..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Sir Alex Ferguson: Mourinho could replace me at Manchester United

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his belief that Jose Mourinho would be a worthy candidate to succeed him in the Old Trafford hot seat.

The 70-year-old has been in charge at United since 1986 and has yet to reveal when he plans on stepping down from the role in order to retire.

But he has hailed the Real Madrid boss as a man with the qualities to manage the Red Devils in the future.

"He can manage anywhere, absolutely," Sir Alex told an ITV4 documentary on the Portuguese when asked if the 49-year-old could succeed him at Old Trafford.

"I would never think a guy who hasn’t played a game could be a top coach but then you’ve got to look at his personality. He’s got a marvellous, strong personality and that bridges that gap.

"I remember his first press conference [at Chelsea] and I thought, 'Christ, he’s a cocky b*****, him'. He was telling the players, 'Look, I’m the special one, we don’t lose games'.


"Bloody hell, coming to England, he is only a young man and saying he is the special one! But it told all the players to have the belief they were going to win the league."

Sir Alex went on to reveal he enjoys a close friendship with the former Chelsea boss, adding: "When he comes into my office he can take a joke against himself, that is what I like about him.


"I give him a lot of stick and he laughs it off. I don’t think it bothers Jose [having a controversial image]. He knows it is results that count."

 

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Essien returns to Chelsea for treatment as reaction to medication cuts Madrid jaunt short

Man United weigh up new Sneijder bid

Manchester United are monitoring Wesley Sneijder's situation ahead of the January transfer window, ESPN has been told, as it emerged on Friday that Inter will consider selling the Dutch playmaker after contract negotiations stalled. The Old Trafford club came extremely close to signing Sneijder in August 2011 only for the deal to fall down over financial demands. But with United's hand now strengthened due to the player's current difficulties, ESPN understands they are strongly considering another bid with Nani possibly going the other way.

United manager Alex Ferguson's relationship with the Portuguese winger has worsened significantly over the past year and the club even looked to try and sell him in the summer. Even if Sneijder does not arrive at Old Trafford, Nani - who is currently injured and could be out until the New Year - may yet move to either Inter or Juventus.

 

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Apooo ayeth Sneijder Rumor 1ka patan ganna wage yanne

ow

Sexy Managers Calandar 2013

White Horse Lane: Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas is riding up the Premier League with his in-form team

Ghosting into the box: Kenny Dalglish and Sir Alex Ferguson recreate the famous Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze scene from the film Ghost, as drawn by James Husbands for a new calendar

Maid in France: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, as drawn by Husbands, dusting the Gunners' empty trophy cabinets

Yee-haw: Roberto Mancini wears his trademark scarf to just the right length (left) - Jim Morrison, anyone? - and new Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp (right) recreating Kylie's Agent Provocateur advert... and no we can't show it here because it was banned!

Spanish waiter? Newly installed interim Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez lives up to national stereotype, pictured here as a flamenco dancer. Ole, Rafa...

Craven Cottage, by the.... seaside: Martin Jol (left) as a Baywatch lifeguard, while Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola recreate the Broke Back Mountain scene

Show him the money: Former England boss Fabio Capello enjoys a lie-in with a case full of cash

Spot the difference: smiling ex-England boss Sven Goran Eriksson as Daniel Craig in James Bond

Palace fan club: Ian Holloway posing in the Blackpool dressing room, presumably before he made the move to Selhurst Park

Christmas cracker: Husbands signs off the calendar with a bit of festive cheer for football fans with England manager Roy Hodgson... Ding dong merrily on high

 

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Everton 1-1 Arsenal: Fellaini cancels out early Walcott opener

 

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Barcelona 5-1 Athletic Bilbao: Record-breaking Blaugrana butcher Basques

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona's Pique wary of Benfica attack

Gerard Pique says he is wary of the danger that Benfica pose ahead of Barcelona's Champions League clash.

Barcelona tops the group and go into this game after winning four of its five matches in Europe. However, Benfica is battling it out with Celtic for the runner-up position, and is on a recent run of seven successive wins.

The 25-year-old is under no illusions of the threat the Portuguese will carry when they meet at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

"They have a very attack-minded team, with players like [Pablo] Aimar and [Oscar] Cardozo. They are very skilful and will be coming here to win,” he told reporters.

When attention turned to the domestic form of Barca, the Spain international responded in a positive manner.

