Saturday, August 31, 2013

Relief for Pellegrini and Man City

Substitute Alvaro Negredo scored the headed winner for Manchester City against Hull.

(CNN) -- It was far from convincing but Manchester City beat Hull 2-0 in the English Premier League to bounce back from a defeat against another newly promoted side.

Second-half substitute Alvaro Negredo netted the winner when he beat keeper Allan McGregor in the 65th minute and Yaya Toure made sure of the victory with a stunning free kick in the 90th.

Although still early in the campaign, Manchester City was under pressure following a 3-2 loss at Cardiff City on Sunday after taking the lead.

Read: Cardiff stuns City

Had Hull converted any of its three good chances in the opening half Saturday, the result might have been different and more pressure would have been felt by new City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

"It was hard work," Pellegrini was quoted as saying by the BBC. "Every match is going to be hard work. Hull defended very well.

"We know you have to give 100% to win every match but I think today that we were more concentrated in defense than" against Cardiff.

Manchester City, the champion two seasons ago and expected to contend for the title this campaign with Manchester United and Chelsea, improved to two wins and a loss.

Chelsea has seven points through three games while United faces Liverpool on Sunday after registering a win and draw in its opening two fixtures.

Hull slipped to a win and two losses but manager Steve Bruce must have felt his side deserved better at the Etihad Stadium.

"The way we played, against one of the best teams in Europe, gives us enormous confidence," Bruce was quoted as saying by the BBC. "I think we have proved to a few people that we can play at this level."

Still without injured captain Vincent Kompany, City's defense looked shaky and Hull striker Sone Aluko should have done better when he was in alone on struggling keeper Joe Hart.

He shot wide.

Danny Graham had a goal disallowed for offside after a stunning cross from Robbie Brady and Robert Koren's low drive fizzed a yard wide.

"We cannot come here and have chances like we have had and not take one," said Bruce.

McGregor, meanwhile, tipped over Joleon Lescott's header.

Pellegrini brought on Negredo for Edin Dzeko to start the second and the move paid dividends when the Spanish international headed home Pablo Zabaleta's fine cross.

City failed to add to the lead until Toure's effort. It was his second goal from a free kick this season following a strike versus Newcastle.

Respite for Pardew

The Magpies scored their first league goal of the season to beat Fulham 1-0. Hatem Ben Arfa's late strike eased some of the pressure on relieved Newcastle boss Alan Pardew.

"You can't predict when you are going to score but what you can predict is your performance and in the second half we were terrific," Pardew was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Cardiff followed up Sunday's victory by holding Everton 0-0, the Toffees' third consecutive draw.

Newly promoted Crystal Palace won its first league game, beating slumping Sunderland 3-1, and Stoke recorded a rare away win, 1-0 at West Ham. Norwich blanked Southampton -- which isn't easy -- 1-0.


Via: Relief for Pellegrini and Man City

Late drama at the Parc des Princes

It looked like it was going to be a frustrating day for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and PSG but the French champion found a late winner.

(CNN) -- Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon are seemingly headed in different directions.

With millions pumped into the squad by its Qatari owners, PSG ended a 19-year title drought in France last season and looks set to challenge for league honors and on the European front for some time.

After winning seven consecutive league titles from 2002-2008, Lyon, meanwhile, is now finding it difficult to break into the top two.

It also crashed out in Champions League qualifying this week having been a fixture in Europe's most prestigious club tournament for years.

And on Saturday, while Lyon fell 2-1 at Evian to suffer a fourth straight defeat in all competitions, PSG scored twice in injury time to see off a spirited Guingamp and move a point behind idle league leader Marseille.

Just when it appeared as if newly promoted Guingamp would snatch a point in Paris, substitute Adrien Rabiot pounced on a rebound when keeper Mamadou Samassa couldn't hold on to Alex's header.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic doubled the advantage for his first league goal this term to give Laurent Blanc's men two wins and two draws from four outings.

Read: Blanc named Ancelotti's successor

The host was full value for all three points, hitting the post, crossbar and dominating possession. Guingamp's only shot on target, though, was a good one.

Salvatore Sirigu stopped Mustapha Yatabare on a one-on-one approaching the 80th minute.

Two first-half goals from Kevin Berigaud were enough for Evian to see off Lyon, which again played without influential attacking duo Bafetimbi Gomis and Jimmy Briand -- Lyon wants to sell both players.

There was more misery for Lyon when star midfielder Yoann Gourcuff left the game with a leg injury before halftime.

"A lot of disappointment with this loss and this bad start to the game," Lyon midfielder Fares Bahlouli told the club website. "It's becoming a habit."

Marseille and Monaco, along with PSG the only other unbeaten teams in Ligue 1, face off Sunday.


Via: Late drama at the Parc des Princes

Bayern Munich drawn with Manchester City

Bayern Munich captain Phillip Lahm lifts the Champions League trophy at Wembley Stadium in May

(CNN) -- European Champions League holders Bayern Munich have been drawn to face Manchester City in the group stages of the continent's most prestigious club competition.

The German champions are now led by former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who secured 14 trophies for the Catalan club during his four seasons in charge.

Guardiola has a hard task repeating Bayern's feats of last season when under Jupp Heynckes they won the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League crowns.

At the draw in Monaco, Bayern's Franck Ribery was also named European Footballer of the Year, beating Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Real Madrid.

Read: Eto'o reunited with Mourinho at Chelsea

"It's always nice to win this trophy; it's a special moment for me to be here," he said.

"It was an extraordinary year for us, we'd wanted that trophy for so long and to play at Wembley was fantastic. I think Bayern deserved to win the cup after such a long time."

Despite huge investment in their playing squad, and winning the English Premier League title in 2012, Manchester City have failed to make it out of the group stages in the past two Champions League competitions.

Russian club CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen, from the Czech Republic, complete the line-up in Group D.

Spanish champions Barcelona have been drawn in a particularly tough looking group alongside Italian giants AC Milan, Dutch title winners Ajax and Scottish champions Celtic.

Celtic famously beat Barcelona in the group stages of last year's competition, and booked their place in the group stages with a last-gasp victory over Shakhter Karagandy from Kazakhstan on Wednesday night.

English side Arsenal face a tough test to emerge from Group F alongside last year's beaten finalists, Borussia Dortmund of Germany, Napoli from Italy and French side Marseille.

Carlo Ancelotti's first Champions League campaign as manager of Real Madrid sees him face Italian champions Juventus, Galatasaray from Turkey, and Denmark's FC Copenhagen.

Jose Mourinho has been handed a favorable draw in Group E as Europa League winners Chelsea pulled German side Schalke, FC Basel from Switzerland and Romanian outfit Steaua Bucharest.

English Premier League champions Manchester United will also be content with their draw in Group A as they face Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, Germany's Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad from Spain.

French champions Paris Saint-Germain have been drawn alongside Benfica, from Portugal, Greek side Olympiakos and Anderlecht, from Belgium, in Group C.

In Group G Portuguese side Porto have been drawn against Atletico Madrid, Russian side Zenit St Petersburg and Austria Vienna.

The first round of group matches will be played on 17-18 September.

Champions League group stage draw in full:

Group A: Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Sociedad.

Group B: Real Madrid, Juventus, Galatasaray, FC Copenhagen.

Group C: Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Olympiakos, Anderlecht.

Group D: Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, Manchester City, Viktoria Plzen.

Group E: Chelsea, Schalke 04, FC Basel, Steaua Bucharest.

Group F: Arsenal, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli.

Group G: FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, Zenit St Petersburg, Austria Vienna.

Group H: Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, Celtic.


Via: Bayern Munich drawn with Manchester City

Friday, August 30, 2013

Late drama as Bayern Munich claim Super Cup

Bayern Munich lift the UFA Super Cup after beating Chelsea in a penalty shoot out in Prague.

(CNN) -- Bayern Munich beat Chelsea on 5-4 penalties to win a pulsating UEFA Super Cup showdown in Prague Friday after equalizing with the last kick of extra time.

Down to 10 men but leading 2-1, Chelsea looked set to hand Jose Mourinho the first silverware of his second reign until Javi Martinez found the net for the European champions to force the penalty shootout.

Both sides had a perfect record from the spot kicks until 20-year-old Romelu Lukaku stepped up to deliver a tame effort which was comfortably saved by Manuel Neuer.

So instead it was Pep Guardiola, a bitter rival of Mourinho when the pair managed Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga, who landed his first trophy since taking over at Bayern in the summer.

For Chelsea, it was a second successive defeat in the UEFA Super Cup, having been beaten 4-1 by a Radamel Falcao inspired Atletico Madrid in Monaco last year.

Read: Eto'o reunited with Mourinho at Chelsea

But they will take heart from their performance in a match in which they twice led only for Bayern to show their typical resilience by pulling them back.

Fernando Torres put Chelsea ahead with a crisp finish from an Andre Schurrle cross in the eighth minute.

It was a lead which lasted until the second minute of the second half when Franck Ribery leveled with a 20 meter effort which beat Petr Cech at his near post.

Bayern were on top, but Chelsea fashioned the best chances as Branislav Ivanovic rattled the crossbar with a header and Neuer was forced to save from a David Luiz header.

Chelsea midfielder Ramires departed for a rash challenge on Mario Gotze which earned a second yellow card and the omens did not look good for the English Premier League side heading into extra time.

But those fears were dispelled when Eden Hazard lit up the Eden Arena with a fine solo goal, Neuer at fault as the eventual low shot eluded him.

