We cannot afford to drop anymore points : Mourinho

Jose Mourinho says Real Madrid cannot afford to give away any more
points, after four from a possible 12 in the opening four games of the
season contributed to the club's worst start inover a decade.
Los Blancos will hope they have turned a corner after tasting victory
in their last two outings - a 2-0 victory at Rayo Vallecano and a3-2
comeback win against Man City at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"We've given everything we had to give away," the coach told Maisfutebol .
Madrid's next game comes in the form of a home clash with Deportivo La
Coruna on Sunday, a team nicknamed 'the Portuguese' for their large
Seleccao representation.
"Why [are they called the Portuguese]? Are there many [Portuguese
players] or do the Portuguese like Depor?," asked Mourinho, who also
said he would "love" to see Evaldo Fabiano on Sunday, having worked
with the left-back at Porto.
"We have to win. We have to find a way to get back-to-back victories
and not just [one] isolated win, and that includes beating Deportivo,
having done the same with Manchester City and Rayo Vallecano."
And when quizzed about Barcelona's Champions League tie with Benfica
on Tuesday, Mourinho replied: "Jorge Jesus knows how to build a team
capable of creating difficulties to Barcelona."
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Source: goal.com

We cannot afford to drop anymore points : Mourinho

Jose Mourinho says Real Madrid cannot afford to give away any more
points, after four from a possible 12 in the opening four games of the
season contributed to the club's worst start inover a decade.
Los Blancos will hope they have turned a corner after tasting victory
in their last two outings - a 2-0 victory at Rayo Vallecano and a3-2
comeback win against Man City at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"We've given everything we had to give away," the coach told Maisfutebol .
Madrid's next game comes in the form of a home clash with Deportivo La
Coruna on Sunday, a team nicknamed 'the Portuguese' for their large
Seleccao representation.
"Why [are they called the Portuguese]? Are there many [Portuguese
players] or do the Portuguese like Depor?," asked Mourinho, who also
said he would "love" to see Evaldo Fabiano on Sunday, having worked
with the left-back at Porto.
"We have to win. We have to find a way to get back-to-back victories
and not just [one] isolated win, and that includes beating Deportivo,
having done the same with Manchester City and Rayo Vallecano."
And when quizzed about Barcelona's Champions League tie with Benfica
on Tuesday, Mourinho replied: "Jorge Jesus knows how to build a team
capable of creating difficulties to Barcelona."
Related News
September 28, 2012
Mourinho: John Terry is not a racist
Mourinho praises Kaka after Millonarios win
Di Maria puts personal success down to Mourinho
Ramon Calderon launches scathing attack on Jose Mourinho and Florentino Perez

Italy to play France in November

Italy are set to revive their long-standing rivalry with France by
hosting a friendly match between the two nations at the Ennio Tardini
on November 14.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) published details of the
fixture on its website on Friday, after its president Giancarlo Abete
had announced the news at the end of a Federal Council meeting.
The match is the first to be scheduled at Parma's home stadium since a
friendly againstLuxembourg was postponed after May's earthquake in the
Emilia-Romagna region.
The governing body also announced that Italy will play one of its last
two World Cup qualifiers in Naples, meaning the national team will
take on either the Czech Republic or Armenia at the San Paolo.
Italy and France have enjoyed a strong rivalry for a number of years,
although this has perhaps been intensified by matches in recenttimes
such as the 2006 World Cup final, when Zinedine Zidane was famously
sent off for head-butting Marco Materazzi.

Source : goal.com

Barcelona not yet 100 per cent : vilanova

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has insisted that his players are yet to
perform to the best of their abilities thisseason.
The Catalan giants currently lie two points clear at the top of La
Liga and eight points ahead of fierce rivals Real Madrid, while they
opened their Champions League campaign with a victory over Spartak
Moscow.
"There have been games where we have beenat a high level and others
that our start has cost us in," the 42-year-old told reporters.
"As we go through the season we will be looking to develop a further
rhythm. We are currently not playing at 100 per cent.
"But I do think we are physically stronger thanwe have been in the
past, because these are virtually the same players."
The next opponents looking to end Barca's perfect start will be
Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, and Vilanova is adamant that the
fixture will represent a stern challenge for his team, particularly
with five defenders currently absent through injury.
"It always affects you when numbers are this low, but for a club like
this, with so many games, we are used to it," he added. "Some will
recover for Lisbon and others for the Clasico, but we will have to
wait.
"When the injuries are concentrated on a certain position in the field
then it does further complicate matters, but I saw [Alex] Song do very
well the other day at centre-back."
"All games are tough but it is true that the Pizjuan is not an easy
ground to go to. I spentthe worst 15 minutes of my life there [with
Barcelona in 2009-10].
"We were 3-0 up, then it was 3-2 and they could have drawn against us
even though they had 10 men. Sevilla are in great shape, they have
conceded the fewest goals in the league [alongside Malaga with two]
and it will not be easy."
Vilanova also spoke about Lionel Messi's clash with David Villa last
week, and was keen to declare the matter closed.
"Villa-Messi? This is a part of football. Nothing happened that was
not normal," the Catalan trainer concluded.

