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..::Football IV::..
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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.01.14
Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.01.14
Bournemouth Vs Arsenal
Liverpool Vs Manchester City
LA Liga Fixtures 2018.01.14
LA Liga Fixtures 2018.01.14
Levante Vs Celta Vigo
Alaves Vs Sevilla
Espanyol Vs Athletic Bilbao
Real Sociedad Vs Barcelona
Levante Vs Celta Vigo
Alaves Vs Sevilla
Espanyol Vs Athletic Bilbao
Real Sociedad Vs Barcelona
Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.01.14
Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.01.14
Cologne Vs Monchengladbach
Dortmund Vs Wolfsburg
Cologne Vs Monchengladbach
Dortmund Vs Wolfsburg
Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 1: Wenger's worries worsen without Sanchez
Arsenal experienced an uncomfortable taste of life without Alexis Sanchez on Sunday, as they gave up the lead to lose 2-1 away to struggling Bournemouth.
The visitors were missing two key players on the south coast, where a knee injury kept Mesut Ozil out of the team and Sanchez was omitted as he continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City or Manchester United.The absence of the Gunners' chief creator and most potent attacking threat told as they struggled to break down the home team prior to Hector Bellerin's 52nd-minute opener.
Callum Wilson's equaliser with 20 minutes to go was quickly followed by Jordon Ibe's first Premier League goal for Bournemouth and those strikes proved enough to register a famous victory for Eddie Howe's team, who are now unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions.Arsenal meanwhile remain sixth, but have not won in five and are struggling to keep pace with the Champions League qualification challengers ahead of them in the table.
If, as expected, Sanchez completes an imminent move to the Etihad Stadium or Old Trafford, Arsene Wenger must find new attacking solutions ahead of a London derby at home to a resurgent Crystal Palace next weekend.
Bournemouth enjoyed an early sight of goal when Adam Smith fired wide from outside the area, but it was Arsenal who had the better of the opening exchanges.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles hit the bar after collecting a cross from Alexandre Lacazette at the back post and a deflected Alex Iwobi strike forced Asmir Begovic to parry behind and concede a corner.The Gunners then had to wait until the 35th minute to threaten again, Begovic using his feet to deny Danny Welbeck one-on-one.
Howe's side finished the half strongly, though, Ryan Fraser drawing an important block from Calum Chambers and then testing Petr Cech, while Arsenal were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty for handball against Iwobi from a corner.The away team capitalised on that good fortune by taking the lead early in the second half, when Iwobi's well-weighted throughball released Bellerin in behind the Bournemouth defence down the right.
The Spaniard raced into the area and was able to squeeze a low finish under Begovic, who got a touch but could only succeed in making the ball loop up and bounce over the line.
Undeterred, Bournemouth levelled in the 70th minute, a brilliant Fraser pass to the edge of the penalty area allowing Wilson to steer a sharp, first-time finish past Cech, who had charged off his line.Four minutes later it was 2-1, Ibe running onto Wilson's lay-off and firing home a fierce strike to open his league account for the club.
Wenger introduced Theo Walcott, another player who has been linked with a move away from north London, in an attempt to salvage something from the game.
But the visitors proved unable to apply significant pressure in the closing stages, Bournemouth remaining resolute to record a victory that could prove crucial to their survival hopes.
Arsenal experienced an uncomfortable taste of life without Alexis Sanchez on Sunday, as they gave up the lead to lose 2-1 away to struggling Bournemouth.
The visitors were missing two key players on the south coast, where a knee injury kept Mesut Ozil out of the team and Sanchez was omitted as he continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City or Manchester United.The absence of the Gunners' chief creator and most potent attacking threat told as they struggled to break down the home team prior to Hector Bellerin's 52nd-minute opener.
Callum Wilson's equaliser with 20 minutes to go was quickly followed by Jordon Ibe's first Premier League goal for Bournemouth and those strikes proved enough to register a famous victory for Eddie Howe's team, who are now unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions.Arsenal meanwhile remain sixth, but have not won in five and are struggling to keep pace with the Champions League qualification challengers ahead of them in the table.
If, as expected, Sanchez completes an imminent move to the Etihad Stadium or Old Trafford, Arsene Wenger must find new attacking solutions ahead of a London derby at home to a resurgent Crystal Palace next weekend.
Bournemouth enjoyed an early sight of goal when Adam Smith fired wide from outside the area, but it was Arsenal who had the better of the opening exchanges.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles hit the bar after collecting a cross from Alexandre Lacazette at the back post and a deflected Alex Iwobi strike forced Asmir Begovic to parry behind and concede a corner.The Gunners then had to wait until the 35th minute to threaten again, Begovic using his feet to deny Danny Welbeck one-on-one.
Howe's side finished the half strongly, though, Ryan Fraser drawing an important block from Calum Chambers and then testing Petr Cech, while Arsenal were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty for handball against Iwobi from a corner.The away team capitalised on that good fortune by taking the lead early in the second half, when Iwobi's well-weighted throughball released Bellerin in behind the Bournemouth defence down the right.
The Spaniard raced into the area and was able to squeeze a low finish under Begovic, who got a touch but could only succeed in making the ball loop up and bounce over the line.
Undeterred, Bournemouth levelled in the 70th minute, a brilliant Fraser pass to the edge of the penalty area allowing Wilson to steer a sharp, first-time finish past Cech, who had charged off his line.Four minutes later it was 2-1, Ibe running onto Wilson's lay-off and firing home a fierce strike to open his league account for the club.
Wenger introduced Theo Walcott, another player who has been linked with a move away from north London, in an attempt to salvage something from the game.
But the visitors proved unable to apply significant pressure in the closing stages, Bournemouth remaining resolute to record a victory that could prove crucial to their survival hopes.
