TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2015 SPORTS Neymar showing he’s ready to make list of top 3

MADRID: Lionel Messi’s injury might just be what the match. “Almost impossible to stop without com- Santos. It was one of the reasons he moved to Xavi Hernandez were the outsiders in previous years. Neymar needs. With Messi out of action, the Brazil mitting penalties.” Barcelona, a place where he knew he would have a Neymar was voted the fifth-best player in Europe last striker has taken over the spotlight at Barcelona and Neymar has become the go-to guy since Messi chance to show what he can do. season, behind Messi, Barcelona teammate Luis has the room to prove he has what it takes to finally tore a ligament in his left knee nearly three weeks Neymar recently played his 100th match with the Suarez, Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon. make the three-player shortlist for the player of the ago, attracting most of the attention of the defend- Catalan club, reaching the milestone with better A voting college that includes national team cap- year award. Neymar is almost certain to be in the 23- ers, setting up teammates and even taking the numbers compared even to Messi, including in goals tains, coaches and selected journalists in more than player list that will be announced today for the FIFA penalty kicks. Barring more injuries, there is little scored and assists. “I want to keep making history, 180 countries are expected to decide the Ballon d’Or Ballon d’Or award. It would be the fifth consecutive doubt that either Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo will win winning everything with the club,” said Neymar, who top three in November. Whether Neymar will make it time he makes it that far, but this could be the first the best player award in January, as has happened leads the Spanish league in scoring with eight goals this year may depend on how he performs after year in which he has a realistic chance of breaking the past seven years. in as many matches. “My life and my game changed Messi returns from injury in a few weeks. The spot- into the top three. But making it to the top three would be consid- for the better (after coming to Barcelona).” light will have to be shared again, and Neymar might Neymar is making a strong case for himself thanks ered a great achievement for the 23-year-old Although Messi and Ronaldo have been regular have to fall into a supporting role. to outstanding performances early in the season, Neymar, who is in his third season with Barcelona. front-runners in the Ballon d’Or award, there hasn’t But if he can keep it up, it would be almost impos- including a four-goal game in the Spanish league on It would be another step toward his goal of been much consistency about the third member on sible to keep him from the award ceremony next Saturday. “Impressive, unstoppable, electric,” becoming the best in the world, something he has that final list, with Manuel Neuer making it last year year. And there is no telling if he will let anyone Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said of Neymar after wanted since beginning his career with Brazilian club and Franck Ribery the year before. Andres Iniesta and replace him after that. — AP Barca lean on Neymar once more for BATE test : Barcelona can take a big step after opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw towards the last 16 of the Champions League for away to Roma. a 12th consecutive season when they travel to Enrique’s men will be expected to pick up six face BATE Borisov in the cold of Belarus today. points from their two clashes with BATE in the The depleted Catalans will again be without next fortnight with the safety net of knowing Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, but can count Messi will be fit for their final two group games on an on-fire Neymar after he smashed four past at home to Roma and away to Leverkusen. Rayo Vallecano in a 5-2 win on Saturday. “We need to recover well, we have a lot of Barca boss Luis Enrique described the games in a row and that means we are doing Brazilian star as “unstoppable” as he has taken well because you are in all competitions,” added on the responsibility of leading the European Rakitic. “We will prepare well for Tuesday and if champions in Messi’s absence. something hurts a little you just have to grit The player himself proudly declared his per- your teeth and keep going. That is all we can do.” formance against Rayo as one of his best for the BATE go into the game against the Spanish club as he left the Camp Nou with the match giants full of confidence after sealing a 10th con- ball signed by all of his teammates at the week- secutive league title on Friday with 2-0 win over end. “Hopefully Neymar doesn’t stop and we Vitebsk. The Belarusians are also well in the have to sign a lot more balls for him,” said mid- fight to qualify for the knockout stages for the fielder Ivan Rakitic. Messi scored twice when the first time in their fifth year in the competition. sides last met in Belarus four years ago as Barca A 3-2 win over Roma last time out means cruised to a 5-0 win. However, the impact of Alyaksandr Yermakovich’s side are level with injuries to the Argentine, Iniesta and Rafinha, Leverkusen in second place in Group E, just a allied to a one-year ban on registering new play- point behind Barca. ers has left Barca with a very stretched squad for BATE also have Champions League win- a run of six games in 19 days. ning experience in their ranks in the form A come from behind win against Bayer of Alexander Hleb, who was part of the KIEV: Chelsea players attend a training session at the Olympiyskiy national stadium. Chelsea and Dynamo Kiev will play today in a Group G Leverkusen in their last European outing did at Barca squad that won the competition in Champions League soccer match. — AP least put Barca back on course for the last 16 2008/09. — AFP Mourinho wary of ‘psychological issues’

