Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Keshi unpaid since March

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi is owed seven months salaries by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

In fact the Super Eagles trainer and members of his back room staff have not been paid salaries by the NFF since March 2013.

President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari who was quizzed about this on Sunday confirmed the situation but also revealed that the “hands of the federation are tied” over the issue.

“It is true that Keshi has not been paid for the past seven months but the hands of the federation are tied over this matter. It’s not as if we are hoarding this money and have refused to pay him. The NFF is in dire straits as far as financial resources are concerned. We have even had to slash the winning bonus of players of the Super Eagles from $10,000 USD to $5,000 USD as a result,” Maigari exclusively told supersport.com.

The NFF chief then went on to reveal “several steps taken by the NFF to make Keshi’s life easier” following the failure to pay his wages for the past seven months.

“There are several steps taken by the NFF taken by the NFF in this regard to make Keshi’s life easier.

“The rent of the hotel in Abuja he lives in is paid by the NFF. His feeding is taken care of by the NFF as well. He has an official car provided by the NFF and we ensure that any expense he needs to meet as he carries out his official duties are met by the NFF.

“Let me also use this medium to inform Nigerians that other staff of the NFF have also not been paid for over a year but they have continued working without complaints because they know the constraints we are facing.

“General Secretary (Barrister Musa Ahmadu) and Director of competitions (Mohammed Sanusi), Director technical (Emmanuel Ikpeme) and Director of finance (NFF) are just two of the staff affected. There are many others too.

“I am sure a lot of Nigerians do not know that even as the leader of the NFF, I have not received salaries for a single day so people should understand that we are selflessly serving the nation,” Maigari said.

The NFF president however insisted that the coaches would be paid their salaries as soon as “things improve.”

Keshi, who took the reins from Samson Siasia in November 2011, has lost just four official games in the 33 games he has overseen as Nigeria coach.

Chan Eagles no easy prey

Lobi Stars central defender, Anthony Agbaji has said the present crop of home-based Super Eagles can stand on their own against any opposition in the world.

The Pride of Benue were pipped 0-1 by their Eagles counterparts in a build-up game in Abuja on Tuesday.

Warri Wolves striker, Oghenekaro Etebo scored the lone goal in the thrilling encounter meant to prepare the domestic Eagles for the friendly tie against Jordan on October 28 in Amman.

Agbaji said he saw zeal and courage among the Super Eagles insisting that the side will prove difficult for the Jordanian foes.

“I see the home-based Super Eagles as a side that can stand any opposition anywhere any place and any time.

“They’re good individually and as a team, the zeal and courage are there what they need is more playing time to understand themselves perfectly.

“The Jordanian side will find them a hard nut to crack if they continue on the pace we saw them against us,” said the Lobi Stars man to supersport.com.

Agbaji is excited for the wonderful opportunity the organisers of the friendly provided for his side to further showcase their talents.

“I’m appreciative to the Nigeria Football Federation and my management for the privilege offered to us to showcase our skills.

“We proved the point against the home-based Super Eagles that we could play good football at any level irrespective of the outcome of the friendly game.

“We had our chances but didn’t maximise it, they had theirs and made it count. That’s football and we’ve taken the lesson home.

“The friendly actually met its purpose how I wished we would get more of such rare chances in the nearest future,” Agbaji said.

The home-based Eagles are preparing for the 2014 African Nation’s Championship (Chan) in South Africa.

Enyeama continues to impress at Lille

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama was the man-of-the match on Saturday in Lille OSC’s 1-0 win over Montpellier HSC on match day 10 of Ligue 1.

Enyeama produced a performance right out of the top drawer exemplified by three astonishing saves from point blank range at the Stade de la Mosson to power Les Dogues to an important victory.

The Lille coach, René Girard was duly impressed and offered words of praise to his 31-year-old charge.

"For us, this is a great victory (against Montpellier), it's nice to get the three points tonight. Vincent (Enyeama) took out a big game, he's a cat. He managed three and four important decisions when he was called to action, this is not simple,” Girard told the club’s official website, www.losc.fr.

The club’s striker, Nolan Roux also singled out Enyeama for special praise after the game at Montpellier.

“It was (a) hard (game) physically for the strikers as we did not have many opportunities. Then, Vincent (Enyeama) did his job in the best way possible,” he said.

Club captain, Rio Mavuba also joined the queue as the words of commendation continued to pour in from all sides.

“We must congratulate all the defensive work of the team, with special mention of Vincent (Enyeama) who was impressive tonight,” he said.

Enyeama has kept eight clean sheets in 10 league starts for Lille this term. He last conceded in Lille’s 0-2 loss to Nice on September 15.

Lille sit in third place on the Ligue 1 standings with 20 points from 10 matches.

They trail only the big two, PSG and AS Monaco after 10 rounds of matches.

Azzurri test thrills Keshi

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi is looking forward to November’s international friendly against four-time world champions, Italy on November 18.

