Steven Gerrard could become a centre-back - Brendan Rodgers

 

Steven Gerrard could play as a central defender in the future, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Gerrard, 33, has been an influential midfielder at Anfield for more than a decade but Rodgers says the player could adapt to prolong his career.
"I look at Steven and I think he can play as a number two centre-half later in his career," the Reds boss said.

"You play against teams where they've got one up [front] and I think he can play as a right-sided centre-half."

Gerrard signed a new two-year contract in the summer that will see him stay at Liverpool beyond his 35th birthday.
The Liverpool and England captain, who made his club debut in 1998, has spent his whole career at Anfield and has won the Champions League, a Uefa Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups so far.
And on the day that Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs turned 40, Rodgers outlined his plans for how Gerrard could extend his own playing time in the game by changing positions in the future.
"[He could] build the game from behind," said Rodgers. "How he passes the ball is as good as anyone in the world, short and long.
"So it's a possibility that he could go on, but it will all be determined by fitness.
"He is 34 at the end of this season, and I look at his fitness and I look at how he is playing and he is as fit as he has ever been. He is looking after himself.
"That player he was 10 years ago, dynamic and making those long bursting runs, of course that goes out of your game.
"Like you see with Ryan Giggs, you adapt and change."

 

United thrash Leverkusen to cruise into last 16

 

Manchester United qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League with a thumping 5-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen.

Despite being without Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick, the visitors put forth their best shift in the David Moyes era, although their opposition was as poor as they will face in Europe.
Antonio Valencia converted Wayne Rooney’s cross to put United ahead, with an Emir Spahic own-goal doubling the lead.
Leverkusen improved after conceding the second, with Stefan Reinartz hitting the post and David De Gea denying Spahic with the follow up.
But the excellent Jonny Evans put any hopes of a comeback to bed, finishing from close range after the hosts failed to clear a corner.
Chris Smalling added a fourth, with Rooney again the architect after a defensive error from Giulio Donati, while Nani rubbed salt in the wounds with a cool chipped finish after Ryan Giggs – who turns 40 this week – played him through.
United qualify but, following Shakhtar Donetsk’s win over Real Sociedad, they must avoid defeat at home to the Ukrainians to win the group. Incredibly, Leverkusen can still go through if they beat Sociedad and Shakhtar lose at Old Trafford.

KEY MOMENTS
PRE-MATCH: Phil Jones and Giggs started in central midfield with Marouane Fellaini suspended and Carrick injured. Van Persie also missed out, meaning a rare start for Nani.
21’ – CHANCE: Evans with a vital tackle to deny Stefan Kiessling a goal after Rio Ferdinand was caught out by the striker.
22’ – GOAL (Leverkusen 0-1 United): Seconds after that chance, United break with Shinji Kagawa, who picks out Ryan Giggs. He finds Rooney, who whips in a fine cross that Valencia converts. Great team goal.
30’ – GOAL (Leverkusen 0-2 United): Chris Smalling is close to heading in a Rooney free-kick but Spahic’s intervention results in an own-goal.
61’ – WOODWORK/SAVE: Reinhartz meets a corner, his finish hits the post and Spahic seeks to bury the rebound but De Gea bats it away.
65’ – GOAL (Leverkusen 0-3 United): Evans scrambles home after Leno makes a save following a corner. Leverkusen ball-watching again. Game over.
77’– GOAL (Leverkusen 0-4 United): Smalling slides it into an open goal from Rooney’s clever dinked cross. Kagawa also involved after Donati gives the ball to him.
88’– GOAL (Leverkusen 0-5 United): Nani rounds Leno and chips it in from an angle after a fine pass from the evergreen Giggs.
KEY STATS
United break a run of four away CL matches without a win, which had been their worst in nine years.
Leverkusen are winless in their six games against Manchester United in the Champions League (D2, L4), failing to keep a single clean sheet in the process.
Leverkusen have lost nine of their last 10 Champions League games against English sides (W1).

TALKING POINT
Are United good enough to sustain a challenge? Moyes’s side were helped by a terrible performance from Leverkusen, but it was the best they had played all season. Will have to do more against the top sides, but they look like their old selves.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – Shades several candidates, including Jonny Evans, but gets the nod for his three assists.
PLAYER RATINGS
Leverkusen: Leno 6, Spahic 4, Omer Toprak 5, Donati 4, Reinartz 5, Rolfes 6, Bender 6, Can 4, Castro 6, Heung-Min Son 6, Kiessling 5; Subs: Hegeler 5, Derdiyok 6, Kohr NA.
United: De Gea 7; Smalling 7, Ferdinand 6, Evans 8, Evra 7; Giggs 7, Jones 6; Valencia 7, Kagawa 7, Nani 7; Rooney 8; Subs: Büttner 6, Anderson 6, Young 6.

 

Mindfulness the key to Giggs longevity

 

There were several stand-out performances in Manchester United’s unusually comfortable hammering of Bayer Leverkusen.

