..::Football III::..

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Real Madrid 5-1 Sporting Gijon: Blistering BBC gives hosts win

A formidable start from Real Madrid's attacking trident was the key to victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Zinedine Zidane's side destroyed Sporting Gijon 5-1.

Fifa issued a transfer ban against both Madrid clubs this week over offences related to the signing of young players, but home fans were able to celebrate a stunning display from Zinedine Zidane's side.

Gareth Bale, who scored a hat-trick against Deportivo La Coruna, opened the scoring with a header before Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema - making his 300th Madrid appearance - struck stunning goals to make it 3-0 after just 12 minutes.

Ronaldo and Benzema added another goal each before the break as the Bernabeu took to singing happy birthday to Alvaro Arbeloa, and Isma Lopez's second-half goal did little to dampen the party mood as Zidane made it two wins from two in La Liga, with an injury to Bale the only real sour note for the home side.

It took Bale just seven minutes to score his fourth goal under Zidane, as he met Toni Kroos' corner almost unchallenged at the near post to glance home a header.

Madrid were pressing well from the off and, after Bale and Isco won back possession in the final third, Benzema flicked the ball into Ronaldo's path and the Portuguese steadied himself before rifling a left-footed shot into the top corner from 18 yards out.

And the home side celebrated a stunning third just three minutes later, as Bale turned provider with a clipped cross from the right which was met by Benzema's brilliant bicycle kick and flew into the bottom corner.

Madrid were rampant and Sporting rattled, and Ronaldo - who lost his Ballon d'Or to Lionel Messi this week - added a fourth after 18 minutes, guiding home Dani Carvajal's low cross with a fine left-footed first-time finish into the far corner.

Benzema came close to finishing a neat move involving Bale and Ronaldo but he did bag his second just before the break. A brilliant flick and lofted pass from Isco gave the France striker time and space to slot home at the near post from 12 yards.


Bale was replaced by Jese Rodriguez at the break after picking up what looked like a calf problem late in the half, and Ronaldo was fortunate not to join him in an early exit after kicking out at Nacho Cases, but the referee appeared not to notice.

Madrid had relaxed after half-time and they were punished by a rare Sporting attack on 62 minutes as Jony charged into the area into the space left by Carvajal and squared for Lopez, who tucked home from six yards.Sporting fans found their voice as their side began to have some control of possession.

Zidane introduced James Rodriguez - again left out of the starting line-up - and Mateo Kovacic, though neither had much of a chance to impress as Madrid coasted through the closing stages.

 

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Rooney keeps Man Utd in title race as Van Gaal hangs on

Incredibly, Louis van Gaal and Manchester United just keep on hanging in there.

The Dutchman looked set for the chop three weeks ago, while his team’s run of eight winless games seemed to have put paid to their hopes of a Premier League title challenge and even put a Champions League spot in huge jeopardy. What’s more, Wayne Rooney was scrambling for any kind of form with his status as the club’s talisman under significant scrutiny.

But United’s 1-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday, given to them by Rooney’s fifth goal in four matches since the turn of the year, means that anything is still possible in this most crazy of seasons.

While the Red Devils could quite easily collapse again at any moment, it is also true that they are now right back in the Champions League reckoning and staking a claim for consideration in the battle at the very top of the table.

They remain as unremarkable in attack as they have been for most of the season, sending just two shots on target in the entire 90 minutes at Anfield, but in terms of their effectiveness there can be little arguing with their record so far in 2016.

Van Gaal will not change his ways, continuing to demand that his men treasure possession of the ball above all else. But the Dutchman has at least ensured that he is likely to see out the rest of the campaign no matter what United do or don’t achieve between now and May.

Results against Liverpool will always weigh heavily in the boardroom at Old Trafford, and failure on Sunday could well have led to a rethink over Van Gaal’s future. Instead Rooney’s late winner buys his manager a lengthy period of credit.

