..::Football III::..

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La Liga 2014.10.04 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.10.04 Fixtures

Valencia Vs Atletico Madrid

Almeria Vs Elche

Rayo Vallecano Vs Barcelona

Malaga Vs Granada

Eibar Vs Levante​

 

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Serie A 2014.10.04 Fixture

Serie A 2014.10.04 Fixture

Hellas Verona Vs Cagliari

AC Milan Vs Chievo​

 

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Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester City: Yaya Toure & Aguero break hosts' resistance

Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero struck late on to secure a hard-fought win for Manchester City over Aston Villa.

The champions were at risk of losing further ground in the title race ahead of leaders Chelsea hosting Arsenal on Sunday.

But Toure, who once again looked some distance below his best form at Villa Park, broke the deadlock after 82 minutes.

Aguero, who like Aleksandar Kolarov hit the post earlier in the contest, rifled home a second to make the points safe and place the onus back on Jose Mourinho's side, with the gap at the summit reduced to two points.

Andreas Weimann scored a dramatic winner in this fixture last year, but was set to be restricted to a place on the Villa bench alongside the returning Christian Benteke until he was promoted into the starting XI to replace Gabriel Agbonlahor, who fell ill during the warm-up.

James Milner came back into the City line-up against his former club alongside defensive duo Eliaquim Mangala and Kolarov as Manuel Pellegrini tinkered with the side that drew with Roma in midweek in the Champions League.

Nathan Baker flung himself to block a sixth-minute strike by Toure after an ambitious effort from Kolarov was partially cleared.

Kolarov found himself in a more favourable position five minutes later and rattled Brad Guzan's near post from the left-hand side of Villa's box.

Aguero glanced wide from a devilish Kolarov cross and strike partner Edin Dzeko lashed into the Holte End when well placed.

Villa refused to buckle under intense pressure at the end of the first half as Milner and Kolarov saw shots deflected narrowly wide before Aly Cissokho cleared Dzeko's goalbound header.

The second half began in dramatic fashion as Milner played through Aguero to strike the base of the post.

The rebound fell favourably for the hosts, who surged forward and a brilliant last-ditch challenge was required from City full-back Pablo Zabaleta to stop Kieran Richardson beating Joe Hart.

Hart's opposite number Guzan produced the save of the match in the 48th minute, plunging to keep out David Silva's shot on the turn having been unsighted.

But Villa were increasingly looking dangerous on the break, with City captain Vincent Kompany required to intervene after Charles N'Zogbia slalomed past Mangala and Fernandinho - the latter hobbling off in the 56th minute to be replaced by Frank Lampard.

The Brazilian's departure saw Villa enjoy a sustained spell of possession for the first time in the contest and Weimann should have done better when he glanced off target from Tom Cleverley's 60th-minute cross.

It was his last act as Benteke came on for his first action since March due to an Achilles injury.

Fernando's introduction for Dzeko allowed City to regain control of central areas and Silva stabbed wide from Milner's low 70th-minute cross.

Aguero, Mangala and Lampard all went on to test Guzan's sound handling, but he had no chance when Toure was allowed room to shimmy past Fabian Delph and caress a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Milner fired a pass into Aguero two minutes from time and the tireless Argentine held off Baker and Philippe Senderos to finish and condemn seventh-place Villa to a third consecutive loss.

 

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Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Barcelona: Messi and Neymar on target as Bravo sets new record

Barcelona got back to winning ways as Lionel Messi and Neymar ensured a comfortable 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Luis Enrique's side suffered a 3-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday’s Champions League clash, but Rayo offered no such threat as Claudio Bravo surpassed Pedro Artola's record of not conceding during the first 560 minutes of a Liga season.

Although the home side enjoyed a lively start on Saturday, Barca's record of averaging four-and-a-half goals in their last seven meetings with Rayo was not an encouraging omen.And eventually Barca found their stride, as Lionel Messi opened the scoring just after the half-hour, with Neymar following suit shortly afterwards.

Rayo improved again after the break, yet their chances of salvaging an unlikely draw slipped away following Jorge Morcillo's 60th-minute dismissal.In truth, the scoreline should have been much more dominant in Barca's favour, and Javier Aquino also saw red to cap a frustrating outing for the Madrid club.

Luis Enrique was adamant that, despite Barcelona's excellent record against Rayo in recent seasons, Paco Jemez's side would provide a stern test for his team in Vallecas.And Rayo seemingly proved the 44-year-old's point early on, as Bravo was forced into a fine save down to his right to deny Alberto Bueno's goal-bound effort.

