..::Football III::..

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Liverpool 1-1 Rubin Kazan: Can rescues draw on Klopp's Anfield debut

Jurgen Klopp endured a frustrating debut in the Anfield dugout as Liverpool were held to a disappointing 1-1 Europa League draw by 10-man Rubin Kazan on Thursday.

The German manager was forced to settle for a share of the spoils for the second consecutive game despite his side having an extra man for over half of the match.

Marko Devic gave Rubin a first-half lead with a brilliantly-taken goal, but Oleg Kuzmin's red card appeared to have ended the Russians' chances of picking up a positive result.

Emre Can smashed home an equaliser before half-time, but Liverpool were extremely poor in the second-half as the returning Christian Benteke hit the post in one of their few clear-cut opportunities.

The Reds have now drawn all three of their Europa League games, but stay second in Group B after leaders Sion beat Bordeaux in the other game.

Joe Allen came in for Lucas Leiva in Klopp's only change from the goalless Premier League draw at Tottenham, while Benteke and Roberto Firmino – who have been out for a month – returned to the substitutes' bench.

Can took a pass from Allen and curled an early effort into the side netting, but it was the visitors who moved into a surprise lead after 15 minutes.

Rubin captain Kuzmin went past Can and floated a delivery into the area from the right. Devic got goal-side of Nathaniel Clyne, showing strength to control with his chest and flick an impressive finish into the far corner.

The hosts tried to make a swift response when Adam Lallana sent an effort wide from the edge of the box, before the Southampton star flicked an impressive header just over from Philippe Coutinho's free-kick.

Coutinho himself threatened next when he seized on a poor pass from Magomed Ozdoev, only to fire wide with his left foot after a promising run had given him a decent chance.
A crucial three moments in the game then took place in quick succession. Rubin came close to making it two when Gokdeniz Karadeniz found Blagoy Georgiev in space inside the area, but the in-form Simon Mignolet reacted well to tip his shot over.

Then Kuzmin was given his marching orders. Having already been booked for a high tackle on Alberto Moreno, he received a second yellow card for a clear body-check on Can.

And the visitors were punished instantly as Coutinho whipped in a free-kick from the left that was headed down by Divock Origi, allowing Can to power an effort into the roof of the net from a yard out.

Despite their numerical advantage, Liverpool did not create much of note in the early stages of the second half.

Coutinho drove a free-kick wide and was then off target with another effort after being set up by a driving James Milner run.

Klopp took swift action to try to lift his team, replacing the disappointing Coutinho with the returning Benteke having already introduced Lucas in place of Allen at the break.

Benteke had a chance to score as the game entered the final 20 minutes, but volleyed wide from Clyne's cross as Klopp brought on Firmino in his final effort to inspire a victory.

Can then forced Sergei Ryzhikov into a solid save with a bouncing left-footed shot, the Rubin goalkeeper's first work of the second half.

Benteke came closest to finding the winner, receiving a pass from Lallana and guiding a low shot across the face of goal that struck the foot of the post as Klopp got another insight into the size of the task he has undertaken.

 

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Midtjylland 1-4 Napoli: Gabbiadini nets brace in comfortable victory

Napoli made it three wins from three in the group stages of the Europa League, as goals from Jose Callejon, Manolo Gabbiadini and Gonzalo Higuain wrapped up a comfortable 4-1 victory in Denmark against Midtjylland.

First and second place butted heads in Group D, with both sides coming into the clash in fine veins of domestic form, but the Serie A outfit were to make the most of their momentum.

Callejon opened the scoring in the 19th minute, with the ex-Real Madrid forward able to expertly guide home a long ball upfield from Kalidou Koulibaly. The Spaniard lifted a looping, volleyed effort over the onrushing goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen, to give the visitors the early advantage.

Gabbiadini doubled the Partenopei's lead just after the half-hour mark. The ex-Sampdoria striker cushioned home a neat finish, which kissed the inside of the left-hand post, following fantastic work down the right from Allan.

On 40 minutes, Gabbiadini once again found himself among the goals. Omar El Kaddouri found the Italy international with a pass that sat up nicely, allowing for the Napoli man to lash a dipping 20-yard effort into the top left-hand corner.

