..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Sunderland lagenuth kawadinaganna one matches meh paradinne

2nd goal 1ka own goal kiwwata De Gea ta nam ekata karanna deyak naha.

LVG tath wade set wei wage.
​

 

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Full Time

Sunderland 2 Vs 1 Manchester United

Sunderland Goal(s)

Khazri 3'
De Gea 82'(OG)

&

Manchester United Goal(s)

Martial 39'


​

Champions League 2017 chances are going down

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Champions League 2017 chances are going down

Aparade bro
​

 

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Half Time

Real Madrid 3 - 1 Athletic Bilbao

Goals 3nama patta!
Ronaldo's hitting the ball like it's nothing

 

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Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United: De Gea's late own goal downs dour Red Devils

Manchester United suffered a further setback in the race for the top four as David de Gea's own goal gave relegation-threatened Sunderland a 2-1 Premier League victory at the Stadium of Light.

Louis van Gaal admitted that last week's dropped points at Chelsea could prove costly in the race for the Champions League places and his side were again made to pay by an energetic Sunderland on Saturday.

Sam Allardyce's side had never before beaten United at the Stadium of Light in the top flight, but gave themselves the platform to end that run when Wahbi Khazri's free-kick bounced through the crowded area and into the net after just three minutes.

United looked uncomfortable against a high-pressing home side and suffered another blow when Matteo Darmian went off with a shoulder injury, but Anthony Martial snatched an equaliser just before half-time.

Sunderland were the more threatening side for much of the second half and only two fine saves from De Gea denied the hosts the lead for the second time in what proved to be an end-to-end second 45 minutes.

The game looked set to end as a stalemate until Lamine Kone powered a header goalwards which rebounded in off De Gea with just seven minutes to play to give Sunderland a massive boost in their bid for survival and leave United's top-four hopes looking increasingly bleak.

It did not take Sunderland long to break the deadlock, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. Khazri's low free-kick from the left evaded Jermain Defoe's attempted flick and bounced all the way into the far corner past De Gea's despairing dive.

Defoe missed a great chance to make it 2-0 when Chris Smalling intervened to deny him a tap-in as United found it difficult to create space against a Sunderland side buoyed by their early goal, though Juan Mata fired their best chance of the opening half hour straight at Vito Mannone from 18 yards.

But more superb work from Mannone proved to be in vain as United grabbed a 39th-minute equaliser. The Italian reacted superbly to keep Mata's low effort out of the bottom corner, but Martial turned home the rebound with a clever chipped finish from a tight angle.

Sunderland started the second half brightly and saw penalty appeals waved away by referee Andre Marriner after John O'Shea's header came off Wayne Rooney's raised arm and Defoe spurned a glorious chance regain the lead when he failed to connect with Patrick van Aanholt's cross just a few feet from the near post.

Dame N'Doye sprung the offside trap to race clean through on goal, but De Gea denied him with an outstretched foot as Sunderland continued to look the more likely, although Jack Rodwell had to time his block perfectly to thwart Mata from inside the area.

Kone forced De Gea into another strong stop at his near post after bending an effort towards the top corner as the game began to open up, with Smalling coming close to heading home Rooney's cross at the far post as United stepped up their own efforts to find a winner.

Substitute Memphis Depay placed a shot straight at Mannone from inside the area, but Kone finally found a way to win it for Sunderland, rising completely unmarked from a corner to power a header through the grasp of the goalkeeper, with the ball going in off the Spain international's back after Martial tried to hook it clear on the line.

 

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Rooney: Top four now difficult for Man Utd

Wayne Rooney has admitted Manchester United's chances of qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four place in the Premier League is now unlikely.

Louis van Gaal's side suffered their seventh Premier League defeat of the season on Saturday, going down 2-1 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The result leaves the Red Devils in fifth place in the table on 41 points, six points off Manchester City in the final Champions League spot, having played a game more.

