Catania furious over Bergessio sideline

Serie A strugglers Catania hit out Thursday after key striker Gonzalo Bergessio was sidelined for two months after suffering a fractured shinbone in a clash with Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Catania's 4-0 defeat to the champions left the Sicilians third from bottom of the league table.

However they will be without Argentinian marksman Bergessio until after Christmas after he was diagnosed with a fractured fibula following a tackle by Italy defender Chiellini during Wednesday's match in Turin.

Having recently replaced sacked coach Rolando Maran with Luigi De Canio in a bid to climb back up the table, Catania president Antonino Pulvirenti was furious with the setback.

"The tackle was unnecessarily violent, arrogant and cowardly," said Pulvirenti.

Mauri appeals match-fixing ban again

Lazio captain Stefano Mauri has lodged an appeal with Italy's top sports arbitration court in a bid to reduce a nine month ban handed down for his role in a match-fixing affair.

Mauri was initially banned for six months on August 16 after failing to report match-fixing related activities linked to the Lazio v Genoa and Lecce v Lazio games on May 14 and 22, 2011 respectively.

On appeal to the Italian football federation's (FIGC) disciplinary body – during which the prosecutor upgraded his crime to one of sporting fraud and called for a ban of four years and six months – at the start of October three months were added to Mauri's ban.

Mauri, who lodged his appeal Thursday with the National Tribunal of Arbitration for Sport (TNAS), which is attached to CONI, spent several days in prison after being initially arrested in May 2012.

He was one of eight players initially implicated in an affair in which wiretaps were used by the authorities to glean evidence.

It was alleged the players involved agreed to try and help fix matches, thus allowing illegal betting rings to flourish.

Among the other players involved was Carlo Gervasoni, a former Cremona player who decided to collaborate with the authorities. He served bans of five years and then 20 months before hanging up his boots.

Roma set record with tenth straight win

AS Roma became the first team to win their opening 10 Serie A games of the season when they overcame bottom side Chievo 1-0 thanks to Marco Boriello's late header on Thursday.

The defiant visitors defended resolutely and physically for more than an hour and looked capable of denying Roma the record until striker Boriello broke the deadlock in the 67th minute.

Roma, under new coach Rudi Garcia who took over at the start of the season, have 30 points, five clear of Juventus and Napoli with more than a quarter of the campaign completed.

Chievo have taken only four points from 10 games but made life unexpectedly difficult and frustrating for the hosts.

The packed their defence, harried Roma in midfield and stood over the ball at free kicks to stop them being taken quickly.

Roma, who have conceded only one goal all season, were missing talismanic striker Francesco Totti and Ivorian forward Gervinho and they struggled to make chances against the wall of yellow shirts.

Tempers flared several times until the home side finally broke through when Alessandro Florenzi ran on to to Miralem Pjanic's pass, weaved his way through a crowded area and chipped the ball up for Boriello to head in at the near post.

Chievo could have equalised when Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis failed to hold Luca Rigoni's long-range effort but Alberto Paloschi was offside as he closed in for the rebound.
Garcia has transformed Roma from the erratic, bickering outfit who limped home in sixth place last term and lost to arch-rivals Lazio in the Coppa Italia final.
They will try for an 11th consecutive win when they visit Torino in their next match on Sunday.

Milan losing touch with UCL spots

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri knows if his team do not start picking up points soon the unthinkable will happen and they will lose touch with third place and Champions League football next season.

Milan, who host Fiorentina on Saturday (1945 GMT), have taken one point from their last two games to renew the almost inevitable speculation about Allegri's future, something he has had to live with throughout the last two seasons.

After his side were held 1-1 at home by Lazio on Wednesday, leaving them 13 points off third spot, Allegri produced the familiar lines Milan fans have become tired of hearing recently.

He complained about injuries, said they performed well, failed to take their chances, lost concentration and made no real mistakes apart from the goal they conceded. And he said they would fight on and do better next time.

"The team played well, created chances and didn't give anything to Lazio," he said. "And after we went ahead we had a couple of situations which we should have made more from.

"We will only get out of this with hard work but, of course, we are getting further away from third place. The teams ahead of us are travelling at an amazing speed and if we carry on like this, it will be impossible to overtake them.

"We must get back to winning... if we play like this, the team has a good chance of getting good results... There are reasons for not getting results but we have had a lot of injuries."

Milan are 10th in the table with only 12 points from 10 games, including a mere three wins.

They need to finish third to earn a place in the Champions League playoff round, something they did by the skin of their teeth last season with a 2-1 win at Siena in their last game.

But they already find themselves cast adrift of Juventus, who are currently in third spot.