Those United fans who have spent much of this season demanding ‘attack, attack, attack’ from their side will probably not get their way, but anything is still possible in terms of the club’s destiny this term.

A Premier League table which shows Leicester City to be a part of the title race, West Ham and Stoke challenging for Champions League honours and Chelsea trying to keep the bottom three at arm’s length is warning enough that predictions are a fool’s game. And there can be no real telling from here what might happen in United’s 2015-16 campaign.

But the form of Rooney, the likelihood that they will have the majority of the ball in most of their remaining fixtures, and the potential for additions in the final two weeks of the January transfer window all provide a cocktail which will have Van Gaal looking at things much more positively than he was just a few short weeks ago.

An early interest in James Rodriguez is evidence of a club still wanting to compete at the top end of the game, and Van Gaal has said more than once that he needs an extra option in attack to get his side closer to where he wants them to be. With a little bit more of a consistent threat in the final third, United would look a far more convincing challenger for greater honours than simply another fourth-place finish.

In a Manchester United season in which twists and turns have been notably lacking on the pitch, their undulating form has made for far more drama. The only thing that seems certain in the remaining four months of the campaign is that Van Gaal will either succeed or fail on his own terms. Other than that, all bets are off.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

De Gea & Rooney nisa thamai danatath LVG berila inne​

 

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'He walks with a limp' - Stoke fans abuse Ramsey during Arsenal clash

Aaron Ramsey was taunted by Stoke supporters on Sunday on his return to the ground where he suffered a horrific broken leg in 2010.

The Arsenal midfielder was booed every time he touched the ball while he was met with chants of "he walks with a limp" as he prepared to take a first-half corner.

Ramsey did not respond to the abuse from the home supporters, who Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday "are more aggressive" than those from north London rivals Tottenham.

Stoke supporters have criticised Ramsey for refusing to accept the apology offered by Potters defender Ryan Shawcross for the challenge that sidelined the Welshman for nine months in February 2010.

The former Manchester United defender was sent off for the tackle that left Ramsey with a double fracture of his right leg.

Speaking in 2011, the Gunners midfielder admitted he felt unable to talk to Shawcross, who had tried to apologise.

Ramsey said: "I don't think he meant to break my leg, but it was a bit hard to take that he was playing again after a three-match ban, while I was out for nine months.

"He left a few messages on my phone, but I haven't felt able to speak to him yet."

 

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Beating Henry's record can't compare to scoring at Anfield, says Rooney

Wayne Rooney said the feeling of beating Thierry Henry's record for most goals at a single club cannot compare to his winning strike in Manchester United's 1-0 victory at Liverpool.

Rooney netted 12 minutes from time in Sunday's smash-and-grab result to earn United a fourth consecutive success over their fierce rivals, in the process scoring his first goal at Anfield since January 2005.

The Red Devils' captain also set a new record for the most goals for a single club in Premier League history with 176, edging ahead of former Arsenal striker Henry.

But Rooney insisted the sensations that accompanied his first strike against Liverpool on their home turf in 11 years outweighed the latter feat."It's great obviously to have records but I don't think that will beat the feeling I have now," Rooney told Sky Sports.

"To score the winner at Anfield, 10 years since I last scored... I'll be a bit selfish and enjoy that one

"Everyone knows the importance of the game and that's regardless of league positions. We could be first, second, bottom or second-bottom - it's a massive game."It's a great victory and three points we needed to continue our start to this year, it's a massive win for us."

Goalkeeper David de Gea was required to make a string of fine saves before Rooney turned in the winner following Marouane Fellaini's header against the crossbar.

"They had chances but we defended well and scored a fantastic goal," the Spaniard added."I hope the victory gives us confidence and hopefully we can win a few in a row."

 

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Stoke City 0-0 Arsenal: Potters hold injury-hit Gunners

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League after a tight 0-0 draw at bogey club Stoke City, with Jack Butland again in sparkling form.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper made terrific saves to deny Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud twice, while Arsenal's Petr Cech made a superb double stop to keep the scores level.

