Enyimba Deserved Victory against Abia Warriors - Anyansi

Chairman of Enyimba Football Club, Felix Anyansi has
debunked assertions that their victory against Abia Warriors
was strategic.

Mfon Udoh’s strike handed the People’s Elephants a 1-0 win
against their cross city rivals in Sunday’s Nigeria
Professional Football League local derby in Umuaiha.

According to the seasoned football administrator who
doubles as the Nigeria Football Federation Technical and
Development Committee head, his team’s victory was a
reward for their determination and motivation.

“We got what we deserved and we have worked very hard
for it. I want to put the record straight that no one did us a
favour,” Anyansi told Goal.

“We were motivated because of the eagerness to break our
own record and set another one. We did very well.

“People believe that Abia Warriors and Enyimba are from the
same state, the result had been decided before kick-off.

“I want to tell those ones that they were wrong. No one did
us any favour and our performance throughout the season
shows that it would be disservice not to end up as the
league champions.

“I want to caution my boys that the league title has not been
won and we should approach our next league game against
Warri Wolves with all seriousness because it is our goal to
end the season as the league champions and now that we
are very close to achieving our aim, we must be focused,”
he concluded.

Enyimba need just a point against Warri Wolves and
Sunshine Stars to claim a record seventh Nigeria
Professional Football League title.

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"I Don't care if Messi wins Ballon D'Or" - Ronaldo

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo insists he would
not care if Lionel Messi pips him to the 2015 Fifa Ballon
d'Or.

Messi and Ronaldo have won the last seven editions of the
prestigious individual award between them, the Barcelona
talisman claiming the trophy on four occasions and the
Portugal international three times.

Ronaldo has emerged victorious in the last two years, but
Messi is widely regarded as the favourite to win the award
this time around after guiding Barca to the treble in 2014-15.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo has stressed that it would not upset
him if he has to settle for second place.

"I don't care if Messi wins the Ballon d'Or. I know that it is
not in my hands whether I win this award or not. It all
depends on others," Ronaldo told Kicker.

"I have always remained the same over the past eight years
of my career. I have always played at a very high level.

Name me one other player in the history of the game who
has done the same.

"It all depends on small details who wins individual awards
and who wins the league or Champions League. I am happy
and proud of my career so far. Some people think Messi is
the best, others think it's [Andres] Iniesta. I respect other
people's opinions.

"But I think I am the best. Everybody should ask himself
why you would not want to be the best at what you do. I
think this attitude is one of the reasons why I have improved
so much throughout my career and why I have achieved so
much.

"He who wins the Ballon d’Or deserves all the respect."

The winner of the award will be announced at the Fifa Ballon
d'Or gala at the Zurich Kongresshaus on January 11, 2016.

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Vidal honoured by Chilean energy drink

All-action Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal has had an
energy drink named after him in his home nation of Chile.

The drink, called 'King Arturo', pays homage to the Bayern
man and is for those who need an extra boost to get through
the day.

Interestingly, inventor Jose Eugenio Martinez notes that
those "born with a silver spoon" are not welcome as he tries
to appeal to the more common, hard-working man. Fancy
one?

"This drink is for those people who get up at five in the
morning to work all day and need extra energy," Martinez
told La Cuarta . "Those who were not born with a silver
spoon, but those who drive to be kings.

"[The branding is in reference to] Arturo Vidal, who is an
example for Chileans, because he is easy to relate to and
he’s happy.

"It is one hundred percent Chilean, with a unique taste and
quality. And our label is [meant] to get attention at the local
corner [shop], not retail. We’re thinking of students,
construction workers or drivers.

"It would be an honour if Vidal joined the brand. It would be
of great benefit to him. It is a brand made for the people,
with prices for every pocket."

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De Rossi fit to face Leverkusen

Rudi Garcia is set to welcome fit-again Daniele De Rossi
back for Roma for the Champions League clash against
Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, the midfielder having
recovered from a thigh strain.

Italy international De Rossi was absent as Roma slipped to a
1-0 defeat at fellow high-flyers Inter in Serie A on Saturday.

However, with Seydou Keita still unavailable due to a thigh
injury of his own, De Rossi is set to play in the crucial Group
E match at Stadio Olimpico.

"It's all very clear. Keita isn't ready yet, but De Rossi will
play," Garcia said.

With Roma set to play fierce rivals Lazio on Sunday, Garcia
would not be drawn on his plans beyond the Champions
League fixture, adding: "Right now I'm not focusing on any
match other than Leverkusen.