Cech made amends for his error on Ribery's earlier goal with a pair of stunning saves from Mario Mandzukic and Ribery.

But he could not keep out Martinez's late effort which so cruelly denied Chelsea. A defiant Mourinho said his team deserved better.

"The best team clearly lost the match, we played with ten men for a long period against the European champions and we have only reason to be proud," he told ITV Sport.


Via: Late drama as Bayern Munich claim Super Cup

Platini repeats 2022 winter World Cup call

Former France international Michel Platini has adopted a strong stance on the rescheduling of the 2022 World Cup.

(CNN) -- UEFA president Michel Platini repeated his support for moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter Friday with a sideswipe at the English Premier League (EPL) who are opposed to the change of date.

Platini, who heads Europe's governing body, has previously gone on record to call for a switch from the summer when temperatures soar in the Gulf region.

FIFA is set to discuss the issue at an executive committee meeting in October, its president Sepp Blatter indicating recently he was in favor of change to the schedule.

"I was very happy to learn that FIFA president Joseph Blatter wants to move the 2022 World Cup to the winter, something I've long advocated," said Platini, who was addressing the media in Monaco as the Europa League draw was made.

"It's impossible to play in 50-degree heat in Qatar in the summer. We have to play the World Cup at the best time," Platini added.

Read: Qatar conundrum: Can the 2022 World Cup be moved?

But the change to a winter date has been met with opposition from the major European leagues, with the EPL the most outspoken.

Its chief executive Richard Scudamore said switching the World Cup was "well nigh impossible," citing disruption to the calendar and the impact on lucrative television deals.

Platini said he was unimpressed by those arguments. "For 150 years, England has imposed its calendar and we've respected it.

"So for once, for one month, England could respect another calendar," he added.

FIFA's executive committee meets in Zurich on October 3-4 to approve any change and begin a consultation with key stakeholders such as the EPL.

Qatar won the right to host the tournament in December 2010, beating the United States in the final round of bidding. South Korea, Japan and Australia were also in the running.

Platini was among the executive committee members to vote in favor of bring the global showpiece to the Middle East for the first time.


Via: Platini repeats 2022 winter World Cup call

APOEL benefit from Fenerbahce's expulsion

APOEL Nicosia fans will be watching Europa League football at the club's GSP Stadium.

(CNN) -- Two of Europe's smaller clubs got lucky on Friday following match-fixing sanctions imposed on Turkish teams.

APOEL Nicosia and Tromso were the beneficiaries of match-fixing bans handed out to Fenerbahce and Besiktas relating to games in Turkish football.

Fenerbahce had an appeal against a two-year ban from European competition rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday.

Cypriot champions APOEL were beaten in this week's Europa League playoff matches by Belgium's Zulte Waregem, but emerged as the "lucky loser" plucked from a draw conducted by UEFA in Monaco on Friday..

Read: Bayern Munich drawn against Man City

It means APOEL will compete in the group stages of Europe's second-tier club competition against France's Bordeaux, Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv in Group F.

APOEL are best known for a run to the Champions League quarterfinals in 2012, where they were beaten over two legs by Real Madrid.

Besiktas, another Turkish club banned from European competition for match-fixing, also saw their appeal over a one-year sanction rejected by the CAS on Friday.

The Istanbul team beat Tromso in the Europa League playoffs, but the Norwegian club will now take Besiktas' place in the group stages.

Blog: Can Qatar's World Cup be moved?

Tromso were drawn in Group K alongside English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur, Russia's Anzhi Makhachkala and Sherrif Tiraspol of Moldova.

Elsewhere, Valencia, Champions League finalists in 2000 and 2001 and winners of this competition in 2004, have been drawn against English League Cup winners Swansea City, Kuban of Russia and Swiss team St Gallen in Group A.

Valencia's fellow Spaniards Sevilla, winners of the Europa League in 2006 and 2007, are in Group H along with Freiburg of Germany, Portugal's Estoril and Czech side Liberec.

Chelsea won the competition last year, beating Benfica in the final. Jose Mourinho's team play Champions League winners Bayern Munich in the European Super Cup in Prague on Friday.


Via: APOEL benefit from Fenerbahce's expulsion

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Real's Bale bid 'lacks respect'

The transfer window means football is rarely off the newspaper back pages in the off season. Much ink has been already been devoted to the question of whether Spurs' Welsh international Gareth Bale will join Real Madrid.

(CNN) -- Gareth Bale's imminent transfer to Real Madrid for a reported world-record fee has been criticized by Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino.

With Spain struggling amid a tough global economic climate, Martino questioned the appropriateness of Real spending on just one player a figure reputed to be at least $125 million and possibly as much as $145 million.

"He's a very good player, but the numbers seem to me almost a lack of respect for the world in general," the Argentine told reporters on Saturday at a press conference ahead of Barca's trip to Malaga.

Bale, who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham, is next week expected to be unveiled as Real's fifth world-record signing since 2000.

Read: Is Gareth Bale worth $120 million?

It will reportedly happen after Madrid, seeking to win back the La Liga title from Barca, play Granada on Monday in the club's second game this season.

Barca spent $75 million to sign Neymar from Santos in June, but Martino said the Brazil striker is not guaranteed to start Sunday's match in Malaga despite the absence of the injured Lionel Messi.

The four-time world player of the year is being rested as a precaution after suffering a bruised thigh in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid last Wednesday.

"Honestly, I am not worried because I think he is fine," Martino said of his compatriot.

"What happened the other day was coincidence. I think it is totally unnecessary to take risks at the start of the season."

Read: The transfer window explained

Neymar came off the bench to score the equalizer against Atletico, but Martino played down expectations surrounding the 21-year-old.

"I don't share this idea that says that Neymar must take over and take the lead if Messi is not there to do it," he said.

"We have Xavi, we have Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez, Pedro. There are too many players to expect Neymar to automatically be in the starting line-up.

"Nothing is going to shorten the time we think is necessary for Neymar to be ready."

Bale has reportedly already traveled to Spain, and will not play in Tottenham's home match with Swansea on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Wales international, who became the most sought-after talent on the planet following Neymar's decision to join Barca, also missed the London club's opening match of the EPL season last weekend.

Read: Turkish respite for Arsenal

Spurs have twice broken their club transfer record in apparent preparation for Bale's departure, signing Brazil midfielder Paulinho and Spain striker Roberto Soldado, while a $45 million deal for Willian was hijacked by Chelsea despite the Anzhi Makhachkala player having passed a medical at White Hart Lane last week.

In Saturday's EPL action, Liverpool joined Chelsea on two wins from two games after beating Aston Villa 1-0, as striker Daniel Sturridge followed up his goal from the opening victory over Stoke.

Arsenal, beaten by Villa last weekend, relieved the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger by defeating London rivals Fulham 3-1 as Germany forward Lukas Podolski scored twice and France striker Olivier Giroud netted the other for the visiting team.

Former Villa and England striker Darren Bent marked his Fulham debut with a goal after coming on as a second-half substitute, but Arsenal notched another morale-boosting win ahead of the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce -- having won 3-0 in Turkey last Wednesday.

Everton drew 0-0 at home to West Brom, and there was also a stalemate between Newcastle and West Ham, while Southampton hit back to hold visiting Sunderland 1-1.

Hull beat Norwich 1-0 but fellow promoted side Crystal Palace crashed to a second successive defeat, losing 2-1 at Stoke.

In La Liga, Valencia crashed 3-1 at Espanyol despite taking the lead through Portuguese forward Helder Postiga.

David Lopez headed a 33rd-minute equalizer before second-half goals from Cristian Stuani and Thievy Bifouma sealed victory for the Barcelona-based team.

Real Sociedad came back to earth with a bump following last week's 2-0 win over Lyon in the final Champions League qualifying round, being held 1-1 at promoted Elche.

Mexico striker Carlos Vela saved Sociedad with a second-half leveler following Ferran Corominas' second-minute opener.


Via: Real's Bale bid 'lacks respect'

Players' need for speed

U.S. graffiti artist Jonone performs a painting on a Rolls Royce car owned by former Manchester United and France football player turned actor Eric Cantona during a television show.

(CNN) -- Fast cars, fast women and fast on their way to court -- it would seem some footballers are renowned as much for their pace on the pitch as for flouting the rules when it comes to the need to speed.

New Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini might be known as the engineer, but he will want to put the brakes on his players getting behind the wheel.

Carlos Tevez, who completed his move from City to Juventus last week, was just one player to feel the force of the law after being found guilty of committing motoring offenses.

In April of this year, the Argentine was fined about $1,500 and told to carry out 250 hours of community service after being found guilty of driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Tevez's former teammate, Samir Nasri, was also banned from driving for six months and fined $3,180 after being caught on camera exceeding the speed limit three times in 2011.

Defender Micah Richards became the third Manchester City defender to be banned when his license was suspended for six months after failing to respond to two speeding notices.

And it's not just the Manchester City car pool that has had problems with that thirst for speed.

Benzema

In February, Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema car was clocked on a Madrid highway driving at 216 kilometers per hour -- more than double the legal limit.

The Frenchman, who was driving an Audi, which is the official car sponsor of Real, was banned for eight months and fined nearly $23,000.

It came after a June 2011 incident where Benzema was fined for racing in downtown Ibiza.

