..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Roma 1 Qarabag 0: Giallorossi leapfrog Chelsea to top Group C

Roma advanced to the Champions League knockout stages as Group C winners following a narrow 1-0 victory over Qarabag at Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday.Knowing three points would put their progression beyond doubt, the home side enjoyed the perfect sequence of results as Diego Perotti's second half winner - and Chelsea's draw with Atletico Madrid - saw them earn a seeding for the Round of 16.

The Giallorossi were initially made to sweat by a scoreless first half, with a draw not enough to go through had Diego Simeone's side won at Stamford Bridge.



But they only had to wait a further eight minutes for the vital breakthrough, 29-year-old Perotti nodding home after Edin Dezko's initial close-range effort spooned kindly into the air.

And with a better head-to-head record over fellow qualifiers Chelsea, Eusebio Di Francesco will be delighted to take top spot into the club's second last-16 appearance in the space of three seasons.Attention will now turn to winning through to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2007-08, when they were dumped out by Manchester United for the second successive campaign.


Roma looked at ease over the early exchanges and were content to steadily constrict the availability of time and space.Openings did begin to appear closer to the half-hour as Dino Ndlovu tried a curler on a Qarabag counter-attack, while Stephan El Shaarawy's indecision meant onrushing goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic went unpunished for being second to a loose ball outside the area.

El Shaarawy and Richard Almeida next traded harmless shots over the bar, before an unmarked Kostas Manolas was put off a header by the nearby presence of Dzeko.And, moments after Dzeko fired well wide from the edge of the box, the home side were further frustrated in their attempts to make a first-half breakthrough as Sehic managed to parry Radja Nainggolan's powerful low drive.

However, within eight minutes of the restart, the Giallorossi were ahead. Dzeko's close-range effort on the turn was well blocked by Sehic, but the rebound popped kindly into the air for Perotti to nod in the all-important opener.

Sehic prevented the margin from doubling by next turning Nainggolan's low shot around the left post. While Atletico's concession of an equaliser at Stamford Bridge meant their passage into the next round looked even safer, Roma were increasingly keen to sew up top spot by adding a cushion in the shape of a second goal.

Instead, they almost coughed up an equaliser with just under 10 minutes remaining, only for Michel to head straight at Alisson from point-blank range.Dzeko screwed one final opportunity wide on a breakaway, but it mattered little as the Serie A side did enough to maintain their fine form at home and abroad.

 

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Bayern Munich 3 Paris Saint-Germain 1: Tolisso & Coman deny PSG perfect group record

Paris Saint-Germain missed the chance to finish the Champions League group stage with a 100 per cent record as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich.

Bayern's 3-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes in the reverse fixture in September marked the end of the Carlo Ancelotti era at the Allianz Arena and Die Roten fans may now see that painful evening as a blessing as PSG's star-studded forward line was delivered a lesson in ruthlessness by Jupp Heynckes' men.Kylian Mbappe and Neymar spurned chances for PSG while Edinson Cavani, save for a neat touch to set up Mbappe for the goal that cut Bayern's lead to 2-1, struggled to make a lasting impression.




By marked contrast Bayern needed little invitation to take full advantage of their attacking openings, Robert Lewandowski's opener and a brace from former Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso doing the damage.

For all PSG's lavish spending, there was some irony in the fact Kingsley Coman, who they allowed to join Juventus in 2014, supplied the assist for the opener and the goal that put the game to bed.

A disappointing evening for the Ligue 1 leaders was compounded by Thiago Silva being forced off through injury, but PSG can at least console themselves with top spot in Group B, second-placed Bayern unable to record the four-goal margin of victory needed to leapfrog them.


PSG needed only three minutes to test the reflexes of Sven Ulreich in the Bayern goal, Mbappe denied at the near post after a fine ball from Marco Verratti.
But, against the run of play having sat deep for much of the early exchanges, Bayern took the lead five minutes later.James Rodriguez's left-wing cross was headed forward by Coman and, though PSG stopped awaiting the offside flag, it was not forthcoming and Lewandowski - being played on by Dani Alves - swept into the bottom-right corner.