Wayne Rooney with his trio of assists; Jonny Evans with his imperious defensive display and goal; the bounding wide duo of Antonio Valencia and Nani; the hitherto ostracised Shinji Kagawa, freed from the shackles of the left and allowed to roam in his preferred position.
It was an excellent team display, the best United have mustered under David Moyes, with much of the improvement down to a shift in formation resulting from Robin van Persie’s injury: Rooney adopted his central striker’s position, with Kagawa excelling behind and Nani relishing an opportunity that has been strangely absent this season.
But the most significant display was arguably that of Ryan Giggs.
While none of his actions were particularly eye-catching before that delightful assist for Nani’s goal, Giggs’ showing of energy, discipline and leadership was quite astounding for a man about to turn 40.
In two days’ time Giggs will be of an age when most outfield players are either long retired, or knocking about at a far lower level than Europe’s premier club competition; he will be of an age where most of us struggle to get up and down a five-a-side pitch let alone the sizeable BayArena.
The Welshman’s age is often raised when United’s more callow personnel come unstuck under pressure. His poise and calm is lacking among younger team-mates at key moments, a problem seen more frequently this season than in the Fergie era.
That Giggs started was a fluke of circumstance: with Michael Carrick injured, United needed a reliable playmaker to keep the midfield’s shape and keep the ball circulating. Anderson cannot be trusted any more, while Tom Cleverley’s development appears to have stalled for some reason. Perhaps his potential was overestimated.
Giggs’ longevity is a testament to his discipline, on and off the pitch.
While still in possession of a decent turn of pace – shown on one or two occasions in Germany – he is by no means the searing, jinking winger of old. While many would simply fade into their 30s, he has retrained as a crafty central midfielder, with astute positioning and intelligent use of the ball. Not to mention remarkable energy levels.
People in many trades can learn from such adaptability: progress in industry and technology can leave many an experienced professional a bumbling dinosaur, but the best always embrace change. The evil but gifted Rupert Murdoch’s embracement of social media is a throwaway example, but those who mock his self-promoting tweets should remember what business he is in.
Giggs points to his adoption of yoga as a factor in his extended career. Many footballers have followed suit, but the simple adoption of yoga as a physical pursuit limits its effectiveness. Yoga, if practised correctly, is more than just an exercise of the body; it is a limitless pursuit of discipline, self-awareness, mindfulness and study of the individual. The focus on oneself is hugely important, even if it is only for a daily hour of stretches and meditation.
It may sound pretentious, but it appears Giggs – whose monastic eating and drinking habits have played a huge part in lengthening his career – has fully embraced the discipline. His professionalism and attention to detail combine with a lithe flexibility and a total understanding of his role. The late Steve Jobs – a fellow yogi – may well have agreed. Nicklas Bendtner, known to occasionally adopt the downward dog when not smashing up cars or gym doors, would do well to learn from yoga’s capacity for mental enhancement.
We should also not underestimate Manchester United’s careful management of Giggs, who mid-career looked worryingly like a Darren Anderton-style crock. Well, I say mid-career, but who knows how long he could go?
Giggs is already the oldest player to score in a Champions League match.
He has to keep trotting out for another year if he is to pass Alessandro Costacurta as the oldest outfield player to appear in the Champions League or European Cup.
Provided he avoids serious injury, there is no reason why another landmark cannot be passed.

 

Zlatan: I don’t need Ballon d’Or to know I’m the best

 

Cristiano Ronaldo or Franck Ribery can have the Ballon d'Or, Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not need it.
The Swedish striker has been in superb form this year for Paris St Germain, scoring eight goals in this season's Champions League - as many as Real Madrid's Ronaldo - to help the French side ease into the last 16.
The Portugal forward, however, has emerged as favourite for the FIFA-Ballon d'Or award after netting a hat-trick for his country in a 3-2 defeat of Sweden in last week's World Cup playoff second leg, qualifying his country for the 2014 finals.
French winger Ribery helped Bayern Munich secure a treble last season and was early favourite for the award, won three times in a row by Barcelona's Lionel Messi, until Ronaldo garnered some late support for his performances with Portugal.
"I don't need the Ballon d'Or to know I'm the best," Ibrahimovic, who played a key role in PSG's Ligue 1 title triumph last season, told reporters on Wednesday.
"It matters more to some players."
Ibrahimovic scored his 39th Champions League goal on Wednesday as PSG won their group with a game to spare by beating Olympiakos 2-1 at the Parc des Princes.
No Swede has ever won the Ballon d'Or or the FIFA player of the year award but that statistic is unlikely to cause Ibrahimovic to lose any sleep.
"It's not something I think about and it is something that is not important for me," he said.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan striker showed how much of an asset he can be all over the pitch on Wednesday, taking on his share of defensive duties when PSG were reduced to 10 men following Marco Verratti's dismissal early in the second half.
"I was really tired," he said after being replaced by defender Marquinhos in the 79th minute.
"Helping the team defend or attack is my job. You have to think about the team first."
The French champions, who visit Benfica in the final group game next month, lead Ligue 1 on 34 points from 14 games ahead of Sunday's home game against Lyon.