Rooney admits Champions League football for next season now looks unlikely and has urged his side to pick themselves up ahead of their midweek Europa League clash against FC Midtjylland.

"It will be difficult to qualify for the Champions League through the top four now," he told BT Sport.

"We didn’t create enough chances, weren't aggressive enough and didn’t defend set pieces and it’s cost us. It’s a disappointing result.

"We have to somehow move on. You don’t know how this league works at times but we know it’ll be hard to finish top four now. Winning the Europa League gets you in but that’s a long way away.

"I think we didn’t play well today we know that we didn’t win enough second balls. It’s cost us and it’s not good enough. So it’s a sad day for us, disappointing in terms of losing three points. We have to some how move on

"It’s [the Europa League] a competition we didn’t want to be in but we’re in it now and want to win it. We have to try and start again on Thursday."

 

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Van Gaal: Europa League is Man Utd's best route to Champions League


Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted winning the Europa League is now the priority for his side following their 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.

The Red Devils are six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City having played a game more and the former Barcelona boss feels it will now be too difficult to bridge the gap.

Next up for United is a trip to face FC Midtjylland on Thursday and Van Gaal feels winning the Europa League is their best way of securing Champions League football for next season.

"It will be very difficult now, we have given five points away with the Chelsea result so it’s too much at this time," he told BT Sport.

"We had to win this kind of game and we didn’t, so we can only blame ourselves. Sunderland had more aggression than us and we could not cope with that aggression as we couldn’t keep the ball.

"I think after today the Europa League’s the best route but it will not be so easy because there are a lot of very good teams in it."
Meanwhile, the Dutchman does not feel that the 2-1 reverse, which came about due to a David de Gea own goal in the closing stages, puts him any closer to losing his job at Old Trafford.

"I’m under no more pressure," he said. "I have to do my work and to do my utmost I cannot do more and I will prepare my players on Thursday to be 100 per cent as always."

 

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Simeone praises Torres' strong influence at Atletico

Diego Simeone hopes Fernando Torres continues to be a strong influence on Atletico Madrid’s younger forwards as his second spell at the club apparently ticks down.

Torres appears set to move on from the Vicente Calderon with Atleti showing little desire to convert his 18-month loan move from AC Milan into a permanent deal.
The 31-year-old ended a long wait for his 100th goal in Atleti colours when he sealed last weekend's 3-1 win over Eibar - his 99th having come against the same opponents back in September.

At a media conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Getafe in La Liga, Simeone was asked whether a side-effect of Jackson Martinez's surprise transfer to Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao was to spur confidence in Torres - a similarly forlorn figure this season.

Simeone rejected this notion, saying one of the reasons Martinez moved on was to grant increased opportunities to youngsters Luciano Vietto and Angel Correa - a duo he believes Torres can help to mould."Jackson came out of the squad to empower the kids we have," head coach Simeone explained.

"Torres is a forward who can act as a reference for Vietto, who is doing well. Correa is growing and with [Antoine] Griezmann there is an interesting mix.
"Torres is in good shape physically and hopefully he plays a good game on Sunday."

 

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Vardy: Leicester can cause Arsenal problems

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is backing his side to cause Arsenal problems when the two teams clash at the Emirates on Sunday.

The Foxes go into the game on the back of an impressive 3-1 win over title rivals Manchester City and Vardy - the Premier League's top scorer this season - says his side are not feeling the pressure.

The England international is also confident Leicester can emerge victorious despite the fact Arsenal ran out convincing winners in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

"They're all massive, massive games, and we know it's going to be tough, especially as they beat us 5-2 at our place earlier in the season. But I don't really think it was a 5-2 game, I think it could have gone either way it was that open," he told Sky Sports.

"We know they've got world-class players in their ranks but we know we can cause anyone trouble when it comes to game time. We'll be looking at ways to hurt them and putting that on the pitch on Sunday."Vardy also insists his side will not have failed if they miss out on the title, despite being five points clear with 13 games left to play.

