..::Football IV::..

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Man Utd star Mata returns to Spain squad but Fabregas left out AGAIN

Juan Mata has earned a recall to the Spain squad forthe forthcoming fixtures against Macedonia and England.

The Manchester United midfielder was left out of the previous selection, for matches against Italy and Albania respectively, and was also absent from then-manager Vicente del Bosque's squad for Euro 2016.

New head coach Julen Lopetegui has decided to bring the playmaker back in, however, with Mata having impressed in October, winning United's Player of the Month award for his performances.

Elsewhere club-mate Ander Herrera retains his place in the squad, while other Premier League stars including the likes of Diego Costa, Nacho Monreal and Nolito are also in.

Cesc Fabregas's international exile continues, meanwhile, with the Chelsea star once again not involved for his country.

Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz also earns a call-up, with the 35-year-old having scored five goals in his side's Europa League win over Genk on Thursday.

Spain squad in full: Reina (Napoli), De Gea (Man. Utd), Asenjo (Villarreal); Nacho (Real Madrid), Bartra (Borussia Dortmund), Inigo Martínez (Real Sociedad), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Monreal (Arsenal), Carvajal (Real Madrid), Escudero (Sevilla), Sergi Roberto (Barcelona); Ander Herrera (Man. Utd), Busquets (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico), Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago (Bayern), Silva (Man City), Mata (Man United), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Callejón (Napoli), Vitolo (Sevilla); Costa (Chelsea), Nolito (Man City) and Aduriz (Athletic).

 

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The Fergie Curse: Mourinho struggles put my Man Utd spell in perspective, says Moyes

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes feels Jose Mourinho's struggles at Old Trafford prove that his time in charge of United was not as bad as many have made it out to be.

Moyes succeeded Alex Ferguson as United boss in 2013, but was sacked after eight months in charge, following the club's failure to qualify for Champions League football.

United consequently turned to Louis van Gaal, only to fire the Dutchman as well after two underwhelming seasons.Their struggles have continued under Mourinho this term and Moyes feels their ongoing difficulties put his spell in perspective.

"In some ways it does show that it maybe was not just down to Moyes," the current Sunderland boss was quoted as saying by The Mirror. "Do Mourinho and Van Gaal's struggles put my reign in context? I am glad you are saying that, because I have always felt that.

"The Manchester United job will be tough for anybody who takes it, whether it be Mourinho, Van Gaal or Moyes. It is always going to be a tough job, because you are following probably the finest manager in our time."Manchester United need stability, and it is a football club that has always trusted itself, trusted its managers, believed in their managers, and certainly given their managers time to do the right job. It is a great club.

"I had my time there, and it has passed on to somebody else. I am just saying it is a great job. Jose is a top manager, as was LVG, but it is difficult for whoever goes to Manchester United."I felt that it would take time, but it is football."

 

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Klopp hints at January signings

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hinted at additions to his squad in January following Danny Ings' season-ending knee injury.

Ings' campaign is over after undergoing surgery on his knee, while Klopp will be without Sadio Mane in the New Year due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments.

It has led to the German considering signings in the transfer market, and he said it could be an option."We watch the market all the time and of course we need to be prepared for different situations and one of them is injuries," Klopp told reporters.

"The African Cup of Nations we already knew about so we don't need to be influenced or surprised by that, but it could be a moment when we approach the market."

Klopp is also wary of just how busy a period it will be for his team, who are third in the Premier League.Although he has options up front in Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi in Ings' absence, Klopp wants to have enough depth.

"It's not about how many strikers. Three strikers is enough, I think, but when Sadio is away we will be without a winger. We do not have many wingers, I would say," he said."Roberto Firmino could play as a kind of a winger which would then give us just two strikers. That's how it is.

"But it is a long way to go until January and that month is busy. If we can go to the semi-final of League Cup it could be the busiest month of the year. We need to be prepared for this for sure."

 

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Ibrahimovic can score when you least expect it - Van der Hoorn

Mike van der Hoorn says Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains Manchester United's main dangerman regardless of his goalscoring drought as Swansea prepare to lock horns with Jose Mourinho's men.

The Dutchman previously faced Ibrahimovic during his time at Ajax and he has warned his team-mates the experienced attacker is capable of creating something from out of nowhere."I have played against him before, he scored to put PSG ahead with a goal from nowhere," Van der Hoorn told the official Swansea website.