Read: Real deal for Ancelotti

In April, Swansea City's Kemy Agustien was banned from driving for 12 months after clocking up 39 penalty points -- 27 more than the usual limit of 12 that would get a player banned.

Car sponsors are an essential aspect of the football industry but given the place footballers occupy in the hearts and minds -- and more importantly the wallets -- of the sport's paying customers it's unlikely that relationship will be ending anytime soon.

"Football is the sport that cuts through to by far the largest number of people around the world," a spokeswoman for Audi, which runs sponsorship deals with Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester United, told CNN.

"Our experience based on our commitments with the top class European clubs tells us that there is major business potential for Audi within this sporting environment, both on a business-to-business footing and with consumers, i.e. the fans.

"Together with the teams we are conducting international activities not only in Europe but also in Asia."

Big business

It is not difficult to understand why Audi has forged such a close relationship with a number of leading teams in Europe.

"The best example of this 'internationalization' is the Audi Cup, which has been a resounding success both in terms of quantity and quality," added the Audi spokeswoman.

"The 2011 competition was staged in Munich, and was broadcast in 180 countries, achieving more than one billion exposures during the pre-event and post-event coverage period."

Read: Manchester United signs new Asian sponsor

While the commercial gains are obvious, the company was also keen to point out that it would take "necessary constructive action" if players were found guilty of breaking motoring rules.

"Audi has sponsorship agreements with various associations and teams," added the spokeswoman.

"Many of these agreements also contain clauses concerning the provision of Audi vehicles.

"Of course, we work on the basis that all the drivers of these Audi vehicles will comply with existing traffic regulations.

"If this proves not to be the case, it is the responsibility of the association or team management to take the necessary corrective action."

Aura of invincibility?

But it is not always easy to comply with existing traffic regulations when you have an "aura of untouchability."

"Players have absorbed this and, as if by osmosis, have begun to believe they are above reproach," Ellis Cashmore, professor of culture, media and sport at Staffordshire University in the English Midlands, told CNN.

"Every day, they are surrounded by evidence of their immaculate status, whether in the media, or in restaurants and bars, or even just when they turn up for training where there's usually an assembly of adoring fans and obsequious journalists.

"Footballers are only doing what the likes of you, me and other consumers do all the time -- buy products that confer value on them.

"Fans buy trainers, shirts, or dogs. (yes, dogs are commodities nowadays), other people buy designer clothes, homes in desirable areas and, of course, cars."

When it comes to vehicles, added Cashmore: "Footballers buy even more expensive cars, which tend to be faster, so tickets for speeding and parking are, in practical terms, irrelevant.

"We are all part of the same process -- buying visible status. The difference is that footballers can afford more and want their status to be not just visible but ostentatiously visible."

It's not just players either -- managers have also been in trouble, with Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson famously being absolved of any wrongdoing in October 1999 after claiming he had severe diarrhoea and needed to reach a toilet after speeding down the highway.

Beckham

David Beckham was another to escape after winning an appeal against his eight-month driving ban in December 1999.

Beckham claimed he was trying to escape a paparazzi photographer when his Ferrari was clocked at 122 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.

According to the judge, there were "special circumstances" which had caused Beckham to break the speed limit.

Read: Giggs handed coach role

Both Ferguson and Beckham were represented by attorney Nick Freeman, a man who has been nicknamed "Mr Loophole" after successfully getting his clients off the hook.

Freeman has represented golfer Colin Montgomerie, singer Van Morrison and countless other celebrities during his time working in the business.

But other football stars haven't been so lucky:

The likes of Rio Ferdinand and Jermain Defoe have also felt the force of the authorities, with both men being handed bans from driving.

And Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo survived a high-speed crash in January 2011 after smashing his $303,000 Ferrari against a Manchester tunnel when he was playing for United.

Balotelli

And then there's that man, Mario "Why always me?" Balotelli, who crashed his Bentley last April in a collision with another car.

Balotelli, who now plays in Italy with Milan, paid out nearly $15,000 in parking fines and had his white Maserati impounded just the 27 times during his spell at City.

And while car sponsors continue to queue up to sign marketing deals with football clubs, others within the motor industry remain concerned about the impact players flouting the law has.

"It doesn't help having someone who can have cars at the higher end of the market who is ignoring the law," Damien Smith, editor of Motor Sport Magazine, told CNN.

"I was surprised that Tevez wasn't given a custodial sentence and the judge didn't make an example of him."

Smith adds, however, that it's not a new phenomenon; footballers and cars have had this relationship going back to the 1970s.

"Footballer players are very rich young men who have a penchant for buying nice shiny cars and have a reputation for buying the most expensive. They're high powered and high performance cars and there will be occasions when they go too fast."

Unfortunately, it's unlikely that footballers are about to change their way.

According to a survey taken in February 2011 by British insurance firm Elephant, professional football players "are the drivers most likely to have points on their driving license for committing offenses such as speeding, running red lights and using a phone whilst driving."

After consulting data from more than over three million motorists in the UK, research showed that almost a third of football players have points on their license.

Temptation

Elephant.co.uk managing director, Brian Martin, said at the time, "Powerful cars are closely associated with the footballers' lifestyle so perhaps for some of them the temptation to speed is simply too much."

With wages at the top level still rising and punishments such as that handed out to Tevez unlikely to act as a deterrent, life in the fast lane looks set to continue for a while longer.

But perhaps a sobering thought might give some football players a reason to pause and think.

Courtney Meppen-Walter had the world at his feet after joining Manchester City.

Now, at the age of 18, he is serving a 16-month sentence after being found guilty of causing the deaths of two people in a car crash.

He admitted to causing their death by careless driving and was banned from driving for three years.

Footballers may have a need for speed -- but the speed of thought might be more useful next time they consider flouting the law.


Via: Players' need for speed

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Milan into Champions League group stages

Mario Balotelli celebrates scoring Milan's second goal against PSV in the Champions League.

(CNN) -- Seven-time European champions AC Milan breezed into the group stages of the Champions League with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

The continent's top club competition would have seemed inconceivable without the Italian giants but they made light work of their youthful opponents at their San Siro stadium.

Two goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng and one from Italy striker Mario Balotelli secured Milan's passage to the lucrative group stages.

After suffering defeat in their opening Serie A game at the weekend to Hellas Verona, Milan restored some pride and ensured they will be in the hat when the draw is made on Thursday.

Read: Fenerbahce's two-year European ban upheld

If Milan enjoyed a comfortable night, Scottish champions Celtic had to secure their passage the hard way after coming back from a 2-0 first leg deficit to beat Shakhter Karagandy from Kazakhstan.

Shakhter were prevented from conducting their usual pre-match ritual of sacrificing a sheep and were hit by two goals either side of halftime as Kris Commons and Georgios Samaras leveled the tie.

And just as it looked like extra time was inevitable, James Forrest finished off a cross from Anthony Stokes to send Celtic manager Neil Lennon sprinting the length of the touchline to celebrate with his players.

Elsewhere, two goals from Carlos Vela helped Real Sociedad to a 2-0 victory over French side Lyon, the Spanish side winning 4-0 on aggregate.

Zenit St Petersburg booked their place with an emphatic 8-3 aggregate victory over Portuguese side Paos de Ferreira, winning 4-2 in Russia. Miguel Danny scored twice.

Czech club Viktoria Plzen triumphed 1-0 away to NK Maribor in Slovenia thanks to Stanislav Tecl's goal as they ran out 4-1 winners on aggregate.

In England's League Cup -- the third most prestigious domestic title behind the Premier League and the FA Cup -- five top flight clubs were in action.

Everton needed extra time to beat third tier Stevenage 2-1, while Aston Villa defeated Rotherham, from the same league 3-0.

Newcastle beat Morecambe, from the fourth tier, 2-0 while Cardiff triumphed 2-0 at Accrington Stanley and Stoke beat Walsall 3-1.

Read: Willian joins Chelsea as Bale switch moves closer

The draw for the third round threw up a tantalizing tie as Manchester United were drawn at home against Liverpool.

It is the first game in which Luis Suarez would be available to play for Liverpool after serving a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic at the end of last season.

Suarez was banned for eight games the previous season after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.


Via: Milan into Champions League group stages

Chelsea sign Willian as Bale waits

Willian is the first high-profile star to leave Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.

(CNN) -- At last it appears the pieces in soccer's latest transfer window jigsaw are slowly falling into place.

A pair of big-money moves involving English Premier League clubs on Wednesday could spark a frenzy of activity as Europe's leading clubs aim to finish their business before Tuesday's deadline.

London-based club Tottenham Hotspur are at the coalface as things stand, securing a $40 million deal shortly after missing out on another to rivals Chelsea.

All this with the potential world record transfer of their star player Gareth Bale to Spanish giants Real Madrid simmering in the background -- a move that manager Andre Villas-Boas admits is close.

Read: Fenerbahce's two-year European ban upheld

But while the two English clubs are splashing out lavish sums on new players, the teams they are buying from are resigned to having to offload their big names in a bid to balance the books.

Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala announced their intention to sell a swathe of their stars earlier this month, alerting both Chelsea and Tottenham to the availability of Brazilian midfielder Willian.

The 25-year-old appeared to be set for a move to Tottenham, but Chelsea swooped in to hijack the deal and on Wednesday announced it had been completed, for a fee reported to be $46.5 million.

It means manager Jose Mourinho has ten midfielders at his disposal and raises the prospect that Spanish playmaker Juan Mata, who hasn't featured in Chelsea's first two games of the season, might be sold.