Bayern grew in ambition as they pressed for a second goal but the direct running and pace of Mbappe and Neymar caused them problems, the latter forcing Ulreich to turn the ball behind after he was played in by the former Monaco teenager.And Bayern punished PSG for Neymar's profligacy eight minutes before half-time as Tolisso rose to thump a James delivery into the bottom-left corner.

PSG's response was strong as Neymar provided more work for Ulreich with a low shot that he could only parry, but his save from Julian Draxler's sweetly struck long-range effort was more comfortable.Ulreich could do little when PSG did pull one back through Mbappe's fourth of the competition.

Unsurprisingly Verratti was the creative fulcrum, his lofted pass beautifully controlled by Cavani, who chipped up for Mbappe to nod beyond Ulreich. Unai Emery's men ramped up the pressure in their bid to complete the comeback.Ulreich was unmoved as he denied Draxler after the Germany international exchanged passes with Neymar, but he soon had to fly to his left to keep out a rasping Mbappe half-volley.

Cavani was furious not to be awarded a penalty after he was sent tumbling in the box by a David Alaba challenge and PSG's indignation was soon furthered when Coman raced down the left and slipped the ball into the path of Tolisso to restore Bayern's measure of command.



More concern for Emery came when Silva limped off having earlier received treatment and was replaced by Presnel Kimpembe.Mbappe saw an effort deflected over and was brilliantly denied by Ulreich in stoppage time but PSG never really threatened what would have been a remarkable late revival.

And, with this defeat coming on the heels of a stunning 2-1 loss to Strasbourg in Ligue 1, Emery will know there is plenty of work to be done if PSG are to achieve their lofty goal of European glory.

 

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Barcelona 2 Sporting CP 0: Catalans labour in Messi's absence

Jeremy Mathieu scored an own-goal on his return to Camp Nou as Barcelona laboured to a 2-0 win over Sporting CP with Lionel Messi a second-half substitute.

Coach Ernesto Valverde opted to rest his side's star player and watched as the likes of Luis Suarez and Aleix Vidal misfired for almost an hour against Jorge Jesus' well-drilled Sporting team.

Paco Alcacer scored the opener moments before Messi's 61st-minute introduction, which prompted a marked improvement in Barcelona's play as what was only a second win in five outings for Valverde's men ended with the home side in control.




Sporting went into the game needing a famous victory and Olympiacos to deny Juventus maximum points, but neither materialised despite a respectable performance in which the Portuguese side matched LaLiga's leaders for long periods.

After an acrimonious Barcelona exit at the end of last season, Mathieu's late own goal ensured the result flattered his former club, who failed time and time again to make their final pass count until Messi came on.

Valverde will hope his side can continue to build momentum ahead of a Clasico with Real Madrid on December 23, while Sporting drop into the Europa League knockout stages.


Sporting kept Barcelona quiet for the opening 12 minutes of the game, and even then the home side mustered nothing more than a speculative Denis Suarez shot that flew over from 20 yards.

Aleix Vidal ballooned high of the target from the edge of the box five minutes later, but Andre Gomes went closer with a low drive from similar range that flew narrowly wide.

The unusually quiet Luis Suarez burst into the penalty area and rounded Sebastian Coates after 23 minutes, only to be denied by a good save from Rui Patricio at his feet.

Bruno Fernandes gave Jasper Cillessen a rare touch of the ball when the Barcelona goalkeeper saved his tame shot, before Denis Suarez danced through a line of defenders on the edge of the Sporting box but misjudged his pass to Vidal and the first half ended goalless.

Jesus sent on Gelson Martins and Bas Dost for the second half as Sporting rolled the dice to try to force a result and the former dragged a shot wide of Cillessen's goal in the 52nd minute.With Messi stripping off on the touchline, Barcelona took the lead just before the hour mark when Denis Suarez's corner found Alcacer at the near post and he flicked the ball into the far corner with a well-placed header.

