..::Football III::..

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Benfica 2-0 Astana: Mitroglou stars in routine home win

Portuguese champions Benfica surged to a routine 2-0 home victory against Champions League group stage newcomers Astana.

Nicolas Gaitan opened the scoring in the 51st minute following a neat move involving Konstantinos Mitroglou, with Astana substitute Aleksey Shchetkin having hit the post moments earlier.A solid first-half display from the visitors was then further undone when Mitroglou found himself on the end of Eliseu's low cross to tap home.

It was by no means a vintage performance from Benfica, who will need to up their game when they take on bitter rivals FC Porto at the weekend.

But the result will nevertheless be welcomed by coach Rui Vitoria, who has already set his team the goal of qualification from Group C to banish memories of last season's dismal campaign, when they picked up just one win.

Despite emerging with a defeat, Astana will take heart from their performance, although few will rate their chances of progressing from a group that also includes Atletico and Galatasaray.

Benfica, unchanged from the 6-0 Primeira Liga win over Belenenses, predictably saw plenty of possession during the opening 10 minutes, but struggled to cause any problems for their opponents in the final third.The visitors set themselves up well at the Estadio da Luz and frustrated the two-time European champions early on.

Foxi Kethevoama stung the palms of Benfica goalkeeper Julio Cesar on 17 minutes with a free-kick on the edge of the area, but the hosts continued to enjoy most of the possession without reward.

Brazilian striker Jonas did catch a glimpse of goal on the half-hour mark with a clever turn inside the box, but his low shot was well saved by the legs of Nenad Eric.

Benfica were nearly punished for their profligacy two minutes later when Bauyrzhan Dzholchiev pinched the ball off Eliseu on the right, before bursting into the area and blazing over from a tight angle.

Despite Astana growing into the game, Benfica should have gone in ahead at the break after Jonas cut through the defence only to be denied by the legs of Eric.

Astana's half-time substitute Shchetkin gave the hosts a scare moments after the break, latching onto Nemanja Maksimovic's flick on to poke an effort onto the post from close range.

But Benfica responded, and took the lead on 51 minutes when an outstanding one-two with Mitroglou allowed Gaitan to race into the box and slot home.Mitroglou then tapped home himself from three yards out after a terrific low cross from the lively Eliseu.

Benfica took their foot off the gas as the game wound down, although substitute Raul Jimenez came close to adding a third late on, but his sliding effort was diverted wide as Vitoria's men eased to victory.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Malmo: Di Maria and Cavani give French champions winning start

Angel Di Maria scored his first goal for Paris Saint-Germain as the French champions beat Malmo 2-0 in their opening Champions League game at Parc des Princes.

The former Manchester United man opened his account just four minutes into the Group A clash in the French capital, while the in-form Edinson Cavani headed home his fifth of the season just after an hour.

PSG would have enjoyed a far greater margin of victory had it not been for Malmo goalkeeper Johan Wiland, though the visitors did have a goal chalked off just before the break when the score was still only 1-0.

The result means PSG – who next travel to Shakhtar Donetsk in the group before hosting Real Madrid – remain unbeaten against Swedish opposition in the competition.

Di Maria opened the scoring early on for his new employers, finding the net after being put clear down the right wing by Marco Verratti.

The Italian's well-weighted pass allowed the Argentina international to cut in and curl an effort with his favoured left foot beyond Wiland.

The goal, Di Maria’s first in club action since January when he found the net against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup, was all that split the teams at the end of the first half.

However, PSG would have been out of sight at the break had Zlatan Ibrahimovic been able to convert any of the three glorious chances that came his way.

Playing against his boyhood club, the Sweden striker headed over Gregory van der Wiel's cross before fluffing his shot when a long ball had given him another sight of goal.

Wiland then denied his compatriot following a beautiful cross from Di Maria and PSG were given a reminder that they could not afford to be so wasteful when Markus Rosenberg had a goal disallowed for the visitors.

Russian referee Sergei Karasev ruled the forward had committed a foul before putting the ball beyond PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

PSG's profligacy in front of goal seemed set to continue in the second half when Cavani blazed over the top less than a minute after play had resumed.

Wiland kept the gap at one by turning away long-range shots from Di Maria and Maxwell, but the goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Cavani doubling PSG's lead after 61 minutes.

