..::Football III::..

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    Juventus 0-0 Atletico Madrid: Serie A champions clinch round of 16 berth

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    Juventus have recorded a 0-0 draw versus Atletico Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League Group A match in Turin.The Italian giants saw their hopes of reaching the knockout stages dashed on matchday six at Galatasaray 12 months ago, but there was to be no repeat on this occasion despite a toothless performance in attack from the Serie A champions.

    Massimiliano Allegri's men controlled the Turin clash, but struggled to convert their possession into decent attempts on goal, often restricted to long-range efforts.
    Goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya was also in good form for already-qualified Atletico when required, as he kept his fifth clean sheet in a row in this season's competition.

    The Spanish champions - despite being second best for long periods - created the game's best chance in the sixth minute, but Koke, through on goal, was denied by veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

    The stalemate meant that Juve finished second in Group A with 10 points - one more than Olympiacos, who beat Malmo 4-2. Atleti topped the pool with 13 points from six matches.

    Juventus, who knew they would seal qualification with a win or draw, regardless of other results, received an early scare when Buffon charged off his line to deny Koke.It was an excellent Atletico move involving several one-touch passes that led to Koke's chance, but Buffon was equal to the task.

    The visitors - not employing their regular high-pressing game - were comfortable to let Juve have the ball, and as a result, they dominated the first half, with Stephan Lichtsteiner starring down the right.

    Paul Pogba also impressed, but for all of Juve's domination, they created few meaningful chances.Fernando Llorente twice forced saves from Moya, while Diego Godin did well to block a Carlos Tevez strike, but their lack of cutting edge was causing headaches for Allegri.

    And Atleti offered a reminder of their threat on a rare foray forward two minutes before half-time, when Buffon produced a diving save to keep out Mario Suarez's curling effort.

    An Arda Turan corner almost crept in five minutes after play resumed, but Juventus were again in control, with Arturo Vidal's 25-yard effort forcing a fine save from Moya.Pogba was next to try his luck from distance and his shot was spilled by Moya, meaning Atletico had to desperately clear with Tevez lurking.

    The home fans' joy at Malmo's initial equaliser to make it 1-1 against Olympiacos - in which a draw would have seen Juve qualify, even with defeat - was short-lived as the Greek giants quickly restored their lead.That put the pressure back on Juve, who were struggling to find a way through a packed Atletico defence.

    Vidal shot at Moya on a counter-attack 16 minutes from time, while Pogba also fizzed an effort wide, but there was to be no late drama - in stark contrast to Olympiacos' exciting win.But it mattered little for Juve, who did enough to book their spot in the next round.
     

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    Olympiakos 4-2 Malmo: Home win not enough for Greek champions

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    Olympiakos have recorded a 4-2 win over Malmo in Tuesday's Champions League Group A encounter at the Karaiskakis Stadium.

    David Fuster gifted the Greek champions a 1-0 lead before the interval, but Simon Kroon levelled the scoring around the hour mark. Alejandro Dominguez then restored Olympiakos' lead, only for Markus Rosenberg to make it 2-2 before Kostas Mitroglou and Ibrahim Afellay decided the game.

    Michel made nine changes to his team ahead of kick-off, with Pajtim Kasami and Fuster both handed spots in the starting line-up.

    And the Greek outfit would have been ahead after 10 minutes if not for Robin Olsen's superb double save.After brilliantly parrying away Dominguez's drilled cross, the Swede somehow gathered Kasami's powerful close-range follow-up.

    But Olsen could do nothing to prevent the hosts taking the lead 12 minutes later when Fuster bravely latched onto Kasami's flick-on to nod in at the back post.

    The Spaniard received a trailing boot in the face from Pa Konate for his troubles, but recovered quickly enough as Olympiacos pressed for a second, with experienced playmaker Dominguez driving them forward.

    However, it was Malmo who came close to an equaliser with just over five minutes of the half remaining when a long throw from Ricardinho hit the crossbar after deflecting off the head of Olympiacos midfielder Delvin Ndinga.Olympiacos started strongly after the interval and Olsen denied Mitroglou's close-range flick with yet another terrific save.

    Despite the increased pressure from the hosts, Malmo snatched a surprise leveller in the 59th minute when substitute Kroon slotted calmly past Roberto just two minutes after entering the fray.

