..::Football III::..

Status
Not open for further replies.

Wolverine GTR

Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Real Madrid better with Benzema - Benitez

    karim-benzema-cropped_1nh17k2y5kmer1tpje0dfatco1.jpg


    Rafael Benitez believes Real Madrid play better when striker Karim Benzema is in the team.

    The centre-forward, who suffered an injury while on international duty with France in October and is facing charges of conspiracy to blackmail over an alleged extortion attempt involving a sex-tape of Mathieu Valbuena, was benched for Madrid's last two fixtures before returning to the starting line-up at home to Getafe, scoring twice in the opening 16 minutes of a 4-1 victory in La Liga.

    Benitez feels such influential performances will help the 27-year-old cope with his off-field troubles.

    "Benzema's two goals reinforce that he's a very important player for us, and makes those around him play better," the coach said.

    "He really wanted to play this game, do well, and score goals. Doing well on the pitch will help him to deal with other things."

    All four of Madrid's goals came in the first half, with Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo on target in the same game for the first time since April.

    Conceding an Alexis header in a tame second half prompted whistles from the Santiago Bernabeu crowd, but Benitez believes the first-half display should be enough to satisfy any disgruntled supporters.

    "We played 45 very good minutes. At 4-0 up we dropped the intensity a bit as the work was done," he said.

    "The satisfaction for all fans was to see a great team in the first half, and the game managed until the end.

    "The team is doing a lot better than people think, we showed that in first half. We are a good team, with potential to play a lot better."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Granada 0-2 Atletico Madrid: Godin & Griezmann return visitors to second place

    2352892_heroa.jpg


    Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann were both on target as Atletico Madrid returned to La Liga's second spot with a 2-0 victory over Granada.

    Having seen Rafael Benitez's men pick up a 4-1 derby victory over Getafe earlier in the day, Atleti re-established their two-point advantage in second place thanks to goals from Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann.

    The visitors had dominated the early stages and fully deserved to go ahead through a Godin header after 20 minutes, with Fernando Torres and Koke having both squandered earlier chances to open the scoring.

    Torres wasted another chance to score his 100th Atleti goal – a milestone he has been chasing since mid-September – as the visitors struggled to put the game to bed, but Griezmann eventually wrapped up the three points 14 minutes from time.

    The result represents Atleti's sixth win in a row in all competitions, while they have now not been beaten in 12 matches.

    Granada, meanwhile, remain fourth from bottom, a point clear of the relegation zone.

    Diego Simeone made three changes to the side that beat Espanyol last time out in the top flight and Torres – one of those to come into the starting XI – had the first opportunity to break the deadlock.

    The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker failed to get on the end of a teasing ball into the six-yard box from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, before Koke saw a weak shot from the edge of the box held by goalkeeper Andres Fernandez.

    Despite those two missed opportunities, Atleti were in control and capitalised on some abysmal Granada defending to go ahead.

    Completely unmarked, Godinmoved into space on the edge of the six-yard box to meet Koke's corner and bury a powerful header.

    Godin subsequently raced to the touchline to hold aloft a shirt in tribute to team-mate Tiago, who has been ruled out for at least three months after breaking his leg against Espanyol.

    Adalberto Penaranda snatched at Granada's first chance to trouble Jan Oblak, firing into the side-netting eight minutes from the break, before Filipe Luis fired over for Atleti at the beginning of the second half.

    Granada certainly enjoyed more of the ball after the interval and Isaac Success drew a save from Oblak with a cross-cum-shot in the 61st minute.

    Torres created some space for himself only to be denied by Fernandez midway through the second half, but Griezmann's 76th-minute strike made sure of the win.

    Having been picked out at the back post, the France international composed himself before firing into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth: Late Murray winner stuns Blues

    2353552_heroa.jpg


    Glenn Murray scored a dramatic late winning goal as Bournemouth recorded one of the most famous wins in their history against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

    Jose Mourinho's side, who sit 14th in the table, have now suffered eight defeats in 15 league games after failing to break down the newly promoted visitors, with Diego Costa again omitted from his starting XI and Eden Hazard's goalless streak stretching to 25 games in all competitions.

    Nemanja Matic missed Chelsea's best opportunity, heading over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box in the second half, before substitute Murray pounced with eight minutes remaining to secure a famous victory.

    Murray had been on the pitch for just 99 seconds when he struck the decisive blow - and he appeared to be marginally offside as he bundled the ball over the line.

    Eddie Howe's men are now unbeaten in three games and move out of the relegation zone after defeating the defending champions.

