Looking for Soccer News?

Manchester United "will do very well" to get out of their Champions League group, according to Rio Ferdinand, who says the Red Devils are not among the favourites to win the competition.

United marked their return to Europe's biggest stage with a 2-1 victory away at Paris Saint-Germain last week, thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now preparing his side to come up against Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig, who currently sit top of Group H after recording a 2-0 home win against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Julian Nagelsmann's side have yet to lose a game in 2020-21, while the Red Devils have slipped to 15th in the Premier League standings after winning just two of their opening five domestic fixtures.

Ferdinand thinks qualifying for the knockout stages would be an impressive achievement for his old club considering their inconsistency, and that they shouldn't be regarded as one of the main contenders for the trophy at this stage.

"I don’t think Man United are going to be one of the teams I’d put as favourites. I wouldn’t put them in that bracket," the ex-United defender told BT Sport. "I think they’ll do very well getting out this group they’re in and they’ve had a fantastic start.

"They’ll do well getting out of that and then just hope to improve from there, but consistency is the key for this season for Man United improving on last season."

Ferdinand was also asked to assess Manchester City's chances after watching Pep Guardiola's men pick up a 2-0 victory away at Marseille on Tuesday, but he named Liverpool as the English club most likely to challenge Bayern Munich for their European crown.

Asked whether this could be the season that City finally win the competition, the Red Devils legend responded: "I don’t think so!

"I want to see exciting football and when Manchester City are flying they’re such an exciting team to watch and I enjoy sitting here watching them.

"Whether or not they’re going to have enough to get over the line, with their quality and the consistency that Bayern have [I don’t know]. I still feel Liverpool are a stronger outfit so I put City probably around third or fourth choice for me."

Gor Mahia striker Samuel Onyango has revealed why he feels the new coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves is the right choice for the Kenyan giants.

The former Rayon Sports tactician was appointed to take over the reins at the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions following the abrupt exit of Steven Polack, who mutually terminated his contract with the club.

Oliveira has already started handling the giants in readiness for the 2020-21 FKF Premier League and Caf Champions League actions and his style has caught the eye of Onyango, who joined Gor Mahia from Ulinzi Stars two seasons ago.

“It is a good call, he is a good coach, he can speak English and even French and remember we have several foreign players here, who have to struggle what he says but for him, he has made it easier for the entire playing unit,” Onyango told Gor Mahia TV.

“The previous could maybe speak only English and it was tough for the foreign players, sometimes we had to do the translation in Kiswahili to help the players, but for him, he is doing the job on his own which is good news for the club, he is making the work easier and everyone is enjoying and looking forward to helping the team achieve its objectives.”

On how he coped with training during the Covid-19 lockdown period, Onyango explained: “It was a bit difficult but not that much difficult, I don’t know how some were doing there’s [training sessions] but mine was very okay.

“I did training on my own, I did jogging but still it was not enough because we missed group training, because it is good to train with the group.”

On the new signings at the club, Onyango revealed: “It is good, I have seen they are quality players, they are going to give us good competition, for you to be a good player you have to face competition from good players, so when they come in you also have to pull up.

“It is as simple as that because you are not in a comfort zone, but it is the coach’s work to pick who starts and I think it is a good challenge for me to work hard and keep my spot.”

On the delay of starting the league owing to Covid- 19 restrictions, Onyango said: “I will say it is a blessing somehow, but it all depends on how we will do preparations because the fixture is something which comes a week or before we start.

“Like now we will be playing in Caf competition, and we have to plan well, but the good thing is that we now have the experience to play in Caf competition., we are playing four years in a row, I think we have the necessity needed and it is the time to make a mark in the competition.”

Gor Mahia will represent Kenya in the Caf competition by virtue of being declared the champions of the 2019-20 campaign which was prematurely ended owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kenyan Premier League side Wazito FC has read mischief in Fifa’s judgment that ordered them to pay former players fines amounting to KSh6 million.

The players who reported the Kenyan side to Fifa are Ghanaian forward Paul Acquah, Togolese defender Issofou Bourhana, Ugandan midfielder Mansoor Safi Agu, Liberian Augustine Otu, and DR Congo forward Piscas Muhindo for reasons of breach of contract.

Bourhana was awarded $9600 compensation (KSh1.04 million) for breach of contract while Otu was handed $7800 (KSh848,776).