"He has that rare quality of scoring when you least expect it. People can be fooled into thinking that he is having a quiet game and then he creates a moment of genius and scores.

"Manchester United have many, many good players but he is one we must do our best to keep quiet on Sunday."Swansea desperately need a good result after nine games without a win and Van der Hoorn has admitted it has not been an easy start to the season."It has been a very difficult start for us. Results have not gone our way and when you are near the bottom positions you find you often do not get the luck or the 50/50 decisions," he added.

"But all that matters right now is getting three points. A win over Manchester United would give the team a lot more confidence, which in turn gives you more freedom in your play."

 

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Wenger wants Ozil to commit to Arsenal and emulate Bergkamp

Arsene Wenger has told Mesut Ozil to follow in the footsteps of Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp by committing his future to the Emirates Stadium.

Ozil has developed into one of Arsenal's undisputed star players since joining the club from Real Madrid in 2013 and has been in sublime form in recent weeks.

His fine performances have earned him comparisons with Bergkamp, but Wenger feels he will have to stay at Arsenal for a longer period of time in order to reach the Dutchman's stature - with his current deal due to expire in 2018."There are similarities with Bergkamp. I think he can become a legend, if he commits," Wenger told reporters.

"Bergkamp committed for a long period, played until he was 38. I wish we have ten more years of Ozil. That depends. To become a legend at the club you need to stay for a long time.

"The main transformation we got from him [is that he] makes more runs in behind to score goals. I always encouraged him. I convinced him that he has it in his locker to score goals. He was more focused on giving and looking [before] - today he understands that he can have those qualities but as well be on the end of things.

"The timing of his runs is good. In training I noticed he is a very good finisher. When you have that in your locker, you have to try to get it out. Slowly, he now realises that.

"On top of that he has a fantastic attribute of a guy who is a good finisher, he is calm. You notice all the finishers are killers. That means they keep their nerve in front of goal and he has that."

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2016.11.05

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2016.11.05

Bournemouth Vs Sunderland

Burnley Vs Crystal Palace

Manchester City Vs Middlesbrough

West Ham Vs Stoke City

Chelsea Vs Everton

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LA Liga Fixtures 2016.11.05

LA Liga Fixtures 2016.11.05

Granada Vs Deportivo

Real Sociedad Vs Atletico Madrid

Osasuna Vs Alaves

Las Palmas Vs Eibar​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2016.11.05

Serie A Fixtures 2016.11.05

Torino Vs Cagliari

Napoli Vs Lazio​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2016.11.05

Bundesliga Fixtures 2016.11.05

Leverkusen Vs Darmstadt

Bayern Vs Hoffenheim

Ingolstadt Vs Augsburg

Hamburg Vs Dortmund

Freidburg Vs Wolfsburg

Eintracht Vs Cologne​

 

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Mourinho is better than Guardiola - Karanka

Jose Mourinho remains a better manager than Pep Guardiola, according to Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka.

Manchester United have endured mixed form under Mourinho this season, with their 2-1 Europa League defeat to Fenerbahce meaning they have managed just two wins from their last seven matches in all competitions.

By contrast, Manchester City sit top of the Premier League - eight points clear of United - and dispatched Barcelona 3-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday to move to within touching distance of the knockout phase.

But Karanka, who was Mourinho's assistant at Real Madrid, says the Portuguese still has the edge over the former Bayern Munich boss."For me, yes Jose is better than Pep," Karanka said ahead of Middlesbrough's clash with City on Saturday.

"I have been working with him [Mourinho] for three years and I know his methodology, I know his character, I know everything. For me, it has been amazing to work with him, so I know him better than Pep."

He added of Guardiola: "We are not really friends because Real Madrid versus Barcelona were such big games and I wasn't with him in the national team so I didn't have a relationship with him.

"He is one of the best coaches, but I don't think one is much, much better than the rest because we have Jose, we have Pep, but we also have Diego Simeone in Spain, Jurgen Klopp here, Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte with Chelsea and Massimiliano Allegri in Italy."Indeed, Karanka believes Arsenal - who were held to a 0-0 draw by Boro last month - are very much a match for City.

"I don't think this is the best team I've faced here at Middlesbrough," he said. "When we played against Arsenal in the cup two years ago, if you look at their team and the players they had on the bench, it was amazing."It was 18 amazing players. Maybe not better than Manchester City now, but certainly no worse than the team we will be playing against at the weekend.