"It won't be a failure [if Leicester don't win the title] because nobody gave us a chance at the start of the season, we've just been on a good run and it has been a very enjoyable ride which we are enjoying every minute of," he added.

"The team spirit in the dressing room, everyone is close-knit, that's how we always have been. It started with the run last season, getting out of the relegation zone, and we've carried it on."

 

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Darmian out for 'several weeks' with dislocated shoulder

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed defender Matteo Darmian will be out for "several weeks" after dislocating his shoulder in the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Italy international was forced off in the first half after clashing with Wahbi Khazri, with 21-year-old Donald Love making his debut after coming off the bench as his replacement.

Van Gaal has already been forced to turn to youth on the other flank with 19-year-old Cameron Borthwick-Jackson breaking into the first team due to a series of injuries.

The Dutchman is already without Luke Shaw while Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Guillermo Varela, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia are all currently sidelined.

Speaking after the game, Van Gaal confirmed Darmian's absence and also admitted he was running out of options in defence.

"When you analyse the things that have happened to Manchester United this season, it’s unbelievable," he told reporters.

"Another full-back who is injured and we don’t have many full-backs left."

Love, who was only named in the first-team squad for the first time on Saturday, could now be in line to keep his place in the team with United set to face FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Darmian!

BTW ape full pack position 1katanam marama karumayak thiyenne.play karana playersla okkoma wage injured!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dortmund 1-0 Hannover: Mkhitaryan settles poor contest

Henrikh Mkhitaryan's fine second-half goal ensured Borussia Dortmund returned to winning ways in the Bundesliga with a 1-0 victory over bottom club Hannover.

Dortmund were held to a goalless draw at Hertha Berlin last weekend and, as star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked on from the stands nursing a minor injury, Thomas Tuchel's men endured a similar story of frustration for the best part of an hour at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.

Marco Reus was denied by the crossbar and Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler produced in an assured performance, but he was not overly extended as Thomas Schaaf’s struggling visitors displayed ample discipline to offset their lack of attacking ambition.

Hannover, who are now six points shy of Werder Bremen in the relegation play-off spot, were relatively comfortable until Mkhitaryan turned on the style to register his eighth Bundesliga goal of the season with a 57th-minute solo effort.

Dortmund were unable to add gloss to the scoreline but they are back to within five points of Bayern Munich ahead of the leaders' Sunday trip to Augsburg.

Shouldering the bulk of Dortmund's attacking responsibility in Aubameyang's absence, Reus almost put the hosts in front after nine minutes when he connected with Lukasz Piszczek's delightfully clipped low cross.

Zieler saved superbly on that occasion but he was helpless when fellow Germany international Reus rattled the crossbar with a 16th-minute free-kick.

Hannover might have taken a shock lead 10 minutes before half-time but Hiroki Sakai's cutback, after the full-back charged beyond Marcel Schmelzer, evaded the well-placed Uffe Bech.

Schmelzer almost atoned for that piece of slack defending with a spectacular volley from close to the left byline that Zieler tipped over, while Neven Subotic blasted wastefully off-target from the resulting corner.

Zieler was then down sharply to keep out a curling effort from Ilkay Gundogan to ensure Hannover went in at half-time on level terms. Gundogan went for elevation eight minutes into the second half but fired over after Mkhitaryan shuffled past a pair of challenges.The Armenian elected to go it alone shortly afterwards and that resulted in the deadlock being broken in spectacular fashion.

Collecting Reus' pass on the halfway line, Mkhitaryan drove confidently towards a backpedalling Hannover defence, darted in-field and sent a 25-yard effort arrowing beyond Zieler's dive.

Schaaf's side were unable to mount a counter-assault of any substance and, by the time Zieler resumed his personal duel with Reus in the 74th minute, they appeared to have accepted a seventh consecutive Bundesliga loss as Dortmund eased home.

 

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De Gea: Time to stand up & take Man Utd back to the top

David de Gea has called on Manchester United's players to put their recent struggles behind them and take the club back to "the place it deserves".

