..::Football III::..

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Osasuna 2-2 Real Madrid: Ancelotti's men held at El Sadar

Real Madrid had to comeback from two goals behind to salvage a draw against Osasuna as both sides were reduced to 10 men in a fiery encounter in El Sadar.

The visitors were looking to go level on points with leaders Barcelona ahead of their game with Villarreal later in the evening, but Real saw five-match winning streak in the league come to an abrupt end.

The hosts made the breakthrough in the 16th minute when Oriol Riera headed home Marc Bertran’s pin-point cross, before the striker doubled Osasuna's advantage.Sergio Ramos was then shown his 18th career red card for elbowing Riera, but Isco's low effort ensured Real trailed by just one at the break.

After a lull in proceedings in the second half, Real were boosted when Francisco Silva was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo, and Pepe restored parity with 10 minutes remaining when he met Isco's centre.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti restored Diego Lopez, Daniel Carvajal and Ramos to the side after the trio sat out Tuesday's Champions League victory over Copenhagen, while Francisco Punal was suspended for Osasuna following a red card in the 3-0 defeat to Valencia.

The visitors controlled possession early on and they should have gone ahead when Isco's neat backheel found Ronaldo unmarked at the back post, but the usually prolific Portuguese dragged his effort wide.

And Real were made to rue that miss after 16 minutes as Osasuna stole ahead - Bertran's sublime cross with the outside of his boot glanced home by Riera.Madrid searched for a swift response and had a penalty appeal turned away by referee Carlos Clos Ramos when Luka Modric appeared to have been felled in the area by Alejandro Arribas.

For all their attacking prowess, Real struggled to breach the Osasuna defence, and Javi Gracia's side came close to a second when Emiliano Armenteros' free-kick produced a fine stop from Lopez.

Seven minutes before the break the hosts did find a second. Lopez’s superb reflexes kept out Damia's initial effort but Riera was on hand to head home the rebound.

Real’s situation worsened shortly afterwards when Ramos was shown a straight red card for an elbow on Riera, but the visitors reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time when Isco drilled into the corner from the edge of the box.Despite the man disadvantage, Real continued to press in the second half and went close when Ronaldo dragged a left-footed effort wide of goal.

But Osasuna continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack and with 20 minutes remaining Lopez had to be at his best to deny to parry Roberto Torres’ near-post effort.

Real's chances were boosted when Silva was shown a second yellow card for a lunge on Ronaldo, and the visitors duly equalised when Pepe headed home Isco's inviting cross with 10 minutes left to secure a valuable point.

 

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Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace: Ramires winner holds off brave Eagles

Chelsea moved up to second in the Premier League with a 2-1 London derby victory over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho backed his misfiring strikers ahead of Saturday's game and Fernando Torres responded by scoring his first goal since October to put Chelsea in front.

In-form Palace striker Marouane Chamakh netted his third goal in as many games to equalise but Ramires notched his first Premier League strike of the season with a fine effort to restore the hosts' advantage before half-time.

Palace have been resurgent under new manager Tony Pulis and had chances to get something out of the game but Chelsea held on to secure a seventh win in eight home league games and close the gap on leaders Arsenal to two points.

Defeat for Palace ensured that they remain in the relegation zone but Pulis will take plenty of heart from their display.

Petr Cech replaced veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer as Mourinho made six changes to the Chelsea side that beat Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday night. Crystal Palace left-back Dean Moxey (hamstring) was ruled out, so Adrian Mariappa came into the starting line-up.

The Blues enjoyed plenty of possession early on and they were in front after 16 minutes, when Willian's shot from 20 yards out was tipped onto the post by Julian Speroni and Torres reacted quickly to pounce from close range.

The marauding Branislav Ivanovic almost doubled the home side's lead four minutes later as he burst into the penalty area and flashed a right-footed strike narrowly wide of the far post.

Palace responded and were level after 29 minutes when Chamakh produced a fine left-footed finish to guide home Joel Ward's cross.

Eden Hazard was a constant menace to the Palace defence and the winger cut in from the left to set up Ramires, who let fly from 20 yards out to put Chelsea back in front with a venomous strike 10 minutes before half-time.

Chelsea made a bright start to the second half and Willian raced away down the left then picked out Juan Mata four minutes after the break but the Spain midfielder scuffed his shot wide.
Palace were posing problems for the Chelsea defence and Jason Puncheon produced some trickery to fashion a chance for himself but Cech got down well to save the winger's effort.

