..::Football IV::..

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    Monaco the natural move for Henry - Martinez


    Thierry Henry starting his career as a head coach at Monaco was the "natural move" he had been waiting for, according to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.Former France and Arsenal star Henry began his playing career at Monaco and was announced as the successor to Leonardo Jardim on Saturday, signing a three-year contract.

    The 41-year-old, who oversaw his first training session on Monday, had been working under Martinez with Belgium since August 2016 and the Spaniard backed his former number two to be a success at a club that means so much to him.

    On Henry's departure, Martinez told a news conference: "I don't think it's a loss.The initial project was to have Thierry's experience preparing the group for the World Cup and we achieved that.

    "After that it's been great for Thierry to want to be with the national team until the natural move would appear. It wasn't a case of leaving for the sake of it or trying to force a move.

    "We're all supportive because Monaco is his home, it's where he started as a player and it's a natural way to start his coaching career."He will be a top coach, there's no two doubts about it; his obsession for the game, his experience, his know-how, but then we all hope he gets a bit of luck because you always need luck in football."

    Belgium take on Netherlands in a friendly on Tuesday and Martinez detailed plans to use a variety of players, while also disclosing that Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet could start.
    Appointing a replacement for Henry is on the Spaniard's agenda, something he hopes to have sewn up ahead of the next set of internationals in November."I think we need an extra body on the staff. The technical staff is very strong, we've been working now for a long time, but it's important – maybe not for a short camp – but when you're going into a big tournament that we need that extra body, but we're going to take our time," he said.

    "It's more assessing what the group needs – they aren't the needs that were needed two years ago and we didn't have the experience that we had in the World Cup. We will be adding someone for November."
     

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    :(It would have been normal to kill them! Luis Enrique slams 'atrocious' Spain


    Luis Enrique hit out at his Spain side after their 3-2 defeat to England, claiming it would have been normal to "kill" his players at half-time rather that stick with them.

    Raheem Sterling's double, wedged either side of Marcus Rashford's strike, had put England in cruise control by the interval of Monday's Nations League encounter in Seville.

    It was the first time in a competitive match that Spain conceded three goals at home, and left the hosts with a huge hole to climb out of at the half.

    Spain – 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture in September – rallied through substitute Paco Alcacer's goal, before Jordan Pickford was fortunate Rodrigo Moreno did not capitalise on his error, and that the referee did not award a penalty for the goalkeeper's subsequent challenge.

    Sergio Ramos pulled another one back late on, but it was not enough to prevent Spain slumping to their first competitive defeat on home turf in over 15 years, and former Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique, who did not make any changes at the break, did not hold back with his criticism.

    "The first half, atrocious, it has to be recognised. We arrived late pressing, the first goal killed us," he said."We made so many individual errors. It's bad to say it, but it was a miracle in the break.

    "The normal thing would have been to kill the players, but I reinforced them, and didn't change any of them."With 2-0, sitting back and coming out on the break, England are dangerous. A group with two World Cup semi-finalists is not easy.

    "Now we continue to depend on ourselves, we have to go to Croatia and win [to win the group]."I said great teams have suffered. We forced the opposition back, and it's a shame we didn't score earlier because we would have done the 3-3 and the comeback in the Villamarin."

    Spain face Croatia in Zagreb on November 15, while England host the World Cup runners-up at Wembley three days later.
     

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    Van Dijk will be fit for Liverpool - Koeman


    Virgil van Dijk is fit to feature in Liverpool's Premier League clash with Huddersfield Town on Saturday, according to Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman.

    Van Dijk was ruled out of his country's friendly with Belgium on Tuesday after the Royal Dutch Football Association confirmed he was still suffering from a rib injury sustained in Liverpool's meeting with Southampton last month.

    The 27-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Saturday's Nations League win over Germany – scoring the opener in a 3-0 win – before returning to his club for further treatment.

    However, Koeman has revealed the decision was a mutual one between club and country, with the Netherlands boss believing the centre-back will be ready to go when the Premier League resumes this weekend."He's back in Liverpool but he is ready to play for next week," Koeman told a media conference.