Mansoor got Ksh1,698,000 with KSh370,000 outstanding remuneration. Paul Acquah will benefit with KSh2,165,806 plus Ksh150,000 remuneration while Muhindo has been handed KSh1,040,000 and Ksh200,000 remuneration.

A source at the club has now confirmed to Goal they were never given a chance to present their case and feel the all scenario is a "witch-hunt".

“We smell witch-hunt in all this expedition,” a Wazito source told Goal.

“First of all, we were never heard, we were never given an opportunity to be heard so that we give our side of the story, a judgement was just passed without a fair chance to explain our reasons for releasing the said players.”

Wazito said they were not furnished with the judgement pronouncing the orders and stated they first learned of the development from social media.

“Another fishy thing is we learned of the communication from the media. We only got the formal communication a day later yet the documents that should have reached us first were making rounds on social media,” the source added.

“Why would such documents hit social media platforms before reaching us and who is this that leaked or gave out the documents?”

Fifa gave a strict timeline within which Wazito must pay the concerned players to avoid facing transfer bans.

“In the event that the amount due, plus interest as established above is not paid by [Wazito] within 45 days, as from the notification by the Claimant of the relevant bank details to the Respondent, the following consequences shall arise,” the Fifa statement partly read.

“In the event that the payable amount as per in this decision is still not paid by the end of the ban of three entire and consecutive registration periods, the present matter shall be submitted, upon request, to the Fifa Disciplinary Committee.”

The players were among those who were released before the current transfer window was opened.

Orlando Pirates will welcome Stellenbosch FC in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

Bucs are determined to secure their maiden win of the new 2020/21 PSL season after they saw their four-match winning run come to an end when they drew 1-1 with AmaZulu FC over the weekend.

The winning run included the MTN8 quarter-final victory over Cape Town City and coach Josef Zinnbauer will be keen to mastermind a win over Stellenbosch heading into Saturday's big clash with Kaizer Chiefs.

Pirates will take on a struggling Stellenbosch side which is winless in their last five matches after holding Swallows FC to a 1-1 draw over the weekend. 

Coach Steve Barker will be eager to lead Stellies to a win over the Buccaneers and avenge last month's 1-0 defeat to the Soweto giants which ended their hopes of finishing in the top eight on the last day of the season.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport TV. 

Squads & Team News

Pirates have announced that Wayde Jooste is set to undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability for the clash against Stellenbosch.

While Zinnbauer's side will be without Collins Makgaka, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Bongani Sam as the trio are nursing injuries, but they do not have players on the PSL's midweek suspension list.

The German tactician will look to last season's PSL Golden Boot award winner Frank Mhango, who opened his scoring account for the new campaign against AmaZulu.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch will welcome back Ashley Du Preez after the speedy forward missed the clash against Swallows due to suspension.

However, Mpho Matsi is still out nursing a long-term injury which the experienced holding midfielder picked up in the bio-bubble, although Robyn Johannes has often being deployed in midfield and the defender netted against Swallows. 

The player to watch out for in Barker's side is Lelethu Skelem, who was one of the most in-form players in the bio-bubble as netted against Chiefs, Cape Town City and AmaZulu.

Match Preview

Pirates are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run in the league - registering three successive wins and one draw.

The Soweto giants are also undefeated in their last four home matches in the competition having recorded two wins and two draws.

While Stellenbosch are enduring a five-match winless run in the league having registered four draws and one defeat.

The Western Cape-based side is also winless in their last four away games in the competition - recording three defeats and one draw.

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Stellenbosch have met just two twice in the league with both teams clinching one win each.

Stellenbosch won 1-0 at home in the first round clash in October 2019 last season, but Pirates ran out 1-0 winners in the second round encounter in September 2020.

Nairobi City Stars have beefed up their goalkeeping department after signing Steve Njunge Ndungu from Wazito FC.

Ndungu has arrived at the promoted side on a two-year contract and will be a direct replacement for Levis Opiyo, who left the club to sign for FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia after running down his contract.

City Stars have confirmed the signing of Ndungu on their official website by stating: “Goalkeeper Steve Njunge Ndungu, formerly with Wazito, is the latest player to join Nairobi City Stars, on a two-year deal.

“The experienced Njunge fills up a slot vacated by Levis Opiyo who ran down his contract at the close of last season and moved on.

“His arrival reunites him with his former goalkeeper trainer Zachary Onyango and keeper-mate Jacob Osano.”

City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno welcomed the signing of the player by explaining: “Steve [Ndungu] comes with loads of experience gained at Wazito and immediately becomes an important part of the team.