The Super Eagles face the Azzurri at London’s Craven Cottage in a game that could potentially represent preparation for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

Italy and Nigeria have only met once previously at senior international level with the Azzurri running away with a 2-1 victory over the Super Eagles in the second round of the 1994 Fifa world cup in the United States.

Keshi who was an unused substitute in the round of 16 game decided on July 5 at the Foxboro stadium, Boston is not thinking about revenge when the two nations clash again next month.

“I am not thinking of revenge at all. 1994 was a long time ago,” Keshi told supersport.com.

The Super Eagles will first face Jordan in a friendly on October 28 before squaring up against Ethiopia in their second leg 2014 Fifa world cup playoff tie.

“We have a game with the domestically-based players in Jordan in the next few days. After that we will face Ethiopia in Calabar on November 16 and that is the game we must strive to win,” he added.

Keshi is full of respect for Cesare Prandelli’s charges and believes the game will represent a “very good test” for his wards.

“Italy have some of the best players in the world and this game will serve as a very good test for us. I am looking forward to the game,” he said.

No 'Blood and Gold' for El Badry

Ahly Tripoli head coach Hossam El Badry has denied Tunisian reports that he will soon lead Esperance.

Esperance board axed their coach Maher El Kenzary after they crashed out of the African Champions League Semifinal against the Orlando Pirates last Saturday.

Tunisian media claim that the Egyptian head coach has been linked with Esperance to lead the team this season.

"No one talked to me about that. It's big honor for me to lead the Blood and the Gold but its not true " El Badry told supersport. com.

The Tunisian giants meanwhile announced that Al Araby's El Zawawy will take the charge of the team temporarily till they sign a new coach.

El Badry is on vacation in Egypt after being shot in Libya last week while he was on his way home.

" I think I will not go back to Libya . It's very dangerous there. " El Badry added.

Metsu laid to rest in Senegal

Former Senegal coach Bruno Metsu, who passed away last Tuesday in France, was buried in Dakar on Monday in the presence of many local and international dignitaries.

Metsu converted to Islam while coaching the Teranga Lions between 2000 and 2002 and got married to a Senegalese Viviane Dieye, who revealed the coach had wished to be laid to rest in Dakar.

Wrapped in a national flag, the coffin of the man who led Senegal to the 2002 World Cup was laid to rest at the Muslim cemetery of Yoff in the presence of Head of State Macky Sall, who honoured the fallen hero with these words:

“We are here to honour the passing of a hero among heros of this nation,” Sall said. “We have lost a real Lion. Senegal was a country dear to his heart it is logical that he returns to rest here for eternity.”

Metsu last worked at Dubai’s outfit Al Wasl FC in 2012 before leaving to undergo treatments in France for colon, liver and lung cancers.

He died at his birthplace Coudekerque-Village in northern France and flown to Senegal for a state funeral.

Cameroon coach summoned by Presidency

Cameroon coach Volker Finke has been summoned to attend an important meeting at the country’s Presidency later this week in the wake of frictions within the national team.

The German manager received the invitation from Ferdinand Ngo Ngo, the secretary general of the Presidency. He was also the personality sent by the country’s Head of State Paul Biya to talk Samuel Eto’o into returning to the outfit for the match against Tunisia in the World Cup playoff.

Sports minister Adoum Garoua will be accompanying Finke to the conclave in which a number of issues relating to the Indomitable Lions will be discussed.

Supersport.com understands that ahead of the game against Tunisia, Eto’o complained to the Presidency about the problems facing the national team.

Preparations for the return leg against Tunisia will also be discussed, according to sources.

The Lions held the North Africans to a goalless draw in the first leg but the return leg remains open for grabs to both sides.

Drogba to play for four more years

Galatasaray forward Didier Drogba says he wants to stay in the game for four more years and probably equal the record of Cameroon great Roger Milla who retired from football at the age of 39.

The Ivory Coast captain, who will be 36 by next March, was awarded the prestigious Golden Foot prize last week in Monaco – an accolade given to football players aged 29 and above who are still active and contribute to the development of the sport.

“I hope God will grant me the required health and conditions to be able to play four more years,” he said.

Drogba earlier announced he would retire from international football after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

His national side Ivory Coast will be facing Senegal in Casablanca next month in the return leg of the World Cup playoff after a 3-1 outcome in favour of the Elephants in the reverse fixture played in Abidjan.

Moyes expects no Rooney fall-out

Manchester United manager David Moyes has no concerns about the impact revelations contained in Alex Ferguson's autobiography could have on Wayne Rooney and the rest of the club, he said on Tuesday.

Ferguson, whose retirement as United manager at the end of last season following a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford, launched his long-awaited book on Tuesday.

In it he revisits his fall-out with Rooney last season when he claimed the England forward requested to leave the club in a private meeting.

The cooling of relations between the two men led to a pre-season of transfer speculation surrounding the striker before the deadline passed.

Rooney, 27, has since gone on to impress this term but fears circulated in recent weeks that Ferguson's book could anger the player again and give Moyes further headaches about his future.

