..::Football IV::..

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A quick preview before UCL starts

City vs B Mon - B Mon have a poor away record & even lost the away game against promoted freiburg after leading 1-0. But I see they doing something unexpected here like beating Bayern last season. We'll see.

Legia vs Dortmund - Legia are in the UCL after such a long time & can't wait to see the atmosphere there But there coach is really poor and I can see dortmund win 2-0 or 3-0.

Lyon vs Zagreb - on paper lyon are favourites. But they lost last 2 ligue 1 matches to really poor dijon & then to bordeax. they were up 2-0 to dijon & lost 2-4. Lazacatte & some other players are injured. Lyon defence is really poor. I can't see them even making the top 3 of ligue 1 this season with this performance.

Bayer vs Moscow - dunno what to expect here but I guess a home win is likely. Moscow are usually a low scoring team

Brugge vs Leicester - Brugger has been poor in the Jupiler league this season and are 5th or 6th currently as I remember. But unsure of leicester. perhaps a 1-2 maybe.

Porto vs Kobenhavn - Porto beat roma to be here. It was really unexpected. a clean sheet is likely. maybe a 1-0 or a 2-0. But not sure

Juve vs Sevilla - I really don't know what to make of this sevilla I mean they were extraordinary against barca & real on those trophy matches & the beginning of the season. Gave some tough competition. Then 1 la liga match 6-4 with espanyol. then a 0-0 draw. then a 2-1 win with 2 late late goals. really unpredictable. Juve are one of the most stable teams right now with an excellent bench. 3-0 3-1 maybe

Tottenham vs Monaco - A match to watch IMO Do not underestimate Monaco. With fabinho at def & mid, Mutinho @ mid & Falcao at front. They are a really good team. IMO they will win the ligue 1 this season. Game will b played at wembley & not white hart lane. Said to be sold out. I;m supporting monaco. A high scoring game likely.
2-2,2-3 is my call

Real vs Sporting - Well what to say. We usually put up a great performance at UCL. And ronaldo is back to fitness level and performing against his old club Vamos Real!!

 

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Missed the ceremony

 

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Real Madrid 2 - 1 Sporting CP

This is what being a madrista is all about 85th min 0-1. FT 2-1. Brilliant free kick by ronaldo. Rui Patricio flew to save it
IMO Ronaldo is the best footballer I've seen in all kind of aspects.

Vamos Real!!​

 

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And they lost it

 

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Cavani: My fault PSG didn't beat Arsenal

Edinson Cavani shouldered responsibility for Paris Saint-Germain's failure to beat Arsenal in a frustrating Champions League opener on Tuesday.

The Uruguay striker headed in the opener after just 42 seconds at the Parc des Princes, but was wasteful in front of goal there after - including shooting wide after rounding goalkeeper David Ospina.

PSG were made to rue their inability to finish off the game when Alexis Sanchez equalised for the Gunners with 13 minutes remaining to earn a 1-1 draw in the Group A contest.And Cavani accepts that Unai Emery's men were not good enough in the final third.

"We played a great game. We played better than in the previous game in the league [a 1-1 draw against Saint-Etienne]," he said.

"There are many positive things [to take from the game]. But in the end, we pay dearly for our lack of consistency in front of the goal."In this competition you have to win a lot of points. It was the first game and we must continue to play like we showed.

"As I said before, I think we played a great game but we have to be better in front of goal. I take responsibility for it because I had the clearest opportunities."But this is football, sometimes the ball goes in, sometimes it doesn't. We just have to continue because we showed a lot of positive things."

 

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Rooney & Mkhitaryan left out of Man Utd squad for Feyenoord clash

Manchester United have announced their 20-man travelling squad for the Europa League clash with Feyenoord, with Wayne Rooney and Henrikh Mkhitaryan the stand-out names to have been left out.

Jesse Lingard, who, along with Mkhitaryan, was withdrawn at half-time of the Manchester derby defeat on Saturday is also absent, while Antonio Valencia is another to have not been included.

Jose Mourinho has already confirmed that Marcus Rashford is all set to start the meeting with the Eredivisie side, while the likes of Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Memphis Depay could also get the nod.

Mkhitaryan, who reportedly has become unhappy at life at Old Trafford due to his role in the team, did not take part in training prior to the squad flying to Rotterdam, while Phil Jones was another who didn't take part.

