The Week in Quotes

(FIFA.com) 28 Nov 2015

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“I said already that the fourth position for me is not an impossible mission. If you ask me the title I would say impossible mission. Maybe Tom Cruise can do it.”
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho can afford a joke after his side beat Norwich City 1-0 to end a run of three straight defeats

Hamilton Academical wear France's away kit in show of solidarity for victims of the Paris terror attacks

 “I thought it was a bit strange when I arrived as I didn’t see any of the City players and Alan Grieve our kit man who’s always early was nowhere to be seen. When I saw another team arrive with different coloured track suits it suddenly clicked that I was in the wrong place. I phoned my wife to find out where I should be and she told me we were playing at Glebe Park. That left me with just under an hour and a half to get myself to Glebe Park which is just over 85 miles away. Luckily the roads were fine and I arrived 25 minutes before kick-off. Incredibly, this is not the first time it’s happened to me as when I was a kid with Rangers I remember turning up to the wrong ground. It’s something that I don’t want to make a habit of so I’ll be keeping a close look at the fixture card in future!”
Brechin City keeper Graeme Smith explains how he wrongly turned up at Stenhousemuir’s ground for Saturday’s Scottish League One home game. Brechin lost 2-1

“We just kicked an old ball around. There was no league. No goals. It wasn’t organised. The field was wherever you made it. It was just fun, and we played until the sun went down or the shooting started.”
Columbus Crew and Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara in a moving interview withFIFA.com about growing up and playing football amidst his country’s civil war

“I love a bargain. Who does not love a bargain? I don’t know many people that don’t like a bargain.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hinting that he might be going shopping in the January sales.

“The first few months, staying with an English family without my friends and family, were tough. Coming to terms with not playing, and spending day after day without sun, as well as the different food and being all alone, made me mature. Eating an evening meal at 6pm was really strange; in Spain it’s at 10pm. [FFT: Did you try beans on toast?] Yeah, I did, and fish and chips. I can’t say I liked either too much.”
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique on his original move from the Spanish club to Manchester United, in conversation with Four Four Two magazine

“One thing Britain does give you is access to football 24-7, which is like a playground for people in terms of their learning and development.”
Canada coach John Herdman, one of five nominees for the 2015 FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football to hail from Great Britain

“Honestly, for me, football is deadly serious for 90 minutes and that’s it. The whole circus that’s built up around it, the protagonists who are made out to be this, that, or the other – it’s all crazy, obviously, and happily I’m smart enough to be able see that for what it is. So I tend to prefer a more humorous approach to the subject.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

“Soccer is a lifestyle that I live and preach my whole life. I love this kind of challenge, where you have to build a champion by giving your best in every moment. I see the Chicago Fire as a hurt lion ready to unleash all its power.”
Newly appointed Chicago Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic, who guided Serbia to theirmaiden FIFA U-20 World Cup title earlier this summer, during his first press conference at his new club

"I have to be honest and say, though, that I really do like mine."
Philippe Mexes on his strike that has been nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award when comparing his effort to the other nine goals up for the prize

“We talked about our roots and then looked on the map to see where we both come from – the two places really aren’t that far from each other. We swapped shirts, which was fantastic. I don’t know what he’s done with mine now (laughs), but I was delighted to receive his – he even signed it. It was very cool to meet him.”
Gina Lewandowski on meeting her Polish namesake, Robert

PSG crowned autumn champions, Angers move second

(AFP) Saturday 28 November 2015

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Paris Saint-Germain are guaranteed to end 2015 on top of the Ligue 1 table after a 4-1 win against Troyes on a day marked by tributes to the victims of the recent terror attacks.

It was a routine win for PSG with Edinson Cavani and Layvin Kurzawa finding the net either side of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty before youngster Jean-Kevin Augustin wrapped up the points. Thomas Ayasse got one back for the away side but the win for Paris means they are still unbeaten domestically this season and are so far clear of their rivals that they have already secured the symbolic title of autumn champions for the team that tops the table at Christmas.

"It is a good thing to be autumn champions because it confirms that we are picking up an enormous amount of points, but it does not mean we are certain to win the title," tempered PSG coach Laurent Blanc despite his team finishing the day 15 points clear at the top.

The match was also significant for being the first top-level game to be played in the French capital since the terror attacks in the city and outside the Stade de France during France's game with Germany on 13 November that left 130 dead and many more injured.

With France still in a state of emergency, there were stringent security checks on the way into the Parc des Princes, and there was also a moving tribute before the game kicked off. The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and other sporting superstars appeared on a video played on big screens with each repeating the slogan 'Je Suis Paris' (I am Paris) that PSG also sported on their shirts.

A huge French flag greeted the players as they came out while 'La Marseillaise' was sung and a minute's silence held, just as had been the case across France and elsewhere in Europe last weekend. France's prime minister Manuel Valls and the Emir of Qatar were among the crowd for the game as the club owned by the Gulf state further demonstrated their dominance over the rest of Ligue 1.