Yannick Bolasie spurned a chance to equalise when he headed over the crossbar from 10 yards out, then Damian Delaney also nodded high as Chelsea lived dangerously.

Torres almost gave Chelsea breathing space but his right-footed effort was well saved by the agile Speroni after 74 minutes.

Palace came close again three minutes later when Stuart O'Keefe was thwarted by Cech and Ivanovic produced some desperate defending to deny the substitute from the rebound.

Ramires should have made sure of it five minutes from time but he fluffed his lines and Speroni gathered. The Palace keeper then made a final double save to deny Andre Schurrle and Demba Ba in a hectic finale.

 

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Bayern Munich 3-1 Hamburg: Shaqiri wraps up comfortable victory

Bayern Munich continued their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season with a comfortable victory over strugglers Hamburg on Saturday.

Following Tuesday's 3-2 Champions League defeat to Manchester City, the leaders continued their domestic dominance - making it 41 league games without defeat ahead of their Club World Cup participation, which begins next week.

It had looked set to be a frustrating afternoon for the champions but Mario Mandzukic ensured that the hosts went in ahead at half-time, as he edged Bayern in front after 42 minutes.The striker held off the attentions of Jonathan Tah to head home his 10th league goal of the season and give his side the lead.

Mario Gotze put Pep Guardiola's men two goals up early in the second half, taking advantage of a poor clearance from the home defence.

After Thomas Muller's cross was only half cleared, Thiago Alcantara played a neat ball into Gotze's feet before the Germany international controlled, swivelled and curled past Jaroslav Drobny.While Pierre-Michel Lasogga pulled a goal back three minutes from time, Xherdan Shaqiri then came off the bench to score Bayern's third in the final minute and secure victory.

Bayern coach Guardiola made three changes from the defeat to City, with Jerome Boateng, David Alaba and Franck Ribery all failing to make the starting XI.The latter two were named on the bench, with Daniel van Buyten, Rafinha and Diego Contento handed starting berths.

There were also three changes made by Hamburg coach Bert van Marwijk, with one coming in goal as Drobny replaced Rene Adler following defeat to Augsburg last time out. Jacques Zoua and Rafael van der Vaart also started at the expense of substitute Michael Mancienne and Maximilian Beister.

Drobny was called into action after nine minutes, diving low to his right to smother a long-range Toni Kroos strike, before Manuel Neuer pulled off a similar save to deny Hakan Calhanoglu.Bayern then began to exert dominance, but they struggled to break down a stubborn visiting defence that had kept two clean sheets in their previous four Bundesliga games on the road.

Mandzukic went close to connecting with a cross from the right and then threatened again eight minutes before the break, heading wide from Kroos’ delivery after failing to make clean contact with the ball.Mandzukic was not to be denied however, latching on to an acrobatic Rafinha cross, following a delightful cross-field pass from Kroos, to direct the ball past Drobny three minutes before half-time.

The home side doubled their lead seven minutes after the interval, courtesy of Gotze's exquisite turn and finish in the area before Lasogga sidefooted home inside the area from Marcell Jansen's cutback after 87 minutes.

However, Shaqiri took full advantage of Johan Djourou's poor clearance in the 93rd minute to seal the win, calmly slotting Pierre Emil Hojbjerg's through-ball past Drobny to ensure an eighth straight league victory for Bayern.

 

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Hoffenheim 2-2 Borussia Dortmund: Piszczek seals Schwarzgelben comeback

Borussia Dortmund completed a two-goal comeback to draw 2-2 with Hoffenheim on Saturday, preventing a fourth Bundesliga defeat in five games.

Jurgen Klopp's men have now won just one of their last five league fixtures and sit 12 points behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich.

Hoffenheim took a two-goal lead thanks to excellent strikes from Sven Schipplock and Kevin Volland, but a horror mistake from goalkeeper Jens Grahl allowed Dortmund back in.

Playing just his second ever Bundesliga game, Grahl completely dropped a corner and then failed to react and clear, allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to pounce and score in the 44th minute.

Dortmund dominated the second half and levelled thanks to Lukasz Piszczek in the 67th minute, but failed to find a winner as Hoffenheim's disappointing home record – they have won just one of nine this season – continued.

Dortmund made four changes, with goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller rested and replaced by Australian Mitchell Langerak.

