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Asisat Oshoala has scored her first goal in the Uefa Women's Champions League this year, ending her 295 minutes drought in the competition for Barcelona.

The Nigeria international had netted just twice in the European competition since joining Barcelona in February 2019, with her first being the history-making consolation goal in a 4-1 final loss to Lyon.

She last found the back of the net in a 5-0 victory over Minsk in the Round of 16 for the Catalans but could not score in the quarter-final duel with Atletico Madrid, nor the semi-final meeting with Wolfsburg.

The four-time African Women's Footballer of the Year netted the third goal of the match as Barcelona opened their 2020-21 European campaign in the 67th minute at De Herdgang Stadium.

Lluis Cortes' team bounced back from a botched final pursuit last season as they began their title quest on a high, with Mariona Caldentey opening the scoring after just four minutes of action 

On the brink of half time, the Netherlands champions conceded the second of the match no thanks to an own-goal from Van de Berg.

After the break, Marta Torrejon, who set up Caldentey for Barcelona's opener, provided the assist for Oshoala to get the chance to get back to scoring ways in the 67th minute.

15 minutes from time, Dutch star Lieke Martens could only add to PSV's misery, scoring the fourth goal of the match for the visitors' thanks to a brilliant assist from Caroline Graham Hansen.

PSV, however, bagged a late consolation against the Spanish giants when Joelle Smiths netted for the Dutch side a minute from time.

With her latest goal, Oshoala, who was taken off in the 67th minute, and has now scored three goals in nine Champions League outings for Barcelona.

The 26-year-old will seek to add to her tally when Barcelona welcome PSV for the second leg in Nou Camp on December 16.

Paris Saint-Germain Feminine striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto has insisted she's moved beyond her surprise snub for France's 2019 World Cup squad to focus on the present as she approaches 100 club goals after only just turning 22.

Last summer, France head coach Corinne Diacre surprisingly left Katoto off her 23-player squad, despite the fact that the then-20-year-old was the French league’s top scorer with 22 goals.

Diacre's decision was not vindicated, as the hosts crashed out of the World Cup to eventual winners United States at the quarter-final stage. 

Katoto, who finished 23rd in the Goal 50 2020, did not let the snub hinder her, however, and she continued excelling for PSG to the point where she has now reached 99 goals for her club. 

As she approaches the 100-goal milestone, Katoto has said her mentality has been key to overcoming a difficult setback.

"My situation with Les Bleus was not a big problem," Katoto told Goal. "I always remained focused on my work. I listen a lot to my coaches. They are the first to help me for my development."

On her World Cup snub, she added: "It's the past. Today I am looking ahead."

Katoto is now a regular in Diacre's squad and has admitted that the current team will have failed should they not win a major trophy in the coming years.

"Yes. It would be a failure," Katoto said. "The French team is one of the greatest nations, among girls, mens or in our youth teams. We always have been part of the favourites, in every competition. We have to win something with the coming generation."

Katoto began her career as a defender but her transformation into one of the world's top forwards was helped by studying videos of two of the best goalscorers of all time on the men's side. 

"I started as a defender but immediately I was attracted by the goal. That's why I played higher up the pitch," Katoto said. "I worked to know when to make my runs, when to shoot, and how.

"I watched the best strikers on TV or on internet videos. I like R9 [Ronaldo] a lot for example, as I like Cristiano Ronaldo."

As she nears a milestone many strikers will never reach, let alone at the age of 22, Katoto expressed her happiness to be able to do so with her childhood club. 

"It’s an incredible thing. Scoring 100 goals for your club is wonderful," Katoto said. "I can't dream of anything better than reaching this legendary step with Paris Saint-Germain."

Gor Mahia were set to earn KSh4 million for honouring a friendly against Al-Hilal of Sudan, Goal can now reveal.

The Sudanese giants were also to pay the allowances, accommodation and travel logistics for the friendly tie that was scheduled to take place next Wednesday.

But Football Kenya Federation (FKF) failed to approve the Sudan trip citing the need for Gor Mahia to honour domestic ties at the expense of the Al-Hilal meeting.

Both sides had planned to battle ahead of their respective Caf Champions League matches and the Kenyan side was, additionally, set to earn well.

“We agreed to face Al-Hilal given the money we were supposed to earn for honouring the game,” a source close to the club told Goal on Thursday.

“The KSh4 million would have eased the financial burden we are facing but now that seems to be a lost opportunity given FKF’s failure to grant the club the green light to travel.

“Everyone knows that we are under a tight financial position and we have had to resort to pleas to fans to bail us out. The Al-Hilal game came at the right time we needed it especially on matters of finance and physical preparations.”