 

Wenger: Match-fixing allegations different to French corruption

 

Two men appeared in court on Friday charged with plotting to defraud bookmakers after a National Crime Agency investigation into alleged football match-fixing.

Chann Sankaran and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, both originally from Singapore, were not required to enter any plea during a five-minute hearing at Cannock Magistrates' Court in Staffordshire.
Arsenal boss Wenger has first-hand experience of the impact match-fixing can have from his time in charge of Monaco when French champions and 1993 European Cup winners Marseille were found guilty of corruption, relegated and thrown out of European competition by UEFA.
Wenger said: "That was much more serious.
"It was a period where European football was not clean, for different reasons, but I hope we have that behind us.
"Personally, it was one of the most difficult periods in my life, but I think even in France now the championship is completely clean."
Wenger recalled a time of rumour and suspicion, saying: "It's very difficult to prove
"You hear rumours and after that you cannot come out in the press and say this game was not regular. You must prove what you say
"There are little incidents added one to the other. In the end, there is no coincidence.
"Here we are in a completely different case, we hear about that and nobody ever talked about it. It's just a modern problem."
The suspects are reported to include three current footballers, and it emerged on Thursday that a former Premier League footballer, Delroy Facey, was among those arrested as part of the investigation.
The arrests were made following an investigation by the Daily Telegraph during which undercover reporters discussed the possibility of influencing the scores and outcomes of lower-league English games for as little as £50,000.
It is not believed that any Premier League sides are involved in the allegations.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho expressed his surprise at the claims.
He said: "It's very hard for me to understand. The match-fixing is something that doesn't go into my brain.
"I always believe that we all are in love with the game. In some jobs people have a job because they need their job, but they were not born for that and they do it because they have to live and they have to provide for their families.
"Football is not that kind of job. Football is the kind of job that you go into it because since you were a kid you were in love with it. Since you were a kid you were kicking a ball or you were watching and eating football on TV. It's a job with a passion."
Manchester United's David Moyes added: "I hope it isn't out there.
"Undoubtedly, the world we are in, there is always a chance. The way you can bet nowadays, you get bet every second on something, there is always the possibility something could be going on. But in my time I have never seen any of it."

 

Moyes won't rest red-hot Rooney

 

Moyes is keeping a close eye on the England international, looking for signs his standards might be slipping after a congested recent run of fixtures.

So far, the indications are all positive.
Rooney has been United's stand-out performer so far this season and claimed four assists in his side's Champions League hammering of Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
So, whilst Moyes accepts it will be hard to keep up such a level of performance indefinitely, there is no need to take Rooney out of the firing line.
"There will be times when we do have to try and look after him," Moyes said.
"At the moment he doesn't need it. I look for any signs of a dip. If I saw them, I would probably look to do so.
"It doesn't need to be just now. A lot of other clubs are playing their players continuously.
"We can rotate but I will wait. If it doesn't come around and I don't need to, I won't do it."
Moyes' predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson, was of the opinion that Rooney needed to keep playing matches to maintain his condition.
It is a view Moyes shares.
"He is a boy who continually gets better in the games he plays," said the Scot.
"The point I am making is that I want to keep him playing as well as he is doing.
"If he keeps doing it I don't need to worry."
Rooney will be part of the side that faces Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday when, for once, Moyes is under less pressure than opposite number Andre Villas-Boas, whose team suffered a 6-0 hiding at Manchester City last weekend.
Villas-Boas has been criticised given the £108million he has spent on new players. But he has an ally in Moyes.
"When you enter the football management business you expect it," said Moyes.
"Sir Alex (Ferguson) was so successful because he won more than most. But there is no way you can win all the time. It is impossible.
"There are always going to be down days in football. You have to be able to deal with them and work through them.
"I am sure Andre will do it because he is a good coach.
As Tottenham are only a point behind United, who head to White Hart Lane on Sunday, remain in both domestic cup competitions and are already through to the knockout stages of the Europa League, it could hardly be described as a disastrous season.
"Tottenham are not that far away," said Moyes.
"Sometimes people can get a little bit ahead of themselves. Personally I don't see him being under pressure."

 

Vertonghen: Don't write Spurs off

 

Andre Villas-Boas' position as Spurs boss has come under scrutiny this week after his team followed up their loss to Newcastle with a humiliating 6-0 reverse at Manchester City.

