Yaya Toure urges Uefa action over racist abuse

Manuel Pellegrini's side travelled to Russia to face CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night, with the Premier League outfit's players, particularly the Ivorian, singled out for abuse

Manchester City's Yaya Toure has urged Uefa to act after confirming he received racist abuse in the Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow.

The Cote d'Ivoire midfielder appeared to be the target of chants from some sections of the home crowd during the 2-1 victory at the Arena Khimki on Wednesday.


Afterwards he told Sky Sports: "It's unbelievable. I think Uefa needs to do something strong."

Former Barcelona midfielder Toure believes Europe's governing body should take decisive action and possibly impose a stadium ban on CSKA if their fans are found guilty of abusing him.

He added: "I told the ref, I think it was unbelievable and very sad. We want to stop that. Uefa need to do something.

"Maybe close the stadium for a couple of games. As an African player, it is always sad when you hear something like that."

City boss Manuel Pellegrini also called for Uefa to act if they find that his player was subjected to abuse: "It's a pity and I hope Uefa have the right measures," he said
.

Flamini to miss Borussia Dortmund clash

The Arsenal midfielder suffered a concussion following a clash with Alexander Tettey on Saturday so Arsene Wenger has decided to leave the player out of the Champions League game



Arsenal will be without Mathieu Flamini for the visit of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The French midfielder was substituted after 37 minutes of Saturday's 4-1 Premier League victory over Norwich City following a clash of heads with Alexander Tettey.

And, despite the 29-year-old training on Monday, manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he will not feature for the visit of Jurgen Klopp's men.

"Flamini is doing well," he told reporters. "He's practiced normally, but we won't play him [on Tuesday]. There is a five-day rule [with concussion] that we will respect."

Wenger also claimed that the clash with last season's runners-up would not be the deciding factor in who wins Group F and insisted his side will go into the game without fear after an impressive start to the season.

"It is not a decider but it's an important one," he added. "It's an 80 per cent game."

"The feel-good factor is down to the quality of the spirit of the team, the solidarity of the players, and their desire to do well.

"We know we are a team that looks for being of course successful, for that you need a special hunger and I believe these players have a special hunger.

"What is important is that we go into the game and focus on our quality, on our performance. For me that is more important than focusing on Dortmund.

"[We want to] come out of the game tomorrow and feel that we have played at our best. If we do we will be difficult to handle for everybody."

And on the subject of his own German contingent, which includes record-signing Mesut Ozil, the French manager said: "Germans have a reputation for being 100 per cent professional and we have not been disappointed."

The loss of Flamini will come as an added blow to Arsenal, with Theo Walcott having been ruled out for a further three matches following a setback in his recovery from abdominal surgery
.

Barcelona have learned from last year, Alexis

The Chilean attacker says the Blaugrana will be suitably prepared for what awaits them at San Siro on Tuesday following their humbling defeat last season

Alexis Sanchez says Barcelona will be a different team to the one that AC Milan tactically outclassed in San Siro last season when the sides meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Barca were humbled 2-0 in Milan in the first leg of the last 16 encounter back in February as Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng goals ensured a comfortable victory.

The return leg saw the Catalans overturn Milan's aggregate lead with an emphatic 4-0 win at Camp Nou, but the memories of the San Siro defeat will spur the Blaugrana on to make sure there is not a repeat result in the Group H match, according to Alexis.

"We learned from last year's experience [2-0 loss against AC Milan in the San Siro]," he told reporters ahead of the game.

"Milan have always shown great heart, it is important to play 90 minutes with great concentration. I always give my 100 per cent."

The Chile international has been criticised from some quarters as they believe he has not reached his full potential since his €26 million move from Udinese.

However, the 24-year-old, who has scored 30 goals in 97 appearances for Barcelona, says detractors spur him on to do even better.

He added: "In Barca there are so many good players. I am ready to play but I do not feel like a starter. 

"The criticism gave me more strength. Playing with Neymar gives me happiness and confidence."

Balotelli often the victim of bad fouls, argues Galliani

The Rossoneri director has admitted that the striker should control his temper but feels he is often unfairly targeted by opposing defenders




AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani feels Mario Balotelli is too often fouled by opposing players, which affects his ability to control his temper.

The 23-year-old was recently handed a three-match ban following his outburst toward the referee after his side's Serie A loss against Napoli, and although Galliani has stressed that the Italy international must improve his behaviour, he insists his cause is not helped by players who target him on the pitch.

"We have spoken at length with Balotelli. Mario cannot behave like that anymore and he needs to focus on his own game," Galliani told reporters.

"Balotelli must learn to moderate his reactions. He has already matured a lot, though. 

"He is often on the receiving end of bad fouls that are not given."

Balotelli has netted four goals in seven official appearances for Milan so far this term.

Wenger: Giroud can fire Arsenal to Napoli success

The Gunners manager has backed the France international to find the back of the net when Rafael Benitez's Serie A side come to north London this week



Arsene Wenger wants striker Olivier Giroud to extend his goal-scoring form when Arsenal take onChampions League Group F opponents Napoli at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The France international has been in lethal form for the Gunners this season, scoring four goals in six Premier League games, and Wenger believes there is still more to come from the 27-year-old. 

"I think he will improve and be better in all aspects of his game. At 27, you always think the best years are coming for him now," Wenger told The Mirror. 

Giroud joined Arsenal last summer from Montpellier – a transition which Wenger believes was difficult for the Frenchman.

