..::Football IV::..

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Pele: PSG star Neymar needed to step out of Messi's shadow


Pele believes Neymar made the right decision to step out of Lionel Messi's shadow at Barcelona and join Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar swapped Barcelona for PSG in August after the Ligue 1 giants activated the Brazil star's €222 million buyout clause to make him the most expensive footballer in history.

The 25-year-old has hit the ground running in Paris, scoring three goals and tallying as many assists, having helped Barca to La Liga and Champions League glory during his time at Camp Nou.

And countryman Pele – widely regarded as the greatest player of all time – endorsed Neymar's transfer to PSG."At the moment the best player in Brazil is Neymar and I think the move for him was very good because there was huge competition with Messi at Barcelona," Pele told Marca.

"I think it's a good opportunity for him and he needed to move because now he can really play and show what he's capable of. But it's also very dangerous when you get given that responsibility."Asked whether Neymar can join Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka as the only Brazilians to win the Ballon d'Or, Pele replied: "Of course he can.

"Neymar has a football at his feet, which is all he needs. [Philippe] Coutinho is a player I think we should all look at too because he is excellent for his team. No doubts at the moment, though, that Neymar is the one."Neymar is on international duty with Brazil, who are already assured of their place at the World Cup in Russia next year.

After overcoming Ecuador 2-0, Neymar and CONMEBOL leaders Brazil face Colombia on Tuesday.

 

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De Gea: It's a dream to be at Manchester United


David De Gea insists that it is a dream to be a Manchester United player, despite constantly being linked with a switch to Real Madrid.Despite a difficult start to his United career following his switch from Atletico Madrid back in 2011, De Gea has flourished at Old Trafford and is considered one of the best goalkeepers in world football.

He did, however, look all set for a return to Madrid to join Real in 2015, although issues over the completion of paperwork on deadline day scuppered that move and he remained in Manchester.

De Gea signed a new deal at Old Trafford soon after that ties him to the club until 2019 and, despite the rumours of a big-money transfer to Zinedine Zidane's side refusing to go away, he is adamant it remains a dream to play for United.When asked about the widespread praise he has received for his performances, De Gea told MUTV: "Of course, you feel really proud when people think this about you.

"It’s really good, but I like to keep my focus, keep working hard and doing my best. To be fair, when you are really young, you don’t think about the future too much, you just want to play with your friends."When you get older, you start to dream about being there, about being at a top team, so of course it’s a dream to be at a team like Manchester United."

De Gea also discussed how he got into football and, when asked when he knew he was going to be a top goalkeeper, he added: "It’s difficult. I don’t know. I never thought that when I was young.

"Maybe when I was 15 or 16 years old, I started feeling better, thinking that I could play at a high level. At the same time, I was also playing tennis and things like that, but I was always better at football. I played some basketball too, but football is what I love."

 

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England 2 Slovakia 1: Rashford winner brings World Cup qualification closer

Marcus Rashford's first goal at Wembley ensured England remain in control of their World Cup qualification destiny after coming from behind to defeat Slovakia 2-1 on Monday.

Stanislav Lobotka gave the visitors a surprise early lead in London to leave manager Gareth Southgate and his players with plenty of cause for concern.However, Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier equalised with a well-taken finish from a corner in the 37th minute.

And Manchester United forward Rashford, who was dispossessed in the build-up to Lobotka's strike, made amends for his earlier error by firing home what proved to be the winner from outside the area a minute before the hour mark.

The result sends England five points clear at the top of UEFA Group F with two matches in October remaining, at home to Slovenia and away to Lithuania, with their place at the finals in Russia appearing increasingly assured.

Slovakia meanwhile remain second but are now just one point clear of both Scotland and Slovenia, with a showdown against Gordon Strachan's men looming at Hampden Park next month. The visitors' first real sight of goal produced the opener in just the third minute, with Rashford guilty of losing possession while covering Kyle Walker.

Celta Vigo midfielder Lobotka exchanged a sharp one-two with Adam Nemec, receiving the centre-forward's perfectly weighted return pass to get beyond the England defence and dink the ball past Joe Hart.

England slowly began to assert themselves after that early setback, creating chances for Dele Alli, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rashford without success.
The promising United youngster, seeking to atone for his earlier error, was involved in the build-up to England's equaliser.

Rashford slipped Harry Kane into a dangerous position inside the area and the Tottenham striker could have gone down under a challenge but instead won a corner with a deflected strike. Spurs team-mate Dier got to the ball first from the subsequent set-piece, sweeping a well-timed finish on the half-volley into the roof of the net at the near post.

England kept the pressure on after the break, Jordan Henderson dragging a snap shot wide and Oxlade-Chamberlain forcing a save at the near post.The pressure told in the 59th minute, when Alli fed Henderson and the Liverpool and England captain in turn found Rashford.

Slovakia's defence afforded the teenager too much space and he duly picked out the bottom corner of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka's net from outside the area.


Slovakia, having earlier called Hart into action when Marek Hamsik found Nemec temporarily free of the attentions of Phil Jones at the back post, struggled to mount a response to falling behind.



Instead it was England who went closest to scoring again, substitute Raheem Sterling driving at goal and testing Dubravka with six minutes to go, the hosts ultimately winning in relative comfort.

