Europa League

MARIO GOTZE’S dream start at PSV Eindhoven has come to a crashing half after he picked up an injury just TWO games in.
The former Borussia Dortmund ace, 28, bagged two goals in his first two games but Bild reports he has already picked up a muscle problem – despite using yoga to get in the shape of his life.

Mario Gotze has picked up an injury after a dream start at PSVCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Gotze celebrates his goal against PEC ZwolleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Gotze has got into yoga to keep his body on trackCredit: Instagram @mariogotze

Gotze joined PSV for free on a two-year deal earlier this month after leaving Dortmund when his contract finished at the end of last season.
And the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder has shed half a stone after taking to the mat and doing personal training sessions.
During his time between clubs, Gotze reportedly trained up to twice a day, six days a week to get in peak condition.
The World Cup winner netted the opener in the 3-0 win over PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie on Sunday.

And he repeated the trick in the 2-1 Europa League defeat to Granada on Thursday.
But he never reappeared from the dressing room after giving his side the lead with a stoppage-time strike.
PSV coach Roger Schmidt told Sportbuzzer: “Mario had to be replaced because he was injured… he had muscle problems. Even before the game he had the feeling that it was pinching.
“I don’t know whether he will play against Vitesse [on Sunday]. We have to check it out.

Gotze got stuck into personal training sessions to boost his fitnessCredit: Instagram @mariogotze

“He has already shown how important he can be for us. The two goals give him confidence.
“When I see him playing in our shirt, I think he’s having fun and likes it.”
But Gotze reassured worried fans his latest injury blow was ‘nothing serious’.
On Instagram, he posted: “My substitution yesterday was just to be on the safe side. I had a slight pinch in my leg. Nothing serious.”
Gotze was Germany’s World Cup-winning hero in 2014 after scoring an extra-time winner in the final against Argentina.

But his career stuttered after reaching such an incredible high six years ago.
Gotze made 21 appearances for Dortmund last season, bagging three goals.
However, after he returned from Bayern in 2016, his second spell was blighted by illness and injury.
The 63-times capped German international was diagnosed with Myopathy in 2017, a disease which causes muscle weakness and fatigue.
And he even played with a cast on his arm after suffering a hairline fracture and ligament wrist injury in 2019.

Borussia Dortmund legend Mario Gotze joins PSV on free transfer as World Cup winner signs two-year contract More

THIS was no Milan masterclass.
But Celtic could do with learning some classic Italian Catenaccio defending.

AC Milan emerged victorious from Celtic ParkCredit: EPA

The Hoops managed to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic at bay.
But Neil Lennon’s side gifted three goals to the Rosseneri in this Europa league clash.
Just like the goals they conceded to Rangers these three were agonisingly hard to watch for the Hoops boss.
Rade Runic and Brahim Diaz scored first-half goals for the Italian giants.

Mohamed Elyounsoussi then netted Celtic’s goal with 15 minutes to go to give Celtic’s supporters hope in front of the TVs.

It’s back-to-back defeats for Celtic boss Neil LennonCredit: PA:Press Association
But with Neil Lennon’s side pushing for a late, last gasp equaliser Jens Petter Hauge sealed the victory.
It was the right result in the end after this 90 minute tussle given the way Celtic tried to keep Milan at bay.
Lennon is fast becoming a man under pressure but he went into this game with no thoughts of winning friends and influencing people.

Many Celtic supporters question the wisdom of the 3-5-2 formation he prefers.
But if they thought it was going to get ditched for the start of this European tie they were wrong.
What Lennon couldn’t avoid after Saturday’s lacklustre performance against Rangers was a change in personnel.

Krunic headed the visitors in frontCredit: PA:Press Association
He could have dropped any of his starting eleven and none of them could have had any complaints.
As it was he made two alterations with Patryk Klimala and Elyounoussi dropping to the bench.
In Klimala’s case he was lucky to get a spot there.
In came Leigh Griffiths to lead the line with Albian Ajeti playing just off him.
In fairness to the Swiss striker, his hold-up play for spells of this game wasn’t the worst. He did his best to bring others into the action.
The problem was that there wasn’t any runners getting beyond him. The ball ended up being recycled with Milan allowed to get set.
Any time Jeremie Frimpong beat his man his cross let him down.
There was an initial lack of creativity too.