The Red Devils were beaten by Sunderland in Saturday's Premier League clash, leaving them six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City and increasingly unlikely to finish in the Champions League places.

And now De Gea, who was arguably at fault for both goals at the Stadium of Light, is urging United to turn things around.

The defeat to Sunderland means Louis van Gaal's side have earned fewer points after 26 matches than any previous Premier League campaign, while the've collected just six points from their last seven away games in the league.

It is a run that has led Van Gaal himself to concede that the Europa League, where the overall winners gain entry into the Champions League, is now his side's best chance of being in Europe's elite club competition next season.

 

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Real Madrid 4-2 Athletic Bilbao: Ronaldo double sees off visitors despite Varane red

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid survived an awkward encounter and Raphael Varane's late dismissal to see off Athletic Bilbao 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Ronaldo set the hosts on their way to a fifth La Liga win of Zinedine Zidane's reign with a superb early finish, but Athletic made life difficult for Madrid by levelling in the 10th minute.

Javier Eraso's first league goal came about following a Varane error and the visitors - winless at the Bernabeu since 2005, a game in which Zidane came on as a substitute for Madrid - came close to a surprise lead when Aritz Aduritz rattled the crossbar midway through the first half.

However, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos scored inside the final eight minutes of the first period to give Madrid breathing space.

Varane was dismissed harshly for a second booking after apparently catching Aduriz with an elbow late on, before Ronaldo extended the hosts' lead with his 21st league goal of the campaign three minutes from time.

Substitute Gorka Elustondo's glancing header in stoppage time was too late to spark late drama as Zidane's side put the pressure on Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, who both play on Sunday.

Madrid wasted little time in taking the lead when Ronaldo easily cut inside Xabier Etxeita and planted the opener past Gorka Iraizoz.

Ronaldo's blocked effort was then almost turned home by Mateo Kovacic before Athletic levelled against the run of play courtesy of a lapse in judgement from Varane.

The Frenchman's misplaced backpass veered away from Keylor Navas, allowing Eraso to bring his side level with a composed finish.

Athletic grew in confidence as Navas denied Aduriz's towering header before the veteran striker hit the crossbar with a clipped effort from Mikel Balenziaga's cross.

However, Madrid composed themselves and gained a two-goal cushion before the break, Rodriguez first curling home an impressive long-range strike before Kroos applied the finishing touch to a slick team move he was heavily involved in on the stroke of half-time.

After Karim Benzema was fouled on the edge of the area early in the second half, Ronaldo sent a free-kick into the wall before rattling a post with the follow-up.

Navas' quick reactions helped him deny Aduritz when one-on-one after careless play from Kroos before the experienced forward was again seen to be on the receiving end of a heavy aerial challenge from Varane, who received his marching orders from referee Alfonso Alvarez.

A composed take and cool finish from Ronaldo dampened any hopes of a fightback amid a spirited Athletic display summed up by Elustondo's smart header in the latter stages.

Madrid will now await the response from Atleti and Barca against Getafe and Celta Vigo respectively, ahead of their Champions League last-16 first leg with Roma on Wednesday.

 

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Bournemouth 1-3 Stoke City: Imbula and Afellay secure comfortable victory

Giannelli Imbula and Ibrahim Afellay scored their first Premier League goals as Stoke City emphatically returned to form with a 3-1 win at Bournemouth on Saturday.The visitors took an early lead when a poor clearance on the edge of the area gave club-record signing Imbula the chance to net an impressive volley.

Despite suffering injury blows to Marc Muniesa and Glen Johnson, Stoke sealed the points with two goals in three minutes shortly after half-time.Afellay confidently finished after a swift counter-attack, before substitute Joselu added a third with a towering header.

Bournemouth substitute Matt Ritchie pulled one back with an excellent strike, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the hosts.Stoke had suffered three straight league defeats and failed to score in their last four coming into the game, but the victory sees them move up to ninth.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have only recorded three wins at the Vitality Stadium this season and remain 15th, four points clear of the bottom three after a second consecutive loss.

