UCL Draw

Pot 4

RSC Anderlecht (BEL)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 44
• How they qualified: first in Belgian First League
• Group stage campaigns: 10 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League group stage
• Best European Cup performance: semi-finals (1981/82, 1985/86)

AS Roma (ITA)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 55
• How they qualified: second in Serie A
• Previous group stage campaigns: 7 (last appearance: 2010/11)
• Last season: not in UEFA competition
• Best European Cup performance: runners-up (1983/84)

APOEL FC (CYP)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 61
• How they qualified: first in Cypriot First Division, third qualifying round
• Group stage campaigns: 2 (last appearance: 2011/12)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League third qualifying round/UEFA Europa League group stage
• Best European Cup performance: quarter-finals (2011/12)

FC BATE Borisov (BLR)• UEFA coefficient ranking: 65
• How they qualified: first in Belarusian Premier League, second qualifying round
• Group stage campaigns: 3 (last appearance: 2012/13)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
• Best European Cup performance: UEFA Champions League group stage (2008/09, 2011/12, 2012/13)

PFC Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 104
• How they qualified: first in Bulgarian A League, second qualifying round
• Group stage campaigns: 0
• Last season: UEFA Champions League play-off/UEFA Europa League group stage
• Best European Cup performance: play-offs (2013/14)

NK Maribor (SVN)• UEFA coefficient ranking: 120
• Entered competition: first in Slovene First League, second qualifying round
• Group stage campaigns: 1 (last appearance: 1999/2000)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League play-off/UEFA Europa League round of 32
• Best European Cup performance: UEFA Champions League group stage (1999/2000)

AS Monaco FC
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 156*
• How they qualified: second in Ligue 1
• Group stage campaigns: 5 (last appearance: 2004/05)
• Last season: not in UEFA competition
• Best European Cup performance: runners-up (2003/04)

Malmö FF (SWE)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 233
• How they qualified: first in Allsvenskan, second qualifying round
• Group stage campaigns: 0
• Last season: UEFA Europa League third qualifying round
• Best European Cup performance: runners-up (1978/79)

*Based on France's coefficient as Monaco have not competed in Europe for more than five seasons

UCL DRAW

Pot3

Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 24
• How they qualified: fourth in Bundesliga, play-offs
• Group stage campaigns: 8 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League round of 16
• Best European Cup performance: runners-up (2001/02)

Olympiacos FC (GRE)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 27
• How they qualified: first in Greek Super League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 15 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League round of 16
• Best European Cup performance: quarter-finals (1998/99)

PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 28
• How they qualified: first in Russian Premier League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 7 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League group stage
• Best European Cup performance: quarter-finals (2009/10)

AFC Ajax (NED)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 30
• How they qualified: first in Eredivisie
• Previous group stage campaigns: 12 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League group stage/UEFA Europa League round of 32
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1970/71, 1971/72, 1972/73, 1994/95)

Liverpool FC (ENG)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 32
• How they qualified: second in English Premier League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 8 (last appearance: 2009/10)
• Last season: not in UEFA competition
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/81, 1983/84, 2004/05)

Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 33
• How they qualified: second in Portuguese Liga
• Group stage campaigns: 5 (last appearance: 2008/09)
• Last season: not in UEFA competition
• Best European Cup performance: quarter-finals (1982/83)

Galatasaray AŞ (TUR)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 36
• How they qualified: second in Turkish Super League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 12 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League round of 16
• Best European Cup performance: semi-finals (1988/89)

Athletic Club (ESP)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 37, play-offs
• How they qualified: fourth in Spanish Liga
• Group stage campaigns: 1 (last appearance: 1998/99)
• Last season: not in UEFA competition
• Best European Cup performance: quarter-finals (1956/57)

UCL Draw

FC Schalke 04 (GER)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 14
• How they qualified: third in German Bundesliga
• Previous group stage campaigns: 6 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League round of 16
• Best European Cup performance: semi-finals (2010/11)

Borussia Dortmund (GER)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 15
• How they qualified: second in German Bundesliga
• Previous group stage campaigns: 9 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1996/97)

Juventus (ITA)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 16
• How they qualified: first in Serie A
• Previous group stage campaigns: 14 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League group stage/UEFA Europa League semi-finals
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1984/85, 1995/96)