Diaz doubled the Italian’s leadCredit: AP:Associated Press
That’s something supporters would have hoped would come from Ryan Christie but surprisingly he didn’t start despite being fit and available.
Maybe that was a signal that Lennon had one eye on Sunday’s trip to Aberdeen for what’s a vital league game.
When it comes to the Milan team these days, it’s not the star-studded side of years gone by.
There’s the guy who would say sore thumbs stick out like Ibrahimovics.
And goalkeeper Gigio Donnarumma, who looks like being Italy’s No1 for the next decade or two.
But there’s been a different way of thinking at the club as they scour Europe for the best young emerging talent.
They were even interested in Celtic’s Kris Ajer before the last transfer window shut and you can bet there were moments here when the big Norwegian centre back wished they’d signed him.
Celtic’s defending at the two first-half goals they conceded was just asking for trouble.

Duffy failed to impress againCredit: Reuters
You just can’t defend like Celtic did in the first half and expect to get away with it.
Milan’s first goal in just 14 minutes came from a simple cross into the box which should have been dealt with by Shane Duffy. He was signed to clear precisely that sort of danger.
But he misjudged his jump and Krunic was free to nod past keeper Vasilis Barkas. Who, it must be said, was also left looking none-too-clever yet again.
Milan went into cruise control after that with Ibrahimovic showing his class all over the pitch.
Celtic kept needlessly giving up possession with unforced errors and it only seemed a matter of time before Milan scored again.
When it arrived, once again it was so avoidable.

Elyounoussi’s header gave the Hoops a glimmer of hopeCredit: EPA
Ibrahimovic played a ball down the left which Theo Hernandez burst onto. He then found Diaz who waltzed between Duffy and Callum McGregor before drilling a low shot past Barkas. Who stood rooted to the spot. Again.
Lennon had real work to do at half-time just to inject some confidence into his side.
But by switching to a back-four – and bringing on Christie and Elyounoussi for Griffiths and kid defender Stephen Welsh – the team definitely had a better look to it.
Milan dropped off the game. They were confident they’d be able to handle anything Celtic threw at them.
But there was much more intent from Lennon’s side in the second half. Laxalt fired a shot over the top before Elyounoussi tried his luck from distance.

Seeing Ibrahimovic subbed after 65 minutes also didn’t do them any harm with Milan seemingly thinking the game was over.
Lennon made further changes with skipper Scott Brown going off and Tom Rogic thrown on. And Celtic went for it.
When they made it 2-1 there was still 15 minutes left to play. Elyounoussi’s goal – a straight forward header from a Christie corner – breathed new life into the clash.
But they just couldn’t find an equalise and in stoppage time it was Milan who netted the game’s fourth goal.
Duffy was left in Hauge’s wake as he burst through on goal before calmly slotting past Barkas.
It was probably no more than Milan deserved given their first half dominance but still tough to take for Lennon given what his players gave him after the break.

Celtic star Leigh Griffiths in lucky escape after horror smash in Lanarkshire More

GARETH BALE has warned defenders his best is yet to come after making his first start since returning to Tottenham.
Bale lasted an hour as he helped Spurs see off LASK in the Europa League and even claimed an assist when his cross was deflected in for an own goal.

Bale made his first Spurs start in seven years against LASKCredit: EPA

But the 31-year-old says he still needs time to get his fitness back – but once that returns he is ready to fire Tottenham’s challenge domestically and in Europe.
Bale said: “It’s one of those periods I have to use as a mini pre-season. I fully expect it’s going to take a few weeks and more minutes to get me going fully.
“It’s one of those adaption periods where I can keep working hard in training and games.
“Once those match minutes get under my belt I will be sharper and better and hopefully contributing more to the team as well.

