World Soccer news

• Monaco looks a title contender after routing Montpellier 6-2

  21-10-2016 23:57 via sports.yahoo.com
  Monaco is shaping up as a French title contender after dispatching Montpellier 6-2 on Friday night, with Radamel Falcao celebrating his return from injury with a goal. The win moved Monaco up to second place, one point behind Nice ahead of this weekend's games, and took Monaco's goal tally to 29 goals in 10 games so far. Falcao started his first game since sustaining a concussion against French league rival Nice on Sept. 21, and leveled for Monaco from the penalty spot in the 36th minute after m
  
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• Wolf chosen as World Cup mascot

  21-10-2016 23:48 via sports.yahoo.com
  MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia has chosen a cocky wolf wearing sporty goggles as the mascot for the 2018 football World Cup.
  
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• Sounders to honor Zach Scott but hopes it isn't the finale

  21-10-2016 23:35 via sports.yahoo.com
  When Brian Schmetzer says he was there for the start of Zach Scott's professional career, it's no exaggeration. It was an open tryout for anyone interested in joining the USL version of the Seattle Sounders back in 2002. ''The game was terrible because it was a bunch of (tryouts), it was on Memorial Stadium on the old turf, narrow, the balls are being lumped (in) and Zach is crushing every single header,'' recalled Schmetzer, the current interim coach of the MLS version of the Sounders.
  
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• Frankfurt wins 3-0 in Hamburg to go 4th in Bundesliga

  21-10-2016 22:57 via sports.yahoo.com
  Hamburger SV's wait for its first Bundesliga win of the season continues as it was booed off following a 3-0 defeat at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday. Marco Fabian set up two of Frankfurt's goals as coach Niko Kovac's side moved up to fourth place. Kovac had opted to rest goal-getter Alexander Meier by starting him on bench, while entrusting the Mexico midfielder Fabian to lead his attack.
  
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• Javier Mascherano keeps on proving his worth to Barcelona

  21-10-2016 21:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Javier Mascherano's weight in the Barcelona team is measured by much more than his goals - or lack of. Having already proved his incredible flexibility over the years, the 32-year-old Mascherano is now learning another position. Mascherano is defying his age and increasing his worth in a team whose intricate passing style is incredibly demanding on players.
  
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• Pep Guardiola: I'll quit Manchester City before I change my ways

  21-10-2016 21:26
  Pep Guardiola claims he would rather quit Manchester City than change his methods and insists Sergio Aguero has a big future under him. The City manager has launched a passionate defence of his approach in the wake of his side's humbling 4-0 Champions League loss at Barcelona, a result which extended their winless run to four games.
  
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• Soccer: Mourinho returning to Chelsea with 'no bad feelings'

  21-10-2016 20:38 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  By Tony Jimenez LONDON (Reuters) - Jose Mourinho, who was sacked as manager by Chelsea in December, said he would be going back to Stamford Bridge with his new Manchester United team on Sunday with "no bad feelings". The Portuguese believes he can never be removed from the history of Chelsea, where he won three Premier League crowns in two spells in charge, and said he would always be grateful to the fans for their support. "To be sacked is football," Mourinho told Sky Sports television on Frida
  
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• Soccer-Messi returns to Argentina squad for Brazil, Colombia games

  21-10-2016 20:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  Lionel Messi is back in the Argentina squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia after missing the last three due to injury in which his team have dropped seven points. Messi was named on Friday in coach Edgardo Bauza's 26-man squad and will captain Argentina away to arch-rivals Brazil in Belo Horizonte on Nov. 10 and at home against Colombia in San Juan five days later.
  
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• Sport is greatest remedy against youth extremism, says activist footballer

  21-10-2016 19:41 via sports.yahoo.com
  By Zoe Tabary LONDON, Oct 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Sport is a universal language that can help prevent extremism and racism among young people, London-born Pakistani footballer Kashif Siddiqi said on Friday, urging governments to do more to bring together players from different religions. Siddiqi, co-founder of Football for Peace, a charity that puts on matches between communities of different ethnic or cultural backgrounds, said being born to a Ugandan mother and an Indian father had t
  
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• Soccer-Turin bans Napoli supporters from Juventus clash

  21-10-2016 19:07 via sports.yahoo.com
  Napoli supporters have been banned from attending their Serie A clash at Juventus on Oct. 29 and the away section of the stadium will be closed in order to avoid crowd trouble, Turin's city authority announced on Friday. The ban affects all residents in the region of Campania, where Naples is situated, as well as all registered supporters of Napoli, the Turin prefect said in a statement. The away section of the stadium was closed when the two sides met in Turin and Naples last season for the sam
  