“The good start to the season gives us confidence but nothing has been decided yet," he said. "Tito [Vilanova] has done a great job since he came in and he is very brave. After all he has been through, this should be child’s play for him."

Pique, obviously worried about the length of time that the success will be at the Catalan club, concluded: “We must learn to live in this euphoria but at the same time be prepared for when we do not win everything.”

Barcelona against Benfica is scheduled for Dec. 5 at Camp Nou.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Spalletti: I am too old to manage AC Milan

Zenit St Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti believes he is too old to be the next AC Milan trainer.

Current boss Massimilliano Allegri has come under huge criticism for the San Siro side's poor performances in Serie A this term, and Spalletti has been repeatedly linked to take over. However, the 53-year-old has revealed a move to the San Siro is not on his mind.

“I am too old to coach Milan,” he said in a press conference. "I want to continue in Russia anyway. I have a good relationship with the president here and have only just renewed my contract. I would, however, like to coach in England in the future.”

Although he ruled out a move to the Rossoneri, he gave a compliment to one of their star players this season, Stephan El Shaarawy.

Spalletti said: "El Shaarawy is a beautiful player. I became aware of him when he was offered to me back when I was at Empoli in 1998.”

The Italian has been in charge of Zenit since 2009 and has won the Russian Premier League twice.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar declared first 'hors concours' since Pele in Brazilian end-of-season awards

Santos striker Neymar striker has been named the first player to be declared 'hors concours' since Pele in 1970.

Latin for 'out of competition', the special award was presented to him by fellow Brazilian Ronaldinho. The former Barcelona star was also a winner himself, picking up the 'Bola de Ouro' [Golden ball] title, given to him for the standard of his performances based on match ratings, and he made a short speech to Neymar.

"You are indeed hors concours," said Ronaldinho. "In the language of football, the others are riding bicycles while you are on a motorcycle."

Neymar, who scored 42 goals in 47 appearances for his club this season, accepted the award but found it hard to express his delight and kept his speech short.

"I have no words to describe how happy I am for receiving this award, I can only say thank you," he said. "To get this prize from the hands of an idol of mine is a reason to be very proud."

The presentation was made during the 'Bola de Prata' [Silver ball] ceremony, celebrating the players of the season in the Brasileiro 2012, where Neymar also claimed the 'Chuteira de Ouro' award for being the top scorer of 2012 with 56 goals.

Bola de Prata team in full

Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense), Marcos Rocha (Atletico-MG), Carlinhos (Fluminense), Rever (Atletico-MG), Leonardo Silva (Atletico-MG), Ralf (Corinthians), Paulinho (Corinthians), Ze Roberto (Gremio), Ronaldinho (Atletico-MG), Lucas Moura (Sao Paulo), Fred (Fluminense)

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: I would not swap places with Manchester City

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted he would never "swap places" with Manchester City, despite trailing the Premier League champion by 12 points already this season.

Wenger, whose side confirmed top spot in its Champions League group with a game to spare, insisted he would rather still be in competition with over 20 games left of the Premier League campaign to catch the champions, than be eliminated this early in the season.

"I wouldn't swap places with Manchester City," Wenger told reporters. "We have 23 games to come back on them in the league, but in the Champions League you're in or out."

The 63-year-old has also admitted that the players were very unhappy following their 2-0 home defeat against Swansea, however he dismissed reports that assistant manager Steven Bould gave the squad an angry dressing down after the game.

"Nothing really happened after the [Swansea] game," he added. "But the players were not happy. You want them to dance? This group of players is highly motivated and if they don't win, they are upset.

"I'm more worried if I see players in the shower who laugh after they have lost. The most important thing is to win the next game and show how good you are."

Wojciech Szczesny is looking forward to the distraction of the Champions League, with a trip to Olympiakos coming up on Wednesday, with the club registering their worst start to a Premier League campaign under Wenger’s 16 years in charge.

"It's good for us we have a Champions League game three days after [the Swansea defeat] and we have something to focus on," said the Poland international. "We were obviously frustrated and disappointed after the game but now it's about Olympiakos and we will do our best to move on.

"The players give 100 percent in training and on a Saturday afternoon. I didn't say the players didn't want it enough. I'm definitely surprised by our position in the league. When you look at the quality of our players we should be fighting for the league.

