..::Football III::..

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Montpellier 2-3 Monaco: Last-gasp Fabinho penalty completes comeback

Montpellier's poor record at home to Monaco continued on Thursday as Leonardo Jardim's side came from 2-0 down to snatch a stunning 3-2 victory.

Daniel Congre turned home from a corner to put Montpellier in front and an own goal from Guido Carrillo just before the break doubled their advantage.

Fabio Coentrao halved the deficit just before the hour mark, however, before Thomas Lemar levelled the scores just nine minutes later, and a howler from goalkeeper Jonathan Ligali allowed Fabinho to drill home a last-gasp penalty and extend Monaco's unbeaten run at the Stade de la Mosson to 17 Ligue 1 matches.

Ligali produced a brilliant point-blank stop to deny Nabil Dirar on the volley following Ivan Cavaleiro's cross, but the first half-hour was largely uneventful until Montpellier grabbed the lead.

Hilton's header from Ryad Boudebouz's corner was well saved by Danijel Subasic, but Congre fired in the rebound from close range.

Monaco looked short on ideas in the final third but Mario Pasalic spurned a glorious opportunity to equalise when he directed a header high and wide when unmarked from just six yards out.

And Montpellier swiftly made them pay, as Boudebouz's curling free-kick struck Carillo in the back and nestled in the bottom corner.

Coentrao had looked a threat early in the second half and the former Real Madrid defender got Monaco back into the game with a composed low finish at the far post following a corner.

Pasalic again misjudged a header when given far too much space in the area as Monaco pushed for an equaliser, but Lemar simply could not miss when he tapped in Dirar's cross at the back post.

Ligali then expertly saved a Bernardo Silva header but the 24-year-old ruined his earlier good work when he fumbled a cross and clattered into Coentrao as he attempted to gather the ball, and Fabinho swept home from the spot.

 

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Sir Alex is right ... I wasn't world class - Beckham

David Beckham insists that he took no offence to Sir Alex Ferguson’s assertion that he only worked with four world-class players during his time at Manchester United.

Ferguson, speaking ahead of the launch of his latest book, claimed that Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo were the only truly elite players to play for him at Old Trafford.

Beckham famously fell out with Ferguson prior to his move to Real Madrid in 2003 – with the Scot kicking a boot that hit him in the face – but he has now revealed that he agrees with his former manager.

When asked if he was hurt by Ferguson’s claim, he told the BBC: "Not at all. I played for the greatest manager of all time for the amount of time that I did, I was lucky to have played with the players I did and the team and be successful with the club that I loved and still love.

“I tend to agree with the manager, there's certain players that you can call world-class, thankfully I played with many of them.”

Beckham won six Premier League titles during his time at United, along with two FA Cups and the Champions League, while also playing for the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan and PSG, but he has laughed off the suggestion that he was as good as Ronaldo.

"No, I was lucky enough to play against Cristiano and I was also lucky enough to play with Brazilian Ronaldo for four years,” he added.

“I'm proud as a Manchester United player that we were successful and I'm proud as a Manchester United player that we have the best players come to our team.”

 

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Silva ruled out of Manchester City's clash with Tottenham

David Silva has been ruled out of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Tottenham this weekend, Goal understands.

Goal reported on Monday that Silva had been sent for scans after suffering muscle spasms over the past fortnight, having been withdrawn from the starting XI to face West Ham after feeling discomfort in the warm-up.

City lost the game 2-1 and Silva was again absent as Manuel Pellegrini’s side swept Sunderland aside in the League Cup in midweek, running out 4-1 winners.

Instead of rushing the Spaniard back, Silva has been ordered to rest for a few more days in order to regain his match fitness and City are optimistic that he will be fit to face Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday.

In the meantime, Kevin De Bruyne will deputise in the No.10 role against Spurs, having scored in the win over the Black Cats, while doubts persist over the fitness of Samir Nasri.

The Frenchman is currently sidelined with a knock and Jesus Navas will play on the wing if he fails to recover in time to face Mauricio Pochettino’s men at White Hart Lane.

 

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Pato: Man Utd tried to sign me on deadline day

Manchester United failed in a deadline day bid for Alexandre Pato, according to the Sao Paulo striker.

United embarked on a major recruitment drive in the summer, with the likes of Memphis Depay, Anthony Martial and Bastian Schweinsteiger acquired by Louis van Gaal.

