..::Football IV::..

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    Transforming Man Utd will be biggest task Mourinho's ever had - Neville


    Jose Mourinho’s struggles at Manchester United have left him facing “the biggest task he’s ever had”, says Gary Neville.

    The Portuguese has found himself in testing situations before, with Chelsea having parted with his services on two occasions in the past.Mourinho is, however, unaccustomed to seeing his methods called into question on such a regular basis.

    He is now firmly under the microscope at Old Trafford, with a 3-0 defeat against Tottenham on Monday leaving United to reflect on their worst start to a Premier League season in 26 years.

    Pressure is mounting on Mourinho and Neville admits it is up to him to see an underperforming team through the other side.

    He told Sky Sports: “The manager is always the one where the buck stops and Jose Mourinho has been the most successful manager in football in the last 20 years, along with Pep Guardiola, and he's going through a difficult moment over a couple of seasons. “This is the biggest task he's ever had in his life in football and he's got to come out of it.

    “I look at the squad and the team and I'm not sure what the best XI is, what the best strike force is, I'm not sure there's a back four there. You are just going to have to back certain players and go with them and stick with it, rather than changing it every single game.“The buck stops with the manager and I have to say, at the moment, it doesn't look a balanced outfit there at all.”

    United did hold their own against Spurs for long periods before suffering a humbling defeat, with Neville suggesting that an inconsistent spell from the Red Devils is down to a lack of organisation.

    The former United defender added: “Before the game we didn't have a clue how Manchester United were going to set up and I'm not sure anyone would have picked that starting system.“They may have worked on it in the last four or five days, but Tottenham are so consistent and so stable.

    “With Manchester United, it's like you could throw those balls [players] into a bingo machine and anyone could come out at any time. You don't know where [Paul] Pogba is going to be or where Fred is going to be. [Ander] Herrera is centre-back and [Jesse] Lingard is all over the pitch.

    “There's only a couple of players where you know where they are going to be. There is such a disorganisation at times that they were always going to get beat once the game settled down, even though there was a lot of spirit in the performance.”
     

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    Former Liverpool defender Carragher slams Man Utd's Lindelof after Tottenham thrashing


    Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has slammed Manchester United's Victor Lindelof, claiming that the Sweden international "should not be playing at this level".

    The criticism followed United's embarrassing 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham on Monday evening, just eight days after a 3-2 reversal away to Brighton in their second outing of the Premier League season.Lindelof was partnered with Eric Bailly for United's trip to Sussex but the pair were widely mocked following their disappointing performances.

    Both Lindelof and Bailly were subsequently dropped from Mourinho's starting XI to face Spurs at Old Trafford, though the former was introduced in place of Phil Jones after 58 minutes of play.The 24-year-old did little to assure United fans, however, with Spurs running out 3-0 winners on the evening.

    "I actually feel a bit sorry for him [Lindelof], he should not be playing at this level," Carragher said following the game."Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have been playing for a long time, and it [the mistakes] shouldn't be happening at this level."

    Mourinho admitted in his post-match press conference that he was unsure of his best United back four and did little to back Lindelof, confirming instead that it would be "Smalling and one other" who will start in the club's trip to Burnley next time out.

    Former Reds defender Gary Neville has called for a drastic improvement to defensive matters at Old Trafford, too, claiming that their mishaps at the back are "destroying the spirit of the team"."The individual errors - you have no chance if you give away goals like that," Neville said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

    "And its the fact that they conceded such bad goals. Defensive errors put trepidation throughout the whole team.

    "You lose that confidence and belief - and it's destroying the spirit of the team."
    United's disastrous start to the 2018-19 campaign sees them sit 13th in the table after three games, six points behind current leaders Liverpool.
     

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    :('I don't know my best back four!' - Mourinho puzzled by Man Utd's defensive problems


    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho admits he is unsure what his best back four is after a tough start to the Premier League season.Mourinho is under fire after United suffered a second loss in three league games with their 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford on Monday.

    Lucas Moura struck twice for the visitors in the second half, with Harry Kane's header opening the scoring after what had been an even first 45 minutes.

    The result has seen Mourinho's future come into question, with the Portuguese demanding more respect as he stormed out of his post-match press conference.The former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss is yet to start with the same defence in any two games this campaign, with only left-back Luke Shaw appearing in all three matches.

    Mourinho decided to use midfielder Ander Herrera in a defensive role in the defeat to Spurs, while Victor Lindelof came off the bench to replace Phil Jones and almost gifted Tottenham a goal with a short backpass.