 

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Germany 6 Norway 0: World Cup holders move one step closer to Russia 2018

Timo Werner scored twice as Germany swept aside Norway 6-0 to move one step closer to qualification for the World Cup finals in Russia next year.

The holders would have secured progress had Northern Ireland failed to defeat Czech Republic, but their Group C rivals' win means the defending champions will advance if they avoid defeat in Belfast next month.Few would back against Joachim Low's side on this form, after a three-goal blitz in the opening 21 minutes effectively put the game to bed in Stuttgart on Monday.

Mesut Ozil, perhaps relishing the freedom of a break from the current discontent at Arsenal, gave Germany the lead and Julian Draxler - recalled as one of three changes from Friday's 2-1 win in Prague - added a second soon afterwards.Werner's first was a simple tap-in as Norway wilted under the opening barrage, and the RB Leipzig forward doubled his tally with a fine header shortly before the interval.

Half-time substitute Leon Goretzka made it five shortly after the resumption and his fellow replacement Mario Gomez added further gloss as Germany maintained their perfect qualifying record this campaign.


Germany had taken only quarter of an hour to make the breakthrough in the reverse fixture exactly a year ago and they were even quicker off the mark this time as Ozil swept home Jonas Hector's cut-back from the left in the 10th minute.

Toni Kroos blazed over when he ought to have doubled the lead a minute later but the hosts did not have to wait long to stretch their advantage as Draxler turned sharply inside the box and placed a calm finish into the bottom-left corner.

Norway were in danger of complete capitulation and only had themselves to blame for Germany's third. Jorgen Skjelvik's loose pass set the defence on the back foot and Thomas Muller dummied Kroos' square pass to Werner, who had the simplest of tasks to tap home.

The visitors briefly managed to stem the black and white tide, but the respite was only temporary as Werner claimed his second in the 40th minute, arching his back impressively to head in Muller's excellent right-wing delivery.

Kroos was brilliantly denied by Norway goalkeeper Rune Jarstein on the stroke of half-time but the pattern continued after the break as Muller's replacement Goretzka quickly announced himself on proceedings, rising highest to nod home Draxler's chipped cross.



Norway belatedly showed some signs of life as Ole Selnaes fired narrowly off-target and Mats Hummels deflected a low ball just wide but Germany were soon on the front foot again as Gomez's diving header converted Joshua Kimmich's cross to complete a thumping victory for the holders, whose form looks ominous for those hoping to relieve them of the trophy in Russia.

 

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Monaco can still challenge despite Mbappe-led exodus - Lopes


Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko may all have fled in a summer exodus, but Monaco midfielder Rony Lopes believes the most important factor in last season's Ligue 1 title win remains.

The Stade Louis II outfid made a stunning and rapid rise to the summit of Ligue 1 last season, dethroning French giants Paris Saint-Germain for their first league title in 17 years, while reaching the Champions League semi-finals with style and substance.

But the nucleus of their title-winning line-up has been ripped apart after being raided by PSG, Manchester City and Chelsea for teenage sensation Mbappe, playmaker Silva, star full-back Mendy and tough-tackling midfielder Bakayoko.

While doubts have emerged over Monaco's ability to compete with Mbappe and €222 million-rated Neymar at big-spending PSG, it has been business as usual for Leonardo Jardim's side, who have not missed a beat on and off the pitch.

Monaco won their opening four matches of the Ligue 1 season and managed to complete the signings of Keita Balde and Stevan Jovetic to add to the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Terence Kongolo.

And Lopes – back from a loan spell at fellow French outfit Lille – said in an interview with Omnisport that the club still has the potential to win titles despite the big losses."All eyes are on us. Some great players have left, indeed, however also new ones have joined in," he said.

"Besides, the most important is still here: the structure, the staff, the culture is the same as last season. Everyone who loves football must enjoy watching Monaco play. Our culture is very attacking, but if you watch carefully we also know how to defend. Working as a block has been one of our biggest strengths and our coach has been decisive on the way we play."To those who doubt we can repeat or overcome last year's results, we have only one thing to do: shut them up with victories.

"Neymar joining Ligue 1 was important as he is a world star and more people will be interested in the French league. Of course, to see a rival getting reinforcements like Neymar and Mbappe makes even more competition, but that is good. That's what attracts audiences and interest in a competition: to see the best playing each other."In the end, in spite of more or less money spent, it's 11 against 11 in every match. I'm sure it will be a long competitive season. For everyone."

As Monaco attempt to rebuild and move on from the exodus, it has taken some familiar faces to help sustain the team's title challenge and scintillating brand of attacking football.

The Principality side have scored 14 goals in four league matches, thanks to Radamel Falcao's league-best seven-goal tally, while France star Thomas Lemar remains a pivotal member after rejecting Arsenal and Liverpool.

And the reigning champions are not lowering their ambitions in 2017-18, Lopes adding: "Our goal is to win titles. Monaco are the current French champions so there's a title to defend, not to challenge."Our squad has been built based on the experience of players like Falcao and [Joao] Moutinho who are very important to the new and younger players such as myself, that look up to them and follow their example.