    "He's taken a rest. The medical staff of the Dutch national team spoke to the medical staff of Liverpool and made the decision that he would play only the Germany game and then after that go back to Liverpool."He is ready to play next weekend."

    While Van Dijk was substituted in the Southampton match with the rib problem, and missed Liverpool's next match – a 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea – he was able to feature in all of the club's next three matches.

    If Koeman's prognosis proves accurate, it will be welcome news to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who has seen his side pick up a few knocks during the international break.
    Star man Mohamed Salah suffered an injury late on for Egypt in an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Swaziland and his status for Liverpool is now up in the air.

    The Reds remain undefeated in the Premier League but will be looking to snap a four-match winless streak across all competitions when they square off against the Terriers.

    That will be followed by a midweek clash against Red Star Belgrade and a home date the next weekend against Cardiff City.
     

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    'Real Madrid need to sign Icardi immediately' - Capello urges swoop for Inter striker


    Real Madrid should be looking to sign Inter striker Mauro Icardi “immediately”, claims former Blancos boss Fabio Capello.The Liga giants have found goals hard to come by this season, with a four-game winless run seeing them fail to trouble the scorers.It is now being suggested that a new frontman could be sought during the January transfer window, with proven cover still required for the departed Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Capello believes that search should lead Real to Italy, with Icardi – who finished as the joint-top scorer in Serie A last season – the perfect choice for a misfiring Madrid side.

    "I am a fan of his," Capello told Radio Rai."He is a specialist in the penalty area, as was Cristiano Ronaldo, and if you put three balls in the area he hits all three."If I were Real Madrid, I would sign him immediately."

    Icardi, who Inter are hoping to tie to fresh terms in the near future, has managed 112 goals in 190 appearances for Inter.The Argentina international will be hoping to add to that tally when he returns to domestic action in a derby date with AC Milan on Sunday.

    That contest will see a potential Madrid striker of the future pitched into direct competition with a proven striker of their past.

    Icardi’s countryman, Gonzalo Higuain, is currently starring for the Rossoneri after completing a summer loan switch from Juventus.Capello worked with him at Real in 2007 and is a big fan of the qualities that the 30-year-old offers."He had the great quality of always finding the goal," added the ex-Juve and England coach.

    "That means he had coordination, mentality and technical abilities."Now he's improved even more because he participates in the action, and playing in Europe has helped him.

    "He's a very interesting person on a human level and he's always been a good guy."
     

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    Republic of Ireland 0 Wales 1: Wilson stunner moves Giggs' side top


    Wales overcame the absences of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey as Harry Wilson's stunning free-kick earned a 1-0 away Nations League victory over the Republic of Ireland.

    Wilson scored with a wonderful set-piece in Derby County's penalty shootout defeat of Manchester United in the EFL Cup last month, and the midfielder produced a similar moment of magic to light up a tight contest Dublin.

    Buoyed by a point against Denmark in their last outing, Ireland had started well, but Cyrus Christie and Shane Duffy squandered the best of the chances Martin O'Neill's side managed to craft.


    Wilson made the difference with a wicked 58th-minute free-kick, with Ireland then mustering little in response as Wales moved top of League B Group 4.

    Matthew Smith's abysmal touch allowed Christie to pounce in the ninth minute, but Wayne Hennessey made a fine save to spare the 18-year-old midfielder's blushes.Despite Ireland's fast start, neither goalkeeper would be tested again until 10 minutes before the interval, however, when Tyler Roberts flicked a tame effort at Darren Randolph.Ireland responded well, Duffy winning a header from Jeff Hendrick's corner, only to direct his effort straight at Hennessey.

    That profligacy proved costly just before the hour, Liverpool's out-on-loan star Wilson more than filling the void left by the injured Bale by curling a delightful strike over Ireland's wall and into the top-left corner from 25 yards.

    Wales could have put the game beyond all doubt 15 minutes from time – David Brooks having a close-range shot blocked before James Chester headed wide from the resulting corner.

    Hennessey did have one more save to make from substitute Scott Hogan, but Wales, who missed a late chance through George Thomas, remained comfortable as they secured a back-to-back win over Ireland for the first time since March 1986.
     