    Asked after the game if he knew what his best defence was, Mourinho accepted he was unsure."Why not? Because in the first game [it was Victor] Lindelof and [Eric] Bailly," he said."Today played [Phil] Jones and [Chris] Smalling, but now Jones is injured, and next match it will be Smalling, with another one.

    "When Marcos Rojo comes he will be an option, and no, I don't know my best back four."United will look to bounce back from two consecutive defeats when they take on Burnley on Sunday.
     

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    Arsenal strike bumper Adidas deal to become new kit manufacturers


    Arsenal have agreed a deal with Adidas to become their kit manufacturers from next season, and Goal understands talks are already under way over prospective new designs.

    The Gunners, who famously won the First Division title against Liverpool at Anfield wearing their yellow Adidas kits in 1989, will now return to the German sportswear giants for the first time since 1994.Arsenal’s existing deal with Puma is worth £30 million ($38.7m) a season but is set to come to an end next summer.

    The new Adidas agreement will begin at the same time as the new deal with current shirt sponsors Emirates - whose £200m ($258m), five-year deal will increase the club's spending power from next season by around £20m ($25.8m) a year.

    The previous contract with Emirates didn’t allow Arsenal to negotiate a separate sleeve sponsor deal but a recently signed extension gives the Gunners added freedom to increase their revenue possibilities.

    Goalunderstands that the deal, which will run for five years, is worth less than the £60m ($77.3m) a year being reported in America but eclipses the current kit deals that Manchester City (£20m a season) and Tottenham (£30m a season) have at present.Manchester United currently pocket around £75m ($96.7m) a season from Adidas while Chelsea receive £60m ($77.3m) from their deal with Nike.

    Sources have told Goal that Adidas are planning to go with a ‘new contemporary look’ while budding designers on social media have already begun to pitch conceptual designs based on the famous ‘bruised banana’ kit from 1991.

    Recent commercial deals at Arsenal have included a £30m deal with new sleeve sponsor Visit Rwanda and a new partnership with music streaming service Tidal, the company founded by self-confessed Gunners fan and rapper, Jay-Z.
     

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    Bale can fill Ronaldo void at Real Madrid - Giggs


    Gareth Bale is being backed to fill the “massive void” created by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid, with Ryan Giggs convinced the Wales international can be the Blancos main man.

    Parting with a five-time Ballon d’Or winner was never going to be easy for the Liga giants, with the club’s all-time leading goalscorer having left for Juventus in a €112 million (£101m/$130m) deal.

    No like-for-like replacement has been drafted in, despite an agreement now being in place to bring Mariano Diaz back to Spain from Lyon, with Julen Lopetegui keeping faith with those already on his books.

    Bale, who had also hinted at a summer transfer elsewhere, has stepped up to shine through pre-season and the opening weeks of the 2018-19 campaign, with Giggs convinced that the 29-year-old is the ideal option to step into Ronaldo’s shoes as Madrid talisman.The Wales manager said: "When someone like Cristiano leaves there is always going to be a spotlight on who is going to replace him goal-wise and threat-wise.

    "It's a massive void to fill but Gareth has the experience now of being at the club for a long time."Every year there is pressure on him and he has handled it brilliantly.

    "It's a bit different this year because Cristiano has left and there will be more focus on the players who are going to replace the goals."But Gareth has shown his qualities in big games and that he can handle anything that is thrown at him."

    Fitness issues have held Bale back at times during his time at Santiago Bernabeu, with Giggs of the opinion that those enforced breaks are to blame for a fellow countryman still having something to prove in the eyes of those who have written him off.He added: "He has started this season on fire. But there's never really a time when he is not playing well."I think always the problem with Gareth is that when he has been injured, he's then had to come back and get more game time.

    "But when he plays, he always plays well and more or less scores."It was probably when I was 28 when I really started realising what was good for me."Preparing for games, maybe not training as much or not as intensively and some days training more."
     

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    'Chelsea rejected the chance to sign Fekir' - Lyon president reveals Blues transfer snub


    Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that Chelsea passed up the opportunity to sign Nabil Fekir over the summer.

    The 25-year-old midfielder appeared destined to be heading to the Premier League at one stage, with Liverpool leading the race for his signature.Medical issues were to scupper that deal , though, and the 25-year-old was left in limbo as he helped France to World Cup glory in Russia.

    Goal then revealed in August that Chelsea had rejected the chance to make a move after holding initial transfer talks.