Maxwell's cross from the left was acrobatically flicked on at the front post by Ibrahimovic, allowing his team-mate to nod the ball into the net from close range.

Ibrahimovic's hopes of a goal against his countrymen came to an end when he was substituted after 75 minutes, while the excellent Di Maria was also taken off. The latter's replacement, Ezequiel Lavezzi, had an injury-time goal ruled out when Cavani was caught in an offside position.

 

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Di Maria PSG wala elatama play karanawa

Apita onama karana player kenek LVG nathi karagatthe​

 

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Real Madrid 4-0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Ronaldo hat-trick gets Blancos off to perfect start

Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick helped Real Madrid to a 4-0 victory over 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday although it came at a cost with injuries to three key players.

Rafael Benitez will likely be judged on Madrid's showing in the competition this term and, in his first European outing at the helm, Ronaldo's treble helped mask knocks to Gareth Bale, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos.

Madrid had been frustrated for much of the opening half hour prior to Bale's withdrawal, before Andriy Pyatov spilled a simple cross, allowing Karim Benzema an easy finish.

Benitez replaced Varane with Pepe at the break before Taras Stepanenko's dismissal made Shakhtar's task all the more difficult, the midfielder flying into a second-half challenge on Ramos having already been booked after 32 minutes.

Ramos was then taken off before Ronaldo completed his hat-trick inside 26 second-half minutes - tucking home two penalties to move two goals clear of Lionel Messi in the competition's all-time scoring charts.

And Ronaldo, who put five past Espanyol at the weekend, nodded home a rebound after Marcelo's shot was blocked to wrap up a simple win.

Varane's inclusion was one of two changes made by Benitez and the Frenchman curled an effort over the crossbar following a short corner two minutes in, before heading wide from inside the area soon after.

Ronaldo made his first contribution by playing in Benzema, although the Frenchman missed the target after rounding Pyatov, with Ronaldo cleverly turning and shooting wide from inside the area in Madrid's next attack 15 minutes in.

The visitors were almost handed an opener against the run of play when Keylor Navas failed to control a Varane backpass - the goalkeeper just able to keep the ball out - before Bale's withdrawal added to Madrid frustrations.

The Wales international went down holding his left calf and was quickly replaced by Mateo Kovacic before Benzema made the most of Pyatov's goalkeeping error to open the scoring 30 minutes in.

Benzema was afforded the simplest of finishes after the Shakhtar goalkeeper spilled an Isco cross from the left.

An Olexandr Kucher interception denied Ronaldo a one-on-one opportunity following a quick break within two minutes of the restart before Stepanenko's senseless sending off prior to the hour mark.

With a man advantage, Madrid continued to dominate, doubling their lead from the spot when Ronaldo's goalbound effort was harshly deemed to have struck Darijo Srna's hand.

The Portugal man converted the penalty with ease and found the bottom left corner from the spot again eight minutes later after Marcio Azevedo was deemed to have handled.

And Ronaldo - who became his club's leading La Liga goalscorer at the weekend - wrapped up another hat-trick nine minutes from time.

 

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Manchester City 1-2 Juventus: Morata strike condemns Pellegrini's men to disappointing defeat

Alvaro Morata's brilliant late goal gave Juventus a 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Manuel Pellegrini's men have stormed to five victories from as many matches in the Premier League to establish themselves as the early domestic pace-setters but were largely unable to find the fluency with which they have illuminated the opening weeks of the season.

By contrast, Juventus have one point from three Serie A outings but responded superbly to Giorgio Chiellini's controversial own goal to steal the points through strike duo Morata and Mario Mandzukic.

For the fifth consecutive season, City have failed to win their opening home game of a Champions League campaign as Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Bony both wasted fine opportunities in front of goal.

Juve remain short of the form that propelled them to last season's final against Barcelona but displayed a streetwise streak that City still appear to lack at this level.

Sterling was back in the City starting XI following a minor hamstring complaint and the England winger forced Gianluigi Buffon to save sharply with his feet in the second minute.

Juventus showed their share of early ambition and had the ball in the net after 12 minutes but Pogba’s effort was ruled out – Morata having attempted to connect with Juan Cuadrado’s cross in an offside position at the near post.

Cuadrado flashed a shot across Joe Hart’s goal before City playmaker David Silva broke from shackles imposed by the Juventus midfield to feed Bony in the 32nd minute.