Fiorentina, enjoying another impressive season under coach Vincenzo Montella, are sixth with 18 points and have already beaten Juve 4-2 this season.

Roma, who set a Serie A record on Thursday by winning their first 10 games, have a tricky tie at Torino on Sunday (1945).

Second-placed Napoli, who are five points behind Roma, should canter to victory on Saturday at home to lowly Catania (1945), who have failed to keep up the momentum which helped them finish eighth last term.

Champions Juventus, trailing Napoli on goal difference after winning their last two games, are at Parma on Saturday.

Fabregas enjoying senior role

Cesc Fabregas has said he is enjoying his more significant role in the Barcelona side as they look to continue their storming start to the campaign with a win over Espanyol in the Catalan derby on Friday.

Fabregas was involved in all three of Barca's goals as they moved four points clear of Atletico Madrid in second place with a convincing 3-0 win over Celta Vigo on Tuesday.

Barca boss Gerardo Martino had taken the opportunity to rest a number of his stars for the game in Galicia as the likes of Neymar, Andres Iniesta and Xavi all started on the bench.

However, Fabregas was retained from the side that beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Saturday and registered his second goal of the season with Barca's third nine minutes into the second-half.

"Right now I am playing a lot of games, I feel important and the only thing that I have to do is play well for the team," he told the club's website.

"These rotations give life to a lot of players and they are making us all feel important."

Martino has been keen to ensure his players don't suffer from burnout in the way they did towards the end of the last campaign when they were hammered 7-0 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals.

And with Barca in the midst of seven games in 22 days, the Argentine will rotate once more for the visit of Epsanyol.

However, despite the game being sandwiched by a series of other important matches for the hosts, Fabregas doesn't belive the derby will lose any of its importance.

"A derby is always a derby. It will be difficult and we hope to show our best form and win the three points."

Despite much talk of Barcelona's defensive problems, Tuesday night also saw them register their ninth clean sheet in 16 games.

And goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who is the only Barca player to start every game this season, hailed their attitude so far in what, on paper, should be their easier fixtures.

"Winning against Celta is the best possible way to prepare for a derby. We have been reinforced by the Madrid match.

"We have shown how much we want this league and everything depends on winning games like the one on Tuesday and against Espanyol."

Barca could be short of options at left-back as Adriano is a doubt after limping off against Celta with a hamstring strain, while Jordi Alba remains sidelined by a thigh injury so right-back Martin Montoya may start in an unfamiliar role.

Otherwise, Martino has a fully-fit squad to choose from with Gerard Pique, Neymar, Xavi and Iniesta all expected to return.

Bale hopes to kick on after slow start

Gareth Bale gave Real Madrid fans their first real taste of what he is capable of with two goals and two assists against Sevilla on Wednesday and the world's most expensive player believes he has turned a corner.

The €100 million Wales winger's season has been disrupted by injury but his performance in the 7-3 romp at the Bernabeu showcased his strength and pace as well as his lethal left foot, and suggested he is close to full fitness again after recovering from a thigh strain.

Playing on the right of a three-man frontline with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Bale opening the scoring with a fierce strike into the top corner, added a second with a deflected free kick and then set up his fellow forwards after powerful runs in from the flank.

"It was important for my form," Bale told reporters after coming through the full 90 minutes of a match for the first time since joining from Tottenham Hotspur.

"After not having a normal pre-season I have to keep building rhythm so I can give my best," the 24-year-old added.

"Obviously I need time to improve physically but I am very happy to have played 90 minutes.

"Now I need to keep improving and working hard and I will try to be at 100 percent as soon as possible."

Bale should get another chance to impress when Real play at struggling city neighbours Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are third in La Liga after 11 games after an unconvincing start, two points behind Atletico Madrid, who play their game in hand at Granada later on Thursday before hosting Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Unbeaten champions Barcelona, who edged Real 2-1 in last weekend's 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp, are four clear of Atletico at the top and will stretch their advantage to seven with a win at home to Espanyol on Friday (2000).

IMPROVEMENT NEEDED

Ancelotti has yet to get the best from his expensively-assembled squad and the Italian, who replaced Jose Mourinho in the close season, said that while he was happy with his forwards the rest of the outfield players had room for improvement.

"We were pressing through the middle but left our wings exposed and the fullbacks had a few problems," Ancelotti told a news conference.

"We have to find a balance among the other seven players and not just the three up front," he added.

One player who can help Real exert more control is experienced Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, who came on as a second-half substitute against Sevilla after five months out injured and was given a huge ovation by the home fans.

"He is a great player," Bale said.

"He has been very consistent and reliable in recent seasons and it's fantastic to have him back.

"His experience will help us on the pitch because he is capable of controlling the game very well."