Before Messi could contribute on the pitch, Dost found himself with a wonderful chance to equalise five yards from goal and with only Cillessen to beat, but the goalkeeper made a brilliant reaction save to keep Barcelona ahead.With nine minutes left, Denis Suarez fed Messi who curled a sweetly struck left-footed shot towards goal, but Patricio saved one-handed at full stretch.

There was a cruel twist in the tale for Sporting and Mathieu, who turned Denis Suarez's cross into his own net to prevent the ball reaching Alcacer at the far post, and his intervention gave Barcelona a margin of victory they barely deserved.

 

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Chelsea 1 Atletico Madrid 1: PSG or Barca likely last-16 opponents for wasteful Blues

Chelsea laboured to a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid which has serious ramifications for their Champions League last-16 fixture.

The Blues needed a win to guarantee top spot in Group C but found Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak in inspired form before Saul Niguez nodded in with an effort that looked like it might seal a win for Diego Simeone's side, themselves needing maximum points to have any chance of going through.

Roma beat Qarabag 1-0 in the Eternal City, however, to deny both teams here, eliminating Atletico and giving Antonio Conte cause for concern after his side could not add to Stefan Savic's own goal.With English clubs topping four of the other seven groups, as it stands Conte's men would face Besiktas, Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain in the next round.

The latter sides would likely send panic through Stamford Bridge. PSG eliminated Chelsea in their last Champions League campaign in 2016, but the Blues have not played Barca since the semi-final win over the Catalans en route to the title in 2012.

Though Atletico are notoriously difficult to beat, Conte will be concerned after Chelsea failed to score with 17 shots on goal. Such wastefulness will not help the Italian finally leave an imprint on this competition come the new year.


Atletico started with the intensity of a team needing to win, but Fernando Torres' deflected effort and a lashed Thomas Partey shot cleared the bar in the sum of their efforts.

Lucas Hernandez was destroyer-in-chief whenever Eden Hazard took possession but the Frenchman earned a booking and a warning from referee Danny Makkelie for fouls on the Belgian, which curtailed the rough stuff and allowed Hazard greater room to operate.

Former Real Madrid man Alvaro Morata curled wide and twice tested Oblak, first off-balance from close range and then from an angle, but Hazard ought to have done better when he scuffed harmlessly from 15 yards when picked out well by Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Oblak was again put to work by Davide Zappacosta's low drive as Chelsea continued to dominate to the break and the Blues began the second half with Morata, Hazard and Andreas Christensen going close before Atletico suddenly pounced.

Filipe Luis hit the post from 25 yards, but news soon filtered through that Roma had taken the lead, which led to stern celebrations from Simeone when Saul peeled off Bakayoko to convert Torres' flick-on inside the six-yard box.

Cesc Fabregas routinely found space right up on the Atletico byline and one such raid ought to have been converted by Christensen, but the defender bundled wide from inches out. The goal finally arrived 15 minutes from the end, Hazard a predictable source as his fizzing cross was too quick for Savic, whose unorganised feet directed the ball high past Oblak.



The goalkeeper sprung from his line barely a minute later to smother Morata one-on-one and an unmarked Willian blazed over to leave Conte chewing over a likely heavyweight contest in the first knockout round.

 

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Manchester United 2 CSKA Moscow 1: Rashford completes comeback to seal Group A top spot

Manchester United went into the last 16 of the Champions League as winners of Group A after a 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford.Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford secured the win for Jose Mourinho's side on Tuesday after Alan Dzagoev had put the Russian side ahead.

A 1-0 defeat at Basel on matchday five meant United were not certain of a place in the knockouts heading into the encounter, although it would have taken a sizeable win for CSKA and a victory for Basel in Benfica to see them miss out on the top two.




Mourinho made six changes to the side that beat Arsenal on Saturday, with Luke Shaw handed his first start of the season as the United boss kept one eye on the looming Manchester derby, and it looked as though the weakened team could be heading for only a fourth loss of the season when Dzagoev fortuitously gave the visitors the lead.

However, Lukaku and Rashford made the most of two sublime passes from Paul Pogba and Juan Mata in the space of two second-half minutes to complete the comeback and seal top spot in the group, with CSKA forced to settle for a Europa League place.

