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Swallows FC head coach Brandon Truter has urged his troops to stay humble after their victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby clash on Tuesday night.

The Birds climbed to the top of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) standings after securing a 1-0 win over Amakhosi at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, Gauteng.

It was Swallows' first win against one of the so-called PSL Big Three - Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates - this season. 

Truter explained why his charges should keep their feet on the ground following their hard-fought victory over last season's PSL runners-up and he refused to discuss their targets for this term.

"No, we will compete in the next game. I am not interested in looking at the targets or where we will end up in this league. We will compete in the next match," Truter told the media. 

"We need to be humble. We beat Chiefs. We beat the biggest team in South Africa. But yeah, we need to come them down and we need to be humble and take it game by game."

Swallows, who are still undefeated this term, will take on Lamontville Golden Arrows in their next game on December 5 and Truter is expecting a difficult league match. 

"I am just happy that it is a week away. So that some of the boys can actually take proper rest and we can do some recovery sessions, and manage the fatigue," he said. 

"It is a week away. Arrows are also having a good run. They had a good game against Chiefs as well. They came back."

Arrows came back from 2-1 down to hold Chiefs to a 2-2 draw in an entertaining league encounter last weekend at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban.

"They are picking up points. So, it will be a tough game. Going to Sugar Ray or wherever the game will be in KZN [KwaZulu-Natal]. Arrows are always a tough game at home," he added.

"Tactically they are sound with Mandla [Ncikazi] in charge now. The players they have are very good in one v [versus] one [situations]. 

"So, it will be an interesting game. Like I said it is the only game that matters now." 

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has once again revised fixtures for matchday one in the FKF Premier League.

Since releasing the draft fixture list for the 2020-21 campaign, it is the third time the fixtures are being revised with AFC Leopards now set to open the season with a clash against Tusker at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, November 28.

According to the revised fixture list, three matches will be played on Saturday with AFC versus Tusker being broadcast live by FKF broadcast partners StarTimes, with the two other matches pitting promoted Vihiga United against Kakamega Homeboyz at Mumias Compex and Bandari against Sofapaka at Mbaraki Stadium.

On Sunday, four matches will be played - Nairobi City Stars taking on Nzoia Sugar at Nyayo Stadium, Kariobangi Sharks against Wazito FC at Kasarani Stadium, Posta Rangers vs KCB at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, and Western Stima against Bidco United at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Champions Gor Mahia, who will be taking part in Caf Champions League assignment against APR of Rwanda, will open the season with a home game against Zoo FC at Nyayo Stadium on December 2.

After the FKF managed to successfully test all players and officials for Covid-19, the federation was also successful as they staged a test match between Kariobangi Sharks and Bidco United to gauge their preparedness.

During the match played at Nyayo Stadium on Tuesday, and attended by FKF president Nick Mwendwa, Bidco United announced their intentions in the 2020/21 FKF-PL after edging out Kariobangi Sharks by a solitary goal.

Former Ulinzi Stars and Sofapaka striker Stephen Waruru scored the only goal in the second half to help the Thika-based side to victory.

However, it was the Slum Boys who had started the game on a high, pressing with every opportunity they got. Coach William Muluya started with his best team, with goalkeeper Brian Bwire in goal, while Patillah Omoto, Erick Kapaito, and James Mazembe also started the game.

Bidco United coach Anthony Akhulia was impressed with the outcome, stating to Goal: “The preparations have been good and the win is a reward for their efforts, and the good thing is that our strategy worked.

“The win is a morale booster not only to me as a coach but the entire team as well and they have a reason to look forward to the start of the season.

“I have also been impressed with the way Pistone [Mutamba], Waruru, Gathu and Victor Ayugi have played. Critics said that those players are old but they have proved them wrong.”

Bidco United were promoted to the top-flight alongside Nairobi City Stars and Vihiga United.

Kerala Blasters will be up against NorthEast United on Thursday evening in their second Indian Super League (ISL) game this season. The Tuskers didn't have a great start to their campaignn as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to ATK Mohun Bagan in their opening tie.

Coach Kibu Vicuna mentioned that his side wouldn't take NorthEast lightly given how well organised they are, as was witnessed in their 1-0 win over Mumbai City FC last week. He also pointed that his side need to work on their finishing as they can ill afford to miss goalscoring opportunities which can come back to haunt them.

"They (NorthEast) played well against Mumbai. They are a very organised team. They also had chances and tried to play out from the goalkeeper and tried to perform fast counter attacks. 

"I think we controlled the game against ATK Mohun Bagan but  they scored. We have to improve in the final third," said the Spanish coach.

Vicuna stated that the level of competition in the ISL is very high given that each team has a strong squad.

"We could see 10 teams playing and the results are very even. It is going to be a very tough league, with different teams and styles. All the teams have good players and we have to focus only on tomorrow's game," he said.