Stoke had previously gone over six hours without a Premier League goal, but that sorry record was halted after just nine minutes.

Xherdan Shaqiri's menacing cross was only half-cleared by Simon Francis on the edge the area, allowing Imbula to rifle home with a fierce 25-yard volley that found the bottom corner.


Stoke looked more likely to find the game's second goal and Jonathan Walters nearly marked his return to the starting line-up in fine style, but his half-volley on the turn found the side-netting.

Shaqiri forced a smart save from goalkeeper Artur Boruc with a swerving long-range effort, before rolling another shot wide after Afellay's defence-splitting pass had given him a great opportunity.

A laboured Bournemouth display saw them struggle to produce a meaningful first-half response, although Jack Butland had to be alert to keep out Charlie Daniels' looping effort. Injury forced Muniesa off at half time, while Eddie Howe introduced Matt Ritchie and Joshua King in a bid to find a breakthrough for the hosts.

The defensive problems for Mark Hughes worsened just moments later as Glen Johnson had to be replaced after landing awkwardly in his own area.But the visitors killed off the game with an impressive burst of two goals in two minutes.

A wonderful breakaway saw Walters cut inside from the right and feed Afellay on the edge of the box, with the Dutchman producing a smart finish on 52 minutes, before substitute Joselu rose highest to head home Shaqiri's teasing cross.

Bournemouth kept battling, and pulled one back in the 57th minute as Ritchie found himself on the end of Daniels' driven cross to arrow a 20-yard volley past Butland.

Ritchie could have doubled his tally, but could not quite connect with King's teasing cross, while Junior Stanislas missed an almost identical chance as Bournemouth were unable to set up a grandstand finish.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 0-0 Lille: Cavani struggles as Blanc's side held without Ibrahimovic

Edinson Cavani missed a sitter as PSG were forced to settle for a 0-0 Ligue 1 draw at home to Lille on Saturday.

The Uruguay international led the line for PSG as Laurent Blanc rested a number of key players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie against Chelsea - with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva left out of the squad altogether - but failed to grab his chance in an underwhelming performance.

Cavani inexplicably shot over from just yards out after some poor goalkeeping from Vincent Enyeama early in the second half and missed another major opportunity in the closing stages as the match remained goalless.

The champions had previously come close via Jean-Kevin Augustin and Layvin Kurzawa, but the former was denied by the Lille goalkeeper, while the latter's header was cleared off the line by Rio Mavuba.

Lille were unable to threaten PSG's unbeaten league record and failed to register a shot on target, but their solid defending earned them a 13th draw of the season, which is more than any other side.

Blanc's men, meanwhile, fail to win for only the fourth time in 26 league matches this season but will quickly turn their attention to the crucial clash with Chelsea.

PSG will be worried about Javier Pastore's status for the game, however, after losing the playmaker to an adductor injury at half-time.

The hosts should have opened the scoring early on when Angel Di Maria sent Augustin clean through on goal with a sublime throughball, but Enyeama did well to deny the 18-year-old with a fine save.

Yassine Benzia threatened for Lille at the other end, but excellent defending from Marquinhos prevented the striker from testing home goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

Di Maria had a good opportunity to break the deadlock after an intelligent ball from Pastore, but Enyeama rushed off his line to complicate matters for the Argentina international and eventually managed to clear.

Pastore tried his luck from outside the area a few moments later, yet failed to get his shot on target as a poor effort flew high and wide.

PSG continued to push and Kurzawa came closest to finding a first-half opener after Di Maria's corner from the right, only to see his header crucially cleared off the line by Mavuba.

Cavani's huge chance to give the hosts the lead arrived 11 minutes after the interval when Enyeama failed to hold on to Blaise Matuidi's cross from the left, but the forward blasted his shot over the bar with the Lille goalkeeper already beaten.

