World Soccer Talk: November 2019

Saturday, 30 November 2019

Where to find Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona on US TV in LaLiga, you’ve come to the right place.

With Comcast Xfinity and DIRECTV dropping beIN SPORTS, be sure you don’t miss out on the LaLiga season, which you can watch for free with a trial to fuboTV. More details below.

Match: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona

Kickoff: Sunday, 3pm ET

Looking to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

We Recommend:

US Only.

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona
What: LaLiga, gameweek 15
When: Game kicks off at 3pm ET / Noon PT; Sunday, December 1, 2019
Where: Live on beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV, Sling Latino, Sling World Sports and Fanatiz (free trial)

With fuboTV, you can watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona and tons more LaLiga games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.

Now with fuboTV, you can stream NBCSN, FS1, FS2 as well as beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Net, RAI Italia, Telemundo, Univision, Univision Deportes, UniMas, Eleven Sports, CBS, CSN and YES.

Plus fuboTV, the legal streaming service, also streams Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, Bundesliga, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and Euro 2020 qualifiers.

The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle.

Here are the steps to take to watch the Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona game with your free fuboTV trial:

1. Click on this link for the fuboTV 7-day trial.

2. Click on the red ‘Start for free’ button (see screengrab below)

3. On the login page, enter your e-mail address to sign up (or you can use your Facebook or Google logins) (see screengrab below)

4. After entering your login details and signing up for the free trial, you’ll be taken to the fuboTV main screen (see screengrab below)

5. From here, you can either scroll down the page to see the TV listings which include the Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona game (see screengrab below)

6. Or you can click on the ‘Guide’ button at the top to see all of the channels available to you, which will include beIN SPORTS featuring Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona (see screengrab below)

SEE MORE: Schedule of LaLiga games on US TV and streaming

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Where to find Monaco vs. PSG on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Monaco vs. PSG on US TV in Ligue 1, you’ve come to the right place.

In Paris Saint-Germain’s 15th game of the 2019/20 season, Monaco vs. PSG will be shown on TV and streaming (more details below).

Match: Monaco vs. PSG

Kickoff: Sunday, 3pm ET

Looking to watch Monaco vs. PSG online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

We Recommend:

US Only.

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: Monaco vs. PSG
What: Ligue 1, gameweek 15
When: Game kicks off at 3pm ET / Noon PT; Sunday, December 1, 2019
Where: Live on beIN SPORTS Connect, fuboTV, Fanatiz, Sling Latino, Sling World Sports (free trial)

With fuboTV, you can watch Monaco vs. PSG and tons more Ligue 1 games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.

Now with fuboTV, you can stream NBCSN, FS1, FS2 as well as beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Net, Telemundo, Univision, Univision Deportes, UniMas, Eleven Sports, CBS, CSN, RAI Italia America and YES.

The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle.

Here are the steps to take to watch the Monaco vs. PSG game with your free fuboTV trial:

1. Click on this link for the fuboTV 7-day trial.

2. Click on the red ‘Start for free’ button (see screengrab below)

3. On the login page, enter your e-mail address to sign up (or you can use your Facebook or Google logins) (see screengrab below)

4. After entering your login details and signing up for the free trial, you’ll be taken to the fuboTV main screen (see screengrab below)

5. From here, you can either scroll down the page to see the TV listings which include the Monaco vs. PSG game (see screengrab below)

6. Or you can click on the ‘Guide’ button at the top to see all of the channels available to you, which will include beIN SPORTS Connect featuring Monaco vs. PSG (see screengrab below)

SEE MORE: Schedule of Ligue 1 games on US TV and streaming

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Messi and Rapinoe expected to take Ballon d’Or honours

Paris (AFP) – The biggest names in world football will descend on Paris on Monday for the 2019 Ballon d’Or ceremony, with Lionel Messi and USA women’s World Cup superstar Megan Rapinoe tipped to leave with the honours.

It would be an enormous shock if Rapinoe did not depart the Chatelet Theatre with the women’s prize as she returns to the country where she was the driving force on and off the field for the United States as they retained their title.

The suspense surrounds the identity of the men’s winner, 12 months after Croatia’s Luka Modric claimed the crown thanks to his exploits in dragging his country to the World Cup final and winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.

That ended a decade in which Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had won the Ballon d’Or five times each, but the smart money now is on the Barcelona man claiming number six.

There are 30 nominees in total for the prize, organised by France Football magazine and voted for by 180 journalists from around the world.

– The case for Van Dijk –

Among the names is Ronaldo, as well as several of the stars of the Liverpool side who won the Champions League, chief among them Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk.

At one point he looked like the favourite, but Messi already pipped him to FIFA’s The Best title in September.

The 32-year-old top-scored in La Liga last season with 36 goals as Barcelona won the title. He did not have a great Copa America with Argentina, but his genius is undeniable.

