Thursday, November 26, 2015

Best Defensive Record on Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid

Tweet Football - Twelve matchdays and just six goals against is what Atlético de Madrid takes this season after winning 0-1 at Real Betis in the last weekend


Liga BBVA - This season has been the course in which Atlético has conceded least goals since the arrival of the Argentinian coach in the 2011/2012 season.

Twelve matchdays and just six goals against is what Atlético de Madrid takes this season after winning 0-1 at Real Betis in the last weekend. It is the team that least goals has conceded in Liga BBVA so far and is also the year in which the team has conceded fewer goals since Cholo's arrival.

Diego Pablo Simeone came on December 23, 2011 and debuted with the "Rojiblancos" in the matchday 18 of the 2011/2012 season with Atletico Madrid in the tenth position of the table and with 27 goals against. During his first 12 matchdays Atlético changed the dynamics of conceding goals: just seven targets slipped in Atletico's goal in the first 12 games of 'Cholo' Simeone on the bench.

In the 2012/2013 season, Atletico had conceded 11 goals, being Rayo Vallecano the team that most goals scored against the "Rojiblancos": 3. The following year, 2013/2014, Simeone's men improved in that aspect and totaled eight goals against with Thibaut Courtois between posts, who won the Zamora award for second consecutive year.

Last season was Miguel Angel Moya who held the post of the Belgian goalkeeper, who went to Chelsea FC. With 12 matchdays played, the Madrid side had received 12 goals. So this season is the best of Atlético Madrid in terms of conceding goals: only six. Jan Oblak, the goalkeeper in the twelve games played so far, has a lot of blame for it. The Slovenian has made 25 stops so far this championship and is one of the key pieces of Simeone´s team. Of the twelve games he has played in Atletico´s goal, seven ended with a clean sheet. His performances have helped him to concede in just five games, besides the great defensive work.

Villarreal, Deportivo, Valencia, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, twice, are the only teams who know what is to score in Atletico’s goal this season

Souce :laliga.es
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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Jurgen Kramny Has Been Promoted VfB Stuttgart Coach Head

VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart

Tweet Football - Bundesliga strugglers Stuttgart have parted company with coach Alexander Zorniger after their 4-0 defeat at home to Augsburg kept them in the bottom three.

Bundesliga - "The manner of last Saturday's defeat has kept us very busy," said club president Bernd Wahler. "In the aftermath, we analysed the team and the coaching staff and came to this conclusion."

The 48-year-old Zorniger has only been in charge since the start of the season after Stuttgart narrowly avoided relegation last season, and his entire coaching staff have also been relieved of their duties.

U-23 coach Jurgen Kramny has been promoted as caretaker-coach for Saturday's away game at second-placed Borussia Dortmund.

Stuttgart have just ten points from 13 games this term. and boast the worst defence in the German top flight with 31 goals conceded.

source : fifa.com
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Manuel Pellegrini : Manchester City Must Put Their "difficult situation"

Manchester City
Manchester City

Tweet Football - City, who have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition, face the Italian champions looking for revenge following their 2-1 defeat to Juve at the Etihad in September


Champions League - Manchester City must put their "difficult situation" behind them and use Wednesday's clash against Juventus as a test of their UEFA Champions League-winning potential, according to their coach Manuel Pellegrini.

City, who have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition, face the Italian champions looking for revenge following their 2-1 defeat to Juve at the Etihad in September. But Pellegrini, who has a number of key players sidelined through injury, said the prospect of finishing top of Group D and avoiding a potentially difficult draw in the knockout phase is key to their hopes of going further in the competition this season.
 
Barcelona proved a major obstacle for both City and Juventus last season, the Spanish giants ousting City 3-1 on aggregate in the knockout phase before outclassing Juventus in the final in Berlin. Avoiding the Catalans again would give City a boost and Pellegrini has called for a win on Wednesday that would both secure first place and test City's mettle against an established European side away from home.

"This year I think it's important to be at the top of the group, because it's a test for us tomorrow to try to win in a difficult stadium," Pellegrini told media in Turin on Tuesday. "And that would allow us to win the group."

He added: "It's important to try to avoid them (Barcelona). It's important for our club to at least reach one step more. It doesn't mean that if we finish top of the group, we're going to have an easy draw. It depends on a lot of different things. But if we can avoid important teams at this stage, then I think it's also important for our team."

City's injury crisis was described as a "difficult situation" by the Chilean manager, who saw his side dismantled 4-1 at home by Liverpool on Saturday. City centre-back and captain Vincent Kompany, as well as forwards Wilfried Bony, David Silva and Samir Nasri are still sidelined through injury.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri watched City's performance and said the hosts would "try to capitalise on City's weak points". But Pellegrini was quick to stress he did not regard Saturday's display as "normal", and believes the pressure will be all on the hosts as they bid to secure their own last 16 ticket.

"I think that all managers want to try to find the weakest points of the other teams, I don't think you can take the game from Saturday as one of our normal performances," Pellegrini said. "Now it's a different competition, it's a different game. We're here to play against Juventus, to try to beat them at home, because I think we were very unlucky when we lost to Juve in our stadium.

"It was a close game, they won the game but we didn't deserve to lose that game. But at this moment we're qualified for the next stage and tomorrow they need to at least not lose to qualify. That is important than seeing what are the weakest points of both teams."

He added: "Juve has a very strong squad, they reached the final last year. They're not in their best moment domestically, but I'm sure we'll be up against a team that is determined to win the game. But I also hope we find a Manchester City that will fight to win this game. Beating Juventus here is a big test for the future of our team in the competition."

Source : fifa.com
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Mourinho : Chelsea Positive Progress

Chelsea
Chelsea

Tweet Football - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was in a playful but confident mood following the 4-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv that edged them closer to the knock-out rounds.

Champions League - The Portuguese manager began his post-match press conference by asking journalists for a calculator so he could figure out what Chelsea would have to do to qualify for the last 16. After pausing and thinking about it, Mourinho said: "I know if we win, we finish first. If we lose we are going to the Europa League and with a draw second place."

The victory against an Israeli outfit that has lost every group game so far, means Chelsea are level on points with Porto and two ahead of Dynamo Kiev going into the last round of matches in two weeks. Chelsea host Porto while the Ukrainian outfit are at home to Maccabi. If Chelsea and Porto draw and Kiev win, all three will finish level on points.

That would leave Dynamo as the group winners, Chelsea in second and Porto heading to the Europa League. Having been under pressure recently after a string of poor league results left the English champions languishing down in 16th in the Premier League table. But the Portuguese manager, who has already won the Champions League with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, was buoyant.
 
"My future, I think there are no rumours. I want to stay in the club, the club wants me to stay. For us there are no rumours," he said.

However, he was forced to deny there was a problem between him and Spanish international striker Diego Costa after the two were seen shouting at each other on the way into the changing rooms at half-time.

"I reacted, he did too. At half-time in the dressing room, a few kisses and a few cuddles. No problem," said Mourinho.

