Messi: Berbatov to Barcelona is impossible

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi says it would be "impossible" for Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov to join the club.

Recent reports have speculated that the 32-year-old Bulgaria international could be on his way to Camp Nou as coach Gerardo Martino looks for cover following Messi's hamstring tear that is expected to keep him out for the next eight weeks.

However, the Argentine believes that although the attacker is a good player and has experience the move is unlikely to materialise  "I haven’t heard the rumour that Berbatov is linked to Barcelona. In fact he is a good player, he has experience in a big team," Messi told TV7.

"It’s not my business to interfere with the club’s transfer decisions but I think it’s impossible for Dimitar to join Barcelona."

Berbatov, who is out of contract at the end of the season, would be a cheaper alternative to other names that have been linked with a switch to the Catalan club, such as Oscar Cardozo and Sergio
Aguero.

The Fulham striker has one goal in 10 Premier League appearances this season. Martino has said he has faith in current forwards Alexis Sanchez and Neymar, but he would like additional cover.

"It's a dream come to true to go to Brazil" - Valbuena

Mathieu Valbuena has revealed helping France qualify for next year's World Cup is a 'dream come true' after Les Blues' overcame Ukraine.

After being on the brink of elimination after a two-goal loss in Ukraine, the French hit back with a 3-0 victory on home soil to seal qualification to Brazil 2014.

Valbuena outlined the resilience in the French squad that allowed them to get themselves back into the tie.

"We were close to a disaster and I think we were aware of what was at stake," Valbuena said.

"We said to ourselves we are all here for the same objective (qualifying for Brazil) and we overturned a very difficult situation, a situation no team has overturned before us yesterday.

"But we know when we have the right frame of mind and create this intensity; I think these games are won with the right mentality.

"It's a dream come to true to go to Brazil. We are proud of what we did last night."

The Marseille midfielder's club boss Elie Baup said his reward for his international heroics may be a place on the bench on Friday, as he attempts to manage the midfielder's game time.

"We will see if (Valbuena) starts, I don't know yet - I have to manage this situation, like I've always done with him," Baup said.

"He has played many games for us and he was substituted in last two games after an hour of play.

"I wanted to manage his for and I will try to do the same in the upcoming match."

Marseille travel to Ajaccio in Ligue 1, looking to build on their victory over Sochaux last time out, which ended a poor run of seven games in all competitions without a win.

'Monkey' chants at Toure, Man city set to complain

It’s thought that senior City officials spoke to Uefa’s official match delegate after their Champions League game away to CSKA Moscow at the

Arena Khimki, but were told they must put any issues down in writing.City won the game 2-1 thanks

to a brace from Sergio Aguero , but the clash was marred by apparent ‘monkey chants’ aimed at

Toure.

The Ivory Coast international called on Uefa to take action after the game and City are now

preparing  a written complaint.Fifa’s vice-president Jim Boyce has since got involved in the matter –

and has called on the Russian FA to sort out the racism problems among supporters.

Real Sociedad wary of United

Real Sociedad are reading nothing into Manchester United's domestic struggles ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash at Old Trafford.

United have found it hard to get going under new manager David Moyes, currently eight points behind league leaders Arsenal in the English Premier League.

Despite United's slow start under Moyes, the Spaniards are wary of a backlash from the star-studded squad.

"Manchester United has a new manager as well and it takes time for the players to adapt," Sociedad coach Jagoba Arrasate said.

"I do not put too much faith in the fact that Manchester has a bad streak ... because they have got splendid players and they can react at any time.

"We expect the best version of them. If it is not like this, very much better, but we cannot be thinking that tomorrow's game will be easy."

United have performed better in Europe and are leading Group A after the opening two matches, with Sociedad still searching for their first points.

Sociedad striker Carlos Vela believes it is no surprise United are taking time to settle after Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement last season but does not believe they are easier to beat under Moyes.

"I wouldn't say Manchester United is weaker at all," the former Arsenal man said.
"Of course they have made a massive change with the new manager and all changes need time to settle.

"It is an important change after a long time with the same manager and players have to get used to the new style and the new project that the club wants.

"But finally they are going to finish fighting for all titles as every year."
Courtsey:Opera sports

Rooney wanted Ozil signing,says Ferguson

The former Manchester United boss has lifted the lid on contract talks with the striker, who cited the
German's move to Madrid as an example of the club's lack of ambition.

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Wayne Rooney questioned his decision not to sign Mesut Ozil during the summer
of 2010.

The England international announced his intention to leave Manchester United that year, citing the club's lack of ambition, only to sign a contract extension days later.

