TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 19 Firmino better but still Ballon d’Or ‘on my doubt for PSG clash Reuters | London and we were massively wor- ried. But all these worries are iverpool manager Juergen away so he will be fine. (But) mind’: Griezmann LKlopp says striker Roberto if he will be fine for tomorrow, AFP | Madrid Firmino’s eye injury is not as I don’t know in the moment,” Cup campaign, the whole serious as feared but said Klopp said yesterday. tletico Madrid star An- team deserve to be awarded: it was too soon to know “We are obviously in close toine Griezmann says he (Kylian) Mbappe, (Raphael) if he would be clear contact with him and it im - Astill can’t fathom why he Varane, (N’Golo) Kante, who to play in Tuesday’s proved already – but in this was not voted one of the world’s had an amazing World Cup even Champions League moment I can’t say if he will be top three players by FIFA -- but though no-one talks about it, or clash with Paris St available for (Tuesday).” hopes winning the “more pres- even myself. Germain. Should Firmino be unable tigious” Ballon d’Or will make “But that’s the way it is.” The Brazilian to take his place at centre for- amends. The snub has galvanised I think the Ballon had to be substi- ward, then Daniel Sturridge is “It’s a prize from FIFA and Griezmann’s ambition to land d’Or has more tuted in the second half of his the most likely to take his spot. it seems a pity that no World the Ballon d’Or, the prize award- side’s 2-1 Premier League win Klopp said that forwards Cup winners were nominat- ed by France Football magazine prestige, a richer at Tottenham Hotspur on Sat- Dominic Solanke and Divock ed,” Griezmann, who helped to the world’s top player as vot- history. It’s on my urday after clashing with the Origi were both ruled out for France to World Cup glory in ed on by journalists around the mind and I’ve got hand of opposition defender the visit of PSG due to injuries Russia this summer, told Span- globe. three months to give Jan Vertonghen. picked up on Sunday playing ish sports daily AS. “I think the Ballon d’Or has it everything (to win “We all saw the picture for the club’s Under-23 team. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, more prestige, a richer history,” it). We’ll see what World Cup finalist Luka Modric said Griezmann. happens of Croatia and Egyptian Mo - Conceived in 1956, it has been hamed Salah, who enjoyed a won by Ronaldo and Lionel ANTOINE GRIEZMANN stunning campaign with Liver- Messi a record five times apiece. pool last season, were the three By contrast, the FIFA Best award players nominated by FIFA for has been a stand-alone award the world ruling body’s top only since 2016, having spent prize. the 2010-2015 period merged Now grouped within the FIFA with the Ballon d’Or. Griezmann said: “Yes, I think so, Best awards, it will be presented He added: “It’s on my mind although other players would be on September 24. and I’ve got three months to there as well. For Griezmann, who helped give it everything (to win it). “I’m enjoying being at this Atletico to Europa League glory We’ll see what happens.” table, although I know I can do as well as playing a pivotal role Asked if he felt comfortable better. in France’s World Cup win, FI- “sitting at the same football ta- “I’m at the summit but I know FA’s choice was unwarranted. ble” as five-time Ballon d’Or I can improve, I want to be the “We had a really good World winners Messi and Ronaldo, most complete player possible.” Roberto Firmino was down after a clash with Jan Vertonghen Costa apologises for spitting incident AFP | Milan ering players came together Kane danger, but again and Costa elbowed his uventus forward Douglas rival and than spat at Di Franc- JCosta has apologised after esco’s face. Spalletti sure being sent off for spitting in the The incident was referred to face of Sassuolo’s Federico Di VAR and Costa was sent off by Francesco in a 2-1 Serie A win the referee. Champions League in Turin on Sunday. “We could have scored a third Cristiano Ronaldo scored his goal, but instead we started to buzz will spur Inter first goals for Juventus but the play as individuals, we tried champions’ fourth win in as to dribble past everyone, this AFP | Milan point” for his side, who have many games this season was wound up the opposition, who just four