Marcelo: Real Madrid feel like we're sinking
Real Madrid defender Marcelo has said that the players feel like they are "sinking" as the club were subjected to yet another poor result at the weekend, a 1-0 loss to Villarreal.
The aptly nicknamed Yellow Submarine snatched all three points on Saturday through a late strike from Pablo Fornals, moving Javi Calleja's side to just one point behind Los Blancos courtesy of their first ever win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It was not for a lack of trying on Madrid's part, however, with the hosts having registered 28 shots – a record for a Liga side this season – while Cristiano Ronaldo had a free-kick turned onto the woodwork.
Left-back Marcelo was left understandably frustrated with the result, which leaves his side 16 points adrift of Liga leaders Barcelona, telling reporters after the game: “It's one of the worst situations I've experienced here.
“We're trying to play good football, move the ball around and score goals, but it's not coming off.“It's how it looks from the outside – we're sad, angry and we feel like we're sinking.”
Under-fire boss Zinedine Zidane was also at a loss for words after originally describing the situation as "f***** up", insisting that he had no explanation as to why the Spanish champions could not find the net.
“We don't deserve this, we think we played well but the ball just didn't want to go in for us. I can't explain why,” the Frenchman said.“It was a hammer blow but we are going to turn things around on Thursday [against Leganes in the Copa del Rey].
“It might be a mental aspect that is stopping us from winning. When we are on a bad run there are always negatives to pick up on.“We shot on target but didn't score, when there were rebounds we were not on the end of them. This can wear you down mentally.
“We did everything possible to win and I honestly cannot reproach my players for their actions. I am not happy but nor do I feel beaten.”
Real Madrid defender Marcelo has said that the players feel like they are "sinking" as the club were subjected to yet another poor result at the weekend, a 1-0 loss to Villarreal.
The aptly nicknamed Yellow Submarine snatched all three points on Saturday through a late strike from Pablo Fornals, moving Javi Calleja's side to just one point behind Los Blancos courtesy of their first ever win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It was not for a lack of trying on Madrid's part, however, with the hosts having registered 28 shots – a record for a Liga side this season – while Cristiano Ronaldo had a free-kick turned onto the woodwork.
Left-back Marcelo was left understandably frustrated with the result, which leaves his side 16 points adrift of Liga leaders Barcelona, telling reporters after the game: “It's one of the worst situations I've experienced here.
“We're trying to play good football, move the ball around and score goals, but it's not coming off.“It's how it looks from the outside – we're sad, angry and we feel like we're sinking.”
Under-fire boss Zinedine Zidane was also at a loss for words after originally describing the situation as "f***** up", insisting that he had no explanation as to why the Spanish champions could not find the net.
“We don't deserve this, we think we played well but the ball just didn't want to go in for us. I can't explain why,” the Frenchman said.“It was a hammer blow but we are going to turn things around on Thursday [against Leganes in the Copa del Rey].
“It might be a mental aspect that is stopping us from winning. When we are on a bad run there are always negatives to pick up on.“We shot on target but didn't score, when there were rebounds we were not on the end of them. This can wear you down mentally.
“We did everything possible to win and I honestly cannot reproach my players for their actions. I am not happy but nor do I feel beaten.”
Mkhitaryan to leave Man United? Every player has a price, says MourinhoManchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hinted that Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be sold as doubts remain over the out-of-favour playmaker.Mkhitaryan has been linked with a move away from United after failing to win over Mourinho at Old Trafford this season.
The Armenia star, who was one of Mourinho's first signings from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, could return to Signal Iduna Park, while reports have claimed the 28-year-old might be used in a swap deal for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
Asked about Mkhitaryan's future in Manchester, Mourinho – speaking ahead of Monday's visit of Stoke City – said: "My approach is that every player has a price. And I am not the kind of blind manager.
"Blind in the sense that this player is untouchable, this one can never be sold."I think every player has a price. So, when the transfer window is open it's also open for any club that is interested in our players."Then it's up to us to make the decision yes or no. It's up to us to make the right price.
"Mkhitaryan played the last match in the FA Cup against Derby. He probably will play the next one against Stoke. He is our player and a very good player."
This season, Mkhitaryan has scored once and registered five assists in 15 Premier League appearances.
Wilshere not expecting January contract extension at Arsenal
Jack Wilshere is not expecting to sign a new contract at Arsenal during the January transfer window, with the midfielder prepared to be patient.
The England international is among those at Emirates Stadium set to hit free agency at the end of the season if fresh terms are not put in place.He has, however, expressed a desire to stay on, unlike club colleagues Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
Wilshere remains confident that an extension will be agreed to prolong his stay in north London, but he has suggested that no agreement is imminent.“There's not a decision to make in January,” the 26-year-old midfielder told Sky Sports.
“I've still got six months left of my contract, I'm an Arsenal player and I'm enjoying playing week in, week out.“I've had loads of questions about my future and there's nothing more I can say until something's official and we can concentrate on the future but right now, I'm concentrating on each game as it comes.
“I've just got back into the team and the club, I suppose, were just waiting for that moment where I've proved my fitness and I've proved that I can play in the Premier League each week for a top club so now that's happened.
“We're not waiting for anything really, maybe the right time when there's a little break in the fixtures - which there's not - but I'm sure in a couple of weeks, something will get done or the boss will say something and we'll go from there.”
For now, Wilshere is focused on shaking off another untimely injury and maintaining the fine form he has displayed over recent weeks.
He is also hoping to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s thoughts ahead of the 2018 World Cup, while taking the captain’s armband at Arsenal on a full-time basis following recent outings as stand-in skipper is another long-term target.
Wilshere added: “I want to be Arsenal captain. I really enjoyed the other night [against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup], it was my first start as captain and walking the boys out was a special feeling for me and my family so that is something that I want to do. I never really stopped dreaming about that.
