..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke City boss Hughes reveals Deulofeu enquiry

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has revealed that Everton beat him to the loan signing of Gerard Deulofeu in the close season.

Hughes watched on as Barcelona teenager Deulofeu tormented his side during a 4-0 defeat at Goodison Park on Saturday, with the winger scoring the opener and also playing a major role in goals from Seamus Coleman and Bryan Oviedo.

But the Welshman, who signed Deulofeu's former team-mate Marc Muniesa from Barca in July, insists the 19-year-old winger could have been lining up against Roberto Martinez's side.

"We were aware of him - we knew he was a talent," Hughes told reporters after the game.

"He's obviously well regarded and we made an enquiry ourselves. Obviously we were aware of him, as we brought in Marc Muniesa and we were aware that he [Deulofeu] was up for a loan deal as well.

"Unfortunately he came here [Everton] and not to Stoke."

Hughes - who played for Barcelona in the 1980s - went on to predict that the Spain Under-21 international will not be allowed to leave the Camp Nou on a permanent basis.

"He's a very talented boy and I'm sure it’ll only be a loan deal as Barcelona will keep hold of that asset, I think," Hughes added.

Saturday's defeat means Stoke have registered just one win in their last ten league games, with Cardiff due to visit the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday.

 

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Neuer: Bayern are not a machine

Manuel Neuer says Bayern Munich are only human and not a machine after their 2-0 win over Eintracht Braunschweig in the Bundesliga.

The victory was the Bavarians' 18th on the bounce, with two goals from Arjen Robben the difference between the two sides at the Allianz Arena, but the 27-year-old was keen to temper expectations.

"We are human beings and not machines," Neuer told reporters after the game.

The visitors had several opportunities of their own to get back in the game but failed to capitalise on their openings and Bayern midfielder Toni Kroos was happy to have taken all three points without hitting top gear.

He added: "Sometimes it is okay if you play a game and just win - you cannot play brilliantly every week."

Robben's two goals take his tally for the season to six strikes in 12 Bundesliga appearances and coach Bayern coach Pep Guardiola admitted he is relieved the winger is free of injury and able to contribute.

The Spaniard said: "I knock on wood - he is not injured at the moment and he is fit and very important for our game. He makes a lot of important goals for us."

The win sees Bayern remain four points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga and seven clear of arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund, who sit in third.

 

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Marcelo: Bale is great - but he's still no Ronaldo

Real Madrid defender Marcelo believes it is too soon to compare Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo after hailing the Welshman's hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Valladolid.

Los Blancos stormed to victory on Saturday night, with Bale opening the scoring with a header on 33 minutes before Karim Benzema made it 2-0, three minutes later.

The world's most expensive player added two more goals in the second half with his right and left foot to complete the perfect hat-trick and leave onlookers comparing him with team-mate Ronaldo - who missed out through injury.

Marcelo told reporters: "You cannot compare Bale and Ronaldo. Cristiano is above the rest of the players and everyone on the team knows that. Bale is a great player, though, and he is on the right track."

Madrid's victory has closed the gap between third-placed Madrid and top two Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to three points, with the Blaugrana set to face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.

But despite the comfortable nature of the victory, Marcelo targeted further improvements to performance after the game.

"Every game is difficult and Valladolid did not allow us to play at first, but then we got well set defensively and offensively," the 25-year-old added.

"Our first goal is always to win the game - whether we play well or badly. But we also have to put a show on for the fans and in recent games I think we have improved a lot. We kept a clean sheet as well and that is important for us."

 

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Butrageuno: There's more to come from Bale

Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno expects Gareth Bale to continue to get better after the Welshman struck his first Liga hat-trick in Saturday's 4-0 win against Valladolid.

The 24-year-old has hit full stride for los Blancos after overcoming initial fitness problems following his €100 million summer move, chalking up eight goals and six assists in his last seven appearances.

After three goals and a stunning assist for Karim Benzema on Saturday, the former Tottenham man's form has drawn extensive plaudits from Butragueno, who believes his quality is beginning to shine through as he learns to adapt to his Madrid team-mates.

