..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

De Boer: Ajax were lord and master against APOEL

Ajax coach Frank de Boer bemoaned a "nothing" penalty given to APOEL in their 1-1 Champions League draw on Tuesday.

The four-time defending Eredivisie champions could have gone top of Group G – which also contains European heavyweights Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain – with victory in Cyprus.

Lucas Andersen gave Ajax a short-lived lead in the 28th minute, only for APOEL to quickly level from the spot.

And De Boer felt Gustavo Manduca's penalty – awarded after Ricardo van Rhijn was penalised for handball – was not merited.

"That [penalty] was nothing," De Boer is quoted as telling NOS.

"We were lord and master and got a penalty against [us] which [was] no penalty. We have also had opportunities to finish it off. Unfortunately we did not succeed."

Ajax piled on the pressure late but could not convert, Lasse Schone and Thulani Serero spurning good chances.

Despite the disappointing result, De Boer was still impressed with the way his side played and is confident in their chances of a result against Barcelona on matchday three.

"I'm satisfied how we've played," he added.

"If we continue, then [we'll win] points. That is possible against Barcelona. I think we are better than APOEL.

"Winter in Europe is a must. Preferably in the Champions League, otherwise in the Europa League."

 

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Totti: Roma unlucky to not to beat Man City

Francesco Totti felt Roma were unfortunate not to beat Manchester City as the veteran enjoyed a record-breaking Champions League night.

The 38-year-old former Italy international produced a superb chipped finish in the 23rd minute to cancel out Sergio Aguero's early penalty, replacing Ryan Giggs as the oldest goalscorer in European club competitions as it ended 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Totti's display of customary class came during a dominant first-half showing from Rudi Garcia's side, who have won all five Serie A outings this season and thrashed CSKA Moscow 5-1 in their Champions League Group E opener.But, after controlling the European tie for long spells on Tuesday, Totti felt they should have had more.

"Looking at the whole 90 minutes, we had the better opportunities and could've won," the Roma captain told Sky Sport."We went down straight away to a penalty and came back into it, which wasn't easy against one of the strongest teams in Europe. We proved what we are worth and what we can do in an arena like this.

"Our objective is to do our best, try to get through the group knowing it is not easy against sides like Bayern Munich and Manchester City, who are on our level if not better. Playing like this, we can get there.

"In all honesty, I wasn't thinking about the record. I always think of the team more than myself, that's what kept me going so long. When I score for the team, then the personal records come as a consequence."Roma summer signing Ashley Cole impressed at left-back on a composed return to his homeland and the former England international echoed Totti's opinion that Roma might have left the Etihad Stadium with all three points.

"I think it was a good performance from the boys after going 1-0 down so early in the game," he told ITV. "We showed a lot character, determination and belief that we could get a result here."Maybe we should have won, you never know, but the boys can be proud of themselves today - playing against the English champions and a great team."

Roma now face back-to-back games against group leaders Bayern Munich, meaning Cole was understandably reluctant to label his new employers as favourites for a qualifying spot, despite an early three-point advantage over winless City.

"It's still early," he added. “It's one of those things, we've come here to win and are probably a bit disappointed we didn't win but it's a good point for us.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Totti pattaRoma Champions League 1keth hoda place 1kakata ai kiyala hithenawa​

 

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Chelsea have Champions League destiny in our hands, says Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says that his side have their Champions League destiny in their hands after beating Sporting Lisbon 1-0.

The Blues missed several good chances to kill off the game in Portugal but Nemanja Matic's header from a Cesc Fabregas free kick made the difference, taking them to four points from two games in Group G.

After a 1-1 draw with Schalke in their first outing and with Maribor – who drew with the Germans on Tuesday – to come, Mourinho is happy that Chelsea have a platform from which to build.

"Now we can control our destiny," he told Sky Sports. "Now we play two matches against Maribor but [we must pay] attention, because Maribor has two points. They didn't lose in Germany [and] they didn't lose against Sporting so Maribor is a team that we must have [pay] attention [to].

"But the reality is we now play at Stamford Bridge. If we manage to beat them, [we have] seven points, and seven points is not enough but it gives us some stability."