And Ferguson has now claimed that the former Everton man brought up the club's failure to sign the Germany star, who moved to Real Madrid from Werder Bremen that summer, as an example.

"At that meeting, he [Rooney] was hugely sheepish. I felt he’d been programmed in what he was trying to say. The basis of his complaint was that we were not sufficiently ambitious," he wrote in his
autobiography.

"My response was to ask Wayne: ‘When have we not challenged for the league in the last 20 years? How many European finals have we been to in the last three or four years?

"I told him to say we weren’t ambitious was a nonsense. Wayne said that we should have pursued Mesut Ozil, who had joined Real Madrid from Werder Bremen. "My reply was that it was none of his business who we should have gone for.I told him it was his job to play and perform.

My job was to pick the correct teams. And so far I had been getting it right."

Fiorentina capable of achieving 'great things'

Fiorentina head coach Vincenzo Montella says his team's 4-2 win over Juventus shows they are capable of achieving 'great things'.

The defending Serie A champions took a 2-0 lead into the break at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday before Fiorentina hit back.

Giuseppe Rossi, who was almost substituted during the first half, scored a hat-trick to go with a Joaquin strike for the hosts.

Montella said his side, who are sixth in the league after the win, proved they could challenge the best teams.

"Today's victory is important for the league table. It was a special match to play against Juventus and therefore it's a special victory," Montella said.

"I believe this victory will increase our self-confidence and the belief that we can do great things. This is the most important meaning of this victory.

"If the result had been different, it would have been more difficult for the group to feel this way and have the confidence we have.

"This victory allows us to understand that we can battle against any team and challenge in the league."

Rossi almost came off in the first half but told Montella he wanted to stay on the pitch.

The coach warned Rossi he needed to do more and he did, scoring a 15-minute hat-trick in the second half, including a penalty, a left-footed strike from range and a good finish in a one-on-one.

"In the first half, I thought a lot about taking Rossi off the pitch because he wasn't feeling right and it was visible," the 39-year-old coach said.

"He decided he didn't want to go off the pitch.

"I made one last effort to sub him by the end of the first half of the match but he said he was OK and so I told him that he had to do more if he was feeling right and he did just that."

Despite Rossi's standout performance, Montella said the win was a credit to his whole team.

"I believe that such matches can only be won thanks to the collective work of the team. Today all the Fiorentina players on the pitch put in an excellent performance," Montella said.

"The players on the bench boosted the other players and made them work harder. In such matches, everyone has to be praised. It was a great result."

Tottenham boss pleased with his side's win

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas was pleased with his side's improvement during their 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Despite taking the lead through Andros Townsend after 31 minutes, Tottenham were frustrated by a determined Villa defence for periods during the first period.

However, Roberto Soldado eventually doubled the visitors' lead after the break and Villas-Boas noted the improvement his side made in the second half.

"We struggled early on but got our act together," he told Sky Sports.

"It was difficult in the first minutes because Villa kept putting long balls in behind us. But we got hold of the ball and started creating.

"The second half was really good and after 2-0, we could have gone on to score more."

Townsend's goal was his first in the Premier League for the club, while close-season signing Soldado scored his first from open play in the English top flight.

And Villas-Boas was pleased with both players' showings after Tottenham's 3-0 defeat against West Ham last time out.

"Andros is always a threat and he finished very strongly. He started not too well but improved during the game," the Portuguese continued.

"Soldado made the most of the opportunities he had. After a setback at home we have to respond and I think we did it in a good fashion. We are in touch with the top and it's a result we deserve."

courtsey:Opera sports

Wilmots angers Januzaj's father

Adnan Januzaj's father has warned comments from Belgium head coach Marc Wilmots may see his son choose another country to represent.

The rise of Januzaj, 18, with Manchester United this season has seen the Belgian-born teenager's international future become a topic of discussion, with the midfielder potentially eligible for five countries.

Januzaj's father, Abedin, has advised his son not to choose a country to represent until his senior club career is settled but a statement by Wilmots, saying he will not 'negotiate' over the teenager's international future, has angered the Kosovar-Albanian family.

"This is shameless," Abedin Januzaj said.

"We never reacted on selections, phone calls or letters from the Belgian FA.

"They are requesting his selection, not us.

"Wilmots' remarks won't make it easier now. We are angry about these comments."

Speaking on Belgian television, Wilmots had bristled when asked whether he would try to sweet talk the Januzaj family to secure their talented son for Brazil 2014.

"It is impossible to negotiate with me," Wilmots told RTBF.