"We have one of the best teams in the league, but it's our responsibility to put things right. What's gone wrong? That's not for me to say."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Newcastle United 3-0 Wigan: Clinical Ba ends Toon slump

A Demba Ba double helped Newcastle ease past 10-man Wigan 3-0 at St. James' Park on Monday night, and in turn put to bed a four-game losing streak in the Premier League.

The Senegal international was on target twice in the opening 45 minutes, with Gael Bigirimana's superb curled effort capping off on a confident return to form for Alan Pardew's men.

For the hosts, Pardew made one change to the side that fell to a late 2-1 defeat against Stoke on Wednesday, with Sylvain Marveaux replacing the suspended James Perch in midfield. Fit-again Shola Ameobi was available from the bench.

Gary Caldwell returned to the center of defense for Wigan, with Adrian Lopez making way for the club captain, while Franco Di Santo and Arouna Kone continued in attack.

Keen to quickly calm any jittering nerves after its woeful form of late, Newcastle could not have hoped for a better start. Senegalese striking duo Ba and Papiss Cisse linked up to play the latter through in the box, only for Maynor Figueroa to barged into the Newcastle No. 9 as he looked to pull the trigger.

The Wigan man paid the price with a red card, and Ba duly dispatched from the penalty spot to put his side a goal to the good.

Eight minutes later, the former West Ham man was on hand again to double the lead. Ali Al-Habsi did well to thwart Davide Santon's vicious drive from distance, but the shot-stopper had no chance against Ba from the rebound, who tapped home his 10th of the season.

The visitors were lucky to end the half with 10 men after Caldwell hauled down Ba on the edge of the box. Already on a yellow card for a mistimed challenged on the striker earlier in the game, the Scotsman was given the benefit of the doubt by referee Mike Jones.

Having looked pedestrian throughout the opening 45, Wigan entered the second period with renewed vigor. Ronnie Stam turned Santon with ease before drilling a low ball across the face of goal, which Krul did well to keep from the queue of Latics' attackers waiting at the back post.

That would be the Italian's last act of the evening, as he was forced from the field with a groin injury to be replaced by Shane Ferguson.

Dutch right back Stam continued to provide Wigan's attacking threat, while Marveaux, who endured a quiet first half, burst into life for the hosts with a series of silky runs to open the away side's back line.

However, it was Bigirimana, introduced at halftime for Chiekh Tiote, who would make the first real impact of the half. The 19-year-old received the ball on the edge of the area, before curling a left-footed effort past Al-Habsi to score his first goal in the Premier League.

The cold evening did not come without its sting for Pardew, however, with Ba a late casualty to injury, meaning he could be a doubt for the visit to Fulham next Monday - another key clash if Newcastle is to put the rot behind it once and for all.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

David Silva a doubt for Manchester derby with hamstring injury

Manchester City forward David Silva is set to miss his side’s UEFA Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund and is a doubt for the Manchester derby on Sunday.​

The Spain international did not travel to Germany with the rest of the squad for the mid-week fixture due to a hamstring injury. The game against Dortmund is of little significance to City, as it is already eliminated from the Champions League.

But manager Roberto Mancini made it clear that Silva was not being rested as a precaution, explaining that he is unsure as to whether the 26-year-old will be fit for Sunday's clash with Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

"[David] Silva is not here, because he has a hamstring injury, and we do not know at the moment if he can recover in time for the derby," Mancini told reporters. "We will try, but we will have to see."

The match is a must-win for the reigning English champion, which currently sits three points adrift of United at the top of the Premier League table. It is a further blow for Mancini, with James Milner (hamstring), Aleksandar Kolarov (groin) and Gael Clichy (foot) all doubtful for the tie.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Szczesny urges Arsenal fans to keep the faith

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has encouraged disillusioned fans to get behind their struggling side in order to help them find form.

Many Gunners supporters left the Emirates Stadium early during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Swansea, a result which saw Arsene Wenger’s men drop to 10th in the Premier League table with a gap of 15 points between them and leaders Manchester United.

And Szczesny has insisted that while the players are aware that they need to revert to winning ways, it is vital that the fans stick by their side.

"Even after a game like that when everyone is disappointed, the fans are disappointed, the players are disappointed, it is very easy to give up and just say that we are not good enough," he told London’s Evening Standard. "It is very hard right now. This defeat is even more disappointing because we played at home against a Swansea side in a game you should be winning comfortably when you play for this club.