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• Guardiola sticking to his guns as early euphoria fades at City

  21-10-2016 19:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - Pep Guardiola enjoyed a dazzling start to his reign as Manchester City manager, so much so that after six successive Premier League wins some were suggesting the only real fight this season would be for runners-up spot. A few weeks later his side are still top of the table but the early euphoria has been replaced by the cold chill of reality as the dark winter months loom. First there was a 3-3 draw at Celtic in the Champions League and a few days later the wh
  
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• Soccer-Clubs 'justified' in studying Atlantic League

  21-10-2016 18:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  By Brian Homewood ZURICH, Oct 21 (Reuters) - The Danish football league's chief executive believes teams like FC Copenhagen are justified in studying the prospect of a cross-border Atlantic League in response to recent changes to the Champions League. Claus Thomsen told Reuters it was "responsible management" for the clubs to look at alternatives in case the Champions League turned into a closed shop in a few years' time. Organiser UEFA has approved changes to the Champions League for the 2018-2
  
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• Soccer-Guardiola sticking to his guns as early euphoria fades at City

  21-10-2016 18:39 via sports.yahoo.com
  By Martyn Herman LONDON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Pep Guardiola enjoyed a dazzling start to his reign as Manchester City manager, so much so that after six successive Premier League wins some were suggesting the only real fight this season would be for runners-up spot. A few weeks later his side are still top of the table but the early euphoria has been replaced by the cold chill of reality as the dark winter months loom. First there was a 3-3 draw at Celtic in the Champions League and a few days late
  
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• Barca boss expecting tough test against struggling Valencia

  21-10-2016 18:14 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  By Richard Martin BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said Valencia's chaotic campaign is no reason to expect an easy game when the La Liga champions visit the Mestalla stadium on Saturday. Valencia held Barca to a 1-1 draw last season at the Mestalla while Sergio Busquets' last-gasp goal secured a 1-0 victory for Luis Enrique's side in the previous campaign.
  
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• Bayern Munich chief accuses English clubs of “kidnapping” youngsters

  21-10-2016 18:10 via worldsoccer.com
  
  Bayern looking to revive their academy which has lost ground in recent years. Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is unhappy with the way English clubs pursue young players across the globe. Bayern looking to revive their academy which has lost ground in recent years.
  
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• Soccer-Barca boss expecting tough test against struggling Valencia

  21-10-2016 18:08 via sports.yahoo.com
  By Richard Martin BARCELONA, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said Valencia's chaotic campaign is no reason to expect an easy game when the La Liga champions visit the Mestalla stadium on Saturday. Valencia held Barca to a 1-1 draw last season at the Mestalla while Sergio Busquets' last-gasp goal secured a 1-0 victory for Luis Enrique's side in the previous campaign.
  
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• UEFA's Ceferin tackles dangers in Europe, integrity attacks

  21-10-2016 18:07 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Entering rooms at UEFA headquarters, Aleksander Ceferin still finds it startling and unsettling when staff leap from their seats to greet him. The deference of the Michel Platini era is proving hard to shake off for the officials running European football. ''I don't pretend to be a king here,'' Ceferin says at the start of an interview with The Associated Press at the UEFA complex by the banks of Lake Geneva.
  
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• Southampton braced for tough test at wounded City - Puel

  21-10-2016 17:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  (Reuters) - Southampton are braced for a tough Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday, manager Claude Puel said, despite the Premier League leaders' recent winless run. City started strongly with 10 wins in all competitions this season under new manager Pep Guardiola but have lost two of their last four matches, including a 4-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona on Wednesday.
  
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• Soccer-Southampton braced for tough test at wounded City - Puel

  21-10-2016 17:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  Southampton are braced for a tough Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday, manager Claude Puel said, despite the Premier League leaders' recent winless run. City started strongly with 10 wins in all competitions this season under new manager Pep Guardiola but have lost two of their last four matches, including a 4-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona on Wednesday.
  