"The boy was born in Belgium, should he say that he wants to play for Belgium – from there, there is no haggling. I'm not going to play that game.

"The kid is available? He wants to play? Then perfect, OK, show me.

"If you're at the top level in Manchester or elsewhere, show me your skills and if I need you I will call.

"I make no promises, to Januzaj or any person."

Through his parents, Januzaj is eligible to represent Albania, Serbia and Kosovo, with the latter still not affiliated with FIFA at senior level.

By birth, Januzaj can play for Belgium, while if he lives in England for three more years, he would satisfy FIFA's residency requirements to define himself as English and play alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere.
Courtsey:Opera sports

Insigne hopes to wear Napoli armband

Napoli youngster Lorenzo Insigne said it is his ambition to become captain of the Serie A club one day.

The 22-year-old winger has been in superb form for Rafa Benitez's side this season, playing a significant role in the club's rise to second on the Serie A table.

Insigne, who only broke into the first-team squad last season, said he wants to repay the club for their faith in him by spending his career at the club and becoming skipper in the future.

"I've always said that my dream is to continue playing in Napoli as long as possible and one day become the captain of the team," Insigne said.

"This is my dream and I hope I'll have the support of the club, which has always trusted me.

"I always try to do my best and I hope I'll remain with Napoli as long as possible because wearing the Napoli shirt has always been one of my dreams."

For now, Insigne's focus is on the Italian national side and their final World Cup qualifier against Armenia on Tuesday.

While the Italians have already booked their spot in Brazil, Armenia are one of four teams – with Bulgaria, Denmark and the Czech Republic – still in with a chance of winning a spot in the playoffs.
"I hope we'll have a great performance, especially for the people watching us," Insigne said.

"Many players are joining their national teams because they're having a strong performances in the championship.

"The national team's matches also hinder the managers because they can't work with the whole squad in order to get ready for the forthcoming championship matches.

"In any case, as soon as we get back to our clubs, we're available to work with our managers and want to give 100 percent when we're on the pitch."

Nigeria defeats Ethiopia 2 - 1

Emmanuel Emenike scored a double as Nigeria claimed in a 2-1 win in the first leg of their FIFA World Cup play-off with Ethiopia.

The visitors headed into the game as heavy favourites for the clash against an Ethiopia side looking to reach the World Cup finals for the first time in their history.

However, the African Cup of Nations holders struggled for much of the encounter, and fell behind when midfielder Behailu Assefa put Ethiopia ahead early in the second half.

Sewnet Bishaw's men could not hold on to their lead, though, Emenike levelling with a fine individual goal before completing the turnaround with a late penalty.

Nigeria made the better start to proceedings, with winger Victor Moses and striker Nnamdi Oduamadi both wasting chances to give the visitors the advantage.

Ethiopia were denied a shock lead in the 23rd minute when Saladin Said saw his effort prevented from finding the net by Godfrey Oboabona's goal-line clearance.

Referee Neant Alioum adjudged that the ball had not crossed the line, and Ethiopia were almost made to pay for that missed opportunity when attacker Ahmed Musa forced a fine save from home goalkeeper Jemal Tassew.

Bishaw's side again came close when Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama produced a great stop to keep out another Saladin strike just before the break.

But Ethiopia were rewarded for their persistence 11 minutes into the second half, Assefa netting in bizarre fashion as Enyeama caught his deep left-wing cross after the ball had the crossed the line.

Their lead lasted just 10 minutes, though, Emenike levelling matters with a spectacular finish from 25 yards that left Tassew with no chance.

Stephen Keshi's side gained confidence from that goal, but their hopes of taking victory looked to be fading when Musa struck the post 14 minutes from time.

There was to be a sting in the tail for the hosts though, as Emenike secured triumph with a confident spot-kick in the 90th minute after he had been pulled down by Aynalem Hailu.

The sides will meet for the decider in Calabar on November 16.

Gareth Bale or Neymar who is better

I was with a friend yesterday, and he raised up an issue that Gareth Bale is Better than Neymar junior,so first and foremost he compared both of them, 

saying that Bale can track back to defend but Neymar can't, also comparing stamina Bale is better, Crossing accuracy Bale is better, Free kick-Bale.

 Work rate-Bale,pace-Bale, he kept on saying so many things to convince me Bale is better than Neymar but am here to give unbiased statistics of both of them, from here you would know who is better.   