"Falcao is simply amazing. It's difficult to imagine how he could become better, because he is already so good - shooting with both feet, heading, creating chances for himself and our team-mates, and even defending. He is a true leader, a great captain inside and outside the pitch. It's a true honour to play alongside Falcao and work with him every day.

"We look to the domestic title as a difficult objective, as always, but possible as shown last year."Former Manchester City youth player Lopes is one of those youngsters who has benefited from a period of drastic change at Monaco.

Lopes returned to Stade Louis II after scoring four goals in 25 league appearances for Lille last term, and he has quickly established himself in Monaco's starting XI following an impressive pre-season campaign.

The 21-year-old – who has been compared to Silva after replacing Mbappe in the starting XI – only made two league appearances before being sent out on loan, but he has already played four matches in 2017-18.

"The goal was always to return to my club. Monaco signed me in 2015 and since that day I felt part of the project," Lopes said. "Last year in Lille was difficult because the club was undergoing a major renovation from top to bottom, with changes in coaches, staff and even presidents. In the end, the squad had to overcome many difficulties and we had to work harder than ever to keep LOSC on the first half of the table.

"This experience was positive for me, I feel that I grew a lot both physically and in terms of knowledge of the French league. When I came back to Monaco last June, my only goal was to rejoin the squad and show I'm ready to play at this level. The support I felt from both the coach, the staff and my mates showed they were counting on me too."

Drawn in Group G of the Champions League alongside RB Leipzig, Porto and Besiktas, Lopes continued: "To play regularly at the highest level is naturally my biggest dream. Last season was great for the club and our objective is to keep the club on this streak. It will not be easy as our domestic competitors are investing strongly and our Champions League group is very homogeneous, but we are here to beat the odds once again."

Lopes, who was born in Brazil but has represented Portugal through to under-21 level, hopes his performances for Monaco will earn a call-up to either nation ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

"In spite of those comparisons [to Silva], I really prefer to keep focus on my own style and improve my football on such a way that I can help Monaco," Lopes finished off by saying. "I'm confident that I can aim to play the World Cup one day, but to do so I have to exceed myself in Monaco and that's my only priority.

"My personal goal is to play as much as possible because I know that if I play that means I'm important to my club and that my mates and my coach trust me. If I can establish myself at Monaco, I will be closer to an international call-up, that's for sure. So I will keep focused on every training and every match with AS Monaco, fighting for wins every week.

 

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Buffon: It seemed like Ronaldo was created in a lab


Juventus goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon feels like Ronaldo was "created in a lab" as he lauded the Brazilian icon.

Before Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo battled it out with Barcelona foe Lionel Messi for domestic and international supremacy, his namesake wowed the football world.

Ronaldo dominated during his illustrious career, winning titles with PSV, Barcelona, Inter and Real Madrid, while he helped Brazil to World Cup trophies in 1994 and 2002 as he won three FIFA World Player of the Year awards and two Ballons d'Or.

Asked which strikers caused him the most problems, veteran Italy international Buffon heaped praise on the 40-year-old."The striker who caused me all kinds [of trouble] was Ronaldo, the Brazilian one," Buffon, 39, told Marca."He was the perfect player, as he had power, speed, intuition technical skills and quickness. He was a jaw-dropping player."It seemed like he was created in a lab."

Ronaldo earned 98 caps for Brazil following his debut in 1994, scoring 62 goals — only second to all-time leader Pele.

 

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Matic: Too early for best summer signing tag at Man Utd


Nemanja Matic is reluctant to view himself as the signing of the summer following a £40 million move to Manchester United.

The Red Devils raided Premier League rivals Chelsea for the Serbia international, with Jose Mourinho turning to a player he knows well in an effort to push his side into title contention.

The early signs have been encouraging, with Matic’s performances earning widespread praise and leading uncomfortable questions to be asked of Antonio Conte’s decision to sell.

The 29-year-old is, however, eager to avoid being caught up in the hype and has been quick to point out that it is still early days, for both him and United in 2017-18.

Asked by reporters whether he was the best buy of the recent transfer window and if Mourinho’s men can maintain their form, he said: "We will see. It is too early to say that because we have just played three games. It is true that we have started well with three games, nine points without conceding a goal, so I am happy because of that.

"But the season is very long and there are many games. We will see at the end of May where we are."What I can say is that I am happy that I am part of such a big club like Manchester United. I am very focused to do my job for the national team against Ireland."

United top the Premier League table at present on the back of three successive wins and Matic believes 2018 could end up being a memorable year, domestically and on the international level.

He added: "It is a dream for me to play at the World Cup with Serbia. If that happens, I will be very happy."If I win the Premier League with Manchester, that would be something great in my life. But I repeat again, it's still a long way to go."

Matic is looking to follow in the footsteps of a long line of successful midfielders at Old Trafford, with one of the finest exponents of the holding role in the business saying that he looked to model his game on the likes of United legend Roy Keane when growing up.

He said: "When I started following football, he was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, if not the best."I tried to take [something] from every player to improve myself. Of course, he was one of those players."

Matic is currently in Dublin for Serbia's World Cup qualifying clash with the Republic of Ireland, but will be back in club action on Saturday when United put their faultless record on the line against Stoke City.