KIEV: Jose Mourinho’s erratic Chelsea team Nemanja Matic, and saw Diego Costa score on Dynamo’s rearranged fixture may have tackle Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine today knowing his return from a domestic ban. Hazard eventual- helped them prepare for Chelsea, but it proved a defeat would seriously complicate their chances ly joined the fray in the 83rd minute, but forgettable experience as they lost 3-0 at home of progressing from Champions League Group Mourinho said that the Belgian winger can to Shakhtar Donetsk, who knocked them off the G. Chelsea eased some of the pressure on expect to remain on the bench until he demon- league summit in the process. Mourinho by beating Aston Villa 2-0 in the strates a willingness to up his defensive contri- It was their first league defeat in 39 matches, on Saturday, but go into today’s bution. but Sergei Rebrov’s men can take heart from a game on the back of a 2-1 defeat at his former With Branislav Ivanovic sidelined by a ham- record of only one loss in 10 European home club Porto in their previous group match. string injury, Mourinho must decide whether to games-a series that included a 5-2 thrashing of The English champions have never previously persevere with a reconfigured back line that saw Everton in last season’s Europa League. lost consecutive group games, but ahead of a Cesar Azpilicueta start at right-back against Villa, Mourinho reportedly scouted Dynamo sapping run of six matches in 19 days, Mourinho with close-season signing Baba Rahman on the winger Andriy Yarmolenko during Ukraine’s 1-0 knows how damaging another defeat could opposite flank. loss to Spain in Euro 2016 qualifying last prove. “Obviously you don’t need to lose and Dynamo have had an extra day to prepare for Monday, having been caught on camera semi- lose and lose, because then psychological issues the game at the Olympic Stadium, having had disguised beneath a grey hood. Yarmolenko, 25, are coming into the game,” said the Portuguese, their most recent Ukrainian Premier League fix- subsequently reaffirmed his commitment to whose side trail Dynamo and Porto by a point ture moved forward to Friday, but Mourinho Dynamo by signing a new five-year contract, but after two matches. “In normal conditions, get- believes his side can compensate in other areas. he remains open to the idea of playing overseas. ting normal results-I’m not even saying win, win, “In this moment we are losing 24 hours to “I still want that (to play abroad). I know that win, win, but getting normal results: wins, draws, Dynamo, like we did against Porto,” he told if Dynamo get really worthy offers, we’ll find an the odd defeat-then it’s a great month.” Chelsea TV ahead of the teams’ first ever meet- option that satisfies everyone,” said Yarmolenko, The victory over Villa saw Chelsea bounce ing. “Porto played Friday, Dynamo played Friday. who scored in last month’s 2-0 win at Maccabi back from a 3-1 home defeat by Southampton in We played in Newcastle on Saturday (prior to Tel Aviv. “I want the club to get good compensa- their previous game, but they remain 10 points playing Porto), we played again on Saturday. tion for me. I could have left for free in a while, off the pace in the Premier League. “We are losing 24 hours. We have to try to but that would have been wrong. Seeking to shake Chelsea from their recent recover that with other ingredients and the “I am 100 percent a Dynamo player. Our team torpor, Mourinho dropped Eden Hazard, last sea- ingredients will be the same-fantastic spirit. Let’s is like my second family. That’s why I keep doing son’s stand-out player, as well as Gary Cahill and start from that point.” my best to benefit the club.” — AFP Walcott backs Arsenal to turn up heat on Bayern

LONDON: Theo Walcott insists Arsenal will sal- vage their Champions League campaign SPAIN: Barcelona’s Neymar from Brazil, controls the ball during a training session. against Bayern Munich today by emulating BATE Borisov will play against FC Barcelona in a Champions League Group E soccer their ruthless demolition of Manchester match today. — AP United. Arsene Wenger’s side are in severe danger of failing to reach the knockout stages for the Roma face ‘knockout’ first time in 16 years after two dismal defeats. The Gunners were beaten at Dinamo journey to Leverkusen Zagreb and then suffered the embarrassment of losing at home to Olympiakos, leaving them LEVERKUSEN: Roma stalwart Daniele De Rossi will be a kind of mini knockout game.” pointless at the bottom of Group F. said today’s Champions League group stage trip Leverkusen were unlucky to lose 2-1 at the Another loss when Bayern visit the Emirates to Bayer Leverkusen is like a knockout game for Camp Nou last time out, having led defending Stadium would put Arsenal on the verge of a the