..::Football II::..

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Pirlo deserved to win Ballon d'Or, claims Shakhtar boss Lucescu

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu says Andrea Pirlo's form over the past year should have resulted in him being awarded the Ballon d'Or a day before the two will go head-to-head when Juventus plays Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Lucescu worked with the midfielder as a 15-year-old at Brescia, before signing him upon his appointment as Inter boss in 1998; however, the Italy international failed to establish himself with the Nerazzurri following the trainer's dismissal.

A number of years and an accomplished career later, Pirlo most recently played an instrumental role in Juventus' charge towards the Serie A title and his country's run to the final of Euro 2012, and Lucescu believes his exploits last season deserved to warrant the prized individual award.

"I know Andrea Pirlo very well," Lucescu said at a press conference. "When I worked at Brescia, he was 15-and-a-half and was already attracting attention. "We have stayed in contact since. His development has been exceptional and I am convinced that, with all he has done last year in the league and for Italy, he deserved to win the Ballon d'Or.

"He should have won it to crown his career. Pirlo is in great form, and for me, he is always No. 1."

Shakhtar midfielder Fernandinho was also vocal in his admiration of the World Cup winner, and he insisted his side is aware of the threat posed by the Italian champions.

"Pirlo is a great player, and he has shown in his career that he always produces great games," Fernandinho said. "I hope we are able to stop him tomorrow. There are difficulties in every game, but we have studied Juve well and we know their strengths so I hope that will make the difference on the pitch."

 

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Sir Alex Ferguson dismisses Aguero's claims over referee bias

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed claims made by Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero that foreign players are treated differently by referees.

The Argentina international recently expressed his belief that English players had "privileges" that were not available to foreign players, after Roberto Mancini's side failed to get two penalty kicks during its match against Fulham on Saturday.

The veteran United coach coach refused to become embroiled in the argument ahead of his side's UEFA Champions League clash with CFR Cluj, but he did suggest that any reputation foreign players have is down to their own actions over the years.

"As a subject it is not worth going down, because we have known for quite a few years there are plenty of players diving and, you have to say, particularly foreign players," Ferguson told reporters.

The Red Devils boss also complained about his own side's penalty claims over the weekend, in which he felt winger Nani was incorrectly refused a spot-kick after going down from a Jan Vertonghen challenge in their defeat to Tottenham.

"Nani is not the type to dive," said the United boss. "He has never been that type of player. It was a penalty kick on Saturday. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't. From the referee's position it was difficult because there were plenty of bodies in front of him. The linesman could have helped him but he didn't."

 

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Cech wants early Champions League progression for Chelsea

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech wants the Blues to qualify from their UEFA Champions League group as quickly as possible, but insists they will retain their focus against Danish minnows FC Nordsjaelland.

Roberto Di Matteo's men are expected to overcome the Copenhagen side easily on Tuesday, but the Czech Republic international insists the side will not rest on its laurels and will treat the game like any other.

"At the start of every campaign it's important to get as many points as possible early on to qualify, then you can concentrate on the other games, that's the ideal situation," Cech told the club's official website. "We will treat the game exactly the same as our last games. Whether it's a final or not, you have to be ready if you want to win matches.

"This is the Champions League, we take every opponent seriously. We want to win, that's clear, we've done our homework, and we have an idea, but we want to put our own style on the game."

The Blues failed to record an away win in their group last season -- though they did win the final against Bayern Munich at the German side's Allianz Arena -- and Cech is hoping to improve on that statistic this term.

"It's difficult to explain and find out why [the away form was poor]," Cech said. "In the knockout stages we managed to shrug it off, which was the important part of our winning campaign. In the group stages it wasn't the case, but in the knockouts a lot of things changed, even the results away from home, and we would like to continue from there."

 

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QPR 1-2 West Ham: Jarvis and Vaz Te strikes leave Hughes searching for first win of the season

First-half goals from Matt Jarvis and Ricardo Vaz Te secured West Ham a 2-1 win over QPR, marking the club's first away victory of the season and leaving Mark Hughes' winless team at the bottom of the table.