Bishops 'outraged' by Neymar

The Brazilian National Bishops Confederation (CNBB) has
criticisedPlacar magazine for bearing a photograph of Neymar being
crucified in the same way as Jesus Christ.
Placar, which has become one of the most successful sports
publications in Brazil since itsinception in 1970, were using the
picture as a metaphor to highlight the criticism the star had been
coming under for supposedly diving too often.
In a letter, signed by CNBB president Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno
Assis and general secretary Dom Leonardo Ulrich Steiner and posted on
the organisation's website, the publication came under fire for
"showing disdain towards people's feelings".
"The Brazilian National Bishops Confederation states that it feels
severely outraged with the [photo] montage that is is the cover of a
sports magazine, where the image of Jesus Christ is seen with the face
of a football player," read the statement.
"We acknowledge freedom of speech as a fundamental principle of our
state and [see it as necessary for] democratic co-existence, however,
there are known limits for such.
"To ridiculise faith and show disdain towards peoples' religious
feelings by using the disrespectful use of the image of Jesus suggests
manipulation and use of editorial resources as a means for commercial
ends.
"The magazine has shown itself as being insensitive to the recent
context of deplorable violence caused by the inadequate use of
religious images and, with that, has made a bad contribution towards a
consolidation of respectful co-existence between different beliefs.
"This [photo] montage uses the image of Jesusin an explicit manner,
even if the magazine director denied this evident fact.
"This is a clear lack of respect that offends the most sacred image
for Christians and updates, in a hazardous manner, the well-known
resource of gaining attention by provocation."
An online petition has now been launched against Placar's use of the
image of Neymar as Jesus Christ, which has gained over 7,000
signatures since its manifestation.
Source: goal.com

ManChester united vs wigan match report

Manchester United comfortably beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 in a pulsating
Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
Chicharito had a fourth minute penalty saved by Ali Al-Habsi after he
was adjudged to have brought down Danny Welbeck but a Paul Scholes
close-range effort, a goal from the Mexican and debut finishes from
Alexander Buttner and Nick Powell, all in the second-half,were the
difference.
It was a day of landmarks for three of Sir AlexFerguson's men as Ryan
Giggs made a record600th Premier League appearance, whilst Scholes and
Rio Ferdinand played their 700th and 400th matches for the club.
Looked by no means out of his depth on his Old Trafford debut. The
Dutchman was always a willing runner to provide an outlet on the left
but never ignored his defensive duties, and made one crucial block on
Di Santo in the first half. In the second half, he fired across goal
to allow Chicharito to poke home before bustling his way past three
defenders to open his own account. Only a booking for a late lunge on
Boyce tarnished afine debut.
Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa started on the bench as they were
nursing knocks picked up on international duty and there was a debut
for left-back Buttner.
Roberto Martinez stuck with the same starting line-up and substitutes
who drew 2-2 with Stoke last time out after intitially sweating on
Jean Beausejour's fitness.
United should have been 1-0 up inside the first five minutes when the
on-rushing Welbeck was clipped by Al-Habsi in the area. Replays
suggested it was a harsh decision and the goalkeeper did well to save
Chicharito's weak effort.
The visitors held their own the first half but it was Welbeck who was
causing problems up front for the hosts.
He had four chances in the opening 25 minutes. His first was a volley
which just wentwide and left Al-Habsi stranded, before a second effort
was blocked by Gary Caldwell.
From the resulting corner, Scholes and Welbeck had further volleys
blocked and the England international then headed over from a Carrick
centre.
Wigan nearly scored with a header of their own with an effort
sandwiched in between United's chances. Shaun Maloney whipped in a a
free-kick on the right and Ivan Ramis rosehighest but failed to keep
the ball down.
Emmerson Boyce almost capitalised on an advantage played by referee
Michael Oliver. Hewas caught from behind by Giggs but managed to
bounced back up and shoot just wide.
The second-half proved a step too far for Wigan as the floodgates opened.
Scholes finished just inside the six-yard area following a bout of
pinball in the box. The visitors just could not get the ball clear and
the landmark celebrating midfielder was on hand to rifle home past
Al-Habsi on 51 minutes.
Source : soccernet

FA apologises over Hillsborough disaster

The apology came soon after the Hillsborough Family Support Group called on English football's governing body to say sorry.

The FA gave the go-ahead for the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, at which 96 people died, to be staged at Sheffield Wednesday's ground despite the fact that it had no safety certificate and had been the scene of potentially dangerous crowd situations in previous years.

"We are deeply sorry this tragedy occurred at a stadium the FA selected. This fixture was played in the FA's own competition, and on behalf of the FA I offer a full and unreserved apology and express sincere condolences to all the families of those who lost their lives and to everyone connected with the city of Liverpool and Liverpool Football Club," Bernstein said.

