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. Conte left Juventus fans reeling when and replaced him with another club great, he announced his departure, shortly after steer- Filippo Inzaghi. ‘Bitter-sweet day’ for ing the Bianconeri to its third straight league title The preseason has not gone to plan with a in his three years in charge. He was replaced by number of embarrassing performances and the Massimiliano Allegri, a man who was subject to sale of striker Mario Balotelli to Liverpool. City constant criticism from the media and fans dur- rival Inter Milan is unlikely to fare much better, ing his time at AC Milan, despite leading the but could emerge as surprise title contenders if Brazil club Palmeiras Rossoneri to the league title during his first sea- new signings Nemanja Vidic, Pablo Osvaldo and son in charge. Gary Medel stay away from controversy. Allegri has admitted it will be tough to emu- If the Milan crisis - which saw both of the city’s SAO PAULO: Palmeiras celebrated their cente- But Palmeiras’ fortunes waned in the new less than 13,000 so far this season - and some late Conte’s record-breaking last season in teams flounder - repeats itself, Napoli and nary yesterday but it was a bitter-sweet occa- millennium, suffering relegation in 2002 and fans have had enough. “So many of the direc- charge. “To collect 102 points is impossible,” Fiorentina are likely to once again challenge for sion for one of Brazil’s most successful clubs again in 2012 and although they bounced tors just suck the life out the club, they are like Allegri said. “The average you need to win is usu- the top three. Napoli impressed under coach with seemingly endless turmoil off the field straight back on both occasions they have politicians who are only in it for their own ally 84-85 points. I just want to have one more Rafa Benitez last season but showed the previous than second place. “When you change coach, year that it struggles domestically when involved adding to relegation fears for a third time in 12 rarely looked healthy. They have struggled this gain,” said Carlos Eduardo Poccia, a 34-year old new things are normal. Each approaches the in the Champions League. Fiorentina is sweating years. The club, formed on Aug 26, 1914 by season since losing manager Gilson Kleina and salesman who attended a commemorative team based on their character. The coach is very again on the fitness of striker Giuseppe Rossi, Italian immigrants in Sao Paulo, have won top striker Alan Kardec in the third week of the event in the Sao Paulo city centre on Saturday. important, but you need togetherness between who is sidelined with another knee injury. —AP almost every title up for grabs, including eight campaign. Gareca was hired from abroad, “I think the only answer is to panic them. Get Brazilian league flags, more than any other becoming just the second Argentine coach in in there, take over the club by force and elect team. almost a decade to lead a Brazilian Serie A someone who is qualified. It needs to be dis- Maccabi’s coach Garcia But as the championship approaches its team, but he has so far failed to turn the sea- infected. We need a root-and-branch over- halfway point Palmeiras sit fifth from bottom, son around. “It is very worrying and it won’t haul.” — Reuters only edging out the relegation places on end soon,” Mauro Beting, author of a book on quits over Gaza conflict Saturday after Argentine coach Ricardo Gareca the club’s centenary, told Reuters at a signing JERUSALEM: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Spanish tions I heard from Oscar were more personal picked up three points for the first time since event attended by hundreds of fans on coach Oscar Garcia has left the club because than anything else,” Cruyff added. Garcia part- taking over eight league games ago. “We’re a Monday. “There’s no money, no team and no MATCHES ON TV of the conflict between Israel and Islamist mil- ed with the players earlier yesterday and has little more relaxed thanks to the victory,” leadership.” “We didn’t expect that our present itants in the Gaza Strip and compatriot Pako left the country. Israeli sport has been greatly defender Tobio said after a 1-0 win over would be about our past but we have to cele- Ayestaran will replace him, the club said yes- affected by the conflict in Gaza which Israel Coritiba. “It was a victory that we had hoped brate it and at the same time keep the flame UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE terday. Maccabi general manager Jordi Cruyff launched on July 8 with the declared aim of for and we needed it to boost our confidence. alight for the future,” he added. Fans are pray- Ludogorets Razgrad v Steaua 21:45 said Garcia’s decision to leave was personal. ending the rocket salvoes which Islamist mili- It allows us to work this week in a more tran- ing for new signings to ease their woes and “We have a change of coach, Oscar decided to tants have fired into the Jewish state. quil atmosphere.” reports say the club is negotiating with former beIN SPORTS 7 HD leave the job, to leave Israel ... and we have Palestinian health officials say 2,125 peo- The atmosphere around Palmeiras has Barcelona star Ronaldinho. Arsenal v Besikta 21:45 announced the arrival of a new coach ... and ple, most of them civilians, including more rarely been tranquil in recent years, in spite of beIN SPORTS 1 HD we hope the transition is a very smooth one,” than 490 children, have been killed in the sev- their grand history. The club - which changed New stadium beIN SPORTS 11 HD Cruyff said. en-week long conflict. Sixty-four Israeli sol- beIN SPORTS 13 HD Garcia was starting a second stint in diers and four civilians in Israel have been its name from Palestra Italia in 1942 as anti- An arguably more important development charge at Maccabi. His previous two-season killed. The scheduled start of the domestic Axis feeling grew in Brazil - became known as will come with the inauguration of an impres- Malmo v Red Bull Salzburg 21:45 term ended in 2013 with the league champi- league season on Aug 8 has been delayed and the Academy for producing large numbers of sive 45,000-seat stadium before the year is out. beIN SPORTS 5 HD onship. He then took charge of Championship many international sporting events in Israel talented young players in the 1960s and The Allianz Parque is the 14th new arena to be Bayer 04 v Copenhagen 21:45 side Brighton and Hove Albion from English have been called off. Teams involved in 1970s. They were also strong in the 1990s, built in Brazil over the last 18 months (12 for beIN SPORTS 2 HD soccer’s second tier. Ayestaran was assistant European club soccer competitions have been when investment from Italy’s Parmalat group the World Cup plus Gremio’s new stadium in Athletic de Bilbao v Napoli 21:45 to Napoli coach Rafa Benitez at Tenerife, forced to host opponents in Cyprus, and ten- boosted their coffers. Players like Rivaldo, Porto Alegre) and fans hope it will offer a fresh Valencia and Liverpool. He moves to Maccabi nis, basketball, swimming events have been Roberto Carlos, Cesar Sampaio and Zinho won start. But like Beting, few are optimistic the ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE from Mexican side Estudiantes Tecos and will affected. Israel will host Argentina in their them back to back league titles in 1993 and glory days will return any time soon. Seoul v Pohang Steelers 13:30 join them in Cyprus where they host Greek Davis Cup World Group playoff in Sunrise, 1994 and then with Alex, Marcos and The boardroom remains riven with infight- beIN SPORTS 4 HD side Asteras Tripolis in a Europa League fix- Florida next month after the International Edmundo in the squad Luiz Felipe Scolari took ing that makes mockery of the club’s motto, ture. “Some things happen in life and we have Tennis Federation ruled out Tel Aviv as a ven- Guangzhou v Western Sydney 15:00 to accept personal decisions... the explana- ue due to security concerns. — Reuters them to the Brazilian Cup and Libertadores “Vincit qui se vincit”, or “He conquers, who titles in 1998 and 1999. conquers himself.” Crowds are low - averaging beIN SPORTS 6 HD