Defenders Piszczek and Manuel Friedrich also came back in for Dortmund, while Hoffenheim were unchanged after successive away wins.

Dortmund started brightly and after the Bundesliga's top scorer, Robert Lewandowski, went close, his involvement then saw Marco Reus' goal disallowed after he made an attempt to touch the ball in an offside position.

Reus should have scored in the 16th minute when presented with an open net, but was denied by a superb last-ditch challenge from Niklas Sule.

And Hoffenheim made them pay just 60 seconds later when Schipplock calmly dinked over Langerak after an excellent Roberto Firmino ball.

Eugen Polanski then thrashed an effort against the crossbar from 20 yards for the hosts, and with Dortmund shaky at the back, Klopp's side conceded again eight minutes before the break.

Firmino was again involved, setting Sebastian Rudy free, and he had the presence of mind to draw two challenges before releasing Volland, who curled a terrific left-footed effort beyond Langerak to delight the home crowd.

Dortmund had several attempts during the first half and deserved to pull one back, but the manner of Aubameyang's ninth Bundesliga goal of the season surprised everyone.

Grahl spilled a routine corner and the defence failed to clear, allowing Aubameyang to score from one yard and give his side a lifeline on the stroke of half-time.

Dortmund impressed after the break but struggled to break down Hoffenheim, going closest with free-kicks from Reus and Aubameyang before the introduction of Henrikh Mkhitaryan sparked them.

The Armenian fired a stunning 25-yard effort at Grahl just one minute after coming on, and although that was saved, Piszczek levelled proceedings after a great Nuri Sahin cross from the left in the 67th minute.

Charging to the far post, Piszczek had his header saved, but poked in the rebound and after Mkhitaryan shot wide, only the post denied Lewandowski.

The forward's shot snuck under Grahl and into the post, but he dived back to claim it to avoid another blunder.

Reus and Volland missed late chances to win it before Dortmund substitute Julian Schieber turned wide from close range, as both sides were forced to share the spoils.

 

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Manchester City 6-3 Arsenal: Pellegrini's side fire title warning in nine-goal thriller

Manchester City boosted their hopes of regaining the Premier League title and dealt Arsenal's ambiitons a major blow with a 6-3 win on Saturday.

The 2011-12 champions went into the game six points adrift of Arsene Wenger's league leaders but moved within striking distance of the Londoners by claiming the spoils in an enthralling encounter.

Sergio Aguero opened the scoring for City, volleying home from a corner, only for the returning Theo Walcott to level midway through the first half.

Alvaro Negredo turned home Pablo Zabaleta's cross to put the hosts back in front and City looked to have made the game safe when Fernandinho scored his first goal for the club early in the second half.

England winger Walcott curled home a delightful second as Arsenal rallied, yet David Silva converted Jesus Navas's cross to make it 4-2 and Fernandinho struck again in the 88th minute.

An injury-time header from Per Mertesacker provided little consolation for the visitors, particularly as there was still time for Yaya Toure to add City's sixth from the penalty spot.

Walcott made his first start since September for Arsenal, while City manager Pellegrini once again preferred Costel Pantilimon to Joe Hart in goal.

The hosts started the stronger and were rewarded after 13 minutes when Aguero met Martin Demichelis's near-post flick-on from a corner with an acrobatic volley that flew past Wojciech Szczesny.

City's advantage was almost doubled seven minutes later when Negredo shot wide from Vincent Kompany's through-ball.

Despite offering little in response, Arsenal equalised after 31 minutes when Walcott finished a flowing move with a shot from the edge of the area that left Pantilimon flat-footed.

Negredo wasted a gilt-edged chance soon after but the Spain striker atoned for that miss when scoring from point-blank range in the 39th minute following good work from Toure and Zabaleta. To make matters worse for Arsenal, Laurent Koscielny sustained an injury as the Spaniard found the net and the defender was forced off, to be replaced by Thomas Vermaelen.

Aguero was also withdrawn through injury after the break but City grabbed a third when Fernandinho capitalised on sloppy Arsenal defending with a curled finish.

Wenger's men produced a determined response, Olivier Giroud heading wide before a penalty appeal for handball against Zabaleta went unanswered.

Walcott's exquisite second provided genuine hope for Arsenal but City were not to be denied and soon restored their two-goal advantage through Silva.

Wilshere forced Pantilimon into a fine save with a shot from distance but the midfielder was at fault for City's fifth as he conceded possession to allow Fernandinho to score his second.