"This should never have happened. Nobody should lose their lives when setting out to attend a football match, and it is a matter of extreme regret and sadness that it has taken so long for these findings to be published and the truth to be told."

Earlier on Thursday, the FA issued a statement in which it welcomed the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report on Britain's worst-ever sporting disaster, saying it "reiterates its deep and ongoing sadness at the dreadful events that unfolded on April 15, 1989".

But Support Group chairman Trevor Hicks said they should go further, following the example set by Sheffield Wednesday and issuing an apology. He told BBC Radio Five Live: "Yes they should - the ground didn't have a safety certificate.''

The FA commended the panel for its work in compiling the report, which revealed a devastating cover-up by police and emergency services and said the lives of some of the victims could and should have been saved.

The panel, chaired by the Right Reverend James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, assessed more than 400,000 pages of documents relating to the tragedy, which happened on the Leppings Lane terraces as the Reds played Nottingham Forest.

In a statement, the FA praised their "exhaustive and professional work" and said: "Having thoroughly reviewed yesterday's report in full, the Football Association would like to commend the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

"It is also important that the FA recognises the tireless commitment shown by so many, particularly the Hillsborough Family Support Group. We welcome the publication of the report.

"The FA reiterates its deep and ongoing sadness at the dreadful events that unfolded on 15 April 1989. The organisation's thoughts at this time remains with the families of all those who lost their lives in such terrible circumstances, as well as everyone connected with the city of Liverpool.

"For 23 years, the families have suffered unbearable pain, and we have profound sympathy for this."

The statement said the FA had "co-operated fully" with the panel throughout the compilation of the report, and had released documentation as requested.

After the report was released, Prime Minister David Cameron, in a statement to the House of Commons, apologised to the families of the victims for the injustice they had suffered and said the report showed that the police cover-up, aided and abetted by media coverage - most infamously in the Sun - had resulted in the "denigration of the deceased".

With the repercussions continuing, South Yorkshire Police is to reopen investigations into police conduct at the time and in the aftermath of the disaster. The force could refer itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Sir Norman Bettison, a South Yorkshire chief inspector in 1989, was at the match as a spectator and joined rescue attempts. He said the 1990 Taylor report "was right in saying that the disaster was caused, mainly, through a lack of police control".

But he added: "Fans' behaviour, to the extent that it was relevant at all, made the job of the police, in the crush outside the Leppings Lane turnstiles, harder than it needed to be. But it didn't cause the disaster."

He insisted he had "nothing to hide" after the report revealed that more than 160 police statements about Hillsborough had been changed, saying: "I never altered a statement nor asked for one to be altered."

On Wednesday, Cameron told MPs: "With the weight of the new evidence in this report, it is right for me today as Prime Minister to make a proper apology to the families of the 96 for all they have suffered over the past 23 years."

Cameron said the report was "black and white" in its findings that Liverpool supporters had been in no way to blame for what happened that day.

Relatives of those who died are to press for criminal actions to be launched. In 23 years, nobody has yet been held to account for the deaths at the Leppings Lane end, and Trevor Hicks, who lost two daughters in the disaster, said the families would take the necessary legal steps themselves if the state failed to act.

"We have two eminent lawyers - they will take the long-term look," Hicks told the BBC's Newsnight programme. "In David Cameron's statement, he said quite categorically that the state had let us down, so we will give the state the opportunity to put that right.

"But if it looks as though they're not going to do that, then we will do as we've done before and we'll take it out of their hands."

Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager on the day of the disaster, said the report's findings "mean the dignified search for justice has been given a platform to build on".

He praised Labour MPs Andy Burnham and Seve Rotheram, whose pressure helped bring about the release of many of the documents scrutinised by the panel, and also praised Cameron for his statement.

The FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he hoped the report's findings meant those affected by Hillsborough could find peace, writing on his Twitter account: "I sincerely hope the findings and the apologies bring some peace to the still-grieving families and the people of Liverpool."

SOURCE:soccernet.com

PICS

Gago: Argentina rely too muchon Messi

Fernando Gago has warned his Argentina team-mates that they will need
to do more than just "pass the ball only" to Lionel Messi ahead of
their World Cup qualifier in Peru on Tuesday.
Gago said Argentina depends much on Messi, which had lead to some
below-par performances from the Albiceleste. He insists Argentina have
begun working on a new style of play to move away from focussing too
much on the Barcelona star.
"Having Lionel is a bonus,but Argentina cannot play the ball only to
Messi," said Gago. "We are building astyle of play from several sides
now."
Gago says the team must carry on their current form if they are to
reach the finals in Brazil.
"We are comfortable and we are getting results, but we cannot think
beyond Peru,then Uruguay," said Gago.
"The qualifiers are difficult,and our first hope is to reach the 2014
World Cup with a ticket in our hands, then we will see."