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Kenya striker Michael Olunga continued with his scoring run after notching in a goal during Kashiwa Reysol’s 2-0 win against Vegalta Sendai in a midweek J1-League match played on Tuesday.

The Harambee Stars forward is currently hunting for the Golden Boot and was keen to extend his scoring run with Reysol with only six matches left to the end of the season.

Cristiano da Silva opened the scoring for Reysol in the 21st minute after an assist from Olunga before the former Gor Mahia striker grabbed his 26th goal of the campaign in the 60th minute.

Silva gave the dominant Reysol a deserved lead after he raced onto a pass from Olunga beating Sendai defenders with his pace before planting the ball past the keeper for a 1-0 lead at the half-time break.

In the 60th minute, Olunga was on the target as a ball from the corner-kick delivered by Silva was not cleared by the Sendai defender, and the striker, who was unmarked in the box, powered it home with his right foot.

This is the third straight time the Kenya international has scored since resuming action after they were forced into self-isolation when their camp reported six coronavirus positives in late October.

The Harambee Star was also on target when Kashiwa Reysol went down 2-1 to Sagan Tosu on November 21 and also in the 4-1 defeat against Kashima Antlers last Wednesday.

In a recent interview after the defeat to Antlers, Olunga said his target is to score in the remaining six matches but warned it will not be an easy task.

“Each and every game is very tough but I try to give my best,” Olunga told reporters.

“I thank my teammates for creating space and scoring opportunities for me. I will do my best in the last six games, push and see [how many goals I will score].”

Olunga missed Harambee Stars Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Comoros as Kenya drew 1-1 at home and lost the return leg played in Moroni 2-1.

Kawasaki Frontale have been declared winners of the league title already given they lead with 75 points, 17 more than Gamba Osaka who are second with four matches to go.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has come out to deny reports their captain Robinson Kamura is on his way out of the club.

The towering defender left Ingwe fans guessing on Monday after he took to his social media pages to hint he was set to leave the Den, a statement which came two days after he had guided the team to a 2-1 win against Tusker in an FKF Premier League match.

The experienced defender has been with Ingwe since 2017 and is still regarded as one of the key players. He revealed the following on his Facebook: “No one likes goodbyes.”

The statement was interpreted by many that the former Mathare United defender was on his way out, a move Ingwe boss Shikanda has rubbished, and stated “Kamura is contracted to us and he is going nowhere.”

“Robinson [Kamura] is contracted to AFC Leopards, he is our player and will not go anywhere,” Shikanda told Goal on Tuesday. “I have not heard from him either if he wants to leave, he knows the protocol of a player when he wants to leave and I don’t know why people misunderstood his statement.”

The statement by Kamura came a month after AFC Leopards lost another player – midfielder Duncan Otieno, who signed for the club and later left for Zambia to sign for Lusaka Dynamos.

A source close to the player explained why the player might be on his way out of the 13-time league champions.

“Kamura's contract with the club is almost over and negotiations about the renewal were going on," the source told Goal on Monday. I cannot authoritatively reveal the agreement but I understand the two parties were to sign the new contract this week.

“But again, we all know football business is tricky, maybe he has secured a better offer and is not keen on extending his stay with the club.”

On Saturday, Kamura was part of the Leopards team that beat Tusker FC 2-1 to open their season with a win. The Brewers had taken a deserved lead courtesy of striker David Majak before Kamura levelled matters for Ingwe, and striker Elvis Rupia assured them the maximum points as he converted the winning goal from the penalty spot.

Lionel Messi will sit out a second successive Champions League outing for Barcelona, with Ronald Koeman opting to leave the mercurial Argentine out of his plans for a meeting with Ferencvaros.

A six-time Ballon d’Or winner played no part in the Blaugrana’s 4-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev on November 24.

The decision was taken to hand the 33-year-old a well-earned rest as positive progress was already being made through continental competition.

Barca had no need for Messi magic against Ukrainian opposition and will be hoping to see history repeat itself on Wednesday.

