Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez “angry” over Champions League defeat to Real Madrid

Lautaro Martinez feels ‘angry’ after Inter’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid. ‘We created enough chances to get the victory.’

Toro had scored to get his team back into it after going 2-0 down, then Ivan Perisic equalised, but Rodrygo got the winner for the Merengues.

“It’s a pity, because we did everything we could to win it and never let them rest on the ball,” the Argentina international told Sky Sport Italia.

“We are angry, because it’s a game we wanted to win, we created enough chances to get the victory too. We have to keep our heads down, push forward and keep going.

“The details are the difference at this level. I said it before and I’ll say it again, we do everything to win these games, but we make mistakes and at the end of the day pay the price.

“We must work on being more focused.”

Lautaro broke his goal drought this evening and had been under pressure following some big mistakes, especially with Romelu Lukaku out injured.

“I work for Inter and for my teammates. I know that in football you score a goal and are treated as a phenomenon, you miss and suddenly you are rubbish. I am giving my all to prove that I am at the level required for Inter. I keep quiet and keep working with humility.”

Pep Guardiola set to move for Manchester United prime target

Manchester City are considering a move for Bayer Leverkusen ace Moussa Diaby – after Manchester United reportedly failed with a summer bid for the French winger.

Former Paris Saint-Germain prospect Diaby has shone since joining the Bundesliga club last year.

Reports in Germany claim Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to sign the 21-year-old during the summer, and United made a £45million offer

However Leverkusen refused to sell, having lost attacking duo Kai Havertz and Kevin Volland to Chelsea and Monaco respectively.

Club sporting director Rudi Voller said: “The summer break wasn’t just about Kai Havertz alone.

“We had three or four further players who were targeted by foreign clubs. Moussa Diaby was one of them. City boss Pep Guardiola is now said to want to sign the pint-sized winger during the January transfer window.”

Manchester United legend blasts Red Devils after defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in Champions League

Paul Scholes has descended on Manchester United’s stars, stating that their defending was “like under-10s football” after they gifted calamitous goals during their defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League.

The Turkish club beat the Red Devils 2-1 to claim their first ever victory in Champions League football.

United went forward en masse for an early corner and kept nobody back to guard against their Turkish hosts’ counter-attacking. As soon as United lost the ball, Edin Visca pumped a long ball upfield from inside his own penalty area and Demba Ba was able to run unchecked from inside his own half before beating Dean Henderson.

“That’s completely down to organisation,” Scholes said.

“At a corner you surely always have someone back on the halfway line.”

Speaking on BT Sport, former United midfield general Scholes pointed to assistant manager Mike Phelan telling Nemanja Matic that he should have been covering the possible break.

“It’s like under-10s football,” Scholes said. “You can understand it if it’s the last minute and you’re going for a goal.”

This took place in the 12th minute, however, and for Scholes there was no excuse.

“It’s embarrassing,” Scholes said. “What the back four were doing, I’ve no idea. Defensively they’ve got to take responsibility. You’ve got to defend one-v-ones at times at Manchester United and they seem incapable of doing it.”

Fellow former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves was equally baffled by the blunder from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a goal like it,” Hargreaves said. “The problem is the players are waiting for a cross that doesn’t really materialize and they never really get back. One ball up the pitch and Demba Ba’s in on his own.”

Photo Credit: Twitter/ChampionsLeague

Chelsea star Reece James handed two-match ban

Reece James will miss England’s forthcoming UEFA Nations League games against Belgium and Iceland after being hit with a two-match suspension.

The news casts doubt over the Chelsea star’s place in Gareth Southgate’s next squad which is announced on Thursday.

James was shown a straight red card for dissent in the defeat to Denmark last month following a heated exchange with referee Jesus Gil Manzano after the final whistle, report the Mail.

The 20-year-old was arguably England’s best player on the night as he made his full debut for the Three Lions.

But he could now miss the opportunity to build on that promising performance after UEFA confirmed he cannot play in the forthcoming Nations League fixtures.

Half-Time Report: Timo Werner’s brace hands Chelsea lead

Chelsea are leading after the first half of the Champions League match following two penalties from Timo Werner.