The 52-year-old was less impressed with the pitch in Haifa, though, after his captain John Terry picked up an injury and had to be replaced with Kurt Zouma.

"Such a beautiful stadium, such a great public display, (but) the surface was bad and dangerous," he said. "John has an ankle problem, and yes, I think it is from the pitch."

Gary Cahill gave Chelsea a first half lead before former Blues centre-back Tal Ben Haim was dismissed for the hosts just before the break after kicking out at Costa. Brazilians Willian, with a stunning free-kick, and Oscar added second half strikes in the final 17 minutes before Zouma scored in injury time.

Mourinho was asked about Maccabi's Israeli international forward Eran Zahavi, who has been linked with Premier League clubs.

"He is very intelligent in his movements. He knows how to make a run. The control inside, to have a situation to shoot," said Mourinho, who nonetheless suggested Zahavi would need to aim a little lower than the champions. "Not Chelsea, but surely he can play in England, for sure."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was in playful but confident mood following the 4-0 Champions League victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv that edged them closer to the knock-out rounds.

The Portuguese manager began his post-match press conference by asking journalists for a calculator so he could figure out what Chelsea would have to do to qualify for the last 16.

After pausing and thinking about it, Mourinho said: "I know if we win, we finish first. If we lose we are going to the Europa League and with a draw second place."

The victory against an Israeli outfit that has lost every group game so far, means Chelsea are level on points with Porto and two ahead of Dynamo Kiev going into the last round of matches in two weeks.

Chelsea host Porto while the Ukrainian outfit are at home to Maccabi.

If Chelsea and Porto draw and Kiev win, all three will finish level on points.

That would leave Dynamo as the group winners, Chelsea in second and Porto heading to the Europa League.

Having been under pressure recently after a string of poor league results left the English champions languishing down in 16th in the Premier League table.

But the Portuguese manager, who has already won the Champions League with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, was buoyant.

"My future, I think there are no rumours. I want to stay in the club, the club wants me to stay. For us there are no rumours," he said.

However, he was forced to deny there was a problem between him and Spain international striker Diego Costa after the two were seen shouting at each other on the way into the changing rooms at half-time.

"I reacted, he did too. At half-time in the dressing room, a few kisses and a few cuddles. No problem," said Mourinho.

The 52-year-old was less impressed with the pitch in Haifa, though, after his captain John Terry picked up an injury and had to be replaced with Kurt Zouma.

"Such a beautiful stadium, such a great public display, (but) the surface was bad and dangerous," he said.

"John has an ankle problem, and yes, I think it is from the pitch."

Gary Cahill gave Chelsea a first half lead before former Blues centre-back Tal Ben Haim was dismissed for the hosts just before the break after kicking out at Costa.

Brazilians Willian, with a stunning free-kick, and Oscar added second half strikes in the final 17 minutes before Zouma scored in injury time.

Mourinho was asked about Maccabi's Israeli international forward Eran Zahavi, who has been linked with Premier League clubs.

"He is very intelligent in his movements. He knows how to make a run. The control inside, to have a situation to shoot," said Mourinho, who nonetheless suggested Zahavi would need to aim a little lower than the champions.

"Not Chelsea, but surely he can play in England, for sure."

Source : fifa.com
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Striker Luis Suarez hailed Barcelona

Barcelona
Barcelona

Tweet Football - Barcelona striker Luis Suarez hailed his team's 6-1 rout of Roma in the UEFA Champions League as a "perfect game", which also saw Lionel Messi start for the first time since returning from injury. 


Champions League - Suarez scored twice as the holders celebrated qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League with another stunning display on Tuesday.

Barcelona discovered they had qualified from Group E before they had kicked a ball at the Camp Nou, the 1-1 draw between BATE Borisov and Bayer Leverkusen in Belarus ensuring their passage. Fresh from crushing eternal rivals Real Madrid 4-0 in Spanish La Liga action at the weekend, they then produced a performance that the Italians could not live with to secure top spot in the section.
 
"We know that every player has to fulfil their expectations," Suarez said. "We played a perfect game, very complete, and we didn't leave any space in midfield. In the first half we put the game away. Neymar, Messi and I are here for the good of the team, for the good of Barça. We don't think individually."

 
Messi, making his first return since injury, also notched up two goals. "The people were waiting for Messi to return and we're all happy that he scored," acknowledged Suarez.

Messi said there was an evident synchronicity with his teammates.

"With Neymar and Suarez we get on really well. We know we have a responsibility but we also want to have a good time," the Argentinian said. "I was really excited to have that feeling of coming back and playing again. I enjoyed watching the team, but playing is better."

Source @fifa.com
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Real Madrid : Benítez has Taken 20 Players to Lviv Vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Real Madrid
Real Madrid

Tweet Football - Benítez has taken 20 players to Lviv. Nacho Fernández and Denis Cheryshev return to the squad, while Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Álvaro Arbeloa have not travelled

Champions League  - Real Madrid confront their first opportunity to clinch top spot in Group A as they visit Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday five of the Champions League group stage (8:45pm CET), in what is their third away assignment in Europe this season. Lviv, where the Ukrainian outfit are currently playing their home games as a result of the ongoing troubles in Donetsk, will witness the Whites in competitive action for the first time ever. A victory for Rafa Benítez's men would ensure they go into the draw for the last 16 as group winners, although - depending on Paris Saint-Germain's result against Malmö - they could also mathematically seal first place even without taking all three points.

Madrid head into the clash with a record of three wins and a draw in this term's Champions League, with their triumph over PSG last time out seeing them book their qualification for the next round. In addition to being unbeaten so far, Real Madrid are the only club still to concede a goal in the tournament this season. In recent years, their figures in the group stage have been nothing short of tremendous: they are on a run of 19 games without loss in the competition's round-robin phase, nine of which on the road.

Squad
Benítez has taken 20 players to Lviv. Nacho Fernández and Denis Cheryshev return to the squad, while Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Álvaro Arbeloa have not travelled. “We're out to get the win and make sure of top spot”, declared the Real Madrid coach in his pre-match press conference.  

Shakhtar, whose qualification fate is out of their hands, realistically need a win to have any chance of keeping themselves in contention. Mircea Lucescu's side are third in the group on three points, after defeating Malmö on the most recent matchday. Last season's Ukrainian Premier League runners-up are on a sequence of 12 league victories in a row, one that has left them as leaders of the division, level on points with Dynamo Kiev. Alex Teixeira, who is on 19 goals in the domestic top flight, represents their chief attacking threat. 

Sub-zero temperatures
This will be Real Madrid's seventh European fixture in Ukraine (having previously played four in Kiev and two in Odessa). They came away from their last trip to the country with a 2-2 draw against Dynamo Kiev in 2006. In each of these encounters, the Whites were forced to contend with the cold, and tonight will be no different: the forecast is for match temperatures dropping as low as below freezing. 