Gareth Bale  
CLUB                          SEASON                APPS                GOALS

Southampton                2005-07                  45                      5

Tottenham Hotspur        2007-13                  203                    55 

 Real Madrid                 2013-                      3                        1

 International                                               41                      11

TOTAL                                                       292                    72

source:Wikipedia

STYLE OF PLAY

• Likes to cut inside
• Likes to dribble
• Likes to cross
• Likes to shoot from distance
• Counter attack threat 

Has no significant weakness


Neymar Junior
CLUB                          SEASON                APPS                GOALS

Santos                            2009-13                  225                     136

Barcelona                        2013-                      11                        3

International                                                  43                       27

TOTAL                                                          279                      89

source:Wikipedia

 STYLE OF PLAY

• Gets fouled often
• Likes to do layoffs
• Likes to cut inside
• Likes to play short passes
• Does not dive into tackles 

Weakness - Defensive contribution

After checking up their style of play whom do you prefer, and who is better ? please  leave your comments

Security deadline given to Egypt for World Cup playoff

Egypt must provide FIFA with security guarantees before they will be allowed to host the World Cup
play-off second leg with Ghana in Cairo.

As political and social unrest continues to destabilise the North African country, concerns have been raised over the suitability of Cairo as a venue for the deciding leg of the play-off on November 19 - with the Ghana FA asking this week for the game to be moved to a neutral location.

And while they have so far stopped short of taking that action, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has now set an October 28 deadline for the Egyptian FA to provide written assurances over safety.

In a letter to both associations released to the media on Saturday, Valcke wrote: "With regards to the recent security situation prevailing in Cairo and in some different spots in Egypt, and in order to ensure that all the parties concerned can organise their matches and play them in a totally safe and

secure environment, we would like to ask the Egyptian Football Association to coordinate with the national authorities by Monday 28th October at the latest, the written security guarantees as well as the global security plan around this match in compliance with the FIFA Stadium, Safety and Security Regulations as of the arrival of the delegations (visiting team and FIFA Match Officials) up to their departure with all the necessary precisions regarding their stay and protection in Cairo.

"Although all our hopes and wishes sincerely expect that the security situation (in Egypt) will go back to normal in a definite manner, we would need to consider alternatives in the event that this were not the case in November.

"We will keep monitoring the situation."

The first-leg of the play-off takes place on Tuesday in Kumasi.
Ghana qualified for the play-off after topping CAF Group D with five wins from their six matches, while Egypt came through Group G with a perfect six-match winning run.

We struggled over Belarus - Del Bosque

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque conceded his team 'struggled' and 'weren't comfortable' in their 2-1 win over Belarus.

Xavi Hernandez and Alvaro Negredo scored the goals for Spain, who had to wait until after the hour mark to break open Belarus' defence for the first time on Friday, while the visitors pulled a late goal back on the island of Mallorca to ensure a nervous finish for Del Bosque's team.

While Del Bosque was happy the World Cup and European champions had taken another significant step towards World Cup qualification at the Iberostar Estadi, he admitted his side have not been playing top football for the best part of a year.

"It is true that the match seemed a repetition as recent others we have had," Del Bosque said after the game.

"The games with Finland (in September), Georgia (last year) and Belarus have been kind of a copy.

"We can't deny we struggled and we couldn't score until the 15th minute in the second half (but) we can be satisfied. We carried on with our spirit (after taking the lead).

"The goal they scored complicated the match and it sowed concern in us because we weren't comfortable.

"But the most important thing is we have taken a step forward in our aim that is trying to qualify for the World Cup."

Del Bosque also explained why he selected Victor Valdes in goal ahead of regular captain Iker Casillas.

Casillas' future with both the national team and his club, Real Madrid, has been under scrutiny since Jose Mourinho began preferring Diego Lopez at the Spanish capital club last season.

But Del Bosque denied his decision on Friday had anything to do with a lack of faith in Casillas.

"I have already said we are going to try to act following the logic and common sense," Del Bosque said.

"Casillas got injured against Galatasaray (in September) and he just has played one game in these last five weeks, so we believed it was convenient that Victor took the place.

"This is not significant, we don't say that in the future he is going to play or not but we keep the (incentive) for the others."

Mario Balotelli is developing - De Canio

Mario Balotelli has been defended by Luigi De Canio after a survey of Serie A players resulted in
criticism of the Milan striker.

Balotelli, 23, was judged to be one of the three most overrated players in Italy's top league by 50 players who voted anonymously.

However, experienced manager De Canio, who has taken charge of Udinese, Napoli, Genoa and Lecce among others, feels the former Manchester City forward is gradually developing into a special talent.

"I believe (Balotelli) is a player of great level," De Canio told Tuttomercatoweb.

