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☆ UEFA Champions League 2015-16 ☆

Ibrahimovic

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Manchester United v Club Brugge: Carrick issues rallying cry ahead of European adventure


16 August 2015 14:05

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Michael Carrick has urged Manchester United to build the foundations for their season in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League play-off round first-leg tie against Club Brugge.

United missed out on Europe for the first time in 19 years after a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the 2013-14 Premier League season.

However, manager Louis van Gaal delivered a return to Europe's top table during his debut season in charge, but they must negotiate a tricky tie against the Belgian Pro League side to reach the group stages.

And midfielder Carrick is keen to stress the importance of the double header to United's campaign.

"It's going to be a big night on Tuesday. It'll be a big two games in fact - they could help set us up for the season," Carrick told United's official website ahead of the contest at Old Trafford.

"What we have to gain [from winning the tie] is very important, but you approach both matches as any other games.

"We want to win on Tuesday and not concede. Hopefully we can get a good start and take a lead to their place. We'll be ready."

United have started the Premier League season in solid, if unspectacular, fashion with 1-0 wins over Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Carrick is hopeful that the team can continue the winning feeling, adding: "It's about building momentum from the off. It puts us in a decent position at this stage even though it’s early.

"It's something to build on and it gives us a base to move forward. We know we can play a lot of better and we have the players to do that. I'm confident that will come.

"Performance-wise it wasn't as good as we'd have liked against Villa, although defensively I thought we did well and they didn't really have many opportunities.

"These games are vital for us to win. Last season we weren't winning them so it's a good sign. There is a lot more to come from us, we expect more and we hope for some better performances."

Brugge represent an unknown quantity for United, with the two teams having never met in UEFA competition.

Head coach Michel Preud'homme – who worked with United midfielder Marouane Fellaini when the pair were at Standard Liege – guided the club to a second-placed finish in the league last term.

Brugge have already beaten Greek side Panathinaikos to reach the play-off round, but have not played in the group stages of the competition since the 2005-06 season.


 

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UEFA Champions League Play-Offs Preview: Rodrigo aiming for Euro glory


16 August 2015

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Rodrigo Moreno has insisted that Valencia can regain their place in Europe's elite ahead of the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off qualifier against Monaco.

The Valencia forward, who joined permanently in June following a loan spell last season, scored four goals in all competitions last term as Nuno Espirito Santo led the six-time La Liga champions back into the Champions League.

And Rodrigo is adamant that the two-time runners-up have what it takes to hold their own in the competition, but knows that Monaco will provide a stern test.

"This club should be aiming to be among the best in Europe and win titles, and we believe we can challenge to do that," said Rodrigo, who appeared in back-to-back Europa League finals with Benfica.

"Keeping a clean sheet and making the most of the chances will be key, Monaco have added some great players and had a great showing last year."

Valencia play host to Monaco in midweek as 20 teams battle it out for a place in the competition proper.

Malmo boss Age Hareide has slammed UEFA for allowing Celtic to make additions to their squad before the two sides meet at Parkhead on Wednesday.

Celtic should have new signing Scott Allan available for the tie, but Hareide believes it is unfair on Malmo, with the transfer window in Sweden having closed on August 11th.

"We can't change UEFA rules but it's different for us, we can't sign players after the second round," he said.

Manchester United will play in their first Champions League qualifier since 2005 when they welcome Club Brugge to Old Trafford.

United's previous play-off fixture ended in a 6-0 aggregate triumph over Hungarian outfit Debrecen, and Louis van Gaal will expect his side to maintain their solid, if unspectacular, start to the season.

Meanwhile, Lazio are hopeful that Miroslav Klose will be fit for Tuesday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen, although they will likely be without Filip Djordjevic and goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

Russian Premier League leaders CSKA Moscow warmed up for their visit to Sporting Lisbon with a 2-1 derby win against Spartak Moscow, while Shakhtar Donetsk face Rapid Vienna and Belarus champions BATE Borisov host Partizan.

Basel reached the last 16 last term and will be hoping that experience will come in handy when they entertain Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Elsewhere, Albanian champions Skenderbeu Korce play host to Dinamo Zagreb, with APOEL travelling to Kazakhstan to face Astana.