Koeman’s side will be heading for Budapest 24 hours before facing Hungarian foes on a European stage.

They have enjoyed a faultless run through their Group G campaign so far, with maximum points taken from four fixtures to date.

A place in the last-16 is already secured, which means that Koeman finds himself in the enviable position of being able to shuffle his pack through two more contests.

Messi will be rested again for the first of those, with the intention being to keep him fresh for bigger challenges to come.

Rotation within Barca’s ranks also means that Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be handed a break between the sticks.

Philippe Coutinho is another senior star set to remain in Catalunya as his team-mates go in search of another morale-boosting success.

Frenkie de Jong was given a Champions League week off alongside Messi against Dynamo Kiev, but he does form part of the travelling party this time.

Clement Lenglet is also included in Koeman’s squad despite nursing a slight knock.

The French defender picked up an ankle complaint against Osasuna over the weekend to cast doubt over his involvement against Ferencvaros.

It may be that no risks are taken on him in midweek, with the option there for the 25-year-old to be saved for a La Liga clash with Cadiz on Saturday.

Barca are, however, already without the services of Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique at centre-half, with it suggested that Koeman will look to dip into the January transfer market for another defensive option.

For now, though, his focus is locked on the present and guiding his side to three points without Messi – who did not take part in training on Tuesday as plans for a meeting with Ferencvaros were finalised.

Edinson Cavani is set to “bring a lot of goals” to Manchester United, Juan Mata has predicted, with a “humble” striker expected to maintain the standards in England that he has set across a distinguished career to date.

The Red Devils moved to snap up the experienced Uruguay international as a free agent over the summer.

Eyebrows were raised when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer landed the 33-year-old former Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain star, with United considered to be in need of a long-term option in their striking department.

Cavani has, however, shown that he has lost none of his predatory instincts, with three goals recorded in the Premier League so far – including a match-winning brace at Southampton.

Mata claims to have never been in any doubt that the proven performer would make a positive impact at Old Trafford, with former United midfielder Ander Herrera – who is now at PSG – telling his fellow Spaniard all about the qualities that the prolific marksman would add to the fold.

“Ander, who played with him at PSG, called me and told me: 'I think Edinson is going to go to your club, you will see he’s a top guy, a top professional. And I know you will help him',” Mata told L'Equipe.

“So since Edinson has arrived, I try to answer the questions he has about the club or the dressing room. I can help to translate when he wants to communicate with people in the club, in the staff.

“And since he’s here, as Ander said, I can see how focused he is, his professionalism. Edinson has done a lot of things in football and he remains very humble. And it’s great to have him. He brings his experience, he will bring a lot of goals.

“Did I advise him to buy umbrellas? Yes, as a joke. I told him that it rains much more in Manchester than in Paris. So actually it’s not bad advice.

“We (Mata and Herrera) speak a lot, but our relationship is above that. We've had a great connection for a long time, since we were playing together in the Spanish Under-21s.

“He's a great guy, we had a nice time together in Manchester. After the game at Parc des Princes, we had a nice chat together in the tunnel.”

While enjoying watching Cavani find his feet in English football, Mata is not experiencing the happiest of times himself.

The World Cup winner has been restricted to just seven appearances this season, and 292 minutes of Premier League action, amid fierce competition for places.

“I try to stay strong in my head, to train as best I can, to be physically and mentally ready every time someone picks me,” Mata added.

“Even if, of course, it’s not always easy to be that way when you don’t play every game.”

Pressed on how he manages to stay positive, the 32-year-old playmaker added: “When I was 15, I left Oviedo/Asturias, the city where I grew up, to join the Real Madrid training centre.

“At that age, when you are away from your parents and friends, you grow up faster.

“I found myself competing with very talented young people and I didn’t know if I was at their level. I was a little terrified.

“And then, suddenly, I was aware of my qualities, but also of my ability to progress. Since then, every time I face competition, I see it as an opportunity to improve myself.”

Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane “love to play together”, says Jari Litmanen, with the former Reds star seeing each member of a fearsome front three bringing different qualities to the table.

The reigning Premier League champions have benefited considerably from forging the most productive of attacking units.

Salah and Mane have become prolific assets for Jurgen Klopp, while the selfless efforts of Brazil international Firmino allow others to thrive around him.

The arrival of Diogo Jota at Anfield has thrown a slight spanner into the works, with Liverpool now facing a welcome selection headache, but Litmanen is among those who feel that a tried and tested unit should continue to be favoured.

The legendary former Finland international, who spent 18 months at Anfield between January 2001 and the summer of 2002, told the Reds’ official website: “Salah, Mane and Firmino, it’s really nice to look at them playing.

“They all can pass the ball, they all can hold the ball, they all have enough speed to run forward. It looks like they love to play together with each other.

“They are a little bit different in terms of the kind of players they are. Firmino is really important for Mane and Salah by holding the ball, giving the pass and even creating some spaces for those wing players because those wing players are really quick with and without the ball.

“So, it’s really difficult to defend against those three guys because they are doing sliightly different things, but they seem to love to play together.”

While Salah and Co continue to impress on the field, Litmanen acknowledges that the appointment of Klopp in October 2015 is responsible for Liverpool now being Champions League and Premier League title winners.

He added: “I followed him already when he was in Germany at Borussia Dortmund. Actually, he has been really, really good at both of those clubs.

“He has changed a lot. Dortmund had their own problems in a financial way and also in a football way, they were not the Dortmund we were used to.

“Dortmund couldn’t compete with Bayern Munich but with Klopp, for several years they were even a couple of times the champions of Germany. With Klopp, Dortmund became a big club and a big team again in Germany.

“Actually, that last step happened also with Liverpool. Liverpool had all the time a good team and good players but Klopp did that last step.

“When I heard that Klopp was going to Liverpool I was quite confident he would do a good job, just based on what I saw and what I followed at Dortmund.

“He has given some energy to the team and the players. He likes them to be active all the time and that happened at Dortmund and that has happened at Liverpool.

“I like that kind of football, where the whole team, all the players, want to be active and try to have control of a game. There is something happening all the time and that’s what I love.”

Wazito FC head coach Francis Kimanzi conceded the game against Kariobangi Sharks was tough but stated he is not disappointed with the result despite losing 4-0.

The Nairobi-based side came into the match optimistic of getting a good result but a below-par display especially in the first half and early in the second half cost them. The tactician states the time for their preparations were limited and it contributed to the huge loss.

"It was a tough game for us but a good one for [Kariobangi Sharks]," Kimanzi told Goal.

"We cannot say we are disappointed whatsoever, results are results. We are just starting the season and we have to give players some time [to adapt and for us the coaches as well]. 

"We are just starting it. All in all, the players did their best.

"Working with them for about three, four days was not enough but we are impressed that everyone tried to give the best."

The immediate former Harambee Stars coach went on to point out what might have contributed to the loss.

"Some players were excited to prove to the new coach and bench that they are ready and I am delighted I have seen they are good players we can work with," Kimanzi continued.

"These are the players we are trying to understand and it is the reason we made use of the five substitutions available to see what each can give us. You must give players a chance to see how they behave on and off the ball. 

"We have had no chance of playing friendly matches with them and this was a game which we have used to know the team."

The 44-year-old Kimanzi was unveiled as Wazito coach on November 19.

The coach took over from Fred Ambani who was fired alongside his technical bench that included assistant coach Salim Babu and goalkeeper trainer Elias Otieno. 

John Kamau was appointed the assistant coach.

Ambani and his team were fired after failing to convince management that they were the right people to steer the team forward. Wazito FC's 2-1 loss away to Zoo FC in Kericho played a major part in their dismissal.  

Owen Coyle is upbeat about Jamshedpur FC season ahead of Wednesday's 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) tie against Hyderabad FC.

