Buffon questions Real Madrid’s spending

As European heavyweights Juventus and Real Madrid prepare for Wednesday's Champions League clash at the Bernabeu, Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has questioned the Spanish side's transfer policy.

The 35-year-old Italy goalkeeper, who played under Real coach and compatriot Carlo Ancelotti in a Juve team featuring his current assistant Zinedine Zidane, backed Ancelotti to cope with the huge pressure of expectation at the nine-time continental champions.

However, he suggested luring the world's top players like record signings Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, who alone cost almost €200 million, to the Spanish capital was not enough to guarantee success in the modern game.

"The philosophy of 10 years ago remains the same, buy great champions, entertain the fans and maintain the historic prestige of Real Madrid," Buffon said in an interview with Spanish sports daily Marca published on Monday.

"But the reality is that in football, above all now, that's not enough to win," he added.

"It's better to have a project, balance and patience. Money is a good starting point but it's not enough in itself."

Real have splashed more than 600 million euros on players over the past five years in a bid to secure the 10th European crown - known as the 'decima' in Spain - they have been chasing since they last won the Champions League in 2002.

Their outlay is almost three times as much as European and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who have spent 227 million, according to the latest Prime Time Sport Football Transfer Review published last month.

Only English Premier League side Manchester City come close with an outlay of 549 million, while Juve have spent the most of any Serie A club with 274 million.

Real are a work in progress under Ancelotti, who replaced Jose Mourinho at the end of last season, and face a challenging week with Wednesday's game against the Italian champions followed by Saturday's La Liga 'Clasico' at Barcelona.

Ancelotti promised attacking, entertaining football at his presentation but has yet to get the best from his expensively assembled squad and their domestic campaign has begun in stuttering fashion.

They are flying in Europe, however, following thrashings of Group B rivals Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen in their opening two matches, and victory against Juve will put them seven points clear of the Turin-based side with three games remaining.

If Real win and the other match, between Galatasaray and Copenhagen, is a draw, the Madrid club would be virtually guaranteed a place in the last 16.

TENSE SITUATIONS

Buffon said the experience Ancelotti has gained as a twice Champions League winner with AC Milan and from his stints in England and France would help him cope with the Real job, one of the most demanding in football.

"I don't think anyone knows better how to deal with tense situations and the challenges of winning," he told Marca.

"No club in the world is obliged to win more than Real Madrid but I think Ancelotti is someone who always finds solutions," he added.

Real closed to within three points of La Liga leaders Barca thanks to Saturday's 2-0 win at home to Malaga, when Bale came off the bench in the second half and won a penalty to mark his return from injury.

Ronaldo converted the spot kick, his eighth goal of the domestic campaign, and the Portuguese forward, Champions League top scorer last season, already has five to his name in two appearances in Europe this term.

"If we can play our game, we are a team who plays at a high tempo, which pressures high up the pitch, very well organised," Buffon said.

"But all that can go out the window the moment Cristiano Ronaldo ... gets the ball, beats three players and scores."

Juve coach Antonio Conte, who also played under Ancelotti for the Italian champions, needs to lift his players after they crashed to a first defeat of the Serie A season on Sunday.

Conte's men conceded four goals in the final 14 minutes to lose 4-2 at Fiorentina, the first time they had four put past them under the 44-year-old.

Ibrahim released from hospital

Former Nigeria Under-23 midfielder, Rabiu Ibrahim has been discharged from hospital following the incidents of Saturday at Rugby Park during a Scottish Premiership game between Kilmarnock and Ross County.

The midfielder collapsed unchallenged in the 34th minute and was subsequently taken the University Hospital Crosshouse.

Kilmarnock manager, Allan Johnston who visited him in hospital on Sunday night after the club’s 3-0 home Youth Cup win against Aberdeen had revealed that the hospital will be keeping the Nigerian under observation with further tests set to be carried out.

The 23-year-old has now been released from hospital according to a statement on the Kilmarnock FC official website.

