Sports46 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015

PREVIEW France on alert for resumption

PARIS: Tight security will overshadow the these barbaric people want, which is to tims. “THANK YOU” (to the British) was the murdered. resumption of Ligue 1 action in France destabilise our daily way of life,” explained newspaper’s front page headline after “Two of my friends were at the Bataclan today when Nice host Lyon, one week on Braillard. League president Frederic Thiriez England carved out a meaningless 2-0 win and they have a restaurant about 300- from the terror attacks in that left 129 said security forces across the country were in the capital with Prince William and metres from where I live. They were at the people dead and 350 injured. France were too stretched to allow fans to travel. British Prime Minister David Cameron in concert and sadly they are dead,” explained playing Germany at the on Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s friendly attendance. Pastore. “I am very sad about what has hap- November 13 when three explosions were between England and France at Wembley As both European football’s governing pened in France, not only for the French heard outside the national stadium. Three he said: “The Interior Ministry does not body UEFA and the French government but also the world. It is a shock to find the suicide bombers killed themselves along have sufficient mobilised forces to guaran- were moved to dispel fears over France’s city in this tragic situation.” he added. with one bystander. Junior Sports Minister tee at the same time the presence of away ability to host Euro 2016, the French league Marseille’s international Thierry Braillard with French football offi- supporters and overall security.” returns but under a tight security blanket. Lassana Diarra was another top flight play- cials took the decision on Tuesday to allow Popular sports daily L’Equipe paid trib- Paris Saint-Germain, a healthy 10 point er touched by the atrocities as his cousin Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches to go ahead ute to the United Kingdom after fans sang clear of Lyon, travel to Lorient tomorrow, Asta Diakite was also killed in the massacre under heavy security, but without away La Marseillaise ahead of the match, as part Laurent Blanc’s French champions notably at one of Paris’ most popular music venues. fans. of a series of tributes. The French national affected by the attacks. Argentine midfield- “Lass (Diarra) is hurting to the bone over a “Sporting competitions must continue anthem will also be sung at all domestic er Javier Pastore lost two friends at the person who is very close to him,” explained because if we suspend them, that is what matches this weekend in respect to the vic- Bataclan concert hall where 89 people were France coach .— AFP

PREVIEW Bundesliga security under scrutiny after bomb scare

BERLIN: Hamburg host second-placed Borussia Dortmund today in the first of the weekend’s Bundesliga fixtures with security under scrutiny after the Paris terror attacks and bomb scare in Hanover. Bundesliga chiefs insist it will be business as usual in Germany’s top two tiers with the weekend’s blue riband game seeing Schalke host Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich in Gelsenkirchen, which will be at 79,000 capacity. But whether the weekend’s Bundesliga program should take place at all has been debated after Tuesday’s Germany- Netherlands friendly in Hanover was called off due to a bomb scare, further shaking German football. It came just four days after the Germany team experienced first-hand last Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris. Armed police are expected to be seen at most grounds for the weekend’s fixtures with the German Football League (DFL) insisting safety is the top priority. Senior police figures have urged German fans to abandon their usual practise of defying stadium rules by bringing noisy flares into grounds and firing them during matches, which could spark panic in the current tense climate. There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off at all Bundesliga grounds to remember the victims of the Paris attacks which killed 129 people. Players in the top two tiers will wear black armbands. Dortmund’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says the show must go on at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion ground. “There is no : England’s midfielder Raheem Sterling (left) vies against France’s defender Lucas Digne during a friendly foot- alternative. We must show the civil courage and must not ball match between England and France at Wembley Stadium on Nov 17, 2015. — AFP allow ourselves to capitulate to fear,” he said. “Or else it allows those (terrorists) to celebrate, who should not be doing so.” PREVIEW Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia admits the scenes from Paris and Hanover have added an element of fear to the German football landscape. Sterling has point to prove ‘It’s Important We Play’ “It is the first time that it (terrorism) comes so close to the as Man City face Liverpool football,” said the Hamburg boss. “Of course it troubles us, but I think it’s important we play.” Pep Guardiola’s Bayern start a busy week in Gelsenkirchen as they host Olympiakos in the LONDON: Four months after quitting since said he has no regrets over quitting defeat by local rivals Tottenham Hotspur Champions League on Tuesday, then play Hertha Berlin in Liverpool for Manchester City, Raheem Liverpool and the Premier League table before substitute Kieran Gibbs rescued a Munich the following Saturday in the league. Unbeaten in this Sterling will have the first opportunity to already offers some justification for the point. Manchester United, who trail third- season’s Bundesliga, Bayern are five-points clear and their justify the move by getting one over his move. Manuel Pellegrini’s City side are top placed Leicester City by a point, face 11th- Champions League defeat at Arsenal is the only blot on their former employers when the teams meet at of the league, level on points with Arsenal. placed Watford with a doubt hanging over copy book. They will be without Spain midfielder Thiago the Etihad Stadium tomorrow. Sterling Liverpool, on the other hand, are still set- their rance striker Anthony Martial, who Alcantara, who has reinjured the medial ligaments in his right joined City in the close season in a deal tling down under new boss Juergen Klopp injured his foot in the 2-0 friendly defeat knee which he has already ruptured three times in his career worth up to £49 million ($74.49 million), and are 10th. City, who stalled with a - by England at Wembley on Tuesday. and is expected to be out for up to four weeks. Like all other but the circumstances surrounding the less draw against bottom side Aston Villa Michael Carrick could also be missing clubs, the reigning champions are reviewing their security transfer left a bitter taste in the mouths of last time out, could welcome back Sergio for United after suffering ankle ligament arrangements. “We’ve been in intensive discussions with the many Liverpool fans. Aguero, David Silva, Pablo Zabaleta and damage in England’s 2-0 defeat in Spain safety authorities and police for several days. Once these are Sterling’s relationship with Liverpool from injury. on Friday. High-flying Leicester City sit one completed, we’ll provide information,” said Bayern’s media had soured in the lead up to the transfer point behind the leaders and visit director Markus Hoerwick. Hosts Schalke are fifth in the table, after he gave an unauthorized interview to Martial Doubtful Newcastle United, who are one place and but winless in their last five games in all competitions. Captain the BBC. His agent Aidy Ward also angered Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six two points outside the relegation zone. Benedikt Hoewedes is back from a hand injury and says their the club by saying the England winger league games but visit West Bromwich Pressure is mounting on Chelsea boss Jose best chance of breaking their streak “is by sticking together. would not sign a new deal at Anfield - Albion on Saturday looking to mend the Mourinho after a torrid start to the season We’re always stronger at home”.— AFP even for £900,000 a week. Sterling has defensive frailties that nearly cost them for the champions. —Reuters