PSG vs Real Madrid Preview: Laurent Blanc’s Pre-Match Quotes Emphasise The Parisian Swagger At the Moment

Both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are sitting at the summit of their domestic leagues. Undefeated in all competitions. Tipped to win domestic titles. And of course both in the frame for lifting the Champions League.
This PSG side has been imperious so far this season but tonight comes the biggest test of all. It is our first meeting with Los Blancos for over two decades in European competition. This clash as well as the one in Madrid in a few weeks time will go a long way in determining who finishes top of the group.
We only have to look back at what happened last season against Barcelona. Facing a juggernaut in European football, we beat them at the Parc des Princes but ultimately missed out by losing the reverse fixture in the final group game to lose that top spot. Even though we overcame Chelsea in the last-16, we were undone by being drawn with Barca again but this time in the quarter-final. Finishing top of the group and with it avoiding the bigger hitters in the competition does make such a difference when it comes to the knock-out stage. Without being disrespectful to Malmo or Shakhtar, it appears as if it will be a straight shootout between Real and ourselves as to who finishes 1^st and 2nd.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who became Real’s all-time leading scorer this past weekend, will be the main attacking threat on the counter-attack. PSG coach Laurent Blanc said there will be no special plan to stop CR7 in yesterday’s pre-match presser. As quoted by UEFA.com, he said; “I love everything about Cristiano Ronaldo. Just look at his statistics. He’s one of two extraterrestrials gracing modern football (Lionel Messi the other). He’s good in all departments. He’s fast, takes on defenders, scores goals. So yes, we’ll have an eye on him. There will be no anti-Ronaldo plan, nothing specific – just to be vigilant at all times.”

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Arsenal boss Wenger fearing Champions League hammer blow ahead of crunch Bayern clash

ARSENE WENGER reckons there is little chance of Arsenal's Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb of being overturned despite the on-going 'doping' scandal.

The Gunners host Bayern Munich tonight currently bottom of Group F following loses in their opening two European ties.

Dinamo earned an unexpected 2-1 victory last month, where Arsenal had forward Olivier Giroud sent off.

Afterwards, it emerged Dinamo midfielder Arijan Ademi had failed a drug test.
The 24-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes, is now subject to UEFA disciplinary proceedings and is set to have his B sample tested, the result of which has not yet been made public.

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NO GOOD: Wenger does not expect Arsenal's defeat to Dinamo Zagreb to be overturned

“Well the rules are the rules and I cannot change that”

Arsene Wenger

If that is positive also, he could be face a suspension but there are no sanctions against clubs from UEFA unless two or more players fail doping tests.
And Wenger has been left less than impressed by the whole saga.
"We didn't perform well in the first two games, we were a bit unlucky as well, having watched the games again," he said.
"When I saw that the players of Zagreb were doped... when you don't play at your best and your opponent is doped, it is difficult."

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NOT GOOD: Arijan Ademi failed a drug test

Wenger continued: "Well the rules are the rules and I cannot change that. I don't think the result is really under any threat.
"We have to wait now to wait and see what comes out of the second (doping) control (test)."
Wenger is expecting a response from his side on Tuesday night as they look to haul themselves back into contention for qualification following some impressive domestic results since losing 3-2 at home to Olympiacos.

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Mata wants to know Valencia’s “secret” for Man Utd’s Moscow trip

 

In his latest blog, Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has joked that he will ask teammate Antonio Valencia for his goalscoring secrets as they travel to face CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, per the club’s official website.

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Manchester United: Van Gaal hints at CSKA Moscow selection

Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal could have already decided on the team he'll field in Russia on Wednesday night.

Louis van Gaal has hinted he will not rest players against CSKA Moscow in preparation for Sunday’s Manchester derby.
The Dutchman and his Manchester United squad are set to fly to Russia on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League clash with CSKA on Wednesday.
They face Manchester City at Old Trafford four days later but Van Gaal has suggested the team in Moscow will not be that different to the one that took the field at Everton on Saturday.

United were impressive at Goodison Park, winning 3-0 thanks to goals from Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Wayne Rooney.
And Van Gaal says he’s likely to resist the temptation to save his key players for the derby.
Van Gaal said: "I am not stupid.
"I won’t change too much on Wednesday."

United sit second in Group B with three points from two games after a 2-1 defeat in Holland against PSV Eindhoven and a 2-1 win over Wolfsburg at Old Trafford.
They are third in the Premier League table after their first win at Goodison Park since 2011. Victory in the derby would see Van Gaal’s side leapfrog leaders City.

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Thierry Henry: Arsenal must go for broke against Bayern Munich – and Petr Cech MUST start in goal

The Frenchman knows the Gunners' Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread ahead of the midweek showdown

No more rotation: Henry wants Cech to start

Thierry Henry feels Arsenal must take the initiative if they are to spring a surprise against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
The Gunners sit bottom of their Champions League group after galling defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos, meaning the pressure is on ahead of back-to-back clashes with the Bundesliga giants.
Bayern have started the season in sensational form, winning their first nine league matches and scoring eight unanswered goals in continental competition to date.
They have also knocked Arsenal out of Europe in two of the last three seasons, so Henry is in no doubt over the magnitude of the task facing Arsene Wenger's men.
But he feels his former side must go on the attack if they are to stand any chance of getting a result.
In pictures – Arsenal beat Watford:

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"I’d much rather see them having a go than sitting back and being passive," Henry wrote in his column in The Sun .
"The big question is, can they maintain that high-tempo pressure for 90 minutes against a team of Bayern’s calibre? I’m not sure anyone can."
Henry also called on Wenger to stick with Petr Cech in goal for the game at the Emirates.

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Must start: No more rotation, says Henry

The Czech stopper was left out in both of Arsenal's Champions League losses, with replacement David Ospina coming in for criticism for his display against Olympiakos in particular.
"One thing for certain is that Arsene cannot rest or rotate any of his star players, as he did when he played David Ospina instead of Petr Cech against Olympiakos," added Henry.
"If you don’t play your best team against Bayern Munich, you might as well stay at home."

DailyMirror

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Bruce: Livermore failed drugs test after family tragedy

Jake Livermore tested positive for cocaine after struggling to cope with the loss of his baby, Hull City manager Steve Bruce has said.

Hull City manager Steve Bruce has shed light on Jake Livermore's failed drugs test, revealing that the midfielder was struggling to deal with the death of his baby.

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