Source : .realmadrid.com
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Gent beat Olympique Lyon 2-1

Tweet Football - Olympique Lyon attempt to qualify for the last 16 or minimal thrown into total failure Europa League after they were unable to do much at home to Gent at the Stade de Gerland on Wednesday [25/11] .

Champions League - The French envoy dramatically defeated 2-1. Gent made the winning goal in the extra period of time to bury the dream of Les Gones.
Thus, Lyon increasingly languishing in the bottom of the standings of Group H with a value of one, while Gent immediately climbed to second place and will compete fiercely with Valencia on Matchday 6 in order to accompany Zenit who previously had confirmed to appear at 16.
The first half went very well true for the hosts. Atusiasme supporters Lyon so formations occur when a quick goal in the seventh minute.
Jordan Ferri is what makes the whole Gerland noisy in the early game. Receiving feedback from Rachid Ghezzal mature, Ferri converts it into the opening goal.
However, the hosts made public heartbeat quiet when Danijel Milicevic responded in the 32nd minute. Scoreboard changed to 1-1 equally strong.
Position the two teams last until halftime.
In the second half Lyon really spread their threats. A number of opportunities dikreasi but none anyone managed to produce a goal.
Even disaster came when the game memaski extra time. Rather than draw so at least do not be embarrassed in front of their own supporters, Lyon just missed.
This time, Milicevic which provide a perfect service to Kalifa Coulibaly to make it as a determinant kemenanan Gent 2-1 on Lyon
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Champions League: Chelsea 4-0 Tel Aviv Win Against

Tweet Football - The 4-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv was also the second game in a row in which the team has kept a clean sheet and that is fundamental to the Blues’ development.


Champions League - ‘We started the season as a team that concedes more goals,’ said Mourinho, ‘and now we lost in Stoke 1-0, we drew at Stoke in the Capital One Cup 1-1, we beat Norwich 1-0, Dynamo Kiev 2-1, so defensively as a team we had a significant improvement and also individually the defensive players had an improvement. The quality of our game improved a lot.

‘When the players are top, you want always more, you are never satisfied,’ he added.

‘We are never happy with the way we are playing. Even when we are playing very well there are always things to improve. We put ourselves in the position where the result became more important than anything.
‘In the Premier League the most important thing was to get better results. In the Champions League we have been always balanced, never an amazing position but never a position to scare us. Now the most important thing is to get results and with results the confidence is now coming. If you can develop better results, at the same time come better performances.’

Mourinho has also explained his thinking behind his first substitution against Maccabi, when he replaced Eden Hazard five minutes before Willian scored the second goal of the game.

‘I had Pedro on the bench, and that is important,’ the manager said.
 
‘If I did not have Pedro on the bench then I don’t think I could improve on Hazard’s performance for the last 20 minutes of the match. But when I have Hazard with 90 minutes against Norwich on Saturday and 70 minutes against Maccabi on a pitch that doesn’t help, and I have Pedro fresh and I see the Maccabi right-back in trouble, tired and with cramps, I decided to give a hard time to him and bring Pedro on. I made the change because I had Pedro.’

Source : chelseafc.com
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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Highlights : FC Bayern München 4 : 0 Olympiacos F.C. UCL on Tuesday Night

Bayern München
Bayern München

Tweet Football - Bayern marked their 100th home fixture in the Champions League by cruising into this season’s last sixteen as Group F winners with a deserved victory over Greek champions Olympiacos on Tuesday,

Champions League -The 70,000 full house at the Allianz Arena were treated to the sight of Douglas Costa, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller blasting the home side into a three-goal lead with only 20 minutes on the clock. The men in red had the match fully under control, and despite Badstuber’s 53rd-minute dismissal, added a fourth through Kingsley Coman with 20 minutes to play. It could even have been more but Müller struck the post with the last kick of the game.
With Arsenal overcoming Dinamo Zagreb in the parallel fixture, the result from Munich means the Reds are uncatchable at the top of Group F on 12 points, for although the second-placed Greeks can still theoretically draw level, FCB easily win the head-to-head comparison. The Bavarians are back in action on Saturday at the Arena in the Bundesliga clash with Hertha Berlin.
Four new faces

Pep Guardiola made four changes to the team from Saturday’s hard-earned victory away to Schalke, with Jerome Boateng, Rafinha, Badstuber and Coman coming into the side for Mehdi Benatia, Javi Martinez, Xavi Alonso and the injured David Alaba.

It was unusual to see Rafinha begin at left-back rather than over on his favoured right flank, but the really big and heart-warming news was Badstuber’s long-awaited return to the starting line-up.

The home team began with Manuel Neuer in goal behind a back four of Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber and captain Philipp Lahm, with Arturo Vidal taking up station in the holding role. The potent attacking unit comprised Arjen Robben, Müller, Costa and Coman, with Lewandowski up front.

 
Whirlwind opening

After Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson whistled the match underway on a chilly night in Munich with temperatures hovering around freezing, Guardiola’s men were soon on the attack and took an eighth-minute lead when Boateng unleashed a swerving 25-yard drive which visiting keeper and captain Roberto could only parry, Costa reacting fastest and firing a low shot over the line off the inside of the far post.

Müller’s shot was deflected wide but the Bundesliga leaders kept up the pressure and went two up after 16 minutes when Coman cut inside from the right and tried a shot that ended up as a neat through pass for Lewandowski, the Pole controlling with a single touch before cracking the second past Roberto with power and precision.

The men in red were on a roll and increased their lead just four minutes later, Coman’s miscued volley from Lahm’s cross looping to Robben at the far stick. The winger unselfishly headed back across goal where the unmarked Müller tapped home from close range.

There was a moment of concern for the Reds after 32 minutes when Robben, although not obviously injured, signalled a problem to the dugout and gave way to Joshua Kimmich. FCB lost their Dutch superstar but not the momentum with Vidal and Coman both going close, although the final chance of the half was actually the visitors’ first serious shot at goal, a Luka Milivojevic free-kick past Neuer’s left-hand post.
Controlled second half with ten men
The first chance of the second half fell to Kimmich only for the youngster to see his goalbound shot blocked, but Badstuber’s evening turned sour in the 53rd minute when the defender was red carded for a foul as last man on Nigerian danger man Ideye Brown. Guardiola reacted to the setback by sacrificing Lewandowski in favour of centre-back Benatia, but FCB still pushed on and Costa twice came close, whipping a free-kick into the side-netting and coming up just short in a one-on-one with Roberto.

Brown lofted a shot over Neuer’s bar as the Greeks sought to exploit their one-man advantage, but the next goal fell instead to the German champions, Coman nodding past Roberto from Müller’s lay-off and taking a hefty blow to the face from the flailing keeper for his trouble.

The French starlet was able to continue, with Costa now giving way to Martinez for the last 20 minutes. FCB still went for goal, but Müller mishit his effort after a fine Coman solo, Kimmich was thwarted with only Roberto to beat, and Müller's effort at the death hit the post as the home team eased into the last sixteen without undue difficulty.