PSG were looking to make it 24 Ligue 1 games unbeaten against a Troyes side who had still not won since returning to the top flight in the summer and it was a largely one-sided contest. Cavani had already come close twice before he opened the scoring 20 minutes in, meeting Angel Di Maria's assist with a first-time finish after the visitors lost possession cheaply in their own half.

At the other end Kevin Trapp had to intervene twice with good saves from Fabien Camus and Benjamin Nivet to ensure Paris remained in front going into half-time. The hosts went on to double their lead just before the hour, however. A penalty was awarded when Lucas was brought down inside the area by Chris Mavinga and Ibrahimovic stepped up to send Paul Bernardoni the wrong way from the spot and score his tenth league goal of the campaign.

The third goal arrived midway through the second half when a Di Maria cross was headed away by the Troyes defence but only as far as Kurzawa, who controlled on his chest before volleying low into the bottom-right corner. Augustin, who had replaced Cavani, got the fourth goal with six minutes left, his shot from 25 yards going through the legs of Bernardoni. Ayasse got one back with a fine strike in injury time but Troyes remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Paris are now 15 points clear of Angers who moved second with a 2-0 home win over Lille thanks to two goals in five first-half minutes through Gilles Sunu and Ismael Traore.

Knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in midweek, Lyon's recent struggles continued when they lost 4-2 at home to Montpellier on Friday.

Barça maintain lead, Celta edge Gijon

(AFP) Saturday 28 November 2015

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Barcelona maintained their four-point lead at the top of La Liga thanks to another clinical display from Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez to down Real Sociedad 4-0.

Atletico Madrid kept the pressure on the European champions thanks to Antoine Griezmann's solitary goal in a 1-0 win over Espanyol. Real Madrid are now nine points adrift ahead of their trip to Eibar on Sunday.

Messi was making his first league start in two months as he continues his comeback from knee ligament damage. But the Argentinian was initially outshone by his strike partners as they each swept home from two Dani Alves crosses to put Barça in command at the break.

Neymar then added his second shortly after half-time before teeing up Messi for his first league goal since September in stoppage time.

"They are constantly looking for one another and when they all score everyone is happy," Dani Alves toldCanal Plus about Barça's front three. "Without victories it doesn't matter who scores or sets up the goals. If we all keep playing well, we will all be happy."

Barça boss Luis Enrique made four changes from the side that destroyed Roma 6-1 in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, but with Messi, Suarez and Neymar deployed once more in attack, the Catalans didn't miss a beat. Suarez should have opened the scoring after just two minutes when he was brilliantly played in by Neymar, but Geronimo Rulli rushed from his line to bravely smother the Uruguayan's effort just inside his area. Even when Rulli was beaten, the woodwork saved Sociedad when Andres Iniesta headed Suarez's perfectly measured cross against the post.

The visitors' luck eventually ran out on 22 minutes, though, when Messi released Alves down the right and Neymar was quickest to meet his low cross and drive the ball into the top corner. Alves was the creator once more for Barça's second just before the break as his floated cross picked out Suarez to acrobatically volley into the far corner.

Barça had to wait just eight minutes after the break for a third with the full-backs proving Sociedad's downfall again as this time Jeremy Mathieu squared for Neymar to apply a simple finish. That strike took Neymar and Suarez's tally in La Liga this season to 26 -- the same as the entire Real Madrid squad. However, both then turned their hand to trying to set up Messi.

It looked like being a forlorn afternoon for Messi when his brilliant curling effort came back off the crossbar four minutes from time. However, a final piece of magic between Neymar and Suarez allowed the Brazilian to roll the ball invitingly across goal for Messi to slot into an empty net and seal a fantastic week for Barça which has seen them take a strangle hold of La Liga and clinch their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Atletico had to once again settle for victory by a solitary goal despite a more impressive attacking display after Griezmann had prodded home Oliver Torres's third minute cross for his tenth goal of the season. The hosts suffered a setback when influential midfielder Tiago was stretchered off with a broken right leg midway through the first-half.

Atletico were still rarely troubled, though, and should have added to their advantage after the break as Diego Godin and Koke struck the post. Fernando Torres also curled an effort just over as his search for his 100th Atletico goal continues, but a 12th clean sheet in 18 games this season was enough to close the gap on Barça.

Celta Vigo moved level with Real in third thanks to Nolito's fortuitous winner five minutes from time to squeeze past Sporting Gijon 2-1.

Deportivo la Coruna are on their Galician rivals tails in fifth as an early David Simon own goal and Lucas Perez's ninth league goal of the season handed them a 2-0 win at Las Palmas.

And Malaga spurned a huge chance to move out of the relegation zone as Granada struck twice in the last ten minutes to claim a 2-2 draw at La Rosaleda.

FIFA PUSKÁS AWARD Mexes eyes fresh glory for Milan

(FIFA.com) 27 Nov 2015

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For the last few years the red and blue of Barcelona and the white of Real Madrid have been de rigueur at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala, the night when the football world puts on its finery. For a long time, however, the Ballon d’Or’s most fashionable colours were the red and black of AC Milan, with Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, George Weah, Kaka and Andriy Shevchenko all winning the award during their spells with the Italian club, and the likes of Gianni Rivera, Frank Rijkaard and Franco Baresi finishing in the top three.

