stress the pride that the Juventus players feel ahead of their return to the top tier of European football and while acknowledging Chelsea deserves respect, insisting the Bianconeri will arrive in London high on confidence, and low on fear.

"Stamford Bridge is not the best place for us to open the group but there exists no fear," he said.

He added, "We are the champions of Italy and that gives us a prestige we need to exploit. This is our return to the Champions League and very special.

"Chelsea are European champions and deserve our respect, but we go to London without fear and with a lot of confidence."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Soldado 'full of confidence' ahead of Bayern clash

Roberto Soldado says he does not see why Valencia cannot get a positive result in its Champions League opener away to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

The prolific forward sees the Bavarians as the club's strongest opponents in Group F, but feels it has already shown in the Liga games against Barcelona and Real Madrid that it can compete with Europe's finest.

"We have to win in order to get the good start we are aiming for. It will not be an easy game against the strongest team in our group, but we have already shown versus Barcelona and Real Madrid what we can do," Soldado was quoted as saying by EFE.

"We are full of confidence and want to start our Champions League campaign on a high.

"However, Bayern have some great players and are among the best teams in Europe. They made it to the Champions League final for a reason last term."

Both sides last met in the final of the 2000-01 Champions League, when Bayern proved to be too strong after penalties.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Friedel enjoying 'healthy' rivalry with Lloris at Tottenham

Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has insisted there is no problem between him and Hugo Lloris, describing the competition as "healthy".

Lloris was a deadline day acquisition from Lyon in a deal that could rise to 12 million pounds but Friedel has kept his place in the Spurs starting lineup with a string of impressive displays.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas publicly stated his intention to stick with the American as his first-choice goalkeeper, a claim that didn’t resonate too well with French national team manager, Didier Deschamps.

But Friedel has no issue with the raft of competition for one spot at the club, with Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini also waiting in line.

"Hugo has come in and is a really nice person," Friedel told talkSPORT. "He's a super goalkeeper but we have two other really good goalkeepers in Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini."

He added, "We have friendly, and healthy, competition for places and hopefully we will have long runs in all the cup competitions and there's going to be plenty of matches to share around."

Lloris on the other hand, who is expected to start Thursday’s Europa League clash with Lazio, wants to be given consistent playing time at some point in the season but has been reassured as to his position in the squad.

He told L’Equipe: "I am in an adaptation period, I've had very few training sessions, and there are players that I didn't know. But I am expecting time on the pitch.

"Things were very clear from the start on Sunday. I was at the disposal of [Tottenham goalkeeping coach] Tony Parks and Brad Friedel.

"That pitch, that atmosphere, that gives you desire to play. Moreover we got three points that made us start our season.

"For me, it is a period to manage. Obviously I have desire. I came here to play."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger wary over Walcott contract future

Ahead of the club’s opening Champions League encounter, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has expressed his concern over the contract status of winger Theo Walcott.

The England international received a mixed reception from the Emirates faithful as he came onto the field to net during the Gunners’ 6-1 win over Southampton.

This came after speculation had mounted during the final weeks of the transfer window that Walcott had rejected a new deal, worth 75,000 pounds a week and was instead, holding out for 100,000.

And with the 23-year-old now entering the final year of his current deal, Wenger did little to calm fears he may be the latest big name to depart the Emirates.

He told the Guardian: “At the moment, I still hope to extend his contract so, at the moment, it doesn't affect me.

“Of course at some stage … if, in April, it's not done, you can think it will be difficult to do."

Wenger also responded to the groans around the Emirates expressed at Walcott’s introduction on Saturday, describing them as, ‘a worry’

“It is a worry. You want your players to be supported, no matter what kind of contractual situation they are in. I hope it will not affect him and that it will not affect our fans.

“Theo has gone through a lot at 23 years of age. A lot of positives, a lot of negatives and he's level-headed."

The Arsenal manager has left Walcott on the bench in each of the club’s first four league games this season and looks set to repeat the selection for the Gunners’ opening Champions League tie against Montpellier tonight.