FC Bayern – Olympiacos 4-0 (H-T: 3-0)
FC Bayern     Neuer - Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Rafinha - Vidal – Robben (Kimmich 32), Müller, Douglas Costa (Martinez 72), Coman – Lewandowski (Benatia 56)
Substitute     Ulreich, Kirchhoff, Alonso, Rode
Olympiacos     Roberto – Elabdellaoui (Leandro Salino 78), da Costa, Siovas, Masuaku – Kasami (Fortounis 67), Cambiasso, Milivojevic – Pardo (Hernani 67), Ideye, Seba
Substitute     Kapino, Maniatis, Dominguez, Finnbogason
Referee     Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
Viewers     70,000 (capacity)
Goals     1-0 Costa (8), 2-0 Lewandowski (16), 3-0 Müller (20), 4-0 Coman (70)
Yellow card     Boateng / Milivojevic
Red cards     Badstuber (53, foul as last man)

Source fcbayern.de
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Zenit Saint Petersburg beat Valencia 2-0 at the Petrovsky Stadium Petersburg, Russia

Tweet Football Zenit Saint- Petersburg managed five wins without a defeat in the group phase of the European Champions League H after beating Valencia 2-0 at the Stadium Petrovskiy St. Petersburg, Russia,

These results make the Zenit are already through to the last 16 of the packing 15 points were the result of five wins. As for Valencia now stuck in second place with six points, or two points clear of third-placed Gent.
Zenit winning goal recorded Oleg Shatov utilize Hulk action poking from the left side and then gave the ball to Artem Dzyuba who continued the ball to Oleg Shatov which directly struck the ball into the goal Valencia.
"We conceded the first goal and from then on it was difficult,. In the second half we were a better VCF, and that is the way to go for us. We're sad. There is nothing we can do except keep working and improving ; today things did not go our way, but the team tried. There is still a long way to go this season, the team would have to react now. We have to think about the next game. "
Zenit double the advantage to 2-0 through Artem Dzyuba that maximizes bait captain, Danny, from midfield on 76 minutes.
Valencia had to play with 10 men after Ruben Vezo sent off due to dropping Oleg Shatov who are conducting counter-attack in the 80th minute.
Valencia also has a chance to reduce the gap through a free kick following a foul Andre Gomez Hulk on 87 minutes, but the 2-0 victory Zenit survive until the fight was over.
,
The composition of the players of both teams reported on the official website of UEFA:
Zenit St Petersburg (4-2-3-1): Lodygin; Smolnikov, Garay, Lombaerts, Criscito; Neto, Witsel; Shatov, Danny, Hulk; Dzyuba
Reserves: Kerzhakov, Zuev, Ryazantsev, Yusupov, Troyanov, Evseev, Dolgov
Valencia (4-3-3): Domenech; Cancelo, Vezo, Abdennour, Style; Perez, Parejo, Gomes; Feghouli, Alcacer, Mira
Reserves: Ryan, Santos, Orban, Danilo, Javi Fuego, De Paul, Santi Mina
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Highlights : Arsenal 3-0 D Zagreb UCL on Tuesday Night

Tweet Football - Arsenal kept their hopes of Champions League progression alive with a convincing 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night.

Arsenal
Arsenal
Champions League - On a chilly night at Emirates Stadium, Arsène Wenger’s side initially had to display patience against their deep-lying opponents.

It took a superb goal to make the breakthrough after half an hour - no fewer than six players involved in a sweeping counter-attack finished by Mesut Ozil’s header.

The outstanding Alexis Sanchez doubled the lead soon after, guiding home Nacho Monreal’s low cross, before making the game safe after half-time with a composed finish.

This was a fine Arsenal performance, and these three points could still prove vital after Bayern Munich comfortably beat Olympiacos at Allianz Arena. As things stand, Wenger’s men will need to win in Piraeus by two clear goals or a score of 3-2 or higher on matchday six if they are to reach the last 16.
Champion League : Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb Preview
On the evidence of this performance, they have every chance of doing just that.
SETTING THE SCENE

Saturday’s defeat at West Bromwich Albion was marred further by injuries to Francis Coquelin and Mikel Arteta.

The manager had spoken of Mathieu Flamini “having the engine required” to fill the holding midfield gap, so it was no surprise to see the Frenchman vacate the gap left by Coquelin's absence.

Flamini had previous against Zagreb - he scored the deciding goal in Arsenal’s first win at Emirates Stadium, a 2-1 success over the Croatian side in August 2006.

Elsewhere, Joel Campbell came in for Kieran Gibbs and there was a place on the bench for Aaron Ramsey too - the midfielder returning to the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury.

This was Arsenal’s 50th Champions League match at the Emirates but Wenger’s side came into it knowing they would have to win here and hope Bayern Munich won against Olympiacos to have any chance of adding to that number this season.
FIRST HALF

It took Wenger’s side some time to get going against their disciplined opponents. In fact, aside from Santi Cazorla and Hector Bellerin half-chances, the Gunners offered little going forward in the opening stages.

There was, however, good news from Allianz Arena, where Douglas Costa, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller had given Bayern an early three-goal lead.

Slowly, the pressure was starting to build back in N5. First, Olivier Giroud failed to connect with Monreal’s enticing left-wing cross, then Bellerin raced into the box before seeing his eventual effort blocked.

Zagreb had defended stoutly for the first half hour or so. But when they tried to launch an attack of their own, they were punished by a classic Arsenal counter.

After the Gunners had regained possession just outside their penalty, no fewer than five players were involved in the early stages of an intricate move that took Wenger’s side into the Zagreb half. Flamini eventually fed Alexis down the left and, after charging forward, the Chilean sent over a precise cross for Ozil to direct a diving header past the previously untested Eduardo.

Arsenal were in control and quickly doubled their advantage, when Leonardo Sigali’s pass was intercepted by Monreal on the edge of the area. The full back advanced into the box before squaring for Alexis to sweep home.

It could have been three soon after. Ozil - probably the first half’s standout player - wriggled his way past a series of challenges but, after working a sight at goal, saw his powerful low shot deflected off target by Eduardo. The goalkeeper was required to make another fine save from Ozil just before the break, diving to his right to keep the German’s placed effort out.
SECOND HALF

The half-time break had done little to quash Arsenal’s momentum and Eduardo was again called upon just 90 seconds after the restart, palming Cazorla’s well-hit shot wide before getting a hand to Giroud’s header from the resulting corner.

Another quick break almost yielded a third goal before the hour. Ozil fed Bellerin but, with both Giroud and Alexis unmarked and haring through on goal, the Spaniard’s cross was blocked behind.

Campbell was next to go close, sending a speculative volley off target and then seeing an inviting centre cleared just in front of Ozil.

With Arsenal firmly in control, Wenger reintroduced Ramsey after a five-week absence midway through the second half. Giroud was the man to make way, with Alexis moving to the central striking role.