NorthEast United coach Gerard Nus mentioned that his team will go into the game against Kerala as underdogs given that the budget of the southern team is considerably higher. However, Vicuna refused to be drawn into the conversation around how much his team has spent in the summer.

"It's XI versus XI. In football, the budget is more for the comments of the media and the supporters. It is about passion, performances, tactics, emotions. We are in the process. Most of the teams are in the same moment. We are creating the identity. We are doing the same thing we did last season, in a shorter time," said Vicuna, whose Mohun Bagan side played close to 30 matches before they participated in the I-League. 

Nishu Kumar and Rahul K.P. didn't see any game-time in their opening game and Vicuna was asked to share an update on the duo's fitness.

"We are happy to have them in our team. When they are 100 per cent fit and ready, they will be able to help the team. He (Nishu) is training with the team, he is feeling better."

Sahal Abdul Samad came in for criticism from certain quarters as he missed a goalscoring opportunity against ATK Mohun Bagan. Vicuna was quick to come to his defence and backed him to come good in the coming matches.

"Sahal is a very good player for us. He is an important player and we have to create a good environment for him. It is only the first match. I think he did some good things, he had two chances and he went close. We are happy with him, we think he can be a very important player for us.

"I think we are creating a good and strong team. We have to focus on the players we have right now. To think about players from the past won't do any good for us. We worked hard to create this team."

Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala will spearhead Barcelona's attack when they take on PSV in a Uefa Women's Champions League Round of 32 tie, following Tuesday's draw.

The draw ceremony was held in Nyon, and saw Oshoala and her Spanish champions drawn against the Eredivisie Vrouwen giants, who were appearing at the stage for the first time in their history.

Having failed to earn back-to-back Champions League final berths last season, the Nigeria star will be hoping to inspire her side's return to title reckoning this term, but they must see off the Dutch champions.

Nigeria-born Swedish youth international Evelyn Ijeh will be eyeing a Round of 16 spot with Swedish champions Kopparbergs/Goteborg against English giants Manchester City. 

Elsewhere, South Africa's Janine Van Wyk and Scottish big guns Glasgow City will aim to replicate last season's incredible run when they turn out against Czech Republic's Sparta Prague.

Also, Algeria's Imane Chebel and Zambia's Racheal Kundanaji will be in action as Kazakhstani winners BIIK Kazygurt were pitted against Ukrainian champions Zhytlobud-2 Kharkiv.

And Cape Verde's Jolina Amani and Nigeria's Christy Ucheibe will battle English champions, Chelsea, in their first-ever appearance in the Round of 32 following wins over Anderlecht and POAK. 

As for Cameroon's Ajara Nchout, her Norwegian side Valerenga are billed to challenge for a place in the next round with Danish giants Brondby.

Cameroon duo of Henriette Akaba and Alvine Njolle alongside Cote d'Ivoire's Nadege Cisse will seek to help Minsk pip Norwegian side Lillestrom to book a Round of 16 place. 

The Round of 32 first legs will be played on December 9-10 and the second legs on December 15-16 across 16 venues in Europe.

Iraq's all-time highest capped international Younis Mahmoud is a legend in his own right, having won multiple honours in his career with club and country. He has spent much of his career in Qatar, winning several trophies including the Qatar Stars League. 

He has also won the Asian Cup for Iraq in 2007 where he was adjudged the topscorer and the best player of the tournament. He was also the only Iraqi player in history to have made the Ballon d'Or shortlist, when he finished 29th in 2007. It must be noted that he achieved this feat without playing club football in Europe. 

As the East Zone matches of the AFC Champions League are underway in Qatar, Goal caught up with the stalwart to pick his brains on the facilities that the country has developed for the 2022 World Cup and is being utilised during this tournament. 

Mahmoud is full of praises for the facilities and professionalism on offer at the World Cup venues, three of which are being used for the AFC Champions League East Zone matches currently underway in Doha. 

Q: You started your domestic club career in Qatar playing for Al Khor (2004-05) and then subsequently played for Al Wakrah (2011). What are your emotions with Qatar 2022 witnessing high-profile stadiums in both localities (namely Al Bayt and Al Janoub respectively)?

A: It was really a wonderful feeling to play Qatari league football in both Al Khor and Al Wakrah and it is incredible that the cities now have amazing 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums. I have an even special emotional connection with Al Janoub Stadium because of the involvement of the late Zaha Hadid, who is of Iraqi origin, as its architect. 

Both Al Janoub and Al Bayt are masterpieces and I am sure football fans the world over will realize this in November 2022.

Q: You are a Qatar football insider having played for numerous QSL clubs over your illustrious career and have also played for Iraq in the 2006 Asian Games and 2011 AFC Asian Cup hosted by Qatar. How do you look at Qatar having emerged the premier football hosting destination of Asia in recent times?