United's focus now turns to the top-of-the-table clash with neighbours Manchester City on Sunday, before they learn which team they will face in the last 16 at Monday's draw in Nyon.


United nearly had the lead in only the fourth minute, as a lightning counter-attack involving Mata and Lukaku ended with Rashford rattling the base of the right-hand post from close range.

It needed Igor Akinfeev to deny Rashford from his second attempt of the match, the goalkeeper getting down swiftly to his left to claw away the forward's effort after Mata had set him up quite superbly.

Shaw had looked bright in the early exchanges and it was soon his turn to test Akinfeev, his rasping volley from Antonio Valencia's cross stinging the keeper's hands before he just managed to stop Lukaku netting the rebound.

United's standards slipped in the latter stages of the half and they paid the price in injury time, albeit in controversial fashion. Mario Fernandes burst clear down United's left, his low cross was fired towards goal by Vitinho, and the ball hit the back of Dzagoev and went into the net, with the officials unmoved by the home side's appeals, presumably given that Daley Blind had slid inadvertently out of play and was therefore considered to be on the goal line.The hosts injected a bit more pace into their play as they chased an equaliser, with Rashford again testing Akinfeev after a strong run before whipping a free-kick over the bar via a deflection.

United had CSKA pegged back in their half and the pressure finally told in the 64th minute, as Pogba's delightful delivery from 30 yards out was prodded past Akinfeev by the stretching Lukaku.

Sixty-six seconds later, the turnaround was complete. Mata's exquisite touch and lobbed pass was drilled into the bottom-right corner by Rashford, who had been allowed time to watch the ball bounce into the penalty area.

 

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Congratulations Manchester United!

Rash & Lukaku

Shaw pattaDigatama chance eka denna thiyenne

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Olympiacos 0 Juventus 2: Bianconeri book last-16 berth

Juan Cuadrado and Federico Bernardeschi found the net as an understrength Juventus clinched a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-0 win away at Olympiacos.

Despite being without injured stalwarts Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini, Massimiliano Allegri's side coped comfortably in Piraeus to reach the knockout stages for a fourth successive season.While they needed two second-half goals to win the reverse fixture in Turin, Cuadrado's close-range finish in the 15th minute set them on course to complete the double over their Greek opponents.



Wojciech Szczesny, standing in for Buffon, who was ruled out with a calf complaint, was required to make two smart saves to preserve a clean sheet, though El Fardou Ben Nabouhane hit the crossbar as full-time approached.

But late substitute Bernardeschi capped a solid display by curling home a fine finish in the 89th minute, ensuring it was Sporting who dropped into the Europa League.

While Juventus finish behind Barcelona in Group D, the Serie A champions - beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid in last season's final - will be one of the second seeds to avoid in the draw for the next round.


Any concerns in the visiting squad about missing out on qualification were eased when the busy Cuadrado popped up in the right place to break the deadlock.The Colombia international was left with the simple task of tapping home Alex Sandro's low cross from the left to score his fourth goal of the season but his first in Europe.

Silvio Proto had already turned aside a curling effort from Paulo Dybala before conceding, while an unconventional slide tackle from the Olympiacos goalkeeper prevented Cuadrado doubling both his and Juventus' tally midway through the first half.

At the other end, Szczesny enjoyed a comfortable ride in the visiting goal until Uros Djurdjevic forced him into a smart reactionary stop four minutes before the break.The Poland international - who had fumbled his only other save during a tepid opening half - stretched out a leg to impressively keep out the striker's close-range header at the back post.

Olympiacos coach Takis Lemonis sent on Marko Marin for the start of the second half in the hope of inspiring his side to an unlikely comeback.The change so nearly had the desired effect when the substitute broke clear of an attempted offside trap to get a clear sight of goal, only for the alert Szczesny to race from his line and smother his attempted chip.

The hosts felt they were also denied a clear penalty soon after when Bjorn Engels collided with Blaise Matuidi at a corner, though the contact appeared accidental as the Juventus player only had eyes for the ball.When Ben Nabouhane sent a header against the woodwork in the 82nd minute, Olympiacos must have realised their luck was out.

