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27 Sports Thursday, October 4, 2018 Madrid slip to shock defeat by CSKA after Kroos mistake ‘We played aggressively, boldly, we defended really well’ MOSCOW: Toni Kroos’ mistake proved costly as Real Dani Ceballos also started while summer signing Madrid’s goal scoring problems continued on Tuesday Alvaro Odriozola came on for his Champions League with a surprise 1-0 defeat to CSKA Moscow in the debut after Dani Carvajal pulled up injured. “It seems Champions League. Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos Carvajal has a small injury in his calf, we will have to were among a number of key players missing at the wait on the tests,” Lopetegui said. Luzhniki Stadium but it was Kroos’ dreadful back pass Madrid were three down by half-time against Sevilla that allowed Nikola Vlasic, on loan from Premier last week and this time they were behind within two League Everton, to put CSKA ahead after just 68 sec- minutes. It was self-inflicted as Kroos tried to half-vol- onds. Madrid searched for an equaliser but, despite ley a bouncing ball back to Navas but Vlasic read it and hitting the woodwork three times, was resisted by a intercepted. Raphael Varane was slow to react and the determined CSKA defence. The reigning European weaving forward finished into the corner. champions have now failed to score in three consecu- CSKA coach Viktor Goncharenko said biggest con- tive matches. cern was that his players would slump after the high of CSKA’s veteran goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was sent a remarkable victory. “We played aggressively, boldly, off deep into added time after picking up two yellow we defended really well. Of course an early goal helped cards for dissent but nothing could spoil the hosts’ vic- us a lot,” he said. tory which lifted them above Madrid in Group G. “Now we will all enjoy the evening. I’m afraid my Julen Lopetegui’s side lacked spark, thrust and cut- players’ emotions will come down after this win. ting edge in attack. They missed Bale, Isco and, perhaps Hopefully because they are young they will survive it even, the lethal touch of Cristiano Ronaldo. “Goals without any serious damage.” Madrid hardly troubled come when you keep creating chances and believe you CSKA during the first half, despite Casemiro’s long- will be more accurate,” Lopetegui said. range shot clipping the outside of the post and Karim “That is all we can do. I am sure we will soon be Benzema’s header plopping off the top of the crossbar. scoring again and winning again.” Some of the changes Mariano Diaz and Modric finally came on for were enforced, with Isco and Marcelo out injured, but Casemiro and Vazquez shortly before the hour but even Bale and Ramos were left at home to rest and Luka FIFA’s best player in the world was unable to engineer Modric started on the bench. any penetration through midfield. Keylor Navas came in for Thibaut Courtois in goal to The hapless Benzema dragged a shot on the turn and continue Lopetegui’s policy of one in La Liga and the Ceballos had a deflected effort pushed wide by other in Europe. The absence of the established names Akinfeev, who was shown two yellow cards for dissent MOSCOW: Real Madrid’s Spanish defender Nacho Fernandez and CSKA Moscow’s Slovenian midfielder Jaka meant a youthful line-up, which included a debut for in the dying moments. Mariano headed Ceballos’ cross Bijol vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League group G football match between PFC CSKA Moscow 21-year-old left-back Sergio Reguilon, who joined the onto the post for one final chance but Madrid could and Real Madrid CF at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on Tuesday. — AFP club’s academy aged eight. hardly complain. — AFP Out-of-sorts Bayern held to Champions Mourinho and Man League draw by Ajax United longing MUNICH: Noussair Mazraoui’s superbly worked first- for past glories half equaliser stunned an out-of-sorts Bayern Munich on Tuesday, as Ajax held the German giants to a sur- Manchester: Manchester United manager Jose prise 1-1 draw in Bavaria. After a draw at home to Mourinho again pointed the finger at his players’ Augsburg and a shock 2-0 defeat to Hertha Berlin last failings rather than his own shortcomings after a week, Bayern’s miserable form continued as they strug- 0-0 Champions League draw with Valencia that gled against Ajax, who stay top of Group E. did little to lift spirits at Old Trafford. “It wasn’t an easy game today, but we’ve only scored Mourinho has now failed to win in four consec- two goals in our last three games, and that is not utive home matches