After making that save, Bravo remained untested until he finally clinched his clean-sheet record in the 21st minute and that appeared to let Barca relax, as their dominance began to grow.

Messi correctly saw a goal disallowed for offside in the 31st minute, but he would not be denied by anyone a few moments later, as he raced on to Gerard Pique's pass and lifted a delightful finish over Tono.

Rayo did not know what had hit them and they found themselves even further behind in the following minute.Munir El Haddadi played Neymar in on goal and the Brazilian fired across the goalkeeper from the edge of the area to open up a handsome lead.

Teenager Munir caused problems again just before the break as he was tripped by Tono, yet no penalty was awarded.Jemez introduced Aquino and Manucho at half-time and they appeared to have a positive impact, as Rayo became more potent in the final third.

Leo Baptistao almost brought Rayo back into the contest in the 58th minute, testing Bravo with a fierce effort from the right side of the area as the hosts continued to improve.But just a few moments later, Rayo's uphill battle became even more perilous as Morcillo picked up his second yellow card for catching Neymar late.

Rakitic, a second-half substitute, nearly netted a third for Barca in the 71st minute as he shot straight at Tono from close range, while Messi wasted a glut of late openings to add gloss to the scoreline.

Aquino's hard tackle on Sergio Busquets earned Rayo's second red of the game in stoppage time as Barca saw the game out to keep their place at the top of La Liga, with Bravo reaching the 630-minute mark unbeaten as the final whistle sounded.

 

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Leicester 2-2 Burnley: Visitors end goal drought with dramatic late equaliser

Ross Wallace rescued a point for Burnley with a stunning stoppage-time free-kick to earn a 2-2 draw at Leicester City on Saturday.

Substitute Wallace curled in a fine 96th-minute set-piece from the edge of the penalty area that gave Kasper Schmeichel no chance and ensured that Sean Dyche's men secured their fourth draw of the Premier League season.

With one minute of the seven added minutes to go, Leicester looked on the verge of victory thanks to Riyad Mahrez, who created one and scored the other.

The Algeria international forward shone on his return to the starting line-up and set up Jeffrey Schlupp's opener before edging the home side back in front after Michael Kightly had ended Burnley's goal drought to level.

However, Wallace had the final say as his exquisite effort earned a share of the spoils.

The point extends Leicester's unbeaten home start in the league to four games, while Burnley climb off the foot of the table at the expense of QPR.

Both sides made two changes following defeats last weekend with Schlupp and Mahrez both drafted into the Leicester starting XI, while Ashley Barnes and Stephen Ward came in for Burnley.

A spritely start from the visitors failed to produce a clear goal-scoring opportunity and Mahrez sparked Leicester into life with an 18th-minute effort that began inside his own half.

Having escaped the attention of three defenders, Mahrez raced towards the Burnley box before unleashing a low shot that goalkeeper Tom Heaton pushed away.

Leicester's pressure eventually told after 33 minutes to kick-start a frantic seven-minute period.

Mahrez was given time to deliver a low cross from the right that found Schlupp in the penalty area and the 21-year-old made no mistake with a first-time finish past Heaton.

Burnley, though, were not behind for long as they finally broke their 565-minute goal drought courtesy of Kightly, the winger getting on the end of a Lukas Jutkiewicz knockdown to bundle past Schmeichel from close range.

However, Burnley's joy was short-lived as Leicester went straight down the other end to re-take the lead.

Vardy found room on the left of Burnley's penalty area and his cross was deflected off Jason Shackell's heel to the back post where the unmarked Mahrez headed home.

Jutkiewicz had the best chance at the start of the second half as the striker met a Ben Mee cross after 58 minutes, but, having beaten his marker, glanced his header wide of Schmeichel's goal.

Chances were at a premium after the break with the quality in the final third lacking from both sides.

One of the very few chances fell to Burnley substitute Marvin Sordell, who very nearly caught Schmeichel out having been released behind the Leicester defence, but the Denmark goalkeeper was quick off his line and able to clear the danger.

Burnley continued to push for an equaliser and Jutkiewicz was inches away from his first competitive goal for the club on 74 minutes with a curling effort that flew just wide.

An injury to Kieran Trippier appeared to add to a disappointing day for Dyche's men when the full-back was carried off the pitch in the closing minutes with an ankle problem.

However, in the period of stoppage time added on because of Trippier's injury, Wallace placed his free-kick perfectly to beat Schmeichel and secure a point.

 

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Hull City 2-0 Crystal Palace: Jelavic & Diame end Warnock's unbeaten run

Hull City secured a first Premier League win since the opening day of the season in a 2-0 triumph over Crystal Palace at the KC Stadium.

