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Edinson Cavani has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association after posting a racially insensitive message on social media, with Manchester United mulling over their response.

A statement from the FA read: “Edinson Cavani has been charged with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3, in relation to a social media post on Thursday 29 November 2020.

“It is alleged that, contrary to FA Rule E3.1, a comment posted on the Manchester United FC player's Instagram page was insulting and/or abusive and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

“It is further alleged that the comment constitutes an 'Aggravated Breach', which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

“The striker has until Monday 4 January 2021 to provide a response to the charge.”

United posted on their official website: “Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism and we will continue to work with the FA - along with other governing bodies and organisations, and through our own campaigns - in that regard.

“We note the FA decision today to charge Edinson Cavani for his social media reply to a friend's message of congratulations, following the Southampton game.

“Edinson and the club were clear that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind the message, which he deleted and apologised for, as soon as he was informed that it could have been misconstrued.

“The player and the club will now consider the charge and respond to the FA accordingly.”

More to follow…

Pahang FC manager Datuk Suffian Awang has offered an explanation for the incident that triggered Malaysia forward Mohamadou Sumareh's premature exit from the club back in September.

The Gambian-born player had claimed that his departure was caused by the Elephants' failure to pay his salary on time, and he has since joined Thai League 1 side Police Tero. Sumareh and Pahang are currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the club claiming that his move was not done legally.

"What happened was, Sumareh was back in his home country (Gambia) at the time, so the money transfer took some time to be cleared in order to avoid being flagged by the Central Bank of Malaysia [for irregularities]. It was not a matter of him not getting paid as he claimed."

For now, Suffian is urging that the Malaysian FA (FAM) look into the dispute.

"We are currently waiting for FIFA's arbitration over the matter, and we hope for FAM's attention. We want it to be resolved amicably so both parties can move on without the dispute dragging on. It's a big issue now.

"FAM needs to look into this matter and we're just waiting for FIFA's decision over it," he explained to the press in Putrajaya on Wednesday, December 16.

The manager also took the time to explain the outfit's preparations ahead of the 2021 season to the press. He revealed that they are looking for a new head coach, but remarkably the services of Dollah Salleh, their boss for the past four years, will still be retained.

Dollah Salleh. Photo by Sports Regime

"I can reveal that we are planning to appoint a foreign head coach and that several candidates have offered their services. We've shortlisted the qualified ones and a decision will be made soon.

"What we want is someone who not only understands football in Malaysia, but also Southeast Asia... The ability to adapt to Malaysian football will be an advantage to them. Someone who doesn't get Malaysian and Asian football will be a big problem to Pahang.

"But Dollah Salleh will still be with Pahang. He will still be a part of the team and his status will be announced by January [2021],"

Suffian also added that they are currently looking to finalise their Asian and ASEAN foreign player slots, having secured the signings of former Terengganu FC captain Lee Tuck, former Melaka United forward Sergio Aguero and retained centre back Herold Goulon. In the meantime, they have completed the signings of all their local players.

ATK Mohun Bagan played 15 successful passes in the first 18 minutes of their 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) match against FC Goa on Wednesday. 

Normally, it is safe to assume that such a start meant FC Goa were denying Bagan time with the ball and were knocking on the doors for an opening goal. But in this case, it was a different scenario. The Mariners were set up in their usual formation with an organized backline guarding the goal. Right from the off, there was an intent to press high up the field and win the ball in dangerous areas.

David Williams, who started only his second game of the season and completed 90 minutes for the first time, partnered with Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh to target the Goan defence when they held onto the ball for more than two seconds.

The defenders and the goalkeeper did just enough to avoid committing blunders in their defensive third but the constant presence of an opponent nearby meant they were uneasy in possession. 

Williams had the opportunity to announce his return to the starting lineup in style when he pulled off a brilliant first touch to collect a long diagonal and cut inside from the right flank and struck a fantastic effort at the goal. The upright denied the forward a wonderful goal and the teams had to go their dressing rooms at the break with the game tied without goals in it. 