Juventus rubbed salt in the home side's wounds too, adding a second before the final whistle as Bernardeschi – who had replaced Cuadrado in the 84th minute – found the far corner of the net with his left foot after cutting in from the right wing.

 

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Benfica 0 Basel 2: Elyounoussi and Oberlin headers send Swiss champions through

Mohamed Elyounoussi and Dimitri Oberlin scored headers to send Basel into the knockout phase of the Champions League, earning a 2-0 win at already-eliminated Benfica on Tuesday.

Basel knew victory at a half-empty Estadio da Luz would almost certainly be enough to qualify from Group A, barring an unlikely heavy win for CSKA Moscow away to Manchester United.

Although CSKA did take the lead at Old Trafford, the Premier League side came from behind to win - Basel qualifying in second place behind United after winning four of their last five games in the competition.



Elyounoussi headed Basel into an early lead with his first goal in the Champions League proper, the forward left all alone in the penalty area to convert a terrific cross from Michael Lang, who had scored a dramatic late winner at home to United on matchday five.

But thereafter the game was largely dominated by Benfica, Lisandro Lopez twice going close while a Haris Seferovic drive forced a fine save from Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.

Basel's resilience protected their clean sheet and when Manuel Akanji got up highest to flick on Luca Zuffi's free-kick, Oberlin was in position to nod home and secure the crucial victory for his side.

The Swiss champions thrashed Benfica 5-0 at home earlier in the group, Lang on target early in that win, and they took just five minutes to open the scoring in Lisbon.

Marek Suchy found Lang in plenty of space on the right, the wing-back delivering a sublime cross that Elyounoussi flicked beyond teenage goalkeeper Mile Svilar.
Pizzi sliced an ambitious strike wide before a Lisandro effort was deflected off target by goalscorer Elyounoussi as Benfica sought to salvage some pride.The hosts continued to dominate despite trailing and Vaclik had to make a smart save away to his right to keep out a drive from Seferovic.

But Basel should have settled the game on the break after 37 minutes, Renato Steffen trying and failing to play in Oberlin when he had a clear sight of goal himself.Eliseu headed Andrija Zivkovic's corner straight at Vaclik as Benfica ended the half on top.

Basel had won their last five games in all competitions and evidently felt a one-goal lead would suffice, the visitors continuing to sit back after the restart. A Lisandro header from a Pizzi corner looped narrowly wide and the arrival of Jonas from the bench added a much-needed goal threat for the hosts.



But Basel extended their lead after 65 minutes by profiting on yet more sloppy Benfica defending in the air.Oberlin scored twice against Benfica earlier in the group and he stooped to convert after Zuffi's free-kick was headed on by Akanji.

The in-form Lang went close to adding gloss to the scoreline, but Basel were content to see the game out, leaving Benfica without a goal in five successive Champions League matches.

 

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Liverpool’s Salah wins PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been named the PFA Fans’ Player of the month for November.

The former Chelsea and Basel forward scored seven goals in four league games for Jurgen Klopp’s men last month to become the first Egyptian in history to win the prestigious Professional Footballers' Association award.

Salah scored a brace against West Ham United, Stoke City and Southampton as the Reds maintained an unbeaten run of three wins and a draw in the English top-flight in November.

The Egypt international defeated Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Watford’s Richarlison, Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri and Manchester United’s Ashley Young to scoop the individual award.

Salah leads the topscorer chart in the Premier League with 12 goals from 15 games and will aim to continue his fine goalscoring form when Liverpool host Everton for the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

 

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Congratulations Salah!

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Man City practising best football in Europe, claims Toure ahead of Champions League test


Yaya Toure believes Manchester City are "practising the best football in Europe" as they look to finish the Champions League group stage with a 100 per cent record.

City visit Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday having taken five wins from five in Group F. Paris Saint Germain, who take on Bayern Munich on Tuesday, are the only other team in the competition yet to drop a point.

