..::Football IV::..

Wolverine GTR

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    Mourinho still fighting for his job as Lopetegui looks a dead man walking


    As the ball nestled in the bottom right corner of the Chelsea net, goalscorer Anthony Martial wheeled away in delight, Juan Mata jumped for joy and an ecstatic Romelu Lukaku sunk to his knees to celebrate Manchester United's second goal at Stamford Bridge.

    As for manager Jose Mourinho, he allowed himself a muted shake of his fists while seated on the bench, before calmly rising to pass on instructions to substitute Ander Herrera.True to his word, the Portuguese had resisted the urge to "celebrate like crazy" if United triumphed at the home of his former employers.

    He was not afforded the same respect when Chelsea equalised in the dying seconds of injury time to earn the most dramatic of 2-2 draws, with a member of Maurizio Sarri's backroom staff, Marco Ianni, electing to celebrate in the face of the former Blues boss.

    Mourinho, understandably, reacted furiously to such a dreadful lack of sportsmanship, sparking a touchline kerfuffle.He had insisted beforehand that despite all of his history with Chelsea – three titles over two tenures in west London – that Saturday's fixture was "just another game".

    It wasn't, though. Not for Chelsea, who had an early opportunity to pull clear of Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, and certainly not for Mourinho.

    The two-time Champions League winner had admitted in his pre-game press conference that he was not happy with all the flak he was receiving from the media and he knew full well that the calls for him to be sacked would only intensify if United were beaten at Chelsea.

    A loss would have left them a whopping 10 points behind Maurizio Sarri's side after just nine games of the 2018-19 campaign and defeat looked like an inevitability after a dire opening 45 minutes for the visitors.United were abysmal in the first half and lucky to only be trailing by a goal at the break.

    Mourinho had gone against character and picked an attacking line-up but United managed just one shot before the interval, while their propensity for switching off at the back manifested itself again, with Paul Pogba completely losing Anthony Rudiger at the corner from which the defender broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.

    The goal meant that United have kept just one clean sheet after nine matches; they had seven by the same point last season. As United trudged off at the interval, with Pogba still remonstrating with himself for his lack of focus, United looked there for the taking.

    Chelsea failed to put them away, though, with Alvaro Morata, typically, squandering a great chance to make it 2-0 before Martial turned the game on its head by exploiting a fortunate bounce of the ball – and an injury to Marcos Alonso – to convert what was just United's second shot on target.

    Suddenly reinvigorated – just as they had been in the second half of their crucial, come-from-behind win over Newcastle last time out – Martial then put United ahead with a measured finish from the edge of the area, sparking wild celebrations among the United players.Mourinho didn't join in, though. He only "lost control" when provoked right at the end of the game.

    Ross Barkley's late equaliser will hurt, of course, and Mourinho admitted afterwards it felt like an "awful" result for his side, given they had done enough in the second half to win.But the game at least showed that neither he nor his team are done yet. He is still fighting – almost literally – to save his job.

    The two-time Champions League winner had admitted in his pre-game press conference that he was not happy with all the flak he was receiving from the media and he knew full well that the calls for him to be sacked would only intensify if United were beaten at Chelsea.

    A loss would have left them a whopping 10 points behind Maurizio Sarri's side after just nine games of the 2018-19 campaign and defeat looked like an inevitability after a dire opening 45 minutes for the visitors.United were abysmal in the first half and lucky to only be trailing by a goal at the break.

    Mourinho had gone against character and picked an attacking line-up but United managed just one shot before the interval, while their propensity for switching off at the back manifested itself again, with Paul Pogba completely losing Anthony Rudiger at the corner from which the defender broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.The goal meant that United have kept just one clean sheet after nine matches; they had seven by the same point last season.

    As United trudged off at the interval, with Pogba still remonstrating with himself for his lack of focus, United looked there for the taking.Chelsea failed to put them away, though, with Alvaro Morata, typically, squandering a great chance to make it 2-0 before Martial turned the game on its head by exploiting a fortunate bounce of the ball – and an injury to Marcos Alonso – to convert what was just United's second shot on target.

    Suddenly reinvigorated – just as they had been in the second half of their crucial, come-from-behind win over Newcastle last time out – Martial then put United ahead with a measured finish from the edge of the area, sparking wild celebrations among the United players.Mourinho didn't join in, though. He only "lost control" when provoked right at the end of the game.