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 17
• How they qualified: first in Ligue 1
• Previous group stage campaigns: 6 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
• Best European Cup performance: semi-finals (1994/95)

Pot1

FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 18
• How they qualified: first in Ukrainian Premier League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 9 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League group stage/UEFA Europa League round of 32
• Best European Cup performance: quarter-finals (2010/11)

FC Basel 1893 (SUI)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 20
• How they qualified: first in Swiss Super League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 5 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League group stage/UEFA Europa League quarter-finals
• Best European Cup performance: quarter-finals (1973/74)

FC Zenit (RUS)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 21
• How they qualified: second in Russian Premier League, third qualifying round
• Group stage campaigns: 4 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League round of 16
• Best European Cup performance: round of 16 (2011/12, 2013/14)

Manchester City FC (ENG)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 22
• How they qualified: first in English Premier League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 3 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League round of 16
• Best European Cup performance: round of 16 (2013/14)

Champions League Draw

Pot 1
Real Madrid CF (ESP, holders)

• UEFA coefficient ranking: 1
• How they qualified: holders, third in Spanish Liga
• Previous group stage campaigns: 18 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League semi-finals
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1955/56, 1956/57, 1957/58, 1958/59, 1959/60, 1965/66, 1997/98, 1999/2000, 2001/02, 2013/14)

FC Barcelona (ESP)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 2
• How they qualified: second in Spanish Liga
• Previous group stage campaigns: 18 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1991/92, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11)

FC Bayern München (GER)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 3
• How they qualified: first in German Bundesliga
• Previous group stage campaigns: 17 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League semi-finals
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/56, 2000/01, 2012/13)

Chelsea FC (ENG)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 4
• How they qualified: third in English Premier League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 12 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League semi-finals
• Best European Cup performance: winners (2011/12)

SL Benfica (POR)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 5
• How they qualified: first in Portuguese Liga
• Previous group stage campaigns: 9 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League group stage/UEFA Europa League final
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1960/61, 1961/62)

Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 7
• How they qualified: first in Spanish Liga
• Previous group stage campaigns: 4 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League runners-up
• Best European Cup performance: runners-up (1973/74, 2013/14)

Arsenal FC (ENG)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 9
• How they qualified: fourth in Premier League, play-offs
• Previous group stage campaigns: 16 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League round of 16
• Best European Cup performance: runners-up (2005/06)

FC Porto (POR)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 10
• How they qualified: third in Portuguese Liga, play-offs
• Previous group stage campaigns: 18 (last appearance: 2013/14)
• Last season: UEFA Europa League quarter-finals
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1986/87, 2003/04)

Oliver Out for months

Premier League side Arsenal will be without Frenchman Olivier Giroud for four months after the striker underwent surgery on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old picked up a knock in the final seconds of his side’s 2-2 draw with Everton on the weekend, and the club confirmed the extent of the injury in a statement released on their official website: “Olivier Giroud has undergone successful surgery to repair a small fracture to his left tibia.

“Scans following Saturday’s match at Everton confirmed the injury and after specialist opinions in the following days, the decision was taken to have surgery in London on Wednesday afternoon.

“Olivier is expected to return to action in approximately four months.”

Following his frontman’s injury and subsequent lay-off, Arsene Wenger has denied that the club will rush into purchasing a new forward before the end of the transfer window this week, saying there are a number of players in his squad that can cover that position.

"We will try to look around but we want quality and we have quality," said the Arsenal boss.

"I bought Sanchez to be a striker and I think Walcott can be a good striker as well.

"Sanogo can be a good striker, Podolski can play there and Campbell if you ask what he is, he's a striker. They are players of quality and we will see.

“I believe you cannot everytime buy when a player is injured," he added.

Erasmus, Majoro reflect on goals

rlando Pirates strikers Kermit Erasmus and Lehlohonolo Majoro say they hope to continue their goalscoring form following their heroics against Mamelodi Sundowns last night.

Erasmus scored a brilliant brace before being replaced by ‘Major’, who added another with 15 minutes to go asthe Buccaneers ran out 3-0 winners. 

In the previous match, the MTN8 second leg semi-final against Bidvest Wits, Majoro scored a brace after Erasmus had netted the opener.