“Our goalkeeping department was short of numbers but now with Njunge in, the count of keepers now improves to three besides Osano and teenager Elvis Ochoro."

On joining Simba wa Nairobi, Njunge, a former Euro Juniors, National Youth Talent Academy and FC Talanta player who will wear jersey number 23, said: “The team has a great vision, and I am happy to be part of it. I want to work hard to help City Stars maintain its status in the league.”

City Stars have been very active in the transfer window as they seek to beef up their squad in readiness for the 2020-21 season which is scheduled to kick off on November 20.

Simba wa Nairobi, who were promoted to the top-flight alongside Bidco United, will open their campaign at home against Nzoia Sugar at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, November 22 at 14:00. It will be their first game in top-flight football since 2016.

Their second game will be at Kericho Green Stadium a week later against their hosts Zoo FC. On Friday, December 4, Simba wa Nairobi will be hosting either Kisumu All-Stars or Vihiga United at Nyayo Stadium.

Kakamega Homeboyz, who finished second in the abandoned 2019/20 season, will be hosting the Nairobi-based side at Bukhungu Stadium on Wednesday, December 9. The fifth game for Stars is scheduled for December 13 against Western Stima at Nyayo Stadium.

Raphael Ownrebe is set to sign for Mohammedan Sporting, Goal can confirm. 

The Nigerian forward had been plying his trade in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) since 2017 when he joined Sheikh Jamal. In his maiden season in Bangladesh, he was the top-scorer of the league with 15 goals. He also had nine assists to boot.  

In the next season, he was snapped by Sheikh Russel FC. He continued his rich vein of form in his new stomping ground as well. He bagged 22 goals in the 2018-19 season and once again won the golden boot for the second time in a row. 

He was a prolific goalscorer back in Nigeria as well, where he played for First Bank FC. In 2015, he scored 20 goals and assisted 11 times in just 25 games. In the next campaign, he joined Bayelsa United F.C.and was involved in 26 goals in just 20 appearances. 

Ownrebe likes to play as a centre forward but is equally comfortable to play in the wide areas in a front-three. 

Mohammedan Sporting have already announced Jose Carlos Rodriguez Hevia as their head coach for the 2020-21 I-League season. The 48-year-old previously held the post of technical director of coaching and youth development at Shillong Lajong FC until August this year.

Having started his coaching career in Spain with clubs such as UD San Claudio, CD Manuel Rubio and A.D.Gigantes, Jose's first expedition in India was as technical director of the Arsenal Soccer Schools based in Pune back in 2014. During this stint, he was also associated with the FC Pune City (now Hyderabad FC) support staff.

AIFF (All India Football Federation) President Praful Patel believes that Indian football is treading on the right path and in the near future, Goa will establish itself as one of the prominent footballing epicentres in the country. 

He believes that it will not be surprising to find Churchill Brothers in the Indian Super League (ISL) within the next few years if they manage to get an investor. 

"In 2020, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have joined the ISL. Hopefully, Churchill (Brothers) will also get a good financial partner and come into the ISL in the near future. 

"The AIFF cannot help any club to get a financial partner, it is a governing body. We are not a commercial organisation, but I can tell you as the President of AIFF that football is in the right direction, and Goa will have a very good piece in the larger pie of Indian football," stated Patel.

East Bengal roped in Shree Cement Limited as their investor and will make their debut in the ISL in the upcoming season. Whereas, Mohun Bagan merged with ATK to make their way into the top tier of Indian football. 

Patel stressed that the ISL and I-League will continue to function as League 1 and League 2 as promotion and relegation will kick in from the 2024-25 season. 

The AFC had rubber-stamped the Indian FA's proposal that will see the I-League winners get an entry into the Indian Super League (ISL) by virtue of merit from the 2022-23 season. As per the proposal, promotion and relegation will be implemented from the 2024-25 season. 

"We have integrated the I-League and the ISL in such a manner that promotion and relegation would take place. It is no more a closed league. It was a closed league only for the first few years. From 2024-25, the ISL and I-League will have promotion-relegation. The last club of ISL will go to I-League and the I-League winners will be promoted to the ISL. The two leagues will now coexist as League and League 2."

The Member of Parliament feels that without money football cannot progress and the clubs need to be more professional to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of world football. 