Midtjylland did respond just before the break, in a first half dominated by the visitors, with Martin Pusic scrambling home a scrappy, close-range finish in the aftermath of an uncleared corner delivery.

After the interval, chances proved to be much more elusive, with Sarri's men looking to slow play down and protect their advantage, though Marek Hamsik and Higuain were injected into the second-half fray.

The latter grabbed a stoppage-time goal to put the icing on the cake, after a neat through ball from El Kaddouri. The Argentina international fired home with consummate ease, to seal an important victory for the Serie A outfit.

Napoli go three points clear at the top of Group D, putting a dent in Midtjylland's qualification hopes in the process. The Partenopei's recent steamrolling form shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

 

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Qabala 1-3 Borussia Dortmund: Red-hot Aubameyang leads Germans to win

A hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw Borussia Dortmund run out 3-1 winners at Qabala in the Europa League on Thursday.

Group C leaders Dortmund were without Henrikh Mkhitaryan - the Armenian playmaker left behind due to tensions between his home nation and Azerbaijan - but the prolific Aubameyang maintained the visitors' strong start to the competition.

After Thomas Tuchel's men were made to sweat early on - Matthias Ginter clearing off the line from Dodo - Aubameyang scored twice in seven minutes after the half-hour mark to put Dortmund well on their way to three points in Baku.

Aubameyang wrapped up his hat-trick 18 minutes from the end of a low-key second half when he pounced on Marco Reus' spilled effort as Dortmund negotiated a potentially tricky away trip with relative ease.

The Gabon striker now has 17 goals in just 16 appearances in all competitions this season, and Dortmund remain unbeaten in Europe under Tuchel at the midway point of the group.

Although the game was dead, Dodo pulled one back in injury time for Qabala, who remain bottom having taken just a point from three games.

Dortmund had the first effort on target through Jonas Hofmann, but it was the hosts who created three clear chances inside the opening 10 minutes.

Sergei Zenjov lost his marker inside the area and glanced Ricardinho's header wide before Ginter was required to cut out Zenjov's cross with Dodo awaiting a tap-in.

Ginter was called on again to clear Dodo's lobbed effort off the line amid hesitant goalkeeping from Roman Weidenfeller.

Dortmund regrouped and saw Aubameyang go close twice before the forward registered his first and second goals of the group stage shortly after the half-hour mark.

The 26-year-old produced Dortmund's first moment of real quality to curl in a powerful effort before finding the target again seven minutes later, collecting Shinji Kagawa's lay-off and prodding a second past Dmitry Bezotosniy.

Vojislav Stankovic turned the ball over the crossbar from close range for the hosts shortly before half-time with Aubameyang continuing to prove a threat in the second half with a long-range drive spilled by Bezotosniy.

Dortmund continued to dominate possession after the hour, initially without reward, with Tuchel also boosted by the return to action of Marcel Schmelzer after a thigh problem in place of Park Jo-hoo.

The Dortmund boss will have been more pleased however to see Aubameyang gain a deserved hat-trick courtesy of a poacher's finish late on.

Bezotosniy failed to hold on to Reus' volley, allowing Aubameyang to steal in for a simple finish, with Dodo's late consolation mattering little as Dortmund took another step towards progression to the knockout stages.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Auba pattama form 1kaka inne​

 

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Klopp: We were 2% away from my first Liverpool win

Jurgen Klopp enjoyed the atmosphere at Anfield during his first home game as Liverpool manager, but admitted his side lacked ‘a decisive two per cent’ in the 1-1 Europa League draw with Rubin Kazan.

The visitors opened the scoring on 15 minutes courtesy of Marko Devic, but were then disadvantaged by captain Oleg Kuzmin’s sending off. He received his second yellow card shortly after the half-hour mark, and Emre Can immediately levelled matters after stabbing in a free-kick.

Klopp admitted conceding first momentarily punctured Liverpool. “That in football is one of the biggest challenges," he said. "You are in a feel-good moment, your direction is OK, your concentration is high and then you get this [setback of letting in a goal]. We needed a restart in the game and we did it well.