Mourinho fielded striker Diego Costa for the full 90 minutes despite hamstring concerns before the game but the Blues manager reported a clean bill of health for his squad after the game.

Asked if his players had suffered any injuries, Mourinho answered: "I don't think so, really. Now it's time to have one day rest because we play Saturday and now [after] travelling and playing on Tuesday.

"People are tired - I could feel that on the pitch too - and now it's time to rest and we have time to think about Arsenal [on Sunday in the Premier League]."

 

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Matuidi: PSG are a big game team

Blaise Matuidi has called upon Paris Saint-Germain to replicate the level they showed in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over Barcelona on a weekly basis to become a truly great side.

The France midfielder converted a Gregory van der Wiel cross early in the second half to score what proved to be the decisive goal of the evening, with David Luiz and Marco Verratti on target in the first period, leaving efforts from Lionel Messi and Neymar insufficient for the Catalans.

It was a strong display from the Ligue 1 champions, though their domestic form has been disappointing and prior to this encounter there was even talk that head coach Laurent Blanc could be dismissed. Now Matuidi has said that the challenge for PSG is to play like this in every match.

“We played a great game against a great team. It's a great achievement,” he told BeIn Sport. “We showed that we can respond in the big games.

“Now, the strength of the big teams is to play at that level every weekend and we will have to do this in the championship because we have to be at the top.”

David Luiz replicated his team-mate’s sentiment when speaking to Canal Plus: “We knew had not played well before tonight but everyone had a fantastic game and the atmosphere was amazing.

“We must continue on this path, it's how we should play.”

The Brazil defender also spoke of the pressure that was on his shoulders and he confessed that to score has picked up his spirits.

“It’s been said that I’m not a good player and it’s normal to have that pressure on you when you don’t play well. But this is my first goal for Paris and it’s a dream come true.”

The next challenge for Matuidi, David Luiz & Co. comes on Sunday, when Monaco visit Parc des Princes.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

PSG punished Barcelona mistakes - Iniesta

Andres Iniesta believes that Barcelona were "punished" for their mistakes in their 3-2 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Strikes from David Luiz, Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi saw off Luis Enrique's men - who grabbed goals via Lionel Messi and Neymar - at Parc des Princes despite being without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Iniesta, who started in midfield in the midweek clash, was pleased with the response to conceding to PSG but acknowledges that Barca needed to have raised their game if they wanted to get a result against Laurent Blanc's side.

"We reacted well after their goals but we were not able to equalise," the attacking midfielder told Canal Plus. "They were better in many moments of the match.

"PSG are a good team, with good playmakers. We knew they had the chance to put pressure on us but also that they could wait. It's a sad moment because nobody likes losing but we must think of the next match now.

"They were clinical and punished us. We reacted well to conceding but, at the end of the day, we needed to show more."

Barca defender Javier Mascherano blamed a sloppy performance in the opening 45 minutes and is aware that improvements have to be made if they want to challenge for the Champions League in 2014-15.

"We did not do well in the first half and struggled to get into the game. PSG penalised us for many specific errors. We tried throughout the second half but was very difficult with the third goal," the Argentine said.

"You have to deserve victories to get them. Defeats always worry us. We can obviously improve. We'll have to correct mistakes and think about what's coming up."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Huntelaar: How can I be happy with my goal?

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar says that Schalke dropping points to Maribor scuppered any chance of him being happy with his goal on Tuesday.

The Gelsenkirchen club went behind in their Champions League group-stage clash on Tuesday and looked to be slipping to a shock defeat following Damjan Bohar's opener at the Veltins Arena, undoing the past two weeks' good work in which they have bounced back from shocking early-season form.

But Huntelaar netted in the second half to ensure the points were shared between Schalke and Maribor and the Dutchman was critical of the way the team's performance disintegrated after a strong start to the European tie.

"We started well and we noticed how we were playing good football in this game," he told Sky. "And for some reason, from then on we deteriorated.

"And then they got a goal. That made it difficult for us and you could see that in our performance. Many things did not work out and we became more and more negative.

"How can I be happy about my goal seeing as it did not help us win this match?"