Gor Mahia are set to play Tusker in the first game of the FKF Premier League and had planned to travel and face Al-Hilal on the same day.

“Reference is made to your letter dated December 8, 2020, with regard to a friendly match between Gor Mahia FC and Al-Hilal Sports Club, scheduled to take place on December 16, 2020, in Sudan,” FKF’s letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer Barry Otieno on Wednesday, read.

“In this regard, and as you are aware, we wish to inform you that the FKF Premier League is ongoing and your club has a match against Tusker scheduled for Wednesday, December 16, 2020.

“Consequently, we regret to inform you that it will not be possible for you to travel to Sudan from December 14, 2020, to December 17, 2020.”

Apart from Gor Mahia, Zoo FC, Mathare United and Ulinzi Stars are yet to play a single league game due to the stand-off brought about by the StarTimes sponsorship deal.

In fact, Zoo and Mathare have been suspended from the top-tier while Ulinzi Stars were warned over their non-compliance.

SC Villa head coach Edward Kaziba is impressed with the way his new players performed in the 3-0 win over Mbarara City in the Ugandan Premier League (UPL). 

Isaac Ogwang, who was named the man of the match, scored a brace while Derrick Ndahiro added the other to give Jogoos their first win of the current campaign. 

"[On Wednesday] we played our first home game and it is good that we have won it, it was generally a good start [considering the fact that] we fielded in new players and they performed so well," Kaziba said after the game.

Meddie Kibirige, Goffin Oyirwoth and Ogwang were the new faces in the Jogoos line-up. 

"It is good that we collected maximum points but the most important thing is that our new players are picking up. It is a very good gesture, it gives us hope that we have a good future," Kaziba added.

"It is a good gesture and it is where we have to build on; we want to win more games so we want to work hard because there are things we need to rectify which we are working on and we are going to be able to collect points."

On Wednesday, Ndahiro scored in the 10th minute from the penalty spot before Ogwang added the second for SC Villa 10 minutes later. In the 37th minute, Ogwang added the third for his side and his second of the game to ensure Jogoos moved to third.

Goffin Oyiriwoth played a key role as he delivered a cross that Ogwang just had to direct with a header into the net. The man of the match could have earned himself a hat-trick but he failed to find the back of the net with a second penalty in the 70th minute. The centre referee awarded the penalty as he judged Pistin Barenge to have handled the ball in his area.

Mbarara City upped their game in the second half but their resolute opponents dealt with each and every attack that relentlessly came their way.

Bashir Mutanda, a former Jogoo, saw his two chances in the dying minutes of the encounter yield nothing. In the first instance, his promising shot was blocked before he hit the woodwork with the second attempt from a free-kick.

The defensive organisation has been hailed as one of the many strengths of ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Antonio Habas' teams. And it had been the case in this season of the Indian Super League (ISL) as well, with ATKMB conceding no goals until their previous encounter against Jamshedpur FC.

A clinical Nerijus Valskis managed to unlock them not once but twice, both from set-pieces, and that has raised a few doubts before the game against Hyderabad FC on Friday evening. However, the Spanish coach is confident his players would respond well to the situation and rectify the errors. 

"We can do fantastic work around set-pieces. Last season, we just conceded one goal from set-pieces in all matches. Now in one match, we have conceded two. I hope we improve. The opponents had good players for this situation. I have full confidence in my players and I hope this kind of situation will not be repeated. 

"We have a good squad. Maybe we have some injury problems. We don't have (Michael) Soosairaj, Jobby (Justin) who are injured. I have good confidence in my team. We are thinking about players who are here and not about Soosai. We have to respect the players. We have a good squad and we need to use the right players at the right moment," stated the tactician. 

Games are coming thick and fast for ATK Mohun Bagan and Habas did not hide his displeasure over the busy schedule which is not allowing players enough recovery time. 

"We don't have any solution for that. It is not good for the team to play every three-four days. The humidity, the travel time for one hour 30 minutes, everything influences the final score."

Roy Krishna has been their main source of goals so far, scoring four of their five goals. Edu Garcia and Brad Inman are yet to get off the mark while David Williams has not featured much. But the coach is not concerned about the situation as he feels that with time, things will change. 

"All players have to collaborate together. The idea now is to score goals by more players by collaborating better. Only Krishna and Manvir (Singh) have scored so far. But we are not concerned about the situation."

Habas informed that David Williams and Javi Hernandez both could feature in the match against the Nizams. 

The Nizams remain undefeated in this edition of ISL  whereas his team is coming at the back of a loss. Yet the two-time ISL winner is confident that his team can turn the tables around and also commented on the style of Hyderabad FC. 

