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England and Nike strike £400m kit deal

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Nike will continue to make England’s kits until 2030 after the Football Association announced a new 12-year contract on Tuesday (Dec 13) reported to be worth £400 million (US$507.3 million).

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The new deal, which will see all of England’s 24 representative football teams clad in Nike kits, will benefit both grassroots and women’s football in the country, the FA said.

Neither the FA nor American sportswear giant Nike confirmed the value of the deal, but the £400 million figure was widely cited by British media.

“The FA is a not-for-profit organisation and this new deal, effective from August 2018, will represent a significant investment across English football and further support grassroots initiatives and the growth of the women’s game throughout the country,” said the FA in a statement.

Nike took over the England contract from British firm Umbro, which was briefly a Nike subsidiary, in 2013.

The timing of the announcement is a welcome piece of good news for the FA after a bruising year that saw England humiliated by minnows Iceland at Euro 2016.

Roy Hodgson stepped down as manager after the game and his successor Sam Allardyce lasted just one game in charge after making injudicious remarks to undercover journalists.

The recent slew of allegations about sexual abuse in English football from decades ago has prompted them to open a review into whether the FA was aware of the claims at the time.

On Monday, meanwhile, five former senior FA officials demanded the British Government reform an “out of balance” organisation filled with “elderly white men”.

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Arsenal get Bayern again, Barcelona return to Paris

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Switzerland: Arsenal were once again drawn against Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Monday (Dec 12), while Barcelona will also come up against familiar foes in the shape of Paris Saint-Germain.

The Champions League last 16 draw was held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)

The Champions League last 16 draw was held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)

Arsene Wenger’s side had hoped winning their group for the first time in five years would spare them a tie against one of the continent’s giants in the first knockout round. But instead they must face Carlo Ancelotti’s German champions, who came second in their section, with the first leg in Bavaria.

Bayern eliminated Arsenal en route to winning the trophy in 2012/13 and repeated the feat a year later, while the teams also met in the group stage last season – the Gunners won 2-0 in London but lost 5-1 at the Allianz Arena.

“It’s an interesting and difficult draw. We know Arsenal from the last few years when we often played against them, twice already in the last 16, when we had a good experience and got through,” said Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

“Arsenal are a strong team and I rate them as stronger at the moment than in the last few years.”

PSG came second to Arsenal in Group A, leaving them more vulnerable to a tough draw and five-time winners Barcelona have eliminated the French club in the quarter-finals in two of the past four seasons, while the teams also met in the group stage in 2014/15.

“If I could have chosen another team, I would have done,” admitted Paris director of football Patrick Kluivert, a former Barcelona striker.

Barcelona vice president Jordi Mestre told beIN Sports Spain: “There is no guarantee but it does give you a certain confidence to have beaten them before. Every game is different and we will see what happens.”

CITY GIVEN MONACO TEST

Reigning European champions Real Madrid will face Napoli as they look to win the trophy for a record 12th time, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City face a testing two-legged encounter against Monaco.

City, currently struggling for form, cannot afford to take the principality side lightly – they are the most prolific side in Europe’s leading leagues this season and have beaten Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League in the past two years.

“We are happy to be here, and then we have avoided Real Madrid and Barcelona,” City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain told BT Sport.

“Monaco are playing probably the best football in France now. In a group with Tottenham and Bayer Leverkusen they were top and they have young players and a lot of talent.”

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim said: “Manchester City are looking to win the Champions League. We are not the favourites but we believe in our qualities.”

Premier League champions Leicester City will take on last season’s Europa League winners Sevilla as a reward for topping their group in their debut appearance in the competition, with a visit to the Sanchez Pizjuan in the first leg.

Leicester’s European form – an English record 5-0 defeat at Porto last week apart – has provided a welcome tonic amid a poor defence of their domestic title but manager Claudio Ranieri insisted his team remained the underdogs.