The change paid instant dividends.

Campbell - enjoying an encouraging evening - darted in off the right flank and found Alexis with a superb reverse pass. The Chilean did the rest, rounding Eduardo and stroking the ball into the empty net.

Zagreb threatened to pull one back but were denied by the fine reflexes of Cech, the goalkeeper springing to his right to divert the ball wide after Laurent Koscielny’s clearance had hit Flamini.

At the other end, Alexis was continuing to dazzle. He looked set to complete his hat-trick after 77 minutes but, having sumptuously controlled Ramsey’s pass and cut inside Jeremy Taravel, he saw a strong-looking appeal for a penalty waved away when seemingly brought down by Eduardo.

Alexis then turned provider as Arsenal finished strongly, lifting a delightful pass over the top for Ozil, whose flicked header rolled just wide of the target.

The pair had combined particularly well on an evening that provided renewed optimism ahead of what will now be a decisive match at Olympiacos on December 9.

Read more at arsenal.com
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Monday, November 23, 2015

Champion League : Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb Preview

Tweet Football - Arsène Wenger has revealed the following team news ahead of Tuesday's Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb:

Arsenal
Arsenal
Champion League - on team news…
Coquelin and Arteta are out. Arteta is short-term and Coquelin is longer. How big the damage is we don’t know but we will know for certain this [Monday] afternoon. Everyone from Saturday's game is available and Ramsey is available.

on Coquelin’s injury…
It is at least a month. I’m a bit cautious as we have had so many bad surprises on the scans… but the team for the next few months will be without Coquelin.

on getting more injuries than most clubs…
It looks like that at the moment. I must say we have been hit very hard in November as until November and the Sheffield Wednesday game we had quite a good record and since then we lost a few players. But now we have Ramsey and for the weekend Oxlade-Chamberlain will be back as well. After that Walcott will be the next one. [As for] the players who have long-term injuries, basically some of them are from last season like Rosicky and Welbeck

Source:Arsenal.com

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Tweet Football - Valencia have completed a training session at the Petrovsky Stadium of Saint Petersburg and fight to Zenit

Valencia
Valencia
Champions League - Valencia CF face their penultimate match of the group stage of the Champions League against Zenit this week, looking to ensure the team's qualification for the next round of the competition. Zenit are the leaders of Group H and have already has sealed their progress to the knockout stage. The game will be held on Tuesday from 6pm Spanish time, and very low temperatures are expected in St. Petersburg.

Valencia have completed a training session at the Petrovsky Stadium of Saint Petersburg this afternoon where the team will play against FC Zenit tomorrow. The training session has been characterised by the low temperatures. Kick-off of tomorrow's match is at 18:00 h, Valencia CF will do their best to take the victory home.
.Source : valenciacf.com
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Barcelona Positive Spirits focus, Turns to the Champions League

Tweet Football - Focus now turns to the Champions League. Barcelona side take on AS Roma for Matchday 5 of the group stages

Barcelona
Barcelona
Champions League - After the 4-0 triumph against Real Madrid on Saturday, the focus now turns to the Champions League. Luis Enrique’s side take on AS Roma for Matchday 5 of the group stages. After training, Dani Alves appeared before the press to speak about the physical and mental state of the team.

“The morale of the team is very high because the Clásico is always a difficult match to win. When you win, especially in the way we did, you gain confidence and leave with the feeling that you are doing things well,” said the full-back.
El Clásico
Alves was keen to highlight the good performance at the Bernabéu: “It was not down to the demerit of our opponent, but to the great merit of ours. It was a game in which Madrid were far inferior. We were incredible in all areas. We did not allow them to have options and I think we played better than in the 6-2 (win in 2009) because on Saturday we controlled the game and dominated.”

The Brazilian, however, stressed that Barça must now remain focused on the main objective: “It is great to have won the match against Madrid, but the ultimate goal is at the end (of the season). If you win the Clásico but do not win titles, you are left to look silly."
Barça’s secret

“The key to winning these games is to have a great team with ambition,” said Alves. “Our objective is always to be better than before but this is only proven if we win titles. We are on track.”

Alves has been with the club since 2008 yet he feels that the team continues to evolve despite various changes that have taken place over the years.

“Barça has revolutionized football in recent years, for the good of those who love this sport,” he stated. “Over the years, different managers have passed through the club but the concept remains the same. For this, I believe Barça has changed the history of football,” he concluded.
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Luis Enrique : Confirmed that Leo Messi is Fully Fit Game With AS Roma

Tweet Football - Luis Enrique Says : Champions League game with AS Roma tomorrow, Messi is fully fit.

Barcelona
Barcelona
Champions League - Luis Enrique spoke to the press on Monday ahead of the Champions League  game with Roma tomorrow at 8.45pm CET, saying that “it is essential for us to secure top spot in the group against Roma. We have two games left and that’s what we intend to do … It is important for us to play well, because I think we’ll be dealing with a very different kind of Roma tomorrow to the one we saw at the Olimpico”.

A lot of the questions, and quite understandably, were about the amazing 4-0 victory at the Bernabéu on Saturday, including the concern that after all the fuss, it might be hard to bring the players back down to earth for another match. “I think the team is intelligent enough to know how difficult it is to win football matches” he retorted. “People are heaping praise on us at the moment, but we are fully aware that this is still the first third of the season and there’s a long way to go yet.”
Roman conquest

He was also asked how it feels to be facing the side he once managed – and who would be in trouble if they don’t get anything out of the game on Tuesday. “I think it’s a nice game for them” he replied. “They have to come and win at the Camp Nou. Nothing else will do … It will be a very different game to the first one. They played it very tight at the back in Rome, while tomorrow I think we’ll see an interesting game between two top quality skilful sides.”

“The pace of the game at the Olimpico was not what we wanted” he continued. “But we always struggle when a team sticks eight or nine men behind the ball. But all the same, we didn’t give them many chances and created lots for ourselves. I’ll always take a game like that. We played well, and I hope we are just as superior tomorrow, but that this time we manage to take our chances when we get them.”
Messi back

Luis Enrique also confirmed that Leo Messi is fully fit. “He looked great when he came on against Madrid and it’s a joy for all the fans and everyone involved at Barça to know that. Now what he needs to do is get back into the rhythm of playing matches, charge up his batteries, and in no time we’ll be able to enjoy seeing Messi back at his best.”

Source : Barcelona Official Web
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Diego Pablo Simeone: Atletico Madrid played very well

Tweet Football- Our coach answered the the media after the team's win by 0-1 against Betis. Simeone analysed the match against the green and white team.

Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid
Liga BBVA - Diego Pablo Simeone appeared in the pressroom at the end of the game at the Benito Villamarín. The Argentinian coach analysed Atlético’s win in Seville: "I think the team played a great match. It managed from the start of the match to be deep, decisive, with good pressure and that immediately created scoring situations. In the second half, it was slightly more of the same, where the team held the pressure and we also generated many scoring situations. What’s important is that we continue to grow."  
With respect to how he sees the team, our coach said that "this team is building up and is renewing itself with some new guys. The important thing is to know what we’re playing and from that, the team will continue to grow. Today a very good match was played on all lines and we are happy."
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AS Roma Football Clinics in the Country of South Africa

Tweet Football - AS Roma this week brought the joy of football to almost 1,000 underprivileged children in South Africa.

AS Roma
AS Roma
Serie A - The Italian giants were invited to host a number of football clinics in the country by the South African Sports Minister and this week a delegation of Roma coaches – led by Ciccio Graziani, European Cup finalist with the Giallorossi and World Cup winner in 1982 – visited a number of cities to put on the AS Roma Soccer Clinic 2015.

The coaches met poor and needy children from Johannesburg, Soweto, Sun City and Polowkane as part of a AS Roma project that aims to highlight the fact that football knows no colour – it’s a sport for all.

As well as coaching the children, Roma’s  coaches took time out to coach their South African counterparts – passing on invaluable best practice tactics and tips for developing young football players in the future.

AS Roma would like to thank all the young players who attended the clinics and wish them luck for the future.
Source : asroma.it
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Sunday, November 22, 2015

Important Victory Inter Milan

Tweet Football : Biabiany says : Winning was important today, Thank you to everyone who helped me through the difficult, times and to all my team-mates. I'm happy about the goal

Inter Milan
Inter Milan
Serie A - Jonathan Biabiany showed his delight at today's drubbing of Frosinone in a post-match interview with Mediaset Premium.

"I'm very happy, it was important to get the victory today because these matches are never easy. I'd like to thank everyone who supported me when things got tough and also my team-mates for helping me to score.

Inter Milan Serie A Standings Lead

"The coach had mentioned during the week that he was thinking about playing me, but I didn't know for sure. He keeps his cards close to his chest."

Having been born in Paris, the Nerazzurri forward also revealed the emotions going through his head as the French national anthem was played before kick-off: "I haven't heard La Marseillaise in a stadium since I was playing in the France U21 team. I have family in Paris and I'm always in contact with them. There are horrible things happening at the moment, but the important thing is to remain united and pray for people who have lost loved ones."

Finally, he had a few words to say on Inter's position at the top of Serie A: "We are Inter, so it's only natural that we aim for the very best."

Source : http://www.inter.it/
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Inter Milan Serie A Standings Lead

Tweet Football - Inter Milan managed to become the top standings while Serie A at the weekend to 13th after they conquered Frosinone Calcio 4-0.

Inter Milan
Inter Milan
Serie A - Adem Ljajic played a key role in Inter's 4-0 victory over Frosinone tonight in Week 13 of Serie A 2015/16.

The Nerazzurri forward – who chipped in with two assists – commented on his side's victory after the game.

"That was the response we had to give. We knew there was a difficult game lying ahead of us and we had to get the three points. These games are tough because you have everything to lose.

"I'm pleased with my performance and with how the team played. The coach went for an attacking line-up and we managed to play some good football. I hope the fans have gone home happy."

The Serb wrapped things up with a few words on Inter's next match against Napoli: "We'll turn our thoughts onto the challenge at the Stadio San Paolo tomorrow. We have to improve week on week in order to end the season as high up in the league as possible." 

Source : http://www.inter.it/
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Massimiliano Allegri : Juventus Consistent Progress Vs AC Milan

Tweet Football - Massimiliano Allegri underlines his charges’ consistent progress after watching them see off Milan on Saturday evening at Juventus Stadium

Juventus
Juventus
Serie A - clean sheet and a third consecutive league victory were particularly pleasing points for Massimiliano Allegri to pick up on after watching his men beat Milan 1-0 on Saturday evening at Juventus Stadium.

Speaking to journalists after the game, he began: “I’m very satisfied with the attacking intent of this team, while defensively we did not give much ground away to their frontmen.

“We need to work on the pace of our passes, while we have to be more clinical in the final third. Nevertheless, we showed great solidity at the back today, we kept a clean sheet and so I consider this another step in the right direction.”


Asked about the motives behind changing formation at half-time, the Tuscan tactician explained: “In a 3-5-2, Alex Sandro is able to exploit his pace and willingness to roam forward even more than in a 4-4-2.

“Meanwhile, I believe it’s important to play with three men in attacking positions and it’s true that Dybala operated effectively between the lines today. When (Roberto) Pereyra returns from injury and Hernanes reaches peak condition, we’ll be even less predictable in our build-up play.”

Allegri finished the interview with a word on injuries sustained by Sami Khedira after playing last week with Germany and Patrice Evra, who had to be substituted during the first-half by Alex Sandro.

“Sami’s old scar has worsened since coming back from international duty. He trained well on Thursday, was OK yesterday, but I preferred not to take any risks with him today.

“As far as Patrice is concerned, his ankle has not been at 100 per cent for a little while now. Everyone else is on the road to recovery.”

Source : Juventus.com

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Sinisa Mihajlovic : We knew Juventus would come out strong

Tweet Football-Sinisa Mihajlovic The post-match interviews from Saturday night's round 13 Serie A clash in Turin with Juventus

AC Milan
AC Milan
Serie A - : SINISA MIHAJLOVIC (press conference)
"We knew Juventus would come out strong after the break and push forwards, and I think we did well in defence, but at the other end we didn’t create enough chances. When they broke the deadlock, there was a reaction from us, but time was running out and we weren’t able to create any real danger. We must improve on this aspect. However, I fielded a very attacking line-up and when we have a full squad available we will analyse whether to change the formation. In the past 5 matches though the 4-3-3 formation has brought us consistent results and we have done well. We have players with character in the team, but tonight we made far too many mistakes with our passing when trying to launch attacks."

M'BAYE NIANG
"We were missing something today in the final third. We lost the match, but we have to put it behind us and focus on winning the next one versus Sampdoria. We have to keep on working and take to the field next Saturday with the desire and motivation to win.
My fitness is improving with each training session, but I have to keep on training because after a lengthy injury I am still working towards peak fitness so I can give my best in matches.
I enjoy playing in a 4-3-3 formation, but if we do switch to a 4-4-2, the coach will decide where is best to play me: I will keep on working hard for the team regardless."

ALEX
"Juventus only had one chance and they took it. We will have to be more attentive in the future. The objective is to always defend well and make life hard for our opponents on the counter-attack. We did well at the back tonight, but we were unable to score a goal.
I am certain that we can get back on track right away. We lost at a tough ground today and we need to give a strong response in the next match.
In the past 5 or 6 matches we have performed well in defence and conceded very few goals. This is important as a team is built from the back. We need to make improvements however when we’re in possession and be more dangerous in attack.
Donnarumma is brilliant. He’s only 16, but I think he’s excellent. I hope he can keep this up. We have to put in an improved display versus Sampdoria and go for the win." 