A: I came to play QSL at a time when the league had just started to develop and attract some top European and South American players. So you can say that I was part of the first wave of the global football development of Qatar which will culminate in the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

I was fortunate to be able to participate in the two biggest sporting events of Asia which Qatar hosted – the Asian Games in 2006 and the AFC Asian Cup in 2011.

Having lived in Qatar for many years now, I have observed and experienced the country’s amazing hosting capabilities at close quarters. Therefore, I am not at all surprised that Qatar was able to pull off the extremely difficult task of hosting the West Zone 2020 AFC Champions League as the centralized venue during the times of COVID at short notice. 

The AFC’s decision to reward Qatar with the centralized venue rights of the East Zone tournament and the final illustrates the world class professionalism with which Qatar delivered the West Zone tournament in September and early October. 

Q: What are your thoughts about the Advanced Stadium Cooling Technology making such a strong impact in the 2020 AFC Champions League West Zone matches? Many top players including Al Sadd's South Korean playmaker Nam Tae-hee and Shabab Al Ahli's UAE defender Walid Abbas praised it to the skies. Members of the West Zone winners Perspolis were seen wrapping themselves with blankets inside the stadium with the temperature inside maintained at 22 Degrees when it was 37 outside.

A:  Qatar’s stadium cooling technology is an example of wonderful innovation. Before the 2022 World Cup stadiums were built, I used to play regularly at Al Sadd SC’s Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, which used an earlier version of cooling. 

I used to feel the difference in temperature inside the ground and outside and the technology was very helpful during the summer months. 

It was very evident during the West Zone phase of the AFC Champions League in September that coaches and players enjoyed the different world they inhabited inside the stadium thanks to the cooling. 

Not only is the latest model of cooling system a very successful innovation but it is also sustainable. I believe this technology will not just be for Qatar but will be for the whole world – it is a legacy project. 

Special mention has to be given to the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy for conceptualizing this as a legacy initiative benefitting the rest of Asia and the world.  

Q: In your decade-long participation in the AFC Champions League, you have played in many iconic football stadiums of the East Zone of the continent like the Beijing Workers Stadium  (2004), the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (Jakarta), Bukit Jalil National Stadium (Kuala Lumpur) and Rajmangala National Stadium (Bangkok) all in 2007 when you created history by winning the title and winning the golden boot. What is your advice to the players from the East Zone clubs playing in Doha's iconic Khalifa International Stadium?    

A: There are wonderful stadiums in the East of the continent and I won the AFC Asian Cup in 2007 playing in a few. 

However, the players taking part in the 2020 AFC Champions League East Zone will find equally wonderful stadiums in Qatar. This is true especially of the Khalifa International Stadium. 

I am sure all the players will enjoy the atmosphere there and everything around the stadium in the vicinity – it is a good mix of the modern and the historic. For me, it is difficult to find a stadium like the Khalifa in Asia or anywhere else in the world.     

Q: Six participating clubs from the East Zone -- all four from South Korea and two of the three from Japan (Vissel Kobe and Yokohama F. Marions) -- have their home in FIFA World Cup stadiums purpose built for Asia's first ever tournament co-hosted by Japan and South Korea in 2002. What is your advice to players of these clubs even as they play in venues of the second FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the AFC in 2022? 

A: My advice is simple – enjoy the experience and at the same time be aware that you are part of history. 

It is the honour of every professional footballer to play in FIFA World Cup stadiums. The players of Japanese and Korean clubs have played in venues that have hosted the World Cup in their home countries. Now they are having the unique opportunity of displaying their skills in venues which will host the world’s most prestigious competition. 

Q: In your glittering AFC Asian Cup career, you have saved your best against derby rivals Iran scoring against them in Qatar in 2011 and in Australia in 2015. Are you looking forward to seeing Iranian giant Perspolis in the final of the 2020 AFC Champions League?

A: Indeed I am looking forward to watching Perspolis in the Final. 

Perspolis have a strong squad and they played very well and deserved to reach the final. They also have an Iraqi national team player in their ranks – Bashar Resan. 

I am sure that a lot of Iraqis will watch the final to see our national team player in action in the biggest game of Asian club football. 

I will also watch the final. I would like to say this to whoever is the team from the east which qualifies for the final – excuse me, I will be supporting your opponents on 19 December.  

Q: Last time you spoke to Goal was when Qatar national team had won the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and Almoez Ali had emerged top-scorer like you did in 2007. What is your advice to Almoez Ali, Akram Afif and captain Hassan Haydous with less than two years to go before they step out at Al Bayt Stadium on 21 November 2022 with the whole world watching?

A: Hassan Haydous, Almoez Ali, Akram Afif and their teammates in the Qatar national team are stars in Asia. All of us are gearing up for that amazing experience when the Asian champions take the field at Al Bayt Stadium to take on the best in Europe or South America. 