“Whoever we played would have been a tough opponent, but I think all the teams who arrived second will have wanted to play against us and I know that we will be the underdogs once again. Always we are underdogs, every time,” he told the club’s website.

Atletico Madrid, runners up to city rivals Real in two of the last three seasons, were drawn against Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen in a repeat of their clash at the same stage in 2014/15. On that occasion, Atletico emerged victorious after a tense penalty shoot-out.

Two-time winners Juventus were drawn against FC Porto, while Borussia Dortmund also face Portuguese opposition in the shape of Benfica.

The first legs will be played on Feb 14, 15, 21 and 22 with the second legs on Mar 7, 8, 14 and 15.

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Ronaldo wins fourth Ballon d’Or crown

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Cristiano Ronaldo called it “a dream come true again” as he won his fourth Ballon d’Or on Monday (Dec 12) to get one over his nemesis Lionel Messi for the title of best player in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo won the Champions League with Real Madrid and European Championships with Portugal in recent months. (AFP/FABRICE COFFRINI)

Cristiano Ronaldo won the Champions League with Real Madrid and European Championships with Portugal in recent months. (AFP/FABRICE COFFRINI)

It was the perfect ending to another fantastic year for the Real Madrid star, who won the Champions League for the second time in three seasons and then led Portugal to their first major title at Euro 2016 – albeit he went off early injured and in tears in the surprise win over France.

As has been the case for almost a decade now, the 31-year-old’s main rival was Messi – but the Barcelona and Argentine maestro had to relinquish the crown after a less-than-stellar year for club and country by his lofty standards.

Ronaldo is now one Ballon d’Or behind Messi, who was second this time with French striker Antoine Griezmann third.

Never one to play down his achievements, Ronaldo was spotted midweek in training having dyed his hair gold in anticipation and several media outlets published a photo earlier on Monday appearing to confirm he was the winner, before France Football made the official announcement.

Ronaldo is now one Ballon d’Or behind last year’s winner Messi.

“For me it’s a great honour to receive my fourth Ballon d’Or. The emotion is like the first one – it’s the dream come true again,” Ronaldo, who is at the Club World Cup in Japan, told L’Equipe TV.

“I never thought in my mind to win four times the Ballon d’Or, I’m so pleased and so happy. I have to thank all my team-mates, the national team, Real Madrid, all the people, the players who helped me to win this individual trophy. I want to enjoy this moment because it’s not easy to win this.”

Fourth was Luis Suarez and fifth his fellow Barcelona attacker Neymar, with Ronaldo’s Welsh team-mate Gareth Bale sixth.

‘SENSATIONAL YEAR’

Ronaldo was the firm favourite to win, but the prestigious prize comes at a time when the prolific forward has generated negative headlines in the past week over accusations of tax evasion.

Denying any wrongdoing, he responded by publishing his financial records on Thursday, showing last year he earned a bumper €227 million (US$240 million).

“You believe I am worried? He who owes nothing, fears nothing,” Ronaldo told broadcaster RTP.

Ronaldo, the highest-paid sportsman in the world, first won the Ballon d’Or in 2008 after Premier League and Champions League triumphs with Manchester United.

But it was only in 2013 that he added his second – Messi had hogged it before then – and Ronaldo made it a hat-trick the following year.

United were quick to offer their congratulations on Twitter, calling a fourth Ballon d’Or “incredible”.

Real said Ronaldo, who last month signed a bumper new five-year contract, had enjoyed “a sensational year”.

The first Ballon d’Or was won by Stanley Matthews, at the time with Blackpool, who beat Alfredo Di Stefano for the inaugural title in 1956. The Ballon d’Or is decided by a vote of 173 journalists.

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Costa keeps Chelsea in front, Mkhitaryan downs Spurs

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A superb Diego Costa strike stretched Chelsea’s winning run to nine matches, equalling their streak from 2007, after they overcame West Brom 1-0 on Sunday (Dec 11) in the Premier League.