“If you give the Ballon d’Or to the best player of this generation then you should give it always to Lionel Messi. That’s how it is,” admitted Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“But if you give it to the best player of last season, then it was Virgil van Dijk. I don’t know exactly how it will work but that is how I see it.”

The value of individual honours in football is debatable, and the timing unsatisfactory, coming midway through the European club season.

Yet surely nobody could suggest Rapinoe would not be a deserving winner of just the second women’s Ballon d’Or, an award voted for by a panel of 48 journalists.

Norway’s Ada Hegerberg won it in 2018 but will not retain her title after missing the World Cup.

Among the stars of that tournament to be nominated are England’s Lucy Bronze, Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema, Australia’s Sam Kerr and the USA trio of Alex Morgan, Rose Lavelle and Tobin Heath.

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Where to find Man United vs. Aston Villa on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Man United vs. Aston Villa on US TV in the Premier League, you’ve come to the right place.

For viewers in the US, Man United vs. Aston Villa will be shown on TV and streaming (more details below).

Match: Man United vs. Aston Villa

Kickoff: Sunday, 11:30am ET

Looking to watch Man United vs. Aston Villa online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

We Recommend:

US Only.

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: Man United vs. Aston Villa
What: Premier League, gameweek 14
When: Game kicks off at 11:30am ET / 8:30am PT; Sunday, December 1, 2019
Where: Live on NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial)

With fuboTV, you can watch Man United vs. Aston Villa and tons more Premier League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.

Plus fuboTV, the legal streaming service, also streams Serie A, La Liga, Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, Bundesliga, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and Euro 2020 qualifiers.

The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle.

Here are the steps to take to watch the Man United vs. Aston Villa game with your free fuboTV trial:

1. Click on this link for the fuboTV 7-day trial.

2. Click on the red ‘Start for free’ button (see screengrab below)

3. On the login page, enter your e-mail address to sign up (or you can use your Facebook or Google logins) (see screengrab below)

4. After entering your login details and signing up for the free trial, you’ll be taken to the fuboTV main screen (see screengrab below)

5. From here, you can either scroll down the page to see the TV listings which include the Man United vs. Aston Villa game (see screengrab below)

6. Or you can click on the ‘Guide’ button at the top to see all of the channels available to you, which will include NBCSN featuring Man United vs. Aston Villa (see screengrab below)

SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming

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Where to find Norwich vs. Arsenal on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Norwich vs. Arsenal on US TV in the Premier League, you’ve come to the right place.

For viewers in the US, Norwich vs. Arsenal will be shown on TV and streaming (more details below).

Match: Norwich vs. Arsenal

Kickoff: Sunday, 9am ET

Looking to watch Norwich vs. Arsenal online from your work, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

We Recommend:

US Only.

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

Who: Norwich vs. Arsenal
What: Premier League, gameweek 14
When: Game kicks off at 9am ET / 6am PT; Sunday, December 1, 2019
Where: Live on NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial)

With fuboTV, you can watch Norwich vs. Arsenal and tons more Premier League games with a 7-day trial. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.

The fuboTV app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Apple TV, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Amazon Kindle.

Here are the steps to take to watch the Norwich vs. Arsenal game with your free fuboTV trial:

1. Click on this link for the fuboTV 7-day trial.

2. Click on the red ‘Start for free’ button (see screengrab below)

3. On the login page, enter your e-mail address to sign up (or you can use your Facebook or Google logins) (see screengrab below)

4. After entering your login details and signing up for the free trial, you’ll be taken to the fuboTV main screen (see screengrab below)

5. From here, you can either scroll down the page to see the TV listings which include the Norwich vs. Arsenal game (see screengrab below)

6. Or you can click on the ‘Guide’ button at the top to see all of the channels available to you, which will include NBCSN featuring Norwich vs. Arsenal (see screengrab below)

SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming

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Portugal, France, Germany drawn together at Euro 2020 as England get Croatia

Bucharest (AFP) – Reigning European champions Portugal will come up against World Cup winners France and Germany in the standout group at Euro 2020 following Saturday’s draw for the tournament in Bucharest, as England came out alongside Croatia.

Neither France nor Portugal were in Pot One for the 24-team competition being held in 12 cities across Europe, making them the dangerous teams to avoid for the top seeds.

In the event, they came out together in an incredibly tough Group F alongside Germany, who will play group games at home in Munich. That is where Joachim Loew’s team will face France in their first match on June 16.

Group F will be completed by one of the winners of the play-offs to be played next March, leaving open several possibilities including Hungary, who will play at home in Budapest should they make it.

France beat Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2016 on home soil, before losing in the final to a Portugal side who claimed the title for the first time.

Meanwhile, England were drawn with Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group D, with Gareth Southgate’s team to play home group games at Wembley, which will also be the venue for the semi-finals and final.