"Bale's three goals were very important for his morale and confidence, while he demonstrated great technique to assist Benzema for our second goal," the Spaniard told reporters.

"He has to still get to know his peers and their movements around him, but I have high hopes for him, for he will surely improve more.

"[Alvaro] Morata and Jese [Rodriguez] have been playing very well, while Isco is increasingly doing so playing closer to the area where he feels more comfortable.

"It is great to know we have other fantastic players but I hope Cristiano [Ronaldo] can come back as soon as possible because he's the best."

Madrid's win saw them close the gap to Barcelona at the top of the league prior to the Blaugrana's clash with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening.

 

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Athletic broke Barca, says Toquero

Gaizka Toquero believes that Athletic Bilbao "broke" Barcelona in their 1-0 win over the reigning champions on Sunday.

Iker Munian’s second-half tap-in ensured a second successive defeat for Gerardo Martino’s men and meant that the hosts remain unbeaten at San Mames this season.

Ernesto Valverde’s side hassled a Lionel Messi-less Blaugrana throughout the match and Toquero believes his coach got the tactics spot on as they gave the visitors precious little time on the ball.

"This is a very supportive team, we know what is at stake and we are like a bunch of friends," the striker, 29, told reporters after the game.

"We went into the game intending to play our usual game and we pressing intensely whoever we're playing. Barcelona lost the ball numerous times because of our pressure and we broke them in the game.

"We’ve not known defeat here [at the new San Mames] and hope to continue this aura around our home for the rest of the season."

Athletic moved into the Champions League places after their victory over the Liga holders but Toquero refused to get carried away with talk of Europe just yet, saying that his side are only focusing on what is put in front of them.

"We have to go game by game and now we have the Copa del Rey coming up, which is a great competition."

The Basque club have been handed Celta in the Spanish cup, a tough draw, who they will face next Saturday.

 

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Athletic defeat makes things difficult - Martino


Barcelona head coach Gerardo Martino has admitted that Barcelona's first Liga defeat "makes things difficult" but insisted he had no problem with his players' performance in their 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

The Catalans were beaten for the first time this season in midweek against Ajax in the Champions League and they were unable to return to winning ways thanks to Iker Muniain's second-half strike at San Mames.

The Camp Nou boss talked up his team's showing in the first 45 minutes and, though he lamented the result, the Argentine said that he is not at all disappointed and reconsidering his tactics.

"There is a lot of talk about results... This defeat makes things difficult but I must say I saw a good team, in the first half at least," Martino told reporters.

"This defeat has nothing to do with the game in Amsterdam. I think there was also a big moment in which the game could have changed massively with Neymar [when Ander Iturrapse brought down the Brazilian and was booked, not sent off].

"If I had to speak for the first 70 minutes, I'd say we played well. I saw a very good team. In the first half it was one of the best first-half performances from us this season.

"To me, there is nothing puzzling. It would be disconcerting if my team did not know what to do and I have not seen that today.

"I think they know what we need to do in games. But you are guided by results and the result is negative."

Barca will expect to return to winning ways when they face Cartagena in the Copa del Rey on Friday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Busquets: The referee did not do his job

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has slammed referee Juan Martinez's decision not to send off Ander Iturraspe in the 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao.

The 24-year-old bundled over Neymar shortly before the game's only goal, only to receive a yellow card, despite appearing to be the last man.

And Busquets feels that a red card for the Basque outfit would have changed the outcome of the match.

"I think it would have changed the game," he told reporters when asked about the incident.

"He was bearing down on the goalkeeper. I don't know where [Athletic defender Mikel] Balenziaga was, but it was a clear one-on-one. To me it's a red card. The referee did not do his job well.

"We must continue on this line because we know it's going to be difficult."

Barca were on top form much of the first half and appeared to dip in the second half and Busquets has called upon his team-mates to learn from their mistakes.

"In the second half, they pushed better. We're not a team who can be like Athletic, at a high intensity, but we have our own strengths. We should not get alarmed.

