SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014 SPORTS Champions League qualifiers may be better in May BERNE: On the same day hosts Brazil were crushed 22 teams who qualify directly, there is time to pre- sight of hydration breaks in the Austrian gression for clubs who have finished well domesti- 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals of the 2014 World pare. Their club directors go to at the end when it kicked off in a July heatwave. This season’s cally. Instead of stopping, and re-starting, three Cup, another remarkable match took place almost of August for the draw for the group stages and Swiss league started a week after the World Cup months later, often without key players, teams unnoticed, thousands of kilometers away, in the their matches start in mid-September. final. Italy’s , on the other hand, does not would carry momentum into the playoffs. This Armenian capital Yerevan. There, on an historic By then the new season is in full swing. But those begin until the end of August. Thus Napoli’s home would create a fitting climax to their season. night for Andorran football, Eloy Casals, goalkeeper who are not direct qualifiers, including the champi- match on Tuesday against Athletic Bilbao, in the first The first and second qualifying rounds, for teams for the champions of the principality FC Santa ons of 40 ‘smaller’ countries, face a battle in up to leg of a playoff tie, was their first competitive fixture from the ‘smaller’ leagues, could start in April with Coloma, rifled in a 94th-minute effort to secure an four rounds of preliminary matches in July and of the season. the third round, and playoffs, taking place in May. away-goals win over Armenia’s Banants in a August. For some clubs, this means they have barely Most leagues would have to finish one or two weeks Champions League first round qualifier. Banants, 3-1 started pre-season training when they play their Anti-climax earlier, by the start of May, but the smaller ones ahead in the second leg, looked set to qualify until most important matches of the year. The losers face With the transfer window still open for business, would need to end in April. Casals took advantage of confusion to send the a full season ahead knowing they have already Napoli gave the impression they were fielding a July, and most of August, would then be left with- Andorran amateurs through after the tie ended 3-3 missed out on their main target. Austrian side makeshift team for a contest where the outcome out football, apart from those countries that have a on aggregate. Salzburg are a classic case. Ever since the Red Bull could be worth 38 million euros ($50.34 million, the summer season. European soccer’s ruling body UEFA Casals joined the likes of Peter Schmeichel and energy drink manufacturer took over the club in same amount they earned from the group stages has acknowledged that playing the qualifiers early in among the ranks of keepers who 2005, their stated aim has been to qualify for the last season. In short, the arrangements are messy. It the season is not ideal - and change may be an have scored in the competition. Events in Belo Champions League group stages. would appear more sensible to play these qualifying attractive proposition. “It could be interesting but Horizonte, understandably, overshadowed this They have taken part six times in the qualifiers ties in April and May, at the end of the old season, the problem is you never know exactly when the remarkable act of giant-killing but helped to raise a without success. As winning the league is seen as an rather than the beginning of the new. There is some- season ends in different countries so you might face question: why was European club football being obligation, this means they have little to look for- thing anti-climatic when teams like Bilbao finish a similar problem,” secretary general Gianni Infantino played while the World Cup was building to a ward to after being eliminated. Some countries, like fourth in , knowing they must wait three said. “But it’s true, this is an issue. It’s a pity for any crescendo? The Champions League is the pinnacle Austria and Switzerland, start their seasons in mid- months to play a two-legged match of such impor- club to be knocked out in early July. So we have to of club football and, for major European teams, July to give their teams an improved chance in the tance. Playing the Champions League qualifiers at see what is better. “It’s difficult to find the right bal- qualifying for the group stages is a priority. For the qualifiers. Last year that led to the incongruous the end of the ‘old’ season would be a natural pro- ance but it’s a good point to look at.” — Reuters Mandzukic hands Atletico Super Cup win over Real

