..::Football III::..

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Guardiola: Robben set for Bayern return

Arjen Robben could make his long-awaited return to the Bayern Munich squad for Saturday's home game with Cologne.

The former Real Madrid winger has not appeared for Bayern since injuring a thigh muscle playing for the Netherlands against Iceland on September 3 but is due to return to training on Friday.

Providing he comes through that session unscathed he could be included in Pep Guardiola's group for the meeting with Peter Stoger's high-flying side.

"It depends on Arjen," Guardiola said at his pre-match news conference.

"We'll talk to him and the doctors after training. If he's fit he'll be in the squad."

Guardiola was also cautiously optimistic about Robben's fellow winger Franck Ribery, who is also on the comeback trail following a long-term ankle problem.
"Franck has been out longer than if he'd suffered a cruciate ligament injury," said the former Barcelona boss.

"But the most important thing is the fact he has trained without pain because he has had problems over the past five or six months."

Bayern's 12-match winning streak ended on Tuesday with a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Arsenal but Guardiola was not dwelling on the setback in north London.


"When we win we have to forget that victory as quickly as possible, the same goes for defeats," he said.

Bayern visit Wolfsburg in the DFB-Pokal in midweek but Guardiola insisted his focus will be fully trained on the visit of Cologne to the Allianz Arena.

Asked if he may have one eye on the Wolfsburg game, he joked: "No! Women can multi-task but not me."

 

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Benitez hits back at Blanc over 'defensive' Madrid


Rafael Benitez has again defended himself and Real Madrid from accusations of being overly defensive, stating his titles speak volumes about his qualities as a coach.

In the absence of James Rodriguez (thigh), Gareth Bale (calf) and Karim Benzema (hamstring), Madrid ground out a 0-0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek ahead of Sunday's clash with Celta Vigo.

PSG boss Laurent Blanc suggested Madrid were defensive in their approach – an accusation echoed by some in the Spanish capital this term with Benitez's men conceding just twice all season.

But Benitez – a Champions League, Europa League and two-time La Liga winner – has hit back at his critics.

He said in a press conference on Friday: "I have been in football for many years and unfortunately part of what is made in press conferences seems to have more impact than what happens in games.

"For Madridistas, watching a match with intensity and determination – that is the greatest joy.
"My career has a number of records and titles achieved, regardless of what they want to say. I do not care how I am labelled.

"The important thing is the team, to built on a base of good results and feelings is the most positive.

"The Madridistas are concerned about what happens on the pitch, not by what is said."

Benzema could return for the trip to Balaidos, while Luka Modric is likely to push for a starting spot after making a substitute appearance in Paris following a groin problem.

"Now we have training, we will see how the players who are on the edge evolve," Benitez added.

"[With Benzema] it's a very close thing. He did some work yesterday, but we will have to wait and see how he is after training today.

"Modric is fine, he trained, he played, so we are more optimistic on him. Until we train we cannot know for sure how the players are. I am happy with the work of the medical department."

 

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Van Gaal: Manchester City are derby favourites

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes Manchester City are the favourites heading into Sunday's derby clash.

Manuel Pellegrini's side sit two points clear at the top of the Premier League table with United in third, and the Red Devils boss feels his side are underdogs at Old Trafford.

“You have to ask the fans who are the favourites. It’s not so important who is the favourite. If you look at the facts, they are first. They are the favourites I think," he told reporters.

"We are second or third, there is a goal difference and a point difference, so I think they are the favourites."

United travelled to Moscow to face CSKA in the Champions League on Wednesday - eventually drawing 1-1 - while City faced Sevilla at home, winning 2-1 thanks to a late Kevin De Bruyne goal.

Van Gaal is unworried by the distance his side have had to cover, however, and insists they will be fresh for the derby encounter, which he believes is "the talk of the town".

"We’ve done everything to help the recovery of the players. We didn’t train too hard today, to avoid injuries," he added.

"We have one day less [to prepare after Moscow flight] but we have to do it and that’s what we’re doing. We hope we can beat City.”