Jarvis opened the scoring for West Ham in the third minute with his header at the back post before Vaz Te doubled the visitors' lead before the interval with a neat finish from a narrow angle.

Adel Taarabt provided a lifeline for the hosts with a stunning curled effort after the break but QPR lacked the cutting edge to be able to break West Ham’s sturdy defense for a second time, particularly after Samba Diakite was sent off 16 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.

This is QPR’s worst start to a Premier League campaign after picking up just two points from six games.

Under the guidance of Sam Allaryce this season, West Ham has continued its bright start with a victory at Loftus Road on Monday evening which has put the club level on points with Tottenham, which sits in fifth place, and West Brom in sixth.

Questions of QPR’s inconsistency at the back were asked after just three minutes of play and West Ham took full advantage of poor marking from the hosts as Vaz Te’s neat one-two with Kevin Nolan led to the latter’s chipped shot which Jarvis was able to meet at the back post and nod beyond Julio Cesar.

Hughes’ men struggled to settle on the ball and with the industrious trio of Nolan, Mohamed Diame and Mark Noble in the middle, QPR’s 4-4-2 system left Esteban Granero and Alejandro Faurlin constantly exposed and outnumbered.

QPR’s brightest outlet was Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right flank and the winger was able to cut inside on a few occasions to provide half-chances, the best of which fell to Granero but the Spaniard blazed his first-time effort over from just inside West Ham’s area.

The fragility of Hughes’ defense was exposed for the second time of the evening in the 35th minute as Noble’s corner led to a scramble in the hosts’ box. The ball was scuffed clear into the path of James Tomkins on West Ham’s right and his cross to the back post was turned in neatly by Vaz Te.

After the halftime whistle was greeted with a chorus of jeers from the home support, QPR began the second half in a similar fashion to its lifeless display before the break and Hughes waited just six minutes to bring off Ji-Sung Park, who was ineffective on the left flank, and Wright-Phillips, who had faded, for Samba Diakite and Adel Taarabt.

The Moroccan had an instant impact and provided QPR with a lifeline as his curled effort from outside of the box, after cutting side from the left flank, left Jussi Jaaskelainen rooted to the spot.

QPR began to find its rhythm and after a neat exchange on the edge of West Ham’s area, Granero hit a thumping shot which forced Jaaskelainenn to parry away. Allardyce’s men responded and could have put their three points beyond doubt but Vaz Te’s strike, which was bound for the top corner, was expertly tipped onto the bar by Julio Cesar.

But any revival from the hosts was quashed by Diakite’s late challenge on Guy Demel which resulted in the midfielder’s dismissal and leaves QPR without a victory this season and Hughes under immediate pressure.

 

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Teams are beginning to figure out Barcelona, admits Vilanova

Tito Vilanova says Barcelona must now fight harder than ever to secure victories, as he prepares for his side's UEFA Champions League Group D encounter with Benfica on Tuesday.

Except for Barca's defeat to Real Madrid in the second-leg of the Supercopa, the 2011-12 Spanish runners-up have won all of their other seven matches this season, but they have kept just two clean sheets in the process.

Their tendency to leak goals has been acknowledged by their boss, who conceded that other teams were inevitably going to figure out ways to counter their 'tiki-taka' approach, which saw them prosper under Pep Guardiola.

"It says a lot about the players, who have won so much," Vilanova said at a press conference. "You can also see that nothing is easy. Sometimes we underestimate other teams, but we saw how good Sevilla really were. We're always the ones to beat, and it's becoming increasingly difficult, because other teams know how we play."

Nonetheless, Vilanova will be leading his charges out at Estadio da Luz on Tuesday, and he expects an open match between the two teams, given that the Eagles are at home and his side only has its eyes on three points.

"It's an important week, because we're playing big teams this week: Sevilla, Benfica and Madrid, but it's not key," Vilanova said. "Unless something big happens, titles are always decided later on. "Benfica are playing at home so I don't think they'll be defending deep. But if that's the case then we'll deal with it. Anyway, I don't think they'll go out looking for a draw. The most important match is the one tomorrow, after that we'll talk about the others. In this group phase there are only six games."

