..::Football III::..

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Borussia Dortmund 4-1 Eintracht Frankfurt: Aubameyang on target again in BVB triumph

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was once more in fine form as Borussia Dortmund saw off Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1 at Signal Iduna Park, keeping the chase up on leaders Bayern Munich.

Frankfurt, who have now won on just one of their last 19 visits to Dortmund, had taken an early lead through Alexander Meier but the visitors’ chances of causing an upset suffered a huge blow when Slobodan Medojevic was sent off for a dubious second yellow card on the stroke of half-time.

The incident led to a penalty, which Aubameyang sent wide, while the division’s most prolific frontman also had two goals disallowed. Eintracht should have been further embarrassed but Mkhitaryan somehow nodded over the top of an unguarded net from six yards out in the second period.The only negative to come out of the game from a Dortmund point of view was the early withdrawal of Marco Reus due to injury.

Dortmund started the match with intensity, as Reus and Ilkay Gundogan both forced early saves from visiting goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, but, with their first attack, Frankfurt took the lead in the sixth minute.

A long clearance from Hradecky picked out Haris Seferovic and the striker teed up Meier, who beat Roman Burki to the bottom left-hand corner with a fine finish from 20 yards.

The hosts had the ball in the back of the net two minutes later but Aubameyang’s tap-in was ruled out following an offside in the build-up, as the relentless opening to the clash continued.

It took until midway through the first period for Dortmund to equalise. Hummels found Aubameyang’s run with a scything pass and the forward crossed for Mkhitaryan to tap in from two yards out.

Aubameyang had another effort disallowed eight minutes before half-time, again due to an offside, while Hradecky saved well at his near post from Gundogan moments later as Dortmund repeatedly opened up their guests.

The home side were gifted a golden chance to breach the Frankfurt defences for a second time in the 45th minute, when Medojevic was adjudged to have fouled Gonzalo Castro as the midfielder was primed to shoot.

Referee Christian Dingert pointed to the spot, dismissing Medojevic for a second bookable offence.However, Aubameyang - the Bundesliga’s top scorer - fluffed his lines, firing wide from 12 yards to leave the two teams level at the break.

It took just over 10 minutes of the second half for the Gabonese to make up for his mistake. Gundogan’s clever lofted pass found substitute Shinji Kagawa, who crossed for Aubameyang to slide in his 18th goal of the campaign.

With Frankfurt struggling to deal with their man disadvantage, Dortmund extended their lead in the 61st minute. After Mkhitaryan’s initial effort was blocked, Hummels lashed home the loose ball from 12 yards out.

Mkhitaryan somehow failed to head into an open goal with 20 minutes left, after he was teed up by Castro, before Ramos guided home Lukasz Piszczek's right-wing cross with a fine side-footed finish in the 86th minute to wrap up the points for the home side.

 

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Atletico Madrid 2-1 Athletic Club: Griezmann stunner sends Rojiblanco level with Barca

Antoine Griezmann's sensational strike saw Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Club 2-1 at home on Sunday, moving Diego Simeone's men level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Griezmann smashed home his 13th goal of the season from 20 yards out mid-way through the second half to help Atletico to an eighth straight win in all competitions, a result that capitalised on Barca's 2-2 draw with Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Both teams came into the game at Estadio Vicente Calderon in fine form, with Athletic having only lost one of their last 13 fixtures in all competitions, and it was the visitors who got in front after 27 minutes.

Aymeric Laporte converted a corner with a neat finish at the back post to put Ernesto Valverde's men into a deserved lead but a set-piece also provided Atletico's equaliser just before the break, Saul heading in Koke's corner to ensure the scores were level at half time.

Griezmann had the final say on 67 minutes, the France international hammering home Angel Correa's pass from the edge of the box.

Raul Garcia made his first return to the Vicente Calderon after leaving Atletico for Athletic in August, while Luciano Vietto continued to deputise for the injured Jackson Martinez.It took 12 minutes for the first shot on target to arrive, Aritz Aduriz heading Oscar de Marcos' cross straight at Jan Oblak in the Atleti goal.