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    Mexico 0 Chile 1: Sanchez helps La Roja to late win


    Alexis Sanchez made his Chile return as his nation overcame Mexico 1-0 in a friendly on Tuesday.

    In his first appearance for Chile since March, Sanchez enjoyed some good moments in Santiago de Queretaro.But while he was unable to provide the goals coach Reinaldo Rueda wanted, he helped set up Nicolas Castillo's 89th-minute winner for Chile.

    Castillo capitalised on a parry by Mexico goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez to score just his second international goal.Mexico made a bright start before Chile almost took the lead after a quarter of an hour, Mauricio Isla firing wide from inside the area after an Arturo Vidal pass.

    The opening half-hour was largely open, and the hosts went close through Marco Fabian, whose low side-footed strike was pushed away by Brayan Cortes in the 19th minute.Both teams lacked a final pass, with Sanchez twice wasting decent opportunities to provide for Chile.

    However, Sanchez created a great chance for the visitors seven minutes before half-time, the Manchester United attacker setting up Junior Fernandes, who was denied by a brilliant low save by Gonzalez.It was Mexico who started the second half well, and Raul Jimenez put a header over the bar in the 49th minute.

    Gonzalez kept the hosts level midway through the second half, diving to his left to push away an Angelo Sagal header after Sanchez had released Eugenio Mena to cross.Paulo Diaz had an effort ruled out for offside with 14 minutes remaining, but Chile found a winner.

    Sanchez's well-weighted touch set up Castillo, whose 20-yard strike was parried by Gonzalez, the striker getting to the rebound quickest to tuck away the winner.
     

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    Argentina 0 Brazil 1: Miranda heads late winner after rivalry fails to ignite

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    Miranda was the stoppage-time hero for Brazil as his header gave Brazil a 1-0 win over Argentina in a low-key Superclasico de las Americas clash.

    Sapping heat in Saudi Arabia led to a largely drab affair that was decided only when poor marking enabled the veteran Inter centre-back to head home in the 93rd minute.Until then, Nicolas Otamendi's last-ditch denial of Miranda in the first half had been the closest Lionel Scaloni's men came to conceding for the first time since the World Cup.

    Tite's side, unconvincing 2-0 winners over Saudi Arabia on Friday, were otherwise ineffective in attack as they struggled to create any notable chances despite the significant time they spent on the ball.

    Brazil's dominance of possession in the first half did not keep Giovani Lo Celso and Paulo Dybala from threatening with efforts that both flashed past Alisson's left post.

    Miranda went closer to breaking the deadlock between those chances when Casemiro's cross dropped kindly at the far post, but Otamendi was perfectly positioned to head the defender's close-range finish off the line.

    Alisson dealt comfortably with a Lo Celso header soon after the interval and was spared another save courtesy of Danilo's block on Mauro Icardi, although the incident did leave the Brazil right-back limping to the bench.Neymar finally found room to stretch his legs in the 69th minute only to be cut down by Renzo Saravia, with Sergio Romero required to beat away Arthur's volley from the resultant free-kick.

    But there was only so much Romero could do about the eventual winner, the Manchester United goalkeeper left exposed by his defence as an unmarked Miranda rose to settle the contest.
     

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    Belgium 1 Netherlands 1: Groeneveld cancels out Mertens strike

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    Arnaut Groeneveld's first international goal helped Netherlands to a 1-1 friendly draw and brought Belgium's run of four consecutive wins to an end.

    Roberto Martinez's side had bounced back in style from their 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat to France – defeating England, Scotland, Iceland and Switzerland – but had to settle for a draw against their neighbours at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.

    The hosts had started brightly, taking a fifth-minute lead through Dries Mertens' 16th international goal, but were pegged back in the 27th minute when Groeneveld – making his first start for Ronald Koeman's side – slotted in from close range.


    Substitute Michy Batshuayi looked threatening during the second half, but was unable to find a goal that would have extended the Red Devils' winning streak.

    Belgium started in ominous fashion and were soon ahead. Donny van de Beek's headed clearance went only as far as Mertens, who cracked a stunning half-volley into Jasper Cillessen's top-left corner from 15 yards.A stretching Romelu Lukaku headed over from Mertens' cross soon after, while Simon Mignolet thwarted a clean-through Memphis Depay midway through the first half.