    Aulas has now admitted that was the case, telling reporters at the announcement of a new contract for Lyon centre-half Mariano: "In the beginning, when we thought about our summer transfer window and how to organise the future squad, we thought that he [Fekir] was practically gone."That’s why we have been able to adapt things."We spoke with Chelsea representatives, and they had no interest at all in him.

    "From then on, we realised we could change our plans [as he would stay]."Fekir was a man in demand for long periods having starred for Lyon in 2017-18.

    He netted 21 goals across Ligue 1 and the Europa League competition last season, while also providing nine assists.That creativity and threat in the final third is what drew him to the attention of Premier League clubs, but both Liverpool and Chelsea eventually turned to other options.

    Jurgen Klopp has bolstered his midfield ranks with the signings of Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri, while Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho have made their way to Stamford Bridge.
     

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    Mariano Diaz returns to Real Madrid in €30m transfer


    Real Madrid have made their first major attacking signing since the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, with Mariano Diaz returning to the club from Lyon.Mariano left Madrid for Lyon a year ago for €8 million but the Ligue 1 side have agreed a deal worth a possible €30m (£27m/$35m) for the striker.

    As revealed by Goal, Sevilla were interested in Mariano but their attempted capture of the 25-year-old fell through when Madrid's interest in triggering their option to buy emerged.Mariano has signed a five-year deal with Madrid and he will be presented to the club's fans at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas indicated Mariano's move to Madrid was imminent. "Mariano told us that he absolutely wanted to leave, the offer from Sevilla arrived without being solicited," Aulas told reporters. "Keeping a player against his will is a bad preparation for a healthy season.

    "With Sevilla, we found an agreement but then Real Madrid came and had an option to buy. We did not think they were going to use it, but they did it yesterday morning."Mariano made a great start to life in France, scoring 18 league goals in 2017-18, but he has not found the net since April.

    His arrival will ease the goalscoring burden on Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale following the shock sale of Ronaldo to Serie A champions Juventus in a €112m deal after the Portugal captain helped Madrid to win their third consecutive Champions League title in May.

    Lyon have confirmed their interest in Moussa Dembele as a replacement for Mariano, but they face competition from Ligue 1 rivals Marseille for the Celtic striker.
    "We cannot announce the replacement of Mariano yet. His arrival and the departure of Mariano will be connected," Aulas said."Moussa Dembele is a target, yes. But I also read that Marseille were on it. Is it harder for them than for us? Yes, I think so.

    "We came into contact with Moussa Dembele. The player is interested in Lyon but Celtic are hard in negotiations. There are other targets."
     

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    :(Man Utd drawn with Juventus in Champions League group stage


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    Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford this season as Juventus have been paired with Manchester United in Group H of the Champions League.Jose Mourinho's side were drawn from pot two to face the Serie A champions, who signed former Red Devils and Real Madrid star Ronaldo this summer. The Italian and English giants will compete with third seed Valencia and then Swiss side Young Boys.

    United were knocked out at the second round of the competition last season by Sevilla and have not won the competition since Ronaldo helped fire them to success over Chelsea in 2008.

    Ronaldo won four Champions League crowns in his nine-year spell in Spain since then and Juve are hoping last season's top scorer can continue dominate the continent after arriving in Turin.But the Italian side will have to unseat Real Madrid from the throne they have held for the past three years first.

    The reigning champions may be without their star player or coach from last year, but they will be aiming to go all the way once again. Julen Lopetegui's men begin their defence in Group G, where they will face Roma, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen.

    Group B looks to be particularly tough, as Barcelona take on Tottenham, PSV and Inter, and last year's finalists Liverpool have no easy task in taking on Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade.

    Meanwhile, Premier League champions Manchester City are in Group F with Shakhtar, Lyon and Hoffenheim and in Group A, Europa League winners Atletico Madrid will take on Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Club Brugge.

    German giants Bayern Munich are with Benfica, Ajax and AEK Athens in Group E, and Lokomotiv Moscow were the first seed for Group D and will take on Porto, Schalke and Galatasaray.

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    Wolverine GTR

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    Modric beats Ronaldo & Salah to win UEFA Player of the Year


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    Luka Modric has been named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year for 2017-18, seeing off competition from Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.

    The Real Madrid midfielder was crowned at the ceremony for the Champions League group stage draw on Thursday.
     

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    Defiant Mourinho tells media: I'm one of the greatest managers in the world!


    Jose Mourinho has declared that he is "one of the greatest managers in the world" following wide-scale criticism on the back of Manchester United's consecutive Premier League defeats.