Simeone's men had the ball in the net four minutes later but it was ruled out for offside. Vietto dived to head in Juanfran's precise cross, but the Argentina striker was just beyond the last defender.

Oblak was alert to tip over a lob from Aduriz but Athletic scored from the resulting corner. Laporte forced the ball home at the back post to break the hosts' run of four successive clean sheets.

Atletico were level on the stroke of half-time. Iraizoz turned a shot from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco around the post, but Saul got up highest to head Koke's corner home for his third goal in four games.

The Basque club, unbeaten in their last five, came close to retaking the lead early in the second half but Oblak saved a drive from Eneko Boveda and he was again well placed to block another shot by Aduriz.Athletic had not won at Atletico since Simeone's appointment in 2011 but they were looking the likelier winners, Aduriz heading wide from a good position as he sought to add to his 20 goals for the season.

Griezmann had other ideas and when substitute Correa won the ball deep in Athletic territory he thumped a low finish into the bottom corner that gave Athletic's goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz no chance.

 

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Klopp introduces Dortmund celebration at Anfield... even though Liverpool could only draw!

Jurgen Klopp brought a little bit of the Bundesliga to Merseyside on Sunday, instructing his Liverpool players to salute the Kop end, mimicking how Borussia Dortmund pay tribute to Signal Iduna Park's famous Wall.

It is a long-standing tradition in Germany to walk over to the home end, arms interlocked, to thank the fans for their support - though Liverpool's players looked a little sheepish doing it after only mustering a draw against West Brom.

Klopp had called on the home fans to create a special atmosphere on Sunday afternoon, and clearly felt they'd delivered on his request.

"The crowd didn’t let us feel disappointed," the German coach explained afterwards. "We all wanted the one point, it felt like three at that second. Best atmosphere so far."

 

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West Brom draw could be 'very special moment' for Liverpool - Klopp

Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool's draw with West Brom in the Premier League on Sunday could prove to be "a very special moment" in their season.

Goals from Craig Dawson and Jonas Olsson looked set to give the visitors a 2-1 win at Anfield after Jordan Henderson's opener, but Divock Origi's deflected strike in the 96th minute snatched a point for the hosts.

The result means Liverpool missed a chance to move into the top seven in the Premier League, but Klopp was delighted with the resilience of his players and tips it to be a turning point in their seasn."I'm satisfied now because it was the perfect finish to this game," the German told reporters after the match.

"The one point was the minimum that we deserved today. Two set-plays cost us, we knew about their quality in these situations but we tried. It was difficult.

"We created chances, made a perfect goal then conceded those two. But at the end I can live with it. This could prove to be a very special moment for us in the season to strike back against such a team."

Olsson was denied an earlier goal just before half-time, with referee Craig Pawson awarding a free-kick for offside only after consulting with his assistant.

"I saw no flag but at half-time I could see it was offside," Klopp said. "I don't know how the referee and his linesman came to that decision - but it was the right decision."Klopp was jubilant following Origi's equaliser and led his team in a celebration in front of the Kop, but the former Borussia Dortmund boss explained he was saluting the atmosphere within the stadium rather than revelling in a draw.

"It was the best atmosphere since I came here. Of course people are disappointed but they didn't let us feel that. They saw that the lads tried everything and played football," he added.

"We stayed in the game, had a few moments where we not so good, but only set plays that cost us. If we can do that better then maybe win games more easily."
Liverpool play away to Watford in the league next Sunday in hopes of closing the gap with the top four.

 

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Moyes waiting for 'right opportunity' after rejecting offers

David Moyes says he has turned down job offers since leaving Real Sociedad as he waits for "the right opportunity" to get back into management.