United's squad in full: De Gea, Romero, Johnstone; Darmian, Bailly, Blind, Fosu-Mensah, Rojo, Smalling; Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, Mata, Memphis, Pogba, Schneiderlin, Young; Ibrahimovic, Martial, Rashford.

 

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Neymar: Messi, Suarez & I know how each other think

Neymar says his partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez is so effective because the trio know how each other think.

The Blaugrana's South American trident scored 90 goals between them in La Liga last term as they went on to lift the title.

Messi, Suarez and Neymar started alongside each other for the first time this season to fire Barca to a 7-0 win over Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Messi scored three, Suarez netted two, while Neymar had one goal and four assists - two of which set up Messi and another one for Suarez, while the latter two assisted each other as well.

And Neymar believes they have a near telepathic understanding with each other, which is boosted by their friendship outside of football. "It was special for the three of us to play together for the first time this season and we are very pleased with our performance," he told Goal after the match at Camp Nou.

"We are at a place now where we know the way each other thinks, the runs we make, the positions we will be in. We can still get better though, our communication and understanding of each other is improving all the time. "We are not playing for ourselves, nobody is looking for personal glory. It is always nice to score goals, but if I score, if Luis scores, if Leo scores, it doesn't matter - we are as happy creating goals for each other as scoring them.

"Our understanding on the field is helped by our relationship off it. We are all good friends, and I think that shows in the way we play. It is very early in the season, we can get better, and help make it a very successful season for Barcelona."

 

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PSG 'offered private jet and hotel chain' to tempt Neymar

Paris Saint-Germain offered Neymar a private jet and a stake in a hotel chain as part of a staggering offer to tempt him to France, according to one of the Barcelona star's agents.

Wagner Ribeiro claimed that the use of Neymar's own aeroplane, dividends from a hotel business and an assurance that there would be no concerns over taxes all formed part of the Ligue 1 champions' proposal.

The Brazil international ended a protracted saga around his future by signing a new five-year contract with Barca in July.

The 24-year-old had been heavily linked with PSG and Manchester United, with Ribeiro previously claiming that Neymar rejected a €40million-per-year offer from Parc des Princes officials in order to stay with Barca, though a source from the club denied those claims last week.

Ribeiro has now revealed further details of the incredible offer put forward by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi - a package he claims he urged Neymar to accept, only for the player's father to convince him otherwise."They called and said to Neymar, 'What do you want to play for PSG? We have what you want'. Neymar started to laugh," Ribeiro told ESPN Brasil.

"I asked what they were offering us. I spoke to Oliver [Letang, PSG's former sporting director], who said they could set up a network of hotels around the world and give us a percentage of the benefits.

"I was surprised. How does that work? Neymar owning a hotel?"It was explained that there would be no problems with tax in France. He said, 'I can get you a private jet for your travel to Brazil, for when you join up with the Brazil team'.

"Neymar was enthusiastic. They also said he was going to be the number one in the team, which isn't the case at Barcelona."They offered an outrageously high and unrealistic figure: €40m, tax free, when he earned €9.5m at Barca.

"It was me who brought Nasser Al-Khelaif to Sao Paulo. I said to Neymar that it was an offer out of reality, that he'd become the best paid player in the world and there would be no player earning more than him.

"It was me who leaked PSG's offer to the press and while I was speaking with PSG, Neymar's father was in talks with Barcelona. He used PSG to renew with Barca.

"If Ney stayed, it's because he wants to be at Barcelona, he's happy at the club and in the city. I wanted him to go to PSG but Neymar's dad, however, made him stay."

 

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Higuain is worth €90m, but nobody matches Ronaldo - Icardi

Gonzalo Higuain is worth the club-record €90million fee that Juventus paid to sign him from Napoli, according to Inter captain Mauro Icardi.The 29-year-old has scored three goals in three games since joining the Serie A champions in an acrimonious switch from title rivals Napoli in July.

Icardi does not believe his compatriot was overpriced, given his record haul of 36 goals in Italy's top flight last season, but he claims former Inter star Ronaldo remains the greatest the game has ever seen.

"Higuain is worth the money Juventus paid for him - he scored 36 goals last season," he said on Wednesday. "There's nobody like Ronaldo. In my opinion, he's the best striker in the history of the game."

Inter begin their Europa League campaign against Hapoel Be'er Sheva on Thursday, before a high-profile league clash with Juve at San Siro just three days later.

