..::Football IV::..

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Wenger: Coquelin could be out for three weeks

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin faces three weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury, manager Arsene Wenger has said.

Coquelin was forced off after 32 minutes of the Gunners' 3-0 Premier League victory over Chelsea on Saturday after coming off worse in a challenge with N'Golo Kante.

There were concerns the 25-year-old could face a longer spell out of action, but Wenger expects him to be available mid-way through October after scans determined that the problem was not severe.

"Francis Coquelin is out for the game - it should be a short-term injury," Wenger said ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Basel. "The scan was quite positive."

When pressed for a time frame, Wenger replied: "It could be three weeks".
The Gunners boss added that striker Olivier Giroud - banned for the Basel match - is a doubt for Sunday's game with Burnley due to a toe injury.

Looking ahead to Wednesday's game at the Emirates Stadium, Wenger hopes his side can produce the same intensity with which they dismantled Chelsea when they take on a side who have won all nine of their league games this season.

"They're used to the Champions League, they have huge experience and I don't expect them to be intimidated," he said. "They have nothing to lose and they are dangerous."

Of his own team's latest efforts, he said: "The relentless team energy, and that they kept going [impressed me the most against Chelsea]. I think it's a sign of maturity. We had style and steel and combined both.

"But it's a new challenge every time - the humility is to accept that you have to start from scratch again. We have to find the resources to win again."

 

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Guardiola expects De Bruyne to be back in three weeks

Pep Guardiola expects Kevin de Bruyne to miss up to three weeks due to a hamstring injury, with skipper Vincent Kompany set to be out for a similar time period.

Manchester City have permission to play awful He told reporters: "De Bruyne's is not a big injury. In two and a half to three weeks maybe he will be ready."

De Bruyne has enjoyed a stunning start to the season under Guardiola, scoring twice and providing six assists across all competitions as City have won all 10 of their competitive games.

He limped off during the closing stages of Saturday's 3-1 triumph at Swansea City, with initial reports suggesting the 25-year-old could be set for a month on the sidelines.

However, speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League Group C match at Celtic, Guardiola confirmed the prognosis was better than expected.

The news rules De Bruyne out of City's top-of-the-table Premier League clash against Tottenham on Sunday, along with Belgium's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Gibraltar.

On the timescale outlined by Guardiola, the former Wolfsburg star could be in line to return for City's first game after the international break at home to Everton on October 15, before possibly featuring in clashes with Barcelona in the Champions League and the EFL Cup trip to Manchester United.

 

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OFFICIAL: Allardyce leaves England job after one game

Sam Allardyce's tenure as England manager has ended after just 67 days following alleged remarks he made in a video recorded by undercover reporters offering advice on how to circumvent rules on transfers, the Football Association has confirmed.

England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate will take charge of the senior team's next four matches – World Cup qualifiers against Malta, Slovenia and Scotland, along with a friendly against Spain.

The Daily Telegraph published footage claiming to be from a meeting in August of Allardyce telling two men purporting to be from a Far East firm that he could offer advice on how to "get round" FA regulations concerning the transfer of players under third-party ownership.

He was also alleged to have reached an agreement worth £400,000 to represent the fictitious firm to investors and be a keynote speaker at certain events, though he made it clear than any arrangement would need FA clearance.

The 61-year-old is then said to have criticised predecessor Roy Hodgson and his assistant Gary Neville for England's Euro 2016 exit to Iceland, while he brands the FA's expensive rebuilding of Wembley as "stupid".

"The FA can confirm that Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager," said an FA statement released on Tuesday."Allardyce's conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate of the England manager. He accepts he made a significant error of judgement and has apologised.However, due to the serious nature of his actions, the FA and Allardyce have mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.

"This is not a decision that was taken lightly but the FA's priority is to protect the wider interests of the game and maintain the highest standards of conduct in football.

"The manager of the England men's senior team is a position which must demonstrate strong leadership and show respect for the integrity of the game at all times.