Italians. Roma are bottom of Group E with a champions Barcelona at home after hammering stunning exit and, with so much on the line, single point from two matches ahead of the BATE Borisov 4-1 at the BayArena in their open- the German champions’ imperious form this back-to-back clashes with the Germans. ing European match. The Germans are just one season makes facing them even more daunt- “There’s no question, it won’t be easy against point behind leaders Barcelona in the table and ing opponents. Leverkusen because we’re playing away from eager to claim a win over Roma ahead of the Yet Arsenal go into the crunch clash in home and they are a quality side,” said De Rossi. return in the eternal city on November 4. “Qualification for the next round of the But Roger Schmidt’s Bayer have struggled of good form after winning 3-0 at Watford on Champions League is at stake in this match so it late in the and were held to a goal- Saturday. England forward Walcott claims the less draw at home to Hamburg on Saturday, north Londoners will have no reason to fear LONDON: Bayern’s players Xabi Alonso (left) and Thomas Mueller (right) smile during a press their second straight draw to leave them eighth Bayern if they tear into them with the kind of conference at Emirates stadium. Arsenal will play Bayern Munich in a Champions League in the table. high-tempo attacking style that led to a 3-0 Group F soccer match at the stadium today. — AP Matches on TV “We created some good opportunities which rout of United in the Premier League earlier in and it would be little surprise to see them to expect an easy ride. we didn’t use to turn the game in our favor. The October. inflict another damaging blow. ’s Guardiola says this is Bayern’s “first final” in (Local Timings) result is okay, we have to live with it,” said head “We just need to move on from the first team have won all of their opening nine the competition as the Bundesliga leaders aim coach Schmidt after the Hamburg draw. couple of (European) results, they have hap- German league matches-a Bundesliga record- for a first Champions League crown under the UEFA Champions League Germany defender Roberto Hilbert is defi- nitely out with a knee injury, while midfielders pened. We know we are capable of getting and between them Thomas Mueller and former Barcelona boss. Borisov v Barcelona 21:45 Kevin Kampl (illness) and Lars Bender (ankle) results against Bayern Munich and we obvi- Robert Lewandowski have already scored 21 And he concedes time is running out to lift Abu Dhabi Sport face a race to be fit in time. ously want to put things right,” Walcott said. league goals. Poland forward Lewandowski is the European title both he and the club craves Leverkusen v Roma 21:45 Leverkusen’s home record against “Looking at our last home match against enjoying a sensational spell of form, having in the third-and potentially final-year of his Abu Dhabi Sport teams is four wins, a draw and three defeats. Manchester United, the intensity of our game registered 15 goals in his last seven appear- current contract. “My time here won’t have Arsenal v Munich 21:45 Roma warmed up for the trip to Germany with a was different to what it was like against ances for club and country. been complete if we don’t win the Champions Abu Dhabi Sport 3-1 defeat of Empoli on Saturday as Italy veteran Olympiakos in the Champions League. “We Walcott acknowledges the magnitude of League title. I know where I am, so this isn’t a Dinamo v Olympiacos 21:45 Daniele de Rossi marked his 500th appearance want put it right and we just need to work the task facing Arsenal, but refuses to feel infe- problem for me,” Guardiola said. Abu Dhabi Sport for the Rome club with his first goal of the sea- hard, and that is what it comes down to. “If rior to the swaggering Germans. However, aware of Bayern’s status as Porto v Maccabi 21:45 son. But they are still seeking a first win after everyone is doing their job on the day it is dif- “Playing against Bayern and their quality is favourites on Tuesday, captain Philipp Lahm Abu Dhabi Sport drawing 1-1 at home with Barcelona and losing Dynamo Kiev v Chelsea 21:45 3-2 at BATE in Belarus. Coach Rudi Garcia has ficult to beat us. “We know the talent is there. of course going to be a good challenge for us cautioned against complacency. “We have Abu Dhabi Sport welcomed Brazilian defender Leandro Castan We haven’t started in the Champions League and a difficult game,” Walcott said. won the first nine games, there is a long way Petersburg v Lyon 21:45 back for his first home start since May 2014 after how we would have liked to, but we will work “We know we can beat anyone and we are to go, but it is impressive how much this Abu Dhabi Sport a lengthy injury absence. hard and try to put it right.” going to be completely ready for this one.” teams wants it,” Lahm said. “It won’t be easy Valencia v Gent 21:45 Garcia hinted that Edin Dzeko, Maicon and Bayern have won on each of their last two Although there is less at stake for Bayern, who (in London), but we’re ready. Arsenal are defi- Abu Dhabi Sport Germany international Antonio Ruediger could visits to the Emirates en route to knocking out have won their first two Group F fixtures, nitely better than zero points from two all be ready for today’s game. —AFP the Gunners in the last 16 in 2013 and 2014 Wenger and his players have been warned not games.” — AFP