 

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Celtic v Malmo: Deila out to prove Hareide wrong


17 August 2015 17:14

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Malmo boss Age Hareide has laid the gauntlet down to Celtic ahead of the sides' UEFA Champions League play-off first-leg clash on Wednesday.

The former Norway coach led Malmo into the Champions League group stage last season, and is in little doubt that he can repeat the trick 12 months on.

Malmo beat Red Bull Salzburg at this stage last season and in this term's third qualifying round – which appears to be the source of Hareide's confidence given Ronny Deila's men were unable to beat the Austrians in the 2014-15 Europa League.

"I said last year, and I meant it, that Salzburg were better than Olympiacos [Malmo's Group A rivals last term]," he said. "And my professional judgement now, after the experience I have as coach, is the same this time.

"Salzburg are a better team than Celtic. Celtic are a good team. We have every respect for Celtic. But the truth is Salzburg are better and showed it in the Europa League last year too."

The 64-year-old's comments left Deila riled and, after Celtic's 4-2 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday, the Parkhead boss vowed to make compatriot Hareide eat his words.

He said: "We'll see on Wednesday. That's when they have to show they are better.

"European matches are tough – you win or lose on the smallest details. We'll fight to show Hareide is wrong. The pressure is on him after what he said.

"We will find out on Wednesday if they are better."

Celtic bolstered their squad going into the weekend with the signing of midfielder Scott Allan from Hibernian – a player who had been expected to join fierce Glasgow rivals Rangers.

Despite having a new player at his disposal, Deila suggested Wednesday will be too early for the new man.

"We will see," Deila said.

"It is not as if Scott Allan is going to come in here and be the king from the first minute. Nobody is expecting that.

"I don't think he will go straight in. Nobody has done that, almost.

"He is a young talented player who needs to get used to what we are used to doing and get up to the tempo."

Malmo – who are two thirds of the way through their league campaign – come into the tie on the back of three successive wins in all competitions, while Celtic will look to repeat their third-round formula which saw a 1-0 win over Qarabag on home soil backed up by a goalless draw in Azerbaijan.


 

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Pressure is all on Manchester United ahead of Champions League play-off, admits Van Gaal


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Matthew Rogerson
Aug 17, 2015 18:50:54

The Dutchman says his side are not expecting an easy game despite being favourites to beat Club Brugge and seal a place in the group stages of the tournament

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says his side's Uefa Champions League play-off clashes with Club Brugge will be the most important matches he has faced since taking charge at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils travel to Belgium for the first leg on Tuesday as Van Gaal seeks to seal a return to the group stage of Europe's premier club competition.

Under the Dutchman's predecessor, David Moyes, United missed out on qualification for the tournament, but Van Gaal secured a play-off tie courtesy of a fourth-place finish last term.

Asked whether the two games against Brugge were the most important of his United tenure to date, Van Gaal told reporters: "Of course, I have explained that the players want the Champions League and the board want it but especially the fans.

"So the pressure is high. We have to show our quality against a good team - you cannot say there's no pressure, it's not an easy game.

"There is a lot of pressure because our aim and goal is to reach the Champions League. Because of the draw, it is much more difficult. We have drawn Brugge, they can defend very well and can attack also.

"It shall be a difficult match and the pressure is high. The fans and the board want to participate in the Champions League but we have to beat Brugge."

United have made a positive start to their Premier League campaign, claiming 1-0 wins over Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Amid suggestions his side are struggling to click going forward, Van Gaal added: "It's always a concern because a coach wants a perfect game always.

"In all other teams, they are not at moment at the highest level. It cannot be [the case] either.

"We have a long way to go but we have made a better start than last year. Also, two clean sheets, that says a lot about our structure and balance.

"I have confidence that we are developing ourselves better and I expect that also from my players."



 

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Manchester United 3 Club Brugge 1: Depay off the mark with double

18 August 2015

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Memphis Depay turned on the style and Marouane Fellaini struck in stoppage time as Manchester United beat Club Brugge.3-1 on their return to the UEFA Champions League.

Depay, signed from PSV in June, opened his account for United in impressive fashion on Tuesday with a first-half double as Louis van Gaal's side moved a step closer to claiming a place in the group stage.

