..::Football IV::..

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Mourinho: Man Utd will probably lose to Middlesbrough!

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes his side's heavy fixture schedule will probably see them lose to Middlesbrough next time out.

United's involvement in both the FA Cup and Europa League as well as the Premier League has seen them play three times in the last seven days, with the clash against managerless Boro coming up at 12:00 GMT on Sunday.

The Red Devils are likely to be without both Paul Pogba and Daley Blind, who both picked up injuries in Thursday's win over Rostov, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera are suspended.And Mourinho believes fatigue has played its part in the fitness levels of his squad, leaving them facing an uphill task at the Riverside Stadium.

"It's difficult to play Monday with 10 men, it's difficult to play now, it's difficult to play 12 o’clock on Sunday. We have a lot of enemies," he told BT Sport."A lot of people might say we should have scored more goals. But a lot of things are going against us.

"The boys are amazing boys. We will probably lose the game on Sunday. Fatigue has a price."I will remember forever when I spoke to the UEFA delegate in Rostov. He told me if any of our players gets injured, the insurance paid."Whoever decided the Monday and Sunday games probably thinks the same way.”

United will find out their opponents in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Friday, with the draw taking place at 12:00 GMT.

 

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Injured Pogba to miss Middlesbrough match and France games

Paul Pogba will miss Manchester United's Premier League match against Middlesbrough on Sunday and withdraw from the France squad due to the hamstring injury he suffered against Rostov.

United manager Jose Mourinho confirmed Pogba will be sidelined after having to be replaced two minutes into the second half of Thursday's Europa League victory over the Russians.

Mourinho's men won 1-0 on the night at Old Trafford to seal a 2-1 aggregate triumph in the last-16 tie, but saw the France midfielder limp off to be replaced by Marouane Fellaini.

The 24-year-old gestured to his leg and headed straight down the tunnel after sustaining the problem when pressing a Rostov player, applauding the home fans on his way off.

"Yes, hamstring," Mourinho said of Pogba's injury at his post-match media conference."I don't know for sure how long, but no Middlesbrough and no national team."Pogba had been named in France's squad to face Luxembourg in World Cup qualifying and Spain in a high-profile friendly for next week's international break.

A goal from Juan Mata proved to be enough for United in a tense second leg, with Mourinho impressed by his side's battling qualities."Our plan was to kill the game when we had energy for that," he said.

"We tried to kill it in the first half, we hit the post, the keeper saved, we missed chances. Then they were trying, but my players fought hard.

"Rostov are a very difficult team to play against because they defend with a block of 10 players. It was difficult for everyone. Atletico Madrid, Bayern, Anderlecht, Ajax, Sparta Prague, Man United – everyone found it difficult to play against them.

"They are very organised, big discipline, and they can be dangerous on the counter-attack."

 

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1st Rooney,Martial,Shaw & Now Pogba,Blind

Get well soon for all!​

 

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Pique: I agree with Ramos about Barca's historic win

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique agreed with Sergio Ramos about his side's win over Paris Saint-Germain, insisting he had no reason to get angry.

Luis Enrique's side completed an incredible comeback against PSG in the Champions League, a 6-1 win in the second leg seeing them into the quarter-finals 6-5 on aggregate.Ramos, captain of fierce La Liga rivals Real Madrid, described it as "historic in every way", seemingly hinting at some decisions going Barca's way.

But the outspoken Pique saw no criticism from his Spain team-mate, saying: "I didn't get angry with Sergio Ramos' words.

"I enjoyed it [the win] like a kid, it was like a dream come true. The feelings are even stronger than winning the Champions League trophy.

"Now, the best thing is to win it but that night against PSG was historic as Ramos said. The most important thing is try to win."That comeback will be in the history books but without any substance if we don't win the tournament in the end."

Joining Barca in the last eight are Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Leicester City.Pique is unfazed by who Barca come up against, saying he had set his sights on lifting the trophy.

"I hope we will see a good tie against any team. The truth is the level is high because we are talking about seven very high-level teams," he said."I hope our comeback against PSG will be the start of our journey to try to win the title."

 

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Iniesta wants to finish career at Barcelona

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta wants to finish his career at the club, as long as he is considered important.