That section will be completed by the team to emerge victorious from Path C in the play-offs, between Serbia, Norway, Israel and Scotland. The latter have the added incentive of knowing they will play home games in Glasgow in the group stage should they qualify.

England faced the Czech Republic in qualifying, winning 5-0 at Wembley but suffering their only defeat of the campaign in Prague, where they went down 2-1 in October.

England will kick off at home to Croatia on June 14 in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, which was won by the Croatians.

However, should England win their group they will have to play the runners-up from Group F, setting up a possible clash with Germany, France or Portugal in the last 16.

Elsewhere, Italy will face Turkey in Rome in the tournament’s opening game on June 12, with Switzerland and Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales also in that section, Group A.

Spain will take on Sweden and Poland as well as a play-off winner in Group E.

The month-long tournament will conclude with the final in London on July 12.

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Nervy Leipzig go top, Klinsmann loses at new club Hertha

Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig returned to the top of the Bundesliga Saturday with a nervous 3-2 win at bottom side Paderborn, but both Bayern Munich and Borussia Moenchengladbach could yet replace them in first place this weekend.

Leipzig regained top spot for the first time since September by winning at Paderborn, capping a fine week for the club after reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in midweek.

Defending champions Bayern can draw level on 27 points by beating Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena later Saturday.

Moenchengladbach, who Leipzig knocked down into second, can reclaim top spot if they beat Freiburg on Sunday.

In the capital, ex-Germany and USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann started his tenure as Hertha Berlin’s interim boss with a 2-1 home defeat to 10-man Borussia Dortmund at the Olympic Stadium, packed with 74,667 supporters.

In Paderborn, Leipzig were 2-0 up inside four minutes with early goals by Patrik Schick and Marcel Sabitzer before Germany striker Timo Werner made it 3-0 at half-time with his 13th league goal this season.

However, it was a completely different story after the break as Paderborn, who earned a 3-3 draw at Dortmund last weekend, roared back.

Having had a goal ruled offside just after the break, striker Streli Mamba, who scored twice at Dortmund, tucked his shot inside the post with an hour gone.

Paderborn captain Klaus Gjasula then scored their second with 17 minutes left after being left unmarked in the middle, but Leipzig clung on leaving their fans chanting “Table Leaders!” after the final whistle.

“We made it more tense than necessary,” admitted Leipzig sports director Markus Kroesche.

“That’s a bit normal after the stress of the last few weeks,” he added as Leipzig needed two late Emil Forsberg goals to draw with Benfica on Wednesday.

– Hummels sees red –

Dortmund beat Klinsmann’s new club despite playing the entire second-half with ten men, easing pressure on coach Lucien Favre.

Dortmund are fifth — four points behind Leipzig.

“We gave everything. It wasn’t easy to defend in the second half with ten men,” said Favre, while club captain Marco Reus described the second-half as “just a matter of suffering and battling”.

Jadon Sancho backed up his superb Champions League strike at Barcelona in midweek with a fine finish after 15 minutes.

With Klinsmann urging his shell-shocked team to stay calm, Thorgan Hazard made it 2-0 a minute later by stabbing home a Achraf Hakimi cross.

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Emotional debutant Martin gives Pellegrini a lift

London (AFP) – West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini insisted the speculation he was on the verge of being sacked was no distraction after a dream debut for an emotional David Martin inspired Saturday’s shock 1-0 win at Chelsea.

Pellegrini’s decision to give Martin his first Premier League start proved a successful gamble and left the 33-year-old goalkeeper crying tears of joy at the final whistle.

While Martin’s moment in the spotlight was as heart-warming as it was unexpected, West Ham’s first win in eight league games made the trip to Stamford Bridge even more significant for Pellegrini, who was reportedly give two matches to save his job this week.

The former Manchester City boss, whose team have clambered clear of the relegation zone, said the key was keeping his players focused despite the sack talk.

“For me the most difficult thing this week was not being worried about the job or what was happening in the future, it was to convince the players not to change the style even though we weren’t having the results we needed,” Pellegrini said.

“I wanted them to enjoy playing. When you make changes and don’t win you are a beast and when you make changes and do win you are a genius.”

With first choice Lukasz Fabianski injured and his deputy Roberto in terrible form, journeyman Martin was handed his first appearance following his close-season free transfer from local rivals Millwall.

Martin, who has spells at Tranmere, Accrington and MK Dons among many unglamorous stops on his CV, was at fault for a last-second goal in Millwall’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat against Brighton last season.

But Pellegrini was sure he would rise to the occasion in his long-awaited top-flight debut.

Martin’s clean-sheet wasn’t without a few nervy moments in truth, but he was hugged by the entire team at full-time before clambering into the stands to see his father Alvin Martin, a West Ham stalwart who spent over 20 years as a defender with the east Londoners.

“Yes of course I know his family is linked with this club. It wasn’t easy for him to make his first start in this moment,” Pellegrini said.