"Gareth Southgate will take charge of the men's senior team for the next four matches against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain whilst the FA begins its search for the new England manager."The FA wishes Sam well in the future."
England won Allardyce's sole match in charge, a 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory in Slovakia thanks to an injury time goal from Adam Lallana.

In a short video clip released by the FA, chief executive Martin Glenn, who oversaw Allardyce's appointment following England's Euro 2016 elimination, said: "[It has been] a very difficult 24 hours, in the light of the media allegations we have seen we've concluded and Sam's agreed that his behaviour has been inappropriate and frankly not what is expected of an England manager - discussing a range of issues from potential contravention of FA rules through to personal comments that frankly just don't work when you're the manager of England."

 

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Hernandez: It was very difficult at Real Madrid

Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez has admitted his lack of playing time at Real Madrid was not easy for him having previously struggled for chances at Manchester United, but he is loving life in the Bundesliga.

Hernandez left United for a one-year loan spell at Madrid in 2014-15, but the Santiago Bernabeu side opted against making the deal permanent after just seven starts in LaLiga.

The 28-year-old has impressed since his move to the Bundesliga, though, and he believes getting regular first-team action again has been key to his success at Leverkusen.

"I am playing more, I am making more minutes," Hernandez told El Pais."I got very few opportunities at Madrid. It was very difficult for me. I hardly got any game time during the first half of my time there. I repaid the faith shown in me during the second bit of my spell at Madrid.

"At Manchester United, meanwhile, I had the fourth-best goal-per-minutes ratio in the history of the Premier League."That's why I think the only reason things are going so well for me at Bayer Leverkusen is that I get regular first-team football now.

"I do not miss Spain to be honest. I miss my loved ones who are living in Mexico. But I have been relatively happy everywhere I lived. I am very happy in Germany now. And when things go well on the pitch, everything else goes much easier as well."

Hernandez has netted four goals in as many Bundesliga appearances this campaign, after 17 in 28 last season.

 

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Allardyce offers 'wholehearted apology' for England shame

Sam Allardyce is "deeply disappointed" over his departure as England boss after 67 days at the helm and has offered a "wholehearted apology" to the Football Association (FA) and others offended by his actions.

The 61-year-old's tenure was ended by mutual agreement following a summit on Tuesday with FA chairman Greg Clarke and chief executive Martin Glenn, less than 24 hours after the Daily Telegraph published footage claiming to be from a meeting in August between a pair of undercover reporters and Allardyce.

In the footage, Allardyce allegedly told two men purporting to be from a Far East investment firm how they might "get around" FA regulations concerning the transfers of players under third-party ownership.

"Further to recent events, the FA and I have mutually agreed to part company," said a statement on the FA website from the former Sunderland manager, who will be replaced for England's remaining four matches of 2016 by Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate."It was a great honour for me to be appointed back in July and I am deeply disappointed at this outcome.

"This afternoon, I met with Greg Clarke and Martin Glenn and offered a sincere and wholehearted apology for my actions."

Allardyce was also alleged to have reached an agreement worth £400,000 to represent the fictitious firm of investors and to be a keynote speaker at their events, while stipulating such an arrangement would have to be cleared by the FA.

Additionally, he also criticised his immediate predecessor Roy Hodgson and his assistant Gary Neville for their work in charge of the England team at Euro 2016, while seemingly mocking Hodgson's speech impediment and branding the FA's expensive rebuilding of Wembley as "stupid"."Although it was made clear during the recorded conversations that any proposed arrangements would need the FA's full approval, I recognise I made some comments which have caused embarrassment," Allardyce's statement continued.

"As part of today's meeting, I was asked to clarify what I said and the context in which the conversations took place. I have co-operated fully in this regard."I also regret my comments with regard to other individuals."

England face Malta in their next World Cup qualifier on October 8, having won Allardyce's sole match in charge 1-0 in Slovakia.

 

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CSKA Moscow 0-1 Tottenham: Son the saviour for Spurs again

Son Heung-min scored his fifth goal of the season to give Tottenham a crucial 1-0 win away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.Dele Alli hit the crossbar as Spurs came closest to finding a breakthrough in the first half.