They need to work hard, believe in their abilities and be proud of the fact that they are representing their nation on the biggest stage in front of their own countrymen. 

I am very close to these players and I know they are well motivated to give their best. They have the desire to perform well. These players are good and they won the Asian title beating Japan in the final. I believe they will make an impact in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

When Cristian Ansaldi sent Torino 2-0 up with a 62nd-minute penalty at San Siro on Sunday, the post-match headline was already writing itself.

How Inter Milan had contrived to muck up a game against one of Serie A’s out-of-form sides was going to place more pressure on a team that went into gameweek eight with one win from their last five in the league. Throw in games in all competitions and that awful run read a sole win in eight matches...surely something had to give for Antonio Conte’s troops.

Indeed, the Nerazzurri roared back in the final 26 minutes to win 4-2, with a Romelu Lukaku brace, as well as goals from Alexis Sanchez and Lautaro Martinez sealing an unforeseen comeback against the Bull.

The fact Inter hadn’t even hit the target until Alexis halved the deficit in the 64th emphasises just how bad the pre-season title favourites were playing. Indeed, Conte will have been pleased the team drew strength from each other in a difficult situation to secure the victory.

Given AC Milan defeated Napoli 3-1 later in the day, Sassuolo beat Hellas Verona 2-0 and defending champions Juventus picked up a 2-0 win over Cagliari on Saturday, a defeat would have left Inter eight, six and four points adrift of the trio, respectively.

Despite being so early in the season, such a widening gap at the top was unacceptable for Conte’s team. As such, that turnaround was just what the doctor ordered.

For Achraf Hakimi, who won the penalty through which the hosts completed the comeback, it wasn’t one of his brightest showings since joining in the summer, with his drop off somewhat mirroring his side’s decline in form.

While the right wing-back was involved in two shot-creating actions as well as a sole goal-creating action, he lacked the usual injection of pace and forward passing that’s characterised his involvement in build-up play for Conte’s team and Borussia Dortmund previously.

Hakimi completed two progressive passes all game, one pass into the final third and a single pass into the penalty area, while his customary progressive ball-carrying was missing. Stats per Fbref showed the wide defender covered the same distance to Torino’s goal as he did on the opening weekend against Fiorentina.

This looks immediately concerning because the North African was a second-half substitute against the Viola but played the entirety of Sunday’s encounter.

Frankly, the ex-Dortmund wideman has looked a shadow of himself in recent weeks, although this has been amplified amid Inter’s greater struggles for consistency in performances and, evidently, results since October.

Conte’s side have largely played well for most of their games but seem to lose concentration and let in avoidable goals, leading to recent run before Torino.

Hakimi has been culpable, too, with games against Parma and old side Real Madrid the perfect examples. In the former, the 22-year-old missed a couple of gilt-edged opportunities in each half and was slow to recognise or react to imminent danger before Gervinho sent the visitors 1-0 up at San Siro — they eventually came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

On his return to play old friends three weeks ago, the Moroccan gifted Karim Benzema the opener with a back-pass under pressure to send Zinedine Zidane’s team ahead just before the half-hour. They lost in Madrid 3-2 and now face a complicated path in securing progress to the knockout rounds, given they sit bottom with two points after three games.

Admittedly, failure to pick up three points over Zidane’s team won’t be fatal to the Nerazzurri but it only leaves them in a position where claiming six points from final two games vs Borussia Monchengladbach and Shakhtar Donetsk is obligatory.

If that’s to happen, Hakimi and co. have to keep things tighter at the back and stop letting in a high volume of goals despite actually conceding few shots on the whole.

Interestingly, Conte’s team have faced 27 shots on target — same as leaders Milan — after eight matches which places them in the bottom five for attempts on target faced, yet they’ve conceded 13 times, five more goals than their rivals.

While their Expected Goals Against of 11 is close to Milan’s xGA of 10.4, still, Inter have been leaky and have kept one clean sheet in the league all season. At the same stage in Conte’s maiden campaign, the Europa League finalists had kept four shutouts in eight after conceding just seven times.

As things stand they’re letting in 1.62 goals per game and are on pace to allow around 62 goals after 38 games. For a defence that let in 36 goals last term — the only side in Serie A to concede less than a goal a game — the numbers thus far are an antithesis of a Conte rearguard.

Sunday’s rip-roaring turnaround was beyond beneficial under the circumstances, now Hakimi and his teammates have to build on that Torino success and look to be better at the back, starting from Wednesday night against Europe’s most successful side.

The Kolkata derby rivalry is set to be held for the first time in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) when East Bengal host ATK Mohun Bagan at the Tilak Maidan stadium in Vasco, Goa, on Friday.