“There was a time last year when Arsenal were playing against Bournemouth at the Vitality where I sat in the crowd watching and thinking 'am I going to go back to Arsenal and play?' but apart from that, I never really thought about not becoming the player everyone thought I would be or not fulfilling my potential.
“I just wanted to prove my fitness at Bournemouth then come back here and try and get into the team. I played the long game and I worked hard. I'm not saying that's over but I'm in the team now and I need to work even harder maybe to keep my place and improve as a player as well.”
Jack Wilshere is not expecting to sign a new contract at Arsenal during the January transfer window, with the midfielder prepared to be patient.
The England international is among those at Emirates Stadium set to hit free agency at the end of the season if fresh terms are not put in place.He has, however, expressed a desire to stay on, unlike club colleagues Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
Wilshere remains confident that an extension will be agreed to prolong his stay in north London, but he has suggested that no agreement is imminent.“There's not a decision to make in January,” the 26-year-old midfielder told Sky Sports.
“I've still got six months left of my contract, I'm an Arsenal player and I'm enjoying playing week in, week out.“I've had loads of questions about my future and there's nothing more I can say until something's official and we can concentrate on the future but right now, I'm concentrating on each game as it comes.
“I've just got back into the team and the club, I suppose, were just waiting for that moment where I've proved my fitness and I've proved that I can play in the Premier League each week for a top club so now that's happened.
“We're not waiting for anything really, maybe the right time when there's a little break in the fixtures - which there's not - but I'm sure in a couple of weeks, something will get done or the boss will say something and we'll go from there.”
For now, Wilshere is focused on shaking off another untimely injury and maintaining the fine form he has displayed over recent weeks.
He is also hoping to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s thoughts ahead of the 2018 World Cup, while taking the captain’s armband at Arsenal on a full-time basis following recent outings as stand-in skipper is another long-term target.
Wilshere added: “I want to be Arsenal captain. I really enjoyed the other night [against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup], it was my first start as captain and walking the boys out was a special feeling for me and my family so that is something that I want to do. I never really stopped dreaming about that.
“There was a time last year when Arsenal were playing against Bournemouth at the Vitality where I sat in the crowd watching and thinking 'am I going to go back to Arsenal and play?' but apart from that, I never really thought about not becoming the player everyone thought I would be or not fulfilling my potential.
“I just wanted to prove my fitness at Bournemouth then come back here and try and get into the team. I played the long game and I worked hard. I'm not saying that's over but I'm in the team now and I need to work even harder maybe to keep my place and improve as a player as well.”
Final decision from Bayern and Liverpool target Goretzka expected to be made in a few days
Bayern Munich expect midfield target Leon Goretzka to decide his Schalke future "in a few days".Goretzka, 22, has entered the final six months of his Schalke contract and is able to talk to other clubs about a potential free transfer at the end of the season.The likes of Barcelona, Liverpool and Juventus are rumoured to be interested in the Germany international, but Bayern are leading the chase.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern's executive board chairman, reckons they would be "crazy" not to be interested in Goretzka and is optimistic about hearing the midfielder's final decision.
"We would be crazy if we did not think about signing a German international whose contract runs out," Rummenigge told Sky.
"Now it is up to the player to decide, and it would be nice if he chose Bayern in the end. You only have an agreement when you sign the contract."All top clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United or Juventus wanted him, so it is perfectly legal and normal that the top club from Germany is interested in this player, too."The decision will be taken in a few days."
Bayern Munich expect midfield target Leon Goretzka to decide his Schalke future "in a few days".Goretzka, 22, has entered the final six months of his Schalke contract and is able to talk to other clubs about a potential free transfer at the end of the season.The likes of Barcelona, Liverpool and Juventus are rumoured to be interested in the Germany international, but Bayern are leading the chase.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern's executive board chairman, reckons they would be "crazy" not to be interested in Goretzka and is optimistic about hearing the midfielder's final decision.
"We would be crazy if we did not think about signing a German international whose contract runs out," Rummenigge told Sky.
"Now it is up to the player to decide, and it would be nice if he chose Bayern in the end. You only have an agreement when you sign the contract."All top clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United or Juventus wanted him, so it is perfectly legal and normal that the top club from Germany is interested in this player, too."The decision will be taken in a few days."
'Mahrez is worth £75m' - Savage sounds transfer warning to Liverpool & Arsenal
Liverpool and Arsenal have been warned they will have to dig deep for Riyad Mahrez, with Robbie Savage saying the Leicester winger is worth £75 million.
The Algeria international is reported to be registering on the transfer radar at Anfield and Emirates Stadium as a proven creative influence in the Premier League.
Liverpool have already lost Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona during the winter window, while Arsenal are bracing themselves for the seemingly imminent departure of Alexis Sanchez.
Mahrez could be targeted by Jurgen Klopp or Arsene Wenger as they seek to bolster their respective ranks, but both have been informed that inflated fees mean that the 2016 PFA Player of the Year will not come cheap.Former Leicester midfielder Savage told Radio 5 Live: “I’d say Mahrez is worth £75m.
“[Virgil] Van Dijk has gone for £75m and he’s a defender.“Mahrez was PFA Player of the Year two years ago and he’s won the Premier League so why is he not worth £75m?
“The hardest thing to do is to create chances and score goals in the league.”Mahrez has shown that he can offer both of those qualities within English top-flight competition.
He netted 17 times as Leicester swept to a remarkable title triumph back in 2015-16, and has looked back to something resembling his best form this season.The 26-year-old has scored eight goals across all competitions this term, while also providing seven assists in the Premier League.
Opinion on whether he is the right man to fill the shoes of world-class talents at Liverpool and Arsenal remains divided, but it could be that he is offered a chance to prove his worth on such a stage before the latest transfer deadline passes on January 31.