Despite enjoying more of the ball, it looked as if Mauricio Pochettino's side would have to settle for a point in Russia, only for the in-form Son – who scored twice in Saturday's victory over Middlesbrough – to force a late effort past Igor Akinfeev.

That goal proved to be enough for victory, with the South Korea international's five strikes from as many matches in 2016-17 the same tally he managed from his previous 37 club appearances.

A strong response was crucial for Spurs after their home defeat to Monaco in their opening Group E game and the result puts them second in the table, one point behind the Ligue 1 side at the top.

CSKA, meanwhile, are bottom of the group with one point from two games and have now only won three of their last 20 Champions League matches.

Tottenham controlled the early possession, but neither side were able to create a clear chance in an opening 30 minutes devoid of goalmouth action.However, the first competitive meeting between the two teams livened up in a frantic spell prior to half-time.

CSKA squandered a golden opportunity when neat play down the left resulted in Jan Vertonghen's headed clearance landing at the feet of Zoran Tosic, the winger unable to test Hugo Lloris with his curling shot from a good position inside the box.Roman Eremenko then had a strike kept out by Lloris at his near post before Alli came close to finding a breakthrough at the other end.

Persistent work from Christian Eriksen ended when Pontus Wernbloom challenged him, but the England midfielder latched on to the loose ball and struck a brilliant effort against the bar from the edge of the area.

Vincent Janssen had a goal correctly disallowed for offside, while Toby Alderweireld headed a decent chance straight at Akinfeev as the visitors finished the opening period strongly.

The two teams came out firing after the break, with Son brilliantly denied by a last-ditch block from Georgy Schennikov shortly before he whipped another effort just wide.But CSKA were posing a threat on the counter and Tosic saw an shot deflect narrowly over after a strong run from Lacina Traore created the chance.

Janssen – continuing to fill in for the injured Harry Kane – was struggling to get involved and he scuffed a poor effort wide following Ben Davies' cross.Georges-Kevin Nkoudou replaced the Netherlands striker as Pochettino searched for a vital goal, which eventually arrived on 71 minutes.

A neat passing move concluded when Erik Lamela – back in the team as one of two changes for Spurs – slipped a throughball to Son, who beat CSKA's offside trap and fired a shot towards goal which Akinfeev failed to keep out despite getting down to the ball.

The hosts attempted to respond when Lloris had to save Eremenko's fierce long-range drive at the second attempt and Mario Fernandes' late cross-shot evaded Traore as Spurs held on for a valuable victory.

 

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Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Real Madrid: Late Schurrle strike denies Zidane's men

A late goal from Andre Schurrle saw Borussia Dortmund clinch a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League encounter and extend their unbeaten run against the La Liga side at the Signal Iduna Park to six games.

Madrid appeared to be on their way to their first away win against Dortmund following Raphael Varane's second-half goal, but Schurrle levelled three minutes from time with a superb finish.

Dortmund were high on confidence after winning four games on the trot, including a 6-0 thrashing of Legia Warsaw in their Group F opener, whereas Madrid came off two consecutive domestic draws.

Although the Santiago Bernabeu side were on a 22-game unbeaten run in the Champions League group stages heading into the game, their last defeat did come against Dortmund in October 2012.

But Thomas Tuchel's men were dealt an early blow when Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring after some fine work from Gareth Bale, with the Portugal international seeing another goal disallowed for offside later on.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had by then already restored parity, though, when he took advantage of some poor goalkeeping from Keylor Navas for his seventh goal of the season in all competitions.

Both sides created a number of chances after the interval and Varane appeared to have made the difference when he converted a rebound halfway through the second period, only for Schurrle to pop up in the 87th minute and salvage a draw.

The away side came close to grabbing an early lead when Ronaldo stepped up to take a free-kick on the edge of the area after just two minutes, only for goalkeeper Roman Burki to deny him with a fine save.Dortmund got a set-piece of their own in a dangerous position just minutes later and only a world-class stop from Navas kept out Gonzalo Castro's fine effort.