Steve Bruce's side had gone five top-flight matches without winning before Saturday's clash but second-half goals from Mohamed Diame and Nikica Jelavic ended that run.

Bruce has bemoaned Hull's recent inability to hold onto leads after throwing away winning positions against Stoke City, West Ham and Newcastle United already this season.

But they were good value for a win which eradicates the memories of Palace's league double over Hull last term.Hull made the breakthrough on the hour mark when Diame met Andrew Robertson's superb cross for his third goal since joining from West Ham.

The hosts' maiden league win on home soil of 2014-15 was confirmed in the closing stages thanks to a composed finish from Jelavic, as Hull inflicted a first top-flight defeat on Neil Warnock since returning for a second spell as Palace boss.
Bruce made two changes to his XI with Steve Harper deputising for shoulder-injury victim Allan McGregor in goal, while centre-back James Chester replaced full-back Liam Rosenior in a move back to Hull's previously successful 3-5-2 system.

Hull almost made the breakthrough in the second minute when Ahmed Elmohamady, restored to a favoured wing-back role, crossed from the right and found Jelavic at the back post, but the Croatia striker headed over the crossbar.
Palace had gone into the game with the same XI for a third league outing in succession, but Warnock was forced into a change as Scott Dann appeared to jar his knee in blocking Tom Huddlestone's shot and was replaced by Adrian Mariappa.

The hosts finished the half just as strong and went close after superb interplay between Diame and Abel Hernandez led to the former drilling wide from a tight angle.

Hernandez then turned Robertson's cross wide with the lurking Jelavic perhaps better-placed to apply the finish.Both of Palace's goals in last weekend's 2-0 win at home to Leicester City came from Jason Puncheon set-pieces.And the winger's deliveries proved dangerous as Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak headers threatened.

Palace's early second-half pressure waned, though, and Hull deservedly moved ahead in the 60th minute.The ball was deflected wide to Robertson on the left and his excellent whipped cross was met by Diame who got between the Palace centre-backs to thunder his header past Julian Speroni.

Bolasie tested 39-year-old Harper's reflexes with a stinging 25-yard drive, but Hull made the points safe a minute from time as Jelavic was released by Jake Livermore and kept his cool to move onto his right foot and slot home.Former Hull defender Damien Delaney had a late header cleared off the line but Hull were ultimately comfortable in registering a first league win at the KC Stadium since April

 

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Sunderland 3-1 Stoke City: Fletcher double kickstarts Black Cats' campaign

Sunderland picked up their first Premier League win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.

Steven Fletcher, who had not found the net since December's 2-2 draw with Cardiff City, had a hand in all three Sunderland goals as Gus Poyet's men picked up maximum points at the seventh attempt. Connor Wickham got Sunderland off to an ideal start by heading home his maiden league goal of the season just five minutes in from Fletcher's delivery.

However, Poyet was left to rue some sloppy defending as Charlie Adam levelled 10 minutes later.Having laid on the opener, it was then Fletcher's turn to get on the scoresheet as he restored Sunderland's lead midway through the opening period with a well-placed header, following a quick corner from the hosts.

Fletcher, brought into Poyet's starting XI along with Jordi Gomez, eventually wrapped up the points with a close-range finish late on, the goal owing much to a superb run from Wickham.That enabled Sunderland to see off Mark Hughes' men and gain revenge for their League Cup defeat to Stoke last month.

Hughes was forced into making one change, with Marko Arnautovic coming in for the injured Mame Biram Diouf, but it was Sunderland who made a positive start, which paid dividends when Wickham stole in ahead of Phil Bardsley to convert Fletcher's cross from the right.Steven N'Zonzi spurned an opportunity to draw Stoke level soon after, his tame effort from the edge of the area barely troubling Vito Mannone, yet Adam made no mistake when equalising against the run of play.

Taking advantage of a static Sunderland defence, Adam fired past Mannone and into the bottom-right corner after receiving a pass from Victor Moses.Stoke's joy was somewhat curtailed when Moses was forced off, seemingly due to a problem with his troublesome thigh.

Having regained a foothold in the game, Stoke then fell behind as Fletcher out-jumped Marc Wilson and found the far corner to end his long wait for a goal.
Chances continued to come the way of both teams in an entertaining affair and Ryan Shawcross almost scored on his 27th birthday with a header that crept just over the crossbar prior to the half-hour mark.

Will Buckley's looping cross from the right nearly caught out Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and Peter Crouch's acrobatic effort tested Mannone prior to the interval.