    Koeman's side then took full advantage of Timothy Castagne's wayward pass, Depay sliding across the face of goal for Groeneveld to slot under Mignolet from eight yards.Quincy Promes came agonisingly close to handing Koeman's side the lead soon after, but his fizzing left-foot strike from 25 yards crashed back off the post, while Eden Hazard clipped just past the upright as the sides went into the interval level.

    Belgium's Batshuayi – who replaced Lukaku at the break – and Youri Tielemans both flashed efforts wide of Cillessen's right-hand post within minutes of the restart.

    The closing stages saw Mignolet paw away Nathan Ake's header, before the lively Batshuayi almost won it at the other end late on, only for Cillessen to push away his instinctive effort, ensuring a share of the spoils.
     

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    France 2 Germany 1: Griezmann delivers Low blow as Les Bleus reign in Paris

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    A second-half brace from Antoine Griezmann saw France come from behind to defeat Germany 2-1 in the Nations League, with a controversial penalty sealing the victory in Paris.

    Joachim Low made five changes to the Germany side that lost 3-0 to Netherlands and their dynamic front three caused real problems for France in the first period, though they could not maintain the same level after the break as the hosts turned things around through Griezmann.

    Despite the potential to threaten with Kylian Mbappe's pace, France offered little in attack during the first half and deservedly trailed at the interval thanks to Toni Kroos' spot-kick.


    But Didier Deschamps' side improved after the interval, levelling through a sumptuous Griezmann header before going four points clear at the top of League A Group 1 thanks to the Atletico Madrid forward’s contentious late penalty.

    France struggled to contain Germany early on and trailed after 14 minutes, as Presnel Kimpembe handled Leroy Sane's cut-back cross and Kroos squeezed the resulting penalty beyond Hugo Lloris' dive.Lloris did make a vital intervention in the 24th minute, however, denying Matthias Ginter from close range, with France only clicking in attack at the end of the half when Olivier Giroud turned Lucas Hernandez's low cross over the goal.

    Manuel Neuer was finally called into action early in the second half, thwarting Mbappe in a one-on-one situation, but the goalkeeper was helpless just after the hour mark when Griezmann met Lucas' delivery with a fine glancing header which found the top-right corner.

    Griezmann completed the turnaround 10 minutes from time, coolly dispatching from 12 yards after Mats Hummels – whose foot was trodden on by Blaise Matuidi as he attempted to make a sliding challenge – was adjudged to have fouled the Juventus midfielder.
     

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    Foul-mouthed rant lands Man Utd boss Mourinho FA charge


    The Football Association (FA) has charged Jose Mourinho for alleged comments made in the immediate aftermath of Manchester United's dramatic win over Newcastle United.Television cameras captured Mourinho muttering what are purported to have been "abusive and/or insulting and/or improper" remarks.

    The United manager had been the subject of intense speculation in the build-up to the stirring late 3-2 victory, with a report in The Mirror claiming he would be sacked regardless of the result.

    Second-half goals from Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez ensured United avoided a fourth Premier League loss of the season and Mourinho spoke afterwards about the impact of "the pressure of man-hunting" on his players.But it is his touchline comments that have brought the under-pressure manager to the FA's attention.

    "Jose Mourinho has been charged following Manchester United's game against Newcastle United on October 6, 2018," read an FA statement.

    "It is alleged that his language at the end of the fixture, as captured by the broadcast footage, was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper."Mourinho has until 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on October 19 to respond to the charge.
     

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    England want to be No. 1 in the world - Trippier


    Kieran Trippier says England “want to be the No. 1 team” in the world after proving that they are capable of competing with the best sides in the business.Gareth Southgate’s side enjoyed a memorable run to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia over the summer, with those exploits helping to raise morale inside the camp.

    Since then, the Three Lions have held Croatia to a goalless draw and edged out Spain 3-2 on the road – ending their 15-year run without a competitive defeat on home soil.

    Trippier believes the next challenge is to top the FIFA rankings, with positive progress being made towards a next shot at major silverware in the 2020 European Championship.