Liverpool and Arsenal have been warned they will have to dig deep for Riyad Mahrez, with Robbie Savage saying the Leicester winger is worth £75 million.
The Algeria international is reported to be registering on the transfer radar at Anfield and Emirates Stadium as a proven creative influence in the Premier League.
Liverpool have already lost Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona during the winter window, while Arsenal are bracing themselves for the seemingly imminent departure of Alexis Sanchez.
Mahrez could be targeted by Jurgen Klopp or Arsene Wenger as they seek to bolster their respective ranks, but both have been informed that inflated fees mean that the 2016 PFA Player of the Year will not come cheap.Former Leicester midfielder Savage told Radio 5 Live: “I’d say Mahrez is worth £75m.
“[Virgil] Van Dijk has gone for £75m and he’s a defender.“Mahrez was PFA Player of the Year two years ago and he’s won the Premier League so why is he not worth £75m?
“The hardest thing to do is to create chances and score goals in the league.”Mahrez has shown that he can offer both of those qualities within English top-flight competition.
He netted 17 times as Leicester swept to a remarkable title triumph back in 2015-16, and has looked back to something resembling his best form this season.The 26-year-old has scored eight goals across all competitions this term, while also providing seven assists in the Premier League.
Opinion on whether he is the right man to fill the shoes of world-class talents at Liverpool and Arsenal remains divided, but it could be that he is offered a chance to prove his worth on such a stage before the latest transfer deadline passes on January 31.
De Bruyne drops future hint amid Man City contract talks
Kevin De Bruyne has hinted that he will be signing a new contract at Manchester City, stating that he has “no feeling to go anywhere else”.Goal revealed back in December that the Belgium international is to be offered a six-year deal which includes a whopping €10 million signing-on bonus.No paperwork has been penned since then, with De Bruyne recently revealing that he is “still in negotiations” with City regarding fresh terms.
The 26-year-old midfielder has, however, suggested that he will be committing to the Premier League leaders as he is feeling settled at the Etihad Stadium.
De Bruyne said in the Daily Star: “I made the right decision in coming to City and my family feels the same, so everything is good.“The team is going in the right direction and that is also important.“I always say in football that a lot of things can happen very quickly but I’m very happy here and the people at the club know that.
“I’ve no feeling to go anywhere else and I enjoy being part of the project here and playing the kind of football we are playing.”De Bruyne, who had previously taken in a forgettable spell in England at Chelsea, joined City for £55 million in the summer of 2015.
He has been a revelation since returning to the Premier League, with nobody able to match the remarkable assist numbers he continues to post.Pep Guardiola is currently benefitting from that skill set, while Belgium are hoping that a key figure will be at his talismanic best when they head to the World Cup finals in Russia this summer.
On that challenge, with Roberto Martinez’s side set to face England in the group stage, De Bruyne added: “I feel good and it makes a difference having a good break before the season starts.
“I don’t ever really remember having a good break before a new season. This time, I had four weeks, which was massive for me.“That helps you feel re-energised. You don’t get a lot of downtime as a footballer and before this season, I’d only been having two weeks in the summer to rest, so that was good.”
There is no rest time for De Bruyne at the moment, though, with his next outing set to see him try and help City break their Anfield hoodoo with a Premier League trip to Liverpool.
Kevin De Bruyne has hinted that he will be signing a new contract at Manchester City, stating that he has “no feeling to go anywhere else”.Goal revealed back in December that the Belgium international is to be offered a six-year deal which includes a whopping €10 million signing-on bonus.No paperwork has been penned since then, with De Bruyne recently revealing that he is “still in negotiations” with City regarding fresh terms.
The 26-year-old midfielder has, however, suggested that he will be committing to the Premier League leaders as he is feeling settled at the Etihad Stadium.
De Bruyne said in the Daily Star: “I made the right decision in coming to City and my family feels the same, so everything is good.“The team is going in the right direction and that is also important.“I always say in football that a lot of things can happen very quickly but I’m very happy here and the people at the club know that.
“I’ve no feeling to go anywhere else and I enjoy being part of the project here and playing the kind of football we are playing.”De Bruyne, who had previously taken in a forgettable spell in England at Chelsea, joined City for £55 million in the summer of 2015.
He has been a revelation since returning to the Premier League, with nobody able to match the remarkable assist numbers he continues to post.Pep Guardiola is currently benefitting from that skill set, while Belgium are hoping that a key figure will be at his talismanic best when they head to the World Cup finals in Russia this summer.
On that challenge, with Roberto Martinez’s side set to face England in the group stage, De Bruyne added: “I feel good and it makes a difference having a good break before the season starts.
“I don’t ever really remember having a good break before a new season. This time, I had four weeks, which was massive for me.“That helps you feel re-energised. You don’t get a lot of downtime as a footballer and before this season, I’d only been having two weeks in the summer to rest, so that was good.”
There is no rest time for De Bruyne at the moment, though, with his next outing set to see him try and help City break their Anfield hoodoo with a Premier League trip to Liverpool.
Zidane laments Real Madrid's latest loss: It's just very f****** up
Zinedine Zidane said confidence is low at Real Madrid after the struggling Spanish and European champions crashed to a shock defeat to Villarreal.An 87th-minute counter-attack saw Villarreal silence the Santiago Bernabeu as the visitors claimed a remarkable last-gasp 1-0 La Liga victory Saturday.
Madrid – fourth in the table – have only won once in their past five games as they face the prospect of falling 19 points behind runaway leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona."It's very difficult for the confidence," said head coach Zidane, who guided Madrid to UEFA Super Cup, Supercopa de Espana and Club World Cup glory earlier in the season.
"We had chances to score but in the end... we couldn't avoid the counter and... it's just very f****** up for all the players."What we have to do is keep working, because there will come a time and we have to be there.
