Barcelona apologise for Halloween prank

After attracting criticism for their Halloween antics
following victory over Getafe, Barcelona and their
players have apologised.

Barcelona have issued an apology after a number of their
players donned Halloween masks and outfits and burst into
Victor Rodriguez's post-match news conference at the Coliseum
Alfonso Perez.

Luis Enrique's side ran out 2-0 winners at Getafe on Saturday -
keeping pace with La Liga leaders Real Madrid - but his players
gained headlines for their post-match behaviour.

A number of Barca players got into the spirit of Halloween by
dressing up in an apparent bid to disrupt their coach's news
conference but instead ended up in Getafe's post-match media
briefing - much to midfielder Rodriguez's bemusement.

Ivan Rakitic was among those to share images of the events on
social media although Getafe midfielder Medhi Lacen was left
less than impressed.

Barca issued a statement on Sunday, apologising for their
players' actions, explaining: "In no case was it our intention to
offend and/or hurt any member of Getafe's team.

"Our emergence in the post-game interview area during Victor
Rodriguez's press conference was an unfortunate and
involuntary accident. We would like to personally apologise to
him, as well as to express our respect for him.

"The images recorded demonstrate that one of the players who
was participating said: 'Where are we going? We went the wrong
way.'

"The team is aware of the responsibility that comes with being a
player for FC Barcelona and would like to apologise to anyone
who may have been offended, especially Getafe's players and
supporters.

"We have an unwavering commitment as well to the members
and supporters of FC Barcelona, who have to be able to feel
proud of the team, both on and off the field."

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Coutinho is a big-game player - Skrtel

Philippe Coutinho proved himself an important player
for Liverpool with his double against Chelsea, says
Martin Skrtel.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel lauded Philippe Coutinho
following his match-winning display against Chelsea.

Jurgen Klopp's side fell behind at Stamford Bridge to Ramires'
opener but a Coutinho double was added to by Christian Benteke
for a 3-1 victory.

Skrtel believes the former Inter attacking midfielder proved he
has what it takes to make a difference in the big games by
turning Saturday's encounter on its head.

"The big players show their quality in the games you need
them," Skrtel is quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.

"Maybe Philippe didn't play quite as well in the last few games
but he showed his quality and how important he is for this team.

"We didn't start well, we knew that. But I think after that 10
minutes we started to play the game we wanted to and the
[equalising] goal we scored was a massive help for us.

"To beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is always something
special and especially after the performance we showed."

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Koeman hails Southampton's 'best' of the season

The opening 45 minutes in the 2-0 derby win over AFC
Bournemouth was Southampton's best display of the
season, said manager Ronald Koeman.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman hailed his team's first-
half performance in Sunday's 2-0 south-coast derby win over
AFC Bournemouth as their finest of the season.

Goals from Steven Davis and Graziano Pelle gave the hosts a
deserved advantage as they dominated the opening 45 minutes
at St Mary's Stadium.


Bournemouth were much improved after the interval and
Southampton's comparative struggles were underlined by Victor
Wanyama's 78th-minute red card for a second booking.

But Koeman's men stood firm defensively as their opponents
struggled for clear opportunities - a decisive improvement on
their previous home match against Leicester City when a 2-0
lead became a 2-2 draw

"Fantastic - I think the first 45 minutes was our best football this
season," Koeman told Sky Sports. "Great ball possession, good
movements, great goals.

"It was the best the team can play and we learned a little bit out
of the Leicester game - 2-0 up, defending better
"Always an opponent will give a reaction after that 45 minutes
and you have to deal with that.

"It was a little bit better than against Leicester but still we lost
more balls. We did not have that control in the game - that we
have to do better.

"Everybody knows every Premier League game is difficult, even
at 2-0 up, because you always get the reaction of the opponent.

"We won every battle in the first 45 minutes and we didn't win
the battles in the second half but it was still a very good
performance.

"We defended well because they had maybe one chance in the
90 minutes."