Goa improved after the break. They became more proactive with and without the ball and tried to make things happen, pinning the Bagan defence into their own half this time around. An excellent cross from the right flank by Jesuraj Romario found Alberto Noguera inside the box but the latter's header was too close to Arindam Bhattacharya, who after his chill-pill in the first half, woke up to make a decent save. 

Ferrando introduced two of Goa's best players so far this season - Jorge Ortiz and Brandon Fernandes - when nothing else seemed to work and Bagan continued to remain cautious. While those two changes did not make the desired impact, another change by Ferrando influenced the proceedings, just not in the manner Goa hoped for. 

24-year-old Aiban Dohling had a forgettable cameo after coming on in place of Seiminlen Doungel in the 74th minute. 11 minutes later, he clumsily brought down Krishna inside the box and gave the Fijian a chance that he was extremely unlikely to miss. And he didn't. Krishna slotted home his fifth goal of the season from 12 yards and secured three important points for his team. By doing so, he also achieved the feat of having scored against all the existing ISL clubs. 

It was a good team performance by Bagan.- not a display for the purists but certainly effective. The presence of Carl McHugh in the team gives them the stability that they need to pull off results like these. Goa had no way past him and arguably he - not Krishna - remains the Mariners' best performer so far this season. 

Michael Olise found the back of the net while Ovie Ejaria provided an assist in Reading’s 2-1 defeat to Norwich City in Wednesday’s Championship game.

Olise has continued his eye-catching performances for the Royals, scoring his fourth goal of the season at Madejski Stadium.

Last weekend, the attacking midfielder emerged as the hero, when he scored the only goal in his side’s victory over Queens Park Rangers.

The Nigerian forward again emerged as one of the standout performers for Veljko Paunovic’s men when he registered yet another effort at Madejski Stadium, although it was not enough to save his side from defeat against the Championship leaders.

Ovie Ejaria made his 14thh start for Reading since he signed for the club permanently from Premier League side Liverpool.

The 23-year-old midfielder delivered an impressive performance for the Royals against Daniel Farke’s men.

Reading found themselves on the backfoot when Norwich City opened the scoring as early as the 11th minute of the game through Emiliano Buendia.

Olise then brought his side back to contention in the encounter when he levelled proceedings three minutes later after a fine combination with his compatriot Ejaria.

Teemu Pukki then scored the winning goal in the 55th minute, converting from the penalty spot to deny the Royals a share of points.

Olise and Ejaria featured for the duration of the game while Nigeria international Sone Aluko was replaced in the 59th minute by Sam Baldock.

Besides his four goals this season, Olise has also provided six assists in 19 league appearances in the 2020-21 season.

His performances helped Reading to their current fifth position on the Championship table after gathering 33 points from 19 games.

Ejaria, meanwhile, has scored two goals and provided four assists in 14 appearances this season, amid other dazzling displays.

The Nigerian stars will be expected to continue their productive partnership and help Reading return to winning ways when they take on Brentford on Saturday.

Robert Lewandowski "truly deserves" to be recognised as the world's best player according to Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick.

Lewandowski has been nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, which will be awarded in Zurich on Thursday, alongside Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 32-year-old Lewandowski scored twice to earn Bayern a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Wolfsburg on Wednesday to keep the German champions one point behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen after 12 rounds. 

Lewandowski also celebrated his 250th Bundesliga goal – from just 332 games – the Poland international becoming only the third player in league history to reach the milestone after Gerd Muller (365) and Klaus Fischer (268), though he is the first non-German to achieve the feat.

After 11 league games this season, Lewandowski has 15 goals, following a campaign where the star striker fired Bayern to Champions League glory, in addition to a domestic treble of the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup.

Bayern team-mate Manuel Neuer – who celebrated his 200th league win for the club from 261 appearances, beating Thomas Muller's record – has been nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award alongside Liverpool's Alisson and Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid, and Flick is adamant that both of his players have earned the right to claim the prizes.

"Lewy is on one side very important on the pitch, but also he is in the inner circle of the squad," Flick said post-match.