The 21-year-old forward's heroics came after Brugge had taken a surprise early lead against the Premier League side when Michael Carrick deflected a Victor Vazquez free-kick into his own net.

United were ahead by the break, though, as Depay quickly endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful with two clinical finishes.

Another two chances fell the way of the Netherlands international but a Champions League hat-trick eluded him, while Obbi Oulare nearly embarrassed Sergio Romero at the other end.

Substitute Fellaini gave the home side a two-goal cushion with a header in time added on after Brandon Mechele's late red card for a second bookable offence, to make United favourites to progress heading into the second leg of the play-off tie next Wednesday.

United, unchanged following their win at Aston Villa on Friday, made a positive start with the backing of an expectant Old Trafford crowd and Wayne Rooney was inches away from converting Adnan Januzaj's low cross after only 46 seconds.

The home side continued to threaten but found themselves behind after eight minutes as Carrick diverted Vazquez's free-kick into his own net – the first goal conceded by Van Gaal's side this season.

Brugge could not hold on to their advantage, though, as Carrick – who was replaced by Schweinsteiger at half-time – made amends with a superb assist for Depay's equaliser after 13 minutes.

His whipped pass was superbly brought down by Depay on the edge of the penalty area and, after beating three defenders, the Netherlands international rifled his shot past Sebastien Bruzzese.

Chances continued to come for the hosts and two minutes before the break Depay doubled his tally, cutting in from the left and curling a precise effort beyond Bruzzese.

Not satisfied with two goals, Depay quickly went in search of his hat-trick after the restart and was denied a third by a fine Bruzzese save after a marauding run.

With an hour played Romero – barely tested in the United goal – nearly gifted Brugge an equaliser as he hesitated to clear Matteo Darmian's back pass, substitute Oulare nearly robbing the Argentine.

It was a rare opportunity for the visitors, and United quickly broke down the other end and Depay inexplicably missed a glorious chance from 12 yards after a sumptuous backheel from Rooney.

A late Depay free-kick flew inches wide before Mechele was shown a second yellow card late on and Chris Smalling headed straight at Bruzzese.in stoppage time.

Finally United got their third goal, though, as Fellaini rose at the back post to head home a deep cross from the left, giving Van Gaal's side breathing space heading into the second leg.


 

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Lazio 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen: Keita strike gives Italian hosts hard-fought win


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By Miles Chambers
Aug 18, 2015 21:41:00

The German visitors were arguably the stronger side, but the substitute's second-half effort gave the Italians the advantage

Balde Keita came off the bench to fire Lazio to a fortuitous 1-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Tuesday's Champions League play-off first leg.

Stefano Pioli's men were pressed relentlessly by the German visitors, who went from strength to strength as the match fizzled by with exciting pace at the Stadio Olimpico.

But minutes after Hakan Calhanoglu was denied a goal with a brave - but controversial - offside decision, Lazio pounced against the run of play late in the second half via Keita's pace and precise finish, which gives them the advantage going into next week's return match.

Leverkusen - fresh from opening their Bundesliga campaign with a win over Hoffenheim - were standoffish in the opening salvos as they struggled to deal with Antonio Candreva's dangerous, darting dribbles.

However, the momentum was firmly against Lazio by the time a hopeful long ball was lobbed over the hosts' backline midway through the first half. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha was caught napping and Heung-Min Son was only prevented from scoring by superb tracking back from centre-back Mauricio.

Moments later, both teams were cursing each others' woodwork. Lars Bender's 25-yard strike smashed the post, then the Serie A side counterattacked and Miroslav Klose showed agility which belied his 37 years of age to wriggle past Bernd Leno, only to see his shot ricochet off the post from an acute angle.

Heavy pressing from Roger Schmidt's visitors left Lazio struggling to retain possession and caused frustration to build for the home fans - some of whom are alleged to have been told to cut out racist chants towards Leverkusen's black players by referee Jonas Eriksson.

Their frustration would have turned to apoplectic rage had Hakan Calhanoglu's outrageous effort from beyond the halfway line been on target, but instead Berisha's desperate scrambling back to his goalline was unnecessary as it flew into the sidenetting.

Lazio withdrew an injured Klose at half-time and substitute Keita had an immediate impact when he was slotted through on goal by Felipe Anderson, but the forward was thwarted by a perfect tackle by Jonathan Tah.