    The Red Devils were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Tottenham at Old Trafford having suffered a 3-2 defeat to Brighton in their second fixture of the 2018-19 campaign.

    Those results have seen Mourinho face huge criticism, with many predicting that he could be sacked before too long and the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino touted as potential replacements.




    Mourinho, though, delivered a message of defiance, telling reporters: "I am the manager of one of the greatest clubs in the world but I am also one of the greatest managers in the world."

    The Portuguese was specifically referencing German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and, when asked if he would still consider that the case if he failed to win a title with United, he added: "Of course.

    "Did you read any philosopher or in your information you never spent time reading Hegel? Just as an example Hegel says the truth is in the whole, is always in the whole.

    "Do you ask that question to the manager that finished third in the Premier League or fourth? To the manager who finished fifth."He added: "I had great success last season and that's what you probably don't want to admit.

    "I analyse my performance, myself and for me it is more important what I think than what you think. I repeat that two seasons ago we had a fantastic season by winning the Europa League. "This season and last everybody thought Atletico Madrid were amazing because they won the Europa League after being knocked out of the Champions League.

    "We won the Europa League because that was our level. We are the last team in England to win a European trophy. And last season, I repeat, I won eight titles. "I am the only manager in the world that won in Italy, Spain and England and by winning eight titles - not small titles or countries - my second position last season is one of my greatest achievements in football."

    The two defeats in a row means United have suffered their worst start to a season since the 1992-93 campaign although the Red Devils will be looking to bounce back when they face Burnley on Sunday.
     

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    Chelsea duo Morata and Alonso earn Spain recalls


    Chelsea duo Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso have earned recalls to the Spain squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against England and Croatia.

    Both players missed out on selection for the World Cup but their early season form has seen new La Roja manager Luis Enrique bring them back in from the cold.Morata has led the line for the Blues in each of their three Premier League matches to date, ending a long goalscoring drought with a strike in victory over Arsenal.

    Alonso, meanwhile, netted the winner against the Gunners before playing a major role in both goals in the win over Newcastle at St James' Park.

    Alonso's inclusion means there is no place for Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba nor Arsenal's Nacho Monreal - both of whom were selected by Julen Lopetegui for the World Cup.

    Alba's absence is particularly eye-catching given Luis Enrique left him out of his Barca side with regularity during his time in charge at Camp Nou - something Alba has critcised him for since returning to the starting 11 under Ernesto Valverde.There is a recall for Alba's club-mate Sergi Roberto, though the midfielder is one of just two Blaugrana representatives in the squad alongside Sergio Busquets.

    Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos is one of the other new faces, joining his Blancos team-mates Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Isco and Marco Asensio, but there is no place for Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke.

    AC Milan forward Suso also earns a place in the squad following some fine performances for the Rossoneri over the past two seasons.Spain are looking to get back to winning ways having failed to go further than the last 16 in any of their last three major tournament appearances, most recently losing to hosts Russia on penalties at the World Cup.

    That brought the curtain down on the international careers of World Cup-winners Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique, with Luis Enrique tasked with promoting a lot of the country's talented youngsters into the senior ranks.

    Full Spain squad

    Goalkeepers: De Gea, Kepa, Pau Lopez

    Defenders: Carvajal, Azpilicueta, Albiol, Nacho, Ramos, D Llorente, Inigo Martinez, Gaya, M Alonso

    Midfielders: Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Rodri, Saul, Thiago, Ceballos, Isco

    Forwards: Asensio, Morata, Costa, Suso, Rodrigo
     

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    I'm extremely happy at Real Madrid – Modric


    Real Madrid star Luka Modric insisted he is extremely happy at the European champions amid links with Inter.

    Modric – who was crowned UEFA's 2017-18 Player of the Year on Thursday – has been at the centre of speculation regarding a move to Serie A side Inter.However, Croatia captain and midfielder Modric said he could not be happier with the Champions League holders.

    "I am in the best club of the world," Modric told reporters after beating former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to the award in Monaco. "I want to be here."I am not happy, I am super happy being here, very quiet and I just like to keep working doing well things like last six years."

    Modric – who also won the Golden Ball at the World Cup in Russia after leading Croatia to the final – added: "As I already said, I am really happy to be here.

    "I have been working to achieve as high as possible, so thanks to god I am here.This is the best year of my career collectively and individually, so I am really enjoying, we have to keep working."
     