"[He] is of course a very important player who's point of view truly counts. 

"Therefore, we are all looking ahead. So that Manuel as well as Lewy will win their awards. Both players truly deserve it."

Flick also joined the company of Leeds United coach Marcelo Bielsa and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in being nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Coach award.

The 55-year-old admitted that his players had to dig deep to recover from a fifth-minute set-back against Wolfsburg, as Maximilian Philipp volleyed the visitors ahead against the run of play at the Allianz Arena.

Lewandowski headed in Kingsley Coman's delivery on the stroke of half-time to level the scores, before collecting Jerome Boateng's pass to lash in his second and complete the turnaround five minutes after the restart.

Bayern – who have won 12 points from losing positions this season, the most in the Bundesliga this term – travel to Leverkusen on Saturday in a battle to clinch top spot heading into the mid-season winter break and Flick praised his team's fighting spirit ahead of such a crunch clash.

"We won. We won and that is the most important part," Flick added. "We fought ourselves back after conceding a goal. 

"We fought back heavily and set the equaliser before the half-time which was very important and gave a signal to the team.

"Then we scored at the start of the second half the second goal, where we were playing very well. We tried to stand up against the loss. You can notice, that we really wanted this win against Wolfsburg.

"I told the team, that sometimes you have to fight back properly in order to get back into a winning streak. Coming back to Leverkusen, we want to end this very successful year on a high note. If possible, with three points."

Express FC coach Wasswa Bbosa believes his charges should have returned home with maximum points from their Ugandan Premier League (UPL) match against Mbarara City on Wednesday.

Despite taking a deserved lead, the Red Eagles picked a point from the fixture after the match ended 1-1 at the Kakyeeka Stadium.

Right-winger Godfrey Lwesibawa opened the scoring for the Red Eagles from a direct free-kick in the 23rd minute but burly defender Soulyamane Bamba made amends in the 77th minute heading home from a corner to help the hosts nick a point.

While Bbosa is happy to have picked a point from the away tie, the coach insists they deserved to win the game had they used the chances they created especially in the first half before the game turned physical in the second period.

“The game was okay, we could have killed off the game in the first half because we had many chances which we didn’t use and in the second half the game was more physical, they pinned us a lot using bong balls,” Bbosa told the club’s official website after the match.

“However, that said, getting a point here is worth it.”

The Red Eagles started off well against Mbarara with forward George Ssenkaaba bulldozing the visitors’ backline at any opportunity available but he could not find the target.

However, they had to wait until the 23rd minute when Lwesibawa opened the scoring from a direct free-kick, and the goal was enough as the teams headed to the half-time break.

In the second period, Mbarara piled pressure for an equaliser with winger Bashir Mutanda and midfielder Jude Ssemugabi launching several attacks and it came as no surprise when defender Bamba headed in left-back Jasper Ahebwa’s corner to make it 1-1 with thirteen minutes to go.

In other matches played on Wednesday, Vipers SC needed a late comeback to ensure they picked up a 2-1 win over Kitara FC at St Mary’s Stadium.

Paul Mucureezi and Daniel Sserunkuma ensured the champions won their first game after they had gone behind to the debutants 10 minutes after the second half had started.

Brian Mayanja scored the opener for Kitara in the 55th minute but substitutes Mucureezi and Sserunkuma buried their hopes of picking up three points from the under-pressure champions.

At Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru, Kyetume FC condemned debutants UPDF FC to a first loss after claiming a 1-0 win.

Express will next take on old rivals SC Villa at Wankulukuku on Sunday.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa has explained why they decided to do away with a limited company to run the Premier League.

The federation boss has revealed while taking over the running of the top-flight from Kenyan Premier League Limited (KPL) whose five-year mandate had expired, the federation had thought of coming up with another company to manage the same.

However, Mwendwa now says his discussion with the world governing body, Fifa, and the number of court battles he had tussled with KPL over the period he took over the running of FKF, forced him and other members of the federation to think otherwise and do away with the formation of a company altogether.