MADRID: Atletico Madrid gained some measure of revenge for their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid by beating their city rivals 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Friday to win the Spanish Super Cup 2-1 on aggregate. The hosts made the best pos- sible start as Mario Mandzukic volleyed home the winner from Antoine Griezmann’s pass after just 90 seconds. Real boss Carlo Ancelotti had named Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench due to the effects of a hamstring injury that had seen him withdrawn from the first leg. However, even the Portuguese couldn’t break down Atletico’s typically well-organized defense as they held on to end Real’s hopes of claiming six tro- phies this season. “Between the end of last season and now Real Madrid has won three cups,” said Ancelotti. “I want to thank all the players and the club because I ANNECY: Evian TG’s Ghanaian defender Jonathan Mensah (right) challenges Paris think we have done very well. “In this game we didn’t Saint-Germain’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura during the French L1 football play well but I would rather this one than the match between Evian Thonon Gaillard and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on August Champions League final.” As well as leaving Ronaldo on 22, 2014. — AFP the bench, Ancelotti also fuelled speculation over Angel di Maria’s future by excluding the Argentine from his squad entirely. Ten-man PSG held However, he claimed Di Maria’s absence had purely been for sporting reasons. “Di Maria was a technical decision. I didn’t need him today.” Atletico boss Diego Simeone was sent off midway through the first-half for by struggling Evian protesting that right-back Juanfran hadn’t been MADRID: Atletico’ players celebrate their victory with the Trophy during a Spanish Supercup allowed back onto the field quickly enough after second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at Vicente Calderon stadi- receiving treatment for a facial injury. The Argentine PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain once again Brandao at the end of last week’s 2-0 win um yesterday. —AP came unstuck against their bete noire against SC Bastia left him with a fractured could be in for a severe ban as he confronted the assis- Evian on Friday, being forced to settle for a nose. tant referee and sarcastically applauded the decision. from Atletico as Raphael Varane’s misjudged header Raul Garcia inexplicably headed over Koke’s corner 0-0 draw after having Yohan Cabaye sent However, he apologized and admitted he had overre- allowed his French international teammate Griezmann from point-blank range. off in their clash in Annecy. Evian Missed opportunity for Cavani acted at the time. “When you commit an error you to feed Mandzukic to score his first goal since signing Ronaldo made his entrance at the break as he have to ask for forgiveness and I accept it was an error,” have caused problems for PSG at their Parc Without Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani was from Bayern Munich. replaced the ineffective Toni Kroos. Garcia was inches he said. “I exaggerated in trying to get Juanfran on.” des Sports in the recent past, knocking the given the opportunity to play in his favoured The visitors slowly grew into the game, though, and away again at the start of the second period as this Victory was Atletico’s first at home against Real in Luka Modric was inches away from a spectacular time he turned a Koke free-kick onto the underside of capital club out of the French Cup at the role of central striker, and he had the best 15 years and continued Simeone’s amazing run of suc- equalizer when he volleyed just over from outside the the bar and Iker Casillas reacted well to prevent quarter-final stage in 2012-13 and then chances for the visitors. However, his free- cess since taking charge of the club just under three area. James Rodriguez then began to dictate the pace Mandzukic forcing the ball home from close range. winning 2-0 last December after Paris had kick midway through the first half was tame years ago. However, he again downplayed expecta- of the game and he was only denied a leveler by a Ronaldo made his first real impression with a thun- gone 26 games unbeaten. Nevertheless, and went straight into the arms of Evian’s tions that Atletico can repeat their amazing La Liga spectacular save from Miguel Angel Moya before the derous effort that was well held by Moya, but Atletico the Alpine outfit had lost their opening two Danish goalkeeper Jesper Hansen. A title triumph of last season. Colombian also directed a header just wide of the tar- were creating the greater threat and went close twice matches of this campaign, conceding nine defense-splitting pass by Lucas then put “When you play in a league that is so long against get. Rodriguez then fed Gareth Bale inside the area, more through Koke and Griezmann. And Real’s miser- goals in the process, including in a 6-2 Cavani through, but he slipped while Real Madrid or Barcelona it is very difficult to compete, but the Welshman pulled his shot disappointingly able evening was rounded off in stoppage time as thumping at Rennes last week. attempting to round Hansen and his shot but in one or two games we have the capability to wide. However, it was Atletico who had the clearest Modric was sent off for a second bookable offence But they defended doggedly to hold the was easily blocked. Lucas fired narrowly wide beat anybody.” Real were caught out by a flying start chance to double their advantage before half-time as when he upended Cristian Rodriguez. — AFP champions, who were missing talisman of the far post early in the second period and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and captain Thiago Silva the Brazilian then