 

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De Gea backs Madrid star Isco to 'become one of the greatest'


David De Gea feels Isco has the talent and personality to "become one of the greatest" after the Spain international made a flying start to the season for club and country.

Isco scored in Real Madrid's UEFA Super Cup victory over De Gea's Manchester United last month and struck twice as Spain defeated Italy 3-0 on Saturday to take control of their World Cup qualifying group.

The 2010 world champions are three points clear of the Azzurri with three matches remaining and can take another major step toward securing a place in the finals in Russia by beating Liechtenstein away on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media before that game, United goalkeeper De Gea claimed Isco's sparkling form of late is no accident. "Personally I have known Isco for ages so it's no surprise for me what he's doing," he said."I have seen him doing incredible things for so long now so people shouldn't be surprised either.

"He's been performing at a high level and doing incredible things on the pitch for a while. "He's at a top level and that's great for the team. We hope he keeps improving. "Bearing in mind his personality, he'll become one of the greatest."

Barcelona's Sergio Busquets was on the wrong end of a masterclass from Isco and Madrid in a 3-1 Spanish Super Cup defeat at Camp Nou last month. And the holding midfielder was reluctant to pick a favourite between the in-form 25-year-old and Blaugrana colleague Andres Iniesta. "Personally I do not like comparing players," he said."No doubt they both are top-quality players but each one of them has their ways of interpreting football and also of playing, even though they might be similar.

"Isco has been showing in recent years his talent. He scored two goals [against Italy] and was outstanding. "His role is getting more predominant within his team but we already knew what he was capable of.

"For us, having players like Isco or Andres that are able to use their skills and capabilities at the service of the team is a real pleasure."

 

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O'Neill tips Beckham, Giggs and Class of '92 to take over at Man Utd


David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and the rest of Manchester United's Class of '92 are being backed to take control of the club at some stage.

John-Paul O'Neill, who helped to found FC United of Manchester in protest to the arrival of the Glazer family at Old Trafford in 2005, believes iconic figures from the past will one day return to take the reins.

Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Phil Neville, Gary Neville and Giggs have already had a taste of football club ownership with non-league side Salford City, with Beckham the only famed academy graduate not involved in that venture — although he is in the process of launching an MLS franchise in Miami.

It is a big step up from the National League to the Premier League for the United old boys, but O'Neill feels their strong ties to the club, and the financial clout they are able to generate, will see them complete a takeover in the future.

O'Neill told The Mirror: "I honestly think that the Class of '92 have got their sights fixed on owning United one day."I am sure they would deny it at the moment — but it really does make sense when you put all the pieces together.

"The Neville brothers, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have taken over a small non-league club in Salford City and are now finding out what it is like to run a football club from a practical point of view. Why? Is Salford City really the summit of their ambitions as football club owners?

"They are obviously on a much smaller scale than United, but going in at that level is giving the Class of '92 a really practical education in football club ownership."

It would take a serious offer to remove the Glazers from the Old Trafford boardroom, but O'Neill is confident that the funds could be generated — with Beckham part of the fold — and a new era welcomed in at the Theatre of Dreams.
He added: "When you look closely you will see they have got some huge financial backers.

"Most people are aware that Valencia owner Peter Lim has invested heavily in Salford City. But Lim is small-time compared to some of the Chinese investors who have been helping Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs buy up huge swathes of Manchester city centre for redevelopment.

"Even if Manchester United are now worth between £2 billion and £3 billion, I don’t think buying the club would be a problem for the kind of investors that they are now doing business with."

Butt is the only member of the Class of '92 currently involved with United, with the former England international midfielder now the head of coaching within the Red Devils' academy system.

 

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Mbappe helped me during Barcelona transfer saga, reveals Dembele


Ousmane Dembele has revealed France team-mate Kylian Mbappe was a huge source of support during the transfer saga surrounding his move to Barcelona.

Dembele joined Barca from Borussia Dortmund in a deal that could eventually reach a value of €147 million, just two years after turning professional with Rennes.

The transfer was in doubt for a spell and the 20-year-old refused to train with Peter Bosz's side in an attempt to force through the move - an act which led to him being suspended by BVB and cost him a place in the most recent France squad, but the switch to Camp Nou eventually materialised.

Mbappe – who himself was the subject of fervent transfer speculation for months before joining Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day in a loan with an option to buy, reportedly for €180m – helped Dembele through the final weeks of the window. "He's a really good colleague," Dembele told Mundo Deportivo of Mbappe.

"We speak a lot on the phone and even more during this process. He's happy for me. "He tried to calm me down when the days were passing and the signing wasn't made official. He told me it was a question of time.

"I was nervous about the deal, although I could sleep at night. I just wanted it to go through as quickly as possible. "He was really happy for me when I signed, he congratulated me, wished me the best. I wish him the best, too."

Dembele was bought as Barca sought a replacement for Neymar following the Brazilian's world-record €222m move to Paris Saint-Germain. "Neymar is a great player with a lot of class, one of the best in the world," said Dembele.