“But when I spoke with him in the week I could see he was prepared. He was calm before the game and he demonstrated that in the 90 minutes.”

– Below par Chelsea –

Wiping away the tears, Martin, born not far from West Ham in Romford, said: “It still doesn’t feel real. I’m just pleased I got through it, I didn’t let anyone down and actually I enjoyed it in the end.

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Liverpool stretch lead as Man City, Chelsea stumble

London (AFP) – Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points with a nervy 2-1 win over Brighton as Manchester City slipped up once more in a draw at Newcastle on Saturday.

Chelsea missed the chance to go level on points with second-placed City as Frank Lampard’s men suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat by West Ham, while Tottenham’s winning run under Jose Mourinho continued as Dele Alli scored twice in a 3-2 win over Bournemouth.

Virgil van Dijk is hoping to beat Lionel Messi to the Ballon d’Or on Monday and showed he can score goals as well as stop them with two towering headers from Trent Alexander-Arnold set-piece deliveries to put Liverpool 2-0 up inside 25 minutes.

However, goalkeeper Alisson Becker was sent off 14 minutes from time for handling outside his area and Brighton reduced the deficit from the resulting free-kick through captain Lewis Dunk.

But the 10 men held out for another vital three points to edge closer to a first league title in 30 years.

While Liverpool have made a habit of winning games when not at their best, not for the first time this season, City let points slip away to further dent their title chances after a 2-2 draw.

– City twice blow lead –

Twice Pep Guardiola’s men led at St James’ Park through Raheem Sterling and a brilliant Kevin De Bruyne strike eight minutes from time.

But Newcastle responded quickly on both occasions as Jetro Willems cancelled out Sterling’s strike before Jonjo Shelvey swept home a well-worked free-kick two minutes from time.

“We do the same work we have done over the last few seasons. We tried to score more goals but it did not happen,” said Guardiola, whose side failed to capitalise on nearly 80 percent of possession.

City’s slip-up gave Chelsea the chance to go level on points with the champions and Leicester, who host Everton on Sunday.

However, the Blues failed to replicate their fine form over the past two months as West Ham won for the first time in nine games to ease the pressure on Manuel Pellegrini.

Aaron Cresswell scored the only goal three minutes into the second half with a tidy finish as he cut inside onto his weaker right foot.

But it was the Hammers who were the more likely to add to the scoring as the second period wore on with Kepa Arrizabalaga keeping them at bay with a string of saves, while Michail Antonio had a goal ruled out after a VAR review for handball.

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Ten-man Liverpool grateful for van Dijk double

Liverpool (AFP) – A first-half brace from Virgil van Dijk lifted Liverpool 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League in a 2-1 win over Brighton that was filled with drama after the sending off of home goalkeeper Alisson.

The Brazilian was dismissed on 76 minutes as he raced out of his area to handle an attempted chip by Brighton substitute Leandro Trossard.

Spanish replacement Adrian came on but his first act was to pick the ball out of the net as Lewis Dunk rolled the free-kick past the Liverpool wall and an unprepared goalkeeper.

The loss in midweek of influential midfielder Fabinho had taken the gloss off a successful period for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with an ankle injury ruling the Brazilian out for six weeks.

But the mood around Anfield before kick-off was certainly lifted when news came through from the north-east that their rivals Manchester City had unexpectedly dropped two points at Newcastle.

It did not take long for that mood to improve still further as Liverpool set about their task of attempting to move 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side, the defending champions and the team still seen as their greatest challengers.

It took 18 minutes for Klopp’s men to take a deserved lead after Pascal Gross fouled Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain outside the Brighton area.

Trent Alexander-Arnold floated in the perfect free-kick and van Dijk rose powerfully above Adam Webster to head in his second goal of the season and first since the opening day of the season.

It did not take as long for van Dijk to wait for his third of the season — six minutes to be precise — as Brighton failed to learn from conceding the opener and allowed the same combination to double the lead.

This time it was from a left-wing corner as Alexander-Arnold delivered a perfect centre and the Dutch defender rose magnificently to beat Dunk and power a bullet header past a helpless Mat Ryan.

In between, van Dijk might have found the back of the net again, only this time his own, as he sliced a Davy Propper cross that flew inches wide of Liverpool’s far post.

But that was a rare moment of respite for Brighton, whose poor set-piece defending had left them facing a near impossible task against a Liverpool side unbeaten in home league games since Crystal Palace beat them in April 2017, 951 days ago.

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Nervy Leipzig go top and Klinsmann’s new side lose

Leipzig regained top spot in the league for the first time since September after winning at Paderborn, capping a fine week for the club that reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in midweek.

Defending champions Bayern can draw level on 27 points by beating Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena later Saturday.

And Moenchengladbach, who Leipzig knocked into second, can regain top spot with a point to spare if they beat Freiburg on Sunday.