"Football is different every day. Statistics are not always definitive. I don't think Hyderabad plays long balls systematically. They try to play more with the ball," signed off Habas. 

Kenya legend Musa Otieno believes the best-prepared team will win the 2020/21 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League season.

The former defender, however, could not specify who stands a better chance of getting crowned. 

"The league has had its challenges, but it has returned with sponsors which makes it more lucrative," the towering tactician told NTV.

"I believe the side that has had good preparations will end up winning the league. Currently, I cannot specify who will win owing to the massive signings made."  

Prior to the start of the current campaign, football was halted in March owing to Covid-19. Despite the on-going pandemic, the league is going on under strict measures to curb the spread of the virus.

The 46-year-old has welcomed the return of football and went a step further to wish his former teams a good run in the league.

"The good thing is that football is being played once again which is a very satisfying thing," Otieno continued.

"I want to wish every team the best. All teams should have better preparations for the game because the national team's strength depends on them. The stronger the league, the stronger the national team.

"My favourite teams in the league are definitely AFC Leopards and Tusker FC and I wish them the best as well."  

Meanwhile, the Federation has suspended Mathare United and Zoo FC from taking part in the FKF Premier League.

However, the two ‘rebel’ clubs have been given 48 hours to salvage their stay in the top-flight if they move to sign the broadcast deal between FKF and StarTimes.

A meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members held at the federation’s offices situated at Goal Project, has also given Ulinzi Stars until Monday, December 14, 2020, at 5 pm, to return papers showing they have endorsed the deal, or else they will be expelled alongside the two clubs.

"We have suspended Mathare United and Zoo FC because they have refused to sign the StarTimes deal and for now they will not be part of the fixtures," FKF President Nick Mwendwa told Goal after the meeting.

"However, the teams have the next 48 hours to decide whether they will sign the deal or not, if they don’t sign in the next two days, then we will have no option but to expel them from the league."

Mwendwa continued: "The same applies to Ulinzi Stars, they have until Monday at 5 pm to confirm their commitment. Ulinzi are only committed by word and said they will sign the letter but they have not returned it back, so we don’t know their stand."

Orlando Pirates captain Thulani 'Tyson' Hlatshwayo will be happy to share the trophy lifting duties with veteran defender Happy Jele, should the Buccaneers triumph against Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.

The match is set for a 6 pm kick-off in Durban.

Hlatshwayo is in his first season with Bucs but has been skippering the side because club captain Happy Jele is no longer a regular starter in the centre of the Sea Robbers defence.

Overall, Pirates have conceded six goals in nine league and cup matches this season.

Jele, 33, has been with the club for a decade, but has only started two of six league matches (where he wore the armband) in the MTN8 this season. He has played a total of just six minutes.

For the most part, Ntsikelelo Nyauza has been partnered alongside Hlatshwayo in the heart of the Bucs defence.

So it's unlikely Jele will start against Celtic on Saturday. But should Pirates beat Phunya Sele Sele, Hlatshwayo says he'll be happy to have Jele up on the podium receiving the silverware.

"Everyone knows that Happy is the club captain. He’s the one who leads us. For me personally, I would allow him [to lift the trophy] and I will be okay with it for him and me to lift the trophy," the Bafana captain was quoted saying by the Sowetan.

Hlatshwayo revealed he will take inspiration for Saturday's cup final by drawing on his memories at Wits, who beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 in the 2016 MTN8 final.

He also mentioned how special it would be for him to win silverware with the club he supported as a boy, before he made his way to Ajax Cape Town and then Wits before joining Bucs this year.

“Obviously, joining the team I grew up supporting as a youngster from Soweto is a success," he said. "I came to Pirates to succeed. When I was young I wanted to play for this team and win cups. I feel I have the opportunity to take the first step by winning the MTN8."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has explained why Mohamed Salah played the duration of the club’s Champions League clash against Midtjylland on Wednesday night.

The German has spoken out in his opposition to fixture congestion this season but elected to field the Egypt international for the duration of the trip to Midtjylland.

He has, however, defended his decision to not substitute one of his star players despite the match, that ended in a 1-1 draw, counting for little, with the Reds having already qualified for the last 16.

“You can make changes but you need a few key positions,” Klopp told the media. “It could have been one of the other three regular forwards to play up front for 90 minutes as well.

“In the last line, that was the reason why Fabinho played 45 minutes there. In midfield, usually it would probably have been Naby Keita but he hasn’t played that often so couldn't fulfil the role and needs minutes now again.

“That was the decision for Mo and how the game developed and how the game looked, Mo looked fine so that's why we didn't take him off.