for the first time in his career enough by our standards,” Bayern captain Manuel following defeat to Tottenham, a draw against Neuer told DAZN. Bayern coach Niko Kovac had newly promoted Wolves and a League Cup exit demanded a reaction from his players ahead of the on penalties to second division Derby. game, and they delivered in furious fashion in the open- Already nine points adrift of Premier League ing exchanges. leaders Manchester City and Liverpool, it now After early chances had fallen to Franck Ribery and appears a question of when and not if Mourinho Arjen Robben, Mats Hummels gave a dominant Bayern MUNICH: Ajax’s Dutch midfielder Dani de Wit and Bayern Munich’s German defender Mats Hummels clash goes, with an unhappy squad now mirrored by the lead after just four minutes, heading in Robben’s disgruntled fans and outspoken former players. inswinging cross. The visitors worked their way back heads during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam in Munich, southern Germany, on Tuesday. — AFP The home faithful implored their side to into the game, however, and Hakim Ziyech forced a “attack, attack, attack” in the second half of scrambling save from Manuel Neuer on 16 minutes. Tuesday’s stalemate. But unlike the old days under They were rewarded five minutes later when told DAZN. Bayern, in turn, had their chance to win the game on Alex Ferguson, there was no late onslaught on the Noussair Mazraoui linked up brilliantly with Dusan “Our commitment was good, but we were trying to 77 minutes, Serge Gnabry setting up fellow substitute Valencia goal as the Spaniards, who have won just Tadic and lashed the ball past Neuer. Unsettled, Bayern get forward too quickly and kept losing the ball too James Rodriguez, whose toe-poke was clawed away at one game in nine themselves this season, comfort- completely lost their rhythm and, other than a handful easily.” The underdogs remained the better side in the the far post by Andre Onana. ably held out for a point. of half-chances for Hummels and defensive midfielder second half, Nicolas Tagliafico calling Neuer into action The home side’s hearts were in their mouths one “We don’t have the technical quality to build Javi Martinez, created little of note before half-time. again straight away. more time deep into stoppage time when Lasse from the back,” said Mourinho of United’s often Ajax came closer, Ziyech once again testing Neuer Thiago’s shot brushed the outside of the post on 66 Schone’s free-kick thundered against the bar, and route one football. “We knew we wouldn’t create with a vicious long-range shot just before the break. minutes, but Ajax should have taken lead 20 minutes Bayern’s grim evening was compounded as Hummels 20 chances. Our attacking players aren’t in their “We started well with a lot of momentum, but we let from time, Donny van de Beek missing a sitter after stumbled off the pitch just before the end having picked best moments of confidence and individual level.” Ajax into the game,” Bayern midfielder Thomas Mueller finding acres of space in the box. up a second blow to the head. —AFP As some of Ferguson’s most famous pupils watched on, it was another 90 minutes that showed how far United have fallen since the class of ‘92 made their mark by going for the throat of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus among others on thrilling European nights at Old Saudi football chiefs Trafford. David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and appoint first women Nicky Butt were in attendance, while Paul Scholes was scathing of Mourinho even before the match started following a dire 3-1 defeat at West Ham on board members Saturday. “I think his mouth is probably out of control and I think he’s embarrassing the club,” said Scholes, who also expressed his surprise that RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Football authority for sports head Turki Mourinho is still in charge. Federation (SAFF) appointed Al-Sheikh-who in turn is close to For how much longer will depend on how long women to the board for the first the kingdom’s powerful Crown the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward time in the kingdom’s history yes- Prince Mohammed bin Salman is willing to let his bet on the Portuguese run terday, and also named a new who has been making social and before cutting his losses. A failure to qualify for president. The two women are economic reforms. the Champions League is what forced Adwa al-Arifi and Reham Al- These included allowing Woodward’s hand in the past in firing David Onaizan and the new president is women to enter a football stadium Moyes and Louis van Gaal.