“We also had plans to have a company to continue running the league like KPL, but we realised we could not have a company because Gor Mahia cannot have shares in a limited company here in Kenya, so there is no way all the 18 clubs will be represented in that company, so we will be lying to the clubs if we formed the company,” Mwendwa told FKF TV.

“Fifa also told me we have had long tussles with KPL in court, you know how long FKF and KPL have battled in courts, we have fought in court for the last four years that I have been the President, so we said now we have done away with KPL, we forget about forming a new company.

“Fifa also told me to forget about forming a company, so we told the transitional committee, we will not have a company, but we will allow you to run the league as a committee, we will open for you an account and put in money and allow you to make your own decisions.”

Explaining further on why the formation of a company to run the league was not possible, Mwendwa said: “For example, KPL lied to Western Stima, they were members of KPL, of which they were not, only some officials who were directors [in KPL] kept benefiting from the company and that is what the other members in the transition committee wanted us to do and we refused.

“We cannot do things the way they were before, we must have transparency and have all teams in one group and also FKF to run the league and that is where the problem came from, because some owners of a few clubs did not want it that way.”

The league is currently being managed by the federation and will enter round four of matches this weekend.

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has hit back at Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, who claimed his side deserved to win after they lost 2-1 to the Reds on Wednesday.

The defending champions earned all three points through Roberto Firmino's 90th-minute header, after Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the first half and Son Heung-Min equalised for Spurs minutes later. 

Despite having just 24 per cent possession and two shots on target compared to Liverpool's 11, Mourinho still felt Spurs deserved to win. 

Speaking to Amazon about a post-match meeting with his counterpart Jurgen Klopp, Mourinho said: "I told him the best team lost and he disagreed, but that's his opinion."

Alexander-Arnold was clearly alerted to Mourinho's comments and he quickly responded on Twitter with a post that simply said: "Best team won."

Klopp also responded to Mourinho's claim after the game, saying he thought the Spurs boss wasn't being serious.

"It was not heated at all," Klopp told BBC Radio 5 Live of the exchange. "He wasn't happy because he told me the better team lost – and I thought he was joking! But he wasn't. So that's it."

Klopp was told that Liverpool had 200 passes in the final third compared to 19 for Tottenham, and had a subtle dig at his opponents in response to the stat. 

"If you ask me now, I can't remember the 19," Klopp added. "That's how it is. It's fine. Different approaches, different ways to play."

Klopp did have plenty of praise for Spurs, who dropped to second place after the loss, three points behind Liverpool in first place.

"It's the respect the boys deserve, or earned, that you think, 'OK, sit deep against them like this.'" Klopp said of Tottenham's strategy. "We have to deal with that. Of course they had chances, they are a world-class team, they are outstanding.

"They will be top of the table until the end of the season because they are really good, but to play against them is a proper challenge and to play like us, is pretty special."

Liverpool are now three points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with 28 to Tottenham's 25.

Jordi Alba felt Barcelona produced their best performance of 2020 in their 2-1 Liga victory over Real Sociedad.

The Catalans fell behind to a Willian Jose goal at Camp Nou on Tuesday after dominating the opening 25 minutes without managing a shot on target.

However, they responded well, Alba blasting home a fine equaliser before setting up Frenkie de Jong to make it 2-1 before half-time.

Real Sociedad improved after the break, restricting Barca to just 38.6 per cent possession after the hosts had enjoyed two-thirds of the ball in the first half, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen's only save of note came late on when he blocked an effort from Alexander Isak.

Barca, who have beaten Sociedad 23 times in a row in home league games, are now six points off the top of the table thanks to their first back-to-back league victories since October 1.

Alba felt the first half was Barca's strongest showing in 2020, even if he modestly suggested there was an element of luck to his emphatic equaliser.

"It was the best game of the year," he told Movistar. "I'm really pleased with the team's attitude and fight. The motivation was big and we keep climbing [the table].

"They changed their way of playing. We knew it would be a difficult game against one of the best teams in La Liga.

"I get more joy from giving assists. You score one in a hundred from those types of shots. I was lucky.