    Both sides made two changes, with Thibaut Courtois - back after three months out due to knee surgery - and Baba Rahman coming in for Chelsea as Bournemouth recalled Artur Boruc and Adam Smith.

    Chelsea threatened first when Hazard shot straight at Boruc after linking up nicely with Willian.

    Courtois was also called into action early, producing a two-handed save to deny Junior Stanislas after a counter-attack led by Joshua King, who brought the Belgium goalkeeper into another stop at his near post after a neat passing move.

    Hazard was bidding to score his 50th Chelsea goal after a long wait and a powerful long-range left-footed effort had to be pushed away by Boruc.

    Pedro was next to test the away goalkeeper, who tipped the former Barcelona forward's curling attempt round the post before also denying Oscar as the home side finished a goalless first half strongly.

    Mourinho brought on Costa at half-time, but Bournemouth threatened first when a thumping shot from Matt Ritchie was just off target.

    Costa had a header hacked away from close to the goalline and Matic missed an excellent chance to give Chelsea the lead, somehow heading over after Willian had whipped in a threatening cross from the right.

    Chelsea continued to press and Costa saw a cross blocked by the arm of a sliding Simon Francis, but referee Mike Jones was unmoved.

    After a strong finish to the first half and a bright start to the second, the hosts' threat diminished in the closing stages. Costa's stab at goal, comfortably saved by Boruc, was their final chance of note.

    They were punished when Courtois could only punch a corner clear as far as Steve Cook, whose bouncing effort looped towards goal, allowing Murray – who appeared to be millimetres offside – to head in from three yards out.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Wolfsburg 1-2 Borussia Dortmund: Late drama as visitors capitalise on shock Bayern loss

    2353202_heroa.jpg


    Shinji Kagawa's stoppage-time strike gave Borussia Dortmund a dramatic 2-1 Bundesliga win over Wolfsburg as Thomas Tuchel's side gained ground on Bayern Munich on Saturday.

    Second-half substitute Kagawa slotted home superbly in the 93rd minute to restore Dortmund's advantage just moments after a Ricardo Rodriguez penalty had cancelled out Marco Reus' first-half opener.

    Dortmund had made a fantastic start, buoyed by news of Bayern's first league defeat of the campaign, which came away to Borussia Monchengladbach earlier on Saturday, with Ilkay Gundogan and Sven Bender hitting the goal frame.

    And though Wolfsburg had kept three consecutive clean sheets heading into the encounter, Diego Benaglio could do nothing to prevent Reus putting the visitors ahead after sloppy play from Josuha Guilavogui.

    Roman Burki had to pull off a string of fantastic saves to deny Wolfsburg a leveller as the hosts came out strong after the restart, with Dieter Hecking's decision to introduce Bas Dost making life difficult for Dortmund's defence.

    Wolfsburg appeared to have rescued a point when Rodriguez converted coolly after Andre Schurrle had been fouled by Lukasz Piszczek, but Kagawa's last-gasp strike ensured that Dortmund ended the hosts' unbeaten Bundesliga run at the Volkswagen Arena – which stretched back to March 2014 – and moved to within five points of Bayern.

    Though they were shorn of several key players, including captain Mats Hummels, due to a sickness bug, Dortmund made a storming start, rattling the crossbar twice in the opening five minutes.

    Gundogan was the first to strike the woodwork with a fantastic free-kick from 25 yards out, before Bender turned a close-range effort onto the bar after latching onto a cross at the near post.

    Wolfsburg were then the architects of their own downfall shortly after the half-hour mark, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan robbed Guilavogui of possession to play in Reus, who made no mistake in rounding Benaglio and slotting home.

    Following his assist, Mkhitaryan then proved decisive at the other end - the playmaker well -positioned to clear Naldo's header off the line and maintain Dortmund's lead going into the interval.

    After a strong start to the second half from the hosts, Burki almost gifted Wolfsburg an equaliser when his careless touch was pounced upon by Dost, but he reacted swiftly to make an instinctive save at his near post.

    Dortmund's stopper had to be on top form a few moments later, making a string of superb stops to deny both Julian Draxler and Rodriguez.

    But Wolfsburg were provided with a perfect chance to level when Schurrle took a tumble in the area, and Rodriguez, playing for the first time since he returned from compassionate leave following the death of his mother, making no mistake from the spot.