"We got battered and there's no hiding from it - they were the better team from start to finish and it makes it even harder for us. It's about time for us to realise something has gone wrong and we have to do something about it because I don't think the fans deserved [what they saw].

"The stadium was empty when the game finished and I don't blame them. We must stick together and work harder because it was not good enough."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benitez hoping to rediscover Chelsea confidence

Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez is aiming to bring back the confidence with which the Blues won the Champions League in May, after dropping seven points in his opening three Premier League games as manager.

The Spaniard wants to ‘adjust things’ on the pitch in the hope that by making the players more at ease with their roles within the team, they will then be able to apply themselves more freely and exude the sparkling football they played earlier in the campaign under Roberto di Matteo.

Benitez is known for demanding a high work rate from his teams, but the Blues have struggled to create chances despite their undoubted quality in the final third, with Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar all unable to interchange positions as they were under Di Matteo. But the 52-year-old has insisted that confidence is the key to improving results.

“We will try to adjust things and if the players are more comfortable in terms of what they have to do on the pitch, you can give them some confidence,” he said, speaking to the club’s official website. “These are players that have won the Champions League and have won a lot of trophies so they have to show this character, but they need a little more confidence.”

The Spaniard also intimated that he feels as though some of the younger members of his squad are struggling to cope with the physical aspects of life in the Premier League.

“We also have young players who are coming new to the Premier League and they have the talent and the quality but they still have to show these things on the pitch,” he continued. “In the Premier League it is very physical and if you cannot cope with the physicality, maybe you cannot use your quality so we have to give them some confidence, doing some things that are maybe easy for them to manage and use the technical ability they have.”

The two-time UEFA Coach of the Year also recognized that if just one or two players within the eleven are not showing enough character then the team performance as a whole could suffer.

“Some players can show character but if you have one or two and they are not playing at the level then the team as a team is suffering,” he added. “The second half against West Ham we had this situation so we needed to change some players and you could see we were then a little more comfortable in possession.

“But still we were not controlling the first balls and the second balls that were really important for West Ham's way of playing.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea rules out return of Grant

Chelsea has ruled out the possibility of Avram Grant returning to Stamford Bridge to assist new manager Rafa Benitez.

The former Blues boss, who guided the club to a Champions League final defeat to Manchester United in 2008, was rumored to be lined up to aid the Spaniard in a consultative role.


But despite having gone three games without a victory under Benitez, the Champions League holders have denied reports linking Grant with a return.

"There is no truth in reports that Avram Grant will be returning to the club," a spokesman for the club said.

Grant, who previously had difficult spells in charge of Portsmouth and West Ham, has been out of management since resigning from his role at Partizan Belgrade earlier this year.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sneijder rejects new Inter deal

Sneijder, 28, has found his game time at Inter limited this season and there has been speculation that he would need to agree a new deal on reduced terms in order to return to the fold.
Coach Andrea Stramaccioni, however, has insisted that the omission of the Netherlands international is "nothing to do with his contract".

Inter administrator Rinaldo Ghelfi and technical director Marco Branca met Sneijder and his agent, Soren Lerby, at the club's Milan headquarters to try to resolve the issue, however.Sneijder said he wanted to be playing again before putting pen to paper. "At this moment in time, I have no reason to sign," he said. "How can I accept a new contract under these conditions when I am not even playing?"

Lerby told reporters after the meeting that "in these circumstances he will not sign", suggesting that the club had asked him to take a pay cut.As he left the talks, Sneijder told reporters: "I don't really have the desire to speak. Something will be released later this afternoon. I've always been happy at Inter."

However, the former Real Madrid man's remark seemed at odds with a statement made by Branca, who said soon afterwards: "We're pleased because the meeting went well, especially for Inter.

"We will have to review [the situation] with Wesley anyway. His statement? I don't know."

 

[Banks PLK]

David Silva a doubt for Manchester derby with hamstring injury

Manchester City forward David Silva is set to miss his side’s UEFA Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund and is a doubt for the Manchester derby on Sunday.​

The Spain international did not travel to Germany with the rest of the squad for the mid-week fixture due to a hamstring injury. The game against Dortmund is of little significance to City, as it is already eliminated from the Champions League.