The second half began in frantic fashion, although clear-cut chances were at a premium initially as Sunderland's defence stood firm amid plenty of Stoke possession.

Other than Sebastian Larsson's fierce delivery, which evaded Fletcher and Wickham, both sides struggled to forge opportunities in a scrappy period that saw a flurry of bookings.

Fletcher then put paid to any hopes of a Stoke comeback when he added his second 11 minutes from time following strong running from Wickham, ensuring Stoke tasted defeat on the road for the first time since April.

 

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Swansea City 2-2 Newcastle United: Cisse rescues point for under-pressure Pardew

Two goals from Papiss Cisse gave Newcastle United a valuable point at Swansea City and relieved some of the pressure on beleaguered manager Alan Pardew.

The Senegal striker was recalled to the Newcastle starting XI in place of Emmanuel Riviere and delivered once again with a fine double.

Cisse had come off the bench and netted twice to salvage a 2-2 draw with Hull City a fortnight ago, and replicated the feat with two clever finishes at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

Wilfried Bony - who came in to Swansea's team at the expense of Bafetimbi Gomis - opened the scoring in the 17th minute for the hosts.

Cisse levelled shortly before half-time, but Wayne Routledge looked to have condemned his former club to another defeat when he restored Swansea's lead.

However, Newcastle refused to accept their fate and Cisse proved their saviour, stealing in 15 minutes from time to seal a share of the spoils and perhaps ease some of the pressure on Pardew in front of watching owner Mike Ashley.

Newcastle remain without a Premier League win this season, while Swansea have now gone four top-flight games without victory after winning their first three in the 2014-15 campaign.

It took until the 16th minute for Newcastle to craft the game's first real opportunity as Gabriel Obertan – recalled alongside Cisse as one of two changes by Pardew - fired wastefully wide.

Newcastle were punished almost immediately by Bony, who slotted beyond Tim Krul following neat link-up play with Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The visitors dominated possession in their search for an equaliser but lacked a cutting edge for much of the first half.

For all Newcastle's industry, Swansea should have doubled their lead in the 34th minute, midfielder Ki Sung-yueng somehow heading wide from Sigurdsson's free-kick with the goal at his mercy.

Bony was then denied by a brilliant save from Krul, the Netherlands shot-stopper diving low to his left to keep out a volley.

Swansea paid the penalty for their profligacy in the 42nd minute when Cisse cleverly turned home Obertan's low delivery at the near post.

Yet Garry Monk's men retook the lead five minutes after the restart through Routledge.

The winger latched on to a pass from Sigurdsson and lifted the ball over Krul following more haphazard defending from the visitors.

In an attempt to regain momentum, Pardew brought on Riviere to partner Cisse up front, with Jack Colback making way.

Swansea continued to create the better chances, Krul pulling off another wonderful save to prevent Bony from claiming a second.

Krul was then rewarded for his heroics by Cisse, who prodded home a pinpoint right-wing cross from substitute Sammy Ameobi.

Sensing a spectacular comeback, Newcastle threw bodies forward in an ultimately fruitless search for a winner, Cisse spurning the chance for a hat-trick late on as he shot over the crossbar with the goal seemingly gaping.

 

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Valencia 3-1 Atletico Madrid: Simeone's champions stunned at the Mestalla

Atletico Madrid were left stunned at the Mestalla on Saturday as three goals in the opening 13 minutes saw Valencia to a 3-1 win.

Diego Simeone's men found themselves fighting an uphill battle right from the start, as Valencia went three goals ahead inside 13 minutes and ultimately continued their unbeaten start to life under coach Nuno Espirito Santo.Miranda went into the match as Atletico's top scorer with three goals in La Liga, but he put past his own goalkeeper to give Valencia the lead and their second arrived swiftly courtesy of Andre Gomes.

Although Nicolas Otamendi opened up a three-goal lead, Atletico should have been right back in the contest at half-time as Mario Mandzukic netted from close range, before Guilherme Siqueira saw his penalty saved.In denying the spot-kick, Diego Alves became the second goalkeeper behind former Valencia hero Santiago Canizares' to save 13 Liga penalties.

Atletico enjoyed more of the possession in the second half as they desperately sought a draw, but their hopes were well and truly dashed in the final stages as Alessio Cerci received a second yellow card for handball and Valencia's unbeaten start to the campaign rumbled on.

Simeone backed Valencia as certainties for a top-four finish pre-match and the hosts showed why as they produced a fine display of relentless football in the opening stages.