ATK Mohun Bagan have already got off to a good start, with a narrow 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters, as Roy Krishna's 67th-minute strike was enough for Antonio Lopez Habas' team to secure three points in the club's first-ever competitive fixture as the new entity. 

Meanwhile, new entrants East Bengal will play their first-ever ISL game against their arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan on November 27, with Robbie Fowler in charge of the Red and Golds as their head coach.

The entire tournament will be held behind closed doors in Goa, thanks in no small part to the Covid-19 pandemic which means the teams will have to stay in a bio-bubble for the duration of the tournament.
 

Contents

Kolkata Derby: How to watch, live stream?

The Kolkata derby and the ISL at large may be watched across 82 international territories through five partners across TV and digital platforms. International markets include USA and Australia, Continental Europe, Central Asia, Far East, South East Asia, and Asia Pacific.

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India. The games will be telecast with the option of English and/or Hindi commentary besides other languages over their bouquet of channels.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

Matches may streamed online on  Disney+ Hotstar VIP  and JioTV , also allowing supporters to catch the replay of matches. The mobile applicatoions are available on Android, iOS, iPad, Android TV and Apple TV.

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When is the Kolkata derby? Date, Time, Venue?

ISL's first-ever Kolkata derby will be held on Friday, November 27, at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa. 

The match will kick-off at 7:30PM IST. 

ATK Mohun Bagan - first 10 matches

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East Bengal - first 10 matches

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Related links

Friday's clash between new Indian Super League (ISL) entrants East Bengal and ATK Mohun Bagan at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa, is set to be the first Kolkata derby in the current top-flight of Indian football.

This is the first time the derby is set to take place in Goa as the league is played in a single venue, behind closed doors and with all teams restricted to their own bio-secure bubbles, owing to the the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Let's take a look at (10) more statistics:

1 - Robin Singh is the only Indian to have scored a brace in the derby in this decade, achieving the feat thrice in the 2010-11 season - I-League, Calcutta Football League (CFL) and Md. Sporting Platinum Jubilee Cup.

2 - Mohun Bagan (now ATK Mohun Bagan) have an inferior head-to-head record against their arch-rivals in most major tournaments. The Scissors Cup and the Bordoloi Trophy are the two notable exceptions.

4 - Highest number of goals scored by a single player, when Edeh Chidi put four goals past East Bengal in an 2009-10 I-League match. The Nigerian is also the first and only foreigner to score a hat-trick in the fixture.

5 - The biggest margin victory of 5-0 is held by East Bengal in the 1975 IFA Shield final, where the scoreline could have been 6-0 if not for Shyam Thapa missing from the spot in the 11th minute.

16 - East Bengal won 16 of the 44 derbies in the I-League. This is excluding the 3-0 win awarded on account of Mohun Bagan's walkover in the match on 9 December 2012. This was after violence erupted at the stadium following a red card to Mohun Bagan's Odafa Okolie at a time the Mariners were trailing by a goal.

17 - Having netted 17 derby goals while donning the green and maroon jersey, Jose Ramirez Barreto holds the record for the most number of goals scored by a player for a single team in the Kolkata derby.

19 - Bhaichung Bhutia scored the most number of goals in this fixture - 13 for East Bengal (also making him the highest Indian goalscorer for a single team) and six in his second stint as a Mohun Bagan player. He is also the only Indian to score a hat-trick, in East Bengal's 4-1 win in the 1997 IFA Shield semi-finals.

23 - Indians have scored 23 of the 54 goals scored in the I-League derbies.

129 - Out of the 371 derbies - 353 of them in competitive matches - East Bengal have won 129 (127 competitive), with Mohun Bagan emerging victorious 120 (111 competitive) times. On 122 (115 competitive) occasions, the fixture ended in a draw.

311 - The number of goals scored by Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata derbies.

319 - The number of goals scored by East Bengal in the Kolkata derbies.

1,31,000 - Although by no means accurate, it's the all-time highest attendance ever recorded at the derby, on 13 July 1997 in the IFA Shield.

Borussia Dortmund head coach Lucien Favre is confident Jadon Sancho will recapture his best form after scoring in Tuesday's win over Club Brugge.

Sancho became the first Englishman to score a direct free-kick in the Champions League while playing for a non-English side since David Beckham for Real Madrid in 2005.

The forward has been unable to live up to the standards he set last season, when he scored 20 goals and provided 19 assists in 44 games in all competitions.

Sancho's goal against Brugge was his third of the campaign, to go with four assists, in 10 games.

Favre was happy to see the 20-year-old – who was heavily linked with Manchester United during the previous transfer window – on the scoresheet and believes he will get back to his best.

"Of course, I'm really happy that he scored again. A very beautiful goal from a direct free-kick. We have a few players who can do that. He did it really, really well," he told a news conference.

"His goal has relieved us. A two-goal cushion coming one minute from the break was important, that was good for all of us.