Schalke coach Jens Keller cited exhaustion - from numerous games and multiple injuries - as the reason his side's performance dropped and refused to place the blame at his players' feet.

"The first 20 or 25 minutes we played well, we had chances and we should have scored from them," he said. "Then there was a situation where we did not help each other and it allowed them to score a goal.

"The team showed how it wanted to play, but we're in a situation where we're extremely exhausted. We have many injuries and the last couple of weeks have been very demanding. I can't blame my team for not winning tonight.

"Maribor defended very deep. That made it hard to create chances and play our game. But this was not just us, two weeks ago you could see it when they drew with Sporting, too."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United midfielder Herrera suffers fractured rib

Manchester United have confirmed that Ander Herrera suffered a fractured rib during the club’s 2-1 win over West Ham on Saturday.

The midfielder was withdrawn after 74 minutes and joins a growing injury list at Old Trafford, with positional rivals Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young also currently crocked.

The injury has come as a massive blow to Herrera, who has impressed since his summer arrival with two goals and an assist in four outings.

Along with the aforementioned midfield trio, defender Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are all struggling with fitness, while Wayne Rooney's red card on Saturday has ruled him out of the next three games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Herrera!Herrera wa miss wena 1kanam loku paduwak​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ancelotti: Ronaldo the best player I've ever coached

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has lauded Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player that he has ever coached.


The Italian has worked with some of the game's top talents during a 19-year coaching career that has taken in stints at some of Europe's elite clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan and Chelsea.However, Ancelotti says that he has never come across anyone like Ronaldo, who has netted 265 goals in 255 appearances for Madrid in all competitions.

"No disrespect to anyone else, but Cristiano is the best I've ever coached," he told reporters on Tuesday.Ancelotti was speaking on the eve of Madrid's Champions League clash with Ludogorets.

The European Cup holders are the overwhelming favourites to triumph in Razgrad but the 55-year-old is taking nothing for granted against the Bulgarians, who impressed in their unlucky 2-1 loss to Liverpool on the opening matchday.

"In this competition, I don't think that there are any minnows," Ancelotti reasoned.
"We know how difficult it will be to play Ludogorets. They played a great game at Anfield.

"They are a dynamic team that plays with a lot of intensity."Ancelotti also revealed that he could recall defender Pepe for the Group B clash."He is available to play tomorrow [Wednesday]. We'll see if I put him in from the start.

"I have to decide whether to break up the central defensive partnership of Sergio Ramos and [Raphael] Varane."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United have 'everything in place' for Champions League return - Van Persie

Robin van Persie insists everything is in place for Manchester United to return to the Champions League this season.

United have endured a mixed start to life under new manager Louis van Gaal, winning just two of their opening six Premier League fixtures.

There is plenty of cause for optimism at Old Trafford, however, after United spent around €192 million on the likes of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao before the transfer window shut in September.

And while United are yet to completely convince, Van Persie remains confident the Manchester giants will be among the top four at the end of May.

"That's our aim this year to be sure," he told reporters. "To be in the top four.

"If you look at our players, fans, squad, stadium, it's normal to be in the top four. This year we have a great manager, great staff, great fans so, when you look at everything together, it makes it hard [not to be in the Champions League].

"Everything is in place to be up there competing with the very best teams. I think we can do it and we will."

With United's fragile defence under the spotlight, having conceded nine goals in six games, the pressure is on the club's attackers to produce the goods.

Falcao, Di Maria and captain Wayne Rooney and are all at Van Gaal's disposal and Van Persie - buoyed by Saturday's 2-1 win over West Ham - is confident the star quartet can strike fear into their opponents.

"I think we can be able to actually do that. If you look at these players, they are great players in their individual way," the Dutchman added.

"But now we are working together on this project and I think games like winning 4-0 against QPR help. We had a setback against Leicester [losing 5-3], but to win in these circumstances like the weekend sends a message and shows that even in these difficult games we can win. Now we have to extend that.

"The first half was 11 v 11 and we were playing really well as a whole team. Eight minutes later it was 10 v 11 and the whole thing changed, but the way we fought for each other was unbelievable.