The former Manchester United and Everton boss was sacked by la Real in November and has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League since.
Moyes has recently ruled out a switch to managerless Swansea, however, and is adamant he will not be rushed into a decision regarding his future.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the Scotsman said: "I'm really enjoying having a bit of time off just now."If the right job came up and it excited me then I'd be interested in it. I've been very fortunate, I've been offered some clubs and to go and take jobs but at the moment I've chosen to take a wee bit of time.

"I really enjoyed my time in Spain, it was fantastic. It was great to go there and learn more from it and pick up some more knowledge."But if the right opportunity comes along and I think it's an exciting one I'm ready to go."

 

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Win over Athletic a 'very hard match' - Simeone

Diego Simeone was satisfied with his side's performance after Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico needed to win to move level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona, but fell behind to Aymeric Laporte's goal in the first half.

Saul Niguez equalised with a header shortly before half-time and Antoine Griezmann smashed in a wonderful winner on 67 minutes to give Simeone's men an eighth consecutive victory in all competitions.

"It was a very hard match, it's not easy when you start one down," Simeone said."In the second half we were much closer to [producing] the performance [we needed] to win the game.

"We knew that today [there] would be much direct play and it would be a hard match. We improved in the second half and deserved to win."

Up next for Simeone's side will be Reus Deportiu in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey round of 32 on Thursday."Now it's time to prepare for the match against Reus and to win the qualifying round," Simeone said.

Goal-scorer Saul described match-winner Griezmann as "unique" after the France international scored his 13th goal of the season, a brilliant curling finish.He added: "Athletic Bilbao made it very difficult for us throughout the match, but we have taken three very important points."

 

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Juventus 3-1 Fiorentina: Mandzukic, Dybala strike late to grab victory

Resurgent Juventus climbed into Serie A's top four as Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala both struck late to secure a 3-1 win over second-placed Fiorentina.

The visitors were searching for their first league win in Turin since 2008 and made the ideal start when Josip Ilicic put them in front from the penalty spot after only three minutes.

Juventus restored parity almost immediately, however, as Juan Cuadrado came back to haunt his former side with a fine headed finish.

And, having created the better chances over the course of the 90 minutes, Massimiliano Allegri's men duly secured a deserved sixth successive league victory when Mandzukic rifled home from close range on 80 minutes and Dybala added a third in stoppage time.Victory for Fiorentina would have seen them close the gap on leaders Inter to just a point, but instead they slumped to what was their first defeat in seven games.

The game could hardly have started more dramatically, with many home fans still filing into the stands when Fiorentina took the lead.Just three minutes had elapsed when Giorgio Chiellini was adjudged to have tripped Federico Bernardeschi in the box.

The decision looked decidedly soft but the same could not be said of the resulting penalty, which was blasted home by Ilicic.The visitors, however, were to enjoy their advantage for only three minutes.

Patrice Evra's deep cross from the left found Cuadrado unmarked and the on-loan Chelsea man bagged his second goal of the season with a looping header.

Juventus really should have hit the front on 14 minutes when Mandzukic played Dybala in, but the in-form Argentinian fired straight at the advancing Ciprian Tatarusanu.

The frenetic pace set in the opening exchanges barely dipped throughout the course of a pulsating first half, with both sides happy to flood men forward at every opportunity.

The hosts went close again on 25 minutes as Dybala's goalbound shot was blocked by a cluster of defenders and, shortly before the break, Paul Pogba blazed over after more fine approach work from the impressive Evra.

If the first half was breathless, the second was decidedly fractious, with both sides committing a string of niggly fouls in the early stages and Pogba and Borja Valero both picking up yellow cards.

But it was Juventus who continued to look the more likely and they carved out another opportunity just short of the hour mark, with Dybala's left-foot strike flashing inches wide of Tatarusanu's right post.

Mandzukic then failed to keep his header down after rising highest to meet a free-kick launched into the box by Dybala.The Croatian made amends moments later, however, claiming his fouth goal in six games by gleefully firing into the roof of the net after Tatarusanu had parried Dybala's original effort into his path.