Diego Costa scored as Chelsea returned to the top of the English Premier League table with a 1-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion on Dec 11, 2016. (Photo: AFP/Justin Tallis)

Diego Costa scored as Chelsea returned to the top of the English Premier League table with a 1-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion on Dec 11, 2016. (Photo: AFP/Justin Tallis)

Costa’s 12th goal of the season sees the Blues maintain their three-point advantage over Arsenal who briefly went top on goal difference after beating Stoke 3-1 on Saturday.

It was a good day for the top two as others in the chasing pack dropped points.

Liverpool stay third – six points off the top – but for a second successive week dropped points when they were expected to win.

Defensive errors, just as in the 4-3 defeat by Bournemouth last Sunday, saw them held 2-2 at home by struggling West Ham.

The Gunners’ north London rivals Spurs lost ground after going down 1-0 at Manchester United but despite the loss remain in fifth on 27 points, 10 adrift of Chelsea.

United, for whom Henrikh Mkhitaryan opened his account in the Premier League before going off on a stretcher with a left ankle injury, are 13 points shy of the leaders but only six off the Champions League spots.

United manager Jose Mourinho hailed the three points haul as “magic” and said he thought Mkhitaryan risked missing just two weeks.

West Brom made it difficult for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge until Costa seized on the ball 14 minutes from time, brushed off the attention of Gareth McAuley and rifled the ball past Ben Foster into the top far corner.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte feted his players for winning nine in a row — scoring 23 and conceding just two goals — in a “very tough league”.

“I’m very happy. We faced a tough, physical team. They’re difficult to break down and we showed great patience to find the right solution,” said the 47-year-old Italian. “It wasn’t easy but my players showed great character and motivation to win.

“We are working very well. When you don’t find the goal, it becomes more difficult but we were very good to find in the right moment to do it.”

The United and Spurs match was of a far better quality with the hosts going close through Paul Pogba, who hit the post and also forced Spurs’ French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris into a superb save in the second-half.

The visitors could have gone home with a share of the points but for a woeful misdirected header from unmarked Kenyan midfield enforcer Victor Wanyama.

“Our heart was in our hands but the players gave us everything. These three points are magic because it’s against a very good team so it means more for us,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

Liverpool made the dream start against the Hammers through Adam Lallana – set up by Sadio Mane – but the visitors showed the commitment they had been accused of lacking last week by manager Slaven Bilic in storming back to lead 2-1.

A free-kick by Dimitri Payet – which underfire goalkeeper Loris Karius could have done better with – and then a terrible misjudgement by Joel Matip allowed Michail Antonio to put them ahead.

However, another piece of trickery by Mane bamboozled the Hammers defence and a terrible error from his cross by Irish international ‘keeper Darren Randolph allowed Divock Origi to level.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp didn’t think it was as bad as the performance which saw them surrender a 3-1 lead against Bournemouth the Sunday before and lose 4-3.

“So it’s a draw we have to take it. It felt like the whole time we were were in their box. We needed a bit of luck. Draw, doesn’t feel too good. doesn’t feel too bad,” the 49-year-old German told Sky Sports.

In a match involving two struggling teams, Southampton ended a bad week with a much-needed win, beating Middlesbrough 1-0 to move Saints eight points clear of the relegation places.

Collated English Premier League results on Sunday:

Chelsea 1 (Costa 76) West Brom 0

Manchester United 1 (Mkhitaryan 29) Tottenham 0

Southampton 1 (Boufal 53) Middlesbrough 0

Liverpool 2 (Lallana 5, Origi 48) West Ham 2

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Cristiano Ronaldo declared €20m in Swiss banks: Report

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Cristiano Ronaldo declared income of over €225 million (S$340 million) in 2015, including €20 million held in 22 Swiss bank accounts, a Spanish newspaper reported Sunday (Dec 11) as the Real Madrid star battles accusations of tax evasion.