Southampton saw out the second half without their captain Jose
Fonte, who was substituted with a tight hamstring
"We have to wait until tomorrow [to assess the injury]," Koeman
added. "He had some pain in his hamstring.

"It wasn't really a big one but we didn't take the risk to continue
in the second half."

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Evra reveals United exit heartache

Juventus defender Patrice Evra has spoken of the
difficulty he experienced in deciding whether or not to
leave Manchester United last year.

Patrice Evra says he agonised over his decision to leave
Manchester United for Juventus last year and came close to
changing his mind.

The French full-back brought a successful eight-year stay at Old
Trafford to a close when he signed for the Italian giants in July
2014, winning Serie A and reaching the final of the Champions
League in his first season in Turin.

The former Monaco man came close to staying though, with his
wife's desire to leave England and Juve's determined pursuit of
his services ultimately swaying him.

"The only person who takes the full responsibility why I leave
Man United is myself," he told the Sunday Times. "I am the one
to make the choice.

"Juventus had already talked to me. The challenge was so
exciting. [Former coach Antonio] Conte had called me a lot
during the World Cup. It was not difficult to go to Juventus,
because it is such a big, historic club. But it was difficult to
leave Manchester United."

According to Evra, both former United manager David Moyes, as
well as his successor Louis van Gaal and club chief executive
Ed Woodward sought to convince the France international to
reject the advances of the Italian champions.

"The president of Juventus, Andrea Agnelli called me and said
'Look, we didn't put your contract to the Italian league [yet], you
can change your mind, but we really want you here.'

"And I feel somebody really wants me strongly, with a lot of
respect.

"After that … I call Ed Woodward to say, 'I am sorry, I already
gave my word to Juventus, I can't go back [on it].'"

Opting to reject Juventus could have prompted a role change for
Evra at United.

The 34-year-old claimed Van Gaal offered him a position as a
central defender in the 3-5-2 formation employed - with
indifferent results - by the Dutchman early in his reign last
season.

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Sarri blames Napoli draw on pitch, fatigue and bad luck

Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri was critical of the Genoa
pitch, suggesting that - as well as tiredness and bad
luck - cost his team a win.

Maurizio Sarri believes a bad pitch, fatigue and a lack of luck led
to Napoli's 0-0 draw with Genoa on Saturday.

A win would have sent the Naples side level with Inter and
Fiorentina at the top of the table but they were unable to find the
back of the net at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris despite 18 shots at
goal.

Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin made eight saves, but the Napoli
coach felt a combination of other factors was responsible for his
team failing to secure all three points.

"We played a great game, we only lacked luck," Sarri said.

"The team did what they had to do, I liked the mentality.

Unfortunately we did not take our chances in front of goal.

"Sometimes we've made six chances and scored five, now we
have created many but not put any in.

"You cannot think of winning every game, here we have taken a
point on a difficult pitch.

"Among other things, the pitch was bad and did not allow us to
play football.

"We played three games in a week and maybe this was seen in
our attack, where we were not brilliant at finishing - but it was
also a good performance from Perin.

"I repeat: the point is good because of the difficult pitch. Now
we look forward."

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Bayern Munich to face Darmstadt in DFB-Pokal

After eliminating DFB-Pokal holders Wolfsburg, Bayern
Munich will host Darmstadt in the third round of the
competition.

Bayern Munich will host Darmstadt in the third round of the
DFB-Pokal at the Allianz Arena.

No team has won the Pokal more times than Bayern's tally of
17 and, having eliminated holders Wolfsburg in the second
round, they will take on Darmstadt for a place in the quarter-
finals.

The two sides have already met once this season, with Arturo
Vidal, Kingsley Coman and Sebastian Rode all on target in a 3-0
triumph at the Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor.

Bayer Leverkusen will travel to face fourth-tier Unterhaching -
the side against whom they failed to secure the point
needed to claim their first Bundesliga title in the 1999-2000
season - while last season's runners-up Borussia Dortmund will
travel to face the top flight's bottom club Augsburg.
The fixtures are scheduled to be played on December 15
and 16.