“I know how good the squad is, the team is, the manager is and how great the club is.
“It was the perfect fit for me to come back and I’m enjoying myself.
“I’m a little bit stiff, but hopefully it won’t take too long to get back to full speed. I’m just enjoying being back on the pitch and back at this amazing club.”
Bale’s second coming was overshadowed by an impressive debut for Carlos Vinicius who set up two goals on his own debut to show there is finally an alternative to Harry Kane.

Gareth Bale believes he will soon be up to full speedCredit: EPA

Vinicius found Lucas Moura to open the scoring and then cushioned a lovely header into the path of Son Heung-min to score the third as Spurs made easy work of their Austrian opponents.
Boss Jose Mourinho said: “I am happy for the squad, we changed a lot of players because we believe in the others and the others worked so hard to be ready.
“I trust the boys and the answer was good. Not a magnificent performance but solid and safe.”

The Welshman grabbed an assist against the AustriansCredit: Reuters

Gareth Bale is on the ball in Spurs training More

SEVEN long years since he last started a game for Tottenham, Gareth Bale was back in the side for the first time – but don’t expect him to be there at Burnley on Monday.
World class talent or not, Jose Mourinho knows he will be taking a big risk naming the Welshman from the off at Turf Moor on the evidence of this display.

Gareth Bale made his first Spurs start in seven years against LASKCredit: EPA

Gone were the lung-busting runs of oldCredit: Reuters

Don’t be blinded by the assist for the second goal. His manager won’t when it comes to analysing things and planning for future matches.
For the former Real Madrid star is clearly not the barnstorming running threat of old, and that represents a problem for Mourinho when it comes to putting together a side to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.
Let’s be clear from the start, Bale is still a terrific player with plenty to offer, but his lack of true match sharpness means he might not be the perfect fit for his manager right now.
Bale, you see, now likes to drop into pockets of space and cause damage with his passing and guile rather than blistering pace and in most sides that would be great.

But there is already a certain Harry Kane who does that for Spurs with devastating effect, and Mourinho needs to figure out if he can afford two players who operate in the same way.
Part of Tottenham’s threat is when Kane finds space and links up with his runners, usually Son Heung-min, Lucas Moura or Steven Bergwijn.
Bale showed little willingness against LASK to suggest he would be making those lung-busting runs on a regular basis, not through lack of commitment but because that is not his game any more.
Many of his best moments were linking up with the overlapping Matt Doherty as the £650,000-a-week man showed he is now more of a playmaker than surging threat.

Bale assisted Spurs’ second goalCredit: Reuters

So when it comes to going forward, Mourinho has to work out if a three of Kane, Son and Bale would actually be well balanced.
Son will hit the spaces down the inside left, but Bale might not be so potent on the opposite side.
There is another issue at the moment on the evidence of this display – whether Bale has the legs to be able to dig in and do the defensive work his manager needs.
Several times when moves broke down and LASK moved forward, Bale was just chugging back yards off the pace leaving wide open spaces in front of Doherty.
It mattered not against the Austrians, but when it comes to Burnley on Monday that means their most dangerous player Dwight McNeill might have the freedom to attack down that wing.
Left-back Charlie Taylor also likes to join up with McNeill, and if Bale isn’t able to recover his ground then all of a sudden Spurs might have a problem – and you can bet Sean Dyche will have noticed.
Bergwijn or Moura offer more on the defensive side as Bale tries to recover the fitness in his legs to be able to do the donkey work as well as the eye catching stuff.
And for Mourinho, that may well mean the man from Madrid is back on the bench come Monday.

Gareth Bale is on the ball in Spurs training More

THEY were the last English team standing in the Champions League four years ago.
And Leicester took the first steps towards another healthy run in Europe last night with a comfortable win over a feeble team from Ukraine.