    The Tottenham full-back told Standard Sport after an impressive victory over Spain in Seville: “You want to play against the best and we want to be the No. 1 team.“It was a great night and we move forward now.

    “We want to beat the big teams. In the past few games we have had draws and not scored, but I think last night we showed we can beat the top teams and defend well against the top teams. It was a statement last night and, ­hopefully, in the future, we can put performances in like this as well.“We want to win every game and play like that in every game. We know how well we can play as a team and last night in the first half we showed that.

    “It is something to build on, we have a lot of confidence going into the next games. We just have to keep working on our formation in training and, ­hopefully, on matchdays we can put out the performances.“It is good to come to places like this for the young lads to get the experience and, obviously, for me as well.”

    England’s ongoing development has seen them welcome a number of exciting youngsters into the senior squad, while Southgate has also moved away from a three-man defensive unit to favour a back four once more.
    Trippier added: “The players who came in the other day did very well and we have got so much young talent coming through into what’s already a young team.“It is a bright future for this England squad. We learned a lot as a group and individuals at the World Cup. The manager has changed the formation and I think it releases the forwards more to press.

    “Maybe sometimes at the World Cup, we were getting dominated in possession, but in this system that we are playing now, the midfielders can press easier higher up the field and we can play better. In the past two games, we played fantastic against difficult opponents as well.”
     

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    Bartomeu: Barcelona open to defensive reinforcements


    Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said the La Liga champions could sign a new defender in January amid their injury crisis.

    Experienced defender Thomas Vermaelen will miss six weeks with a hamstring injury, joining World Cup-winning centre-back Samuel Umtiti on the sidelines.Umtiti could be out of action until the new year, leaving Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet as the only recognised centre-backs at Camp Nou.

    Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has emerged as a possible January target, while Barca continue to be linked with Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt.Asked about Barca's defensive issues ahead of the January window, Bartomeu said: "Well, injuries happen all of the time in football, you have to deal with it.

    "These two centre-backs got injured so we are now a little thinner at this position."Even so, Gerard Pique and Lenglet are both there and ready to cover well."A new defender? Well we always have our eyes open so let's see what we will decide to do in January."Injuries also allow younger players to play so you have to be able to cope with it."

    Barcelona sit second in La Liga through eight matches having conceded just nine goals in that time.The Catalans will have a chance to go top of the league this weekend as they take on current leaders Sevilla.

    They will then turn their attentions to the Champions League where they face a crucial clash with Inter. The two clubs sit level on six points in Group B through two matches.
     

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    Witsel to Dortmund is signing of the season, says Belgium boss Martinez


    Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez has described Borussia Dortmund's capture of Axel Witsel as the signing of the season.

    The 29-year-old joined the Bundesliga side in August for a reported £18 million ($23m) after a spell with Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Quanjian.He has made 10 appearances in all competitions, playing an important role in Dortmund's rise to the Bundesliga summit.

    And Martinez believes it is the Belgian international's relatively low transfer fee that makes him the standout purchase of the transfer window."The best transfer in the world this season is Axel Witsel to Borussia Dortmund," he told Sport Bild.

    "He is the best investment in European football. What he brings to the team for a relatively small transfer fee of €20 million makes him the best signing of this transfer period."Dortmund deserve tremendous recognition for the signing of Axel. He had gone under the radar in China. I knew he would prevail."

    Witsel played the full 90 minutes as Martinez's Belgium were held to a 1-1 draw by Netherlands on Tuesday and will hope to feature when Dortmund return to Bundesliga action on Saturday against Stuttgart.
     

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    'Mbappe deserves to win the Ballon d'Or' – Buffon


    Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has backed team-mate Kylian Mbappe to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or.Mbappe was named among the 30 finalists for the award after a stunning 2018 in which he led PSG to a domestic treble and France to a World Cup victory.

    The 19-year-old won the Best Young Player award at the 2018 World Cup after scoring four goals in the tournament, including one in the final against Croatia.

    And Mbappe has taken his game to an even higher level so far in the 2018-19 campaign, scoring 10 goals in just seven appearances for PSG so far.Many have tipped Mbappe to win multiple Ballons d'Or in the future, but Buffon believes that the teenager has a claim to win the award this year.