That goal came with two minutes remaining, yet there was still time for Mertesacker to pull one back and Toure to finish from 12 yards after James Milner had been brought down by Szczesny.

 

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Conte: Juventus have not failed

Antonio Conte insists Juventus' group-stage exit from the Champions League on Wednesday should not be viewed as failure and is hoping his side can bounce back against Sassuolo on Sunday.

The Bianconeri were eliminated with a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in midweek and the likes of Champions League-winning coach Marcello Lippi believe Juve's inability to progress from Group B - which also included Copenhagen and Real Madrid - must be seen as failure.

However, Conte, who is currently preparing his side for the Serie A clash against Sassuolo, was irked by that view when questioned in his pre-match press conference and he is adamant the league leaders will respond to adversity.

"Failure in what? That we didn’t win the Champions League? If our target for the season was to win the Champions League then it’s a failure," he told reporters sarcastically.

"Actually if I remember correctly we had to win the Champions League, then in order: the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia, having already won the Supercoppa Italiana... Yes, I promised the treble.

"We didn’t start strong this year and that damaged our chances, but it takes time. This isn’t the same Champions League I used to play in, as you face teams that are economically difficult to match... It will be difficult to see an Italian team in the final in the years to come.

"I have already explained that we went out because we didn’t really play the last match, but shouldn’t have left ourselves in that position in the first place."

Conte believes back-to-back defeats earlier on in the campaign to Fiorentina and Real Madrid asked questions of Juve, but that they responded well, and he is confident that his side will once again return with aplomb.

"We know in football that you can win and you can lose, we have to be prepared," he continued.

"In two-and-a-half years we have fallen a few times. Now we have to be good to get up as we did after the defeats against Fiorentina and Real Madrid."

Juve sit top of Serie A, three points ahead of second-placed Roma, heading into this weekend's fixtures.

 

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Muntari: Balotelli doesn't listen to advice on dealing with racism

Sulley Muntari has claimed that there is no point in giving AC Milan team-mate Mario Balotelli advice on dealing with racism because "it goes in one ear and out the other."

Born in Palermo to immigrants from Ghana, the Italy international has regularly been subjected to racist abuse during his playing career.

Muntari has a lot of sympathy for what Balotelli has to put up with but he feels his Rossoneri colleague allows himself to get too riled up by the insults.

"It 's hard to give advice to Balotelli because when you say something , it goes in one ear and then out the other," the Ghana international told Corriere dello Sport.

"When we're on the pitch I explain to him that he must always remain calm.

"I tell him, 'There are only a two or three people that insult you. If they're not afraid, they must have the balls to come before you and face you.

"But they're only able to be like this only from afar, so Mario needs to remain calm. Even though it is not right if someone offends you for no reason other than the colour of your skin."

However, Muntari is confident that racism will one day be eradicated from the game.

"There is still much to do on this front," he said. "There is a few people that have this mistaken mentality.

"But it's not like that for us. In Africa, there is no difference between black and white; we all have the same blood.

"There will come a time when we will not have to speak about this issue anymore."

 

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Young is not a diver, says Aston Villa boss Lambert

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has defended Manchester United winger Ashley Young over the issue of diving.

The England international will return to Villa Park on Sunday having this week spoken out about the criticism he has received for his perceived habit of going to ground too easily.

But Lambert, who took charge of the Villans after Young's depature, does not believe that the 28-year-old is guilty of attempting to con referees.

"I don't know Ashley Young at all, but I wouldn't say he is one of those lads who just goes out and tries to dive," the Scot is reported as saying by Sky Sports.

"He tries to do good things on the football pitch and sometimes you get caught.

"Sometimes players move that quick and the slightest nick can take you over, and then it is up to the referee to call it the way he sees it.

"I don't see him as being a diving-type player. Maybe some decisions have been highlighted because the incidents have involved him."

 

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Klose: Bayer Leverkusen link all lies

Lazio striker Miroslav Klose has rubbished a report linking him with a move to Bayer Leverkusen, describing the story as "lies".

It was claimed earlier this week that the Germany international, who will be a free agent next summer, was considering a return to the Bundesliga with Sami Hyypia's side.

However, Klose, who has also been linked with a MLS move, has angrily rejected the implication that he has been speaking to other clubs.

"What they have written are lies," the 35-year-old forward told Lazio Style Radio. "The first club I'll speak with will be Lazio.