In his first full game back, James Maddison got the ball rollingCredit: Reuters

Maddison hooked Leicester into a 29th minute leadCredit: PA:Press Association

James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho were on target for manager Brendan Rodgers, who believes his team could do some major damage in the competition this season.
While Spurs and Arsenal are also involved in the Europa League, Leicester could once again be this country’s dark horses.
As the champions of England, Leicester beat Sevilla in the last 16 of the 2016-17 Champions League only to bow out to Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals.

Harvey Barnes deserrved a goal for his super performanceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Barnes decided to re-enact a golf move down at the corner flagCredit: AFP or licensors
With Zorya, AEK Athens and Sporting Braga their group opponents, it seems unthinkable that Leicester will not make it into the group stages.

Jamie Vardy, struggling with a calf problem, was saved for Sunday’s Premier League game with Arsenal.
But Leicester still had more than enough firepower even though they did not need to be anywhere near at their best.
Zorya finished third in their League last season and are playing in the Europa League for the seventh successive year
And they caused a few early problems with Maksym Lunov looking particularly dangerous. He created a terrific chance for Vladyslav Kabayev but Kasper Schmeichel did well to block the shot.

Kelechi Iheanacho needed a goal – and he got itCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Leicester took a while to wake up and when James Maddison put the ball in the net with a silky finish, he was miles offside.
His next chance was certainly less pleasing on the eye but at least this one counted.
Barnes’ curling shot hit the bar, Iheanacho attempted to bundle in the rebound and after a brief scramble, Maddison got the final touch with the side of his boot.
While winger Barnes was then denied by a decent save from the visiting keeper, he got the goal he fully deserved just before the break.

Iheanacho showed that if you keep perservering you can get the rewardsCredit: AFP or licensors
Iheanacho showed good strength and link-up play before Barnes took over, the Zorya defence fell to pieces and the newly-capped England player sauntered through on goal before flicking the ball over keeper Mykyta Shevchenko.
With one eye on Sunday, Rodgers withdrew Maddison and a couple of minutes later, Iheanacho drilled the ball into the corner for the third after a shocking mistake from Dmytro Ivanisenia.
French referee Stephanie Frappart became the first woman to take charge of a game at this level in England, although she did referee last season’s Uefa Super Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul.
While Zorya screamed for a penalty with 10 minutes remaining, claiming sub Mihailo Perovic had been fouled by Jonny Evans, Frappart was having none of it. More

RANGERS raised the Standard. Kemar raised the Roofe.
On his return to Belgium the former Anderlecht striker struck an outstanding stoppage time goal as Steven Gerrard won away from home in a Europa League group match for the very first time.

James Tavernier celebrates with his team-mates after scoring for RangersCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Gers super sub Roofe was inside his own half when he let fly, his outrageous effort sailing over the head of stranded liege keeper Arnaud Bodart and into the back of the net.
The Stade Maurice Dufrasne has become something of a fortress in recent times.
Liege were 15 games unbeaten heading into last night, having lost just once in a remarkable run stretching back five years.
Sevilla and Eintracht Frankfurt are among those to have perished, while Arsenal and Ajax could only manage draws.

Kemar Roofe scored from the halfway line to put the result beyond doubtCredit: BT Sport

Standard’s keeper could do nothing about Roofe’s stunnerCredit: BT Sport

Rangers star Kemar Roofe celebrates with his team-mates after scoring a wonder goalCredit: AP:Associated Press
But thanks to James Tavernier’s first half penalty and Roofe’s remarkable strike, Gers came and conquered.
In atrocious second half conditions when the heavens opened, flooding the surface, Rangers were as calm as they were measured.
They played with tremendous maturity – even keeping their heads at full-time as some sore losers in the Liege side had a go at Roofe for celebrating with an Anderlecht gesture in front of the fans.
Make no mistake, this is a massive win for Rangers who are now up and running in Group D.

A strange sight greeted the Rangers players as they emerged from the tunnel.
Just under 4,000 Liege fans were allowed to socially distance inside the 30,000 capacity stadium.
In these uncertain times, it made for some kind of atmosphere at least.
This was Gerrard’s 34th game in charge in Europe. Remarkably, he’d lost just five times, including twice against Bayer Leverkusen last year.