"Will this City team win the league? I think it is hard to say. There is Man City, but there is also Arsenal and Chelsea right up there. There are a few teams who will think they can win."

Alvaro Negredo is in line to face his former side at the Etihad Stadium and Karanka expects the striker to be determined to prove a point, after he struggled for form in the latter part of his one season with City.

"I don't know exactly what happened but as a striker you can probably think that it was a lack of confidence," he said. "If you are in a team like Man City and you start losing your position, it can be hard to go back to your best again.

"I think it is an extra motivation for him. When you have played in a big team and now you are facing up against them in their stadium, it can be an extra motivation to do well."

 

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Falcao thrilled with 'special' Colombia recall

Radamel Falcao is delighted after earning a recall to the Colombia squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Argentina.

The AS Monaco striker, who scored his first goals in the Champions League in six years in his side's 3-0 win over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, has been included in Jose Pekerman's squad for the first time in 388 days.

The former Manchester United and Chelsea loanee, who has scored six goals in nine games this season, admitted that it was "special" to earn back his place after struggling for form and fitness for much of the last two years.

He wrote on his official Instagram page: "Happy to come back and play with my national team. It is a special time for me. I have been working hard for this. I am focus [sic] to give the best of me."

 

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Falcao adath goals 2kak score karala​

 

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Hamburg 2-5 Borussia Dortmund: Aubameyang nets four on return from suspension

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang marked his return to the Borussia Dortmund line-up in emphatic fashion by scoring four goals in an impressive 5-2 victory over Bundesliga strugglers Hamburg at the Volksparkstadion.

It was a fine response from Aubameyang, who was left out of the 1-0 Champions League win against Sporting on Wednesday due to "internal reasons" having reportedly attended a party in Italy without permission.

Concerns over any lingering discord were dispelled when the striker ran to the dugout and embraced coach Thomas Tuchel after opening the scoring with his quickest Bundesliga goal in the fourth minute.

The imperious Aubameyang was unrelenting and made the most of shoddy Hamburg defending to complete his third hat-trick in the German top flight by the 27th minute.

A rifled fourth early in the second half increased the Gabon international's tally, helping ensure that Dortmund's four-match winless streak in the Bundesliga - their worst run since Tuchel took the helm for the 2015-16 season - came to an end.

Nicolai Muller ended Hamburg's run of over 700 league minutes without a goal as part of a second-half double, but substitute Ousmane Dembele had already put Dortmund out of reach as they won away at Hamburg for the first time since January 2012.

The day, however, belonged to Aubameyang, who did not take long to get off the mark on his return.

Rene Adler kept out Emre Mor's strike from Christian Pulisic's cutback but palmed it straight to Aubameyang, who tapped home from inside the six-yard box.

Dortmund were rampant and Aubameyang doubled his tally in the 23rd minute when Mor's pressing forced Johan Djourou into a weak backpass that he pounced upon, drawing Adler out before squaring for the former AC Milan striker to slot into the vacant net.

Just four minutes later Aubameyang completed his hat-trick, latching onto Marc Bartra's header and squeezing a shot past Adler and into the bottom-right corner.

The striker was the beneficiary of slack defending from idle centre-back Cleber, who was whistled by the Hamburg faithful when making way for Albin Ekdal in the 31st minute.

Markus Gisdol's substitution provided Hamburg with greater stability in midfield, but defensive errors once again proved their undoing three minutes after the restart.

Djourou and Emir Spahic failed to adequately clear the ball and Pulisic stole in to feed Aubameyang, who drilled across Adler and into the bottom-left corner to become the first BVB player to score four times in a single Bundesliga game since Michael Zorc in 1988.

The red-hot Dortmund striker shot wide moments later before Muller reduced the deficit for HSV when he outpaced Sokratis Papastathopoulos and guided a cool finish beyond Roman Burki.

Referee Sascha Stegemann ruled out Michael Gregoritsch's goal for a push on Matthias Ginter and Dembele, on in place of Pulisic in the 68th minute, took full advantage by firing home from an Aubameyang pass eight minutes later.

There was still time for another consolation for the hosts, Muller beating Burki with a low drive from the edge of the box, but they remain without a win in 10 Bundesliga outings as their worst start to a top-flight campaign continues.

 

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Auba patta​

 

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Bayern Munich 1-1 Hoffenheim: Zuber own goal rescues point for Ancelotti’s men

Bayern Munich were frustrated by unbeaten Hoffenheim on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at the Allianz Arena.