"I'm 100 per cent concentrated on that and I'm not thinking
about what comes after it."

Roma are yet to win in Europe this season and have just two
points from three matches played.

However, they are only two points adrift of their opponents -
who they drew 4-4 with in an entertaining contest last
month - and Garcia stressed the importance of getting three
points on home soil.

"The Champions League is like a mini season, with each
match more important than the last," he said.

"As I said, we need to win to pick up points and take a step
towards qualification for the round of 16. That's the
situation.

"Right now no team has qualified and no team is out. We
need a win and we intend to get one."

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UCL:-: Astana 0 vs 0 Atletico Madrid| Match Report

Atletico failed to break down the hosts, meaning
they could be overtaken by Benfica at the top of
Champions League Group C

Atletico Madrid were held to a surprise 0-0 draw by a
spirited Astana side in Tuesday's Champions League clash
at the Astana Arena.

Diego Simeone's side held top spot heading into Group C's
early kick-off and could have pulled three points ahead of
Benfica with victory in Kazakhstan.

Koke struck the woodwork in both halves but Atletico toiled
too often in possession against a well-disciplined home side.

Fernando Torres - chasing his 100th Atleti goal - also
spurned a good chance and Antoine Griezmann came close
in the second half, but Astana held on for a famous point
which keeps alive their hopes of at least battling for a
Europa League spot by finishing third.

Astana, in their maiden Champions League campaign, now
have two points from their four matches following a 2-2
home draw with Galatasary on matchday two.

Tiago came close early on for Atletico with a blocked effort
inside the area but Astana, roared on by a vociferous home
crowd, denied them any real rhythm in the opening 25
minutes.

Junior Kabananga's scuffed volley from 20 yards forced Jan
Oblak into a save but chances were few and far between in
the opening half-hour, until Torres stole in behind Evgeny
Postnikov following Juanfran's long ball and prodded wide
across goal.

Koke looped an effort onto the crossbar with a free-kick just
before half-time but Atletico otherwise struggled to find a
way past a stubborn home side.

Diego Godin glanced a header straight into Nenad Eric's
hands and Tiago dragged a shot wide from 20 yards as
Atletico began to turn up the pressure after the interval.

Simeone threw on Jackson Martinez in an effort to break
through a robust defensive line but Atletico's build-up play
on the synthetic turf was too often laboured or undone by
wayward passes.

Griezmann, who had been quiet throughout, fizzed a low
shot just wide of the far post after a neat one-two with Koke,
before the Spain midfielder almost got lucky with a looped
cross from the left that bounced off the top of the bar.

Eric saved down low from Jose Gimenez's header as Atleti
began to push further forward as Astana legs grew tired, and
the 2013-14 finalists almost snatched the victory with the
last kick of the game, as Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco collected
Griezmann's cross and shot across goal, only for the
goalkeeper to claim well low to his left.

But Astana held on for a famous point and restored some
pride following their 4-0 defeat in Madrid on matchday
three.

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Ronaldo Reveals Knee problem

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo says he has not
been pain-free for quite some time as the knee injury that
troubled him toward the end of the 2013-14 campaign
continues to cause problems.

The 30-year-old has not missed a single minute of action so
far this campaign for Madrid, while he hardly missed a game
in 2014-15 as well.

However, that does not mean the knee problems that nearly
kept him out of the 2013-14 Champions League final and
that year's World Cup no longer cause him issues.

"There is not a single day without pain. Every player will say
the same. It's part of the job and you have to deal with it,"
the Madrid star told Kicker .

"I now realise things that I didn't when I was younger. I have
always tried to improve and you gain more experience over
the years.

"When I was 22, 23 years old, I often went out for dinner
after a game and got back home around three o' clock in the
morning. I no longer do things like that. I am going home
early to look after myself in the best way possible.

"Small details make the difference. When you get older, you
might lose some of your physical abilities, but you get more
mature. I live for football, look after myself and train hard.

"There is nothing in life that I enjoy more and my body is
incredibly important. That's why I look after myself and
that's why I still play at the highest level."

Ronaldo has netted 13 goals in 13 appearances in all
competitions for Madrid this campaign.

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Luis Enrique tips Sergio Roberto for spain

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has tipped in-form Sergi
Roberto to shine if he wins international honours with Spain.