“Following an incident during last Saturday’s match against Ross County at Rugby Park, when our player, Rabiu Ibrahim collapsed on the field of play and was later admitted to Crosshouse Hospital to undergo tests, we are pleased to report that Rabiu has been discharged from Hospital,” the statement on www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk read.

Fears had been raised that the midfielder may not play competitive football again following an incident involving Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba who similarly went down unchallenged at White Hart Lane 19 months ago.

The club however doused such insinuations by revealing that the player will resume training with the first team soon.

“(Rabiu) will undertake a period of rest prior to resuming training,” the statement further read.

Bayern wary of Czech champions

Dutch winger Arjen Robben has insisted under-firing Bayern Munich must prove their mettle as European champions against Czech side Viktoria Pilsen in the Champions League on Wednesday.

After convincing wins at home to CSKA Moscow and away to Manchester City, Bayern are top of Group D ahead of the visit of Czech champions Pilsen.

While Bayern have had no problems producing stylish performances against perceived big name clubs, they have struggled on occasion in the Bundesliga this season against low-ranking sides.

Despite running out 4-1 winners at home to Mainz 05 on Saturday, Bayern were punished for a lethargic first-half when they went into the break behind before scoring four goals without replay.

Robben says Munich can ill afford a repeat against Pilsen, who have lost both of their opening matches in Europe and are bottom of the group.

"They won't be coming here just to hand us the victory," warned Robben.

"We'll have to be up for it from the start."

Having drubbed Moscow 3-0 in Munich and City 3-1 in Manchester, Bayern have laboured in the Bundesliga with a 1-1 draw at second-from-bottom Freiburg and posted below-par 1-0 wins over Wolfsburg and Frankfurt.

Bayern have fallen into the habit of turning on the style for an impressive victory after a poor first-half on occasion and it is something coach Pep Guardiola wants to change.

"We need to find out why this is," said Guardiola, who refused to blame the first-half performance against Mainz on the international break.

"I want to see improvement very soon.

"I don't want the fans to think it's only worth turning up to the stadium for the second half."

Bayern will be without Brazil centre-back Dante, after he needed 10 stitches in an ankle wound in the first-half against Mainz, while France winger Franck Ribery should be fit despite suffering an ankle injury last week.

Pilsen trail Sparta Prague by six points in the Czech league after winning only one of the last four league games.

On Saturday, they drew 1-1 at home with Slavia Prague who were sitting last in the table and coach Pavel Vrba has said a similar performance against Bayern would be a "disaster".

"We keep making the same mistakes, this concerns two or three players in the backline," he said.

"If we don't improve our defence, the Bayern game will be a disaster, they would punish our mistakes badly."

Vrba is being touted as a future coach of the Czech national side after they failed to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil.

The 49-year-old has a contract at Pilsen until 2015 and despite pressure to let Vrba step up to coach the Czech Republic, his club is reluctant to let him go after the won the national league at a canter last season.

Pilsen will miss injured left-back David Limbersky, out with a torn hamstring, while ex-Hertha Berlin defender Roman Hubnik may be called up to boost the wobbly defence.

Having lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City and 3-2 away to CSKA Moscow, a third straight defeat would effectively end the Czech champions chance of reaching the knock-out phase.

United, Juve, out for European boost

Both Manchester United and Juventus will be looking to get some succour from Europe after disappointing results in their domestic leagues at the weekend while Welsh star Gareth Bale could make only his second start of the season for Real Madrid after a succession of niggling injuries:

Group A

Bayer Leverkusen (GER) v Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

Leverkusen limbered up for this match in controversial fashion, beating Hoffenheim 2-1 courtesy of a 'phantom' goal - Stefan Kiessling heading the winner via a hole in the side netting.

While the Bundesliga powers that be mull over what to do about the result Leverkusen are lying third, one point behind Bayern Munich, their best ever domestic start.

Rolled over by Manchester United in their Group A opener the Germans got their European bid up and running at the second attempt, against Real Sociedad.