But Moyes said he welcomed anything his illustrious predecessor had to say.

And when asked if he had concerns about any Rooney-related headlines, he replied: "None."

The former Everton manager, who gave Rooney his start in professional football when both men were at the Merseyside club, added: "Wayne is completely focused on his football.

"I've got no problems with anything. Wayne is looking after himself and playing well.

"Alex Ferguson can do what he wishes – he is his own man. We would love to hear what he has got to say and I'm sure the supporters will want to hear," Moyes said of his fellow Scot.

"He has a lot of great knowledge and I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy reading the book."

Moyes's men face Real Sociedad in the Champions League on Wednesday and the manager said he still faced injury problems, with central defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, as well as Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, all missing training on Tuesday.

Vidic, Ferdinand and Cleverley all missed last weekend's disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Southampton.

"We have got one or two knocks or niggles," said Moyes. "Vidic and Rio are making good progress.

"Danny Welbeck had a little bit of an injury from the game against Southampton so we will have to check.

"Tom Cleverley is not as bad as we thought so those two could play."

On Monday, reports emerged from France that Patrice Evra may not sign a new contract at United because of "personal reasons", with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

However, Moyes said of Evra's remarks: "I think they have been misinterpreted.

"I have not spoken to Pat about it. I have just seen that today (Tuesday). I don't know how you in France think about Pat but I know in Manchester we think very highly about him.

"He is an excellent player, fantastic in the dressing room and I can only say good things about him."

Javier Hernandez has struggled to get first-team action so far this season but Moyes also denied he too would leave the English champions during the January transfer window.

"It is not a question for now. He will play a lot of games before the end of the season," said Moyes.

United have endured their worst start to a Premier League season and sit eight points off leaders Arsenal.

And United defender Jonny Evans said they needed to improve on their performance against Southampton come the Sociedad match.

"I think we are disappointed, we have watched parts of the game against Southampton back and our performance level wasn't up to scratch," the Northern Irishman said.

"Especially in possession we are giving the ball away quite sloppily. We want to control games. We allowed Southampton to control the game a bit better than we did.

"I think the onus is on the players to step up. We have to look at ourselves and raise our performances," Evans added.

Mourinho hit with FA charge

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct for his behaviour during a Premier League game against Cardiff City, the FA said on Monday.

Mourinho was ordered to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor 20 minutes from the end of Saturday's 4-1 win for protesting to the match official after becoming increasingly frustrated at what he perceived to be Cardiff's time-wasting tactics.

Mourinho, who has until 1700 GMT on Thursday to respond to the charge, refused to change his stance on Monday when speaking ahead of his side's Champions League match against Schalke.

"If I was at that game and I was paying my ticket, I would be worried with the fact that every time the ball was out or stopped and our opponent had to put the ball back in the game, it took a minimum of 21.5 seconds," Mourinho said.

"That is a waste of money. You pay your ticket and every time the game stops you have to wait about half a minute? When you multiply that by the number of times the game was stopped ... you pay for 90 minutes but you see 55 or 60."

Mourinho, who faces a fine, spent the final 20 minutes of Saturday's match sitting with the crowd after losing his patience.

"I don't want to say what did or did not happen.

"I just want to know the reason why the referee stopped me doing my work. To be with the fans was not funny. It was not funny. It's frustrating.

Kasami-inspired Fulham rout Palace

Pajtim Kasami scored a contender for goal of the season as Fulham swept to a 4-1 victory over fellow strugglers Crystal Palace on Monday.

Martin Jol's side had suffered an early setback at Selhurst Park when Adrian Mariappa headed Palace into the lead.

But Switzerland midfielder Kasami, born in Macedonia to an Albanian family, illuminated a dank evening in south-east London with a majestic volleyed equaliser from an acute angle that conjured up memories of Marco van Basten's famous strike for Holland against the USSR in the final of the 1988 European Championships.

Palace never recovered from Kasami's first half wonder-goal and Steve Sidwell produced a fine goal of his own to put Fulham ahead before the interval.

Dimitar Berbatov and Philippe Senderos piled on the misery for Palace with second half goals as Fulham secured only their third Premier League win of the season.

It was the first time Fulham had scored four goals in an away Premier League fixture since a 4-1 win at Newcastle in November 2004.

"To be honest I have never scored a better goal," Kasami said. "I ran into the space and the pass was perfect.

"It was an unbelievable goal and I am very pleased."

The victory lifted the Cottagers to 14th place and, given the broad smile worn by Fulham's owner Shahid Khan as he looked on from the directors' box, it may also have eased the pressure on under-fire boss Jol.

"The goal we conceded was sickening but we responded well and it was a fantastic Pajtim Kasami goal with his wrong foot," Jol said.

"It was better than people think because he had to control the ball on his chest and then put it in the other corner.

"Marco van Basten's goal was totally different and you can't compare the two, but this one was better!