It took Valencia just six minutes to break the deadlock as Miranda could only nod Antonio Barragan's deep delivery past his own goalkeeper as Miguel Angel Moya ran out to claim the ball.Atletico were still reeling from the opener when the home side doubled their lead a minute later.

Andre Gomes, who has earned rave reviews since his close-season arrival from Benfica, skipped past a couple of challenges on the edge of the area, before confidently smashing low past Moya.The champions' chances were crumbling before their eyes and they found themselves 3-0 down in the 13th minute.

Valencia goalkeeper Alves highlighted Atletico's set-piece prowess before the clash, but they failed to impress when defending them, as Otamendi capitalised on poor marking to nod in Pablo Piatti's corner.Simeone's men appeared to have given themselves hope as Mandzukic headed in a rebound in the 29th minute, before Jose Gaya conceded a penalty for clumsily handling the ball.

But, Siqueira saw his spot-kick easily kept out by Alves, diving low to his right to comfortably hold the ball.Atletico's control on proceedings continued to grow as the second half progressed.But they struggled to create clear-cut chances, with their only opportunities coming from outside of the area.

With Atletico throwing men forward in an attempt to salvage something, Valencia almost notched a fourth on the counter, Rodrigo almost capping a week which saw him called up by Spain in by handing Sofiane Feghouli a goal, but the Algerian could not connect.

That mishap would go unpunished, though, as Cerci picked up a second yellow card for handball while attempting to score and Valencia held on for a deserved triumph, extending their unbeaten start in La Liga.

 

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Liverpool 2-1 West Brom: Henderson seals much-needed win

Liverpool ended a run of three winless Premier League games with a battling 2-1 victory over West Brom at Anfield.

Brendan Rodgers watched his team's slump extend to a dispiriting 1-0 Champions League loss at Basle in midweek.

Once more, Liverpool fell short of the dazzling attacking play they produced last season during the opening period on Saturday, but Adam Lallana's superb first goal for the club on the stroke of half-time went some way to settling their nerves.

Dejan Lovren - like Lallana a close-season recruit from Southampton - fouled Saido Berahino for the in-form West Brom forward to convert a 56th-minute penalty, although replays suggested the centre-back back made contact outside the area.

But Jordan Henderson ensured parity did not last long and some of Liverpool's old swagger returned on the back of his clinical 61st-minute finish.

Misfiring striker Mario Balotelli was dropped to the bench as Rickie Lambert came in to lead the Liverpool attack, while Costa Rica international Cristian Gamboa made a first Premier League start at right-back for West Brom with Andre Wisdom unavailable to face his parent club.

Liverpool enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and Steven Gerrard drilled a free-kick against the West Brom wall after Sebastien Pocognoli came perilously close to fouling Henderson inside the box.

A lofted pass from Martin Skrtel gave Lambert his first sight of goal, but Ben Foster displayed razor-sharp reactions in the West Brom goal.

By the midway point of the first half, West Brom had settled comfortably into the contest and Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved well in the 35th minute when Berahino ran at a back-peddling home defence to unleash a vicious, swerving strike.

Berahino headed wastefully over from close range as the interval approached and his frustration was compounded as Lallana put Liverpool ahead in the final minute of the first half.

The midfielder collected a return backheel from England team-mate Henderson and displayed a deft touch and balance before firing low across Foster.

Not for the first time in the afternoon, Lovren struggled against Berahino's speed and movement, although he was unfortunate to see referee Michael Oliver point to the spot when he clattered through the forward.

Berahino hammered home from the spot, but West Brom were only level for five minutes as Raheem Sterling regained his footing having gone to ground under Craig Gardner's challenge and fed Henderson to slot home.

Liverpool were determined not to give their visitors another route back into the contest, with Sterling to the fore, and the winger skipped past Joleon Lescott to draw a vital block from Pocognoli before recently introduced Balotelli then lashed wide.

A wonderfully whipped cross from Chris Brunt prompted a poorly mistimed header by Berahino when well-placed, leaving him without the second goal his boundless energy perhaps deserved.

West Brom pressed in spirited fashion late on, while Foster saved with his legs in stoppage time to ensure Balotelli's wait for a first league goal for Liverpool goes on.

 

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Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Hamburg: Lasogga strike sends Klopp's men to another defeat

Borussia Dortmund suffered another blow to their Bundesliga title hopes on Saturday as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Hamburg.

Pierre-Michel Lasogga opened his account for the season with the only goal of the game 10 minutes before half-time on Saturday to send Dortmund crashing to a third defeat in a four-game winless league streak.

