Jose Mourinho has admitted Manchester United do not want to be in the Europa League but intends to make the best out of the situation. Speaking at a news conference, the United manager pledged to take their participation seriously ahead of Thursday's opening Group A game against Feyenoord in Rotterdam and warned his squad they risk another humiliation like last season’s defeat by FC Midtylland if not fully ready for the task ahead. Mourinho who dropped Wayne Rooney behind, says that the Premier League and television broadcasters have made their campaign difficult by handing them a tight schedule next month when they face Liverpool, Fenerbahce and Chelsea in the space of a week. “Look, this is not a competition that Man United wants,” Mourinho said on … [Read more...]
Mauricio Pochettino accuses Tottenham of lacking ‘passion’
Mauricio Pochettino has criticised Tottenham for lack of passion during tonight's 2-1 defeat to Monaco at Wembley. Spurs suffered a disappointing defeat in front of a record crowd as they started their campaign at their temporary European home of Wembley. Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar both struck in the first half at Wembley on Wednesday to set up victory for Leonardo Jardim's men. Toby Alderweireld gave Spurs a lifeline on the stroke of half time but, despite creating a host of opportunities after the break, Pochettino's side fell to their first defeat of the season. The Argentine coach was disappointed with his side's performance and believes more hunger is required: "It's only the first game but we need to improve and fast," he told the club's … [Read more...]
Aguero and City put Monchengladbach to the sword
Sergio Aguero struck thrice as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City annihilated Borussia Monchengladbach at the Etihad. Aguero, who is currently suspended from domestic action, opened the scoring after nine minutes, before doubling his effort from the penalty spot after 28 minutes before completing his treble after 77 minutes, Nigerian youngster Iheanacho also got on the scoresheet by adding a fourth. It was another highly convincing performance by City, who did not even seem to get into top gear as they cruised to a seventh successive win under Pep Guardiola. City, much like last weekend’s derby against Manchester United, were superb in the first half, with their movement quick and passing crisp and this time maintained their domination for longer. Ilkay … [Read more...]
Leicester City start Champions League campaign with a win
Leicester City made an impressive debut to their Champions League campaign with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice as they thumped Belgian side Club Brugge 3-0 in a devastating fashion. Marc Albrighton, one of their star man in the Premier League winning campaign last season, scored their first ever Champions League goal and first since 2000 inside five minutes, moments after the hosts nearly got in front. Riyad Mahrez continued to shine for Leicester as he crashed in a brilliant free-kick before adding another from the spot shortly before the hour mark making it 3-0 as the away side dominated at the Jan Breydel Stadium, top of Group G after Porto and Copenhagen drew 1-1. Record signing Islam Slimani was handed his Leicester debut for the Champions League … [Read more...]
Tottenham struggle at Wembley as visitors take the spoils
Tottenham's return to Champions League football after a five-year absence ended in a disappointing 2-1 loss as an English club-record home crowd of 85,011 watched French side Monaco take all three points at Wembley. Spurs were dealt a blow in their return back to Europe as goals from Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar were enough to give the French side an opening victory in Group E. Toby Alderweireld header gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side some hope on the stroke of half-time but they were frustrated in the second half as the away side defended stoutly to register their fourth win in eight attempts against English opposition. Pochettino opted for an attacking line-up with Dele Alli dropped in alongside Eric Dier ahead of Victor Wanyama, who came in … [Read more...]
Wenger full of praise for David Ospina
Arsene Wenger insists goalkeeper David Ospina has proved his critics wrong following a top class display in Arsenal’s Champions League opener at Paris Saint-Germain. Wenger surprised many when he opted to bench Petr Cech despite a big blunder by Ospina in the Champions League last season. But the Colombian repaid his faith by making a string of crucial saves in order go see Arsenal share the spoils against PSG. The Colombian was not expected to start at the Parc des Princes but was drafted in and performed admirably, eventually denying PSG striker Edinson Cavani, who had headed the Ligue 1 Champions ahead inside a minute. Ospina made a number of crucial stops to prevent Unai Emery’s side extending their lead before Alexis Sanchez struck with 12 minutes … [Read more...]
City’s UCL clash against Monchengladbach moved to Wednessday
Manchester City's clash against German side Borussia Monchengladbach has been rescheduled for Wednesday evening following an adverse rain on Tuesday. Heavy rain covered the pitch in the two hours before the scheduled 7.45pm Tuesday kick-off, forcing an abandonment, but UEFA have moved quickly to reschedule the tie. Referee Bjorn Kuipers and officials inspected the surface at about 6.55pm and a decision to postpone was communicated around 30 minutes later. A decision to call off the game was taken at around 7.25pm based on safety concerns around the ground. The German club later confirmed a rearranged time of 7.45pm Wednesday. According to UEFA competition regulations - article 26.03 - a decision on a rearranged date should have been announced … [Read more...]