created another opening due to injury and have won just one of for Cavani in the 71st minute, but this time Redknapp piles their opening three league matches after the long-haired forward saw his ferocious Bayern enjoy winning drawing 2-2 at Reims a fortnight ago. “In strike beaten out by Hansen. Before that, the pressure on Spurs other situations there is no doubt we will visitors were reduced to ten men in the 62nd manage to break teams down. They minute when Cabaye, starting for the first boss Pochettino start to title defense defended well. It was a reassuring result for time since an extended post-World Cup holi- them,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc told beIN day, was shown a second yellow card for a LONDON: QPR manager Harry Redknapp has MUNICH: Champions Bayern Munich made a foot shot from 18 meters to give the 2009 cham- Sports, before insisting that he was not second foul on Nicki Bille Nielsen. piled pressure on Tottenham boss Mauricio winning start in the Bundesliga on Friday, beat- pions fresh hope. Junior Malanda should have worried by his team’s failure to win the With a man less, they lacked the inspira- Pochettino ahead of his return to White Hart Lane ing ambitious VfL 2-1 with Dutchman grabbed the equalizer 10 minutes from time game. “No, not at all. The only problem is tion to break down the determined hosts, by insisting anything other than a top-four finish Arjen Robben scoring one goal and setting up when he raced into the box but saw his first when you are unable to cause enough although Evian only really attempted to will be a failure for his old club. Redknapp will be the other for World Cup winner Thomas Mueller. effort deflected by keeper Manuel Neuer on to problems to Evian with 11 men and then snatch victory themselves in the dying min- back at Tottenham for the first time since he was The Bavarians, missing half a dozen players the bar before the ball then bounced off the you find yourselves down to 10. utes. Salvatore Sirigu had been a virtual sacked in 2012 following the breakdown of his through injury, only briefly hit top form in the Belgian’s foot and rolled wide. “We played well “Honestly I think that given the way the spectator all evening, but the Italian inter- relationship with chairman Daniel Levy. The 67- first half but it was enough to see them notch for 30 minutes and then Bayern increased the game went we didn’t do enough to take national ‘keeper was finally called into year-old guided Tottenham to two top-four fin- their first three points of the season. With pace but we still had the chances to come back,” three points. We leave with mixed feelings. action in the second minute of stoppage ishes in the during his four-year Germany coach Joachim Loew in the stands, said Wolfsburg coach . “We lost We expected to have difficulties at the start time to tip a net-bound Nicolas Benezet reign, but was axed after his unsuccessful flirta- Mueller flicked in a Robben cutback in the 37th possession a bit too easily sometimes and that is of the season, especially in August, but I effort over the bar. Early leaders Bordeaux tion with the England job and his side’s failure to minute after the winger spectacularly shook off something that makes me angry.” Last season’s don’t think there is any reason to worry. were in action away to Nice yesterday, while remain in the Champions League. two defenders. runners-up Dortmund hosted Bayer Leverkusen “We had a competitive enough team to win Saint-Etienne, the only other side with max- Since his departure neither Andre Villas-Boas Robben then added a goal himself two min- yesterday. — Reuters this match,” he added, despite the absences imum points after two games, entertain or Tim Sherwood have been able to match utes after the restart with Croatian Ivica Olic cut- of Ibrahimovic, Silva and Gregory Van der Rennes today. Marseille hunt for their first Redknapp’s record and former Southampton ting the deficit in the 52nd for the visitors as the Wiel. “But we created too few chances to win under new coach Marcelo Bielsa away manager Pochettino arrived in pre-season tasked German league season got underway. “For every win the game.” Blanc gave first starts of the to French Cup holders Guingamp yesterday with returning the north London team to coach in the world victory is the most important season to French international pair Cabaye afternoon, and Monaco traveled to Nantes Europe’s elite club competition. Redknapp says thing,” Bayern coach Pep Guardiola told and Blaise Matuidi, with Thiago Motta only today night after losing their first two he is a fan of Pochettino, but that didn’t stop him reporters. “After our 2-0 lead we did not control on the bench after a headbutt from games of the campaign. — AFP heaping a little more pressure on his counter- the game and we had power only for 65-70 min- part’s shoulders ahead of today’s London derby. utes. We still need some time.” Guardiola stuck “They should be pushing to get into the top four, to his new-look three-man defense despite the Inverness hand weakened and if they don’t it would be a disappointment absences and with defender Holger Badstuber for Tottenham,” Redknapp said. “That’s what making his league comeback after two cruciate Celtic a shock defeat 1-0 they’ve been