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Home , Joe Gomez (footballer), Mauricio Pochettino

Friday 47 Sports Friday, November 30, 2018 steps up as Tuchel gets it right with PSG PSG are now above in Group C PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain had been waiting for and head to Red Star Belgrade in their final game such a performance from Neymar, and the in a fortnight with qualification for the last 16 in Brazilian more than delivered in Wednesday’s their hands. Champions League victory over Liverpool. The It was a big night personally for Neymar, in world’s most expensive player scored what PSG’s most important Champions League game proved to be the winning as PSG beat last since the last 16, second leg against Real season’s runners-up 2-1 to step back from the last season, which the Brazilian missed due to in- brink of an unthinkable group-stage exit. jury. This was probably the French club’s most His 14th goal of the season came at the end significant result in the competition since they of a move he had initiated with his blinding pace. beat 4-0 in the last 16 two seasons ago. Neymar celebrated by performing a dance by Neymar was far from the only man responsible. the corner flag with Kylian Mbappe and posing There were big performances throughout, for the cameras. with impressive in midfield, even But Neymar’s evening was about so much if he was lucky not to be sent off for a dangerous more than that. Shortly after ’s open- tackle on Joe Gomez in the first half. ing goal, Neymar rushed across to the touchline Thiago Silva towered over everyone in cen- in front of the dugout to make a challenge and tral defence, the 34-year-old Brazilian living up then waved his arms in a frenzy to whip up the to his nickname of “The Monster” by helping crowd. shut out Liverpool’s front three of Mohamed He spent much of the second half running his Salah, and Sadio Mane. socks off to help PSG defend their lead, and he Yet it was telling that Silva was so keen to also upset Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for praise his coach at the end of the game, as he being supposedly “clever” in winning fouls and described as “fantastic”. PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar (C) vies for the ball with Liverpool’s buying time. The German has won all 14 games in Swiss midfielder during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match “For us it was all or nothing. We suffered this season since being appointed, but he des- between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Liverpool, — AFP quite a bit but we are relieved that we won, perately needed a signature European perform- played well and showed the strength of our ance. Tuchel made some big decisions, none session. Tuchel therefore won the tactical battle The question now is whether this result can squad,” Neymar said. “We need to celebrate more so than selecting defender in against his compatriot Klopp and crucially act as a trigger for PSG to go on to the latter that. After the game we were shouting, jumping midfield rather than Adrien Rabiot. seems to have won over his players. stages of the competition. “I hope so. It is very around, dancing, so we are happy.” Marquinhos was particularly impressive, “The attitude was extraordinary. I am very important to go through this experience to- PSG could have been eliminated with a de- playing in a holding midfield role without the ball proud that all the supporters in the ground saw gether to create a special atmosphere for the feat, but are now above Liverpool in Group C and dropping into a three-man defence in pos- the efforts of a team,” said Tuchel. weeks ahead,” Tuchel added. —AFP

fied for the last 16 - I just don’t get it,” he said. Schalke fans boo The mood of the disgruntled fans was made worse as Eriksen’s late show the team did not acknowledge the travelling support after and jeer their the final whistle. “They came a long way to get here,” said keeps Spurs in hunt midfielder Alessandro Schoepf. “One could have gone to thank them in the stands, that is all about respect.” team into last Schalke’s injury-hit attack failed to manage a single for last 16 berth shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes while Porto ripped 16 in Europe the Royal Blues defence apart after the break. Only good saves by Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann kept the vis- LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino backed Tottenham to complete their Cham- itors in the game. — AFP pions League escape act in Barcelona after ’s late strike kept alive their last 16 hopes with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan. BERLIN: Schalke have reached the last 16 of the Cham- Pochettino’s side were 10 minutes away from being eliminated at the pions League, but their progress to the knock-out stages group stage as they laboured to break down the massed Inter defence at did not stop travelling fans booing their team’s dismal 3- MATCHES ON TV Wembley. But Eriksen, surprisingly dropped to the bench by Pochettino, 1 defeat at Porto. German fans celebrated before kick-off LOCAL TIMING came to Tottenham’s rescue when the substitute fired home to take their in the Portuguese city on Wednesday when Lokomotiv Group B qualification bid down to the final game. Moscow’s 2-0 win over Galatasary meant both Schalke ENGLISH It was a dramatic end to a hard-fought clash that Tottenham had to win and Porto were through to the last 16 from Group D. to avoid bowing out at the group stage for the second time in three seasons. However, the mood soured after Schalke were well Cardiff City v Wolverhampton Wanderers 23:00 After taking one point from their opening three matches, Tottenham had beaten by Porto as the Germans only had a late Nabil beIN SPORTS scored twice in the last 12 minutes to avoid an early exit against PSV Eind- Bentaleb penalty to show and their fans voiced their dis- hoven earlier this month. appointment over a dismal away display. SPANISH LEAGUE And this latest act of European escapology means second placed Totten- “It’s hard for us when the fans are upset, but we need Rayo Vallecano v SD Eibar 23:00 ham are now level on points with third placed Inter. They head to Barcelona to understand their reasons,” said defensive midfielder beIN SPORTS HD 3 to face the group leaders on December 11 knowing they will reach the last Omar Mascarell. Schalke were floored as Porto netted two 16 as long as they match Inter’s result against PSV on the same night. second-half goals in quick succession, as Brazilian de- GERMAN BUNDESLIGA That won’t be easy against Lionel Messi and company, but Pochettino has fender Eder Militao struck in the 52nd minute and Jesus Fortuna D¸sseldorf v FSV Mainz 05 22:30 faith. “All is possible in football. We have big respect to Barcelona, they are Corona three minutes later. Moussa Marega hit a third beIN SPORTS one of the best teams in Europe, it will be so tough. But we have belief and late for the hosts in added time. faith that we can win,” Pochettino said. “We need fresh legs, fresh mind and no The German fans whistled and booed their team off FRENCH LEAGUE injuries. We need to arrive that way in Barcelona.” Barca may rest players given the pitch and sports director Christian Heidel was sur- Saint Etienne v FC Nantes 22:45 they are already through, but Pochettino is not expecting any favours. — AFP prised given their passage into the last 16. “You always have the right to express resentment, but we have quali- beIN SPORTS