"We have to carry on, win the remaining games this year and learn from the mistakes and the positives."

 

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"It will get done" - Moyes hopeful over Rooney contract negotiations

David Moyes admitted he was hopeful progress will be made on Wayne Rooney's contract situation at Manchester United after the striker scored two more goals in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Rooney continued his fine recent form with a close range strike and a penalty to take his tally for the season to eight Premier League goals and earn United a point.

Moyes was full of praise for the 28-year-old but refused to be drawn on when, exactly, the club will open talks over a new deal, with Rooney out of contract in 2015 having tried to leave for Chelsea during the summer.

“I don’t really know,” Moyes said. “We are fine and we are moving on from the summer and it will get done in good course. The appropriate people will talk when the time is right.

“He played well again. He deserves the adulation he is getting. He is playing well and scoring goals and when the moments come he is taking them. He played very well again today.”

The result at White Hart Lane leaves United eighth in the Premier League, already nine points behind leaders Arsenal, but Moyes was satisfied with the point in north London.

“Tottenham is never an easy place to come to and they had their own pride which they showed today in their performance, It is disappointing and United have to win, In the end we were still trying to get the third goal.

“This was always going to be a tough game in the fixture list. We let ourselves down in the last minute at Cardiff. We have now got a week where we have got two games at home.

“We are concerned we are not as close as we would like to be but this a long season and I still think we can progress and get better. We will be there or thereabouts.

“There are a lot of games over the next eight weeks and we hope to be in the mix at the end of it.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Common Rooney sign new Manchester United contract!

 

[unicornx]

Busquets: The referee did not do his job

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has slammed referee Juan Martinez's decision not to send off Ander Iturraspe in the 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao.

The 24-year-old bundled over Neymar shortly before the game's only goal, only to receive a yellow card, despite appearing to be the last man.

And Busquets feels that a red card for the Basque outfit would have changed the outcome of the match.

"I think it would have changed the game," he told reporters when asked about the incident.

"He was bearing down on the goalkeeper. I don't know where [Athletic defender Mikel] Balenziaga was, but it was a clear one-on-one. To me it's a red card. The referee did not do his job well.

"We must continue on this line because we know it's going to be difficult."

Barca were on top form much of the first half and appeared to dip in the second half and Busquets has called upon his team-mates to learn from their mistakes.

"In the second half, they pushed better. We're not a team who can be like Athletic, at a high intensity, but we have our own strengths. We should not get alarmed.

"We have to carry on, win the remaining games this year and learn from the mistakes and the positives."

Oh really is that the best reason

 

[asanka99]

Battlefield Champions League Ft. Cristiano, Messi, Zlatan & More

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lazio 2-4 Napoli: Higuain double brings capital gains

Two goals from Gonzalo Higuain proved decisive as Napoli celebrated an emphatic 4-2 victory against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico.

The thrilling away win, aided by further efforts from Goran Pandev and Jose Callejon, curtailed a sequence of three successive defeats and brings Rafael Benitez’s side within six points of Juventus at the top of Serie A.

Lazio scored through Valon Behrami's own goal and Keita but, despite having the better of the first half, they fell away after the break and have now gone five league matches without recording a win.

Napoli are now 14 points ahead of the capital club having worked hard to make the points safe in an exciting encounter which did not reflect positively on the defensive play of either side.

With Miroslav Klose ruled out with injury and captain Stefano Mauri suspended, Brayan Perea was handed a start in Lazio's attack. Pablo Armero was passed fit for Napoli, who were still missing Marek Hamsik.

Lazio enjoyed the better of the opening 20 minutes. Antonio Candreva flashed an effort wide after good work from Senad Lulic before Hernanes forced Pepe Reina into action with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.

Candreva was heavily involved in the early stages and he again kept the Spanish goalkeeper busy before linking with Perea to set up ex-Sevilla man Abdoulay Konko, who failed to find the target despite having significant time to pick his spot, prompting Reina to voice his frustrations at his defenders.

Napoli had only threatened early on through Callejon who almost took Federico Marchetti by surprise before the impressive Higuain opened the scoring in the 24th minute.