Source : acmilan.com

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Man of the match: Harry Kane Grabbed Two Goals as Tottenham

Tweet Football - Tottenham Hotspur won by 4-1 over fellow London club West Ham in the Premier League, Sunday, November 22.

Tottenham Hotspur icon
Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League-Harry Kane grabbed two goals as Tottenham stretched their unbeaten league run to 12 matches with a 4-1 victory over West Ham.
Spurs have now not tasted defeat in the Premier League since the opening day at Manchester United and had this game wrapped up inside 49 minutes as they raced into a 3-0 lead.
Kane took his London derby goal total to 12 in 14 games with two more strikes and after just one goal in his first 13 matches, he now has eight goals in his last five.
Defenders Toby Alderweireld and Kyle Walker also struck to ensure a victory that lifts Mauricio Pochettino's side to within four points of leaders Leicester, Manuel Lanzini's late consolation the only blot.
Danny Rose ignited the game on 14 minutes with a thumping tackle on former Arsenal man Carl Jenkinson and the home fans responded.
Spurs increased the intensity and Christian Eriksen tested Adrian from 25 yards with a stinging drive that the West Ham goalkeeper palmed away.
Kane has scored more goals per game in Premier League London derbies than any other player and added to his impressive tally when he received the ball inside the box on 22 minutes, turning Jenkinson with ease before lashing into the roof of the net.
The Hammers almost hit back immediately but Cheikhou Kouyate's acrobatic effort from close-range, after a deflected Mark Noble shot, hammered back off the crossbar.
The visitors were made to rue that miss when Tottenham doubled their advantage on 33 minutes.
Eriksen produced a wonderful delivery from a right-wing corner and Alderweireld lost Winston Reid at the near post before planting his header past Adrian.
With the Spurs fans still celebrating, Dele Alli came within inches of extending Tottenham's lead.
Adrian was alert to divert a strong effort at goal from Son Heung-Min and Alli looped a header from the rebound at goal, only for the crossbar to come to West Ham's rescue.
Kane continued to find space between Reid and Tomkins but he wasted a golden opportunity when through one-on-one with Adrian, dragging an effort horribly wide from 10 yards.
The England man finally got his second goal four minutes after the break when Tomkins conceded possession to Eriksen in a dangerous area and the Denmark international found Kane on the edge of the box.
The 22-year-old skillfuly maneuvered the ball out of his feet and fired a powerful effort on the turn under the body of Adrian.
West Ham's 'keeper made a smart double save from Son and Eriksen but Walker added Spurs' fourth with six minutes remaining.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur scores during the match between Tottenham and West Ham United at White Hart Lane
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur scores during the match between Tottenham and West Ham United at White Hart Lane
Son played a perfectly-weighted pass inside the box and Walker nonchalantly curled the ball into the far corner with the outside of his right boot.
Lanzini netted a classy, late consolation for the Hammers after some sloppy play from the man who had just added gloss to the scoreline but that failed to dampen the mood around White Hart Lane, the swaggering display one to spark talk of a potential title tilt.
Player ratings
Tottenham:  Lloris (7), Walker (7), Alderweireld (8), Vertonghen (7), Rose (7), Alli (7), Dier (7); Dembele (7), Eriksen (7), Son (7), Kane (8)
Subs used: Mason (7), Carroll (6)
West Ham: Adrian (6), Jenkinson (4), Tomkins (5), Reid (6), Cresswell (5), Kouyate (6), Noble (6), Moses (6), Lanzini (7), Sakho (6), Carroll (5)
Subs used: Jelavic (6), Song (6), Zarate (6)
Man of the match: Harry Kane

Source : skysports.com
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Watford Boss Quique Sanchez Flores has Thrown His full Support Behind Captain Troy Deeney,

Tweer Football-Watford's Flores backs Troy Deeney despite own goal vs. Man United

Watford
Watford
Pemier League - Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has thrown his full support behind captain Troy Deeney, despite the striker's late own goal costing the Hornets a draw against Manchester United on Saturday.

Deeney looked to have snatched a point for Watford with an 87th-minute penalty, only then to put United 2-1 up in injury-time when he bundled in Bastian Schweinsteiger's cross.

The defeat was Watford's fifth of the season and left the club 13th in the Premier League table, but Flores refused to blame Deeney, who now has three goals in his last four appearances.

"For us he is like the soul of the team," Flores said.

"He represents values that we want for ourselves at Watford.

"He's fighting all the time, he's pushing his team-mates all the time, he's everywhere on the pitch, so he's very important for us."

Louis van Gaal's side dominated the first half at Vicarage Road and took the lead through Memphis Depay, but the Hornets improved after the break and arguably deserved a share of the spoils.
Troy Deeney's own goal denied Watford a valuable point against Manchester United on Saturday.

"At half-time I said to remove the first half, the most important thing was that we want to play another match of 45 minutes," Flores said.

"I can't explain. I don't think anyone in the team was expecting the first half. We were playing Man United and, if you are not completely ready, Man United is better than your team to be honest.

"You can have a lot of difficulties to keep all the players with confidence, but it's true it wasn't our team in the first half.

"We weren't expecting that but sometimes it's possible."

Flores also reserved praise for Etienne Capoue, who was one of the Hornets' star performers with a commanding display in midfield.

The Frenchman was given the chance to sit out the contest following the terror attacks in Paris, but Flores insisted the 27-year-old was determined to play.

"It was impressive," Flores added. "Capoue had a very tough, difficult week but I talked to him many times.

"I said, 'Are you ready, are you ready? Are you sure, are you sure? Do you want to play?' He said, 'Yes, of course, of course.'

"He suffered a lot like the rest of the team in the first half, but in the second half he was a leader in midfield, he played well like the rest of the players."

Source : espnfc.co.uk
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Sunderland must shore up their leaky defence

Tweet Football-Alan Pardew, the Crystal Palace manager, still believes Allardyce is one of the strongest in the Premier League

Barclays Premier League -Despite the annual struggle to stay in the Premier League, Sunderland have not lost to Newcastle in their last seven encounters. Getty

Sam Allardyce insists Sunderland must shore up their leaky defence if they are to have any chance of staying in the Premier League.

Sunderland, who visit Crystal Palace tonight, have conceded 26 goals from their opening 12 fixtures. Only newly-promoted Bournemouth have let in more.

“My philosophy has always been you start from the back, and it goes without saying every team which wins the league has the best defensive record,” said Allardyce, who was appointed at the start of October. “When we are a conceding on average over two goals a game, that is the first thing which we have to stop and the players have to understand that.

“If they think it is a negative, it is not, it is a massive positive because as soon as you don’t concede a goal you don’t lose the game, then you have got a point and of course afterwards you only need one goal to win it... and getting safer up the league as quickly as possible.”

Allardyce oversaw Sunderland’s 3-0 victory against Newcastle last month, but has since seen his side slump to successive defeats at Everton and Southampton, leaving them second from bottom in the table and four points adrift of safety.