However, team-mate Bacary Sagna believes the striker has now adapted to life at Arsenal and feels Giroud has played a vital part in the Gunners' strong start to the season. 

"If we are on top of the league today, it is because [Giroud] made a lot of improvement and he is an important part of the team," said Sagna.

"We need to give him time and I think he will improve even more, and be more decisive.

"He questions himself every day, wants to learn and improve, even on his English which helps a lot."

Replacing Messi will be tough, says Martino

The 50-year-old recognises the significance the Argentine can have, but is confident in his team have the ability to cope without him against Celtic

Gerardo Martino has insisted he understands how big a loss Lionel Messi can be, but insists it is something Barcelona can overcome.

Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Neymar are considered viable options to replace the injured forward as the Catalans prepare for a chance at revenge against Celtic, who beat them in the group stage last season, on Tuesday.

Camp Nou coach Martino pointed out that Barcelona have played without Messi before and have plenty of players capable of stepping in to fill the void.

"For any team in the world it would be difficult to replace Messi," he told reporters. "Even for us, though we’ve got a great squad with outstanding players.

"We need to play well, even with him missing. I’m not sure it’s a test to play without him, though we’ve done it before."

Martino discussed his options for replacing Messi up front, but insists he will wait until closer to kick-off to make a decision.

"[Fabregas] is great at linking up with the three behind and he sets his team-mates up really well. With Leo we cause the opposition problems in the last 25 metres.

"Neymar also can’t be ruled out, just as Alexis can’t be. We’ve got various options and we’ll see which one is the best. 

"It’s not always going to be that when Messi is out Fabregas replaces him."

Even though Martino was not coach when the Blaugrana suffered a 2-1 loss at Celtic Park last season, he admits Tuesday is a good opportunity to get revenge.

"Everyone is taking it for granted that the game will be like the one last year. We need to be more accurate and faster in our build-up play. It would be good for us to control the ball.

"I don’t think the players want revenge, rather just the chance to put things right. Barca are expected to play well. We’re constantly under microscopic scrutiny. 

"There’s a lot to think about, but we need to focus on what’s ahead, not think about what happened last year."

Mourinho storms out of Chelsea press conference

The Blues boss objected to persistent questions relating to the omission of Kevin De Bruyne from his squad to take on Steaua Bucharest

Jose Mourinho walked out of his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash with Steaua Bucharest.

Mourinho was angered by questions surrounding the absence of Belgian attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who did not travel to the Romanian capital after being left out of the squad.

The Portuguese's decision to leave Spanish playmaker Juan Mata out of a number of games this term has come under much scrutiny, although the 25-year-old is in line to start on Tuesday after setting up the equaliser in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Tottenham last Saturday.

Former Inter and Real Madrid manager Mourinho - in his second stint with Chelsea - has clearly grown tired of questions over his decisions, though, as the 50-year-old responded irritably following enquiries as to why De Bruyne has been omitted.

"This is fantastic because no one asks me about [Juan] Mata. You have spoken about Mata for three weeks. Now you're asking about Kevin," he told reporters.

"You are interested in the players who are not playing. He was not selected. It was my decision. Only 11 can play and I tried to decide, by what they do on the pitch when they play and in training.

"I try to be honest all the time. I was honest with Juan because of what he's done in training and what he's done in the game he played, and so he plays.

"With Kevin I didn't like the match he played against Swindon [in the League Cup], and I didn't like the way he was training.

"But you only ask about the guys who were not selected. Thank you."

Mourinho then left the room and will hope his players do the talking for him at the Arena Nationala as they look to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Basel in their opening Champions League fixture.

Rooney joy at reaching 200-goal mark

The forward, who appeared set to leave during
the summer, scored twice at Old Trafford to help
David Moyes' me get off to a perfect start in this
season's Champions League



Wayne Rooney was understandably delighted after scoring his 200th Manchester United goal in Tuesday night's Champions League win over
Bayer Leverkusen.
The England international opened the scoring at
Old Trafford before adding a second after the
break, with Robin van Persie and Antonio Valencia
also on target for the Red Devils in an exciting 4-2 win.
"It's something I'm really proud of," Rooney told
ITV Sport. "Delighted to be playing and scoring
and it's a good result - the first game in the
Champions League is always important and
thankfully we got the victory." However, the striker reacted angrily when
repeatedly questioned as to whether he asked to
leave the club during the summer transfer
window.
"Listen I'm concentrating on my football, as I've
done all summer," he stated. "I've got my head down, I've worked hard to get
myself fit and ready for the season. I'm delighted
with the way I've come back, delighted I'm back
playing and scoring goals.
"The fans have been brilliant, as I've said all
along, the fans here have been fantastic with me and it's great the reception I get here so hopefully
I can repay them with performances and goals
like tonight."
Rooney could have scored a hat-trick after
rounding goalkeeper Bernd Leno but could not
find the target from a tight angle and admitted he was undecided as to whether to shoot or pass to
strike partner Van Persie.
"I don't know, I was sort of in two minds," he
explained. "I didn't know whether to shoot or
Robin was there as well so I was in two minds so
maybe I should've gone straight for goal but at the end of the day we got the three points which
is more important."
Up next for Rooney and United in Group A is a trip
to Ukraine on October 2 to take on Shakhtar
Donetsk, who opened with a 2-0 win away to Real
Sociedad.