Icardi insists his side must put their sole focus on a positive result against the Israeli side before they allow themselves to think about taking on the champions."I'm happy at Inter and I want to stay here for as long as I can," he said. "I want to be successful with Inter and as captain I would love to win this competition.

"It's only natural to look forward to the Juventus game, but we're professionals and we need to focus on this one. If we want to qualify for the Champions League then we need to take it game by game.

"I saw part of the Israel versus Italy match, and from what I know, Hapoel Be'er Sheva are a good side. If we do what the boss asks of us then we can make life hard for them."

 

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Van Bronckhorst: Manchester United still one of world's biggest clubs

Feyenoord boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst believes Manchester United are still one of the biggest clubs in the world as they prepare for Thursday's Europa League encounter in De Kuip.

United boss Jose Mourinho has left players such as Wayne Rooney and Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of his squad for the trip to Rotterdam, but Van Bronckhorst feels they still have plenty of high-profile names left and remain a huge force despite their absence from the Champions League.

"It's a very big game for us against one of the biggest teams in the world. It's a big challenge," Van Bronckhorst stated at a news conference."We are playing against a top team and will have to be patient. You will be punished if you make mistakes at this level. We have to take our chances.

"The squad United are taking to Rotterdam has a lot of individual quality and experience. United have a number of players who can make the difference. No matter what their team looks like on Thursday, we will be prepared.

"This is a difficult group with some strong opponents, but our goal is to survive the group stages. We want to play as many big games as possible. It would be a big bonus for us if we still play in Europe after the winter break."Dirk Kuyt, meanwhile, is full of respect for opponents United, but is hopeful of getting a good result.

"I think United are under enormous pressure because everyone wants them to win the Premier League. They are a contender for the league," Kuyt added."PSV beat United last year and that was a fantastic result, but this is a different United. Mourinho will win trophies with United if he gets time. He is a very successful coach.

"I want to be successful against United. I have good memories of games against them from my time at Liverpool They are still a bit of a rival to me."

 

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Legia Warsaw 0-6 Borussia Dortmund: Exceptional BVB romp to victory

A stunning opening 20 minutes paved the way for Borussia Dortmund to thrash Legia Warsaw 6-0 in Wednesday's Champions League Group F encounter at the Stadion Wojska Polskiego.

Dortmund were somewhat surprisingly beaten 1-0 by RB Leipzig at the weekend, but the Bundesliga defeat clearly did not impact them in Poland on their return to European football's elite club competition as they impressed right from the off.

Mario Gotze, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Marc Bartra all found the net within 17 minutes and Legia were unable to bounce back as Dortmund cruised to an easy win, with Raphael Guerreiro, Gonzalo Castro and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring after the interval.

Gotze's opener represented his first goal for Dortmund since his return to his boyhood club after an underwhelming three-year spell with Bayern Munich, with his previous goal in a competitive game for the club coming in the 6-1 Bundesliga win over Greuther Furth in April 2013.

The Germany international's return to the Signal Iduna Park was initially met by scepticism by some fans and his unconvincing performances so far this campaign did little to win over his critics, but he will have silenced some of his doubters with Wednesday's outing.

Thomas Tuchel will have been equally pleased with Ousmane Dembele's performance on the left wing, with the Frenchman beating his direct opponent time and time again as he had a hand in three goals.

Gotze gave Dortmund a dream start as he headed home from close range after just seven minutes to open the scoring. Dembele sent in a superb cross from the left and the Germany international beat goalkeeper Arkadiusz Malarz.

Dortmund were simply unstoppable in the opening stages and Sokratis doubled their lead in the 15th minute. Guerreiro found the centre-back with a well-taken free-kick from the left after a foul on Dembele and Sokratis found the net with a strong header.

Things went from bad to worse for Legia as Bartra opened his Dortmund account. Malarz made a triple save to deny Guerreiro, Aubameyang and Marcel Schmelzer after a free-kick from the edge of the box, but it was fourth time lucky as Bartra eventually tapped into the empty net from the rebound. Dortmund continued to cause the Warsaw defence all kinds of trouble each time they charged forward and Aubameyang was unfortunate not to find the net when he chipped the ball over Malarz, only to see his delicate attempt hit the sidenetting.

Legia could have pulled one back in the 39th minute when Thibault Moulin escaped the attention of his marker, but his attempt to lift the ball over Roman Burki lacked the height and power to really worry the Dortmund goalkeeper.