Karim Benzema then wasted a gilt-edged chance when he slipped when clean through on goal, but Dortmund had no such luck when Ronaldo handed Madrid the lead with a clinical finish after 17 minutes. James Rodriguez reached Bale inside the area, with the Welshman setting up Ronaldo with a clever back-heel and the prolific forward fired a low shot past Burki.

Tuchel's men restored parity two minutes before half-time as Aubameyang tapped home following some poor goalkeeping from Navas. Navas inexplicably punched a free-kick from Raphael Guerreiro against the onrushing Raphael Varane and back towards goal, leaving Aubameyang with an easy finish.

Ronaldo thought he had restored Madrid's lead again right away when he found the net a second time with a strong header, only for referee Mark Clattenburg to correctly blow his whistle for offside.

The visitors slowly grew into the game after the break and Benzema should perhaps have made it 2-1 after a good cross from Bale from the right, only for Matthias Ginter to block his shot with a stunning last-ditch tackle.

But Madrid got their second goal after all thanks to Varane. Benzema hit the crossbar after a cross from Ronaldo, but the rebound fell to Varane and the Frenchman had little trouble finding the net from close range.Dortmund nearly came up with an instant reply via Guerreiro, but Navas made up for his previous mistake with a fine save to keep out the Portugal international's long-range strike.

The Madrid goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent the late equaliser, though, as Schurrle blasted a shot in the top corner from the left-hand side of the area after some good work from substitute Christian Pulisic.

 

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Leicester 1-0 Porto: Slimani maintains Foxes’ fine start

Islam Slimani extended his remarkable scoring record against Porto as Leicester City made it two wins from two in their debut Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory.

The Algeria international moved to Leicester from Sporting CP last month and his decisive first-half header at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday took his tally to six goals in four games against Porto in 2016.

Slimani netted braces in the two Primeira Liga meetings last season, and scored again in a 2-1 win at the start of the campaign before completing his club-record switch to the Premier League champions.

This goal - his third in two home matches after a brace of headers against Burnley 10 days ago - sees the Foxes sitting top of Group G with maximum points ahead of the visit of second-placed Copenhagen in three weeks.

Once again, it was an impressive response in Europe from Claudio Ranieri's men, who put Saturday's 4-1 reverse at Manchester United firmly behind them having won 3-0 at Club Brugge on matchday one immediately after a 4-1 humbling at Liverpool.

Porto, meanwhile, were lacking a cutting edge for the most part, although they almost snatched an undeserved point seven minutes from time when substitute Jesus Corona thumped a deflected volley against the upright.

A lively opening saw nervy moments for both goalkeepers - the returning Kasper Schmeichel rushing from his box before gratefully seeing Andre Silva's lobbed attempt drop wide of the target.

Schmeichel's opposite number Iker Casillas - a three-time winner of this competition with Real Madrid - flapped under a Christian Fuchs long throw and then comfortably held Slimani's header from Marc Albrighton's set-piece delivery.Riyad Mahrez had been a peripheral figure, but he was heavily involved in Leicester's opener in the 25th minute.

Albrighton's raking pass picked out the Algerian on the right, and his pinpoint cross into the six-yard box was buried by his international team-mate Slimani with a flying header.

Porto went agonisingly close to an equaliser 10 minutes later as Miguel Layun's free-kick clipped the side-netting, but that represented a rare threat from the visitors in the first half.By contrast, Leicester continued to look dangerous and Casillas saved well from Mahrez's low drive just prior to the hour.

There was a late scare as Corona crashed his effort against the upright with Schmeichel motionless, but the hosts held on under mounting pressure to seal the points.

 

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Monaco 1-1 Leverkusen: Late Glik stunner rescues a point

Kamil Glik's brilliant injury-time strike saw Monaco snatch a point in a 1-1 Champions League draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

A drab game had appeared certain to end goalless, before former Manchester United man Javier Hernandez netted a fifth strike in his last four outings to give visitors Leverkusen the lead in the 73rd minute of the Group E fixture at Stade Louis II.His header owed much to the provider of the cross, substitute Admir Mehmedi, who had replaced Kevin Volland just moments earlier to light up the match.

