Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013 — 33
32— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013
Robben aims to equal Ronaldo’s goal-scoring record
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HE Dutchman has netted in his last five games in Europe’s premier club competition, putting him in a position to match a feat achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo and two others Arjen Robben can equal a goalscoring record in Bayern Munich’s Champions League clash against Viktoria Plzen today. The Dutchman has netted in his club’s last five games in the competition, a streak that includes the 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2012-13 final at Wembley in May. Only three players in the
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EAL Sociedad striker Carlos Vela is confident he has grown a lot since his days at Arsenal as he prepares to face his former team-mate Robin van Persie. Vela started just three Premier League games during his seven years at Arsenal, with the bulk of his 64 appearances coming as a substitute. The Mexico international joined Sociedad, initially on loan, in 2011 and he is back in England for today’s UEFA Champions League group game against Manchester United. ”We used to sit next to each other in the dressing room and talk. I used to ask him about his movement, what was going through his mind when he did certain things, and he would explain. If I was missing something in my game he’d speak to me and give me advice and I’m grateful for that.” Carlos Vela He will come up against United striker Van Persie and Vela acknowledged the Dutchman was a great source of advice during their time together at Arsenal. ”I learned a lot from him,” Vela told The Independent. “For me, he’s the best striker in the world and it was a pleasure to be able to share moments in training with him.
Vela ready to face Van Persie at Old Trafford M
• Pallengrini
the decision overturned. The Russian side’s pitch is in such a poor state that the club informed City before they left that the grass would not withstand a single session. UEFA were ready to order the match to be switched to another ground earlier this month but it will go ahead as scheduled after CSKA carried out major remedial work, even though the surface remains poor and temperatures are hovering around freezing. A City source said: “To say we need to win this game is an understatement, especially with a trip to Bayern Munich still to come. ”We have become increasingly worried about the state of the pitch and the training sessions would have been a chance to at least see what we’re up against. ”However, we are not allowed to train on there, so we will be facing the unknown tomorrow (today) tea-time. They know what it is like to play on such a
Following his cameo appearance against Malaga, Bale is expected to play more minutes in today’s Champions League clash with Juventus, with a view to starting Saturday ’s Clasico against Barcelona at the Nou Camp. Speaking at a press conference before the clash with the Serie A champions, Ronaldo said Bale was settling in well at Madrid, but could do with less pressure on his shoulders. “I think he is doing well. Since he arrived he’s had it a bit tough, he didn’t have a pre-season and he was injured so it’s not been easy for him, but you can see how excited he is to be here,” said the Portuguese superstar. “We shouldn’t put too much need to go there and leave with pressure on him, that’s not three points.” good for him. Having spent eight years in “He always wants to learn the Ukraine, the Brazilian and we have to try and help midfielder knows a thing or two him, not put pressure on him, about Russian football as well, and leave him alone, because but it is the playing surface in I’m certain he’ll be very good Moscow he is particularly for the team.” concerned with ahead of the Ronaldo was also asked game. about stories that emerged in “We will see when we train the Italian media this week there on the day before the that he had been close to game and if the pitch is poor, joining Juventus before he we may have to fight to win the signed for Manchester United game, but that is no different in the summer of 2003, aged to any other game – it is always 18. a fight to win.” “According to the press, I After an excellent performance have been close to signing for against West Ham, City ’s every club,” he added. summer recruit from Shakhtar “People can say what they Donetsk is showing signs that want but the only team I he is really settling into Premier signed for when I was 18 was League life. Manchester United.
RISTIANO Ronaldo has urged the media and Real Madrid fans to ease the pressure on Gareth Bale. The Welshman returned from a thigh injury in Saturday ’s 2-0 win over Malaga at the Bernabeu, coming on with 14 minutes remaining and then winning a penalty in stoppage time, which Ronaldo converted. Bale has only made one start since his summer move from Tottenham to Madrid, which is estimated to have cost Los Blancos 101 million euros (£85.5 million).
...as Fernandinho vows to beat Moscow F
• Fernandinho
The Bavarian giants have scored in their last 31 games and survived a scare to defeat Mainz 4-1 on Saturday. Bayern’s 33-match unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga came under threat when Shawn Parker ’s goal helped Mainz to the lead at the break. However, Mario Gotze came on at half-time and helped to change the match, as two goals from Thomas Muller and additional strikes from Robben and Mario Mandzukic carried Pep Guardiola’s side to victory. Winger Franck Ribery was rested as a precaution, but the Frenchman is likely to be fit for today’s clash.