But Toure feels the football City manager Pep Guardiola is employing is unparalleled across the continent. City are also unbeaten in the Premier League, having dropped just two points all season.
And, speaking at a pre-match media conference in Ukraine, Toure - who also worked with Guardiola at Barcelona - said: "Our team is practising the best football in Europe but we want to play against the best teams to see where we are."I think teams respect us. We are in a good moment. We are full of confidence. The way we control games is fantastic."

Though City are assured of top spot, the game is a pivotal one for their hosts, with Shakhtar needing a point to secure progression at the expense of Napoli, who face pointless Feyenoord in their final group game.
Toure added: "Shakhtar have a beautiful team, a great squad, a great coach. For us it is a big challenge to play against them."

 

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No Arsenal offer for Sevilla midfielder N'Zonzi


Sevilla have denied receiving any offers for midfielder Steven N'Zonzi amid reports linking him with a move to Arsenal.Spanish radio station COPE had reported that the midfielder was travelling to London to undergo talks with the Gunners having apparently fallen out with manager Eduardo Berizzo.

The former Stoke City man's trip to the English capital further heightened speculation that he could be joining Arsene Wenger's side, but Sevilla have clarified the visit was related to the player's son.
The Liga club's chairman Jose Castro told reporters: "N'Zonzi's situation [being dropped] is due to a technical issue with the coaches and, as with all technical issues, he can change it."He travelled to London to visit his son with our permission. There aren’t any offers to sign N’Zonzi. I can’t talk about clauses or prices if we don’t have an offer.

"We respect the decision of our coaches, he is training with his team-mates but currently he isn’t playing. It’s a technical decision and the coaches have said in public that he can change this."N'Zonzi has not played a single first-team minute for Sevilla since being substituted at half-time of his side's 3-3 draw with Liverpool on November 21.

Berizzo's men are currently fifth in La Liga although are currently level on points with champions Real Madrid, who sit one place above them in fourth.

 

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Chelsea target Lucas agrees Beijing Guoan terms


Chelsea’s hopes of signing Lucas Moura from Paris Saint-Germain appear to be over as the Brazil international has reached an agreement in principle with Beijing Guoan.

Goal understands that after holding active discussions about his potential employer with former team-mates Renato Augusto and Ezequiel Lavezzi, Moura has given the green light to a move to the Chinese Super League giants and could be well on the path to moving east in January.

Lucas has had a difficult campaign with PSG, having played less than 90 minutes of competitive football since the beginning of the season, and the 25-year-old winger may see the opportunity to move to China as a new start.

The capital side are eyeing a number of new recruits, including Lucas, who has habitually been left out of PSG’s matchday squad in recent weeks.

Although Chelsea are also interested in the player, the CSL side can offer greater financial terms that provide them with sufficient muscle to push a deal through.
However, the biggest obstacle to getting the deal done is the CFA's rule to bring down soaring price tags on transfers. Guoan are still exploring options to navigate this issue.

 

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Manchester United extend longest-ever unbeaten run at Old Trafford


Manchester United's Champions League victory over CSKA Moscow saw the club extend their longest unbeaten home run in history. Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford led the Red Devils to a 2-1 win against the Russians at Old Trafford, after Vitinho's strike had earlier put the visitors ahead.

It was United's fifth win out of six in Group A, a record which meant they take top spot ahead of fellow qualifiers Basel going into the last 16.

But even more impressively, the game was the 40th consecutive fixture at Old Trafford in which Jose Mourinho's men have avoided defeat.
One must go back to September 10, 2016 to find the last time United went down in front of their own fans; on that occasion coming unstuck against rivals City.Since then, however, they have been formidable at home, and passed the 37-game record set by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011 with a 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United at the start of November.

But the current streak by Mourinho's United pales in comparison to his longest run as a manager, with his former Chelsea side going unbeaten in an incredible 60 matches at Stamford Bridge.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!​

 

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'Amazing' Ronaldo deserves Ballon d'Or, says Kovacic


Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic believes Cristiano Ronaldo will score "way more" this season as he backed his team-mate to win the Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo has struggled to find the back of the net in La Liga, netting just twice in 10 games, but the forward has scored eight times in the Champions League.But Kovacic believes it is only a matter of time before the Portuguese superstar recaptures his best form.