The Men of Steel lost their season opener 1-2 against Chennaiyin and threw away a two-goal lead against Odisha in a 2-2 draw, with Nerijus Valskis bagging all of Jamshedpur's goals. However, Coyle is optimistic. 

"I think we were outstanding in the first half against Odisha and we set the standards that we want to continue in the games to come. The disappointment was dropping two points in a game we should have won. 

"We showed that we can score. We want to be an attacking side. We want to get the balance right to make sure that we don't concede soft goals like we did the other night. When we do that and bring it all together, we are going to stand tall against some of the best teams in the league," feels the Jamshedpur coach.

Coyle also admitted that his team needs to work on their defending, "There are some bits that we want to improve because we don't want to concede goals in every game. If we can keep it nice and tight at the back, we have fantastic goal-scoring threats in our team. There is no doubt that we can get better. Nothing falls into place overnight and that's what we do in training."

Hyderabad are also yet to win a game this season but has kept two clean sheets.

"We are very respectful of the qualities that Hyderabad have. We are very well aware of the threat they have but we know that if we can perform the way we have in the first half (against Odisha), we can win the three points," the former Chennaiyin coach stated.

Comparing Diogo Jota to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane is “unfair” on the Portuguese, says John Barnes, but a Liverpool legend is still expecting an in-form forward to have “a great career” at Anfield.

A summer signing from Wolves has made a dream start to his spell on Merseyside.

Jota was initially seen as a back-up addition for the reigning Premier League champions, with Jurgen Klopp in need of greater depth to his attacking options.

The 23-year-old has, however, hit the ground running on the back of a £45 million ($60m) transfer.

Nine goals have been recorded through just 14 appearances, with the record books being re-written along the way.

Jota has delivered more end product than the likes of Salah and Mane contributed through their early outings for Liverpool, with two star turns going on to become talismanic figures.

Barnes believes it is too early to be placing an in-form performer into a similar category, but he does see Klopp finding considerable value in another shrewd signing.

The Reds legend told BonusCodeBets: “Jota is an excellent player and the way Klopp is playing him has made him fit right into the team. You want players who can score, which he can.

“Up until now, we’ve relied heavily on the front three to score but the fact that Jota can actually play one of the midfield three, or one of the front three, but score from either, adds a lot of strength to the team, which shows what a fantastic signing he’s been for us.

“As Jota’s early appearances for Liverpool have shown, he can immediately offer the team a decisive attacking threat, coupled with an attitude and mentality made for a club such as Liverpool.

“Comparing Jota with Salah/Mane/Firmino is unfair, as at this very moment in time, he hasn’t got the same experience but his technical level is the same as the level of the front trio.

“Most definitely one to watch and I have no doubt that he’ll have a great career at Liverpool.”  

Jota was back among the goals in his last outing at Brighton, as Mane started on the bench and replaced a frustrated Salah in the second half, and Klopp has more big selection calls to make this week in continental and domestic clashes with Ajax and Wolves.

Raul Jimenez hopes he can return to action "soon" but will remain under observation for the time being after suffering a fractured skull during Wolves' win at Arsenal.

Wolves claimed a 2-1 victory at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but the occasion was soured early on by a sickening injury sustained by the Mexican.

In just the fifth minute, Jimenez was left floored after clashing heads with Brazilian defender David Luiz as both men contested for an aerial ball.

He required roughly 10 minutes of medical attention before he was eventually carried away on a stretcher and taken to hospital for checks.

It was discovered that Jimenez had suffered a fracture to his skull and underwent an operation that night to prevent any long term damage, which was a success.

Wolves released a statement on Monday confirming the procedure had taken place and that he was "comfortable" following the surgery, but they were hesitant to outline a recovery period.

Jimenez has, understandably, also stopped short of setting a target as he provided a first personal update to his followers on social media on Monday night.

He wrote on Twitter: "Thanks for your support messages. I will be under observation and I hope to return to the pitch soon."

Mexico international Jimenez has been an integral part of Wolves' team since joining from Benfica, initially on loan, in 2018.