The 22-year-old was instrumental in keeping Hamburg in the Bundesliga last term and was also on target in a 3-0 home success over Dortmund when the sides last met in February.

Dortmund heaped on the pressure late on with both Adrian Ramos and the in-form Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang going close, but the Hamburg defence held firm to grind out a priceless first league win of the season.

Much has been made of Dortmund's poor start to the Bundesliga and Jurgen Klopp's men were sluggish in the early stages against struggling Hamburg.
World Cup winner Mats Hummels made his first home start of the season in front of a typically vibrant Signal Iduna Park crowd, but it was the visitors who imposed themselves during a scrappy opening period.

Josef Zinnbauer's start to life at the Imtech Arena has been a difficult one, but Nicolai Muller, Hamburg's only scorer this season prior to kick-off, almost put Hamburg ahead after 11 minutes.The 27-year-old broke through the Dortmund defence only to skew his effort wide from a tight angle under pressure from goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.

But Muller atoned for that miss after 35 minutes when more lacklustre defending from Klopp's side gifted Hamburg the opener.Muller latched onto Ramos' loose pass in midfield before gliding through Dortmund's gaping defence and allowing Lasogga to slot into an empty net.

Lasogga's goal was no less than Hamburg deserved and Lewis Holtby nearly extended their lead on the stroke of half-time, but his close-range header was just wide.

Just as in the first half, the second period got off to a low-key start.
Despite Dortmund enjoying plenty of possession, Hamburg countered well to keep Weidenfeller busy. Weidenfeller had conceded six times in his previous three Bundesliga outings heading into Saturday's clash, but was in top form to parry away a powerful header from Heiko Westermann.

At the other end, Hamburg counterpart Jaroslav Drobny was not to be outdone, with the Czech Republic international producing a first-class save to prevent Ramos' diving header from finding the bottom corner in the 71st minute.

That chance rallied Dortmund and they went close again moments later as Sebastian Kehl fired his effort just wide as the game approached a frantic climax.
Ramos saw his rasping long-range strike held by Drobny as the late Dortmund onslaught proved frivolous.

 

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Bayern Munich 4-0 Hannover: Lewandowski and Robben inspire champions to victory

Two goals each for Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben saw Bayern Munich destroy Hannover at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.Lewandowski struck with Bayern's fastest goal of the season thus far on six minutes, following Rafinha's superb long pass, and Robben added a second with a fine individual effort seven minutes later.

A dominant first-half performance brought a third goal when Lewandowski was picked out by another excellent ball from distance, this time from Xherdan Shaqiri, and poked home.Robben then wrapped up a routine triumph 11 minutes from time with a well-taken finish.The result sees Pep Guardiola's side keep their place at the top of the Bundesliga and will be seen as the ideal answer to recent critics.

Despite coming into the game two points clear of Borussia Monchengladbach at the summit of the table, Guardiola's men had faced criticism for not showing the attacking ruthlessness they displayed last season.

However, they were given an ideal start when Rafinha picked out Lewandowski's superb run through the heart of the defence with a fantastic long ball, allowing the Polish striker to beat the offside trap and apply a calm finish. It was a deserved reward for the hosts, who showed plenty of positive intent during a dominant first-half performance, with Robben typically lively.

The Dutchman grabbed Bayern's second on 13 minutes, taking advantage of a gaping hole in the middle of the Hannover defence to race into the area and slot home.

Robben nearly doubled his tally three minutes later, cutting inside from the left before curling just wide of the post, much to the relief of Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.Zieler had to be alert to keep his side falling further behind after 20 minutes, back-pedalling to tip Xabi Alonso's audacious lob from the halfway line over the bar.

Bayern continued to press, with Robben firing over 10 minutes before half-time following a great lay-off from Lewandowski, who should then have headed a third for the hosts.The former Borussia Dortmund star made amends for that miss seven minutes before the break, latching on to Shaqiri's wonderful pass from inside his own half and prodding home an effort off the left-hand post.

Hannover very nearly pulled one back before the break, when Artur Sobiech beat the offside trap and burst into the box, only to be denied by a smart save from Manuel Neuer.Bayern took their foot off the gas a little after half-time, although Robben and Lewandowksi remained a threat.

The two players combined well on the hour mark, with Lewandowski heading over Robben's whipped cross from the right, and the former saw another effort deflect over the bar six minutes later.Robben's jinking runs continued to cause problems and he was denied by Marcelo's block on 70 minutes.

Despite being shut out on that occasion, it was Robben who rounded off a seventh straight win over Tayfun Korkut's side, picking up a deflected pass from substitute Claudio Pizarro and firing past Zieler with a clinical finish at the near post.