Gokhan Inler won possession in a dangerous area and fed the former Real Madrid striker, who had too much skill and pace for Michael Ciani and diverted his shot past Marchetti.

But Lazio were soon back on level terms. Candreva’s cross took numerous deflections and Behrami could only turn it into his own net for a dreadful own goal.

After a chaotic spell, the visitors began to assert more authority over proceedings and they had the ball in the net for a second time, only to for Higuain to see his effort ruled out for offside after Marchetti had parried Lorenzo Insigne’s effort.

It was Lazio who shaded the first half and they should have taken the lead five minutes before the break after a disastrous Napoli defensive mix-up only for Hernanes to waste a glorious one-on-one opportunity.

The home side initially started the second half brightly too, with Hernanes, keen to make up for his earlier miss, bursting past Behrami and shooting narrowly off-target.

But the decisive moment arrived six minutes into the half – one from which the hosts would never fully recover. Insigne’s free kick found Higuain, who lofted a cross towards the back post. A scramble ensued, with Pandev eventually showing strength to turn and find the net.

With no immediate response from Lazio this time, Napoli began to take more control and Higuain flashed an effort across the face of goal from a difficult angle after being found by a lovely pass from Pandev.

Lazio were generally not as threatening after the break but did briefly press for an equaliser with two chances on 65 minutes. A sliced pass from Inler inadvertently gave Lulic an opportunity but his effort deflected poorly into the arms of Reina before Stefan Radu came close with an impressive long-range attempt.

The game was all but over in the 72nd minute, though, when Higuain struck again. Lorik Cana was somehow unable to deal with Pandev’s through-ball and the striker raced onto the pass and slotted a trademark finish past Marchetti.

Brief hope of a stunning comeback was raised with one minute to go when 18-year-old substitute Keita bamboozled the Napoli defence with a solo run and smashed a shot high into the net past Reina.

But any hope of a dramatic equaliser was ended when one of the visitors’ substitutes, Dries Mertens, superbly won the ball from Ciani and fed Callejon, who made no mistake to seal the three points.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Iniesta: No crisis of confidence at Barcelona

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta insists his side's strong confidence has not been broken despite suffering two successive defeats.

Gerardo Martino's men lost to Ajax in the Champions League last midweek before suffering a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Sunday.

Iniesta acknowledges the Camp Nou side need to improve their performances but is eager to point out they have not suffered a dent in belief after recent results.

"This is a race and we know we have to stand up and try to be better," Iniesta said at the LFP Awards Gala.

"But there is not even an iota of confidence less than we had two weeks ago. I am a person who does not like extremes, in either a good or a bad way. I like to see things with perspective and balance.

"There is always concern when you lose but we are trying to make things right. Nobody likes to lose, get things wrong or perform less well, but we must have the confidence that what we are doing has improved and what lies ahead will be positive.

"Sometimes things do not turn out the way you want them to, not due to the lack of anything, simply because of circumstances that do not allow things to go your way.

"In a team game responsibilities fall on all of us to use our solidarity and character to improve."

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has made his return to the training pitch at one of the Argentina national team's bases in Buenos Aires.

The attacker has kicked off the second phase of his rehabilitation after his hamstring injury and will remain under close supervision from club and international physios over the coming weeks.

 

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Benitez: Lazio were scared of Higuain

Napoli boss Rafa Benitez hailed the performance of Gonzalo Higuain in the 4-2 win over Lazio on Monday, claiming he had the home defence running scared.

Higuain struck his first Serie A goals from open play since early September with a brilliant solo effort in the first half and a clinical side-foot finish in the second, as the Partenopei ended a run of three consecutive defeats in all competitions.

"Higuain is clearly a player who can make the difference for us. I spoke to him before the game, but I spoke to many of the players," Benitez told Sky Sport Italia.

"The most important thing is not just that he scored, but that he put in a good performance, scared defenders and create space for his team-mates.