Tavernier scores from the penalty spotCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Over the course of the last two years, Rangers have displayed composure and consistency on the continent.
The experience gained undoubtedly helped them back to the group stages for a third successive year.
Gerrard made three changes to the side which swept past Celtic at the weekend.
The diagonal ball was causing some early concern with the home side being given far too much room wide right.
Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack and Ianis Hagi replaced Fil Helander, Steven Davis and Brandon Barker.
All slotted in well to ensure that at the break, Rangers held the lead.
Tavernier was the hero from the spot, blasting home his ninth goal of an incredible campaign.
Liege had started the match on the front foot, switching the play from left to right as often as they could.

That is sensational! 😲A moment of magic from Kemar Roofe! ✨Rangers are off to the perfect start in Europe! ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/eHykkDWLYu
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 22, 2020

Slowly Gers began to settle and on ten minutes Borna Barisic swung over a cross to the back post.
Tav took a swing at it, nudging it towards the feet of Kent. Cimirot was there for Liege to nick it off his toes.
With 19 minutes gone, Danish ref Jakob Kehlet awarded Rangers a penalty.
Tav’s corner was headed down by Connor Goldson who had towered above Zinho Vanheusden.
Nicolas Gavory clearly handled the ball with Tav stepping up to make no mistake from the spot.
Rangers almost made it two when birthday boy Ianis Hagi collected the ball some 40 yards from goal.

Rangers star Ryan Kent is brought downCredit: EPA
Taking a touch, he looked up before letting rip from 35 yards. The ball dipped and swerved, flashing inches past the post.
Liege were rattled, but they almost drew level on 28 minutes.
Collins Fai, again with too much time and space on the right, swung in a fantastic cross which Jackson Muleka got his head to.
With Allan McGregor beaten, Gers breathed a huge sigh of relief when the crossbar came to the rescue.

Scott Arfield wins a header for RangersCredit: EPA
The same player hit the bar again in first half stoppage time – this time, however he used an arm to deceive the match officials.
McGregor, quite rightly seething, somehow picked up a booking for his troubles.
Hagi was also booked for a bad challenge as Rangers ended the first half on top.
Two minutes into the second half, Alfredo Morelos was presented with an early chance, but a shocking first touch let Liege off the hook.
The Colombian hadn’t been at the races in the opening 45 minutes and this was a real chance gone.
Morelos simply had to do better.
On the hour mark, he almost made amends after some brilliant build-up play.
Hagi and Scott Arfield were both involved with Liege keeper Arnaud Bodart saving Morelos’ shot with his feet.
This time you couldn’t fault the Colombian.
The game was becoming really stretched with gaps appearing at both ends.

Merveille Bokadi in action for Standard LiegeCredit: EPA
Factor in the rain that was now pouring down and Rangers needed to retain their concentration.
The ball certainly wasn’t running true with players struggling to keep their feet in the conditions.
A marauding run from Calvin Bassey – who’d replaced the injured Barisic just two minutes from the break – almost teed up Arfield, but he couldn’t find the bottom corner.
Morelos then squandered another half chance before Gerrard’s patience finally snapped and replaced him with Roofe.
The puddles that had formed on the pitch were causing chaos. The ball was sticking everywhere.
All of a sudden it had become something of a lottery.
And in injury time that’s exactly what Roofe must have thought he’d won. Rangers had hoped he’d carry the ball into the corner after the defence cleared its lines.
He did way more than that. Holding off three challenges he let rip from the halfway line with a truly remarkable effort that took everyone by surprise.
It sealed another glory night for Gerrard in Europe.

Standard continued to push for an equaliser but as the conditions worsened, their hopes of doing so grew smaller.
Both teams clearly had issues trying to play the ball forward and the play became quite scrappy at times.
Rangers were ultimately able to add to their lead though with an absolute wonder goal from Roofe.
In the dying seconds of the game, the striker fired a long-range shot from the halfway line that beat the keeper on its way into the net.
And that sent Gers on their way home with all three points.

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