Barca's Brazil forward Neymar is likely to return to the starting line-up against Espanyol after sitting out Tuesday's 3-0 win at Celta Vigo as part of coach Gerardo Martino's policy of alternately resting key players.

Their World Player of the Year Lionel Messi is due a goal after failing to score for three consecutive games for the first time in more than two years against Celta.

Martino unconcerned by Messi goal drought

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said he is not worried about Lionel Messi's month-long La Liga goal drought as Barca prepare to face Espanyol on in the Catalan derby on Friday.

Messi hasn't scored in the league since pulling up with a thigh strain in the 2-0 win at Almeria on September 28.

The Argentine subsequently missed the 4-1 drubbing of Valladolid at the Camp Nou and only came on for the final 30 minutes of the 0-0 draw at Osasuna.

He returned to the starting line-up for the victories over Real Madrid and Celta Vigo in the past week without managing to find the net, but Martino believes his compatriot is being unfairly treated due to the incredibly high standards he has set in recent seasons.

"Messi has made us accustomed to an average of three goals a game," said Martino.

"He can play a very, very good match like he did at Celta and not score a goal and it seems like there is a problem."

And rather than considering a rest for Messi, given Barca's hectic schedule with three more games in the next week, Martino says the four-time World Player of the Year needs more game time to get up to full speed.

"We cannot think about taking care of players so that they don't get injured, we are only trying to ensure that they don't end up fatigued and tired.

"In the case of Leo, with what has happened against Atletico and Almeria he has already had two episodes and what he needs now is a run of games.

"When we talk about Leo we are talking about someone whose footballing repertoire never ends. Even a bad game for him always produces something good."

On the injury front Martino has a problem at left-back for the visit of Espanyol as Adriano has joined Jordi Alba on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, so right-back Martin Montoya is expected to start in an unfamiliar role.

Elsewhere on the field, though, Barca are likely to be back to full strength with Gerardo Pique, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Neymar all returning after being rested against Celta.

And Martino is expecting a tough test from Barca's modest neighbours.

"Winning would allow us to continue as leaders. The important thing is we concentrate on how we play, maintain our style and do things well.

"One of the characteristics of Espanyol is to be very aggressive and combative, but when they have the ball they can also play with players like Sergio Garcia, Pizzi and Simao.

Falcao staying put

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has hit out at suggestions that Radamel Falcao could leave the club for Real Madrid in January, saying such a move would make "no sense".

In an interview with Madrid-based sports daily Marca, Vasilyev said the principality club had no intention of allowing the Colombian to leave just six months after signing him for a reported 60 million euros ($81.2m, £50.7m) from Atletico Madrid.

Vasilyev was speaking after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said on Spanish television in October that Falcao - currently Ligue 1's leading scorer with eight goals - "was keen to come to Madrid".

"Falcao signed a five-year contract and, if I have to say it a hundred times I will, there is no clause allowing him to leave," said Vasilyev, who added that he felt it was "inappropriate" for a director of another club to talk about a player who was under contract at Monaco.

"We made a big effort to bring him here and it makes no sense for him to leave, either in the winter, the summer or whenever," he went on.

In an interview with Marca at the start of October, the 27-year-old Falcao had ruled out leaving Monaco during the January transfer window.

Hull coach Bruce reveals FA charge

Hull City manager Steve Bruce has revealed that he has been charged by the Football Association after criticising the referee following his side's Premier League loss at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs' winning goal in the game on Sunday came from the penalty spot after Hull midfielder Ahmed Elmohamady was adjudged to have handled the ball by referee Michael Oliver.

The ball struck Elmohamady on the arm after ricocheting off his legs and Bruce branded the decision "a joke", adding: "I have to ask the question, would we have got it? In my opinion, he (Oliver) couldn't wait to give it."

Speaking after his side lost to Spurs again in the fourth round of the League Cup on Wednesday, Bruce revealed that he had been charged by the FA for his comments, but struck a defiant tone.

"I've been charged," said the former Manchester United defender.

"Mike Riley (head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board) rang me on Monday morning telling me they've made a huge mistake. What am I supposed to say?

"What is the law and what is it supposed to be? I'll argue my case. It will cost me a few quid (pounds), but I'll do it."

He went on to allege that Hull's matches are not being officiated by the country's leading referees.

"We don't get the big referees. Are we not as important as the big clubs?" he said.

"Although I suppose Michael Oliver is supposed to be one of the top referees... But I can't seem to remember Howard Webb coming to Hull very often. We've had a bad decision and a bad couple of days, but we'll see what the FA say."

Spurs progressed to the League Cup quarterfinals at Hull's expense after edging a tense penalty shootout 8-7. The game at White Hart Lane had finished 2-2 after extra time.