"It was a bit nerve-wracking at times, but we dug in and we did it so it gave us a lot of confidence."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League 2014.10.01 Fixtures

UEFA Champions League 2014.10.01 Fixtures

Zenit Vs Monaco

Malmo Vs Olympiacos

Atletico Madrid Vs Juventus

Basel Vs Liverpool

Leverkusen Vs Benfica

Anderlecht Vs Dortmund

Ludogorets Vs Real Madrid

Arsenal Vs Galatasaray

​

 

[rcccc]

Totti patta​

Roma Champions League 1keth hoda place 1kakata ai kiyala hithenawa

​

​

group E walin kawuru last 16 yaida kiyala sure nae
Bayern
M City
Roma

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal 4-1 Galatasaray: Welbeck bags hat-trick before Szczesny sees red

Danny Welbeck struck his first-ever hat-trick but Wojciech Szczesny was sent off as Arsenal crushed a disorganised Galatasaray 4-1 in the Champions League.

The England international struck twice in the first half and once more in the second, frequently darting past a hapless back line with clever poked finishes each time.

Alexis Sanchez hit Arsenal's third just before the break, slotting home with precision into the far corner while under pressure in the penalty area, as Arsene Wenger's side registered their first points of the group stage.

It was not a night without problems for the Gunners, though, as midway through the second half Szczesny darted off his line in a vain attempt to snatch the ball from the feet of Burak Yilmaz, succeeding only in fouling the striker, who then put the resulting penalty past substitute David Ospina.

The visitors perked up a little as they tested Ospina but Arsenal could have had more, Santi Cazorla being denied as his prodded finish was narrowly cleared off the line in the dying moments.

Mathieu Flamini, Cazorla and Alexis came into the Arsenal XI as a result of midfield trio Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere sustaining injuries during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Tottenham. The latter was able to take a place on the bench despite his ankle complaint.

Galatasaray captain Selcuk Inan was a late withdrawal due to illness, meaning that Yekta Kurtulus came into midfield as Cesare Prandelli plumped for a 3-5-2 formation to which his side struggled to adapt during a challenging opening period.

Visiting defender Felipe Melo made a vital interception to stop Welbeck getting on the end of Alexis's low 20th-minute cross but the same combination put Arsenal ahead two minutes later.

The Chilean cut in from the left flank and slid a pass through to Welbeck, who peeled off the back of Melo to slot home.

Galatasaray made matters worse in the 30th minute as an ill-judged back header from Aurelien Chedjou sold Melo short and Welbeck left the Brazilian in his wake to finish clinically.

A torrid evening for Melo might have ended early when he was only booked for a two-footed lunge on Alexis but, after a section of the Galatasaray support interrupted proceedings by throwing flares onto the pitch, it was the Chilean winger who ran riot - collecting Mesut Ozil's pass and scorching through the visitors' beleaguered defence to find the bottom corner.

Kurtulus made way for Hamit Altintop at half-time as Prandelli reverted to 4-4-2 but it did little to stem the tide.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain became the latest Arsenal player to torment Melo, forcing Dzemaili to clear from the goalmouth, and the England midfielder was the architect when Welbeck completed his treble. A beautifully judged pass through Alex Telles's legs was collected by Oxlade-Chamberlain's England team-mate, who dinked nonchalantly beyond Muslera.

Pandev's slide-rule pass caught the Arsenal back four flat-footed after an hour and Szczesny darted out to be sent off as he was in last season's second-round loss to Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium.

Burak made no mistake from the spot, sending David Ospina the wrong way, although the replacement goalkeeper saved impressively from the goalscorer and Altintop in the final 10 minutes before Cazorla saw an effort chacked off the line by Semih Kaya at the other end.

Galatasaray now have it all to do in Group D - this thrashing following their opening 1-1 draw at home to Anderlecht.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Welbeck ge 1st Hat-trick 1kaCongratz Welbeck!

Arsenal wala elatama play karanawa​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Juventus: Turan fires Spanish champions to victory

Juventus suffered a first defeat under Massimiliano Allegri as a goal from Arda Turan earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 home win on Wednesday.

The Turkey international converted from close range 15 minutes from time to ensure last term's beaten Champions League finalists claimed their opening points in this season's competition.