The Ivory Coast striker brilliantly nutmegged Leonardo Bonucci but proceeded to slice an ugly attempt woefully wide as Sterling waited in space to his left.

Bony was muscled out of getting a decisive touch to Aleksandar Kolarov's low cross and Fernandinho came close with a piledriver as City warmed to their task with half-time approaching.

Pellegrini's team made a slugglish start to the second period but broke the deadlock in a fashion that prompted furious protests.

Silva whipped an out-swinging corner to the far post, where Kompany gave himself leverage on Chiellini's shoulders and the defender helplessly diverted the ball into his own net before focusing his ire on the match officials.

Bony then dummied for Silva to burst towards goal and play in Sterling, whose shot was blocked. Silva collected the loose ball, only to be stunningly denied by Buffon – the veteran Italy international then standing firm to deny Bony as City sought to press home their advantage.

They were almost pegged back in the 62nd minute as Hart got down to his left to keep out Morata, while Pogba rivalled Bony for mis-hit of the evening shortly afterwards when City failed to clear a corner.

But Pogba showed his class in the 70th minute as his raking pass dropped over Eliaquim Mangala for Mandzukic – starved of service until the final 20 minutes – to convert via the inside of Hart’s left-hand post.

Kompany then appeared to sustain an injury and Nicolas Otamendi was subsequently handed a surprise debut with 16 minutes to play.

And Morata got the better of the substitute to collect a loose ball on the edge of the box and curl a briliant 81st-minute winner beyond Hart.

City attempted to respond, but Hart's opposite number Buffon once again excelled himself at the death to keep out Yaya Toure.

 

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Wolfsburg 1-0 CSKA Moscow: First Draxler goal earns Bundesliga side all three points

Julian Draxler's first goal for Wolfsburg gave the German side a 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow in their Champions League group stage opener on Tuesday.

Germany international Draxler completed a move to the club from Bundesliga rivals Schalke on transfer deadline day, as Wolfsburg sought to fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne's departure to Manchester City.

And Draxler wasted little time in endearing himself to the home faithful, firing in from close range with five minutes remaining in the first half at the Volkswagen Arena.

Wolfsburg's previous season in the Champions League, in 2009-10, also began at home to CSKA, when the German outfit prevailed 3-1 and exactly six years to the day it was a similarly fruitless trip for the visitors.

Leonid Slutsky's side came into Tuesday's clash with a five-point lead after eight games in the Russian Premier League, but created few chances of note as Wolfsburg ran out worthy winners.

Next up for Wolfsburg in Group B is a trip to Manchester United, while CSKA will return home to face Dutch champions PSV.

The home side made the brighter start and threatened for the first time in the 11th minute when Bas Dost rose highest to meet a Christian Trasch cross, but he could only head the right-wing delivery over the crossbar.

As Wolfsburg continued to press, Draxler slipped in Andre Schurrle midway through the half but CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev raced from his line and produced a fine save with his outstretched left boot to deny the former Chelsea man.

CSKA eventually made some inroads into opposition territory 10 minutes prior to the break, only for Alan Dzagoev to blaze a wild effort over.

Daniel Caligiuri should have put Wolfsburg in front shortly afterwards, but he delayed his shot with just Akinfeev to beat, which allowed Georgi Schennikov to recover and make a tackle.

CSKA's respite was brief, however, as Draxler slammed home after Akinfeev had parried his initial header from Max Kruse's cross.

The visitors grew into the game in the second period and Diego Benaglio was finally called into serious action in the 70th minute when he got down to his left to keep out Pontus Wernbloom's header.

With 15 minutes remaining, Schurrle snatched at a chance after making space for himself inside the area and shot wide, but it made little difference as Wolfsburg's unbeaten start to 2015-16 continued.

 

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Galatasaray 0-2 Atletico Madrid: Griezmann double downs hosts

Atletico Madrid kicked off their Champions League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Galatasaray in Istanbul thanks to two goals from Antoine Griezmann.

Diego Simeone's side dominated the opening stages, and took the lead courtesy of an exquisite 18th-minute strike from the France international.

Griezmann then moved the visitors further ahead shortly after, prodding in from close range having been teed up by captain Diego Godin.

First-half substitute Umut Bulut did provide a spark for Gala, with the 32-year-old going close either side of the interval.