Chelsea sign Burkinabe teenager Traore

Premier League giants Chelsea announced on Thursday that they have signed 18-year-old Burkinabe midfielder Bertrand Traore on a four-year contract.

The Burkina Faso international, who arrives from Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso, spent time on trial with Chelsea during their close-season tour of Asia this year, notably scoring against Malaysia and Indonesia.

"Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce an agreement to sign Bertrand Traore," said a statement on the Chelsea website. "The 18-year-old has agreed a four-and-a-half year contract."

Traore made his Burkina Faso debut shortly before his 16th birthday in September 2011.

He has made 10 international appearances, scoring one goal.

Coutinho in line for Liverpool return

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho is in line for a return to action for his side's top of the table clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Brazilian needed surgery on his shoulder following a challenge with Swansea City's Ashley Williams in mid-September.

"He's been given the all clear by the specialist to come in," manager Brendan Rodgers told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.

"He's been training for the last few weeks, so he'll come back into the squad."

Left back Jose Enrique is a doubt, however, having missed the draw against Newcastle United and the win over West Bromwich Albion with a knee injury.

Liverpool are third in the league with 20 points, two behind Arsenal and level on points with 

Reds right to tell Suarez to stay - Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists Luis Suarez's impressive form this season proves the Reds were right to force the Uruguayan to stay at Anfield.

Suarez made repeated attempts to engineer a move to Arsenal in the close-season and became involved in a row with Rodgers after Liverpool refused to sell him.

The controversial striker, desperate to join a Champions League team, claimed Arsenal's bid of £40 000 001 triggered a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for that price, while he also accused Rodgers of reneging on an agreement between them which he claimed allowed him to leave for a side playing in Europe's elite competition.

Liverpool owner John Henry was unequivocally opposed to selling his team's prize asset to a rival and that stance appears to have been rewarded with Suarez scoring six goals in four league matches to help Rodgers' side climb to third in the Premier League table.

And Rodgers is adamant Suarez should now have no reason to want to leave as he could well be playing in the Champions League with his current side next season.

"This was the place for Luis to showcase his talents. He is a player who deserves to be playing at the highest level of European football but we believe he can do that at Liverpool," Rodgers said on Thursday.

"There is no greater stage for him than a club like this and once the window was shut, like we thought, there was never going to be an issue.

"He is one of the hardest-working players that is in love with football I've seen and once the window shut he has been brilliant.

"He is maturing as a man. He is 26, father of two now, and I think the maturity in his game and personal life is there to see.

"Everyone talks about his goals and work-rate but I've seen an improvement in his football ability and his maturity.

"That really bodes well for us. We won't get carried away, we have to keep our concentration and continue to work very hard."

Rodgers admits he understands why Arsenal tried to take advantage of Suarez's unrest.

But he was delighted with the way Liverpool's owners stuck to their guns, while also saluting the rest of the players for successfully blocking out the distraction.

"I understand why Arsenal would want to buy a player of Luis' quality because he is one of the leading strikers in the world but it was something that was never going to happen," Rodgers said.

"For us and the institution we are we certainly weren't going to sell to a rival, a competitor, and that was something which was very strong from the off.

"You have to give credit to the players themselves. It certainly wasn't an easy situation.

"It was also a great credit to the owners and the leadership of the club that they stood by what my thoughts were as a manager and they backed it all the way.

Gunners, Reds in top of table clash

After consecutive home defeats, Premier League leaders Arsenal will look to reassert their title credentials when they host third-place Liverpool in a top-of-the-table affair on Saturday.

Arsenal have been in superb form in the league, winning seven and drawing one of their last eight games to establish a two-point lead over Chelsea at the summit.

However, after losing at home to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and then falling to Chelsea in the League Cup, questions are being asked about their capacity to go the distance.

In Liverpool they face a team brimming with confidence after a 4-1 win over West Bromwich Albion in which Luis Suarez claimed a hat-trick and Daniel Sturridge scored with an extravagant chip.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who will recall stars including Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud to his starting XI, says the game represents an ideal opportunity for his side to show their worth.

"We know the games. We have to respond well against Liverpool," said the Frenchman.

"We are in a strong position in the league and have a good opportunity at home, and we have to turn this round. Away from home we are very solid, but at home you know it's important and vital to win the big games."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho has been given the "all clear" to return to action, having been sidelined since September 16 with a shoulder problem.

Arsenal could be in second place by the time the game kicks off at the Emirates Stadium, if Chelsea win at Newcastle United in Saturday's early match.

The Europa League champions won all six of their games in October, scoring 18 goals, but right-back Cesar Azpilicueta has warned his teammates not to get carried away.