Van Gaal has also confirmed that Ashley Young will miss the encounter, but is upbeat over the current fitness of his squad.

“It’s always better that a manager can select from a lot of players. There have been times when I could not select from many, like last year, but this year is going much better," he said.

 

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'Leave Paul Pogba alone,' urges Nedved

Juventus's new vice-president Pavel Nedved says Paul Pogba needs to be "left alone", and has urged supporters not to ask too much of the midfielder.

Pogba, 22, has been the subject of intense transfer specualtion since joining Juventus on a free transfer from Manchester United, with Real Madrid, Chelsea, PSG and United all thought to be tracking the midfield maestro.

The France international has been a revelation over the past two seasons but there is added pressure on him this term following the summer departures of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, and with Euro 2016 looming on home soil.

With Juventus floundering domestically, Pogba has struggled to replicate his form so far this season and his public criticism of team-mate Alvaro Morata this week suggests the pressure is getting to him.

Nedved, who was voted the Old Lady's new vice-president on Wednesday after a board vote, insists Pogba needs to be left to get on with his football.

"Paul Pogba is our player and he is extremely talented," he said.

"For one born in 1993, he showed some exceptional things.

"I am in touch with him daily, and he doesn't need advice. Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we're the ones who are asking too much from a player of that age. We must leave him alone. I have no worries, his future is extremely bright."

Before Friday's promotion, Nedved, 43, had been on the Turin club's board of directors since retiring in 2009.

He spent eight years at Juventus as a player, winning four Scudetti and claiming the Ballon d'Or in 2003.

Following the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal and Juve's subsequent relegation to Serie B, he remained at the club as several high-profile players left permanently or on loan.

He scored 11 goals in Serie B, helping the club to an instant return to the top flight and cementing his legendary status with the Bianconeri faithful.

 

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Redknapp: Guardiola couldn't get Sunderland or Watford in the top six

Harry Redknapp says the Premier League’s top clubs should stop fawning over appointing Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola and give young British coaches a chance instead.

The former Tottenham boss believes too much emphasis is put on coaches like Guardiola and suggests you’d have to be “some kind of idiot” to not have Manchester City in the title race.

If you gave Guardiola the Watford job, Redknapp argues, they would still occupy one of the bottom six spots in the table at the end of the campaign because that is their level.

“Everyone has to remember this: the horse is more important than the jockey,” the 68-year-old wrote in a column for the Evening Standard.

“Football is about the players. With the players Manchester City have, for example, you have got to be some kind of idiot if you can’t be in the title race with that group. You would be a complete fool regardless of your nationality.

“Don’t get me wrong: I love Guardiola — he’s an excellent manager — but if you give him the Sunderland or Watford job, he isn’t suddenly going to make them finish in the top six.

“The players are only good enough to finish in the bottom six or the bottom half at best and it doesn’t matter who the manager is.

“If Guardiola comes to England and manages Norwich, he isn’t going to get them into the Champions League.”

Redknapp adds that City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United should be looking at someone like Alan Pardew when they’re next appointing a manager, although he admits it is unlikely to happen.

 

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Redknapp: Guardiola couldn't get Sunderland or Watford in the top six

Moko bari

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Stekelenburg fit to face Liverpool

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has revealed that goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is fit to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Saints travel to Anfield in eighth position, two places above their hosts, although the two sides are only separated by goal difference.

Netherlands international Stekelenburg missed last weekend's 2-2 draw with Leicester City due to back problems, with Kelvin Davis having to deputise.

But the 33-year-old has recovered in time to play in the game against Jurgen Klopp's men.

"He is looking good," Koeman told the club's official YouTube channel.

"He did Thursday, on a day off, a session with Dave Watson. He was training normally on Friday and he is fit for the weekend."

Koeman has also confirmed that Cedric Soares and Jay Rodriguez, who have been struggling with respective eye and foot injuries, remain under observation, while Shane Long's ankle problem continues to rule him out.