In the capital, ex-Germany and USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann started his tenure as Hertha Berlin’s interim coach with a 2-1 home defeat to 10-man Borussia Dortmund at the Olympic Stadium.

Leipzig were 2-0 up inside four minutes at Paderborn with early goals by Patrik Schick and Marcel Sabitzer before Germany striker Timo Werner made it 3-0 at half-time with his 13th league goal this season.

However, it was a completely different story after the break as Paderborn, who earned a 3-3 draw at Dortmund last weekend, roared back.

Having had a goal ruled offside at the start of the second half, striker Streli Mamba, who scored twice at Dortmund a week ago, tucked his shot inside the post with an hour gone.

Then Paderborn captain Klaus Gjasula scored their second with 17 minutes left after being left unmarked in the middle, but Leipzig clung on.

Dortmund’s win against Klinsmann’s new side eases the pressure on coach Lucien Favre and leaves his team fifth — four points behind Leipzig.

Jadon Sancho backed up his superb Champions League strike at Barcelona in midweek with a superb finish after 15 minutes to start the scoring.

With Klinsmann urging his shell-shocked team to stay calm, Thorgan Hazard made it 2-0 a minute later by stabbing home a Achraf Hakimi cross.

Vladimir Darida pulled a goal back for Hertha on 34 minutes and Dortmund were down to 10 men just before half-time when Hummels clumsily fouled Davie Selke – his second booking on the same player inside 15 minutes.

Selke had a second-half goal ruled offside and Hertha finished stronger, but Dortmund hung on.

There was eight cards in the first-half — equalling the league record — as Cologne drew 1-1 at home to Augsburg and both teams were reduced to ten men in the first 45 minutes.

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West Ham ease pressure on Pellegrini with shock Chelsea win

London (AFP) – Aaron Cresswell eased the pressure on Manuel Pellegrini as the West Ham defender fired his struggling side to a shock 1-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday.

Pellegrini was reportedly given two games to save his job this week, but the Hammers boss might have earned much-needed breathing space with a first win in eight Premier League games.

It was West Ham’s first victory at Stamford Bridge in 14 visits dating back to 2002.

The Hammers had lost their last three matches, increasing the speculation that former Manchester City manager Pellegrini was set for the sack.

Now Pellegrini goes into Wednesday’s trip to Wolves with renewed hope of avoiding the axe after West Ham moved six points clear of the relegation zone.

Inflicting a second successive Premier League defeat on Chelsea made the hard-fought result even sweeter for West Ham fans.

After last weekend’s loss at Manchester City, fourth placed Chelsea’s momentum has stalled a little following one of the least coherent displays of Frank Lampard’s maiden season in charge.

West Ham’s slump has coincided with the poor form of reserve keeper Roberto following an injury to first choice Lukasz Fabianski.

Pellegrini finally lost patience with Roberto after he conceded nine goals in his last three games, handing 33-year-old David Martin his debut after his pre-season move from Millwall.

It proved a successful gamble and Martin cried tears of joy after keeping a clean-sheet on his first top-flight appearance.

When Martin was called into action for the first time, his save from Mason Mount’s low drive drew extra loud cheers from the West Hams crammed into the Shed End behind him.

Chelsea were dominating possession without finding the final touch needed to break down West Ham’s massed defence as Christian Pulisic headed Pedro’s cross wastefully over.

Martin then misjudged Reece James’ deflected cross and watched in panic as it clanged off the near post, with the resulting corner headed woefully wide by Kurt Zouma.

– Lack of cutting edge –

Despite Chelsea’s territorial superiority, they remained creaky at the back.

No top-10 team had conceded more than the 19 goals Chelsea had allowed heading into the latest round of fixtures.

Pellegrini’s men almost took advantage of the holes in Chelsea’s defence when Robert Snodgrass swung over a cross and Michail Antonio found space for a diving header that Kepa Arrizabalaga pushed away at full stretch.

Martin fumbled Mateo Kovacic’s long-range effort before recovering quickly to block Olivier Giroud’s attempt to knock in the rebound.

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Alli double sends Mourinho’s Tottenham up to fifth

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho’s perfect start as Tottenham manager stretched to three games as Spurs saw off Bournemouth 3-2 thanks to Dele Alli’s double on Saturday.

The Portuguese coach made recovering Alli’s form of old one of his top priorities when taking over from Mauricio Pochettino last week and it is already paying dividends as the England international has now scored three times in three games under Mourinho.

Moussa Sissoko scored his first goal for over two years in emphatic fashion on the volley from Son Heung-min’s cross to make it 3-0 before two goals from substitute Harry Wilson gave Bournemouth late hope of a dramatic comeback.

Spurs first back-to-back league wins of the season moves last season’s Champions League finalists up to fifth and to within six points of the top four after Chelsea and Manchester City slipped up against West Ham and Newcastle respectively on Saturday.

