Premier League clubs' Europe failures down to 'evil' schedule - Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal blames the "evil" Premier League schedule for English football's struggles on the European stage.
Van Gaal's men narrowly escaped a loss to CSKA Moscow in their third Champions League group stage game on Wednesday.
Despite unprecedented riches and squads filled with international stars, Premier League teams have struggled recently in the competition, and the Dutchman believes the fixture list is at fault for their -- and England's -- underachievement abroad.
"There is no winter break and I think that is the most evil thing of this culture," said Van Gaal on Thursday.
"It's not good. It's not good for English football. It's not good for the clubs or the national team. I think you should change it.
"England haven't won anything for how many years? Because all the players are exhausted at the end of the season."
Van Gaal was not all pessimism, however, admitting he does think it possible for an English club to win a league and Champions League double. But it won't be easy.
"It is always possible. I have done that [with Ajax] but I also lost when we were champions in Germany, when we lost the Champions League final," Van Gaal continued.
"It is harder these days. The Premier League is the most difficult league to win, because of the high level of the teams.
"You cannot beat a team easily. Every team is a challenge. It is a rat race, and then you have to play in the European Cup.
"It's not so easy, and that is why English teams over the last few years have not won the Champions League, because of the difference in the leagues."

Jurgen Klopp sees room for Liverpool to improve after draw in Anfield debut

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rated his Anfield debut as "not a masterclass but not the worst day of my life" after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Rubin Kazan.
Emre Can cancelled out Marko Devic's surprise opener before visiting captain Oleg Kuzmin was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 37th minute.
Liverpool should have pressed home their numerical advantage but the closest they came was from substitute Christian Benteke's shot against the post.
"Tonight is not a masterclass but it is not the worst day in my life," said Klopp. "It was a very interesting game, a big challenge because of the quality of Rubin.
"Everyone can see they are not too bad, very experienced, very cool and when they have the ball they were really good and made a first goal -- that is one of the biggest challenges in football.
"You need to restart in the game but we did it well and got our goal, before that they got the red card.
"Sometimes it is a big advantage against 10 men, most of the time they stop playing football and defend in a compact block.
"We had our moments and hit the post through Christian but at the end [there was] no goal.
"So I would say 98 percent OK, not perfect, the other two percent, that is the problem of this game.
"Sion win their game and they are away in the group [with seven points they lead Liverpool by four]. We can come back in Kazan. That is the next challenge."
Klopp was given a rapturous welcome on his first appearance at Anfield and the German appreciated the depth of affection.
He said: "It was one of the best moments for me. I felt everything positive tonight and then I concentrated on the game.
"Usually I don't hear too much during the game and it works for me. But when you come for the first time in a new house, normally you have a present.
"I am not quite satisfied with my present tonight but it was only the first time and I will come again."
Despite him not being entirely happy with the result he knows his side will improve.
"The team is not full of self-confidence and maybe they got a little bit lost," he said. "But we came back. Against 10 it's unthinkable sometimes. They had no counters, they stayed deep and we had to find solutions and we couldn't.
"We had lots of shots on goal, 35 I think, but only nine for the goalie."

Chelsea's Jose Mourinho blasts referee

Jose Mourinho described Slovenian referee Damir Skomina as "weak and naive" for failing to award Chelsea a penalty in their 0-0 Champions League draw at Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
The Chelsea manager's choice of words appeared to be yet another veiled attack on the English FA and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who escaped censure for using the same two adjectives about referee Mike Dean following the Gunners' loss at Chelsea last month.
And Mourinho, who is currently appealing a £50,000 FA fine for his criticism of a Premier League referee, pointedly used the same terminology employed by Wenger when discussing the decision of Skomina to ignore first-half penalty appeals from Cesc Fabregas after a challenge by Serhiy Rybalka.
"The referee was weak and naive. Big penalty," Mourinho told BT Sport.
Mourinho felt Chelsea had been denied a spot-kick for a second successive Champions League away game, following the loss at Porto in the last round.
"The referee and the goal referee decide not to give [it]," Mourinho added. "Against Porto it was a clear handball, last minute, a decision crucial for the result of the game.
"Today it was not last minute but it was a clear penalty. I don't know. The referee didn't see it? The referee decided not to give it?"
Mourinho felt Skomina had a good game otherwise and pointed to the example of Craig Joubert's mistake in Scotland's last-gasp Rugby World Cup quarterfinal loss to Australia, which World Rugby later ruled was an error.
"I think the referee was very good. I'm serious," Mourinho added. "I think he made one mistake and, for example, in the Rugby World Cup, I think the referee in the Scotland game was very good, but he made one mistake and because of that mistake Scotland is crying."
It was a vastly improved display, even on the win over Aston Villa, but Chelsea stayed third in Champions League Group G behind Porto and Dynamo, who remained unbeaten.
Mourinho had targeted four points from the double header with Dynamo -- the Stamford Bridge return is on Nov. 4 -- and was content with a point after losing at Porto last time out.
Yet Chelsea came close to returning from NSK Olimpiyskyi with more as Eden Hazard and Willian hit the woodwork, while Fabregas was denied the spot-kick.
"For 70, 75 minutes, we had the control, the initiative, the chances," Mourinho added. "We hit the post, we had the penalty. We had everything, but we didn't score.
"The game in the second half is a little bit of a trap, because we want to win, we feel we can win. But at the same time we cannot lose.
"If we lose this game we have to win at home and then we are just at the limit. Now we are not at the limit. Even the players for the last period of the game, they felt that pressure.
"The result is acceptable because it keeps us in a strong position. We have the game at home, Dynamo plays against Porto so they have to lose points. We are third, but we are in a stable position."
Hazard was restored to the starting XI, but Mourinho declined to appraise individual performances, merely commenting on the collective, with confidence apparently restored ahead of Saturday's trip to West Ham.
"We are much more solid now. Two matches, two cleansheets. No problems defensively," Mourinho added. "The team was really solid and compact, the midfield really strong.
"We are recovering that compactness, solidarity, effort, tactical discipline - these qualities that are very important when you are not flying, you are not scoring goals, you are not playing with that confidence and attacking flair."
Dynamo head coach Sergei Rebrov was satisfied with the result.
The former Tottenham and West Ham striker said: "The fact is Chelsea now is in 11th place in the English Premier League doesn't mean it's a weak team.