"We scored soon after they got their goal and the team played a great game. We saw a great Barca, who fought for every ball."

Barca's lead was under threat when Isak raced through on goal only for Pedri to make a crucial challenge, the teenager then colliding heavily with the post for his troubles.

It was a moment that summed up Barca's robustness under pressure in the second half as they inflicted just a second league defeat of the season on Imanol's side.

"We knew it was an important game and we went out to give everything," he said. "We were missing a bit of assuredness in front of goal before and we have it now."

Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has delivered a harsh verdict on his side's current state, saying they are lacking in discipline, attitude and self-confidence.

The Gunners managed to draw Southampton 1-1 on Wednesday, ending a run of three straight Premier League defeats. 

But Arsenal still ended the match in 15th place and with just 14 points from their first 13 Premier League games this season, their lowest tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1974-75.

Discipline has been a major issue under Mikel Arteta, with Gabriel's red card against the Saints making it seven reds for Arsenal since Arteta took charge on Boxing Day 2019, four more than any other Premier League side in that time. 

Leno, though, has defended Arteta, saying that he and his team-mates are to blame for the position they find themselves in currently.

"That [pressure on Arteta] is not an issue at all. The coach is least to blame for the fact that we are in this situation," Leno told Sky Germany.

"If you look at the way we were running around on the pitch at times, then the players are the only ones to blame. I have to be honest about that.

"We're getting red cards, making mistakes, standing out of position. These are things that we have clearly addressed a thousand times. In the end, it's a lack of focus on the part of the players.

"The coach is not an issue in the dressing room, there is no criticism of him. We criticise ourselves and the players know that they are responsible.

"We actually have quality, but all of a sudden there was this break. But nobody can pin it on just one person."

With the Gunners having just one win in their last nine Premier League games (W1 D2 L6), Leno has said there are many reasons behind his club's downturn in form.

"The attitude is bad, the discipline is lacking and we have no self-confidence. There are many factors at play here," the German added.

"We have addressed this very clearly internally and everyone agrees that we have to change this very quickly."

Ronald Koeman believes Barcelona's "attitude and intensity" in the 2-1 La Liga victory against Real Sociedad proved they can recover from their early-season struggles.

Barca head coach Koeman hailed his team's display as goals from Jordi Alba and Frenkie de Jong earned a 23rd successive home league win against Sociedad.

Koeman's Barca controlled from the kick-off but were not able to record a shot on goal in the first 25 minutes, as the home side fell behind to Willian Jose's 27th-minute effort at Camp Nou.

But two goals in the space of 12 minutes before half-time flipped the game in Barca's favour and Koeman insisted his players showed the characteristics needed to improve on their patchy form.

"With this attitude and this intensity we will be where we should be," Koeman said post-match.

"[It was] surely the best first half [of the season]. We were good with the ball and we pressed well.

"The second half Real played a great game. It was a high-level clash with a lot of intensity."

Barcelona played a more reactive game after half-time against the second-placed La Liga outfit, logging only 38.6 per cent possession as they protected their lead.

Alexander Isak threatened a late equaliser but Marc-Andre ter Stegen blocked the Swedish winger's effort, the Barca goalkeeper's only save of note in the second half.

"You cannot control a game for 90 minutes," Koeman said. "The wear and tear on the team has been impressive. We deserved to win for attitude."

Barca left-back Alba was also happy with his team's display, saying they put on their best performance of 2020 in the victory.

"It was the best game of the year," he told Movistar. "I'm really pleased with the team's attitude and fight. The motivation was big and we keep climbing [the table].

The win lifted Barca to fifth place in the table with six wins from their 12 games, within six points of Atletico Madrid, Sociedad and Real Madrid. 

Next up for Barca is a home match against Valencia on Saturday, with Los Che entering the game in 12th place in the table. 

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has lamented his side's poor discipline after Gabriel's red card damaged his side in their 1-1 draw against Southampton on Wednesday.

Theo Walcott put the Saints ahead with a first-half goal against his former club before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levelled the match early in the second half. 