He has scored 34 goals in 86 Premier League appearances, while he also impressed on the European stage last term with 10 in 15 Europa League outings as Wolves reached the quarter-finals.

Jimenez has found the net four times in 10 top-flight outings this season, but Nuno Espirito Santo will have to shuffle his pack in the absence of a key performer when he takes his team to Anfield to face reigning champions Liverpool on Sunday.

Wolves moved up to seventh in the table after beating Arsenal, and they can move to within a point of the Reds, who are currently joint leaders alongside Tottenham, if they spring another upset on Merseyside this weekend.

Selangor's appointment of its technical director Michael Feichtenbeiner as caretaker head coach towards the end of the 2020 Malaysia Super League competition not only helped them rebound from a series of underwhelming results, it also allowed several of their younger players to make their first team debuts under the German's guidance.

One such player was 20-year old midfielder Aliff Haiqal Lokman Hakim Lau, whose competitive Selangor first team debut came in their September 20 league match against UiTM FC, when he replaced K. Sarkunan at the start of the second half. He then went on to make two more league appearances and a Malaysia Cup outing, all as a second half replacement.

It has been a good year for him, especially considering that he had not even started 2020 as their reserve team member, in the Premier League. In fact, before the Covid-19 lockdown and competitions suspension, he had only been on their President Cup (U-21) team.

"I am thankful that I managed to play at a higher level this year. At first I was only an U-21 team member, but I was promoted to Selangor 2 after the lockdown was lifted. Soon enough, my Premier League appearances turned into first team appearances.

"So it was a little frustrating when the Malaysia Cup was cancelled [after only one round was played out]. The team was peaking at the time while our chemistry was just developing, but there's nothing we could do in the end. For now we'll focus on preparing for the next season, and I believe we can go for at least one silverware," said the attacking midfielder in a video interview with Goal.

According to Haiqal, his footballing journey began when his former Selangor state player father Lao Kok Kit (Lokman Hakim Lau after converting to Islam) started training him at age three. He then trained at renowned youth club CIMB-YFA as well as his primary school Jalan Empat National School in Bandar Baru Bangi, before joining the Bandar Penawar Malaysian Sports School, Johor (now Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School) in 2012.

A stint on the third season of the football reality show 'Mencari Ramli' in 2013 ended with him as one of the winners, earning him a learning trip to Manchester United's home ground Old Trafford, as well as early recognition from Malaysian football fans and observers.

This recognition then earned him call-ups to the junior national team, which in turn helped him to get a spot at his first professional club, PKNS FC.

While this year has been a breakout season for Haiqal, it must be noted that it was at PKNS that the youngster made his first ever Super League appearance last season, under then head coach Datuk Rajagobal Krishnasamy.

When PKNS' professional outfit was taken over by Selangor at the end of 2019 with their Malaysian league slot handed to the Red Giants' reserve team, Haiqal, who was still under contract then, was absorbed into their junior team.

"I had joined them after finishing secondary school in 2017. A mate told me about a training spot at PKNS which I joined, and one day one of the coaches there told me to keep training with them. That then ended in me being offered to sign with them, which I did. 

"I am grateful to Datuk Rajagobal for handing me my Super League last year and believing in what I could do. It was our match against Melaka United (July 16, 1-1), and my second league appearance would be against Selangor just days later (July 20, 3-1 defeat). It's so good to hear just a day ago that he has been appointed as the Brunei head coach," expressed the former junior Malaysia international.

But what he has achieved in the past two years is only the beginning, and the future is all that the number eight is has eyes on.

"Playing professionally has always been my dream, since my father began training me when I was three.  And now I've made it on to the first team, I have to keep working hard. Of course I want to win a trophy in 2021, but more importantly I want to take the opportunity to learn from the senior players. 

"Within the next five years, I want to be one of the best players in the country, to represent Malaysia at the senior level and to also play abroad. Getting to play in the Japanese J-League would mean a lot to me, as it's one of the best Asian leagues at the moment," explained the youngster.