"There is no privatization of football, these are leagues. And these leagues are happening with the full approval of FIFA and AFC (Asian Football Confederation). Historically whatever was the traditional way of football has to change at some time. Clubs cannot sustain themselves without money. We have to bring this in because it is good for players, clubs and fans. Unless there is a healthy economic system for football, it will not survive in the long run," signed off Patel. 

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane said Los Blancos will take a cautious approach with Eden Hazard following his long-awaited return in the Champions League.

Hazard came off the bench with 20 minutes remaining as stuttering La Liga champions Madrid overturned a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach thanks to Casemiro's 93rd-minute equaliser.

Belgian star Hazard was included in the squad for the first time this season, having sustained a muscle injury as he neared a return to action at the end of last month.

Discussing Hazard's comeback post-match, Madrid boss Zidane told reporters: "It was his first game after a long time out.

"That was the plan to gradually try and get him playing and that's what we've got to do with Eden.

"He needs to be involved gradually and that's all there is to it. How we're going to do that will depend on the games.

"Given that we're playing every three days we'll have to see how we're going to do it."

Madrid avoided a record fourth consecutive European loss courtesy of Casemiro and Karim Benzema, after Marcus Thuram's brace had put hosts Gladbach in the box seat.

Gladbach became the 30th different opponent Benzema has scored against in the Champions League – only Lionel Messi (36), and Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul (both 33) have scored against more teams in the competition's history.

The result left Madrid with one point from two games in Group B following last week's shock defeat at home to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Zidane, whose Madrid averted defeat in a Champions League away fixture having trailed by two goals for the first time since December 2006 – added: "It's a deserved result but we could have won it because we do all we can do win games but there was a team up the other end who made it difficult for us.

"We didn't panic, we kept opening the pitch up and we showed real character to come back. That's what I'll be taking away from this because being 2-0 down in the Champions League and getting a point is a great result.

"If we keep playing like we did tonight we'll achieve great things and win games."

Kerala Blasters' new midfield signing Vicente Gomez has the experience of playing against some of the best teams in the top tier of Spanish football.

The Huracan youth product started his professional career in 2007 and later moved to Las Palmas. He went on to represent Las Palmas C team, earned a seat in their first team in 2010 and continued to play there for eight seasons in a row. Gomez then joined Deportivo in 2018. In total, he has spent three seasons in La Liga, facing off against the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. 

One of Las Palmas' famous results during Gomez's time at the club on the evening of March 1, 2017. In the 25th game week of La Liga that season, Vicenta Gomez played the full 90 minutes as his club held Real Madrid 3-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu. They were two goals up at the hour mark but Cristiano Ronaldo's brace in the last 10 minutes meant spoils had to be shared. 

During an interaction with Goal , Gomez revealed how his performances in La Liga nearly got him a ticket to the Span national team. 

"My best memories from Laliga are having played and making the best teams suffer by playing 'tiki-taka' with Las Palmas.

"Also, the 3-3 at the Bernabeu stadium against Real Madrid was a memorable match. I will also not forget that Vicente del Bosque and Lopetegui spoke highly of me and I almost got selected to the national team."

The midfielder is currently in Goa, undergoing a mandatory 14-day quarantine having arrived from Spain last week. The former Deportivo man is one of the many Spaniards set to take the field in the seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL).  Gomez is aware of who he will be up against and already has set his eyes of facing off against Mumbai City. 

It must be noted that Gomez knows Mumbai head coach Sergio Lobera, having played under him for two years while at Las Palmas. 

"I´m looking forward to playing against Mumbai City because I know Sergio Lobera and his staff. They are going to be a tough opponent, but I’m sure, we’ll put in our best fight on the pitch.

"I am also looking forward to playing against Tiri because he is a player who has become famous in India and is one of the best defenders in the ISL."

The motto of Barcelona is 'Mes Que Un Club' and it is etched into the amphitheatre of Camp Nou as a reminder to the world that the Catalan outfit is about more than just football.

Indeed, the club occupies a special place at the heart of the Barcelona community and, historically, it has conducted its business somewhat differently to many of its counterparts in Spain and elsewhere.

While most supporters of the club across the world will more or less stop at following their on-field fortunes or buying the shirt, others become members and they are very much hands-on.

The members have an equal say in the direction the club travels in through the presidential elections.

Contents

When are Barcelona's presidential elections?

The next upcoming Barcelona presidential election will now take place on March 20 & 21, having been brought forward from June 2021.

An individual who has been elected Barcelona president earns a mandate to serve in the post for six years. That means elections take place every six years, barring extraordinary circumstances.