Willian told Chelsea's official website: "Chelsea are one of the best clubs in the world, and now I'm going to play for one of the best managers in the world.

"It's been my dream to come to play here. Chelsea was always my first choice.

"Finally it's become a reality, and when the offer came I never gave a thought to anybody else, I said to myself that I would run here, and I'm happy to be here now."

Chelsea are still in the market for Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, who played for the English champions against Chelsea in their goalless draw on Monday night.

The striker was afforded a fine reception by the home supporters, and took to his Facebook page on Wednesday to thank them for their support, the biggest hint yet that he might opt to stay at Old Trafford.

Tottenham's frustration at missing out on Willian might have been eased by a new signing of their own, as Italian club AS Roma announced midfielder Erik Lamela was set to join them for a fee of $39.9 million.

At the same time the club confirmed the signing of Adam Ljajic from fellow Serie A side Fiorentina for $14.5 million, who is expected to fill the gap left by Lamela, from Argentina.

Lamela's acquisition means Tottenham have broken their transfer record three times in the close season, after the arrivals of Paulinho from Corinthians and Roberto Soldado from Valencia.

They have also signed Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue and Belgian winger Nacer Chadli as Villas-Boas overhauls his squad in the face of Bale's departure.

The Welshman's move to Real appears to be moving closer given Tottenham's transfer outlay, Villas-Boas telling a news conference on Wednesday it could happen "very soon."

But the Portuguese also registered his disappointment that Bale has missed several training sessions as the saga unfolded.

"He is involved in a big transfer move to Real Madrid and in the end if it happens, we wish him all the best, but the fact that he hasn't turned up is not the correct behavior," Villas-Boas told reporters.

"That is the position they chose to take and it's up to the club to decide if it's a fineable offense."

As for how quickly Bale's switch to Spain could be concluded Villas-Boas added: "It could happen very, very soon.

"Will he be in tomorrow? I don't know. I'm not really in control of the situation I've left it up to the club to decide what they want to do.

"It's up to Gareth (whether he wants to come back again). He has a good relationship with everybody and he has saluted the players the other day, myself included."


Via: Chelsea sign Willian as Bale waits

Fenerbahce's ban upheld

Fenerbahce were beaten 5-0 on aggregate in a two-legged Champions League playoff against Arsenal.

(CNN) -- Turkish football club Fenerbahce have been excluded from European competitions for two years after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld a ban issued by UEFA.

Fenerbahce were handed the sanction by European football's governing body for fixing matches to help the team win the 2011 Turkish Super Lig title.

The Istanbul team had been due to enter the second-tier Europa League after losing to English team Arsenal in a two-legged Champions League playoff.

Read: Is Real Madrid's Bale bid distasteful?

Fenerbahce were not immediately available for comment.

The CAS also upheld a one-year ban meted out to Ukrainian team Metalist Kharkiv, also for match-fixing.

Metalist were replaced by PAOK Thessaloniki in the Champions League qualification competition following the original verdict earlier this month. PAOK were subsequently eliminated by German club Schalke.

UEFA will meet on Thursday to discuss who will take Fenerbahce's place in the Europa League.

"UEFA welcomes today's decisions of the CAS rejecting the appeals made by Fenerbahce SK and FC Metalist Kharkiv against the UEFA Appeals Body decisions of 15 July 2013 and 14 August 2013 respectively," read a UEFA statement.

"The UEFA Emergency Panel will meet on Thursday afternoon to decide on the consequences the confirmed exclusion of Fenerbahce SK from the 2013/14 UEFA club competitions will have on the Europa League."


Via: Fenerbahce's ban upheld

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Guardiola's Bayern frustrated by Freiburg

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola shows his frustration as his side were held 1-1 at SC Frieburg.

(CNN) -- Bayern Munich dropped their first Bundesliga points of the season under new manager Pep Guardiola Tuesday -- frustrated by a late SC Freiburg equalizer in a 1-1 draw.

Guardiola made seven changes ahead of Friday's European Super Cup showdown with Chelsea, but the European champions should have still wrapped up the three points.

Xherdan Shaqiri put Bayern in front in the 33rd minute at the Mage-Solar Stadium, but paid the price for failing to add to their advantage when Freiburg substitute Nicolas Hofler leveled with four minutes remaining.

It has left the Bundesliga champions with 10 points from four games, a point clear of arch rivals Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz, who all boast perfect records from three games.

Read: Is Real's bid for Gareth Bale distasteful?

An unbeaten Bundesliga run of 29 games, dating back to last season was also extended, but there was a worrying development for Guardiola when captain for the night, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, limped off with an ankle injury near the end.

It had all looked so promising when German international Thomas Muller completed a superb run by crossing for Swiss star Shaqiri to open the scoring.

Muller and Shaqiri both had chances to double the advantage but Freiburg were rewarded for their endeavor when Sebastian Freis crossed for Hoefler to beat Manuel Neuer from close range.

Bayern laid siege to the home goal in the dying moments, but could not force the winner.

"If you're only 1-0 up in the Bundesliga, things like this can always happen," Guardiola told Bayern's official website.

"We have only ourselves to blame," added regular skipper Philipp Lahm, who came on as a second half substitute.

Read: Mourinho wants Rooney to make up his mind

Meanwhile, Bayern's Bundesliga rivals Schalke 04 secured their passage to this season's Champions League group stages with a thrilling 3-2 win in Greece over PAOK Thessaloniki.

After a 1-1 draw in Germany last week, Schalke's victory secured a 4-3 aggregate win, but they ended the match with 10 men after Jermaine Jones was red carded just after the hour mark.

The score stood at 1-1 at the time, but Schalke pulled ahead for the second time when Julian Draxler scored in the 79th minute, a crucial second away goal.

Konstantinos Katsouranis leveled for the home side, but Adam Szalai, with his second of the match, sealed a famous victory.

In their qualifying action, Arsenal wrapped up their place in the competition proper for the 17th straight time as two Aaron Ramsey goals saw them beat Fenerbahce 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

The English Premier League side had won the away leg in Turkey 3-0 but still fielded a strong side for the return leg.


Via: Guardiola's Bayern frustrated by Freiburg

Mourinho tells Rooney 'make up your mind'

England striker Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United from Everton in 2004.

(CNN) -- Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has told Manchester United's Wayne Rooney to decide where his future lies after the England striker starred in a goalless draw between the two teams on Monday.

Chelsea have seen two bids rejected by United for Rooney, who has been the subject of almost constant speculation throughout the transfer window.

When asked in his post-match press conference whether he wanted Rooney to publicly make his intentions clear, Mourinho responded: "Yes, I would."

Rooney started for United in David Moyes' first competitive match at Old Trafford since replacing Alex Ferguson as manager.

Read: Manchester Utd, Chelsea cancel each other out

Moyes is adamant Rooney will remain in Manchester, but it did not stop Mourinho saying last week that Chelsea would return with a third bid for the former Everton player.

Rooney, 27, joined United in 2004 and he is the fourth highest goalscorer in the club's history, having found the net 197 times in 404 appearances.

Mourinho intimated he had been alerted to Rooney's desire to leave United and now he has called on the player to conclude the issue once and for all.

"I think the person that started the story has to finish the story," continued the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach.

"A club like us, a manager like me, the people that work in the club with me, we are not silly to try to get a player from a big club, a big club that doesn't sell what they don't want to sell.

"We are not silly to try something if somebody didn't start [it]."

Blog: Can Moyes meet United challenge?

"Do you want me to tell you what for me is the most important thing?" Mourinho continued. "It is that he played very well.

"He was a real professional, playing for his club, playing for the club that pays him. He tried to win, tried to score. He was fantastic.

"After that he wants to leave? He has to say. Or he decided now he doesn't want to leave any more. His problem. But I praise him because he was fantastic, he played a fantastic match in difficult circumstances."

The draw leaves Chelsea top of the English Premier League with two wins and a draw from their opening three matches.

Defending champions United have four points, a win and a draw, from their opening two matches.


Via: Mourinho tells Rooney 'make up your mind'

Monday, August 26, 2013

Dour stalemate at Old Trafford

Amid ongoing speculation about his future, Wayne Rooney, left, played all 90 minutes for Manchester United on Monday.

(CNN) -- Even before Manchester United and Chelsea kicked off at Old Trafford on Monday, there was ample intrigue.

With Chelsea making no secret about its interest in United striker Wayne Rooney, would the Englishman start?

Rooney, who United repeatedly insist isn't for sale despite the 27-year-old putting in a transfer request at the end of last season, did make the starting 11 and played the full 90 minutes.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, didn't start a recognized striker, leaving $78 million man Fernando Torres on the bench.

He again omitted Chelsea's player of last season, creative midfielder Juan Mata.

In the end, both teams maintained their unbeaten start to the young season thanks to a mostly dour 0-0 draw.

In David Moyes' first home game in charge since replacing Alex Ferguson, the scoreless tie was the first in the league at Old Trafford in four years.

Read: Moyes named Ferguson's successor

The pre-game hype thus made for more fun than the game itself and the post-game comments from both managers provided yet more entertainment.

With reports of a club other than Real Madrid making a late bid for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, a smiling Moyes didn't deny United was the team in question.

"Manchester United will always be interested in the best players," Moyes told Sky Sports. "We're always looking to try to improve the team and the owners have given me every opportunity to bring in whoever I want."