Arsenal had not won at Stoke since February 2010 and never looked likely to find a way through Butland, who continues to pile the pressure on Joe Hart for his England place.

Stoke, having already beaten Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City at home this season, had the better of the game without creating clear chances and Mark Hughes' men could not break the deadlock.

The draw sees Arsenal climb above Leicester City and back to the top of the Premier League on goal difference, while Stoke remain handily placed in seventh spot.

Arsenal were without playmaker Mesut Ozil due to a foot injury, with Alexis Sanchez not ready to return and new signing Mohamed Elneny named on the bench, while Xherdan Shaqiri's hamstring injury kept him out for Stoke.

Openings were rare as the game began in cagey fashion, Marko Arnautovic and Ibrahim Afellay both failing to hit the target with efforts from long range as the hosts started the better of the two sides.

Arsenal's first chance arrived on 20 minutes. Joel Campbell's through-ball freed Giroud but Butland sped off his line to block the in-form France international's shot.

Butland was in action again on 29 minutes, acrobatically tipping over Oxlade-Chamberlain's curling effort, before Laurent Koscielny inadvertently deflected another Oxlade-Chamberlain shot wide.

Stoke switched off from an Arsenal corner in the first minute of the second half, Giroud running clear of his marker to divert a header towards Butland's bottom-left corner, but the goalkeeper was again alert to tip the effort around the post.

Arsenal then had two penalty claims with Philipp Wollscheid involved in both, first appearing to haul down Giroud before Theo Walcott went down under the defender's close attention.

The visitors knew a point would be enough to send them back to the top of the Premier League and Petr Cech pulled off a brilliant double save to keep the game scoreless on 55 minutes. He plunged to his right to deny Joselu, before scrambling to keep out Bojan Krkic's shot.

Cech turned another effort from Joselu around the post as Stoke cranked up the pressure in search of a third straight home Premier League victory.

Aaron Ramsey then cleared a goalbound header off the line in the final minute of normal time, with Cech thrusting out a leg to deny Joselu from the rebound.

Ultimately neither side could force a breakthrough, meaning Hughes continues to enjoy an impressive individual run at the expense of Wenger, with the Welshman's teams now unbeaten in eight home league games against Arsenal.

 

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Van Gaal: De Gea saves nothing out of the ordinary

Louis van Gaal does not believe David de Gea put in a particularly special performance between the posts in Manchester United's 1-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday.

United captain Wayne Rooney settled a low-key encounter with a goal 12 minutes from time at Anfield, setting the record for the most goals scored for a single Premier League club in the process.De Gea proved just as crucial for the win though, with the Spain goalkeeper making fine saves from Adam Lallana and Emre Can with the scores still level.

However, Van Gaal did not feel that De Gea pulled off anything out of the ordinary given his lofty standards, and says he would expect the Spain keeper to make the saves he did.

"Everybody is saying that [he was man of the match] but so many of the balls he has not stopped, otherwise you don't need a goalkeeper," the 64-year-old told reporters after the match.

"I think that's why he is our goalkeeper. I have to say he is always reaching a very high level so I'm very happy but I cannot say he has done a lot."He has stopped the balls he has to stop. Maybe that one-hand [save from a Can shot], but I think he has to stop that ball.

"I demand it also of the player, that's why he is playing for Manchester United."
Nevertheless, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp felt that De Gea was the difference between the great rivals."I'm not in the best place in the stadium to talk about finishing, I have to watch the game again," the German said.

"I know we didn't score a goal. I couldn't even say if De Gea touched the ball or not but he is the man of the match right?"

 

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Ronaldo: I feel a better understanding with Zidane than Benitez

Cristiano Ronaldo has aimed a veiled swipe at former boss Rafael Benitez, revealing he and his team-mates feel "a better understanding" with new manager Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.