"Pandev and Higuain are two intelligent players who have that kind of movement in attack. They can hold up the ball or attack the space, so it becomes difficult for opposition defenders to know what to do."

Benitez admitted his side were not quite at their best on what was an uneven surface at Stadio Olimpico, but was impressed with their work-rate.

"We're still at 75 per cent," he continued.

"We have to remember this was a difficult game in which we had to show intensity, character and determination. It's also important to note the pitch was awful and the ball didn't bounce regularly. It was difficult for us to play our style of football on this turf.

"We needed to rediscover the tactical level we had in earlier games. This game required hard work, which is what the players did, and I am satisfied."

Napoli's win moves them to within just four points of second-placed Roma, but Benitez insisted he would not become carried away as his side look to haul in leaders Juventus.

"We take each game as it comes for the three points," he added. "Each match is just as important as the next."

 

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Hodgson: Location will be key to England's World Cup progression

Roy Hodgson believes England’s progression at next year’s World Cup in Brazil could hinge on location as much as opponents.

The Three Lions are not seeded for next year’s tournament, with the draw taking place in Mata de San Joao on Friday.

The England manager is hoping to avoid playing in the northern venues of Manaus and Fortaleza due to the adverse effect the tropical climates could have on his squad.

"We will go to Brazil believing that whatever group we get we are capable of getting out of it,” Hodgson told Sky Sports News.

"Before the draw what preoccupies me the most is where we are going to be drawn because that will have an effect on the Northern European teams.

"If there is any good luck going I hope it will be in relation to where we are due to play because whatever group we get is going to be a tough group.

"The north of the country is where we believe the weather is a major factor because it becomes more tropical.

"We said the same about South Africa, but basically you play where you are drawn to play and whatever happens we will have to make sure our preparations are right and just get on with it."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Capello: Kaka embodies the spirit of Milan

Fabio Capello has lavished praise on AC Milan star Kaka, believing that the Brazilian is the man to lead the club forward following a disappointing start to the season.

Kaka notched his 99th goal for the Rossoneri and his third strike in as many games during Milan's 3-1 win over Catania on Sunday.

The result puts an end to the club's woeful run in Serie A and Russia coach Capello, who was in control of the Rossoneri when they went 58 games unbeaten between 1991 and 1993, says Kaka embodies the spirit of the classic Milan side.

"The Rossoneri have gone bad, but the desire that we saw yesterday is the right one, with star players such as Kaka, who sets the example and carries forward the spirit of the old Milan," Capello told reporters during an award ceremony for Italian football's Hall of Fame.

"The Brazilian has taken the team on his shoulders, giving the sense of the life of the dressing room and the right winning mentality of Milan."

Capello also backed Milan president Silvio Berlusconi's decision to appoint daughter Barbara alongside current CEO Adriano Galliani, despite the 69-year-old previously indicating he would step down from his role.

"At Milan I think the right solution was found: there are now two CEOs who believe they will help to grow a Milan side that has all the chances to move up the rankings," he continued.

Capello also commented on the nature of songs sang by young Juventus supporters in the encounter with Udinese at Juventus Stadium on Sunday.

"After what happened I would pose a few questions," he said.

"If you bring children to insult opponents of their team it means there are big problems in terms of ethics and sportsmanship in this country.

"Had I been at the Juventus Stadium I would have asked the speaker to intervene to put an end to some singing."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho urges Chelsea to take 'responsibility'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has challenged his side to deal with the "responsibility" of challenging for the Premier League title.

The Blues sit second in the table, four points adrift of leaders Arsenal, and beat Southampton 3-1 on Sunday to record back-to-back league wins going into three fixtures against teams battling at the wrong end of the table.

Away trips to Sunderland and Stoke City will be followed by Crystal Palace at home but Mourinho has no plans to set "targets" for his side, demanding only that they rise to the challenge of chasing down the Gunners.

"If you are 10 or 12 points behind, you are building but you are not fighting for the title," the Portuguese told the press. "If you are three, four or five behind, you are building evolution but fighting for the title.

"One of the things these boys have to learn is to cope with the responsibility of being there. We cannot be 15 points behind by December; we have to be there.