Despite winning Mourinho’s first three games in charge, Spurs have conceded twice in every match and their defensive deficiencies were clear to see again early on as Bournemouth cut through the hosts’ midfield with ease.

Paulo Gazzaniga spilled Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld’s driven shot with a save that did not inspire confidence in Hugo Lloris’s stand-in and the Argentine also failed to hold Diego Rico’s long-range effort moments later.

However, Mourinho’s risk in exposing his midfield with Alli playing so high just behind Harry Kane has also reaped plenty of reward in his first two weeks in charge.

– Spurs click into gear –

The two combined to send Son scampering clear on goal with a rapid counter-attack, but the South Korean dragged his shot just wide.

Son was more accurate with his next involvement as he was picked out perfectly by Toby Alderweireld’s pass in behind the Bournemouth defence and his cushioned touch left Alli with the simple task of tapping home his first goal of the match.

Spurs then clicked into gear as Kane’s fiercely struck near-post shot was parried by Aaron Ramsdale, before Davinson Sanchez fired home only to be penalised for handling the ball as he controlled Sissoko’s shot.

Tottenham struck the knockout blow five minutes into the second half when another pinpoint long ball from Alderweireld was cushioned by Alli on his chest before he sat Ramsdale down and dinked the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

That was Alli’s fifth goal in his last nine games after a 21-match streak between January and October without one for club and country.

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Pasalic double gets Atalanta back to winning ways at Brescia

Milan (AFP) – Mario Pasalic scored twice to get Atalanta back to winning ways with a 3-0 Serie A victory in a Lombardy derby at Mario Balotelli’s struggling Brescia on Saturday.

Pasalic nodded in the opener on 26 minutes, before grabbing a second after an hour with Josip Illicic firing in a late third to end Atalanta’s four-match winless run in the league.

The Bergamo side, boosted by claiming their first ever Champions League win against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek, are now level on points with fourth-placed Cagliari and Roma, who play later this weekend.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side had not won in Serie A since their 7-1 victory over Udinese a month ago.

Italy forward Balotelli returned to the Brescia line-up having being dropped last weekend for his lack of commitment in training.

But apart from hitting the crossbar on 55 minutes, Balotelli rarely threatened as the promoted side fell to their sixth consecutive defeat to stay rooted to the bottom of the table.

The match was the first since the publication of a letter on Friday signed by the country’s 20 top-flight clubs saying ‘basta’ (that’s enough) to racism in Italian stadiums.

Balotelli, who returned to Italy to play for his hometown club this season, has been targeted by racist abuse this term.

Atalanta dominated, with Pasalic connecting with a Timothy Castagne cross to head in early on.

The midfielder then scored his fourth goal of the season, having also netted against Manchester City and Udinese, with a back-heel flick from an Ilicic cross.

Slovenian Ilicic broke through for the third two minutes into injury time.

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Madrid go top after gutsy win at Alaves

Madrid (AFP) – Sergio Ramos scored a goal and conceded a penalty as Real Madrid battled past Alaves on Saturday to go top of La Liga before Sunday’s game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Barca and Atletico face off at the Wanda Metropolitano and Madrid did all they could to take advantage, with Dani Carvajal the unlikely matchwinner in a gritty 2-1 victory over Alaves.

“We know at these grounds that teams give everything against Madrid,” said Marcelo. “It’s in these matches that leagues are won.”

“We fought until the end,” added Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.

Ramos had headed them in front shortly after half-time only to concede a needless penalty for throwing his arm across Joselu, which Lucas Perez converted before Carvajal poked in.

Madrid pull three points clear of Barcelona and six ahead of Atletico, who have played a game more than the top two. Sevilla, in third, host Leganes on Sunday. Alaves stay 13th.

A 1-0 defeat at Mendizorrotza 13 months ago came three weeks before Julen Lopetegui was sacked as coach but this time Madrid showed the kind of steel that was so painfully lacking last season.

On a wet and windy afternoon in the Basque country, Zidane’s side never showed the verve and creativity that was so impressive in the draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

But this was a gutsy performance that means they have now won six and drawn two of their last eight matches in all competitions, with the Clasico against Barcelona next month fast approaching.

“A few weeks ago people were saying a lot about this team,” said Zidane. “But we have to stay the same, stay calm and keep working because this is just the start.”

Gareth Bale made his first Madrid start since October 5 after recovering from a calf injury and his first too since his controversial celebration with Wales earlier this month, which sparked anger among his club’s supporters.

Bale hit the post in the first half but faded and was replaced by Rodrygo after Alaves’ equaliser.

With Eden Hazard out injured, Isco also kept his place while Alphonse Areola was given a rare outing in goal ahead of the rested Thibaut Courtois.

– Kroos the provider –

Madrid were lucky not to concede another penalty early on as Aleix Vidal slalomed inside Ramos and then Eder Militao, whose dangling leg caught Vidal’s foot. Referee Guillermo Cuadra felt the fall was exaggerated.