Monaco had been in supreme form in the early weeks of their campaign, sitting second in Ligue 1 and beating Tottenham away in their European opener, but they looked blunt without captain Radamel Falcao.

Glik though proved the unlikely source of a valuable point, netting an unstoppable half-volley deep into injury time to deny the Bundesliga side. Leverkusen started on the front foot, but Hakan Calhanoglu dragged their first real effort wide of the near post and the hosts soon made up ground.

However, in Falcao's absence - the Colombian having suffered a concussion in Ligue 1 action against Nice last week - his deputy Valere Germain had limited opportunities in the first half.

Bernd Leno charged out to intercept a dangerous Joao Moutinho pass when the 26-year-old forward did get a sight of goal, and a clear opening did not arrive until just before the break.

Monaco had previously found the visiting defence standing firm as they looked for a gap, but Djibril Sidibe's fine backheel teed up Thomas Lemar to drill just wide from the edge of the area.

That attempt then prompted Leverkusen to respond, with Danijel Subasic making a low stop after Volland had played through Hernandez.

Shortly after the restart, Bernardo Silva started and ended a neat move for the hosts - via Lemar and Tiemoue Bakayoko - but his left-footed strike deflected over the crossbar.

At the other end, Subasic confidently gathered Charles Aranguiz's thump, before Volland almost earned a shooting opportunity with a dash beyond Andrea Raggi.
With 17 minutes remaining, though, Leverkusen found a breakthrough, with Hernandez predictably the scorer.

Mehmedi, who had emerged from the bench just seconds earlier, reached the byline on the right and centred to the back post where the Mexican was able to nod a simple effort into the net.

The substitute attempted an audacious late lob in hope of adding a second, but, clearing the crossbar, it looked as though Leverkusen would instead hold onto their one-goal lead.However, with their first shot on target in the 94th minute, Monaco came up with a glorious equaliser.

Guido Carrillo headed a long pass down into the path of Glik on the edge of the area, and the central defender powered the bouncing ball high past the helpless Leno to earn an improbable point.

 

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Sevilla 1-0 Lyon: Ben Yedder strike seals win for Europa League holders

Sevilla continued their encouraging start to Champions League Group H thanks to a 1-0 win over Lyon, as Wissam Ben Yedder silenced his doubters with the winning goal.

The close-season signing from Toulouse had been one of several new recruits to attract criticism after initially struggling to break into the team, but he made the difference for Jorge Sampaoli on Tuesday, as Sevilla added to their point at Juventus on matchday one.

Despite Sevilla seeing more of the ball, Lyon looked more purposeful in the final third and almost went ahead early on when the lively Nabil Fekir smashed against the crossbar.

The visitors were made to rue their inability to take their first-half chances just after the break asBen Yedder capped off a good Sevilla move to open the scoring, though Sergio Rico had to be alert to deny Corentin Tolisso an equaliser moments later.

Luciano Vietto should have made sure of the three points 21 minutes from time as he blazed a penalty over the crossbar, but it did not matter as the home side ultimately had little difficulty holding on to their first win of the group stage.

Sampaoli demanded more aggression in attack following Sevilla's 3-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and his team looked bright going forward in the early exchanges.

They looked unconvincing at the back, though, and had to rely on the crossbar to rescue them in the 13th minute, as Fekir pounced on a Steven N'Zonzi error and sent a fierce effort against the frame of the goal from 25 yards.

Sevilla broke through Lyon for the first time shortly after as Vitolo nodded down Nico Pareja's long pass and Vietto forced Anthony Lopes into a strong save from eight yards out.

But Lyon did not let that distract them from their probing of the hosts' frail backline and Maxwel Cornet hammered a shot at Rico from a tight angle in the 27th minute.

Sevilla began the second period with rather more intent and were deservedly ahead in the 52nd minute – Ben Yedder nodding in from close range after Vietto headed N'Zonzi's deep cross over Lopes.Lyon almost hit back a minute later, but Rico produced a fine save to his left to deny Tolisso after a clever one-two with Fekir.