    Ross Barkley's late equaliser will hurt, of course, and Mourinho admitted afterwards it felt like an "awful" result for his side, given they had done enough in the second half to win. But the game at least showed that neither he nor his team are done yet. He is still fighting – almost literally – to save his job.

    Nacho stated earlier this week that Madrid's players were ready to "fight to the death" for their beleaguered coach but the end is clearly nigh.Even if Real see off Viktoria Plzen during the week, it would merely represent a stay of execution for Lopetegui and one can be sure that Barcelona would delight in delivering the killer blow at Camp Nou next weekend.

    Will he even last that long, though? As he left the field amid a chorus of boos at the Bernabeu on Saturday, Lopetegui looked a beaten man. Unlike Mourinho, he appears to have little fight left in him.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Barclays Premier League Fixture 2018.10.21

    Barclays Premier League Fixture 2018.10.21

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    Everton Vs Crystal Palace
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    Wolverine GTR

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    Arsenal 3 Leicester City 1: Outstanding Ozil inspires comeback win

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    Mesut Ozil's superb individual performance saw Arsenal come from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 in the Premier League.

    Leicester led in the first half thanks to a Hector Bellerin own goal but the defender set up Ozil for Arsenal's excellent equaliser shortly before half-time at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.And Ozil drove through the gears after the interval, his sublime play creating two goals for substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the space of just three minutes.

    Unai Emery's side move up to fourth in the Premier League after recording a 10th straight win in all competitions for the first time since 2007, with Leicester simply unable to cope with Ozil at the peak of his powers.
    Arsenal made a nervy start and the hosts should have conceded a penalty when Rob Holding handed the ball in the box.Bernd Leno had to make a smart stop low to his left to save Harry Maguire's header from a James Maddison free-kick, but the goalkeeper was beaten in the 31st minute.

    Ben Chilwell got round the back of Bellerin and the new England international's low cross was deflected in off the Arsenal full-back, leaving Leno wrongfooted.Bellerin made amends before the break, though, collecting a pass from Ozil and delivering a low cross that the Arsenal captain placed past Kasper Schmeichel with a sublime first-time shot.

    Leicester went close to retaking the lead but Wilfred Ndidi's header rattled the woodwork and substitute Aubameyang then scored within two minutes of his introduction.

    Ozil was at the heart of it, splitting the Leicester defence with a pass for Bellerin to square a low cross that Aubameyang could not miss, with the Gabon international immediately celebrating his second.

    Again it was Ozil conducting Arsenal's orchestra, flicking the ball past Schmeichel for Aubameyang to complete a sensational move that saw the former Germany international sell the Leicester defence an outrageous dummy before drifting on to Alexandre Lacazette's pass.

    Such was Arsenal's comfort in the closing stages, Ozil could be withdrawn by Emery for a fully deserved standing ovation to recognise his match-winning performance.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    'My lawyers are confident' - Ronaldo responds to rape allegations


    Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to allegations of sexual assault, stating that he and his lawyers are confident that truth will prevail.

    American Kathryn Mayorga has accused Juventus forward Ronaldo of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room in Las Vegas in 2009, something the Portuguese has strenuously refuted.

    Speaking ahead of Juve's Champions League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford, Ronaldo was asked about Mayorga, to which he responded:“We did the statement two weeks ago, of course I'm not going to lie on this situation. My lawyers are confident and I am too.

    “The truth always comes in first position so I am good.”The former Real Madrid man was also asked if everything going on around him is affecting him in any way, but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner says he is unfazed.

    “I know that I am an example. 100%. On the pitch and outside the pitch,” Ronaldo went on."I always smile. I'm blessed. I play at a fantastic club, I have a fantastic family, I'm healthy. I have everything. The rest does not affect on me."

    German publication Der Spiegel first reported the claims, which also included the suggestion Ronaldo paid Ms Mayorga $375,000 in 2010 as part of a privacy agreement, preventing her from going public with the allegations. Ms Mayorga filed a lawsuit last month in an attempt to quash that agreement while Las Vegas police have re-opened an investigation.

    Ronaldo's lawyer Peter Christiansen has since confirmed the payment was made to Ms Mayorga, but criticised a report earlier this month which he says was based on doctored evidence.