"It's true that Arsenal have two really difficult games, but we don't need to look to the other teams," said the Spaniard, who opened the scoring in his side's 2-0 League Cup win at the Emirates on Tuesday.

"We play in a difficult stadium in Newcastle and we know it's always a hard game there."

Newcastle enjoyed a 3-2 win over Chelsea in last season's corresponding fixture in February, but they may be hampered by the after-effects of Wednesday's 2-0 extra-time defeat at home to Manchester City in the League Cup.

City are six points off the pace after going down 2-1 at Chelsea last weekend and will hope to make up ground on the teams above them when they tackle Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium.

Joe Hart is fighting to hold onto his place as City's first-choice goalkeeper, having committed the latest in a succession of blunders to hand Chelsea victory at Stamford Bridge.

Despite that setback, City can console themselves with the knowledge that they remain two points above cross-town rivals Manchester United, but the defending champions have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks.

United's 4-0 win over Norwich in the League Cup in mid-week extended their run of games without defeat to six and on Saturday they visit a Fulham side who were dumped out of the League Cup by second-tier Leicester City.

Fifth-place Southampton will look to sustain their excellent recent form away to Stoke City, while Everton and Tottenham Hotspur will both be gunning for a third consecutive victory when they meet at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The weekend will also witness the first all-Welsh game in the 125-year history of the English top flight, when Cardiff City host south Wales rivals Swansea City on Sunday.

The teams last met in the Championship in February 2011 and go into the weekend separated by two points, with Swansea ninth and Cardiff 16th.

Swansea midfielder Leon Britton, one of the few players in either squad with prior experience of the derby, says it will be an occasion when cool heads will prevail.

"It's very different," he said. "It's like a cup final. It's not like a league game. Sometimes it's crazy. It can be hard to control the game as it is so fast and furious at times.

"But they are great occasions to be involved in with great atmospheres."

Fixtures

Saturday (1500GMT unless otherwise stated):

Arsenal v Liverpool (1730GMT), Fulham v Manchester United, Hull City v Sunderland, Manchester City v Norwich City, Newcastle United v Chelsea (1245GMT), Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace, West Ham United v Aston Villa

Sunday:

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur (1330GMT), Cardiff City v Swansea City (1600GMT)

Manchester United need a 10-game winning streak, says Evra

The defender feels the Premier League champions must reassert their dominance by whatever means necessary before they can consider themselves "back in business" under David Moyes


Manchester United need to win 10 games in a row to truly reassert themselves after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, argues Patrice Evra.

The Red Devils go into Saturday's clash with Fulham on a three-match winning streak - their best run so far under new manager David Moyes - but sit only eighth in the Premier League table after an indifferent start.

"The problem is not that we are doing badly, it is because we are not doing things well enough," Evra opined to reporters.

"We've lost our consistency and we need to find it really quickly if want to win every trophy. We can't win one game and draw the next one, or lose it. Now every game is important.

	MAN UNITED LATEST
11/1	Manchester United are 11/1 with Bet365 to beat Fulham 3-0

"We [do] want to win two or three games in a row but it is when we win 10 games in a row that I will say Manchester United are back in business. At the moment, we’re not."

The Frenchman is confident his side will get back to their best, insisting that Moyes has them on the right track, but feels they must do whatever it takes to re-establish their dominance before they consider the aesthetics of their play.

"The training sessions are very good," he added. "The staff are very good. I'm not lying to people when I say we are doing the right things. I trust what we are doing and what the new manager has set up, it's just the results that are missing.

"We have to make sure we win games, even if we do it in a bad way or an ugly way.

"We need to win those 10 games. We don't have any choice. After that, we can play the beautiful football."

Manchester United travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon to face Martin Jol's struggling side.

Rayo Vallecano-Real Madrid Preview: Alonso back for Blancos as Barcelona chase continues

Carlo Ancelotti's men head into the local derby on the back of a thrilling win over Sevilla as they attempt to close the gap at the top of La Liga

Real Madrid could be set to welcome Xabi Alonso back to the starting line-up when they face fellow capital club side Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Alonso made his first appearance of the season as a substitute in Wednesday's 7-3 triumph over Sevilla, following a five-month lay-off with groin and foot injuries, and could return to the starting line-up when Madrid face Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Asier Illarramendi has deputised in the absence of the Spain international, but acknowledges Real are a better team with Alonso fit.

"He is important for us; he has been here for a long time and has always been important," he told reporters.

"There will be more competition and that is good for the team and helps us all to improve. We have a match every three days and we will have to rotate to get rest.

"The important thing is carry on as we are whoever plays."