    There was to be one final twist however, as Mkhitaryan cushioned a perfect pass into the path of Kagawa, who drilled a low strike past Benaglio to seal the victory.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Ranieri thrilled by collective display as Leicester go top

    claudioranieri-cropped_1rereq9x0jsc718e0engsho4il.jpg


    Jamie Vardy's record scoring run being snapped did little to cloud Claudio Ranieri's mood as the Leicester City boss revelled in his side's collective performance after beating Swansea City 3-0 on Saturday.

    Vardy broke Ruud van Nistelrooy's record for scoring in consecutive Premier League matches by netting for the 11th straight game against Manchester United last weekend.

    The England man was left frustrated as Swansea prevented him for matching Jimmy Dunne's Football League mark of a goal in 12 successive outings at the Liberty Stadium, although the hosts were unable to stop the excellent Riyad Mahrez.

    A hat-trick took Mahrez's tally to 10 league goals for the season, with Vardy having a hand in each of the Algerian's three strikes, sending Leicester two points clear of Arsenal at the Premier League summit.

    Ranieri told Sky Sports News: "We made a very good performance, scoring three goals, we had a clean sheet. I am happy for this reason, not because we are top of the league.

    "He [Vardy] had a chance but today he didn't score. Mahrez got them and it's good for the team. I always ask the players to play for the team, the team is the leader. Everybody made a fantastic contribution."

    Leicester have 32 points to their name just 15 games into the season having scraped to safety late last term with 41 points.

    Asked if the target of reaching 40 points would be altered after Leicester's stunning start to the campaign, Ranieri replied: "I don't change my first goal, my ambition is very high, but my goal is that.

    "Next matches against Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, [Manchester] City - not bad."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Mourinho suffers his ultimate embarrassment

    2353472_heroa.jpg


    Three games unbeaten and three successive clean sheets had Jose Mourinho convinced that his Chelsea side were turning the corner but the Special One will return to the drawing board this evening contemplating another false dawn and perhaps the most embarrassing defeat of his managerial career.

    The champions are marooned in 14th place, now just two points ahead of a Bournemouth side whose victory at Stamford Bridge, perhaps most damningly of all as far as Mourinho is concerned, owed little to luck and dogged perseverance.

    Bournemouth were resolute, organised and efficient. Their goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, a liability all season long, was never required to show anything more than basic competence while, at the other end, Thibaut Courtois, making his first appearance since the opening day of the campaign, was not the immediate cure to the defensive woes that have undermined Chelsea this season. Indeed, he was culpable for the winning goal.

    Chelsea's pride has been stung this season, their confidence chipped away. Visitors to Stamford Bridge have feasted on the uncertainty but nobody expected this, not least the travelling Bournemouth fans who had seen their side collect just four points on the road this term from seven games and concede 18 goals in the process.

    It ranks as one of the biggest upset in Premier League history. It is the first time that the holders of the Championship have won at the home of the top-flight champions and the first time that Chelsea have failed to score on home turf since May 2014.

    Mourinho resisted the temptation to restore Diego Costa to his starting lineup after the touchline histrionics that overshadowed a hard-earned point at White Hart Lane last week and, though it always looked like a questionable decision, it ought not to have proven decisive.

    In any case, Costa was introduced at the break and, though his presence sparked Chelsea into life initially, he quickly reverted to type, displaying the characteristics that prompted Mourinho to demote him to the bench in the first place.

    Even a serial winner like Mourinho has suffered his fair share of galling defeats. His Real Madrid were taken apart by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in their pomp and Champions League semi-final defeats by Liverpool still sting. Losing to a Sunderland side seemingly destined for relegation cost his little horses their chance of Premier League glory two season ago but there has been nothing like this.

    All of Mourinho's best sides - even his average ones - have specialised in hammering the weak, chewing up relegation fodder before moving mercilessly on to their next victims. Despite Chelsea's obvious deficiencies, Bournemouth were expected to go the same way as Norwich City, who were gallant in defeat a fortnight previously.

    Instead Chelsea were again struck by a crippling lack of imagination, their superstars caught staring at the stars looking for inspiration as Bournemouth outthought and outmanoeuvred their illustrious opponents.

    Chelsea and Mourinho closed ranks during the international break in the hope that a siege mentality could be fostered and out of adversity a measure of triumph could be achieved. It has taken less than three weeks for that approach to have been rendered redundant.

    The truth is that this Chelsea side are an average outfit whose day in the sun seems an eon ago. Mourinho is at his lowest ebb and it is hard to see him turning around this sinking ship.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Mourinho: Chelsea will not be relegated

    2353472_heroa.jpg


    Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has dismissed talk that his side could be relegated despite slipping to another surprise defeat against Bournemouth.