Iniesta, 32, came through Barca's famed La Masia academy, and has enjoyed a trophy-laden career at the La Liga giants.The Spain international, who is contracted until mid-2018 but is yet to renew, said his desire was to be a one-club player.

"Anyone can guess but I have been clear about this [my renewal]. Now the only thing I am worried about is our title aims," Iniesta said on Thursday."After the season we will review everything, both personal and the club's side, and that's it.

"I am not saying I won't renew my contract. I want to finish my career here but that will be decided by my performances on the pitch and my feelings.

"I won't stay here if I am not important for the club. That's clear."Injuries have limited Iniesta to just 25 appearances in all competitions this season, including six in the Champions League.

With the draw for the quarter-finals to be held on Friday, Iniesta said he was ready for whoever Barca came up against.Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Leicester City are also in the last eight.

"As every year, there are some some strong teams and others like Monaco, who got through but nobody expected it, although they have a great potential. We cannot underestimate anyone," Iniesta said.

"All of us are strong, so I cannot say we have to avoid this team or that team. Maybe the Spanish sides because we know each other.
"Any team we get we will give our best to get through."

 

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Man United want Champions League spot – Mata eager for Europa success

Match-winner Juan Mata said Manchester United will be doing everything they can to win the Europa League this season in an attempt to qualify for the Champions League again following the defeat of Rostov.

United – who drew 1-1 draw in Russia in the first leg – were superior for much of Thursday's match at Old Trafford, hitting the post twice in the first half through Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

They had to wait until the 70th minute before making things a little more comfortable, though, as Mata finished off a well-worked counter-attack in a 2-1 aggregate win.

And the Spaniard is eager for United to go all the way and make sure of qualification for Europe's elite competition, with a top-four finish in the Premier League looking tougher by the week.

"That's our aim," Mata told BT Sport. "We always want to win every tournament that we are in."Obviously it's a good chance to play in the Champions League next season, but there are still some very good games left in the Europa League."The level is very good. But we want to play Champions League next season and this is a way to do that."

It took United longer than expected to break the deadlock on home soil and, while Mata was happy with the football they played in the first half, he accepted that their finishing should have been better.

"Well, it was a matter of finishing our chances," he said. "In the first half we played great football, but couldn't finish."You have need to score otherwise difficult to go through. That's why it was also important that we kept their score to zero – Sergio [Romero] did really well with that."

Ander Herrera was similarly frustrated with United's lack of composure in front of goal, even going on to acknowledge that their inability to finish teams off is becoming a bad habit.

"These kind of games can look easy, but they are not easy," the midfielder added. "Rostov had nothing to lose and came here to go through and I think we controlled it really well, creating lots of chances.

"But it is the same problem we've had all season. We are creating chances but always the keeper, or the post [save the other team] and we don't close games, so in second half we have to suffer a little."But we controlled the game and some points we played really, really well."

 

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Koeman warns Lukaku Everton will not be held to ransom

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has warned Romelu Lukaku that the club will not be forced into selling him as the saga surrounding the Belgian's future rumbles on.

Earlier this week, Lukaku suggested Everton's lack of ambition could prompt him to seek a move away from Goodison Park, where he still has two years remaining on his contract.

A new deal has been offered by Everton, which Koeman still hopes Lukaku will sign, but either way the Dutchman says the club will not allow the striker to force their hand."The final word is always to the board of the club and if we don't sell the player we don't sell the player," Koeman said.

"The people in the club are really strong enough to keep something and if we go to that direction it's the final decision by the board of the club."

Koeman met with Lukaku to discuss the striker's controversial interview, and says moving the club into a position to challenge for the Premier League's top four will not be a quick process."We spoke about this at the meeting that we had and I said it is not fair to speak about the club," Koeman said.

"What we like to show, and what also we tried to explain, is you need time. I think if we can do what we want to do for next season then I think we can make the next step, yet even if with more quality or competition in the squad or better players, doesn't mean you play Champions League football.

"Maybe Man United, Arsenal, City or Liverpool will not qualify for the Champions League and they pay money to play in the Champions League - it can be United or City or Arsenal or Liverpool.


"I don't think it will be Chelsea or Tottenham but they spend money to play Champions League and one or two of them will not play in the Champions League."