Tuchel's men kept on pushing for more after the interval and it was Guerreiro who piled even more misery on the hosts in the 51st minute. The Portugal international reacted alert after Dembele had his shot blocked and fired the ball past Malarz with a low shot.

Dortmund were not satisfied just yet, however, and Castro added a fifth in the 76th minute just moments after coming on to replace Gotze, before Aubameyang added his name to the score sheet late on following a quick counter-attack.

 

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Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 CSKA Moscow: Germans held after blistering start

CSKA Moscow fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League Group E opener, avoiding defeat in Germany for the first time.

Leverkusen had been cruising after scoring twice in the first 15 minutes through Admir Mehmedi and Hakan Calhanoglu as CSKA struggled to keep pace.
But after Igor Akinfeev had made a vital save from Mehmedi, the visitors countered with two strikes in the space of 123 seconds.

Alan Dzagoev's wonderful effort gave the Russian side hope before Roman Eremenko squeezed a finish through Bernd Leno to draw the visitors level before half-time and stun a previously jubilant Leverkusen crowd.The hosts are now unbeaten in eight European home matches, but paid for their profligacy and saw captain Lars Bender withdrawn through injury in a further blow.

While CSKA have conceded just once in the Russian Premier League this season, it was a ruthlessness in attack that bailed them out in this clash as they recovered from the hosts' lightning start.Leverkusen had taken control of the game from the off and opened the scoring with their first real attack in the ninth minute.

While a deflection off Calhanoglu from a deep Benjamin Henrichs pass fooled the away defence, Mehmedi was alert to beat the offside trap and bring the ball under control before bundling a finish beyond Akinfeev.

Six minutes later, CSKA bowed to their opponents' pressing when Kevin Kampl took possession to thread a pass through to Calhanoglu, whose strike clipped Vasili Berezutski as it flew into the top corner.

The visitors were being completely overrun, with Julian Brandt and Wendell both firing straight at Akinfeev.

Leverkusen were repeatedly punishing a disastrous defensive line as Akinfeev made a double-save from Mehmedi, but CSKA quickly countered with a stunning goal.

Dzagoev, returning from injury, took Aleksey Ionov's pass, dashed past the helpless Jonathan Tah and beat Leno to the ball with a rising finish.

Worse was to come for the home side, with Eremenko rifling through the goalkeeper's legs from Lacina Traore's cute pass as the visitors celebrated an unlikely equaliser.

Joel Pohjanpalo, who has netted four in his first two games for Leverkusen despite playing for just 40 minutes, was introduced in place of Javier Hernandez at half-time, but it was Brandt who screwed wide just seconds after the restart.

Bender was then withdrawn with an apparent hamstring injury, but his side continued to pile on the pressure as Pohjanpalo was squeezed off the ball and Kevin Volland curled tamely towards Akinfeev.

And frustration with referee Daniele Orsato grew as he turned away appeals for a Mario Fernandes handball and a foul on Pohjanpalo by Sergei Ignashevich, while Leno saved from Aleksandr Golovin.

Leverkusen's momentum ultimately slowed as they were unable to repeat their incredible first-half start as CSKA held on for a surprise point.

 

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Tottenham 1-2 Monaco: Lemar stuns Spurs at Wembley

Monaco scored twice in the first half hour to beat Tottenham 2-1 at Wembley in their Champions League Group E opener.

In front of the largest home crowd ever to watch an English club, Spurs failed to deal with Monaco's counter-attacking threat as they conceded two goals on the break, the first of which was a superb strike from Bernardo Silva.

Thomas Lemar fired in a second and the game looked to be slipping away from Spurs until Toby Alderweireld pulled one back with a powerful header just before half-time.But Monaco withstood strong pressure from Spurs in the second half to see out the match with their lead intact and inflict a first defeat of the season on their hosts.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will hope the result – and the tepid nature of his side's performance at times – is not a signal that they are going to struggle as they make the national stadium their home in the Champions League this season while White Hart Lane is revamped.

Spurs settled into the occasion more quickly than their opponents and Son Heung-min would have opened the scoring after nine minutes had Andrea Raggi not blocked his shot after Harry Kane's excellent cross.

Kane looked Spurs' most effective outlet on the right flank and he caused Monaco a number of problems before the visitors scored a brilliant counter-attacking goal.
Fabinho won possession in midfield and launched the ball forward for the pacy Portuguese midfielder Bernardo, who darted into the box and applied a deadly finish that left Hugo Lloris no chance.