"Within all the negative things that are happening to us, we are going to look for something positive."While retaining La Liga is all but over, Madrid's grip on the fourth and final Champions League spot is slipping with Villarreal just a point behind in fifth."We have to get a win from somewhere," the under-fire Frenchman added.
"We know the situation and every day it gets more complicated, so we are not even thinking about the League, just about the next match."Zidane's side won't get much time to recover either.
Madrid are back on the pitch mid-week for the first leg of a Copa del Rey quarter-final against Leganes, with a clash against Deportivo de La Coruna in the league next weekend.
Zinedine Zidane said confidence is low at Real Madrid after the struggling Spanish and European champions crashed to a shock defeat to Villarreal.An 87th-minute counter-attack saw Villarreal silence the Santiago Bernabeu as the visitors claimed a remarkable last-gasp 1-0 La Liga victory Saturday.
Madrid – fourth in the table – have only won once in their past five games as they face the prospect of falling 19 points behind runaway leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona."It's very difficult for the confidence," said head coach Zidane, who guided Madrid to UEFA Super Cup, Supercopa de Espana and Club World Cup glory earlier in the season.
"We had chances to score but in the end... we couldn't avoid the counter and... it's just very f****** up for all the players."What we have to do is keep working, because there will come a time and we have to be there.
"Within all the negative things that are happening to us, we are going to look for something positive."While retaining La Liga is all but over, Madrid's grip on the fourth and final Champions League spot is slipping with Villarreal just a point behind in fifth."We have to get a win from somewhere," the under-fire Frenchman added.
"We know the situation and every day it gets more complicated, so we are not even thinking about the League, just about the next match."Zidane's side won't get much time to recover either.
Madrid are back on the pitch mid-week for the first leg of a Copa del Rey quarter-final against Leganes, with a clash against Deportivo de La Coruna in the league next weekend.
Alexis resolution 'in next 48 hours' amid Man City & Man Utd links
Alexis Sanchez's future is expected to be resolved within the next 48 hours, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Manchester City and Manchester United have both been heavily linked with a move to sign Alexis in January and the Chile international was left out of the matchday squad as the Gunners lost 2-1 away to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.
Speaking after the game, Wenger also claimed that a replacement would be signed if Alexis joined either City or United within the next two days, but was non-committal on links with Bordeaux star Malcom.
"It will be decided in the next 48 hours," said Wenger. "It was difficult for him because he was on standby a little bit."If Sanchez goes we need to replace him. When you looked at today we missed many players and you see that they have a big weight in the team."Will he go or not? I don't know. At the moment it's the transfer window and in this period we try to use the players who are focused on the club."
Wenger added: "Alexis would have played but it’s a difficult period for him. He has always been committed until now. He could have moved yesterday, today – that’s why I decided not to do it [play him]."Goal reported on Saturday that Alexis’s family has arrived in London in preparation for his departure in the transfer window.
It’s understood that the former Barcelona man has his heart set on a move to the Etihad Stadium, where he would link up with his old coach Pep Guardiola.Arsenal are demanding £35 million for Alexis while the player's agent Fernando Felicevich, previously dubbed ‘the king of South American football’ by Forbes magazine, is requesting a fee of £5m for facilitating the transfer.
City have made it known that they are unwilling to meet Felicevich's personal demands, believing the total package requested by the agent and Arsenal does not represent value for money.But Goal understands that, while the club insist they are willing to walk away from a deal this month, potentially leaving United with a clear run, the Premier League leaders would rather find an agreement that suits all parties and sign the Alexis before the transfer window closes.
Meanwhile, Wenger insisted the absence of playmaker Mesut Ozil, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, was due to injury and not because the Germany international is also close to leaving.
And the Frenchman stressed the Gunners are not on the verge of sealing a move for Brazilian forward Malcom from Bordeaux."There's nothing concrete there," he said. "It's better that I don't come out on any specific name."
Alexis Sanchez's future is expected to be resolved within the next 48 hours, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Manchester City and Manchester United have both been heavily linked with a move to sign Alexis in January and the Chile international was left out of the matchday squad as the Gunners lost 2-1 away to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.
Speaking after the game, Wenger also claimed that a replacement would be signed if Alexis joined either City or United within the next two days, but was non-committal on links with Bordeaux star Malcom.
"It will be decided in the next 48 hours," said Wenger. "It was difficult for him because he was on standby a little bit."If Sanchez goes we need to replace him. When you looked at today we missed many players and you see that they have a big weight in the team."Will he go or not? I don't know. At the moment it's the transfer window and in this period we try to use the players who are focused on the club."
Wenger added: "Alexis would have played but it’s a difficult period for him. He has always been committed until now. He could have moved yesterday, today – that’s why I decided not to do it [play him]."Goal reported on Saturday that Alexis’s family has arrived in London in preparation for his departure in the transfer window.
It’s understood that the former Barcelona man has his heart set on a move to the Etihad Stadium, where he would link up with his old coach Pep Guardiola.Arsenal are demanding £35 million for Alexis while the player's agent Fernando Felicevich, previously dubbed ‘the king of South American football’ by Forbes magazine, is requesting a fee of £5m for facilitating the transfer.
City have made it known that they are unwilling to meet Felicevich's personal demands, believing the total package requested by the agent and Arsenal does not represent value for money.But Goal understands that, while the club insist they are willing to walk away from a deal this month, potentially leaving United with a clear run, the Premier League leaders would rather find an agreement that suits all parties and sign the Alexis before the transfer window closes.
Meanwhile, Wenger insisted the absence of playmaker Mesut Ozil, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, was due to injury and not because the Germany international is also close to leaving.
And the Frenchman stressed the Gunners are not on the verge of sealing a move for Brazilian forward Malcom from Bordeaux."There's nothing concrete there," he said. "It's better that I don't come out on any specific name."