"I am young, I am here to learn and to add what I can to Barcelona."I'm focused on getting up to speed because I hadn't trained for two weeks. Now it's time to get back in shape, which is not too hard given my age and my weight. I don't know if it will be difficult for me to adapt. I hope not.

"They play differently here. It's another way of understanding football. Here it's about possession, passing. I've followed it a lot on TV. I hope to learn to play like this, although my qualities are speed, attacking and one-on-ones."

 

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UEFA will not investigate Man City or PSG following La Liga complaint


UEFA will not take any action against Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain as a result of La Liga's complaint regarding state-backed sponsorships, Goal understands.

Spanish league president Javier Tebas had called for European football's governing body to more strictly enforce its own Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and open an investigation into City, as well as expand its ongoing investigation into PSG.

The complaint does not call into question the two clubs' summer transfer spending, instead focusing on allegedly inflated sponsor agreements with companies linked to the respective clubs' owners.

Tebas argued that City and PSG, backed by Abu Dhabi and Qatar respectively, are able to circumvent FFP by benefitting "from sponsorships that make no economic sense and lack any fair value”.

“PSG and Man City’s funding by state aid distorts European competitions and creates an inflationary spiral that is irreparably harming the football industry,” he added. “UEFA must enforce FFP regulations to avoid discrimination among clubs.”As part of FFP, Uefa already aims to avoid such inflated agreements by downgrading any deal it deems to be inflated above market value.

Tebas insists City are able to avoid making drastic losses - which would see them fall foul of FFP - by boosting their income thanks to a number of deals with state-backed companies, including Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and First Gulf Bank.

Tebas also pointed to PSG's seven Qatari sponsorships with companies including Qatar National Bank, broadcaster BeIN Sports and the Qatar Tourism Authority.

But following Monday's complaint, sources at UEFA have told Goal that it will not take any action against City, nor will it widen the current investigation into PSG's summer spending, which was launched last week.

Both clubs were found guilty of breaching FFP regulations in 2014. At the time, UEFA downgraded a sponsorship agreement between PSG and the Qatar tourism board as it believed it was above fair market value.In April of this year UEFA refunded both clubs €40m in fines after finding they had fulfilled their obligations in the ensuing years.

PSG are currently under investigation once again, however, following their €222m acquisition of Neymar and initial loan move for Kylian Mbappe this summer.The French club have committed to paying Monaco €180m for Mbappe next summer.

Tebas had attempted to block PSG's move to sign Neymar from Barcelona by refusing to accept the €222m necessary to trigger the Brazilian's buy-out clause. Those attempts were scuppered when Barca subsequently accepted the money.

 

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Wenger: Arsenal fans cannot be negative


Arsene Wenger has called on Arsenal fans to show their support at a difficult time, insisting a negative mindset "will not work" in helping his side achieve success this season.

Arsenal are already under huge pressure this season, having lost two of their first three Premier League games, including the embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

A dramatic deadline day ultimately saw the Gunners miss out on the signing of Monaco star Thomas Lemar, while keeping Alexis Sanchez amid interest from Manchester City.

Wenger insists now is the time for Arsenal fans to come together, telling them not to give up on 2017-18 at such an early stage."People always make their mind up very quickly," Wenger said to beIN Sports."The players forget very quickly how good they are – much quicker than you think. We have to continue to believe in our strengths and not to forget.

"Our fans as well, to have a successful team, we need our fans. Our fans can say: 'OK, our squad is not good enough, we are not good enough' and think we have no chance – that will not work."We want our fans to be behind us in this moment as well, even if we are very sorry for what we delivered. To have a successful team we need to have that. "Let's not forget, not one and a half months ago we won the Community Shield and won the FA Cup in a very convincing way with the same players."

After the dreadful loss to Liverpool, Arsenal have the chance to get back on track with a home Premier League game against pointless Bournemouth on Saturday.

Wenger added: "What we learned from this defeat was that we were not at all at the level that is expected from us and that we have to very quickly show that was a complete accident. The transfer period played a part in that as well.

"A top-level sportsman is a guy who keeps going where others give up. It would be absolutely stupid to say today that you give up for the rest of the championship."

 

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Lukaku: I don't fear Zlatan... we need him at Man Utd!

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku is excited about having the opportunity to team up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the Belgian indicating that the Red Devils need someone with his mindset.

Ibrahimovic has committed himself to another year at Old Trafford after suffering a season-ending knee injury while playing against Anderlecht in the Europa League last term.

Lukaku only arrived into Jose Mourinho’s ranks in the summer and is thrilled by the prospect of teaming up with the veteran Swede.“I said to Zlatan I hoped he would be back. We need his personality,” he said. “He will bring many qualities to the team, and help us in our goal of winning the title."

The 24-year-old former Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain striker may cut an imposing figure, but Lukaku has pledged not to be overawed by his presence in the dressing room.

“I don’t fear the competition as a striker, or Zlatan. Things are going really well for me at United. The pre-season was good and it helped knowing a lot of the players before arriving.“The manager has helped me a lot to settle quickly, so it has all been very positive.

I am now with a coach that I have wanted to play with for a long time, since I was 11 years of age. And with him we are looking to do something special.“For me it is all about progressing and learning in my career, and all the coaches I have had have helped me with that.”