"Balotelli has great potential and, day after day, is expressing and improving more and more. Let us not forget that Balotelli is still very young."

Former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro believes opposing players may be fearful of Balotelli's quality.
Asked for his thoughts on Balotelli being labelled overrated, Cannavaro suggested a reason to La Gazzetta Dello Sport: "Fear, perhaps?

"He has an attitude that (they) do not like, then is strong and opponents are scared of him."
Balotelli returned to Italy in January after two and a half years with Manchester City and is currently with his national squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Armenia.

Januzaj shouldn´t represent England-Wilshere

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere insists foreign-born players should not be allowed to play for the England national team.

Belgian-born Manchester United teenager Adnan Januzaj has re-ignited the eligibility debate in recent days.

The 18-year-old was born and raised in Belgium until the age of 16, but can also play for Albania, Turkey and Serbia through heritage and would be eligible to play for England by 2018 through residency.

Speaking ahead of Friday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Montenegro, Wilshere urged the Football Association not to follow the same path as the England cricket team, which features several South African-born players.

"For me, if you are English, you are English and you play for England," Wilshere said.

"The only people who should play for England are English people.

"If you live in England for five years, it doesn't make you English. You shouldn't play.

"It doesn't mean you can play for a country. If I went to Spain and lived there for five years, I am not going to play for Spain.

"We have to remember what we are. We are English and we tackle hard and we are tough on the pitch and we are hard to beat. We have great characters.

"You think of Spain and you think technical football, but you think of England and you think they are brave and they tackle hard and we have to remember that."

Former England star John Barnes, who was born in Jamaica but played 79 times for England, understandably disagrees with Wilshere's views.

"In 1983, when I played for England, Jamaica never had a chance of qualifying for the World Cup - they weren't that interested in football yet," Barnes said.

"I don't know about Albania or Kosovo, but it's a question of if he was French, would he choose England over France?

"But if he decides he (Januzaj) wants to play for England, then I don't see why not."

But Wilshere, 21, also believes it's preferable to have an England-born manager coaching the national team but concedes he is indebted to former England boss Fabio Capello.

"I think it’s better if there is an Englishman, but don't get me wrong, Capello did a lot for my England career," he said.

"He gave me my debut and stuck with me from a young age so he was a good manager."

Deschamps targets two wins this week

France head coach Didier Deschamps has targeted two wins this week to boost his team's ranking ahead of their World Cup qualifying play-off.

Deschamps' side will face Australia in a friendly in Paris on Friday before Finland travels to the French capital for a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

France cannot overhaul Spain at the top of Group I in Europe's World Cup but have already secured a berth as the second-placed side for a two-legged play-off next month against one of the runners-up from the other European qualifying groups.

Looking ahead, Deschamps wants France to improve on their FIFA ranking of 25 with wins over Australia and Finland in the hope of being seeded in the play-offs.

"Both games are important because we can get some FIFA points and with what might be waiting for us in November, these points could allow us to be a high seed," Deschamps said.

"Even if the second game will grant us more points than the first but it's mathematics... it's already a preparation for November, even though things can happen before the play-offs, some players may be unavailable."

Deschamps added he has yet to decide, who will start up front against Australia out of Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid.

Benzema's popularity in France has fallen as he has not scored for his national team since a friendly versus Estonia at the end of the 2011/12 season, while Giroud has started the 2013/14 campaign with six goals in 11 matches for Arsenal in all competitions.

But Deschamps maintained both strikers are required members of his squad.

"They have two different styles as you know, with different skills, they can both be starters without diminishing our attack but with different qualities," Deschamps said

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City can reach final

Pep Guardiola believes if Manchester City can get through the group stage of the Champions League
they could go all the way to the final.

Ahead of Bayern Munich's meeting with City at the Etihad on Wednesday, Guardiola heaped praise on the English club, comparing them to last season's surprise packets Borussia Dortmund.

While City have failed to progress to the knockout phase in each of the last two seasons, the Bayern manager says they are a much improved outfit under new boss Manuel Pellegrini.

"(Manchester) City are one of the biggest clubs in Europe. You have to remember they didn't get through the group stages in the last two seasons but I'm 100 per cent confident they will get through to the next round," Guardiola said on Tuesday.

"I think Manchester City in the last years they did big steps forward.

"They won the Premier League two years ago so they made a few titles and I bet to you this year it will be the first time they will qualify for the (quarter)-finals, and it will be the next step. In my impression, if they get to qualify for the (second round),

"Manchester City will be one of the toughest, toughest, toughest teams in the next round.