    Emil Forsberg broke swiftly down the right flank before curling in a pinpoint low cross to the feet of Kroon, who duly applied a deft finish into the bottom-right corner.However, Olympiacos edged back in front just four minutes later through Dominguez's fantastic long-range strike.The midfielder controlled the ball perfectly before executing a curling half-volley that sailed past Olsen and nestled into the left-hand corner.

    But again Malmo hit back with nine minutes left through Rosenberg – who grabbed both goals in October's clash between the two sides – as he connected with Anton Tinnerholm's cross before side-footing home.

    Olympiacos, though, made it 3-2 with just three minutes left when Mitroglou smothered home Dominguez's corner.There was more late drama as the hosts finally had a two-goal cushion when second-half substitute Afellay was played in by Kasami and the Dutch winger finished coolly past Olsen.

    Malmo's evening then went from bad to worse when Adu received his second yellow card for a nasty-looking stamp on Kasami, who had to be carried off on a stretcher.Tuesday's result sees the home side qualify for the Europa League round of 32, while Malmo end last in their group.
     

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    Dortmund 1-1 Anderlecht: Klopp's men secure top spot

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    Borussia Dortmund were held to a 1-1 draw by Anderlecht in Tuesday's Champions League Group D game at the Signal Iduna Park.

    After being frustrated by the away side for 58 minutes, Ciro Immobile broke the deadlock with a side-foot finish from the edge of the box.

    That looked to have given Jurgen Klopp's side the win until Aleksandar Mitrovic rose highest to meet an Anthony Vanden Borre cross and head his side to a point six minutes from time.The draw means Dortmund win the group on goal difference, with Anderlecht qualifying for the Europa League courtesy of a third-placed finish.

    Arsenal's comfortable victory in Galatasaray meant the pressure was on Dortmund to at least avoid defeat and ideally win to head off the Premier League club nicking top spot following the final round of group games.

    Klopp's team have surprisingly struggled domestically in the early stages of this season, with Friday's 1-0 win over Hoffenheim just their second Bundesliga victory in 11 matches.

    In Europe, though, Dortmund have continued to thrive and appeared to be on course for a fifth win in six games on Tuesday courtesy of an inconsistent but patient performance.

    The home side, who were without Mats Hummels in the centre of their defence but welcomed back midfielder Nuri Sahin for his first start since the DFB-Pokal final in May, were incisive going forward, regularly breaking through the Anderlecht back line.The only thing that prevented the German side cruising into a game-winning lead was the presence of Silvio Proto in the away goal.

    The Anderlecht number one produced a string of saves to keep Dortmund at bay for almost an hour, including two to push away shots from Immobile in the box and another to deny Shinji Kagawa's angled drive from 12 yards.

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan was also twice denied, either side of half-time, as Proto proved equal to his well-struck efforts.

    To compound Dortmund's frustration, with Hummels missing and Matthias Ginter partnering Neven Subotic in the centre of defence, they looked vulnerable at the back.

    The hosts were indebted to goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak in the early stages when he produced a superb block from an Aleksandar Mitrovic shot after the striker had beaten the offside trap to collect a defence-splitting pass from Dennis Praet.
    And Dortmund should have conceded on the stroke of half-time when Sacha Kljestan was given plenty of space and time to finish a knock-down, but the midfielder blazed his effort from 15 yards over the bar.Much to the relief of the home team, Proto's heroics had a shelf life and 13 minutes into the second half Immobile collected a pass from Sahin, evaded a challenge on the edge of the box and stroked his shot into the net.

    Mkhitaryan could have made the win safe with seven minutes to go, but, after breaking away down the right, his low shot was blocked by the boot of Proto.This provided the platform for the attack that earned Anderlecht their equaliser and ultimately a point as Dortmund's defensive deficiencies again came to the fore.

    Vanden Borre was given too much space to cross from the right and Mitrovic was too strong for his marker to head home the leveller from only his side's second attempt on target.

    Jurgen Klopp's men finish their section in first position with 13 points from six games, while Anderlecht come in third to qualify for the Europa League round of 32.
     

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    Messi's double doping tests are normal - Spanish authority

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    Lionel Messi has been told his drug tests were completely normal by Spain's anti-doping authority, after the Barcelona star complained that his screening was more rigorous than those given to his team-mates.

    The Argentine, along with Jordi Alba, Claudio Bravo, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta, was given a doping test by the Spanish Agency for Health Protection in Sport (AEPSAD) on Monday, but he was the only one of the five to have to supply both urine and blood samples.