points from four overshadowed by Brazilian Cos- then reacted badly and then you nter Milan coach Luciano games in Serie A. ta’s late red card for spitting at get situations like Douglas Cos- ISpalletti believes Harry “The Champions League is Di Francesco -- the 24-year-old ta,” said Allegri. Kane will be the man to watch the amusement park of foot- son of Roma coach Eusebio Di Allegri congratulated Ronal- but hopes the enthusiasm of ball, the Disneyland of football. Francesco. Douglas Costa of Juventus (R) spits to Federico Di Francesco of Sassuolo do for breaking his duck before returning to “the Disneyland It’s a beautiful and fun world. “I would like to apologise their trip to Spain to play Valen- of football” will “These games are worth so to all the Juventus fans for my Costa now faces an extended of goal, to euphoria at the Al- cia in the Champions League spur on his Ital- much in terms of enthusiasm wrong reaction during today’s ban with coach Massimiliano lianz Stadium, and grabbed a next Wednesday. ian side in Tues- and conviction. game,” wrote Costa on Insta- Allegri annoyed with the for- second 15 minutes later follow- “You just had to see the first day’s Champi- “I think that with the period gram. ward for “rising to provocation”. ing a counter-attack involving three games and how close Ron- ons League we’re going through this is the “I also apologise to my team- “Maybe he was irritated at a Costa and Germany midfielder aldo went to scoring,” he said. opener against game we needed. mates, who are always by my foul before, but it doesn’t mat- Emre Can. “I think he rushed a Tottenham. “It’s one of those matches side, in good and bad times. It ter, because these things should Senegalese striker Khouma couple of chances to- Against the and one of those competi - was ugly, I am aware of that and absolutely not happen. The one Babacar headed in a late goal for day –- it looked like backdrop of tions you wouldn’t swap for I apologise to everyone for that. thing we must avoid is rising to Sassuolo who fell to their first he was absolute- a disastrous anything,” added Spallet- “I want to make clear that provocation,” said Allegri. defeat of the season. ly desperate to start to their ti, who spent two separate this isolated conduct has noth- Ronaldo flicked in the first Just after Costa was given a score. domestic spells at Roma either side of ing to do with what I’ve shown goal from close range in the 50th yellow card for locking horns campaign, a five-year spell at Zenit Saint throughout my career.” minute amid a scramble in front with Di Francesco, the two bick- Inter host the Petersburg. English club at a “I’ve been lucky enough to sold-out San Siro experience them several times, in what is their there are incredible emotions first Champions and if you’ve been there you Lucas Perez denies refusing to play at Everton League match can’t do without it. since the 2011- “The previous times I en- Reuters | London spread by the media that has er’s coach, in 2012 season. tered a world that’s particular- affected my image, I am obliged which I nev- Both teams ly beautiful and entertaining, est Ham United striker to explain the only truth: I have er refused are coming off you can hear the music from WLucas Perez has defend- never ever refused to warm up to warm weekend league inside the dressing room.” ed himself in the wake of media in my whole career, let alone up and ex- defeats -- In- Inter Milan snatched Italy’s reports that he refused to warm play a match,” Perez said on plained ter losing 1-0 to final Champions League berth up and come on as a substitute Twitter yesterday. what hap- Parma in Milan and at the wire last season by fin- during his side’s 3-1 win over “In the moment that Marko pened.” Tottenham falling 2-1 at ishing fourth in Serie A. Everton in the Premier League got injured, I was on the bench home to Liverpool. “The effort we put in last on Sunday. after warming up. The coach “Harry Kane tired? I year to play in this competition The Spaniard was on the called me to go out to play, how- don’t agree, we have seen is a motivation that can over- bench and looked like he was Lucas Perez ever having realized that it was Tottenham matches and come any lack of experience or about to replace the injured faster to substitute Antonio we have seen him working fear,” continued Spalletti.