P19 Layout 1
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 SPORTS Wilshere expects Arsenal to finish off Besiktas LONDON:Jack Wilshere is confident the years that Arsenal are going to battle Arsenal’s dramatic late fightback at Everton like mad right until the end. “There have will provide the perfect springboard to see been a few games where we have been off Besiktas in today’s crucial Champions behind right until the end but have kept League showdown. Arsene Wenger’s side going.” Arsenal’s late revival on Merseyside head into the second leg of their play-off couldn’t disguise the underwhelming encounter against the Turkish side with the nature of a performance that followed hot tie delicately poised after a goalless draw in on the heels of another tepid effort in the Istanbul last week. It was the first time in 13 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on the open- matches Arsenal had failed to win a ing day of the season. Champions League play-off fixture. But the Wales midfielder Ramsey, who bagged Gunners are feeling good about them- the late winner against Palace, was key to selves after rescuing a 2-2 draw from an Arsenal’s recovery on both occasions, but unpromising situation in their Premier he will be missing against Besiktas after League match against Everton on Saturday. being sent off in Turkey. Ramsey’s absence Trailing 2-0 with only seven minutes is a blow as Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta remaining, Arsenal looked destined for is out with a sprained ankle, left-back another dispiriting defeat against one of Kieran Gibbs has a hamstring problem and their rivals for a top four finish. Yet French striker Giroud left Goodison with his Wenger’s men ignored the memories of left foot in a protective boot after injuring last season’s capitulations at Manchester his ankle. Alexis Sanchez started ahead of City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton and hit Giroud on Saturday, but struggled before back to equalize thanks to Aaron Ramsey’s coming off at half-time and Wenger must strike and Olivier Giroud’s last minute decide whether to keep the Chile forward header. It was the ideal morale booster in the central striker’s role. ahead of Besiktas’s visit to the Emirates Regardless of who starts up front, Stadium and England international Wenger expects Arsenal to finish the job. Wilshere believes the fightback should “The task is clear. We are at home, we want inspire Arsenal to get the win they need to to qualify for the Champions League group reach the group stages of Europe’s elite stage and the target is to win the game. No club competition for the 17th consecutive matter what happens, I think we have the season. potential to win the game,” he said. LONDON: Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger (right) speaks to his players during a training session at London Colney yesterday, on the “This was a fantastic point and now we Arsenal’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny eve of his team’s UEFA Champions League second-leg play-off match against Besiktas. — AFP have a big game today and this will give us agrees and sees no reason to fear an exit great confidence going into that,” Wilshere from Europe, given the Gunners have said. “We have got great character, great become specialists at emerging unscathed Liverpool new boy Mario togetherness and some leaders out there from these qualifiers in recent years. “It is that keep us going. important that we move on quickly now We also have great players to go with and prepare for today’s night. It is certainly that. “We never give up and at this level an important one for us, so hopefully we Balotelli glad to be back that is massive. We have always shown over will get a result,” Szczesny added. — AFP MANCHESTER: Mario Balotelli said he was glad Champions League ambition expectation in people. They’re very happy and to be back in the Premier League after the con- Having won the Champions League with that makes me very happy at the same time. troversial Italy striker completed his £16 million Inter Milan in 2010, Balotelli said he wanted to “Liverpool are one of the best teams here in ($26.5 million, 20.1 million euros) move to repeat the feat with Liverpool on the Reds’ England. The football is very good here. It’s a Liverpool on Monday. Balotelli left England in return to Europe’s elite club competition this great team with young players, and that’s why I January 2013 when Manchester City sold him to season. “I want to win another Champions came here.” AC Milan, but the 24-year-old endured a difficult League for sure, because the Champions League In light of Balotelli’s reputation as a trouble- time in Milan, where he was subjected to racial wasn’t all mine-I was in a team,” he added. “I maker, Rodgers is believed to have asked for the abuse by opposing fans. After completing his always start a competition wanting to win it. I player’s contract to include strict clauses about switch to Anfield on a three-year contract worth want to take this team to the Champions his behavior on and off the pitch. But the desire a reported £90,000 a week, which includes an option for a further year, Balotelli conceded he had been wrong to ever leave England. “I’m happy to be back because I left England and it was a mistake. I wanted to go to Italy, but I realized it was a mistake,” Balotelli told Liverpool’s website. “English football is generally better. English football is beautiful.” Liverpool did not complete the transfer in time for Balotelli to play in their 3-1 loss at City on Monday, but he attended the match and sat in the directors’ box wearing a dark top and a beanie hat. He had ear- lier completed a one-on-one training session Massimiliano Allegri with Liverpool’s head of conditioning and fit- ness, Ryland Morgans, at the club’s Melwood ITALIAN LEAGUE PREVIEW base. Balotelli earned a reputation as a trouble- maker during his three-year stint at City, where his antics included setting fireworks off in his Changes in Serie A as own house and brawling with then-coach Roberto Mancini. Speaking before his side’s defeat at the Etihad Allegri replaces Conte Stadium, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers MILAN: There is plenty of change in Serie A this him, the club and the players. At Juve I have admitted that Balotelli’s signing represented season after a difficult and tumultuous period for found this. At Milan it was there for three years.” something of a gamble. “Mario is at a stage in his Italian football. The pain in Italy began with the With the uncertainty of how Juventus will per- career where this might be his last chance,” the Italian Cup final in May, which was overshadowed form under Allegri, Roma is among many peo- Northern Irishman told Sky Sports. Mario Balotelli by the shooting and later death of Napoli fan Ciro ple’s favorites to end the Bianconeri’s hold on the “He needs to settle down and show maturity, Esposito. It was hoped a good World Cup cam- title. Last season’s runners-up faded after a fantas- but I have worked with loads of players like that. League.” Balotelli received a hostile reception to land a top-class replacement for Luis Suarez, paign would serve as a timely boost to a crisis-rid- tic start under coach Rudi Garcia but are likely to “He has huge potential, but he needs to come from Liverpool fans during his visits to Anfield who was sold to Barcelona, persuaded Rodgers den country, but Italy was knocked out in the first cope better after a year of experience and follow- here and be consistent and if he can do that while with City, but he was given a warm wel- to sanction the deal for Balotelli, who won the round in Brazil, prompting the resignation of ing more shrewd moves in the transfer market - if then we have one hell of a player. come by supporters who gathered outside the Premier League and FA Cup during his time at national team coach Cesare Prandelli and the the squad manages to deal with the dual chal- “We have strong family values and behavior club’s training ground to catch a glimpse of the City and also lifted the Italian title three times president of the Italian football federation. lenges of the Champions League and Serie A. is very important here. We believe we can striker. “I didn’t expect it because whenever I with Inter. “This transfer represents outstanding Giancarlo Abete’s replacement is Carlo In previous offseasons, Allegri’s old club has improve his game and consistency in his game.” played against Liverpool, the fans weren’t nice value for the club and I think we have done a Tavecchio, who is now under investigation by been seen as the team most likely to challenge Asked what he expected from Balotelli, Rodgers with me, but that’s normal-it’s football!” Balotelli really smart piece of business here,” Rodgers told UEFA following alleged racist remarks during his Juventus. But Milan fans are set for another sea- joked: “Trouble!” said. “Now that I play for Liverpool, I can see the the club website. — AFP electoral campaign. The one positive note is that son of mediocrity after an eighth-place finish. Antonio Conte was chosen to replace Prandelli - Milan - which fired Allegri in January - dismissed but that move sees Serie A lose one of its finest coach Clarence Seedorf at the end of the season coaches.