"All over, he played really well, ran a lot. But I repeat, it is normal, a player cannot always be in his best shape. Sometimes it's like this, then like that."

Favre added: "I stayed very calm, just like my colleagues. We know what our players are like.

"Sometimes I say that they cannot be in their best form all year. That’s impossible. Last season was special for Jadon. Of course, he should digest that. But he will come back bit by bit."

Erling Haaland scored either side of Sancho's free-kick as Dortmund moved onto nine points, enough to sit top of Group F.

Haaland scored his 15th and 16th Champions League goals in only his 12th appearance, the fewest it has taken for a player to reach 15 goals in the competition.

Dortmund currently sit second on the Bundesliga table - trailing leaders Bayern Munich by one point after eight matches.

Their next league match will see FC Koln visit Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.

Alvaro Morata can become one of the world's best forwards, according to Juventus head coach Andrea Pirlo.

Morata scored a 92nd-minute winner to see Juventus edge Ferencvaros 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, sealing progression from Group G.

The Spain forward's haul of five goals in four Champions League games this season equals his best tally in a single campaign in the competition, having managed five in 12 for Juve in 2014-15.

Pirlo believes Morata, who has seven goals in 10 games this season, can be among the world's best.

"He's a strong player, he just needed consistency and confidence," he told a news conference.

"If he's well mentally then he can do anything, he can become one of the best strikers around. If he trains well, if he's in good shape and he plays and he scores, he's a fundamental player not just for Juventus but also for his national team.

"We work to put him in the best condition, and then he is good at finalising what he does on the pitch."

Only Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland (six) has scored more goals than Morata in the Champions League this season, while Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has also netted five.

But Morata's big chance conversion – 100 per cent – is better than both Haaland (71.4) and Rashford (80), while his shot conversion rate, excluding blocks, is also better than that duo.

His goal came after Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Myrto Uzuni's opener in Turin, the Portuguese star equalling Lionel Messi's record of 70 home goals in the Champions League.

"You don't always have to play well to win, but if you play well usually you win," Pirlo said.

"We had some difficulties, especially in terms of approach to the game. I had asked for a different attitude at the beginning of the game, because we knew the difficulties we would have faced.

"And indeed we had some, if you don't start your games in the best possible way then you are bound to face some trouble. However, the players have been good at reacting and chase the win until the end."

Of all the Indian Super League (ISL) teams that have stepped onto the field so far this season, Chennaiyin looked the fittest and readiest to play a high-intensity game of football on Tuesday. 

The Marina Machans, coached by Csaba Laszlo, won their first game of the season 2-1 against Jamshedpur who are managed by former Chennaiyin coach Owen Coyle. 

It wasn't a perfect game from the two-time ISL champions but overall, the energy levels on display were the best by a team in the seventh season of ISL up until Tuesday (with only East Bengal left to play their first match of the season). 

For a change, it was an end-to-end start to the game that neutrals would have thoroughly enjoyed. Anirudh Thapa, who is Chennaiyin's vice-captain this season, sent the ball into the net within seconds from kick-off. 

The midfielder timed his run into the box to perfection as Isma Goncalves drilled a low cross into the box from the right flank. Thapa's right foot met the ball and sent it first-time past TP Rehenesh who stood no chance. 

The scorer and the provider were the two standout players for Laszlo's team. Thapa is making a name for himself as one of the best midfielders India has produced recently and this season will play a part in cementing the tag of India's best midfielder.

Thapa was active in the centre throughout the match and helped keep Chennaiyin ticking whenever the team's tempo threatened to slow down. This was crucial in keeping the Jamshedpur attack, led by former Chennaiyin striker and last season's Golden Boot winner Nerijus Valskis, at bay. 

Isma Goncalves, the striker Laszlo brought in to replace Valskis, was equally impressive. He seemed to really fit in the team's style and the strategy in the attacking third looks tailor-made for the skillset that Isma has. He is tall, strong on the ball, makes intelligent runs in and around the box and is always a nuisance for the opponents.

Goncalves had multiple chances to score on Tuesday, some of them created all by himself, but he will hope to be more efficient in the games to come. 

For Jamshedpur, the damage was done by half-hour mark and they never seemed to really get to grips with the pace of the game in the second half. They also had chances to score which they didn't take - and the Chennaiyin defence did a good job of keeping Valskis isolated and out of the danger zone.

Valskis's header off Jackichand's delightful cross into the box in the 37th minute was Jamshedpur's first shot on target in that half and it turned out to the only clear-cut chances they would have in the game apart from the error from Vishal Kaith which almost gifted Jamshedpur an equaliser. Overall, Jamshedpur could only produce two shots on target, compared to Chennaiyin's six. 