Griezmann was denied the perfect opportunity for a third in the second half when Jackson Martinez decided to shoot from distance rather than play his team-mate in.

Gala have got off to a sluggish start domestically, winning just one of their opening four Super Lig fixtures, and the out-of-form hosts were behind early on.

Following good link-up play down the right, Griezmann latched onto a low cross from Juanfran, allowing the ball to roll across his body before drilling in a wonderful first-time finish into the bottom-right corner.

Gala went close to a leveller through Semih Kaya's header, but Hamza Hamzaoglu's side found themselves further behind just seven minutes after the opener.

Despite having plenty of time to clear, Lionel Carole allowed the ball to roll out for a corner, and Gala were punished when Godin rose highest from the resulting delivery - his header finding Griezmann in the centre of the six-yard box, with the former Real Sociedad man duly volleying home.

After Jan Oblak had done well to parry away Wesley Sneijder's dipping effort, Griezmann would surely have had his hat-trick had he managed to latch onto Luciano Vietto's delivery.

Hamzaoglu introduced Bulut for Emre Colak on the half-hour mark for tactical reasons, and the experienced forward almost pulled one back on the stroke of half-time, but his glancing header crept just wide of the upright.

Gala forward Lukas Podolski should have done better after being set up by Jason Denayer on the edge of the area, but the German could not direct his strike on target.

Martinez had the chance to give Griezmann a good opportunity to complete his treble on the hour, but the Colombia striker elected to shoot from range rather than pass.

Bulut headed wide again as Gala managed to gain a foothold in Atletico's half, but the Turkish champions had Denayer to thank as the Manchester City loanee did well to block Saul Niguez' goal-bound shot.

But despite late Gala pressure - during which Burak Yilmaz saw appeals for a penalty waved away - Atletico managed the game well and eased to a comfortable victory.

 

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Griezmann​

 

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PSV 2-1 Manchester United: Shaw suffers horror injury as Red Devils lose out

Manchester United endured a nightmare return to the Champions League as they lost 2-1 at PSV in a match marred by Luke Shaw sustaining a suspected broken leg.

Luciano Narsingh grabbed the crucial goal in Tuesday's Group B opener at the Philips Stadion, compounding Louis van Gaal's misery sparked by Shaw's early exit.

The 20-year-old was on the receiving end of a thumping tackle from Hector Moreno in the 15th minute, subsequently receiving seven minutes of treatment before being withdrawn on a stretcher.

Former PSV star Memphis Depay lifted the sombre mood thereafter with a stunning solo goal against the club he joined United from in the close-season.

But Moreno, having somehow not been penalised after the Shaw incident, levelled on the stroke of half-time before Narsingh headed PSV into the lead after 57 minutes.

United continued to dominate proceedings thereafter, although clear-cut opportunities were few and far between as PSV defended resolutely.

And Phillip Cocu's men were rewarded for their endeavour as the visitors failed to grab an equaliser.

United began confidently in their first group game for two seasons, only to have the wind knocked out of their sails when Shaw was taken off while wearing an oxygen mask following Moreno's challenge.

Referee Nicola Rizzoli surprisingly opted not to give the expected penalty or red card, and PSV almost capitalised as they enjoyed a good spell. Yet United regrouped impressively, with Depay opening the scoring in the 41st minute.

A clever throughball from Daley Blind freed the winger, who superbly jinked his way past Santiago Arias and Jeffrey Bruma before sliding through the legs of Jeroen Zoet.

United twice nearly added to their advantage immediately, Depay shooting just wide before Chris Smalling was denied by Zoet from point-blank range after a marauding run from the back.

PSV continued to look dangerous, though, and levelled when Maxime Lestienne sent in a corner for Moreno to head home via a deflection off Blind.

Depay continued to look a real danger after the break and forced another save from Zoet following a fine one-two with Anthony Martial, who was making his full United debut.

Yet the visitors' dominance in the early stages of the second period didn't lead to a goal, and they fell behind shortly before the hour.

Andres Guardado's stunning pass began a fine counter-attack that ended when Lestienne sent in a pin-point cross for Narsingh to head home.

United's domination of possession was not bringing any real chances, Juan Mata fluffing the best opening when failing to control a stunning chipped pass from Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Luuk de Jong should have made the win safe for PSV eight minutes from time when he fired over from six yards.