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The Portuguese international earned €203.7 million outside of Spain and 23.5 million inside the country, according to a copy of his 2015 tax return obtained by daily newspaper El Mundo.

The figures match the details of the player’s income published Thursday by the player’s management company Gestifute, which argued they show Ronaldo was in compliance with Spain’s tax authority.

But El Mundo provided a more detailed breakdown of his finances.

It said he had €20 million in Swiss banks – the vast majority, more than €17 million, in three accounts at Swiss private bank Mirabaud. The rest of his money in the country was held in 19 accounts in regional Swiss bank St. Galler Kantonalbank.

The player had just €33,452 in five bank accounts in his native Portugal, the newspaper added.

Ronaldo had €14 million invested in 19 SICAVs – an investment fund similar to mutual funds – in Luxembourg, the newspaper added.

The rest of his foreign holdings was made up of shares, bonds and real estate.

Ronaldo’s finances have been in the spotlight after an international consortium of media organisations claimed earlier this month that a huge data leak involving 18 million documents showed the player hid €150 million from image rights in the British Virgin Islands.

Spanish tax authorities are investigating the allegations.

Ronaldo, 31, denies wrongdoing and said after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund that “he who owes nothing isn’t afraid”.

The financial details released by his management company last week relate only to 2015 and Spanish tax authorities are reportedly focusing on possible irregularities in his tax declarations as a non-resident between 2011 and 2014.

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Vietnam say good-bye to AFF Suzuki Cup 2016

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Mistakes by the defensive line forced Vietnam to leave the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF)’s Suzuki Cup 2016 after a 2-2 draw with Indonesia in the semi-finals’ second leg at home on December 7.

Đội tuyển Việt Nam dừng bước ở bán kết

Vietnam entered the home match at My Dinh Stadium with great hope to turn the tables after their 1-2 away loss to Indonesia in the first leg on Saturday.

The hosts had three changes in the lineup. After suspension, defender Dinh Luat returned to the centre of the defensive line to replace Tien Dung. On the midfield, Van Toan and Thanh Trung were awarded opportunities instead of Thanh Luong and Van Thang.

With huge support from 40,000 home fans, Vietnam made attacks right from the first few minutes. The constant pressure helped Coach Nguyen Huu Thang’s players create initial difficulties for the guests.

In the eighth minute, the hosts had the first shot. Van Thanh made a finish from outside the penalty area, but the ball just missed Indonesia’s goal.

Opportunities continuously came to Vietnam as the guests focused on counterattack tactics and played on their half, giving all the midfield to the home side.

In the 21st minute, the ball was delivered to the penalty area, but Captain Cong Vinh proved to be too slow against goalkeeper Meiga’s pressure.

Thirteen minutes later, Vietnam was granted a free kick from 20m. Thanh Trung was good but not enough to net the ball.

In the last minutes of the first half, the hosts had a range of chances to score, but Vietnam’s strikers could not make a goal.

The first few minutes into the second half seemed to be the same as during the first half. Vietnamese players strengthened pressure on their visitors. Van Toan had a chance to test Meiga’s skill, but his shot narrowly missed the pole. Next, Thanh Trung sent the ball towards Indonesian goal but Cong Vinh was unable to touch it.

Playing offensive but unable to score, Vietnam suffer in the worst possible way. It seemed that the ball was hanging harmlessly into Vietnam’s penalty box but defender Dinh Dong and goalkeeper Nguyen Manh’s inconsistencies lead to very unfortunate goal. Stefano Lilipaly punished Vietnam’s mistake with the opening goal in the 54th minute.

Vietnam’s defensive line seemed to be unstable at the tournament, as they occasionally made mistakes in key matches. In addition, the unfortunate goal depressed Vietnam, while the Indonesian squad slowed down the match to play defensive.

Coach Huu Thang sent into the field several substitutions, but the home team still could not create clear openings. The match turned tougher in the 75th minute for Vietnam as goalkeeper Nguyen Manh suddenly received a red card. All three substitutions were made, so defender Que Ngoc Hai was forced to become the reluctant goalkeeper.