Spurs countered immediately and Erik Lamela forced a good save from Danijel Subasic, but Monaco seemed to grow in confidence and began to dictate the rhythm of the game.

With just over half an hour played, Monaco extended their lead when Lemar – on as a substitute for the injured Nabil Dirar – pounced on a knock down from Djibril Sidibe's cross and lashed the ball high into the net past Lloris.

As the half looked set to peter out, Alderweireld gave Spurs a lifeline, powering Erik Lamela's corner into the net from close range to give the Wembley crowd some hope.

Pochettino sent on Mousa Dembele for Son after half-time and Spurs went close to levelling the match when Dele Alli unleashed a dipping 25-yard drive that Subasic did well to tip over the crossbar.Dembele's presence seemed to free Alli to play at his best and his deft flick put Kane in on goal, but Jemerson blocked the England striker's shot.

Substitute Vincent Janssen gave Spurs a fresh attacking outlet in the closing stages of the game and he teed Kane up for a gilt-edged chance after 79 minutes, but Subasic was equal to his shot.

As the clock ran down, Monaco frustrated the Wembley crowd by playing comfortable possession football that ensured a late charge for a Spurs equaliser never materialised.

 

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Lyon 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb: Genesio's men ease to Champions League victory

Maxwel Cornet starred for Lyon as the Ligue 1 side eased to a convincing 3-0 Champions League victory over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old, starting in place of the injured Alexandre Lacazette, was fantastic throughout at Parc Olympique Lyonnais – and capped-off a superb display with a well-taken goal to put Lyon three up just before the hour-mark.

Having taken an early lead through Corentin Tolisso's brilliant header, Bruno Genesio's side dominated much of the proceedings, and doubled their tally early in the second half when Cornet teed up Jordan Ferri.

Dinamo – the weakest link in a group also containing Juventus and Europa League holders Sevilla – would have pulled one back shortly after Cornet's strike if not for a glaring miss from El Arabi Soudani.

But ultimately it was comfortable for Lyon as they moved to the top of Group H, with Juventus held to a 0-0 draw by Sevilla, who host the French side on matchday two on September 27.

Despite the absence of top-scorer Lacazette, Lyon started brightly, Dinamo goalkeeper Adrian Semper getting down low to his right to prevent Cornet from netting with a brilliantly-executed flick 10 minutes in.

But the 18-year-old could do nothing to deny Lyon a deserved lead three minutes later, Tolisso latching onto Rafael's cross and powering a terrific header in off the underside of the crossbar.

Dinamo should have been further behind soon after, but Maxime Gonalons – unmarked from Cornet's inswinging corner – could only direct his header over.
Gonalons took a knock to the head in the process of squandering that opportunity, and Lyon coach Genesio decided to take no risks with his captain, substituting him on the half-hour mark.

Lyon, whose 12-match unbeaten run at home was ended by Bordeaux last time out, saw further chances to double their lead go begging as Maciej Rybus drilled a low effort wide before Cornet had a goal disallowed for offside.

However, Lyon wasted no time in extending their advantage just four minutes after the restart, Cornet the architect as he played a sublime throughball into Ferri, who lofted a delightful finish over the onrushing Semper.

And matters were made worse for the visitors soon after, Cornet turning from provider to goalscorer as he raced onto Tolisso's pass and slotted a low strike into the bottom-left corner.

As Lyon threatened to run riot, Dinamo searched for an immediate response, but Soudani somehow failed to convert from point-blank range – shinning an effort against the crossbar before hammering over on the rebound.Soudani was involved again as Dinamo lodged their next meaningful attack, dragging an audacious volley wide with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Cornet received a standing ovation from the Lyon faithful as he made way shortly after, though there was to be one more chance for Dinamo – substitute Mario Situm prodding a shot against the woodwork as the visitors failed to claim a consolation from a comprehensive defeat.

 

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Club Brugge 0-3 Leicester: Mahrez stars as the English champions stroll

Leicester City made a superb start to life in the Champions League as a pair of goals from Riyad Mahrez helped Claudio Ranieri's side to a 3-0 win over Club Brugge on Wednesday.

The Premier League champions needed just five minutes to score their first goal in the competition, Marc Albrighton knocking the ball into an unguarded net thanks to Hans Vanaken's unfortunate assist.

Mahrez doubled their lead with a curling free-kick in the 29th minute, and then added a penalty just after the hour mark to clinch all three points in Leicester's Group G opener.