Mourinho didn't rule out Chelsea making a third bid for Rooney, although he acknowledged the support the England international received from the crowd would make it difficult for him to leave.

Rooney's shift was full of commitment, particularly evidenced when he tracked back late to dispossess Ramires. He was arguably United's best player.

"(United fans) supported him all the way so I think this is a real special club with special fans and I think probably now he decides he wants to stay," Mourinho told Sky.

Chelsea went top of the standings with seven points through three games, having contested a game more than its rivals when the fixture against Aston Villa was moved up due to the Blues' upcoming Super Cup clash against Bayern Munich.

United, Chelsea and Manchester City are thought to be the title contenders this season and City was the first team to flinch when it lost 3-2 at newly promoted Cardiff on Sunday.

Read: Cardiff comeback stuns City

"I told the players before the game we want to win, we will play to win but if you don't win, you don't lose," said Mourinho. "I think the players understood this completely."

The first half Monday never took off. If ever a game needed a goal, as the saying goes, this was it.

United striker Robin Van Persie struck the side netting and somehow teammate Antonio Valencia escaped a yellow card from Martin Atkinson when he hacked down Oscar.

As the half drew to a close, Rooney almost slipped in van Persie but his pass was too heavy.

United began the second half with more urgency and Danny Welbeck -- who scored two goals in United's league opener last week versus Swansea -- should have done better when Rooney found him inside the box.

Chelsea's no-striker formation failed to match the potency of the Spanish national team and Torres entered in the 60th minute.

United wanted a penalty when it felt Tom Cleverley's shot struck Frank Lampard in the arm but Atkinson didn't budge.

"I think that's two in a week that Chelsea has had ... which have been good shouts," Moyes said, referring to an incident in the Villa game last week.

Rooney's rising shot in the 77th minute forced Petr Cech into a diving save and from the ensuing corner, Welbeck mistimed his header.

Chelsea was by this time happy with a point, further shown when Mourinho replaced Kevin de Bruyne with not Mata but defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel.

Three points for Madrid

In Spain, Real Madrid made it two wins from two league games to match Barcelona after beating Granada 1-0 away.

Karim Benzema, the French striker linked with Arsenal, accounted for the scoring with a 10th-minute goal.

Real Madrid could have added to its lead, but Isco hit the post and Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by keeper Roberto.


Via: Dour stalemate at Old Trafford

'Bluebirds' defeat leaves Man City red-faced

Cardiff striker Fraizer Campbell (left) celebrates with teammate Ben Turner (right) after scoring during the 3-2 victory over Manchester City.

(CNN) -- When Vincent Tan led a Malaysian takeover of Cardiff City in 2010, the Welsh soccer club was battling crippling debts -- and a long-awaited return to England's top flight was tantalizingly out of reach.

The new owners, frustrated by two more near promotion misses, decided that a major overhaul was necessary.

Along with major investment, the team's historic blue strip was last season changed to red to appeal to Asian supporters and a dragon put on the club crest in prominent place above its iconic bluebird.

One Cardiff fan was so disillusioned that he auctioned his club loyalty on eBay.

However, most supporters were won over when the "Bluebirds" clinched promotion to the Premier League as champions -- and their delight grew on Sunday with a shock victory over one of the richest clubs in the world.

Read: 'Supporter for sale' finds new home

Manchester City traveled to the Welsh capital on the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle on the opening day of the season, but left smarting after a 3-2 defeat against a side widely tipped for an immediate return to division two.

It was the first time Cardiff had hosted a top-flight match since 1962, and Malky Mackay's team had suffered a 2-0 defeat last weekend at West Ham -- a mid-table side last season.

"This was the first time that we've played at home in the Premier League, and the first time in 51 years that we've been in the top division, so it meant a lot to a lot of people," he told reporters after two goals from former Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell set up victory.

"I'm very proud of a lot of people at the club; obviously the players but also the fans who made the atmosphere unbelievable today. Also, the people who work at the club, because they've been through some tough times -- to see them with smiles on their faces as I walked through the tunnel lightens my heart.

"Manchester City are one of the top teams in Britain and Europe, and are full of top Premier League talent."

As Manchester City's new manager Manuel Pellegrini commented afterwards: " I did not expect to lose."

City, EPL champions two seasons ago, spent more than 100 million ($155 million) before the start of the season -- bankrolled by the club's oil-rich Abu Dhabi owners.

Read: Real Madrid's Bale bid 'lacks respect'

However, it was Edin Dzeko -- himself a big-money buy during the tenure of previous manager Roberto Mancini -- who put the visitors ahead seven minutes after the break.

But the Bosnia striker's stunning strike was soon canceled out by Cardiff's Iceland captain Aron Gunnarson, and one-cap England international Campbell then twice got the better of his marker Pablo Zabaleta to force home from successive corners.

Substitute Alvaro Negredo, one of Pellegrini's acquisitions, gave the visiting City hope with a debut headed goal of his own in the 90th minute but Cardiff held on.

"Playing against a Manchester City team that only lost one game from a winning position last season, and to come back and show that character today -- I thought we deserved to win the game," Mackay said.

"My players are here on merit -- we proved that today."

Meanwhile, Tottenham became the third team to start with successive victories after beating the EPL's other Welsh club, Swansea, 1-0 on Sunday.

New signing Roberto Soldado scored his fourth goal in three games as the London club joined Chelsea and Liverpool on six points.

The Spain striker scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the second half, as he did against Crystal Palace last weekend before netting twice in the 5-0 Europa League thrashing of Dinamo Tbilisi.

Gareth Bale, Tottenham's top scorer from last season, was given the weekend off due to his apparent injury.

The Wales forward is expected to be unveiled by Real Madrid in a world-record signing next week, but Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas said he expected the player to be at training on Tuesday.

"There is interest from Real Madrid. Whether the transfer will happen or not, hopefully you will have more news in the next couple of days but at the moment there is nothing I can tell you," he added.

"Tomorrow is a day off. Tuesday is training so I would expect him to be there."

Villas-Boas wryly shrugged off Chelsea's Sunday announcement that the club had hijacked Tottenham's bid to sign Brazil forward Willian from Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala but confirmed that Steaua Bucharest defender Vlad Chiriches is set to join Spurs.

"Maybe someone will steal him as well," Villas-Boas joked.

Chelsea, meanwhile,will face a big test of the club's title ambition under Villas-Boas' former mentor Jose Mourinho in Monday's clash with EPL champions Manchester United.


Via: 'Bluebirds' defeat leaves Man City red-faced

Messi-less Barcelona battle to victory

Barcelona's match-winner Adriano Correia gets past Malaga's Vitorino Antunes at La Rosaleda Stadium.

(CNN) -- What a difference a Messi makes. Last weekend "King Leo" inspired Barcelona to a seven-goal victory on the opening day of the Spanish soccer season, but in his absence Sunday the reigning champions battled to beat Malaga 1-0.

With the four-time world player of the year rested after suffering a bruised thigh in the midweek Spanish Super Cup draw with Atletico Madrid, new coach Gerardo Martino stuck to his word and left $75 million signing Neymar on the substitutes' bench.

And without a recognized striker, Barca struggled to make the team's usual dominance of possession pay off -- the winner at Malaga came courtesy of a superb curling shot by defender Adriano from outside the penalty area.

Neymar did get another run, but the 21-year-old Brazil star was unable to repeat his goal against Atletico as he was subjected to a series of rough challenges -- and had a late free-kick well-saved.

Earlier, Xavi's free-kick was deflected against the Malaga crossbar, but Barca ultimately had keeper Victor Valdes to thank -- as well as the woodwork.

Fabrice Olinga scrambled a shot that rebounded to safety off the post, then Sebastian Fernandez headed straight at Valdes when he should have equalized.

The win left Barca top of the table on goal difference from Atletico, despite the Madrid side's 5-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano earlier Sunday.

Raul Garcia scored in each half while Diego Costa, Arda Turan and Tiago also netted in a perfect warm-up for Wednesday's trip to the Nou Camp for the second leg of the Super Cup.

Real Madrid can also move onto six points by beating Granada on Monday, ahead of the expected unveiling of Tottenham forward Gareth Bale in what is tipped to be a world-record transfer fee.

Levante recovered from last week's drubbing by Barca, holding Sevilla 0-0, while Real Betis Celta Vigo beat Real Betis 2-1 in Sunday's late match despite having Borja Oubina sent off near the end.

In Italy, Inter Milan beat Genoa 2-0 in Walter Mazzarri's first match in charge, with Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo and Argentina forward Rodrigo Palacio scoring in the final 20 minutes.

"We must remember that these lads had gone four and a half months without winning at home, and there were lots of defeats in there too," former Napoli coach Mazzarri said, referring to the disastrous form which left Inter ninth in the table last season and well short of European qualification.

"We needed to shake off this fear that we'd concede on the first counter-attack. The players just needed a bit of belief."

Napoli's new coach Rafael Benitez also had a winning start as last season's runners-up beat Bologna 3-0, with two goals from Slovakian playmaker Marek Hamsik and the opener from former Real Madrid forward Jose Maria Callejon.

French coach Rudy Garcia was similarly successful in his first match with Roma, coming away from promoted Livorno with a 2-0 win thanks to second-half goals from Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Florenzi.

Lazio, fifth in the previous campaign, bounced back from last weekend's 4-0 Italian Super Cup defeat by Juventus to beat Udinese 2-1.