And Fiorentina's tiring defence was undone again at the death as Dybala calmly beat two men before slotting home his ninth goal of the season.

 

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PSG 5-1 Lyon: Ibrahimovic inspirational again in rout

Zlatan Ibrahimovic starred in PSG's 5-1 win over Lyon on Sunday, bagging a brace as his side tightened their grip on Ligue 1 in commanding fashion.

It only took 11 minutes for the 34-year-old to open the scoring when Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa's clearance fell at his feet, with Ibrahimovic needing no further invitation to lash his shot past Anthony Lopes.

Serge Aurier then doubled les Parisiens' advantage when he nodded in Angel Di Maria's free-kick, though Lyon managed to pull one back through Jordan Ferri minutes later.

The midfielder's effort failed to spark a comeback, however, and Edinson Cavani put the game beyond the visitors' reach with a lovely volley from Di Maria's cross on the hour mark.

Laurent Blanc's men were not done there and Ibrahimovic completed his brace from the penalty spot before Lucas Moura got his name on the scoresheet as PSG sent out an ominous title warning.

The win takes PSG 17 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table, and the champions are showing no signs of letting their incredible run of 24 wins from their last 27 domestic fixtures slip anytime soon.

The first chance of the evening fell to Ibrahimovic, who skilfully chested down Thiago Motta's chipped pass but hit his shot into the floor, Lopes gathering it easily.

The Swede made no mistake after 10 minutes, when Thiago Silva's long ball was headed by Yanga-Mbiwa directly into Ibrahimovic's path, the Swede scoring with a low shot from 10 yards out.

The lead was doubled six minutes later when Di Maria whipped a superb free-kick into the box and Aurier flashed a header past Lopes from close range.

PSG continued to pour forward, and Cavani tried to get among the goals, turning Yanga-Mbiwa inside out with a piece of skill on the edge of the penalty area before poking a shot just wide.

With the home side dominating proceedings, a calamitous error by Trapp gifted Lyon a way back into the match when Ferri's speculative 30-yard shot hit the PSG goalkeeper's hands and looped up and into the net behind him.

The goal took the wind out of PSG's sails, but Blanc sent his side out fired up for the second half and Di Maria drew an acrobatic save from Lopes when David Luiz played him in.

Luiz then missed a glorious chance to make the scoreline more comfortable for his side when Di Maria's corner found him unmarked just five yards from goal, but he misdirected his header and failed to hit the target.

But the hosts' high-tempo approach in the second half paid dividends when Di Maria, who was involved in much of PSG's best play, hit a cross that bounced in front of Cavani, and the Uruguayan hooked the ball into the back of the net.

Just as the game seemed to be slowing to its conclusion, a wonderful piece of skill by Ibrahimovic drew a foul inside the box from Henri Bedimo, and the scorer of the game's first goal stepped up to bury the spot-kick low into the corner of the net with 13 minutes to go.

There was still time for lively substitute Lucas to slam home a fifth when he galloped clear of the Lyon backline to finish off a swift counterattack, firing his shot above Lopes and into the roof of the net from the right side of the penalty area.

 

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Ibra​

 

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It will take something extraordinary to overtake Inter, warns Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri says it will take "something extraordinary" to overtake Inter in Serie A despite Juventus' 3-1 victory over second-placed Fiorentina on Sunday.

Goals from Juan Cuadrado, Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala at Juventus Stadium enabled the Turin side to recover from Josip Ilicic's third-minute opener for the visitors and clinch their sixth successive league victory.The result moved the reigning champions into fourth place at the expense of Roma and within six points of leaders Inter.

But Allegri is refusing to get carried away as his side continue to recover from a slow start to the campaign, and was reluctant to talk up his side's title chances.

"I can only say Juventus are going through a good period of form," he told Sky Sport Italia. "At this moment, the team is playing relatively well, though we have to improve technically and make fewer mistakes.

"I considered Inter one of the favourites pre-season because they invested heavily and have an experienced coach. They are four points clear at the top now, so remain the favourites."Juve have to follow our own progress and not anyone else's. There are many points still up for grabs and we have to take it one step at a time.