"It [Cedric's eye] is not looking good because it is still all the colours you can get on your eye, but he can train normally and that is no problem," he said.

"We still have the same injuries what we had last week, with Shane Long. Jay is a little bit struggling with his foot at the moment and we have to wait for the weekend.

"It was a good week. We had two days off, Monday and Thursday. We needed that to be fresh for the weekend.

"Friday and Saturday we will have good sessions. We had some players with some physical problems, but it looks like most of them are available."

 

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Pellegrini: Derby clash will not decide title


Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini does not believe Sunday's derby against Manchester United will have a decisive impact on the Premier League title race.

City make the short journey to Old Trafford for the 170th edition of the fixture with a slender two-point advantage over their rivals at the summit, with United behind Arsenal on goal difference.

While Pellegrini appreciates the importance of the game in terms of tackling a close rival with local passions running high, he is more interested in proving that the club he led to the league title in 2013-14 are the best in England over the long haul.

"It's an important three points and I always say it's a six-pointer because you're playing the team behind you," he told a news conference. "But it will not be a game that will decide the title.
"For the city it's always a special game. It's very important for both sets of fans to win, and for both to demonstrate who is the best team in the city.

"Of course we are involved in the same situation, and it's very important as a team to win this derby because it's a special game for fans."

He added: "Maybe, the most exciting thing for everyone is to win the title.

"If you win against a team of the same city or another team, for some people it can be better.

"For me, the most important thing is to demonstrate that you are the best team."

Pellegrini also offered his support to Manchester City fans who chose to boo the Champions League anthem ahead of Wednesday night's 2-1 win over Sevilla, after Uefa launched a much criticised investigation into the incident.

"For me, the fans pay for their ticket and they are free to express themselves with how they feel with order and respect," he said.

 

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Van Gaal: Rooney loves the Manchester derby

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes that Wayne Rooney relishes playing in big matches, as evidenced by his excellent record in the Manchester derby.

The United and England captain has scored 11 goals in in the fixture in all competitions, more than any other player in the history of the derby.

Van Gaal hopes that Rooney will deliver in the latest clash at Old Trafford, with Premier League leaders City set to visit Old Trafford on Sunday, the day after Rooney's 30th birthday.

"He will love this kind of match," Van Gaal said of Rooney at his pre-match media conference.

"I think all the great players love such a challenge, not only Wayne. It is the same for the other big players we have and that is also the case for the big players of Manchester City."

"It [how long he plays for] is dependent on the player. You cannot pre-judge that. It is dependent how he lives, how strong he is, how ambitious - it is dependent on a lot of factors. We have to wait and see."

The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss has also revealed how he would celebrate victory over City if his side can produce three points.

"I hope we can do that again but it is always difficult," Van Gaal said to MUTV. "If we win I shall take a very big glass of wine and toast our victory."

 

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Outstanding Smalling one of England's best - Higginbotham

Former Manchester United man Danny Higginbotham believes Chris Smalling has developed into one of England's best central defenders over the last year.

Smalling has become a key player for United and has been named in the starting line-up for all nine of their Premier League matches so far in 2015-16.

Higginbotham has been impressed with his development and feels the progress displayed since manager Louis van Gaal took charge in 2014 has put him in the top bracket of Premier League stoppers.

"Smalling has been outstanding," the ex-Gibraltar international told Omnisport.

"It was towards the end of last season where he really started to get better.

"One thing I have said before is that the sign of a good defender is when they come off the pitch and you don't know how quick they are.

"That is the difference now - his positioning is so much better and you rarely see him having to go at full pelt trying to recover a situation. That stands out for me.

"It is down to experience and maturing. Definitely, he will have learned from the likes of [Nemanja] Vidic and [Rio] Ferdinand - you cannot fail to learn from those players.

"But I think Van Gaal coming in and probably taking more time on the positional side of things and being a more defensive-minded coach will always benefit the defenders.

"All those things put together is making Chris Smalling turn out to be one of the best centre-backs in England."