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    Mourinho scouts Burnley ahead of must-win Man Utd clash


    Jose Mourinho was spotted amongst the Turf Moor crowd on Thursday evening as Burnley crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Olympiacos.Sean Dyche's side held their Greek opponents to a 1-1 draw in the second leg of the play-off, but exited the competition having lost 3-1 in the reverse fixture.

    The match came three days prior to Manchester United's trip across Lancashire ahead of what is already being billed as a must-win fixture for Mourinho and his side.

    The Portuguese has found himself in the spotlight once again following United's worst start to a Premier League season in 26 years.

    Despite picking up an opening-day victory at home to Leicester, United were beaten 3-2 on the road at Brighton and then humiliated in front of a home crowd against Tottenham in their last outing, Mauricio Pochettino's side running out 3-0 winners.

    The result saw Mourinho's future as United manager thrown into doubt and his bizarre post-match press conference did little to settle the tension surrounding the
    club.

    In addition to the club's dismal start to the 2018-19 campaign on the pitch, relationships behind the scenes are also evidently strained.

    Mourinho and Paul Pogba have played out a cryptic war of words through the media, while the Portuguese has made no secret of his frustration with the United board, and in particular Ed Woodward, in regards to the summer transfer window.

    Fred and Diego Dalot were added to Mourinho's squad ahead of the season but the United boss was unable to recruit an additional centre-back, despite moving for Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld and Leicester City's Harry Maguire.

    Poor showings from Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have only intensified the situation, with Mourinho revealing that he no longer knows his strongest back line.
    United find themselves 13th in the Premier League table with three points from a possible nine knowing that the next five fixtures may not only shape the rest of their season, but also decide Mourinho's future at the club.A trip to Burnley is followed by another away tie at Watford, before United return to Old Trafford to face newly promoted Wolves.

    Another fixture in London, this time against West Ham, follows, before Rafa Benitez takes his Newcastle side to Manchester.
     

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    Liverpool face Chelsea in Carabao Cup third round


    Liverpool and Chelsea will have a difficult start to their respective Carabao Cup campaigns after being drawn against each other in the third round, while Frank Lampard will come up against his former coach Jose Mourinho.

    Chelsea made it to last season's semi-finals before being eliminated 2-1 on aggregate by Arsenal, who themselves were defeated by Manchester City in the final.The two sides last met each other in the Carabao Cup in January 2015 – Chelsea emerging 2-1 aggregate victors on their way to lifting the trophy.




    Third round fixtures are due to take place on the week commencing September 24, meaning Chelsea's trip to Liverpool will come just a few days prior to their Stamford Bridge meeting in the Premier League on the 29th.

    One of the other standout ties sees Derby County travelling to Manchester United, as Lampard – who enjoyed great success as a player at Chelsea under Mourinho – prepares to face the Portuguese coach for the first time.

    Reigning champions City travel to League One side Oxford United at the start of their defence, while the team they defeated at Wembley in February – Arsenal – will host Brentford.

    There are three other all-Premier League ties, with Wolves welcoming Leicester City, Everton hosting Southampton and Watford heading to Tottenham, who have applied for special dispensation to play at a neutral stadium due to the unavailability of Wembley and their new ground.

    The full draw

    Arsenal v Brentford
    Oxford United v Man City
    Liverpool v Chelsea
    Everton v Southampton
    Man Utd v Derby
    Tottenham v Watford
    West Ham v Macclesfield
    Wolves v Leicester
    Bournemouth v Blackburn
    Millwall v Fulham
    West Brom v Crystal Palace
    Burton Albion v Burnley
    Nottingham Forest v Stoke
    Wycombe v Norwich
    Preston v Middlesbrough
    Blackpool v QPR
     

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    Europa League draw: Arsenal face Sporting while Chelsea take on PAOK


    Arsenal will face Portuguese giants Sporting in the group stage of the 2018-19 Europa League, with Premier League rivals Chelsea taking on PAOK.The Gunners are joined by Qarabag and Vorskla in Group E, with Maurizio Sarri’s troops welcoming Belarusian title holders BATE and Hungarian side Vidi to Group L.

    That draw has handed the English top-flight heavyweights some lengthy trips out on the road, which could impact on their domestic efforts.

    Elsewhere, Scottish champions Celtic have been paired with Salzburg, with Red Bull partners Leipzig and Norwegian outfit Rosenborg – a side the Hoops have already beaten in Champions League qualifying this season - joining them in Group B.

    Steven Gerrard and his Rangers side face Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow in Group G and AC Milan tackle Olympiakos, Real Betis and Dudelange in Group F.