    Messi said he felt it was "a bit strange" that he was more thoroughly tested than the rest, but AEPSAD have since said that it is normal for one of five players to be given extra screening.

    "Messi passed his urine tests and blood tests as is normal every week for athletes in Spain," a spokesman said.

    "Dozens of players have been tested this year. The procedure is normal. It selects one of five players to take blood samples. So it is usual in every way."
     

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    :D'Mourinho is a master time-waster' - Carragher

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    Jamie Carragher has hit out at Jose Mourinho's criticism of Newcastle United's alleged time-wasting, insisting that the Chelsea boss is a "master" of the trade.

    Mourinho complained that both ball boys and fans employed time-wasting tactics late on in the Blues' 2-1 defeat at St James' Park, telling reporters: "Things were happening that the referee cannot control.

    "He cannot punish the ball boy that disappears, the people in the crowd that keep the ball or somebody that throws a second ball on to the pitch."

    But Carragher insists that Mourinho has no right to slam Alan Pardew's side, having used a similar strategy during Chelsea's 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in April.

    "Well maybe those ballboys were watching the game at Anfield last season when Jose Mourinho gave a masterclass in time-wasting," Carragher joked on Sky Sports.

    "We covered the game and we sort of agreed with it. It's part of the game, it happens, they had six minutes of added time at the end, it was added on, and it's part of the game. As I said, he's the master at it."

    Chelsea remain three points clear at the top of the Premier League, despite suffering their first defeat of the season.
     

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    Suarez: I came to Barca to score goals, not assist Messi

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    Luis Suarez says he came to Barcelona to score goals rather than simply assist Lionel Messi and Neymar.

    Suarez has struggled on the goalscoring front since his €88 million move from Liverpool this summer and has only netted for Luis Enrique's men on one occasion since making his debut against Real Madrid in October.

    The Uruguayan striker has notched five assists in six La Liga matches, however, and while he is keen to stress that results are more important than his personal tally, he admits he would prefer to be scoring goals rather than setting them up.

    "It's very easy playing alongside Messi," he told reporters. "I enjoy playing with Messi.

    "Obviously being a forward I would like to score more goals. But while the team does well there is no problem. It is incredible to play alongside the best player in the world. His style of play benefits the team.

    "We do not play only for Messi, though. We play for each other. We know that other players can make a difference, such as as Messi, Neymar and Andres Iniesta. These are footballers that can give you confidence when playing with them.

    "I'd rather us win 5-0 and I do not score, than us win 2-0 and I score. If you win while scoring goals then you leave happy, but the most important thing is always the team. I do not think just of me.

    "I'm used to being the main goalscorer, but I also always like to help. But I also know that I came here to score goals not only give assists.

    "I came here because I scored many goals in my career and especially at Liverpool. But luckily I am not alone in this, I have players at my side capable of deciding a game and make a difference."

    Barca are in action on Wednesday at home to Paris Saint-Germain - a victory will assure them of top spot in Group F of the Champions League, while a draw or defeat will see them head into the last 16 as second seeds behind current group leaders PSG.
     

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    Suarez: It's amazing that Messi isn't Ballon d'Or favourite

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    Luis Suarez is baffled that Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is not the outright favourite to win the Ballon d'Or, which is set to be handed out in January.

    The Argentine attacker is La Liga's all-time top goalscorer, as of last month, but Cristiano Ronaldo is the current favourite to win his third Ballon d'Or after helping Real Madrid to lift the Champions League and Copa del Rey in 2014.

    Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who won the World Cup this summer, is the third and final star in the running for the annual accolade, and has the public backing of Uefa president Michel Platini.

    However, Suarez - who now plays at Camp Nou after joining from Liverpool this summer - thinks Messi deserves his fifth Ballon d'Or for his efforts this calendar year.

    "It is clear that all players want to win the Ballon d'Or and anyone that says otherwise is lying," the Uruguayan forward told Sport. "It is normal in the life of a football player.

    "But I've always said the best player in the world is Messi for everything he has done and for all he brings to football.

    "Leo reached the World Cup final. Neuer is world champion, whereas Cristiano by contrast was eliminated in the first round with Portugal.

    "Cristiano won the Champions League, but finished third in La Liga, while Neuer went out badly in the Champions League.

    "After so many months with many goals is amazing that people do not think of Leo Messi as the favourite. What is clear is that there are different campaigns for people to win."