The Portuguese striker struck twice for his club in a one-sided 5-1 victory over Sporting Gijon on Sunday, goals that opened his account under Zizou.

And, speaking after the match, Ronaldo admitted that the former Madrid idol's arrival was a breath of fresh air around the Santiago Bernabeu.

"There has been a change of mood in Real Madrid, a push in the right direction," he told reporters.

"We have a better understanding with Zidane, that is football.

"I see a change for the better with Zidane's arrival, but Zidane and Benitez both wanted the best for the club. I feel a better understanding with Zizou, don't ask me why."

Ronaldo went as far to compare the rookie coach with Carlo Ancelotti, who took Madrid to the coveted Decima Champions League title in 2013/4.

"I see shades of Carlo in Zidane," he said.

"He is a very serious person while at work, and good fun outside of it."

 

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Las Palmas 0-3 Atletico Madrid: Simeone's men stay at summit

Atletico Madrid assured they would finish the weekend at the top of La Liga with a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas.

Diego Simeone's men took the lead through Filipe Luis, before Antoine Griezmann sealed the win converting a rapid counter-attack that caught the Canary Islanders off guard.

The result ensured that Diego Simeone's side maintain their position at the top of the table and extended their fine run of form to nine victories in their last 10 league games.

The visitors were made to work hard for the points, however, as Las Palmas produced a strong and spirited performance which belied their lowly 16th position in the table.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak was called upon to make several vital saves as Quique Setien's side looked to continue their recent resurgence and edge further away from the relegation zone.

Ultimately, however, they were undone by Filipe's stunning 17th-minute strike and a pair of clever second-half finishes from the impressive Griezmann, slumping to their fourth home league defeat of the campaign.

In a lively, high-tempo start to the game, home goalkeeper Javi Varas was called into action after just five minutes to make a sprawling save as Luciano Vietto attempted to slide home a Juanfran cross

But Las Palmas were similarly quick out of the blocks. Vicente Gomez and the in-form Tana were both denied in the space of a minute by fine stops from Oblak.
Having survived that double scare, Atletico responded in style by taking the lead on 17 minutes.

Juanfran swept a ball in from the right touchline which picked out Filipe striding unopposed into the box, and the Brazilian defender unleashed a ferocious left-foot strike that crashed into the top corner.

Undeterred by that early setback, the hosts continued to flood men forward and Atletico were grateful to Oblak again on 32 minutes as the Slovenia international kept out a stinging strike from Daniel Castellano.And Setien's men then had a penalty appeal waved away shortly before half-time when Diego Godin appeared to shove Willian Jose over in the box.

The visitors should have doubled their advantage early in the second half, but having been played in cleverly by Vietto, top-scorer Griezmann delayed his shot, allowing Varas to make the save.The Frenchman was not to be denied on 68 minutes, however, cleverly timing his run to beat the offside trap before calmly beating Varas.

Seconds earlier, Roque Mesa had come within inches of scoring the equaliser for the hosts after fine approach work from Willian and Jonathan Viera.The second goal seemed to take the wind out of Las Palmas' sails, however, and they rarely threatened in the latter stages.

Instead, it was left to Griezmann to add the gloss to Atletico's result, latching onto Koke's neat pass in stoppage time to register his 12th Liga goal of an ever-improving campaign.

 

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Griezmann​

 

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Schmeichel: Man Utd won't win the league playing the Van Gaal way

Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel does not believe the team can win the title given the way they are playing under Louis van Gaal.

Wayne Rooney's goal helped the Old Trafford outfit seal a stuttering 1-0 win at Liverpool on Saturday which moved them within seven points of leaders Arsenal.
The result prompted Van Gaal to declare his side can still win their first Premier League crown since 2013.

However, Schmeichel does not believe the team are good enough to continue grinding out results, labelling the win lucky and attributing the struggles to the team's style under the Dutchman.