 

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Ronaldo fit to face Athletic, says Ancelotti

​Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to play against Athletic Bilbao despite fears over his fitness.

The Portugal forward has been training alone due to an Achilles problem suffered in Real's 2-1 Champions League win over Ludogorets on Wednesday.However, according to Ancelotti, the Portugal forward is in peak condition and will be able to take the field on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real seek a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions.

"Fabio Coentrao, Jese Rodriguez and Sami Khedira are the only ones who are not fit to play," Ancelotti said. "Cristiano is in excellent shape."

Real were forced to come from behind to overcome Ludogorets and were consistently troubled on the counter by the Bulgarian outfit, leaving Ancelotti looking for a better balance in their play against a Bilbao side that finished fourth in La Liga last season."We will play with a 4-3-3 formation. We have to fix a few things and be more balanced," he continued.

"[Athletic boss] Ernesto Valverde is one of the best coaches in Spain. Athletic has a lot of character and quality. We have to be careful with them."Real have come under severe criticism for their failure to deal with set-pieces, which was evident again as Ludogorets opened the scoring in Sofia from a corner.

However, while Ancelotti admits the issue has become a worry for his team, he urged his players not to show fear.He added: "Set-pieces worry us but we shouldn't be afraid."

 

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Arbeloa: 200 games for Real Madrid is unimaginable

Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has expressed his disbelief at reaching 200 matches for the club, and is already targeting another Champions League title.

Arbeloa came through the youth ranks at Madrid but failed to break into the first team and left for Deportivo La Coruna in 2006 before finding his way back to Santiago Bernabeu three years later, via Liverpool.

The 31-year-old has another two years on his current contract and is now targeting his first Club World Cup title and the club’s 11th Champions League title after realising their Decima dream last season.“For a youth academy player like me to have played 200 games for Real Madrid is unimaginable,” he told the club website.

“We hope to win the Club World Cup in December so we can then say we have won everything with Real Madrid. This is my sixth season here and there is nothing greater in the world of football than winning with Real Madrid.”Arbeloa was a substitute in May when los Blancos ended their 12-year wait for their tenth European crown, which he said was a dream come true.

“The Decima and that 93rd minute [when Sergio Ramos equalised] will always live in the memory of every Real Madrid fan. The year I came, [Zinedine] Zidane scored that wonder goal for the ninth and 12 years later I was part of the Decima-winning side.“It is hard for people to understand how important it was to win for a team you have watched since you were a kid and witnessed your heroes win the European Cup.”

Real Madrid will face competition from the likes of Mexico’s Cruz Azul and Argentina’s San Lorenzo when they head to Morocco in December for the 2014 Fifa Club World Cup.

 

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Del Bosque dismisses Chelsea’s Costa concerns

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has dismissed concerns from Chelsea over the fitness of striker Diego Costa.Blues boss Jose Mourinho called on Del Bosque to rest the former Atletico Madrid hitman, who is suffering from a persistent hamstring problem.

The 29-year-old is undergoing only light training between matches amidst concerns from his club that he cannot play more than twice a week, but he has been included in the Spain squad to face Euro 2016 qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg next week.

"We believe Costa is fine,” Del Bosque told a press conference."He is playing every game for Chelsea and if we felt he wasn't in good enough condition we wouldn't force it.

“That is why we have our doctors, they are the ones who tell us if he is fine or not.”
Valencia forward Rodrigo and Bayern Munich defender Juan Bernat are in line to make their full international debuts after receiving their first international call-ups.
“Bernat has been included for his characteristics, for everything he does on the left wing, both in defence and going forward," Del Bosque said.

“Rodrigo is playing on the wing and also as a second forward, the two of them should be a part of the Spanish national team for many years to come.”

 

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Vidal: Roma have better players than Juventus

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal suggested Scudetto rivals Roma have higher players than them, but thinks he is part of the better team.The two clubs sit joint-top of the Serie A table with a perfect record after five games and are set to meet in a crunch clash at the Juventus stadium on Sunday.

And the Chile international says the reigning Italian champions remain narrow favourites for the clash because they are a stronger collective unit than the capital club."Roma have great quality and fast players,” he told Tuttosport.

“We maybe have less quality, but we are a team. We exploit our opponents by being compact, passing the ball more and reacting under pressure."Juventus are under more pressure than the others because we have won the last three league titles. We are always facing the game of our lives, but I love it... the pressure motivates me.”

