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UEFA Champions League

Man United’s incoming manager, Amorim focuses on Sporting’s clash with Man City before joining United

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Sporting manager Ruben Amorim has said his primary focus is Tuesday’s Champions League game at home to Manchester City after his agreement to join Manchester United on Nov. 11.

United on Friday named the Portuguese as head coach to replace Erik ten Hag on a contract running until 2027, with the Old Trafford club struggling in 13th spot in the Premier League.

As Amorim prepares for a new chapter in his career, the 39-year-old on Monday reflected on his time at Sporting.

“I’ve been through this a few times as a player; it’s hard to explain,” he told a press conference ahead of the City match.

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“I’ll miss it in the future because I was very happy here. I know I’m going to a more complicated world, but we have to take steps forward.”

However, Amorim stressed that the Champions League clash against United’s local rivals was his main focus at present.

“Tomorrow I’ll be Sporting’s coach and only Sporting’s, from the 11th (November) onwards I’ll be United’s coach,” he said.

City are third in the 36-team table while Sporting are eighth but both sides have seven points from three games.

Amorim acknowledged the hype around the match as many United fans view it in relation to City’s rivalry with their team.

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“They are different contexts; I’m not thinking about that. For me, it’s just another game against a team from the best league in the world,” said Amorim.

Emphasising the challenges ahead at Old Trafford, he noted that language issues will play a part at the start.

“My communication at the beginning will be simpler because it is in English. The players will not be offended if I say that they are more basic. I give training sessions here in English,” added Amorim.

“I will take inspiration from everywhere, but there’s always room for new ideas.”

-Reuters

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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UEFA Champions League

Liverpool need better overall display against Leverkusen, says Slot

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Champions League - Liverpool Press Conference - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - November 4, 2024 Liverpool manager Arne Slot during the press conference REUTERS/Molly Darlington 

Liverpool must perform better with and without the ball when they face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday, head coach Arne Slot said after his side had to come from behind to win in the Premier League at the weekend.

Forward Mohamed Salah earned the Reds a 2-1 home victory against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday as they recovered to move top of the standings having conceded an early goal.

“Football is played in two moments, having the ball and not. And against strong teams, Leverkusen is one, you need to be good on both sides,” Slot told a press conference on Monday as his side prepared to face the German champions.

“We were poor on both sides, not as good with or without (the ball) on Saturday against Brighton, so we need a second-half performance because Leverkusen are at least equal to Brighton with the ball. So we need a much better performance than the first half.”

Alongside Aston Villa, Liverpool are the only other team with a perfect Champions League record this season after three games and are second to the Midlands side on goal difference.

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On Tuesday, Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso will try to change that, with the former Spain midfielder returning to Anfield for the first time as a coach to take on his old side, who he helped win Europe’s elite club competition in 2005.

“It’s difficult to say what makes him a special manager if you don’t work with him but he is, that is clear,” Slot said.

“Bottom of the league when he took over, didn’t spend much, bought one or two players, had that (kind of) season – it’s special,” he added, with Leverkusen winning a domestic double last term having been unbeaten in the Bundesliga.

They only lost in the Europa League final to Atalanta.

“I haven’t faced him (Alonso) or worked with him but what might be the situation is he worked with incredible managers in the past and played at the highest levels. So he knows what players feel at certain moments.”

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Alonso also helped Liverpool to the 2006-07 Champions League final, where they lost 2-1 to AC Milan.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher said: “I remember watching him, he was a class player when he was here, so I have good memories of him, his passing range was outrageous.

“I think the fans will give him a great reception but the focus is on getting a result and making sure he doesn’t go home happy.”

Liverpool can count on defender Ibrahima Konate, who returned to training after coming off at halftime against Brighton.

“He’s available to play, and I think also completely recovered, so there is no issue for him not to play because of what (happened),” Slot said.

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“Then it’s up to me to make the decision if he plays or not. But he’s in a good place.”

-Reuters

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UEFA Champions League

Boniface to miss Champions League game following Sunday’s car crash

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Boniface Back In Leverkusen Squad For German Cup Semi-final -

Bayer Leverkusen will be without striker Victor Boniface for Wednesday’s Champions League game at Brest, with the Nigeria international still processing the shock of a car crash he was involved in on Sunday, coach Xabi Alonso said on Tuesday.

Boniface was a passenger in a car involved in a crash a day after he had scored the winner in the German champions’ 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

He sustained minor injuries to a hand and foot but Alonso said the player needed some time to recover from the shock of the crash.

“He is not in the squad. After what happened, it’s also a precautionary measure,” Alonso told a press conference.

“He’s missing for health reasons. He has a small wound on his hand, a small cut on his right foot. But the shock is bigger.

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“Physically he is better but it is also an emotional issue. He feels good but he is not ready for tomorrow,” Alonso said.

Boniface has scored seven goals across all competitions, including one in the Champions League.

Alonso said he did not expect Boniface to be sidelined for too long.

Brest and Leverkusen have both won their opening two matches in the league phase of the competition.

-Reuters

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UEFA Champions League

David strikes as Lille end Real’s long unbeaten run

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Champions League - Lille v Real Madrid - Decathlon Arena Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France - October 2, 2024 Lille's Jonathan David scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

A first-half penalty earned Lille a shock 1-0 home victory over holders Real Madrid in the Champions League group phase on Wednesday, ending the 15-times European Cup winners’ 14-game unbeaten run in the competition.

Jonathan David converted from the spot three minutes into first-half stoppage time to hand Real, who had not lost in their previous 36 matches in all competitions, their first defeat since January.

The result put Ligue 1 side Lille on three points from two games in the new format of Europe’s premier club competition.

Real, who won their opening match against VfB Stuttgart, are also on three points.

“On the penalty, I try to focus, to keep calm to take a good shot but I’m confident when it comes to taking penalties,” David said. “It has not sunk in yet but it’s a memorable night.”

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Real keeper Andriy Lunin said his team had lacked their usual aggression.

“It’s difficult to analyse right after. (We lacked) aggression, creativity, in the end, what we always have,” he said.

“To fight a bit more. In the second half we showed more desire, but in the first half we were worse, that’s obvious. We want to win because we know what colours we’re playing in. But that’s OK. Courage, keep working and prepare for the next game.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s side started with Kylian Mbappe, who joined from Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain in June, on the bench after the France captain picked up a muscle injury last week.

Real’s Vinicius Jr. had the first chance with a low shot in the sixth minute as the visitors controlled the pace and the second came when Endrick’s close-range attempt was blocked by Lucas Chevalier.

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Lille went close to opening the scoring after 26 minutes when Andriy Lunin made a spectacular double save to deny David, first from the forward’s header, then by tipping away the Canadian’s follow-up shot.

Their relentless pressure paid off in stoppage time when Eduardo Camavinga handled Edon Zhegrova’s free kick.

A VAR review ensued and David confidently converted the resulting penalty.

The hosts continued to apply pressure in the second half, refusing to sit back and wait as Real enjoyed possession, cutting off the supply to England midfielder Jude Bellingham.

Ancelotti sent Mbappe and Luka Modric on to replace Endrick and Eder Militao and Lille survived a late Real onslaught to hang on for the victory.

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-Reuters

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