    "Given his qualities, what he shows on the field, and how decisive he was during the World Cup, he deserves it, yes. I cannot say the opposite," Buffon said on French TV show Tout le Sport.When quizzed if he had ever encountered such a talent, Buffon responded: "In Italy, he is compared to [Roberto] Baggio, [Alessandro] Del Piero and [Francesco] Totti.

    "But he has an exceptional talent and technical qualities as I have rarely seen."It's a phenomenon. And if he persists in wanting to be the best, if he remains enthusiastic and keeps his normal behavior, he can last a very long time."

    Luka Modric is considered by many to be the front-runner to win the Ballon d'Or after the Croatian recently took home The Best FIFA Men's Player and the UEFA Men's Player of the Year awards.If he does not win the prize, the Real Madrid and Croatia star believes Antoine Griezmann is the French player who most deserves to win the award, ahead of international team-mates Mbappe and Raphael Varane.

    "I would put Antoine Griezmann in pole position in terms of the three Frenchmen, for all he has achieved this year," Modric told France Football.

    Modric did have plenty of praise for Mbappe, however."He's an extraordinary talent, a wonderful promise for the future but who has already displayed a great level. He's really special," Modric said.The Ballon d'Or will be presented in a ceremony in Paris on December 3.
     

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    'I am ready to work again' - Wenger plotting January management return


    Arsene Wenger is plotting a January return to management, but is unsure if he will be taking charge of a club or national team.

    The former Arsenal manager left the Emirates Stadium at the end of last season, with Unai Emery replacing the Frenchman.Wenger spent a total of 22 years at the helm of the Gunners and many wondered if his departure from the club would signal his retirement from management.

    However, he has now insisted that he will be back in the dugout come 2019, and has hinted that he has already received offers."Yes, it looks like it," Wenger told Sport Bild when asked whether he will return to work."I believe that [I'll] start again on Jan. 1. I don't know yet [where I'm headed]. I am rested, and I am ready to work again."

    Wenger has, however, refused to confirm that he will be working in club management, with there potential for him to take charge of a national team."There are associations, national teams; it could be also be [in] Japan," Wenger added.

    "Thanks to my 22 years at Arsenal, I have big experience on different levels. There are enquiries from all over the world."Wenger has been linked with a potential move to PSG as a Director of Football, and he hailed the work of Thomas Tuchel earlier this week.

    "I hold [Tuchel] in high regard. He has adapted very quickly to French football," Wenger said. "He looks very smart and has a good connection with his players."His start at PSG has been great. The first impressions are very positive, and I think that's very important when you come from abroad.

    "You must have some luck to start well, but the quality is there. There will be some harder matches to come for PSG in the future and the expectations in Paris are very high.
     

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    Mata braced for 'difficult month' at Man United


    Juan Mata said Manchester United are facing a defining month as they prepare to meet Premier League rivals Chelsea and take on Juventus in the Champions League.United are eighth and seven points off the pace ahead of their trip to joint-leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

    The Red Devils have already lost three Premier League matches this season as pressure mounts on under-fire manager Jose Mourinho, who has been at the centre of reports of dressing-room unrest in Manchester.

    It does not get any easier for Mourinho, with Juventus travelling to Old Trafford on Tuesday before the Serie A champions host United in Turin on November 7, while a derby against Manchester City looms four days later.

    United midfielder Mata – who scored in the club's remarkable 3-2 comeback against Newcastle United prior to the international break – is braced for a tough fixture list."It's definitely a difficult month," Mata said. "We have very tough rivals in the Premier League and play Juventus in the Champions League.

    "But, if we have good results, it could be a very good month, in terms of points, mindset and confidence. Let's see where we are in November and December. I think it's an exciting month ahead."

    United's match in London will see Mata return to Chelsea, where the 30-year-old Spaniard won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup before leaving for Old Trafford in 2014.

    "I had very good memories from Stamford Bridge and from the fans," said Mata. "I was there for two and a half years, so before and after the game I see some friendly faces - but that goes away when you're on the pitch.

    "Our aim is to change the negative run of results at Chelsea. We will try to be clinical in the chances we have, defend well and play with confidence. We have to believe we can win, we need that mentality in those important games."