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• Zabaleta injury adds to Guardiola's selection headache

  21-10-2016 17:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  (Reuters) - Defender Pablo Zabaleta is injured and will miss Manchester City's Premier League clash against Southampton on Sunday, leaving manager Pep Guardiola with a selection dilemma as the club's other recognized right back Bacary Sagna is also injured. Zabaleta injured his foot in City's 4-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona on Wednesday. Guardiola said the Argentine would be back in time for Wednesday's League Cup fourth round match against Manchester United, although the hamstrung Sagn
  
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• No formula to stop Messi, says Valencia's Prandelli

  21-10-2016 17:17 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Valencia coach Cesare Prandelli has conceded there is no point trying stop Lionel Messi as he prepares to face the in-form Barcelona talisman when his side host the La Liga champions on Saturday. Former Italy coach Prandelli got off to a winning start in his first game in charge of the struggling six-times La Liga champions, overseeing a 2-1 win at Sporting Gijon to move clear of the relegation zone. Prandelli, set for his first game at the Mestalla stadium, admitted he was facing an impossible
  
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• Soccer-Zabaleta injury adds to Guardiola's selection headache

  21-10-2016 17:13 via sports.yahoo.com
  Defender Pablo Zabaleta is injured and will miss Manchester City's Premier League clash against Southampton on Sunday, leaving manager Pep Guardiola with a selection dilemma as the club's other recognised right back Bacary Sagna is also injured. Zabaleta injured his foot in City's 4-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona on Wednesday. Guardiola said the Argentine would be back in time for Wednesday's League Cup fourth round match against Manchester United, although the hamstrung Sagna will be ou
  
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• Soccer-No formula to stop Messi, says Valencia's Prandelli

  21-10-2016 17:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  Valencia coach Cesare Prandelli has conceded there is no point trying stop Lionel Messi as he prepares to face the in-form Barcelona talisman when his side host the La Liga champions on Saturday. Former Italy coach Prandelli got off to a winning start in his first game in charge of the struggling six-times La Liga champions, overseeing a 2-1 win at Sporting Gijon to move clear of the relegation zone. Prandelli, set for his first game at the Mestalla stadium, admitted he was facing an impossible
  
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• Coach Emery struggling to make PSG the force its owners want

  21-10-2016 17:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Spanish coach Unai Emery was hired to turn Paris Saint-Germain into a European force, yet the team looks considerably weaker than last season. When PSG won a second straight French treble last season, coach Laurent Blanc was nevertheless fired for again failing to get past the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The club's Qatari owners, eager to fast-track PSG into the top bracket of Europe alongside Barcelona and Bayern Munich, saw Emery as the coach to do it.
  
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• Soccer-European leagues to end fixture-clash agreement with UEFA

  21-10-2016 17:03 via sports.yahoo.com
  (Adds detail) By Brian Homewood ZURICH, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Europe's soccer leagues escalated the dispute with UEFA over recent Champions League changes on Friday when they said they would end the agreement which ensures that European and domestic fixtures do not clash. Lars-Christer Olsson, chairman of the leagues' umbrella organisation (EPFL), said they had been left with "no option but to end the memorandum of understanding" after European soccer's governing body announced changes to the Champ
  
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• McCourt's moving swiftly to make Marseille a contender againPARIS...

  21-10-2016 17:00
  Three days after officially taking over, he hired highly-rated coach Rudi Garcia in time for Sunday's match against bitter rival Paris Saint-Germain.
  
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• Brazil include injured Casemiro in squad for Argentina clash

  21-10-2016 16:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Brazil have included Casemiro in their squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Peru even though the Real Madrid midfielder has not played since fracturing his leg in September. Coach Tite said on Friday they are hopeful the 24-year-old will be fit but have also included Sao Paulo's Rodrigo Caio as back-up for the games against Argentina in Belo Horizonte on Nov. 10 and then in Lima against Peru five days later. "Rodrigo Caio is a versatile player," Tite said.
  
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• Aguero looking vulnerable as City evolves under Guardiola

  21-10-2016 16:48 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Manchester City's spine of goalkeeper Joe Hart, center back Vincent Kompany, midfielder Yaya Toure and striker Sergio Aguero has anchored the team since 2011 in the most decorated period in its history. One by one, it is being dismantled by Pep Guardiola. The injury-hampered Kompany no longer appears first choice.
  
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• Soccer-Brazil include injured Casemiro in squad for Argentina clash

  21-10-2016 16:42 via sports.yahoo.com
  Brazil have included Casemiro in their squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Peru even though the Real Madrid midfielder has not played since fracturing his leg in September. Coach Tite said on Friday they are hopeful the 24-year-old will be fit but have also included Sao Paulo's Rodrigo Caio as back-up for the games against Argentina in Belo Horizonte on Nov. 10 and then in Lima against Peru five days later. "Rodrigo Caio is a versatile player," Tite said.
  