In the last ten minutes, hope was rekindled for Vietnam as Van Thanh scored the equaliser in the 83rd minute with a long shot from outside the penalty area.

The strengthened attacks paid off later when substitute Vu Minh Tuan became a hero with his precious goal in the 3rd minute of injury time, sending his home team into a 2-1 lead.

The levelled scoring after the official 90 minutes of the two matches sent the two teams into extra time.

Vietnam’s sprit was high thanks to its lead, but once again mistakes from the defensive line made them suffer. In the 96th minute, their offside trap was broken and goalie Que Ngoc Hai was forced to make a foul in the penalty area. A penalty was given to Indonesia and Lestusen made no mistake to level the scoring.

The results were hard for the hosts, leaving them with the impossible task of netting two more goals to earn a berth in the final.

The last few minutes saw ten-man Vietnamese side bombarding their guests’ goal, but Indonesia were strong enough to maintain the 2-2 draw after 120 minutes. The results helped them gain the first official ticket to the two-leg final match, slated for December 14 and 17.

Indonesia’s rivals in the final will be determined after the second semi-finals between hosts Thailand and Myanmar on Thursday. In the first leg, Coach Kiatisuk Senamuang’s side won a 2-0 victory over Myanmar in Yangon.

 

Asia backs 48-team World Cup, says FIFA boss

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FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Thursday (Dec 8) said Asian countries backed his plan to expand the World Cup to 48 teams – and added that up to three countries should be allowed to co-host the tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends a media briefing after the FIFA Executive Football Summit in Singapore on Dec 8, 2016. (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends a media briefing after the FIFA Executive Football Summit in Singapore on Dec 8, 2016. (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)

Infantino, speaking after a three-day FIFA summit in Singapore, said Asian football associations “unanimously” supported a larger World Cup, with a “big majority” favouring 48 teams.

Infantino’s proposal for a 48-team World Cup in 2026, featuring 16 groups of three, will be submitted to the FIFA Council next month. A 40-team World Cup is also on the table.

“They are very supportive on expanding it. Everyone, unanimously,” Infantino told reporters. “All of them were in favour of an increase and a big, big, big majority were in favour of the 48 teams with the 16 groups of three,” he added.

The FIFA Council will vote in Zurich on Jan 9-10 whether to maintain the current World Cup format of 32 teams, or extend it to 40 or 48.

Under the 16-group format, every qualified team would play at least two games and the top two in each group would then go through to the last 32.

“I like 40 (and) I like 48 with the play-offs because it brings excitement before the group stage,” Infantino said. “But the 16 groups of three means that every game is important. There is no dead rubber. Every game is meaningful, is important.”

Asia currently has four designated World Cup berths, with a fifth available via a play-off. The Asian confederation is the world’s second biggest with 46 full members.

‘UPSIDE FOR FOOTBALL’

Infantino also said he supported allowing up to three countries to co-host the World Cup, instead of expecting one bidder to provide a dozen stadiums.

Japan and South Korea co-hosted the tournament in 2002 but a World Cup spread across three countries would be unprecedented.

“If a country does need to have 12 stadiums of more than 50,000 spectators but only (has) four, then why shouldn’t we allow three countries to join forces, each country four stadiums and have 12 stadiums?” Infantino said.

“That would then fit more in football development strategy … and more countries could participate in the dream of hosting at least one part of the World Cup, so I’m very open to it.”

He added that club football would not be affected by an expanded World Cup, and stressed that countries around the globe would reap the benefits of being able to participate.

“There’s no downside for the clubs because the calendar is not impacted,” he said.

“But there’s an upside for football because it allows eight or 16 more teams and more countries and more regions in the world to participate in the competition, which is the World Cup.”

Infantino also described his trip to Chapeco in Brazil as “very, very emotional” after he attended a massive funeral for the city’s football team, which was all but wiped out in a plane crash.