Tottenham will slip closer to the bottom half of the table if they lose to in-form Manchester United on Sunday, but Vertonghen sees no reason to panic even though the team have already lost four times.
The Belgian remembers how Tottenham and Villas-Boas came under pressure at roughly the same time last season following three straight defeats.
Spurs responded by losing just one of their next 16 league games and Vertonghen is hoping the team can go on a similar run this term.
"You cannot write us off," the Spurs defender said.
"We did not do well in this period last year with losses against Wigan and City and Arsenal. But we had incredible months in December and January and I think that is what we are aiming for now.
"We want to do well in those two months and then I think we can be back easily because the top half of the table is so strong that everybody can win."
Tottenham's confidence increased on Thursday night when they beat Tromso 2-0 in freezing conditions deep inside the Arctic Circle.
Still, the performance was hardly vintage Spurs and you do not have to be a football expert to know that United will pose a much stiffer challenge than Tromso, who were relegated from Norway's top-flight three weeks ago.
The Norwegians have no-one who is anywhere near as good as Wayne Rooney, who had a helping hand in four of United's five-goal blitz in Leverkusen in midweek.
Rooney will have taken encouragement from the way Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo tore Tottenham's flat defence apart last weekend.
Vertonghen thinks the Spurs back four may be in for an even tougher ride this weekend when they come up against Rooney and Robin van Persie.
"Rooney and Van Persie are quite similar to the City strikers," the former Ajax man said.
"They move well and play better and better together now.
"They are at least the same level as Negredo and Aguero. They are unbelievable.
"They are the most important players of the team but the strength of Manchester United is that they have always been stronger as a team together."
Vertonghen insists Tottenham will not be petrified about the prospect of facing Rooney and company, however.
The defender believes confidence has been restored somewhat following the victory in Tromso.
"It was important for the group to come away with a win in difficult circumstances," he said.
"We are so motivated to do well on Sunday, especially after the City game.
"I am very confident for that game because the supporters will be behind us and we will be so motivated to do well after such a loss."

 

Moyes: Giggs as sharp as ever at 40

 

The Scot also admitted when he arrived at Old Trafford he expected to find a fading force in the veteran Welshman, no longer capable of having an impact, as so many critics have suggested down the years.

Moyes accepts he could not have been more wrong.
And given Giggs' outstanding contribution to Wednesday's 5-0 hammering of Bayer Leverkusen, it is unlikely the United squad would want to be without the man who has now played an incredible 953 games for the Red Devils.
"When I came I expected to see someone who must be dropping off, must be fading," said Moyes.
"I thought it would be obvious and I heard a lot of pundits thinking that as well.
"I came with the idea that maybe he is not quite the same.
"But I can honestly say he has been fantastic.
"For Ryan to be playing so well at his age is terrific and a great example to young players about how you should dedicate yourself throughout your career.
"Also to players who get into their early to mid-30s and think things are coming to an end it shows if you really look after yourself and train well, you can go on for a lot longer."
One of Moyes' first decisions after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer was to appoint Giggs to his coaching team.
He does make a contribution behind the scenes. But once training starts, he is in the thick of it, not on the outside watching, exactly as it has to be.
"When you get older you have to train as hard as the young ones," said Moyes.
"He has been great for me. I have used him to settle into my job.
"He is involved in all the stuff we do regarding the team but once we have decided what we are doing, and who is doing what, he will go and train with the players, just as he has done for the past 20 years."
In his wide-ranging discussions with Ferguson before his own appointment was confirmed, it was suggested to Moyes that Giggs would come into his own a few months into the campaign, when the pitches became softer.
It was a point reinforced by the man himself on his first encounter with Moyes in the summer.
The reality turned into something completely different.
"I knew Ryan would be the dictator of it," said Moyes.
"He said he took a bit longer to get ready and didn't tend to start the season.
"But he played a lot of pre-season. I felt he was ready to start and we needed him. He has shown he was capable of that."

 

Scudamore concerned by match-fixing claims

 

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has described allegations of match-fixing in England's top flight as "the most serious attack that can be made on the sport".

An online betting expert has claimed in the Daily Telegraph that two Premier League matches since 2000 have displayed signs of suspicious betting patterns.

The latest allegations come on the same day two men appeared in court charged with plotting to defraud bookmakers after a National Crime Agency investigation into alleged football match-fixing.
Mark Brosnan, the chief executive of online betting firm Matchbook.com, claims two top-flight matches since the turn of the century fall under suspicion.
Regarding one of the games, Brosnan told the Daily Telegraph: "In my opinion, there's only a one per cent chance that it was just a big coincidence."
And Scudamore has voiced his concern at the claims, saying: "This is an allegation of criminal acts."
The Premier League chief added: "It is the most serious allegation that can be made about anyone involved in sport. It is about the most serious attack that can be made on sport.
"Anyone with allegations, information or evidence should report it to the police. There are processes in place through which they, the Gambling Commission and the Football Association are to act following receipt of such information. We would of course assist any such investigation."

 

 

Lukaku responds to Mourinho

 

"Imagine I was playing for Chelsea now, I would play maybe five games and score one goal or two, now I am playing for Everton and I have eight games and seven goals," he told the BBC in a television interview to be broadcast on Saturday.