    Glenn Murray's winner for the Cherries leaves the Premier League champions sitting just three points above the relegation zone in 14th place after 15 games

    And Mourinho insists his side will climb out of trouble, though their chances of finishing in the top four are diminishing.

    "I am concerned, obviously. I was concerned before this game because I am not happy about our position. You can imagine now after this result at home," he told Sky Sports.

    "Obviously Chelsea will not be fighting for relegation – no chance. Chelsea will win matches and come out of that area. That’s not the point and not the problem. The problem is our objective is to finish top four.

    "Before this game I think this was fair to feel with our quality and getting three or four matches in a row, which we can do any time, can push us up to the kind of position I was expecting to be at the end of December. This defeat has not put us in a dangerous postion, but our objective is not to fight relegation.

    "Our objective is to fight for the top four, and maybe now we have to think about fighting for the top six."

    Asked about the clash, Mourinho was encouraged by an improvement after the interval and was unimpressed by the officiating once again.

    "We did not deserve to lose this game. Especially in the second half, we did more than enough to win the game," he said.

    "The referee made an important mistake, but it’s part of the game. Our opponents, in the period when they were thinking about a clean sheet and getting a point, they went and scored a goal.

    "I think it’s a clear penalty and a clear handball with the score 0-0, but that’s part of the game."
     

    Alucard_SxE

    Well-known member
  • Apr 18, 2015
    6,523
    2,465
    113
    Valencia patta! :D
    Vale 1: Barca 1 :D :D
    Pattama comeback ekak! Thawa podden dinannath thibba
    Just 4 points ahead of real now :D
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Valencia 1-1 Barcelona: Mina earns unlikely point as Gary Neville watches on

    2354092_heroa.jpg


    Santi Mina struck four minutes from time to earn Valencia a 1-1 draw against La Liga champions Barcelona as new coach Gary Neville watched from the stands.

    Neville has been appointed as Nuno Espirito Santo's replacement in a somewhat surprising move and watched on as Voro and brother Phil Neville presided over a gutsy display that saw Santi Mina cancel out Luis Suarez's opener late on.

    Nuno resigned his post following last week's abject defeat to Sevilla but interim boss Voro witnessed a determined display at the Mestalla, even if his side rode their luck in the first half with Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar all missing first-half chances.

    Former Manchester United and England man Neville officially takes charge from Sunday and looked set to do so against the backdrop of a defeat after Suarez scored for a seventh game in succession in all competitions.

    The striker enraged Aymen Abdennour and Valencia fans moments earlier with an apparent stamp but the Mestalla erupted when Paco Alcacer brilliantly brought down a long ball on his chest before turning Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano and playing in Santi Mina.

    The young forward finished calmly past Claudio Bravo, ending Barca's six-game winning streak in La Liga and giving Neville a positive foundation to build on.

    Barca sit two points clear at the top after dropping points again at the Mestalla while Valencia will approach Neville's debut in the Champions League against Lyon on Wednesday in high spirits.

    Amid an electric atmosphere at kick-off, the game began at frenetic pace, Danilo's effort squirming wide for the hosts, who were without suspended pair Joao Cancelo and Javi Fuego.

    Barca replaced the injured former Valencia player Jeremy Mathieu with Jordi Alba and gradually grew into the game, Lionel Messi volleying Neymar's delivery over the crossbar before the Brazilian shot over when clear on goal.

    Voro's men remained disciplined to frustrate Barca inside the opening half-hour, although Neymar continued to pose problems for right-back Ruben Vezo, squaring for Messi, who shot straight at Jaume 26 minutes in.

    Valencia will perhaps feel aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty when Gerard Pique tangled with Enzo Perez inside the box, referee Santiago Jaime uninterested.

    Suarez joined Neymar and Messi in missing the target before Aderlan Santos got the crucial touch on Messi's cross to deny the Uruguayan a simple tap-in prior to half-time.

    Suarez angered Abdennour early in the second half with an apparent stamp, referee Jaime taking no action, before the Barca man clattered into goalkeeper Jaume Domenech much to the home fans' annoyance.

    And it was the former Liverpool striker who broke the deadlock just before the hour when he latched onto Messi's lofted pass before holding off Abdennour to finish at the near post.

    Domenech should perhaps have done better while there were shades of offside when Messi played the pass but Valencia almost levelled when Pique was forced into an erratic clearance after Dani Parejo's effort was charged down.