    Suarez was a surprise omission from 2014's original 23 Ballon d'Or nominations, which was whittled down to three earlier in December, but the striker has come to terms with the fact his four-month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup this summer cost him any chance of winning.

    "It is clear that if the criteria time span went July 2013 until June 2014 then I should have been in from what I had done," he continued.

    "But if you enter the World Cup within the margin of votes, and if the criteria includes how one behaves on the pitch, then maybe I have to admit it's fine."
     

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    Garcia: Roma's only option is to beat Manchester City

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    Rudi Garcia has called on Roma to deliver the victory over Manchester City that will guarantee progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

    The Serie A outfit host City on Wednesday knowing a win would see them qualify from Group F alongside Bayern Munich, while a goalless draw would be enough should CSKA Moscow fail to beat the pool winners.

    Garcia paid tribute to his side's efforts so far, and says the clash will City will be a "cup final" for his side.

    "We should have been out of the running by this stage because we were in the fourth pot and yet we're still in the hunt," he said.

    "Credit to us that we still have the chance to play this cup final in front of our fans at a passionate Olimpico.

    "We need to make the most of every moment. We're looking to pull it off, a win would be incredible.

    "We know that Manchester City are a good side. It will be very tough but I'm sure we can do it.

    "We can only decide our own fate with a win. We can't know what happens in the game between Bayern and CSKA.

    "So our only option is to score one goal more than City to win the match."

    Roma earned a 1-1 draw in Manchester in September, and will have been boosted by the news that City striker Sergio Aguero will miss the clash with a knee injury.

    "We did well in the first game, but it'll be different tomorrow," he added. "City are back on track in the league and we're at home.

    "Aguero's absence is sad news. Great players like him should be involved out there."
     

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    Luis Enrique: PSG even more dangerous with Ibrahimovic

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    Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has admitted that Paris Saint-Germain are extremely dangerous with the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the team.

    The two sides battle it out in the final group match on Wednesday to determine who will finish top of the pool, with the Ligue 1 champions currently sitting a point above the Catalans, having beaten them 3-2 in their encounter earlier in the competition.

    Ibrahimovic missed the first meeting between the two sides but is fit to face his former team, coming fresh off the back of a game changing double which saw his side fight back from a goal down to beat Nantes 2-1 on Saturday.

    And Luis Enrique has admitted that although PSG showed against Barca that they are a very strong team without their talisman, they will be an even bigger challenge this time around with him available.

    "PSG beat us without Ibra. They are a potent side and with Ibra back fit, they will be even more dangerous," he admitted in his press conference ahead of the meeting in Camp Nou.

    "We made mistakes over there – like we have done in other games but in Paris we were punished. We’re talking about one of the top players, a high-level footballer who is very difficult to stop.

    "If we are able to defend as a unit and make sure very few balls get to him, that’s the only way we can reduce his chances of hurting us.

    "I’m expecting a similar game to the one we saw in France. We need to control play and maintain pressure higher up the pitch – something we didn’t do over there.

    "I think Cavani and Ibra will start. We want to avoid being caught on the break and to do that we need equilibrium. Theory is all well and good but it’s completely different when you put it into practice. We need to be careful when PSG attack."

    The Spaniard admitted that he is aiming to get all three points and see his side leapfrog Laurent Blanc's men into pole-position, but maintained it is not very important."It's important, but I don't think it's the most important game of the season," he said. "I would prefer to finish first, but finishing second is not a great disadvantage. Its importance is relative."

    The coach then said he wants to see more from his star forwards Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

    "Messi has been with us a while, Neymar not quite as long and Luis Suarez joined only recently. They need to improve their figures and continue working; the more options we have in attack the better."
     

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    Guardiola: Bayern must set out to beat CSKA

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    Pep Guardiola has promised his Bayern Munich team will set out to get all three points from their final Champions League group stage clash with CSKA on Wednesday.

    Bayern have already secured their place at the top of Group E heading into the last game, while CSKA sit level on five points with Roma and Manchester City. The Russian side need to record their first ever win in Germany and hope the other match in Rome finishes a draw or for City to win if they are to secure second place and a spot in the last 16.

    While Guardiola has admitted that he is likely to rest several players after his side's intense and narrow win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, but is aiming to pick up all three points to ensure they end the first round on a high.

    "Football is our profession. We have to give everything and play against all opponents with lots of respect," he told reporters.

