..::Football III::..

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Leverkusen are scared of Shakhtar, says Lucescu

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu believes Bayer Leverkusen are scared of the threat posed by his side despite the Germans' 4-0 win in the previous meeting.

The Ukranian outfit were trounced at the BayArena two weeks ago and slumped to a 2-0 loss to Volyn in their latest league encounter, but Lucescu insists Sami Hyypia's weakened selection in the weekend defeat to Eintracht Braunschweig proves he is wary of the Ukrainians.

"Leverkusen risked fielding reserve players in their last Bundesliga match to give some first-choice players a rest, which shows their attitude to this game in Donetsk," he told reporters.

"Apart from their respect for Shakhtar, they are also a little bit wary of us.

"This game is important for both teams in the competition for a place in knockout stages.

"A win in the first match has given them a major advantage, because head-to-head results are the first tie-break criteria; that’s how we finished above Chelsea last year.

"The result in Leverkusen didn’t reflect what happened on the pitch. In the first half, they didn't create anything except for the move that led to Stefan Kiessling's goal, and before the break we were unlucky as Alex Teixeira missed the opportunity to equalise.

"Our task for the second half was to risk playing attacking football, but after the second goal we stopped doing the things that we spoke about.

"With the support of the Donbass Arena, we have to put things right."

Hyypia himself admits his side are unlikely to enjoy such a resounding victory in their trip to Easter Europe, but the former defender is eager for a win which would take them to the brink of progression from the group.

"We have analysed the first game in Leverkusen. Our victory was fully deserved, but I think that everything will be different here in Donetsk," he said.

"They’re a very strong Shakhtar side and now they’re playing at home, so I expect it will be a very difficult match for us.

"Tomorrow we need to have our best and most experienced players on the pitch, as this game is decisive. If we will win, we’ll be very close to qualifying for the knockout stage.

"Everyone knows how important this match is for us. We will field the best team possible."

 

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Moyes: Januzaj can learn from Messi behaviour

Manchester United manager David Moyes has called for more protection for Adnan Januzaj following Sascha Riether's stamp on the youngster, but claims the Belgian can learn from the attitude of Lionel Messi.

The Fulham man was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association on Monday following United’s 3-1 win at Craven Cottage, and the Scot feels the 18-year-old is being targeted by opposition players.

"I hadn't seen it until after the game, the view from the dugout made it impossible to see, but it's a bad stamp and it does look deliberate,” Moyes told reporters.
"It's over now but I do think Adnan is going to need a little bit more protection or we are going to find he is getting kicked up and down. I do think he deserves a little bit more than he is getting at this time."

The United boss also revealed that he has told Januzaj to take note of Barcelona star Lionel Messi’s ability to ride heavy challenges and learn from increased attention.

He continued: "We have spoken to him about it. I have got to say he gets kicked up and down in training every day and gets on with it,” Moyes said. “He's learned from the good professionals that he's got to get on with it.

"He only needs to look at Lionel Messi who is probably the best in the world at getting kicked, getting up and getting on with it and continuing to produce magic all the time.

"I'm not in any way comparing Adnan to Lionel Messi, so don't be saying that, but I'm certainly saying the way Lionel Messi gets up after being kicked, we hope that's the way Adnan continues to behave too.

"Somewhere along the line if he is going to continue playing in the fashion and style we want he'll need to get protection. It's up to referees to do what they think is right."

 

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Mignolet: Liverpool must make amends against Fulham

Simon Mignolet has told the Liverpool squad they must make amends for the loss to Arsenal when they face Fulham on Saturday.

Goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey saw the Reds drop to third in the Premier League table as Arsene Wenger's side continued their fine start to the season and open up a five-point lead at the top.

The defeat was only Liverpool's second of the season and Mignolet is hoping that they can get back to winning ways when Fulham travel to Anfield at the weekend.

"Everybody wanted to do well," Mignolet told the Liverpool Echo. "We were motivated and confident going into the game because it was a good opportunity for us to go top of the table.

"Unfortunately, we came across a good Arsenal side. They put us under pressure and scored an early goal. Afterwards, you're chasing the game a bit.

"At half-time we changed things and managed to create some chances, but we couldn't score a goal. Then Aaron Ramsey killed the game off, really.

"Arsenal are doing really well at the moment and they are a good side. That doesn't mean we're not disappointed, but the most important thing is that we can't drop our heads after this performance.

