THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 SPORTS

Mourinho ties his fate to Ibrahimovic at United

MANCHESTER: Jose Mourinho’s While it is not hard to see why League’s bottom side. Although some of said. “I’ve been in the game for 20 years Ibrahimovic had suggested earlier this announcement that Zlatan Ibrahimovic Ibrahimovic would re-sign a one-year those strikes were spectacular, and, while I’m getting older, I feel I’m get- week that he might “outnapoleon will stay at Manchester United for a sec- deal reported to be worth 260,000 Ibrahimovic has appeared a throwback ting better as I get older. Napoleon” by decamping to the MLS. ond season was a bold statement of faith pounds ($323,362.00) a week, some in a season where Chelsea and Liverpool “I am shining in one way or another, “Perhaps I should do what Napoleon in a striker still trying to prove himself in United fans question whether he have literally set the pace with high- but if you want me to shine even more didn’t and cross the Atlantic and con- England. United’s manager swatted away remains the right man to spearhead their octane performances that have seen then I will try and do it for you,” he joked. quer the States as well,” he told Swedish questions about the 35-year-old’s pace attack into his 37th year. them surge ahead of sixth-placed United. The problem is Mourinho has already newspaper Aftonbladet. But first he and suitability, effectively tying their The goals have dried up after five in The Swede defended himself with identified a lack of pace as a problem for must conquer Manchester. With a tro- fates together as they seek a way to turn his first five games. Since then the characteristic charm on Wednesday his attack, explaining he overlooked phy bagged every season since 2001, around United’s season. Swede has netted three times in 12 when it was suggested at a news confer- Wayne Rooney at home to Arsenal on including 13 league titles, and a statue “We are going to execute the option attempts, once against Ukrainian side FC ence that he had not shone this season. Saturday because he was too slow. to be erected in his honour in of a second season,” said Mourinho. “After Zorya in the Europa League and twice “I shine for 24 hours (a day), so it Wednesday’s contract announcement Stockholm, Mourinho clearly believes that he can do what he wants.” versus Swansea City, the Premier depends how you want me to shine,” he was all the more surprising because Ibra will deliver. — Reuters