Sevilla should have wrapped things up 25 minutes from time when Ben Yedder played Vietto through on goal, but the Argentinian took too many touches and Lopes blocked his eventual effort.Vietto's misery continued shortly after as he sliced a penalty over following a clumsy Jordy Gaspar tackle on Samir Nasri.

The Argentina international missed another fine chance a few minutes later, but Sevilla still had no issue claiming a vital win to move to second in Group H.

 

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Dinamo Zagreb 0-4 Juventus: Old Lady take top spot with big win

Miralem Pjanic scored one goal and created another as Juventus eased to victory over Group H rivals Dinamo Zagreb to move to the top of their Champions League group.

Midfielder Pjanic only played 45 minutes, yet still played an influential role in helping Massimiliano Allegri's side end a run of four games without a win in the competition that stretched back to November 2015.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international opened the scoring with a delicate volley in the 24th minute before setting up the second for Gonzalo Higuain, who was afforded far too much space by the Zagreb defence.

Paulo Dybala broke his duck for the season with a left-footed strike in the 57th minute, while a miserable night for the hosts was rounded out by goalkeeper Adrian Semper knocking Dani Alves' deflected free-kick into his own net.The result was the perfect response for Juventus after a 0-0 draw with Sevilla in their opening European game, particularly with a trip to Lyon up next.

Dinamo's 2016/17 Champions League campaign had begun with a 3-0 loss at Lyon, a result that – along with poor form in domestic action – cost manager Zlatko Kranjcar his job.

Caretaker boss Zeljko Sopic had overseen an upturn in results at home since taking charge, but facing Juventus was easily the toughest fixture of his brief tenure.
Higuain hooked a Alves cross over the bar in the opening minutes as the visitors dominated from the outset, although they needed help from their opponents to break the deadlock.

Leonardo Bonucci's forward pass from the halfway line caused confusion at the heart of the Dinamo defence, resulting in Leonardo Sigali inadvertently heading the ball the wrong way to set up Pjanic's deft finish beyond Semper.

Dinamo came close to getting back on terms immediately, with their first effort at goal seeing defender Gordon Schildenfeld plant a header from a free-kick against the bar.The disappointment at being denied by the woodwork at one end was compounded by Juventus doubling their lead before the interval.

Having scored the first, Pjanic set up the second with a long pass over the top to Higuain, who controlled the ball on his chest before steering a left-footed volley into the corner of the net.

Although injury cut short Pjanic's match, with Juan Cuadrado replacing him before the second half, Juventus didn't struggle in the absence of the former Roma player.
Any slim hopes of a Dinamo comeback disappeared when Dybala was allowed time and space to take aim from distance, the forward lashing a shot home from outside the area to finally get off the mark.

Marko Pjaca and Mario Mandzukic came off the bench to face their former club but it was a current Dinamo player who was credited with the last goal, teenager Semper failing to keep out an Alves set-piece that had ballooned up off the wall.
Victory sees Juventus take top spot in Group H, sitting ahead of Sevilla on goal difference after two games.

 

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Zidane: Draw difficult to accept

Zinedine Zidane admitted it was hard for Real Madrid to accept Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund after conceding a late equaliser.

The Champions League holders appeared to be on their way to the three points when Raphael Varane netted to make it 2-1 midway through the second half, but Andre Schurrle levelled with three minutes left, much to the disappointment of Zidane.

"The players played a great match. The result is a difficult one to accept because we deserved a bit more," the Madrid coach told reporters. "When you concede three minutes from the end it hurts, especially given the effort the players put in. But it is not a bad result.

"I think in the first half we suffered a bit because they pressed a lot and we knew it is a difficult place to come against a good team, but I am very proud of the game we played. It was complete in every sense but the shame is it is three games in a row now we have drawn."Varane, meanwhile, felt the 2-2 draw was a good reflection of the encounter."I think a draw is a fair result for both sides," he said.