"Everyone in England is talking about me and as a player I am improving. I am having that certainty, that consistency in my game," the 19-year-old Belgium international was quoted as saying in a preview of the programme on the BBC website.
"It wasn't the fact that I wasn't wanted. I think I was wanted but I had to make a decision for myself and analyse what was the best thing for me."
Lukaku, who has scored seven goals in eight Premier League games for Everton so far this term, said the last time he heard anything from Chelsea was "a couple of months ago" but "I think they are watching my performances."
Earlier on Friday, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told a news conference Lukaku should explain why he left Chelsea, implying that the player talks too much.
"You know, Romelu likes to speak, he's a young boy, he likes to speak, but the only thing that he did not say is why he went to Everton on loan," Mourinho said when asked about the striker.
"That is the only thing he never said and my last contact with him was to tell (him) exactly that. Why (do) you never say why you are not here?" added the Portuguese coach.
British media have questioned why Mourinho let Lukaku leave the club on loan after he missed a penalty in Chelsea's defeat by Bayern Munich in the Super Cup contested by the Champions League and Europa League winners at the start of the season.
Chelsea have struggled for consistency this season with injuries to their main strike force of Fernando Torres, who missed two games earlier this month with a leg injury, and Samuel Eto'o, who is out for two weeks with a hamstring tear.

 

Arsenal showing some ambition at last, says Usmanov

 

Russian Usmanov, who owns just under 30 per cent of the north London club, has previously questioned Arsenal's ambition and was reportedly at loggerheads with majority owner Stan Kroenke over the club's frugal spending.

Arsenal have not won a major trophy since their FA Cup triumph in 2005 and while they have been an ever present in the Champions League places in the Premier League, have not realistically challenged for the title since the same year.
"In the past I tell the club that if they want to pretend to be number one in every tournament then they must have best players in the world, and if we don't have them in our squad we need to buy these in the market," Usmanov told the BBC. "Wenger confirmed this by buying, for example, Ozil.
"Anything that gives to Arsenal, good results, is for us very good news. This is our mission and hope.
"I think we begin a new era for Arsenal where we win trophies. It's most important for football, winning trophies.
"We will be number one."
The Uzbek-born billionaire pounds has spent a reported £200 million building up his shareholding in Arsenal and has said he would like to assume control of the club should Kroenke decide to sell.
Several other Premier League clubs are now also controlled by foreign owners and Usmanov said he felt there was nothing wrong with that.
"I'm sure it is good (for English football)," Usmanov added.
"When investors come and invest in the economy, in British football, it is a big part of the entertainment economy in the United Kingdom.
"What's bad?"
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke had said in September he was concerned at the number of English players who were not getting regular first team play for Premier League sides, which was damaging the national team.
Usmanov, however, said the issues that Dyke raised were not endemic to England, with several high-profile leagues in Europe dominated by foreign-born players, and the game had competing interests that needed to be balanced.
"We need to find the balance of international players and local players. Every country has this problem. Russia also," he said.
"I think everybody must think about his own success. National team - it is for national federations. Clubs for the Premier League. Everyone has his own interests."

 

Jolted Barca want more intensity from players

 

The Group H reverse was Barca's first loss this season in all competitions - and their first under Martino - which cost them a chance to seal the top spot, having already secured their place in the last 16.

A fired-up Ajax, roared on by their vocal fans, took the game to an injury-hit Barca in the first half, harrying and hassling them before taking a deserved 2-0 lead with goals from Thulani Serero and Danny Hoesen.
Although the Spanish champions dominated after Ajax were reduced to 10 men shortly after halftime and pulled a goal back through Xavi's penalty, they struggled against a home defence well drilled by coach and former Barca player Frank de Boer.
"Ajax began with more intensity than us and we paid the price," Martino, who took over from the ailing Tito Vilanova in the close season, said at a news conference.
"The second half was a different story and we played in a way more in tune with what Barca represents," the Argentine added.
"The problems in the first half came more when we had the ball than when we didn't.
"We lacked mobility and precision. In a Champions League match against a rival who is fighting to qualify for the next round you need intensity for the full 90 minutes."
Barca have another chance to seal the top spot in the group when they host Celtic on Dec. 11. The Scottish champions lost 3-0 at home to AC Milan on Tuesday and are bottom of the group on three points from five games.
Barca have 10, Milan are second on eight and Ajax, whose final game is against the Italians at the San Siro, seven.
Puyol said the team would have no chance of adding to their four European crowns if they started every match so lethargically.

 

Injured Ronaldo to miss Real's clash with Valladolid

 

Ronaldo, who has netted 14 goals in his last seven appearances for club and country, limped off at the start of the second half of last weekend's win at Almeria and a scan on Monday confirmed he had damaged a hamstring.