    "I don’t know how many changes I will make with my team. We will see during training session. But some of my players are quite tired after the game against Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

    "CSKA still have the chance to qualify, so I am sure they will try everything to win the game against us. We will play the game to win it. This will be our focus and we must not think about our opponents’ situation."
     

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    Atletico did enough - Simeone

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    Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said his side simply did what was required in Turin on Tuesday.

    The Spanish champions played out a dull 0-0 draw at Juventus in Group A of the Champions League - a result that saw them finish top.Simeone's men did not play their usual pressing game, instead happy to sit back - particularly in the latter stages.

    But their stubborn defensive display ensured they took the point they needed to top the group, and Simeone was satisfied."We played the game we needed to play in order to finish top," he told Sky Sport Italia.

    "It was a very tight first half with two important scoring opportunities and Juve created a few dangers down the right."After the break we did what we had to do."We expected it to be tough, as Juve are a strong side with many champions and can certainly go forward.

    "We are happy, as for the second year running, we topped our group, and for Atletico Madrid, that means a lot in the Champions League."We calmly await what destiny brings us in the next phase."

    Simeone also offered praise to a Juventus side who controlled Tuesday's match and said others would want to avoid them in the draw for the knockout stages.
    "Juventus are an excellent side, with [Claudio] Marchisio out and some lads on the bench who are very talented," he added.

    "I can assure everyone it won't be good to pick Juventus in the draw."
     

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    Ramsey: Galatasaray goal is my best

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    Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey says his second goal against Galatasaray is the best he has ever scored after netting twice in a 4-1 Champions League win in Turkey.

    The Wales international set up the opening goal for Lukas Podolski before getting on the scoresheet himself after just 11 minutes with a composed finish.

    The 23-year-old then grabbed his second of the night with a thunderous strike from fully 30 yards on the half-volley that flew past goalkeeper Bolat and which he feels is his best ever goal.

    Ramsey was replaced at half-time, with the Gunners 3-0 up, but the midfielder insists the substitution was purely precautionary and he is hoping to be fit for the weekend.

    "The ball came to the edge of the box and I thought 'why not have a go' and thankfully it's gone in," he told Sky Sports.

    "I just felt a bit of a tight hamstring and hopefully now I'll recover for the game against Newcastle. [Nothing serious?] No," he added.

    "We looked dangerous every time we went forward tonight, which was pleasing, and we scored a few goals, which is always nice. We took full advantage of the opportunities."
     

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    Rodgers: Markovic red card an awful decision

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    Brendan Rodgers criticised referee Bjorn Kuipers after a 1-1 draw with Basel eliminated his Liverpool team from the Champions League.

    Fabian Frei gave the Swiss visitors a deserved lead as the Reds produced a disjointed first-half showing in the vital Group B meeting at Anfield.

    The introduction of Lazar Markovic at the break brought an improvement from the hosts in a game they needed to win, but the Serbian winger was sent off with an hour played.

    Replays suggested Markovic's raised hand made minimal contact with Basel defender Behrang Safari but Kuipers had little hesitation in producing a straight red card.

    Steven Gerrard scored a superb free-kick to set up a grandstand finish, during which Liverpool pressed hard for a winner that they were unable to force.

    Rodgers must now prepare for a drop down to the Europa League in the new year, and he had little time for Kuipers' display after the match.

    He told ITV: "I thought it was an awful decision. I thought the referee was disappointing on the evening to say the least.

    "Markovic came on and was bright. He made a difference to the team, he was dynamic.

    "He's just taken a touch away, he's obviously got his arm up. If that's a sending off you're going to get two to three sendings off every single game.

    "It was a really, really poor decision. I'm not even sure if the referee has seen it.

    "I think he's seen the player hold his face and lie down but there's no way that was a sending off."

    Nevertheless, Rodgers accepted the overall blame for elimination lies with his own team, who went five games without victory on their return to the competition having scraped a 2-1 victory over Ludogrets in the group opener.

    A sub-standard start to the Premier League season means Liverpool face a battle to return to European football's top table but Rodgers is confident it is a fight they can win, with a spot in next year's competition on offer if they can win the Europa League.

    He added: "As I said before the game, the players deserved the opportunity to be in here and we have to fight, going forward, to be in it next season.

    "Obviously our performance level needs to improve over the course of the season but we're not too far off the top four.

    "If we do that we’ll be in the Champions League and we'll be better in it next season."
     