"It is one of the goals of the season."

Second bottom Palace have now lost seven of their eight league matches on their return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence and the happy memories of last season's promotion from the Championship must feel increasingly distant to boss Ian Holloway and his beleaguered players.

It could have been so different for Palace if they had built on their dream start.

With just seven minutes played, Jason Puncheon crossed from the left and centre-back Mariappa climbed above Brede Hangeland to head in from six yards.

But Fulham were level 12 minutes later thanks to Kasami's stunning intervention.

There seemed little danger when the 21-year-old former Palermo star ran onto Sascha Riether's long ball down the right side of the Palace area, but he showed brilliant technique to control the pass on his chest before unleashing a dipping volley that flashed into the top corner of Julian Speroni's goal.

Speroni had no chance of reaching that strike and he was left grasping at thin air again when Sidwell put Fulham ahead in the 45th minute.

Bryan Ruiz hit a free-kick into the Palace wall and Sidwell was first to the rebound, blasting a superb first-time shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Speroni was beaten in more prosaic manner in the 50th minute when former Manchester United striker Berbatov glanced a header from Ruiz's corner into the far corner for his first league goal of the season.

Berbatov had been given too much time to meet the delivery and Palace compounded the error by leaving the far post unguarded.

There was worse to come for shell-shocked Palace five minutes later when Speroni failed to keep out Senderos's close-range volley, allowing the former Arsenal defender to notch his first goal since April 2012 after being left unmarked at the far post from another Ruiz corner.

Norwich threaten life ban over racism

Norwich City on Monday threatened a life ban for any fan found guilty of racism after the Premier League club's manager Chris Hughton was the target of online abuse for the second time this month.

Police launched an investigation on Saturday after a number of supporters reported an offensive comment on an unofficial Facebook page.

Norwich were beaten 4-1 at Arsenal on Saturday and sit third bottom of the table with only two wins in eight matches.

It follows a similar incident earlier this month in which police said they were investigating a comment left on a social networking forum as a "hate crime".

The club said in a statement: "We can confirm that Norfolk police made us aware on Saturday of a new and separate incident of potential racist abuse aimed at Chris Hughton on an unofficial fans' Facebook page.

"As in the first and ongoing incident, we will co-operate fully with the police in their enquiries and we take it very seriously indeed, and if anyone is convicted of an offence in relation to these incidents, not only will they face whatever punishment is handed out by the courts, but they will also potentially face a life ban from Carrow Road from us.

Nigeria draw; Argentina, Mexico win

Two of the favourites for the Fifa U17 World Cup crown, Mexico and Argentina, gave clear statements of their intent in recording their first victories in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Defending champions Mexico made amends for their heavy opening defeat against Nigeria, while Argentina moved top of their group following a draw on opening day.

The Nigerians, tipped by many to go all the way, may not have been as ruthless as they were previously, but they still showed their considerable firepower in a frenetic encounter with Sweden. The Europeans were twice in front during the match, but they had to settle for a point come the final whistle.

Shaqran, the tournament mascot, was not the only one to have an aerial view of proceedings in Al Ain during Mexico’s victory over Iraq. Somewhat surprisingly, a solitary man appeared at the summit of a mountain behind one of the stands in the first half at the Khalifa Bin Zayed stadium, enjoying a unique view of the match and witnessing from afar as Alejandro Diaz, Jose Almanza and Ulises Rivas fired Mexico to victory. Despite his vantage point, he was no doubt still unable to rival the famous Hawkeye technology used in various sports.

Canada went into their match with Iran in search of a win that would bring an end to a pair of unfavourable records. However, as against Austria in their opening fixture, the Canucks were held to a draw, their fourth consecutive stalemate at a U-17 World Cup - a run never before witnessed in the tournament’s history. It also extended the side’s win-less streak at the competition to 17 games, something only equalled in Fifa tournaments by Bulgaria (at Fifa World Cups™) and England (at Fifa U-20 World Cups).

For a side to make a substitution within the first half hour or so of a match is rare enough, but for both teams to do so is almost unheard of. Yet that is precisely what happened in Al Ain in the fixture between Sweden and Nigeria. With just 15 minutes on the clock, Sweden’s Isak Ssewankambo was forced off with injury. It was a bitter blow for the central midfielder with African roots, as he was playing his first match at the tournament.

His replacement, Mirza Halvadzic, was rather more fortunate and went on to notch his side’s third goal. Meanwhile, in the 32nd minute, Nigeria striker Success Isaac, one of the early stars of the competition, also left the pitch with injury ten minutes after scoring one of the best goals so far.

European goalkeepers were not at their best this particular matchday. Sweden’s Sixten Mohlin failed in his attempt to block a shot from Musa Yahaya, allowing the ball through his legs to let Nigeria level the scores at 2-2 in the 48th minute. At almost exactly the same time in the game between Argentina and Austria in Dubai, Alexander Schlager conceded in similar fashion to hand the South Americans a 2-1 lead.