With Arsenal poised to chase a winner, the complexion of the game was changed when Gabriel was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Walcott on 62 minutes. 

The Gunners were forced to hold on for a point, and although they did snap a three-match losing streak in the Premier League, Arteta was disappointed with yet another game-changing red card from his side. 

In Arsenal's previous match, Granit Xhaka was shown a red card in the second half of a 1-0 defeat at home to relegation-threatened Burnley.

"We didn't have time to think, we adjusted two or three things to try and win the game," Arteta told the BBC. "The boys came out like we did three days ago, we scored a really good goal, on top in the game, and again we shoot ourselves in the foot.

"Very [disappointed] because in that moment I was thinking to change the centre-back straight away - we didn't even have time to do that. In the end we got a point that, considering the circumstances, we have to accept."

Discipline has been a problem for the Gunners since Arteta took over. Since the Spaniard's first Premier League game in charge, on Boxing Day 2019, Arsenal have been shown seven red cards, four more than any other Premier League side during that period.

In addition, Gabriel's red card means Arsenal have had players sent off in successive Premier League games for the first time since August 2011, when Emmanuel Frimpong (versus Liverpool) and Carl Jenkinson (versus Manchester United) were red carded in back-to-back matches. 

Arteta was happy to see Aubameyang score what was his first goal from open play since the opening game of the season, and only his third league strike of the campaign. 

"Aubameyang needed that confidence boost, he is very critical with himself, hopefully he can move and be more optimistic in the future," Arteta said. 

Arsenal will look to secure their first Premier League win since November 1 when they travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton on Saturday.

Southampton star Theo Walcott commented on the "fear" afflicting the Arsenal team after opening the scoring against his former employers on Wednesday. 

The England international winger needed just 18 minutes to find the net at Emirates Stadium to increase the pressure on Mikel Arteta's under-performing charges. 

The Gunners, though, did manage to strike back, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levelling the game just after half-time. 

Arsenal were then reduced to 10 men when Gabriel saw red, but they were able to hold on to secure a 1-1 draw that breaks a run of three consecutive Premier League home defeats. 

That will come as little consolation to the club, who remain mired in 15th place just five points clear of the relegation zone. 

Walcott, who represented Arsenal for 12 years from 2005 to 2017, claimed that he could sense the anxious atmosphere surrounding his former team-mates.  

“I felt a lot of fear in Arsenal tonight, to be honest,” he said to Amazon after the game.

Quizzed on Walcott's comments in his post-match press conference, Arteta stated: "I don’t know. I was going to say that I just spoke with him and he never mentioned that to me. He mentioned other things but not that. I don’t know if he says that it’s his feeling."

The under-fire manager did express his hope that Wednesday's draw could prove a turning point for the Gunners after a rotten recent run of form. 

"I agree yes because at the end if we lose the game again that would be a difficult one to take," he said. "The players showed what we expect them to do. Some will be with more or less quality but at least the work is there.

"I saw all the players that weren’t participating and they were on the stands shouting and they were being right behind the team and living the game with them which is a really strong signal as well and I’m really proud."

Arsenal return to action on Saturday away to Everton at Goodison Park. Southampton meanwhile take on Manchester City as they look to continue their excellent start to the league season.

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer felt that his charges were tired during their clash with Chippa United on Wednesday night.

The Soweto giants came into the PSL game as the favourites to win the match after clinching the MTN8 title with a 2-1 win against Bloemfontein Celtic over the weekend

However, Pirates had to dig deep to overcome ten-man Chippa 1-0 in an encounter which was played at the Mecca of South African football, Orlando Stadium. 

"It's important we have three points. That was the target. We knew it was going to be a tough game," Zinnbauer told SuperSport TV. 

"We came from the cup final. You saw today the players were tired and we didn't have enough chances and then the opponent got a red card.

"It was clear they were going to use a deep block after the sending-off and it's not easy to find a solution."

The Chilli Boys played the entre second-half with 10 players after Sandile Mthethwa was sent off in the last minute of the first half. 