Shakhtar, second only on goal difference to United, will be keen to dispel memories of last season's trip to Germany when the wheels came off their campaign with a 3-0 last 16 loss at Borussia Dortmund.

The Ukrainian champions, appearing at the group stage for the fourth successive season, have begun brightly with a win over Real Sociedad and a draw against United.

Manchester United (ENG) v Real Sociedad (ESP)

United may be enduring a torrid start to the Premier League, the weekend draw with Southampton leaving the titleholders in unusual territory -eighth place and their worst start in 24 years. Europe has proved more forgiving, with David Moyes' side topping Group A on goal difference after the Leverkusen win and Shakhtar stalemate.

Pointless Real need to leave Old Trafford with something if they are to inject some life into their first CL campaign in a decade. Whatever happens the outcome is unlikely to be as harsh as their only previous visit to England, when they crashed 6-0 at Liverpool in the 1975/76 Uefa Cup.

They received a welcome boost for this first ever meeting between the two teams with a 2-1 win over Valencia in La Liga at the weekend.

Group B

Real Madrid (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)

Real Madrid are sailing regally to the knockout stages, the Spaniards' topping Group B after crushing defeats of FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Real could field Gareth Bale, who returned to action after minor injuries as a late substitute in Saturday's 2-0 win over Malaga which left Carlo Ancelotti's men in third. Juve's visit precedes the first 'el clasico' of the season with a trip to Barcelona looming at the weekend. Xabi Alonso, sidelined since fracturing a foot in August, is full recovered but unlikely to be thrust straight back into the fray.

With two draws Juve are waiting for their first win, and hardly had the best preparations for the trip to the Bernabeu a 4-2 loss, their first of the season, to Fiorentina. Coach Antonio Conte spoke about "a massive test', adding: "Madrid are arguably one of the most ambitious teams. We're facing a club that really want this title, because of their history and their hunt for a tenth European Cup."

Galatasaray (TUR) FC Copenhagen (DEN)

Both teams, with one point apiece, are out to bag their first wins in Istanbul. Galatasaray picked themselves up from an opening drubbing by Real to share the spoils with Juventus. Having made it into the knockout stages last season they need to get moving if they are to have any hope of repeating that feat this time against Danish champions Copenhagen.

Group C

Anderlecht (BEL) v Paris Saint Germain (FRA)

Paris Saint Germain should be anticipating a third successive win in three Champions League games as they face an Anderlecht side devoid of confidence and pointless. Ligue 1 leaders after trouncing Bastia at the weekend PSG will be without defender Christophe Jallet, Javier Pastore and Thiago Silva, all injured but such are the riches at coach Laurent Blanc's disposal that their absences shouldn't matter. Anderlecht coach John van den Brom sent out the youngest team in the club's history for the 2-0 league win over Mons last Friday and could well do the same on Wednesday where out of form skipper Guillaume Gillet is likely to start on the bench.

Benfica (POR) v Olympiakos (GRE)

Both these sides will see the outcome of their two matches as pivotal as to who finishes second and a place in the knockout phase. Both have one win to their credit in the opening two games, over hapless Anderlecht. Benfica will fancy their chances for this game as they have won their last seven European home matches while Olympiakos have yet to beat Portuguese opposition away and have not managed a goal in five trips to Portugal. Olympiakos have been in imperious form in their own league, winning seven and drawing one of the matches, the latest a 4-1 away win against Platanias on Saturday.

Group D

CSKA Moscow (RUS) v Manchester City (ENG)

Both will fancy their chances of taking the runners up spot with Pilsen pretty much out of the running and while City have a woeful away record losing five of their six Champions League away games in the past two campaigns they have a chance of recording their second successive away win this season as CSKA have a poor home record, taking just three points from a possible nine in their last appearance in the CL in 2011/12. City warmed up with a psychological boosting first away win in the Premier League on Saturday, 3-1 at West Ham with Sergio Aguero key to the victory. City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes he now has the squad strength to make an impact both domestically and on the continent. CSKA by contrast are now winless and goalless in their last five domestic matches and without playmaker Alan Dzagoev, who is injured.