Asked if there are plans to help rebuild the team, Chapocoense, Infantino said there will be “programmes to help them”, without giving any details.

Source AFP

Dortmund hold Real as Porto, Sevilla make last 16

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Borussia Dortmund set a new Champions League scoring record in a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid on Wednesday (Dec 7) while FC Porto and Sevilla claimed the two remaining last-16 spots.

Real Madrid's James Rodriguez (C) shoots as Dortmund's goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller comes out to save during the Champions League football in Madrid, Spain. Both teams played to a 2-2 draw. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez (C) shoots as Dortmund’s goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller comes out to save during the Champions League football in Madrid, Spain. Both teams played to a 2-2 draw. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Dortmund made sure of top spot in Group F after fighting back from 2-0 down against defending champions Madrid, leaving the Spanish giants with theoretically a tougher draw to make the quarter-finals.

Marco Reus was the star of the late show at the Santiago Bernabeu, hitting the equaliser two minutes from time.

A double from Karim Benzema looked to have Real well set to leapfrog the Germans and secure a home game in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the arrears before substitute Reus slid in to turn Aubameyang’s dangerous low cross high into the net.

Dortmund scored 21 goals in their group campaign, the most for any team in a group stage in the history of the tournament.

“Real had some big chances in the second half, but we hoped for a lucky punch and we got it,” said Reus. “‘Auba’ was world-class with his pass and I was happy to get on the end of it – the goal was 99 per cent him and one from me.”

Sevilla made the last 16 for the first time in seven years after soaking up the pressure to draw 0-0 away to Lyon.

Lyon – who lost 1-0 in Seville in September and trailed the Spaniards by three points – needed to win by two clear goals to go through at Sevilla’s expense from Group H.

But they could not find a way through, with Corentin Tolisso and Mathieu Valbuena both hitting the woodwork in the first half.

Table-topping Juventus defeated Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 with Gonzalo Higuain and Daniele Rugani on target.

The Croatians finished their campaign having failed to score a single goal, only the third team to achieve such a dubious distinction.

LEICESTER CLAIM UNWANTED RECORD

Leicester City, who had already made sure of top spot in Group G in their debut season in the competition, suffered their first loss of the campaign, 5-0 at Porto who went through as runners-up.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri, with one eye on his side’s faltering defence of their Premier League title, made 10 changes from the team defeated at Sunderland last weekend.

Porto, the 1987 and 2004 European champions, opened the scoring after just six minutes when Andre Silva headed in a corner from Jesus Corona.

Corona hit a spectacular second goal with a left-footed volley from a cross by Yacine Brahimi after being left unmarked in the area. Brahimi made it 3-0 with a cheeky backheel before the interval.

Silva added a fourth from the penalty spot on 64 minutes after Danny Drinkwater had hauled down the striker in the penalty area with Diogo Jota making it 5-0, the biggest Champions League defeat for an English club.

FC Copenhagen had harboured hopes of pipping Porto for second place but despite a 2-0 win at pointless Club Brugge, they still had to settle for a Europa League place.

In Group E, Bayer Leverkusen, already assured of second spot, downed Monaco 3-0 but the win wasn’t enough to overhaul the table-topping French side.

Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, came back from a goal down to defeat CSKA Moscow 3-1 and claim a Europa League place.

Alan Dzagoev put the Russians ahead after 33 minutes, but the lead lasted just five minutes until Dele Alli levelled from a Christian Eriksen cross to ensure that CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev’s miserable Champions League record of failing to keep a clean sheet stretched to 39 games.

Harry Kane and an Akinfeev own-goal gave Spurs the three points.

England star Kane admitted that Tottenham need to improve their home form if they are to progress in future European adventures.

“You are playing the best teams in Europe so you can’t rely on away results which we have done this season,” said Kane.

The teams who have made it to the last 16 are Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Leicester City, Manchester City, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Napoli, Benfica, Porto and Sevilla.