    But a statement from lawyers, Larissa Drohobyczer and Leslie Stovall, representing Ms Mayorga, said: "We thank Cristiano Ronaldo's latest lawyer for confirming and admitting in his October 10, 2018 statement that the 'Football Leaks' documents were obtained from Cristiano Ronaldo or individuals acting on his behalf.

    "We look forward to reviewing any evidence that tends to prove, as Mr Ronaldo's lawyer asserts, that some of the 'Football Leaks' documents were altered, fabricated, or contain false/inaccurate information.

    "In both civil and criminal cases, disputes regarding the accuracy of documents are generally questions of fact to be decided by the jury. A jury determines the accuracy of disputed documents by: 1) Comparing of the different versions of the disputed documents; 2) Listening to the testimony of the individuals who wrote, prepared, transmitted, and stored the disputed documents; 3) Considering the circumstances under which the documents were written, prepared, transmitted, stored and maintained; and 4) Listening to the testimony of forensic experts who have examined the disputed documents, and the devices upon which the documents were written, prepared, transmitted, and stored.

    "In a civil case, discovery is conducted to obtain evidence regarding these matters through the exchange of disputed documents, the forensic examination of disputed documents and devices, and the examination of witnesses under oath. In criminal cases, the prosecutors rely upon investigator's review of disputed documents, the forensic examination of devices and disputed documents, and questioning of witnesses.

    "Any document or information under the control or in the possession of Cristiano Ronaldo should be immediately turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and the offices of Stovall & Associates to expedite the investigation and resolution of the alleged discrepancies in the 'Football Leaks' documents."

    In an earlier statement, Christiansen had said: "The documents which purportedly contain statements by Mr Ronaldo and have been reported in the media are complete fabrications. It is my understanding that in 2015, dozens of entities [including law firms] across many different industries throughout Europe were hacked and their electronic data was stolen and captured by a cyber-criminal.

    "This hacker attempted to sell this data, and one media outlet has now irresponsibly published the stolen documents, significant portions of which were altered and/or completely fabricated. To absolve any doubt, Mr Ronaldo has always maintained, as he does today, that what occurred in 2009 in Las Vegas was consensual in nature."While Mr Ronaldo does not deny the existence of the mutual agreement and release, his motivations for agreeing to that resolution have been twisted to say the least.

    "Far from any admission of guilt or any ulterior motive, Mr Ronaldo was advised to privately resolve the allegations against him in order to avoid the inevitable attempts that are now being made to destroy a reputation that has been built upon hard work, athleticism and honour.

    "Unfortunately, he now finds himself embroiled in the type of litigation that is all too commonplace in America."Christiansen's statement went on to stress Ronaldo's innocence while again strongly criticising the reporting of the allegations facing the Portugal captain.

    "While Mr Ronaldo is accustomed to being the subject of press attention that goes along with being famous, it is absolutely deplorable that any media outlet would support or advance such an elaborate and deliberate defamation campaign based on stolen, easily manipulated digital documents," the statement continued.

    "Mr Ronaldo will leave future discussion of any and all legal matters to his attorneys here [in Las Vegas] and in Europe. He is confident that the truth will survive this frenzy and the laws of Nevada will be upheld and enforced."

    Meanwhile, on October 11, Real Madrid announced they are to take legal action against a Portuguese newspaper that suggested the club pressurised Ronaldo into seeking a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Mayorga.

    Correio da Manha claimed on October 10 that the NDA was put in place at Madrid's request, with the club having spent a then-world-record fee to sign the forward from Manchester United just weeks after the incident is claimed to have taken place.

    Madrid insist that is "false information" and, in a statement, said: "Real Madrid CF can today announce that the club has taken legal action against the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha for publishing categorically false information in an effort to seriously damage the image of this club.

    "Real Madrid has absolutely no knowledge of any of the information that the newspaper published with regard to the player Cristiano Ronaldo, and therefore the club was unable to take action on a matter of which it had no knowledge.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    :(Alexis to miss Juventus clash amid exit reports


    Alexis Sanchez will miss Manchester United's Champions League clash with Juventus on Tuesday, Jose Mourinho has confirmed.

    Alexis was absent from the training session ahead of the game with Juventus, and Mourinho says the forward will play no part in the pivotal European encounter."The players you saw at training are the players available. Sanchez is not available," he told reporters.