But manager Roberto Mancini made it clear that Silva was not being rested as a precaution, explaining that he is unsure as to whether the 26-year-old will be fit for Sunday's clash with Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

"[David] Silva is not here, because he has a hamstring injury, and we do not know at the moment if he can recover in time for the derby," Mancini told reporters. "We will try, but we will have to see."

The match is a must-win for the reigning English champion, which currently sits three points adrift of United at the top of the Premier League table. It is a further blow for Mancini, with James Milner (hamstring), Aleksandar Kolarov (groin) and Gael Clichy (foot) all doubtful for the tie.​

Ada kanawa honda kemak ! when i think abt the behavior of Dorussia fans. damn they are like going to war.

CL is gone now we can defend out title well. better if we dont go for europa too
we lack experience in europe games

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League 2012.12.04 Final Group Stage Fixtures

UEFA Champions League 2012.12.04 Final Group Stage Fixtures

Group A

Dinamo Zagred Vs Dynamo Kyiv

PSG Vs Porto

Group B

Montpellier Vs Schalke

Olympiacos Vs Arsenal

Group C

Malaga Vs Anderlecht

Milan Vs Zenit

Group D

Dortmund Vs Manchester City

Real Madrid Vs Ajax

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Manchester City: Schieber completes City’s Champions League humiliation

Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League campaign ended with a whimper as the English champion slumped to a lackluster 1-0 defeat at Borussia Dortmund.

Julian Schieber’s second-half finish from close range was enough to see off the visitors, after Dortmund had the better of the scoring chances throughout the game. The result means Roberto Mancini’s side finishes bottom of Group D without a win and don't even qualify for the UEFA Europa League group stage, while Dortmund goes through to the knockout stage as winner of the vaunted Group D.

It was a very quiet start to the game, with both sides exchanging lengthy – but non-threatening – periods of possession, and it took until the 12th minute for a shot as Oliver Kirch drove straight at Joe Hart from 20 yards out.

The visitors eventually fashioned an opening of their own, as Edin Dzeko slid the ball across the six-yard box looking for Carlos Tevez, but Marcel Schmelzer was able to snuff out the danger.

Dzeko then tested Roman Weidenfeller, drilling a low effort from distance and forcing the Dortmund shot-stopper to parry wide, before the hosts had a glorious chance to take the lead. Marco Reus cut into the area, blasting a left-footed effort towards Hart’s near post which the England international managed to tip on to the woodwork and behind.

City nearly went in front straight after halftime as Dzeko met Samir Nasri’s cross, heading straight at the goalkeeper when he looked odds-on to score.

Just after Sergio Aguero was introduced by Mancini, the deadlock was broken in the 57th minute as the hosts took a deserved lead. Substitute Jakub Blazczykowski burst down the right and slid an excellent cross into the path of Schieber, who arrived at the far post to poke the ball into the net.

City switched to a back three with the introduction of Mario Balotelli and Pablo Zabaleta, as Tevez produced a fine piece skill to work space in the box and force a save from Weidenfeller.

Moritz Leitner had a superb chance to make it two after the impressive Blazczykowski pulled back, but the midfielder could only steer his effort wide.

Substitute Robert Lewandowski then forced a save from Hart after shooting from a tight angle, before Weidenfeller saved a left-footed Aguero strike at the other end as the hosts saw out the win and cemented their place atop the Champions League's toughest group.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dinamo Zagreb 1-1 Dynamo Kiev: Krystanovic PK cancels out Yarmolenko cracker as Ukranians take third

Dynamo Kiev and Dinamo Zagreb played to a 1-1 draw in the last Group A match of the UEFA Champions League 2012-13 season at the Maksimir Stadium, a draw that was good enough to see Kiev finish third in the group and advance to the UEFA Europa League knockout round.

A technically excellent volley by Andriy Yarmolenko at the stroke of haltime gave Kiev the lead, but Ivan Krystanovic saved the hosts their first point in the competition by netting a penalty in the 94th minute.

Cold and snowy weather in Zagreb made for an almost complete absence of technical play, with most of the players relying on long balls to find their teammates.

An early opportunity in the second minute by Brazilian striker Sammir showed that Zagreb was desperate to end its 11-game losing streak in the tournament and finally score points. The weather made it impossible to create any chances, though, with the ball constantly getting stuck in the snow.