ALSO READ: Pitso reflects on worst game of his career

Erasmus is understandably excited by his current form, but says the team winning remains the most important thing.

 “In the past few league games I haven’t been converting the chances we have created, but this is football … it’s not about the chances you miss, it’s about the chances you score,” he said after the game.

“For me as a striker I’ve just got to keep pushing and keep believing that the chance will come and that I’ll score. [On Wednesday night] I scored two goals and I’m happy about that and for the team, but we move on from here.

“It’s a confidence booster for us as a team as well. The strikers are scoring; Majoro came on as well and got a beautiful goal as well, so for us as a team we just want to take it one game at a time and keep pushing.”

ALSO READ: Pitso hints at wrongdoing

After not scoring in his first six months at Pirates, Majoro now has three in two matches and he says that is boosting his confidence.

“We can never all start the game; the coach has made his decision to start with Kermit, who has been doing well for the team,” Major said after the game.

“I must thank the coach for giving me the opportunity because the more you get game-time, and with me scoring, my confidence will slowly but surely get there.”

Majoro added: “The coach told me that Sundowns will be desperate, that they will be pushing higher, which is a game that suits me because making the runs behind the defence, which is how my goal came in. So I did exactly what the coach told me and I got the goal.”

Ernst: PSL is more competitive now

Bloemfontein Celtic coach Middendorp after victory over AmaZulu: PSL is more cometitive now

Posted: 28 August 2014 Time: 11:37 am

Bloemfontein Celtic coach Ernst Middendorp doubts this season's Absa Premiership winners will reach the 55-point mark.

Last term Mamelodi Sundowns dethroned Kaizer Chiefs of League honours with a mammoth haul of 65 points.

Middendorp, however, suspects the division will be more competitive this time round.

"I think this time and I said it before, never will Sundowns or another team reach 55 or 60 points to win the League," Middendorp said after Celtic's 2-0 win at AmaZulu last night.

"It will be much less and that is what it is. It is good for the League."

Meanwhile, Middendorp was pleased with his side's performance as they swept past a drab Usuthu at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Phunya Sele Sele prevailed via first-half goals from Lerato Lamola and Gabadinho Mhango, bouncing back from a 1-0 defeat to log leaders Chiefs.

"In the first half we were more cautious and in the second half we said 'we don't want it' in terms of goals. We were smart and more mature, experienced and more composure. It is still early season."

The German, though, said his team is far from the finished article.

"We see Keegan Richie is not hundred percent fit and having not had a pre-season to us in total. (Limbikani) Mzava is travelling in and out of the country due to national team qualification and not completely in our preparation.

"We see there is a little bit of a shaky moment but what is good is that we have the depth by bringing players like Ruben Cloete to really settle in down in the last 30 minutes. It is where we are working at this moment.

"Vuyani Ntanga was not here, Davis Nkausu was not here, Mukuka Mulenga was not here, so we have a lot of players who were out.

"This is what we are building up with."

Article by: Robin-Duke Madlala

Pitso: My worst game ever

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has described their defeat to Orlando Pirates last night as the worst of his coaching career.

The Buccaneers cruised to a 3-0 win in a game marred by controversy, including a late red card for Thabo Matlaba and playing card issues with Brazilians’ captain Alje Schut.

ALSO READ: Pitso hints at wrongdoing

Mosimane was fuming after the game, saying: “I am very angry about the game. I suffered the worst defeat of my career. I don’t remember receiving three goals in my life.”

‘Jingles’ was also upset at the officiating, and admits he ‘had to force’ referee Robert Smith to send Matlaba off.

ALSO READ: VV hints at Matlaba action

“There are too many things around this game and it’s unbelievable what I have seen tonight. 

“I had to go inside the pitch to force the referee to give Matlaba a red card. I went inside, they can suspend me, I don't care.”

Article by: Ernest Fakude

Pirates thump Downs at Loftus

Orlando Pirates got their Absa Premiership campaign up and running with a 3-0 drubbing of Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Stadium.

Kermit Erasmus finally made his chances count with a brilliant brace, before substitute Lehlohonolo Majoro got a third late on.

Pitso Mosimane made two changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Surprise Moriri and Bongani Zungu for Themba Zwane and Asavela Mbekile, while Vladimir Vermezovic opted to replace Rooi Mahamutsa with Ayanda Gcaba in Pirates’ backline.

