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 Juan Bernat 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 Arjen Robben 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 midfielder 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 Premier League 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: Louis van Gaal 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 Ligue 1 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.