Draw in full:

Unterhaching v Bayer Leverkusen

Erzgebirge Aue v Heidenheim

Augsburg v Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen

Bayern Munich v Darmstadt

1860 Munich v Bochum

Nuremberg v Hertha Berlin

Stuttgart v Eintracht Braunschweig

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Coutinho relieved to end poor Liverpool form

Philippe Coutinho dedicated his goals against Chelsea
to Liverpool's fans after accepting his form before
Saturday's win had been poor.

Philippe Coutinho was relieved to end a poor run of form for
Liverpool this season with a match-winning double against
Chelsea on Saturday.

The Brazil international ended a wait of 710 minutes for a
Premier League goal when he curled home the equaliser at the
end of the first half at Stamford Bridge.

Coutinho struck a second on 74 minutes before Christian
Benteke wrapped up Jurgen Klopp's first victory in charge of
Liverpool in the top flight.

The former Inter playmaker dedicated his goals to the fans after
the match, accepting that his prior performances had not been
up to scratch.

"I am so happy to score those goals," he told the Liverpool
Echo.

"It had been a long time since I last scored. I haven't been
playing so well but I knew I just had to keep working and things
would change for me. That's what I did.

"I kept going and I knew that good things would come. Hopefully
I can go on to score many more goals. I'm most happy about
the fact I was able to help the team to get the three points.

"The support we got from the fans throughout the game was
amazing. They are always there supporting us and we wanted
to give something back. My goals and this win is for them."

Coutinho believes Klopp has restored confidence to the
Liverpool squad after succeeding Brendan Rodgers in the
Anfield hotseat.

He added: "The manager was pleased - he gave me a big hug!

"Everyone in the squad is enjoying the football he asks from us.

"He's a manager who demands a lot of hard work. That's what
we try to do every day. We have to continue this way.

"He is a manager who gives you confidence. We have had some
difficult moments as a team but now we're in a good way."

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Cuadrado: I've never scored a more important goal

Juan Cuadrado says he has never scored a more
important goal than Juventus' winner against Torino.

Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado has described his last-minute
winner against Torino on Saturday as the most important goal
of his career to date.

Paul Pogba put the Serie A champions ahead but Cesare Bovo's
second-half equaliser looked to have earned a share of the
spoils for Torino in the derby clash at Juventus Stadium.

However, Cuadrado converted Alex Sandro's cross in injury time
to secure maximum points and send Juve up to 10th in the
table, and the Chelsea loanee hopes the win can serve as a
springboard for the rest of the campaign.

"It's the most important goal of my career so far. I've never
been able to do something decisive like that at the last minute.

It's a really good feeling," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"This goal gives me a big boost. I'm sure victory in the derby
will be a turning point.

"I believe in the Scudetto. Of course, we're in the position of
having to treat each game like a final, but we don't lack quality.
We're strong, we can recover.

"God helped us a little, because it was tough against a team like
Torino, but I think we deserved the result."

Reports in Italy suggest Cuadrado's agent will attempt to
negotiate a permanent move to Juventus over the coming days,
and the Colombia international admits he is relishing life back in
the Italian top flight.

"I hope Chelsea and [manager Jose] Mourinho recover as soon
as possible. They are strong, they'll react," he said of his parent
club's struggles this season, which culminated in a 3-1 loss to
Liverpool on Saturday.

"I can't describe all my love for Serie A, Italian football, for a
country that feels like a second home.

"I'm at 70 per cent at the moment, I want to achieve things
when I hit my top form. We're almost there."

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Arsenal return remains a 'dream' for Szczesny

A return to Arsenal would be a dream for Roma
goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny who acknowledged his
long-term future remains uncertain.

On-loan Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is unsure whether
a return to Arsenal will materialise but stated it would be a
"dream" to play for the club again.