The champions, who had won all but one of their home matches this season, were unable to make the most of their territorial dominance after Steven Zuber's own goal had levelled matters following a blistering opener from Kerem Demirbay.

Hoffenheim came into the match as one of three sides yet to taste defeat this term, along with Bayern and RB Leipzig, and they underlined their impressive form with a stunning breakaway goal from Demirbay early on.

The home fans were agitated with their side's rather insipid performance, but they did find a breakthrough before half-time, when Zuber turned into his own net after Arjen Robben and Douglas Costa combined.

Carlo Ancelotti's side continued to control possession but looked short on energy and ideas in the attacking third, as their hard-fought Champions League win over PSV in midweek appeared to be taking its toll.

Substitute Thomas Muller headed straight at Oliver Baumann from close range and Mats Hummels rattled a post late on, but Hoffenheim deservedly held firm to take a share of the spoils and stay within four points of the champions heading into the international break.

Bayern remain top after extending their own unbeaten league run to 20 matches, but RB Leipzig can join them on 24 points if they beat Mainz on Sunday.

The hosts, who were sporting one-off kits made of recycled plastic aimed at raising awareness of oceanic pollution, saw their early control undone by a moment of brilliance that gave Hoffenheim the lead.

After Jerome Boateng had failed to intercept a pass, Nadiem Amiri was allowed time and space down the Bayern right before rolling the ball into the path of Demirbay on the edge of the area, who swept a sublime left-footed strike past the stationary Manuel Neuer and into the top corner.

Hoffenheim had only conceded 10 league goals before this game and were keeping Bayern comfortably at arm's length, but a horror moment for Zuber handed the hosts an equaliser.

Robben's fine run and pass sent Costa free inside the penalty area, and as he crossed low to the far post towards Robert Lewandowski, a sliding Zuber contrived to turn the ball through the legs of Baumann and into the net.

The goal - which ensured Bayern have scored in 36 consecutive home matches, a record since their move to the Allianz Arena - settled some anxiety among the home fans, but Hoffenheim continued to frustrate their attacking efforts while looking dangerous on the counter-attack themselves.

A crucial challenge from Zuber denied Thiago a tap-in at the far post after Lewandowski's flick, but Ancelotti introduced Muller from the bench with 22 minutes to play in an effort to inject some new impetus into the attack.

Captain Sebastian Rudy made a timely challenge to halt Rafinha's run at the end of a good Bayern passing move and Hummels struck the base of the post from the edge of the area, before Muller blasted wide when picked out in clear space near the penalty spot by Kingsley Coman, but there was to be no winner at the end of a disappointing display.

 

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Bournemouth 1-2 Sunderland: Defoe penalty gives Moyes' men first win

Jermain Defoe's penalty ended 10-man Sunderland's winless start to the season as the Black Cats came from behind to triumph 2-1 at Bournemouth on Saturday.

A familiar story looked set to unfold after the visitors – with under-fire manager David Moyes serving a touchline ban following a misconduct charge – fell behind to Dan Gosling's 11th-minute goal.

But Victor Anichebe marked his first start for the club by breaking his 546-day top-flight goal drought before the break before playing a pivotal role in Sunderland's unlikely winner.

With Steven Pienaar having seen red for a second booking, Sunderland were firmly on the back foot when Anichebe was fouled in the box by Adam Smith and Defoe made no mistake from 12 yards.

Eddie Howe's side had already spurned glorious openings as Junior Stanislas and Jack Wilshere failed to find the target from inside the box, while substitute Benik Afobe was also wayward with his side trailing.

It was a nervy final 15 minutes for Moyes' men, but they dug deep to inflict Bournemouth's first home league defeat since the opening-game loss to Manchester United.

There was an early warning shot from the hosts when Harry Arter stung the palms of Jordan Pickford in the 10th minute, as in the next attack the deadlock was broken.

Stanislas fed Smith, who delivered across goal for the returning Gosling to convert in unorthodox fashion with his stomach from a few yards out.

A lack of anticipation and movement from Defoe and Anichebe ensured Duncan Watmore's teasing ball across the six-yard box came to nothing in the 20th minute, and Josh King almost made them pay as his low near-post effort was well kept out by Pickford.

But then the Black Cats hit back. Anichebe's strength and persistence opened up a shooting opportunity from an acute angle and he blasted into the right-hand corner to level it up.There was still time in the first half for Watmore to be denied by an offside flag after prodding home Billy Jones' centre.