"I don't think they can win the title. I don't think the team's good enough," the former goalkeeper told Sky Sports. "I don't think the team enjoy playing the way they play.

"Today was very much three lucky points. I think David de Gea played exceptionally well. He was key in keeping Manchester United in the game."When you have a world-class player like Wayne Rooney of course something can happen in the last third. And it did.

"He's [Van Gaal] very keen on telling us that they've done the thing they trained [to do]. So praising himself. What they've discussed, meaning 'what I told them to do'.
"If that's the style of play that Manchester United has to play I don't think they can win the league. You've got to be really lucky every game."

 

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Schmeichel: Arsenal don't deserve to be top after 'boring' draw with Stoke

Peter Schmeichel does not believe Arsenal deserve to be top of the Premier League after a "very, very boring" 0-0 draw with Stoke City on Sunday.

Petr Cech and Jack Butland were the standout performers as both sides wasted chances to win the game, with the Gunners goalkeeper making a number of crucial saves to ensure his side left the Britannia Stadium with a point.

And Schmeichel was full of praise for the former Chelsea No.1, insisting that he was the key to Arsene Wenger's side claiming the draw that takes them to the top of the table - a position the former Manchester United goalkeeper does not think they deserve.

He told Sky Sports: "The best part of the whole afternoon was the [post-match] interview [with Cech and Butland]. The game was very, very boring. If it hadn't been for the two goalkeepers we'd have had absolutely nothing to talk about.

"Petr Cech just edged it [over Butland for man of the match], making those saves very late in the game. It saves Arsenal a point and gave them the opportunity to go top of the league. Not that they deserved that on the performance today."

 

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Barcelona 6-0 Athletic Bilbao: Suarez scores three in Camp Nou rout

Luis Suarez's hat-trick helped Barcelona extended their dominant La Liga record against Athletic Bilbao with a crushing 6-0 victory over the 10-man Basque side at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz saw red after just four minutes for bringing down Suarez and, after Lionel Messi drilled home the resulting penalty, Barca's 12th win in 12 against the Basque side never looked in doubt.

Neymar added a second before setting up Suarez for a third just after half-time, and some magic from the Brazilian handed Ivan Rakitic an unmissable chance to make it 4-0 just past the hour mark.Suarez bagged the fifth from close range and headed home a late sixth to secure Barca's biggest win of the league season so far.

The only potential blemish for Luis Enrique's title-holders was the withdrawal of Lionel Messi at half-time, the Argentina star reportedly suffering from pain in his right hamstring.

Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde made changes in the second half as he looked to rest players for the Copa del Rey clash with Barca this week, while Luis Enrique's side moved back to within two points of Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, having played one game less.

Eraso had the chance to hand Athletic the perfect start after Iker Muniain cut out Gerard Pique's pass back to Claudio Bravo, but he could only fire over the crossbar with the goal gaping.

The visitors were dealt a killer blow with just four minutes played as Iraizoz was sent off after bringing down Suarez just inside the area. Muniain led the protests before the midfielder was sacrificed for replacement goalkeeper Iago Herrerin, who could not reach Messi's spot-kick, which flew into the bottom corner.

Bravo was alert to deny Oscar de Marcos as he raced in behind Jordi Alba, Athletic responding positively. But Neymar put Barca in control with half an hour played, taking Suarez's pass into his stride before chipping beyond Herrerin and into the far corner.

Messi was replaced at the break but Neymar wasted little time in turning provider for number three, sliding the ball through to Suarez, who beat the offside trap before slotting beneath Herrerin from 12 yards.

Athletic were perhaps fortunate not to be reduced to nine men after Etxeita planted a deliberate forearm into Suarez on a Barcelona break, but they found themselves four goals down on 61 minutes.

Moments after Eraso chipped over the bar from close range on a rare break for Athletic, Neymar's spectacular run took him into the area before he pulled back for Rakitic to slot home through the legs of Herrerin.Suarez made it five as he chested down substitute Ardan Turan's ball into the box before prodding in a low finish from close range.