However, Pato has now claimed that United made a last-ditch attempt to lure him to Old Trafford, though he says he was not informed of the offer at the time.

"I received an offer from Manchester United two hours before the transfer window closed, but I was only told that afterwards. My focus is now here,” he told Brazilian television station SporTV.

Pato was also heavily linked with Tottenham throughout the transfer window and the Brazil international admits that a move could still happen in future.

"I won't lie, of course I'm thinking [about the future]. I talk about this with my family, people close to me. We talk about what's going to happen, where will I be next year,” he added.

"We are a few months short from the end of the season. But I'm working hard, focused on Sao Paulo. I won't stop wondering about the future, but I'm focused on Sao Paulo.

"If I could choose, I would like to stay at Sao Paulo at the moment, but it doesn't depend on me only. I have to do my job on the pitch, there are people out of it, my agent, family, they take good care of these things. I'm a professional, and I have to be focused all the time."

 

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Pato: Man Utd tried to sign me on deadline day

Surprise signing​

 

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LA Liga 2015.09.25 Fixture

LA Liga 2015.09.25 Fixture

Valencia Vs Granada​

 

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Rodgers not concerned by Klopp talk


Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says he is not especially concerned about speculation linking a number of managers with his job, but acknowledges that the Reds must start winning matches.

Rodgers has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks following defeats to West Ham and Manchester United, as well as last Sunday's 1-1 draw with Norwich City and a narrow penalty shoot-out victory over League Two side Carlisle United in the League Cup on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp, who left Borussia Dortmund in the summer, and Carlo Ancelotti, sacked by Real Madrid at the end of last season, are two of the high-profile names to have been linked with the Anfield hotseat, but Rodgers insists that is a normal occurrence.

"When you're manager of a club like this there's always going to be speculation about your job, especially when you're not winning," he said at a press conference ahead of Saturday's home game against Aston Villa.

"I'm a much better manager [than when I arrived here three years ago], but I know I need to get results."

Rodgers also confirmed that Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren will all miss the Villa game through injury.

Firmino, signed for close to £30 million this summer, "may have cracked something in his back", according to Rodgers, as the club await an exact diagnosis.

 

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Alexis has started slowly - but he'll sharpen up, insists Wenger

Arsene Wenger admits Alexis Sanchez has suffered a slow start to the Premier League season but insists the Chilean's form will improve.

The former Barcelona star carried Arsenal almot singlehandedly through the first half of last season and ended his debut campaign in England with 25 goals in all competitions, including one in the 4-0 FA Cup final win over Aston Villa.

After helping Chile to Copa America success on home soil during the summer Alexis has struggled to find his best form in the opening weeks of the new season. The 26-year-old has failed to score so far this season despite having attempted more shots than any other player in the Premer League, with 31.

When asked if Alexis had made an underwhelmeing start to the campaign, Wenger replied: “I would agree with you.

“I played him very early. History tells us that it can be difficult after winning a major trophy. But it will come back, I don’t worry for Alexis Sanchez.”

Arsenal face unbeaten Leicester on Saturday at the King Power Stadium, the ground at which Alexis opened his Premier League account last season.

Wenger's side will again be without Francis Coquelin, who injured his knee in the defeat at Chelsea last weekend and missed the midweek Capital One Cup win over Spurs, while Arsenal are still waiting to hear whether or not Gabriel will face a ban following his sending off at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger added: "Gabriel's case will be heard today. Coquelin is improving well but will not be available. he might start practicing tomorrow."

 

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Mahrez: Premier League defenders will kick me now

Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez is expecting to be kicked by Premier League defenders in his upcoming matches after making a flying start to the season.

The Algeria winger, 24, has scored five goals in six league matches, with his agent recently moving to play down reports linking him to Arsenal and Barcelona.

Mahrez insisted he has not been surprised by his early-season form, but has been pleased to add goals to his game since Claudio Ranieri's arrival.

He does, however, expect to be on the receiving end of more aggressive defending now that he is attracting so much attention.

"It is more difficult for me now that they know me - they will close a lot," he told Sky Sports.

"So I have to be careful now, they will start to kick me, the manager said to me as well. Last season I was like that as well [performing well] but did not have the success, now this year I have scored.

"The manager has given me a lot of responsibility and has given me a lot of confidence. I am not surprised about what I can do. I knew I could do things like this."

Mahrez will be in action when fourth-placed Leicester face Arsenal on Saturday.