    Last season’s beaten finalists Marseille face tough tests against Lazio, Eintracht Frankfurt and Apollon in Group H.
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    'Real Madrid and Barcelona are Champions League favourites' - Ronaldo


    Former Real Madrid and Barcelona striker Ronaldo says Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are favourites for this season’s UEFA Champions League.

    Thursday’s Group Stage draw saw Barca join Tottenham, PSV and Inter in Group B while reigning champions Madrid meet Roma, CSKA and Viktoria Plzen in Group G.And two-time World Cup-winner Ronaldo believes the Liga powerhouses will be the teams to beat.




    “The favourites to win UEFA Champions League are always the same: Real Madrid and Barcelona are ahead of the rest,” Ronaldo, the global ambassador for competition sponsors Santander, told Goal.

    “Real Madrid, because of their history and tradition, and that they have won four of the last five titles, including three in a row. They are always among the favourites for this competition.”

    Last season, Madrid completed three in a row by seeing off Liverpool in the final and Ronaldo went on to insist the four English Premier League clubs are capable of causing an upset.

    “Many of the teams have reinforced [in the transfer window], but it’s a very difficult competition when the group stage ends and we get to the knockout rounds,” he said.

    “The Spanish clubs know this very well, but I think we might be surprised by the English sides, because they are very strong and have the economic power to buy top players."
     

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    Ronaldo missing from Portugal squad for Nations League as Renato Sanches returns


    Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Portugal's first squad since the World Cup.
    The Portugal captain will not be available for their Nations League match against Italy on September 10.Ronaldo, who joined Juventus from Real Madrid in July, was not expected to be in the squad.

    Coach Fernando Santos previously indicated he hoped Ronaldo would opt to play on, however.

    "I am convinced that he has a lot to give in football," Santos said after Portugal's World Cup exit. "There is a tournament in September, the Nations League, and we hope that he is with us so that he can help the young players who will need their captain's example."

    Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes described the decision to name Luka Modric as the Champions League's best player in 2017-18, rather than Ronaldo, as "ridiculous".And Santos also believes Ronaldo should have won the award, even though he did collect the prize for the best forward in last season's tournament.

    "I have no doubt about that, if it was to choose the best European player, the best scorer in the Champions League, he should have won," Santos said. "It's clearly unfair, he was more than worthy to have been the one to win. It is my sense of injustice, he should have won."

    Without Ronaldo, Gedson Fernandes, Sergio Oliveira, Claudio Ramos and Pedro Mendes receive their first international call-ups.

    Portugal squad in full:

    Goalkeepers: Beto (Goztepe), Claudio Ramos (Tondela), Rui Patricio (Wolves)

    Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Juventus), Ruben Dias (Benfica), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Pedro Mendes (Montpellier), Luis Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Besiktas), Mario Rui (Napoli), Cedric Soares (Southampton)

    Midfielders: William Carvalho (Real Betis), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), Gedson Fernandes (Benfica), Ruben Neves (Wolves), Sergio Oliveira (Porto), Pizzi (Benfica), Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich)

    Forwards: Bruma (RB Leipzig), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Rony Lopes (Monaco), Gelson Martins (Atletico Madrid), Andre Silva (Sevilla), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
     

    Wolverine GTR

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  • Jan 1, 2009
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    Luis Enrique vows to retain style of previous Spain coaches


    Luis Enrique has promised Spain will continue to play the same way as under previous coaches after naming his first squad.

    Spain drew plaudits for their style and established themselves as the world's leading nation in winning three successive major tournaments under Luis Aragones and Vicente del Bosque between 2008 and 2012.

    However, they endured a difficult World Cup in Russia after Julen Lopetegui departed on the eve of the finals, interim appointment Fernando Hierro overseeing a last-16 shoot-out loss to the hosts.

    But Luis Enrique, familiar with the possession-based game from his time at Barcelona, sees no reason to change things ahead of his reign beginning against England next week."The style will stay the same in terms of possession of the ball and having control of the game," the coach said. "There are just a few nuances.
    "But we do not have to compare ourselves with what has gone before. We are not inferior to any team, but we have to improve things and evolve.

    "I an not against any tactical system but my idea is to start with a 4-3-3. I have the players for a very balanced team, with an average age of 26 - although age is not decisive. I like my selection."Luis Enrique has omitted regulars Jordi Alba and Koke, but felt no need to explain his decisions.

    "I have not spoken to any player - that is not my style," he said. "I have not considered it necessary."