Zinmbauer admitted that it was not a good performance by the Buccaneers as they were frustrated by the visitors until Fortune Makaringe netted Pirates' late winning goal.

"We then had opportunities to score but it's always so if you don't score, and we needed a goal," he continued. 

"We then had a good moment, a good combination for the goal we scored but at the end of the day, we have three points. It was not a top performance."

"We understand the psychology and things coming from the last game. We won the cup and it's not easy to come back as a player," he added. 

"As a player, I know it but as a coach, you can't understand why it's so hard for us today."

It was Pirates' last league match of the year and they will now focus on their upcoming Caf Confederation Cup first round first-leg match against Sagrada Esperanca.

The Buccaneers will be away to Esperanca on December 22, before hosting the Angolan side on January 6. 

Robert Lewandowski scored his 250th Bundesliga goal as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Wolfsburg 2-1 and keep the pressure on Bayer Leverkusen.

Maximilian Philipp had put Wolfsburg ahead at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday with a clinical finish after a mistake by Leroy Sane.

But Lewandowski headed in just before the break to reach the milestone and then added a decisive second early in the second half with a controlled finish.

Visitors Wolfsburg were unbeaten so far this season but saw that record ended as Bayern survived a late onslaught to remain a point behind leaders Leverkusen, 4-0 winners at Cologne.

Wolfsburg took the lead when Sane tried to control in the box rather than clear his lines, allowing Kevin Mbabu to cross for Philipp, who hooked the ball into the net.

Josip Brekalo soon whistled a shot just past the post, which finally sparked Bayern into life as Lewandowski saw a close-range effort kept out by a superb last-ditch block from Maxence Lacroix before Serge Gnabry headed over from a good position.

Wolfsburg maintained a threat of their own and almost had a spectacular second after 29 minutes when Philipp's volley was deflected into the side-netting.

But Bayern levelled on the stroke of half-time as Kingsley Coman curled the ball into the box for Lewandowski, left unmarked to head past Koen Casteels for his landmark goal.

The Bayern man had his second early in the second half when Lacroix slipped as he tried to clear Jerome Boateng's long pass, setting Lewandowski clear to arrow the ball into the corner of the net.

Philipp continued to be the focus of Wolfsburg's attacking play and saw an unconventional volleyed effort go wide from just outside the box.

And Bayern were indebted to a pair of brilliant late saves from Manuel Neuer as he expertly tipped over a shot from Bartosz Bialek and then parried a blast from the same man from the corner that followed.
 

What does it mean? Gritty Bayern back on track

Bayern had drawn their previous two games and needed a scrappy victory to reignite their Bundesliga campaign, with Wolfsburg duly obliging once again as accommodating opponents.

Wolfsburg have won none of their 24 Bundesliga away games at Bayern (drawn two, lost 22). In the history of the competition, no side has ever played as often at one opponent without tasting victory.

The home side fell behind in a sixth consecutive league match but showed their fighting spirit to stay hot on Leverkusen's heels.

Lewandowski hungry like a wolf

Polish striker Lewandowski is only the third player in Bundesliga history to reach the 250 goals after Gerd Muller (365) and Klaus Fischer (268), though he is the first non-German to achieve the feat.

He also clearly relishes games against Wolfsburg, having now scored 23 goals in 20 Bundesliga meetings – more than against any other club.

Weghorst fails to make his mark

Wolfsburg's Wout Weghorst had scored in five consecutive Bundesliga games before this encounter and would have equalled the club record of six had he netted against Bayern. 

However, it was a disappointing game for the striker as he failed to register a single shot on target with just three touches inside the penalty area.

Key Opta Facts

- Bayern are unbeaten against Wolfsburg in their 28 home games against them (26W 2D).
- Neuer celebrated his 200th win for Bayern in the Bundesliga in his 261th game, beating Thomas Muller's prior record of 200 wins after 275 Bundesliga games.
- Bayern have won 12 points from losing positions this season, the most in the Bundesliga.
- The champions have trailed in each of their past six Bundesliga games but have not lost one of them (3W 3D).