"Me and the rest of my team-mates, we see Cristiano as always in good shape," the Croatia international said."He's the best player in the world and he has already scored many goals this season and he will score way more goals for sure.

"At the moment the ball is not willing to go in, but as I said before, this is football and sometimes the ball doesn't want to get in the goal, but there's still time left until the end and he will score way more as usual."

As usual, the battle for the Ballon d'Or is widely expected to be between Lionel Messi and Ronaldo, with the winner to be announced on Thursday.

Ronaldo is expected to join the Barcelona superstar on a record five Ballons d'Or and Kovacic said a win would be deserved after Madrid won La Liga and the Champions League last season."I think he should win the Ballon d'Or because his year was amazing. He scored many goals, won everything with the team and he was a key piece of that," he said.

"I'm really happy for him. We all are. But the most important thing for us is to win as a team."The Ballon d'Or is important for us and for Cristiano because it's amazing to be able to win a fifth Ballon d'Or but as I said, for us the most important thing is to be a team and win for the team."

Madrid host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, having already secured passage through from Group H.

 

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Zlatan has a big chance - Mourinho gives Manchester derby selection hint


Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a "big chance" to be fit to face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, according to Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.Ibrahimovic has missed United's last two matches - a league win at Arsenal and Tuesday's Champions League victory against CSKA Moscow - due to injury.

The veteran striker has yet to score for United since returning from a serious knee problem, but the former Sweden international could provide a timely fitness boost for Mourinho ahead of a pivotal derby.

City will head to Old Trafford with an eight-point lead from their neighbours at the top of the Premier League table thanks to their stunning start to the season under Mourinho's old rival Pep Guardiola.

But Mourinho aimed a barb at the Catalan, who has suggested David Silva could miss the derby due to injury, as the Portuguese offered an update on the state of his squad following United's victory against CSKA Moscow.

Arsene Wenger was also in the line of fire after the Arsenal boss started Alexandre Lacazette against United, having ruled the France international out, but Mourinho faces a midfield selection headache due to Paul Pogba's suspension after his red card in Saturday's 3-1 win at the Emirates.

"Truth is that [Eric] Bailly is out for the weekend, [Phil] Jones a chance, [Marouane] Fellaini a chance, Zlatan a big chance and [Nemanja] Matic is injured, but will play for sure," Mourinho told reporters. "[Michael] Carrick no chance."That is the truth, like Lacazette and David Silva. It's all the truth."

United will set a new club record if they avoid defeat against City, having gone unbeaten in 40 home games under Mourinho, the joint-longest such sequence in the history of the club.

But Mourinho insisted he is not motivated by breaking new ground against City, who have won their last 13 Premier League games going into the derby.

"I am not playing for records," Mourinho said. "I want to make history because we won the Europa League for the first time and for doing more important things than breaking records.
"But of course, it is always nice."

 

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Mourinho promises 'more chances' for Shaw after strong display


Jose Mourinho has promised to give Luke Shaw more chances at Manchester United after his strong performance in Tuesday's win over CSKA Moscow.Shaw was given his first start of the season in the 2-1 Champions League victory at Old Trafford as Mourinho gave a rest to some first-choice players ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The 22-year-old full-back put in an energetic display down the United left and came close to a goal and an assist in the first half, as the home side rallied from a goal down to win and finish top of Group A.

Shaw's lack of game time this season has led to speculation he could leave in January but Mourinho suggested he would like to keep the former Southampton man, who was voted the club's Man of the Match by supporters.

"Shaw put in a very positive performance, especially in possession," he told a news conference. "He created a lot of danger and created a lot of dangerous situations. It was no surprise that he was feeling it toward the end."He deserved a chance and he will get more chances in the future."

Mourinho also praised the performance of Romelu Lukaku, who got his first goal in the competition since September when he equalised in the 64th minute.