Ibrahimovic is still recovering from his knee issue and has refused to put a date on his return to action, though Mourinho believes it will be in January.

 

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‘Real Madrid are the best team in the world’ – Hazard lauds Zidane and his side


Chelsea star Eden Hazard has paid tribute to Real Madrid and their head coach Zinedine Zidane, branding them the “best team” in the game.

The Belgium international has helped lead the Blues back into the Champions League this season, but he believes they will have trouble stopping the men from the Spanish capital, who have won the competition in each of the last two years.

“Real Madrid are now the best team in the world,” he told Marca.Hazard, whose future at Stamford Bridge has long been under question, also took time to praise Zidane.

“Zidane won everything as a player and as a coach, he is a special guy, everybody knows him as a player,” he continued.“When you think of football, you think of Zidane because he could do anything on the pitch. It's magical and I'm very happy to see him on the pitch.”

The 26-year-old winger, meanwhile, insists that he is not agitating for a move to Spain.“I’m happy in England and I play for one of the best clubs,” he said.

Alvaro Morata arrived at Stamford Bridge for £70 million from Real Madrid in the summer and Hazard, who has yet to play for the first team this season, is confident he will strike up an instant relationship with the Spaniard on the field.

“I've never played with him and I'm looking forward to it,” he said. “He is still very young, but he has won many titles with Juventus and Madrid, so he has a lot of experience.

“We need this type of player, able to score many goals, and Alvaro can do it. We are happy with him. He's a good guy, talkative, even in English ... We're looking forward to playing together.”

Hazard featured for 15 minutes in Belgium’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Greece on Sunday having captained the national team to a 9-0 win over Gibraltar earlier in the week – the first competitive football he has played this season.

 

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Costa Rica 1 Mexico 1: Dos Santos celebrates 100th appearance in draw


Costa Rica spoiled Giovani dos Santos' 100th international appearance, holding Mexico to a 1-1 draw in World Cup qualifying.Dos Santos played a big role in the opening goal in San Jose, his effort eventually turned into his own net by the unlucky Cristian Gamboa before half-time.

But the hosts had numerous chances and they levelled through the in-form Marco Urena, who struck with a volley in the 82nd minute.Both goalkeepers – Keylor Navas and Guillermo Ochoa – were tested regularly during the encounter on Tuesday.

Mexico had already secured their spot at the World Cup, while Costa Rica moved a step closer with the point, now unable to finish any lower than the CONCACAF play-off spot.

Unsurprisingly, Oscar Ramirez opted to stick with the same starting line-up that stunned the United States 2-0 in their previous outing.Juan Carlos Osorio returned to the Mexico bench after serving his six-game ban, and he made plenty of changes to the team that edged Panama 1-0 to secure their spot in Russia.

Giovani dos Santos started in his 100th international appearance, and his brother Jonathan was also in the 11, while Javier Hernandez dropped to the bench.


Bryan Ruiz almost gave Costa Rica a dream start, but Ochoa produced a fine save to deny the attacker in the opening minute. Both teams looked energetic in the opening stages, with Navas palming away a close-range Diego Reyes effort after a corner on the half-hour mark.In what was an open encounter, the hosts had the next big chance in the 41st minute, but Ruiz blazed over from the edge of the area.However, Mexico went up the other end and opened the scoring.

Raul Jimenez burst clear down the right before crossing for Giovani dos Santos, who chested an audacious effort towards goal.Navas made the save but the ball deflected off the unlucky Gamboa and into the back of the net despite the Real Madrid goalkeeper's desperation.Mexico should have doubled their lead on the counter-attack in the 65th minute, but substitute Jesus Corona's effort was too narrow and Navas saved.

Urena, who scored a brace in the win over USA, tested Ochoa in the 76th minute, the shot-stopper tipping his powerful strike over the bar.But there was no stopping Urena's strike in the 82nd minute.



The San Jose Earthquakes forward scored with a tremendous volley from 20 yards and Costa Rica almost secured all three points, Johan Venegas hitting the post in additional time.

 

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Argentina 1 Venezuela 1: Sampaoli's men held to costly draw

Argentina were held to what may prove to be a costly 1-1 draw at home to Venezuela in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.The hosts dominated in Buenos Aires, but remarkably fell behind early in the second half when Jhon Murillo struck for Venezuela.

Venezuela, bottom of the CONMEBOL table, had been on the back foot throughout, and Argentina managed a quick response through a Rolf Feltscher own goal.But Jorge Sampaoli's men were unable to find a second, having frustratingly been denied throughout the first half by Venezuela goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez.

A hamstring injury to Angel Di Maria in the first half made it even trickier, while Lionel Messi was unable to have a major impact.The draw was enough to at least lift Argentina into fifth – the play-off spot – heading into the final two matches in October.

Sampaoli made three changes to the starting side held in Uruguay, with Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega and Lautaro Acosta replacing Gabriel Mercado, Lucas Biglia and Marcos Acuna.

Also coming off a 0-0 draw – theirs against Colombia – Venezuela coach Rafael Dudamel brought in Arquimedes Figuera, Junior Moreno and Murillo for Tomas Rincon, Josef Martinez and Darwin Machis.Argentina made a superb start in front of a vocal home crowd, almost taking a fourth-minute lead.