Sunderland were on top in the early stages after the break and Didier Ndong's curling effort had Artur Boruc scrambling to keep it out.

That was a wake-up call for the Cherries, who themselves came close when Wilshere's rasping drive called Pickford into action again.

Referee Mike Dean took centre stage just before the hour mark as Pienaar, booked just before half-time for a foul on Wilshere, picked up a second yellow after a challenge on Stanislas.Moyes looked on in disbelief from the stands, perhaps still reflecting on last week's 4-1 loss to Arsenal, when Sunderland had been holding them 1-1 heading into the final 20 minutes.

Bournemouth should have taken the lead a couple of minutes later, but Stanislas slid wide when well placed, while Wilshere was similarly wasteful soon after.Those misses came back to haunt them when Dean awarded a spot-kick after Smith tangled with Anichebe, and Defoe netted his sixth of the season.

Howe's charges pressed for a leveller, but it was simply not their day – as evidenced when Pickford denied King with a stunning one-handed save at the death – and while the scale of the task facing Sunderland remains significant, the Premier League's great escape artists are showing signs of life.

 

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Manchester City 1-1 Middlesbrough: Aguero strike not enough for Guardiola's men

Marten de Roon struck late for Middlesbrough as Manchester City were made to pay for failing to add to Sergio Aguero's 150th goal for the club in a 1-1 Premier League draw on Saturday.

City absolutely dominated the game at Eithad Stadium, but former Barcelona player Victor Valdes produced an inspired performance in the Boro goal to ultimately deny Pep Guardiola, with whom he enjoyed four glittering years in Catalonia.Aguero had pounced late in the first half to put City ahead following a frustrating opening period.

However, the Teessiders left Arsenal with a point in their last away game, had only lost once on their travels previously, and the menace they had showed on the break elsewhere this season slowly came back into their game.

It was an unlikely goalscorer, De Roon, who popped up to thump a header past the helpless Claudio Bravo in stoppage time, sending Boro fans into raptures.

Evoking memories of their 2-0 FA Cup win here as a Championship club two seasons ago, Boro's impressive defence looks to be the making of their Premier League survival bid.

Guardiola, however, will lead the inquest into how his side managed not to win this game and failed to back up their stunning 3-1 Champions League success over Barcelona in midweek, with Arsenal and Liverpool now able to knock them off top spot.Boro clung on for grim life in a first half that saw City resume their typical gameplan of stifling possession after Tuesday's counter-attacking brilliance.

However, for all that Guardiola's team probed and passed, Middlesbrough - and especially Valdes - met them with stern resistance.

Aleksandar Kolarov, Aguero and David Silva were all repelled by Guardiola's former Barca number one, with Valdes and the centre-back pairing of Calum Chambers and Ben Gibson also on hand to cut out a string of low crosses from either flank, a tactic City persisted with until it finally worked two minutes from the interval.

Kevin De Bruyne drifted to the right flank before managing to squeeze his cross between defence and goalkeeper, with Aguero ghosting in to prod home a landmark goal from close-range.

Jesus Navas thumped the post with the last kick of the first half and City were put on warning immediately after the restart when the otherwise isolated Alvaro Negredo almost caught Claudio Bravo off his line from fully 50 yards and the Chilean was forced to smother Adam Forshaw after the visitors sliced through Guardiola's defence.

Stewart Downing's cross-shot was wasteful after De Roon had sprung the visitors into a rare breakaway and Aguero and De Bruyne both blazed over when they ought to have put the game to bed.

And they were made to pay in stunning fashion as De Roon met George Friend's cross and thunder his first Premier League goal home.

 

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Real Sociedad 2-0 Atletico Madrid: Two penalties enough to down Simeone's side

Atletico Madrid's title challenge suffered a major setback after they were beaten 2-0 by Real Sociedad at Anoeta courtesy of second-half penalties from Carlos Vela and Willian Jose.

Former Arsenal forward Vela coolly converted his fourth goal in 11 league outings after Gabi had clumsily fouled Yuri. Brazilian Willian Jose added a second with 15 minutes remaining as Atletico suffered their second defeat of the season.Saturday's setback means Atletico will be six points behind city rivals Real Madrid if Zinedine Zidane's men see off Leganes as expected on Sunday.