Ex-Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has urged his former club to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe in the summer of 2021.

Mbappe will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the current campaign and could be available at a relatively affordable price should PSG be willing to sell and a new deal not be agreed.

The 21-year-old has been on Madrid's radar since his breakthrough at Monaco aged 16 and he continues to be linked with them as they aim to fill the hole left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Juventus in 2018.

Calderon says Mbappe would have a similar impact to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in the Spanish capital should he be bought in the coming months.

"Without a doubt, Mbappe is the player most desired by all and it would be great news for our team," Calderon told Goal.

"He is a player who, being very young, has already managed to attract the attention of all the fans and presumably his best moment is yet to come.

"What the big clubs always need is to have the best players in their primes, regardless of their age."

While Madrid held off the challenge of Barcelona to grind out a Spanish title win last season, they have not been the same team since Ronaldo departed for Serie A.

Galactico signing Eden Hazard has not managed to recapture his Chelsea form while Zinedine Zidane's side have been unable to make up for the loss of Ronaldo's goals in the two years since his sale. 

"That attitude and his natural conditions make him unbeatable," Calderon said of Ronaldo. "Without a doubt, he is an example for young people who aspire to succeed in the sport.

"The player understood that it [joining Real Madrid] was a great opportunity to advance his career and obtain titles and earn personal recognition.

"He was not wrong, he achieved four Ballons d'Or and four Champions League titles, and set records in terms of goals scored in several seasons. Something within reach of very few people.

"It was a big mistake by the current president [Florentino Perez] to sell him for €110m ($133m/£99m) after nine years in the team. It is a pity because he is showing in Italy that he is still one of the best in the world."

The Calderon era lasted for three years, between 2006-09, and ended just before Ronaldo's transfer from Manchester United was confirmed. But the acquisition that offered the most value for money in the eyes of the 69-year-old came in the shape of another ex-Manchester United forward.

Ruud van Nistelrooy netted 64 goals in 96 games for Los Blancos during his four years at Madrid, and Calderon remains proud of the deal that was done to bring him from Old Trafford to Santiago Bernabeu.

"It is never easy to hire a major player, but it was surprisingly easy and very cheap to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy from Manchester United," he says. "We only paid €12m ($14m/£11m) for him and, without a doubt, he was one of the best performers for the team.

"He is a great person, good team-mate, a leader of the dressing room and an extraordinary player. He helped us a lot to win two consecutive leagues and a Super Cup, having not won a single title in three years."

Saturday's home defeat at the hands of Alaves was Madrid's third loss of the current league campaign. Having not spent a penny on signings over the summer, Zidane's side sit fourth in La Liga, seven points adrift of surprise leaders Real Sociedad.

Their lack of business in the off-season has been blamed for their disappointing form, but Calderon believes that the redevelopment of the Bernabeu means that the club needed to save funds this year but he is nonetheless still backing them to finish the campaign with silverware.

"The remodelling project of our stadium, with an investment that may cost close to one billion euros, is conditioning the playing staff," he concludes.

"In any case, we already have very good players and I do not doubt that we will be in the fight to get all the titles in which we participate."

Rarely have Real Madrid been more in need of the strong character and determination that has underpinned some of their greatest successes when they travel to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday evening.

Los Blancos were on the receiving end of one of the worst results in their recent history on Saturday when they were defeated at home by minnows Deportivo Alaves.

The reigning Spanish champions have been exposed in recent fixtures as they were defeated emphatically by Valencia in early November, before being held 1-1 by Villarreal in La Liga action a week ago.

However, neither of those performances were as troubling as the 2-1 home defeat by Alaves, as Lucas Perez and Joselu scored in each half before Casemiro pulled one back late on for Madrid.

They lacked confidence and control at the back, while Zinedine Zidane will have been left frustrated by the struggles of his attackers, who failed to find the cohesion and intensity required to break down the resilient Alaves backline.