Alan Pardew, the Crystal Palace manager, still believes Allardyce is one of the strongest in the Premier League.

“I never fancy my chances against a Sam Allardyce team, he’s got a knowledge and a respect from me that I will take into the game,” said Pardew. “I will expect a Sam Allardyce team to turn up and try their best to get a victory.”

Read :independent.co.uk
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Chelsea Want to Bring Saido Mane


Report: Chelsea ready to beat Man United to sign one of the world's fastest stars Chelsea are looking to sign up Saido Mane

Chelsea are looking to sign up Southampton star Saido Mane to turn their season around, say reports.

The Blues have turned their focus to the January window as they look to bring in fresh blood to Jose Mourinho’s struggling squad.

And the Daily Mirror says Southampton flyer Mane has emerged as an option for Chelsea, who are big fans of the player.

The 23-year-old turned in a class performance as the Saints beat Chelsea 3-1 last month – with Mane getting on the score sheet.

Manchester United are also keen on the player, and while Southampton want to offer him a new deal, Chelsea have the cash to make a deal happen.

Mane has scored six times in 17 games this term.

Read more: http://metro.co.uk/
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Moment of Awakening Eden Hazard In the Barclays Premier League

Tweet Football - Chelsea captain John Terry warns of Eden Hazard Premier League resurgence Eden Hazard of Chelsea reacts during the Barclays Premier League match


Barclays Premier League - Chelsea captain John Terry has claimed that Eden Hazard is getting back to his best following his display in Saturday's 1-0 win over Norwich.

The Belgian schemer impressed against the Canaries, and Terry says that the 24-year-old - who scooped double Player of the Year awards last term - is finding his feet again following a mixed start to the campaign.

"Eden Hazard is back to his best and not only this Saturday, the last five or six games you have seen from everybody the raising in performances individually and collectively and with this result, the delight and the relief from players is there to see," he told the club's official website.

"It is a big week now with the Champions League. We have got one win out the way with hopefully more to come."

The Blues, who ended a three-match losing streak by beating City, gear up for a clash with in-form Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Source : sportsmole.co.uk


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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Chelsea Buying AFC Wimbledon Ground

Tweet  Football - AFC Wimbledon fans approve selling ground to Chelsea The owners of AFC Wimbledon, the Dons Trust, have backed plans to sell the club's Kingsmeadow ground to Premier League side Chelsea.

Chelsea
Chelsea
However, the sale is conditional on Wimbledon receiving planning permission to build a new stadium in Merton.

The Dons Trust, formed by Wimbledon fans, held a vote on the proposal on Monday, with 98% in favour of the sale.

Chelsea intend to use the ground, which is also home to non-league Kingstonian, for youth team and women's matches.

The proposed sale to the Blues is now subject to a vote by all shareholders in AFC Wimbledon next month, although approval is expected to be a formality as the Dons Trust controls 90% of shares in the League Two club.

"The successful vote on the stadium sale is an important milestone in helping to return AFC Wimbledon to its spiritual home in Merton," said Dons Trust chair Matthew Breach.

"There is still a lot of work to do to deliver a new stadium but the outcome of the vote shows the overwhelming support among the club's fans for having Wimbledon play where it belongs, back in Merton."

AFC Wimbledon have played at Kingsmeadow since their formation in 2002 and bought the lease on the ground from Kingstonian a year later.

However, the Dons have a long-standing ambition to return to Plough Lane, which they see as their spiritual home, and have submitted a planning application to Merton Council to build a new 20,000-capacity stadium on the site of Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium.

Wimbledon say they will pay Kingstonian "a substantial sum of money" to help the K's secure their future at another ground in or around Kingston. 
Source BBC

 

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Sunday, November 15, 2015

Aston Villa: Jordan Amavi rested

Aston Villa
Aston Villa
Aston Villa can confirm defender Jordan Amavi has been ruled out for the rest of the 2015/16 Premier League season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The 21-year-old suffered the injury on Thursday night playing for France U21s against Northern Ireland in a European qualifying fixture.

Everyone at the Club wishes Jordan a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back on a football pitch as soon as possible.

Source : avfc.co.uk
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James Milner: Take Lessons from Klopp

Tweet Football - James Milner might be classed as one of the more experienced members of Liverpool’s first-team squad

liverpoolfc
Liverpool
The 29-year-old had started all of the manager’s six opening games in the charge of the Reds wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Jordan Henderson, until a hamstring problem ruled him out of last Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace.

Milner is optimistic on his chances of recovering from the niggle in time to face Manchester City next week, and has explained why there is still plenty he can take from Klopp’s methods and implement into his game.

“You can always learn whether you are 16 or 17, or whether you are 35 or 29,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.

“That’s football and the manager will still be learning himself. Obviously he has come in with his new ideas, new training methods and things like that, so it’s great for me as much as it is the younger guys.

“Hopefully I can help those younger guys, but I’m still learning myself. Changing managers is always different and I’m still learning the way he wants to play.

“I’ve been fortunate to work under some great managers and he [Klopp] is another one of the top managers in the game. I can learn as much as I can and hopefully put that back into my game, as a team [member] and as an individual and improve.”

It’s not just the physical aspects of Liverpool’s game Klopp is looking to imprint his philosophies on – the German has also been eager to work on mentality and reacting to setbacks.

Last Sunday saw Liverpool lose for the first time in his tenure as an 82nd minute header from Scott Dann secured a 2-1 victory for Palace at Anfield.

Afterwards, Klopp spoke of the need for his side to not give up the fight until the very last whistle – sentiments Milner wholeheartedly concurs with.

“I think there have been times where we’ve got down on ourselves when the result hasn’t been going our way towards the end of the game, but we have to realise it can take 94 minutes to break a team down and keep going no matter what the score and no matter how we are playing,” he said.

“We could have had the worst game ever but if you are still in the game in the last minute and if you keep pushing forward, you can get a goal and I think that comes from belief.

“Maybe times this season where we maybe have played well and had a number of shots - a silly amount of shots - and we haven’t got the goal that we needed to get the three points and get the  win.

“But we have to make sure that we don’t let that hamper our attitude and our belief going into future games. Every game is different and no matter how the game is going, if you are still in it coming into the last minute you need to keep pushing and go for that goal.”

Instilling that inherent belief within the squad, Milner feels, could go a long way to achieving success this season.

He continued: “I think we’ve said it all season everything is there for us with the squad we have and we’ve got obviously new coaches, new staff and manager.

“They are experienced and what they have done before is there for everyone to see. They’ve obviously been very successful and are looking to bring that here.

“This is an amazing club, we’ve got the fan base and the ground – everything is there for us to do well and I think it’s just down to everyone to just believe we can do well.

“We were on a good run before last weekend, so it’s important we get back on that and take belief from the results we’ve had.


“Not too many teams can play like we did against Chelsea and go there and thoroughly deserve a win, so we know we can do it. It’s about doing it more consistently and pushing on.”

Source : liverpoolfc.com
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