Peter Hartley was forced off the field due to an injury after Chennaiyin went 2-0 up. His replacement, Narendar impressed with his substitute appearance and made multiple crucial interceptions and blocks to keep Chennaiyin in check - a positive for Owen Coyle who will be hoping that his team can turn it around quickly. However, his injury towards the end might be an issue. 

Jordi Alba says Sergino Dest can become a Barcelona star after the young defender netted his first goal for the club.

The United States international opened the scoring for the Blaugrana against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday as Ronald Koeman's side cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League with a comfortable 4-0 Group G win.

Dest defended solidly and also caught the eye going forward with four touches inside the Dynamo penalty area and six crosses – more than any other player.

The 20-year-old right-back's goal also showed fine composure as he rounded off a slick move with a crisp angled finish.

"Dest comes with a lot of desire. With Sergi Roberto's unfortunate injury he will surely have more opportunities," Barcelona left-back Alba told reporters after the emphatic victory.

"I think he has a high level. He has a great future and fits perfectly with the characteristics that a full-back at Barca should have."

Dest, who joined Barca from Ajax in October, added: "We played really well. It's a dream to have contributed with my first goal for the club. I tried hard to hold my position because I'm happy in this team and I want to keep my place."

Martin Braithwaite scored twice and Antoine Griezmann was also on target in Barca's fourth win in as many Champions League games – the first time they have achieved the feat since the 2002-03 campaign.

It is in stark contrast to their La Liga form, which has seen them make their worst start to a season in 29 years to put increased scrutiny on head coach Koeman, who only took the reins at the Camp Nou in August.

Alba says the players are still adjusting to Koeman's approach and a change in fortunes in La Liga is just around the corner.

"We have to improve a lot, it's a team with a lot of new people," added the 31-year-old.

"I've been here for nine years and it's always the same. When you don't win, you talk a lot. It's normal. We have lost points that if the ball went differently we would have taken them.

"I think the work is good, for the team and the coaching staff. There is a high level and any team can beat you if you are not playing well. Until the Christmas break we have games to win and we will try "

Perth Glory will face Ulsan for the second time in the space of just three days on Friday night (AEDT) with their Asian Champions League campaign hanging by a thread. 

Richard Garcia's side are yet to pick up a point from their first three group games but managed to throw three away in their most recent outing against Ulsan. 

Daniel Stynes gave Glory the lead in the 71st minute before their K-League opponents equalised in the 89th minute and then found an injury-time winner via Junior. 

That result leaves Perth bottom of Group F at the halfway stage, while Ulsan have soared to top spot with seven points from three games. 

While Glory currently have nothing to show for their Asian campaign to date, they have shown signs of life in their past two outings. 

Against Shanghai Shenhua, they finished strongly after trailing 2-0 and could well have salvaged a draw in what turned out to be a 2-1 defeat. While against Ulsan, Perth pushed for a winner after losing their late lead and were made to pay by their clinical K-League opponents. 

Garcia has done well to patch a young squad together in Qatar and they have so far held their own - avoiding what could have been embarrassing results against far more experienced sides. 

Glory will be desperate to ensure they put in another respectable performance against Ulsan on Friday night with nothing less than a win needed to ensure they keep their hopes of progression alive. 

Thomas Tuchel praised Paris Saint-Germain's "heart" after their underwhelming 1-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig and refused to apologise for winning ugly.

Last season's beaten finalists were badly out of sorts against their Bundesliga opponents on Tuesday , with Neymar's decisive 11th-minute penalty just one of three shots on target they mustered.

The result means PSG leapfrog Leipzig into second place in Group H courtesy of a better goal difference with two games remaining. 

Under pressure head coach Tuchel concedes his side were lucky to claim all three points at Parc des Princes, but refused to say sorry for winning by any means necessary. 

"We lacked luck in Leipzig [they lost 2-1 in the reverse fixture three weeks ago] and tonight we had some luck," he told a media conference. "We played with a lot of solidarity and defended with a lot of heart. 

"Always together. That's why we won. I'm not going to apologise for that. The match demanded that we defend deep and we just did what the game demanded of us.

"Tonight it wasn't possible to get out of pressure with the ball and we have to accept that. I accept it.

"We want to attack. We've done that before. But sometimes it's just not possible."

The Ligue 1 champions ended the first half with just 37.2 per cent possession, their lowest total at half-time in a Champions League game since facing Bayern Munich in September 2017.

It did not get much better after the interval, with Leipzig finishing the game having enjoyed 62 per cent possession and taking 15 shots to PSG's eight. 

Tuchel blamed his side's lacklustre performance on injuries and fatigue after a busy start to the season, but he is targeting an improved performance against group leaders Manchester United next week. 

"We've played 11 league games and four Champions League games, and we've had around 100 injuries during that time," he added. "I saw that we average seven injured players per game. 

"We have another game in Manchester next week. I hope we're able to recover but we have another game on Saturday [against Bordeaux in Ligue 1].

