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Mourinho expects six teams to fight for Premier League title

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes six teams can have realistic designs on winning the Premier League title in 2013-14 campaign.

Last season’s top three - Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea - have all changed managers ahead of the new campaign, leaving the league more open than ever.

Those three teams have won the last nine titles between them but Mourinho, who returned for a second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge in June, feels Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham could also be in the mix for top spot come next May.

"I think to start there will be six teams. There is still more than a month for the transfer window to close. It depends on that. In these six teams a lot can happen," the Portuguese told The Independent.

"Probably many people think Liverpool. Why not? They have a great coach [Brendan Rodgers] and he is there for the second year. He had one year to start with his ideas so why not Liverpool?

"Tottenham - why not? Because they don't have that winning culture of the last years? That's not the point. The point is the squad they have, which is fantastic, and again it's the second season for Andre [Villas-Boas].

"Arsenal is Arsenal and probably they will be a better team. Chelsea is Chelsea. Manchester City and Manchester United, the champions of the last two years.

"Probably by December it will be five or four but to start I would say all six."

 

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Ancelotti praises Casillas following first-team return


Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was pleased with Iker Casillas' performance in his first match for the club since January.

The Spain captain played the first 45 minutes in the 2-1 win over Everton in the Guinness International Champions Cup on Sunday and Ancelotti was happy with the 32-year-old's display - along with the other members of the squad still recovering from Confederations Cup exertions.

"I thought he [Casillas] did well. He almost had no work to do and he had no problems," the Italian told a press conference.

"They only played 45 minutes. They did a good job and in the next game they will get more time, so they can keep gaining in fitness.

"We are looking good. Everyone is doing a good job and we still have a few more days to keep preparing ourselves [for the La Liga season]."

Ancelotti also paid tribute to the performance of attacking starlet Jese Rodriguez and stressed there is no competition for places between Mesut Ozil - who scored the game's winning goal - and Isco.

"It’s not a duel. Ozil plays on the right and Isco on the left," he continued. "Both have played extremely well. They have a great ability to play between the lines and look for the best passing options to the forwards. That’s their objective.

"[Jese] also played well. He worked hard and displayed one brilliant piece of skill, it’s just a shame he couldn’t score. He’s a player of real talent."

Real Madrid will face Chelsea or AC Milan following their win over Everton and Ancelotti admitted he is relishing the prospect of facing one of his old clubs.

"I don’t mind if it's Chelsea or Milan," added the 54-year-old. "For me it’ll be a special game because I have coached both sides. I’m sure it’ll be a great game, whoever we end up playing."

 

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Lyon warn Newcastle: Gomis deal could yet go 'haywire'

Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michel Aulas does not expect striker Bafetimbi Gomis to complete his move to Newcastle United for another eight days.

Aulas revealed on Friday that the two clubs have agreed a fee of around €10.3 million for the 28-year-old, who scored 16 goals in 37 Ligue 1 appearances last season.

Gomis has since settled on personal terms, but Aulas feels it will be just over a week until he becomes a Newcastle player, although he has not given a reason for the delay apart from hinting at "minor issues".

"With one year left on his contract he has to be sold because an extension was not an option for us or him," Aulas told L'Equipe. "I did not mean to cause any harm to Gomis on a personal level. I merely needed to sell him.

"We have accepted Newcastle's conditions and Gomis has accepted theirs too. It could still go haywire. There are minor issues which could cause problems. Either way, the deal won't be done for another eight days probably."

 

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Juventus confirm 'excess' striker sale

Juventus are close to selling two strikers as they look to remove "excess players" from their squad, according to club chief Giuseppe Marotta.

The Bianconeri secured the arrivals of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente earlier this summer, prompting speculation that Alessandro Matri, Fabio Quagliarella, Sebastian Giovinco or Mirko Vucinic could be sold, with the former duo linked with moves to the Premier League.

Juve general director Marotta has now confirmed the Serie A champions are keen to offload two of their forwards as they look to whittle down their squad before the 2013-14 season.

"I will not name names, but at this moment we have six strikers. We need to be left with four," he told Sky Sport.

"We are in the phase of removing excess players from the squad."

Marotta also confirmed defender Reto Ziegler could be set to join city rivals Torino, following Angelo Ogbonna's switch to Juventus Stadium this summer.

 

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Ferguson hails English football's 'transformation' in open letter

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the "transformation" of English football in an open letter.

The Scot stepped down from the Old Trafford hotseat after more than 26 years at the helm, bringing an end to a trophy-laden era for the club.

And Sir Alex believes United "symbolised the transformation of the English game during the Premier League years", with the fan experience particularly benefitting following the dark days of Heysel and Hillsborough and the subsequent Taylor Report.