Wednesday Fixtures

Group A
Slovakia v United Arab Emirates
Honduras v Brazil

Group B
New Zealand v Ivory Coast
Italy v Uruguay

Nigeria, Sweden share spoils

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets came from behind twice on Tuesday to hold Sweden 3-3 at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al-Ain.

Eaglets hit the ground immediately knocking at the opponents door but at each occasion the Europeans backline held on.

The Swedes created their fair share of scary moments as Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu fumbled in most occasions.However, his inaccuracy at ball was lashed in on by forward, Valmir Berishe to put his side up in the 11th minute and was on song again in the 19th minute for the side second goal.

Isaac Success was to conjure a goal in the 22nd minute for his side after he squeezed himself free from two defenders to unleash a thunderous shot that beat the Mexican goalkeeper.

Both sides retired for the first term break with the Europeans firmly leading 2-1.

Eaglets resumed the second term more business like anxiously looking for the equaliser and it was Musa Yahaya whose shot was badly parried to slip into the net for Nigeria’s second goal.

Thereafter, it became a dingdong affair as both sides tried every trick in their book to undo each other but it was the Swedes who once again broke the ice as substitute, Halvadzic edged his side forward in the 65th minute.

Eaglets fought back strongly through substitute, Taiwo Awoniyi who drew level in the 81st minute to save his side from imminent defeat.

Efforts thereafter to grab the winner was rebuffed by the Mexicans as the Argentine referee, Juan Pablo Beletti sounded the whistle to end the thrilling encounter.

Both sides are level on four points but Nigeria lead the Group F log on superior goals.

Eaglets will head to Dubai to face the group weeping child, Iraq while Sweden will face resurgent title holders, Mexico on Friday.

Nigeria must avoid defeat against Iraq to be certain for passage to the knockout stage campaign at the ongoing Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Sweden set for Eaglets

I would like to think that Kelechi Ihenacho must have read our article on teammate Success Isaac before going out and scoring four spectacular goals against Mexico.

After his quadruple Ihenacho shared “I’ve scored four goals in a game many times, but only in the streets with my friends. But never in an international match, never for my country. The feeling is amazing.”

So I now wonder –if he reads this- what he will do against Sweden today in a match that puts the U17 tournament’s most successful team against its newest participant? For Nigeria they must be hoping he wants to retain that amazing feeling and continues where he left off.

Sweden meanwhile will pray to contain him while their own dynamic duo of captain Elias Andersson, and Gustav Engvall will try and get past the Nigerian backs as they did in their own 4-1 rout of Iraq. As we know in truth, the Swedes were outplayed by Iraq in the first half of their opener. But Andersson provided a moment of genius that turned the tide of the game. In the 36th minute, after being pegged back in the opening exchanges, he collected the ball at the corner of the penalty area, bamboozled his marker with a clever step-over and burst to the goal-line. Sweden would score and the flood gates would open.

Today the Europeans cannot afford to be outplayed by the Nigerians for any extended period of time because if they do, they will be punished as the quality of finishing they face is far beyond what Iraq offered. The Eaglets on the other hand as with Mexico, will try and stretch the field and create lanes for their danger-men Ihenacho and Success to rove in. Will Sweden try and cover them man to man or stay in a tight formation for a full 90 minutes? Interesting questions soon to be answered.

Ihenacho’s goal celebration during which he points to the sky with both fingers while paying ode to his departed Mother has become a fan favourite and was done in the stands in Al Ain by hundreds. Something tells me they will doing that dance again today.

Game time is 16.45 WAT and the match can be seen live on SS Channel 5 or followed via LIVETEXT on supersport.com

Golden Eaglets get warning

Nigeria's Golden Eaglets have been cautioned not to get over-confident after defeating Mexico 6-1 in their first game at the 2013 Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.

Head coach of the Nigerian squad, Manu Garba, warned his players to shape up for Tuesday's clash against Sweden at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.

Garba reminded his players of how they got complacent during the Under-17 African Championship after defeating Ghana 6-1 in their first game before losing to the Ivory Coast by a goal in the next match.

“We want you to focus only on our match against Sweden because that is the only thing that matters to us now.

"Don't forget what happened to us in Morocco when we beat Ghana 6-1 in our first match but lost to Cote d'Ivoire (the Ivory Coast) in the next match," Garba said to the players during their training on Monday.

Garba has charged his boys to emulate Brazil and Italy by winning their second game against Sweden to ensure they book their passage into the second round of the Under-17 World Cup.

"Brazil and Italy have both qualified for the second round because they won their first two matches. We have no excuse not to follow in their footsteps by winning our second game against Sweden and I have no doubt in my mind that you can achieve it," he said.

The Nigeria-Sweden match is live on SuperSport 5 from 5.45pm CAT (4.45pm Nigerian time) this Tuesday.

Lewandowski's late strike sinks Arsenal

Birthday greetings? Bottle of wine? The Beatles classic had a hollow ring for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Tuesday as Borussia Dortmund handed out a Champions League reality check on the day he turned 64.