What's next?

Bayern are away to leaders Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Saturday, a mouth-watering final fixture before the mid-season break. Wolfsburg host Stuttgart the following day.

The CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores  has reached its quarter-final stage, as the delayed 2020 competition nears its end.

And Wednesday sees the final last-eight clash kick off in El Cilindro with Boca Juniors' visit to Racing Club

Boca were forced to delay their last-16 tie against Internacional for a week in November following the death of club legend Diego Maradona.

And Wednesday's game against the Xeneize's Clasico rivals will be key in defining the fate of this tie, which comes to a close on December 23 in the Bombonera.

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How to watch Racing vs Boca on US TV

What has happened to Racing and Boca so far in the 2020 Copa Libertadores?

Racing impressed throughout the group stage and were unlucky to only take second place in a pool that also included Uruguay's Nacional, Alianza Lima of Peru and Venezuelans Estudiantes Merida. 

The side coached by Sebastian Beccacece won all but one of their Group F games but were pushed out of top place by virtue of having an inferior goal difference to Nacional, which set up a daunting last-16 match with holders Flamengo. 

But after two 1-1 draws in Avellaneda and Rio de Janeiro La Academia finally prevailed on penalties, causing a major upset against one of the Copa favourites. 

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Boca have made steady if unspectacular progress through the Libertadores, buoyed by five goals from Argentina striker Eduardo Salvio and the ever-inspirational presence of Carlos Tevez.

The Xeneize came out top in Group H without losing a single game and conceding just one goal, and they looked set to continue in the same vein when Tevez's strike gave them a 1-0 victory away to Internacional in the last 16 first leg. 

Inter, however, struck back with their own win in the return, and the game was forced into a tense penalty shoot-out which was eventually won 5-4 by the relieved Argentines.

Racing and Boca team news and preview

Racing coach Beccacece is set to make 11 changes to the under-strength team that lost to Velez Sarsfield in Friday's Copa Diego Maradona match.

The likes of Lisandro Lopez and Chile international pair Eugenio Mena and Gabriel Arias thus all return to the starting line-up, while there is a boost for La Academia in the shape of Lorenzo Melgarejo, the Paraguay playmaker who has shaken off injury and will start alongside Lopez in attack.

Boca also make a host of changes from the side which drew 1-1 with Arsenal at the weekend, while coach Miguel Angel Russo enjoys a clean bill of health with no injury or suspension concerns. 

Leonardo Jara is expected to enter at right-back over Julian Buffarini, while Colombia international Edwin Cardona will partner Tevez in attack with Salvio starting from a wider position.

Probable Racing XI: Arias; Fabricio Domínguez, Sigali, Nery Domínguez, Soto, Mena; Melgarejo, Leonel Miranda, Rojas, Fertoli; Lopez.

Probable Boca XI:  Andrada; Jara, Izquierdoz, Lisandro Lopez, Fabra; Salvio, Campuzano, Capaldo, Villa; Cardona, Tevez.

When does the 2020 Copa Libertadores finish?

The 2020 Copa Libertadores was originally scheduled to conclude with a single final in a neutral ground, the system which replaced the old format of home and away legs last year, at the end of November. 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however, the tournament suffered almost six months of interruption, meaning that the final phases had to be pushed back into the South American summer months of late December and January. 

Boca Juniors and Racing Club additionally suffered a further week's delay when the former's last-16 first leg match against Internacional was suspended due to the death of Diego Maradona. The Argentine pair play the opener of their quarter final shortly after Santos-Gremio comes to an end, with the return taking place at the Bombonera on December 23. 

On Tuesday Palmeiras became the first side to book their place in the semis, dispatching Libertad 3-0 in Sao Paulo to advance 4-1 on aggregate.

The rest of the quarter-final ties conclude this week, with the last four taking place between January 5 and 13 following a short break for the festive period. 

The final proper is scheduled to be held at Rio de Janeiro's landmark Maracana Stadium on January 30.  

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