The first half was a thrilling one, with the visitors almost getting the opener on five minutes when Gcaba met Erasmus’ corner at the back-post, but his header hit the side-netting.

The opener wasn’t far off though. On 14 minutes a quick counter saw Happy Jele play Erasmus in, and the former SuperSport United man made no mistake with a precise chip from the edge of the area.

After a brief lull in goalmouth action, the two sides then took turns in crashing the paint off the goalframe in three crazy minutes.

First Hlompho Kekana hit a trademark rocket past Senzo Meyiwa, but the ball cannoned back off the crossbar.

From the counter, Thandani Ntshumayelo hit the side-netting, before Oupa Manyisa, with a late run into the box, connected with Erasmus’ square-ball, but he hit his close-range shot onto the upright.

And just a minute later it was Surprise Moriri’s turn; his excellent control setting up a volley which crashed against the upright.

Teko Modise then combined brilliantly with Bongani Zungu before firing straight at Meyiwa, before Erasmus showed the two sides to his game – first brilliant skill to turn a defender in the box, then firing wide from eight yards out.

There was some action just before the break when Meyiwa misjudged a floating free-kick and spilled the ball. Alje Schut came charging in to score, but Issa Sarr made a timely challenge – one which saw the Brazilians’ captain replaced at half-time.

There was drama just before the restart when Pirates lodged an official complaint, supposedly for Schut’s administrative card having expired. After much arguing on the touchline the match went ahead, with Downs pushing hard for an equaliser.

It almost came when substitute Kuda Mahachi floated a cross to Niang, who controlled the ball on his chest, but Meyiwa rushed out to save.

And then the suckerpunch as Pirates – and Erasmus – got their second. Sundowns lost the ball on the edge of the opposition area, and Daine Klate immediately played a long ball to Erasmus, who chipped Kennedy Mweene for a second time.

The Brazilians kept pushing, with Kekana firing a grass-cutter just wide, before Thabo Nthethe had a header cleared off the line.

It was even closer on 75 minutes as Pelembe skinned Sangweni in the area and fired off a shot, only for Meyiwa to pull off a stunning save.

Pirates made it 3-0 soon after, and again it was on the counter-attack. Substitute Majoro made his way into the area and fired a cool finish past Mweene, though the defenders should have cleared before that.

Sundowns squandered another great chance late on when Modise cross perfectly to the unmarked Elias Pelembe at the far-post, but the Mozambican winger leant back and fired way over. 

A night of drama was concluded in injury-time when Matlaba was red-carded for a late challenge on Mahachi, but by then the damage had been done as the Brazilians continued their poor start to the season.

Follow on Twitter @Mavuyostar

Article by: Ryan Cooper

Pitso: Bucs have the advantage

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane admits that Orlando Pirates will have advantage when the two teams meet at Loftus Versfeld tonight.

The Buccaneers have been using the same starting XI in both the MTN8 and Absa Premiership, while ‘Jingles’ is still trying to strike a balance given all the riches at his disposal.

“It's a little different for us … they have been winning in the cup and that formation has given them wins,” Mosimane said.

“I know why VV [Vladimir Vermezovic] has stuck to that because he has a record. That team has been doing well and that team has been scoring goals.

“They just beat Wits 5-1 [on aggregate] and that shows that they are a good team. But we are not going to keep it all the time like that. I will change a little bit until it is settled.

“It hasn’t settled; people must understand that. I have players that I have bought in and I must justify why I brought them in. I must give them a chance to play, so they must play.”

However, with Pirates having been playing with the same team, Mosimane believes it will be difficult for them to plan against his team since they are not sure which players he will bring tonight.

“They have a settled team, but [Moroka] Swallows had a settle team and we won there. I don't know … in the League they are not settled. I have advantage in the League.

“It's early days and we are still finding out feet. I see Real Madrid also they don't have a proper starting line-up. It's difficult to plan against us, but I don't know how other teams feel playing against us.”

Article by: Ike Khoza

New Everton striker Samuel Eto'o

New Everton striker Samuel Eto'o has revealed that he turned down the chance to return to Italy in order to pen a two-year deal at Goodison Park.