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Man City stumble again to Shelvey stunner at Newcastle

Newcastle (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes faltered once more as the champions twice blew a lead to draw 2-2 at Newcastle on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s men were frustrated for long spells after Jetro Willems quickly cancelled out Raheem Sterling’s first half opener, but seemed to have found the moment of magic they needed thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s sensational strike eight minutes from time.

However, City’s defensive flaws were soon exposed once more as Jonjo Shelvey swept home a well-worked free-kick six minutes later.

City have now dropped points in five of their 14 league games this season and could end the day 11 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Guardiola was without Sergio Aguero who has been ruled out for a couple of weeks by a thigh muscle injury and City missed his predatory instincts as they failed to make nearly 80 percent possession count.

Sterling has usurped Aguero so far this season as City’s major source of goals and was clinical 22 minutes in after a lovely backheel from David Silva set the England international up for his 15th goal of the season.

However, the lead lasted just three minutes as the normally goal-shy Magpies produced their own moment of quality when Miguel Almiron teed up Willems to slot past Ederson into the far corner.

When City lost on their last visit to St James’ Park back in January the title seemed lost, only for a 14-game winning streak to end the campaign to pip Liverpool to the post.

The Reds’ relentless form at the top of the table meant City started the day nine points behind and with precious little margin for error even before November is out.

But the sharpness and accuracy of passing that has characterised City’s two title triumphs under Guardiola was lacking as the visitors’ struggled to unlock the mass ranks of the Newcastle defence.

City finally began to work Martin Dubravka in the Newcastle goal in the final quarter as De Bruyne’s shot from a narrow angle was turned away before Gabriel Jesus had a huge chance to make his mark in Aguero’s absence.

The Brazilian was played clean through on goal by Silva but shot straight at Dubravka before De Bruyne’s follow-up effort was blocked.

Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden were called upon from the bench to make and impact in the final 20 minutes and with his first touch Bernardo dragged wide another glorious chance on his normally trusty left foot.

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Madrid go top with gutsy win at Alaves

Madrid (AFP) – Sergio Ramos scored a goal and conceded a penalty as Real Madrid battled past Alaves on Saturday to go top of La Liga before Sunday’s game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Barca and Atletico face off at the Wanda Metropolitano and Madrid did all they could to take advantage, with Dani Carvajal the unlikely matchwinner in a gritty 2-1 victory over Alaves.

Ramos had headed Madrid in front shortly after half-time only to concede a needless penalty for throwing his arm across Joselu, which Lucas Perez converted before Carvajal poked in.

Madrid pull three points clear of Barcelona and six ahead of Atletico, who have played a game more than the top two. Sevilla, in third, host Leganes on Sunday. Alaves stay 13th.

A 1-0 defeat at Mendizorrotza 13 months ago came three weeks before Julen Lopetegui was sacked as coach but this time Madrid showed the kind of steel that was so painfully lacking last season.

On a wet and windy afternoon in the Basque country, Zinedine Zidane’s side never showed the verve and creativity that was so impressive in the draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

But this was a gutsy performance that means they have now won six and drawn two of their last eight matches in all competitions, with the Clasico against Barcelona next month fast approaching.

Bale hit the post in the first half but faded and was replaced by Rodrygo after Alaves’ equaliser.

With Eden Hazard out injured, Isco also kept his place while Alphonse Areola was given a rare outing in goal ahead of the rested Thibaut Courtois.

At the other end, Bale hit the post with a header and Karim Benzema latched onto a quick throw but instead of shooting, hooked the ball back for Isco whose effort was saved.

Alaves grew in confidence as the rain grew heavier yet Madrid regrouped at half-time and took the lead soon after as Ramos was given a free header to glance in Toni Kroos’ crossed free-kick.

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Arsenal interim boss Ljungberg coy about managing full-time

London (AFP) – Freddie Ljungberg will take charge of Arsenal for the first time as interim manager on Sunday against Norwich but said on Saturday he is unsure whether full-time management appeals to him.

The 42-year-old Swede — who was a member of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ side under Arsene Wenger in the 2003/04 season — has been put in charge after Unai Emery’s undistinguished 18 month reign came to an end on Friday.

However, Ljungberg — who was an assistant to Emery — told Sky Sports it was too early to say whether being a manager on a permanent basis would be to his liking.

“We’ll see in the future,” said Ljungberg.

“At the moment I’m learning the trade.

“This is a big responsibility and the moment I’m just taking it game by game.”

Ljungberg’s first task will be to arrest the slump that has seen the Gunners fail to win in seven matches — their worst run since 1992 when George Graham’s side failed to win in eight.

Arsenal are presently eighth in the Premier League table, eight points off the fourth and final Champions League spot with a third of the league campaign gone.