"English football is in a much better place than it was 27 years ago," writes Sir Alex. "Across the leagues, stadiums weren't what they should have been, the development of players was nowhere near as advanced as it is now, those controlling the game couldn't give the TV rights away, fans weren't treated properly and what interest there was in football from Government was negative.

"There are some with rose-tinted glasses who think football was great a generation ago, but nostalgia plays strange tricks with the mind. Back then, football’s role in the cultural make-up of the country was arguably in decline. It was a great shame."

Following extensive experience of guiding United around Europe, Sir Alex is confident the Premier League is comfortably the strongest domestic league in the world, citing the increased competition at the top of the table and the atmosphere at grounds around the country.

He continues: "Competition is healthy and it is what sets this league apart from others in Europe. The quality and entertainment of the football in the Premier League has increased year on year. It was always getting harder to go out and win the title, to find the right mix of players, youth, experience and attitude.

"The Premier League is known the world over for the passion and knowledge of its fans as well as the atmosphere in the grounds. Not just Old Trafford - the trips to Goodison, St James’, Anfield and White Hart Lane amongst others always produced fantastic support.

"It’s part of the history and tradition of the English game that drives its success today. I will miss all of it."

The full letter will be published with the Premier League official 2012-13 season review, due this week.

 

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Pepe coy on Real Madrid exit talk

Pepe has not dismissed the possibility of leaving Real Madrid, stating that he is currently in talks with the club's hierarchy.

The Portugal international joined los Blancos from Porto in 2007 but has been subject to rumoured interest from the likes of Manchester City this summer.

Meeting the press after his side's 2-1 International Champions Cup win over Everton, the 30-year-old defender spoke extremely briefly about the prospect of his departure from the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I'm a professional," he told journalists in Los Angeles. "They left a lot of things at the end of last season but I have a contract to fulfill.

"I'm talking to the president of Madrid [Florentino Perez] and my representatives to see what will happen."

Pepe, who has won two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey whilst with los Merengues, stressed his love for the club and fans but did not go as far as guaranteeing his stay in the Spanish capital.

"I have a contract, I love the club and I have great affection for the people," he said simply when asked whether he was intent on remaining at Madrid.

 

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Ramos: Time to forget the Mourinho era

Sergio Ramos has called upon Real Madrid not to dwell on Jose Mourinho's controversy-laden spell at the Santiago Bernabeu and instead focus solely on helping new boss Carlo Ancelotti restore the club's image.

Los Blancos endured a turbulent final season under the Portuguese, characterised by an absence of trophies and strained relations between the coach and his players.

However, speaking to journalists after his side's 2-1 win over Everton in the semi-finals of the Guinness International Champions Cup, Ramos stressed that the Liga giants now have a glorious chance to make a fresh start under their new trainer.

"We have to forget and Mou stage and focus on what we want to instill with Ancelotti," the 27-year-old told reporters.

"This system is not new to us, but want to try out the best role for each player," he continued, before admitting that the Italian had brought "a different philosophy" to the team, with an emphasis on closer interchange of passing.

"We have great players with great quality and we must adapt to the system. We have players that make a difference, spilling forward easily. A great squad.

"It's always good to bring players [on tour] who know the club and know what it means to wear this crest. Whoever does not know becomes a quick learner. You have to know how to take your opportunities because the train passes almost instantly here."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil both scored as los Merengues overcame Everton on Saturday, but it was the presence of Iker Casillas that especially pleased Ramos, given the captain had been ostracised during the final six month's of Mourinho's tenure.

"It was very good, for me it to see him behind us in defence," the former Sevilla man said.

"To us remains the best goalkeeper in the world and, in that sense, has our confidence. There are players who are pushing hard and Diego Lopez has to take credit for last season."

Madrid will play Chelsea or AC Milan in the International Champions Cup final this week.

 

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Ramos Hair Colour 1ka change karapu 1kanam cha matanam

 

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Inter success is imminent, says Mazzarri

Inter boss Walter Mazzarri believes that, despite some setbacks, his side are "looking good" ahead of the start of the new Serie A season and well on their way to becoming a top team once again.

Although admitting that his side's recent 2-0 loss to Chelsea was disappointing, the 51-year-old coach remained adamant that a sense of positivity is present in the dressing room and hailed the work ethic of his troops.

"I had a meeting with the lads earlier to show them that apart from some of the mistakes we made and must try not to repeat, we did good things and played good football against a top-notch side," Mazzarri told his club's official website.

"The lads have a greater awareness of what we're doing now and for a coach that's very reassuring to see."