Szczesny made the season-long move to the Stadio Olimpico
during the close-season, having lost his place to David Ospina
prior to the arrival of Petr Cech from Chelsea.

The Poland international has helped Roma to second in Serie A
but acknowledged his future beyond the end of the season is
uncertain.

"If a year ago someone had told me that I would go to Rome I
would have thought it was impossible," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"I have been with Arsenal all my life and, I do not hide it, that is
still my dream.

"For me it is like a family, I owe so much to those people that if I
were to be given a chance I would play for them. The fans here
[at Roma] have always been great, I do not know what will
happen.

"Nine months is a long time in football, things can change from
week to week."

Szczesny's relationship with Arsene Wenger has come under
scrutiny in recent seasons - the Pole having apologised after
being caught smoking in the changing rooms following defeat
to Southampton in the Premier League on New Year's Day.

"I never hated Wenger, I owe him a lot. I never hated him, I have
always taken responsibility for my mistakes and not created any
problems," he added.

"The history of the cigarette in the locker room is real, but it is
false that I argued with Wenger.

"Everyone knows that I have made mistakes but I have always
accepted the consequences. Wenger was always clear to me
and I believe that anyone who is honest is to be treated with
honesty.

"We never had any problems but I understand that newspapers
are looking for stories. I was not surprised by the arrival of Cech
as he is a great goalkeeper who has won everything. I think any
coach would have taken at such a low price."

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Aubameyang: I've proven doubters wrong at Dortmund

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says he has proven to be
more than just an athlete and is determined to match
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang believes he has proven his
doubters wrong with his impressive goalscoring form at
Borussia Dortmund.

The 26-year-old has fired home 20 goals in just 18 appearances
in all competitions during Thomas Tuchel's stunning start to his
spell as Dortmund head coach.

Aubameyang claimed earlier this season that his ultimate aim is
to match the goalscoring exploits of Lionel Messi and Cristiano
Ronaldo and establish himself as one of the finest attackers in
world football.

And the Gabon international is confident he is on the right track
after proving there is far more to his game than lightning pace
and athleticism.

"It's true that defenders are inevitably asking themselves more
questions," Aubameyang told Telefoot. "Everyone who thought
Aubameyang knew nothing aside from running or athletics was
wrong.

"Since I was young I have been programmed to score goals.

"It's something I really want to do, to be one of the greatest.

Ronaldo and Messi are capable of scoring three goals, and then
another four in the next game."

Aubameyang has been linked with a reunion with former
Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool but he has
repeatedly professed a desire to move to La Liga, with both Real
Madrid and Barcelona rumoured admirers.

Barcelona director Ariedo Braida, in charge of the club's
international scouting procedure, was pictured at Weserstadion
on Saturday, where Dortmund beat Werder Bremen 3-1 to close
the gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

And Aubameyang admits he made a promise to his grandfather
- who was a Madrid fan - that he would to play in Spain.

"I can tell you now, I'm here, I signed until 2020 but it is true
that I dream of playing in Spain," he added.

"The truth is that my grandfather passed away a year ago and I
made him a promise to play in Spain one day – and he was a
fan of Real Madrid."

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Lichtsteiner returns to Juventus training

After undergoing heart surgery last month, Stephan
Lichtsteiner has returned to training with Juventus.

Stephan Lichtsteiner has returned to training with Juventus
following surgery to correct a heart problem.

The Switzerland international complained of breathing
difficulties in September's draw with Frosinone and underwent a
corrective operation at the beginning of October.

The 31-year-old was expected to be out of action for a month
and Juventus confirmed he trained with the first team early on
Sunday as part of his continuing recovery.

"There is no better way to properly celebrate Juventus day and
the Old Lady's 118th birthday: not only the derby victory
[against Torino] with Juan Cuadrado scoring in the last minute,
but also the return of Stephan Lichtsteiner to the group," read a
statement on the club's official website.

"After carrying out the necessary tests, the Swiss trained with
his team-mates this morning, who have started to prepare for
the Champions League game with Borussia Monchengladbach."

