Milan's Youth Movement in Full Flow As Juventus Visits
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Sports FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016 45 Bayern delights Ancelotti after three winless streak MUNICH: Bayern Munich coach Carlo Bayern’s Bundesliga draws with Cologne and deny Eindhoven’s attack. ted in the first 21 minutes. “We didn’t hold Ancelotti said their 4-1 romp against PSV Eintracht Frankfurt in the wake of their 1-0 Bayern face PSV away in a fortnight, then them very well after we went 2-0 up and you Eindhoven in the Champions League was the defeat at Champions League Group D lead- travel to face Russian side Rostov before have to always be careful. “Eindhoven were reaction he was looking for after a three- ers Atletico Madrid. hosting Atletico in their final group match on dangerous two or three times, but they we match winless streak. Bayern bounced back Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge December 6 in a game likely to decide who got back on top and deserved to win. “We in emphatic style on Wednesday at the had branded their attitude in Saturday’s 2-2 wins the pool. “We played well, but we have knew we had to start well, and be aggressive Allianz Arena with winger Arjen Robben in draw at Frankfurt as “unacceptable”, but to give our best in the next few games to and play with self-confidence at home, after outstanding form. Ancelotti was pleased with his side’s make sure we play Atletico for first place,” our three games without a win. “We should Goals by Thomas Mueller and Joshua response against PSV. “That was the reaction warned Ancelotti. Robben said Bayern have scored more in the first half, perhaps Kimmich put Bayern ahead before Luciano I expect from the team, the attitude was deserved the win, but need to build on the that is our only criticism, and we have to Narsingh netted for Eindhoven before the good, we learnt our lessons from Frankfurt,” performance when the Bundesliga leaders keep playing well like this. “It was nice to get break. But Bayern dominated the second- said the Italian, who had won his first eight return to domestic duty at home to Borussia the header, but it was down to the beautiful half with Robert Lewandowski putting them games in charge before the Madrid defeat. Moenchengladbach on Saturday. pass from Thiago, he deserves the credit,” 3-1 up before Robben, who had set up two “We very happy to have Manuel Neuer,” “We started very well, dominated straight added the 32-year-old added after scoring of their goals, added the fourth. The German Ancelotti added after the Germany goal- away and put them under pressure,” said the his first headed goal in the Champions media had spoken of a ‘mini-crisis’ after keeper pulled off a string of good saves to Dutchman as Mueller and Kimmich both net- League. —AFP Wenger tells his in-form stars to stay grounded LONDON: Arsene Wenger warned his Arsenal stars not to get carried away after they gave another demonstration of their sky-high confidence with a 6-0 demolition of Ludogorets in the Champions League. Wenger’s side are in peak form at present and Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets were powerless to prevent their hot streak extending to seven successive vic- tories in all competitions. Alexis Sanchez scored a sublime opener and Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were also on the scoresheet at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday before Mesut Ozil hit a second half hat-trick. With Arsenal top of their Champions League group after three matches and sitting pretty in the Premier League, where they are behind leaders Manchester City on goal difference, Wenger and company are finally feel- ing good about themselves after a troubled time last term. But the Gunners boss knows over-confidence could be fatal to Arsenal’s chances of winning major silverware and he urged his players to stay humble. “Let’s not be too quick on the verdict. We have a strong squad and a strong spirit, but you have to take care of it and keep your feet on the ground,” Wenger said. “Maybe the con- fidence is high, we have a good balance at the moment in the team. “In this game a lot is linked with confidence. I feel that at the moment because we win game after game, maybe we SAN SIRO: AC Milan’s Manuel Locatelli, center, celebrates with his teammates goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, left, and get through dodgy periods with less psychological damage. Mattia De Sciglio after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Sassuolo at the San Siro