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• Wins mean more than fan approval for Mourinho, says Nevin

  21-10-2016 16:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  By Claire Bloomfield LONDON (Reuters) - Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin believes Jose Mourinho will have no qualms about frustrating entertainment-hungry Manchester United fans if it means securing a win on his return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Portuguese manager, who won three league titles at Chelsea in two spells at the club, came under fire this week for an overly cautious display at Anfield on Monday when United ground out a goalless draw against Liverpool. Nevin, a fans' favorite at
  
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• Neymar signs contract extension with Barcelona

  21-10-2016 16:14 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Barcelona says forward Neymar has signed a three-year contract extension that ties him to the Spanish champion through June 2021. Barcelona announced Neymar's agreement to the terms of a new deal in July, and he would sign the new contract last week. The 24-year-old Neymar joined Barcelona from Brazilian club Santos in 2013.
  
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• STATBOX-Soccer-Chelsea v Manchester United

  21-10-2016 16:11 via sports.yahoo.com
  Oct 21 (Reuters) - Facts and figures ahead of Sunday'sPremier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United atStamford Bridge. Head-to-head (Last 10 matches) Chelsea 1-1 Man United (Premier League, Feb. 07, 2016) Man United 0-0 Chelsea (Premier League, Dec. 28, 2015) Chelsea 1-0 Man United (Premier League, Apr. 18, 2015) Man United 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League, Oct. 26, 2014) Chelsea 3-1 Man United (Premier League, Jan. 19, 2014) Man United 0-0 Chelsea (Premier League, Aug. 26, 2013) Man Uni
  
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• Soccer-Wins mean more than fan approval for Mourinho, says Nevin

  21-10-2016 16:11 via sports.yahoo.com
  By Claire Bloomfield LONDON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin believes Jose Mourinho will have no qualms about frustrating entertainment-hungry Manchester United fans if it means securing a win on his return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Portuguese manager, who won three league titles at Chelsea in two spells at the club, came under fire this week for an overly cautious display at Anfield on Monday when United ground out a goalless draw against Liverpool. Nevin, a fans' fav
  
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• Brazil names squad to face trauma and Messi in WC qualifiers

  21-10-2016 16:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Brazil not only faces Argentina in World Cup qualifying next month but also the ghost of the 7-1 debacle against Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinals, coach Tite said on Friday.
  
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• Thailand vs Australia to go ahead, but no joy permitted

  21-10-2016 16:00 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Australian football fans must tone down their dress and resist chanting or any "joyful activities" if they want to support the Socceroos at their World Cup qualifier with Thailand next month. The Nov. 15 match will go ahead as originally planned, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said on Friday, but both the Australians and Thai hosts have asked fans to be mindful the host nation is mourning following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) had sought t
  
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• Soccer-Thailand v Australia to go ahead, but no joy permitted

  21-10-2016 15:33 via sports.yahoo.com
  Australian football fans must tone down their dress and resist chanting or any "joyful activities" if they want to support the Socceroos at their World Cup qualifier with Thailand next month. The Nov. 15 match will go ahead as originally planned, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said on Friday, but both the Australians and Thai hosts have asked fans to be mindful the host nation is mourning following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) had sought t
  
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• Hull's Dawson in contention to return for Stoke clash

  21-10-2016 15:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  (Reuters) - Hull City captain Michael Dawson could return to action in Saturday's Premier League clash against Stoke City after three months on the sidelines with a knee injury, manager Mike Phelan said on Friday. The 32-year-old, who injured knee ligaments in pre-season, made 32 starts in the Championship last term as Hull earned promotion to the Premier League after a year in the second tier. "Dawson has trained all week.
  
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• Soccer-Hull's Dawson in contention to return for Stoke clash

  21-10-2016 15:15 via sports.yahoo.com
  Hull City captain Michael Dawson could return to action in Saturday's Premier League clash against Stoke City after three months on the sidelines with a knee injury, manager Mike Phelan said on Friday. The 32-year-old, who injured knee ligaments in pre-season, made 32 starts in the Championship last term as Hull earned promotion to the Premier League after a year in the second tier. "Dawson has trained all week.
  
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• Terry fit for Chelsea's clash with United

  21-10-2016 14:57 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  John Terry has recovered from an ankle injury and will be available for Chelsea's home clash with Manchester United on Sunday, manager Antonio Conte said on Friday. The Chelsea skipper, who has not played since early September, was unable to train on Thursday after aggravating the injury but Conte said the 35-year-old would be ready for the clash against Jose Mourinho's United. "John is in good shape," Conte told a news conference.
  