Cech: Arsenal could have lost to Bayern Munich without my saves

Peter cech believe Arsenal could have lost their Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich had it not been for two crucial saves he made when the tie was still goalless.
The experienced goalkeeper denied Thiago Alcantara early on at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, before preventing Robert Lewandowski from opening the scoring after the break.
Late goals from Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil then helped Arsenal to a vital victory, keeping alive the Gunners' ambitions of progressing from the Champions League group stages.
The win prompted Cech, an off-season recruit from Chelsea in the summer, to state how delighted he was with his own contribution to the team's success.
"I think there were two key moments," Cech told Arsenal's official website.
"Obviously if Thiago had scored early in the game then they would have had control of the game so it was a very important save at the start.
"And then I'm obviously glad I made the save against Lewandowski as in that moment we could have been 1-0 down, but instead in a few minutes we were 1-0 up and [that] basically decided the game.
"As much as it went up and down and there were chances and shots and it was very entertaining, it looked like one goal might decide it.

Benzema ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain clash

The striker has failed to recover from a hamstring problem in time to face the Ligue 1 champions on Wednesday

FIFA presidential election date confirmed

FIFA's presidential elections will go ahead as planned on February 26 next year, the governing body's executive committee has confirmed.

The provisional 90-day suspension levelled at incumbent Sepp Blatter - as well as secretary general Jerome Valcke - as part of FIFA's anti-corruption investigations had led to calls for the elections to be brought forward or suspended.

Following an extraordinary meeting of the executive committee on Tuesday, however, FIFA has announced the extraordinary elective congress will be held on the original date at the end of February 2016.

Champions league previews...

BATE BORISOV VS BARCELONA
BATE : Chernik; Olekhnovich, Polyakov, Milunović, Mladenović; Aleksievich, Nikolić, A Volodko, Stasevich; Gordeichuk, Signevich.
Out: Rodionov (knee), Zhavnerchik (foot), Hleb (hip), Dubra (hip)

BARCELONA :Bravo; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Rakitić, Sergi Roberto; Neymar, Luis Suárez, Sandro.
Out: Iniesta (hamstring), Messi (knee), Rafinha (knee)

BAYERN LEVERKUSEN VS ROMA
LEVERKUSEN:  Leno; Donati, Tah, Papadopoulos, Wendell; Kramer, Toprak; Bellarabi, Çalhanoğlu, Mehmedi; Hernández.
Out: Hilbert (knee), Aránguiz (achilles), Ryu (ankle)
Doubtful: Bender (foot), Kiessling (groin)

ROMA: Szczęsny; Torosidis, Manolas, Castán, Digne; De Rossi, Pjanić, Nainggolan; Florenzi, Džeko, Salah.
Out: Keita (thigh), Totti (thigh)

 ARSENAL VS BAYERN MUNCHEN
 ARSENAL:
: Cech; Monreal, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Bellerín; Coquelin, Cazorla; Ramsey, Özil, Sánchez; Walcott.
Out: Ospina (shoulder)

BAYERN  : Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Martínez, Alaba; Alonso, Thiago Alcántara, Lahm, Müller, Costa; Lewandowski.
Out: Benatia (thigh), Badstuber (thigh), Götze (thigh), Ribéry (ankle), Robben (thigh)