    Suarez again remained in the thick of things when he barged into Abdennour as Neymar and Rodrigo de Paul went close at either end but it was Santi Mina who played the decisive role as he stroked home the equaliser with four minutes remaining.

    Danilo saw a powerful drive well saved by Bravo as Valencia set about finding a winner but Neville will instead begin his first full coaching role off the back of a hard-earned point.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Inter 1-0 Genoa: Ljajic returns Mancini's men to the summit of Serie A

    2354502_heroa.jpg


    Inter moved to the top of Serie A despite finishing the game with 10 men as Adem Ljajic proved decisive in a 1-0 win over Genoa at San Siro on Saturday.

    Roberto Mancini's team jumped above Napoli in the standings with the victory, though Maurizio Sarri's team could displace them if they win away at Bologna on Sunday.

    Genoa have not won away at Inter since March 1994 and they never really looked like getting the result this time around as they showed minimal desire to attack.

    Felipe Melo had an early chance for the hosts, but it was Ljajic who provided their greatest threat during a dour first period.

    The Serbian opened the scoring with a whipped free-kick in the second half and it proved to be enough for the three points as Inter - who had Danilo D'Ambrosio sent off late on - won by a 1-0 scoreline for the eighth time in Serie A this term.

    Mancini dropped last season's joint leading scorer in Serie A, Mauro Icardi, after his struggles this season continued in the 2-1 defeat to Napoli on Monday.

    And with just two minutes on the clock Inter created an opportunity to open the scoring, but Rodrigo Palacio's cutback arrived behind Melo and he could only fire his shot over.

    The home team continued to control the match and Ljajic shot wide after doing brilliantly to create space by twisting and turning away from Diogo Figueiras on the left-hand side of the box.

    Inter dominated possession but struggled to trouble Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin, with the destructive Gary Medel at the heart of a scrappy game.

    Perin was alert when called upon moments before the interval, though, reacting quickly to get down to his right and parry Ljajic's volley off a great cross from Alex Telles away from goal.

    The Serbian had been Inter's brightest player during the opening period and fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box in first-half stoppage time.

    Mancini lost Melo for the second half due to a head injury and his side quickly came under pressure from Genoa. They would have fallen behind with 53 minutes played had Samir Handanovic not kept out a cross-goal effort from Figueiras, while Stevan Jovetic sent a wild shot over at the other end moments later.

    But just before the hour-mark Inter finally took the lead when Ljajic's free-kick from wide on the left evaded all the players in the box and nestled in the far corner with Perin rooted to the spot.

    Tino Costa warmed the gloves of Handanovic with 10 minutes remaining and Inter had D'Ambrisio dismissed in the closing stages following a second yellow card, but Genoa were unable to find an equaliser as they remain without a win on the road this season.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Klopp: Ferguson a role model for all managers

    jurgen-klopp-cropped_n83emuo30xs11hyvjguje39l0.jpg


    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he considers Sir Alex Ferguson a role model after receiving the League Managers Association prize for performance of the week from the ex-Manchester United boss.

    Ferguson is a member of the panel that awarded the accolade to Klopp's Reds for their 6-1 victory over Southampton in the League Cup on Wednesday.

    The German said he would not be revealing the details of his conversation with the 13-time Premier League champion but believes every coach in the world takes lessons from Ferguson's reign at Old Trafford.

    "He said congratulations and the rest is private," Klopp told Sky Sports. "But I've had the huge honour of meeting him a few times and of course he is a role model for every manager in football.

    "It was a big pleasure because he's a funny person and something like a book of history in football so it was good to spend some time with him."

    Klopp admitted he sees similarities between Ferguson and Steven Gerrard, who is currently back in England training with Liverpool during the Major League Soccer off-season.

    "He has the same thing as Alex, only a younger version," Klopp added. "It's good to have him here.

    "It's very important to us because we can show that if you behave like Steven Gerrard in the years he was here and work like he did, then the door has to be open always and that's what we're doing now.

    "Everybody knows him better than myself so it's good to have him around because he's a nice person and all the players love him."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Ibe: Klopp has given Liverpool belief to win Premier League title

    jordon-ibe-cropped_1hgudku75axtd1wwpq35n3nrlf.jpg


    Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe says manager Jurgen Klopp has given the team the confidence to believe they can win their first Premier League title.

    Since the appointment of former Dortmund manager Klopp in October, Liverpool have beaten title favourites Manchester City 4-1, holders Chelsea 3-1 and thrashed Southampton 6-1 to reach League Cup semi-finals.