Liverpool 4 Manchester City 3: Klopp's men beat City and the Coutinho blues
Liverpool left Manchester City's unbeaten Premier League record in tatters with a thrilling 4-3 win over the leaders.
Anfield has long provoked a sense of dread for City, who last won at the Merseyside ground in May 2003, and they collapsed under an unsustainable weight of individual errors as Liverpool ran amok after half-time.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain produced a midfield performance to thrill the Liverpool faithful in the wake of Philippe Coutinho's departure to Barcelona and opened the scoring with an excellent ninth-minute opener on an afternoon of high-class finishing.
Leroy Sane thrashed a shot beyond Loris Karius at the near post to draw City level five minutes before half-time and Jurgen Klopp's choice of goalkeeper might have come in for greater scrutiny had the three attacking stars Coutinho left behind not sparkled at the other end.
Roberto Firmino's 10th Premier League goal of the season arrived courtesy of a deft finish in the 59th minute and Sadio Mane added a third 126 seconds later, having found time to hit the post in between.
City were a mess as Mohamed Salah completed a dizzying spell of three goals in nine minutes and, although Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan set up a grandstand finish, Liverpool deservedly inflicted a first defeat upon Pep Guardiola's side in 23 top-flight games this season.
Salah recovered from a hamstring injury as expected to line up in the Liverpool attack and John Stones got across well to block a shot from the Egypt star after Firmino and Mane tested City's high defensive line in the fourth minute.Raheem Sterling went down softly in the area and was predictably booed by the Anfield faithful, who were soon sent into raptures by Oxlade-Chamberlain.
There appeared to be little danger when the former Arsenal man collected a loose ball 30 yards from goal but he glided effortlessly past Fernandinho before arrowing a brilliant drive across Ederson and into the bottom left corner.The visitors were struggling to assert themselves as an attacking force but Sergio Aguero was just shy of finding a decisive touch on the end of Kevin De Bruyne's delicious 20th-minute cross.
City's task became steeper when Fabian Delph limped off with an apparent knee injury after half an hour. The left-back’s replacement, Danilo, was promptly outmuscled by Oxlade-Chamberlain, who saw Firmino head an inviting cross wide at the near post.Liverpool appeared to be closing in on a second before the increasingly ragged league leaders were roused by Sane's exquisite talent.
The Germany winger chested down Kyle Walker's searching pass, darted inside Joe Gomez, skipped beyond a squared-up Joel Matip and clattered a strike past Karius at his near post as Gomez slid in vain.
Nicolas Otamendi headed against the top of the crossbar from a Sane corner early in the second period, although such signs of encouragement for City would soon be smashed to pieces.
Ederson saved sharply from Salah but was then left exposed by Stones, the centre-back misjudging Oxlade-Chamberlain's throughball and allowing Firmino to get goal side and clip a delicate finish beyond his countryman.Mane then rattled the post with City's defence reeling but the Senegal international made no mistake in the 61st minute, clattering into the top corner.
Salah passed unselfishly on that occasion and could scarcely believe his luck when an utterly scrambled City were harried into a series of defensive mistakes, culminating in Liverpool's top scorer lifting a marvellous finish into an unguarded net from 40 yards as Ederson languished in no-man's land.Guardiola's men remain 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League and such advantages are not built without considerable reserves of courage.
Silva was a lively introduction from the bench and converted after Gundogan's 84th-minute shot was blocked. The Germany international then controlled and finished tidily in stoppage time but Liverpool held on to let a shaft of light into the title race.
Liverpool left Manchester City's unbeaten Premier League record in tatters with a thrilling 4-3 win over the leaders.
Anfield has long provoked a sense of dread for City, who last won at the Merseyside ground in May 2003, and they collapsed under an unsustainable weight of individual errors as Liverpool ran amok after half-time.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain produced a midfield performance to thrill the Liverpool faithful in the wake of Philippe Coutinho's departure to Barcelona and opened the scoring with an excellent ninth-minute opener on an afternoon of high-class finishing.
Leroy Sane thrashed a shot beyond Loris Karius at the near post to draw City level five minutes before half-time and Jurgen Klopp's choice of goalkeeper might have come in for greater scrutiny had the three attacking stars Coutinho left behind not sparkled at the other end.
Roberto Firmino's 10th Premier League goal of the season arrived courtesy of a deft finish in the 59th minute and Sadio Mane added a third 126 seconds later, having found time to hit the post in between.
City were a mess as Mohamed Salah completed a dizzying spell of three goals in nine minutes and, although Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan set up a grandstand finish, Liverpool deservedly inflicted a first defeat upon Pep Guardiola's side in 23 top-flight games this season.
Salah recovered from a hamstring injury as expected to line up in the Liverpool attack and John Stones got across well to block a shot from the Egypt star after Firmino and Mane tested City's high defensive line in the fourth minute.Raheem Sterling went down softly in the area and was predictably booed by the Anfield faithful, who were soon sent into raptures by Oxlade-Chamberlain.
There appeared to be little danger when the former Arsenal man collected a loose ball 30 yards from goal but he glided effortlessly past Fernandinho before arrowing a brilliant drive across Ederson and into the bottom left corner.The visitors were struggling to assert themselves as an attacking force but Sergio Aguero was just shy of finding a decisive touch on the end of Kevin De Bruyne's delicious 20th-minute cross.
City's task became steeper when Fabian Delph limped off with an apparent knee injury after half an hour. The left-back’s replacement, Danilo, was promptly outmuscled by Oxlade-Chamberlain, who saw Firmino head an inviting cross wide at the near post.Liverpool appeared to be closing in on a second before the increasingly ragged league leaders were roused by Sane's exquisite talent.
The Germany winger chested down Kyle Walker's searching pass, darted inside Joe Gomez, skipped beyond a squared-up Joel Matip and clattered a strike past Karius at his near post as Gomez slid in vain.