That miss would ultimately matter little, however, as the Dutch champions hung on to secure all three points.

 

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Smalling: Man Utd have got a lot to learn… we were well & truly punished

Chris Smalling believes Manchester United have a lot to learn if they are to compete in the Champions League after losing to PSV on their return to the competition.

Goals from Hector Moreno and Luciano Narsingh sealed victory for the Eredivisie side after Memphis Depay had opened the scoring.

And Smalling felt the Red Devils were punished for not taking their chances when they arrived.

"[Man Utd lacked] that cutting edge in the final third, in that box, to make more of our possession," he told BT Sport. "

"But in the first half they scored from their only chance and we gave it away on the outside of our box and they punished us with their man two chances. It's a very disappointing night.

"We scored a good goal and we couldn't really kick on from that. We've got a lot to learn to make sure that we bounce back on Sunday [against Southampton].

"You can't [take anything for granted]. Whether that's a league game, a cup game, a Champions League game. If you don't take your chances then if the other team take them.

"Tonight we've been well and truly punished."

The game was marred somewhat by a horrific injury to United left-back Luke Shaw, who suffered a double fracture in his leg after being challenged by Moreno.

And Smalling wished his team-mate well, though he admitted he had not seen the incident clearly.

"I didn't see it. A few of the players did witness it and it was a very sad time. We wish him a quick recovery.

 

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Shaw suffers double leg fracture during PSV - Manchester United clash

Manchester United have confirmed defender Luke Shaw has suffered a double leg fracture and will have surgery on the injury on his return to Manchester.

The defender was caught by Hector Moreno after breaking into the box, and play was delayed for around 10 minutes before he was eventually helped from the pitch.

Marcos Rojo came off the bench to replace the former Southampton left-back, with Louis van Gaal consoling his player as he left the pitch.

The England international has been a key player for United this season, starting all seven matches to date as well as both of England's European Championship qualifying clashes.

This is not the first time Shaw has suffered injury problems in his time at Old Trafford after struggling with fitness during his first season with the 20-time Premier League champions.

 

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'Beating Olympiacos the first step to Champions League triumph' - Guardiola

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola believes securing an opening win in the Champions League against Olympiacos on Wednesday will be crucial as his side target elusive European success this season.

Die Roten kick off their Group F campaign in Piraeus having been frustrated at the semi-final hurdle in each of their past two seasons under Guardiola, despite the Spaniard being hired in 2013 to lead them to success in the competition.

And though he remains uncertain as to whether the Bavarians will be able to win the competition this term, the Spaniard is adamant they must get their season off to the right start with a win against Greek champions Olympiacos.

"Olympiacos are strong. The atmosphere at the stadium is magnificent, and so is the quality of the players," Guardiola told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

"It’s the Champions League, and all the teams are good. A win here would be a first step. This year we will try it again."But whether we win or not? I do not know."

Club CEO Karl-Heinz Rumenigge likewise spoke of the importance of a strong start, insisting the team take it a step at a time and warning against complacency at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium."We have to concentrate and take it seriously. I’m not thinking about the final. We’d do well to take it step by step and make sure we qualify for the round of 16," he stated.

"It’s vital we don’t underestimate them [Olympiacos]. A few big teams have patently done that in the past and been on the end of upsets here."The German champions arrive in the fixture on the back of four consecutive wins in the Bundesliga.

 

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Van Gaal on Shaw: He was crying with an oxygen mask on… it's awful


Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed Luke Shaw was crying in the changing room after suffering a double fracture to his leg.

The England international was stretchered off in the first half against PSV after being challenged by Hector Moreno, and will now undergo surgery back in England.

And Van Gaal has admitted that he was upset for the full-back, especially considering that he had started the season so well for the Red Devils.

"He has a double leg fracture. He's in hospital and he'll be transfered tomorrow with us or maybe a day later," he told reporters. "He'll be operated in Manchester probably. It's awful.

"A boy who came at 18 to Manchester and found it very difficult, then in his second season he's fantastic, and then it happens like this.

"He was in the dressing room with the oxygen mask... he was crying."

Van Gaal was also keen to point out that he felt Moreno's challenge was worthy of a red card despite him seemingly getting something on the ball.