"It's the same with what happened in Borussia Dortmund last season. Last season was the first time they qualified for the next round, and arrived to the final.

"So Manchester City, I have this feeling, I don't know if I'm right, but I have this feeling it can happen."

While Guardiola has never lost to a team managed by Manuel Pellegrini, he rates the City boss highly and admitted he 'would like to be like him'.

"No matter which club he is training, each team plays his way. His fingers, his footsteps, his trademark in his team is always there," Guardiola said.

"It happened in Villareal, in Malaga, in Real Madrid and if I beat them all the time it was because I was training one of the best teams in the world, one of the best teams in history in Barcelona, and sometimes it was easy for me.

"For me it's always a pleasure to play against Manuel because he loves to play football, he tries to keep the ball and his teams always play good."

Both sides kicked off the group stage with impressive wins and will take a huge step to advancing to the knockout stage with a win here.

Torres injured at Champions League match

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has played down the severity of Fernando Torres' knee injury on the club's trip to Romania.

The Stamford Bridge outfit won 4-0 over Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday but Torres' injury took some of the shine away from an otherwise comfortable victory as the Spanish striker had to leave the field in the 11th minute.

Torres had started Chelsea's two previous games before the UEFA Champions League clash in Bucharest and Mourinho was clearly disappointed to lose the Spaniard to injury.

"The bad news is the injury," Mourinho said.

"It's a pity for the guy because, physically, he was in a very good moment.

"He played fantastically against Tottenham and deserved to start this game. So it's a pity but that's football."

Torres' knee was the second piece of bad injury news for Chelsea in less than two weeks after Dutchman Marco van Ginkel tore his anterior cruciate ligament in their English League Cup match against Swindon.


The 20-year-old Dutch midfielder could miss up to nine months of football but Mourinho claimed Torres' injury was less severe.

"The doctor is very confident it is not a big injury like we had with Marco van Ginkel but it's something with his knee, his ligaments and we have to wait for the scans," Mourinho said.

"Let's see the scan.

"Fernando knows that he doesn't play against Norwich on Sunday and will not go to join the (Spanish) national team."

Mourinho said he was hoping Torres would return against Cardiff City in just over two weeks.

"He knows that he has 15 days until the next match he can play, against Cardiff," the Portuguese said.

"If the injury is for 15 days I think he'll be fine."

Hooliganism spoils Champions League matchday two

The ugly side of football revealed itself once again during Tuesday's UEFA Champions League fixtures in England and Switzerland.

The hooligan football culture of Europe was on show before Arsenal's match versus Napoli when Piebury Corner, a popular pre-game destination for a meal near the London club's home ground, the Emirates, was mobbed by a group of travelling Italian fans.

The Neapolitan fans threw chairs and smashed windows during their rampage, which left the 50 or so customers inside the restaurant horrified as one customer was sent to hospital with a gash to his head.
Piebury Corner employee Emily Gould told The Mirror: "I was terrified. They started swinging belts around. The customers were very frightened."

"There (was) blood all over the floor."
Piebury Corner owner Paul Campbell was disappointed by the confrontation, saying it was 'completely unprovoked'.

The incident in London was not the only act of hooliganism during the Champions League's
matchday two.

In Basel, riot police were brought in to separate fans of the home side and German club Schalke outside St Jakob Park before kick-off.
Inside the stadium, Schalke fans provided a sea of red light as flare after flare was sparked.

Raul´s Euro goal record not essential- Messi

Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi has insisted he is not thinking about breaking Raul's UEFA Champions League goals record.

The Argentinian talisman produced another match-winning performance on Wednesday, scoring a hat-trick as Gerardo Martino's side eased to a 4-0 win over Ajax at Camp Nou.

Messi's treble - the 24th of his Barcelona career - took his tally to 62 in the Champions League, leaving him just nine shy of Real Madrid legend Raul's haul of 71.

However, the 26-year-old is quick to stress that he is only focused on securing more silverware and not the pursuit of individual records.

"The idea of overtaking Raul at the top of the all-time Champions League scoring charts is a fine challenge, but it is not essential," he said.

"We, as a team, have other more important objectives. For example, to get as far as we are capable of in this competition. To try to win it again.

"Whether the right number of goals come for me this season or not is not so important.

"Obviously I am pleased that (his hat-trick) makes it 62 Champions League goals but above that is the result and how our team played."

Blanc estatic over PSG performance

Blanc's men went top of the table provisionally ahead of the weekend's fixtures with 11 points from five games, after Blaise Matuidi and Lucas Moura scored for the French champions.