"We initially had to catch Milan and we did, then Roma. Now we'll see if we can overtake Napoli and Fiorentina."It will take something extraordinary to overtake Inter, though."

Allegri went on to single out Dybala for special praise after seeing the Argentina striker bag his ninth goal of the season in all competitions."Paulo Dybala is an important player and he will become extraordinary," he continued.

"He has improved a great deal in tactical and psychological terms, because playing at Palermo and Juve are two very different things."The reigning Italian champions host cross-city rivals Torino in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday, before visiting Carpi in Serie A next Sunday.

 

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Mourinho: Costa to stay for three more years

Jose Mourinho believes Diego Costa will remain at Chelsea for three more years, despite the Spain striker admitting that he was interested in returning to Atletico Madrid.

After being named in the starting line-up in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday following a two-game absence, Costa claimed he would be open to a return to La Liga, following Filipe Luis’ transfer back to the Vicente Calderon.

However, Blues boss Mourinho is remaining relaxed over his forward’s comments and has accepted that it is unlikely that Costa will remain at Stamford Bridge for a decade, similar to club icon Didier Drogba.

“Diego said that in football you never know. Filipe Luis was one example. He could say also Fernando Torres as another example,” the Portuguese manager explained.

“Atletico is a great club. Madrid is a great city. La Liga is a very good league so why not a player with 27-years-old not to think that in football it is possible to be back. I see no problem.

“Drogba was here for 10 years. I don’t see Diego playing until he’s 37.“He is happy here and Diego is another one who has three years on his contract and I see him staying at Chelsea for three more years, no problem.”

Costa moved to the Premier League for £32 million in July 2014 after helping Atleti win La Liga and reach the Champions League final, scoring 36 goals.

 

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Villarreal 1-0 Real Madrid: Soldado strike downs toothless Blancos

Real Madrid passed up a chance to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona as they slumped to a 1-0 loss away to Villarreal on Sunday.

Barca were held to a 2-2 draw by Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday and Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao earlier on Sunday to draw level on points with the defending champions.

Madrid were unable to emulate their cross-city rivals as they failed to find a response to an eighth-minute opener from Roberto Soldado – the striker who began his career at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Villarreal, who now lie fifth in La Liga, three points behind Madrid, were unfortunate not to enjoy a more handsome lead after a swashbuckling first-half performance at El Madrigal.

They were not so convincing in their gritty attempts to hold on after the break but some wayward finishing from Madrid forward duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema came to their aid.

A third Liga loss of the season leaves Rafael Benitez's men five points off the pace at the top of the league.

Seemingly encouraged by the frailties shown by Madrid's title rivals this weekend, Villarreal tore into their more illustrious opponents from the first whistle.

Cedric Bakambu was central to much of the hosts' vibrant play and a storming run scattered the Madrid defence in the fourth minute - the Congolese forward finding Jonathan dos Santos, who thudded a strike against the inside of the post.

The breakthrough was not far away though, as Bruno caught Luka Modric in possession and Bakambu fed Soldado to send a crisp finish through Keylor Navas' legs.

Pepe then made a last-ditch challenge with Soldado threatening to inflict further damage on the end of a Bakambu cross.

The latter player should have scored the goal his efforts merited in the 27th minute but watched a scuffed finish dribble wide, having beaten Pepe in a foot race.

Bakambu also swivelled to shoot over on the end of another sweeping Villarreal attack and Madrid's array of attacking talents were largely passengers as Benitez's men escaped the first half with a slender deficit.

Benzema led the charge for Real when the action resumed – sending a snap shot narrowly wide before blazing over from a Gareth Bale cross.

Villarreal did not shirk the challenge and responded with Soldado forcing Navas into a fine save from 20 yards after 50 minutes.