"We must look forward and make sure we put things right against Fulham. It's always important to respond after a defeat. I'm sure everybody will be prepared to work hard from Monday onwards for the preparation against Fulham."

 

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Liverpool striker Sturridge hopes for Suarez stay

Liverpool attacker Daniel Sturridge hopes strike partner Luis Suarez will remain at Anfield as he looks to build on a prolific start alongside the Uruguayan.

Suarez publicly stated his desire to leave during pre-season, prompting Arsenal to bid £40,000,001 million in an attempt to trigger a release clause, but the Reds held firm and rejected all offers.

The pair have since netted 16 goals between them this season but Sturridge is concerned by the continual uncertainty over Suarez, and admits it is ultimately the striker who will make the decision over his future.

"It’s great to play with him, we give defenders problems and we both play differently, so it’s good to have a strike partner you can bounce off," Sturridge told talkSPORT.

"It’s going to great for him and everybody wants him to stay and it’s up to Luis to decide what he wants to do.

"We as a club, the fans and the players, everybody wants him to stay, but if Luis wants to decide it’s best for him to move on then that’s the way it’s got to be. But I think everybody wants Luis to stay and I’m sure that he will."

Sturridge feels the partnership, which has been dubbed 'SAS', is thriving due to the willingness to help each other out as well as going for goal themselves is serving them well, with the club sitting in third place after 10 games.

"We get on well and that’s the most important thing really," Sturridge continued. "There’s no rivalry there or any hidden agendas, we just go out there and work hard.

"That’s the most important thing, we’re not individuals, we’re a part of Liverpool football club and the team is more important than the SAS strike force or anything else. It’s about the club and the fans."

 

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Del Bosque eyeing Spain extension

Vicente del Bosque is fully confident he will be offered the chance to extend his Spain contract following their qualification for the World Cup.

The 62-year-old, whose current deal will expire at the end of the tournament next year in Brazil, expects the Spanish Football Federation to offer fresh terms as a reward for his side's successful qualification campaign - something which has been standard practice in the past.

"We're starting from a position which is not new ," Del Bosque told reporters.

"The Federation has, for many years, had a system where once qualification is achieved, they renew the coach's contract.

"There is no exception with me and the idea is to continue, although we know that things can wear over the years. However, that has not been the case with us, there has not been much wear.

"When I arrived [in 2008], everyone told me that it was the worst time to take on the team - they had won a tournament.

"I thought it was the best time, as we had the momentum of having won the European Championship."

Del Bosque insists his side are fully capable of defending their crown next summer, but has warned his players not to consider themselves favourites and risk building complacency.

"Our chances in Brazil? In football there are cycles and this is one for Spanish football. And we must take care not to step out of line," he added.

"We have to believe in ourselves, but not think that we are the best in the world, which is something I repeat."

 

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We do not fear Manchester United - Arrasate

Real Sociedad do not fear Tuesday's Champions League opponents Manchester United, according to the Spanish side's coach Jagoba Arrasate.

La Real sit rooted to the bottom of Group A with zero points from three games and face a huge challenge in making it out ahead of current leaders United, second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and Shakhtar Donetsk just above them.

Despite the three-time European champions' status as favourites, Arrasate insists that he has faith that his team - which finished fourth in La Liga under former trainer Philippe Montanier last season - can defeat the Red Devils at Anoeta.

"We haven’t thought about the change in schedule, we just learned about it," he told reporters on Monday.

"What we are thinking about is that we have a very important game and that if we do things the right way, we can beat Manchester United.

"We don’t have an inferiority complex. We want to do a good job and we are aiming to do that, and if we can, I believe we can win."

Real Sociedad have scored 10 goals in their last three Spanish top flight matches en route to two wins and a draw since they were beaten 1-0 by United on October 23, and the club's coach is confident that the gap in quality has decreased since that result.

"We've been playing better in La Liga and maybe we have reduced the difference between the two teams," Arrasate added.

"I think we can play better than we did at Old Trafford. We'll try to be very tight in defence, not concede many chances and then put our chances away. They are very good on the break, they showed that at Old Trafford.

"We're doing much better, we've got two very good results, got two good victories at home and kept two clean sheets. We’re getting used to playing during the week and we’re going to try to win the game."

 

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Real Sociedad home lesi wena 1kak nahaLa Liga last week match 1kakadi 5-0 gahala thibba.

 

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Guardiola gunning to match Barcelona record

Pep Guardiola admits he is eager to match Barcelona's record number of consecutive Champions League wins when Bayern Munich take on Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.