Blanc's side defied the rules of preparation for a professional match, in their 2-0 win at Bordeaux on Friday.

Eight of Blanc's starting 11 at the Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas had been on international duty of some sort just days earlier.

But his star-studded side came together to earn a valuable three points for their title defence, and
Blanc could only joke that his coaching methods were rendered almost pointless after his side played their best football off a poor preparation.

"I think there was a paradox in the preparation for this game," he told BeIn Sport.

"We were not at all prepared for it.

"We try to think of every detail and, ironically, this was our best game since the beginning of the season.

"Players returned yesterday at 6:15pm, nothing was prepared and you see the result? The coach is useless."

Lucas' first goal for PSG in the league came after 1019 minutes on the pitch for the Brazilian, and the winger was thrilled to finally break his duck.

Best business done by Tottenham, says Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas has boasted that Tottenham did the best business during the transfer window, despite Mesut Ozil's move to Arsenal.

"We are happy with what we have done in the transfer window, extremely happy.
"Arsenal did a great last-minute coup with Ozil but they will be as competitive as they were before."
However, the Portuguese was quick to stress that Arsenal paid a hefty price to take the 24-year-old to the Emirates Stadium.

"He is a wonderful, gifted footballer and in the end Arsenal paid heavily for a player of that dimension," Villas-Boas added.

"It's a €50million transfer for a number 10 that nobody has any doubt over his ability. They have lots of players for that position also but they have become even stronger with Ozil."

Despite the loss of last season's talisman Bale, Villas-Boas is confident that his side have the ability to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

"This is a squad with great potential which has the ability to achieve our objectives that we couldn't last season," he explained.
"What we have improved on from last season is the individual quality we have on board and all the players are striving with big motivation to achieve it (Champions League football)."

 Spurs recruited heavily in the window, bringing in seven senior players including Spain international striker Roberto Soldado from Valencia and Argentine winger Erik Lamela from Roma.

London rivals Arsenal moved to sign Germany international Ozil from Real Madrid on deadline day in a deal believed to be worth £42.5million.

Ozil's capture has been billed as one of the best signings of the transfer window, but Villas-Boas, who saw Gareth Bale leave for Real Madrid in a world-record move, believes it is Tottenham whose recruitment drive is most deserving of praise.

"All of us have done good business in the transfer window, but Manchester City and us maybe a little bit more than Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool," Villas-Boas said.

Ozil rejects claims of being unprofessional at Madrid

Ozil has rejected claims that he was sold for unprofessional behaviour.
However, the Germany international is refusing to be embroiled in a war of words with his former employers, but has cited a lack of "respect and trust" afforded to him as the prime reason behind his exit.

Speaking at his unveiling at Arsenal, the 24-year-old said: "I don’t want to say anything bad about Madrid because I had three wonderful years there.  We achieved trophies and I had a great time there, but the people who know me know how professional I am.

"I played 159 games - you can’t play that many games if you’re not professional.

"I did not get the respect and the trust in Madrid. It was a bit difficult and when I talked to [Arsenal coach] Arsene Wenger on the phone he was full of respect for me."

The former Werder Bremen starlet looked ahead to his career with the Gunners and is hopeful that playing in England will help him to make further strides forward.

"I’m in the strongest league in the world and I have to improve myself here. I’m at the right club."read more atOzil rejects claims of being unprofessional at Madrid

Trapattoni leaves Republic of Ireland

Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has left the Republic of Ireland by mutual consent following the defeat by Austria in a World Cup qualifier.

The pair had been contracted until the end of May next year.

The pair had been contracted until the end of May next year.

The 1-0 defeat in Austria left Ireland with only a mathematical possibility of overhauling Sweden to snatch second place in Group C.

Mexico risk missing World Cup A Shame?

I am so worried about Mexico not being in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.The crisis is so bad that the Mexican football federation is considering whether to name the national team's third manager in just four days hmm.

Mexico is wrestling with the humiliating prospect of missing football's World Cup finals for the first time in a quarter of a century with only two qualifiers left to reverse its fortunes. And the media has shown little love for the players after "El Tri" lost 2-0 to their bitter rivals the United States in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday.Most of the headlines in sports pages said the team now needs a "miracle" to book their tickets to next year's World Cup in Brazil.

The loss to the United States, coming off the back of an embarrassing defeat to Honduras at home last Friday, put Mexico in fifth place in the six-team CONCACAF regional group and fighting for a 2014 spot in Brazil.

With only the top three qualifying for the finals in Brazil, and the fourth-placed team advancing to a play-off against New Zealand, Mexico will be out unless they fight back in the final two qualifiers.