The Blues boss Frank Lampard will be very happy indeed with how that opening 45 minutes transpired.

Chelsea have been the better side and deserving of their two-goal advantage, both strikes coming from the penalty spot.

Rennes can have no complaints about the first penalty, but will feel hard done by with the manner of the second, a handball decision that seems harsh on replay.

Dalbert was the player adjudged responsible on each occasion, and both infringements drew him a yellow card. The second of those was an incredibly harsh decision after a lengthy VAR review.

Dalbert’s subsequent dismissal piled more misery on the French.

Chelsea in cruise control ahead of the second half.

Photo Credit: Twitter/chelseaFC

(Watch Video) Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba scores! Istanbul Basaksehir 1-0 Manchester United

Istanbul Basaksehir drew the first blood as the hosts scored through former Chelsea striker Demba Ba.

In truth it’s shambolic defending from Manchester United. A clearance from the back from Edin Visca picked out Ba up the field, with the striker left unchallenged and in acres of space.

He then strode through and coolly slotted into the far corner.

Jose Mourinho defends Harry Kane over “cheat” smear tag

Jose Mourinho insists Harry Kane is not a cheat like other Premier League stars.

The Tottenham boss is furious after his striker was accused of winning a VAR penalty against Brighton’s Adam Lallana on Sunday.

Mourinho said:”You are confused because you could be speaking about some Manchester United players.

“You could be speaking about some Man City players, you could be speaking about some Liverpool players, you could be speaking about some Chelsea players and yet you’re speaking about Harry Kane?

“He was in a position to control the ball in a dangerous position and Lallana came in with a very reckless action and committed a foul.

“What are you speaking about being clever or being not clever? Being clever is to hold the ball and shoot and score. It was a foul.”

Frank Lampard identifies Edouard Mendy’s qualities he’s thrilled about

Frank Lampard is thrilled with new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and he has heaped praise on the keeper ahead of the Blues’ Champions League clash against his old club Rennes.

Lampard said: “He has shown his qualities that we brought him into the club for.

“All the feedback was he had a great personality, a strong personality in the dressing room, and everything I heard, all those positives, came true. It seems his personality is pretty laid-back with a tough edge when it comes to work.

“He is very low maintenance, he works hard, he wants to work more, and he is eager to engage with his team-mates and myself.

“He has a smile on his face so it’s a real positive when you have a player that comes in and hits the ground running on the pitch and in the dressing room.”

Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man reveals why Paul Pogba is not world class

Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man Rene Meulensteen has said Paul Pogba is not world class.

He told TalkSPORT: “If I really look at the world class players: Pele, [Diego] Maradona, [Johan] Cruyff, [Franz] Beckenbauer, Eusebio, [Bobby] Charlton, all of them spring to mind.

“Then there’s [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi and so forth, those are the players [at the top].

“Paul has been class [in the past] and don’t get me wrong, it’s not a criticism, it’s an observation and an opinion. I don’t think at this moment in time the performances that he’s produced warrant that title.

“I think he needs to bring a lot more to Manchester United. If you ran a poll with Manchester United and you say Paul Scholes in his prime or Paul Pogba in his prime, you have to choose one of them, who would you put in your midfield?

“I think the answer is quite simple.”

Real Madrid set to beat Chelsea, Juventus, Man United to Bayern Munich star

Real Madrid are reportedly spoiling to make a free transfer swoop for Bayern Munich star David Alaba at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester United are said to be angling for the defender, with reports claiming that a number of other top European clubs like PSG, Manchester City equally keen to sign the player.

The Austrian international is out of contract in July 2021, and with talks over an extension currently deadlocked, Real Madrid are monitoring the developing situation over his future.

According to reports from Diario AS via Football Espana, Alaba’s agents have already opened up talks with the La Liga champions over a possible move, with a pre-agreement potentially reached in January.

Zinedine Zidane is rumoured to be a fan of the versatile 28-year old, who can play in defence and midfield, and he would provide an experienced squad option for the French boss.

Alaba came through the youth ranks with Bayern Munich before making his first team debut in 2009.