Robert Lewandowski's late volleyed winner earned Dortmund a 2-1 victory at a rain-soaked Emirates Stadium to throw Group F wide open just when Arsenal seemed capable of cruising through to the last 16 from a formidable section.

Without reproducing the scintillating form of recent weeks Arsenal were set for a point after Olivier Giroud cancelled out Henrikh Mkhitaryan's opener just before halftime but Lewandowski's composed 82nd minute strike condemned Arsenal to a third home defeat in a row against German opposition.

It ended a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions for the Londoners and left Wenger's side tied on six points with last year's European Cup runners-up Dortmund and Napoli and a daunting looking away game to come in Germany in two weeks.

"We were not as good as we can be offensively and some of the players tonight were not as fresh as recently," Wenger told reporters. "If you can't win games you mustn't lose them.

"In the second half we were on top but if you concede two goals you can only say we have to look at ourselves at not being mature enough in situations like that.

"It's tight now and difficult for us. But possible," added Wenger whose side will need points from their away games in Dortmund and Napoli to reach the knockout rounds.

KLOPP SORRY

Wenger was tearing his hair out after both Dortmund goals and he even got some sympathy from Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp, who watched the match from the stands as he completed a two-match Uefa ban for his rant during their defeat by Napoli.

"I'm sorry, really!" he said when asked if he felt bad about ruining Wenger's birthday.

"It's a problem with the date. My birthday is in June when there are no football matches and I'm always on holiday."

Widely praised for their free-flowing football against Norwich City at the weekend, Arsenal appeared to be basking in their own hype as Dortmund, beaten by Bayern Munich in last year's final, bossed the opening 20 minutes.

Marco Reus had already fired one dangerous effort wide before the visitors went ahead in the 16th minute.

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who has hardly put a foot wrong in a barnstorming start to the season, was caught in possession by Lewandowski on the edge of his own penalty area and the Pole played a quick pass to Armenian Mkhitaryan whose low shot nestled in the corner of Wojciech Szczesny's net.

Arsenal were nearly given an immediate reprieve when Mats Hummels felled Giroud inches outside the area and escaped with a booking. The resultant free-kick came to nothing.

Dortmund's yellow army of fans drowned out the home support for much of the half but Arsenal finally stirred with Jack Wilshere denied by keeper Roman Weidenfeller after being sent clear by Tomas Rosicky before the latter had a shot cleared off the line by Hummels.

Arsenal's only real fluent spell of the match earned a reward four minutes before halftime when Weidenfeller and Hummels got in each other's way trying to deal with Bacary Sagna's cross and Giroud thumped the loose ball into an empty net for his seventh goal of the season.

KEEP BALL

Dortmund began the second half apparently intent on stifling Arsenal's momentum with a passage of "keep ball" in harmless areas of the pitch but it had the desired effect with Arsenal becalmed until the introduction of midfielder Santi Cazorla.

The Spaniard, replacing Wilshere who was feeling the effects of an early tackle on his ankle, injected energy into the hosts and he curled a long-range shot against the angle of post and crossbar after being teed up by an otherwise quiet Mesut Ozil.

A draw would have suited Arsenal and kept them in control of the group but an unmarked Lewandowski provided a painful sting in the tail from Kevin Grosskreutz's cross to bring the Gunners down to earth after their charge to the Premier League summit.

It was a bitter blow for the hosts, especially with Lewandowski perhaps lucky to escape punishment for a possible elbow on Laurent Koscielny, but the perfect fillip for Klopp who will be back at pitch-side for the return in two weeks.

"I don't think it was a red card," said Klopp. "It was one of many one-to-one battles they had all night.

"You can say that we only had three shots on goal and scored twice but we were strong and it's the result that matters. We are back on track now.

Desperate Juve eye Real scalp

Italian champions Juventus travel to face Real Madrid on Wednesday desperately needing to kickstart their Champions League campaign.

Juve could only manage disappointing draws against FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray in their opening two games, leaving them four points adrift of Madrid at the top of Group B.

And their confidence ahead of the daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu wasn't helped by a first league defeat of the season on Sunday as Fiorentina came from 2-0 down to beat Antonio Conte's men 4-2.

Conte described his side's second-half meltdown at the Artemio Franchi as a "nightmare".

However, he is hoping his side's experience will help them to get over the disappointment of defeat quickly.

"The game against Real Madrid didn't condition the game. When you are on the pitch it is difficult to think about the next game," he said.

"It is inexplicable with the experience that we have.

"It annoys us to lose, but we have to forget it quickly. We are a mature team."

Juve's two points from their opening two games mean they lead Galatasaray and Copenhagen by just a solitary point and are likely to have to take points from Madrid to avoid a tense showdown with the Turkish champions for second place in the final game in Istanbul.

Chilean international Arturo Vidal is a major doubt after he suffered a muscular problem in the latter stages against Fiorentina, while Stephan Lichsteiner and Mirko Vucinic are also likely to be missing.