The victory is Leicester's first in Europe since they took on Glenavon in the first round of the Cup Winners' Cup in the 1961/62 season.

And Leicester now boast a two-point advantage at the top of the group following Porto's 1-1 draw with Copenhagen, with the Portuguese side their next opponents on September 27.

Ranieri's men may have suffered a shaky start to the defence of their title - winning just once in their first four domestic league outings - but Leicester flew out of the blocks in Belgium.

Albrighton made history by scoring the club's first ever goal in Europe's premier club competition, the winger capitalising on a defensive mix-up to break the deadlock.

Unaware Ludovic Butelle had left his line to claim Luis Hernandez's long throw from the right flank, Vanaken flicked the ball out of his goalkeeper's hands and perfectly into Albrighton's path at the back post.

The goal came straight after Club Brugge had blown a glorious chance to take the lead at the other end of the field, Jose Izquierdo failing to even hit the target with a left-footed shot with only Kasper Schmeichel to beat having breezed by Wes Morgan to reach Vanaken's throughball.

Jamie Vardy looked set to have a one-on-one opportunity of his own when he seized on a loose pass in the 29th minute, only for Timmy Simons' late lunge to halt his progress towards the penalty area.

Although Club Brugge's captain escaped with just a yellow card for the cynical foul, Mahrez sent the resulting free-kick beyond Butelle's desperate dive to double Leicester's advantage.The same combination were involved in the goal that put the game to bed, as Club Brugge once again failed to cope with the speed of Vardy.

England international Vardy breezed in between two defenders to go clear on goal, forcing Butelle to rush from his line and commit to a challenge he never had a hope of winning.

Mahrez duly tucked away the spot kick, sending his effort down the middle as Butelle - who only received a booking under the new rules for goalkeeping fouls inside the area - dived to his left.

Club Brugge's miserable night was summed up when the woodwork denied Izquierdo from grabbing a consolation goal, with Leicester also able to celebrate a clean sheet on a famous night in their history.

 

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Manchester City 4-0 Borussia Monchengladbach: Aguero hat-trick secures win for City

Sergio Aguero netted a second hat-trick in as many Champions League games to ensure Manchester City started their Group C campaign swimmingly with a 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach, a day on from torrential rainfall putting paid to the initial fixture at the Etihad Stadium.

The 24-hour delay gave City boss Pep Guardiola further time to consider his failure to beat Borussia in any of his final four Bundesliga attempts with Bayern Munich, while his current club had not won their opening home Champions League group game in five previous attempts.

Those unflattering statistics rarely looked like being extended after Aguero - currently serving a three-match domestic suspension for an elbow on West Ham defender Winston Reid that the Football Association described as "brutal" earlier on Wednesday - converted Aleksandar Kolarov's eighth-minute cross.

The 28-year-old scored a penalty before the half hour and, as City looked like failing to turn their second-half dominance into further goals, he completed a treble to sit alongside the one he claimed in last month's 5-0 win over Steaua Bucharest 13 minutes from time.Aguero's replacement Kelechi Iheanacho built on his goal Saturday's Manchester derby win by netting in stoppage time to crown a tale of total domination for Guardiola's men - something generally beyond previous City vintages in Europe.

There were some deft early touches from Ilkay Gundogan, making his City debut with David Silva absent from the matchday squad, but there was nothing overly intricate about the hosts' early opener.

Raheem Sterling held up play for Kolarov to thunder a low cross towards the near post, where Aguero prodded high into the net.

Borussia were soon cut open again as Christoph Kramer failed to cut out a Fernandinho throughball and Kevin De Bruyne crossed for Aguero.

The Argentina star's touch unusually deserted him in the box and the ball broke to Gundogan, who should have done better than allowing Yann Sommer to save away to his left.

Any momentum Andre Schubert's side were building from some encouraging play midway through the first half clattered to a halt when Kramer lunged in on Gundogan in the 27th minute right on the edge of the area to concede a penalty and earn a booking. His forgettable outing would end by being substituted before the break.

Aguero stepped up to send Sommer the wrong way to double the lead and the Borussia goalkeeper was then forced to keep out a stinging Gundogan drive.

Sommer's opposite number Claudio Bravo denied Lars Stindl sharply in the 42nd minute, although the home debutant would remain largely untroubled thereafter.

Four minutes into the second half, Sommer fumbled a deflected cross from Jesus Navas, but made amends with a magnificent reaction save to deny Aguero his hat-trick after Sterling kept the ball alive.