"I spoke four months ago and I spoke of the chance to go to America, but it's normal because my contract expires at the end of the season.

"But the first team I'll speak with is Lazio and when the right moment comes, we'll sit down and talk.

"But regarding Leverkusen, it's all lies. I never talked with this newspaper, which I do not know.

"This worries me because the fans can get the wrong idea. Now it is important for me to play and give everything for the team.

"I'm here to tell you the truth; the rest is all lies."

Klose has been out of action with a shoulder injury sustained against Parma earlier this season but the former Bayern Munich attacker says he is now ready to return to action.

"I'm fine," he explained. "I'm not 100 per cent, but the shoulder does not hurt me more. It's better.

"I do not feel pain and I now need games. I want to play. We have two games before the end of the year. I want to play in those - and to win them."

Lazio have struggled without Klose and currently sit 12th in Serie A ahead of Sunday's meeting with Livorno at the Stadio Olimpico.

 

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Van Persie out for a month with thigh strain


Manchester United manager David Moyes has confirmed Robin van Persie will be sidelined for a month with a thigh strain.

The Netherlands international missed four matches with a groin problem before making his return to action in the 1-0 loss to Newcastle United, playing the full 90 minutes.

Van Persie also featured on Tuesday night against Shakhtar Donetsk, coming off the bench to assist Phil Jones' winner, and it was in the process of taking that corner that he sustained the injury.

"Robin has picked up a thigh strain and will be out for a month," Moyes told reporters. "He took the corner we scored the goal from against Shakhtar and felt his thigh.

"So we're going to lose Robin, it looks like, for a month, with a thigh strain."

The injury means last season's Premier League top scorer will miss the busy Christmas period, though United do not face a top-10 side until Tottenham visit Old Trafford on January 1.

Moyes will have to make do without the Dutch forward for Sunday's trip to Aston Villa, where he hopes to get back to winning ways and end the club's four-game winless run.

"We want to play well," the Scot added. "We've not done as well in the league as we should have. We want to put it right.

"We've got a lot of games coming up and can pick up points. But we need to do it, not talk about it."

 

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Get Well Soon RVP!

RVP nathi 1ka loku paduwak​

 

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Dante: Ribery deserves Ballon d'Or

Bayern Munich defender Dante believes there is only one candidate deserving of the Ballon d'Or award this year: his team-mate Franck Ribery.

Ribery was named as one of the players on the three-man shortlist alongside Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi earlier this week, with the winner being revealed on January 13.

The France international helped Bayern to an unprecedented German treble in the first part of 2013 and has continued his imperious form this season too, which is enough justification for Ribery to win the accolade according to Dante.

"Ribery was and still is a very important part of our team," the Brazil international told Goal.

"We won all the titles and I am firmly convinced that he deserves the Ballon d'Or. Not because he is my friend, but because of the things he has achieved and the way he has helped the team."

Dante also gave his thoughts on Champions League contenders this season. Clubs were whittled down from 32 to 16 as the final round of group stage action was completed on Wednesday.

Ahead of the draw for the last 16 on Monday, Dante knows it will not be easy to retain Europe's premier competition and believes five or six teams could well be in the mix, including Paris Saint-Germain.

"PSG have a great team with strong players and can go far in the Champions League," he added.

"Five or six clubs can win the title, I think it is a tough competition and you have to turn up at the right time at the highest level to reach the final."

Ribery has already collected Uefa's Best Player in Europe this year and was named as French Player of the Year earlier in December.

 

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I would play 'all my life' at Manchester United if I could - Januzaj

Manchester United midfielder Adnan Januzaj wants to spend the rest of his career at Old Trafford.

The 18-year-old has broken into the Red Devils' first team this season, scoring twice in a 2-1 win at Sunderland in his first start, being rewarded with a five-year contract and making his Champions League debut against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

And he has set his sights on a long-term stint at the club, telling MUTV: "My first opinion was to sign for Manchester United. It was my first choice and I have signed for them.

"I am happy here. If I could play all my life at Manchester United, I would do it for the club.

"The boss [David Moyes] gave me a chance and I couldn't have asked for more than to score two goals on my debut.

"I was really happy with those goals. Now I have to continue and score more if I can because I have to prove I can play at first-team level.

"Winning trophies is the only thing I want and to try to be the best player."

Januzaj has primarily been used out wide by Moyes but believes that his best position "will be behind the striker as a No.10".