He missed Wednesday's Champions League victory at home to Galatasaray and, although further tests on Friday showed the muscle had healed, Ancelotti said the 28-year-old was not in shape to feature at the Bernabeu.
"No, tomorrow Cristiano won't play because he is not comfortable and doesn't feel good," the Italian told a news conference.
"We did a scan this morning and while the muscle is completely healed he is not comfortable and hasn't trained much," he added.
"So we are not going to take the risk. He has 15 days to work and prepare well for the next league match (at Osasuna on December 14)."
Ronaldo is also likely to miss Real's King's Cup last-32 first leg at third-tier Olimpic de Xativa on December 7.
Ancelotti dismissed a suggestion his relationship with Sergio Ramos had soured after the Spain centre back was sent off for the 17th time in his Real career against Galatasaray.
Ancelotti criticised Ramos after the game but said on Friday there was "no problem" between the pair and he would play against Valladolid.
"It was simply a tactical discussion after the match," Ancelotti said.
"I think he made a mistake but that doesn't change anything. Making a mistake on the pitch is normal and it is important to understand why.
"Sergio Ramos is a very important player for this team and everyone knows that.
"He is fine, he has no problem, he will play tomorrow and hopefully will play well."
After 14 La Liga matches, third-placed Real are three points behind city rivals Atletico Madrid, who play at promoted Elche in Saturday's earlier kick-off.
Atletico are a further three behind unbeaten leaders Barcelona, who are at fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

 

Messi recovery 'progressing well'

 

Messi sustained the injury in a La Liga match at Real Betis on Nov. 10 and the World Player of the Year is likely to be sidelined until the middle of January.

Club doctor Ricard Pruna and physio Elvio Paulorroso will join him in Argentina next month to supervise the final phase of his recovery programme, Barca said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.com).
"His development is positive as the latest tests conducted show," they said.
Messi will miss Barca's final Champions League Group H match at home to an already eliminated Celtic on Dec. 11, when the Spanish champions will be looking to secure top spot ahead of Italian side AC Milan.
He could be back in time for the Jan. 12 La Liga game at second-placed Atletico Madrid, who are three points behind leaders Barca after 14 matches.

 

United eye Di Maria, Koke

 

The defending Premier League champions have been consistently linked with midfield targets in La Liga since David Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer and after a public chase for Cesc Fabregas, they saw last minute summer interest for Ander Herrera fail to materialise.

Recently paired with interest in Valencia’s Ever Banega, it is today speculated in the Daily Star that Real Madrid’s Di Maria and Atletico Madrid’s Koke are United’s prime targets.
It is alleged that the English side will make midseason bids of £17m for Di Maria and £16m for Koke, with the latter seen as enough to trigger the player’s release clause

 

Atletico 'in De Bruyne talks'

 

Los Rojiblancos were linked with a move for the Belgian international last week and negotiations are understood to be at an advanced stage, although Atleti still believe there is a lot of work to do as the player is not convinced he will cement a regular place in Diego Simeone’s starting line-up.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has given De Bruyne the green light to seek a move away from Stamford Bridge because he does not see him as part of his immediate plans, while Atleti would like him to bolster their team for what they consider will be a demanding second half of the season.
Despite not being available to play in the Champions League, having already represented Chelsea, the 22-year-old is seen as decent back-up for a squad that hopes to still be involved in the race for both the La Liga title and Copa del Rey come next May.
Atleti defender Toby Alderweireld has already told Belgian media that De Bruyne’s arrival would be good for both club and player.
“It would be fantastic if he came in during the January transfer window. He really knows how to play in midfield and has talent,” said his Belgium international teammate.

 

Arsenal win not yet enough (2-0) over ajax

Arsenal win not yet enough

 

Jack Wilshere got a goal in each half to beat Marseille at Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal midfielder opened the scoring within 30 seconds of kick-off and Arsenal could have extended their lead on many occasions during the first half, most notably, when Mesut Ozil missed a penalty.
The tie was sealed after 65 minutes when Ozil crossed for Wilshere to convert from six yards and put Arsenal atop Group F on 12 points.
Borussia Dortmund’s 3-1 win over Napoli means that if Arsenal avoid defeat away to Napoli in two weeks they will win the group. Defeat by two goals or fewer will also guarantee qualification for the last 16.

 

Champions League: United through after five-goal rout

Champions League: United through after five-goal rout

 

Manchester United secured their berth in the last 16 thanks to their largest away victory in the UEFA Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen, who are second in the Bundesliga.
Wayne Rooney was not on the scoresheet but was instrumental in the first four goals, crossing to Antonio Valencia to finish at the far post for the first, sending in the free-kick that Emir Spahic headed into his own net for the second, providing the shot that was parried into the path of Jonny Evans to score and lobbing the ball for Chris Smalling to convert to make it 4-0.
Nani got the fifth for the win that extended United’s unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions and put them on top of Group A with 11 points. Avoiding defeat at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in the final fixture will guarantee them winning the group and David Moyes, the United manager, is hoping for more of such performances.
“I’d say it’s the best we have played because we scored five goals, but it’s something I want to do regularly, not now and then,” he said. “We are in a good run of form, we had a slip-up on Sunday [in the 2-2 draw against Cardiff City, when their opponents scored in stoppage time], but in the main we’re playing well and the biggest thing is we’re improving, progressing.”