The draw takes place on Monday.

Group E:

At Leverkusen, Germany
Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 3 Monaco (FRA) 0

At London
Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) 3 CSKA Moscow (RUS) 1

Group F:

At Warsaw, Poland
Legia Warsaw (POL) 1 Sporting Lisbon (POR) 0

At Madrid, Spain
Real Madrid (ESP) 2 Borussia Dortmund (GER) 2

Group G:

At Bruges, Belgium
Club Brugge (BEL) 0 FC Copenhagen (DEN) 2

At Oporto, Portugal
FC Porto (POR) 5 Leicester City (ENG) 0

Group H:

At Turin, Italy
Juventus (ITA) 2 Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 0

At Lyon, France
Lyon (FRA) 0 Sevilla (ESP) 0

Source AFP

Lewandowski seals Bayern win over Atletico

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A Robert Lewandowski free-kick sealed Bayern Munich’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday (Dec 6) in the Champions League with both teams already through to the knock-out stage.

Bayern Munich's striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League group D football match against Atletico Madrid in Munich, southern Germany. (AFP/CHRISTOF STACHE)

Bayern Munich’s striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League group D football match against Atletico Madrid in Munich, southern Germany. (AFP/CHRISTOF STACHE)

Despite the result at Munich’s bitterly cold Allianz Arena, Atletico go into the draw for the last 16 as Group D winners with Bayern second.

“The result had little worth in terms of the table, but it meant a lot for our self-confidence,” said Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti. “We have to keep improving, and we’ll do that step by step.”

Having been knocked out in the semi-finals by Atletico last season, Bayern avenged their 1-0 defeat in Madrid in September and extended their record streak in Champions League to 15 wins at home.

But Lewandowski’s superb first-half strike was the difference.

Atletico, who were close to full strength, suffered their first defeat in the group stages this season having been the only team to win all of their previous five.

It denied them a club record of a perfect six.

“We had a couple of big chances at the start, but then Bayern took control,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. “They controlled the ball and dominated the first half.

“In the second period, we looked better and it was more even and we come away with a positive feeling from our final 15 minutes. The first half was a different story to the second and we improved a lot.”

Ancelotti switched from the 4-2-3-1 formation, which won 3-1 at Mainz in the Bundesliga, with a 4-3-3 formation, surprisingly leaving Thomas Mueller on the bench.

Lewandowski played either side of Arjen Robben and Douglas Costa on the wings with Thiago Alcantara, Arturo Vidal and teenage Portugal international Renato Sanches in midfield.

Simeone’s Atletico made a bright start with Yannick Carrasco, who scored when the hosts won 1-0 in Madrid in September, twice forcing Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer into action.

Bayern took the lead when Poland’s Lewandowski majestically floated his free-kick over the wall from the edge of the box and into the top corner on 28 minutes.

It was from almost exactly the same position Lewandowski scored from in Friday’s 3-1 win at Mainz, but Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak was powerless to stop it.

It was Lewandowski’s 24th goal in 24 appearances for club and country this season.

In celebration, the 28-year-old shoved the match ball under his playing shirt and stuck his thumb in his mouth and later revealed his wife Anna was pregnant.

“It was a good moment to reveal that my wife is pregnant. I practised free kicks before, but I have been practising them since the beginning of this season,” said Lewandowski.

Atletico’s defence frustrated the Bayern attack after the break with Sanches twice unable to get a clean shot away from good positions due to Madrid shirts blocking him.

The hosts starved Atletico of the ball with Bayern enjoying just under 75 per cent possession.

Thiago squandered a golden chance to add a second on 78 minutes.