Cristiano Ronaldo passed another milestone with his hat-trick against Sevilla - moving past Ferenc Puskas in the list of league goalscorers for Madrid.

The Portugal international has scored five times in four previous games against Vallecano, including a hat-trick in 2011, and has 11 goals in as many league starts this season.

Victory over Sevilla saw Madrid move back to within six points of leaders Barcelona.

However, Rayo dropped into the bottom three as a result of their defeat to fellow strugglers Osasuna.

The sides have met 20 times in all competitions, with Rayo not tasting victory in the league since 1997.

Their problems are illustrated by the fact top-scorer Alberto Bueno has only managed two league goals, both coming on the opening weekend of the season.

Only Granada have mustered a lower tally than Rayo's eight and Paco Jemez's side have also conceded 27, more than anyone in the division.

Hoffenheim-Bayern Munich Preview: Champions could equal Bundesliga unbeaten record

Pep Guardiola's side will draw level with Hamburg's 36-game run without defeat from the 1980s with a result against Markus Gisdol's free-scoring outfit

Bayern Munich will look to equal a 30-year Bundesliga record when they travel to take on Hoffenheimon Saturday.

The reigning champions are on a 35-match unbeaten league run, dating back to October 28, 2012 when they lost 2-1 at home to Bayer Leverkusen.

And, if they avoid defeat at the weekend, leaders Bayern will equal the current record of 36 matches without losing, set by Hamburg between January 1982 and January 1983.

Pep Guardiola's side could also break a 45-year club record for the longest undefeated start to a Bundesliga campaign.

The Bavarian giants are unbeaten after 10 league games this season and, if they extend that run on Saturday, they will better the previous record set by the team led by Branko Zebec in the 1968-69 season when they claimed their maiden Bundesliga title.

Bayern's current vintage have won eight and drawn two of their 10 fixtures, dropping points only on visits to Leverkusen and Freiburg.

They also boast the meanest defence in the division having conceded just six goals so far, a record that will come under threat against a Hoffenheim side whose goal tally of 25 is the joint highest in the league with second-placed Borussia Dortmund.

Markus Gisdol's side are currently ninth in the table having ended a four-game winless run with last week's 4-1 thumping of Hannover.

But while scoring goals has proved Hoffenheim's main strength, their defensive frailties have cost them so far this season with no clean sheets to their name and 23 goals conceded - the joint most in the Bundesliga alongside bottom club Eintracht Braunschweig.

Hoffenheim fans will argue that figure should be one fewer though, with Stefan Kiessling's header in the 2-1 defeat to Leverkusen earlier in the month allowed to stand despite having passed through a hole in the side netting.

However, the club announced on Tuesday that they will not take legal action after their initial appeal to replay the fixture was denied.

In terms of injury news, Bayern's Thiago Alcantara has returned to light training following an ankle injury but is unlikely to be considered, while striker Claudio Pizarro has been ruled out for four to six weeks after picking up a thigh injury.

Midfield duo Toni Kroos and Arjen Robben are both expected to be fit despite being withdrawn early in last week's win over Hertha Berlin, when Javi Martinez made a substitute appearance after a two-month absence following groin surgery.

For Hoffenheim, Fabian Johnson and Jeremy Toljan are doubts with ankle and thigh problems respectively

Parma-Juventus Preview: Donadoni's side on a high after AC Milan heroics

Marco Parolo's last-minute strike secured a 3-2 win over the Rossoneri last time out and the reigning champions have not won at Ennio Tardini since January 2010

Juventus go back on the road to face Parma after responding well to their first Serie A defeat of the season in their previous away match.
Antonio Conte's men recorded convincing home wins over Genoa and Catania to undo some of the damage inflicted upon them by the 4-2 loss at Fiorentina, when they surrendered a two-goal half-time lead.

That result saw the champions lose ground on Serie A leaders Roma but their overall form, which has seen them drop just five points from the 30 available, still has them in a strong position heading into Saturday's match.

And their response to the setback has been impressive, with six goals scored in the previous two games without reply - while only Roma and Inter can better Juve's haul of 22 strikes this term.

Parma's home record has bailed them out of trouble after Roberto Donadoni's charges kicked off the campaign with a four-match winless run.

A three-game winning streak at the Stadio Ennio Tardini - including a dramatic 3-2 triumph over AC Milan - has lifted them to the relative safety of mid-table, but they have not beaten this weekend's visitors in the last four meetings.

Parma have fared relatively well against Juve on home soil in their two most recent title-winning seasons, holding them to a goalless stalemate in the 2011-12 campaign and a 1-1 draw last term.

Juve's last win in Parma came in January 2010, when a Paolo Castellini own goal sealed a 2-1 victory for the visitors.