The visitors were looking at Antoine Griezmann to make the difference against his former team, with the Frenchman scoring three goals in four Liga games against Real since his move to the Vicente Calderon in 2014.

The 25-year-old had netted six goals in nine league appearances heading into the encounter and was high on confidence following his double in the 2-1 Champions League win over Rostov on Tuesday.But he did not make much of an impact, failing to test home goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli throughout.

There were chances for Kevin Gameiro and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, but neither found the net as Eusebio Sacristan's men secured a win which maintained their encouraging start to the season.

Real made a promising start and could have grabbed an early lead through David Zurutuza, the midfielder aiming just over the crossbar from the edge of the box after some good work from Vela down the right.

Atletico slowly grew into the game and could have opened the scoring in the 26th minute following some unconvincing goalkeeping from Rulli. The Real stopper failed to adequately deal with Griezmann’s cross from the left to allow Saul Niguez to try his luck, only for Rulli to make amends with a fine save.

Gameiro did manage to beat Rulli just minutes later after Asier Illarramendi lost possession inside his own half, but the Frenchman was unfortunate to see his delicate chip hit the upright, before it was cleared to safety by the Real defence.

Vela then called Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak into action with a superb long-range strike that seemed destined to find the top corner, the Slovenian doing well to tip the ball over for a corner kick.

Atletico went in search of the opener early in the second half and got a chance to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Carrasco beat the offside trap after a clever throughball from Griezmann, but the Belgium international could only blast a powerful shot into the sidenetting from a difficult angle.

The hosts went a goal up three minutes later when Vela slotted home from 12 yards. Referee Alfonso Alvarez Izquierdo had no choice but to point to the spot after Gabi felled Yuri and the Mexico international gave Oblak no chance with a low shot into the right corner.

Things went from bad to worse for Atletico in the 75th minute when the official awarded Real another penalty after substitute Angel Correa fouled Vela. Willian Jose stepped up this time and made no mistake to seal the win for the home side.

 

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Hip injury rules Benzema out for Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane will be without striker Karim Benzema as Real Madrid look to respond to their Champions League shock against Leganes in La Liga.

Mateo Kovacic's 85th-minute goal salvaged a 3-3 draw for the European champions at Legia Warsaw on Wednesday after Madrid had thrown away an early 2-0 lead.

Zidane paired Benzema and Alvaro Morata in attack as part of a bold 4-2-4 formation that critics believe left Madrid exposed, however, the French coach will not repeat the system when Leganes head from the Madrid suburbs to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zidane told a news conference: "Karim will not play tomorrow. He has some problems after the game in Poland.

"He's noticed something in his hip area, we're not sure what it is, we're going to see. "It's just a slight niggle, we're not going to risk a player who has some sort of slight injury."

In more positive news for Zidane, however, playmaker Luka Modric is likely to play a part against the promoted side after missing the last seven games with a knee injury.

'Messi average without Argentina'"He may have some minutes, let's see. The important thing is that he's OK, he's completely recovered from his injury, that is the most important thing for me and everyone."

Leganes have picked up nine points from a possible 15 on the road in the maiden LaLiga season, and Zidane is expecting a tough test, despite Madrid enjoying a 27-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

He added: "We know tomorrow is a difficult game, it will be complicated.
"Away from home, they play very well. They know how to play so we have to be at the top of our concentration, we have to play a serious game."

 

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Barcelona's Luis Enrique open to January signings

Luis Enrique says Barcelona could strengthen the squad with new signings when the transfer window opens in January.

The Catalans invested heavily after last season, bringing in Paco Alcacer, Jasper Cillessen, Lucas Digne, Denis Suarez, Andre Gomes and Samuel Umtiti for a combined outlay reportedly totalling more than €120 million.

Injuries have blighted the LaLiga champions in recent weeks, however, with Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Jeremy Mathieu and Aleix Vidal all sidelined ahead of Sunday's clash with Sevilla.

Luis Enrique is expected to have most of his absent players fit again before the turn of the year, but he has not ruled out the prospect of bolstering his side's trophy charge.

"I'm not going to be very original. Barca always have to be open to ways of improving the team," he told a media conference."It depends on whether there is something interesting and the price is right. But we're always open, regardless of whether we have more of a need [for players]."

Assessing Barca's injuries ahead of the meeting with Jorge Sampaoli's side at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, he added: "The players themselves will determine the process [of recovery]. We have no hope of getting them back right now.
"We are who we are and we have to be happy with that."