At this stage, towards the end of my career, the most important thing was to find a club that would allow me to do what I wanted most, which was to play football and let me share my experience

LATEST HEADLINES

Hot on the heels of the hint from his chairman, Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock has told talkSPORT that the Eagles are hoping to bringWilfried Zaha back to Selhurst Park from Manchester United

I did speak to him last night. I spent half an hour telling him why I want him to come back and I’m optimistic we are going to do it today

LATEST HEADLINES

Kaveh Solhekol brings us the latest Transfer Update as Crystal Palace look to add to their attacking options, AC Milan are reportedly interested in a Chelsea striker while a former Liverpool midfielder could be swapping Madrid for Munich.

Manyama out with shoulder injury

uperSport United will be without midfielder Lebogang Manyama when they take on Free State Stars at Charles Mopeli Stadium on Wednesday night.

Manyama missed United's 1-0 win over Chippa United last week after he suffered a shoulder injury against Bidvest Wits in their League opener.

Now according to SuperSport coach Cavin Johnson, Manyama is expected to return to full training in a week’s time.

“Lebo is still recovering from his shoulder injury and I think that he's still got another week to go,” he tellsKickOff.com.

Matsatsantsa will also be without striker Prince Nxumalo due to suspension after he was shown a red card against Chippa.

Suares makes a Promise

New Barcelona Signing has promised his new fans that he wont attempt an act of biting any opponent in the future.

Motsepe wants loan policy reviewed

Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe is ready to propose to his Board that they scrap their loan policy and allow players on loan to play against them.

Sundowns have come in for fierce criticism in recent times for loaning out players and not allowing them to play against them, with some soccer pundits believing that it is weakening our League.

The Brazilians have been operating under the same loan policy for the past few years with more than 15 players going out on loan to other teams but not being allowed to play against them.

READ: Teko defends Sundowns loan policy

Motsepe is hoping that his Board members will review the loan policy in the near future.

"Personally I would like all our loaned players to play against us," says Motsepe.

"But I am part of the Board where it says there are players we pay for, and how can players we are paying for play against us, and these players are for the future?

"Also the players we have, I don't want players not playing. If a player is a Sundowns player and is not part of the coach's plan, we must allow him to play elsewhere, including against Sundowns."

READER'S VIEW: ‘Sun’ must go ‘down’ on loan policy

He continued: "I can't have people on the Board and disregard their advice. The issue of Alex Shakoane, playing for Sundowns and Sundowns pay him whilst on loan because usually some of the clubs cannot pay the salaries that Alex concluded [with our players] and the thinking was that it is a little bit of a challenge to let a player that we pay play against Sundowns."

The mining magnate says it will be good for South African football if loan players are allowed to play against Sundowns.

"Personally in my opinion, in future all players put on loan must play against us. I know some would love to prove us wrong after we have let them go. That is wonderful, it's good for them, it's good for us, it's good for football," says Motsepe.

Article by: Ernest Fakude

Schut praises teammates for awards

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Alje Schut has paid respect to his teammates and the people of South Africa after winning the Player of the Season Award during the club's End of Season Awards held in Pretoria on Sunday night.

Schut was biggest winner of the night after also being voted Player's Player of the Season by his own teammates at Sundowns. The Dutch defender took home R425 000 for winning both awards.

“I am thankful to my teammates for voting me the Player's Player of the Season Award,” Schut told KICKOFF.com at the function. 

"This is the biggest respect you can get from your own teammates.

"Regarding the Player of the Season Award, I want to say I am team player. I can only play well because my team also played very well.”

Schut is now in 3rd season with the Brazilians and says he is enjoying life in South Africa.

"I am enjoying myself. The first season was tough because we didn’t get the results,” Said the Brazilians’ captain.

"The 2nd season we started well and ended up winning the league. I am very happy and enjoying myself here, I love the life here, I love the country and people here are open and very welcoming.”

Sundowns have however started this season on a poor note and have yet to register a win so far in the League, and were also been booted out of the MTN8 tournament.

However Schut believes the Brazilians will turn the corner soon.

"We started the first 2 games very badly,” he said. "But with the character and the reaction from the players, I am confident that we will turn the corner very soon, especially with the quality of players we have in the team.”

Sundowns face Moroka Swallows in their next League fixture on Wednesday, 20 August.

Article by: Ernest Fakude