    Sanchez's absence comes amid rumours he could be set to force a move away from Old Trafford, with The Times claiming over the weekend that he is unhappy with Mourinho and that his agent is on standby to talk to interested clubs should they come calling in January or next summer.Sanchez has struggled for form so far this season, scoring a single goal in seven Premier League appearances.

    He has played 90 minutes just once this season, in the 2-1 win over Leicester City on the opening day, while he featured for just five minutes in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

    After being signed from Arsenal in January 2018 in a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan join the Gunners, Sanchez has made 26 appearances for the Red Devils.

    He has scored just four goals and provided six assists in that time, with Mourinho using him sparingly.Sanchez was left out of the squad to face West Ham earlier this season, and has been substituted numerous times.

    Jesse Lingard, Diogo Dalot and Marouane Fellaini were also absent from the session, as the club prepare for the biggest game in their Champions League campaign so far.

    United have so far played Valencia and Young Boys in Europe, and sit second behind the Bianconeri, having drawn with the Spanish side and beaten the Swiss outfit.

    Of course, the match with Juventus offers the chance for United to renew acquaintances with the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been enjoying life at his new club since a stunning move from Real Madrid.

    Ronaldo has so far scored five goals and registered five assists in nine Serie A games.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Inter 1 AC Milan 0: Icardi settles derby with dramatic late winner

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    Mauro Icardi scored a 92nd-minute winner as Inter downed rivals AC Milan 1-0 in Serie A on Sunday.

    Icardi was his side's hero with a late strike that completed his hat-trick against the Rossoneri in the same fixture last season, and he once again came up trumps in the derby by heading home in added time at San Siro.

    The right-wing cross from Matias Vecino was an inviting one for Icardi, but Inter's captain was fortunate Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma initially came to claim the ball only to misjudge the flight, leaving the striker to nod into an unguarded net.


    Victory for Inter extends their winning run to seven games in all competitions, while Milan taste defeat for the first time in nine matches.Icardi had scored five goals in his last five club appearances and the Argentina international had the ball in the net in the 11th minute, only for his effort to rightly be ruled out for offside.

    Lucas Biglia was then booked for a rash challenge on Radja Nainggolan, but replays suggested the Inter midfielder - who later limped off ahead of the midweek Champions League clash with Barcelona - was also fortunate to avoid punishment.

    Stefan de Vrij hit the woodwork before Milan also had a goal chalked off, Mateo Musacchio having marginally strayed beyond the last defender to convert a Suso cross from close range.

    Matteo Politano sent a mishit volley narrowly wide in the 58th minute and Hakan Calhanoglu fired off target, but neither goalkeeper had much to do in a derby distinctly lacking in quality.

    Donnarumma, though, would ultimately cost Milan by horribly misjudging Vecino's delivery from out wide, giving Icardi the chance to once again grab the headlines against Milan.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    :yes::love:Ronaldo an example for all young players to follow, says Lukaku


    Cristiano Ronaldo is an example for all young footballers, says Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.Former United hero Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford with Juventus for a Champions League clash on Tuesday, having left Real Madrid in July.

    With Mario Mandzukic ruled out through injury, Ronaldo will shoulder Juve's goalscoring burden in the Group H tie, the Portugal captain having struck in his last two appearances for the Serie A champions.

    And United striker Lukaku believes Ronaldo's dedication to improving his game makes him a role model for rising talents.

    "You just look at the way he plays, the way how he performs, and the way he prepares himself for the big games and also the regular games," Lukaku told a news conference."He's a guy who has been consistent for the last 10 years. He's an example for all the young players coming up.

    "Obviously the challenge of tomorrow is to win the game against a really difficult side, but we're going to do our best and see where we stand against one of the best teams in Europe."

    United host Juve with four points from their two group games so far, but Jose Mourinho's side have only won one of their last six matches in all competitions.

    But having come from behind at Lukaku's old club Chelsea last time out, only for Ross Barkley's late goal to salvage a draw, the Belgium striker says United are on the up."The mood is really positive," Lukaku added. "Obviously we were disappointed with how the game ended against Chelsea but like I said at the start of the season a lot of stuff has changed behind the scenes.

    "It's going to take time obviously to be where we want to be but in the last two games we have proved that we can play and we can press forward and we have players to make the difference, and now the work that we're doing behind the scenes has to be moving into this."