 

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Beckham: Martial was worth the money


Manchester United icon David Beckham has lauded the start made by new signing Anthony Martial at Old Trafford.

The former England captain has been impressed by what he has seen from the teenager, who signed from Monaco on deadline day for an initial fee of £36 million, though it could rise to £58m.

Beckham, though, is of the view he has lived up to that price-tag in his early performances having scored four goals in as many games in all competitions.

"It is a great start for him," the 40-year-old said to Sky Sports.

"He is 19 years old and the price-tag that he came into Manchester United with, he is living up to it at the moment.

"I hope he continues his form as I'm a Manchester United fan so I want to see him score more goals and become more successful.

"These are the type of players United are all about as one of the biggest clubs in the world."
Beckham won the Premier League six times during his playing career at United and he is optimistic Louis van Gaal's side can challenge for the title this season.

"I hope they do," he added. "They are in a good position at the moment, but we will see.

"The Premier League is a tough league and a long one, so there is still a long way to go."

United are second in the table, two points behind leaders Manchester City ahead of their home game against Sunderland on Saturday.

 

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De Bruyne: I don't want to be the star

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne says he is not interested in becoming the club's star man.

City spent a club-record £54 million to lure De Bruyne from Wolfsburg in the summer and the versatile playmaker has already scored twice in as many matches.

Many view De Bruyne as the player to take City to the next level both domestically and in Europe, but the level-headed Belgium international is unfazed by all the talk.

"I don't want to be the star, I just want to play well," said the 24-year-old, who was crowned the Bundesliga's Player of the Year last season.

"Obviously, there is a big price tag, but I had a four-year contract left and Wolfsburg didn't want to let me go. So it is a totally different situation to if I had a one-year contract and they wanted me to leave.

"It is a lot of money, but I need to play football and I am not the only to play at City.

"At Wolfsburg, I was the star, but at the end of the day I am not the guy who speaks a lot. I don't want to be a captain. I'm not loud in the dressing room or outside.

"That is not my style. I just do my stuff on the pitch and help the team.

"I have always been like this and I will try to stay the same. You get kids who look up to you as a role model, but I don't know why I should change.

"I am happy with the way my life is going, and I'm happy the way it has gone for 24 years, so I don't know why I should change. I like it quiet with my family.

"I have never been the guy who speaks and jokes the most. And I need to get to know everyone at City too."

De Bruyne and Co. will be back in action at Tottenham on Saturday.

 

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Guardiola walks out of Bayern Munich press conference after England rumour question

Pep Guardiola walked out of his Bayern Munich press conference on Friday after a reporter asked whether he could become England's next manager.

An article in The Sun has claimed that the Football Association are targeting the 44-year-old as a potential successor for Roy Hodgson, who could leave his role after Euro 2016 if England's campaign is a failure.

Guardiola's future at Bayern has also been the subject of constant speculation as his contract with the Bundesliga champions expires at the end of the season.

But when asked if he would consider the role with England, Guardiola replied before leaving the room: "Come on, next question. Next question, please. No. I am the coach at Bayern Munich. Thank you."

Earlier this week, Bayern’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claimed Guardiola is currently considering a “great offer” to stay with the club.

"I am optimistic about Pep's renewal. We have a great offer on the table, which you cannot just shove aside," Rummenigge told Bild.

"We have a first-class team, a fantastic club, a great stadium and a wonderful city to offer. We will have a serious conversation with Pep in the upcoming weeks and we will see what comes from that.

"I want to win the Champions League again - with Guardiola in charge."

 

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Ozil: I'm not worth €50 million, no one is

Mesut Ozil has admitted he does not feel he was worth the fee Arsenal paid to sign him from Real Madrid.

The Germany international joined the Gunners for €50 million (£42.5m) in the summer of 2013 and came under scrutiny for inconsistency in his first two seasons.

And Ozil has insisted that the price-tag was excessive, as he believes no footballer is worth such a sum.

"Nobody in the world is worth €50 million," he told Express.

"We must be careful in football that we do not lose the grip of our credibility."

Arsenal have been drawn in the same group as Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Ozil feels they are coming up against a side capable of winning the trophy this term.

"Bayern are one of the strongest teams in the world and they can beat just about any opponent," he added.

"Some other teams will have a say in it, but why can't Bayern win the competition? They are in a narrow circle of favourites.