There was a relentless feel to City's football as the match passed the hour as they zipped the ball around stylishly and pinned Borussia inside their own half.Sommer was responsible for it not becoming a chastening evening for his team-mates, as he outwitted Sterling in a one-on-one and denied Aguero once more.

But the prolific marksman would have the final say in that particular duel, as he streamed on to Sterling's pass and rounded the goalkeeper to add to his burgeoning collection of Champions League matchballs.

City's complete mastery of the contest was summed up by Bravo lobbing the ball over Thorgan Hazard to start the move that ended with Iheanacho being set up by fellow substitute Leroy Sane to score from close range.

 

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Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting: Zidane's men cap incredible comeback

Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata spoiled the party for Sporting CP with two late goals bringing Real Madrid from behind to win 2-1 in a dramatic Champions League Group F encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The reigning champions looked set for a shock defeat before Ronaldo stepped up and picked out the top-right corner directly from a set-piece 25 yards out, and Morata secured all three points with a 94th-minute header.

Ronaldo's 350th appearance for Madrid came against the club where he made his debut, and it looked set to be a frustrating one when Bruno Cesar put Sporting ahead two minutes into the second half.

The Portuguese side had coach Jorge Jesus sent to the stands for his remonstrations at referee Paolo Tagliavento's decision to book William Carvalho for a challenge on Luka Modric, and from there his team came under increased pressure.

Ronaldo rattled the post from inside the six-yard box with seven minutes remaining and he finally hit the net in the 89th minute, Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio getting a hand to the ball but failing to stop it flying in off the upright.

The 31-year-old refused to celebrate against his former club, but 67th-minute substitute Morata – dropped with Zinedine Zidane favouring Karim Benzema from the start – had no such qualms when he sent the home fans into raptures in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Sporting showed they had come to Madrid to play positively and went close within two minutes, Bruno Cesar bending a left-footed shot from 20 yards just outside Kiko Casilla's right-hand post before Gelson Martins warmed the goalkeeper's gloves.

In the opening period Sporting keeper Patricio was only tested by a thunderous 30-yard strike from Ronaldo which needed a pair of hands to stop it swerving and dipping under the crossbar.

The Portuguese side started the second half just as they did the first, but this time Bruno Cesar did not fail to get the better of Casilla within two minutes of the restart.

Sergio Ramos and Modric failed to stop Bryan Ruiz poking a pass through to the Brazilian, and he curled a sublime effort into the bottom-left corner from the right-hand side of the box.

Jesus was removed from the touchline in the 57th minute, and Zidane soon moved to replace Gareth Bale – who appeared to pick up a hip injury in the first half following a challenge from Sebastian Coates – and Benzema with Lucas Vazquez and Morata in the 67th minute.

The hosts quickly began playing with greater energy, but Ronaldo passed up the chance for an equaliser when he turned Dani Carvajal's cross onto the upright.But the Madrid superstar was not to be denied his moment in the limelight, and he fired home a free-kick to level the match in the 89th minute.

The turnaround was completed five minutes later when Morata powered in a header from substitute James Rodriguez's left-wing cross.

The result will ease the pressure on Madrid ahead of a tricky trip to Borussia Dortmund on September 27, while Sporting will try to pick up the pieces when they entertain Legia Warsaw.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus 0-0 Sevilla: Italian champions unable to break down Europa League holders

Sevilla showed that Juventus will not have it all their on way in Champions League Group H, as the Europa League holders frustrated the Italian champions and left Turin with a 0-0 draw.

Massimiliano Allergi's men defeated Sevilla 2-0 at home in the group stage last term, but on this occasion they came face-to-face with a team out to frustrate them from the start and the visitors' plan was ultimately successful. They did not start well, though, as Juve began brightly and went close twice in quick succession early on, only for Sami Khedira to waste both chances.

Sevilla soon woke up defensively, however, and Jorge Sampaoli's men were successful in stifling their hosts for a significant period, though they could do little more than watch when Gonzalo Higuain nodded against the crossbar after an hour in Juve's best opportunity.

Brilliant defending from Nico Pareja shortly after denied Dybala an easy finish as the hosts began to up their intensity towards the end, but Sevilla held strong at the back and Sergio Rico's late save from Alex Sandro clinched a commendable point.
Allegri stressed before the game that the first match is always the most important of any group stage and his side certainly appeared to buy into that approach early on, going agonisingly close twice.