trying to do the past couple of sea- ligament tears and an injury break of 20 months. sons, and anything below would be a disappoint- “We did it well today despite not having INVERNESS: Inverness Caledonian Thistle Celtic were next to threaten with Inverness ment. “They’ve got fantastic players, they’ve played with such a team before,” former handed Celtic a shock 1-0 defeat in the keeper Dean Brill having to be alert to tip a spent over £100 million in the transfer market, Germany international Badstuber told reporters. yesterday as the Hoops hooked shot from Efe Ambrose over the bar and so they’re entitled to be a good team. “I like “In the second half we ran a bit out of steam but paid the price for fielding a weakened side before making a superb double save to deny the manager there. He did a great job at overall it was a very good start.” The hosts were at the Caledonian Stadium. With Tuesday’s Teemu Pukki twice from close range. Southampton, and I’m sure he’ll do a great job at missing among others Franck Ribery, Bastian crucial Champions League play-off second Inverness were appealing for a penalty in Tottenham.” Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle, Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara, so 17- leg against NK Maribor in mind Celtic made the 28th minute when Ryan Christie went now a member of Redknapp’s backroom staff, year-old Gianluca Gaudino, the son of former no fewer than 10 changes while Inverness down following a challenge with Filip will also be returning to his old stamping ground Germany international Maurizio Gaudino, and stuck with the side that defeated Twardzik but referee Bobby Madden waved this weekend, but it is the QPR boss who will be new signing Juan Bernat got the chance to Motherwell last week. However, the gamble away their protests. Nir Biton sold his marker in the spotlight as he looks to exact a measure of shine. With Bayern pressing high up the pitch, failed to pay off as Eoghan O’Connell’s own a dummy before he sent a curling shot off revenge for his brutal dismissal. “You look for- Wolfsburg had trouble carrying the ball forward goal in the 65th minute handed Inverness the crossbar in the 35th minute as Celtic ward to going there. I had a fantastic time at and after 20 minutes Bayern increased the tem- their first win against Celtic at home since then came close to breaking the deadlock. Tottenham,” said Redknapp, who guided QPR to po, twice coming close to scoring through May 2011. Charlie Mulgrew then popped up to clear promotion via the Championship play-offs last Poland forward Robert Lewandowski. The Hoops had scored in their previous Gary Warren’s looping headed effort off the season. “I loved every minute of my time there 58 league matches but they lacked the line after the Inverness man connected with and I’m looking forward to going back there, see- Lewandowski denied invention and urgency to find a way past a Graeme Shinnie’s corner. Celtic brought on ing a few of the old faces. Last season’s Bundesliga top scorer, who disciplined Inverness defense. The win sends Stefan Johansen and Callum McGregor at “I shouldn’t get a bad reception really. I fin- joined from Bayern’s rivals in Inverness four points clear of Celtic at the the break as they looked to grab a winner ished fourth two years and fifth the other so I did- the close season, was denied by substitute goal- top of the Scottish Premiership, albeit they but it was Inverness who made the break- n’t do too badly there. “The football we played in keeper Max Gruen on both occasions before have played a game more than the Glasgow through in the 65th minute. that Champions League run was absolutely Mueller tapped in to give the hosts the lead. It giants, as they equaled their club record of Marley Watkins turned Johansen on the amazing. “But I’m here now and I’m going there only took two minutes of the second half for five consecutive clean sheets. Celtic manag- right wing before delivering a dangerous to try and get three points. “It’s another game, I Bayern to add another goal, with Robben steal- er Ronny Deila handed rare starts to ball into the box. Lukasz Zaluska got to the don’t get excited too much by anything nowa- ing the ball from France international Josuha MUNICH: Bayern Munich’s defender Holger teenagers O’Connell and Liam Henderson ball ahead of Billy McKay, who threw himself days. I didn’t have any bad relationships there.” Guilavogui in midfield and completing the swift Badstuber (right) and Wolfsburg’s French but it was the home side who started the at the ball in a desperate bid to make con- Meanwhile, Tottenham left-back Danny Rose, move himself after a one-two with midfielder Josuha Guilavogui vie for the ball brightest and Greg Tansey sent a 20-yard tact, but the keeper’s clearance hit off the who played under Redknapp, believes his old Lewandowski. during the German first division Bundesliga free-kick narrowly wide before his fierce shins of his own defender O’Connell and manager deserves a warm welcome from the However, former Bayern forward Olic then football match FC Bayern Munich vs VfL effort from even further out went close. into the net. —AFP White Hart Lane faithful.—AFP silenced the 71,000 crowd with a stunning left- Wolfsburg on August 22, 2014. — AFP