 

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Di Matteo stresses Lampard's importance to Chelsea

Roberto Di Matteo has underlined the importance of Frank Lampard to Chelsea and has indicated that he could come back into the side to face Nordsjaelland in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League encounter.

The 34-year-old veteran was left out for the Blues' last match in the Champions League, a 2-2 draw with Juventus, and he has also been on the bench for recent games against Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal. Nevertheless, Di Matteo still has faith in the player who has been a staple for Chelsea for years.

"He is a very important player for us. I've had conversations with him, which I do on a regular basis," Di Matteo told the club's official website. "I like to exchange opinions, and he is very supportive of the team when he is not in it, and when he is in it he is a great performer.

"We're fortunate to have a very strong squad with very good players. Going forward with a busy schedule it's important we can use these players."

Di Matteo also hinted that Lampard will be given the freedom to roam from box-to-box in the center of the park, despite the former West Ham man typically lying deep in the Blues' 4-2-3-1 formation.

"He's been playing that role, but I don't think I've ever taken [the forward running] away from him or said he's not allowed to," Di Matteo said. "It's his strength, but in that role sometimes we need to be disciplined and it's important for the balance of the team. He's played magnificently last season and this season too so there are no concerns about him."

 

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Joe Cole scores on his return for Liverpool after recovering from hamstring injury

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole made his comeback from a hamstring injury on Monday, appearing and scoring for the Reds' Under-21 side.

The 30-year-old midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Lille, has been on the sidelines for six weeks after aggravating a hamstring strain during the Anfield club's opening-day clash with West Brom.

Cole suffered the hamstring strain during Brendan Rodgers' first competitive game against FC Gomel in August, but worsened the injury after coming on as a substitute against the Baggies. The attacking midfielder was able to complete 60 minutes of play for the Under-21s at the club's academy in Kirkby, in which he opened the scoring in a 3-0 win over Fulham.

The former England international has been able to step up his recovery and could challenge for a spot in the UEFA Europa League clash against Udinese on Thursday, with Rodgers looking to rotate his squad.

 

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Manchester United must respect Cluj, insists Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has called for Manchester United to tighten up in defense ahead of the club's UEFA Champions League clash with CFR Cluj on Tuesday.

The Red Devils slipped to a 3-2 defeat at home to the hands of Tottenham on Saturday, conceding two goals in the first half and allowing Spurs to win a league match at Old Trafford for the first time in 23 years.

The club's iconic manager wants more concentration from his team as it travels to Romania for what could prove to be a tricky clash, following the hosts' impressive 2-0 away win at Braga in the opening round of the group stages.

"I hope the first half on Saturday was [an issue of] awareness," Ferguson told reporters. "When Jonny [Evans] and Rio [Ferdinand] played consistently every week last season [from December when Nemanja Vidic was injured], we got better. As part of our preparations we have to assess the opposition, and we saw their performance in the last game against Braga.

"[Before that] they knocked out Basel, beating them twice. We know from our own experience last season that Basel knocked us out. That gives us every respect for Cluj, because it tells you they’re a good team. Cluj defend quickly and get plenty of bodies behind the ball. The main strength is counter-attack, as they showed against Braga."

United will be short of numbers in midfield for the trip to Romania with the experienced trio of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick all remaining in Manchester.

"Carrick didn't report today, he's in bed with a virus," Ferguson said. "Ryan [Giggs] also felt rough this morning and we sent him home. We left Paul Scholes behind. Those three players are missing - two with a virus and Paul Scholes because, although he looked great this morning and played great on Saturday, at 37 years of age I can't expect him to play three games [in a week]."

 

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Mourinho: People insult my children

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has claimed that people regularly insult him and his children when he attempts to socialise.

The Portuguese boss has developed a reputation as a controversial figure due to his outspoken nature, and his stay in the Spanish capital has witnessed several fierce battles with main rival Barcelona.