"Now we have two matches away and, after that, we play Crystal Palace at home. We are playing against three teams which need points because of the positions they have and we are going to have three very difficult matches.

"I think my team is a team that prefers that I can't say or establish targets. I can't say now I want to win five consecutive matches, now I want to be top of the league ... I want nothing.

"I just want to work with them and feed the young players and I just want to feed the team because it is a new team working with me for a few months."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo laughs off Blatter apology

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has continued the spat with Sepp Blatter by laughing off the Fifa president's apology.

Blatter apologised on Twitter to the Portuguese star after comments he made about Ronaldo at an Oxford Union address in October.

However, speaking at an awards ceremony, the 28-year-old implied that Blatter's apology had fallen on deaf ears.

When asked about an alleged phone call the Fifa president had made to apologise to the Madrid forward, he replied: “I don’t have a telephone. My secretary forgot to tell me about it."

Ronaldo was irked by comments Blatter made about the former Manchester United attacker when he said that "one has more expenses at the hairdressers than the other" in reference to rival Lionel Messi.

Madrid president Florentino Perez also deemed the remarks "unacceptable", believing them to show favouritism towards Messi in the Ballon d'Or awards.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo was crowned La Liga's best player last season by Spanish newspaper Marca, and he added: “The main thing is to enjoy this prize and the fact that Don Alfredo [Di Stefano] made the effort to be here to present it. I’ve watched his videos, he was a phenomenon.”

The forward also praised city rivals Atletico Madrid for their impressive start to this season's campaign, with Diego Simeone's side joint-top with Barcelona of the Spanish Primera Division after 15 games. Ronaldo nevertheless strongly believes the title will be end up with his side.

“I’m not surprised by Atletico. I thought they looked strong last season," Ronaldo added. "They’re well organised, have a great coach, great players and a good keeper ... they’re going to be fighting for the title and they are a strong candidate. But I’m convinced Madrid are going to win it."

The Portuguese international has been sidelined for Madrid's last two games, but says he will definitely play against Copenhagen in the Champions League on December 10 and feels this could be his best year of his career to date.

"The injury’s healed. I’ve been fine for a couple of days now. We decided not to push it against Valladolid, but I’ll play the next game for certain," he continued. "I’m in good form right now, this might be my best ever start to a season, but recent years have all been good too. The formula for success is to work hard."

Ronaldo insisted he is not thinking about the World Cup with Portugal yet.

He added: “You have to take things as they come. Right now I’m with Madrid and my aim is to win the league and the Champions League, as Madrid should aim to do every year, and when the World Cup comes round, we’ll see about that.

"The important thing is to think about the present and the here-and-now is Madrid. We’re getting better, improving little by little and we’re doing well. The thing I want most is to be there for the team and to keep going until the end of the season, which is when the league is won.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reus, Sahin & Lewandowski join Dortmund injury list

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Marco Reus will miss Tuesday's DFB Pokal clash with Saarbrucken, while Robert Lewandowski, Sven Bender, Nuri Sahin and Jakub Blaszczykowski are all doubtful.

The German giants are aready missing the likes of Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Ilkay Gundogan and Marcel Schmelzer and have suffered more blows during the 3-1 win over Mainz.

"Certainly not Marco Reus," he told reporters when asked who was fit to place in the 3. Liga side.

"There are also a couple of guys we're thinking about. There are still question marks over the heads of Sven Bender, Nuri Sahin and Robert Lewandowski."

When asked about Blaszczykowski's fitness, he replied: "Oh yeah, over his head too, I'd forgotten."

However, Klopp confirmed that Erik Durm, who is filling in at left-back in Schmelzer's absence, should be fit to feature.

"Erik has a bit of a back and shoulder problem, but it doesn't sound like we'll have to worry about it," he continued.

Klopp had previously joked that BVB's injury woes made the contest with third-tier Saarbrucken more exciting.

He said: "We are polite enough to have so many injuries that the game will become a contest."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

BVB godak playersla injured nehGet well soon for all!