“Even though players don't play that much, it is difficult to get through 90 minutes after a pretty long time when you don't play 90 minutes.

“I was in contact with Mo and he didn't have any issues, which is why he stayed on the pitch.”

Salah has been one of the most intensely worked of Liverpool’s players this season and has not featured in only two of the club’s 20 matches.

He missed the 3-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League while he sat out a 7-2 Carabao Cup win over Lincoln.

Salah, meanwhile, netted in the midweek game to become Liverpool’s most prolific Champions League scorer of all time.

“It's a great feeling to be the top scorer for the club, it's something I'm proud of,” he told BT Sport after achieving the landmark.

"I need to keep going with that, score more goals, make the gap bigger between me and the others!"

Liverpool’s next challenge is a trip to struggling Fulham on Sunday before they face Tottenham and Crystal Palace prior to Christmas.

Klopp’s men presently lie second in the Premier League table, trailing Spurs only on goal difference.

It was almost inevitable former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Andriamirado 'Dax' Andrianarimanana would leave his mark on the game between Amakhosi and Black Leopards at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

The league match ended 2-2, Chiefs fighting back in the second half after having gone into the break 0-2 down.

Andrianarimanana is, of course, the reason Chiefs are currently in the middle of a Fifa transfer ban, the Soweto club having been found guilty of failing to compensate the player's former club in Madagascar, Fosa Juniors.

While Amakhosi were hit with a signing ban for two transfer windows, Andrianarimanana, or Dax as he is commonly known, was given a four-month suspension and a fine in the region of R650 000. In the interim, he signed for Black Leopards.

So it was always going to be interesting to see how he would do on his return to his former club, as it was his arrival at Naturena which has left the Soweto club in their current predicament.

Dax did not start on Wednesday night for Leopards, but came off the substitutes bench in the second half and unwittingly played a part in both of Chiefs' goals.

In the first case, some sloppy play from him in midfield led indirectly to Nkosingiphile Ngcobo scoring Amakhosi's first goal.

The second one was a rather comical affair as the Madagascan, inside his own box, allowed a loose ball to go through his legs. His team-mate Ethan Sampson then kicked the ball against Dax, which resulted in it being deflected towards the Leopards goal, where Lidoda Duvha keeper King Ndlovu did well to touch it onto the bar, only for Khama Billiat to pounce from close range with the equaliser.

In hindsight Leopards coach Dylan Kerr admitted bringing on Dax wasn't the best move.

"Dax, playing against Kaizer Chiefs, he's put them in this hell with no transfers," the Englishman told SuperSport TV after the match.

"I don't know him personally...But I thought he's playing against his old team; keep the ball, be buzzing, be busy.

"He's given the ball away for the first goal, given possession away. We should have dealt with it better because it's come from just inside our half and into the 18-yard box, we should have defended better.

"Its football, you make these decisions. I thought Dax would go on and do something, but it's football you know - you make these decisions as coaches, sometimes they work."

Hyderabad FC have a tough task ahead of them as they gear up to take on ATK Mohun Bagan in an Indian Super League (ISL) tie at the Fatorda stadium in Goa, on Friday evening.

They picked a 1-1 draw against Jamshedpur FC in their last game which also saw head coach Manolo Marquez get sent off for allegedly stepping on the field of play. ATK Mohun Bagan on the other hand are looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to, incidentally, Jamshedpur. 

Hyderabad assistant coach Thangboi Singto feels that the nine-day break has helped in his side recover and refresh themselves.

"The recovery has been good but the season is very long. We (still) have a lot of injuries like a lot of other teams. Most importantly, we had to work not only on the physical side (fitness) but to keep the players mentally sharp as well and the team is ready for tomorrow," he said.

Hyderabad have conceded just once in three games but have scored only twice so far. ATK Mohun Bagan, meanwhile, have conceded just two goals in four games with both of them coming in the loss to Jamshedpur. 

'It's true that we have been doing well defensively. But we have to score more goals - that is the target. "ATK [Mohun Bagan] is going to be difficult because they got top foriegn and Indian players but we have to focus on ourselves. ATK [Mohun Bagan] is always going to be tough for all the teams because they have the depth and strength in every department but what's most important for us is to look at what we can do better."

Singto feels that the Kolkata-based team does have a few weaknesses which his side can exploit. 

"I think, by now, it's more clear about teams' strengths and weaknesses. There are not much weaknesses in ATK [Mohun Bagan] but we have plans where their weaknesses can be exposed. We want our players to give their 100 hundred percent. When you give your best, the result follows," Singto stated.