In France, champions Paris Saint-Germain won for the first time this season, beating Nantes 2-1 following two earlier draws.

Edinson Cavani, an $84 million signing from Napoli, put PSG ahead in the first half before an own-goal by defender Alex, but Ezequiel Lavezzi pounced for a 74th-minute winner after Lucas' shot was blocked on the line.

The result left Laurent Blanc's team four points behind top side Marseille and two behind second-placed Monaco.

In Germany, Eintracht Frankfurt notched a first win this season, 2-0 at Eintracht Braunschweig which left the promoted side bottom of the table without a point.

Stuttgart's 2-1 defeat by Augsburg left the five-time Bundesliga champions also on three losses.


Via: Messi-less Barcelona battle to victory

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Lazio punished for racist chanting

Lazio will stage their first match of the new Serie A season without a section of their fans

(CNN) -- Italian football club Lazio must play their opening home game of the season with a section of their fans banned from the match as punishment for racial abuse.

Organisers of Italy's top-flight championship Serie A said in a statement that it had found Lazio fans guilty of "shouts and chants expressive of racial discrimination against three players of the opposing team" during the Italian Supercup final Sunday.

The match, which was won 4-0 by defending Serie A champions Juventus, was held at Lazio's Olympic Stadium in Rome.

League chiefs said Lazio supporters in the Curva Nord stand twice directed sustained abuse at the players involved in the traditional Serie A curtain raiser.

As punishment, that section of the ground will now be closed for Lazio's match against Udinese on 25 August.

France midfielder Paul Pogba was one of the Juventus players targeted by abuse by some of Lazio's more hardcore supporters.

He told the French news agency AFP: "What can I do? I'm alone against 30,000 fans. They do that even though there are blacks in their team.

"It's also a lack of respect towards their own players.

"It's really not nice to come to a football match and hear those sort of things but I'm a player, I concentrate on my job."

Italian football has been plagued by racist discrimination, with the sport's authorities struggling to eradicate the problem despite repeated efforts.

In June the Italian Football Federation brought in new rules allowing referees to stop matches and warn fans about their behavior, while players and clubs could potentially face tougher sanctions.

Last season Lazio fans were found guilty of racist behaviour by Uefa four times.

Following Sunday's Supercup final, Juventus and Lazio were also both fined by 5,000 euros after fans lit flares in the stands.


Via: Lazio punished for racist chanting

Fan free Monaco held to goalless draw

Monaco's Radamel Falcao battles for the ball in front of empty stands in their home match against Toulouse.

(CNN) -- Big spending Monaco paid the price for the indiscretion of their fans last season when held to a goalless draw by Toulouse in Ligue 1 Friday.

Claudio Ranieri's men were playing in an empty Stade Louis II Stadium as punishment for scenes at their final home game of the 2012/13 campaign when flares where thrown and the pitch invaded.

Lacking atmosphere, Monaco's players could find no inspiration after 2-0 wins over Bordeaux and a 4-1 thumping of Montpellier in their opening matches.

Emmanuel Riviere, scorer of four goals in those games, and big money signing Radamel Falcao drew blank, but the former did go close twice against his old side in the first half.

A shot from Jeremy Toulalan which struck the crossbar late on was the closest Monaco came to scoring but they will top the French standings ahead of the weekend fixtures.

Read: Dortmund beat Bayern to claim German Super Cup

Monaco were taken over by Russian billionaire Dmitriy Rybolovlev and his cash injection saw them promoted from Ligue 2 to become one of the favorites for the title this term after bringing in a clutch of star players, including Falcao from Atletico Madrid.

Rybolovlev was among the few people allowed to watch Friday night as well as Monaco's Prince Albert, who saw a game played out in a surreal atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund went three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with a 1-0 home win over Werder Bremen.

Last season's Champions League finalists made it three wins from three games thanks to a goal from prolific Poland striker Robert Lewandowski.

He met Marco Reus's cross in the 55th minute to score the only goal of the game.

Bundesliga and European champions Bayern Munich can draw level on points with a win over Nuremberg Saturday.

Dortmund had the better of the match from the start, inflicting Bremen's first defeat under new coach Robin Dutt.


Via: Fan free Monaco held to goalless draw

Bayern record on Bundesliga's 50th

Arjen Robben, who scored in last season's Champions League final, celebrates his goal against Nuremberg.

(CNN) -- Bayern Munich celebrated the Bundesliga's 50th birthday by setting a new club record in Saturday's Bavarian derby against Nuremberg.

The European and German league champions triumphed 2-0 at home for a new milestone of 28 top-flight matches without defeat, giving new coach Pep Guardiola a perfect start of three wins from three.

The win left Bayern in third place on goal difference behind Bayer Leverkusen and table-topping Borussia Dortmund.

Having hit the post early on through Daniel Ginczek, Nuremberg had seemed set for a third successive draw after frustrating the home team in front of a 71,000 sellout crowd, as Raphael Schafer saved David Alaba's first-half penalty and denied several other Bayern efforts.

However, France midfielder Franck Ribery broke the deadlock with a header in the 69th minute after a teasing cross by captain Philipp Lahm to ensure that Bayern scored for a 40th successive match.

Arjen Robben, who had been fouled for the penalty, wrapped up the points nine minutes later as he finished a trademark run into the box with a low shot into the corner of the net.

Xherdan Shaqiri also hit the Nuremberg woodwork, having come on to replace Ribery.

"It's an important victory," said Guardiola, whose team next travels to Freiburg on Tuesday and then goes to Prague for Friday's European Super Cup match against English side Chelsea -- a rematch of the 2012 Champions League final.

"I'm satisfied, especially with the second half and our control of the game. Just like in Frankfurt, we hardly let them hit us on the break, which is something I've talked about a lot with the team.

"Especially when Franck and Arjen have the ball, we can attack at pace. Nuremberg were unbelievably well organized. It's always difficult against this type of team."

The match marked the debut of Bayern's new signing Mario Gotze, who played 68 minutes before being substituted in favor of Toni Kroos. Thomas Muller came on six minutes earlier, replacing Thiago Alcantara -- another newcomer, who made his first start.

"We ran out of gas in the course of the second half," said Nuremberg coach Michael Wiesinger, a Champions League winner with Bayern in 2001.

"I was impressed with the way Bayern never became impatient. They imposed their game on us and deserved the win."

Leverkusen claimed second place after beating Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 at home, with Germany winger Sidney Sam netting twice.

Mainz made it four clubs on nine points with a 2-0 win at home to Wolfsburg, whose new signing Luis Gustavo was sent off in the 64th minute for a second booking. It was the Brazilian's second game since leaving Bayern.

Schalke's poor start continued with a 2-1 defeat at Hannover, leaving coach Jens Keller under pressure ahead of next week's Champions League qualifier against PAOK Salonika. The Royal Blues have just one point from three games.

Hoffenheim drew 3-3 with Freiburg, while Hertha Berlin beat Hamburg 1-0 in Saturday's late match.

On Friday, last season's runners-up Dortmund won 1-0 at Werder Bremen thanks to a second-half goal from Poland striker Robert Lewandowski.

That match took place 49 years and 364 days after the two clubs met in the opening round of the newly-formed Bundesliga competition in 1963.

In France, Marseille notched a third successive win to move two points clear at the top of the table.

Striker Andre-Pierre Gignac netted a late winner at Valenciennes, while Lyon stayed third after losing 1-0 at home to Reims.

Second-placed Monaco drew 0-0 at home to Toulouse on Friday, while defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will seek a first win this season at Nantes on Sunday, following two draws.


Via: Bayern record on Bundesliga's 50th

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Real Madrid's Bale bid 'lacks respect'

The transfer window means football is rarely off the newspaper back pages in the off season. Much ink has been already been devoted to the question of whether Spurs' Welsh international Gareth Bale will join Real Madrid.

(CNN) -- Gareth Bale's imminent transfer to Real Madrid for a reported world-record fee has been criticized by Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino.

With Spain struggling amid a tough global economic climate, Martino questioned the appropriateness of Real spending on just one player a figure reputed to be at least $125 million and possibly as much as $145 million.

"He's a very good player, but the numbers seem to me almost a lack of respect for the world in general," the Argentine told reporters on Saturday at a press conference ahead of Barca's trip to Malaga.

Bale, who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham, is next week expected to be unveiled as Real's fifth world-record signing since 2000.

Read: Is Gareth Bale worth $120 million?

It will reportedly happen after Madrid, seeking to win back the La Liga title from Barca, play Granada on Monday in the club's second game this season.

Barca spent $75 million to sign Neymar from Santos in June, but Martino said the Brazil striker is not guaranteed to start Sunday's match in Malaga despite the absence of the injured Lionel Messi.

The four-time world player of the year is being rested as a precaution after suffering a bruised thigh in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid last Wednesday.

"Honestly, I am not worried because I think he is fine," Martino said of his compatriot.

"What happened the other day was coincidence. I think it is totally unnecessary to take risks at the start of the season."

Read: The transfer window explained

Neymar came off the bench to score the equalizer against Atletico, but Martino played down expectations surrounding the 21-year-old.

"I don't share this idea that says that Neymar must take over and take the lead if Messi is not there to do it," he said.

"We have Xavi, we have Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez, Pedro. There are too many players to expect Neymar to automatically be in the starting line-up.

"Nothing is going to shorten the time we think is necessary for Neymar to be ready."