Though the prestigious trophy will not be heading to the San Siro this year, with no Milan players featuring in the 23-player shortlist, Rossoneri style could be back in vogue at the Gala thanks to the efforts of the club’s French defender Philippe Mexes, who is in the running for the FIFA Puskás Award, awarded to the best goal of the year.

“There have been quite a few Ballons d’Or in the history of Milan,” he told FIFA.com. “The club always takes a lot of pride whenever one of its players wins that magnificent trophy. That’s why it’s so important for me to be representing AC Milan.”

As the central defender went on to say, the Italian club is anxious to see some new silverware in its trophy cabinet. Lamenting their recent inability to push for honours at domestic and international level, he said: “It’s frustrating. And it’s frustrating because Milan should be in the Champions League every year. We need to get back up to the highest level. I hope we can make it and that there’ll be another Milan player collecting the Ballon d’Or again before too long. That would mean we’d have the best player in the world at the club.”

Talent and toil
Since its inception, the FIFA Ballon d’Or has been the sole preserve of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two men who have dominated the world scene for the last seven years. The mere mention of the four- and three-time winners, sees the frustration felt by Mexes give way to admiration.

“To my mind, they’re already two of the world’s greatest players, right up there with [Diego] Maradona, Pele, [Zinedine] Zidane, [Michel] Platini, [Johan] Cruyff and [Franz] Beckenbauer,” said the former AJ Auxerre man.

“They’re both outstanding. One was born with natural talent and the other has worked so hard to reach the same level,” he added, discussing the respective merits of the Argentinian and the Portuguese. “They both deserve the Ballon d’Or and there won’t be much in it – the odd victory here and there and the results of their teams.”

That is a view shared by most of the global footballing community, though it is even more authoritative when expressed by someone who has the opportunity to admire their skills at first hand.

“As a defender I get to see them in a different way,” explained the Frenchman. “Messi is so alert, so good at running with the ball and quick with it too, whereas Ronaldo is all about power, acceleration and shooting. They’re two totally different players, but the fact is that they’re both great champions who deserve to win the Ballon d’Or. It’s very tough to separate them. It’s a shame there aren’t two Ballons d’Or because they both deserve to win it every year.”

A dream come trueWhile that may be the case, when it comes to the final decision, it is votes that count in deciding the destination of the FIFA Ballon d’Or or the FIFA Puskás Award. And in the case of the latter, those votes come from the users of FIFA.com and francefootball.fr, Mexes among them: “I’ve seen the other nine nominees, and Messi’s and (Carlos) Tevez’s caught my eye in particular. They’re solo goals, magnificent dribbles both of them.

“Then there’s another goal scored in Germany, a magnificent strike on the volley by a midfielder [Marcel Ndjeng],” continued the 33-year-old centre half. “They are the ten best goals and they’re all pretty good, each in their own different way. I have to be honest and say, though, that I really do like mine,” he added with a smile, in reference to his acrobatic volley into the top corner from 18 yards out, which came in a meeting with city rivals Inter no less.

Mexes is getting to be something of an expert when it comes to scoring great goals. Back in 2012 he came up with a stunning overhead kick from the edge of the area in a UEFA Champions League match against Anderlecht.

“Scoring with an overhead kick was a childhood dream of mine and I fulfilled it,” he recalled. “Unfortunately, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one of his own ten days earlier against England, in a match where he got four goals.” That special bicycle kick saw the Swede take the 2013 Puskás Award, an achievement the Frenchman would like to emulate this time around.

“It would be an honour to win an individual award, though it would be a trophy for Milan too,” said Mexes in signing off, anxious to trigger a Rossoneri revival on the FIFA Ballon d’Or red carpet. 

Meiji Yasuda J1 League 2015 Gamba set for title, Club World Cup showdown

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(AFP) Saturday 28 November 2015

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Japanese title holders Gamba Osaka broke Urawa Reds hearts once again after beating their rivals 3-1 in extra time and reaching the J.League championship final.

Late goals from Hiroki Fujiharu and Brazilian Patric sent the 2014 treble winners through to the two-legged championship final against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who qualified directly after finishing with most points over the season's two stages. The winner will appear at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Former Japan defender Yasuyuki Konno silenced the crowd in Saitama by firing the opener at the start of the second half before Reds substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic headed the equaliser from close range on 72 minutes.

But Fujiharu celebrated his 27th birthday with a superb volley two minutes before the end of extra time and Patric added insult to injury for the home side, whose players slumped to the turf at the final whistle in scenes reminiscent of their capitulation in last year's title run-in.

Gamba host the first leg of the final on Wednesday before the second leg in Hiroshima on 5 December. "Both teams were really up for it and we were a bit lucky to get the win," said Gamba manager Kenta Hasegawa. "It will be important to score first against Sanfrecce at home. Hopefully we can draw them into an open game."