The former Shillong Lajong coach heaped praise on the Indian players' potential at Hyderabad who have been doing well despite the absence of foreigners such as Luis Sastre, Joel Chianese and Fran Sandaza who are all injured. Striker Aridane Santana is also expected to miss the next fixture. 

"Some of our youngsters have really done well and we have some talented youngsters who are still waiting to make their mark. Of course, we will miss players like Aridane [against ATK Mohun Bagan] but as footballers you wait for your chance and show what you got when you're given a go. Whoever plays tomorrow, will give their best," he concluded. 

Harambee Stars winger Ayub Timbe has hinted at returning to football soon since his departure from Beijing Renhe.

Timbe remains without a club since his Beijing Renhe exit in mid-October. Although the winger did not have a club, he was prominently used in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Comoros in November.

His performance when Harambee Stars lost the away game saw him put under severe criticism especially after squandering a very open chance that would have earned them a draw in Moroni.

“Can’t wait to get back at it [football action]. I know you are all waiting,” Timbe posted on his Facebook page.

The winger joined Beijing Renhe in February 2017 and managed to score eight goals in his first season to help the team win promotion to the Chinese Super League.

In the following season, he was loaned back to the second tier to play for Heilongjiang Lava Spring, though he scored seven goals in 14 games in the top-flight for Beijing Renhe, and on January 31, 2020 - transfer deadline day in England – he joined English Championship side Reading on loan until the end of the season.

However, his stay at the Berkshire-based club did not last more than six months after the club decided against pursuing a further deal.

Between 2014 and 2016, the winger was loaned by Genk to Lierse and he went ahead to make 42 appearances and scored eight goals for the Belgian side.

The performance saw Lierse make his move permanent and the player stayed with them for one year between 2016 and 2017.

From Belgium, the Harambee Star joined Renhe where he enjoyed a good outing in 2017 as he scored 17 goals in 48 matches.

In 2018, he was loaned for the second time in his career to Heilongjiang Lava Spring, a Division One side in China. He played six games and scored two goals for the lower tier side.

When Kenya will embark on the Afcon qualifiers in March 2020, many would be eager to see whether coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee will draft the winger in his team especially after the criticism that followed the performance against Comoros.

Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi has died two months after his 64th birthday following a battle with illness.

Rossi's passing was announced in the early hours of Thursday morning by Italian television channel RAI Sport, who he had been working for as a pundit in recent times.

The former Juventus and AC Milan attacker led Italy to World Cup glory at Spain 1982, with the striker winning the tournament's Golden Ball and Golden Ball with his six goals.

Rossi netted a hat-trick in the famous 3-2 win against Brazil, before scoring both goals in the semi-final against Poland and getting the crucial opener in the final versus West Germany, which the Italians went on to win 3-1 and clinch their third World Cup title.

In winning the World Cup title, Golden Ball and Golden Boot, Rossi became the first player to hold all three honours simultaneously - until the feat was equalled by Ronaldo Nazario in 2002.

Following the 1982 tournament, Rossi's extraordinary exploits across both international and club football were recognised when he was awarded the Ballon d'Or for that year.

Rossi's international career included 48 caps and 20 goals for his beloved Italy between 1977-1986

Having began his club career with Vicenza and then maturing with Perugia, Rossi confirmed himself as a star shortly after he joined Juventus in 1981.

Rossi, also known as Pablito, also played with Milan and Verona at the end of his career, as well as with Como at the beginning - the team he had made his debut in Serie A with.

He scored an incredible 134 goals in 338 club matches and is widely considered one of the best forwards of his time.

Rossi won the Serie A title on two occasions with Juventus in 1981-82 and 1983-84, and also lifted the European Cup with Old Lady in 1984-85.

Even after finishing his playing career, Rossi stayed involved in the game as a columnist and pundit.

"Such terribly sad news: Paolo Rossi has left us," RAI Sport presenter Enrico Varriale said when announcing the passing.  

"Unforgettable Pablito, who made all of us fall in love in that summer of 1982 and who was a precious and competent work colleague in RAI over recent years.

"RIP dear Paolo."

Mohamed Salah is aiming to "make the gap bigger" between himself and Steven Gerrard after the Egyptian overtook the Liverpool legend as the Reds' Champions League record goalscorer.

Salah netted his 22nd goal in the competition – excluding qualifiers – for Liverpool in the opening minute of Wednesday's clash with Midtjylland.

It saw him surpass Gerrard's record of 21 , with the former Liverpool captain having won the Champions League in 2004-05.

Liverpool's opener was also the quickest strike in their Champions League history, with Salah having intercepted a loose back-pass to prod home after just 55 seconds.

Midtjylland fought back to draw 1-1 in contentious fashion , with the Danish side scoring from a penalty awarded after a long VAR check.