Ex-president Josep Bartomeu did not seek re-election in 2021, and resigned in October ahead of the end of his tenure next year.

Lionel Messi cited a long-standing dispute with the Bartomeu in an exclusive interview with Goal, as well as his unhappiness at the way the club was being run and his lack of faith in Barcelona's future: “I told the club, including the president, that I wanted to go. I've been telling him that all year. I believed it was time to step aside.

“I believed that the club needed more young players, new players and I thought my time in Barcelona was over. I felt very sorry because I always said that I wanted to finish my career here."

Return to top

Who are the Barcelona presidential election candidates?

The likes of Victor Font, former president Joan Laporta, Jordi Farre, Toni Freixa and Lluis Fernandez have stepped forward as presidential election candidates.

Farre, Fonte and Laporta are all understood to have signed a vote of no confidence against Bartomeu to oust him prior to March 2021.

Font is reportedly determined to implement a number of changes at Barcelona.

"We have a lot of challenges for the next five or 10 years," he said, per Marca, in early 2019. "A key one, and one of the first, is the management of the end of [Lionel] Messi [as he gets towards retiring]."

As well as preparing for Messi's retirement, Font has pin-pointed issues such as players' image rights, the need to sell players and placing an emphasis on consulting directly with members on major proposals.

He has spoken of getting Xavi back involved and has been backed by the likes of Carles Puyol, Gerard Lopez and former president Joan Gaspart, who served from 2000 until 2003.

While Font has advocated replacing current coach Ronald Koeman, Freixa threw his own support behind the Dutch manager, insisting the tactician is the long-term answer.

"When I talk about him it gives me goosebumps, he knows our club and he has great leadership," Freixa said.

"He has arrived and is already making decisions, when you hire a coach you have to support him until the end.

Farre outlined his own desires to strive for change at Camp Nou in the wake of Messi's desires to leave the club as revealed exclusively to Goal.

"Messi said there is no project and the board lied to him, all 'socios' should sign the motion of censure," Farre said.

"The signature collection got hurried after Messi's quotes to Goal, the rhythm got doubled after it, maybe he should have used another strategy but the important thing is he is staying and I still think it is possible to convince him to sign another renewal.”

Return to top

Who is Barcelona's outgoing president?

Josep Maria Bartomeu was the most recent president of Barcelona. The president's job involves helping to shape policy, overseeing transfers, signing contracts and being the public face of the club in business.

A native of Catalunya, Bartomeu took on the role on an interim basis in 2014 after Sandro Rosell's resignation. He then won the 2015 election, officially becoming the 40th president of the club's history.

The CEO of the ADELTE group and EFS, Bartomeu was also involved with the boards of previous presidents Rosell and Joan Laporta.

Bartomeu became an increasingly unpopular figure at the club, with Messi having outlined Bartomeu's handling of the club affairs and their deteriorating relationship as one of the key reasons he wanted to leave in the summer.

Complaints were related to reports that the club had hired a social media contractor to discredit individuals such as Messi, Gerard Pique and Pep Guardiola. Bartomeu has denied the reports.

He resigned from his post in October 2020, with the entire board stepping down.

A total 20,687 votes were amassed to vote for the motion against Bartomeu, passing the required minimum of 16,250 signatures for it to go through.

The board had tried to delay the vote but local authorities rejected the club's push to stall the procedures.

Return to top

Who can vote in Barcelona presidential elections?

Only socios (club members) - socis in Catalan - have the right to vote in Barcelona presidential elections.

In order to be eligible to vote, socios must be at least 18 and they must have been socio for at least one year. They must also be present in Barcelona at Camp Nou to vote.

Find out more about becoming a Barcelona member on the club's official website.

Two records tumbled for Lassina Traore who scored his first Champions League goal in Ajax’s 2-2 draw versus Atalanta on Thursday.

Having scored five and assisted three goals in Erik ten Hag’s men 13-0 decimation of VV Venlo on Saturday, he was handed his first ever start in the competition against Gian Piero Gasperini’s men.

In the process, the 19-year-old became the 30th different teenager to start a Champions League match for the 34-time Eredivisie kings – the most of any team in the competition’s history, overtaking Arsenal who are on 29.

The Burkina Faso international justified his place in the starting XI by having a hand in the goals scored by the Dutch team. In the 28th minute, he won a penalty for Ajax having been fouled by Robin Gosens who attacked him with a high boot while trying to clear a cross from Dusan Tadic.