"I always used to play there when I was really young," he explained. "I can also play on the wings and I always do my best. I would do that even if it was at left-back. It is my job. But number 10 is the position I always wanted to play."

 

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Draxler not for sale in January, say Schalke

Schalke have made it clear that midfield star Julian Draxler will not be sold during the January transfer window.

Reports in the German media have suggested the 20-year-old is a firm target for Chelsea, with Kevin de Bruyne touted as a possible makeweight in any potential deal.

However, Schalke general manager Horst Heldt is standing firm in rejecting any possible transfer taking place before the end of the season.

"Julian will play in the second round [of the Champions League]" declared Heldt, after his team secured their place in the last 16 with Wednesday's 2-0 triumph over 10-man Basel.

Draxler, who has also been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United Liverpool in recent months, is reportedly unhappy with being deployed out wide under Jens Keller at Schalke rather than in his preferred No.10 role and fears this could hamper his chances of making Joachim Low's squad for the World Cup.

However, the midfielder has always maintained he would not look to force an exit midway through the season, especially given his €45.5 million release clause does not become active until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old added this week: "Schalke have no intention to sell me and my exit clause only takes effect in the summer. "

Schalke are currently 6th in the German Bundesliga table, seven points adrift of the Champions League places.

 

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Juventus a failure in Europe, says Lippi

Former Italy boss Marcello Lippi has criticised Juventus' performances in the Champions League this season and feels the Serie A champions simply did not do enough in Europe.

The Bianconeri crashed out of European club football's elite competition on Wednesday afternoon following a 1-0 defeat against Galatasaray and Lippi has insisted that their group stage exit can only be described as a failure.

"One must admit that Juventus have been a huge disappointment. Like [Antonio] Conte already said, they did not fail to qualify due to the match in Istanbul, but because of their poor performances in the first two games," Lippi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Juventus are worthy of at least a quarter-final spot rather than playing in the Europa League. I know a lot of their players and I know how angry they will be now. The Juve players will feel they are better than Galatasaray and they are right.

"Juventus' exit is a big failure, but I'm sure they will be challengers again in Europe within a few years."

Lippi then went on to discuss AC Milan's chances in the round of 16 and stated that they might have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

"A lot of things can change in a week, let alone what could happen in two months. They have won time by making it out of their group.

"Giampaolo Pazzini and Stephan El Shaarawy will return and then there's the arrival of a good defender like Adil Rami. Kaka can grow into his role as the team's leader, too. They have time to grow."

 

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Ancelotti angry with Ramos red

Carlo Ancelotti branded Sergio Ramos' red card in Real Madrid's 2-2 draw with Osasuna on Saturday "difficult to understand".

Oriol Riera headed home to give the Basque hosts an early lead and he doubled the advantage on 39 minutes, before the defender was sent off for the 18th time in his career.

Isco pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time and Pepe brought Ancelotti's men level with 10 minutes left on the clock moments after Osasuna were also reduced to 10 men.

The Italian coach was baffled by Ramos' red card, but stressed his team showed patches of brilliance and praised their comeback at El Sadar.

"I do not like to talk about refereeing decisions," Ancelotti told reporters. "But it's a difficult decision to understand. The first is not a fault. I don't know, I don't know...

"We lost control after the goal, but the first 20 minutes were very good. It's amazing that the game went to 2-0 and we were reduced to 10 men after starting so well.

"The reaction of the team was very good, though - the team showed a lot of character and attitude not to lose."

Real Madrid sit two points behind Liga leaders Barcelona and second-placed Atletico Madrid following the game, but both sides have a game in hand.

 

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Construction worker killed at World Cup stadium

A construction worker has died following an accident at one of the stadiums set to be used for the 2014 World Cup.

The man was killed while working on the construction of the Arena Amazonia in Manaus after falling from a height of around 35 metres.

He was taken to hospital but subsequently died of his injuries on Saturday morning.
The stadium is due to host four group-stage matches at the World Cup, including the high-profile Group D clash between England and Italy on June 14.

The accident comes less than three weeks after two workers were killed at another World Cup venue, the Arena de Sao Paulo, when a crane struck the roof of the stadium causing a partial collapse.