The second half continued to crackle and, with 60 minutes on the clock, Calhanoglu rocketed a 20-yard free kick over the wall straight at Berisha, who palmed it away to safety.

Keita had another half-chance to put the Biancocelesti in front when he muscled past Tah following a failed clearance, but his rushed effort was spooned high and wide.

Leverkusen then bombarded Lazio's goal with two ever-so-close efforts – first substitute Admir Mehmedi drove agonisingly wide after a wonderful dribble, then Calhanoglu forced another free kick save from the increasingly-busy Berisha.

Calhanoglu finally thought he had put the Bundesliga side ahead, but the assistant referee made a brave decision to call it offside as the Turk's shot struck Kiessling on its way towards goal, with the striker adjudged not to have had two players between him and the goalline.

Against the run of play, it finally came off for Keita in the 77th minute when he left Tah in the dust and buried his strike in the bottom corner, skidding off the inside of the post into the back of Leverkusen's net.

Leno then had to prevent the scoreline from looking even better for Lazio late on, sprinting off his line to save Keita's strike from point-blank range before pouncing on the loose ball.


 

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Van Gaal: Late Fellaini strike key to Champions League progress


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By Alex Fisher
Aug 18, 2015 22:41:00

The Belgian headed home a third in injury time as Manchester United beat Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, with Memphis Depay earlier scoring twice

Louis van Gaal hailed Marouane Fellaini 's late strike as the crucial goal as Manchester United secured a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Fellaini rose to meet a long diagonal ball from Memphis Depay in stoppage time at Old Trafford, the midfielder nodding past Sebastien Bruzzese to secure a two-goal cushion.

The Belgian's strike came after Memphis had scored his first two goals for his new side, the 21-year-old netting both in the first half with two impressive finishes to cancel out Michael Carrick's own goal.

Van Gaal was delighted to have secured a first-leg victory in the play-off round, and believes Fellaini's impact will be crucial in their hopes of reaching the group stages.

"It makes a difference because 2-1 is a very difficult result," he told BT Sport . "We deserved much more because we created a lot of chances.

"It is what I am always saying, you have to be effective. We have a lot of chances and only three goals.

"I am happy because of the last goal. We have practised that before when we need Fellaini, we put him in the penalty area because he has that quality."

Man-of-the-match Memphis also earned praise from his manager, who predicts his summer signing to go from strength to strength after starring on his Champions League debut for United.

Van Gaal added: "I am very happy for Memphis because a player needs that. I said it was a matter of time and he shall continue. He is 21 and he has only played two seasons for PSV. I have confidence in him."


 

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Valencia 3-1 Monaco: Rodrigo & Co. pick apart wasteful visitors


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Aug 19, 2015 21:36:00

Nuno's side resisted the resilient Ligue 1 outfit, who had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the second half, to take a strong lead to Stade Louis II in six days' time

Valencia triumphed 3-1 over a resilient Monaco side in Wednesday's Champions League play-off first leg.

Rodrigo took just over four minutes to break the deadlock, latching on to Sofiane Feghouli's simply cut-back to tap home from close range after a spell of concerted pressure from the hosts.

The early goal kicked a sluggish Monaco into gear, with Mat Ryan - a debutant in the Valencia goal - forced into action from Andrea Raggi and then Anthony Martial but stood up well.

In a lively first half, Monaco posed a threat from set-pieces while the likes of Ivan Cavaleiro and Bernardo Silva were causing the Valencia full-backs much concern as half-time approached.

Indeed, Silva should have equalised when skipping past Jose Gaya and finding the outside of the far post with a thunderous shot before Martial's close-range finish was correctly ruled out for offside.

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Monaco continued their improved display in the second half, netting an equaliser less than four minutes after the restart when Mario Pasalic pounced on a poor clearance to tuck home from eight yards.

Martial was at the heart of the move, skipping past three challenges before drilling a pass into the six-yard box that Ruben Vezo failed to deal with to gift Chelsea loanee Pasalic a simple finish.

The visitors immediately dropped deeper after netting a deserved away goal and Valencia wasted no time taking advantage when substitute Pablo Piatti pulled back a deep cross for Parejo to tuck home.