 

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Benitez: Cristiano Ronaldo will start scoring again soon


Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez is confident that Cristiano Ronaldo will soon get back to his goalscoring best in La Liga.

The Portugal international netted five times in the 6-0 win over Espanyol, but has failed to score in each of Madrid's other four league games this term.

Benitez sees no reason for concern, though, and has stressed that Ronaldo remains a key figure for the Santiago Bernabeu side.

"It is not like I expect Ronaldo to score a certain number of goals. We have not set a target for him. But I know he will score a lot of goals," Benitez said.

"Ronaldo has a higher goal-to-games ratio than any other player. That is why he is a key figure for us."
Madrid were without Sergio Ramos in their midweek 2-1 win over Athletic due to injury, while Pepe picked up a knock against the Basque side, and both players are doubtful for Saturday's home fixture against Malaga.

"The injuries concern us somewhat but the balance remains a positive one," Benitez added.

"Sergio Ramos continues to progress well and we are assessing whether it is worth risking Pepe.

"Ahead of Malaga we have to stay focused. It was difficult against Granada last week and it will be the same for Saturday's game.

"We must continue to work hard so that we are able to compete for every title come the end of the season.

"We are doing well, but we are only at the start. We must lay the foundations for the team to finish strongly."

 

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Aguero back to full fitness, insists Pellegrini


Manuel Pellegrini insists Sergio Aguero is back to full fitness ahead of Manchester City's encounter with Tottenham on Saturday.

The Argentine finished as the Premier League's top scorer with 26 goals last season but has only found the net once in the league this term.
Aguero also netted a penalty in City's 4-1 victory over Sunderland in the League Cup on Tuesday and Pellegrini backs the striker improve on his subdued start to the campaign.

"Maybe after his injury against West Ham, Aguero wasn't 100 per cent but now I believe he is," said the City manager. "He's an important player."

Vincent Kompany is also set to return from a calf injury to face Spurs but David Silva has been ruled out.

"At this moment, [Eliaquim] Mangala, [Gael] Clichy, [Fabian] Delph, Silva, [Wilfried] Bony and Kelechi [Iheanacho] are the six players injured. Kompany, [Joe] Hart & [Samir] Nasri are back," said Pellegrini.

"It's important to have Vincent back. He's just recovering, he's the captain and he played very well at the start of the season."

 

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Mourinho in another Wenger attack: He can cry all day but he'll never be punished

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has launched a series of thinly veiled digs at Arsene Wenger, claiming his Arsenal counterpart can "cry" all the time about referees while he cannot speak out for fear of reprisal.

The two managers have had a long-running feud which stretches back a decade, and Mourinho was clearly in no mood to reduce the tension after the Football Association this week decided to retrospectively ban Diego Costa for his actions in last Saturday's match against Arsenal.

This followed an earlier decision to rescind the red card handed to Gunners defender Gabriel for his clash with Costa, and when asked for his reaction on the rulings he ranted that the rules seemed to different for him than every other Premier League manager.

"It’s not normal," he told reporters in Friday's press conference. "I don’t answer. Because if I answer I will be suspended. I don’t want to touch the thing that surrounds this situation. I want to be on the bench.

"In the rulebook, it says some managers can speak about the referee before the game or after the game, and some others cannot. And I am in the list of managers who get punished before or after the game. I have to stick to that rulebook.

"It's an imaginary list, but clearly [you know what I mean]."

And when questions moved on to Steve McClaren, the manager of Saturday's opponents Newcastle, coming under pressure for a slow start to the season, Mourinho brought up Wenger in all but name.

"I think in this country, only one manager is not under pressure," he added. "Every other manager is under pressure, so Steve is under pressure, I am under pressure, Brendan Rodgers is under pressure, Manuel Pellegrini is under pressure, everybody is under pressure.

"We cannot lose matches, we cannot be below expectations, we have to reach our objectives, so I have sympathy for all of the managers and I also believe they have sympathy to myself because it's a difficult job.

"There is one that, for some reason, he's outside that list but good for him, good for him. But of course I have sympathy for Steve."

A reporter asked Mourinho to which manager he was referring, and the Portuguese replied: "He can speaks about referees before the game, he can speak about referees after the game, he can push people in the technical area, cry in the morning, cry in the afternoon, nothing happens. He cannot achieve, but he keeps his job, he can still be king. It's a privilege."