 DINAMO ZAGREB VS OLYMPIACOS 
Dinamo zagreb:
Eduardo; Pinto, Benković, Taravel, Pivarić; Soudani, Gonçalo Santos, Machado, Antolić, Fernandes; Pjaca.
Out: Schildenfeld (thigh), Pavičić (metatarsal), Ademi (suspended)
Doubtful: Leonardo Sigali (ligaments)

Olympiacos : Roberto; Elabdellaoui, Botía, Siovas, Salino; Milivojević, Kasami; Pardo, Fortounis, Sebá; Ideye.
Out: Bouchalakis (thigh), Maniatis (knee), Cambiasso (calf)


PORTO VS MACCABI TEL-AVIV 
PORTO:  Casillas; Maxi Pereira, Marcano, Martins Indi, Layún; Rúben Neves, Imbula, André André, Brahimi; Corona, Aboubakar.
Out: Maicon (thigh)
Doubtful: Marcano (ankle)

MACCABI :
 Rajković; Dasa, Ben Haim I, Tibi, Rikan; Vermouth, Alberman, Mitrović, Peretz, Zahavi; Ben Basat.
Out: Igiebor (knee)
Doubtful: Radonjić (knee)


DYNAMO KYIV VS CHELSEA 
DYNAMO KYIV:Shovkovskiy; Danilo Silva, Dragovic, Khacheridi, Antunes; Veloso, Sydorchuk, Garmash, González, Yarmolenko; Júnior Moraes.
Doubtful: Rybalka (thigh)

CHELSEA: 
 Begović; Azpilicueta, Terry, Cahill, Baba; Matić, Ramires; Willian, Fàbregas, Hazard; Costa.
Out: Ivanović (hamstring), Courtois (knee)

ZENIT VS LYON 
ZENIT:  Kerzhakov; Anyukov, Garay, Lombaerts, Neto; Javi García, Witsel, Shatov, Danny; Hulk, Dzyuba.
Out: Smolnikov (adductor), Fayzulin (knee)
Doubtful: Criscito (foot)

LYON: Lopes; Jallet, Yanga-Mbiwa, Umtiti, Rafael; Darder, Gonalons, Valbuena, Tolisso; Beauvue, Lacazette.
Out: Bedimo (thigh), Fekir (knee), Fofana (ankle), Grenier (thigh), Kalulu (ankle), Biševac (thigh)
Doubtful: Morel (back)


VALENCIA VS GENT 
VALENCIA:  Doménech; Cancelo, Santos, Mustafi, Gayà; Fuego, Parejo, Gomes, Feghouli; Piatti, Alcácer.
Out: Abdennour (hamstring), Ryan (knee), Diego Alves (knee), Negredo (rested), De Paul (rested), Vezo (rested)

GENT: Sels; Asare, Johansson, Mitrović, Nielsen; Neto, Kums; Simon, Milicevic, Matton; Depoitre.
Doubtful: Simon (illness)
Out: Gershon (knee), Arias (suspended)

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES FOR 20TH OCTOBER 2015

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH DAY 3 FIXTURES

BATE BORISOV VS BARCELONA
BAYERN LEVERKUSEN  VS ROMA
ARSENAL VS BAYERN MUNCHEN
DINAMO ZAGREB VS OLYMPIAKOS
PORTO VS MACCABI TEL-AVIV
DYNAMO KYIV VS CHELSEA
ZENIT VS LYON
VALENCIA

All the matches are scheduled for 7:45pm

Emmanuel Emenike announces international retirement

forward Emmanuel Emenike has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 28, becoming the second player after Vincent Enyeama to sign out of the senior national team.
The Al Ain player who was top scorer at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa took the decision for peace to reign in the Super Eagles where he felt should not be a ‘family house’ or a ‘threat zone’ to any individual.
Reports had suggested that Emenike might be kicked out of the Super Eagles setup no thanks to his poor form for the country. He had struggled for goals since finding the back of the net against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa during the 2014 Fifa World Cup play-off in October 2013.
This might have forced him out of the team, bringing an end to a Nigeria career that saw him play in one World Cup and one Africa Cup of Nations where his four goals handed the Super Eagles their third title as well as the topscorer’s award.
He wrote on Instagram: “No more Eagles career! After five great years, I am happy to announce that I have put full-stop to my national team career for the sake of national peace.”
“It’s a pleasure for me to have played for this great country. I never regretted it and I think it’s the best time to end it. Million thanks to all the fans who have been very supportive during the good and bad times.
“I am very proud of my performance, I am proud of my team mates and I am very proud of the nation called ‘Nigeria’. My Afcon gold medal is a sign of great achievement, My Afcon topscorer award speaks a lot about my commitment and dedication to the team. Super Eagles is a camp not a family house, and it shouldn’t be a threat zone for any individual.
“I have done according to our national anthem. All my dreams came true in the national team, I dreamt (sic) to win Nations Cup for Nigeria after 20-years, I dreamt (sic) to played at the World Cup as well as to make a name for myself… In the space of five years, I got them. I’m a winner!
“For every disappointing fans, maybe due to my inability to re-establish my goal scoring instinct for Super Eagles, I will like to say I’m sorry but the ones I had scored counted well for the team.
”As long as Nigeria remains, you and I will always remember the name ‘Emenike’. “Finally, I am happy to make a bow and continue supporting the team every time,” he concluded.
Emenike will be fondly remembered for his rib cracking missile against Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter final of the 2013 Afcon where the Eagles soared 2-1 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.