But the hosts' defensive vulnerabilities were now a more visible feature than their quicksilver attacks and Navas' opposite number Alphonse Areola got down to touch around the post when Bale got the better of Victor Ruiz and sent a bobbling shot towards the bottom corner.

Ronaldo punctuated a quiet outing by striking the outside of the near post from a tight angle and the Portugal star could not capitalise when Benzema and Villarreal defender Eric Bailly tumbled in front of him, hacking a 68th-minute volley over.

It was soon Benzema's turn to endure more frustration in front of goal when he misjudged a back-post header from Bale's pinpoint centre.

James Rodriguez fired a rasping drive narrowly wide but, after back-to-back Liga wins following the 4-0 Clasico humiliation last month, Benitez was left to reflect on another damaging setback.

 

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Pepe slams Madrid first-half showing in Villarreal defeat

Real Madrid defender Pepe was at a loss to explain his team's listless first-half display in the 1-0 defeat at Villarreal.

The hosts were in sparkling form at El Madrigal and took a deserved lead in the eighth minute through Roberto Soldado.Madrid could easily have been facing a steeper task at the interval after being comprehensively outplayed during the first 45 minutes.

They improved thereafter but were undermined by poor finishing from their star attacking line-up.

"I don't know what happened in the first half. We were not plugged into the game," Pepe told television reporters."To win matches, you have to come out ready. We'll continue to fight. The second half was different but we were not able to score.

"You have to give credit to Villarreal. We should have matched their intensity."
Real now sit five points behind joint leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga, and Pepe called on his team-mates to stick together as they look to renew their assault in the title race.

"We have to fight until the end. That is what the fans ask of us," he added."We have to have more team spirit. We have to talk and fix this. We need to be more connected."

 

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Ronaldo suffering worst ever La Liga start at Real Madrid

It was another frustrating evening for Cristiano Ronaldo as Real Madrid slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Villarreal on Sunday.

Rafa Benitez's men were unable to capitalise on Barcelona's draw against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday and have now been left five points behind the Spanish champions.As for Ronaldo, his La Liga struggles continued as he failed to follow up his four-goal haul against Malmo in the Champions League last week.

Is it a European hangover? Ronaldo has not scored more than one goal in the game that has followed a Champions League fixture this season, while he is currently suffering his worst La Liga start since he joined in 2009...

 

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PSG ready for the best - Al-Khelaifi

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said his side are ready to face the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid after they thrashed Lyon 5-1 on the eve of the Champions League last-16 draw.

The French champions put on an exhibition of attacking football at Parc des Princes, with goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Serge Aurier, Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura securing the win.

The victory extended PSG’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 17 points, and a cushion of that size would give them plenty of scope to focus their efforts on the Champions League knockout stages when the competition resumes in February.

Responding to the suggestion that Laurent Blanc’s PSG side are currently unplayable, Al-Khelaifi said: “It's good to be told this. We were very strong, and the level was very high.

"I am pleased with the result against Lyon. My friend Jean-Michel Aulas [Lyon chairman] - I have great respect for him. It's good that we won 5-1 against Lyon because they are very strong."For the Champions League draw, if we want to go further, we must qualify regardless of the opponent.

"We are ready for the best – Real Madrid, Barcelona. We cannot control the draw, we'll see."

 

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Manchester United going backwards under Van Gaal, says Ferdinand

Manchester United players are too afraid to express themselves and are going backwards under manager Louis van Gaal, according to former defender Rio Ferdinand.

Van Gaal has been criticised for his defensive style of play but the under-pressure Dutchman has showed no signs of swaying from his rigid approach despite the club's five-match winless run.

United lost 2-1 at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, adding to their Champions League group-stage exit midweek.And Ferdinand said something has to change, sooner rather than later, with United fourth in the standings, four points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

"Players are playing it safe because they are afraid of the consequences if they try to take chances," Ferdinand told The Sun."Manchester United are going backwards again and I don't see that changing because the manager will not change.

"They have to be allowed to express themselves."

Van Gaal is under contract until 2017 but faces an uncertain future amid increasing fan frustration.