 

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Smalling ge performance improve wela thiyanawa last season 1ke idala​

 

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Arsenal can handle Premier League title fight, insists Wenger

Arsenal can handle the pressure of a Premier League title race, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners have beaten Manchester United and Bayern Munich in recent weeks and could move to the top of the table if they defeat Everton on Saturday.

Though they may then be usurped by Manchester City – who face Manchester United on Sunday – Wenger believes that his side's recent results prove they have the stomach for a title fight.

"What is the most important for me is to continue to develop as a team, to feel that we grow in the quality of our game,” he told reporters.

"We have maybe a better discipline. People reproached us many times, 'Okay, Arsenal play football but they are a bit fragile'.

"Before, maybe, when we were not dominating completely the game, we were a bit insecure. On Tuesday night, Bayern had a lot of the ball, but we could handle that."

Arsenal have repeatedly fallen away despite good early-season form, notably in 2013-14, but Wenger believes his side have grown up in recent season, and says the signing of Petr Cech has been a major boost to their title aspirations.

"We are more mature, for sure. Two years ago we were top of the league for a long time,” he added.

"After, we lost one or two players, and we lost one or two big games, that was the killer for us. I feel today we are better prepared. We know, as well, the competition will be long. We have played nine games, there is a long way to go.

"We are certainly more stable defensively. We added Petr Cech as well. You could see the other night that in a big, big game how important that is. Because the first goal is the decider in a big game."

 

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Wenger: Ozil entering a golden age

Mesut Ozil is entering the “golden age of a football player” and has matured in recent seasons, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Ozil joined the Gunners from Real Madrid in 2013, becoming the club’s record signing at a fee of £42.5 million, and has emerged as a key player in 2015-16.

The Germany international has laid on six assists in 12 games in all competitions thus far this season, scoring twice, and Wenger believes he is in the prime of his career.

"He is 27 now, 27 to 31, 32, the age when you know your job, you realise suddenly that it is not only important to play, it is important to win as well. You go into that period thinking, 'Finally'.

"Under 25 you think you can last forever. Once you get to 27 you realise it's time to capitalise on what you have learned and efficiency takes a little bit over the playing mood.

"Talent wise, I think deeply he is a very, very collective player. He is a very respectful guy. If you tell him to do that he will do it for you. I think his talent is exceptional. His talent is fantastic.”

Ozil has come in for some criticism since joining Arsenal for a perceived lack of urgency and effort but Wenger insists the World Cup winner has been too unselfish in the past.

"Sometimes I think he sacrifices himself for the team," he added. "Sometimes he releases the ball when you want him to, sometimes he will do it when you don't want him to do it. "

"He has confidence. He is not scared to show it. He wants always to play."

 

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Zabaleta: Manchester derby like Argentina against Brazil

Pablo Zabaleta says the Manchester derby is the biggest game in England, comparing it to the rivalry between Argentina and Brazil.

The Manchester City right-back is expected to start at Old Trafford on Sunday as Manuel Pellegrini’s table toppers look to extend their two point lead over their neighbours in the Premier League.

However, there's more than just points at stake when City and United meet and Zabaleta says he knows what this fixture means for the club’s fans.

“This is the biggest game for sure in England,” he said. “We know how important it is for the fans, for the club and also because we play against a team that is joint-second in the league, two points behind.

"Both teams play for something important, not just pride, something really big.

“They have a chance to beat us and go top of the league and we have a chance to extend the gap. Hopefully we can do it.

“It's like Argentina-Brazil. When you play against a team that you know is a rival and everyone wants you to beat — we know how important the game is in the whole city.”

Louis van Gaal’s side won 4-2 when the two sides last met in April, a result which Zabaleta admits hurt a lot.

But the Argentina international does not want to dwell on that loss and is completely focused on winning this weekend’s encounter.

“It was a very hard defeat, because in the way we played the game it wasn't good,” the 30-year-old continued.

“You expect to play much better than that with the players we have in the team.