Madrid have now been defeated in three of their last five home matches—as many as in their previous 31 games—and as if things couldn’t get any worse, they were struck a blow when Eden Hazard was replaced with a thigh injury in the first half.

While it isn’t yet clear how long the Belgium superstar will be sidelined for, and he did work indoors on Sunday, Zidane acknowledged after the match that he was at a loss to explain Los Merengues ’ struggles against Alaves.

“I don't have an explanation,” Real told journalists after the match. “Tonight we alternated good moments with bad moments.

“When they scored a goal after three minutes, things get very complicated for us,” he added. “The other day in Milan we played a good game and today...It is reality, our reality today.

“What we have to do is keep working, recover players and change the dynamics,” Zidane concluded. “We don't have consistency.”

Zidane may well need more from young stars such as Rodrygo—who came off the bench to replace Hazard against Alaves—Vinicius Junior, and Marco Asensio.

Rodrygo impressed against Inter in the UCL—netting twice—and could be a key figure as Real look to improve their fortunes.

The World Cup winner will be desperate to ensure Los Blancos start strongly away at Shakhtar, having been undone early on against Alaves before struggling to find top gear.

“It's the worst start of the season,” Zidane acknowledged. “We couldn't change the dynamics of the game and that bothers and worries me.

“I have to find the solution with the players. I am not going to say it here,” he concluded. “We must not only think about the negative. We also have to see what we did well and try to be more consistent.”

Even though Real won their only previous match away against Shakhtar—a 4-3 triumph under Rafael Benitez in November 2015—they were defeated 3-2 at home against the same opponent in the first match of their group-stage campaign.

Encouragingly, however, Real have a strong record away in Ukraine, having lost only one of their previous seven games away in the Eastern European country—not losing since 1999.

They’ll also be confident of maintaining the strong form they demonstrated in their recent victory over Internazionale against a Shakhtar side who are without a win in their three previous UCL matches, having taken just one point since they defeated Real.

Three points for Real would be enough to reach the UCL knockouts for a record 24th consecutive season, and they’ll be encouraged by the limitations of a Shakhtar defence that has conceded four goals or more in their last two UCL games.

Even without Hazard, Real should have enough going forward to dispatch the Moles and progress to the Round of 16.

Scott McTominay admits he “wouldn’t have been a footballer” had he been at any other club than Manchester United.

The 23-year-old midfielder is now an established part of the fold at Old Trafford.

A big break arrived for him in the spring of 2017, with Jose Mourinho offering a promising academy graduate the opportunity to see first-team minutes.

McTominay impressed his Portuguese coach and went on to become a regular before another change in the dugout was made.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has continued to keep faith with the Scotland international and he is now just five appearances short of reaching a century for United.

That is some achievement for man who concedes that he almost did not make it, with injury struggles as a youngster requiring the Red Devils to show considerable faith and patience in him.

Discussing his career path with Pro Direct Soccer, McTominay said: “I genuinely don’t think it’s sunk in.

“I think it’s something that I will look back on at the end of my career.

“It’ll sink in as a special time in my life and sometimes you need to reset and think about it. My family are very humble, they won’t let you get ahead of yourself. They are always pushing me behind the scenes.

“When I was 16, I was really small. I couldn’t get near the team and I was injured for two years in the youth team.

“When I look back on it, if I knew in my mind how difficult it is to get to here, I would have written myself off.

“If I was at any other football club, I wouldn’t have been a footballer.”

Injury struggles have remained an issue for McTominay at times since his step up into the senior ranks.

He missed 12 games with a knee problem last season, with an enforced spell on the sidelines allowing others to impress in his absence.

Solskjaer does now have fierce competition for places in his engine room, with there a wealth of midfield options at his disposal.

McTominay has taken in 11 outings this season, while helping Scotland to qualify for next summer’s European Championship, but is having to battle with the likes of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata for recognition.

Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya is delighted with the way his charges played in their 4-0 win against Wazito FC in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.