He has now revealed that he is routinely targeted by the public, who have also taunted his children when he is with them.

"I hate my social life," he told CNN. "I hate not to be a normal father who goes with his son to his football match and be there with the 20 other fathers watching the game. The people have to come for photos. The people have to come for autographs. The people have come to insult me. The people have to go behind the goal of my kid to insult a 12-year-old kid.

"People think they know me, but they don't. People know the manager, especially the manager during 90 minutes. And during 90 minutes, I'm not there to have fun. I'm there to do my job, I'm there to win. I'm there with my team to try to win. I'm there and I live the game. I live the match as if it was the last of my career.

"People look at me and see what they see. It's the other place where people know me."

Having ended Barcelona's stranglehold on the Liga title, Mourinho is currently bidding to bring home los Blancos' 10th Champions League title, but does not feel his spell at the club will be deemed a failure should he not manage to do so.

"Will I see my stay here as a failure? No. In relation to the Champions League there is an edge where the difference between succeeding and not succeeding is very narrow," he added. "The world will consider it a failure because I won it so many times and brought so much success to my teams that everyone is probably expecting that."

 

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Manchester United target El Shaarawy not for sale, insists AC Milan chief Galliani

AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has reaffirmed the club's commitment to keeping midfield starlet Stephan El Shaarawy amid reported interest from Manchester United.

The 19-year-old winger, who joined the San Siro outfit from Genoa in 2011, has already scored four Serie A goals in six appearances this season. But Galliani says that, while it is encouraging that El Shaarawy is being admired by such a big club, Milan is not contemplating selling him at any point in the near future.

"Let's hope [Sir Alex] Ferguson will stay in love with him, but it's not in our thoughts to sell him," Galliani told reporters. "I'd like to give peace of mind to supporters, considering we have recently renewed his deal until 2017."

The player's agent, Roberto La Florio, also recently denied that he had been in contact with the Red Devils and is adamant that his client is happy in Italy.

"I have had no contact with the United. The player has been secured by AC Milan, and he is happy to play for them. He has always dreamed it," La Florio told tuttomercatoweb.com. "He has to keep both feet on the ground, thinking about this club which trusted in him, and that he is paying off with these performances."

 

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Rodgers: Too early to talk about Sahin joining Liverpool permanently

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says that it is too early to speculate on whether Nuri Sahin's loan move from Real Madrid will become permanent.

The 24-year-old has started his season-long spell at Anfield in encouraging fashion, scoring three goals as the Reds posted victories over West Brom in the League Cup and Norwich City in the Premier League.

However, the Northern Irishman acknowledged that the player's price and availability - should Jose Mourinho desire his return - will play a huge role in any possible deal.

"I don't look beyond the loan period because there are lots of things which will determine whether [Sahin] ever came here [permanently]," Rodgers told reporters. "One has to be availability. Jose may decide after one year playing he is really the type of player he wants around his squad."

He added, "Two: He might not be affordable. Affordability is important as well. We'd all love Lionel Messi but whether you can afford him or he's available is another thing."Rodgers also stated that, while the eventual decision may be out of his hands, the loan move can still be of great benefit to both club and player.

"All I can concentrate on is Sahin coming in here and helping him become the best player he can possibly be," he stated.

"If he finds he enjoys it here and he fits into the way we work, which I am sure he would do because he is a good guy and understands the game tactically and is prepared to fight for the club, then that is something come the end of the season we will talk about."

 

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Gerrard: I'll play for Liverpool as long as I can, I'm living the dream

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has pleaded with manager Brendan Rodgers to renew his current contract, which is due to expire in 18 months' time.

The Reds midfielder made just 18 Premier League appearances last term, as a number of niggling injuries kept him out of Kenny Dalglish's team.

However, after starting all six of the Merseyside club's league games so far this season, the 32-year-old insists that he is as fit as ever and wants to continue his career for as long as possible.

"I am contracted for another 18 months or so," he told Sky Sports News. "I am really happy. I am enjoying my football. I feel physically strong. I want to go on for as long as I can. I love playing for the club. I am captain. I am living the dream. I do not want that to end.

