MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 SPORTS Bayern injuries bother Guardiola as Juve loom

BERLIN: Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola Bayern have put out a statement sim- in the Bundesliga, but are low on Boateng for a long time, we’ll still field games yet to play. “If you allow yourself admits the latest blow to Jerome ply saying Boateng faces a “long pause” defenders with centre-backs Boateng 11 players.” Bayern host strugglers to gradually think about the Juventus Boateng is a concern, amidst reports he with their last 16, first-leg clash at and Medhi Benatia, plus right-back Hoffenheim in the league next Sunday, game, then you’re not paying enough will be out for three months, as Juventus Juventus now exactly a month away. Rafinha out, while Javi Martinez and then have three away games at Bayer attention,” said Robben. “We have to loom in the Champions League. The news will also be a concern to have only just returned Leverkusen, second-division Bochum in give our all in every game.” Especially as Boateng limped out of Friday’s 2-1 victo- Germany coach Joachim Loew as the from injury. the cup and Bavarian neighbors the Bayern squad has made no secret of ry at Hamburg and a scan in Munich on world champions’ squad meets today “Without Benatia, Boateng and with Augsburg before hosting Darmstadt at their desire to see off Guardiola with the Saturday revealed a torn groin muscle, when preparations start for March’s Javi Martinez not quite fit yet, we have a home. treble of Champions League, German which German daily Bild claim will keep friendlies against England and Italy problem,” said Guardiola, who has just Netherlands captain Cup and Bundesliga titles before he him out for the next three months and ahead of the European championships one fully fit centre-back in Holger says the Reds can ill afford to think leaves at the end of the season to be possibly the rest of the season. in France. Bayern are eight points clear Badstuber. “But if we lose Jerome about the Juventus match with five replaced by Carlo Ancelotti. —AFP

Pellegrini: City not just one-man Aguero show

LONDON: Manuel Pellegrini insists set up Valencia for the first. Aguero Manchester City are more than a one-man equalised within seven minutes through a team, despite again needing Sergio Aguero penalty, given away by Carl Jenkinson who to dig them out of a hole in a 2-2 draw at was shortly afterwards taken off with an West Ham. Aguero grabbed an 80th- injury to give Sam Byram his debut, just minute equaliser for his second of the days after signing from Leeds United. game at Upton Park on Saturday while West Ham were back in the lead just Enner Valencia also scored twice-within the minutes after half-time, though, as a long first 60 seconds and then on the 56th Michail Antonio throw was allowed to minute-for West Ham. bounce into the area for Valencia to finish. Pellegrini’s side have only won one away “Of course, we were not very concentrated,” game since September, and have not Pellegrini said of the second goal. “Maybe a claimed successive league wins since throw-in you are not thinking it could be October 17. On Saturday, it could have dangerous. We knew before game he has been a lot worse had it not been for long throw-in. Unfortunately, at that Aguero. “I don’t think our team is just moment we had a distraction.” Pellegrini Sergio Aguero,” said Pellegrini. “If you see, still felt his team “deserved” more as he did- we play 23 games, there are 11 players that n’t think goalkeeper Joe Hart was tested play more minutes (than the Argentine).” too much in the second half. He did, however, insist on the impor- But West Ham manager Slaven Bilic tance of Argentine star Aguero now staying believed his side should have won, and fit and reaching his top form. “It’s very declared himself “disappointed...but proud” important for him to be 100% fit. Always of the performance. He also said his team when he comes back from injury, he needs feel they can finish in the top six. “They two or three games to come back to his believe. And there’s nothing wrong in it. For best performance. (In recent games) he me it’s great if they believe. For me, part of was making the movements that show us that belief is to know what you have to do he will be there soon. to play like this,” said Bilic whose team hit “I don’t know if he is at his best moment. the crossbar late one. I think it is the moment that Sergio normal- He also said he would like to see City NORWICH: With his shirt off, Liverpool’s English Adam Lallana (center) celebrates scoring their late winning goal with teammates and ly has when 100% fit. I hope he continues win the title due to the quality of their foot- Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (2nd R) during the English football match between Norwich City and Liverpool at like this because he is a top player.” City did ball.”So far in the Premier League, I’ve never Carrow Road. —AFP not show their best defending on Saturday. seen a team that is so dangerous, every They were caught out almost straight time you give them a little bit (of space). from kick-off, as Cheikhou Kouyate For me, it would be good if they win the exposed the slowness of their defense to league.” —AFP 5-4 thriller a heart Van Gaal admits United getting more furious stopper for Klopp MANCHESTER: admitted body so it is not for me to answer these NORWICH: Jurgen Klopp admitted his heart the furious reaction of Manchester kinds of questions,” he said. was palpitating after Liverpool stole the United supporters to their side’s dismal United are in desperate need of a lift points in dramatic fashion in their sensational Rampant PSG crush Angers 1-0 defeat against Southampton was the to prevent their season disintegrating 5-4 win over Norwich at Carrow Road. Klopp’s side went ahead through Roberto Firmino worst he has experienced in an increas- even further, but van Gaal could give no but Norwich hit back with goals from to extend huge table lead ingly turbulent season. Van Gaal’s side guarantees that it may come via a move Diemerci Mbokani, Steven Naismith and a failed to score at Old Trafford for the sev- into the January transfer market. He has Wes Hoolahan penalty. enth time this term and were eventually already indicated that he would like to PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain served another keeper Alexandre Letellier denying both Van The Reds responded superbly to draw lev- reminder of their supremacy with a der Wiel and Blaise Matuidi with his feet in the beaten by a late headed goal from strengthen his defensive options with el through Jordan Henderson and another thumping 5-1 victory at home to Angers on opening half hour. However, there was little the Southampton debutant Charlie Austin. Matteo Darmian, who he said had gone Firmino goal before James Milner put them Saturday that moved the reigning champions Angers keeper could do on 32 minutes when United are now five points adrift of a to hospital for checks after spitting blood ahead with 15 minutes remaining. But that 24 points clear at the top. Zlatan Ibrahimovic PSG broke the deadlock through Ibrahimovic, top-four place in the Premier League and following a collision with Southampton set the stage for Saturday’s heart-stopping opened the scoring at the Parc des Princes with whose low shot from the right side of the area their dejected players trudged off with striker Shane Long, potentially adding to finale, which left the always emotional Klopp his 17th league goal of the season before Lucas took a slight deflection as it flashed through the boos ringing in their ears at full-time. a lengthy injury list. beside himself with frustration and then doubled the lead for Laurent Blanc’s side just legs of Letellier. Inevitably, beleaguered boss van Gaal But regarding the much-needed jumping for joy. before half-time. Di Maria then released Van der Wiel down was also subjected to renewed derision arrival of creative talents, van Gaal said: “I The Liverpool boss was crestfallen when The floodgates then opened after the break the right eight minutes later and the Dutchman from disgruntled fans who have given think one player cannot change every- Sebastien Bassong fired home to equalise for with Gregory Van der Wiel rounding off a broke into the box, recovering the ball after an the Dutchman plenty of abuse for his thing. Sometimes it looks like it but it is Norwich in stoppage-time, but just seconds superb team move for PSG’s third, only for attempted tackle by Romain Thomas, before conservative tactics over the last few always the process of team building that later he was sprinting down the touchline to Pierrick Capelle to pull one back, but Angel Di knocking it back for Lucas to sweep home. months. makes a team stronger. “Sometimes one join his players in a jubilant huddle after Maria then scored twice in the space of four Home keeper Kevin Trapp was a spectator for The pressure on van Gaal will only individual can give the first stimulus for Adam Lallana scored with virtually the last minutes to complete the rout. much of the first half, aside from a Thomas increase with United having won just that process but it is not so easy as you kick of the game. “It was a great second half, although the first header that forced the German to pluck the ball three of their last 13 games and he say or ask.” Southampton manager “Until now my heart has been very stress was a bit trickier against a well-organized oppo- out of the air under heavy pressure inside his accepted the criticism from supporters Ronald Koeman - an old rival of van Gaal resistant,” Klopp said. “I have had a few games nent, which we noticed in the first meeting this six-yard box. in my life similar to this but not with this hap- was more vitriolic than ever. “Yes, from their time together in Dutch foot- season,” said Blanc, whose team won for the The hosts’ two-goal lead allowed them to py end. I have not often had a 5-4 win. “At the because it was very clear,” he said. “I can ball, appears to have managed just that 19th time in 22 league games. “The first goal showcase the more expansive side of their end we can be really happy with nearly every- was crucial. Once we led things became a bit game, with PSG’s third goal on 54 minutes ema- imagine (why) also because I have seen a with the capture of Austin, whose goal thing, especially three points after almost a poor match. “I cannot change that feel- secured a third straight league win for easier, but the team stayed focused and sharp. nating from a slick interchange between draw. A draw would have been deserved for We were rewarded with the goals and it was Ibrahimovic and Di Maria before Matuidi’s ing. I can only work hard with my players the Saints. both teams. really enjoyable.” With Paris still