Mourinho: I laid foundations for Real Madrid's La Decima

Jose mourinho claims he laid the foundations for Real Madrid's historic Champions League triumph in 2014, the year after he departed the Spanish capital.

The Portuguese left Real in the summer of 2013 after guiding Los Blancos to three consecutive Champions League semi-finals, only for his successor Carlo Ancelotti to go one better and win La Decima - Real's tenth European Cup crown.

The Chelsea boss, who won the competition with both Porto and Inter, claims he was responsible for positive "change" at the Santiago Bernabeu but admitted he thought he would win the Champions League for a third time with Real.

"When I arrived at Real Madrid they hadn't reached the quarter-finals for almost a decade and when we got Lyon in the last 16, the club was in panic," the 52-year-old told UEFA.com.

"We went through that barrier and the club changed, the players changed. We thought we would win the competition. But in three consecutive years we reached the semi-finals, and for different reasons we didn't manage to reach the final."

Despite his failure to win the competition with Real, Mourinho said he was happy with Ancelotti's feat.

He added: "The one that was really difficult was the one we lost on penalties [to Bayern]. It was a big disappointment, but when Real Madrid won it in 2014 the club deserved it. The club deserved it totally, and I was happy."

SATURDAY BETTING TIPS

bournemouth vs watford = 1x
manchester city vs newscatle = 1
sunderland vs westham = over 1.5goals
wycombe vs northamptom = under 2.5goals
borrusia monchenglabach vs wolfburg = bts
excelsior vs utrecht = bts
brighton vs caddif = 1
derby vs brentford = 1

       ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.....

Greg Dyke criticises Mourinho over Carneiro

The FA chief says the Blues boss "made a mistake" and adds that although he has not broken any rules he has made an error of judgement in his handling of the saga


Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has criticised Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and says he should have apologised to Eva Carneiro for his behaviour.

The Blues’ boss has been cleared by the FA of any wrongdoing after he was accused of using abusive language towards Carneiro, the club doctor, during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Swansea.

Mourinho was angered by Carneiro's treatment of Eden Hazard, which left the Blues temporarily with nine men, and the 42-year-old has subsequently left her job after being downgraded from her role.

Dyke is clearly unimpressed with the Portuguese's behaviour and says he owes Dr Carneiro an apology for his actions.

"I don't think Mr Mourinho comes well out of the whole saga - he clearly made a mistake in the heat of a game, and should have said so and apologised," Dyke said in a letter to FA Council members

"Instead he has said very little and Miss Carneiro has lost her job.

"Our regulatory team have investigated this and whilst Mr Mourinho has breached no rules, it was clearly a failure of his personal judgement and public behaviour."

Van Gaal: I’m a different manager to Wenger and Ferguson

The 64-year-old has reiterated his desire to leave Manchester United when his contract expires in 2017 and says he is a man of his word

Louis van Gaal says he is a different type of manager to Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger as he prepares to take on the Arsenal boss at the Emirates on Sunday.

The Dutch coach arrived at Old Trafford in 2014 but has already insisted he plans to retire from his post when his contract expires in 2017.

Wenger, meanwhile, has been at the helm of the Gunners for 19 years but Van Gaal has reiterated his intention to retire and says he is man of his word.

“I set aims and I was very lucky that clubs or national teams want me," he told reporters. “Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson are other types I think.

“I always want more. I have set my aims always in advance. It’s the same thing as what I’m doing now.

“I shall retire. I always do what I have said. I have always set my own aims and I think that I have set my last aim also.”

Van Gaal’s side head to Arsenal top of the table and three points ahead of the Gunners and the Dutch coach took time to praise one of his key players so far this season, Chris Smalling.

“I think the player, when he does things, he does it all by himself,” he told reporters.

“I help him with advice and also with demands, also with training sessions, also with showing images to improve him, but he has to be open and he has to perform on the pitch. He does everything for himself. The greatest compliment you have to make is to Chris and not to me.”

“Obviously he got the chances because of that but it is always like that. As a player you need vacancies in positions and when it is your position you have more luck. That’s always true in football clubs.