Victory over the Czechs would see the current holders record their ninth win in the competition in a row, equalling the run set by Barcelona in the 2002-03 season.

Guardiola has warned Tuesday's opponents will be no pushovers despite the 5-0 scoreline at the Allianz Arena on matchday three, but the former Blaugrana boss has revealed the prospect of equalling another record serves as extra motivation for his side.

"Every game in the Champions League is dangerous because every opponent you come up against in this competition has experience," he told reporters.

"Plzen won 6-1 in the league at the weekend and are on good form, but I see a chance for us to qualify for the knockout stage.

"It is always a challenge if you can break a record and you always make the effort to. We know about it, but we will put this to one side when we go on to the pitch.

"It is a bit more motivation for us − it is in my mind a bit − but we have to concentrate on the game itself."

Die Roten top both their Champions League group and the Bundesliga and have won their last four matches in a row, but the 42-year-old insists there is room for improvement from his charges.

"There is always something to improve on, even in the games that we win, and we still want to get better," he added.

"We have been at the very top and won everything, but that means we have to work even harder to maintain our position."

Plzen coach Pavel Vrba is hoping his team is better prepared to face the defending Champions League winners given their torrid display in Munich in the previous round.

"We have shown the players the video from our game against Bayern twice. First I talked about the match itself, then the second time I wanted them to watch their performances and see what needed to improve," he said.

"We would like to change virtually everything about our performance in Munich, but the question is whether or not we have the quality to do it.

"Just remember the score Bayern recorded last season against Barcelona. We are going to try to do as much as possible to make it harder for them.

"We might change our tactical lineup, and make it a bit more of an attacking formation as we are going to play at home and be more active on the ball, but of course the question is whether it will be enough."

 

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Ancelotti unhappy with Madrid defence

Carlo Ancelotti has called for drastic improvement from his defence as Real Madrid prepare to take on Juventus on Tuesday.

Los Blancos have scored an average of just under three goals per game this season, but have conceded 16 times in La Liga alone, twice as many as Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

Former AC Milan coach Ancelotti is hoping his team can correct this problem as they look to maintain their perfect record in the Champions League thus far when they travel to Turin on Tuesday.

"We've been conceding too many goals and this is our problem," he told reporters. "Everybody in the world knows how important the defensive work is.

"But we've scored 42 goals in 15 games, with an average of three goals a game."

Madrid have been boosted by the return to fitness of Raphael Varane, and Ancelotti confirmed the Frenchman will start the clash with the Italian champions.

" Varane will play tomorrow because he didn't play on Saturday and will be fresh," he said.

"I'll choose between [Sergio] Ramos and Pepe to partner him."

Victory over the Bianconeri will guarantee Madrid's place in the last 16, but Ancelotti has warned of the danger posed by a side masterminded by the "extraordinary" Antonio Conte.

"Conte has done an extraordinary job. He is working at a club which he feels particularly strongly about and in these three years, he’s done more than anybody could have possibly imagined, winning the title twice. He’s got a very competitive side," said Ancelotti.

"We need to rotate our team to have the freshest players on the field, with the most physical strength, and I don't think rotating is a problem although sometimes we lose our balance as a result and we need to improve this.

"It’s going to be an interesting game. Juventus have more difficulties than us in the group – this is a chance for us to seal qualification and the sooner you get that, the better."

 

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De Gea wary of Real Sociedad home advantage

David de Gea has warned his Manchester United team-mates of the positives Real Sociedad's home advantage will serve when the squad travel to the Anoeta Stadium.

A win for United would see them earn 10 points from their opening four games, and on course for qualification to the knockout round for eighth time in the last ten years.

A second-minute own goal from Inigo Martinez saw David Moyes’ side narrowly triumph 1-0 at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, and De Gea is wary of the atmosphere awaiting the players on Tuesday.

"We want to win on Tuesday and continue the good form we’ve shown in Europe so far," De Gea told the club’s official website.

"We know that if we get the three points we’ll have one foot in the knockout rounds, but it won’t be easy. Real Sociedad showed they are a strong team when they came to Old Trafford and they’ll be even stronger at home in front of their own fans.

"I’m looking forward to the match a lot. It’s a great stadium and San Sebastian is a very special city. I think their fans will create a very good atmosphere so it should be an enjoyable game.

"It’s always a good experience to go back to Spain and, of course, doing so wearing the Manchester United shirt makes me very proud. I’ve played for United in Spain against Madrid and Bilbao and it was very special."