 

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Lukaku godak durata summer 1kedi Everton walin yanna ida thiyanawa​

 

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'They are real contenders' - Modric believes Tottenham can win the Premier League

Luka Modric believes Tottenham can win the Premier League title, now they have resolved to keep their best players.

The Croatia international left Spurs to join Real Madrid in 2012 in a £30 million deal, following the likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick in seeking a move away from White Hart Lane.

Gareth Bale later joined Modric at the Santiago Bernabeu, becoming the world’s most expensive player in the process, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side have now taken steps to ensure that their best players do not look to leave.

The likes of Hugo Lloris, Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen, Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele have all signed new contracts in recent months, and Modric believes that the change in mentality will lead Spurs to a league title sooner rather than later.

"I think Tottenham are developing in the right direction, they are doing well each year and getting better each year,” he told Sky Sports.

"Now they are real contenders for the title, maybe not this year, but if they keep going in the right direction, with a new training ground and new stadium, the great support, they have all the qualities around. Hopefully in the future they can win the Premier League.

“Of course that is the key for each team, to keep your best players. Now Tottenham have changed their politics a little bit and they want to keep their best players.

"That's one way to help you get to the top and win the Premier League."Spurs are currently 10 points behind leaders Chelsea and face Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.

 

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Wenger says Walcott better than ever despite England axing

Theo Walcott was axed from the England squad on his 28th birthday but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes the forward has become a more complete player this season.

England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed to reporters Walcott "wasn't chuffed to bits" to be informed he had been overlooked for this months' games against Germany and Lithuania in favour of the likes of uncapped duo Nathan Redmond and Michail Antonio.

Walcott made the point to Southgate he is one of the leading goalscorers in England and, with 17 in 29 appearances he is on target to overhaul his best ever return of 21 from the 2012-13 season.

"Theo has become more of a complete player, more efficient," Wenger said ahead of Arsenal's trip to West Brom, where he addressed Walcott's history of being snubbed for England's 2010 World Cup and Euro 2016 squads, while injury ruled him out of Brazil 2014."He can influence games. He is a focused player and he was not picked for the European Championship.

"Always in life, you try to get to the next level when things don’t go for you – or you think you did everything right and continue to live like you did before."He had the right response. He said: 'What do I need to do to get higher up?' And he did it."

Sunderland's Jermain Defoe earned his first call-up since 2013 after varying fitness issues for Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney left Southgate short in attack.Wenger has previously talked up Walcott's potential to operate as a central striker but now accepts his best position is on the right wing.

"I was always convinced, because of the quality of his runs, he was a central striker," he added. "For a while he was as well but he made up his mind during the summer break and he feels more comfortable on the right."He is fair. He said if you want me I will play through the middle but if you give me the choice I would prefer to play on the right.


"It is his preferred position and it is true that is where he is most efficient."

 

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Barcelona draw Juventus, Real Madrid face Bayern in Champions League quarter-final draw

Reigning champions Real Madrid will face Bayern Munich while Barcelona have drawn Juventus in the Champions League quarter-final draw.

Leicester City, meanwhile, will face Atletico Madrid in a daunting tie for Craig Shakespeare's Premier League champions, while Borussia Dortmund will take on Manchester City's conquerors AS Monaco.

Real progressed to the quarter-finals by virtue of a straightforward aggregate victory over Napoli, but they will have their work cut out against the German giants, who thumped Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate, winning each game 5-1.

Barca may feel that this is their year after a quite staggering victory over PSG; the Catalan club recovered from a 4-0 defeat in the first leg, prior to their amazing 6-1 win at Camp Nou.

Juventus, meanwhile, beat FC Porto 3-0 on aggregate to progress, while Leicester defeated Sevilla over two legs in one of the most historic victories in the Foxes' history.

Juventus and Barcelona faced off in the 2015 Champions League final, with Barca running out comfortable 3-1 winners, but former winger Pavel Nedved believes Juve have improved since then.

"It's a fascinating challenge, against one of the most famous clubs in the world," he told Sky Sport Italia. "It's really beautiful but we must now look to the past but the present, knowing that they are strong. The best team will win.

