Basel 1-0 Chelsea: Salah strike stuns Mourinho again

Mohamed Salah's late strike gave Basel another famous Champions League win over Chelsea but could not prevent Jose Mourinho's men booking their place in the knockout stages. The Eygptian produced a clinical finish at the St. Jakob Park on Tuesday to ensure the Swiss champions leapfrogged Schalke into second place in Group E, while Chelsea qualified despite the defeat.

Basel had ended the Premier League club's 29-match home unbeaten run in the group stages of the competition back in September with a shock 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge and they repeated the dose courtesy of Salah's dramatic late winner.

Murat Yakin's side now head into their final group game against Schalke next month knowing they only need a point to progress to the last 16. Chelsea were poor on the night and failed to register a single shot on target, but Schalke's failure to beat Steaua Bucharest ensured their progress.

Willian replaced Eden Hazard in the only change to the Chelsea side that beat West Ham 3-0 at the weekend, while fit-again striker Fernando Torres was back on the bench. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, midfielder Salah and defender Ivan Ivanov all returned to the Basel starting line-up.
John Obi Mikel then cleared off the line after Ivanov got a toe to a Fabian Schar corner and Salah was twice denied by the busy Cech as Chelsea remained on the back foot.Petr Cech had to be alert to palm away a Taulant Xhaka free-kick from wide on the left after only two minutes and Chelsea failed to heed the warning when they backed off 10 minutes later and Fabian Frei's strike was saved by the Czech Republic goalkeeper. There was a blow for the visitors three minutes before half-time when Samuel Eto'o was carried off, with Torres replacing him.

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho warned Basel that his side were much improved since the Swiss champions' shock win at Stamford Bridge in September, but there was no evidence of that as the home side dominated the opening stages. But at last Hazard replaced the ineffective Oscar nine minutes into the second half as Chelsea struggled to get going and Basel snatched a crucial winner when Salah raced away following Schar's pass, and he kept his nerve with a clinical finish to stun Chelsea 

Rummenigge: €250m for Messi is absurd

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out a move for Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi as he believes the Argentina international would be too expensive for the Champions League holders. The Bayern supremo has insisted that they have no plans to make a move for the prolific attacker and believes Barca would never sell their star player

A recent report from Spain suggested that Bayern were ready to meet the 26-year-old's €250 million exit clause, with the club's honourary president Franz Beckenbauer further fuelling speculation last week with his comments that Messi would be a good signing for the Bundesliga champions.

However, Rummenigge has now made it clear that the Bavarians have no intention of splashing the cash on the prolific attacker. "Messi? We are talking about figures here that are simply absurd, a transfer fee that is even higher than what we spent on Javi Martinez. We won't go there," Rummenigge told Sky90.

"Plus I know Sandro Rosell. Barcelona would never sell Messi. He is a saint at Barcelona and they will not sell him. "And I think it would be in Messi's best interest to stay at Barcelona. He fits in perfectly there." The attacker has a contract with Barca until June 2018. 

 

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'Perhaps how I view beautiful football is different' - Martino defends Barcelona approach

The Argentine insists a more direct style of play can be just as appealing, and was full of praise for Andres Iniesta's contribution to the 4-0 rout of Granada Gerardo Martino insists Barcelona can be attractive to watch with a direct style of play follwing their 4-0 win against Granada on Saturday.

The Catalans fielded a makeshift side given injuries to the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Victor Valdes, though goals from Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Pedro ensured they romped to victory. Regardless of injuries, Martino insists his side have the depth of talent to win in style in the majority of matches - although he suggested his perception of attractive football could be different to that of certain neutrals.

"It's important to have alternatives. It's good to have players who are specialists in their positions, yet adapt to others. Iniesta was the best out there tonight and when you see him, it's clear he can do anything."

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Blatter: I still have my favourite

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has reaffirmed his admiration for Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, but suggested that he still prefers Barcelona's Lionel Messi. The Fifa president has sung Cristiano Ronaldo's praises but still hinted at his preference for Lionel Messi following the recent controversy concerning the duo

The 77-year-old came under heavy criticism for voicing his preference for Messi, saying the Portuguese “spends more time at the hairdresser”, with several figures quick to condemn the remarks. Blatter has since apologised for his comments and gave a ringing endorsement of Ronaldo’s talents though he stopped short of retracting his preference for Messi. Blatter also took the opportunity to stress the organisation’s stance against racism after high-profile incidents against Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli.

“One of the main objectives of Fifa is to combat racism,” he added. “Unfortunately, racism is not a game, but a reality. Racism itself cones from our society, and not football.” “To me, he [Ronaldo] is still an outstanding player and an outstanding commander in the field,” he said. “But obviously each of us, in our heart, has our favourite.” Blatter is currently serving his fourth term as Fifa president, having held the post since 1998 and winning re-election in 2002, 2007 and 2011.
      