Hat-trick delights Reus, Tuchel in record win

DORTMUND: Marco Reus was delighted to up after first-choice Roman Burki broke his have netted a hat-trick on his comeback in hand in Saturday’s 1-0 league win over Borussia Dortmund’s record 8-4 hammer- Bayern Munich, was unhappy with his ing of Legia Warsaw in the Champions defence. “There are points we should talk League after six months out. about, we must behave differently in “That was an important step for me, it’s defence,” he fumed. “We’re playing here in how you imagine your first day back will the Champions League, you have to give a go,” said Reus with a grin. “I’ve worked hard different account of yourself. “It was a great for this moment and I am pleased that I game for the spectators, but we should not could help the team.” have leaked four.” The Germany winger led the way in a record-goal haul for a Champions League NINE CHANGES game. The 12-goals in Dortmund on Tuchel had made nine changes to the Tuesday bettered the competition’s previ- side which beat Bayern on Saturday and ous record of 11 set when Monaco beat Prijovic took advantage of sloppy defence Deportivo de La Coruna 8-3 in November to chip his shot home and stun the 2003. With Dortmund already through to Dortmund crowd on 10 minutes. the last 16, the huge win keeps them top of Even though UEFA had banned Group F, two points clear of Real Madrid Warsaw’s fans from this particular match for with one match to go. previous bad behaviour, a small band man- Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa and Legia’s aged to get into the stadium and cheered Aleksandar Prijovic also finished with two their side’s opener. But Borussia roared goals each thanks to some poor defending back with five goals in 16 minutes. Their by both teams. Reus, who captained first three goals came in 198 seconds when Dortmund, made his return after 185 days Kagawa headed home on 17 minutes, then out with an adductor injury which side- slotted a second just a minute later. To lined him for June’s European champi- compound Warsaw’s problems, a clearance onships. It was his first match since punch from goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak Dortmund lost the German Cup final to clattered off Nuri Sahin’s chest and into the Bayern Munich on penalties in Berlin on Legia goal to make it 3-1 on 20 minutes. May 21. Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel Prijovic pulled another goal back for was delighted with Reus’ return as he wel- Warsaw on 26 minutes, and could have comed back one of his key stars on a night claimed a hat-trick when his chip hit the LEICESTER: Leicester’s Christian Fuchs, left, and Brugge’s Jelle Vossen challenge for the ball during the Champions League Group G soccer when the goals flowed. crossbar moments later. match between Leicester City and Club Brugge in Leicester, England, Tuesday. — AP Dortmund’s French winger Ousmane ‘FANTASTIC’ Dembele made it 4-2 when he beat several “You couldn’t have expected him to defenders to fire home on 29 minutes. score three times in his first game back,” He then helped Kagawa set up Reus for enthused Tuchel. “This is extraordinary and his first on 32 minutes. Dembele weighed Okazaki, Mahrez fire a fantastic performance,” he added in prais- in with his third assist of the night with a ing his team. “This is the quality which has superb cross to allow Reus to claim his sec- been missing for months and Marco has ond and Dortmund’s sixth on 52 minutes. been sorely missed.” But Tuchel admitted Warsaw midfielder Michal Kucharczyk Dortmund have clear defensive frailties to pulled a third goal back for Legia on 57 Leicester into last 16 fix. He said he was feeling sorry for goal- minutes before Pierre-Emerick keeper Roman Weidenfeller, who was often Aubameyang came off the bench to hit the left brutally exposed by his defence. “It was post for Dortmund. Dortmund defender LEICESTER: Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez Brugge-before the hosts were given a scare impact, seizing on a loose pass and dispatching surreal, I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Felix Passlack then scored his first scored as England’s miracle club Leicester City when substitute Anthony Limbombe sliced a low shot that Butelle dropped to his left to Tuchel. “There is clearly room for improve- Champions League goal before Hungary beat Club Brugge 2-1 on Tuesday to book their wide. Seeking to keep Brugge on the back foot, save. Ricardo van Rhijn’s corners gave the hosts ment in terms of defence, especially on a striker Nemanja Nikolic netted Warsaw’s place in the Champions League knockout phase. Ranieri sent on the fleet-footed Jeff Schlupp and some nervy moments late on and Butelle twice counter-attack. “I felt really sorry for Roman fourth in the final ten minutes. Reus Leicester are toiling in defence of their 5,000-1 Demarai Gray for goal-scorers Mahrez and prevented Gray from making it 3-1, but Leicester and we have to address these blatant wrapped up his hat-trick in the 93rd- Premier League title, but the fairytale continues Okazaki, with Ahmed Musa following shortly would not be denied their place among the con- errors.” Ex-Germany goalkeeper minute when he converted Aubameyang’s in Europe as they became the first Champions after. Schlupp almost made an immediate tinental elite.— AFP Weidenfeller, 36, back in the starting line- final pass at point-blank range. — AFP League debutants to win their group since Malaga in 2012. Porto’s failure to beat FC Copenhagen left Leicester five points clear at the Monaco send Spurs crashing Ten-man Sevilla furious as Group G summit, guaranteeing them a kinder draw for the last 16 even before their final match out of Champions League away to Porto on December 7. Juventus fightback to qualify “We’re on another journey. I don’t know MONACO: Harry Kane scored his first matches in all competitions and have lost SEVILLE: Sevilla were left fuming at playing well, in control and taking the where, but we’re excited!” said Leicester manag- Champions League goal but could not pre- three of their five games in Europe. English referee Mark Clattenburg as game to them; we didn’t have many prob- er Claudio Ranieri. “We started well, we pressed, vent Tottenham Hotspur from crashing out of “After we lost the first goal we came back Juventus came from behind to win 3-1 in lems. “All of a sudden we are left with a scored twice and kept possession. But after they the competition with a 2-1 defeat in Monaco with the penalty but it is difficult to under- Spain and seal their place in the last 16 of man less and he has given a penalty that scored we lost our way a little. on Tuesday. Spurs needed at least a point to stand how we conceded the (second) goal,” the Champions League on Tuesday. for me you can’t give.” “Now the group is won, it’s important to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 alive Pochettino said. The hosts made the perfect start Juventus travelled to Spain shorn of a come back in the Premier League.” The only dis- and Kane brought them level with a penalty “If you want to go to the next level in the through Nico Pareja’s ninth minute opener, number of key players, including first appointment for Ranieri’s side, who sit two shortly after Djibril Sidibe had put Monaco in Champions League you can’t concede goals but were reduced to 10 men after just 36 choice strike pairing Gonzalo Higuain and points above the relegation zone in the Premier front at the Stade Louis II. like that.” The Premier League side had minutes when Franco Vazquez was shown Paulo Dybala, and got off to the worst pos- League, was a second-half goal by Brugge’s However, Thomas Lemar ended a whirl- showed their intent as Kane, Dele Alli and a second yellow card by Clattenburg. sible start. A corner from the right was only Colombian winger Jose Izquierdo. wind spell by restoring Monaco’s lead in the Mousa Dembele all started for despite having A controversial Juventus penalty con- partially cleared and the loose ball was It prevented Leicester from becoming the 53rd minute and the hosts-for whom been cited as doubts before the game by verted by Claudio Marchisio followed and expertly dispatched into the bottom corner first team since Manchester United in 2010 to Radamel Falcao had an early penalty saved- Pochettino. Meanwhile, Monaco coach Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli was also sent from the edge of the area by Pareja. keep clean sheets in their first five group games, held on to claim the win that secures their Leonardo Jardim named the attacking line-up to the stands before two goals in the final Sergio Escudero nearly added a spectac- but that was of secondary importance on a his- place in the knockout stages. that has made his team the most prolific in six minutes from Leonardo Bonucci and ular second as his volleyed effort flew just toric night. Brugge’s defeat at the King Power Monaco are also guaranteed to progress Europe’s leading leagues this season. Mario Mandzukic ensured the Italian cham- over the bar. However, ugly clashes Stadium was their fifth in succession in the as Group E winners, while Bayer Leverkusen However, Tottenham missed a glorious pions’ progress. between the two sets of fans on Monday group and extinguished the Belgian champions’ are through too after drawing 1-1 away to chance to go ahead inside six minutes when By contrast, Sevilla’s first defeat in Group night that left one Belgian Juventus fan in faint hopes of pipping Copenhagen to a Europa CSKA Moscow in Russia earlier in the day. Alli’s defence-splitting pass sent Song heung- H means they have to avoid defeat by a hospital, spiled onto the pitch in a bad- League place. Leicester had needed less than “It is a beautiful victory. We are happy and Min racing clear. The Korean found himself two-goal margin away to Lyon in two tempered encounter in which Clattenburg five minutes to get off the mark in their 3-0 win let’s hope this continues,” Sidibe told beIN through one-on-one with Danijel Subasic but weeks to guarantee their place in the last became the protagonist. in September’s reverse fixture and they were just Sports of a Monaco side who are through to was pushed wide by the Croatian goalkeeper 16. “When they went down to ten men, Vazquez’s poorly timed trip on Sami as quick to get going in the teams’ reunion. the last 16 for the second time in three sea- and the opportunity was gone. they closed down all the space and we Khedira just inside the Sevilla half was A sharp break down the left wing involving sons. “Our objective was qualification and we Four minutes after that Monaco won a made several mistakes. Fortunately my left shown no mercy by the official who took Marc Albrighton and Jamie Vardy culminated in are first, which is important. We will savour penalty. Fabinho went down in spectacular foot came to the rescue,” Bonucci told charge of last season’s Champions League Christian Fuchs curling a delightful cross behind this before we start looking forward.” fashion under an Eric Dier challenge and UEFA.com. “We can celebrate because we final. Sevilla were far more infuriated in the visitors’ defence that Okazaki hooked home Meanwhile, Tottenham will go into their Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the reached our first objective, but now we first-half stoppage time, though, as at the near post. Leicester’s Jekyll and Hyde final match against CSKA at Wembley with spot, only for Hugo Lloris to dive low to his have many others.” However, Sevilla winger Clattenburg pointed to the spot when a transformation had taken place once again and only a berth in the Europa League after right and save Falcao’s kick. The home side Vitolo claimed it was Clattenburg who series of bodies went to ground from a they swarmed all over their punch-drunk oppo- Christmas up for grabs. did not let that miss get to them, instead con- changed the game. Juventus corner. nents in a manner reminiscent of last season’s It is a deeply disappointing outcome for tinuing to look the more dangerous side but “Today two decisions from the referee Sergio Rico got a hand to Marchisio’s extraordinary title surge. Mauricio Pochettino’s men, who have now it took them until three minutes into the sec- have harmed us,” the Spanish international spot-kick, but couldn’t keep the midfield- Mahrez turned Laurens De Bock inside-out managed just one win in their last nine ond half to get the breakthrough.— AFP told BeIN Sports Spain. “At 1-0 we were er’s effort out. — AFP before drawing a near-post block from Brugge goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle, who also gathered a shot from Okazaki after Vardy nixed Brandon Mechele’s attempted clearance.