"In my opinion, we have definitely grown (since 2015 final). I believe that maybe this game is coming at the right moment for us. We have to respect Barcleona but not too much because that leads to fear and that's not good. I believe that our team is at the same level as Barcelona.

"Leonardo Bonucci and Paulo Dybala wanted Barca, but Dani Alves wanted to avoid them. We can be content because to be here as the only Italian team in the Champions League quarter finals makes me proud. But I would prefer if there were others. Italy needs that."

Atletico, though, present a quite different threat, as they look to again reach the Champions League final. Diego SImeone's men reached the showpiece game in both 2014 and 2016, and defeated Bayer Leverkusen to reach this stage.

Monaco produced a stunning result to beat Manchester City, winning 3-1 at home after falling to a 5-3 away defeat, meaning they progressed on away goals at the expense of Pep Guardiola's side, and they will face a free-scoring Dortmund.


Following a 1-0 defeat to Benfica in the first leg, Thomas Tuchel's men won 4-0 at home to seal their progression, and they will hope to outwit the Principality-based outfit.​

 

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Pattama draw 1kakhama match 1kakama wage hoda fight 1kak yai

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Manchester United draw Anderlecht in Europa League quarter-finals

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United have drawn Belgian side Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-finals.The Red Devils secured their passage to the last eight with a narrow 2-1 aggregate win over FC Rostov on Thursday.

United had been held in Russia but booked their place in Friday's draw in Nyon courtesy of Juan Mata's second-half strike, with Mourinho's men claiming a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on the night.

And they will now face Anderlecht, who defeated APOEL 2-0 on aggregate, in the quarters, with the first leg set to take place in Belgium on April 13 although official dates are subject to confirmation.

The Premier League side have happy memories when it comes to facing their opponents having recorded their biggest ever European win over Anderlecht, a 10 win back in 1956.

Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will also relish coming up against the side who finished third in the Jupiler Pro League last season having scored four against them for PSG in 2013.

The matches will only to add Mourinho's headaches with regards to fixture congestion, however, with United now scheduled to play eight matches in April.

The first leg is set to take place four days after a trip to Sunderland in the Premier League, with the second leg coming after the meeting with Chelsea, which is scheduled for April 16.

Mourinho complained about fixture congestion in the aftermath of the win over Rostov, insisting that United's Premier League rivals "don't know what fatigue is" when asked about Manchester City's Champions League exit.He told BT Sport:"I am very disappointed [at City going out]. I am not making fun of it. It's bad for us for many reasons.

"It's bad for us as an English club and it's bad for us as all of the five teams in front of us in the Premier League don't have international football."They will be playing one match a week, like some of them have been doing since the beginning of the season.

"They don't know what fatigue is, they don't know what accumulation is, they don't know what it is like to go home and not sleep because of fatigue."We will fight to our limits - that's what we have to do."Elsewhere in Friday's Europa League draw, Celta Vigo will face Genk, Ajax have been drawn against Schalke, while Lyon will meet Turkish side Besiktas.
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Lesi wenne naha quarter-finals wala hoda fight 1kak denna wenawa

Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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'One of the worst opponents' - Butragueno laments Real Madrid drawing Bayern

Emilio Butragueno has conceded Bayern Munich represented "one of the worst possible opponents" for Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Madrid were paired with Bundesliga leaders Bayern in Friday's draw, meaning a return to the Santiago Bernabeu for Carlo Ancelotti, the man who led the Spanish giants to La Decima - their 10th European Cup/Champions League triumph - in 2014.

Bayern hammered Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate in the round of 16 and will pose a strong challenge for Zinedine Zidane's men.

Butragueno, Madrid's director of institutional relations, said: "Bayern were one of the hardest opponents that we could have drawn, although I'm sure they're saying the same thing. The two sides know each other very well. "Ancelotti is their coach and he knows us very well. They've got top players all over the park and they have a lot of experience.

"We'd have liked to have faced them further on in the competition but that's the draw."

Madrid do, at least, have the small advantage of playing the second leg at home but former Madrid and Spain striker Butragueno is wary of the damage Bayern can do at the Allianz Arena.

He added: "The second leg at home gives you a small advantage, but we need to play well in Germany.