Alexander Scholz converted the spot-kick and thought he had scored a second when he finished from an acute angle, only for VAR to rule it out, with the technology then disallowing Takumi Minamino a winner at the other end.

Speaking to BT Sport at full-time, Salah was delighted to have cemented his name in Liverpool's record books, but is now looking to put distance between himself and the others on the list.

"It's a great feeling to be the top scorer for the club, it's something I'm proud of," said the 28-year-old.

"I need to keep going with that, score more goals, make the gap bigger between me and the others! I'm trying all the time to score goals to help the team to win games.

"One of the most important goals. They played good, almost man-marked us. We scored the goal early, but they strike back, they played a good game.

"The most important thing is to qualify, it's a game to learn [from]."

SALAH'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GOALS BY SEASON

2017-18 (10)

Salah's first goal for Liverpool in the Champions League proper came in a 2-2 draw with Sevilla on September 13, 2017. He followed that up with a further nine goals, taking his tally to 10 for the campaign from 13 appearances, while he provided four assists.

The former Roma star, who went off injured as Liverpool lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the final, crafted 29 chances for team-mates, while converting 70 per cent of the big opportunities he was presented with, as per Opta data, averaging a goal every 92 minutes 54 seconds, and his maiden Champions League campaign with Liverpool remains his best on an individual level.

2018-19 (5)

Salah's output in Europe dropped off slightly in 2018-19, as Liverpool went on to win their sixth European Cup. He scored five goals and set up an additional two from 12 appearances.

All five of his strikes were from inside the area, with two of them from the penalty spot – including the opener in the final against Tottenham. 

2019-20 (4)

Liverpool's defence of their title was ended in March, when they slipped out at home to Atletico Madrid in the last 16, just before football across Europe was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Salah started in all eight of Liverpool's games and was subbed off only twice, clocking up a total of 731 minutes, while his four goals were shared equally between his left and right feet, with one coming from outside the box. His big chance conversion rate, so high in his first season, dropped to 30 per cent last term.

2020-21 (3)

Salah's conversion percentage when it comes to good chances has risen to 40 this term, having netted three goals from his six group-stage appearances.

He has created six chances, including one assist, with his strikes all coming from inside the 18-yard box – two with his imperious left foot, and the other with his right. Salah is yet to score for Liverpool with a header in the Champions League.

Zinedine Zidane felt Real Madrid produced their most complete performance of the season as they claimed a crucial 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach .

Needing a victory to guarantee their place in the Champions League last 16, Madrid delivered at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, with Karim Benzema heading in the goals in the first half.

Benzema, Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez all hit the woodwork, while goalkeeper Yann Sommer made flying saves to deny Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos to keep the scoreline down.

The result always seemed safe, though, as Madrid progressed through a 29th consecutive Champions League group stage, with Gladbach also advancing after Inter and Shakhtar Donetsk drew 0-0.

Failure to go through could well have seen Zidane's position become untenable, and the Madrid boss was delighted with the way his side performed under pressure.

"This was the objective: to finish first," he said, as quoted by Marca. "We played a spectacular game, from the first minute to the last. We interpreted the game really well.

"I think this was the most complete game of the season. I've been a player and it's impossible to play like this all the time. We try to, but every now and then...

"We don't only perform under pressure; we have played other good games as well. It's true this team has that [quality]: when the difficulties are great, it appears.

"I'm happy for the players because they are the most important thing. I'm fighting with them and I'm happy for them. It was a good game."

Benzema's pair of headers means he has been involved in 11 goals in all competitions this season, the joint-most of any LaLiga player.

The striker's double took his tally to 51 goals in the group stages, a figure bettered only by Raul (53), Cristiano Ronaldo (67) and Lionel Messi (71).

"It was a difficult game," Benzema said. "We started well, we were eager to win and to show we're the best and that we were going to work together to win this game.

"When we give everything on the pitch, we get goals and we could have got more. If we always play like today..."

Odisha FC is one of the few Indian Super League (ISL) clubs who have chosen to stick to their philosophy of promoting young Indian talent through thick and thin. Over the years, they have continued to back talented youngsters such as Shubham Sarangi, Nandhakumar Sekar, Vinit Rai, and others to the hilt with the trust that they will bloom sooner than later.

Sarangi even went to Qatar's famed Aspire Academy to hone his skills, making the most of a strategic partnership with the ISL outfit.  Since making his debut with Delhi Dynamos in 2018-19 he has played 30 matches clocking over 2100 minutes. It is his second season playing as a right-back and the youngster has often looked gullible in defence.  

