‘Bittersweet’ return for Luis Suarez in La Liga ‘Clasico’

Barcelona forward Luis Suarez said he was delighted to be back playing competitively after a four-month ban for biting but that Saturday’s La Liga defeat at Real Madrid had left him with “bittersweet” emotions.

The Uruguay international, who joined Barca from Liverpool in the off season, was included in the starting lineup for the ‘Clasico’ at the Bernabeu and although he looked sharp and hungry he failed to open his account for the Catalan club as they fell 3-1 to their arch rivals.

Suarez provided the sweeping, cross-field pass to Neymar that led to the Brazil captain putting Barca ahead in the fourth minute and Lionel Messi should have scored from an excellent cross by the Uruguayan midway through the first half but was denied by Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Suarez’s participation in his first official game since he sunk his teeth into the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil ended when he was replaced by Pedro in the second half.

World Class Duo to Sign for Manchester United

Manchester United are all set to sign two world class stars absolutely free of charge and fans have all the reasons to be excited.

The players in discussion are former Barcelona goal keeper Victor Valdes and current Barca right back Daniel Alves whose contract will expire at the end of this season. Valdes is already a free-agent after leaving the Catalan giants and has agreed a fitness trial with the Red Devils.

Moreover, Manchester United looked to have sealed the deal for Daniel Alves as well with reports suggesting that the negotiations are in the final stages and the deal will be completed soon.

Not to forget, even Chelsea and Liverpool are after Alves so securing his services will be a major coup for the Red Devils

Real Madrid rallies to take El Clasico spoils

Real Madrid trimmed Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to one point when it recovered from conceding an early goal to secure a stirring 3-1 comeback win in El Clasico on Saturday.

Neymar stunned a packed and hostile Bernabeu with a superb goal to give Barca a fourth-minute lead before Cristiano Ronaldo levelled with a penalty in the 35th, the first goal the Catalan side had conceded in nine league outings this term.

Pepe made it 2-1 to the European champions six minutes into the second half and a misunderstanding between Andres Iniesta and Javier Mascherano led to Real’s third after the hour when Karim Benzema finished off a swift break with a clinical strike.

Barca is top with 22 points and Real, which had an early-season wobble but has been in scintillating form in recent weeks, second on 21.

Nigeria wins AWC title

Nigeria clinched a record seventh title at the Africa Women’s Championship after defeating Cameroon 2-0 in the final on Saturday evening at the Sam Nujoma stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.

Desire Oparanozie curled a well taken free kick in the 13th minute past Cameroonian goalkeeper Annette Ngo Ndom to give the Super Falcons an early lead. Asisat Oshoala also found the back of the net in the 44th minute to give Nigeria a 2-0 lead before the halftime mark.

Nigeria held on to be crowned continental champions and remain unbeaten at the two-week long tournament that attracted eight countries.

The Super Falcons have never lost to Cameroon since the inception of the continental showpiece in 1991 as both sides faced off in the final back then with Nigeria winning 2-0 against Les Lionesses.

Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast will represent Africa at the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada.

Louis van Gaal sends scouts to watch Man United target Ezequiel Garay

Manchester United are eyeing Argentine international Ezequiel Garay in the January transfer market as the answer to their defensive problems.

Garay has been a long-term target of Man United and it is understood that Louis van Gaal wanted to sign him in the summer but the Argentine joined Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg before the Dutchman was confirmed as Red Devils manager.

In view of making a Januray bid, the Dutchman reportedly sent scouts to watch Garay during Zenit St Petersburg’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Mario Balotelli backed by Martin Skrtel to score Liverpool goals

Martin Skrtel said he feels sorry for Mario Balotelli as the Liverpool striker’s goal drought goes on.

The Italy international has not scored in seven league games since joining the Reds from AC Milan for 16 million pounds and has not struck in England’s top flight since November 2012, when he was a Manchester City player.

Balotelli had an injury-time chance to earn Liverpool victory in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Hull but failed to make contact with the ball.

And defender Skrtel said: “He is working hard and showed some good moments. Unfortunately we couldn’t score the goal. I feel sorry for him.

Balotelli’s only goal so far for Liverpool came against Ludogorets in the Champions League and he has struck just once in 11 games.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Man United will win the title under Louis van Gaal
Cristiano Ronaldo is backing Louis van Gaal to bring the glory days back to Manchester United. The Real Madrid superstar believes the Premier League club he served from 2003-2009 have finally found a manager capable of living up to the standards laid down by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ronaldo said: “Van Gaal is a fantastic coach and I am certain he will make United champions again – if not this year then very soon after that. “Sir Alex Ferguson said that Van Gaal will need time – and he is right. Because, in the beginning at United, even Sir Alex didn’t win anything for a few years. “To get a good squad and a good team takes time, so let’s give Van Gaal the time he needs.”
 

Serena Williams claims fifth WTA title with victory over Simona Halep

Serena Williams has won her fifth WTA title after a comfortable 6-3 6-0 victory over Simona Halep in Singapore.

The world number one was beaten by Halep earlier this week in the group stage, but another upset looked unlikely as the American powered through in the first.

Williams then cruised to her third successive title with a hammering of the Romanian in the second.

The victory put Williams on par with Steffi Graf for most WTA Finals wins.