Again Monaco managed to kick back into gear, testing Ryan through Wallace and Toulalan before Martial, a handful all evening, was brought down by Gaya only for his credible penalty appeals to be waved away.

Valencia delivered a a hammer with five minutes remaining when Feghouli beat Danijel Subasic from the edge of the area to give the visitors a daunting task at Stade Louis II for the second leg in six days' time.


 

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Celtic 3-2 Malmo: Old Bhoy Berget leaves hosts' hopes in the balance

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Aug 19, 2015 21:41:00

The Glasgow outfit looked set to take a 3-1 advantage with them to Sweden but ex-Parkhead loanee netted his second goal of the evening to leave the tie delicately poised

Celtic defeated Malmo 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off in Glasgow - but were left ruing a last-gasp strike from old Bhoy Jo Inge Berget.

Two goals from Leigh Griffiths and one from Nir Biton had the hosts 3-1 up and firmly in control before Berget netted his second goal of the night to leave the tie on a knife edge.

Ronny Deila's men will now head into next week's second leg at the Swedbank Stadion acutely aware that Malmo overcame a two-goal deficit to eliminate Salzburg in the last qualifying round.

Responding to the urgings of a raucous home crowd, Celtic came tearing out of the blocks and found themselves two goals to the good within the opening 10 minutes.

The first came after neat approach work from Stuart Armstrong and Stefan Johansen split the Malmo defence, allowing Griffiths to calmly find the bottom corner of the net from just inside the box.

Wild celebrations in the stands ensued and they had barely subsided when Malmo goalkeeper Johan Wiland flapped at an inswinging Johansen corner and towering Israeli midfielder Biton took full advantage to nod home.

The tie could have been all but over after just 13 minutes of the first leg had Wiland not at least partially atoned for his earlier error by using his legs to keep out a goal-bound effort from the lively Johansen.

The visitors went close to halving the deficit midway through the half with what was effectively their first attack, Craig Gordon forced to go full-length in order to push a low drive from Vladimir Rodic around the post.

But if Malmo were starting to function as an attacking force, they remained all at sea at the back and almost fell further behind when the in-form Armstrong cut in from the left and bent a right-footed shot that flashed centimetres wide of the far post with Wiland beaten.

The home side were left to rue those first-half near-misses when Age Hareide’s side forced their way back into the tie seven minutes after the break.

Having caught Celtic on the break, Magnus Eikrem's deep cross picked out former Parkhead loanee Berget and the Norway international thumped an unstoppable half-volley past Gordon.

Celtic's fears of disappointing on the European stage once more looked to have been assuaged when Griffiths popped up to restore their two-goal advantage, though.

Anton Tinnerholm failed to clear James Forrest's cross and Griffiths responded quickest to loop a header over the stranded Wiland.

It looked as though that would conclude a good night's work for Deila's side, but there was a sting in the tail in the 95th minute.

A corner from the left caused panic in the Celtic box, Felipe Carvalho nodded it down and Berget was on hand to fire into the roof of the net and set up an intriguing return leg in Sweden.


 

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Deila disappointed but defiant: Celtic can win at Malmo

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By Robin Bairner at Celtic Park
Aug 19, 2015 23:43:16

The Scots were rocked by a late goal in their win over Malmo in Glasgow but their boss is still confident of reaching the Champions League group stage

Celtic manager Ronny Deila was disappointed by the concession of a last-minute goal in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Malmo but was quick to claim that his side are capable of not only defending their advantage in Sweden, but adding to it.

The Scottish champions raced into a two-goal lead in the first leg of their Champions League play-off in Glasow, with Leigh Griffiths and Nir Bitton both netting inside the opening 10 minutes.

After former Celtic loanee Jo Inge Berget had pulled a goal back for the visitors, Griffiths struck again just after the hour mark to restore the Bhoys' two-goal advantage.

However, Berget struck his second goal of the evening in the dying seconds to leave Malmo requiring only a one-goal win on home soil to progress to the lucrative Champions League group stage at Celtic's expense.

Deila insisted afterwards that the identity of Malmo's hero on the night was of no significance and also did his utmost to banish the sense of disappointment that surrounded Celtic Park at the full-time whistle.