Bur the former Netherlands boss did not want to be seen as a sore loser for calling out the defender

"You can judge for yourself. When I say it's a pernalty and a red card, I'm a bad loser.

"Everything is taken the wrong way,. It was in the 16-metre area, it was a bad tackle with two legs."

 

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Yaya Toure: Juventus were lucky to beat Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure says Juventus were "lucky" after the Italian champions condemned the Premier League leaders to a 2-1 defeat in their opening Champions League game.

Manuel Pellegrini's side took the lead through Giorgio Chiellini's own goal but the visitors hit back through Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata to secure all three points at the Etihad Stadium.

The defeat is City's first of the season, after they had stormed to five consecutive Premier League wins without conceding a goal, and Toure believes his side played well.

"I think they've been lucky today, I don't think we played so bad. I think we missed a little bit of luck today," he told BT Sport . "I think we just have to be strong and try to bounce back in the next game."

The result continues City's recent poor form in European competition but Toure insists City can bring their current Premier League form into the Champions League."We just missed the luck today and we have a couple of changes but they've been brave and what we have to do is learn from Europe and try to do it better in the next game," he added.

Pellegrini also rued his side's luck and insists his side were the better team, although he did take time out to praise the Serie A side's goals."It's disappointing, I don't think we deserved to lose," he explained.

"We had better chances and played better than Juventus. It was a typical Champions League game, both teams didn't create many chances but we had more possession."It was not a tactical problem, Juventus just scored two beautiful goals."

 

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Benzema unhappy with Real Madrid despite Shakhtar rout

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema revealed his disappointment with his side's performance in their 4-0 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The French forward scored via a goalkeeping blunder before the floodgates opened in the second half, with Cristiano Ronaldo bagging a hat-trick.

But Benzema was unsatisfied with his team's inability to add to their advantage before the break, and bemoaned injuries to Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Gareth Bale.

"The best thing was the victory because in the first half we didn't have rhythm and I don't know why," the 27-year-old told reporters after the match.

"We lost control and we missed a lot of chances. It's rare and three top players were injured. The important thing is the points."

Benzema also paid tribute to Ronaldo, whose treble put him three goals clear of Lionel Messi in the competition's all-time scoring charts.

"For me, Cristiano is one of the best players in the world," he said. "I have a lot of confidence in myself but the team winning is the most important.

Despite the mounting injuries, Benzema expressed his faith in the depth of Madrid's squad, saying: "Many good players were injured, but there are sufficient staff to fill these positions."

 

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Benitez: Bale suffered a spasm in his calf

Rafael Benitez has revealed that Gareth Bale sustained a calf spasm in Real Madrid's 4-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a superb hat-trick with Karim Benzema also on the scoresheet as the Spanish side secured a comfortable victory to open their European campaign.

Bale was withdrawn in the first half, however, after sustaining an injury – along with Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane – and Benitez issued an update on the former Tottenham man after the game.

“It was a spasm in the calf, we will wait a day or two,” he told reporters.

“I'm more optimistic about [Sergio] Ramos and [Raphael] Varane, who only suffered knocks. But we must also wait. Bale's problem is similar to an injury he had last year."

Benitez insists he is unworried by the injury to Bale, however, and maintains that Mateo Kovacic may not come in for the 26-year-old purely because he replaced him on the night.

"[Kovacic] slotted in there because the full-backs were getting forward a lot and he plays inside and he was able to give us control of the ball and space," he added.

"If Bale doesn't start, it's open to anyone. Today [Kovacic] played due to the characteristics of the opponents but in future, Jese, Cheryshev or Lucas Vazquez could play."

Benitez also credited his side for their overall performance against the Ukrainian side, and insists that Ronaldo proved that he is the best player in the world.

"It was a difficult game. They're a well organised team, have possession and that makes defending complicated. They are skilled and fast players," he added. "It wasn't easy, despite that, we had chances. Witout being brilliant we had chances. I am pleased to have taken advantage and not conceded. The only negative is injuries.

"I'm not worried because we've had very few injuries.

"What surprises me is you keep going on about what people say and not what happens on the pitch. There is no debate, Cristiano is the best in the world. I have him high esteem"

 

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I didn't mean to injure Shaw - Moreno

PSV defender Hector Moreno has apologised to Luke Shaw for the challenge which broke the Manchester United player's leg but insists it was totally accidental.