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola and former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti have been linked with a move to Old Trafford.Ferdinand added: "Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti will be available this summer and the question is will they be able to do a better job than Van Gaal?

"The board and owners might want to be loyal to Van Gaal after investing so much in him but they also have to do what is best for United."And if United finish outside the top four, that will be catastrophic.

"It might rule out the chance of getting either Guardiola or Ancelotti."It will be more difficult to attract the best players, too. The next six months are absolutely crucial."

 

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Morata and Dybala are the future of Juventus - Marotta

Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta has issued a hands-off warning for clubs targeting duo Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata, insisting they are key to the club's future.Barcelona have been linked with a move for Argentine striker Dybala, who only joined Juve from Palermo during the close-season.

Dybala netted his eighth goal of the Serie A campaign as Juve accounted for Fiorentina 3-1 on Sunday and Marotta insists the 22-year-old will not be sold.

"He is a player who is improving and still hasn't fulfilled his full potential, because he is so young," Marotta told Mediaset Premium."Week by week he is showing what he can do, but we have no intention of selling him this year or any other year.

"We invested a lot of money in him and he represents the foundation to build on in future."Morata re-signed with the Italian champions during the week, committing his future until June 2020.

However, former club Real Madrid still have a buy-back clause for the Spain international.

"It won't make any difference, it's just that if he remains with us then it's only right to invest in a player who has plenty of quality," Marotta added."We will enter negotiations with Real Madrid as soon as possible to resolve this situation and make it transparent.

"We hope to remove this clause. Real Madrid are well aware that he is a player who was promising and is now to all intents and purposes a star."

 

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Marcelo: Real Madrid have no attitude problem

Marcelo dismissed suggestions that Real Madrid have an attitude problem, insisting they were beaten by the better team in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Villarreal.

Roberto Soldado's strike in the eighth minute was enough for Villarreal to secure three points as Madrid failed to capitalise on Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

And Marcelo insists there is nothing wrong with Madrid's mentality after a run of three defeats from the past five Liga outings.

"It's not an attitude problem. They had more of the ball and performed better than us in the first half - and we paid the price for that," Marcelo told the Madrid website.

"We should have come out of the traps stronger. The league title is at stake. It's not that there was a lack of desire, it's just a case of doing more things like putting the pressure on high up.

"We had the chance to close the gap at the top of the table and we have to take a step back and look at what we did wrong so that it doesn't happen again.

"It's annoying, because we were aware of Barcelona's result and we should have gone out and got the win."There is still a long way to go in the league, we have to keep fighting and work on where we went wrong in training to make sure we challenge. We have to pick ourselves up and move on forwards."

The Brazil international was forced off late in the game, but he has stressed his injury was nothing serious."It was cramp and I feel okay, it's nothing major," he added.

 

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Pellegrini: Winning Premier League more important than Champions League

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says winning the Premier League is more important than success in Europe, ahead of Monday's Champions League draw.

After topping Group D, City are set to find out their last-16 opponents, but Pellegrini says winning the league is his priority."For me, I always think the Premier League is the most important," he told reporters.

"In the Champions League, you can have a bad game and go out in the semi-final, and nobody remembers what you did."The Premier League is the work of the whole year. I always say it must not be an obsession to win the Champions League.

"It's a very important title, and beautiful to do it. But you must not try to win the Champions League and lose focus on the Premier League."

Pellegrini's side currently sit second in the table and the City boss believes fewer than 80 points will be needed to win the Premier League this season.

Only three times since the inaugural season in 1992-93 has the title been won with such a low tally, with the 1998-99 Manchester United team the last to achieve the feat.

"It is a very difficult title to win because the amount of points all the teams have now is not normal. You don't have that in every Premier League season," he added.

"Maybe this season the teams are stronger, maybe the games are closer.
"Every season is different but to win the Premier League this season will be very difficult and take less than>

 

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Pellegrini: Winning Premier League more important than Champions League

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