"It doesn’t hurt more because it was Berget who scored," he told reporters. "That’s football, that’s how it is.

"We are disappointed to concede a goal in the last second but it happened and we are still one goal ahead, so they have to beat us in Malmo.

"It could have been a better result, but it’s still an okay result. At the start of the game we were all over them and scored two great goals.

"We haven’t concede a goal from a set play this season but two players went for the same challenge and the ball bounced down for them to score, so that was disappointing.

"But we scored three goals, so that’s the positive thing. We could’ve got something more out of the game. They scored with the two chances they had but they still have to beat us in Malmo to go through.

"We are irritated about the last play of the game but we have to move on and remember the fact that we are ahead in the tie. Malmo’s morale being up now doesn’t scare me. Small details make the difference in European ties and we are ahead by one goal.

"Plus, we defended well against Qarabag away in the last round, so we can do that over there.

"They have to attack us, too, and that could suit us. We can beat them in Malmo."

However, Deila was less optimistic when it came to assessing Mikael Listig's hopes of featuring in the second leg after the Swede was stretchered off with a hamstring injury.

"It doesn’t look good," the Bhoys boss added. "He’s a good player and an important one for us. We’ll see on Thursday."


 

RaphaelVarane

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Hareide: Malmo in a marvellous position in Celtic tie


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By Michael Huguenin
Aug 20, 2015 00:02:06

The Swedish champions need only to win 1-0 at home next Tuesday thanks to Jo Inge Berget's 95th-minute strike in Glasgow

Malmo coach Age Hareide said his team is in a "marvellous position" ahead of their Champions League play-off second leg against Celtic.

The Swedish champions were in trouble after 10 minutes at Celtic Park thanks to early goals from Leigh Griffiths and Nir Biton for the hosts but Jo Inge Berget gave Malmo some hope just after the break only for the visitors to concede again.

Griffiths added his second just past the hour mark but Malmo ensured the tie remains in the balance when Berget completed his own brace in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

"Now we are in a marvellous position ahead of the return [leg] on Tuesday," Hareide told TV6 afterwards.

Hareide added that with striker Markus Rosenberg and midfielder Enoch Adu set to be available after being suspended for the trip to Scotland, it gives Malmo "high hopes" of reaching the Champions League group stage.

Berget was the hero for Malmo, with the former Celtic striker lashing the visitors' first goal into the net in the 52nd minute, while his second came from a corner as he reacted quickest to score on the turn after the ball was knocked down.

It was the kind of finishing rarely seen during his time in Scotland as he played just four league matches for Celtic, scoring twice, and the 24-year-old conceded it felt good to inflict some pain on his ex-employers.

"Revenge, yes for me, but the goal was very, very important for Malmo," Berget said, according to Sydsvenskan.

"Everything looks good now, [we have] reached a good estimation.

"We have been good at home before, so hopefully we will win the return [leg]."



 

RaphaelVarane

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Nuno: Nothing settled for Valencia against Monaco


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By Mark Doyle
Aug 20, 2015 00:29:01

The head coach remained cautious on his side's chances of reaching the Champions League after their first-leg victory over the Ligue 1 outfit

Nuno dismissed the suggestion that Valencia are hot favourites to progress to the Champions League group stage at Monaco's expense despite Wednesday's 3-1 home win at Mestalla.

Rodrigo opened the scoring for Los Che after just four minutes of play in Spain, but their Ligue 1 opponents levelled matters shortly after half-time through Mario Pasalic.

However, Dani Parejo promptly put the hosts back in front before Sofiane Feghouli struck in the dying minutes to give Valencia a crucial two-goal advantage.

"It was a good game and it was important that we won," Nuno told reporters after the play-off round first-leg clash.

"This game has been on our minds ever since the final game of last season in Almeria. We are back to being the team we were before - winners. We showed character just at the point when we were struggling to go for goal.

"At this point, Monaco are a little more advanced because their season has already started but we managed to put three goals past them and I am very proud of my team for that; it showed that we are a team who wants to win.

"The result is there now; our objective was to win this tie. Now we will be going to Monaco to compete and we know what awaits us.

"Nothing is definitive in this competition and we will be going there with the same ambition to win. There are no favourites."

Valencia, who kick off their Liga campaign at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, will face Monaco again in the second leg at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday.