“But we don't think about revenge. We have had the chance to win more games at Old Trafford. I remember playing pretty well there and winning 6-1, 3-0.

“Sometimes you don't expect to lose like we did last season there. It was really hurtful for everyone, but hopefully we will try to make sure it does not happen again - and we can win.

"You have to play those games with 100 per cent attitude and passion because it means a lot for the fans. That's what we will try to do."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2015.10.24 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2015.10.24 Fixtures

Aston Villa Vs Swansea

Leicester City Vs Crystal Palace

Norwich City Vs WBA

Stoke City Vs Watford

West Ham Vs Chelsea

Arsenal Vs Everton

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LA Liga 2015.10.24 Fixtures

LA Liga 2015.10.24 Fixtures

Celta Vigo Vs Real Madrid

Granada Vs Real Betis

Sevilla Vs Getafe

Malaga Vs Deportivo​

 

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Serie A 2015.10.24 Fixtures

Serie A 2015.10.24 Fixtures

Empoli Vs Genoa

Carpi Vs Bologna

Palermo Vs Inter​

 

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Mihajlovic will turn things around at AC Milan - Mancini

Roberto Mancini has backed under-fire AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic to turn his team's fortunes around.

The Serbian, who took charge of Milan in June, is already under increasing pressure after guiding his team to just three Serie A wins in their opening eight games.

Mancini, whose Inter beat Milan 1-0 in a friendly on Wednesday, believes his former assistant will get his team back on track.

"I saw him on Wednesday and all I can say is he's a friend of mine, I'm very fond of him and I wish him all the best," he told reporters.

"He'll get through this because he's a good coach and he works hard."

While Milan host Sassuolo on Sunday, Inter – who are third in the league – visit Palermo a day earlier.

Mancini is wary of the threat Giuseppe Iachini's men will pose at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

"Palermo have 10 points and they've played better on the road than at home but I know it's never an easy place to go," he added.

"[Alberto] Gilardino has a lot of experience and [Franco] Vazquez is a talent.

"They have a very young side with lots of energy and they can cause you problems.

"I think Iachini's an excellent coach and knows how to get them playing."

 

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Klopp hails 'absolutely spectacular' Sakho

When asked why Sakho was out of favour under Rodgers, Klopp replied: "I can't say anything about this. Maybe he was not fit or things like this. But I can understand why they shouted his name. Mama was really spectacular defending and good playing football [against Rubin]."

Daniel Sturridge missed Thursday's match with a minor knee problem sustained in the lead up to Klopp's first game in charge - last weekend's 0-0 draw at Tottenham - and he remains a doubt for Sunday's clash with Southampton.

Sturridge has endured an injury nightmare over the last 12 months, and Klopp says any top team would struggle without their frontline forward for a sustained period.

"There are two things in football make a difference, the way you play and the players," the former Borussia Dortmund coach added.

"Sometimes you need this striker, of course you always need a finisher, someone for the last ball. [Christian] Benteke and [Roberto] Firmino were in three days of light training and because of our situation they were in the squad on Thursday.

"If you take [Lionel] Messi out of Barcelona for about a year, ask them how they feel? If you take [Sergio] Aguero for one year out of Man City, ask them how they feel? If you take [Robert] Lewandowski... things like this, that's always the same in football."

 

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Ribery eyes pre-Christmas comeback for Bayern

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is optimistic over his prospects of making a first-team return before the Bundesliga's winter break.

The France star has not featured for Pep Guardiola's men since March as a result of an ankle problem sustained against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

He appeared to suffer a setback in training on Thursday, withdrawing from a running drill 17 minutes into the session.

But the 32-year-old remains upbeat about his prospects of resuming competitive football before the end of 2015, after a tough period both physically and mentally.

"I am feeling much better," Ribery told Sky Deutschland. "I can even smile a little bit.

"I fought a lot because it was a hard situation for me - especially mentally. But that's football.

"You must always keep your head high. I have to work a lot because I have lost a lot of muscles in my calf.

"But it's slowly getting better. And that's great. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be with the team before the winter break."