There have been no such problems for Madrid in their opening two group games as they set a new competition record for the most prolific start to a Champions League campaign by firing 10 goals past Galatasaray and Copenhagen.

However, despite Juve's struggles so far in the competition, Madrid defender Pepe insists they deserve respect.

"We have to respect all their players. They have stars like (Gianluigi) Buffon and (Andrea) Pirlo, but I think their most important quality is their collective ability," he told the club's website.

Carlo Ancelotti's men also had a morale-boosting weekend as a 2-0 win over Malaga allied to dropped points for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid saw them move to within three points of Barca at the top of La Liga.

Gareth Bale returned for the final 13 minutes of Saturday's match following a slight thigh problem and Ancelotti didn't rule out the possibility that the Welshman could start against Juve.

"I don't think he would have any problems in playing from the start and it is an option that we have."

Ancelotti is also hoping French internationals Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane will be fit despite missing the win over Malaga with calf and knee injuries respectively.

Both players trained with the rest of the squad on Monday, as did Xabi Alonso for the first time since breaking a bone in his foot in August, but the Spanish international is not expected to be involved due to his lack of match practice.

Win gives Lennon hope for Celtic

Neil Lennon says his side's 2-1 Champions League home win over Ajax has left his side in a great position to progress from Group H.

The Hoops kick-started their campaign as a first-half James Forrest penalty and a second-half Beram Kayal strike handed them their first points after defeats to AC Milan and Barcelona in their opening two fixtures.

The result sees the Scottish giants leapfrog Ajax into third place to trail Milan by just two points and move four behind table toppers Barcelona.

And Lennon said Celtic's performance in Glasgow left him with the belief that his side could emulate their success of last season and qualify for the last 16 of the competition.

"The result leaves us in a very good position. We now have to get a result at Ajax if we can," Lennon said.

"That's going to be very difficult on tonight's evidence but it's not beyond us. That gives us three points and we are only two points behind Milan now so it leaves it open for us again.

"I knew that the group was going to be tight and difficult and I was happy with our performances in the first two games so it gave me a lot to be encouraged by coming into this double-header with Ajax.

"If we had lost the game that would have been no points after three games and we would have been out and chasing our tails.

"If we had got a point it wouldn't have been the end of the world but we got the win and it's wide open now.

"It is a massive win in the context of the group and we have given ourselves a great chance now."

The two sides are due to clash again in Amsterdam in three weeks time and Lennon knows his side's hard work in Glasgow would all be undone by defeat in the Netherlands.

"Ajax at home in Amsterdam are a formidable side. You can see that in the amount of possession they had tonight," Lennon said.

"They pass the ball and move the ball very well but I thought we coped with the majority of the stuff that they threw at us."

The Hoops were without first-team regulars Kris Commons and Adam Matthews through injury while captain Scott Brown was suspended and Lennon was full of praise for the players who came in to replace them.

"We have to give huge credit to the players here. This is their 19th competitive game already and that's half a season.

"The squad is really stretched with players coming back from injury and players out with injury and players suspended.

"The players got better as the game went on. It was a heroic effort tonight and hopefully we will get a few more back for the game in Amsterdam and we can go into the game confident."

It proved to be an unhappy return to Glasgow for Ajax coach Frank de Boer - who had lost both his previous matches at Parkhead as a player during a brief spell with Celtic's fierce rivals Rangers in 2004 - with his side now languishing at the bottom of the group with just one point.

However, Ajax had good chances to score through Christian Poulsen, Siem de Jong and Thulani Serero before substitute Lasse Schone netted in stoppage time.

And De Boer refused to write off his side's chances of qualifying and was disparaging about Celtic's performance at Parkhead.

"I have mixed feelings about the result. Celtic didn't create anything. Although they scored twice one was a penalty and the other one wasn't really a chance," de Boer said.

"We dominated the game but we only scored one goal. We should have equalised and then moments later it was 2-0 so I am very disappointed.

"For second place it is going to be very hard but we have one point and if we win at home against Celtic we will be one point ahead of them.

Torres steers Chelsea past Schalke

Fit-again Fernando Torres sparkled on his 100th start for Chelsea, scoring twice to help the 2012 winners outclass Schalke 04 3-0 to go top of Champions League Group E on Tuesday.

Torres produced a flying header at the far post after Branislav Ivanovic had flicked on a Frank Lampard corner in the fifth minute.

The Spain striker, back in the starting line-up following a knee injury, struck again in the 69th minute when he raced clear to beat keeper Timo Hildebrand after earlier rattling the bar with a powerful header.

Eden Hazard made it 3-0 after running half the length of the field as Chelsea, who last played on German soil when they beat Bayern Munich in the 2012 final, took their points tally to six, level with Schalke but with a much better goal difference.

Basle drew 1-1 with bottom club Steaua Bucharest and are in third place on four points.