 

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Jardim: Monaco defeat unfair

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By Sacha Pisani
Aug 20, 2015 08:13:21

The 41-year-old was unable to hide his frustration after watching his side lose 3-1 despite "playing better" than hosts Valencia

Coach Leonardo Jardim feels Monaco's 3-1 defeat at Valencia was unfair and has lamented missed opportunities and poor defending away from home.

Valencia hold the upper hand in the Champions League play-off tie thanks to Sofiane Feghouli's strike four minutes from time at the Mestalla on Wednesday.

Earlier in the second half, Daniel Parejo had restored Valencia's lead after Mario Pasalic's 49th-minute equaliser cancelled out Rodrigo de Paul's opener on the east coast.

It was not the scoreline Monaco had wished for, with Jardim rueing a brilliant finger-tip save from debutant Valencia keeper Mathew Ryan, who pushed Bernardo Silva's strike onto the post in the first half, but the Portuguese boss has not given up hope of reaching the group stage.

"The result is unfair for two reasons. First, we hit the post. If that had gone in, the goal would have changed the rest of the game," Jardim told the official Uefa website.

"Also, when we were playing better Valencia scored their second and third goals.

"Conceding goals like today, from balls across the area, is bad. This is not normal for our team and we need to correct it.

"We have to score two goals at home, we have the ambition to try and win this tie."

Monaco welcome Valencia to the Stade Louis II for Tuesday's return leg.



 

RaphaelVarane

Alfrescian
Loyal

Toulalan: Monaco can turn Valencia tie around


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By Mark Doyle
Aug 20, 2015 00:46:34

The captain was bitterly disappointed by the goals his side conceded in their 3-1 loss at Mestalla but is nonetheless hopeful of a second-leg fight-back

Jeremy Toulalan is adamant that Monaco can still qualify for the group stage of the Champions League - provided they cut out the defensive mistakes which characterised their 3-1 defeat in Valencia on Wednesday.

The Ligue 1 outfit found themselves a goal down after just four minutes of play at Mestalla, with Rodrigo opening the scoring for the hosts, but the visitors replied through Mario Pasalic just after the interval.

However, Monaco then allowed Dani Parejo to put Valencia back in front and the conceded an 86th-minute goal to Sofiane Feghouli that completely changed the complexion of the two-legged tie.

Toulalan admitted afterwards that last season's quarter-finalists now face an uphill task at the Stade Louis II next Tuesday - but the Monaco captain has not given up hope of turning the tie around.

"We committed defensive mistakes and we paid heavily for them," he told beIN Sports. "It's all a shame because we had chances to score and we did not.

"We could have got a draw but there is still much to play for. We saw that we can create chances, so anything is possible.

"It will be tough but if we start well at home and score the first goal, everything is still open to us."


 

Stegen

Alfrescian
Loyal

Jovetic sets sights on Champions League return for Inter

20 August 2015 16:13

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Stevan Jovetic is confident Inter can end their exile from the UEFA Champions League by sealing a top-three finish in Serie A this season.

The three-time champions of Europe have not participated in club football's elite competition since the 2011-12 campaign, when Marseille knocked them out in the last 16.

League finishes of sixth, ninth, fifth and eighth over the last four Serie A seasons have signalled a power shift in Italy, with Juventus replacing Inter as the dominant force, and striker Jovetic has been recruited by Roberto Mancini to help revive the club.

"Third spot? I think we can achieve that," said Jovetic, who joined from Manchester City last month.

"There are lots of good sides in the league but we have a strong team."

Jovetic's claim is likely to raise a few eyebrows given that Inter have endured a tough pre-season campaign, suffering defeats against Bayern Munich, Milan, Real Madrid and Galatasaray, as well as a goalless stalemate with AEK Athens.

Mancini's men failed to score during those five games, but Jovetic - who netted in a 2-0 friendly win over Athletic Bilbao in Parma - is unconcerned.

He said: "We've trained well and the friendlies have really helped, despite the results. We're ready."

On joining Inter, he added: I've spoken with Roberto Mancini. I can play in a few positions and have felt good where I've played thus far.

"A promise to the fans? I don't want to set a target, but I'm sure I'll provide lots of goals and assists."


 
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