“It was a big challenge because of the quality of Rubin Kazan. That’s normal in football that nobody is interested in the quality of the opponent, but everyone could see they were not bad, that they are very experienced. They were cool on the ball, they didn’t have it very often, but when they did they were good with it and made the first goal.”

The Reds boss revealed playing with numerical superiority can often be unfavourable. His charges fired 35 shots at Kazan, but were unable to breach their defensive wall.

“Sometimes, it is a big advantage against 10 men, but most of the time it is a pretty thankless job because now they stop playing football and just defend,” Klopp explained.

“They make a big, big compact block and that’s what we had to do better against tonight. But we had our moments, we hit the post with Christian [Benteke]. We had some other moments – good chances – but at the end, no goal. So I would say 98 per cent OK, not perfect, but the last two per cent – the decisive per cent – we missed. That was the problem this evening.”

A frustrating result aside, Liverpool supporters were full of song to create the “special atmosphere” Klopp said he was excited to sample. The volume inside the stadium was amplified when the manager walked out for the pre-match warm-up. Banners featuring his face filled the Kop, while his name was chanted throughout the encounter.

“It was a warm welcome. That was one of the best moments for me tonight,” Klopp said, before joking “it’s important for all of us that people don’t think I should stay outside the stadium!

“When you come first time to a new house usually you will have a present, but I am not quite satisfied with my present tonight, but we’ll come here again and do better.”

 

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Van Gaal: No winter break in England is evil

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says the lack of a winter break in English football is "evil".

The Premier League is the only major league in Europe to continue playing in mid-season, causing a hectic fixture schedule around the festive period.

And Van Gaal believes the extra strain on players is having a detrimental impact and he has joined the growing calls for change.

"There is no winter break and I think that is the most evil thing of this culture," said Van Gaal.

"It is not good for English football, it is not good for the clubs or the national team and I think you should change it.

"England has not won anything for how many years? It is because all the players are exhausted at the end of the season."

Van Gaal, meanwhile, has hinted he will look at strengthening his squad in the January transfer window.

He said: "I have always preferred small selections [squads]. I think I have the smallest selection in the Premier League. Last season we had 24 players.

"We sold 15 players and bought five players. This year we have sold again or have loaned players out. Ten players have gone and only six players have been bought.

"I think 22 players and three goalkeepers is enough so I am still one short."

United are third in the Premier League table and sit just two points behind league leaders Manchester City, who visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United latath ituru home matches deka win karanna wei last 16 yanna.

Ow bro aniwaCSKA/PSV-Home & Wolfsburg-Away.

Kohomahari 3nama win kalanam thamai bro godak hoda.mokada group 1ka thama open.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

ow city la pattma form eke enne. dan squad eka patta.
Agüero,David Silva nathi unath Sterling,KDB ennawa Bony th form una.pattama gamek denna wei dinanana
Ashley Young LB play kala wage gon wadak kaloth kamak thamai.

aniwa.de Gea saga eka unath LVG mange karapu widiya hari naha.
me season eka withrak balai. mama hithanne

Ow broAguero & Silva nathi unath agollange aduwa KDB,Sterling & Bony fill karanawaSo pattama gemak denna wenawa CITY match 1ke.1kanam attha bro Young wa LB danawa kiyanne defa kamak sureoya wade last term 1keth kalanekohomath hari yanne naha Young LB dala.mona pissuwak nataida danne naha CITY match 1ke LVG

& ow bro matath hithenne end of the season LVG replace kalanam hari kiyala​

 

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Iniesta returns to training ahead of Eibar game

 

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Qabala 1-3 Borussia Dortmund: Red-hot Aubameyang leads Germans to win

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Auba

 

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Ow bro aniwaCSKA/PSV-Home & Wolfsburg-Away.