Tadic converted the resulting kick after beating goalkeeper Marco Sportiello. Traore doubled his side’s advantage in the 38th minute after slotting home a rebound from Sportiello’s initial save.

That made him become the seventh African teenager to net on his first start in the tournament. Maxwell Cornet was the last African to achieve that feat – finding the net as Lyon defeated host Valencia 2-0 on December 9, 2020.

Despite going into the half-time break with a two-goal advantage, Atalanta put up a fine showing in the second half to ensure the game ended on a no winner, no vanquished note thanks to Duvan Zapata’s quickfire brace.

Traore was in action from start to finish alongside Cameroon international Andre Onana. Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui was handed a starter’s role but was substituted in the 56th minute for Sean Klaiber.

Mazraoui’s compatriot Zakaria Labyad replaced Anthony in the 90th minute as Burkina Faso’s Hassane Bande was not listed for the game.

Thanks to this result, Ajax are third in Group D with one point from two games - five points behind leaders Liverpool who subdued Midtjylland 2-0 at Anfield.

The Burkinabe teenager would be hoping to continue with his rich scoring form when the Sons of the Gods welcome Fortuna Sittard to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday before visiting Midtjylland three days later in the Champions League.

Diego Simeone hailed a "complete" performance from Joao Felix after his double helped Atletico Madrid to a 3-2 Champions League win over Salzburg on Tuesday.  

Simeone's men bounced back in style from last week's opening 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich to register their first points in Group A. 

They did so largely thanks to a wonderful display from 20-year-old Joao Felix, who made it 2-2 early in the second half before securing all three points five minutes from time with an improvised finish. 

His two goals came from seven shots - four more than any other Atleti player - while he competed in a joint team-high of 20 duels, winning 65 per cent of them. 

Simeone was delighted with his display and backed him to continue delivering on the big stage for Atleti. 

"If he continues to show the commitment, speed, and decision making he did today then he will continue to grow," he told reporters.

"Hopefully we can help him because with a great Joao Felix the team will be more competitive. It was possibly the most complete performance due to the importance of the game, but he has played many good ones."

Before Joao Felix's late heroics, Atleti had gone ahead thanks to Marcos Llorente's powerful drive shortly before the half-hour mark.

It was the former Real Madrid man's third goal of the season - just two fewer than he managed in the entirety of the 2019/20 campaign.

Asked if the 25-year-old could be suited to a more advanced position, Simeone responded: "We are looking for a way to bring together those players who are playing well and who can provide what the team needs. Llorente is one of them.

"He's feeling better offensively, but you have to remember that he came as a midfielder. I could try it in the future because he has the energy, strength, work rate and shooting ability."

Zinedine Zidane predicted a difficult season for Real Madrid after Casemiro's 93rd-minute goal spared the stuttering La Liga holders an embarrassing Champions League defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Marcus Thuram's brace gave hosts Gladbach the lead at Borussia-Park but late strikes from Karim Benzema and Casemiro averted a record fourth consecutive European loss for Madrid with a 2-2 draw on Tuesday.

Gladbach became the 30th different opponent Benzema has scored against in the Champions League – only Lionel Messi (36), and Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul (both 33) have scored against more teams in the competition's history.

The comeback did little to paper over the cracks in a chaotic Madrid performance that was strewn with defensive mistakes against the Bundesliga side.

Despite seeing Madrid struggle for the second time in as many Champions League games, following a 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk the previous week, head coach Zidane defended his players.

"We didn't think this would be such a drama," Zidane told reporters. "But my team showed that they know how to react.

"I thought we were very good in the first half. The big pain is that we committed a serious error in how we conceded their first goal.

The result leaves Madrid with one win, one draw, and two defeats from their last four games in all competitions, and Zidane must prepare for back-to-back home games against Huesca in La Liga and Inter in the Champions League.

Failure to take maximum points in those games could leave the Frenchman's position under threat but Zidane said the character shown by his players left him confident.

"We didn't transform the possession we enjoyed into proper chances," said Zidane, whose Madrid avoided defeat in a Champions League away fixture having trailed by two goals for the first time since December 2006.

"What I'll take from this experience is how these players reacted. This was a very important point to secure.

"This is going to be a difficult year for everyone, but I'm proud of my team tonight. Playing like this we'll go through the group to the next round without any doubt."