"Hopefully I can play and contribute in this new regime under Brendan Rodgers, because it is very exciting."

Liverpool faces Udinese in the Europa League on Thursday and the Reds star hopes that his side can build on the momentum created by their 5-2 win over Norwich City on Saturday.

“It gives you huge confidence and belief when moving into the next games," he continued. "But we knew, as players, if we kept listening to the manager and listening to the messages he was putting across, the first win was only round the corner.

"It should have come against Manchester United the week before. It should have come against Manchester City three or four weeks ago. If we keep playing the way we are playing and keep showing the same effort and determination, there will be many more wins just around the corner."

 

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Ibrahimovic: PSG already better than AC Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has voiced his opinion that Paris Saint-Germain has already surpassed AC Milan as a team.

The Sweden international left the Rossoneri for the Ligue 1 giant in the summer transfer window, and he believes his new side is already better than the Italian powerhouse.

"I think that Paris Saint-Germain are already a better team than AC Milan," Ibrahimovic stated to Eurosport. "That is also the reason why I decided to come here. PSG have acquired a lot of quality with the signing of Thiago Silva, myself and some other great players.

"AC Milan on the other hand have lost a lot of quality. I totally believe in PSG's ambition to become one of the best teams in the world. But to achieve this, we will have to win things."

Paris Saint-Germain is currently preparing for its Champions League match away against Porto on Wednesday.

 

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Evans travels for CFR Cluj tie but Scholes, Giggs, Carrick and Valencia miss out

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans will travel to Romania for the Champions League match against CFR Cluj but Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are all missing from the Red Devils' squad.

Evans had been a fitness worry for Sir Alex Ferguson, having needed to be helped off at the end of the 3-2 defeat against Tottenham on Saturday, but the Scottish manager later claimed that the Northern Irishman was only suffering from a dead leg.

The center back trained on Monday morning at the club's Carrington complex but both Carrick and Valencia missed the session, with the latter having missed the match against Spurs with an ankle injury.

Veteran midfielders Scholes and Giggs, meanwhile, appear to have been rested despite Ferguson's insistence that he would select an experienced side.

Youngsters Scott Wootton and Michael Keane both worked out with the first team on Monday, as did new signing Alexander Buttner, but Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones face lengthy absences.

Ashley Young, meanwhile, did not take part in the main session but worked with fitness coaches away from the rest of the squad having suffered a cartilage injury in late September.

Former United defender Mikael Silvestre was also present and training, with the former France international searching for a new club after leaving Werder Bremen. The 35-year-old is working with the Red Devils to maintain his fitness levels.

Manchester United squad to face CFR Cluj: De Gea, Lindegaard, Buttner, Evans, Evra, Ferdinand, Michael Keane, Rafael, Wootton, Anderson, Cleverley, Fletcher, Lingard, Nani, Powell, Tunnicliffe, Hernandez, Kagawa, Rooney, Van Persie, Welbeck.

 

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Wilshere returns for Arsenal Under-21s against West Brom

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been named in the starting lineup for the club's Under-21 side's clash West Brom at the Hawthorns on Monday.

“Jack will play on Monday for the [Under-21s]," said Wenger. "He will play an hour. We have to be patient. I think that [the England games] will be too early for him."

Wilshere, 20, has not featured for the Gunners since August 2011, when he picked up an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly against the New York Red Bulls in the Emirates Cup.

The England international suffered further injuries during his rehabilitation and underwent knee surgery in May, but is now closing in on a comeback to first team football.Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the midfielder is back training with the first team and revealed that he hopes Wilshere will play for an hour with the Under-21 side.

“It is fantastic for him," Wenger explained. "When you are at that age and are out for such a long time, it is absolutely massive.”

However, the Frenchman has also highlighted the need to manage the youngster carefully after such a lengthy spell out of the game and ruled him out of playing in England’s forthcoming games against San Marino and Poland.​

 

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Liverpool midfielder Allen in awe of 'top class' Suarez

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has admitted that he was "in awe" of teammate Luis Suarez after the Uruguay striker led the Reds to a 5-2 victory over Norwich City by scoring a hat trick.