Mascherano played a fine pass through for Mauro Icardi, who was denied by the legs of Farinez in a one-on-one.The hosts continued to push, with Di Maria particularly lively down the left as an opener appeared certain to arrive.

It almost came midway through the first half, but Farinez brilliantly denied Icardi after the Inter forward got on the end of a Di Maria cross.In a huge blow, Argentina lost Di Maria to an apparent hamstring injury in the 25th minute, before Paulo Dybala fired wide.

Farinez was called into action again just before the break, the 19-year-old diving to his right to push away a 20-yard effort from Messi.Argentina had dominated, but they stunningly fell behind in the 50th minute.A blistering counter-attack led to Murillo being put through by Sergio Cordova, and the 21-year-old made no mistake with a fine finish to give his side a shock lead.

Argentina needed a quick response and they got it, Acuna – Di Maria's replacement – doing brilliantly down the left before his cross was turned into his own net by Feltscher.


Icardi then appeared to be brought down by Mikel Villanueva in the area on the hour-mark, but penalty shouts were rejected. The hosts continued to push for a winner, but their final pass continually let them down as Venezuela held on for a shock draw.

 

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Argentina kochhcara hoda team 1kak hitiyath fail wenawane​

 

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Colombia 1 Brazil 1: Falcao checks Selecao streak with vital equaliser

Radamel Falcao denied Brazil a 10th consecutive World Cup qualifying win and grabbed a vital 1-1 draw for Colombia in their own quest to reach Russia 2018.

Brazil's place in the finals is secure as group winners after dominating the notoriously unforgiving CONMEBOL section under the guidance of head coach Tite, and they looked set to continue their march when Willian magnificently opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time.

Colombia went into the game at the head of devilishly congested chasing pack and seasoned striker Falcao brought his prolific Monaco form to a raucous Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla.

Jose Pekerman's men now have 26 points, only three more than Argentina in fifth, but Chile's defeat in Bolivia guarantees they will enter next month's concluding qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru in one of the four automatic qualification places.

Falcao has seven goals in four Ligue 1 games so far this season and the second-half header by Colombia's all-time record goalscorer was excellently dispatched.
Another man tussling for top honours in France this year, Neymar, was unable to similarly get on the scoresheet despite an inventive, all-action showing.


Torrents of boos greeted Brazil whenever they enjoyed early possession but Paulinho almost smuggled home an opener at the far post from Dani Alves' deep cross after Neymar initiated a fourth-minute counter attack.

Felipe Luis clattering through Juan Cuadrado did little to endear the Brazil left-back to the home faithful, while Alves was on the end of similarly robust treatment from Colombia winger Edwin Cardona as the contest threatened to boil over.

Play restarted from the latter stoppage with a Brazil corner and Cardona made a nuisance of himself once again – blocking on the line when Fernandinho prodded goalwards.

James finally gave Brazil goalkeeper Allison some work to do at his near post as the half ticked past its halfway point, although he did not make a clean contact on the end of Cardona's fine reverse pass.

After a hydration break, Neymar tore at the Colombia backline and Roberto Firmino scuffed his shot towards the bottom right corner, forcing David Ospina to tip to safety.

Neymar was made to wait to take a corner as a dog entered the field and was reluctant to leave – moving the match into first-half stoppage time, when Brazil spectacularly took the lead.

The set-piece was cleared by Colombia but the ball was lifted back towards goal, Neymar's volleyed lay-off sat up invitingly for Willian and the Chelsea winger brilliantly thrashed into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Pekerman's decision to replace Cuadrado with Yimmi Chara did little to initially increase Colombia's threat in the second half but they pulled level through a familiar source in the 56th minute.Right-back Santiago Arias whipped in a fine ball from the right and Falcao escaped Silva's attentions and expertly steered a header into the far corner.

The stadium erupted and Colombia were transformed – Cardona sending a piledriver into the chest of Allison, who was caught out by James free-kick from the left but spared by his near post. Firmino was replaced by Gabriel Jesus as Brazil looked to reassert their authority and Neymar blasted wide inside the final 15 minutes.

A sprawling Fernandinho deflected James' curling strike over in the 81st minute and there was no finish to match a dazzling Neymar dribble in response.The world's most expensive player then flung himself into a headed back-post attempt but the goal to reward his endeavours did not arrive.

 

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Bolivia 1 Chile 0: La Roja suffer huge setback in La Paz

Chile suffered a huge setback in their quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Bolivia in the high altitude of La Paz.

The reigning Copa America champions were beaten for the second match in succession as Juan Carlos Arce's penalty, awarded after Marcelo Diaz handled Jorge Flores' shot inside the box, gave already-eliminated Bolivia, who finished the match with 10 men, their first win against their neighbours since 2000.

Chile remain in the automatic qualification places in the CONMEBOL section but could slip out of the top five if results go against them later on Tuesday.

La Roja's hopes of booking a ticket to Russia were boosted prior to this set of fixtures when the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the 3-0 victory over Bolivia awarded to them by FIFA due to the fielding of the ineligible Nelson Cabrera in their previous meeting in Santiago.