Against Jamshedpur, he set Nerjius Valskis up on a platter with his feeble defensive header and the striker made no mistake to punish the blunder. He was not aware that the Lithuanian was lurking around and a momentary slip in concentration was enough to get exploited. 

In the next match against Mumbai City, his performance was at best mediocre. Apart from giving away a penalty, he had a torrid time while containing Bipin Singh and during the second goal, he was seen panting back to his position as he had galloped forward to press higher up the pitch. Once Mumbai broke through that resistance, Singh had all the time in the world to float in a cross inside the box for Rowllin Borges to head home. 

His teammate Nandhakumar Sekar is another player on whom the Odisha management has put a lot of trust. It is the fourth season for the 24-year old in the ISL but his performances have taken a consistent plunge instead of showing an improvement. In his first season in ISL, he had five goal involvements (one goal and four assists), which decreased to four (two goals and two assists) in the second and further dropped to two (two assists) in the third. 

However, his minutes on the pitch have increased exponentially with each passing season. Both the previous coaches, Miguel Portugal and Josep Gombau, handed him ample opportunities to prove himself but Kumar has failed to live up to expectations. The winger needs to work on his final product. His crosses are often wayward and his finishing has been extremely poor, especially when he tries his luck from range. 

Even Gaurav Bora, who was signed from Chennai City FC after a triumphant I-League season, has been struggling to find his feet in ISL. He had close to 800 minutes last season and in this campaign, it was expected of him to come of age. But the defender has not been able to produce the goods so far. Against Owen Coyle's team, he handed the ball inside the box which led to the opener and against Mumbai he was seen giving away possession cheaply in midfield.  

In this season, Odisha have roped in a few other youngsters as well in Premjit Singh, Hendry Antonay, Saurabh Meher, Thoiba Singh, and have even promoted two exciting talents in Akshunna Tyagi and Rishabh Dobriyal. There are also the likes of Thoiba Singh and Baoringdao Bodo (who has rarely featured in the last few seasons for Kerala Blasters) who are yet to make a mark for Odisha. 

But they are inexperienced and to expect them to fire right from their first season in new colours is likely to end in disappointment. Ideally, Sarangi and Sekar should have guided these newcomers into their fresh stomping ground. But for that, they themselves must notch up their level and lead by example. 

In Stuart Baxter, they have an experienced mentor and it is up to them to learn as much as they can. Showing glimpses of brilliance would not do anymore as they must show more consistency to pull up their side from a difficult phase. The club continues to rally behind them and now the time has come to repay the trust with actions on the pitch. 

It is no secret that ATK Mohun Bagan are struggling for goals. Antonio Habas' men have been churning out results but they have been made to work hard for the goals right from the first match against Kerala Blasters. Barring the game against East Bengal, where they had managed to strike twice, they have not been able to score more than once in 90 minutes.  

They got off the mark against Kerala Blasters, thanks to a miscommunication between Vincente Gomez and Sergio Cidoncha that allowed Roy Krishna to slot past Albino Gomes. Since then the Fijian has netted three of the four goals of his team which has been just enough to spare the blushes for Habas.

Even Krishna took five attempts to score that fortuituous goal against Blasters and in four matches, he has managed to get just five shots on target. It should be a cause of concern for the Spanish tactician that the conversion rates have not been great and the team looks heavily dependant on Krishna to provide the goods more often than not. 

The alarm bells should have rung when they were frustrated by Odisha for more than 90 minutes, a team whose defence has looked shaky and has conceded six goals in four matches. Once again thanks to the former Wellington Phoenix striker for popping up at the nick of time to notch up all three points for them.

Against Jamshedpur they were lucky that Krishna was not flagged offside for the consolation goal in a 2-1 loss, otherwise, the Mariners would have drawn a blank. 

Where is David Williams? 

In the previous campaign, the partnership between David Williams and Roy Krishna was scintillating in the opposition half. Their camaraderie off the pitch reflected in their on the pitch give-and-go. It seemed that they had telepathic communication in the way the duo found each other with little effort.

But in this season, Williams had featured only for 71 minutes. He came on for eight minutes against Kerala Blasters and played just over an hour in the next match with East Bengal. Surprisingly in the next two games, he has not even found a place in the matchday squad. Moreover, there has been a deafening silence over his exclusion from the Bagan camp. 

It is baffling that during a time when the team is clearly struggling to find more goalscoring options, a potent weapon in the form of Williams is not being used.

Without Williams in the fray, the onus has been on Edu Garcia to deliver the goods. But the Spaniard has also not been able to live up to expectations and is yet to get his name on the scoresheet. In 2019-20, Williams and Garcia contributed 13 goals cumulatively and in this season they are yet to open their account which is taking a toll on the team's attacking output. 