A statement from construction company Andrade Gutierrez read: "Andrade Gutierrez reports with regret that at around 4am today, 14/12/2013, the worker Marcleudo de Melo Ferreira, 22, a native of Limoeiro do Norte - CE, an employee of the subcontractor providing services in assembling the cover of Arena Amazon, suffered a fall from a height of about 35 metres, being rescued and taken to the emergency room still showing vital signs, where he succumbed to his injuries and passed away this morning."We reiterate commitment to the safety of all employees and that an internal investigation is being done into the causes of the accident. Legal measures are being taken in conjunction with the relevant authorities.

"We deeply regret the accident occurred and we are providing full assistance to the worker's family. In respect of this casualty, the works were interrupted this Saturday."

A statement from Fifa added: "Fifa and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) learned of the death of the worker on Saturday at the Arena Amazonia site with great sadness.

"We would like to send our most sincere condolences to his family, relatives, colleagues and friends."

 

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Wenger slams costly Arsenal mistakes

Arsene Wenger bemoaned an error-ridden performance from his Arsenal side after slumping to a 6-3 loss to Manchester City.

The Gunners' title hopes were dealt a hefty blow on Saturday as the Premier League leaders were outclassed by a rampant City in an enthralling game at the Etihad Stadium.

The returning Theo Walcott scored a brace for Arsenal and Per Mertesacker also found the net for the visitors, but goals from Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo, David Silva, Yaya Toure and a Fernandinho double secured the points for City.

Wenger admitted that Arsenal did not deserve anything from a game in which the north London club were comfortably second best.

"It hurts to lose like that, but we made too many mistakes in the middle of the park," Wenger said.

"Overall they deserved the win, we have to go home and recover, we made too many technical mistakes."

The Frenchman - who lost defender Laurent Koscielny due to a cut on his right knee late in the first half - felt that fatigue may have played a part in his side's display following their exertions in the Champions League in midweek. Arsenal lost 2-0 at Napoli on Wednesday, but still progressed into the knockout stages.

"It's always difficult to know," he added. "Our schedule was not ideal. Is that the only explanation? I am not sure.

"There is nothing worse in football than being tired and running after the score.

"We want to win. We are very sad because we lost a big game. We know a big season depends on winning big games."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Persie considers Manchester United future

Robin van Persie is considering his Manchester United future as he harbours growing doubts over the David Moyes regime.

The Dutch striker has told friends that he is increasingly unhappy with the training and tactical methods employed by the Red Devils boss, which he believes have contributed to his worst run of injuries in three years.

Van Persie was ruled out for a month on Friday with a thigh strain sustained taking the corner that led to United's winner against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night and will not play again until the New Year.

The latest injury to Van Persie came in his second match back in the team following a month on the sidelines with toe and groin injuries. It is the Dutchman's third setback in what is becoming a frustrating second season at Old Trafford, as he also missed the Manchester derby and Capital One Cup clash with Liverpool in September.

Goal revealed in October than Van Persie is "disgruntled" at the greater emphasis on running and endurance in sessions under Moyes compared to the Sir Alex Ferguson regime.

It is understood that Van Persie believes he has been overtrained this season, which has made him more susceptible to injury. The player has also expressed his frustration that Rene Meulensteen, the former United first-team coach and his fellow Dutchman who is now the Fulham boss, was not retained by Moyes this summer when he succeeded Ferguson.

Van Persie's absence from the Manchester derby ended a remarkable run of 90 consecutive Premier League appearances at both Arsenal and United for the once injury-plagued striker, which stretched back to March 2011.

The 30-year-old, whose United contract runs until the summer of 2016, has still scored 10 goals, from 16 appearances, for United this season and Moyes spoke on Friday of his disappointment at not being able to pair him more with Wayne Rooney.

"It is unfortunate because I think if you look at our record with Wayne Rooney and Robin in the team it is actually very good and we have not had them for quite a period recently," observed the Scot.

Sources have said that the outspoken Dutchman has exchanged heated words with Moyes and his staff on a number of occasions at the club's Carrington headquarters this season.

Van Persie is understood to hold strong views on match preparation and rehabilitation, believing heavy-duty sessions do not suit his explosive style of play, body shape and the advanced stage of his career.

In contrast, Rooney has spoken of how Moyes' methods have reaped their rewards in terms of his own personal fitness.

"The training is different, there's a different style, a different way of thinking about how he wants us to play," said Rooney. "Honestly, the training has been so hard.

"We've done a lot more running. Long running, quicker running, sharper running. I feel that's really benefited me. I feel as fit as I ever have done."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes ge wada nisa anthimata RVP wath apita miss weida manda