Juve also confirmed that Sami Khedira, who picked up a
muscle injury against Torino, will face further medical tests on
Monday.

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Wilkins angered by Chelsea dressing room claims

Ray Wilkins "would love to know" who the Chelsea
player reportedly briefing against Jose Mourinho is,
saying the situation "angers" him.

Former Chelsea first-team coach Ray Wilkins was angry to learn
of reported dissent from within the Stamford Bridge dressing
room towards under-fire manager Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea's pitiful Premier League title defence lurched from bad
to worse on Saturday as they surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1
at home to Liverpool, a sixth defeat in 11 league matches this
season.

Eden Hazard, Nemanja Matic, Diego Costa, Branislav Ivanovic
and Cesc Fabregas have been among those to struggle badly so
far this season, while long-serving captain John Terry was also
dropped in September.

Wilkins appeared as a guest on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek
programme to address claims that an unnamed Chelsea player
has turned decisively against Mourinho.

Host Garry Richardson said that "a Chelsea first-team player"
had informed him through "a football contact" that Mourinho's
dressing room "relationship, in particular with Eden Hazard is
under immense strain".

Most damningly, Richardson reported that the player said "I'd
rather lose than win for him [Mourinho]".

Wilkins, who most recently worked on the Stamford Bridge staff
between September 2008 and November 2010, said: "First and
foremost, I'd like to pick up what you said about the player in
the dressing room - what about winning for yourself and your
team-mates?"

"I'd love to know who that guy was, I'm intrigued. I find that an
appalling statement that he's come out with.

"It angers me a touch, I have to say. Get on with your own job."
Wilkins believes that senior members of the Chelsea dressing
room remain behind Mourinho, who he feels is still the right
man for the job.

He added that disgruntled players are part of life at any football
club.

"You're talking about an individual that's come to you
[Richardson], or spoken to you or spoken through a third party
who is coming out with these tales," he said.

"In any dressing room if a player isn't selected, a player isn't
happy. He only keeps 11 players happy at one given period.

"Whichever manager you are, whichever club you manage - you
keep 11 people happy. The rest are disgruntled. Disgruntled
players will be from 12 onwards."

Wilkins served as assistant to Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa until
the latter was sacked earlier this month.

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Nuno plays down talk of Negredo rift

Nuno reaffirmed Alvaro Negredo's ongoing absence
from the Valencia squad is down to technical issues
amid unrest among fans.

Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo has cooled suggestions of a
rift with Alvaro Negredo, stating that he wants the striker to
return to the squad as soon as possible.

Negredo has not been included in the matchday squad for
Valencia since the 3-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao on October 4
after criticising Nuno's role in their slow start to the season in
an interview.

Despite an injury to Rodrigo during the defeat with Atletico
Madrid last weekend, the former Manchester City man was not
recalled for Saturday's clash with Levante - with Nuno
previously citing his absence as a result of "technical, sporting
reasons".

Although Valencia ran out 3-0 winners at the Mestalla, the fans
voiced their disapproval over the treatment of the striker by
whistling the coach.

However, Nuno continued to insist the 30-year-old's absence is
solely down to performance-related issues, playing down
suggestions of disaffection between the pair.

"I've already explained the Negredo case from my perspective.

No one has a bigger interest than me to see Alvaro come back
to help us. We want him back," the Portuguese said.

"The numbers that we're seeing aren't good enough. Many
people don't see what I see, it's my job to analyse players and
the options available to us."

When asked what he was going to do to try and stop the
whistles, Nuno was adamant that things would soon turn
around.

"What I'm going to do is go to work tomorrow. We've now had a
number of games in the Liga without losing," he added.

"If we hadn't drawn those two games at home [against
Deportivo La Coruna and Real Betis] we'd be in a different
situation.

"I understand the fans. It hurts on a personal level, no-one likes
listening to that, but I'm convinced that it's going to change."

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