Nicolas Otamendi headed against the top of the crossbar from a Sane corner early in the second period, although such signs of encouragement for City would soon be smashed to pieces.
Ederson saved sharply from Salah but was then left exposed by Stones, the centre-back misjudging Oxlade-Chamberlain's throughball and allowing Firmino to get goal side and clip a delicate finish beyond his countryman.Mane then rattled the post with City's defence reeling but the Senegal international made no mistake in the 61st minute, clattering into the top corner.
Salah passed unselfishly on that occasion and could scarcely believe his luck when an utterly scrambled City were harried into a series of defensive mistakes, culminating in Liverpool's top scorer lifting a marvellous finish into an unguarded net from 40 yards as Ederson languished in no-man's land.Guardiola's men remain 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League and such advantages are not built without considerable reserves of courage.
Silva was a lively introduction from the bench and converted after Gundogan's 84th-minute shot was blocked. The Germany international then controlled and finished tidily in stoppage time but Liverpool held on to let a shaft of light into the title race.
Leicester determined to keep Mahrez from Liverpool and Arsenal, insists Puel
Leicester City are committed to keeping Riyad Mahrez at the club beyond the January transfer window, according to manager Claude Puel.
The Algeria international, a key member of the Foxes' title-winning side of 2015-16, has been in a rich vein of form recently, directly contributing to eight goals - five goals, three assists - in his last 10 Premier League appearances.
Mahrez's contract runs until 2020, but he has been linked with both Liverpool and Arsenal in recent weeks. Both clubs are looking to replace departed, or departing, stars, with Philippe Coutinho having joined Barcelona and Alexis Sanchez set to move to Manchester United ahead of Manchester City.However, Puel is committed to retaining Mahrez's services, and believes the Algeria international is "enjoying his football" at the King Power Stadium.
“He has a fantastic influence on the team, a valuable player for the team,” Puel said, per The Guardian. “We can see he is enjoying his football and is happy with his team-mates and with us. It’s important for us to keep our best players.
"The good ambition for him is to continue this hard work, to show his consistency game after game, until the end of the season. He has come back at a good level: he is clinical, with assists, with goals, and it’s important he continues this work and shows people the player he is, without the ball, with it. He is making progress. It’s a good thing of course, (if) he continues all season with us.”
Mahrez has not yet made any moves to agitate for a transfer, and Puel is unworried about the prospect of him doing so.“It’s not a question in our mind. All the noise is just speculation," he added. "Of course we are in the transfer window and it’s normal for all the best players [to be linked with transfers], but I’m not afraid about this because there’s a fantastic spirit and good attitude in this squad.
“I have confidence in Riyad. We spoke a lot with him, [about] different things, and often about football, because he likes football a lot. He is now with good maturity, good experience of life, and we can see this in this game.”
Leicester City are committed to keeping Riyad Mahrez at the club beyond the January transfer window, according to manager Claude Puel.
The Algeria international, a key member of the Foxes' title-winning side of 2015-16, has been in a rich vein of form recently, directly contributing to eight goals - five goals, three assists - in his last 10 Premier League appearances.
Mahrez's contract runs until 2020, but he has been linked with both Liverpool and Arsenal in recent weeks. Both clubs are looking to replace departed, or departing, stars, with Philippe Coutinho having joined Barcelona and Alexis Sanchez set to move to Manchester United ahead of Manchester City.However, Puel is committed to retaining Mahrez's services, and believes the Algeria international is "enjoying his football" at the King Power Stadium.
“He has a fantastic influence on the team, a valuable player for the team,” Puel said, per The Guardian. “We can see he is enjoying his football and is happy with his team-mates and with us. It’s important for us to keep our best players.
"The good ambition for him is to continue this hard work, to show his consistency game after game, until the end of the season. He has come back at a good level: he is clinical, with assists, with goals, and it’s important he continues this work and shows people the player he is, without the ball, with it. He is making progress. It’s a good thing of course, (if) he continues all season with us.”
Mahrez has not yet made any moves to agitate for a transfer, and Puel is unworried about the prospect of him doing so.“It’s not a question in our mind. All the noise is just speculation," he added. "Of course we are in the transfer window and it’s normal for all the best players [to be linked with transfers], but I’m not afraid about this because there’s a fantastic spirit and good attitude in this squad.
“I have confidence in Riyad. We spoke a lot with him, [about] different things, and often about football, because he likes football a lot. He is now with good maturity, good experience of life, and we can see this in this game.”
Lucas confirms he is set to leave PSG amid Man Utd linksLucas Moura has confirmed that he is likely to leave PSG this January, amid interest from Manchester United.
The Brazilian right winger, who has spent five years in the French capital, has found his game time severely limited this season following the club's acquisitions of both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.Lucas has made just five Ligue 1 appearances thus far this season, but has scored one goal and provided one assist.
Reports suggest that United are keen to sign the 25-year-old for a fee of around €25 million, and Lucas has now dropped the strongest hint yet that he could move to England.Speaking to Brazilian television, Lucas said: "I do not think I'm going to stay.Unfortunately, it's the end for me in Paris. I like the English championship.
"The English league is the most hotly contested in the world, it's going to depend (on several factors). I'm going to sit down with my family and see what God has decided for me."While United's pursuit of Lucas could bear fruit this month, the club have also been given a free run at signing Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal after Manchester City pulled the plug on their pursuit of the Chilean.
Manchester United are also set to offer goalkeeper David de Gea a new contract, with Jose Mourinho eager not to let the Spanish shot-stopped leave the club any time soon.
The Premier League side are still well back of rivals Manchester City in the league race, but received a slight boost on Sunday as Pep Guradiola's side slipped to their first defeat of the season against Liverpool. Mourinho's side take on Stoke City on Monday and can close the gap at the top of the table down to 12 points with a win.