Lucas looked dangerous shortly after he replaced Di Maria, but his shot from the edge of the area took a deflection off Adama Soumaoro and thus became easier for Enyeama to deal with.

The hosts pushed hard for a late winner, but missed the individual brilliance of Ibrahimovic as it remained goalless, with Cavani failing to convert a one-on-one chance in the dying minutes to underline his unimpressive display.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea 5-1 Newcastle United: Rout marred by Terry injury

Chelsea romped to a convincing 5-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday but were left to rue an injury to John Terry that forced him off.

The centre-back had to be substituted with what looked like a muscle injury in the 38th minute with the Blues already 3-0 up by that point and well on course to their 10th straight Premier League win.

Diego Costa had opened the scoring early after he collected a through-ball from Willian and slotted it under the body of Rob Elliot, before Pedro doubled his side's lead after capitalising on a defensive error minutes later.

Willian then got his name on the scoresheet before Pedro got his brace by latching on to a lofted ball from Cesc Fabregas.

With Newcastle reeling, Bertrand Traore had time to net his maiden Premier League goal before Andros Townsend smashed in a consolation goal for the visitors.

Chelsea's triumph, which moves them up to 12th, was soured by the sight of Terry limping out of the action as a Tuesday trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League lies in wait.

If Costa's appearance was something new, the sight of him sniffing out a chance and sliding home Willian's pass on the angle prompted familiar celebrations in the fifth minute.

Four minutes later, the visitors had a mountain to climb when - following a poorly delivered free-kick from Jonjo Shelvey - makeshift left-back Rolando Aarons played a woeful pass inside under pressure from Costa to Steven Taylor.Pedro pounced mercilessly and raced towards goal to send a clinical finish beyond Rob Elliot from outside the penalty area.

There was worse to come for Steve McClaren's beleaguered side - an unchanged line-up playing like strangers - as Costa powerfully outpaced Fabricio Coloccini and returned Willian's favour from earlier by playing a diagonal ball across the box for the Brazilian to make it three.

Pedro shot too close to Elliot in the 37th minute as another presentable chance arrived courtesy of a Newcastle error - Shelvey the guilty party on this occasion.
Terry was substituted after landing awkwardly in a challenge with Aleksandar Mitrovic, marking the only blemish on the opening 45 minutes for Hiddink.

McClaren responded to his team's hopeless predicament by replacing top scorer Georginio Wijnaldum with Jack Colback in midfield and they at least began the second period on the front foot, as Cesar Azpilicueta blocked a Shelvey shot and Mitrovic whistled an attempt past the far post.The respite would not last, though, with Fabregas allowed overly generous time and space to float an eye-catching pass over Taylor for Pedro to net his second.

Costa then made way to a standing ovation for Traore, in order to avoid a repeat of Terry's fate as the French and English champions prepare to face one another.

Newcastle's abject showing - which featured the final blow of Traore steering in Azpilicueta's 83rd-minute cross at the near post - leaves them contemplating a season facing far less-illustrious opposition next term.

Indeed, it will take much more than just Towsend's splendid late long-range effort that beat Thibaut Courtois to lift the misery.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

James Rodriguez in dig at Benitez: EVERYONE was happy with Zidane change

Real Madrid attacker James Rodriguez says he and all of his team-mates have benefited from Zinedine Zidane ousting Rafael Benitez as coach.

James scored Madrid's second in Saturday's dramatic 4-2 La Liga win against Athletic Bilbao as the hosts made it four league wins from four at the Santiago Bernabeu during his tenure.

The Colombia international was a somewhat peripheral figure under Zidane's predecessor Benitez, with the pair disagreeing over the player's fitness regularly during his brief spell at the helm.

With James enjoying some impressive form in a wide attacking role in Gareth Bale's absence, the 24-year-old revealed that the squad have enjoyed the transition to Ballon d'Or winner Zidane.Asked about his fitness, Rodriguez is quoted by AS: "Yes, I am much better. This helps a lot and I do not think it's just me.