Ronaldo offers to bail Bale, plea to Real fans C
Man City in turf war with CSKA Moscow ANCHESTER CITY have had a bust-up with Champions League rivals CSKA Moscow after being banned from their pitch. Manuel Pellegrini’s men jetted to Russia last night ahead of today ’s Group D clash. The Blues wanted to train in the Khimki Arena last night and then have a light session on the morning of the game. Under UEFA rules the visiting team is entitled to use the pitch to prepare on. But CSKA bosses stunned the Blues by refusing to let them use the pitch because of fears over the dodgy surface. The decision has left Pellegrini’s men with nowhere to prepare for the crunch encounter. Starsport understands CSKA’s attitude has caused illfeeling between the two rivals and fuming City chiefs have called in UEFA in a bid to get
history of Europe’s premier club competition have scored in six successive fixtures and Robben will aim to join Marouane Chamakh, Burak Yilmaz and Cristiano Ronaldo in achieving the feat. The reigning champions will enter their Group D home game against the Czechs as heavy favourites after their superb start to the season. Bayern top the Bundesliga with seven victories from nine matches and have easily won both of their Champions League fixtures, proving particularly impressive in a 3-1 win at Manchester City earlier this month.
ernandinho says City must go for broke against CSKA Moscow this afternoon. The Sky Blues will be looking to take maximum points and strengthen their hold on second place against the Russians and Fernandinho believes nothing less than a victory will do. “This is all about six points because we play CSKA twice back-to-back and we must win there,” he said. “If we do that and then beat them at home, we will take a big step towards qualification. We have two hard away games this week with Chelsea coming up on Sunday, but we will try to keep our concentration. “We have to go for the win. We can’t think about the draw – we
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Heineken spreads excitement, as Ikpeba hits Abuja
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HE fun and excitement of UEFA Champions league awaits fans Wednesday courtesy, International premium lager beer, Heineken, as former African Footballer of the Year and Super Eagles striker, Victor Ikpeba, is set to thrill football fans on digital platform during the match day three of the Champions League. On Tuesday, when the star match of the day between AC Milan against FC Barcelona was underway at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Ikpeba with over 15, 000 followers on twitter, engaged by football fans before, during and after the match on digital platforms.Other twitter users are encouraged to join the conversation by tweeting @IkpebaOfficial and @Heineken_NG with #MatchNightWith International premium lager beer, Heineken, since 2006, has been rewarding its consumers with exclusive premium viewing experiences of UEFA champions’ league football, in the Heineken
Champions’ Planet in Victoria Island, Lagos. In the on- going season, the brand has been showcasing a unique experience at 100 premium bars with the sole aim of being closer to its consumers in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Abuja. Expectedly, like it was on match day two, when Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha was on point, the traffic on @Heineken_NG twitter handle is expected to be huge because with more awareness on the digital engagement, hundreds of passionate followers of the club competition will be active all through the thrilling match conversation. While the matches are going on in real time, Ikpeba, fondly referred to as ‘Prince of Monaco’ in his playing days, will be live at the Dreams Active Recreation at 792A Aminu Kano Crescent, Opposite UBA, Wuse 2 in Abuja, where he will be part of the viewing crowd. Consumers will have the privilege to engage the former Super Eagles legend for in depth analysis of the matches.
2016 Olympics: Nigerian weightlifters begin preparations BY OKEY NDIRIBE
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IGERIA has commenced preparations for participation in the weightlifting event at the 2016 Olympics scheduled to hold in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. This was disclosed yesterday in Abuja by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Chief Chibudom Nwuche, who is also the National President of the Weightlifting Federation of Nigeria. Giving a deeper insight into the preparations, Nwuche said the federation had successfully held a national championship in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital, which attracted the participation of over 20 states and clubs. He further stated that Nigerian weightlifters had already reported to camp for participation in next month’s Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships holding in Malaysia. Said he: “We are confident Nigeria would excel at the Championships and it would serve as a solid build up for us ahead of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. “ He further said that 32 weightlifters reported to camp last Sunday as part of the preparations for participation in the Glasgow games. Said he: “ We have taken adequate steps to make the athletes comfortable as they train under the watchful eyes of Coach Emmanuel Oshomah and four others who were picked on the basis of merit”. He further stated that the federation had drawn up a code of conduct for the athletes adding that “we have made it clear that there must be a high level of discipline in camp as that is the only way to get the best out of the athletes.”