   
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Enyeama named best Ligue 1 player

Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has won the French Ligue 1 player of the month award for October, besting Paris Saint Germain stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani to clinch the periodic accolade for outstanding performance in the premier division.

The 31-year-old, who joined the French outfit from Israel’s Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2011, was promoted to first choice goalkeeper this season and has been fantastic in goal since the beginning of the campaign, keeping a clean sheet across 675 minutes already.

Enyeama raked 71% of the votes far ahead of Ibrahimovic, who scored 19% and Cavani, 10%. He will receive his trophy on Sunday before his side’s clash with Toulouse in match day 14.

The former Enyimba guardian also figures on the Confederation of African Football's (Caf’s) list of nominees for the 2013 African Footballer of the Year award.

Dani Alves Amazing Skill (Nutmeg) vs Cristiano Ronaldo HD

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Messi: I will come back stronger

Barcelona's Lionel Messi picked up his third Golden Shoe award in the Catalan capital on Wednesday and promised to come back even stronger in 2014 following his injury problems this year. The Argentine attacker picked up his third Golden Shoe award in the Catalan capital on Wednesday and vowed to take his time as he recovers from his latest injury

Messi was handed the prize after finishing as the highest league scorer in all of Europe in 2012-13, but admitted his priority now is to get fit for action and return to his very best. "My aim is to come back even stronger," the Argentine attacker told a packed audience at the old Damm brewery in Barcelona. "I am working hard to strengthen my body and I hope to be free from injury when I return."

The 26-year-old has suffered four muscle injuries this year and is now sidelined with a hamstring problem which is set to keep him out until early next year. "I haven't put any date on my return," he explained. "It depends on how things go and when the time is right, I will come back."

Messi scored 46 league goals last season to claim his latest individual prize, and added: "It's a very special prize and recognition for what the team have been doing over the last few years - I dedicate it to the people I love.

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We had too much respect for Italy

The Nigeria coach has asked his team to stay fit after playing their last game of the year in Monday’s draw against the Azzurri in London as they look forward to Brazil 2014. Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has asked his team to go on break after playing their last game of the year in Monday’s international friendly against Italy in London.

The Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by the Azzurri at Craven Cottage in a very interesting match that was filled with scoring opportunities for both sides. It was Keshi’s last opportunity in the year to test his team after they secured their fifth World Cup ticket last weekend against Ethiopia in Calabar. “Maybe, we had too much of respect for [Italy] but I’m sure if by chance we meet at the World Cup, we will put up a better performance,” Keshi was quoted by team media officer Ben Alaiya.
The coach also dismissed the boys for the year and urged them to stay fit and relevant at their clubs in order to ensure they can make the World Cup team to Brazil. “It’s time to go back and work hard for your various club sides and stay healthy, because that will form the basis for invitation when we resume next year.

The Nigeria Football Federation is yet to announce next year’s calendar but Keshi will take charge of the local Super Eagles ahead of January’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.
Three players from the CHAN team started Monday’s friendly against Italy. 

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Mikel's legacy rests on getting to the 2014 World Cup

John Obi Mikel this week shortlisted for BBC African Player of the Year, the Chelsea man ought to be concentrated on the weekend’s clash with Ethiopia.

Mikel’s place on the shortlist for the award, where he stands alongside Yaya Toure, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Jonathan Pitroipa, and his compatriot, Victor Moses, is just desserts for a year in which he has finally delivered on the promise that has long been associated with his name. Ever since exploding onto the scene at the U-17 World Cup in 2003, Nigerians have been waiting for Mikel to finally realise his potential.

I think that the majority of us had given up hope that he would ever blossom into the new Jay-Jay Okocha, a fluid playmaker capable of anything and everything, however, we were almost all still praying that he could emerge as more than the stodgy defensive midfielder to whom regular Premier League viewers had become accustomed.

It was at the Cup of Nations earlier this year that Mikel finally began to take matches in his stride, to dominate the midfield and to drive the team forward with his majestic touches and imperious vision. I have written extensively about the value of the emergence of Ogenyi Onazi, and the Lazio midfielder’s accomplished defensive work, as well as his remarkable maturity, which have allowed Mikel to concentrate more upon the creative side of the game.

Technically, philosophically and emotionally, it is imperative for the immediate future of the nation’s football that Keshi’s Super Eagle elect arrive at Brazil intact. Mikel’s presence will doubtless be crucial for his teammates, but Nigeria’s presence will surely be crucial for Mikel. Significant contribution at the World Cup remains the one major blank spot on his verdant CV.

Follow @theosbright 

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