"I showed them that we played some decent football, that we created four or five chances. It's all looking very good.

"Analysing things calmly I can say that having coached this team for a very short period I've already seen things that go way beyond even the best hopes I had."

Mazzarri then turned his attentions to the upcoming match, recognising the quality which opponents Valencia posed.

"They are difficult to play against because Spanish teams don't give you any reference points and Valencia are a very well-drilled side," the former Napoli boss mused.

"It's going to be an important test for when we go into games needing to be properly prepared, when there are points to be won.

"So it's a useful opportunity for us to correct some of the defects we might still be showing."

Mazzarri succeeded Andrea Stramaccioni at the helm of the Nerazzurri earlier this summer, after parting company with Napoli following four successful seasons at the San Paolo.

 

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Gerrard: New signings can push Liverpool into Champions League

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard feels the club's new signings can propel them back into the Champions League.

The Merseyside outfit showed good Premier League form towards the end of last season, losing just one of their final 12 games to eventually secure a seventh-place finish.

England skipper Gerrard says that he has already seen enough during pre-season from Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, Kolo Toure and Simon Mignolet to convince him the club can earn a return to the Champions League after a four-year absence.

"It's got to be the aim [to finish in the top four]," Gerrard told reporters after his testimonial match against Olympiacos.

"I've experienced it many times here at Anfield [European football]; that's where we believe we belong.

"[Aspas] got little bits of magic and he'll certainly strengthen the squad, he's still very young but you can see the talent there.

"I thought [Kolo] Toure looked very assured at the back, [Simon] Mignolet kept a clean sheet. And Luis Alberto is one for the future. I'm sure every minute he gets here at Anfield it'll be a great experience for him.

"All our new signings are settling well and hopefully there's one or two more in these coming weeks."

Liverpool celebrated Gerrard's career with a 2-0 win over Olympiacos, with Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson bagging the goals.

 

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Juventus 1-3 LA Galaxy: Bianconeri stunned by MLS Cup champions

The LA Galaxy stunned Juventus on Saturday night, recording a sensational 3-1 win over the Italian giants in the International Champions Cup.Bruce Arena's men took a deserved lead with less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half when Omar Gonzalez delicately chipped goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, but the visitors from Turin equalised soon after through Alessandro Matri.

As the local fans at Dodger Stadium got more excited after half-time, the hosts hit the front again thanks to a goal from captain Landon Donovan and although the Galaxy rode their luck thereafter, they sealed a famous victory with a late Robbie Keane striker.After some early nerves on Saturday, the Galaxy got on top with Donovan and Robbie Rogers producing a flurry of goalscoring chances for LA.Donovan was tripped from behind inside the D at the top of the penalty area, while Rogers played a one-two with his captain before stabbing his shot wide.

The winners of the past two MLS Cups continued to pour forward with Donovan forcing a top save out of Buffon in the 10th minute, while on the quarter-hour mark, Rogers got free on the left-hand side of the box but his shot was deflected away for a corner.Galaxy hit the front in the 36th minute when Rogers linked with Juninho before the latter fired a pass through Juventus' defence to the galloping defender Gonzalez, who lifted the ball over the onrushing Buffon.

LA were flying but Juventus stunned the home side three minutes later when Matri, who had missed two chances in the opening five minutes, slammed home the loose ball from close range, after Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe had saved Fabio Quagliarella's effort.The two sides went in tied at the break but seven minutes after half-time the home fans were screaming for a penalty after Rogers was bundled over in the box.

However, the referee ignored the pleas.The Galaxy forgot that disappointment on the hour mark, though, when Marcelo Savas knocked the ball away from Arturo Vidal in Juventus' defensive half, allowing Keane to take possession and the Irish forward set up Donovan for a simple tap-in.

While Juventus should have had a penalty with 14 minutes remaining for Savas' clear trip on Sebastian Giovinco, Galaxy completed a deserved victory in the 89th minute when Keane pounced on Andrea Pirlo's short back-pass and flicked the ball with the outside of his right boot past Buffon and into the bottom corner of the net.

 

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Barcelona: Man Utd have given up on Fabregas

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta claims that Manchester United are set to give up on their attempts to sign midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The Premier League champions had made a third and final offer worth €40 million for the former Arsenal playmaker at the end of July.

But, with Barcelona adamant that the 26-year-old is not for sale at any price, United appear to have conceded defeat in their pursuit of the Spain international.

"We count on Cesc [Fabregas], we're delighted to have him," Zubizarreta told Mundo Deportivo.

"[Manchester] United said they understand our position and won't try any longer."