Kohomahari 3nama win kalanam thamai bro godak hoda.mokada group 1ka thama open.​

aniwa match 3ma win karanna puluwan nam group eke 1st wenna puluwan

Ow broAguero & Silva nathi unath agollange aduwa KDB,Sterling & Bony fill karanawaSo pattama gemak denna wenawa CITY match 1ke.1kanam attha bro Young wa LB danawa kiyanne defa kamak sureoya wade last term 1keth kalanekohomath hari yanne naha Young LB dala.mona pissuwak nataida danne naha CITY match 1ke LVG

& ow bro matath hithenne end of the season LVG replace kalanam hari kiyala​

aniwa M City match 1ka lesi wenne naegodakma padu Luke Shaw injured una nisa neh.naththam LB ochchara awulak hitenne nae.
balamu thama EPL wala clear favorite la nene.
December anthima wenkam title fight eke hityoth M United & Arsenal team 2ma winter transfer window eke one karana players la gani kiyala hithenawa

 

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Wenger: 'World-class' Ozil needs to score more goals


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed the "world-class" Mesut Ozil but says that the playmaker needs to score more goals.

Ozil has provided six assists in eight Premier League appearances but has scored just one top-flight goal this season.

The £42 million midfielder scored in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday night and Wenger has now challenged him to produce more in front of goal.

"A player of his calibre, you want him to add goals to his assists. He is world class," Wenger told reporters.

The Gunners take on Everton on Saturday and the manager will be forced to make changes to his side after the hamstring injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey in midweek.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed the "world-class" Mesut Ozil but says that the playmaker needs to score more goals.

Ozil has provided six assists in eight Premier League appearances but has scored just one top-flight goal this season.

The £42 million midfielder scored in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday night and Wenger has now challenged him to produce more in front of goal.

"A player of his calibre, you want him to add goals to his assists. He is world class," Wenger told reporters.

The Gunners take on Everton on Saturday and the manager will be forced to make changes to his side after the hamstring injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey in midweek.

 

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Klopp reaction 'over the top' - Lallana

Adam Lallana believes the reaction to new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been "a bit over the top" following his appointment as successor to Brendan Rodgers.

The former Borussia Dortmund head coach signed a three-year deal at Anfield earlier this month and his arrival was greeted with much fanfare from the Liverpool faithful and the British media.

Klopp's opening two matches in charge have been underwhelming affairs, however, with a 0-0 Premier League draw with Tottenham followed by a disappointing 1-1 stalemate with 10-man Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday.

Lallana has warned that Klopp will not transform the team overnight and has asked for patience from the supporters.

"It was never going to just change overnight," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"Maybe the reaction to him coming in was a bit over the top but he's a great manager who has had great success.

"He's asking people to do different things to what they were used to so it will take a bit of time. I think in his first two games you have seen glimpses and moments of the style he wants to play.

"Jurgen has made it clear that he demands 100 per cent. He wants us to win the ball back as soon as it's given away.

"It's not going to happen overnight, but I'm very confident we're going to succeed under him.

"The fans here demand success here and we want to give them that."
Lallana was disappointed with Liverpool's third draw in as many games in the Europa League group stage but he was thrilled with the return to the squad of Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke, with the latter hitting the post after coming on as a substitute.

"We're disappointed we didn't take the three points," he said. "We started well, but conceded a sloppy goal and we all need to switch on a bit more.

"It was great to have Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino back fit and hopefully Daniel Sturridge won't be too far away.

"Looking at the squad, there are definitely goals there."

Liverpool's next game is against Lallana's old club Southampton on Sunday.

 

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Nolito: I won't join Barcelona in January

Barcelona have been dealt a blow after Celta Vigo star Nolito ruled out the prospect of leaving the club in the January transfer window.

The Spain international has long been linked with a move to Camp Nou, while Arsenal have also been rumoured to be monitoring his form in La Liga.

The 29-year-old has refused to be drawn on his long-term plans but he has reiterated his desire to remain with Celta until at least the end of the current season.

"God will decide my future. I'm not leaving in January. I'm happy in Vigo," he told Radio Marca.

Celta have enjoyed superb early-season form and sit on 18 points after eight games - the same as champions Barcelona and Real Madrid.

With Eduardo Berizzo's side having already beaten Barca 4-1 this term, Nolito has now warned Madrid to expect a similar test when they meet at Balaidos on Saturday.
"We'll try to play as we always do. They're a great team and they're favourites. We're going to play as equals, without any fear," he said.

"If Celta are sharp, we can do a lot of damage to Madrid."

However, Nolito expects a tough test against centre-back Sergio Ramos, with the former Sevilla star now fully fit after a shoulder injury.