The hosts will look to Marco Parolo for inspiration, with the 28-year-old midfielder having scored five of their 16 league goals, including a double in the win over the Rossoneri.

Neither side has any fresh injury concerns, with Fabio Quagliarella and Mirko Vucinic unlikely to return from their thigh injuries for Juventus. Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal - with seven and eight goals apiece in all competitions this season - will look to carry the Bianconeri threat.

AC Milan-Fiorentina Preview: Rossoneri seek just third win in 10 matches

Massimiliano Allegri's side will be desperate for three points to reignite their push for the top three against a Viola outfit still reeling from a 2-1 loss to Napoli

AC Milan will play host to Fiorentina on Saturday looking to bounce back from a poor run of form.
Massimiliano Allegri's men have slipped to 10th in the Serie A table having won just two of their last nine matches in all competitions.

Milan's slow start means qualification for the Champions League appears unlikely, with the San Siro outfit needing to dramatically improve if they are to challenge for a top-three finish.

No side in the top 10 have leaked more than the 17 conceded by Milan, who have also been unable to find a regular source of goals in the absence of Stephan El Shaarawy (foot) and Giampaolo Pazzini (knee).

Lazio held Milan to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, with French defender Mickael Ciani scoring a 72nd-minute equaliser at San Siro after Kaka had handed the hosts the lead.

Despite the result, Allegri expressed satisfaction at his team's display and wants to see more of the same against Fiorentina.

"We have to keep working and putting in this sort of performance," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"The side played well in terms of technique and defending, but we lost our unity a little after the equaliser and allowed a couple of dangerous counter-attacks.

"After going 1-0 up we didn't take some more chances, but then with this goal we were caught out after a corner and got punished."

Milan have lost their last two home matches against Fiorentina and will once again be without Philippe Mexes, who serves the last instalment of a four-match suspension.

Fellow defenders Daniele Bonera and Matias Silvestre are also absent, but goalkeeper Christian Abbiati could return from a calf injury.

Fiorentina enter the fixture in sixth place following a 2-1 home defeat to Rafael Benitez's Napoli on Wednesday.

That was the club's first defeat in seven matches, ending a run of form that included a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over reigning champions Juventus.

Fiorentina have lost just one of their seven competitive away games this term and boast the league's top scorer in Giuseppe Rossi.

The former Villarreal striker has made a superb return from a serious knee injury and already has nine goals to his name.

Argentinian defender Gonzalo Rodriguez will return from suspension for Fiorentina, while Mario Gomez and Massimo Ambrosini are doubts after they missed the Napoli defeat.

Juan Cuadrado received two yellow cards for simulation against Napoli, although Fiorentina have appealed his resulting one-game ban.

Heineken Renews Uefa Champions League sponsorship

The Uefa Champions League has extended its sponsorship partnership with Dutch brewing giants, Heineken for another four seasons

Heineken has announced the extension of its sponsorship with the UEFA Champions League. The new agreement, means that Heineken® the leading international, premium beer brand will continue as an official partner of the world’s most prestigious club football competition up to and including the 2017 / 2018 season.

Heineken® has been an integral partner of the UEFA Champions League since 2005. The sponsorship allows Heineken® to elevate its global status as the world’s favourite beer.  Last year the UEFA Champions League reached a cumulative audience of more than four billion TV viewers in 220 countries and territories, whilst also continuing to support the brand’s growth.

The contract renewal sees Heineken obtaining the rights to exclusive UEFA Champions League content, such as Back Stadium Tour and UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour, presented by Heineken, which will be available across the brand’s owned social media channels, as well as maintaining the rights as presenting partner for UEFA Champions League video section on www.uefa.com.

The deal provides fertile ground for Heineken®’s innovative and award winning consumer focussed campaigns. It also includes improved broadcast reach in Germany, increase in exclusive LED pitch boarding exposure, and the right to promote the association in key retail channels.

The UEFA Champions League sponsorship is a crucial element of the brand’s growth strategy in emerging markets.  As part of its on-going ‘Road to the Final’ campaign, Heineken has also announced the dates and venues for the successful UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken.

2014 represents the brand’s eighth consecutive Tour with a global itinerary that covers South America, Africa and Asia - giving fans across the world the opportunity to see the Trophy first-hand, meet superstar footballers and to see a fantastic range of UEFA Champions League memorabilia.

Eagles will win CHAN , says Agbim

The skipper of the home based Super Eagles claims his teammates are ready to put in their best to lift next year’s African Nations Championship in South Africa

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim believes Nigeria have the players to make the country proud in next year’s Championship of African Nations to be staged in South Africa early next year.