New signing Brad Inman is also yet to register his name on the scoresheet. 

This is where the exclusion of Williams throws up questions. With the Australian being ignored by Habas for two straight matchdays, speculation is on about his future at the club. If the manager continues to refrain from using his services, the forward might have to think long and hard about his options.

Will he feature against Hyderabad on Friday? The Mariners are waiting to find out with bated breath. 

East Bengal are set to play their fourth game in the 2020 Indian Super League (ISL) when they face Jamshedpur FC at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, on Thursday evening.

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 TEAM NEWS

East Bengal Possible XI:   

Injured - Danny Fox, Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Loken Meitei
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None

Key Players - Anthony Pilkington, Jacques Maghoma    

Jamshedpur FC Possible XI: 

Injured - David Grande, Narender Gahlot, Joyner Lourenco, Nick Fitzgerald
Doubtful - None
Suspended - None

Key Players - Nerijus Valskis, Jackichand Singh      

Thomas Partey has thrown his weight behind Mikel Arteta by stating the Arsenal manager is building something good with the players at the club.

The Gunners are enduring a four-game winless run in the Premier League and they currently occupy the 15th spot in the table with 13 points from 11 games.

Having qualified for the last 32 of Europa League, Arsenal are struggling to reciprocate their form in the European tournament in the English top-flight.

Upon his return from a thigh injury in Sunday’s North London derby, Partey was taken off at half-time as Arteta's men fell to a 2-0 defeat against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Black Stars midfielder, however, reiterated his commitment to the club amid their poor attacking form in the Premier League and he is aiming to bounce back from his latest setback.

Since he moved to the Emirates Stadium on the transfer deadline day in October, Partey has made six appearances for Arsenal so far, with five coming in the league.

“Being part of the Arsenal family is something incredible for me, since the day I arrived I have felt so supported,” the Ghana midfielder wrote on Instagram.

“The coach had a great influence in my decision to join this team and even though we had some bad results I know we are building something good together. I have had the bad luck to suffer an injury but I hope I can play again soon and fight for this team.”

Ahead of their final group game against Dundalk on Thursday, Arteta disclosed that Partey has suffered a thigh injury again and he will miss Arsenal’s ‘next few games’ with no specific timeframe for his return.

“He got injured in the same area,” the Spanish coach  said. “Not exactly the same spot, but similar as it was before.

“We MRI [scanned] him yesterday [Tuesday]. There was an injury there and he will miss the next few matches.”

Arteta also defended his decision to play the 27-year-old on Sunday after he completed two full days training ahead of Tottenham trip.

Brighton and Hove Albion technical director Dan Ashworth believes Ghana target Tariq Lamptey made the right decision in ditching giants Chelsea for the Seagulls.

Having developed through Chelsea's youth system since the age of eight, Lamptey took a brave decision to reject a contract extension at Stamford Bridge in his quest for regular first team football elsewhere.

The January move to Brighton has turned out to be one of the 20-year-old's best decisions as he has become a regular feature in Graham Potter's starting set-up at Falmer Stadium, churning out impressive displays week after week and becoming arguably the revelation of the season.

“I don't want to speak for Tariq, but I think it was a case of him wanting to go and play football, his pathway was blocked by a super, young player in Reece James who was in his position. Tariq thought he might need to look to play his football somewhere else," Ashworth said, as reported by his club's official website.

“We were lucky enough to take advantage of that and give him an opportunity to play.

“You can only play 11 people at a time, you can only give a pathway to a certain amount of people at a time and keep a certain amount happy," he continued. “This happens on a regular basis at all clubs, it just so happened that we had an opportunity where a couple of our right-backs were coming to the end of their contracts.

"[Ezequiel] Schelotto was out of contract and [Martin] Montoya was leaving," Ashworth added. “We had a space coming up and maybe we had a chance to give Tariq some games and exposure and he has taken it with both hands. You don't quite know what you have got with a young player until you chuck them in and give them a go."

Lamptey, who made his Premier League debut while at Chelsea, has so far made 10 appearances for Brighton this season, starting in all of the games, scoring once and providing one goal assist.

"I have known about Tariq from my England days. [Albion's head of recruitment and analysis] Paul Winstanley flagged him in the under-23s league. We knew that his contract was running down at Chelsea and we knew that they would offer him a new contract," Ashworth added, "but it was a situation where I guess he had seen Reece James who is a similar age, who is a top player by the way and an England right-back, blocking his path.” 

Born to Ghanaian parents in the UK, Lamptey's eye-catching performances have erupted an international tug-of-war between Ghana and England, whom he currently represents at U-21 level.