IZQUIERDO THUMPER In the 29th minute it was 2-0, Mahrez sending Butelle the wrong way from the penalty spot after Albrighton had lured Dion Cools into an untidy challenge on the edge of the box. It was the Algeria winger’s fourth goal of the campaign, strengthening his position as the top scorer in the group. Leicester goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, deputising for Kasper Schmeichel, could not have wished for a gentler start to his competi- tion debut, although he did have to box away a curler from Izquierdo. Leicester went into half-time as the last team in the competition still to concede a goal, but that statistic would change within seven min- utes of kick-off in the second half. After winning the ball back in his own half, Izquierdo set off on a charging run down SEVILLA: Sevilla’s Argentinian defender Gabriel Mercado (L) vies with Juventus’ Brugge’s right flank before thumping a shot high MONACO: Tottenham Hotspur’s Dutch striker Vincent Janssen (C) vies with Monaco’s play- Brazilian defender Alex Sandro Lobo Silva during the UEFA Champions League foot- past Zieler at his near post. ers during the UEFA Champions League group E football match AS Monaco and ball match Sevilla FC vs Juventus at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Sevilla on Players on both sides had goals chalked off Tottenham Hotspur FC at the Louis II stadium in Monaco on Tuesday. — AFP Tuesday. — AFP for offside-Vardy for Leicester, Claudemir for