"I am always happy with Romelu," he said. "The way he plays for the team is amazing. It is great when he can feel that happiness strikers have when they score. But he is always involved and working for the team."Of course, to score a goal in the Champions League makes me feel happy for him. Not for me, but for him."

Mourinho was delighted with the result and the attitude of his players and says whoever United are paired with in Monday's last-16 draw will consider themselves unlucky.

"I'm really happy. I didn't want to qualify with a defeat and bad performance," he said. "We wanted to play well and get a good result and we did that very well. We showed that we didn't want to lose. Good performance and good attitude. Some fine individual performances, some brilliant moments.

"I am not the luckiest guy with draws, so it's better for me to shut up and forget it. We only play again in February. I have to focus on the English competitions. But it doesn't matter which team we get. No team will be jumping with happiness to get Man United."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2017.12.06

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2017.12.06

Porto Vs Monaco

Feyenoord Vs Napoli

Liverpool Vs Spartak Moscow

Maribor Vs Sevilla

Leipzig Vs Beskitas

Real Madrid Vs Dortmund

Shakhtar Vs Manchester City

Tottenham Vs Apoel

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Feyenoord 2 Napoli 1: Sarri's side suffer Champions League exit

Napoli's Champions League campaign came to an end after Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Feyenoord as Maurizio Sarri was left to reflect on a damaging start to December.

Having surrendered top spot in Serie A following last week's 1-0 reverse to Juventus, Napoli's European adventure was taken on an unwanted detour to the Europa League, with Shakhtar Donetsk's shock victory over Group F winners Manchester City ensuring the result in Netherlands was inconsequential.

The visitors needed a win at De Kuip and a favour from City, but got neither as the final month of 2017 shaped up to be one to forget for the Stadio San Paolo club.



Deprived of the services of the injured Lorenzo Insigne, Napoli made a superb start and Piotr Zielinski soon broke the deadlock from close range.

Feyenoord, 14 points off top spot in the Eredivisie and aiming to avoid the humiliation of finishing the group phase without a point, looked to be on the ropes as Napoli spurned a number of opportunities, but the hosts found a leveller through Nicolai Jorgensen before the break.

With the odds stacked against them in their bid to qualify, Napoli remained the better side throughout a second half that saw Tonny Vilhena dismissed, but somehow contrived to lose to the 10 men as substitute Jeremiah St Juste headed in the winner at the death.


Napoli, who won the reverse fixture 3-1, were ahead within two minutes as Amadou Diawara's free-kick was headed back across goal and, while Dries Mertens could not turn the loose ball towards the target, Zielinski was on hand to prod home.

Sarri's men should have been two to the good after a neat one-two between Marek Hamsik and Mertens left the latter with only Kenneth Vermeer to beat, but the goalkeeper did well to deny the Belgian.The chances continued to come for the Italians and Hamsik was denied by Renato Tapia's goalline clearance after bright play from Jose Callejon.

Feyenoord's lack of threat was captured in Steven Berghuis' 20-yard strike, which veered wildly off target before going out for a throw-in.Word of Shakhtar's opening goal at home to City will have started to filter through by the time Napoli's ambitions suffered another setback.

Berghuis' teasing cross was inch-perfect for Jorgensen, whose header was equally precise, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side were still celebrating as Shakhtar doubled their account to render Napoli's hopes increasingly remote.

Although Napoli must have known their fate was practically sealed, they played with a high tempo in the early stages of the second half, forcing Feyenoord onto the back foot.

Marko Rog and then Mario Rui were called upon from the bench in a bid to inject further energy into Napoli, who at the very least seemed determined to sign off with three points.Pepe Reina took a chance in his own six-yard box when he dummied a clearance before taking the more advisable approach of actually getting the ball to safety, with Jean-Paul Boetius closing in.

Vilhena was given his marching orders when the midfielder received a second yellow card in the 83rd minute following a poorly timed challenge on substitute Adam Ounas.

That should have laid the platform for a Napoli assault inside the closing stages, but St Juste had other ideas as he stooped to nod in the clinching goal in stoppage time to end a run of eight straight defeats in the competition for Feyenoord.