Ljungberg — who played over 200 games for Arsenal in his nine years at the club and won the FA Cup on three occasions — has revealed no timescale has been set for his spell as Emery’s temporary replacement.

“No, no indication of how long or how short. They just said concentrate on your next game do as well as you can,” he said.

Ljungberg, who away from the pitch was a successful underwear model, said he was honoured to have been entrusted with the job of at least for the moment reviving Arsenal’s fortunes.

“It’s a great, great honour,” said Ljungberg.

“That’s how I feel. I feel this energy inside of me. It’s special.

“Of course there’s sadness because of what’s happened to the club and where we are, but also excitement for what we can do for the future and also for tomorrow.

“Its a great honour and that’s what I said to the players — ‘you guys do the job and I’ll try to help and support you’.

“If you play good football and get results then there’s nothing better than that to raise spirits.”

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FIFPro support Napoli players against club’s “abuse and intimidation”

Milan (AFP) – Players’ union FIFPRO said Saturday they would support Napoli players against “further abuse and intimidation” after the Italian club’s reported decision to fine their under-performing team.

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has reportedly ordered that players be deducted part of their month’s salary, some as much as 50 percent, after players refused to attend a week-long training camp.

“FIFPRO is standing by ready to assist, in close co-operation with AIC (Italian Players’ Association), to ensure the players are not subjected to further abuse and intimidation,” FIFPRO said in a statement.

De Laurentiis ordered the team into a ‘ritiro’ or training retreat after a 2-1 league defeat to rivals Roma saw the Serie A runners-up slip to seventh in the league.

But as coach Carlo Ancelotti voiced his disagreement with the lockdown, the players all returned home after a 1-1 draw against Salzburg three days later, which stalled their bid to reach the Champions League last 16.

In total, players’ salaries will be cut by 2.5 million euros ($2.7 million), according to Italian media reports.

“Napoli’s intention to withhold player salaries is without valid grounds and is being contested collectively,” Dutch-based FIFPRO continued.

“FIFPRO believes that the ad-hoc decision of Napoli forbidding players to go home and re-join their families, following the match against RB Salzburg, was unjustified.

“Like every other employee, professional football players have the right to ensure that their private life is respected, especially considering the already congested fixture list which sees many players away from home for prolonged periods.

“The grounds on which Napoli seeks the application of fines, for the players’ refusal to follow the unreasonable instructions of Napoli, contradict provisions in Italy’s collective bargaining agreement.

“The players of Napoli cannot be subjected to arbitrary decisions of a disenchanted club when the result of a match is unsatisfactory.

“We echo the sentiments of FIFPRO member, Associazione Italiana Calciatori (AIC), in that Carlo Ancelotti and his technical staff are ultimately responsible for managing the playing group however they deem fit.

“Technical matters are not the responsibility of club directors and we support Ancelotti and the players of Napoli for their united stand in clearly difficult times.”

Napoli drew 1-1 with European champions Liverpool on Wednesday and host Bologna on Sunday looking to end a seven-game winless run in all competitions.

“At the end of the game De Laurentiis thanked the lads for this important performance,” said Ancelotti after the game in Anfield.

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England are now seen as a threat, says Southgate

London (AFP) – England’s football team have progressed to being regarded as a threat at major football championships which was not the case prior to the 2018 World Cup their manager Gareth Southgate told the BBC.

The 49-year-old Englishman said the trajectory the team has been on makes them a hot contender to be crowned European champions next year.

Southgate has been a roaring success since he took over after Sam Allardyce resigned after just one match in charge in 2016.

The former central defender — who was capped 57 times by England — has trusted in young talent and the tactic has payed off.

England made a surprise run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, reaching the last four of the inaugural Nations League and easily topping their Euro 2020 qualifying group.

“I think we’ve gained some respect, and I think people would view us as a threat which certainly wasn’t the case ahead of Russia,” said Southgate ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2020 draw with his side at home for three group matches.

“We also know we have got to improve to another level.

“It’s hard to assess exactly where we are after this qualifying campaign.

“Nobody else got to the World Cup semi-finals and the latter stages of the Nations League.

“So we are in that mix of teams, but there are lot of good teams and the difference on one day between any of the top 10 teams is so marginal in football.”

– ‘Very difficult topic’ –

Southgate, who became a candidate for the England job after impressing as their Under-21 coach, said it is hard to compare his squad with the one he was part of and which reached the Euro 96 semi-finals.

The Euro ’96 side lost on penalties to old foes and eventual champions Germany at Wembley — Southgate’s missed penalty proving decisive.

However, he showed an admirable ability of laughing at himself when he along with Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle — who missed penalties against the then West Germany in the 1990 World Cup semi-finals — took part in a pizza advertisement.

“In terms of the teams, they are very different,” he said.

“We had seven club captains and quite a few players in their late twenties and some in their early thirties, so this team is in a different moment in their journey, both individually and collectively.”

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