The 23-year-old La Masia product has enjoyed a
breakthrough campaign for the Liga champions this season
- his versatility helping ease the burden of injuries to several
key first-team players.

Roberto starred with dazzling assists for both goals in
Barcelona's 2-0 win over Getafe on Saturday and Luis
Enrique, who also coached the player during his formative
years, believes he would be ready to step up if reports
linking him with a maiden call-up for Spain's friendlies
against England and Belgium this month prove to be
accurate.

"That would be great, it's great for any player," said Luis
Enrique.

"Sergi Roberto is a player I had with Barca B. I know what a
top-quality player he is.

"It's difficult to play for any national team, especially the
Spanish team, but I think he's more than ready."

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League Group
E match against BATE, where three points will secure
progress if Roma do not defeat Bayer Leverkusen, Luis
Enrique also praised another of the young talents on
Barcelona's books.

Alen Halilovic has turned in a succession of impressive
displays while on loan at Sporting Gijon.

He scored a 27th-minute winner in the 1-0 triumph over
Malaga on Sunday and Luis Enrique believes the move has
come at the perfect time for the 19-year-old Croatian
midfielder's development.

"He's been looked after very well," he explained.

"He's in the best place where he can play games at the top
level. He's been playing very well.

"We signed him because we want him to help the club and I
think he'll have a very useful season, but he needs to keep
improving to get into our first team."

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Lampards Reveals National Team Regrets and Poor Gerrard Patnership

The midfielder is still at a loss as to why him and
the former Liverpool man failed to click for England,
but says they were let down my a succession of
managers

Frank Lampard admits he has regrets over his England
career and his inability to form an effective midfield
partnership with Steven Gerrard.

The pair - who now ply their trade in MLS for New York City
FC and LA Galaxy respectively - were talismanic figures for
Chelsea and Liverpool but didn't click together at
international level.

A succession of England managers failed to get the best out
of the two men while playing in the same side, though
Lampard believes more could have been done by the
coaches he played under.

He told Sky Sports' ' Monday Night Football ': "I think there
were times when they [England managers] could have done
something different. I certainly would take personal
responsibility if I don’t reach certain levels.

"I think there were times when we could have been managed
better, there could have been a way to get the best out of us.

"When we were both in our prime playing regularly for
Chelsea and Liverpool, scoring goals, being involved heavily,
we went away with England sometimes and you’d play in a
4-4-2, Stevie’s asked to sit, Stevie’s on the left.

"I played with Capello for years in the holding role and I was
never playing like that for Chelsea ever. There was
something missing, I felt, when I look back at my England
career.

"I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s because we play against
each other every week and there’s little groups, Manchester
United, Liverpool, Chelsea.

"And when you’re Argentinian, and they are all playing all
over the world, they come home, it’s a big family, and
there’s a different spirit. I’m not sure we ever managed to
get that together."

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Ajax star Klaassen extends stay

Ajax attacking midfielder Davy Klaassen revealed he did not
feel ready to leave the Eredivisie club after signing a
contract extension until 2019.

The Dutchman – who won the first of his four international
caps for Netherlands in 2014 – joined the club's youth
academy in 2004 and was handed the captain's armband at
the start of the campaign.

Klaassen, 22, has made 108 appearances for the club and
was keen to extend his stay at the Amsterdam Arena despite
having three years to run on his current deal.

"It is a good moment to extend my contract. I am really
happy with it," he said.

"I didn’t have any doubts when I signed it."

He added: "Ajax is really my club. I have been here for so
long and I don’t want to leave quite yet."

Klaassen has scored five goals in 18 appearances in all
competitions for Ajax this term.

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Fabregas denies leading revolt against Mourinho

The ex-Arsenal midfielder has been linked with a claim
that one of Chelsea's star names does not want to win
under the Portuguese but insists he is happy at
Stamford Bridge

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has denied he is the senior
player leading a revolt against manager Jose Mourinho.

It was claimed on BBC Radio 5 live that one of the club's star
names would rather lose than win under the embattled
Mourinho, but the ex-Arsenal captain has hit back at reports
that he is the player in question.

Chelsea have endured a dismal start to the defence of their
Premier League crown, winning just three games, putting
Mourinho under significant pressure, but Fabregas is confident
of a return to form soon.