Nantes 0 Paris Saint-Germain 1: Match-winner Di Maria not made to rue wild miss
Angel Di Maria's goal was enough for a 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain win at Nantes but he also had the misfortune of producing one of the misses of the season.Unai Emery's men now sit 11 points clear at the top of the table and made light of Neymar's absence due to a rib injury by finding an early opener.
Edinson Cavani, back in the side following his unauthorised late return from holiday, laid on the chance for Di Maria, who made no mistake – although the same could not be said when he blazed off target from six yards.
The ex-Real Madrid man and his colleagues were grateful when Emiliano Sala had a header ruled out. Two Nantes players were in offside positions but not involved when a seemingly onside Sala converted.Claudio Ranieri was entitled to feel aggrieved and his fifth-placed side finished the match with 10 men when Diego Carlos was sent off in bizarre circumstances.
The defender collided with referee Tony Chapron as he charged forward on the break, with the official falling to the ground and appearing to kick out in frustration at Carlos, before regaining his footing and dishing out a second booking for apparent dissent.Both sides looked sharp and inventive during the opening stages but PSG drew first blood in the 12th minute, with Cavani making his presence felt on his comeback.
The Uruguay striker aimed a precise pass in Di Maria's direction and Kylian Mbappe's exquisite dummy scrambled a Nantes defence appealing in vain for offside, leaving the Argentina midfielder to slot home his seventh goal of the season.
Nantes were largely restricted to speculative attempts – none more so that Andrei Girotto's bolt strike from the halfway line, with the execution falling some way short of the ambition. Di Maria was at the heart of most of PSG's best work but he endured a moment to forget eight minutes before the interval.
Marco Verratti, Mbappe and Adrien Rabiot all combined on a lightning break, only for Di Maria to inexplicably hit the top of the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.The 29-year-old was soon back in the thick of the action, knocking a cross down for Giovani Lo Celso, who had a rasping shot bravely blocked.
Carlos flicked a searching cross from captain Leo Dubois just wide early in the second half as Nantes resumed with renewed ambition.Pinning PSG back did leave the hosts vulnerable on the counter-attack and Mbappe offered a demonstration of his blistering pace down the right in the 56th minute, only for Di Maria's finish to let him down again – albeit less spectacularly.
Sala thought he had drawn Nantes level with an hour played but his header from Dubois' free-kick was ruled out for offside, even though he appeared to be level with Cavani.
Emery elected to end Cavani's reintroduction in the 68th minute, sending on Thomas Meunier for a touch more defensive insurance.Meunier's fellow full-back Layvin Kurzawa smashed a volley wide in an attempt to make the point safe, while Ciprian Tatarusanu produced a superb reaction save to deny Mbappe the goal his efforts merited.
Nantes' final push for a share of the spoils was checked by Carlos being on the end of some rough justice. Rabiot then struck the post before boos rained down when the final whistle was sounded by Chapron - a man who had unsatisfactorily made himself the centre of attention.
Angel Di Maria's goal was enough for a 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain win at Nantes but he also had the misfortune of producing one of the misses of the season.Unai Emery's men now sit 11 points clear at the top of the table and made light of Neymar's absence due to a rib injury by finding an early opener.
Edinson Cavani, back in the side following his unauthorised late return from holiday, laid on the chance for Di Maria, who made no mistake – although the same could not be said when he blazed off target from six yards.
The ex-Real Madrid man and his colleagues were grateful when Emiliano Sala had a header ruled out. Two Nantes players were in offside positions but not involved when a seemingly onside Sala converted.Claudio Ranieri was entitled to feel aggrieved and his fifth-placed side finished the match with 10 men when Diego Carlos was sent off in bizarre circumstances.
The defender collided with referee Tony Chapron as he charged forward on the break, with the official falling to the ground and appearing to kick out in frustration at Carlos, before regaining his footing and dishing out a second booking for apparent dissent.Both sides looked sharp and inventive during the opening stages but PSG drew first blood in the 12th minute, with Cavani making his presence felt on his comeback.
The Uruguay striker aimed a precise pass in Di Maria's direction and Kylian Mbappe's exquisite dummy scrambled a Nantes defence appealing in vain for offside, leaving the Argentina midfielder to slot home his seventh goal of the season.
Nantes were largely restricted to speculative attempts – none more so that Andrei Girotto's bolt strike from the halfway line, with the execution falling some way short of the ambition. Di Maria was at the heart of most of PSG's best work but he endured a moment to forget eight minutes before the interval.
Marco Verratti, Mbappe and Adrien Rabiot all combined on a lightning break, only for Di Maria to inexplicably hit the top of the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.The 29-year-old was soon back in the thick of the action, knocking a cross down for Giovani Lo Celso, who had a rasping shot bravely blocked.
Carlos flicked a searching cross from captain Leo Dubois just wide early in the second half as Nantes resumed with renewed ambition.Pinning PSG back did leave the hosts vulnerable on the counter-attack and Mbappe offered a demonstration of his blistering pace down the right in the 56th minute, only for Di Maria's finish to let him down again – albeit less spectacularly.
Sala thought he had drawn Nantes level with an hour played but his header from Dubois' free-kick was ruled out for offside, even though he appeared to be level with Cavani.
Emery elected to end Cavani's reintroduction in the 68th minute, sending on Thomas Meunier for a touch more defensive insurance.Meunier's fellow full-back Layvin Kurzawa smashed a volley wide in an attempt to make the point safe, while Ciprian Tatarusanu produced a superb reaction save to deny Mbappe the goal his efforts merited.
Nantes' final push for a share of the spoils was checked by Carlos being on the end of some rough justice. Rabiot then struck the post before boos rained down when the final whistle was sounded by Chapron - a man who had unsatisfactorily made himself the centre of attention.