"I feel we are improving as a team and the last few games I have felt very sharp," Torres told Sky Sports television.

"We were lucky to score the first goal early. In the second half our individual quality made the difference.

"To have got six points away from home is very important," added Torres, referring to Chelsea's previous victory in Bucharest.

It was also coach Jose Mourinho's first away win against a German team, having lost all previous six visits in his career.

The Portuguese opted to start Torres up front instead of Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o who was on target in the Premier League last Saturday.

"I put faith in Fernando and he answered well. It's a good feeling to score winning goals in the Champions League," said Mourinho.

"That was an important victory for us. I told my players after the Basle defeat that the performance was garbage and we had to clean it up and we have done that with two consecutive victories away.

"We were under pressure after the first game but now, after this result, we are in a good position," added Mourinho.

Schalke, who had won their first two games, had the lion's share of possession but, hampered by a string of injuries that kept several players out including forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, they lacked bite up front.

"It was very unfortunate to concede first from a set-piece," said coach Jens Keller. "We had chances and we should have taken one of them because you don't get many against a quality side like Chelsea."

BRIGHT START

Chelsea started brightly and looked menacing in the opening 20 minutes although Schalke threatened to equalise after fighting back towards the end of the first half.

Petr Cech was called into action as he palmed a rocket shot by Kevin-Prince Boateng over the bar and the keeper then denied Roman Neustaedter, punching away his venemous close-range header.

Chelsea took control again at the start of the second half and it was no surprise when the dangerous Torres walked the ball around Hildebrand after an excellent breakaway raid by Hazard and Oscar.

The Spain striker also headed the ball against the underside of the bar after a clever free kick from Frank Lampard.

Hazard put the icing on the cake for Chelsea when he sprinted clear in the 87th minute and calmly slotted the ball past Hildebrand.

"After the opener Chelsea contributed little to the game but defended their lead. We weren't able to break through," said Schalke captain Benedikt Hoewedes.

"We risked more in the second half and it was then that Chelsea made some brutal breaks. They took crucial advantage from their counter attacks and made the most of our mistakes.

Wenger on edge after Arsenal slip

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal's 2-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund has left his side's bid to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages on a knife-edge.

Wenger's team lost their 100 percent record in Group F as Robert Lewandowski's late winner stunned the Gunners and ended their 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan had put Dortmund ahead early in the first half and, although Olivier Giroud equalised before the interval, Wenger conceded Arsenal had been below their best both physically and mentally.

The Arsenal boss suggested a combination of fatigue and naivety had undone his team and he knows they face a tough road to the last 16.

Next up for Arsenal is a daunting trip to Dortmund on November 6 before a home clash with Marseille and then the final group fixture in Napoli in December.

"The group is tight and difficult for us but it (qualification) is still possible," Wenger said.

"We have three teams with six points and we have played twice at home so we need a result away, but we can do that.

"Physically Dortmund were a stronger team than any we have played so far this season.

"But disappointment like that is part of a team's development and growth. It is down to us to recover physically."

Wenger felt the turning point of a tightly contested tie came when Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson opted to book Lewandowski rather than show the Pole a red card when he caught Laurent Koscielny with an elbow before his decisive 82nd minute goal.

"It looked like that," Wenger said when asked if Lewandowski should have been sent off.

"But the referee was in a much better position than I was and he didn't decide to do it. I will have to look again."

With Arsenal's German playmaker Mesut Ozil tightly marked by Dortmund's tenacious midfielders, Wenger needed a vibrant performance from Jack Wilshere.

But the England international was a subdued figure as Wenger once again deployed him out of position in a wide attacking role before substituting him once he suffered an ankle injury.

"You could see he was not completely himself, that's why I took him off," Wenger said.

"He looked handicapped after the first tackle.

"He landed awkwardly and after that he limped a little bit. We will see how he responds in the next two or three days and wait for the medical assessment."

Meanwhile, Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp was happy to acknowledge his team's victory was a smash and grab raid.

Klopp, watching from high in the stands as he completed a two-match suspension for abusing an official, told his players to hassle Arsenal out of their stride with a high-tempo pressing game and it worked perfectly.

"We knew we had to be disciplined today and we played well," he said.

"We were good at pressing and caused a lot of problems for a team that wanted to pass the ball but couldn't.

"When Arsenal had space it was a tiring affair, but we shouldn't forget who we played against. This opponent deserves a lot of respect.

"We only shot three times and made two goals, but that doesn't matter. What matters is the result.

"You have to fight at times and we did that. The winner was maybe the best attack in the game with a brilliant cross and a brilliant finish."

Klopp was naturally delighted with Lewandowski's latest demonstration of a talent that makes him one of the most coveted strikers in Europe.

He has repeatedly been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, but Klopp is adamant all the speculation has no affect on the Pole.

"With regards to Lewandowski, we need to stop thinking that if he is not playing well it is because he will be playing for another club soon," Klopp said.

"Robbie plays as well as he can for the team, no matter what is written in the news.