Juve had not conceded a competitive goal under Allegri, who was appointed in July, prior to the Group A clash and that record looked set to remain intact as a result of a scrappy affair.

Atleti boast a fearsome recent home record in Europe - avoiding defeat at the Vicente Calderon in last season's competition - and the two sides cancelled each other out for much of a fixture that saw plenty of disruptions and stoppages due to fouls.

Mario Mandzukic's tame strike 25 minutes in was the only effort on target during the first half, while the in-form Carlos Tevez was kept quiet by the hosts, who were without injured captain Gabi.However, when the sides seemed on course for a draw, Turan got on the end of a Juanfran cross to nudge home the winner and leave Allegri cutting a frustrated figure on the sideline.

Amid a fast-paced opening that saw possession change hands regularly, Leonardo Bonucci picked up a yellow card for tangling with Mandzukic after a reckless jump.Atletico then had half-hearted penalty appeals turned down when Mandzukic and Turan felt Arturo Vidal handled in the area.

The Croatia international stung the palms of Gianluigi Buffon from distance after 24 minutes, in an opening half-hour devoid of clear-cut chances.

Paul Pogba's curled effort from outside the area veered wide of Miguel Angel Moya's left-hand post as the latter stages of the first half became even more scrappy.

With fouls aplenty from both sides, the game remained fractured and there was no sign of a goal prior to the interval.Juventus dominated the opening exchanges after the break but, as in the first half, failed to cause Atletico too many problems.

Another Turan delivery led to shouts for a penalty as it deflected off Stephan Lichtsteiner and struck Martin Caceres on the arm - although referee Felix Brych remained unmoved.

However, Turan was to come up with the goods for Simeone as he timed his run into the area to get on the end of Juanfran's cross after Mandzukic had failed to connect with Juanfran's delivery.

The winger - involved in much of the limited attacking play from the hosts - turned home the winner to hand the hosts maximum points on Simeone's return to the dugout following his Uefa ban.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Anderlecht 0-3 Borussia Dortmund: Immobile and Ramos keep Klopp's men on top

Borussia Dortmund forward pair Ciro Immobile and Adrian Ramos fired the club to a 3-0 victory over Anderlecht in Wednesday's Champions League clash.

Jurgen Klopp's side have seized just one point from their last three outings in the Bundesliga and went into Wednesday's fixture on the back of a painful defeat to arch-rivals Schalke. However, Immoblie fired them into a third-minute lead following a handsome throughball from Shinji Kagawa.A double from substitute Ramos then put the victory beyond doubt, a predator's goal preceding a fine individual effort.

Immobile's strike represented his second in as many Champions League appearances for Dortmund and the club's second-fastest goal in the competition after Andreas Moller's effort against Juventus in 1995.Dortmund have a maximum haul of six points in Group D, with Arsenal second on three points ahead of Anderlecht and Galatasaray on one apiece.

Belgian champions Anderlecht, who are now winless in 10 Champions League games, welcomed back goalkeeper Silvio Proto from suspension and influential playmaker Dennis Praet following a calf strain, while Sebastian Kehl's return eased Dortmund's injury problems.

Klopp nevertheless elected to drop Mats Hummels, who is short of match fitness, and start Immobile instead of Ramos at his spearhead.It took the Italy international little time to vindicate that decision. Kagawa's masterful clipped pass sent Immobile through on goal, and the latter stabbed the ball into the bottom corner with customary composure.

Anderlecht's Aleksandar Mitrovic then had a goal ruled out for offside, before Aubameyang immediately spurned a gilt-edged chance to double Dortmund's lead. Kagawa employed exquisite footwork to free Kevin Grosskreutz down the left and, with goalkeeper Proto drawn to him, the Germany international cut the ball across the box for Pierre-EmerickAubameyang, who somehow fired wide despite half of the net being unguarded.Steven Defour's piledriver forced Roman Weidenfeller into a smart save as Anderlecht began to get into the game.

Grosskreutz bravely poked the ball into the net after 26 minutes, under the challenge of Proto, but his supplier Aubameyang had drifted offside and the goal was disallowed.Proto kept out a Marcel Schmelzer effort thereafter, and Anderlecht will have been relieved to reach half-time with only a one-goal deficit.