First, Sevilla surrendered possession in their own half and Dybala pounced, racing forward and finding Khedira in the area, only for the Germany international to drag his effort wide.

Khedira had the chance to atone for that miss when he was released by Dybala again in Juve's next attack of note, but the midfielder could only shoot straight at Rico when one-on-one.

Sevilla, who deployed three defensive midfielders, were solely focusing on frustrating their hosts and began to look more solid as the first half progressed, ultimately having little trouble keeping Juve at bay until the break.

Juve continued to struggle to break Sevilla down early in the second period, but Sevilla had a lucky escape when Higuain outsmarted Pareja with his movement and headed Dani Alves' pinpoint cross against the crossbar.

Sevilla's introduction of Joaquin Correa injected some energy to their attack and he swiftly caused Juve problems, turning Giorgio Chiellini inside-out with clever footwork before blasting well wide.Juve quickly had Sevilla back on the defensive, though, and only a crucial touch from Pareja prevented Dybala tapping in Alves' teasing right-wing delivery.

Miralem Pjanic's entrance for the last 22 minutes brought a little more craft to Juve's attack and he almost set Higuain up for the winner with an inviting low ball in towards the near post, but again Pareja was there to intercept.

Juve piled the pressure on in the closing stages and almost secured victory with another chance in stoppage time as Alex Sandro headed Alves' cross goalwards, only for Rico to produce a fine stop to earn his team a valuable point.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Porto 1-1 Copenhagen: Cornelius strike pegs back hosts

A second-half goal from Andreas Cornelius secured a commendable 1-1 draw for 10-man Copenhagen against Group G favourites Porto at Estadio do Dragao.

The hosts had taken an early lead when Brazilian midfielder Otavio marked his first appearance in the Champions League proper by firing home from the edge of the box in the 13th minute.

Despite dominating for long periods, however, Nuno Espirito Santo's men failed to undo a resolute Copenhagen defence for a second time and were hit by a sucker-punch seven minutes after the break.

Cornelius had already scored five goals in six games as the Danish side progressed to the group stage for the first time in three years and he maintained that fine run of form by heading home following a Youssef Toutouh cross.

Copenhagen were then forced to play out the final 24 minutes with 10 men after Jan Gregus received a second yellow card for a foul on Oliver Torres.But Stale Solbakken's men dug deep to secure a vital point and extend Porto's winless European home run to four games.

Despite finding themselves under severe pressure in the opening exchanges, it was Copenhagen who managed to create the first chance as Iker Casillas was forced to palm over a header from Federico Santander.Having survived that scare, Porto swiftly regained the initiative and duly took the lead in the 13th minute.

After Thomas Delaney conceded possession cheaply close to his own goal, Otavio latched on to a clever backheel from Andre Silva and rifled home a stinging shot from the edge of the box.

To their credit, Copenhagen successfully steadied the ship after that early setback, although they were a touch fortunate not to concede a penalty when Erik Johansson appeared to bundle the lively Otavio over in the box.

And they enjoyed another let-off shortly before the break as Jesus Corona's superb cut-back just eluded the onrushing Silva.Having failed to capitalise upon their first-half dominance, Porto were stunned when Cornelius made it 1-1 in the 52nd minute.

Toutouh's deflected cross eventually found its way to the former Cardiff City man who sliced his attempted volley straight up into the air, but then responded quickest to nod the loose ball past Casillas.

And although they redoubled their efforts after the dismissal of Gregus, Porto ultimately failed to find a way past the Danish champions, much to the frustration of the home fans.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Jardim: Arsenal win helped us past Spurs

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim used his side's victory over Arsenal two seasons ago to inspire them to their 2-1 success against Tottenham in the Champions League.First-half goals from Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar at Wembley inspired Monaco to victory on Wednesday.

Toby Alderweireld pulled a goal back for Spurs on the stroke of half-time, but they suffered defeat in the Group E clash.

Monaco also claimed a win in London in February 2015, beating Arsenal 3-1 on their way to a round-of-16 success.

Jardim revealed he used that to help his team to their latest victory as they moved top of their group.

"We wanted to stop the transitions of our opponents, who are very strong in this area," he said."Mentally, we prepared ourselves by thinking about our victory at Arsenal [in 2014-15]."

The win was Monaco's sixth straight in all competitions, ahead of facing Rennes in Ligue 1 on Saturday.