Sociedad are yet to win in the competition this year, scoring once in the opening three games, while United only have a draw against Shakhtar Donetsk as a blight on their perfect record.

 

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Evans and Rafael out of Real Sociedad clash, confirms Moyes

Jonny Evans and Rafael have been ruled out of Manchester United's Champions League trip to Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

The defenders picked up back and ankle injuries, respectively, in the first half of the Red Devils' 3-1 Premier League victory at Fulham on Saturday, while midfielder Tom Cleverley also had to be withdrawn at the break with double vision.

However, while the Englishman has recovered to make the trip to the Basque Country, manager David Moyes confirmed on Monday that Evans and Rafael have been left behind in Manchester.

"We haven't had a lot of injuries - I think it's the best Manchester United have been in that respect for a while," the Scot told reporters, "but we did pick up three on Saturday, which is very rare - especially by half-time.

"Two of them haven't travelled, Jonny Evans and Rafael, so they're not with us."

United sit top of Group A with seven points from their three games and beat Sociedad 1-0 in October's reverse fixture at Old Trafford.

The Premier League title holders are also on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions - a streak which Moyes is keen to extend at Anoeta.

Sociedad prop up the pool having lost all three of their matches so far, although the United boss is taking nothing for granted ahead of Tuesday's clash as he seeks to reach the 10-point mark widely regarded as the threshold needed to ensure qualification.

"I feel we're playing better and getting some good results to go with it," he added. "Long may that continue.

"I have a lot of respect for Sociedad. We have to play well if we’re going to get those 10 points, which will get us over the line. We've got ourselves into a good position in the group and we have to try to maintain that."

 

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Kroos refuses to rule out Bayern exit

Bayern Munich star Toni Kroos says he could imagine pursuing his career in a different league outside the Bundesliga to help his development.

The midfielder's contract will expire in June 2015 and despite interest on both sides in extending the deal, he insists he could envisage playing somewhere outside of Germany in the future.

"I can't say that I will still play for Bayern Munich in 10 years," the 23-year-old told Kicker.

"A lot can happen during that time, five-year contracts have been cancelled after just one season in the past.

"It's possible that I will leave the Bundesliga at some point. Everyone who has experienced different leagues, like Miroslav Klose for instance, says that it helps your development."

Kroos revealed he was considering his options ahead of the campaign, but quickly got used to the style of Bayern's new coach Pep Guardiola.

"There had been talks prior to the new season. However, if you look at the kind of football Guardiola introduced at Bayern, I imagined that I could fit in well personally," he said.

"We are currently in talks over a new deal, and these talks will of course intensify as we edge closer to the end of my contract in 2015.

"There's a basic interest in extending my deal. If I'll be able to continue playing as I do at the moment, the contract will take care of itself."

 

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Ribery unlikely to win Ballon d'Or, believes Owen

Former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes Franck Ribery’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year are slim.

The Bayern Munich star is being heavily tipped to win the individual award for 2013 after helping his side to an historic treble last season and picking up Uefa's Best Player in Europe award.

However, Owen thinks the honour is still likely to go to one of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as he feels they remain the two best players on the planet.

The retired 33-year-old, who beat Raul to the award in 2001, told Fifa’s official website: “There are so many good players, but the two players who always come to the top of your list are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“In my opinion they are by far the best two players in the world right now.

“Then there are some other players who have had some great success with their teams; Bayern Munich obviously spring to mind as one of the most successful teams over the last year, winning the Champions League and domestically winning the league and cup.

“So players like Franck Ribery are in with a shout, but I certainly think Messi and Ronaldo are the best two players. They've consistently been very good and I would think it will be one of those two.”

This year’s Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on January 13 after the final 23-man shortlist - which included Messi, Ribery and Ronaldo - was announced last week.

 

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Dortmund are stronger without Gotze, says Bobic

Selling Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich has made Borussia Dortmund a stronger team, claims Stuttgart sporting director Fredi Bobic.

Gotze, 21, joined Bayern for fee of €37 million during the summer window, in a move which was largely seen as blow to BVB's hopes of wresting the title from their Bundesliga rivals.

However, the arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Saint-Etienne and Shakhtar Donetsk, respectively, have not only filled the void left by the talented Gotze, but have actually improved Jurgen Klopp's side, according to Bobic.

"Selling Gotze has made Dortmund stronger," the 42-year-old told Bild.