The former Leverkusen man was regularly linked with a move away from Turin in the summer, with Manchester United particularly keen, but the 27-year-old says he is happy with the Old Lady.Vidal added: “I can only say that I am happy in Turin. I am happy, my wife and son love it here.

“My family’s happiness is more important than money or anything else. At Juventus I am happy, it is my home. It’s always tough to leave your home, right?”

 

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Inzaghi: Time on El Shaarawy's side at Milan

AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi has urged patience with forward Stephan El Shaarawy .The 21-year-old Italy international has been restricted to two appearances and was an unused substitute in Milan's last two outings, having started the 1-0 home defeat to Serie A champions Juventus last month.

Ahead of Chievo's visit to San Siro on Saturday, Inzaghi claims that the host of attacking reserves at his disposal feature among the reason's for El Shaarawy's quiet period, but he insists the player remains a key part of his plans."When I arrived I thought about the 4-3-3 formation for him as it brings the best out of his qualities," Inzaghi explained.

"I respect him a lot and he had a great match versus Lazio. Then he had an injury. I made him play against Juventus as a sign of how much I rate him. "We have seven players up front. Unfortunately it’s hard to leave three on the bench. I will try to send four out on the pitch.

"At Cesena I wanted to play El Shaarawy in the second half, but then we saw what happened. He's doing well and the fitness that he had at the start of the season is back. It will be down to me to choose the best line up.

Inzaghi added: "Let's not forget his age. It's normal to have highs and lows at this age. "He's in an environment that loves him and that rates him highly. It's down to me to cultivate his talent.

"I need to give precedence though to the team and not the individual. I always choose for the good of the team. Everybody is important."

 

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Mascherano: Messi criticism is excessive

Barcelona star Javier Mascherano says criticism levelled at team-mate Lionel Messi is excessive and only because his colleague has set the bar so high.

Messi has hit six goals in eight appearances this season for the Blaugrana, with last weekend’s double against Granada seeing him take his career goal tally over the 400 mark.

And fellow Argentina international Mascherano believes that the 27-year-old has helped write Barca into history."Everything Barca have achieved in recent years has been thanks to players like Messi, [Andres] Iniesta and Xavi,” he told Tot Sant Cugat.

"They have made this team one of the best in history. Messi has given a lot to Barca, and Barca to Messi too.

"Criticism of Messi, on several occasions, has been excessive. We are accustomed to unimaginable things, that only he can do, and when he doesn't score a goal it doesn't mean he's not good."It's practically impossible to see him play badly."

Mascherano also confirmed his intention to see out the remainder of his contract in Spain, insisting Barca will be his final European club before an expected return to Argentina, most likely back at River Plate."At the end of last season I met with Barca officials and told them if they didn't think I could still help the team, I would leave," said the 30-year-old.

"The club and the coach have shown confidence in me, though, and for that reason I will try to be as good I have been in my first four years at Barca - always giving my all.

"I've renewed with the intention of ending my European career with Barca.
"I would like to complete it. When my contract ends I will be 34 and maybe that will be a good time to look for a new challenge with less demands."

 

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Defence not to blame for Manchester United’s results, insists Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal insists his defenders are not to blame for Manchester United’s inconsistency this season.

United have registered just eight points from six games this term and have only kept clean sheets against Burnley and QPR - who are both in the relegation zone.

United have also failed to go more than two games with the same defence due to a string of injuries which have seen Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Rafael and Jonny Evans sidelined at various stages of the campaign.

But Van Gaal insists his side’s shape still needs to be worked on and has urged his attacking players to improve their ability to recover the ball and retain possession.

"We have a lot of creative attacking players in our selection and I like that," said the Dutchman.

"But I think also that you have the discipline to come back in a certain shape, because now we have conceded too many goals.

"I want to improve so that we don't lose the ball so easily. That's our problem, not our defence. We're losing the ball easily, but that's also the character of our team, because we have a lot of creative players and they need more discipline.

"So we're looking for a balance in attacking football, without thinking too much in only attacking, but also guarding your defence. I want that my defensive organisation is better but the defence begins in the striker's position.

"It's team work so, when we concede a goal, it's not only because of an individual error in the defence - it starts somewhere else, and that [is something] we have to analyse and improve.

"All the teams are scoring goals, out of counterattacks mostly, against us, as well as free kicks and corners. They aren't making their goals like we do - out of building up, first second, third and fourth phase.

"That's the difference and, when you want to be a big team, you have to perform like that and dominate the game. But at that time you also need to think about the balance of the team, the defensive organisation at the same time. That is what I'm working on."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Not defence?

Then what.....attack?​