"We know that 20 good minutes in Germany can be deadly. It's not the best draw we could've got, but we have great players with experience. It'll be a great tie to play in."

 

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Maiden Spain call-up for Illarramendi as Pedro returns

Julen Lopetegui has named the uncapped Asier Illarramendi in his 25-man squad for matches against Israel and France.La Roja host Israel in a World Cup qualifier in Gijon on March 24 before a friendly with France in Paris four days later.

Real Sociedad midfielder Illarramendi, who spent two years at Real Madrid before returning to Anoeta in 2015, is the only player named in Lopetegui's party without any prior senior international experience.

Gerard Deulofeu, on loan at AC Milan from Everton, has earned a recall after his sole previous appearance against Bolivia three years ago, while the likes of Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos all return after missing games against Macedonia and England in November.

There is no place for Manchester United's Juan Mata, who had earned a recall for those matches, while Chelsea's Pedro has been selected by Lopetegui for the first time."I know Illarramendi well," Lopetegui said in Friday's media conference. "It is suitable for him to be joining us at this time."

Spain squad in full:

Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Nacho (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Ander Herrera (Manchester United), Asier Illarramendi (Real Sociedad), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Isco (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City)

Forwards: Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Diego Costa (Chelsea), Gerard Deulofeu (AC Milan), Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid), Pedro (Chelsea), Vitolo (Sevilla).

 

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'I'll soon be #Pogback!' - Pogba positive despite injury blow

Paul Pogba has thanked supporters for their messages and says that he will soon be back in action after suffering an injury in Manchester United's Europa League clash against Rostov.

Pogba was forced off with a hamstring complaint on Thursday and United manager Jose Mourinho confirmed that, while he was unsure of the time-frame for recovery, the player will certainly miss the upcoming game against Middlesbrough, as well as France's fixtures against Luxembourg and Spain.

Despite being ruled out, the former Juventus star remains upbeat and reassured Red Devils fans that he will focus all his energy on recovering.

"Merci for all support messages, can feel the good energy," Pogba wrote on Twitter. "Will focus 100% on recovery and soon be #Pogback"Pogba has been ever present for United this season, making 41 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals.

 

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Ancelotti 'excited' by Real Madrid return

Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid will be a special occasion for Carlo Ancelotti.

The Bayern boss led Madrid to La Decima – their much-celebrated 10th European Cup/Champions League title – when they beat city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra time in the 2014 final in Lisbon.

He is now seeking a repeat of the Bundesliga champions' 2013 treble and will have to overcome some familiar faces - including former assistant and current Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane - if he is to keep that dream alive.

"The match against Real Madrid will be special for me. It is going to be exciting to play against them," Ancelotti told a news conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Borussia Monchengladbach.

"We have a lot of confidence and want to win the Champions League this season.
"I think we have the ability to beat Real Madrid. But they have a fantastic team with a fantastic coach."

Zidane led Madrid to glory on Europe's biggest stage once more last year, again at Atletico's expense, fewer than six months after replacing Rafael Benitez as head coach.

Ancelotti has three Champions League winners' medals, having bested the continent's elite twice while in charge of AC Milan, while Bayern were in rampant form as they dispatched Arsenal 5-1 home and away in a dominant last-16 showing.

"It's difficult but there are no simple opponents in the quarter-finals," Ancelotti added. "It is very exciting to return to Madrid but it is just a football match. We want to be the better team against Real."

Douglas Costa is injured and will miss the Monchengladbach game, when the defending champions will arrive at Borussia Park with a 10-point advantage at the summit.

Jerome Boateng is in line for more action having returned from shoulder surgery with a substitute appearance against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend, although he was left out of Joachim Low's Germany squad to face England and Azerbaijan on Ancelotti's advice.

"I spoke with Joachim Low," he explained. "I told him that Boateng is fit, but he still needs time to improve his physical condition."

 

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Borussia Dortmund 1 Ingolstadt 0: Aubameyang earns unconvincing victory

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a first-half winner as Borussia Dortmund edged to a 1-0 triumph over struggling Ingolstadt, boosting their Champions League qualification hopes.

The Gabon international continued his electric form with an early strike that moved him on to 23 Bundesliga goals this season and nine from his last five across all competitions.