In a chat with Goal at the Muritala Mohammed Airport on arrival from Jordan, the captain of Super Eagles Team B revealed that the players have taken the positives from the game against Jordan and will build on it towards a better outing in South Africa for CHAN 2014.

 “Though we gave our best, we were only unfortunate not to have scored at least a goal. One good thing is that the newly invited players proved they can cope easily. 

"Of a truth, we are not happy the game was lost but there is always a room for improvement.  I believe before next year’s CHAN, the team would have a gotten better,” Agbim said.

He however expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances insisting the Eagles will be crowned champions at the end of the tournament in January.

“With the caliber of players we have on ground, we will rule Africa come next year because we have players that are determined and ready to give everything. It is a highly talented squad. We are good to go,” he concluded.

Nigeria lost to the Jordan national team on Monday by a lone goal at the Amman International Stadium in an international friendly.

Bayern open Alaba contract talks

The Austria international is in negotiations with the Bavarians over a new deal as his current contract runs out at the end of the 2014-15 campaign


David Alaba has revealed that he is in talks with Bayern Munich over a contract extension, but has stressed that they have yet to reach an agreement.

The left-back's current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2015 and a number of European giants are closely monitoring the 21-year-old's situation.

However, Alaba has made it clear that Bayern are his first choice at this point.

"Bayern are my first option," the Austria international was quoted as saying by TZ.

"Contract talks are ongoing at the moment, but there's nothing to be announced just yet."

Alaba joined Bayern from Austria Wien at the age of 16 and has since developed into a key player at the reigning Bundesliga and European champions.

He has made nine league appearances this term, scoring once in the process.

From oblivion to Stamford Bridge' - Meet new Chelsea signing Bertrand Traore

The 18-year-old penned a four-and-a-half year deal on Thursday, bringing to a close a two-year transfer saga following multiple trials - but the midfielder never gave up hope

The news of Bertrand Traore joining Chelsea was the talk of the town across Burkina Faso as far back as August 2010.  Then, he looked on the brink of becoming the first son of the soil to sign for a top European side.

Locals expected to see the highly promising attacker playing alongside other African stars in the team like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel - only to then see that hope erased when Chelsea management announced soon after that the 16-year-old had not done enough to earn a deal at Stamford Bridge.

FACTFILE

Born: Setember 6, 1995 in Bobo-Dioulasso Postion: Midfield Foot: Left Int. debut: October 25, 2009 v Turkey Senior int. debut: September 3, 2011, v Equatorial Guinea Int. caps: 10

Traore went into oblivion, with focus shifting onto his elder brother Alain, who had previously trialled at Manchester United and whose brilliance at Auxerre was now gaining traction in Ligue 1.

In fact, Traore only re-emerged from the doldrums when he was called up by then-Burkina Faso coach Paolo Duarte for a friendly game against Equatorial Guinea in 2011. Even so, local supporters would much preferred to have seen him wearing Chelsea colours in order to inspire other younger talents.

Son of former footballer Isai, Traore began his youth career at ASF Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, the same city where his late father also took his first steps in football, but would soon join his brother Alain at Auxerre - where he was first spotted by Chelsea’s scouts.

"Chelsea say you are not their player but the national team of Burkina Faso put your club as Chelsea," a local journalist once asked Traore.

"Be patient, you will soon see me at Stamford Bridge," Traore replied with a smile.

And here he is. After more than two years of unending trials resulting in frustration and anger back home. 

Many pundits had questioned the reasons for his regular call-ups to the national team when other active players could have filled his place.

Indeed, although he has won eight caps with the Stallions since 2011 and participated in Chelsea’s recent pre-season tour of Asia - playing three times, scoring twice and registering two assists - very few people have actually seen Traore play football.

He is a tactical midfielder who can hold and distribute the ball. He is much more in the mould of Frank Lampard than African counterpart Mikel and has an ability to shoot from range - as shown by his goal against Indonesia during pre-season.

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However, former Burkina Faso coach Duarte has claimed that Traore must improve his fitness to succeed in the arduous Premier League.

And at the age of 18, Traore joins the queue of those waiting to step into the shoes of Chelsea’s reigning stars and hopefully be a part of the Blues' future empire.

Jose Mourinho might not turn to the young Burkinabe for now until he is fine-tuned and he adapts to the new English culture - but he is set to earn more caps at international level and his potential is good enough for the Chelsea starting XI.

Hard work could take him there but he must ensure that he is not overwhelmed by his opportunity, as could be argued has happened to other young African hopefuls such as Abdul Razak, who was signed and dumped by Manchester City, and Tottenham's Souleymane Coulibaly.

Both Ivorian starlets couldn't survive the Premier League - but we hope Traore does.