The United States lead the six-team group by a point from Costa Rica, with both nations already having qualified for the finals.
At the moment, the third spot belongs to Honduras, who have 11 points. Panama are fourth with eight points, level with Mexico but ahead thanks to a better goal difference.

Mexico have only won one of their eight qualifiers to date, drawing five, and scoring a miserly four goals.
They now face a win-or-bust game against Panama at the Azteca on October 11 before a final showdown in Costa Rica on October 15.
Mexico last missed a World Cup finals in 1990 when the federation was banned from international competitions after using over-aged players in an under-20 championship.

Congratulations to Serena Williams as she beats Victoria Azarenka for fifth U.S. Open title

A nice one as one of my favourite top-seeded Serena Williams won her 17th Grand Slam title WOW

and her fifth U.S. Open on Sunday with a 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1 victory over second-seeded Victoria Azarenka on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd was fully on the side of Williams, which hasn't always been the case.
At one point in the first set, Williams mouthed to her box, "I can't play in this wind." due to the fact that swirling wind was a factor in the match and seemed to particularly bother Williams, who at times had to fight to keep her dress from flying up and her ball toss in line.

It was on Sunday, every winner she hit was greeted with loud applause while Azarenka heard only an occasional clap.

 A Williams victory appeared inevitable when she charged to a 4-1, two-break lead in the second set. Williams needed only to hold serve twice and she would be champion. But that wasn't as easy as it appeared.

Azarenka broke back to 4-2 and held to 4-3. Williams, with the help of a 119-mph ace, held at love for 5-3 and Azarenka held for 5-4.

On her first chance to serve out the match, Williams quickly fell behind and faced two break points at 15-40. The first was saved by a Williams forehand winner, but Azarenka won it on the second when Williams hit a backhand long, and the set was tied, 5-5.

Azarenka gave the break back immediately with a backhand into the net, giving Williams another chance to serve for the championship. But Williams dumped a backhand into the net at 30-30 and double-faulted on break point, allowing Azarenka to break for 6-6 and forcing the tiebreaker.

Azarenka won the tiebreak on her third set point, when another Williams backhand found the net.
The two would play one final set for the championship.

Again Williams got the first break, in the fourth game, on an Azarenka double fault to give the American a 3-1 lead. And Williams again took a 4-1 lead, holding with back-to-back aces, the first clocked at 126 mph, the second on a second serve.

This time, instead of faltering in the sixth game, Williams broke again when Azarenka put a forehand into the net. Now up 5-1, Williams served for the match yet again. She held firm, and the championship was hers.

Germany coach opens up on the sale of Mesut Ozil to Arsenal

So many questioned the sale of Mesut ozil to Arsenal who had 31assists for Real Madrid in last two seasons the most any player in La Liga had.The transfer has sparked up comments from soccer fans around the globe.Recently Germany coach Joachim Loew has added his voice to the chorus of bewilderment prompted by Real Madrid's decision to sell his playmaker Mesut Ozil to Arsenal.It was found out yesterday that the playmaker was furious at the Spanish club for agreeing to the sale.

 Loew  at a news conference on Wednesday previewing Friday's 2014 World Cup qualifier against Austria in Munich said that they heard that some players where in Madrid are sad due to the sale of Ozil.He also said that  it was very difficult to believe that they would lose such a fantastic player, that Real would gave up on and sold a player who had set up so many goals for them in recent seasons, but that's the way business is.

Ozil opened up on Tuesday he decided to leave Real after three seasons in the Spanish capital because he realised he did not have the backing of coach Carlo Ancelotti. 

Loew added that Arsenal is a good side with a top Manager, Ozil's transfer would benefit the German side.   

QUESTIONS ABOUT BALE

Just really pondering about this,

  Is Gareth Bale worth £85.3m? or was he overpriced?
 
Can he reach up to the feat Cristiano Ronaldo reached

Will he be duly welcomed in Madrid?

Can he evenhandedly win titles for Real Madrid?

Does his style of play fit the Madrid style of play?

Can he adapt quickly to silence his critics? 
  
 Will there be rift between him and Ronaldo? 

 

More questions coming up for Gareth Bale if you have any put yours down

GARETH FRANK BALE-SHOCKER

Can't imagine this

With the world record signing that rocked the football world for £85.3m fee,Real Madrid assistant coach Paul Clement says Gareth Bale would not be on the starting line up.
    Am really upset with this latest development because am an ardent Bale follower and i would like to see my man starting up,and playing up to his prize, because he has already promised  the fans to help them win titles so he has to be allowed to show what he got.