The second half continued as the first had ended, with Dortmund taking the game to their hosts and Proto being called upon to save a fierce Immobile drive and an Aubameyang attempt.From a rare Anderlecht attack, Chancel Mbemba did produce a fine shot that flew inches over the bar, but that merely offered brief respite from relentless Dortmund pressure.

Ramos came off the bench in the 65th minute and soon put the result beyond doubt. Lukasz Piszczek curled a magnificent, low cross around the back of the Anderlecht defence in the 69th minute and the Colombian got ahead of his man to poke it home.

Ramos completed the win by spinning his marker and producing another fine finish with 11 minutes to go.

 

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Malmo 2-0 Olympiakos: Rosenberg at the double for Swedish side

Markus Rosenberg profited from poor defending to give Malmo a 2-0 win against Olympiakos and their first Champions League victory.

A one-minute period at the end of the first half turned the match in Malmo's favour as Konstantinos Mitroglou had a goal rightly ruled out for offside before the hosts took the lead from the resulting free-kick.

Olympiakos failed to clear the routine ball forward and Rosenberg took advantage to put Malmo 1-0 up after 42 minutes, having been second best up to that point.

Rosenberg's opener completely transformed the pattern of the match that Olympiakos entered off the back of a shock win over Atletico Madrid in their Group A opener.

Malmo looked far more comfortable after the break and Olympiakos left it too late to push men forward in search of an equalizer that then created the gaps for Rosenberg to seal the result late on.

As you would expect from Malmo's first home game back in Europe's elite club competition since 1990, they were welcomed by a raucous atmosphere.

That was soon punctured, however, as a series of well-anticipated interceptions were all that kept the visitors from taking the lead in a one-sided opening 15 minutes following good work from Ibrahim Afellay and Delvin Ndinga down the Olympiakos left.

However, that defence could do little as Luka Milivojevic powered at goal from a free-kick in the 21st minute, but luckily for Malmo, goalkeeper Robin Olsen was equal to the strike and Giannis Maniatis' volley from the resulting corner.

Despite that dominance it was Malmo who created the first clear opening three minutes later when Magnus Eriksson's diagonal, left-footed cross from the right was met by a Rosenberg diving header five yards from goal, only to be wonderfully saved by Roberto Jimenez.

Mitroglou had the ball in the net for the visitors after 42 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside.

And Malmo opened the scoring from the free-kick that followed.

Isaac Thelin flicked on Olsen's long punt that Alberto Botia looked to have dealt with before a breakdown in communication with his goalkeeper allowed Rosenberg to nip in and roll into an empty net.

Thelin had a fantastic opportunity to double the lead on the hour mark when the rebound from his own close-range header fell at his feet four yards from goal, but he miscued his half-volley, squandering a shot at an open net.

Olympiakos showed little sign of leveling until Alejandro Dominguez's low right-wing cross reached Mitroglou at the back post in the 68th minute. His shot was saved before the rebound sat up nicely for Maniatis, whose follow-up was cleared off the line.

Gaps began to appear but Olympiakos failed to fashion any chances of note and were undone by a long ball once more in the 82nd minute. Thelin was involved again, flicking on for substitute Pawel Cibicki to occupy a defender, and the goalkeeper, before poking across goal for Rosenberg to finish and seal a historic win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ludogorets 1-2 Real Madrid: Benzema saves Blancos from the bench

Karim Benzema came off the bench to save Real Madrid from dropping points at Ludogorets on Wednesday in the Champions League.

The France striker hit home 13 minutes from time to deny the plucky hosts their first point in the competition following a superb display of determination from the
Bulgarian side.Georgi Dermenzhiev's men had come within a last-minute penalty of taking a point from Liverpool in their opening fixture and once again belied their tag as Group B's underdogs on Wednesday.

The hosts took the lead early in a clash moved from Razgrad to the Stadion Vasil Levski in Sofia through forward Marcelinho.Real talisman Cristiano Ronaldo then missed a penalty, but atoned for that failure by converting a second spot kick soon after.