Wenger serves the first of a three-match touchline ban tonight following an outburst at officials during the club’s quarterfinal defeat to Milan last season and admits it is somewhat of a problem.

"It [the ban] is a nightmare.

"Honestly, many people in UEFA, even [Michel] Platini, said that we should still let people work, even if they are suspended. It's part of the job and therefore a restriction of work.

"But I don't make a fuss of it. They love to suspend me. How should they punish people? Financially? But they do both. They punish you financially and they ban you."

This is Wenger’s third touchline ban in just over a year, following evidence he communicated with the club’s bench while serving a similar suspension against Udinese in last year’s Champions League qualifiers.

"Honestly, nobody knows really, even at UEFA, what is allowed and not allowed. Let's not forget that I was suspended last year for having done what they told me I can do.

"When I went back there and said: 'Why do you want to punish me?' They said: 'Because you communicated with your bench.' I said: 'But you allowed me to do it.' They said: 'We made a mistake. But we punish you anyway'."

Assistant Steve Bould will take charge of Arsenal for the visit to Montpellier and Wenger is predicting a tough test in France for his Gunners side.

"Montpellier wait for this game and maybe they missed a bit their championship because there is so much attention on this game," he continued.

"What they did last season is a miracle because a few years ago, they were in the second division. For this club, it is something exceptional."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Malaga 3-0 Zenit St Petersburg: Isco stars as Spanish side enjoys dream Champions League debut

A blistering Champions League double from Isco meant the youngster stole the show in Malaga's 3-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg, as the Andalusians took home all three points against their under-par rivals.

The 20-year-old midfielder scored one in each half to assure an impressive victory, while veteran hitman Javier Saviola also got in on the act with an incisive finish for his new club.

Appearing in its first-ever UEFA Champions League group stage clash after battling past Panathinaikos, the Spanish side made an early statement of its intentions with a goal in almost the first attack of the match. Great play down the left by Eliseu opened up the Zenit defense, and Isco took full advantage as he left Alexander Anyukov for dead before releasing a curling shot past the keeper.

With just three minutes on the clock, the Andalusian team had taken a 1-0 lead.

Hulk crashed a shot against the bar to give a warning of his intentions, but Malaga was on a high and soon doubled its lead. Ragged defending and patient build-up play gave Jesus Gamez space on the wing, and his low cross was expertly converted by Saviola to send the Boquerones into dreamland.

From that explosive start, the game developed into an intriguing, high-octane encounter. With less than exemplary work from either backline, both sides had the opportunity to further add to the scoreline. Saviola for one was guilty of squandering a close-range effort after Joaquin expertly turned the beleaguered Anyukov, while at the other end Willy Caballero had to be alert to get down to Aleksandr Kherzakov's snap shot.

Zenit finished the half searching determinedly for the goal that would cut the deficit. Caballero was once again called into action to snaffle Shirakov's header, before a Nicolas Lombaerts effort went just wide of the post. Both attempts were taken blissfully free of marking from the home side, a warning for Malaga that it would have to tighten up if the club wanted to preserve its lead at the end of 90 minutes.

The hosts went within inches of repeating their excellent start to the match in the first few minutes after the interval. Joaquin released Eliseu with a nicely paced pass, but the midfielder was denied one-on-one by Malafeev when he looked destined to add Malaga's third. At the other end, Caballero was again impressive as he just managed to scoop the ball out of the path of Vladimir Bystrov.

Manuel Pellegrini's men finished the game in buoyant mood, getting behind the St Petersburg defense at will as the visitors fruitlessly pushed forward in search of a goal. The final nail was driven home with 15 minutes left when Isco netted his second and Malaga's third with a storming strike from the edge of the area. It was no less than the youngster deserved for an all-action performance, and likewise for the Champions League newboys who took home a conclusive, historic victory on their debut.