    The Reds have won their last four matches in all competitions and suffered just one defeat under the German, and Ibe says a new sense of freedom has been the key to the team's recent success.

    "He just likes us getting on with it and he'll tell us how it is," the 19-year-old told Sky Sports.


    "He can get very angry if he wanted to but he's been very calm and just gives us the freedom to play the football we should be playing.

    "It starts off with the relationship with his players. With each and every one of the players, the manager is giving everyone the confidence to think that anything can happen, even winning the Premier League or winning other cups."

    Ibe, who scored in the thrashing of Southampton on Wednesday night, insists Liverpool must make sure they are well-prepared for Sunday's trip to struggling Newcastle United despite their hosts' recent woes.

    "[Before] we've just been coming out and maybe not being fired up enough," he said. "We have to make sure this happens against Newcastle."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    :eek::rofl:Van Gaal: Manchester United are not Champions League contenders

    louis-van-gaal-cropped_sbdkrmzdg7571xj0faj18qiv7.jpg


    Louis van Gaal says he does not think Manchester United are capable of winning the Champions League this season.

    United sit second in Group B ahead and are yet to secure a place in the round of 16 ahead of their clash on Tuesday against Wolfsburg.

    But even if they do progress to the first knockout stage, the Dutchman has suggested they need to strengthen further to be in with a chance of competing with the likes of defending champions Barcelona.

    "I don't think that we are able to win the Champions League now," he told reporters. "Maybe next year when we strengthen our selection again.

    "We can beat anyone on our day, but normally we are not good enough to win the Champions League, but we shall try to do everything."

    United go into the match in Germany on the back of a 0-0 draw at West Ham and are at risk of elimination if they fail to win.

    "Yes, we can win on Tuesday," Van Gaal added. "In every match we create chances and we have actually created more of them in the Champions League than in Premier League games.

    "But playing on Saturday, resting on Sunday and travelling on Monday is not ideal for a Tuesday match but we have to cope."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Bale: I'm not having a good season

    gareth-bale-cropped_prv87nl6mw8w19j24xiq0qph5.jpg


    Gareth Bale says he is not having a good season with Real Madrid, but was pleased to score in the 4-1 La Liga win over Getafe on Saturday.

    The Welshman assisted Karim Benzema's second goal before curling home a fine finish after being found by Cristiano Ronaldo, with the trio all on target in the same game for the first time since April.

    Bale has missed five of Madrid's Liga fixtures this season and feels it has stopped him mounting a good run of form, though he enjoyed scoring for the second successive weekend.

    "I'm not having a very good season. Injuries have prevented me from having the rhythm I need to be at my best," he said.

    "It's nice to score, but the important thing is putting in the work for the team. The job of scoring goals is for the striker."

    The 26-year-old insisted he has no issued with the coach or his team-mates and enjoys a positive relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo.

    "I feel really comfortable with these players. I get along well with Cristiano and [Rafael] Benitez," added Bale.

    Madrid are third in La Liga, two points behind cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid and four back from leaders Barcelona.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Simeone talks down Atleti's Liga title chances

    diego-simeone-cropped_8l484via9s2n14gxbo2xomxgd.jpg


    Diego Simeone refused to discuss Atletico Madrid's chances of winning La Liga following their 2-0 victory at Granada on Saturday.

    With table-topping Barcelona held to a 1-1 draw away at Valencia, the Argentine coach's side moved to within two points of the summit.

    However, the 45-year-old insisted Atletico are holding only a short-term view of proceedings at the top of the table and would not be drawn into suggesting they have a shot at finishing first ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid, as they memorably did in 2013-14.

    "We understand the championship in special way," Simeone said.

    "We think the best look to the future is regarding the present. That's our aim. We will not change our mind-set as it is essential for us."

    Diego Godin opened the scoring at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes and dedicated the goal to injured Portuguese midfielder Tiago, who suffered a broken leg against Espanyol last weekend, by holding up his shirt.

    "You know we love Tiago. He is a key part of our family and obviously guys have wanted to dedicate the goal to him," Simeone said.

    "He is, firstly, a wonderful person and also an important player of our family."

    The Argentine was pleased with the defensive effort shown by Antoine Griezmann – scorer of the second goal - stating his work in tracking back helped to make the team strong.

    "[Defence] is one of our strengths. It is owed also to our strikers," added Simeone.

    "Griezmann scored a nice goal but he also fought a lot, and this is very important because it passes to the rest of team mates.

    "When you see your striker scoring but also doing his best in defence it is the way to build something important. We are looking to carry on growing in this way."
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.