"They enhanced their quality and depth by acquiring Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan."

Bobic then reflected on Stuttgart's 6-1 defeat to BVB last weekend.

He added: "You don't play against Dortmund every day. The good part was that we were willing to take risks. Against a team like Dortmund, however, that can lead into a thrashing."

 

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Messi goals on the horizon - Pedro

Pedro is confident that Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi will soon get back to scoring goals and leave his recent struggles behind him.

The Argentina international, 26, has not found the net in his last four Liga games, but Pedro has dismissed any concern over the form of the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Leo will get back to scoring again soon," Pedro stressed at a press conference.

"He's giving assists as usual and working very hard for the team. He's great as always if you ask me."

The versatile attacker then went on to discuss Alexis Sanchez's good performances in recent weeks - after he scored against Real Madrid and Espanyol - and insisted that he is not envious of the Chile international's success.

"Alexis getting ahead of me in the pecking order? I'm just happy that he's doing well. We sit next to each other in the dressing room and we get along great."

Sanchez has netted seven goals in nine Liga appearances so far this term.

 

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Ronaldo is Madrid's past, present & future, says Modric

Luka Modric believes Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to be mentioned alongside Real Madrid greats Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.

The 28-year-old recently surpassed Puskas on the list of Madrid's all-time top goalscorers in the league and Modric has nothing but praise for his team-mate.

"There are so many great players who have played for Real Madrid," Modric told bwin.com.

"Looking back, there were Di Stefano and Puskas. More recently, Madrid had Raul and Zidane, one of our coaches.

"And then there's Cristiano, who is the past, present and future of this team.

Modric also had his say on the upcoming Champions League match against Juventus and stressed that Madrid do not fear the Serie A champions.

"We are not afraid of Juventus. They are a great team that we respect, but we are not afraid of them.

"They have a great squad with great players, and when you play big matches like this you want the best players from the other team to play against you."

Tuesday's match in Turin is scheduled to kick off at 20:45CET.

 

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Arsenal target January loan move for Llorente

Arsenal are targeting an ambitious January loan move for Fernando Llorente as they prepare to reinforce their front line, Goal can reveal.

The Premier League leaders have taken the first steps towards capturing the Juventus striker in the forthcoming window.

Goal understands that the Gunners have made preliminary contact with Llorente's representatives in a bid to secure proven back-up to spearhead Olivier Giroud for the second half of the season.

Arsenal are also keeping close tabs on a second Serie A forward, Stephan El Shaarawy, although his club AC Milan are only likely to sell in January if they get eliminated from the Champions League before Christmas.

Arsene Wenger’s priority remains to capture a marquee striker after moves for Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain, Stevan Jovetic and Wayne Rooney all fell through last summer, while the Gunners were also unable to agree a last-ditch loan deal for Chelsea’s Demba Ba. Wenger is well aware of the difficulties in landing A-list options in the notoriously difficult January window, when the big clubs are reluctant to sell their best players.

As reported by Goal, Arsenal accept that Liverpool will not sell Suarez to them in the new year and, despite receiving encouragement that Wayne Rooney is still unsettled at Manchester United, have turned their attention to more realistic alternatives.

Llorente has emerged as a possible short-term option even though he would be cup-tied for the Champions League.

The 28-year-old has had a difficult time in Turin since his summer transfer on a free from Athletic Bilbao and Arsenal, who enquired about signing him 12 months ago, have been alerted to his potential availability.

With Carlos Tevez the first-choice striker at Juventus, Llorente has had to compete with Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella for a regular starting place.

After beginning the campaign out of favour, Llorente has started seven of Juventus' 16 matches, including a run of four consecutive starts before he was dropped to the bench for the 1-0 win at Parma on Saturday.

But the Spaniard, keen for a bigger role as he bids to return to the Spain side for the World Cup, has scored only two goals for the Serie A champions, and Arsenal are hopeful they might be open to the possibility of loaning him out overseas.

El Shaarawy, 21, is considered more of a long-term option but his youth, versatility and mobility are believed to be appealing to Arsenal.The Italy international, who is currently sidelined with a foot injury, has struggled for form and fitness this season after an eye-catching 2012-13 campaign in which he scored 19 goals for the club.

The forward, who can play anywhere across the front three, has started only one of the Rossoneri’s 14 Serie A and Champions League matches this season and has yet to open his account for the season.