"The coaching change has been good for everyone. Not just for me. He talks a lot with everybody and I think it's good for our play."[Zidane] gives you more encouragement to play well and know what you are worth."

Following the win over Athletic, Madrid play away at Roma on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus 1-0 Napoli: Late Zaza strike sends champions top

Simone Zaza's late strike earned Juventus a dramatic 1-0 victory over Napoli in Turin that saw them go top of the table for the first time this season, extending the reigning champions' winning streak in Serie A to 15 games.

Massimiliano Allegri's men knew they would leapfrog their opponents with maximum points, but were unable to break down the Napoli defence right until Zaza netted in the 88th minute with what could be a crucial goal in the title race.

Substitute Zaza tried his luck with an opportunistic shot from outside the box and saw his attempt take a deflection off Raul Albiol to leave goalkeeper Pepe Reina unsighted.

Plenty of spectacle was expected with two of the league's most in-form attackers on the pitch in Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala, but neither managed to make the difference.

Higuain came close once before the break after a good cross from the right, only for Leonardo Bonucci to frustrate him with a sublime defensive action. Dybala, meanwhile, got arguably the best chance of the game prior to Zaza's winner, but fired his shot over the crossbar from a dangerous position.

The result means Juve also ended Napoli's eight-game winning league streak and go a point clear.

Juan Cuadrado first tested Reina after 14 minutes with an ambitious shot from a difficult angle, but the Napoli goalkeeper comfortably gathered the Colombian's attempt.

Juventus continued to dominate proceedings in the opening stages of the game and again threatened when Alvaro Morata earned a free-kick in a dangerous position, yet Paul Pogba's well-taken shot from 25 yards out went just wide.

Elseid Hysaj sent in a sublime cross for Higuain 10 minutes before the break, but Bonucci prevented the Argentine from heading home from close range with a superb interception.

Claudio Marchisio tried his luck with a powerful shot from the edge of the box shortly after, but Reina was alert and collected with ease as it remained scoreless at half-time.

Lorenzo Insigne nearly gave Napoli a dream start to the second half, dancing past three opponents before poking a shot toward goal from a narrow angle, but Gianluigi Buffon did well to deny the winger with a good save.

Dybala should have opened the scoring on the hour mark after some good work from Pogba, but the gifted attacker aimed too high from 15 yards out as the chance went begging.

Napoli always looked for Higuain in their attempts to open up the Juventus defence, but Andrea Barzagli and substitute Daniele Rugani did well to keep the prolific attacker quiet as he failed to score for the first time in seven league games.

Marek Hamsik tried his luck from long range as the game approached the closing stages, but his powerful shot went harmlessly over the bar.

The match seemed destined to end goalless, but Zaza had other ideas when he let fly with two minutes left.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Valencia 2-1 Espanyol: Neville gets first victory in La Liga

Gary Neville oversaw a La Liga victory for the first time in 10 attempts as Valencia came from behind to defeat Espanyol 2-1 at Mestalla on Saturday.

The Englishman's future has been under heavy scrutiny after his struggles in the league were followed by a 7-0 defeat at Barcelona in the first leg of his side's Copa del Rey semi-final this month.Neville had conceded that the contest against struggling Espanyol, who had lost their previous two league games 6-0 and 5-0, was a must-win game.

It looked like Valencia were set for another miserable day when Oscar Duarte headed in from close-range after Burgui's corner on 52 minutes.

But the home side levelled in the 71st minute when Joao Cancelo's impressive run enabled Alvaro Negredo to find the bottom corner via a deflection.The comeback was complete five minutes later when January signing Denis Cheryshev powered home a header from Sofiane Feghouli's cross.

Goalkeeper Diego Alves made a superb reflex stop from Alvaro Gonzalez late on and Neville's heart would have been in his mouth again when Gerard Moreno struck inches wide in the last minute as Valencia survived.