Moreno's challenge in the 15th minute of the Group B clash prompted seven minutes of treatment, with Shaw eventually withdrawn on a stretcher while wearing an oxygen mask.

United subsequently confirmed the left-back suffered a double fracture in his right leg and will now fly back to Manchester for an operation.

And Moreno told SBS : "I feel really sorry for him and I feel really bad because I know how it's like.

"This happened to me as well during the World Cup [vs Netherlands]. I want to wish him all the best, but it wasn't my intention to injure him. I'd rather had it didn't happen."

His sentiments were echoed by PSV head coach Phillip Cocu, who admitted even his own team were affected by the severity of the injury.

"I felt very bad of course," he said. "It's a very bad injury.

"He's a great player, important for the team, and whenever any player goes off with this kind of injury it's unfortunate. Even our players were affected by it."

Cocu refused to be drawn on whether it was a poor challenge from Moreno, who went unpunished as referee Nicola Rizzoli opted not to award a penalty.

"It was not possible to see at the moment because there were a lot of players in the way. The one thing I saw was that the ball went in a different direction so he got something on the ball but I feel sorry for Luke."

Cocu could at least take heart from a fine win for his side, with goals from Moreno and Luciano Narsingh overshadowing Memphis Depay's opener to earn the points.

"I'm very happy, especially with coming from 1-0 down.

"We did well on the wings and took a lot of pressure from them. We stayed organised so they didn't have many chances and the fans were great. Those last 10 minutes were a great feeling."

Moreno added: "It was nice to score a goal. I promised my family and my girlfriend that I would score and now this has happened."

 

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Ronaldo: Real Madrid are on a roll

Cristiano Ronaldo says that Real Madrid are “on a roll” after Rafael Benitez’s side opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Portuguese scored a hat-trick, taking him three clear of Lionel Messi in the competition’s all-time goalscorer charts, with Karim Benzema also on target at the Bernabeu.

After opening their Liga campaign with a goalless draw against Sporting Gijon, Real have now scored 15 goals in three games and Ronaldo feels his side are reaching top form already.

“We are in good form, we must highlight the work of the team,” he told reporters.

“We are consistent in defence, we did a good job. Shakhtar played well, they're a team with a lot of possession but today was the day for Real Madrid to win and play well.

"We know that pre-season is less important, we know that we have to start the Liga and the Champions League well.

“We started a little bad in La Liga with a draw but we've been fine since, more consistent and we're on a roll.

"I am very happy, I thank the players and the confidence they gave me."

Ronaldo also revealed his delight at passing Messi in the goalscoring charts, having previously been level with the Barcelona star on 77 goals.

"I knew this [record] would come, naturally and without pressure," he told BT Sport.

"It's good of course, I won't lie, I feel so proud and happy but this is not my goal – my goal is to be good all season and help the team win, which is the most important, and to win collective trophies.

"I hope my goals help the team win but I feel confidence, I feel good and I want to carry on like that."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Maria is capable of more goals - Blanc

Laurent Blanc wants Angel Di Maria to contribute more goals after the midfielder grabbed his first for Paris Saint-Germain in their 2-0 win over Malmo in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The former Manchester United forward marked his Champions League debut for his new employers by breaking the deadlock in the fourth minute of the Group A fixture.

Edinson Cavani followed that up with the second after the break but Di Maria was the main attraction in the French capital, and Blanc wants the Argentine to continue contributing decisively as he nears his physical peak.

"Di Maria is rising to the top. He arrived late to the preparation and he was injured too," Blanc told reporters.

"I think we were right to put him to work physically and rest him. He will need it. He needs competition right now.

"He didn't play 90 minutes but you can see his abilities in front of the goal already. This boy can bring us quality and assists but also a certain number of goals.

I talked to him about that. He told me he did not score a lot, but I think he is capable of that."

The impressive Di Maria received a huge ovation from the PSG supporters when he was replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi with six minutes remaining, but the 27-year-old insists he was putting the performance of the team above his own's.

"I’m very happy with how the match went. We delivered the game we had to. The first game is always very important," he said.

Cavani doubled PSG's lead just after the hour, nodding home a cross from Maxwell that had been flicked on at the front post by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was playing against his boyhood club.

"It was very important to start with a win. We’re more relaxed now," Cavani said. "I enjoyed the game and this season's start because I scored and we won."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

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