competing in superb volleyed cross was turned in by Van der to improve our game and that is what I The 26-year-old is a proven goalscorer “It was spectacular, wild, good football. It four competitions, the capital club face a fixture Wiel at the far post. But Angers continued to am doing. but only Southampton was willing to was an impressive fightback to be honest. It backlog that will see them play seven games in battle and reduced the deficit five minutes later “Of course I am disappointed but I meet QPR’s modest £4 million ($5.7 mil- was really good.” three weeks ahead of their Champions League as Capelle latched on to a headed clearance have to think and already I put the ques- lion) asking price. “We are very happy we Klopp’s relief was so overwhelming that he last 16, first leg against Chelsea on February 16. and steered a low volley just inside the post. tion how I can change this because we had the possibility to sign Charlie and laughed off having his glasses broken in the That proved merely a blip on the radar, have to change this. “That is my job and Charlie was happy to sign for celebrations following Lallana’s goal. “I have Imposing line-up though, as PSG reasserted their dominance it’s not an easy job at the moment. Southampton because he knows had had this before (smashed glasses),” the Blanc was without captain , with a fourth goal on 63 minutes when a tum- Nevertheless, we have won three times Southampton produces good football former Borussia Dortmund manager added. , and Javier Pastore bling Lucas scooped the ball back to Di Maria in 2016 and had a draw, so they were and gives young players a chance and all “They are in a museum at Dortmund because through injury but still fielded an imposing line- and the Argentine brilliantly fired past Letellier very good results in January. “But we the chance to play for their national we won first time against Bayern Munich. And up, although there was no place for Uruguayan on the volley from outside the box. could not show it in this game. I did not team,” Koeman said. Nuri Sahin broke my glasses-and today it’s striker Edinson Cavani, whose future remains Di Maria struck again moments later after he see that confidence today.” “That is the reason we liked to sign Adam. “I won’t be making Adam pay for the unclear amid reports this week linking him to was put through by Matuidi and he once more Charlie Austin - a great numbers of goals. glasses. Usually I have a second pair but it’s Manchester United. Angers held Paris to a 0-0 produced a high-quality finish, chipping over Under threat With Shane together in the last 10-15 really difficult to look for glasses without draw when the sides met in December, the last the advancing Letellier to round out an 11th Although van Gaal knows his approval minutes they did a great job but it is not glasses.” time the capital club dropped points this sea- straight win in all competitions. Hatem Ben Arfa rating is at an all-time low with United fair to mention one player. “It was a great son and the only occasion in which they have netted his 10th goal of the season as Nice beat Defensive horror show failed to score in Ligue 1 this term. Lorient 2-1 to climb to second, while Caen won fans, the former Barcelona and Bayern win. I think it was a difficult game for Klopp could have been forgiven for wish- Munich manager refused to be drawn on both teams today. We knew they are The visitors entered the weekend with the 2-1 at Montpellier and Guingamp secured a 1-0 ing his eye-sight had been impaired earlier as league’s second meanest defence, with goal- victory over nine-man Bastia. —AFP whether his job may be under threat. “I under pressure and if you keep the Liverpool’s defensive horror show made for cannot answer that because normally I organization in your team, they will be difficult viewing. Yet, despite conceding four communicate everything with every- nervous.” —AFP goals against one of the league’s lesser lights, Klopp claimed Liverpool were improving at the back. “It’s not easy to create chances against us. It’s very frustrating in the end of course. Today we scored five,” Klopp said. “It will make me sound crazy but we defended better today. Now we have to solve this problem. I am not happy with the situation for sure.” Meanwhile, Norwich manager Alex Neil voiced his frustration at his side’s even more porous defence, after conceding 14 goals in their last four matches. “We managed to score four goals at home and that should mean three points,” Neil said. “The amount of goals we are conceding is concerning. “It was frustrating because with the for- ward play we had we should have come away winners. “All your hard work goes to waste. They did all the hard work to get us to 3-1 so it is extremely frustrating.” Although outwardly calm, Neil admitted he was furi- ous inside and hoped his players would be too as they try to pull clear of the relegation MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s Dutch manager Louis van Gaal leaves the pitch zone. “I’m angry, extremely angry, the play- ers should be too. They should be feeling PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria celebrates after scoring a goal at full-time during the English Premier League football match between Manchester during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Angers. —AFP United and Southampton at Old Trafford. — AFP the pain,” he said. — AFP