Dortmund, who lost to Hertha Berlin in their last league match, were unconvincing in victory, but nonetheless strengthened their position before the sides around them play their own top-flight matches this weekend.

Thomas Tuchel's men moved to within three points of RB Leipzig in second and stretched their lead over top-four rivals Hoffenheim and Hertha to four and six respectively.

Ingolstadt stay second from bottom and have now won just one of their last seven in the league despite a brave performance that saw them denied what looked like a strong penalty claim for forward Dario Lezcano in the second half.Aubameyang passed a late fitness test to return to the Dortmund team as one of three changes and he was the man to open the scoring after just 14 minutes.

Shinji Kagawa's throughball released Marcel Schmelzer down the left and Aubameyang swept home the captain's precise cross with a left-footed finish past Martin Hansen.

Ingolstadt came close to responding when home goalkeeper Roman Burki had to display impressive reflexes to keep out Mathew Leckie's close-range header.Alfredo Morales could only steer wide a headed chance of his own and Burki had to get out quickly to deny Sonny Kittel as the visitors continued to carry a threat.

At the other end, Kagawa's cross led to Christian Pulisic having a shot blocked and Erik Durm slamming over from the rebound, before Raphael Guerreiro fired wide from a good opening just before the break.Straight after the restart, Leckie fired well off target from a glorious chance when a mix-up between Matthias Ginter and Sokratis gave him the opportunity.

Ingolstadt then had a credible shout for a spot-kick turned down after Burki appeared to bring down Lezcano in the area when the forward latched on to Kittel's flick-on and turned away from Lukasz Piszczek.Sokratis prodded an effort just wide from Guerreiro's corner for Dortmund and Durm's long-range strike tested Hansen, but the match remained in the balance going into the closing stages.

Tuchel, who introduced Andre Schurrle from the bench in a bid to wrap up the result, was angered when Gonzalo Castro's free-kick appeared to strike the arm of a defender in the wall.


But that did not prove to be a decisive moment as Dortmund did just enough in their last game before the international break, maintaining their unbeaten home record in this season's Bundesliga.

 

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Fabregas better than ever at Chelsea, says Conte

Antonio Conte says Cesc Fabregas has improved as a player in recent weeks, despite the midfielder being in and out of the Chelsea first team this season.

Fabregas came off the bench against Manchester United in a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, despite having started the previous three, as Nemanja Matic stepped back in to partner N'Golo Kante.

However, the Spaniard is still providing more assists per minute than any other player in the Premier League and Conte is aware of what a weapon an "improved" Fabregas will be in the final months of the season.

"This season he faced a new situation. Cesc, in the past, has always played every single game," he said at a news conference at Cobham Training Centre. "It's not easy to change. But, for sure, Cesc showed me that he is not only a great player but a great person.

"I think, this season, he has improved a lot in all aspects and, for me, he is a really, really important player. Cesc gives you great quality, great fantasy and assists. Yeah, but it's important for me, above all at this point of the season, to manage very well the situation.

"Understand when it's right, for example, to play with Cesc or with Matic. We are talking about two great players, for sure with different characteristics. Nema is more physical, more technical, less fantasy than Cesc. Cesc has more fantasy but is less physical than Nemanja.”

Conte has faced few injuries during his time in charge of Chelsea and he has lacked the fixture congestion that European competition causes - which has led to some players in his squad getting very few minutes.

Chelsea chose to play their strongest side against Manchester United, which meant that younger players who had played in the FA Cup previously didn't get a game. Conte thinks that his less experienced players will still develop in his squad of superstars but he also wants them to keep pushing for a start.

“I think, first of all, for the young players to train with this type of player – Fabregas, Willian, Hazard, Costa, John Terry – is great," He continued. "You learn every day what it means to be a champion. It's important to stay with this type of player and to learn.

"But also, for me, they are not young players. For me, they are Chelsea players. Chelsea's players. I try to improve all my players in the same way: I work in the same way with the young and old players, and I put great attention in it for them every day. That is normal for me.

"They must have this ambition to play in the first-team. It's normal, this. I want to see this, this ambition. That they want to show me they deserve to play with the first-team. You must be sure, though, if someone deserves to play that they do play.”