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    Madrid have been perfect - Isco

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    Isco was happy to reflect on the “perfect group phase” as record-breaking Real Madrid thrashed Ludogorets 4-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

    In beating the Bulgarians, Carlo Ancelotti’s side racked up a 19th consecutive victory in all competitions – breaking the Spanish record of 18 set by Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona in 2005/6. Included in Madrid’s run were six wins in Champions League Group B.

    That they would complete a 100% record was never in doubt at the Bernabeu as an early Cristiano Ronaldo penalty was added to by goals from Gareth Bale, Alvaro Arbeloa and Alvaro Medran. Ludogorets’ hopes were effectively over as early as the 19th minute when defender Marcelinho was sent-off for handling Raphael Varane’s goalbound header.

    "We have completed the perfect group phase,” said Isco. ”I'm so happy for the team's great run. Today has been a comfortable game, as they had a player sent off very early. But we are very happy for how the team is playing. Now we expect the run to last as long as we can manage.""On a night like this we should be happy and celebrate the 19 consecutive winning games. The team is willing to keep doing it right, winning as many games as we can. But what matters in the end is winning titles.”

    Madrid have had their fair share of injuries recently with James Rodriguez joining Luka Modric and Sami Khedira on the sidelines but Isco is confident the European champions can overcome the setbacks.

    "We have had many injuries lately but these are football issues,” added the Spain international. “Ancelotti knows how to handle it and lead the team, but we hope not to have more injuries. I just want to keep helping my mates."
     

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    Gerrard: Liverpool deserve to be out

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    Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says his side deserve to be out of the Champions League after they exited the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Basel in their final group fixture.

    The draw left the Reds in third position in Group B with just five points as Real Madrid finished as group winners and Basel also qualifying in second place.

    Gerrard equalised for Liverpool with a late free kick at Anfield, after the Reds had been reduced to 10 men following Lazar Markovic's dismissal, but says his side can have no complaints about their fate.

    "No [Liverpool don't deserve to go through]. We haven't gone out of the competition because of our performance tonight," he told ITV Sport.

    "We've gone out because away at Basel we weren't good enough. In our last game we conceded a stupid goal towards injury-time. You always qualify over the six games and unfortunately we haven't been good enough.

    "We'll have to see [if January buys can turn things around]. What's crucial is getting our main striker back who is capable of getting us the goals to get us in the top four.

    "We need to try and get Mario Balotelli back firing again as well. At the moment it's a bit of a rollercoaster, it's tough. This club always tries to strengthen, always tries to improve and we dust ourselves down and go again."

    The Reds' task was made more difficult by Markovic's sent off after the former Benfica winger aimed a swipe at Behrang Safari in the second half.

    Replays suggested there was no contact between the two players, and though Gerrard's admits he did not see the incident clearly, he believes the decision had a detrimental effect to his side.

    "It [the red card] doesn't help of course. We knew if we were still in the game with 20 minutes to go if we could get that goal it would've been hell for Basel.

    "Unfortunately we didn't have enough energy in the last 15 minutes because the referee sent him off. I haven't see the incident but I'm told it was very harsh."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Manchester City striker Aguero out for up to six weeks with knee injury

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    Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will be out of action for up to six weeks with the knee injury sustained in Saturday's 1-0 win against Everton, Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed.

    Aguero has scored 19 goals in the Premier League and Champions League this season, but will now miss City's crunch clash with Roma on Wednesday as well as several top flight matches.

    Fears that the Argentina striker could miss the rest of the season were quickly dismissed on Saturday evening as speculation over the extent of his injury grew.

    And a scan on Sunday revealed that while he suffered damage to his knee ligament, he avoided a break and should therefore be back in action with Pellegrini later confirming he will be out for "four, five, (or) six weeks".

    As well as Wednesday's match in Italy, which will decide the club's European fate this season, Aguero could also miss games against Leicester City, Crystal Palace, West Brom, Burnley and Sunderland, as well as an FA third-round clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    UEFA Champions League 2014.12.10 Group Stage Fixtures

    UEFA Champions League 2014.12.10 Group Stage Fixtures

    Group E

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    Roma Vs Manchester City
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    Bayern Vs CSKA
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    Group F

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    Ajax Vs APOEL
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    Barcelona Vs PSG
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    Group G

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    Chelsea Vs Sporting
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    Maribor Vs Schalke
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    Group H

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    Athletic Bilbao Vs BATE
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    Porto Vs Shakhtar
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