"Marco Verratti played today practically without having trained. The same for Neymar. That's the reality. Maybe you think it's always excuses. 

"The most difficult thing was to find 11 players who could make a physical impact. We'll prepare a plan for Manchester. If the players feel better, we'll play a better match. If we have to defend deep again, then we'll do that."

Juventus head coach Andrea Pirlo admitted that Paulo Dybala did not have his best game in his side's 2-1 win over Ferencvaros on Tuesday.

Dybala lasted just 62 minutes in the game and went off with the match level, only for Alvaro Morata to come on in his place and score a stoppage-time winner.

Pirlo's team also looked suspect at the back, and the Juve coach acknowledged it was far from a vintage display.

"We had intended to start with a different attitude, but we know there can be difficulties in games that seem on paper to be simple. We had to chase the game," Pirlo told Sky Italia.

"I expected more from the players, but Ferencvaros clammed up, we had to try to move the ball back and forth more quickly to spread them. We moved it too slowly, which made it easier for them to defend."

Pirlo also singled out Arthur – a recent acquisition from Barca – and Dybala as having put in particularly frustrating displays.

Arthur attempted 98 passes, though Pirlo stated: "He got a bit pig-headed today keeping hold of the ball and trying to find more direct through balls when he should've spread it wide and tried to spread the Ferencvaros defence.

"He should have opened up the game more to create one-on-one situations. If the ball moved too slowly, it allowed them to get back into position."

Dybala, meanwhile, had one good opportunity early on, but was replaced by Morata with just over an hour gone.

"Dybala didn't do that well," said Pirlo. "He was injured and had to take antibiotics for weeks, so it's natural he needs time to get back into shape.

"He does need to go beyond his limits in training to rediscover his form."

Morata scored his fifth Champions League goal of the season with his stoppage-time header – which was flapped at by Denes Dibusz – sealing the win and earning Juve's progression to the last 16 with two Group G games to spare.

 Morata believes he is a "more complete player" since his return to Juventus, as he matched his best goals tally in a Champions League campaign.

The Spain international has been in fine form since his move back to Juve, where he spent two seasons between 2014 and 2016 and tallied 15 Serie A goals and 12 assists.

In 2014-15, the forward scored five goals – his best haul in the competition – as Juve reached the Champions League final, where they were beaten by Barcelona.

After equalling that record with just four games gone, Morata, who also hit the post after coming on as a substitute in Turin, claimed he has become a far better all-round forward.

"Nothing changed in me, I said many times, you learn throughout your career. I am a more complete player now," the former Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Real Madrid man said. 

"When I was 22, I paid attention only when the ball came near me, but now I remain more focused and every ball can be decisive.

"I had another chance today that hit the upright. I was fortunate on the goal, unlucky on the earlier chance, so it all balances out."

Morata was not the only Juve player to equal a record against Ferencvaros, with Cristiano Ronaldo, who drilled in a 35th-minute equaliser to cancel out Myrto Uzuni's opener, drawing level with Lionel Messi on 70 home goals in the Champions League.

However, Juve were made to work for their victory, and though they managed 19 attempts, only seven were on target, with Dibusz making a string of impressive saves.

Ronald Koeman claimed there was nothing sinister behind his decision not to start Antoine Griezmann in Barcelona's 4-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The France international was named among the substitutes and replaced Philippe Coutinho in the 66th minute of the contest, going on to score a goal in injury time.

Griezmann's relationship with Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who was rested for the trip to Ukraine, has been under scrutiny recently, after comments by his former agent and his uncle.

However, Koeman said Griezmann was "happy" at Camp Nou and he was just being cautious with the 29-year-old's workload.

"Griezmann was on the bench solely for a little physical problem we wanted to be careful with," Koeman told a news conference after the game.

"It's vital to give rest to some and playing time to those who work hard in training every day but haven't played a lot.

"I have seen him [Griezmann] work from the beginning. He is a happy player, who always gives his best for the team and the club.

"Too bad he has no luck scoring more goals. The only way to change this is to work harder. He is trying."

Koeman claimed Barca's victory over Dynamo, which secured their place in the Champions League last 16, was the type of performance he wants to see repeated in LaLiga.

The Blaugrana are languishing in 13th place in the table after three wins, three defeats and two draws from their opening eight matches.

It is their worst start to a season at this stage in LaLiga since the 1991-92 campaign.

"This is the image of Barcelona we want to see," added the Barca head coach. "I liked the collective performance. They have worked hard, they pushed.

"They dominated the game sufficiently to be proud of their performance. We perhaps lacked a bit of effectiveness in the first half but overall I'm very happy.

"We have seen a very hungry team. We scored four goals, important players were able to rest and the youngsters have deserved these minutes. They have delivered. I highlight the whole team."