 

Shane Long: West Bromwich Albion striker's future 'up in the air'

 

West Bromwich Albion striker Shane Long has admitted his future is still uncertain as he waits to see what offers come in for him when the transfer window reopens in January.

The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international came close to signing for Hull City in the summer window and he is still on the radar of other clubs.
"It's a little bit up in the air at the moment," Long told BBC WM.
"But I'm settled here in Birmingham and I love playing for the manager."
It was only Albion boss Steve Clarke's late intervention that prevented Long making the move to Humberside, after he had passed a medical and a £5m fee had been agreed.
"It's football," said Long. "Sometimes things are like that. It was an option that didn't go through in the end. I couldn't really lose either way."

Long hits form in November

• 9 Nov - Breaks his duck for the season with Albion's 60th-minute equaliser in what, but for a wrongfully- awarded injury-time penalty decision, would have been a 2-1 win at Chelsea.
• 15 Nov - Scores for the Republic of Ireland within six minutes of coming off the bench in a 3-0 win over Latvia in Dublin
• 25 Nov - Nets twice inside the first 11 minutes, both of them crackers, in Albion's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at The Hawthorns

Since then, he had to take a backseat at The Hawthorns before winning his place back following their 4-1 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield in October.

He has taken his chance since then, scoring in Albion's 2-2 draw at Chelsea to open his account for the season, then again in his next game for the Republic of Ireland before coming up with two crackers against Aston Villa in Monday night's 2-2 derby thriller.
"I started off OK and then got injured and it's been hard to get back in the team," he said.
"There are a few options for that place up front, Nicolas Anelka, Victor Anichebe, Saido Berahino, Markus Rosenberg, Matej Vydra and myself, with Stephane Sessegnon in behind.
"You know when you get that start, you have to make it count, but I feel in good form at the moment.
"When things are going your way, you just finish automatically, rather than thinking about it."
Although he has scored four goals in four games for club and country, Long has just seven months left on the deal he signed when he arrived for £6.5m from Reading in August 2011.
"I haven't been offered a contract in a while," he added. "I'm just concentrating on trying to score goals and letting the rest take care of itself."

 

Joe Mason: Bolton Wanderers sign Cardiff City striker on loan

 

Cardiff City striker Joe Mason has joined Bolton on loan until 5 January, after having a move to the Championship side called off earlier this month.

Bolton announced on 11 November that they had signed Mason on a temporary basis, only for the Welsh club to have a change of heart a day later.
However, a deal has now been completed for the 22-year-old to link up with Dougie Freedman's side.
The former Plymouth man has scored 18 goals during his time at Cardiff.
But he has made only two appearances for the Bluebirds this term, both of them in the Capital One Cup.
He joins another Cardiff player, Kevin McNaughton, at the Reebok Stadium.

 

Manuel Pellegrini asks more of Manchester City defence

 

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said his side need to focus on tightening their defence after they beat Viktoria Plzen 4-2.

City have conceded 20 goals in 19 games this season and Pellegrini wants to see an improvement at the back.
"We can attack without giving so many chances," he said after their Champions League Group D game at Etihad Stadium.
"One of the important things for attacking teams is how to defend. On that front, we did very bad tonight."
He added: "I am talking about the whole team. I think the whole team must know how to defend.
"We didn't have the intensity or the pace today to do it and I am not talking about individual players."
Despite his criticisms, Pellegrini added that second-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart had "played very well" after being picked to face Plzen.
The Chilean has preferred Romanian Costel Pantilimon to Hart in the Premier League in recent weeks, but the England international made some good saves and was not at fault for either of the Czech side's goals.
Pellegrini said: "I didn't expect that he would have to work so much during the game but I think this is the match when the other team - including Champions League and Premier League (games) - had the most chances to score.
"From Thursday we will start thinking about the next game. Now we are talking about the Premier League but, I repeat, I think Joe had a very good performance," Pellegrini added when asked whether Hart might win his place back for Sunday's meeting with Swansea.
Manchester City had already qualified for the last 16 with a 5-2 win over CSKA Moscow in the previous round of matches.
They could still topple Bayern Munich at the top of Group D if they defeat the defending champions by a three-goal margin in their meeting in Germany on 10 December.

 

Chelsea qualified for the Champions League knockout stages despite suffering a late defeat in Basel.

Chelsea qualified for the Champions League knockout stages despite suffering a late defeat in Basel.

Mohamed Salah's goal three minutes from time earned victory for the Swiss side but Schalke's goalless draw with Steaua Bucharest means the Blues cannot slip to third in Group E.
They will be disappointed by their display in Switzerland as they did not register a shot on target.
Petr Cech made several saves before Salah steered in to seal the win.

Salah the saviour?

After impressing in Basel's quarter-final first-leg draw with Spurs in last season's Europa league, Basel coach Murat Yakin said of Mohamed Salah: "If Mohamed could score as well, he would not be here any more."

The Egyptian forward had suffered in the first half after missing two chances when his side were well in control.