stadium. —AP “The only way to win something big is to focus on the next one and work on humility.” Despite leading 3-0 by the 46th minute, Wenger’s team kept their foot on the gas and the Frenchman had no qualms about running up the score Milan’s youth movement in because he believes fine-tuning his attack will pay dividends in the long run. full flow as Juventus visits Risky game “We are taking more of our chances. Is that because our ROME: At the age of 17, Gianluigi weekend in Serie A at 24 years, 231 days. Milan, recalling Juve’s transformation final ball is better or the finishing is better? It’s difficult to ana- Donnarumma is already considered the Seven of the players were born in the after a 2006 match-fixing scandal that lyze,” he said. “In the first half it looked a different game heir apparent to Gianluigi Buffon. After 1990s - Donnarumma, Locatelli, Niang, saw the Bianconeri relegated to Serie B. because Ludogorets were dangerous going forward, but in only seven Serie A appearances, 18- Alessio Romagnoli, Suso, Mattia De “They just need time and experience to the second half they suffered a lot physically. “We took control year-old Manuel Locatelli is drawing Sciglio and Gianluca Lapadula. improve.” completely and could have scored more. We have a risky comparisons to Andrea Pirlo. M’Baye “I don’t feel like a young player any- The last time Milan collected 16 or game so it’s important to take our chances. “As long as we Niang, a relative veteran at 21, is provid- more. I’m nearly 22 and I’ve been a pro more points over its first eight matches score three the opponent has to score four to beat you. Lets ing the kind of consistency at forward since I was 16,” Niang, who made his was in 2010-11, when the Rossoneri won keep scoring and get any lapses out of our game.” that Mario Balotelli couldn’t. AC Milan is Ligue 1 debut with Caen in 2011, said in their last title. A year after that title, Key to Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League and fully embracing a youth movement as it an interview with La Repubblica. “(De Milan sold top players Zlatan thriving in Europe will be maintaining the current purple endures a third consecutive season out Sciglio and I) have got to be examples Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris patches of Sanchez and Ozil. Both Chile forward Sanchez and of European competition. In a league for the actual kids, like Donnarumma Saint-Germain - part of a mass exodus of German midfielder Ozil are seeking improved contracts and where the top clubs have had a tenden- and Locatelli.” Riding a five-match veterans instigated by a drop in invest- made persuasive cases of bumper deals with their latest domi- cy to rely on veterans and the odd unbeaten streak, Milan is in third place, ments by club president Silvio nant displays. Wenger was especially encouraged with the Brazilian teenager, seeing so many level on points with second-place Roma. Berlusconi. The overhaul sparked a way Ozil go forward in the hunt for goals after spending much young faces wearing the familiar downward spiral that has seen Milan fail of his time at Arsenal content to supply assists from midfield. Rossoneri colors is a novelty. Time and experience to finish higher than seventh the past “It looks like he gets a taste to score. In the past he would “There’s less fear in Italy now, even Up next for Milan is a match against three seasons, including a dismal 10th in come deep for the ball to be a provider, but now he gets though some clubs still prefer veterans,” five-time defending champion Juventus 2014-15. Since current Juventus coach forward more. That’s what we want to encourage,” Wenger Niang said. “We’ve got the right mix. on Saturday at the San Siro. It’s a Massimiliano Allegri was fired by Milan said. Wenger also insisted Sanchez would be fit to face When you have great players that can rematch of last season’s Italian Cup final, in January 2014, five different coaches Middlesbrough in the Premier League tomorrow after the win matches by themselves it throws which Juventus won 1-0 after extra time. have taken charge of the club. former Barcelona star came off in the 73rd minute. “I just the other players off balance.” The Milan Milan hasn’t beaten Juventus since Berlusconi is in the process of finalizing wanted to give him a breather but physically he is fine,” side that beat Chievo Verona 3-1 Sunday November 2012. “It reminds me of Juve the sale of the team to a group of Wenger said. —AFP was the youngest average team of the from a few years ago,” Buffon said of Chinese investors.—AP.