Barca then suffered a second injury concern as Jordi Alba was forced off on 69 minutes, the fullback having pulled up in discomfort when stretching for the ball.
Neymar fizzed a free-kick just over the bar with time running out and Barca got their sixth as Suarez head home Sergio Busquets' cross from the right to seal an emphatic win in the 82nd minute, the Uruguayan netting his 29th goal from 29 appearances in all competitions this season.

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Real Madrid 5-1 Sporting Gijon: Blistering BBC gives hosts win

A formidable start from Real Madrid's attacking trident was the key to victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Zinedine Zidane's side destroyed Sporting Gijon 5-1.

Fifa issued a transfer ban against both Madrid clubs this week over offences related to the signing of young players, but home fans were able to celebrate a stunning display from Zinedine Zidane's side.

Gareth Bale, who scored a hat-trick against Deportivo La Coruna, opened the scoring with a header before Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema - making his 300th Madrid appearance - struck stunning goals to make it 3-0 after just 12 minutes.

Ronaldo and Benzema added another goal each before the break as the Bernabeu took to singing happy birthday to Alvaro Arbeloa, and Isma Lopez's second-half goal did little to dampen the party mood as Zidane made it two wins from two in La Liga, with an injury to Bale the only real sour note for the home side.

It took Bale just seven minutes to score his fourth goal under Zidane, as he met Toni Kroos' corner almost unchallenged at the near post to glance home a header.

Madrid were pressing well from the off and, after Bale and Isco won back possession in the final third, Benzema flicked the ball into Ronaldo's path and the Portuguese steadied himself before rifling a left-footed shot into the top corner from 18 yards out.

And the home side celebrated a stunning third just three minutes later, as Bale turned provider with a clipped cross from the right which was met by Benzema's brilliant bicycle kick and flew into the bottom corner.

Madrid were rampant and Sporting rattled, and Ronaldo - who lost his Ballon d'Or to Lionel Messi this week - added a fourth after 18 minutes, guiding home Dani Carvajal's low cross with a fine left-footed first-time finish into the far corner.

Benzema came close to finishing a neat move involving Bale and Ronaldo but he did bag his second just before the break. A brilliant flick and lofted pass from Isco gave the France striker time and space to slot home at the near post from 12 yards.


Bale was replaced by Jese Rodriguez at the break after picking up what looked like a calf problem late in the half, and Ronaldo was fortunate not to join him in an early exit after kicking out at Nacho Cases, but the referee appeared not to notice.

Madrid had relaxed after half-time and they were punished by a rare Sporting attack on 62 minutes as Jony charged into the area into the space left by Carvajal and squared for Lopez, who tucked home from six yards.Sporting fans found their voice as their side began to have some control of possession.

Zidane introduced James Rodriguez - again left out of the starting line-up - and Mateo Kovacic, though neither had much of a chance to impress as Madrid coasted through the closing stages.

4 goals in 18 minutes

 

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Milan 2-0 Fiorentina: Bacca & Boateng strike at San Siro

Carlos Bacca's early strike and Kevin-Prince Boateng's late goal gave Milan a 2-0 home win over Fiorentina on Sunday, as they eased some of the pressure on beleaguered coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Milan have reportedly lined up World Cup-winning veteran Marcello Lippi to replace Mihajlovic but three vital points could yet see the Serbian extend his embattled tenure.

Bacca put Milan into the lead within four minutes, turning his marker and bending a lovely finish beyond Ciprian Tatarusanu after being played in by Giacomo Bonaventura.

The Rossoneri had won only one of their last nine league games against Fiorentina but, after taking the lead, they rarely looked like relinquishing control of the contest.

And when Boateng came off the bench to score on his second debut for the club, Milan's victory, which sends them up to sixth spot in Serie A, was sealed.