"They had possession and we hurt them on the counter. We lacked a bit of focus and energy at the end, but it's not a bad result."To lose two points at the end of the game never makes you happy, but we're alright. We'll carry on working and we will keep on giving the best of ourselves.

"Their first goal was a bit of bad luck because the ball hit me in the face. That's football, these things happen and it's not a mistake from Keylor Navas. It doesn't matter, and you carry on playing."

 

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Ranieri doesn't trust bookies over England job

Claudio Ranieri playfully resumed his ribbing of bookmakers when told he was named in the betting to replace Sam Allardyce as England manager.

Ranieri was speaking at a news conference following Leicester's 1-0 Champions League Group G win over Porto at the King Power Stadium, a game that kicked off amid confirmation by the Football Association (FA) that Allardyce's 67-day tenure had been terminated on the back of a damning undercover investigation by the Daily Telegraph.

Last season, when Leicester were first listed as title favourites on their remarkable run to becoming Premier League champions, Ranieri joked he did not trust bookmakers as they made him favourite to be sacked at the start of the campaign.
When told he was listed as in the running to take charge of the Three Lions, the Italian replied: "The bookmakers? You know I have not a good relationship with the bookmakers!"

On the win over Porto that leaves Leicester as group leaders with two wins from as many games, Ranieri was pleased to see his men bounce back from the 4-1 weekend reverse at Manchester United, while crediting the link between Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez and his compatriot and match-winner Islam Slimani.

"We suffered in the last 10 minutes but it was important to win," he said."The concentration was high, we were resilient – I'm very happy."We played with our spirit. The last pass wasn't always there but Riyad made one fantastic pass for Slimani."

 

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Simeone: I am not Griezmann's mentor

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has downplayed his role in Antoine Griezmann's development, but is keen to help the France international fulfil his potential.

Griezmann has developed into one of the best attackers in the game since joining up with Simeone at Atletico in 2014.

The 25-year-old stressed earlier this week that he is keen to keep working with Simeone and feared the Argentinian would leave for Paris Saint-Germain ahead of this season.Simeone eventually decided to stay put, though, and he is determined to get the best out of his star attacker.

"I don't feel like Griezmann's mentor, I'm just his coach who helps him as a footballer and as a person," the Atletico coach said ahead of Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich."We're helping an extraordinary footballer reach his full potential and I'm just like any other in achieving that."

Simeone will be hoping Griezmann can build on his fine form this season against Bayern, but the Atletico coach expects a difficult match."Bayern are a very competitive team. The team is very similar to the one we played a short time ago," he added.

"I have great respect and admiration for [Carlo] Ancelotti, for the person and for the coach he is. Especially for the high level he has always managed to maintain throughout his career."

 

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UEFA Champions League Group Stages Fixtures 2016.09.28

UEFA Champions League Group Stages Fixtures 2016.09.28

Ludogorets Vs PSG

Arsenal Vs Basel

Beskitas Vs Dynamo Kyiv

Napoli Vs Benfica

Monchengladbach Vs Barcelona

Celtic Vs Manchester City

Atletico Madrid Vs Bayern

Rostov Vs PSV

​

 

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Tevez: I may retire this year

Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has blamed the media for him receiving a suspension and has said he could quit football by the end of the year.

Tevez, 32, currently plays for Boca Juniors in his homeland, having previously enjoyed success with Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus in Europe.

But he has voiced frustration at a number of aspects of the domestic game in Argentina, including the pressure placed on Boca by external factors such as the media, who he blamed for a three-match ban picked up earlier this month for dissent.

"The penalty was given to me by journalists and not the committee," he told Fox Sports. "They pushed to give me three matches."

He continued: "If we draw, Boca are in crisis - River Plate not so much. They tie and play well, everything is nice."I enjoy football but not everything that surrounds it."Tevez also criticised the short-term nature of fixture planning, adding: "In Europe you know what date you will play each team for the first six months.

"Here, you find out on Monday if you play on Friday."There is a possibility I could quit at the end of the year. I'm thinking about it."
Tevez has won 76 caps for his country.