The win means that the Boquerones go straight to the top of Group C at the end of the first round of matches, after AC Milan was held to a draw by Anderlecht in the other clash. The Spanish side will return to Champions League action on Oct. 3, with a visit to Brussels.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Olympiakos 1-2 Schalke: Huntelaar snatches victory in Greece

Schalke capped off a confident display to crown its return to the Champions League by dispatching Group B opponent Olympiakos 2-1 at the Karaiskakis Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Goals from Benedikt Howedes and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar sealed the tie, with Olympiakos netting scant consolation with a single goal from Djamel Abdoun.

Despite the frenzied atmosphere created by the home fans, the opening half proved to be a dour, cagey affair, with both teams cautiously probing forward to test for tell-tale signs of their opponent's weaknesses.

Paulo Machado signaled the Greek Superleague champion's intent when he advanced confidently down the left in the fifth minute, but Euro 2012 revelation Kyriakos Papadopoulos was on hand to head clear the danger against his former employer.

Spurred on by the cauldron of home support, Olympiakos continued to search for avenues to break into their visitors' area, as Rafik Djebbour narrowly missed connecting with captain Vasilis Torosidis' searching cross. Schalke was not content to let the Greeks have it all their way however, as Netherlands international Huntelaar gave keeper Balasz Megyeri a reminder his team was very much on the pitch with a headed half-chance in the 17th minute.

Olympiakos was not to be rattled, and Jose Holebas sent a free kick from distance inches wide of the post. Portuguese midfielder Machado was giving Schalke counterparts Jermaine Jones and Roman Neustadter the run-around, capping off a solid start to the game by whipping an excellent cross to Djebbour, who escaped the attentions of his marker to blast just wide.

The close shave only served to jolt Huub Stevens men into action, culminating in a move that saw Christian Fuchs round off a spate of pressure by exploiting the home team's insecurity in defending the flanks, launching a ball into the area that was cleared with some difficulty by Francois Modesto.

Schalke skipper Howedes had the pleasure of being the first man added to the referee's book, picking up a yellow card for roughhousing with Machado in the center in the 30th minute. Nevertheless, The Royal Blues persisted in stamping their mark on the game, and it was via a foray forward that led to a moment of controversy.

Papadopoulos thought he had earned Schalke the opener when he rose to challenge Megyeri for a ball, subsequently depositing it in the back of the net, but the match official disallowed the goal for a supposed infringement by the Greece international. The Bundesliga side was not to be denied for long though, and Howedes rose highest from a corner to truly gift his side the lead in the 41st minute.

With the goal serving to galvanism the German's spirits, Schalke emerged from the halftime break with increased potency, nearly doubling the scoreline when Megyeri fumbled a routine cross into the path of summer signing Tranquillo Barnetta, who from 10 yards somehow managed to blaze the ball high over the bar.

It was Olympiakos' turn to show it would not yield in front of the own fans now, as Joel Matip's poor clearance attempt fell to Djebbour, who subsequently saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by the recovering Cameroon international.

Ensuing chaos in play suddenly led to Leonardo Jardim's outfit drawing level in the 58th minute in a bizarre manner, after a long punt from goal was contested but missed by either of Howedes and Djebbour, enabling Abdoun to sweep home in the easiest of manners.

As momentum in the match continued running high, Huntelaar, who had been well shackled to that point, immediately handed his team the initiative again once play restarted. A blindingly-quick avenue into Olympiakos' box paid dividends, as the hitman clinically settled matters past the stranded custodian.

The former AC Milan striker then went from hero to villain, missing a penalty after Barnetta was brought down in the box following his sublime piece of skill. Huntelaar stepped up to take the spot kick and beat Megyeri, only to see the ball come off the post.

Barcelona-loanee Ibrahim Afellay came on to lend some cutting-edge as Schalke poured forward in a bid to seal the match for good, but some alert goalkeeping foiled Huntelaar at close range, after Jones had put him in in the 85th minute. With the home side realizing all was lost, the match slowed to walking pace, in an otherwise uneventful night.