Joshua Kimmich said Champions League holders Bayern Munich were "lucky" to come away with a win after he scored decisively in a 2-1 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow.

Kimmich struck in the 79th minute to clinch a record-extending 13th consecutive Champions League victory for the Bundesliga and European champions, but the Bayern star admitted they did not have it all their own way at RZD Arena.

Lokomotiv spurned a chance to take the lead before Leon Goretzka opened the scoring in the 13th minute, and the hosts did find the net through Anton Miranchuk on Tuesday.

The equaliser set up a tense finish in Moscow and Kimmich's quality shone through as he lashed home the winner from 20 yards, before praising his opponents in his post-match comments.

"I thought Lokomotiv had a great game," Kimmich, who has either scored (two) or assisted (five) seven of Bayern's last 15 goals in the Champions League, told reporters.

"They were good in transition, attacking with some fast players. It was not easy in the second half but in the end we were lucky to come out with the win.

"[It was] a really hard-fought victory. We didn't play badly, but we should have finished it off earlier.

"We scored quite early on, almost from nothing, but didn't really have a clear chance to get the second, especially after the break. They had some dangerous counters, but in the end we are happy to win despite not being at our best."

Bayern's opening goal came courtesy of a neat piece of play in which Corentin Tolisso played a chipped pass to Benjamin Pavard, whose volleyed cross was steered into the net by Goretzka.

Head coach Hansi Flick praised Bayern's application of an approach they had prepared on the training ground.

"It's one way that we try to break down teams that sit deep and defend," Flick said of his side's first goal.

"It worked well once or twice and came off sensationally for the goal.

"It was a hard-fought win, gritty if you like. Moscow did well, they defended very deep and worked with the long balls, which hurt us one or two times.

"But overall, I think we can say the 2-1 win was deserved, even if it wasn’t as clear as we'd hoped for."

Bayern remain unbeaten in their last 14 away European games – in European Cup/Champions League history only Manchester United (16) have gone longer without defeat on the road.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said his side would have to accept criticism after an indifferent start to the 2020-21 season.

City are in 13th place in the Premier League after beginning the campaign with two wins, two draws and a 5-2 defeat to Leicester City. 

The team's Champions League campaign is off to a better start, with last week's 3-1 win over Porto followed by Tuesday's 3-0 victory at Marseille. 

Ferran Torres, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling scored at the Stade Velodrome as Guardiola's men went top of Group C. 

It was an important result for City, who have faced plenty of criticism after Guardiola made his worst ever start to a league season as a head coach.

The Spaniard said he understands why his side have been under fire – even if circumstances this season have made things extra challenging.

"We have to accept the criticism," Guardiola told BT Sport. "We play every three days, when you win it's good but if you don't people want to destroy everything.

"But it's about the chairman and everyone else understanding. Part of the criticism was right, but you've got to accept it. It's part of our job.

"It's about where we've come from in the last month, with lack of preparation, injuries and Covid-19 but the Champions League is in a good place now. I'm sure we're going to find that consistency."

Guardiola also expressed his satisfaction at City's performance on a night when they comprehensively defeated last season's Ligue 1 runners-up.

"We played really well, we didn't concede much and we were in control, patient and aggressive without the ball," Guardiola added. "I'm so satisfied with the performance and result, it's always difficult to win away.

"We can play on both sides, we tried to play high and wide to stretch the pitch. Raheem Sterling was exceptional, Phil [Foden] as well. We didn't expect them to play five at the back until we saw the team. Porto was the same. As much as we play against five at the back we started to take the control and rhythm.

"We were so stable defensively. Aymeric [Laporte] was good, Kyle [Walker] is in the best form since we've been together, Oleksandr [Zinchenko] helped us, John [Stones] played good minutes. I'm so satisfied with the way we played."

Eden Hazard believes Real Madrid can recover from their poor start to the Champions League as he made his long-awaited return from injury in the 2-2 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach.

The La Liga champions needed a stunning comeback to recover from Marcus Thuram's brace with the Bundesliga side racing to a 2-0 lead with half-an-hour play.

Hazard helped spark the fightback with his entrance as a substitute coming prior to Karim Benzema keeping the match alive with a goal in the 87th minute before Casemiro struck the equaliser deep into stoppage time.

The Belgium international only managed one goal in 22 appearances during his debut season with Los Blancos after being troubled by injuries and had been yet to make an appearance this campaign.

Hazard was delighted to finally get back on the pitch and explained the result against Gladbach felt like a win despite the team only salvaging a point.