 

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Klopp: I love Wenger but I prefer 'heavy metal' football

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has expressed his admiration for Arsene Wenger but insists he prefers BVB's "heavy metal" football to Arsenal's "orchestral" style.

Dortmund currently sit second in the Bundesliga, a point behind Bayern Munich, and second in their Champions League group, level on points with Wenger’s side.

And Klopp, whose team face the Gunners on Wednesday having already beaten the north Londoners at the Emirates Stadium, says he "loves" Wenger yet prefers "English, rainy-day football" where everyone fights for the ball.

"He is really something. I love him. He is Sir Arsene Wenger. He is 'hello (making a handshake gesture)'. I’m this guy," Klopp told reporters.

"But he likes having the ball, playing football, passes... it’s like an orchestra," gesturing as if playing a violin, "But it is a silent song. I like heavy metal more. I always want it loud.

"I like [Arsenal’s philosophy]. I love it but I cannot coach it because I am a different guy. If you watch me during the game I celebrate when we press the ball and it goes out.

"To enjoy football you have to do this. He can win, he can win, post, goalkeeper, save — that is what I love. If, in the last four years, Barcelona were the first team I saw playing when I was four years of age — this serenity of football, they win 5-0, 6-0 — I would have played tennis.

"It is not my sport. I don’t like winning with 80 per cent [of possession]. Sorry that is not enough for me. Fighting football, not serenity football, that is what I like. What we call in German 'English' — rainy day, heavy pitch, 5-5, everybody is dirty in the face and goes home and cannot play for weeks after."

Klopp also admits he received offers from other clubs in the summer but suggests he only had eyes on extending his current project with the Champions League finalists.

"Clubs from other countries were also interested. You know these clubs, they changed coaches last season," he continued.

"We want this club to stay in the race against these unbelievably strong teams. There is no chance to be the best team in the world in the next 50 years like Barcelona or Bayern Munich. We need too many things.

"The more interesting thing is that we can be a team which can beat the best in the world. You always want to beat the team with more money. What we have done in five years is write a history, a story that maybe in 100 years people will know about.

"We can go now and try to do the same at another place – but we have started this and now we have the chance to make the next step."

The 46-year-old acknowledges that Dortmund are not the best in the world, but believes working hard, running further than your opponent and giving your all can bridge the gap.

"I am a very emotional guy. What I love, I do with all I have," he added. "I fight for justice. It’s a very important point for me. You give all, there’s no guarantee that you get all but if you give all maybe you can get something.

"If you don’t have to give all to win and you still win, what’s this? It’s like this (he yawns). It’s only interesting for people if it’s close — and at the level we play against Bayern and Arsenal and all these other teams it always is.

"And if it’s close, how do you make the difference? You cannot make the difference because you have the better ideas or a genius moment. You make the difference if you work more than others.

"It’s not the most important stat but I love it when I read that we run more than the opponent. You can get respect if you do this and you have more chance to be successful."

 

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Ozil blames Ancelotti for Madrid exit

Mesut Ozil has blamed Carlo Ancelotti for forcing him to leave Real Madrid for Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

The Germany international opted to say farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu side after the signings of Isco and Gareth Bale, but he has suggested that he might have stayed put had Ancelotti given him the feeling that he was still an important first-team member.

"It is very important for me that the coach shows faith in me and believes in me," Ozil told TF1.

"I had no doubt that I would stay at Real Madrid when last season came to an end.
"But then something happened and I no longer had the coach's trust.

"At Arsenal on the other hand, I feel the exact opposite."

Ozil, 25, has seven Premier League appearances for Arsenal so far, scoring twice in the process.

 

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Cristiano Ronaldo nears top spot in race for European Golden Shoe

Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on top spot in the European Golden Shoe rankings following his fine performances for Real Madrid in the past seven days.

The Portugal international netted a hat-trick in his side's 7-3 win over Sevilla in midweek before adding two more goals to his tally in the 3-2 victory against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend and now trails leader Nerijus Valskis - who did not play this week - by just one point.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa continued his rise to the top with a productive week of his own. The Brazil-born attacker found the net once against both Granada and Athletic Bilbao and is level on points with Ronaldo.

Other big names who are on the verge of breaking into the top 10 are Robert Lewandowski, Giuseppe Rossi and Edinson Cavani, who are all on 18 points at the moment - along with 10th-placed Konstantinos Mitroglou - but the aforementioned trio have played more games than the Olympiakos man.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has to settle for a spot outside the top 20 for now after failing to find the net in his last four league games.