Costa whipped in a pin-point cross, but the Spain international’s half volley from five metres out flew over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Group A:

At Basel, Switzerland
Basel (SUI) 1 Arsenal (ENG) 4

At Paris, France
Paris SG (FRA) 2 Ludogorets (BUL) 2

Group B:

At Lisbon, Portugal
Benfica (POR) 1 Napoli (ITA) 2

At Kiev, Ukraine
Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 6 Besiktas (TUR) 0

Group C:

At Manchester, England
Manchester City (ENG) 1 Celtic (SCO) 1

At Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona (ESP) 4 Borussia Moenchengladbach (GER) 0

Group D:

At Munich, Germany
Bayern Munich (GER) 1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0

At Eindhoven, Netherlands
PSV Eindhoven (NED) 0 Rostov (RUS) 0

Perfect 10 for Messi in Champions League

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Arda Turan grabbed a hat-trick and Lionel Messi scored his 10th Champions League goal of the season as a much-changed Barcelona still cruised past Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-0 on Tuesday (Dec 6).

Barcelona's forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Moenchengladbach's defender Tobias Strobl during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (AFP/LLUIS GENE)

Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Moenchengladbach’s defender Tobias Strobl during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (AFP/LLUIS GENE)

Barca had already booked their place in the last 16 as Group C winners, but were looking for a morale boosting win after three successive draws, including the concession of a last minute equaliser to Real Madrid in a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Messi continued to cut the gap on Cristiano Ronaldo as the Champions League’s all-time top goalscorer when he slotted home the opener after just 16 minutes.

Turan then struck his first Barca hat-trick in a 17-minute second-half spell as the hosts took out their frustration on a dispirited Monchengladbach.

“I have to congratulate the players because today was a game in which we had little to win and things could have gone very differently,” Barca boss Luis Enrique told BeIN Sports Spain.

“It is perhaps the most precise we have been all season and it came in a game where we didn’t have a lot of space to play in.”

Whilst Barca can look forward to the last 16 for a 13th straight season, third place in the group behind Manchester City ensures Moenchengladbach drop into the Europa League.

“We had too much respect for them and didn’t play with enough courage,” said Moenchengladbach boss Andre Schubert.

Enrique retained only Messi, Andre Gomes and Javier Mascherano from the side that started El Clasico on Saturday.

And Messi’s insatiable appetite for goal was rewarded when he exchanged passes with Turan to sweep home his 93rd in the Champions League, now just three adrift of Ronaldo in the race to be the first man to a 100.

The five-time World Player of the Year was the persistent threat throughout the first 45 minutes, but Barca captain Andres Iniesta also impressed on his first start for six weeks after a knee injury.

Only Moenchengladbach ‘keeper Yann Sommer prevented Messi from adding to his tally before half-time.

However, it was Turan who took centre stage after the break as he responded to criticism for committing the foul which led to Sergio Ramos’s equaliser for Madrid on Saturday.

“One moment doesn’t decide a game,” said Enrique in defence of the midfielder. “We are not focused on that and no matter what happens, players always need to score goals.”

Turan was perfectly placed to head home Denis Suarez’s deflected cross home at the back post before producing a fine low finish into the far corner from Aleix Vidal’s cut-back.

Paco Alcacer’s search for a first goal since his €30 million (US$32 million) move from Valencia goes on.

Yet, Alacacer did at least make a contribution as it was from his low cross that Turan completed his hat-trick with a powerful finish at the back post that was too strong for Sommer to keep out.

Group A:

At Basel, Switzerland
Basel (SUI) 1 Arsenal (ENG) 4

At Paris, France
Paris SG (FRA) 2 Ludogorets (BUL) 2

Group B:

At Lisbon, Portugal
Benfica (POR) 1 Napoli (ITA) 2

At Kiev, Ukraine
Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 6 Besiktas (TUR) 0

Group C:

At Manchester, England
Manchester City (ENG) 1 Celtic (SCO) 1

At Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona (ESP) 4 Borussia Moenchengladbach (GER) 0

Group D:

At Munich, Germany
Bayern Munich (GER) 1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0

At Eindhoven, Netherlands
PSV Eindhoven (NED) 0 Rostov (RUS) 0

Source AFP