"I'm here to play football, so after two or three months off of the pitch, I'm so happy," Hazard told CBS. "I just want to play football. That's why I'm here.

"It's like three points, but it's not three points. We showed great character because to be 2-0 down, with just five minutes to play, I think we could score one more.

"I could score one more, but I missed, but it felt like three points, like a victory."

Following the Gladbach result and the 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar, Real Madrid are bottom of their Champions League group with one point - however leaders Shakhtar are only three further ahead at the top.

Hazard pointed to Los Blancos' eventual qualification after group stage struggles last season as reason why the team should still be confident of progression but warned the upcoming match against Inter will be a battle.

"[The start is] not that good, to be fair, but last year we showed after two games and one point we can go through," Hazard said. 

"We now have four games to lay, next one against Inter which is not so easy, but we are Real Madrid and we must show we can go through."

Despite their continental struggles, Real Madrid are sitting second in La Liga after a comprehensive 3-1 in the Clasico against Barcelona at Camp Nou last weekend.

Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Fabinho is set to miss some time after hobbling off in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Midtjylland.

The Brazilian was forced out with an apparent hamstring injury after just under half an hour and was replaced by Rhys Williams.

Second-half goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah would give the Reds a 2-0 win on the night but it could prove to be a costly victory for Klopp's men. 

With Virgil van Dijk out long term, Fabinho has been filling in at centre-back but Liverpool's depth in defence will now be severely tested with the former Monaco man also set to miss time. 

Klopp told beIN SPORTS: "We have to wait for the scan obviously but you know these times when somebody is going off with a muscle problem, then it's really rare that the doctor calls me the next morning and says: 'False alarm, all fine, he can go again.'

"So it's now only about how long. That's all. And nowadays a week means three games, 10 days means four games, 14 days means seven games and all these kinds of things.

"So that's how it is. Yeah, absolutely not cool but that's the situation."

Speaking to BT Sport, Klopp admitted that his side would now be forced to navigate a difficult period due to their injury crisis at the back.

"It was a tough night," Klopp said. "It's a bit like in a marriage, there are good and bad times. It's not a bad time but it's a tricky time.

"100 per cent we have to stick together and fight harder and that's what the boys did tonight. Losing Fabinho in the first half, Rhys Williams he's only 19 years old and I think he's played more Champions League games than Premier League games - that's rare.

"We're doing really well but it's a shock for a team because now we have to sort that injury."

On Fabinho's injury, Klopp added: "Exactly the last thing we needed. I don't know, he felt his hamstring so that's not good. He didn't feel it that much. He said he could've played on but not sprinting so that doesn't help. We will see, we will have to do a scan and see but clearly it's not good."

La Liga president Javier Tebas has launched a broadside at Josep Maria Bartomeu, saying the outgoing Barcelona president "confirmed his ignorance" with his announcement over a proposed European Super League.

Bartomeu announced his resignation on Tuesday along with the entire Barcelona board after several months of intense pressure following a disastrous 2019-20 campaign.

On his way out though, Bartomeu also confirmed that Barcelona had approved the club's participation in the proposed European Super League.

"Today I can announce great news which will change our financial perspectives," Bartomeu said at a press conference. 

"We accept entry into a European Super League of football clubs. This acceptance will have to be ratified by the next assembly. We have also approved the format of the new Club World Cup.

"The European Super League will make it so the club can remain being one of the members."

The European Super League has generated plenty of controversy since Sky News reported last week that a £4.6 billion ($6bn) package was being assembled by Wall Street bank JP Morgan to fund the creation of a new competition which will see the biggest teams from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain form a new league.

Many have viewed the proposal as a way for rich clubs to get richer, damaging clubs that aren't invited while also undermining the Champions League in the process.

Tebas has joined the chorus of criticism, aiming his ire toward Bartomeu in a post on Twitter.

"Unfortunate Bartomeu statement on his last day about FC Barcelona joining a weak and imaginary competition which would be their ruin," Tebas wrote.

"It confirms his ignorance about the football industry. Sad end for a president with successes and lately many mistakes."

Tuesday wasn't the first time Tebas has hit out at the proposal, as the Liga chief said last week that the idea is a product of "ignorance."

"The authors of this idea, if they really exist because there is nobody actually defending it, not only show total ignorance of the organisation and customs of European and world football, but also a serious ignorance of the audiovisual rights markets," Tebas told ESPN.