I would like to clarify that contrary to a few reports form some
online websites, I am extremely happy at Chelsea (...)
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) November 3, 2015

..and have an excellent relationship with the manager. There
maybe certain individuals from the outside trying to destabilise
this club ...
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) November 3, 2015

... but I strongly believe that we will bounce back and come
good again.
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) November 3, 2015

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Lopez insists injury claims is geniue

The Spaniard's time away from first-team action to
treat tendonitis has nothing to do with losing his
place in the starting, according to the former Real
Madrid stopper

AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez insists that his absence
from the first team is due to patellar tendonitis and he has
not been dropped from the starting XI.

Lopez has made way for 16-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma
in the past three Serie A matches, and the rookie keeper has
impressed in wins over Sassuolo, Chievo and Lazio.

Milan subsequently released a statement on Monday stating
that Lopez is set for a spell on the sidelines in order to
follow a treatment plan for tendonitis.

And the former Real Madrid man - who turned 34 on
Tuesday - insisted it has been an issue that has been
troubling him for some time.

"For four months I've been living with patellar tendonitis.
I've tried to recover and have been working hard with the
club's medical staff," he wrote on Facebook.

"During this period, I've done everything possible to be at
my best, sacrificing every day, despite the pain, to be
available to the coach [Sinisa Mihajlovic].

"Unfortunately the pain has persisted so I have had to stop
and pursue a specific recovery plan. This is the only option
to resolve the problem.

"I would like to clarify that this decision was made by mutual
agreement with the club, and of course has nothing to do
with the recent sporting situation, it's a decision of a strictly
medical nature.

"I'll continue giving my all to come back soon and as strong
as ever."

Lopez's injury marked a double blow for Milan after
midfielder Andrea Bertolacci suffered a tear of the thigh
muscle tear.

The Italy international is set for further tests on the injury in
the next 10 days.

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TransferTalk:-: Pogba not joining Barca- Agent

The coveted France international will not be leaving
Turin to join the La Liga giants, according to his
agent, who insists three clubs bid €100m for the
midfielder in the summer

Outspoken agent Mino Raiola says there is no chance of his
sought-after client Paul Pogba leaving Juventus to join La
Liga giants Barcelona.

Pogba is one of the most coveted midfielders in European
football and was heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou
during the close-season.

The France international is also a reported target for the
likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, but has thus far
rejected any overtures in favour of staying with Serie A
champions Juve.

Raiola stated as recently as last month that Pogba could
still join Barca - who a won a treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey
and the Champions League last season - but the agent has
now seemingly ruled out that possibility.

"[Joining] Barcelona? If I'm honest no because we'd already
spoken with them and there was no chance of them buying
him," he told Italian radio programme 'La politica nel
pallone'.

"We've said that when we feel the time is right, with the right
project, the right team and all parties in agreement, we'll be
able to leave."

Raiola re-stated a claim that Juve received three offers that
could have amounted to €100 million with add-ons during
the close-season, but claimed it is no formality that Pogba
will leave Turin.

"In the end there were three big clubs with €85 million on the
table, or a little more including add-ons, which took the total
to €100 million, but a deal was not concluded because
Pogba didn't want to leave and Juventus wanted him to stay
for at least another year," he added.

"Why not [stay at Juventus]? We turned down several teams
last year, we're looking for the right moment.

"This means that Pogba has not yet decided to definitely
leave at the end of the season."

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Guardiola expects Arsenal to play long ball

The Spaniard says he anticipates the Gunners to
pump passes into Olivier Giroud as they look to
repeat their shock 2-0 triumph at the Emirates a
fortnight ago

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola believes Arsenal will
pepper his side with long balls when they clash on
Wednesday.

The Gunners recorded a shock 2-0 win over the Bundesliga
champions at the Emirates a fortnight ago, Olivier Giroud
and Mesut Ozil scoring to give Arsene Wenger's side a way
back into the competition.

The victory was the north London club's first in their
European campaign thus far - having fallen to defeats to
both Olympiacos and Dinamo Zagreb - and Guardiola
predicts the Gunners to be direct at the Allianz Arena.
WA

The former Barcelona boss expects the Gunners to play
"long balls to [Olivier] Giroud," with Theo Walcott out injured,
though he has voiced his admiration for the club's playing
style and insists they are "one of Europe's top sides".

"They are strong enough," he added when asked about
Arsenal's current injury problems, with Aaron Ramsey also
set to miss out.

"Arsenal want to attack, but it's difficult against us with our
good pressing game."

Bayern have a fully fit squad to choose from, with the
exception of Jan Kirchoff, who may be sidelined with a
stomach injury.

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