Bayern Munich (GER) v Viktoria Pilsen (CZE)

Holders Bayern should have little trouble in making it nine points from three games against pointless Pilsen although coach Pep Guardiola wants to see a marked improvement in their first-half displays which have been generally lethargic all season. The hosts, though, will be missing Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri and Brazilian defender Dante, who are both injured, while Guardiola will hope that resting French star Franck Ribery at the weekend has allowed him to recover fully from a sore ankle. Pilsen may be struggling to make an impression on the Champions League but they said on Monday they had won an important battle to retain the services of their coach Pavel Vrba, who has guided them to two titles since arriving in 2008. However, they are presently trailing leaders Sparta Prague by six points and have just one win from their last four games.

Interpol engages with Cosafa

The Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) is once again at the forefront of the fight against the scourge of match-fixing in the region.

Cosafa recently hosted a new pilot project created by Interpol and Fifa in Pretoria, South Africa, that sought to train individuals to become educators in their own countries on the subject of match fixing.

It was just the second time ever that the ‘Train the Trainers' workshop had been staged, the first being in Europe.

Representatives from the football fraternities of Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland, as well as the Cosafa organisation itself, met for a three-day workshop together with Interpol Instructors Julie Norris and Dinis Adriao from their Integrity in Sport Unit, and Nicholas Raudenski from Fifa’s Security Division that focuses on combatting match manipulation.

The workshop set out to train the 14 individuals so that they may in turn take that knowledge back to their own territories and train their local referees and players on the subject of match-fixing – especially how to recognise approaches for what they are, how to resist such approaches and most importantly how to report them.

A second workshop was also organised in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe where participants from Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe underwent the same training.

The result is that the Cosafa region now has trained experts on how to deter match-fixing in 10 of its 14 member countries.

“Southern Africa has been hard-hit by match-fixing scandals over the past few years and Cosafa is honoured and grateful to have been requested by Interpol and Fifa to work alongside their initiative in an effort to combat this blight on our sport,” said Cosafa president Suketu Patel.

Meanwhile, following the successful hosting of Interpol’s Integrity in Sport workshop last year that sought to educate administrators in the Southern Africa region on the spread of match-fixing and how to combat it, Cosafa will host the same course for French speaking countries on October 26 and 27.

Comoros Islands, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles will participate from the Cosafa region, while the three French-speaking countries from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa), Burundi, Djibouti and Rwanda, will also be in attendance.

Cosafa has also invited the other Zonal Unions within the Confederation of African Football (CAF), while CAF Executive Committee member Adoum Djibrine will attend.

“This workshop is an “exposure” of the problem of match-fixing to the associations and law enforcement from these countries with discussion on how each of the associations, in conjunction with local law enforcement and governments, can work to combat this disease,” said Patel.

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.

Kean to coach Singapore league club

Former Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has completed an unlikely deal to coach Brunei DPMM in the lowly Singapore S.League next season, club officials said on Tuesday.

The Scot had been out of work since stepping down from his role with former English champions Blackburn in September last year after overseeing their relegation from the Premier League and suffering a number of angry protests by fans.

The former Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry City assistant coach will replace Vjeran Simunic, who led Brunei to the League Cup last season. The club are seventh in the 12-team league which finishes in November.

Brunei DPMM officials confirmed the heavily speculated move as they also signed an agreement to continue participating in the relegation-free S.League for another two more years.

"He will come to Brunei in the middle of November," Brunei DPMM club manager Waslimin Momin told reporters. We want to change our style of play."

Local media said Kean would be the first former English Premier League manager to take charge of a club in the S.League, one of the weakest divisions in Asia with attendances often in the low hundreds.

Brunei DPMM joined the league in 2009, becoming the first team to play their home matches outside of Singapore at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, and they won the League Cup.

The team returned last year after opting out of the S.League for two seasons and again enjoyed League Cup success.