Mihajlovic made four changes from Milan's Coppa Italia victory over Carpi, recalling Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alex, Ignazio Abate and Andrea Bertolacci, while new signing Boateng was named on the bench.

Milan lifted some of the pressure on their under-fire coach by scoring in the fourth minute.

Bonaventura slipped a through-ball into the channel for Bacca to chase and the Colombia international cut inside before beating his man and firing home a ninth Serie A goal of the season.

La Viola, who won the reverse fixture 2-0 in August, responded by dominating possession without penetration and they struggled to work a clear opening against a diligent Milan defence.

Nikola Kalinic, who scored a hat-trick against Inter on his last appearance at San Siro, almost got on the end of a cross on 37 minutes as Fiorentina continued to press, before Matias Vecino headed a corner well wide.

Bacca's goal was the only shot on target in a first half that was played at a pedestrian pace but Fiorentina were much more positive after the break.

Donnarumma's weak punch did not clear the area and the loose ball briefly caused chaos, but Alex was alert and got the ball away.

Kalinic then dragged a shot well wide from a good position after a rapid break, before heading a cross just over the crossbar.

Milan had won only one of their last five Serie A matches but should have doubled their lead on the hour-mark, Luca Antonelli shooting tamely straight at Tatarusanu from 10 yards.

Borja Valero fizzed a low drive wide of Donnarumma's post on 68 minutes as La Viola fought for a way back into the game but their effort was in vain.

Boateng had only been on the pitch nine minutes when he raced on to Juraj Kucka's ball over the top to add a second goal in the 88th minute, securing the result to Mihajlovic's obvious relief.

Boateng's fellow substitute Mario Balotelli should have added a third goal deep in injury time but the striker somehow missed the target from four yards.

 

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Butland can be as good as Cech - Hughes

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes feels goalkeeper Jack Butland has the potential to be as good as Arsenal's Petr Cech.Both keepers were in fine form at the Britannia Stadium in a tight 0-0 draw that sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League.


Cech made a double save from Joselu and Bojan, while England goalkeeper Butland twice denied Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.And Hughes proved delighted with his custodian's role in the draw, telling Sky Sports: "We've all seen the potential of Jack.


"He's having a great season and our feeling is that he'll be of the stature of Petr Cech at some point in the future if he keeps progressing.


"He needs a number of years in the game at this level."It's only his first year as a Premier League number one, so it's going to take him time, but in terms of his ability and his natural attributes, that lend itself to him becoming a top notch keeper, he's got that."


The stalemate means Arsenal still have not won at the Britannia Stadium since 2010."It was a good performance by both keepers but both sides I thought approached the game in the right manner and it was a decent contest," Hughes went on to say.


"They had a little bit more play in and around our box without really creating anything of note, apart from obviously a number of saves that Jack made.
"But in fairness we tested Petr Cech at the other end as well so I thought it was an evenly matched game."

 

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Suarez: Barcelona team-mates made fun of my inability to score

Luis Suarez says he had been the butt of Barcelona's dressing-room jokes for his failure to score in 2016 prior to Sunday's 6-0 thrashing of Athletic Bilbao.


The Uruguay international took his tally to 29 goals in as many games this season with a hat-trick in the champions' 6-0 victory over Ernesto Valverde's side at Camp Nou.


Suarez had failed to find the net this year prior to the game, and his team-mates had been quick to remind him of it in recent days.


"Strikers go through streaks," he told reporters after the match. "I have to say I have laughed with the team at the chances I've missed in recent games, because normally I score those.




"Against Athletic I had the chance to score three goals but the important thing is the victory."Suarez earned a penalty after just four minutes, a decision which saw goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz sent off and allowed Lionel Messi to open the scoring.


"The start determined the game and they changed the plan they came with," Suarez said. "We knew how to take advantage of the circumstances."Messi is the best in the world and we want to help him do things.