But he cut in from the left to race clear of Branislav Ivanovic, controlled Fabian Schar's cross-field pass superbly and found the net to send St Jakob Park into raptures.
Basel's victory means they move into second in the group and have completed the double over Jose Mourinho's side, having beaten the Premier League team 2-1 in their opening Group E fixture.
And a point for Murat Yakin's side in their last game against Schalke will put them through to the last 16 of Europe's elite competition.

Chelsea sleeping during Basel goal - Jose Mourinho

Once the disappointment of his team's display has subsided, Mourinho will reflect on his team improving on last season's Champions League showing, where Chelsea became the first team to be knocked out at the group stage having won the previous season's competition.
But having made only one change to the team that beat West Ham 3-0 on Saturday, he may also reconsider his decision not to freshen up his team selection.
The visitors looked off the pace from the start and were fortunate not to go in at the break a goal behind as Basel hit them with pace and width from the start.
Only a lack of composure from Salah meant the hosts could not make an early breakthrough and when they did hit the target, Cech made a number of important saves.

Group E

	Pld	GD	Pts
Chelsea	5	8	9
Schalke	5	1	8
Basel	5	-2	7
Steaua Bucharest	5	-7	3

• Full Champions League tables

The Czech keeper was busy from the third minute onwards with Marco Streller inches from touching in an early delivery.

Following another Cech stop, John Mikel Obi had to clear Ivan Ivanov's toe-poke off the line from a corner, and there was a Basel handball appeal when a Taulant Xhaka cross hit Frank Lampard's arm after bouncing up off the ground.
Samuel Eto'o almost connected with an Ivanovic cross but Mourinho saw his side barely muster a chance as they struggled to make the ball stick up front.
Just before half-time, Eto'o was replaced by Fernando Torres with what looked like a groin injury for the Cameroon international, and although the visitors were more controlled in possession after the break, they rarely threatened the Basel goal.
The introduction of Eden Hazard on the left wing added some zest to their forward forays but several poor touches in the Basel box let Chelsea down.
The hosts sensed Chelsea's lack of sharpness and went close to grabbing a late goal as Serey Die volleyed wide, but Salah then came up with the goods as he finally found his composure.

Arbeloa credits Ancelotti for win

 

Real Madrid goalscorer Alvaro Arbeloa believes the tactical nous of manager Carlo Ancelotti changed the game as the home side defeated Galatasaray 4-1 in their Champions League fixture.
Ancelotti made the switch following Sergio Ramos' send-off, which reduced Real to 10 men for the last hour of the match.
Arbeloa netted just after half-time to restore Los Blancos' advantage, a lead which they extended throughout the second stanza.
"The team played very well in the second half,” Arbeloa told Real Madrid's official website. "The coach was right with the tactical change and we pressed more.
"I am grateful to the Bernabeu crowd, who know how things are, and when you do things well they recognise it."
When asked about Xabi Alonso’s celebration following his goal, Arebloa said: "Xabi is a very good friend. Everyone says we depend on Alonso. The problem is not ours, it is theirs because he is the best.
"His presence changes everything. There is no one in the world like him and he is a central pillar to this team.”

 

Mourinho to make changes

 

Jose Mourinho plans to rotate his squad throughout December after witnessing Chelsea's less than convincing progress to the Champions League knockout stages.

The Blues were beaten 1-0 by Basel, who claimed the double over the 2012 European champions, but advanced to the last 16 as Schalke drew 0-0 at Steaua Bucharest.
Chelsea play the Romanians on December 11 bidding to confirm top spot in Group E, something which eluded them in Switzerland as Mohamed Salah's strike settled a match in which Mourinho's men failed to muster a meaningful shot.
The limp loss was all the more surprising after the impressive display at West Ham, but Mourinho had made just one change from Upton Park.
It is likely he will regularly rotate his options next month, with Sunday's Premier League contest with Southampton the first of nine matches in a congested period.
"Clearly I got signs of fatigue," Mourinho said. "I got signs of players in trouble to play two consecutive matches in three days.
"That will push me, for sure, to make different kinds of decisions. That's obvious.
"In some positions we have that situation resolved in a very easy way because we have lots of players to play the attacking positions on the right, on the left, behind the striker.

Relive the best action shots from the UEFA Champions League.

"We'll make decisions, again not to punish players, because I don't punish players when I'm not upset and when I've found a reason for a not-good performance.
"It's not a question of punishment, it's a question of using the squad and the options we have and to make changes when we have so many consecutive matches."
Mourinho refused to criticise his players, but took little comfort from the performance.
He added: "The only positive thing is that we go through, but we don't go through because we got the result, we go through because Schalke didn't get the result. That, for me, is not the same.
"In the end we qualified, which is the first objective, and now we have the last match at home to get the result to finish first.
"I want to praise Basel. They won because we were sleeping in the last minutes, but they won also because they were the best team and they deserved to win."
Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o was taken off on a stretcher in the first half and faces a scan to determine the full extent of his leg injury.