In the Sunday game, Daniel Sakari, Erick Kapaito, and Julius Masaba scored the goals that took Kariobangi Sharks to the top of the table. The youthful tactician admits it happened because everyone played his part effectively.

"It was a collective responsibility from the players to the technical bench but I am delighted with the way the fans gave their best to get a positive result," Muluya told Goal.

"We want to play good football this season and push for a win in every game we play."

Erick Kapaito was the man of the match as he created and scored a brace. He was outstanding throughout the game and on another day, he could have easily scored a hat-trick.

"This is the season Kapaito has started with no injuries," Muluya said regarding his forward.

"As a captain, he also played well and led by example. It is all a coach needs from his captain; he played like a leader. The team needs him.

"He created an assist and scored a brace which is really good for the team and the start of the season."

In some stages of the game, the Slum Boys looked lost tactically owing to the excitement of getting a healthy lead, and Muluya pointed out how he addressed the issue.

"At some point, the players forgot about tactical discipline because they were leading, and as a coach, I had to remind them what they should do."  

Sakari gave Kariobangi Sharks the lead in the 34th minute with the hosts looking a more comfortable side in how they dealt with their opponents.

Francis Kimanzi made a first-half change in the 41st minute when he withdrew former Kakamega Homeboyz defender Ronald Omino for winger Kelvin Kimani. The tactical change did not bring a much-needed edge at the front as Wazito went into the break trailing by a 1-0 margin.

In the 54th minute, Amos Asembeka and Whyvone Isuza were substituted and their places were taken by Ali Hassan and Kennedy Owino.

Kapaito, the newly-named Kariobangi Sharks captain, scored the second three minutes after the hour mark. The concession of the second goal pushed Kimanzi to make another two changes; Musa Masika and Clinton Okoth replaced Kevin Okumu and Boniface Omondi.

The changes did not stabilise Wazito as Kapaito grabbed his second in the 78th minute to give Kariobangi Sharks a healthy cushion going into the last 10 minutes.

Masaba scored in the 89th minute to ensure Kariobangi Sharks downed their Nairobi opponents by a 4-0 margin.

Olivier Giroud may be forced to honour his contract at Chelsea, says Joe Cole, with the World Cup-winning striker a “massively important” option for Frank Lampard to have on the bench.

A support role at Stamford Bridge does have a 34-year-old France international weighing up his options.

Giroud is eager to see regular game time in the latter stages of his career, with competitive minutes required in order to remain part of Didier Deschamps’ plans with Les Bleus.

It has been suggested that he will go in search of those opportunities by departing west London in January.

Chelsea do, however, have a vastly-experienced frontman tied to a contract through to the summer of 2021.

They have alternative options at their disposal, such as Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham, but Giroud offers a more physical threat in the final third of the field.

Cole believes that value may lead Lampard to close a transfer door, with Chelsea under no pressure to part with a player that could hit free agency at the end of the season.

The former Blues winger told talkSPORT: “I think Giroud has been different class and is a massively important part of the squad.

“Frank would love to keep him and Chelsea are in a position where if they don’t want him to go he doesn’t have to go as he signed a contract.

“He’ll have a big part to play in what will be a successful year for Chelsea.”

Werner and Abraham have been impressing for the Blues over recent weeks, with both men among the goals.

A summer signing from RB Leipzig was initially asked to play centrally, with Chelsea well-stocked for wide attackers, but he has shifted to the left as Abraham steps into a No.9 role.

Germany and England internationals have squandered the odd chance during a productive run for Lampard’s side, which has thrust them into the Premier League title race, but Cole is pleased to see academy graduate Abraham getting more first-team opportunities.

He added: “Tammy’s been excellent. He offers something different to the other guys.

“Having competition for places is important. He won’t be the first striker to miss a few chances.”

Abraham has five goals to his name this season, while Werner has eight, and it may be that one of them has to slip out of the starting XI once Christian Pulisic is back to full match sharpness and ready to fill a position on the flanks.