"We have a lot of ambition, La Liga is very difficult and nobody wants to fail."
Barca are back to within two points of Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, having played a game less

 

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Luis Enrique: I didn't want to risk Messi

Luis Enrique says Lionel Messi was substituted as a precaution after reporting a problem during Barcelona's 6-0 thrashing of Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.


Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after just four minutes but was replaced by Arda Turan at half-time in the Liga game at Camp Nou.


Some initial suggestions he was suffering from pain in his right hamstring, although Enrique did not discuss the nature of the Ballon d'Or winner's complaint.Instead the trainer announced his talisman will undergo tests on Monday and insisted he was simply keen not to take undue risks with his star forward.


"There'll be tests tomorrow. He has a slight overload," Enrique told reporters at his post-match press conference."There's no sense in taking a risk. I don't like to risk anybody, imagine doing so with Messi."


Athletic had goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz sent off for bringing down Luis Suarez in the opening exchanges which allowed Messi to hand Barca the advantage early on.


Suarez went on to score a hat-trick, with Neymar and Ivan Rakitic also finding the net in what proved to be a comfortable win for the Liga champions.Luis Enrique said it seemed a harsh - though fair - decision to dismiss Iraizoz, but he does not believe the result will have any impact on Wednesday's Copa del Rey meeting at San Mames.


"When it's in your favour it's great, but when it's against you it's a word that starts with 'pu' and ends in 'on'," he said."A penalty is already a very big punishment. There's a rule and you have to apply it. I think sending off the goalkeeper is an excessive punishment.


"It will be a different competition on Wednesday and nothing to do with what we've seen. We'll try to do things well but we're not going to win the game without thinking that there's a second leg.


"I've never had a simple game against Athletic at San Mames. If it was difficult for us to play against 10 men, imagine it against 11."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic arrival ruined my PSG chances - Gameiro

Kevin Gameiro had to move on from Paris Saint-Germain as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's arrival made it difficult for him to feature regularly for the French giants.Gamiero joined PSG in 2011 off the back of an impressive spell at Lorient, scoring 11 goals in his debut season at the Parc des Princes.

However, the capital club opted to strengthen in an attack the following season by contracting the enigmatic Ibrahimovic in a big-money move from AC Milan.

Although Gameiro produced eight goals as the Swede's understudy, he started just seven of his 25 Ligue 1 appearances and subsequently transferred to Sevilla.

The Frenchman felt he could not compete with Ibrahimovic at PSG and has no regrets about his decision to move on."Ibrahimovic's arrival certainly did not help," Gameiro told Canal Football Club."I experienced good and bad times. This is a club that meant a lot to me.

"I regret nothing, but we must move forward and that's why I went to Sevilla."In the life of a footballer there are difficult times. You must be aware, raise your head and keep moving forward."

The 28-year-old is enjoying a return towards some of his best form at Sevilla this term, scoring 11 goals in 18 La Liga appearances.However, the striker admitted he would be open to a return to France, with Marseille linked to his signature.

"I have not had any contact with Marseille, I read that in the newspapers," Gameiro added."A return to France? Why not, but for now I'm very well at Sevilla. We will see later."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Scan confirms no injury for Messi

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been cleared of any injury after being forced off at half-time in the Camp Nou outfit's win over Athletic Club.

Having opened the scoring in Sunday's 6-0 thrashing of the Basque side, the Argentina international was replaced at the break by Arda Turan after complaining of some pain in his right leg.

It was feared that the Ballon d'Or winner had picked up a hamstring injury and thus faced a few weeks on the sidelines.

However, the club have confirmed that the 28-year-old has merely taken a knock and there is no serious damage or concerns for coach Luis Enrique.

The Barca boss said he will take no unnecessary risks with his key player and it remains unclear if the Catalan side's talisman will be fit to face Athletic in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday, though.

Messi has scored 19 goals in 23 games in all competitions this term, picking up eight assists, but Barca will be confident of getting the better of the Bilbao side with Luis Suarez and Neymar still available, having scored 38 times between them so far this season.