Suarez got two goals before halftime and went on to provide the assist for Nuri Sahin to find the net before adding his third.

Liverpool had failed to record a victory in the Premier League prior to Saturday's contest but has now won three of its last four games in all competitions.

"It's a privilege to be able to play alongside Luis," Allen told the Liverpool Echo. "I'm just grateful he's on my team. When you're out there playing alongside him, you just have to be in awe of a performance like that.

"The goals, some of the things he did, not many people in world football can do. He's got everything you need to be a top-class striker and I'm excited about the season he's going to have for this team. We mentioned before the game about the fact he got a hat trick against them last season. The fans at Carrow Road must be happy to see the back of him."

Allen set the base of a midfield three that also included Sahin and Steven Gerrard, who both grabbed goals in the second half as Liverpool cruised to three points.

The Wales international insists that the Reds had been unfortunate not to win earlier in the campaign and claims that few teams will be able to match Brendan Rodgers' side at the top of its game.

"The three of us really enjoyed playing together," Allen enthused. "We've all got that similar sort of style in terms of passing. The passing and movement was good and that meant we were able to control large parts of the game.

"We haven't had that bit of luck at times when we've needed it but we've just kept working and concentrated solely on ourselves. This is where our season starts really. We have to kick on from here. If we keep performing like that then it will be the first win of many."

 

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Marchisio: I want to remain at Juventus my entire career

Claudio Marchisio has made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Juventus any time soon as he wants to remain at the same club for the remainder of his career.

The 26-year-old is a product of the Juve youth academy and has developed into a key player with the Serie A champion since his return to Turin after a one-year loan spell at Empoli in 2007-08.

"I am feeling very young and I have an ongoing contract with Juventus. My dream is that when my contract expires in 2016, Juve offer me another five-year deal to keep me here until 2021," Marchisio was quoted as saying by Tuttosport. "People have likened me to Steven Gerrard, and I would love to be identified with only one team just like him."

Juventus' midfield of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Marchisio has been described as one of the best in Europe, but the 28-cap international isn't sure whether they're the absolute best.

"I do not know of many midfields that are stronger than ours. You could think about Bayern, even though they have a different style of play than us," Marchisio said. "And then there's Spain, which brings forward Barcelona's midfield.

"This Champions League campaign will show where we stand and whether Arturo and I are at that level yet. Andrea has already conquered the world and proven his worth."

Marchisio will be looking to show what he can do on Tuesday, when Juventus hosts Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

 

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Soldado: I want to be important for Valencia in the Champions League

Roberto Soldado feels that the Champions League is the best competition to play in, and the striker hopes to do well for Valencia in its quest to win.

The Primera Division side was beaten 2-1 by Bayern Munich in its Group F opener, and Soldado is eager to help his team achieve better results in the remaining five group games.

"The Champions League is the optimum competition, the most beautiful you can play in," Soldado stated to UEFA.com.

Soldado added, "You feel the importance because every weekend in your domestic championship, it's what you strive for. You're defending the colors of your team against all of Europe.

"I just hope the ratio of goals I get in the Champions League stays the same and that they mean something important for the team.

"Valencia have ambition. We're a young team that intend to win important things and I'll be doing my best to make sure that happens."

Valencia locks horns with Lille on Tuesday evening.

 

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UEFA Champions League 2012.10.02 Group Stage Fixtures

UEFA Champions League 2012.10.02 Group Stage Fixtures


Group G

Spartak Moskva Vs Celtic

Group H

CFR Cluj Vs Manchester United

Galatasaray Vs Braga

Group E

Juventus Vs Skakhtak Donetsk

Nordsjælland Vs Chelsea

Group F

Valencia Vs Lille

BATE Vs Bayern

Group G

Benfica Vs Barcelona

​

 

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Half Time

Cluj 1 Vs 1 Manchester United