 

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'Mourinho strong enough to cope with Manchester United critics'

Jose Mourinho is well able to withstand the criticism coming his way following a turbulent month at Manchester United, according to Edgaras Jankauskas.

The current Lithuania manager won a Champions League title as a player under the Special One with Porto in 2004 and says Mourinho will understand that harsh judgements are part and parcel of life in the Old Trafford hot seat.

“He’s strong enough and smart enough to cope with it,” Jankauskas told Goal. “I don’t see that as a big issue. He developed that strength and skin to cope with that.”

Mourinho presided over Premier League losses to Manchester City and Watford - as well as a Europa League fixture at Feyenoord – which led to widespread questioning of his methods scarcely three months into his reign.

Mourinho recovered his golden touch in last week’s 4-1 dismissal of champions Leicester – ahead of which he lashed out at “Einsteins” seeking to erase his managerial credentials which include two Champions League titles.“The criticism is part of the game,” Jankauskas said. “He is very experienced and he knows the rules of the game. He knows the credit is very short.

“If a club of the dimension of Manchester United is not performing in two or three games, he knows that the critics will be happy to do their job.”

 

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Van Persie cannot rule out future England move

Fenerbache forward Robin van Persie is open to the possibility of an England return, saying his children will have a significant say in where he plays from now.

The Netherlands international plies his trade in Turkey, having previously turned out for Feyenoord, Arsenal and Manchester United.

And the 33-year-old concedes his family has become a growing influence as he plots his next steps and stated fans may yet see him on a football pitch in England.
"We've moved around in recent years and that suits me very well," Van Persie is quoted as telling Feyenoord TV.

"Over the years I have seen that you cannot really plan your career. You have to take it as it comes. There are all kinds of things in your path and you accept it or not.

"That's how I will approach the last few years. I'm open to everything. I've been away from the Netherlands for 13 years and that suits me fine. Whether it's in England, Turkey or wherever.

"The kids are involved. They are even more English than Dutch because they grew up there. There comes a time when they also get a bigger say in where they'd like to live and be."

Van Persie takes on former club Feyenoord with Fener in the Europa League on Thursday in a continental campaign that will also see him face United in Group A.

 

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Ibrahimovic-Rashford the ideal strike pairing for Man Utd – Gary Neville

Gary Neville believes the forward pairing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford will see Manchester United reap the most reward.The duo formed part of the devastating United attack that put Leicester City to the sword in a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford last weekend.

Rashford – who has forced his way into Jose Mourinho's plans – scored the third of four first-half goals for the hosts, who dropped captain Wayne Rooney to the bench.

And former defender Neville believes Rashford, 18, and Ibrahimovic, 34, possess the combined talents to form a prolific strike-force.

"Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford seem to be a fit," he told Sky Sports.
"Ibrahimovic is clever enough to find the runs of Rashford. Rashford is clever. He isn't just a runner and a finisher."Those two could eventually end up playing together."

United host Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League on Thursday, hoping to bounce back from their opening Group A defeat at Feyenoord.

 

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Mourinho keen to protect under-fire Rooney

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho may leave Wayne Rooney out of the firing line again in the Europa League as the England captain struggles with a back problem.

Amid calls for Rooney to be dropped after a string of uninspiring performances, Mourinho benched the 30-year-old for United's Premier League clash with Leicester City on Saturday.United strolled to a 4-1 win over the reigning champions without their skipper, leaving some vindicated in their desire to see Rooney axed.

Mourinho was hoping to recall the forward against Zorya Luhansk at Old Trafford on Thursday, but may keep him under wraps to ensure he avoids more negative press.

"He [Rooney] is selected. I didn't decide yet if I start with him," Mourinho told a media conference on Wednesday."He didn't train yesterday, he did just a little bit of a session on Monday. He had a back problem, so today was the first time he did anything with the other players.

"I was completely expecting to use him tomorrow, but I am not sure if I will do that. With his situation I really don't think he can have a performance which is not really good.

"I am here to protect him, and have to analyse the best thing for him."If he is not totally ready for it, I will discuss that with the medical staff."