"Madrid are safer with Ramos. He's one of the best in the world," he added.

 

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I've taken over from Suarez as Premier League villain - Costa

Chelsea striker Diego Costa believes he is unfairly treated by some in England and has now taken over the role of Premier League villain from Luis Suarez.

Costa has been the centre of controversy on a number of occasions during his time in London - most recently earning a three-match ban for his clash with Laurent Koscielny in last month's derby with Arsenal.

The 27-year-old also tangled with Gabriel, attracting criticism from Arsene Wenger and sections of the media, and Costa has now echoed complaints made by ex-Liverpool man Suarez before his move to Spain.

"I think Luis Suarez left this country because of how he was treated and made out to be the bad guy," he told the London Evening Standard.

"Do I feel like I have taken his place? That is crystal clear. It is obvious that there are people after me. If you do something wrong and it makes the papers, then okay, that's fair.

"But when people are after you all of the time, when you’re always the headline that’s not fair. I hope they're not after me. I hope it’s not the case. I hope it’s something that’s just in my head."

Costa's behaviour against Arsenal was branded "unacceptable" by Wenger prior to his ban, with the Brazil-born frontman always ready to make his presence felt among opposition defenders.

"The critics have to carry on what they do but they should always be truthful," he continued.

"If I do something wrong, I am the first one to accept the criticism, I have no problem with that.

"For example, my behaviour in the game against Arsenal [where he earned his ban for raising his hands towards Koscielny] was not the best. I know that, but it was not just me. There was someone else involved.

"Many, many times I get kicked, I get elbowed - that’s part of football. It happens on the pitch but I never complain. Football is a contact sport and people have to understand they can’t change it into theatre.

"Football has always been a contact sport, these things have always happened. But we are professionals and what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. So after the game it’s all good.

"But if I keep getting banned for three games, it’s going to be hard to maintain my level."

 

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I've taken over from Suarez as Premier League villain - Costa

Costa ma thamai eka karagatthethdan wath hadunoth hodai.​

 

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Sturridge doutbful for Liverpool return against Southampton - Klopp


Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is unlikely to make his first appearance under Jurgen Klopp when they host Southampton at Anfield on Sunday, says the new manager.

Sturridge returned from injury at the end of September to score twice in a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa but a knock in training ruled him out Klopp's first fixture in a 0-0 draw with Tottenham.

The 26-year-old was not named in the squad as the Reds stumbled to a 1-1 draw with 10-man Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday and, with a scan pending, has not improved ahead of Sunday's clash.

"I spoke a few minutes ago with Sturridge and it's not much better," the Liverpool manager told reporters on Friday.

"With Daniel's injury we have to see day by day. If he can train normally tomorrow, it is an option.

"He will have more treatment today because there is still some fluid on his knee. He will have another scan."
Sturridge has already been joined on the injury table by Danny Ings and Christian Benteke this season, with Ings expected to miss most of the campaign with a knee injury.

Benteke returned as a second-half substitute against Rubin and Klopp feels that he could form a strong partnership with Sturridge for the rest of the season once the two are fully fit.

He said: "All good players can play together. It depends how they work for the team. We cannot play with two or three offensive players if they stay up front and we defend with only seven.

“When they are fit, that’s when I really have to think about this but, for sure, they can play together. We have to think about how we can do the rest of the team.

"I don’t know at this moment if we play with two on Sunday but it’s an option."

 

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Mourinho: I'm not being funny any more


Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted his current relationship with the media is over after telling the press that he will no longer be supplying "funny headlines" due to a lack of "respect".

Speaking to reporters ahead of the club's Premier League match with West Ham United on Saturday, the Blues boss fielded questions on Eden Hazard, West Ham United and improved results before turning on the media and lambasting the coverage of non-football matters.

"You are not going to get any funny headlines out of me. I treat you the same way your bosses treat me: no respect. No respect," Mourinho told a news conference.

“I am not speaking about football. Football I will expect every type of critic, even the stupid ones. [But] private life and stupid things that you bring to the light...

“I don’t like it, so we go to a different level of professional relations.”

The Blues boss also offered no guarantee that Hazard will feature against West Ham, despite the Portuguese praising the 24-year-old's performance against Dynamo.