With a move for Fabregas now seemingly off the cards, David Moyes could turn his attention to Everton's Marouane Fellaini, with the Scottish boss mulling over a double swoop the Belgian and left-back Leighton Baines.

 

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Napoli 1-3 Porto: Rousing second half comeback hands Dragoes victory

Porto fought back admirably to claim a convincing win over Rafa Benitez’s Napoli in Sunday’s early Emirates Cup kick-off.

Despite holding a half-time lead courtesy of Goran Pandev’s penalty, the Serie A outfit succumbed to three strikes after the break from Nabil Ghilas, Lica and an own goal from Federico Fernandez.

Each side made nine changes to the starting XIs sent out on Saturday, ensuring those watching in the stands and at home took in essentially two different teams for the majority of the encounter.

Sadly for Porto, this did little to change their fortunes in the opening 45 minutes, bar some lively moments from the precocious Juan Quintero, whom big things are predicted. Otherwise, plenty of possession was overshadowed by a more incisive Partenopei.

Pandev again led the line for Rafa Benitez’s side and gave Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi problems from as early as the 10th minute. The Bulgarian latched on to a pinpoint through ball from Dries Mertens only to dally just long enough for Otamendi to recover and block.

Alessandro Gamberini came close with a header moments later, but Napoli’s threat was again carried by Pandev as he surged off the right flank, beyond two defenders, finally striking into Helton’s hands.

Porto grew into the half but were undone by the Anthony Taylor’s whistle as Fernando’s nudge on Pandev was considered aggressive enough for a penalty - the fifth in two and a half games in north London. This left the lively Pandev to open the scoring as he cooly sent Helton the wrong way from 12 yards.

Quintero gave yet another hint of his potential, bookending the half with a powerful free-kick that sailed just wide of the near post, but for the Dragoes there was barely a hint of an end product.

As boos rang around a half-full Emirates Stadium - signifying Gonzalo Higuain’s introduction at half-time - it was difficult to imagine a way back for Paulo Fonseca’s side.

And yet, all of a sudden Nabil Ghilas came into view after a quiet first period. The Algerian brother of former Hull forward Kamel, looked to have found an equaliser in the 48th minute but stabbed Alex Sandro’s cross just wide.

Moments later though, he found the back of the net with a calm sidefoot past Rafael. The credit, though, would go to Quintero, whose electric run from the right and surgical through ball released Ghilas.

Just after the hour mark Ghilas again found room in behind Andrea Dossena as the 23-year-old sprung the offside trap near the halfway line. His low cross found Fernando, but the midfielder could only prod into the side-netting.

With the scores level, Helton was called into action, producing two splendid saves from Jose Callejon and Juan Zuniga - the first a low fingertip effort, the second, from the rebound, a reflex save from close range.

Porto began to look increasingly dangerous on the break and Silvestre Varela sent a demon of a cross into the box from the right that Fernandez clumsily turned beyond his own goalkeeper.

Fonseca’s side had the lead and faced surprisingly little resistance as the game lurched into its latter stages.

A cute chip over the defence from substitute Juan Iturbe released Lica, another sub, and although the summer signing made a mess of bringing the ball under control, he was left grateful to Dossena for squaring an attempted pass right at the Portuguese’s feet.

Lica made no mistake from 10 yards, giving Porto an unassailable lead and a deserved victory.

 

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Arsenal 1-2 Galatasaray: Brilliant Drogba late show seals Emirates Cup win

Didier Drogba denied Arsenal victory with two late strikes as Galatasaray fought back from a goal down to win the Emirates Cup.

Theo Walcott opened the scoring as his devious cross found its way beyond everyone and into the far corner, before Drogba scored a penalty and wrapped up victory with a superbly taken winner.

The Gunners lacked the intensity they showed against Napoli in the opening stages but were up against a blunt Gala attack, shorn of its two most potent weapons in Drogba and Wesley Sneijder, who were benched.

Instead the pair watched as Yaya Sanogo, thus far Arsene Wenger’s only signing this summer, went close to opening the scoring inside the first minute as Felipe Melo conceded possession just in front of his box.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain released Sanogo and although he danced past Semih Kaya, Fernando Muslera was on hand to make a low stop.

A probing run from Aaron Ramsey - a constant theme in the first 45 minutes - asked a question of referee Jon Moss as Engin Baytar came across to dispossess the Welshman, but the challenge was deemed fair.

Whereas the 2-2 draw with Napoli had an emphasis on Arsenal’s familiar pass and move around the box, the first half of Sunday's match saw an emphasis on direct running at the Gala backline.

But it was Ramsey’s excellent 30-yard pass that released Theo Walcott in behind Albert Riera, though his deft flick over Muslera slid inches wide of the near post.