    Lukaku's form has mirrored United's this season, with the striker without a club goal for over a month, although he hit a Nations League brace against Switzerland during that period.
    "Basically now I think I'm in a phase where, with Belgium I've been playing there for 10 years... I've been there since I was 16 and I'm 25 so players know me much more," Lukaku continued.

    "But here I still think that my teamwork between myself and my [United] team-mates can improve much better, and that's something that we are working on. The players need to know me, they need to know my movement and I need to know their movement.

    "When that starts clicking I think then the results I had with Belgium will come also over here."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Allegri expecting Old Trafford battle against Mourinho's Man United


    Massimiliano Allegri has warned Juventus to be prepared for a physical Champions League clash against Manchester United on Tuesday.

    The Italian champions head to Old Trafford having recorded back-to-back wins in Group H, putting them two points clear of their next opponents in the table.However, Juve dropped points for the first time in Serie A this season on Saturday, letting slip a lead as they were held at home by Genoa.

    Allegri is expecting another tough battle against a United side who also had to settle for a draw at the weekend, Jose Mourinho's side conceding a last-gasp equaliser away at Chelsea.

    "It will be a physical game, we will have to approach it with great concentration, manage the ball and set up well on a technical level to avoid one of the greatest dangers that they can bring us, namely high balls," he told the media."Manchester United are a strong team who have a very experienced coach, and tomorrow's game serves as a reminder that we must always remain in the game for 100 minutes.

    "We must keep in mind not only our game against Genoa, but also what happened between Manchester United and Chelsea, who drew in additional time."

    Juventus travelled to Manchester without Mario Mandzukic, the Croatian forward remaining in Turin after suffering a sprained ankle in training on Monday.
    Allegri - who is also missing Emre Can due to a thyroid problem - is planning to counter United's physicality by matching them for numbers in midfield."I'm sorry there is no Mandzukic, though it is not anything serious with him," Allegri revealed. "I had already thought about playing with others in attack.

    "We will probably play with a back four, because in midfield we will have to numerically match them."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    :love::love:Returning Ronaldo expecting 'tough' game against Manchester United


    Cristiano Ronaldo admits it is always "special" to return to Manchester United but has no plans to do his old club any favours on Tuesday, as Juventus aim to maintain their 100 per cent record in this season's Champions League.The two heavyweights in Group H do battle at Old Trafford with the visitors boasting two wins from two so far in the competition.

    Ronaldo was sent off in a 2-0 triumph at Valencia in the opening round of fixtures, meaning he missed the 3-0 victory at home to Young Boys while serving a one-match ban.

    However, the forward is available again to face his former employers and, despite their indifferent form so far this term, is not underestimating Jose Mourinho's side.Speaking to the media, he also issued a heartfelt message to his former United boss Alex Ferguson, who attended the Premier League fixture against Wolves last month after suffering a brain haemorrhage in May that required emergency surgery.

    "It is special for me to return to Manchester," the Portugal international said at a pre-match press conference."Here I have many memories of victories and affection and in particular with Alex Ferguson, to whom I send a big hug. He is a person who helped me so much."

    On the game, he added: "It's going to be a tough match. Manchester United are strong, but if we play the way that the coach wants we have a good chance to win the game."However, we can't underestimate our opponents."

    While Ronaldo will undoubtedly be the centre of attention, the forward insisted his only focus is helping Juventus continue their push to qualify for the knockout stages.
    The Serie A champions coped admirably without their big-name signing last time out in Europe, Paulo Dybala scoring all three goals for Massimiliano Allegri's side against Young Boys.

    "The Champions League started two games ago, even if I'm returning now, it doesn't matter that I was sent off and then didn't play," Ronaldo said."We are in a great position and a win tomorrow will go a long way [to seeing us progress]."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2018.10.23

    UEFA Champions League Group Stage Fixtures 2018.10.23

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    AEK Athens Vs Bayern
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    Young Boys Vs Valencia
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    Ajax Vs Benfica
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    Hoffenheim Vs Lyon
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    Manchester United Vs Juventus
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    Real Madrid Vs Viktoria Plazan
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    Roma Vs CSKA
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    Skakhtar Vs Manchester City
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    tclanki

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    football fan kenek newe.. e nisa names danne nah wadiya.. Juventus name eka ahuneth Ronaldo giya nisa