Then, in the ninth minute, the encounter was suspended by the referee for player safety reasons, as the snow on the field became unbearable. The nearly invisible markings were then cleared from the snow and after roughly 17 minutes the clash resumed.

In the 16th minute, forward Duje Cop had a great chance to secure the lead for the hosts after Ukrainian goalkeeper Maksym Koval failed to hold on to the slippery ball. The Croatian international however, could not do better than hitting the woodwork.

Another nearly moment for the Croatian champions followed in the 18th minute, when a back pass to Koval got stuck in the snow and he almost deflected the clearance into his goal via the body of Sammir.

Meanwhile, the guests were likewise looking for opportunities to get the upper hand. A powerful shot by Ideye Brown stopped instantly on the bounce in the 20th minute and the snow prevented it from getting the momentum to roll into the net.

The guests were able to finally open the scoring at the end of the first half. Yarmolenko, who received the ball from Denys Garmash, landed a superbly volleyed chip from the edge of the penalty area over Kelava onto the bar and then into the net.

Krystanovic ended his team's goal drought in the Champions League, though, with a penalty in the 94th minute that salvaged the draw as the Croatian side bowed out of Europe with a point.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Malaga 2-2 Anderlecht: Duda double ends Belgians’ Europa League hopes

Malaga captain Duda struck either side of halftime to deny Belgian outfit Anderlecht the chance to compete in the Europa League in the New Year.

The home side started the brighter of the two sides and took just five minutes to fire off the first effort of the encounter, Manuel Iturra being picked out by Eliseu on the edge of the box only for the midfielder to see his shot drilled just wide of the post.

Malaga continued to pressure the Anderlecht goal and should’ve found itself ahead in the 10th minute. Diego Buonanotte robbed Bruno of possession around the 18-yard box, but saw his smart effort tipped round the post by Silvio Proto.

The Belgian outfit could only partially clear the ensuing corner, which eventually fell to loanee Oguchi Onyewu. He did well on the right to pick out a low cross which found Weligton, but the Brazilian somehow fired over from six yards out.

Los Boquerones were dominant in possession and looked to turn that into the first goal of the night, Duda picking out Weligton unmarked on the right of the 18-yard box from a free kick. The defender struck a volley from the edge of the area, but fired over.

Meanwhile at the other end, Anderlecht came close to netting the opener against the run of play. Dieudonne Mbokani was picked out in the box and jumped highest to meet Milan Jovanovic’s cross, only to be denied by Carlos Kameni, who did well to claw out the Congolese front-man’s header.

The Cameroonian was on hand to deny the visiting team again after Massimo Bruno was picked out by Behrang Safari. However, Kameni managed to turn the latter’s volley away for a corner.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Buonanotte did well to weave into the box and get his shot away, only to be denied by the legs of Proto. The Belgian side then thought it had taken the lead through Safari, only to have the goal wrongly disallowed for offside.

Following the decision, the home team then opened the scoring through Duda. Seba did well to hold the ball in the Anderlecht 18-yard box. He then picked out the Malaga captain unmarked on the edge of the area before firing an unstoppable left-footed drive past Prito.

However, Anderlecht wasn’t behind for long and five minutes into the second half, Mbokani managed to force Onyewu to play the ball into the path of Jovanovic. The Serbian delicately lofted the ball over Kameni to level up the encounter.

Jovanovic came close to firing the Belgian side in front moments later. The former Liverpool ace was freed down the left by Mbokani and fired goalbound, only to see Kameni fingertip his effort onto the post before the home team could clear.
At the other end, Malaga had a chance of its own to take the initiative. Eliseu did well to pick out Roque Santa Cruz unmarked in the box and the striker attempted to cushion his effort into the bottom corner, but was denied by the foot of the near post.

But it wasn’t long before the Spanish side was in front again. Buonanotte picked out Duda with a perfect cross field pass. The midfielder brought the ball down well before lashing past Proto into the bottom corner.

The Malaga captain was on the hunt for a hat trick but saw his free kick well saved by Proto after Buonanotte was fouled by Lucas Biglia. Anderlecht, however, wouldn’t accept defeat and Jovanovic did well again in the box, but his effort was comfortably met by Kameni who palmed away from danger.

Mbokani netted a last gasp equalizer to set up a tense finish, after being set up by Sacha Kljestan, but Malaga held on to secure the point, despite the Anderlecht front-man being denied by the feet of Kameni in added time.