 

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Mourinho Vs Wenger​

 

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Luis Enrique defends under-fire Ter Stegen

Luis Enrique has defended goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen - stating he is not solely responsible for the goals Barcelona are conceding.

Having been used primarily in the Champions League and Copa del Rey last term, Claudio Bravo's injury has seen the former Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper play in La Liga too, and his form has been criticised by some as being below-par.
Wednesday's 4-1 defeat at Celta Vigo added to pressure ahead of their weekend clash with Las Palmas but Luis Enrique stated Barca's current troubles are not just the goalkeeper's problem.

"I don't know what you've said or written so I can't comment on any criticism," he told a pre-match press conference.

"But criticism is part of the DNA of being a professional and being a goalkeeper is a very unique situiation. You can very clearly see if a goalkeeper has helped the team or not."The goals we concede are not the fault of Bravo, Ter Stegen or Jordi Masip - it's the responsibility of the whole team.

"We need to concede fewer goals but up to Celta our defensive stats were very good."I don't think the team has lost intensity, the problem is we played a team who played better than us.

"Their individuals produced goals when needed and that's what the game was. In defence we need to improve but we played a very good Celta team who were better than Barca."Luis Enrique also confirmed Sandro and Jordi Alba are fit after their injury concerns and could feature at Camp Nou.

"Tomorrow I will announce the list but they are fit," he added. "Rafinha has had his operation and Thomas Vermaelen and Bravo are progressing well."

 

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Fifa announce 2022 World Cup to start November 21

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will begin on November 21 and finish on December 18, Fifa has confirmed.

The tournament, which has been moved to winter for the first time ever due to Qatar's excessive summer heat, will last for 28 days, four fewer than usual.

The final will take place just a week before Christmas on Qatar National Day.

It remains to be seen how the re-scheduling of the World Cup will affect domestic competitions in Europe, with some people predicting that three seasons will be disrupted as a result of the tournament taking place in the winter months.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter was due to hold a press conference on Friday, but the event was cancelled at short notice.

Blatter was due to address the media for the first time since Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke was suspended following accusations regarding ticket sales at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

 

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Blatter faces criminal charges over Fifa deals

Fifa president Sepp Blatter is to face charges of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation by the Swiss attorney general.

The head of world football's governing body has been under heavy scrutiny in 2015 following the FBI indictment earlier this year of a dozen current and former members of the organisation which he has run since 1998.

So far, no criminal proceedings have been brought against Blatter, but that changed on Friday when the Swiss government announced its intention to try him over his dealings with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and Uefa chief Michel Platini.

“Criminal proceedings against the president of FIFA, Mr. Joseph Blatter, have been opened on September 24, 2015 on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and – alternatively – misappropriation," the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) said in a statement.

“On the one hand, the OAG suspects that on September 12, 2005 Mr. Joseph Blatter has signed a contract with the Caribbean Football Union (with Jack Warner as its president at this time); this contract was unfavourable for Fifa.

"On the other hand, there is as suspicion that, in the implementation of this agreement, Joseph Blatter also violated his fiduciary duties and acted against the interest of Fifa and/or Fifa Marketing & TV AG.

“Additionally, Mr. Joseph Blatter is suspected of a disloyal payment of £1.34 million to Michel Platini, president of Uefa, at the expense of Fifa, which was allegedly made for work performed between January 1999 and June 2002; this payment was executed in February 2011.

"On September 25, 2015, representatives of the OAG interrogated the defendant Joseph Blatter following a meeting of the Fifa Executive Committee.

"At the same time, Michel Platini was heard as a person asked to provide information. Furthermore, the OAG conducted on September 25, 2015 a house search at Fifa Headquarters with the support of the Federal Criminal Police. The office of the Fifa president has been searched and data seized."

Earlier in September, allegations emerged which suggested Blatter had signed off on selling World Cup broadcasting rights to the CFU - which was run by disgraced former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner - for a fraction of their value.

Fifa released a subsequent statement insisting it has helped - and will continue to help - legal enquiries from Swiss law enforcement over its investigation into Blatter and other members of staff.

"Since May 27, 2015, Fifa has been cooperating with the OAG and has complied with all requests for documents, data and other information," it said in a subsequent statement. "We will continue this level of cooperation throughout the investigation.

"Today, at the home of Fifa, representatives from the OAG conducted interviews and gathered documents pursuant to its investigation. Fifa facilitated these interviews as part of our ongoing cooperation. We will have no further comment on the matter as it is an active investigation."