Bale has reportedly already traveled to Spain, and will not play in Tottenham's home match with Swansea on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Wales international, who became the most sought-after talent on the planet following Neymar's decision to join Barca, also missed the London club's opening match of the EPL season last weekend.

Read: Turkish respite for Arsenal

Spurs have twice broken their club transfer record in apparent preparation for Bale's departure, signing Brazil midfielder Paulinho and Spain striker Roberto Soldado, while a $45 million deal for Willian was hijacked by Chelsea despite the Anzhi Makhachkala player having passed a medical at White Hart Lane last week.

In Saturday's EPL action, Liverpool joined Chelsea on two wins from two games after beating Aston Villa 1-0, as striker Daniel Sturridge followed up his goal from the opening victory over Stoke.

Arsenal, beaten by Villa last weekend, relieved the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger by defeating London rivals Fulham 3-1 as Germany forward Lukas Podolski scored twice and France striker Olivier Giroud netted the other for the visiting team.

Former Villa and England striker Darren Bent marked his Fulham debut with a goal after coming on as a second-half substitute, but Arsenal notched another morale-boosting win ahead of the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce -- having won 3-0 in Turkey last Wednesday.

Everton drew 0-0 at home to West Brom, and there was also a stalemate between Newcastle and West Ham, while Southampton hit back to hold visiting Sunderland 1-1.

Hull beat Norwich 1-0 but fellow promoted side Crystal Palace crashed to a second successive defeat, losing 2-1 at Stoke.

In La Liga, Valencia crashed 3-1 at Espanyol despite taking the lead through Portuguese forward Helder Postiga.

David Lopez headed a 33rd-minute equalizer before second-half goals from Cristian Stuani and Thievy Bifouma sealed victory for the Barcelona-based team.

Real Sociedad came back to earth with a bump following last week's 2-0 win over Lyon in the final Champions League qualifying round, being held 1-1 at promoted Elche.

Mexico striker Carlos Vela saved Sociedad with a second-half leveler following Ferran Corominas' second-minute opener.


Via: Real Madrid's Bale bid 'lacks respect'

Seven up for Barca in Martino's bow

Pedro and Lionel Messi were both on target twice in the 7-0 rout of Levante in the Nou Camp.

(CNN) -- New season, new manager same free scoring Barcelona who routed Levante 7-0 in their La Liga season opener Sunday.

Gerardo Martino's first competitive game could hardly have gone better, a record 6-0 ahead at the break in the Nou Camp, with Pedro adding his second before the final whistle.

New signing Neymar also made his Spanish league debut as a second half substitute, having been left on the bench by Martino after his midweek international exertions.

Read: New manager lays out his ambitions for Barca

"We need to continue like this, we know we have just started and the season is very long. If we keep going like this then we can achieve great things," goal scoring hero Pedro told Barcelona TV.

Argentine Martino, replacing the cancer-stricken Tito Vilanova at Barca, will certainly be hoping for repeat performances in their domestic title defense.

Talisman Lionel Messi ran the show in the first half, scoring twice and setting up a number of other goal scoring opportunities.

Alexis Sanchez opened their account after fine work from Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas before Messi grabbed his first of the new season.

Analysis: Martino who? Is El Tata the man for Barca?

Messi then set up the third for Dani Alves before his through ball allowed Pedro to open his account.

His second of the night came from the penalty spot and the first half scoring spree was completed by midfielder Xavi after excellent work from Fabregas.

Brazil international star Neymar came off the bench just after the hour mark to test his legs for his new club and came close to marking his debut with a goal before being booked late on.

"We put a lot of emphasis on pressing and we managed to sustain it for the majority of the match," said a delighted Martino.

Barcelona's arch rivals Real Madrid also began their campaign under new boss Carlo Ancelotti with a win, but were made to fight hard by Real Betis in the Bernabeu.

Jorge Molina put the visitors ahead with a well taken opener, but Karim Benzema canceled it out in the 26th minute.

Read: Ancelotti takes charge of Los Blancos

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the crossbar with a shot in the second half and wasted some good scoring opportunities before new signing Isco headed in an 86th minute winner from Marcelo's cross.

In the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund went top on goal difference with a 2-1 win over Eintracht Braunschweig.

Midfielders Marco Reus and Jonas Hofmann made the breakthrough with 75th and 85th minute goals, the second from the penalty spot.

The visitors grabbed one back when a corner deflected in off Borussia's star striker Robert Lewandowski.

Dortmund head five teams, including champions Bayern Munich, who have won both their opening two games in Germany.

Big spending Monaco have made a similarly fine start in France's Ligue 1 with a perfect record after two games.

They thrashed Montpellier 4-1 with Emmanuel Riviere grabbing a hat-trick as they moved alongside Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Marseille on to six points.

"At the moment, it's perfect, two matches, six points," said manager Claudo Ranieri.


Via: Seven up for Barca in Martino's bow

Friday, August 23, 2013

Death of Italian football exaggerated

Serie A champions Juventus are the only team in Italy's top division to own its stadium. The Juventus Stadium was opened in 2011 and holds 41,000 spectators.

(CNN) -- The Italian broadcaster Rai recently aired a piece of nostalgia that would have brought a tear to the eye of many Serie A fans.

It was a 1991 league game between AC Milan and Sampdoria.

Onto the pitch at Milan's imposing San Siro stadium strode a galaxy of stars, with the likes of Ruud Gullit, Roberto Mancini, Marco Van Basten, Gianluca Vialli and Attilio Lombardo strutting their stuff.

It was a glimpse back to a golden age. This was an era of almost fantasy football -- competitive, technical, flamboyant, creative and Italy basked in the knowledge that its top division was the envy of the world.

Ironically it was Serie A, and the Italia 90 World Cup, that played a key role in the resurgence of England's now all-conquering Premier League.

In 1991 English football was still grappling with the aftermath of the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters and many games were played in comparatively dilapidated stadiums under hooliganism's shadow.

Read: The horror of Heysel: Football's forgotten tragedy?

Serie A, with its foreign stars and newly-renovated arenas, presented a seductive model to follow.

Fast forward 22 years and things appear to have changed completely. Serie A seems not only to have fallen behind the English Premier League and Spain's La Liga, but also Germany's Bundesliga and Italy's latest usurpers, France's Ligue 1.

Drained of its international talent, plagued by corruption scandals and racism controversies, and struggling to update its creaking infrastructure, the once mighty Serie A looks a pale imitation of its former self.

Historian John Foot, author of the authoritative "Calcio, A History of Italian Football", has observed the Italian game's descent from its 90s peak, and laments its self-inflicted decline.

"They had a golden goose in the 90s and they killed it, which is incredible really," Foot told CNN.

Part of Serie A's financial malaise comes from the way the league's television rights have been sold. While the English Premier League's TV deals swelled its teams' coffers, Italy instead split the rights among individual clubs.

"The way the league has previously been packaged on television has been disastrous," says Foot, "with clubs acting purely in their own interests."

Read: For Italy's 'ultras,' nothing black and white about football and racism

Back in the early 90s, UK football fans, relatively starved of football on TV, consumed the freshly aired Italian football product with enthusiasm.

The standard bearer for Serie A on British television was broadcaster James Richardson, who can see some signs of positive change in an Italian game that has long been in the doldrums.

"You can see progress", he says, "and there's definitely a sense that Serie A is moving forward; the problem is that it's moving fairly slowly."

Richardson's enthusiasm for the Italian game remains strong, but he points to the pace of change in other leagues as a cause for concern.

"You have to view Serie A's progress in context," he continued. "The thing is that there has been an explosion of money in other leagues.

"The Premier League, the Bundesliga and now France have taken things to another level in that respect, so even though Serie A is improving too, the gap is actually widening. There are positives, but they're positives in a provincial sense."

Read: Monaco present taxing problem for French football

He also points out Italy lost its fourth Champions League spot -- only three Italian clubs currently qualify for Europe's premier competition, though ironically Juventus earned the most revenue in last season's tournament, surpassing even winners Bayern Munich.

"That was a huge financial blow, and you can see its effect on the second tier of Serie A clubs," noted Richardson.

Italy's "Old Lady"

Interestingly, a beacon of hope for the league is actually the club that suffered most from the fall-out of 2006's Calciopoli scandal.

Juve was heavily censured by the authorities at the time, but has since undergone a remarkable renaissance, culminating in the construction of an impressive new stadium -- the only club-owned facility in Serie A.

That revival saw Juve reach the Champions Leauge quarterfinals and also become the first to go unbeaten in Serie A's new 38-game format.

Foot says that the club, known in Italy as "The Old Lady," has shown others the way forward.

"Juve's success, and their new stadium, has given others a model they can aspire to," he said.

"You have to give credit to the way they've turned things around -- they were in disarray (after 2006) but they've managed to build a new stadium and a very impressive new team in an incredibly short space of time."

Aside from its obvious commercial advantages, Richardson also believes the new stadium has helped Juve on the pitch.

"It has had a huge benefit in terms of revenue, but actually people overlook its impact on atmosphere," he said. "That may well have had a positive effect on their performances on the pitch. Other clubs can really see that."

Read: Juventus offers Italian football recipe for success

In fact, several are already taking steps to follow the Juve model, with Roma, Lazio and Sampdoria all tabling proposals for new stadiums, and Inter exploring the idea of moving away from the San Siro.

Of course, this being Italy, these proposals are fraught with complexity.

"It is hard to get things done in Italy, especially in the big cities," explains Foot.