Hazard was dropped for the Blues last Premier League match, a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, but returned to the starting line-up for the 0-0 draw in Kiev, hitting the post early in the first half.

But Mourinho suggested he did not know if the Belgium winger will feature against Slaven Bilic's side, implying that he may once again find himself on the bench.
"I don't know [if he'll play on Saturday]," the Chelsea boss said.

"Hazard was part of that team that kept a clean sheet [on Tuesday]."

Mourinho was also drawn on his side's continued struggles following a poor start to the season, suggesting that the club are getting better with each game and producing positive displays while also praising Nemanja Matic, who earlier denied a rift with the manager.

"The victory against Aston Villa was a very good result, the draw against Kiev was a positive result," he added.

"To give you one example - Matic went from being on the bench versus Villa to be the Man of the Match for Uefa three days later."

"It is not easy to create chances in the Champions League. Especially away from home you don't see teams with 10 good chances - it's difficult.

"We had good occasions, we hit two posts and one of those was a great save.

"I think the performance was good personality, good team spirit, some very good individual performances - not one bad performance - but individually an improvement in the players' performances.

"A good feeling there is an improvement."

But ahead of Saturday's match against Bilic's West Ham, the Chelsea manager remained coy on the club's next opponents, refusing to give anything away.

"Look to the table, see where they are, see where we are, and then it's easy to take conclusions," the Portuguese continued.

"In Premier League we are not afraid to lose matches, we are going to play normal."

 

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Pellegrini: I'm not punishing Kompany


Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini insists he is not 'punishing' Vincent Kompany but hinted his captain may again be benched for Sunday's derby with Manchester United.

Kompany has been among the substitutes in City's last two matches – victories over Bournemouth and Sevilla – after playing 60 minutes in Belgium's Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel, despite being short of fitness.

Before the 3-1 victory in Brussels, which sent Belgium to number one in the Fifa world rankings, the 29-year-old hadn't played since limping off in City's defeat to Juventus on 15 September.

The centre-half reportedly went against Pellegrini's wishes in playing an hour for the Red Devils but the City boss insisted he is not punishing his skipper by keeping him on the bench.

"I'm not punishing Vincent. I don't have a problem in my relationship with Vincent. We need to choose the starting eleven that's best," the Chilean told a press conference.

"It was important for him to work some days before he returns to the team."

However, Pellegrini refused to confirm if Kompany would start the 170th Manchester derby at Old Trafford, hinting that Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala are in the team on merit.

He said: "It's crucial to play with the best players for the moment. Football is moments – now, Mangala & Otamendi are doing well." Pellegrini also confirmed that a host of City stars will miss Sunday's short trip across the city for a match he described as worth 'six points'.

“[David] Silva, [Sergio] Aguero, [Samir] Nasri, [Fabian] Delph & [Gael] Clichy will miss the derby. Maybe next week one or two of them can start working with the team. It will be difficult for Nasri to return before the international break. I hope he will be back after those ten days."

With Aguero still missing, Wilfried Bony is expected to start up front but Pellegrini is not opposed to experimenting with his team.

"Last season we had a lot of different ways to play – when our strikers were injured, we played with Milner and scored goals," he added. "We can play in different ways and we can win. Kevin de Bruyne is not a striker but he could play as a striker if we need him to."

 

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Wenger: I would cry if there was no football at Christmas


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has joked that he would "cry" if there was no football at Christmas.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal recently claimed that the packed festive schedule and lack of winter break in the English game was "evil".

And while Wenger supports the introduction of a mid-season pause, he insists it should only take place after the customary December fixtures.

"I have a lot of respect for Louis van Gaal but I don’t agree with him on that,” Wenger said.
“Maybe it’s because I’ve been in England for such a long time. I had his ideas when I arrived here but today I would cry if you changed that because it’s part of English tradition and English football.

“To suppress the game on Boxing Day, the whole of Europe comes to England to watch the game. It’s a very important part of us being popular in the world, that nobody works at Christmas and everybody watches the Premier League.

“I want to go on with it,” he said. “I always pleaded for a break after January 1, but we have to keep this tradition alive.”