Ludogorets refused to lie down following that leveller and looked set to take a point from an end-to-end contest, only for Benzema to dash those hopes and seal a fifth-straight win in all competitions for Real.

Dermenzhiev's side were rewarded for a fast start to proceedings in the sixth minute as Marcelinho took advantage of Real's continued failings at set-pieces.The Brazilian nodded in at the far post after Cosmin Moti had flicked Fabio Espinho's corner into his path in another display of poor marking from the visitors.

Gareth Bale then went close to providing a response, which looked set to arrive in the 10th minute after Yordan Minev conceded a penalty for a foul on Javier Hernandez.But Ronaldo's spot kick was a poor one, allowing Vladislav Stoyanov to preserve Ludogorets' advantage with a save down to his right.The Portugal forward did put the ball in the net three minutes later with a cool finish into the bottom corner, however, his effort was ruled out for offside.

Yet Ronaldo was not to be denied and he restored parity from the spot in the 24th minute by drawing a foul from Moti in the area and powering beyond the unfortunate Stoyanov, who correctly chose to go the same way he did for the earlier penalty.

Ludogorets remained a threat going forward, though, and Real were grateful to captain Iker Casillas for keeping them level with a strong save on the hour from Mihail Alexandrov.

Real's superiority was apparent by the end of the half but Ancelotti's men continued to be profligate in front of goal, Hernandez dragging an effort wide three minutes before half-time, with Stoyanov then brilliantly denying Bale seven minutes after the restart.For all Real's pressure, Casillas was just as busy at the other end, the Real captain producing flying saves from Espinho and Marcelinho.

However, Ludogorets admirable resistance was finally ended as substitute Benzema - brought on for Hernandez - rescued Real by volleying home Marcelo's left-wing cross and a frustrating outing could get worse for the holders, who saw Ronaldo pick up a late ankle injury.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Benfica: Son shines as hosts stroll to victory

Son Heung-min's star performance inspired Bayer Leverkusen to a comfortable 3-1 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.

A confident first-half performance saw the hosts hit a post through Lars Bender before taking the lead after 34 minutes when the Korean's shot was spilled into the path of Stefan Kiessling, who finished from close range.

An accomplished performance from Son was rewarded just before half-time when he was picked out by Karim Bellarabi to lash home.

Hakan Calhanoglu was next to be denied by the woodwork after the interval, but quickly made amends from the penalty spot just a minute after Eduardo Salvio had pulled one back for the visitors.

The result leaves Leverkusen one point behind Zenit and Monaco in Group G, while Benfica's chances of progressing to the last 16 now hang in the balance, without a point from two games.

After a blistering start to their campaign, a recent goal drought had seen Leverkusen find the net just twice in their last four games coming into this contest, but boss Roger Schmidt will have been pleased by the way his team performed at the BayArena.

Benfica goalkeeper Julio Cesar, playing his first Champions League game since March 2012 saw his goal under siege early on as Bellarabi fired a 25-yard drive wide and Son brought a save out of the Brazilian in the first five minutes.The veteran keeper was beaten just before the 15-minute mark, but Bender's effort came back of the post.

However, the hosts did break the deadlock with 25 minutes on the clock when a sweeping attacking move saw Cesar parry Son's initial shot straight to Kiessling, who gladly tucked away the rebound with a simple finish.

Son managed to get on the scoresheet himself nine minutes later after some terrific work from Bender allowed Bellarabi to find space down the right-hand side, before picking out the Korean, who smashed a curling effort into the net
The near-total dominance of the home side was briefly disrupted on 40 minutes, when Enzo Perez fired over, but they were lucky not to fall further behind on the stroke of half-time as the impressive Son curled his shot wide.Calhanoglu missed a golden opportunity to add a third shortly after the break, but inexplicably poked his effort against the post from two yards out.

And the hosts were soon punished for their wastefulness inside 62 minutes when Salvio was allowed to turn and fire home inside the area to reduce the arrears against the run of play.

However, Leverkusen restored their two-goal cushion just 60 seconds later, when Jardel brought Kiessling down in the box, allowing Calhanoglu to make up for his earlier miss by stroking home the resulting penalty and cap off Leverkusen's first win over the Portuguese outfit.