"You need the support of local government and it gets very complicated. The problem is always local politics. The new stadium proposals in Rome and Milan will be difficult to realize because of that. I'm not sure I can see them happening any time soon.

"It may be easier in the smaller cities though, so perhaps in somewhere like Genoa (home of Sampdoria) there's a better chance."

Stamping out racism

The most public problem Serie A has faced in recent months has been the issue of racism, but to the credit of the league, it appears determined to stamp this out.

Most recently, Lazio has seen its famous Curva Nord (the section of the stadium occupied by its hardcore Ultras) closed by the authorities.

"Shutting the Curva is a huge step," said Foot. "These fans live for that, it's everything to them, so it's really hitting them where it hurts."

As this most beautiful and cultured of countries readies itself for a new football campaign, there are other indications that Serie A might finally be getting back on track to compete with Europe's big leagues.

"The stadiums, the fans, the racism issue -- all that needs sorting," adds Foot, "but there are signs that is starting to happen.

"The crucial thing is the way the league is marketed; marketing Serie A as a package, which focuses on the whole league, not just the big teams, has to be the way to drive success."

The latest TV deal may not be as lucrative as that of England's Premier League, but it is at least far more equitable.

"Serie A has finally got its act together on TV rights," says Foot, "and you can also see clubs like Napoli and Udinese investing their money wisely or making long-terms plans."

Indeed, Napoli have caught the eye this transfer window, and appear ready to put up a serious fight for the Scudetto, not least because of their military style new away kit.

Read: Cavani signs for PSG

The departure of Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain has been offset with some interesting arrivals, particularly Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid, for whose signature Napoli resisted competition from Arsenal, and the experienced manager Rafael Benitez.

The comparative lack of cash in the Italian game has had one positive knock-on effect, however -- the development of young players.

"There are so many technically gifted, very talented young Italian players in Serie A now," says Foot, "which is the opposite to what's going on with English players in the Premier League.

"You can see the benefit of that in the Italian national side, which is very strong and will definitely be challenging for honors at the World Cup."

Italy also continues to be a production line for managers, with many -- such as Carlo Ancelotti and Gianfranco Zola -- plying their trade successfully outside Italy, but plenty more are coming through the ranks.

"They are always hugely knowledgeable about the game and highly technical", says Foot.

Read: Balotelli: Happy to have left England

Richardson also points to a new more attacking outlook that has taken hold, consigning the cliche of defensive "Catenaccio" to history.

"There are managers in Serie A with much more attacking philosophies now," enthuses Richardson.

"Rudi Garcia (who has joined Roma from Lille) is another one in that mold. There's also a commitment to good technical football and tactical excellence that marks the league out."

While many European leagues have become rather predictable, Serie A also appears to be regaining its competitive edge.

In the 90s the Italian league boasted seven teams that would routinely challenge for the title, known as "Le Sette Sorelle," or "The Seven Sisters" -- Milan, Inter, Juve, Roma, Lazio, Parma, and Fiorentina.

Read: Benitez to take charge at Napoli

Richardson can see the coming years being similarly open.

"We might not be quite back to those days yet," he says, "but you can make a case that we're getting there -- with Napoli and Udinese perhaps replacing Lazio and Parma.

"That makes the league really open, and arguably a lot more exciting than say Spain, or even Germany."

As for this year's competition, Juve -- who have added Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente to their attacking armory -- are firm favorites, but other teams will certainly be interesting to watch.

"Inter may have a long hard season ahead of them; the new ownership there has pulled the handbrake on transfers at a time when they really need investment," says Richardson, " but Napoli are very interesting, and there's a lot of potential at Milan.

"They have some good young players and the return of Nigel De Jong will help shore them up defensively.

"Fiorentina have a really talented and exciting midfield, and Mario Gomez is potentially a fantastic asset to add to that, not to mention the return of Giuseppe Rossi. Those two could make them pretty formidable going forward."

The days of Serie A sitting at the pinnacle of European football may be in the past, but it is clear that reports of its death have been exaggerated.

With its mix of youth, new signings, unrivaled technical ability and the inevitable soap opera off the pitch, we could instead be in for a vintage season of Italian football.


Via: Death of Italian football exaggerated

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Manchester City thrash Newcastle to go top

Sergio Aguero and David Silva celebrate scoring for Manchester City to help set up victory against Newcastle.

(CNN) -- Manchester City's million dollar summer signings were paraded in their first Premier League game of the season but it was City's old guard who earned a priceless first win for new manager Manuel Pellegrini.

David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri all scored as Manchester City sailed past Newcastle United 4-0.

The victory saw City overhaul local rivals, defending champions Manchester United, at the top of the Premier League table after the first round of matches.

The result also compounded a dismal start to the new season for Newcastle -- who were reduced to 10 men -- as the defeat saw them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Manchester City have splashed the case in the summer transfer window and there was close to $100m worth of new talent on display at the Etihad Stadium.

Pellgrini gave full debuts to Spanish winger Jesus Navas and Brazilian Fernandinho in a revamped midfield before bringing on Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo in the second half.

Negredo had a goal disallowed late on but the core of the team created by former manager Roberto Mancini had already given the new Chilean boss value for money against Newcastle.

Read: Pellegrini named as Mancini's successor

"It's a very good start but I was very confident that the team would play well," Pellegrini told the media after the match.

"We worked very hard during preseason, we were trying another style of football and we must continue to improve but for the first match, it was good.

"The most pleasing aspect was the way the team played for 90 minutes, from the beginning the attitude was aggressive and we continued to play that way for the whole match."

City were unleashed at the whistle and Edin Dzeko and Pablo Zabaleta --who signed a new four year contract to stay at City earlier on Monday -- both came close to scoring.

With barely six minutes on the clock, Silva headed in Dzeko's cross to see City's lively start to the match rewarded.

Aguero found the bottom corner to send City into the break 2-0 up and things got worse for Newcastle when Steven Taylor was show a red card for swiping the Argentine striker with his arm.

Toure glided in a free kick to stretch City's advantage and substitute Nasri pounced on a loose ball to complete the rout.

The only downside for City was the exit of captain Vincent Kompany with a suspected groin injury.

The result underlined City's credentials as championship contenders for their third season in a row.

After the first round of Premier League matches, the two Manchester clubs top the standings ahead of Aston Villa and Chelsea.

There were also wins for would be title challengers Liverpool and Tottenham while Arsenal suffered the misery of a home defeat to Villa.


Via: Manchester City thrash Newcastle to go top

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Respite for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger

Kieran Gibbs (center left) is mobbed after scoring Arsenal's opening goal in Turkey.

(CNN) -- They had only played one competitive match of the new season but already the knives were out at Arsenal.

Despite boasting of the financial muscle at their disposal they had failed to sign one player or spend a single pound before the new English Premier League campaign kicked off.

And when they were beaten at home on Saturday by Aston Villa -- who narrowly avoided relegation last season -- a predictably poisonous atmosphere resulted.

Fans vented their fury not only at their under-performing stars but also manager Arsene Wenger, and especially the board, for the lack of new faces.

Read: Bayern Munich help imprisoned player Breno

But Wenger's beleaguered squad lifted the storm clouds, for now at least, with a decisive 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce in the first leg of a critical European Champions League playoff Wednesday.

Entry to the lucrative competition was seen as vital if they are to attract some big-name signings before the transfer window shuts on September 2.

And Arsenal made light work of their assignment in the Turkish city of Istanbul, as goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud all but sealed their progress.

In truth, Arsenal were far superior to Fenerbahce, who could have be expelled from the competition even if they were to progress in the tie.

The Turks are awaiting the outcome of an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging a ban from European competition handed down to them by UEFA on match-fixing charges.

But after Gibbs turned home a cross from England international Theo Walcott on 51 minutes Fenerbahce's threat was limited.

Ramsey doubled the Gunners' lead with a powerful strike from outside the area and Olivier Giroud converted a late penalty after Walcott was adjudged to have been brought down in the area.

After the game Wenger told Sky Sports: "We could have be a little bit shaky after what happened on Saturday so it was important to start on the right foot."

As for the possibility of making some signings before the transfer window shuts he added: "A lot will happen in the last ten days."

Elsewhere, Greek side PAOK Salonika, who were reinstated to the competition after Ukrainians Metalist Kharkiv were thrown out on match-fixing charges, drew 1-1 with Schalke in Germany.

Read: Milan boost Champions League hopes

Jakub Kosecki's equalizer helped Polish side Legia Warsaw to a 1-1 draw with Steaua Bucuresti in Romania while Austria Vienna won 2-0 away at Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

Two goals from Mohamed Salah helped Swiss club FC Basel to a 4-2 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria.

In the English Premier League, Jose Mourinho made it two wins from two games as Chelsea beat Aston Villa in a controversial clash at Stamford Bridge.

The home side took the lead when Eden Hazard's shot cannoned off Villa's American goalkeeper Brad Guzan and into Antonio Luna, propelling the ball over the line.

But Villa equalized when Belgian international Christian Benteke grabbed his third goal of the season, finishing a smart move at the near post.

Branislav Ivanovic was perhaps fortunate not be sent off when he appeared to elbow Benteke and he proved to be the match winner, heading Frank Lampard's free kick home with 17 minutes left.

After the game Mourinho told reporters: "That was very hard, I've missed that about the Premier League. This is what I like. Villa probably deserved a point."


Via: Respite for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger

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