However, a surprise 3-0 defeat at home to Paraguay on Thursday prompted a change in approach from Juan Antonio Pizzi that failed to pay dividends, with his side struggling to test their hosts in another disappointing loss - Alexis Sanchez isolated after overcoming an ankle injury to start.

It is a third straight home win for Bolivia, who lost substitute Alejandro Chumacero to a second yellow card in the 90th minute, and follows their shock 2-0 victory over Argentina, meaning Chile can ill afford to drop points in their final two qualifiers, at home to Ecuador and away to section winners Brazil.Bolivia set out to attack and Arce arrowed narrowly off target from the left side of the box after a short corner with Pablo Escobar in the sixth minute.

The hosts were gifted another opportunity when Claudio Bravo came off his line and failed to connect with a corner, but Marcelo Martins was unable to steer his header into the gaping goal.

Arturo Vidal put through his own net against Paraguay and nearly did so again when he miscued an attempt to clear Arce's corner, while Jean Beausejour picked up a booking that rules him out of Chile's next qualifier – a crunch clash at home to Ecuador.

La Roja struggled to create opportunities as Bolivia remained the main protagonists, Diego Bejarano warming the gloves of Bravo before Juan Valverde glanced a header agonisingly wide in the 28th minute.

Chile had a chance to go into the break ahead when Diaz slid a lovely pass into the path of Mauricio Isla, whose centre for Vidal was somehow turned wide from inside the six-yard box.

Jhasmani Campos drilled a volley that skidded into the hands of Bravo as he dived to his left within two minutes of the restart, but Bolivia broke through before the hour mark.

Flores' volley was blocked by the arm of Diaz in the box, and Arce stepped up to drill an emphatic penalty into the top-left corner that left Bravo no chance.Chile felt they should have had a penalty when Esteban Paredes' header appeared to strike the arm of Jordy Candia, but the official was unmoved and there was to be no other opportunity for the visitors to equalise.



Substitute Chumacero was shown a second yellow card when he appeared to aim a kick at the prone Pablo Hernandez in the 90th minute, but Chile did not have enough time to make their numerical advantage count.

 

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Moldova 0 Wales 2: Coleman's side survive nail-biter to go second in World Cup qualifying group

Wales can continue to dream of qualifying for a first World Cup since 1958 after late goals snatched a nail-biting 2-0 win over Moldova in Chisinau.With Serbia winning 1-0 in Dublin, Wales only needed victory against a side ranked 159th in the world to leapfrog Republic of Ireland into second spot in Group D.

Three points looked as though they would agonisingly slip away until Ben Woodburn, the star of Saturday night's 1-0 win over Austria, came off the bench to tee up Hal Robson-Kanu for an 80th-minute opener.

A stubborn Moldova gave up few clear-cut chances until that point and had looked set to spoil the party, sitting deep and somehow escaping a pair of goalmouth scrambles.But Aaron Ramsey's deflected stoppage-time effort finally put the result beyond doubt and sent Chris Coleman's side a point ahead of Ireland.

Wales must now aim for victories against Georgia and Ireland in their final two games to maximise their chances of earning a play-off berth through a second-placed finish, although Serbia in top spot can still be caught should the group leaders slip up.


Coleman drafted Robson-Kanu into his starting XI in place of Sam Vokes and the West Brom forward almost repaid his coach's faith immediately, heading Ramsey's corner just past the upright.

Robson-Kanu went even closer in the 19th minute, somehow denied by a desperate block on the line after Ramsey's point-blank follow-up from a Gareth Bale shot was smothered by goalkeeper Ilie Cebanu.

Moldova's 4-0 defeat to Wales last September is their biggest losing margin of the campaign but they were proving to be far from pushovers on home turf, testing Wayne Hennessey on occasion as the deadlock ticked past half an hour.

Ben Davies attempted to end the scoreless start with an inventive volley but, despite taking 72 per cent of possession into half-time, Wales were unable to find a first-half breakthrough, with Ramsey slicing the final opening high and wide from a narrow angle.

Already the scorer of four goals throughout qualification, Bale always seemed likeliest to end the wait for an opener and the winger's long-range shot almost drew a costly spill from Cebanu after the restart.

Robson-Kanu also remained a threat, but the Euro 2016 star put a good opportunity the wrong side of the post in the 55th minute after shaking his marker on the edge of the area.

Coleman responded by injecting Woodburn on the hour as Wales raised their attacking intensity, with Ashley Williams heading straight at Cebanu from a corner.Burnley striker Vokes was also introduced in search of a precious goal and came close to a quick impact, almost getting to Davies' by-line cutback before rising to head a cross narrowly across the face of goal.

The tension continued to grow and Moldova somehow escaped another goalmouth scramble with just under 20 minutes to play, while Woodburn saw appeals for a penalty waved away when he went to ground down in the area.The breakthrough eventually came with 10 minutes to play as Liverpool's emerging 17-year-old star turned provider, picking out Robson-Kanu for the winner, to the delight of the travelling Wales fans.



And when Ramsey beat Cebanu with a deflected effort, they were ready to dream of a return to football's biggest stage, although plenty of work remains for Coleman's men to get through.