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• McCourt's moving swiftly to make Marseille a contender again

  21-10-2016 14:56 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Marseille's new American owner, Frank McCourt, is moving quickly to make the ailing club competitive again. Three days after officially taking over, he hired highly-rated coach Rudi Garcia in time for Sunday's match against bitter rival Paris Saint-Germain. When he completed his takeover on Monday, McCourt pledged to act swiftly and proved true to his word - bringing in the French coach who led Lille to a League and French Cup double five years ago.
  
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• Soccer-Terry fit for Chelsea's clash with United

  21-10-2016 14:54 via sports.yahoo.com
  John Terry has recovered from an ankle injury and will be available for Chelsea's home clash with Manchester United on Sunday, manager Antonio Conte said on Friday. The Chelsea skipper, who has not played since early September, was unable to train on Thursday after aggravating the injury but Conte said the 35-year-old would be ready for the clash against Jose Mourinho's United. "John is in good shape," Conte told a news conference.
  
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• It's a jungle out there, says title-chasing Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

  21-10-2016 14:51
  Arsene Wenger has compared Arsenal's pursuit of silverware to living in a jungle where "everybody wants to eat you". Wenger spoke last week of the "virus" of negativity among fans following last season's home defeat by Swansea - a result he believes sealed the demise of the Gunners' title challenge.
  
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• Soccer-Bayern's Ribery to start training next week - Ancelotti

  21-10-2016 14:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is set to start individual training next week as he looks to recover from a muscle injury sustained earlier this month, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday. Ribery had enjoyed a fine start to the season before getting injured. "Apart from Ribery, everyone else is fit," Ancelotti told reporters ahead of their Bundesliga match against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.
  
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• European leagues step up threats to UEFA's Champions League

  21-10-2016 14:27 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  ZURICH (AP) -- Europe's top leagues have stepped up threats to schedule matches in direct clashes with UEFA's Champions League.
  
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• Thailand bans cheering at World Cup qualifier

  21-10-2016 13:12 via worldsoccer.com
  
  Gesture intended as a mark of respect for the recently deceased monarch. Thailand in action against Iraq in last week's World Cup qualifier. Gesture intended as a mark of respect for the recently deceased monarch.
  
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• Palace's Pardew backs Leicester to rebound after poor start

  21-10-2016 12:56 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has backed Saturday's opponents Leicester City to shrug off their poor start to the season and finish comfortably in the top half of the Premier League. Champions Leicester are 13th in the table, with two wins from eight games, but their poor domestic form has been tempered by an encouraging start in the Champions League, where they top their group with three wins in three games. Pardew, whose team are ninth after being beaten at home by West Ham United last we
  
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• Vigilance helps Wenger survive Premier League 'jungle'

  21-10-2016 12:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  (Reuters) - Manager Arsene Wenger has urged in-form Arsenal to stay vigilant against complacency, with the Frenchman saying his years spent in England have taught him not to take the "jungle" that is the Premier League for granted. The Gunners have won seven consecutive games in all competitions to climb up to second in the Premier League, level on points with leaders Manchester City, and top of their Champions League group ahead of Paris St Germain.
  
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• Soccer-Palace's Pardew backs Leicester to rebound after poor start

  21-10-2016 12:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has backed Saturday's opponents Leicester City to shrug off their poor start to the season and finish comfortably in the top half of the Premier League. Champions Leicester are 13th in the table, with two wins from eight games, but their poor domestic form has been tempered by an encouraging start in the Champions League, where they top their group with three wins in three games. Pardew, whose team are ninth after being beaten at home by West Ham United last we
  
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• I'm under pressure, but so is Pep, says Sunderland's Moyes

  21-10-2016 12:50 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  (Reuters) - Sunderland manager David Moyes says he is under pressure to turn around their poor Premier League form, but it is no different for coaches at the other end of the table. Sunderland are the only team in the English top flight without a victory and are rooted to the foot of the table, with two points from their opening eight games. "There's pressure on every manager to get points, whether you're Sunderland or you're Pep at Man City.
  
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• Pogba no longer Premier League's 'worst player', jokes Man Utd boss Mourinho

  21-10-2016 12:42
  Jose Mourinho quipped back at those questioning Paul Pogba's recent form as he playfully suggested that the Frenchman's starring role in Manchester United's 4-1 win over Fenerbahce saw him shake off his "worst player of the Premier League" tag. Pogba scored twice as United comfortably disposed of Fenerbahce in the Europa League, with his second an exquisite first-time strike into the top-left corner from 25 yards out.
  
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