The threat was there though, and although a near 20 minute lull ensued, Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. After a low cross almost squeezed through to Sanogo, the resulting corner allowed Walcott the room to swing a cross from the left into the six-yard box. Melo missed his interception, leaving Muslera stranded, sprawling hopelessly after a ball destined for his far corner.

After the break, Fatih Terim’s team continued to look susceptible to balls over the defence and yet another, this time from Mikel Arteta, had Emmanuel Eboue chasing after Oxlade-Chamberlain. The midfielder, though, could only draw a sharp low stop from Muslera as he nudged the ball across the six-yard box.

On the hour, Wenger replaced Sanogo with Olivier Giroud and the Frenchman was the source of the Gunners’ first major chance of the second period as he spun and fired a low drive at Muslera.

Per Mertesacker drew the Uruguayan goalkeeper into a smart save to his right before Sneijder - on at half-time with Drogba - gave the Gunners a reminder that their one-goal lead was far from secure with a stinging 25-yard drive that required Szczesny to parry away.

With 12 minutes remaining, Drogba won himself a penalty - the emphasis very much on ‘won’ - as he collapsed under the merest of touches from substitute Ignasi Miquel. The 35-year-old took his time over the spot-kick before placing the ball low to his right and past Szczesny.

Terim’s side were buoyed by the late strike and Nordin Amrabat went close with six minutes to go, volleying over from 12 yards on the turn, but the greatest drama was saved for the final five minutes.

Sneijder became increasingly influential in the second 45 and it was his precise daisycutter across the box that found Drogba alone with Mertesacker. The Ivorian’s first touch was sublime, cutting inside his German marker, before slamming a left-footed shot past Szczesny from 10 yards.

 

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RIP SERIE A :'( Inter Milan and Juventus :'( lost like bitches

 

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Super dive ekakta ara panelty eka

 

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Fabregas will stay at Barcelona - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Cesc Fabregas will stay at Barcelona for one more season.

Speaking after the Gunners' 2-1 loss to Galatasaray in the Emirates Cup finale, Wenger stated that he had been told the Barca midfielder will remain at Camp Nou for the forthcoming season.

Fabregas has long been linked with a move to Manchester United, although director Andoni Zubizarreta claimed the Red Devils have given up their pursuit of the Spain international.

Nonetheless, Wenger told reporters: "What I know is that Fabregas will stay one more year at least in Barcelona, that's the information I have.

"If that changes, I don't know, but I have been told that."

Fatih Terim's side secured victory thanks to two late Didier Drogba goals, but Wenger insisted he was content with his side's display, highlighting a promising debut from Yaya Sanogo.

He added: "Yes [I was pleased with him]. Considering he just came back from holiday and only had three or four days of practice, what he did is encouraging."

Wenger also refused to be drawn any further on the club's prospective move for Luis Suarez, explaining: We try [to act properly], we always try to act properly.

"But the transfer is always an agreement between three parties. We have always done that."

 

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Monaco no threat to PSG, says Lyon president

Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michel Aulas has played down Monaco’s chances of snatching the Ligue 1 title from Paris Saint-Germain on their return to the top flight of French football.

Thanks to owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, Monaco have been able to invest heavily this summer, with the likes of Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez arriving at the club.

However, Aulas does not believe Claudio Ranieri’s side have the credentials to mount a serious title charge and the Lyon chief cannot see past another title celebration in Paris come May.

“With their first class recruitment, I give PSG a 99.9% chance of being champions again. It will be difficult for Monaco.” claimed Aulas when he spoke to Le JDD.

“There are adjustments to be made, especially with the club coming up from Ligue 2."

The Ligue 1 champions have also added to their squad with Lucas Digne, Marquinhos and Edinson Cavani joining the club, while new coach Laurent Blanc has replaced Carlo Ancelotti, who has left for Real Madrid.

Aulas admits despite the summer of upheaval at the Parc des Princes, they are still the favourites this year.

"Due to the size of the sums invested, the pressure is strongly on PSG," he continued.

“I don’t think PSG are weakened by the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. I have great respect for Laurent Blanc.”

But, while Aulas does not see les Parisiens' change of management causing any problems, sporting director Leonardo's departure from the club, who left following a 13-month ban for pushing a referee, is a loss to the whole of French football.

“I was sad,” admitted the 64-year-old. “Leonardo has a history, a positive international image.”

"It’s a shame he has left the French landscape, even if it has been brought about by a deserved punishment.”

PSG continued their build-up to the new season by winning the Trophee des Champions on Saturday, beating Bordeaux 2-1 courtesy of a 95th-minute winner from Alex.